Diaries

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Communication between here
and Alexandria is probably cut off. Last eve’g
trains were turned back from Fairfax C.H.
by the enemy’s guns probably placed in
the road to Vienna so as to command
Little River Turnpike running through the
town.
A council of war was held and
Pope determined to fight the enemy. If
we move against the foe posted in our
rear we shall have to fight them on
ground such as they may choose to
select for us. Whereas has we moved
toward the Capital thirty six hours ago
we might have selected our own position.
Many think our cause is
lost; but I am still hopeful. Two of the
large party of Civilians from Washington
to attend to the sick are stopping with

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us. One of them I recognized as Mr. French
former editor of the Biddeford Journal. They
have just gone out with a flag of truce
to the battle-field to see the wounded
and the dead.
Mr. Cornwell of the Register’s office
at the Treasury Department is making
himself generally useful in obtaining stuff
for us from the Sanitary Commission.
The day is most beautiful. Not a
gun fired yet. The enemy are probably
pushing their way unmolested towards
Edward’s Ferry and Williamsport with the
intention of crossing into Maryland.

1¾ ok p.m. Ordered to get under arms.

8 ok p.m. Ordered to move following
Gen. Smith’s division, which is now
in the road.
Generals Kearney [Written in margin: and] Stevens killed this
evening.

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Order of March

1. Col. Jackson 2nd Brig.
2. Artillery.
1. Batt’y D
2. 1st Maryland
3. Porter’s
3. Gen. Newton 3rd Brig.

2,,

Arrived to within one mile of
Fairfax C.H. early this morning, and
took position ordered by Gen. Franklin.
Our march last night was terrific.
Never shall I forget those scenes—the
bivouac fire around which we rested.
___________,,___________

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4 ok p.m. Ordered to return to Alexandria
and report to Gen. McClellan for duty.
Never was an order received with
more gladness or obeyed with more
alacrity. Platt was delighted and
Williston fairly danced.
Began the march at once Artillery
leading off.
What a race we had back
to Alexandria. The Gen. was determined
to break down my horse, but at the same
time [Written in margins: was] forced to acknowledge his superior
mettle. What John Gilpin sides the poor
Sergeant had! And then the little scene
with Gen. about our passes.

No ham for supper this time
as you love me Capt.

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We reached here yesterday
and went into position on the
left of Gen. Smith.

30

Received the march today.
Just as we passed Fairfax C.H.
the General sent me forward to obtain
all information possible relative to
the fighting of yesterday the events
of today and our present line of battle.
Could learn nothing of Gen. Butterfield
who with other portions of Gen. Porter’s
corps arrived at Centerville about the
same time as myself. Went to
Pope’s head quarters. No one there.
Afterward saw Gen. Griffin, who could

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tell me nothing. Then road [sic] up to Warrenton
Pike to see for myself. Met Gen. Sturges
and talked with one of his aids but
learned nothing.
After passing Cub Run met a
gentleman who was serving as an
engineer on Gen. McDowell’s staff,
and who told me much that was
interesting.
Rode back to Centerville and
there saw 350 Rebel prisoners near Pope’s
head quarters, good looking men but
poorly clothed. Shortly after met
the division coming up. The orders
were for us to push on up the
Warrenton Pike. The march was
accordingly continued until we
arrived a mile beyond Cub Run.
There our division halted for a
rest.
Gen. Slocum and a few others,

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among them myself, went into a
door yard near by and sat down.
We had not been there five minutes
before our attention was drawn to a
large open space of country on the
left of our position across which
troops seemed to be moving, not in
order but confused and straggling like.
The more carefully we observed the
move it looked like a general
falling back of our troops. And soon
enough it was. Our left had been
turned. In half an hour our army
was pouring down the Warrenton Pike.
Batt’y D went into position on the left
of the Pike supported by our infantry.
The stream poured by for over an hour
and then we fell back in order to
Centerville.
Wolcotts battery and the 2nd Brig.
remained on the further side of Cub

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Run all night. Gen. S. + staff returned to
Centerville with the remainder of the division.
Tried to sleep but couldn’t. Too wet, too
hungry, too tired.

31st

This morning woke early and
enjoyed a fine cup of coffee made
by our orderlies, fine fellows from the
2nd. Regular Cavalry. It began to
rain and because Gen. Newton lost
my poncho I got wet through. No
matter. Soon mounted and rode to
the front with Gen. Slocum. Passed
beyond Cub Run to the battery that
had been in position all night, and
made arrangements to retire to
Centerville. After the battery and
support had crossed the Run, I

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superintended the destruction of the
bridge.
We went into position on the
crest of the hill just this side. While
there I observed the skirmishing of our
Cavalry pickets as they advanced and
it was a beautiful sight. The enemy
retired and I could distinctly see them
as they passed across the road on the
top of the opposite hill. Soon they posted
a gun on the pike and sent a
few shell at us. A battery was got
into position and replied.
Meanwhile we retired to Cen-
terville and the 2nd. Brigade took up
position on the left of the work
occupied by the troops of Gen. Newton.
Visited Gen. Pope’s head quarters. Saw, beside him, Heintzelman and Sumner.
Joe got us some bread, ham,
and coffee.

