Over Thanksgiving vacation I travelled to Madison for another day of reading original documents at the Wisconsin Historical Society.I hit gold again.It'll take me a while to transcribe what I found, but here is my first entry.
I found a letter from Captain Wirz at Camp Sumter asking permission to move the hospital from the compound to outside to gain more room to house his prisoners. Below is the letter. Enjoy.
Camp Sumter Andersonville Ga
April 25 1864
Genl
I have the honor to enclose report of Conf. States Mil Prison report of guard forces at this post. Allow me Genl most respectfully to point out to you several things which in my humble judgment need some action upon.
The hospital which is within the stockades impedes very much the ___ line necessary to keep such a large number of prisoners in proper bounds. Beside I am very much in want of the space which the hospital is occupying. Prisoners are constantly arriving, and soon I will not be able to quarter everyone. The gates which ought to be closed are to be left open to give access to the surgeon as well as egress to the dead, all these things combine making an alternate most desirable.
There are a great many applications of prisoners to take the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, not however with the intention to enter our service, but to be allowed to work at their respective.
An increased guard would not only be very acceptable but it is a great necessity. These suggestions Genl submitted to yours remain
Most respectively
Your ob servant
Wirz
M. S. Wright Capt Commanding
Brig Genl
Present
NOTE: In the letter Wirz talks about "egress for the dead." On that day Corporal Reuben I. Malone died at the prison. He was one of those who used that egress. Sort of humanizes the practical writing of Wirz.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
FITZHUGH’S LANDING
FITZHUGH’S LANDING (3)
Slaughter Pen parking lot
To begin the spring campaign of 1863 Hooker ordered 1st and 6th Corps to cross the river near here. After crossing the two corps dug in and waited for orders to move. This grand deception orchestrated bh Hooker did little to fool General Robert E. Lee. As Hooker ran into trouble, 1st corps returned to the Falmouth side of the river then marched to support the federal troops at the Chancellor House. 6th corps stayed here until may3 when it made its assault on Marye’s Heights.
About midnight we marched again hoping to surprise the enemy by rushing two regiments in pontoon boats, capturing the rifle pits along the opposite bank and thus clearing the way for a pontoon bridge. For this perilous duty our regiment and the 24th Michigan were selected. The troops moved slowly in the fog, rain and darkness and so much noise was made by the mules in the pontoon train that little hope remained of surprising the enemy, about daylight when the engineer corps had launched only half of their boats into the river, they were opened by the musketry of the enemy posted in rifle pits beyond the river. A panic ensued in the pontoon train. There was a grand skedaddle of mules with lumbering pontoon boats, negroes and extra-duty men. We cleared a track and let them by us in their frantic and ludicrous flight. We had completely failed to surprise the enemy.
A fog hung over the river and as soon as it cleared away and order from General Wadworth to Colonel Bragg to move the regiment to the bank of the river and fire across the enemy. We double-quicked forward in line, threw ourselves flat upon the ground and commenced firing but w could gain nothing. The rebels were on higher ground and in rifle pits and their fire was more destructive than ours could be on them.
Rufas Dawes, 6th Wisconsin 4th Brigade 1st division First corps
On the morning of the April 29th I was on camp-guard while the thirteenth Georgia regiment was on picket and was guarding the river crossing. We heard a few guns fire at the picket post, and soon a very heavy volley. This was just at day break. This shooting immediately put the whole command in a stir. The drum was beating the long roll and officers were shouting, “Fall in line.” I and the rest of the guards around the line received orders to go t o out tens, pack up and follow the brigade. We caught up with them while they were forming in line at the foot of the Mary’s Heights, on the R. &F. R.R. . We built breastworks nearly all day.
G.W. Nichols, 61st Georgia Infantry, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division
It now seemed the Rappahannock must be reddened with out blood if the crossing was to be forced. The river was about two hundred yards wide and very deep and the banks were high and steep. Pontoon boats enough to carry about four hundred men were lying in the water at a landing place called Fitz Hugh’s crossing or Pollock’s Mill, with one end caught upon the shore and oars to row the boats were lying in the bottom of them. Of course they were directly under they were directly under the enemy’s fire. About nine o’clock the sixth Wisconsin and twenty fourth Michigan regiments were ordered to cross the river in these boats and attack the rifle pits. I confess that a shrinking from the proffered glory came over us. To be shot like sheep in a huddle and drown in the Rappahannock appeared to be the certain fate of all if we failed and os some if we succeeded. The regiment was ordered to into line at once to prepare for the rush. Knapsacks were unslung and piled upon the ground. We selected men from each company who were to row the boats and instructed them in their duty. Colonel Bragg briefly and plainly stated to the regiment what was expected of them and the plan for the execution of the movement. The plan was simple and fully comprehended by the men. A line of troops was to be moved forward to the edge of the river bank who would fire over our heads at the enemy while we crossed the river in the boats. Batteries of artillery were planted on the hills back on the plain, which would also fie upon the enemy.
