Volume 1

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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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Page 203:

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.
_________,,_________

Page 199:

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.
_________,,_________

Page 200:

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.
_________,,_________

Page 201:

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.

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Last evening the Genl., Capt. Rodgers,
Lt. Wead and myself had an interesting
conversation in the course of which
he spoke of going home when Franklin
returned, and taking W. and myself with
him. Very good! We talked about
school—keeping and our varied experiences
in that service.
_________,,_________
Am going to be caterer for
the mess while Capt. Sturtevant is
gone—commencing today.
_________,,_________
Invited Mr. Tracy to make a
stop with us, and I expect him
to dinner today.
_________,,_________

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This morning before breakfast
I went out to the pickets for corn –
Toward noon I received intelligence
that six rebel vessels were sent down
the river to attack us and that a
combined movement against us was
anticipated. Informed Col. Matheson—
Corps officer of the day. Rode two
hours before finding him.
_________,,_________
p.m.
No demonstration yet.
Letter from “L” last night.

Sturtevant and Gwindon [?] went
home on leave of absence this
morning.
_________,,_________

Page 194[b]:
July 1862
30 Contd.
Harrison Landing

Am studying the battle of
Waterloo. Have copied three maps showing
the plan of the battle, the movements
during the previous few days and the
position of forces at first and last
attacks. Am also looking up
Iomini’s conrrts comments in
his last work scattered all along
through it, on the great battle.
I would like to read his
work on Waterloo exclusively. I believe
there is one somewhere.
Have copied from the Army register
names of officers appointed from
Maine—Grover, Howe, Keyes, Williams
and Prince are all Generals in
Volunteer Service.

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Last evening I received
two communications from home
onefrom [sic] Uncle Samuel and one
from Mr. Coffin.
_________,,_________

Am spending my time very
pleasantly in reading and studying
“De Harts Military Law.” It is an
excellent work on the subject of
Military Jurisprudence and quite
indispensible to one who would
know the customs and practices
of our military courts.
Have also been studying a
very popular work on “military”
in which I find an excellent
account of the battle of Waterloo.
_________,,_________

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Today Genl. Slocum received
notification that by the sickness of
Maj. Genl. Franklin he is placed
temporarily in command of the
Corps.
Last evening received a letter
from father and today I forward him
my reply. Strange that I don’t receive
letters from the rest of my friends.
_________,,_________

Am going to try and get a
leave of absence now.

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Today was appointed
by the General Inspector of some Forage
Caps [?] in the 1st. Brigade.
Attended to the business at
6p.m.
No letter tonight.

25

I should like to be a Quarter
Master in the U.S. Army. I like to
work on accounts—especially where
the system is so perfect as in the
Quarter Master and Commissary
departments.