Richard Cutts Shannon Diary – Volume 2

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Arms good Springs good

Account—{?]

Supply of [carrot: many, Gen. Greene] tin [?] throw away Col. A
a.m.—in boxes

Personal [?]
appear

Cap. Englenth [?]. B—3rd Md
Segt Ireland
Mime [?]145
Seely 60
Reed =
Haverstock [?] “
Clark
Eagle [?]

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_Washington_

1. Nathaniel Hatch
514– 12th st.
2. ____ Hall
3. John L. Hayes
Patent office.
4. _____ Jones
5. _____ Turner
6. _____ Cornwell

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August 30th 1862

We marched from
our encampment last evening at
Annandale to Centerville.
Just as we passed Fairfax C.H.
Gen. Slocum directed me to go forward
and obtain all the information
possible relative to the work of
our present line of battle. I could
learn nothing of Gen. Butterfield, who
with the rest of Gen. Porter’s corps
reached Centerville just as I arrived.
I went to Pope’s headquarters. No one
there. Afterward saw Gen. Griffin
who could tell me nothing. Then
road [sic] up Warrenton Pike saw Gen. Sturges
and talked with one of his aides; but
learned nothing.
After passing Cub Run met a
gentleman who was serving as an
Engineer on Gen. McDowell’s corp and
who told me much that was interesting.

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Saw 350 rebel prisoners near
Pope’s head quarters. Good looking
men but poorly clothed.
Accompanying maps show
the three different positions.

31st.

Yesterday afternoon our
division pushed on up the
Warrenton pike from Fairfax C.H.
and stopped about a mile beyond
Cub Run. hardly sat down to rest
before we noticed struggling on
the left of our position that
was increasing alarmingly every
moment. In half an hour the
whole army were falling back, our
left wing having been turned. Batty
D immediately went into position
on the left of the Pike supported

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by our Infantry. The stream
passed by for an hour, and then
we fell back in order to Centerville.
Meanwhile I had an opportunity to
visit the Maine 1st cavalry. Saw
Capt. Boothby + St. Chadborne for a
few minutes.
Tried to sleep on the ground
but didn’t succeed very well. No
dinner, no supper.
This morning our orderlies
(five fellows from 2nd Cavalry) gave
me some of their excellent coffee.
Began to rain. No poncho and
got wet through. Went out with
Gen. beyond Cub Run. Took in
battery + support just beyond the
Run. Superintended destruction of
bridge afterwards. Went into position
on the hill just this side again.
While standing on the hill noticed
picket firing near our old position.
Enemy opened with guns from
the road. Fired but a short time

We sent up a battery to supply

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1st Maryland. Returned to Centerville.
Visited Gen. Pope’s head quarters. Saw
him, Heintzleman + Sumner.
We got us some ham, coffee
and bread.
Go into position. here it is.

[map]

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The opinion is that the enemy
are passing around us by both
flanks. But Banks is at
Manassas. So it is not likely
that they have gone that way,
at least. I think it is probable
that they have gone round our
right flanks and we shall hear
of them in the vicinity of Washington.
Many think they do wrong in
keeping us here.
Rodgers is sick and has
gone to Washington. I am trying
to serve for him. Gwindon [/] and
I am the only ones left with
the Gen.

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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 us.
One of them I recognized
as Mr. French former editor
of Biddeford Journal. They
have just gone out with
flag of truce to the battle
field to see to wounded and
dead.
Mr. Cornwell of the Register’s
office at Treasury Department is
here with us and is making himself
generally useful in obtaining stuffs
from the Sanitary commission.
The day is most beautiful.
Not a gun fired yet. I think

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it is possible the enemy may be
pushing their way toward Edward’s
ferry + Williamsport with the
intention of crossing into Maryland.

-1¾ ok p.m. ordered to get under arms

Cha P,, Shannon
Biddeford
Maine

Mr. J. H. Coffin
Portland
Maine

8 ok p.m. ordered to move following
Gen. Smith’s division which is now
in the road.
Order of March
1. Col. Jackson
2. Artillery
1. Co. D.
2. Maryland
3. Porter

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[map]

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Sept.. 3
Ordered to encamp in
the vicinity of Seminary
and did so.
Rodgers came back.

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[map]

[written on the side:]
Sept. 1. 1862,
Centerville.
“Bisect the lines of any irregular 4 sided figure and the figure therein contained will be a parallelogram.”
Prof. Tatlock
Williams Coll.
Through
Lt. Wilson
a.a.a. G
2nd Brig.