We had to pass over an open field and down a sloping bank to reach the boats, and during this time, we received the fire of the enemy. When our battle line appeared the rebels turned their fire upon us. “Now for it boys. By the right of companies to the front. Run, march,” came the sharp jerky emphasis from colonel Bragg. The men plunged into the boats and threw themselves upon the bottom of them as they had been instructed. Her was our only mistake; the men were on the oars. “Whiz” came the bullets. To halt or flinch in the deadly storm was disgrace if not death. Nervous and quick orders were given something line this:” Heave off your boats! Up with the oars!” Here fifteen of our men were shot. When we got across the river, we jumped into the mud and water, waist deep, waded ashore, crawled and scrambled up the bank, lying hold of the bushes. Very few shots were fired before they were throwing down their arms or running over the plain.
Rufas Dawes, 6th Wisconsin 4th Brigade 1st division first corps
The wooded hills about a mile back from the river were well fortified by General Lee, and in these our brigade was led when the news came that the enemy had crossed. A fine old road runs from Fredericksburg down the river. This road had a cedar thicket on each side which almost shut out the view from our breastworks. Through a few openings our men could see the enemy busily engaged in building their breastworks and mounting their guns. The 31st regiment, commanded by Col. Clement A. Evans, was ordered to occupy the road and observe the movement of the enemy. Our position was only a short distance from the breastworks of the Federals, and we had noting to do but watch them at work. They did not have any skirmishers out to annoy us, and at first we had a fine time peeping up over the bank of the road, which afforded us ample protection. Some of the men felt so secure that they made little fires in the road and behind the cedar break toward our enemy and began to warm their breakfasts, for this was early in the day. Suddenly there was volley of artillery from the confederate position in our rear, and shrieking shells brought every man to his feet. This was the beginning of an artillery dual with a federal battery a short distance in front of us. The confederate artilleryman cut the fuses on their first shells too short, and they exploded just over our heads and scattered fragments and shrapnel all around us but did us no harm. The federal guns in their redoubts in our front now began to reply. Some of our men watched the effect of our shells as they fell in and around the enemy, while others observed the solid shot from the Yankee guns as they plunged into the red dirt in from of our works. When the firing was at its hottest, Lieutenant Aree threw up his hands and exclaimed, “That was a good shot.” A shell from our battery cut a Yankee in the redoubt in two. We were in great danger from our shells all the time and were glad when the shelling ceased.
Gordon Bradwell, 31st Georgia, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Jackson’s Corps
Slaughter Pen parking lot
To begin the spring campaign of 1863 Hooker ordered 1st and 6th Corps to cross the river near here. After crossing the two corps dug in and waited for orders to move. This grand deception orchestrated bh Hooker did little to fool General Robert E. Lee. As Hooker ran into trouble, 1st corps returned to the Falmouth side of the river then marched to support the federal troops at the Chancellor House. 6th corps stayed here until may3 when it made its assault on Marye’s Heights.
About midnight we marched again hoping to surprise the enemy by rushing two regiments in pontoon boats, capturing the rifle pits along the opposite bank and thus clearing the way for a pontoon bridge. For this perilous duty our regiment and the 24th Michigan were selected. The troops moved slowly in the fog, rain and darkness and so much noise was made by the mules in the pontoon train that little hope remained of surprising the enemy, about daylight when the engineer corps had launched only half of their boats into the river, they were opened by the musketry of the enemy posted in rifle pits beyond the river. A panic ensued in the pontoon train. There was a grand skedaddle of mules with lumbering pontoon boats, negroes and extra-duty men. We cleared a track and let them by us in their frantic and ludicrous flight. We had completely failed to surprise the enemy.
A fog hung over the river and as soon as it cleared away and order from General Wadworth to Colonel Bragg to move the regiment to the bank of the river and fire across the enemy. We double-quicked forward in line, threw ourselves flat upon the ground and commenced firing but w could gain nothing. The rebels were on higher ground and in rifle pits and their fire was more destructive than ours could be on them.
Rufas Dawes, 6th Wisconsin 4th Brigade 1st division First corps
On the morning of the April 29th I was on camp-guard while the thirteenth Georgia regiment was on picket and was guarding the river crossing. We heard a few guns fire at the picket post, and soon a very heavy volley. This was just at day break. This shooting immediately put the whole command in a stir. The drum was beating the long roll and officers were shouting, “Fall in line.” I and the rest of the guards around the line received orders to go t o out tens, pack up and follow the brigade. We caught up with them while they were forming in line at the foot of the Mary’s Heights, on the R. &F. R.R. . We built breastworks nearly all day.
