[Page 83:]
April
6
Manassas
Last night an orderly leading
Col. Murphy’s horses was shot about four
miles from our camp + today a squad of
men went in search of the body as
he was a good soldier and had been
in the service 16 years.
Genl. Franklin and staff called
upon us about an hour since. We shall
march tomorrow morning at seven
o’clock toward Bristoe and Warrenton.
Today I am of the impression that the
enemy do not intend making a stand
in Virginia. Dr. Gillespie our Refugee
friend says that parties of Unionists
have fled to the mountains to avoid
conscription and that they are anxious
to join Banks army.
Genl. Wool in his dispatch, this
mornings paper, says that he does
not think we will find an
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enemy to contend with in Virginia.
7p.m.—This evening I returned from
a long ride. Immediately after
dinner the General started out with
his staff on a reconnoitreing [sic] expedition.
Our object was to find the best road
leading to Bristoe which place we
visited.
After returning to camp I
started out alone to visit Bull
Run. Having reached Manassas
Junction I called at a house and
inquired the way to the battle field
The negro showed me and explained
the situation. I took down a sketch
of it and then rode off with three
of the Maine Cavalry. We however
did not succeed through mistaking
the road, and so had to return. I
took the cavalry with me because I
did not expect to get back before
tonight and it is very dangerous
[Page 85:]
travelling through these woods after
dark.
April 8
Catlett’s station
We marched out of
our encampment yesterday morning
at 7 o’clock. We made a road of
our own as we went along, and
the pioneers had considerable
work to do in filling up the ditches.
We passed through Bristoe [?] [carrot: at] not
far from nine o’clock a.m., where
we made a short halt. General
S. and staff called at Gen. Newton’s
head quarters and we had a
fine time over the state of things.
Genl. Newton was very indignant
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at the arrangement which had
recently been made putting us
under McDowell. Waldron after
listening a long time to the tirade
against our leaders turned the
conversation suddenly by one of
his inimitable remarks—“no matter,”
said he, “the pay goes on just the
same. That’s our consolation.”—This
brought on the laugh. “Colonel”, says
he, “have you brought your fishing
tackle”? “Our song has changed
“O we’re going [carrot: going a] fishing.”
instead of
O we’re going down to Richmond.”
* * * *
About one o’clock p.m. we made
our second halt and lunched in
the woods. At half past two p.m.
we reached Catlett’s station and im-
mediately set about finding a
place for head quarters and
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deciding upon camp grounds.
Genl. Kearny came here yesterday
and seems to have monopolized
everything in the shape of building
and shelter. After long searching however
we found a store which was at
once made head quarters for Genl
and staff. We did not make
much ceremony but bunked down
at once. I think I slept three
or four hours before the rest turned
in and when I woke up Wead
and Rodgers were discussing the
merits and utility of 12 foot
drivers on the rail road. They were
just turning in, and so I rolled
over and tried it again. Five
of us slept on the counter.
During the night Wead fell
off the counter and woke us all
up by the noise. John Manassas
too, came about midnight without
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the cow telling a most pitiful
story about “horses and horse
pistols and his comb and
dollar and half.”
This morning Joe gave us
and excellent breakfast, but it
still rains and so it is quite
uncomfortable. We have tried to
sing a little but it does not
seem to be “appropos”. [sic]
List of casualties to the
staff of Genl. Slocum during
the past 36 hours.
1. Dr. Burr’s horse broke his leg
and so had to be shot.
2. John Manassas lost the cow.
3. Lieut. Wead’s man Jones
with his best horse not
yet heard from.
4. The most unfortunate circumstance
of being thrown under the temporary
command of Kearney
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April 8 continued
Catlett’s Station, Va.
Great life this, most surely –
9,,
We are still at the same
old place in the grocery store
eating Joe’s meals as he prepares
them, now of mutton and now
of ham intermingled with the
usual supply of potatoes, bread
and coffee. The rain continues
to drizzle down making life
out doors peculiarly disagreeable.
As to business we do simply
nothing. Reading, playing checkers,
joking, singing, flute playing and
violin playing seems to be
about everything [carrot: we] do. As I now
write Capt. Rodgers sits leaning
back in his chair playing
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that most beautiful air:-
“When the swallow’s homeward fly.”
We try to accompany him
with our voices.
The General is reading with
much interest Bulever Lytton’s
“Strange story”. We hardly know
what to do with ourselves, but
all hope that the storm will
soon cease and Old Sol will
once more delight us with his
presence.
Now the party begin to
play and sing “Old Grimes”,
using both flute and violin.
Yesterday we had this venerable
piece set to impromptu verses
composed by Dr. Burr and
Col. Howland. No important
transaction of the past two days
was omitted but all were
fully considered.
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Today they brought me a letter
and it was a decided relief to
me from this oppressive ennui.
I mean to write letters and then
await replies. But this has
already been done days ago
and none have replied except
L who is always prompt. Still
I shall try it again.
* * * *
News We have some that
is pretty good. The enemy have
retreated from before us and
are doubtless making their way
to Richmond. They have also
fallen back from Fredricksburg.
McClellan has advanced upon
Yorktown and was expecting three
days since to capture the place
after a short siege. Doubtful
news has also reached us
of the evacuation of Island No. 10. |