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Sept. 6
Yes
Moved whole division, across
the river by the way of
Long Bridge and encamped
for the night on Georgetown
heights on the road to
Poolesville, Frederick.
Sept. 7. Sunday
Ordered to move about
4ok p.m. Reached Rabbit’s tavern
in the course of the evening +
encamped for the night.
Sept. 8.
Moved on to Rockville
starting at 7 ok a.m. and
stopped for dinner just beyond
that town. obtained map at
telegraph office. Started again at
6 ok—moved three miles
went into camp on right of
Smith in line of battle.
Sept. 9
Moved at 9 ok, a.m.

Passed through Darnestown,

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and encamped about a mile
and half beyond that place
in position, our division
being on the right of Smith.
The 121st N.Y. Col. Franchot
is attached to 2nd. Brigade.
Lieut. Col. Platt. Lieut. Upton.
Sent letters this morning to
Portland and Biddeford.
Sept. 10
Arrived at Barnesville after long
march this evening + went into position
fronting Sugar Loaf mountain.
Sept. 12
Ordered to move this morning
in Urbana road—passed that
place and encamped within a mile
of Monocacy bridge. I went on
to Buckeystown.
Sept. 13th
A good deal of firing this morning—
our Division marches at 9 ok a.m.
Arrived at Carroll’s mansion [?] and encamped
for the night. McClellan is at
Frederick.

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150 C.S.
100 Shell
50 Canister
300

150 Shell
150 S.C.
100 Canister

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Sept. 14th. Sunday
Marched at 6 ok – our division
leading. Heavy firing again began
early and continued in direction
of Harper’s Ferry and along up the
valley. Crossed the mountain and
entered Jefferson about 9a.m. There is
a most magnificent view from
the summit.
Power through Jefferson to the
music of fifes and drums. People
seemingly glad to see us. Proceeded
on to within a mile of Birkheadsville,
began to skirmish from that point
up to the village which was finally
occupied by our skirmishers. Discovered
batteries in various positions in the
mountain side and on both sides
of the Gap. Tried to reach the enemys [sic]
battery with 3 inch ordnance guns,
couldn’t do it. Finally there was a
consultation held between the Division
and Brigade Commanders and it was
determined to storm the pass.

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Accordingly the division was
moved under cover of the woods
to the front and in lines of
two battalions. Bartlett leading, and
Newton next, they pressed forward.
The line of march was to the
right of the town. While moving
over the open fields our men
were subjected to a severe fire
of Artillery from the enemy’s batteries
posted on the hills until they reached
the base of the mountain. There we
began to feel the enemy’s infantry.
After an hour’s firing the lines made
a general charge up the slope and
this ended one of the most
magnificent fights of the war.
They fired at our Staff repeatedly.
The battle ground was a terrible
sight. And then the passing
of the wounded + the prisoners
and the hurrying by of
ammunition trains all mingled

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with the troops was one of the
most satisfying + satisfactory
spectacles that I have witnessed
during the war.
For once we whipped the
enemy. We gained possession of
the Gap and forced the enemy
to retreat down the other side of
the mountain into the valley. We
took prisoners, colors, and guns.
The wounded and dead of the enemy
were scattered all along the mountain
side. Our loss was considerable.
1st Brigade
Killed Wounded total
42 142 184
2nd Brigade 233

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-Cobb’s brigade –
16 Georgia McClellan’s div
24 N.C. A.P.A.P. Hills corps
16 N.C.
Cobb Legion

Malones [?] brig, Anderson’s div
Longstreet’s Corps

16th
12th Virginia

Grime’s battery 4 guns
_________________ .. _________________
18th Miss. Is also in McClellan’s Div.
Two brigades of this division were
posted at the other Gap above
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15th
Spent the day in resting
burying the dead and estab-
lishing head quarters –
Received news of the loss
of Harper’s Ferry –

16th
Visited Birkheadsville. Expect
to move tomorrow morning somewhere.

17th
Moved out this morning on
the road to Rohrersville – passed through
that place and took the road to
Sharpsburg. Came up with our army
in position just beyond Keddysville.
Moved up Newton’s brigade under a
sharp Artillery fire. Finally, our
Division took permission of the woods
in advance.