G.W. Nichols, 61st Georgia Infantry, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division
It now seemed the Rappahannock must be reddened with out blood if the crossing was to be forced. The river was about two hundred yards wide and very deep and the banks were high and steep. Pontoon boats enough to carry about four hundred men were lying in the water at a landing place called Fitz Hugh’s crossing or Pollock’s Mill, with one end caught upon the shore and oars to row the boats were lying in the bottom of them. Of course they were directly under they were directly under the enemy’s fire. About nine o’clock the sixth Wisconsin and twenty fourth Michigan regiments were ordered to cross the river in these boats and attack the rifle pits. I confess that a shrinking from the proffered glory came over us. To be shot like sheep in a huddle and drown in the Rappahannock appeared to be the certain fate of all if we failed and os some if we succeeded. The regiment was ordered to into line at once to prepare for the rush. Knapsacks were unslung and piled upon the ground. We selected men from each company who were to row the boats and instructed them in their duty. Colonel Bragg briefly and plainly stated to the regiment what was expected of them and the plan for the execution of the movement. The plan was simple and fully comprehended by the men. A line of troops was to be moved forward to the edge of the river bank who would fire over our heads at the enemy while we crossed the river in the boats. Batteries of artillery were planted on the hills back on the plain, which would also fie upon the enemy.
We had to pass over an open field and down a sloping bank to reach the boats, and during this time, we received the fire of the enemy. When our battle line appeared the rebels turned their fire upon us. “Now for it boys. By the right of companies to the front. Run, march,” came the sharp jerky emphasis from colonel Bragg. The men plunged into the boats and threw themselves upon the bottom of them as they had been instructed. Her was our only mistake; the men were on the oars. “Whiz” came the bullets. To halt or flinch in the deadly storm was disgrace if not death. Nervous and quick orders were given something line this:” Heave off your boats! Up with the oars!” Here fifteen of our men were shot. When we got across the river, we jumped into the mud and water, waist deep, waded ashore, crawled and scrambled up the bank, lying hold of the bushes. Very few shots were fired before they were throwing down their arms or running over the plain.
Rufas Dawes, 6th Wisconsin 4th Brigade 1st division first corps
The wooded hills about a mile back from the river were well fortified by General Lee, and in these our brigade was led when the news came that the enemy had crossed. A fine old road runs from Fredericksburg down the river. This road had a cedar thicket on each side which almost shut out the view from our breastworks. Through a few openings our men could see the enemy busily engaged in building their breastworks and mounting their guns. The 31st regiment, commanded by Col. Clement A. Evans, was ordered to occupy the road and observe the movement of the enemy. Our position was only a short distance from the breastworks of the Federals, and we had noting to do but watch them at work. They did not have any skirmishers out to annoy us, and at first we had a fine time peeping up over the bank of the road, which afforded us ample protection. Some of the men felt so secure that they made little fires in the road and behind the cedar break toward our enemy and began to warm their breakfasts, for this was early in the day. Suddenly there was volley of artillery from the confederate position in our rear, and shrieking shells brought every man to his feet. This was the beginning of an artillery dual with a federal battery a short distance in front of us. The confederate artilleryman cut the fuses on their first shells too short, and they exploded just over our heads and scattered fragments and shrapnel all around us but did us no harm. The federal guns in their redoubts in our front now began to reply. Some of our men watched the effect of our shells as they fell in and around the enemy, while others observed the solid shot from the Yankee guns as they plunged into the red dirt in from of our works. When the firing was at its hottest, Lieutenant Aree threw up his hands and exclaimed, “That was a good shot.” A shell from our battery cut a Yankee in the redoubt in two. We were in great danger from our shells all the time and were glad when the shelling ceased.
Gordon Bradwell, 31st Georgia, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Jackson’s Corps
Monday, November 21, 2011
FREDERICKSBURG VISITOR CENTER
The site of the fight of December 12th this area played a vital role in the battle of Chancellorsville for this is where General John Sedgewick’s 6th corps finally took Marye’s Heights and the surrounding area. From here Sedgewick moved off in support of Hooker on May 3. Prior to that confederates occupied the town and this area.
We are here in the city yet and I do not know how long we will remain here, we sand guard on this side of the river and the yanks on the other. We stand in speaking distance to each other but we do not shoot at each other I think both is a fraid. We are having our fin here a saining for fish and ketching fish with a hook and line we drag them out by the hundreds with sains. They are mostly shad and herring but the water is very cold.
Henry Brooks, 51st Georgia Infantry, Seemes Brigade, McClaw’s Division
In April the balloons went up every day and we could hear the Yankees drilling and having sham battles. They were teaching their fresh troops hot to fight Confederate soldiers. We could hear them charge, one line would try to yell like the Confederate soldiers and the other would “huzza, Huzza, Huzza” like the Union army.
G.W. Nichols, 61st Georgia Infantry, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division
MAY 3
At one o’clock this morning (May3) the sixth corps following the River Road entered the city of Fredericksburg. The Rebels in the city fled to the forts on the hills in the rear, while the Corps formed for the attack in the streets. The 2nd RI formed in Princess Anne Street. At daylight the Rebels opened their guns from the forts on the hills and shot and shell came crashing through houses like volleys of musketry.
