Ordered to move this morning
on the Urbana road. Passed that place
and encamped within a mile of the
Monocacy bridge. Before we arrived there we
heard that the enemy were drawn up
in line of battle only a short distance
off, and ready to receive us. Concluded
that we would ride to the bridge any
way, and Gen. Slocum declared that
he would “water his horse in the
Monocacy.” We all reached the Monocacy
without any starting event. The General
expressed a desire to know what name
was given to the little collection of houses
on the opposite bank, and I volunteered
to ride across and see. So taking three
orderlies I started over the bridge. I
found the place was Mill Seat and
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the Buckeystown was a little further on.
Concluded to ride to that place. Did
so, and at the corner of one of the houses
I found a collection of citizens standing
by themselves. Upon inquiring with them about
the rebels one said, “a confederate fired upon
your men not half an hour since from
the very spot where you now stand. A little startled at this I asked “where
are the confederate pickets now?” “Just
over to that house” said he “pointing to
a building perhaps 200 yards to my
right rear. Immediately sent an orderly
at the fork of the roads to give the
signal if an enemy approached and
went on with my questions. But I
did not stop long. I was soon on
my way home.
________,,________
I shall not soon forget the party
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of negroes who cheered us and welcomed
us so heartily as we rode along. The
scene reminded me of another of
the same kind as we rode into Cum-
berland on the Pamunkey. The negroes
then received us with singing and
dancing.
13th
A good deal of firing this morning.
Our Division marches at 9 o.k. a.m. _______,,_______
Arrived at Carroll’s Manor and encamped
for the night. McClellan is at the
liberated city of Frederick. We shall have fighting soon.