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18th.
This morning Gen. directed
me to send an orderly on
a certain errand. In doing
it found myself trying to
wake a dead man. Set
off after div. supply train
Found it near Rohrersville,
and brought it up to our
lines.
A flag of Truce has been
passing between the contending
forces this morning. Our
men are now busily at work
burying the dead. Here are
some of the names that I

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have copied from the rough
head boards which have been
prepared.
1. Henry J. Campbell
Co. D, 10th Maine
2. Geo. Stanley
Co. D, 10th Maine
3. C.J. Fuller
Co. A, 10th Maine
4. V. Mason
Co. G, 10th Maine
5. John McCristy [?]
Co. B, 10th Maine
6. Wm O’Brien
Co. B, 10th Maine
7. Ed. Boney [?]
Co. C, 10th Maine
8. Capt. Furbish
Co. I, 10th Maine
9. Lt. Wade
Co. I, 10th Maine
10. Hugh M. Bradbury
Co. H
11. Chas H. Wentworth
Co. H

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12. Chas M. Pressy
Co. G.
13. Soloman Maines [?]
Co. G.
14. John Trowbridge
Co. B
15.___ Covell
Co. F
16. James Eaton
Co. K
Col. Beals wounded
These casualties happened in
the woods where we now have
our head quarters. T’is a strange
sight to see men moving around
among the dead with so much
indifference. Last night when
I came up from the ammunition
train I brought along an armful of
straw which served as my bed in
the plowed field just beyond where
many of our dead lay. The 10th
Maine boys are burying their dead
about twenty feet from me as I
now write.

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17. Asa Reed
Co. K, 10th. Me,
Sutler E. S. Bartlett
East Stoneham
Oxford Co.
Me

Sept. 19th
Woke up this morning before
daylight. Orders came from Gen.
McClellan to advance skirmishers
along the whole line. Did so at
once and on our front met with
no opposition. Our men occupied
the woods where the enemy lay last
night. We rode through the woods
and some mile [sic] beyond. We found
a large number of unburied dead
both theirs and ours. There were
several officers, a large number
of muskets scattered around and
every indication of complete demor-
alization. The Tunkers church was
riddled by our artillery fire. The
battle field presented a sight

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beyond description.
9th Geo Longstead
5th Va Jackson
Waggons came up and “Frank”
got us breakfast of Eggs, ham, chicken,
potatoes, bread, and coffee. Lt. Col.
Greene eat with us. Just before
I had taken some coffee with Chaplain
Adams – 5th, Me. After breakfast division
moved across the battlefield into the
Hagerstown road and then beyond
into position facing Sharpsburg our
line of battle nearly perpendicularly
to the Turnpike. Had just got into
position when order came from Gen.
McClellan to push at once toward the
river.
We have now reached the
river and our troops are in position.
The enemy have crossed and have
their batteries lining the hills on the
opposite side of the river. Artillery
officers think we shall have an
Artillery fight soon.
I have been writing the

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hospitals around here and find a
great many recent wounded. Major
Rodgers tells me that the General
has assigned me to the duty of
patrolling the sick.
_________,,_________
G. W. Veuters [?], 27th. N.C. Private
Chas Smith. 27th N.C. Drum Major
Wm Chesnut. 27th. N.C. Priv.
J. M. Hardin. 27th N.C. “
G. S. Johnson 27th N.C. “
G. W. Mason 27th. N.C. “
C. M. Parkes 27th. N.C. Hospital Steward
H. C. White 3rd Ark. Musician
Saml. Bowles 46th N.C. Priv.
L. B. McKening 3d Ark. Musician
W. P. Hampton 46th. N.C. Priv.
J. A. White 27th. N.C. “
Wm J. King 30th Virg. Musician
S. M. Hudson 30th. Virg. Priv.
J. P. Mitchell 30th. Virg. “
D. R. White 3d. Ark. Musician
Wm Malone 9th. Alab. Priv.
R. B. Clyde. 3d. Ark Musician
J. B. Jackson. 3d Ark. “
G. W. Delaunay 3d Ark “
James S. Piles 3d. Ark “
A. B. Wood 3d Ark. “

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C. B. Baseler 30th Virg. Musician
Andrew Harris 46th N. C. Priv.
Robert Keyzer 30th. Virg. Musician
A. H. Cooper 3d. Ark Private
Allen King 27th N. C. “
Saml. McDaniel 3d. Ark “
James R. Wharton 30th Va. “
L. B. Pendleton 30th Va “
_________,,_________

Sept. 20th
We are still here and
awaiting orders. Our Generals
are beginning to raise the question
of reorganization again.
Sept. 21. Sunday
We received orders to march
last night and immediately began
the coldest march I ever
experienced in my life. We took
the road to Sharpsburg and thence
by the Hagerstown turnpike toward
Williamsport.