Elisha Hunt Roads, 3rd Brigade (Edward's), 1st Division, Sixth Corps
At daylight the Rebel batteries from Marye’s and the neighboring heights opened on us, but they found difficulty in depressing their guns enough to do us any injury, and as we were on the outskirts of the city, they could not fire on us without damaging the city.
Lt. Col. Mayson Whiting 37th Massachusetts Infantry, Brown’s Brigade, Newton’s Division
About 10 o’clock we moved into the railroad cut half-way between the edge of the city and the sunken road at the foot of the terrace of Marye’s Heights. After two abortive attempts to carry the heights, General Sedgewick organized five columns of assault…all five columns were successful in capturing the works they attacked, and were closely followed up by the rest of the corps. The 37th reached the summit of the hill just in time to see the surrender and to aid in some of the captures.
Lt. Col. Mayson Whiting 37th Massachusetts Infantry, Brown’s Brigade, Newton’s Division
My brigade was ordered to “Double Quick” from Hamilton’s Crossing on the extreme right of the line to Taylor’s Hill, above Fredericksburg and on the extreme left of the line, a distance of about five miles our route followed closely the Confederate line of battle, just in the rear of which our course was taken, and of course at many points we were exposed to a sharp fire from the enemy’s artillery and skirmishers… and after a fatiguing race, a small portion of the brigade, breathless, drenched with perspiration and utterly fagged-out, reached our destination and gladly seized the opportunity for resting in the rifle pits and trenches already constructed. I doubt whether more than two hundred men composed the advance of our force. The remainder were dragging a long, as best they might over rough and dangerous road were compelled to follow. Gradually, however, these stragglers came up, until a respectable force was gathered around us. But our arrival was none too soon, for, just at the foot of the hill, Gibbons’ Division was preparing to seize our position. Fortunately a small canal, which here crossed in the valley below had delayed the enemy and thus afforded us time to gain the defenses of the hill.
Henry E. Handerson, 9th Louisiana Infantry, Hay’s Brigade, Early’s Division
We advanced at the double quick (for second line of works) and the Rebels left their works taking their cannon with, but leaving one caisson in our hands. A case shot burst in front of my company throwing s shower of iron about us. One iron bullet stuck me upon my foot causing me to jump into the air, but only lamed me a little. I picked up the iron bullet and put I into my pocket and will send it home.
The entire heights are now in our hands and her we rested until 3:00 when the corps advanced some three miles and met the enemy again at Salem Church.
Elisha Hunt Roads, 3rd Brigade (Edward's), 1st Division, Sixth Corps
May 4th While General Sedgewick worked toward Banks Ford on the 4th Rebel General Early recaptured the Marye’s Heights.
We advanced about two miles when the skirmish line struck the Yankee skirmish line, and we drove it in at once and pushed on the heights. Our line of battle forwarded and retook the heights with but very little loss to us. In this little battle of only a few minutes, my shoe sole was shot in twain and my foot stunned. Captain Kennedy had his sword strap shot in twain and Corporal Holloway had his canteen buts open with a ball.
G.W Nichols, 61st Georgia, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Jackson’s Corps
We are here in the city yet and I do not know how long we will remain here, we sand guard on this side of the river and the yanks on the other. We stand in speaking distance to each other but we do not shoot at each other I think both is a fraid. We are having our fin here a saining for fish and ketching fish with a hook and line we drag them out by the hundreds with sains. They are mostly shad and herring but the water is very cold.
Henry Brooks, 51st Georgia Infantry, Seemes Brigade, McClaw’s Division
In April the balloons went up every day and we could hear the Yankees drilling and having sham battles. They were teaching their fresh troops hot to fight Confederate soldiers. We could hear them charge, one line would try to yell like the Confederate soldiers and the other would “huzza, Huzza, Huzza” like the Union army.
G.W. Nichols, 61st Georgia Infantry, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division
MAY 3
At one o’clock this morning (May3) the sixth corps following the River Road entered the city of Fredericksburg. The Rebels in the city fled to the forts on the hills in the rear, while the Corps formed for the attack in the streets. The 2nd RI formed in Princess Anne Street. At daylight the Rebels opened their guns from the forts on the hills and shot and shell came crashing through houses like volleys of musketry.
Elisha Hunt Roads, 3rd Brigade (Edward's), 1st Division, Sixth Corps
At daylight the Rebel batteries from Marye’s and the neighboring heights opened on us, but they found difficulty in depressing their guns enough to do us any injury, and as we were on the outskirts of the city, they could not fire on us without damaging the city.
Lt. Col. Mayson Whiting 37th Massachusetts Infantry, Brown’s Brigade, Newton’s Division
About 10 o’clock we moved into the railroad cut half-way between the edge of the city and the sunken road at the foot of the terrace of Marye’s Heights. After two abortive attempts to carry the heights, General Sedgewick organized five columns of assault…all five columns were successful in capturing the works they attacked, and were closely followed up by the rest of the corps. The 37th reached the summit of the hill just in time to see the surrender and to aid in some of the captures.
