Saturday
Moved out at 8 o’clock pass through the town and followed the road over the plains to [illegible] Junction getting in at 4 o’clock. The 11th Corps arriving in at the same time.
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 23, 1863
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
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.
July 20, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Army of the Potomac. Mountville, Loudon Co. Va. July 20th 1863
My dear Mother,
I had hoped to have time to write you a good long letter today as we were not to march. We arrived at this beautiful place in Loudon Valley yesterday P.M. Some roving Rebel Cavalry had been here in the morning and two officers of the 11st Corps staff were captured while ahead of their Command selecting camping ground. Hd. qrs. are at Union. Our orders last evening were that we remain at rest today. This is very refreshing.
We are at a pleasant house Mr Mounts’. They are all Rebels in sentiment but treat us kindly enough.The young lady, who is quite pretty, is as decided and outspoken a Rebel as I have ever seen. They claim Gettysburg as a Rebel victory! We don’t see it in that light. A few more such Rebel victories is all that we need to end the war. [Read more…] about July 20, 1863
July 19, 1863
To use the words of a song “All quiet along the lines.” No orders about moving. Think we will not attempt a crossing until the army is well clothed & shod. Everything in camp seems to betoken this is Sunday. No noise.
July 18, 1863
All quiet. No orders yet for moving. Pontoon train passed up today, towards Potomac. Looks like an invasion. Hope we may…… Am confident if we do we will succeed. Boys all think living on the good things in Pennsylvania much better than beef and flour here. Reinforcements arrived at or near Winchester.
July 17, 1863
Friday
Remained in camp today. Rainy. Quite sick with a cold. […] Got a letter from mother written Jul 3rd.
Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Papers]
July 16, 1863
Orders to be ready to move at 6 o’clock. Battery ready. Left camp at 7 o’clock. Marched 6 miles to a camp just beyond Darksville.
Richmond papers of the 14th in camp. Very bad news. Vicksburg gone, Port Hudson rumored to have fallen. Very bad spirit manifested by some of the boys who think times look very blue. I think this should nerve every man to do or die. Heavy cannonading.