Still in camp. Orders to have muster at 8 o’clock. Muster roll called by Lt. Col. Jones. Have now on our rolls 98 enlisted men.
Civil War Miscellany
August 9, 1863
Still in camp. Weather warm—the same kind of weather as last year on this date when we marched to Cedar Mountain where we fought & whipped Pope and his hirelings. Nothing new, not even a camp rumor.
August 8, 1863
Moved camp this morning. Roads very bad. Worried horses a great deal. Moved toward Gordonsville near where Camp Wheat was last year. Think it can not be long before we have another fight. Hope it will be soon for we need horses & harness. Also the boys want to get some clothes. On Col. Magruders farm.
July 31, 1863
Friday. 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 28, 1863
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.
July 27, 1863
Left at sunrise this morning. Arrived at top of the mountain at 8 o’clock. Now waiting near the Shenandoah river until the pontoons are laid. Crossed safely. Camped 1 ½ miles from foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Orders to be ready to move at daylight tomorrow morning.
July 26, 1863
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.”[
July 24, 1863
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.
July 22, 1863
Wednesday.
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.
July 21, 1863
Aroused at 3 o’clock this morning to hitch up & be ready to move at daylight. Crossed the Shenandoah Mountains. Very rapid marching. Heard about 12 o’clock the Yankees had left and crossed the Potomac. Kept on until 3 o’clock P.M. when we camped having marched 20 miles. Horses & men pretty near broke down.