Lt. Col. Mayson Whiting 37th Massachusetts Infantry, Brown’s Brigade, Newton’s Division
My brigade was ordered to “Double Quick” from Hamilton’s Crossing on the extreme right of the line to Taylor’s Hill, above Fredericksburg and on the extreme left of the line, a distance of about five miles our route followed closely the Confederate line of battle, just in the rear of which our course was taken, and of course at many points we were exposed to a sharp fire from the enemy’s artillery and skirmishers… and after a fatiguing race, a small portion of the brigade, breathless, drenched with perspiration and utterly fagged-out, reached our destination and gladly seized the opportunity for resting in the rifle pits and trenches already constructed. I doubt whether more than two hundred men composed the advance of our force. The remainder were dragging a long, as best they might over rough and dangerous road were compelled to follow. Gradually, however, these stragglers came up, until a respectable force was gathered around us. But our arrival was none too soon, for, just at the foot of the hill, Gibbons’ Division was preparing to seize our position. Fortunately a small canal, which here crossed in the valley below had delayed the enemy and thus afforded us time to gain the defenses of the hill.
Henry E. Handerson, 9th Louisiana Infantry, Hay’s Brigade, Early’s Division
We advanced at the double quick (for second line of works) and the Rebels left their works taking their cannon with, but leaving one caisson in our hands. A case shot burst in front of my company throwing s shower of iron about us. One iron bullet stuck me upon my foot causing me to jump into the air, but only lamed me a little. I picked up the iron bullet and put I into my pocket and will send it home.
The entire heights are now in our hands and her we rested until 3:00 when the corps advanced some three miles and met the enemy again at Salem Church.
Elisha Hunt Roads, 3rd Brigade (Edward's), 1st Division, Sixth Corps
May 4th While General Sedgewick worked toward Banks Ford on the 4th Rebel General Early recaptured the Marye’s Heights.
We advanced about two miles when the skirmish line struck the Yankee skirmish line, and we drove it in at once and pushed on the heights. Our line of battle forwarded and retook the heights with but very little loss to us. In this little battle of only a few minutes, my shoe sole was shot in twain and my foot stunned. Captain Kennedy had his sword strap shot in twain and Corporal Holloway had his canteen buts open with a ball.
G.W Nichols, 61st Georgia, Gordon’s Brigade, Early’s Division, Jackson’s Corps
Friday, November 18, 2011
CHANCELLORSVILLE TOUR GUIDE
As I've mentioned in an earlier post, I like to research battlefields during the winter, in preperation for a tour in the summer. Chancellorsville is one battle I studied during the snow so I could immerse into the battle when I got to Virginia. For fun, I collected some 1st person accounts of the battle and placed them according to the best location on the battlefield for me to read them. If you can get to the Chancellorsville battlefield for a tour, the next few weeks postings might make your visit a bit more immersive. I think you'll like this. Enjoy.
Our first stop is at the Stafford House. All of the content in this post would be best read at the home or in front of it.
(April 7th) President Lincoln visited the various encampments and our regiment was drawn up in line to receive him. He was accompanies by a large number of generals and their staffs with a regiment of lancers following behind as a body guard. President Lincoln wore a tall black hat, his feet nearly reached the ground, and his great height, clothing in civilian dress as he was, in striking contrast with the rest of the company. As he passed along the front of the line, the regiment presented arms, the drum corps played and the boys all joined in giving lusty cheers. President Lincoln returned the salute by raising his hat. The visit was preceded by a humorous event which occurred as the President and retinue passed through the regimental street to reach the parade ground. In this street a limb of a tree projected over the street, high enough for the ordinary man mounted, wearing a military hat, to pass under, but the tall hat of which Lincoln wore came in contact with that limb, and the hat fell to the ground. An orderly promptly handed the hat to that owner, who replaced it on his head, this was in plane view of the regiment and a smile passed along the line as a result.
J.P Fahey, 12th New Hampshire, Bowman’s Brigade, Whipple’s, Division, 3rd Corps
Hooker Takes Command
Now we all feel that General Hooker will be like the poor man that won the elephant at the raffle. After he got the animal he didn’t know what to do with him. So with fighting Joseph. He is now in command of a mighty big elephant, and it will remain to be seen if he know what to do with him. All know that General Hooker can command and fight a division to perfection, but to take a great army like ours in hand and cope with the great rebel chief successfully is another thing. But we will wait and see, and like good soldiers, obey orders and go where we are sent, even unto death.
