Page 146:
June 1862
5
Near Newbridge
North Side of the
Chickahominy
The Prince de Joinville
is a poet. Said he where our
army was encamped at Tunstall’s
Station—“On this side Peace, on that
War”—referring to the different
views he obtained from the hill
where head quarters were established.
On one side the cattle in heads
were scattered through the broad
green fields, on another nothing but tents and solders and bayonets and
cannon and horses could be seen.
The one a beautiful view of Peace
the other a lifelike picture of War.
This evening we have
received glorious news from the
South West, and our men in
Page 147:
their camps are cheering loudly
over it.
Halleck is reported as having
taken 13,000 prisoners, 15,000 stand of
arms 100 cars and 23 locomotives.
If this be true, then Beauregard’s
force is probably dispersed and we
have an unobstructed road to
the gulf. Their army before Richmond
will be disheartened while ours
will be to an equal degree encouraged.
Under the circumstances I should
not be surprised if the city was
Evacuated without another battle.
Everything portends such a result.
Contrabands still continue
to arrive in flocks many of
whom tell interesting experiences.
Some however are surprising examples
of mendacity. One had seen all
the well known rebel generals in
Page 148:
Richmond, including even Genl.
Washington.
Another very intelligent negroe [sic]
told a story that wonderfully con-
firmed previous true reports gained
from other sources. No cross-
examining could disturb him.
I have today hired one of them
for a servant, and he proves to be
a very faithful boy.
8,,
We are still in the same
position as before and not likely
to move for a long time. The
battle of Fair Oaks daily becomes
longer and longer as we glean
further details. Our list of killed,
wounded and missing will run
up to 7000; while that of the enemy
Page 149:
must be very much larger. This
proves to be one of the very hardest
fought battles of the war thus far.
* * * *
For several days past I have
been unwell. Have therefore ac-
complished but little in the way
of writing here or elsewhere.
This afternoon I accompanied
Chaplain Miller of the N.Y. 16th to
the burial of one of the teamsters
of our division. It was a most
impressive scene.
We had to wait an hour
for the grave diggers to perform their
task as hard was the soil. Then
they brought the uncoffined remains
from a tent near by and laid them
gently in the grave. By this time
a small party of teamsters had
collected around and seemed deeply
interested in these last sad offices
Page 150:
that were being paid to their departed
brother.
Of all services of the army
that of teamster is perhaps the worst
in its effects upon the character and
disposition. Teamsters are hated and
despised and cursed. They are the
most offensive looking men, go in
rags and tatters, with unshaved faces,
dirty, and their talk seems one
continual string of oath + invective.
No doubt their peculiar duties go
a great way in making them thus.
And so we should make allowance
But notwithstanding as
a class the teamsters are so brutal
and ugly to all appearances, they
have hearts that can be touched. I
was fully convinced of this today.
Having lowered the body into
the grave and the grave diggers having
Page 151:
taken their positions on either hand the minister
began the service by reading appropriate
passages of Scripture. As he read “Earth
to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust” the
heavy sound of falling earth was thrice
heard in the grave. The reading ended,
the chaplain knelt in prayer, and the
whole party as if moved by one fervent
impulse fell on their knees with him.
To me this was a remarkable scene.
There was an old man with long and
matted hair, his hands clenched, weeping
as he thinks perhaps of other times more
peaceful and more Christian. Another
with eyes closed and face raised toward
Heaven in entreaty may be. And here
are two little boys scarce a dozen years old
fair haired innocent looking kneeling with
us, too. A kind mother taught them
this. They were Ambulance drivers.
__________,,___________ |