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Opinion is general that the enemy
have gone round our right flank, and
that it is utter folly for us to remain
here.
Rodgers is sick and has gone to
Washington. I am trying to serve for him.
Gwindon [?] and I are the only ones left with
the General.

September close at hand,
A year of strife finds us further than
we ever were before from the settlement
of this question.

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Troops partly embarked last
night. Gen. + Staff took passage
on board of the Monohansett.
Sailed until 10 ok p.m. when we
anchored in the Chesapeake 20
miles from its mouth.

24th Sunday

Got under way early and
arrived at Acquia Creek about
half past ten a.m. Ordered
to go on to Alexandria which
we did arriving there at about
one o’clock p.m.
Everything quiet and sabbath-like.

* * * *

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Started early for Warwick
C.H. Reached there at lunching
time. Obtained some ID paper
curiosities from the registry.
Encamped two miles beyond.

21st

Started early and reached
Newport News about middle of
the afternoon following in rear
with lancers—Whole distance
from Harrison’s Landing 71
miles.

22nd.

Awaiting orders.

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19
March difficult + arduous.
In charge of lancers to prevent
straggling. The passionate nature
of Gen. S. Encampment within
the rebel lines at Yorktown.
G. + S. returned.

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Our corps began the march
yesterday late in the afternoon.
We reached Charles City C.H.
after dark. Gen. Slocum, Rodgers,
+ myself occupied a room in
one of the buildings. The rest
of the staff elsewhere.
R. woke me up in the
middle of the night to carry
orders. Off at 4½ this morning.
hard march—crossed Chickahominy
late in the afternoon and the longest
and finest Pontoon bridge ever
constructed in America. Length
2200 feet, number of pontoons 98.
Encamped for the night near
the bridge.

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not lay quiet, but had to walk
around.
_________,,_________

There are no rations for us.
This morning Humphrey made us
some coffee and Joe found some
potatoes which he fried. Altogether
breakfast quite passable. What
shall we do for our next meal?
No sleep again for us for some time.
_________,,_________

It will be strange indeed if
there is no fighting today.
_________,,_________

No forage for our horses.
_________,,_________

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13th

For the past few days I have
been acting Ordinance officer of the
Division and very busy.
Today I was to graduate
with my class at Waterville.
But they will have to go through
with it without me now. No
matter, God permitting, I will one
of these days resume my studies
again.
_________,,_________

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1862 August
13
Harrison’s Landing
Col. Simpson and other officers
returned from Richmond today. He
is looking rough. The story of their
capture is quite interesting. He
is Major of Topog. Eng. in reg. serv. [?] +
Entering it in 1832.
_________,,_________
The Army is on the eve of
a movement; but in what direction
it is doubtful. Everything that
is likely to be an encumbrance
has been placed on shipboard. Beige
trains, reserve artillery, ammunitions,
quarter master and commissary stores
together with all the sick of the Army
have debarked, or rather embarked.
_________,,_________
Pope has had a fight and held
his ground in the vicinity of Culpepper.
_________,,_________

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August 1862
13
Harrison’s Landing
Wrote L. today. Must be
great disappointment to her, because she
could not go to commencement exercises
am real sorry. But such is destiny.
_________,,_________

15

Last evening the grand move-
ment commenced. Trains have been
going continually ever since. Porter’s
Corps goes straight to Fortress Munroe.
Heintzleman, Keyes + Sumner take
position on the left with Pleasonton [?]
Averhill and horse batteries—to cover
the movement. Franklin follows
Porter.
_________,,_________

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August
15
Harrison’s Landing
5p.m.
Not off yet. We struck
tents this morning and have
been waiting all day for a
start.
Have been reading David
Copperfield. What a contemptable [sic]
person Uriah was. Yet the character
is true to life. Agnes is charming
Dora a doll, a plaything.
_________,,_________

Now if the rebels push all their
force up to Gordansville, they
can whip Pope. Will they pursue
us? It is too late or for much
fighting today.
_________,,_________
Am in excellent health.

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Grand celebration this afternoon
and evening at our head quarters
over the promotion of Gen. Slocum.
½ a hogshead of liquor used up.
Such is military custom. Will
it ever be changed?

6

Our Arbor [?] in front of the
tents is beautiful.

7

N.J. prisoners returned
from Richmond. President
calls for a draft of 300,000
more troops.
Letter from home.