Daniel Crotty, 3rd Michigan Infantry, Hayman’s Brigade, Birney’s Division, 3rd Corps
“Pack up!” “Fall in!” all is stir and excitement in the camp. The bugles are blowing,” Boots and saddles” for the cavalry, camped above of us on the hill: we drummer-boys are beating the “long roll” and “assembly” for the regiment; mounted orderlies are galloping along the hillside with great yellow envelopes truck in their belts; and the men fall out of their miserable winter quarters, with shouts and cheer that make the hills about Falmouth ring again. For the winter is past; sweet breath of spring comes balmy up from the south and the whole army is on the move-wither?
“Say, captain, tell us where are we going?” But the captain doesn’t know, more even the colonel,-nobody knows. We are raw troops yet, and have not learned that solders never ask questions bout orders.
So fall in all together and forward! And we ten little drummer-boys beat gaily enough, “The Girl I left Behind Me,” as the line sweeps over hills, through woods and on down to the river’s edge
Harry Kieffer, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry, Stone’s Brigade, Doubleday’s Division, 1st Corps
Soon the regiment was forming in line, while the drum corps, at the suggestion of the sergeant-major, played the tune The Girl I Left Behind Me for leaving Falmouth seemed like leaving home. The colonel, riding to the centre-front gave the command, “Shoulder arms: right face; right shoulder shift arms; forward, route stet, march.”
“We are off for Richmond or the Grave,” expressed some of the boys.
J.P Fahey, 12th New Hampshire, Bowman’s Brigade, Whipple’s, Division, 3rd Corps
After Hooker’s retreat the army returned to Falmouth and Stafford.
The march back to Stafford Court House, full twenty miles was made through a driving rain storm, and when we reached our old camp, about eight o’clock that night, we were in deplorable condition with neither tents, blankets or overcoats-which had been lost on the battlefield- we had no shelter from the storm and nothing remained for us to do except build immense fires and rest our wearied limbs as best we could. Reminiscences how we were able to build fires when everything we possessed was soaked through by the rain. Generally someone was thoughtful enough to protect his matches and after one fire was started with difficulty of building others overcome. But it sometimes happened that there were no matches in the party. A fire was then obtained by putting into a rifle the powder of a couple of cartridges, ramming loosely upon it a piece of flannel, or woolen cloth and then discharging the gun upon the ground. The flannel becomes ignited and with the aid of a few dry twigs a fire is easily started.
Samuel Toombs, 13th New Jersey, Ruger’s Brigade, William’s Division, 12th Corps
Our first stop is at the Stafford House. All of the content in this post would be best read at the home or in front of it.
(April 7th) President Lincoln visited the various encampments and our regiment was drawn up in line to receive him. He was accompanies by a large number of generals and their staffs with a regiment of lancers following behind as a body guard. President Lincoln wore a tall black hat, his feet nearly reached the ground, and his great height, clothing in civilian dress as he was, in striking contrast with the rest of the company. As he passed along the front of the line, the regiment presented arms, the drum corps played and the boys all joined in giving lusty cheers. President Lincoln returned the salute by raising his hat. The visit was preceded by a humorous event which occurred as the President and retinue passed through the regimental street to reach the parade ground. In this street a limb of a tree projected over the street, high enough for the ordinary man mounted, wearing a military hat, to pass under, but the tall hat of which Lincoln wore came in contact with that limb, and the hat fell to the ground. An orderly promptly handed the hat to that owner, who replaced it on his head, this was in plane view of the regiment and a smile passed along the line as a result.
J.P Fahey, 12th New Hampshire, Bowman’s Brigade, Whipple’s, Division, 3rd Corps
Hooker Takes Command
Now we all feel that General Hooker will be like the poor man that won the elephant at the raffle. After he got the animal he didn’t know what to do with him. So with fighting Joseph. He is now in command of a mighty big elephant, and it will remain to be seen if he know what to do with him. All know that General Hooker can command and fight a division to perfection, but to take a great army like ours in hand and cope with the great rebel chief successfully is another thing. But we will wait and see, and like good soldiers, obey orders and go where we are sent, even unto death.
Daniel Crotty, 3rd Michigan Infantry, Hayman’s Brigade, Birney’s Division, 3rd Corps
“Pack up!” “Fall in!” all is stir and excitement in the camp. The bugles are blowing,” Boots and saddles” for the cavalry, camped above of us on the hill: we drummer-boys are beating the “long roll” and “assembly” for the regiment; mounted orderlies are galloping along the hillside with great yellow envelopes truck in their belts; and the men fall out of their miserable winter quarters, with shouts and cheer that make the hills about Falmouth ring again. For the winter is past; sweet breath of spring comes balmy up from the south and the whole army is on the move-wither?
“Say, captain, tell us where are we going?” But the captain doesn’t know, more even the colonel,-nobody knows. We are raw troops yet, and have not learned that solders never ask questions bout orders.
So fall in all together and forward! And we ten little drummer-boys beat gaily enough, “The Girl I left Behind Me,” as the line sweeps over hills, through woods and on down to the river’s edge
Harry Kieffer, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry, Stone’s Brigade, Doubleday’s Division, 1st Corps
Soon the regiment was forming in line, while the drum corps, at the suggestion of the sergeant-major, played the tune The Girl I Left Behind Me for leaving Falmouth seemed like leaving home. The colonel, riding to the centre-front gave the command, “Shoulder arms: right face; right shoulder shift arms; forward, route stet, march.”
