Civil War Blog

Archives for July 2013

July 31, 1863

by

7-31Friday.  The last day of my birth month signalized by my final happy admission to the Junior class.  I believe I shall indulge in self congratulation after I have brought my record down to that occasion.

But before I relate the manner of my obtaining the ticket I must tell of my grievous disappointment in not getting it at first.  I had been in on Tuesday evening  before Cross and made up on Trigonometry and Surveying, leaving only three books of Geometry which I endeavored to prevail on him to excuse, promising to make up after I had received my ticket.  He assured me that he would do his best, which promise added to Prof. Whittlesey’s left me little doubt on the question and in the evening I devoted myself to the task of sum making in which I distinguished myself.  The following are some of my base attempts. [Read more…] about July 31, 1863

July 29, 1863

by

Hd. qrs. 11th Corps, Warrenton Junction, Va.

My dear Mother,

If we could have known that the Army would lie still so long we might have been home by this time. Yet we may move before another four days or even another two days expire. I got letters from Dellie & Rowland each telling about the Draft. Hope you will find it convenient to go up and visit Rowland. He can tell you a great deal about our daily life which was striking to him and he would remember but which does not come to my mind in writing. It has continued very warm but last night we had a shower which cooled off the air a little.

I am going to ride to Hd. qrs. with Otis this morning to Warrenton 9 miles or more.

I answer to a letter he had written Otis received one from the President in which he expressed great regret that Lee was allowed to escape but on the whole said he had determined to be grateful for what had been done & not complain about what had not been accomplished. [Read more…] about July 29, 1863

July 28, 1863

by

Camp woke up at 2 ½ o’clock.  Moved at daylight.  Commenced the ascent of the mountain (Fisher Gap, Blue Ridge) at 5 ½ o’clock.  Reached the top of the mountain at 9 ½ o’clock.  Very hard march on horses.  20 days without cover.  (Mem.  6 miles up from Luray valley & 7 miles down opposite side.)  Camped now 5 miles from foot of the mountain & 5 miles from Madison Courthouse.  Dropped 2 horses today.  Rained very hard this evening.

Diary of A.M. Riddle [Civil War Miscellany]

July 26, 1863

by

On the move by sunrise this morning.  Passed through Mt. Jackson and Newmarket.  Camped about 10 ½ o’clock at the foot of the Massanutten mountain.  Leave at sunrise tomorrow morning to cross the mountain.

Rained very hard last night.  Thought I was well sheltered, but found that I had made my bed across a small ditch which soon filled up and was rather unpleasant to lay[!] in, but I went to sleep & woke up at daylight feeling “right side up with care.”[

Diary of A.M. Riddle [Civil War Miscellany]

July 24, 1863

by

At 2 ½ o’clock this morning the company was waked up.  Marched on Front Royal road 10 miles.  Took road to right for Middletown.  Marched through Middletown to Strasburg.  Camped 2 miles beyond Strasburg, having marched 24 miles today.  Very hot weather, horses & man[!] very much fatigued.  In the advance today.  Camped at 9 o’clock.  Rested for 3 hours toady, unhitched & unharnessed horses  Changed horses in 4th Caisson 4 times.

Diary of A.M. Riddle [Civil War Miscellany]

July 23, 1863

by

Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac, New Baltimore Va.

General –

I am not satisfied with the manner in which my Quarter Master conducts his Department. He was at times displayed great Energy, particularly on the march. His deportment towards me has been unexceptionable. Bu he ignores details to a great extent and from lack of personal supervision troubles are continually arising. For example, yesterday he desired to send out a train for forage to the vicinity of Circleville. I gave permission, but instructed him in no case to send a train without at guard. The guard was ordered and reported, but the train had already gone. Col. Le Duc was away, and no officer, clerk or agent of his department could direct the guard so that it could follow the train, until it was too late. The train of eight or nine wagons was captured, but the wagons were recovered by Col. Le Duc. The mules and teamsters have gone to the enemy. All this arose from neglect on his part to see that the train did not start till the guard had arrived.

I would not injure Col. Le Duc but I do not heel safe, as far as concerns my transportation, with him at the head of the Quarter Master’s Department of this Corps. I therefore ask that he be assigned to duty elsewhere.

I would recommend, in case this application should be granted, that Capt H. B. Lacy be allowed to temporarily perform the duties of Chief Quarter Master of the Corps.

Major General Oliver Otis Howard to Major General George G. Meade [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]

July 22, 1863

by

7-22Wednesday.

Emma’s letter states that Lieut. Lowell is probably killed, as he was left desperately wounded on the field and has not been heard of since.  Charlie Hunt is wounded and to return home for a short time.  How I wish I could be where the bullets are flying, but my fate forbids and I submit.  No letter yet from Etta though I am daily expecting one.

Charlie Andrews called in the afternoon, having found at last who the Rev. S. B. Craft is.  We enjoyed ourselves “fighting our battles o’er again” and letting our respective adventures for an hour or two and arranged to go down together in the Tuesday evening boat.

George and I went to the Butler Combination Troupe’s performance in the Museum on Monday evening where I saw ballet dancing for the first time.

I am bound to say that my Puritanical education prevented my enjoyment of this part of the evening’s entertainment.

Diary of Horatio Fox [Civil War Miscellany]