Civil War Blog

Sunday.  We then moved by the new road that had been dug by the sappers & miners, the bullets whistling round us all the way.  Were ordered to fix bayonets & charge upon the breastworks—had ravines & ridges to cross all full of brush & timber—almost impossible to crawl up—but after a hard scramble got to the place where the charge was to commence, but by this time four or five Reg’ts. Had got mixed up, & there was so much confusion that it was impossible to form a line (the 22^nd was less confused than the other Reg’ts.).  Moved farther to the left to get more out of the way of the sharp-shooters, & got as good a cover as we could.  Here we lay till the middle of the afternoon, the sun beating down terribly, & the bullets constantly whistling over & among us.  While lying here, Corp. A. Haskell was struck in the breast by a bullet, making a flesh would.  Sent him out to the Hospital.  (Boker had been hit previously by a buckshot.). Ivis, Allen also had a slight wound made in a toe.  These were all of Company “H” that were struck, though several escaped as by a miracle.  In [the] middle of [the] P.M. companies “h” & “E” took position in ravines where they were better sheltered, & we lay till about 9 o’clock, when we were ordered back to camp.  The Reg’t. formed out near the bridge on the main road, & moved into camp.  Lay down, & slept soundly till morning.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Saturday.  Had baked beans for breakfast which were much relished by us all.  One of Co. “A” came in this morning, & reports that the nine other missing men of their Co. are all alive & near the enemy’s breastworks, but have had nothing to eat since yesterday morning.  He is going to try to get back to them with some provisions.  A small mail came in just after breakfast, containing three letters from home (from Father, mother, & Pamelia, all dated May 25^th).  I thank our heavenly Father that he has preserved the lives & health of all the loved ones at home, & give them all things needful for their comfort & happiness.  May he grant that we may all meet again on the shores of time.  All but one of Co. “A”’s men have just got in safely.  Came out this morning in command of the picket guard.  Sharp musketry firing all the forenoon.   About need the cannon & mortars began to work, & the sounds indicate that the batteries are busy on a considerable portion of the line.  Whether the general bombardment has begun, I cannot yet determine (1 o’clock).  [Read more…] about June 13, 1863

Thursday.  We then returned to our old company ground, & got breakfast, Co. “E” came in with the reserve, but Co.’s “A” & “B” were left behind.  “A” is still (1 o’clock) absent.  Co. “B” has got in this forenoon, & report that they went into the enemy’s works during the rain, where they lost two men killed, who were left there, & two wounded that were brought in.  Lt. Anson is thought to be a prisoner, as he was not known to recross the intrenchments.  There is much anxiety about Co. “A”, but they are supposed to be in the timber, where they will have to stay till dark.  Lt. J. had a ball pass through the sleeve of his blouse.  My prayers for the preservation of my Co. have been richly answered.  May we all be grateful to our heavenly Father.  The 8^th Vt. Regt. is said to have suffered severely, & the 90^th N.Y. also lost a few men.  [Read more…] about June 11, 1863