“We are off for Richmond or the Grave,” expressed some of the boys.
J.P Fahey, 12th New Hampshire, Bowman’s Brigade, Whipple’s, Division, 3rd Corps
After Hooker’s retreat the army returned to Falmouth and Stafford.
The march back to Stafford Court House, full twenty miles was made through a driving rain storm, and when we reached our old camp, about eight o’clock that night, we were in deplorable condition with neither tents, blankets or overcoats-which had been lost on the battlefield- we had no shelter from the storm and nothing remained for us to do except build immense fires and rest our wearied limbs as best we could. Reminiscences how we were able to build fires when everything we possessed was soaked through by the rain. Generally someone was thoughtful enough to protect his matches and after one fire was started with difficulty of building others overcome. But it sometimes happened that there were no matches in the party. A fire was then obtained by putting into a rifle the powder of a couple of cartridges, ramming loosely upon it a piece of flannel, or woolen cloth and then discharging the gun upon the ground. The flannel becomes ignited and with the aid of a few dry twigs a fire is easily started.
Samuel Toombs, 13th New Jersey, Ruger’s Brigade, William’s Division, 12th Corps
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Last McLaurin Entry
Here it is, the last letter from Archie. Records indicate he was wounded at Resaca. After that I have no information. I hope you enjoyed reading his story.
Camp Near Dalton Ga
April the 10th 1864
Dear Sister
I will not endeavor to answer yours of the 29th of March, which came safe to hand yesterday. It found me enjoying the bets of health. You can’t imagine how glad I was to get it and to hear that you were all well. I have no news of importance to write you. We re still camped in our old place near Dalton and no indications of a move. The Yanks are all peaceable out in front. I am in hopes that we will have mails regular pretty soon. I hear that the cars are running so far as Brandon if that be true I think that we will soon be getting mail regular. I have written to cousin Mary Jane McLaurin. I have not received an answer yet but I think that I will get it tomorrow. I had come to the conclusion that I would not hear from home any more until the war was over but I guess you will have chances to send letters occasionally. I am going to send this by one of the Franklin Rifles who is going home on furlough. I don’t expect to get a furlough before next winter but if I live to see next winter. I think I will get home then. I wish I could see you all but I don’t think there is any chance soon. If the boys that have gone home would have acted right it not be long before it would come my time to go but they have done so badly that I would be glad to see every one of them brought back and punished. I received a letter from Clem last night that was dated Feb 9th. It has been along time coming. He said that they had enrolled the militia and it took him. I want you the next time you see him to get after him and make him join some volunteer company and tell him to join some cavalry for infantry don’t pay vary well. Tell Dutch that I think he is large enough to write to me if he is large enough to plow. I tell you I want to get home and get some vegetables and milk and butter. Mary I want you to make me some cheese. Ben Knapp is going to sent his negro home in about two or three months to get things for our mess. If he does he will come by our house. I haven’t seen Ben Mann yet. I am going up to see him after while and get him to write to cousin Mary Jane and tell him what you said. Well Mary I will have to close for this time. Give my love to all the family and the same for your self from your affectionate brother
Archie
Direct to Co (e) 7th Miss
Regt Tuckers Brigade
Dalton Ga
Camp Near Dalton Ga
April the 10th 1864
Dear Sister
I will not endeavor to answer yours of the 29th of March, which came safe to hand yesterday. It found me enjoying the bets of health. You can’t imagine how glad I was to get it and to hear that you were all well. I have no news of importance to write you. We re still camped in our old place near Dalton and no indications of a move. The Yanks are all peaceable out in front. I am in hopes that we will have mails regular pretty soon. I hear that the cars are running so far as Brandon if that be true I think that we will soon be getting mail regular. I have written to cousin Mary Jane McLaurin. I have not received an answer yet but I think that I will get it tomorrow. I had come to the conclusion that I would not hear from home any more until the war was over but I guess you will have chances to send letters occasionally. I am going to send this by one of the Franklin Rifles who is going home on furlough. I don’t expect to get a furlough before next winter but if I live to see next winter. I think I will get home then. I wish I could see you all but I don’t think there is any chance soon. If the boys that have gone home would have acted right it not be long before it would come my time to go but they have done so badly that I would be glad to see every one of them brought back and punished. I received a letter from Clem last night that was dated Feb 9th. It has been along time coming. He said that they had enrolled the militia and it took him. I want you the next time you see him to get after him and make him join some volunteer company and tell him to join some cavalry for infantry don’t pay vary well. Tell Dutch that I think he is large enough to write to me if he is large enough to plow. I tell you I want to get home and get some vegetables and milk and butter. Mary I want you to make me some cheese. Ben Knapp is going to sent his negro home in about two or three months to get things for our mess. If he does he will come by our house. I haven’t seen Ben Mann yet. I am going up to see him after while and get him to write to cousin Mary Jane and tell him what you said. Well Mary I will have to close for this time. Give my love to all the family and the same for your self from your affectionate brother
Archie
Direct to Co (e) 7th Miss
Regt Tuckers Brigade
Dalton Ga
Monday, November 7, 2011
Feb the 9th 1864
Camp Near Dalton Ga
Feb the 9th 1864
Dear Sister
I will endeavor to answer your letter of the 22nd of January which I received several days ago. I would have answered it sooner but we heard that the Yanks had possession of Jackson again and I thought I would wait a few days and see if I couldn’t hear something more about it but have not. I am in hopes that it was a false report. I am in fine health at present and getting along finely. We have a negro in our mess and I don’t have anything to do. That is I have no cooking or washing to do. The negro belongs to Ban Knapp. There is only four of us in the mess and we get along finely. Alic Currie has been a little sick for the last two or three days but he got a letter from home yesterday and eh is a good deal better to day. I have no news of importance to write. We can hear nothing of the Yanks about here. I do wish that they would stay away until spring opens for I would hate to leave my house now. Well Mary I will quit now until after supper as it now ready.
Feb 10th
Well Mary as I did not get to finish your letter yesterday I will now try and finish ti. I have just been up to the debating society. We have one in our regt but I don’t belong to it. I heard to day that our regt was ordered to Mobile but I don’t put any confidence in the report. I wish it was true for I am afraid if we don’t send reinforcements there that the Yanks will take it and cut off our communications from home. Boot Scott’s negro came from home. He got here yesterday. He said that Robt started back and got sick and went back home. I wish he would come back. Well Mary I will have to close as it is getting late and my light is bad. I am writing by fire light and you know how bad it is. Tell Mag to write to me. This leaves me in the best of health. So nothing more at present. From Arch
Feb the 9th 1864
Dear Sister
I will endeavor to answer your letter of the 22nd of January which I received several days ago. I would have answered it sooner but we heard that the Yanks had possession of Jackson again and I thought I would wait a few days and see if I couldn’t hear something more about it but have not. I am in hopes that it was a false report. I am in fine health at present and getting along finely. We have a negro in our mess and I don’t have anything to do. That is I have no cooking or washing to do. The negro belongs to Ban Knapp. There is only four of us in the mess and we get along finely. Alic Currie has been a little sick for the last two or three days but he got a letter from home yesterday and eh is a good deal better to day. I have no news of importance to write. We can hear nothing of the Yanks about here. I do wish that they would stay away until spring opens for I would hate to leave my house now. Well Mary I will quit now until after supper as it now ready.
Feb 10th
Well Mary as I did not get to finish your letter yesterday I will now try and finish ti. I have just been up to the debating society. We have one in our regt but I don’t belong to it. I heard to day that our regt was ordered to Mobile but I don’t put any confidence in the report. I wish it was true for I am afraid if we don’t send reinforcements there that the Yanks will take it and cut off our communications from home. Boot Scott’s negro came from home. He got here yesterday. He said that Robt started back and got sick and went back home. I wish he would come back. Well Mary I will have to close as it is getting late and my light is bad. I am writing by fire light and you know how bad it is. Tell Mag to write to me. This leaves me in the best of health. So nothing more at present. From Arch
Thursday, November 3, 2011
February the 2nd 1864
Camp near Dalton Ga
February the 2nd 1864
Dear Sister
I will now attempt to write you a few lines as I have a little leisure time before drill. I haven’t received a letter from you in some time but I think that perhaps I may yet get one to day. I have no news of importance to write. We have got splendid weather up here now.
Well Mary I didn’t get to write much before drill and I haven’t much time now as I am going to send this by Julius Havis. He has got a furlough and expects to start in less than a half an hour. We have all gone in for the war. That is all of our company except three and one of them is Jim Lee. I am in hopes that I will draw the next furlough when Julius comes back. We all drew for the one that he got but I was not fortunate enough to get it. Well Mary I must close as he is pretty near ready to start. I am in the best of health at present so nothing more to present. from Arch
February the 2nd 1864
Dear Sister
I will now attempt to write you a few lines as I have a little leisure time before drill. I haven’t received a letter from you in some time but I think that perhaps I may yet get one to day. I have no news of importance to write. We have got splendid weather up here now.
Well Mary I didn’t get to write much before drill and I haven’t much time now as I am going to send this by Julius Havis. He has got a furlough and expects to start in less than a half an hour. We have all gone in for the war. That is all of our company except three and one of them is Jim Lee. I am in hopes that I will draw the next furlough when Julius comes back. We all drew for the one that he got but I was not fortunate enough to get it. Well Mary I must close as he is pretty near ready to start. I am in the best of health at present so nothing more to present. from Arch
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