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We found the enemy not “drawn
up in line of battle” exactly but
gone. Today is the Sabbath and
I trust it will be one of rest and
quiet. Such a day we have not
been favored with for some time.
Last night’s march carried
us through the old battle field
again and by the little Tunker’s
church riddled by our Artillery
fire.
W. J. + myself sang “Lansign [?]
Horatius [?], quam divinité venum [?]” +c.
to keep ourselves in good
humor and to keep ourselves from
thinking how cold we were.
________,,________
22nd.
Moved last night again a
mile nearer Williamsport and
went into camp.
23d.
Moved back again today through
Darnesville on to Bakersville
very nearly.

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Nov. 8th. 1862
Went on Reconnaissance
takin 3rd. Del + 3rd. Md.
Started about 4½a.m.
Reached Charlestown about
8 ok. There the 3rd. Del
and 3rd Md. were left +
Gen. J was placed in command
of the 3rd Brigade,
moved forward on the
right + left of Berryville road.
11½ a.m. resting on the road.
3 miles from Charlestown.
________,,_________

[written in the margin: What is the semission (sic) of past-baptismal sin – what is it. What does Catholic mean? “Trials of a mind” –Thomas A Kempis [?]

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Good Friday

O Deus, ego amo Te

My God, I love thee, not because
I hope for Heaven thereby;
for because they, who love Thee not
Must burn eternally.

Though, O my [?] Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace
For me didst bear the nails + spear
And manifold disgrace

And griefs and torments numberless
And sweat of agony
E’en death itself—and all for me
Who was thine enemy.

Then why O blessed Jesus Christ
Should I not love Thee well
Not for the sake of winning Heaven
Or of escaping Hell.

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Not with the hope of gaining aught
Not seeking a reward
But, as Thyself hast loved me.
O ever-loving Lord?

E’en as I love Thee, and will love
And in thy praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God
And my eternal King.
_________,,__________
Bakersville, Md.
Sept. 26. 62

Satest [?] wearied seeking me;
Sufferedst [?] upon the Tree;
Let not vain thy labor be.

Quescus me sedisti lassus
+c.
Angele Dei
Qui custos es mei [?]

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September 27th. 1862
Col. Jackson’s appointment as
Brig. Gen. reached our office this
forenoon. The Col. offers
me the Adjt. Generalship and I
accept.
_________,,__________
Nov. 8th received appointment
as Capt. +A.A.G. and sent letter of
acceptance to Adjutant General of
the army. Rodgers swore me in –
_______________,,________________

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[10 pages ripped out.]
Written on stub of the ninth:
Oct 28

12 noon for police duty
1 non com [?]

145th N.Y.V. ]

[Upside down]
J. H. Drummond.
M. H. Durrell.
J. H. Coffin.
F. Bradford.
R. M. Chapman.
Capt. R. M. Stevens.
Leonard Audicus. [?]
____ Fenderson.
Thos. H. Cole.
Hou. Chas H. Holden.

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J. H. Coffin has my
1. commission as 1st Lieut.
2. appointment as Aide to
Brig. Gen. Slocum
3. appointment as Aide to
Maj. Gen. Slocum
4. recommendation from
Chaplain Adams
5. recommendation from
Lt. Col. Scammon [?]
6. recommendation from
Col. Jackson
7. recommendation from
Maj. Gen. Slocum
8. Appointment of A. A. G. of any [?]
from the Priest
______,,______

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[18 [?] pages ripped out; of which 17 stubs exist, of which the following have writing on:]

Written on stub of the third:
To Gen. Newton
Sept. 3
Detailing Guard
30 men
3 corps
1 Sergt.

Written on stub of the forth:
To Col. Jackson
Sept. 2
Detailing 96th Pa. Vols. for Grand
Guard Duty, and Col. Cake as Gen.
officer of the Day.

Written on stub of the fifth:
To Col. A. J. A. Torbett
ditto

Written on stub of the sixth:
To Capt. E. R. Platt
ditto

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Written on stub of the seventh:
To Col. Jackson
ditto

Written on stub of the eighth:
To Gen. Newton
Sept. 2
Circular about obtaining forage
and subsistance at Fairfax Station

Written on stub of the ninth:
To Maj. Greene
a. a. G.
Sept. 2
A field return of the 1st Div.

Written on stub of the tenth:
To Col. Jackson
Sept. 1
Ordering Muster for payment
at 4ok. pm. this evening to be conducted by
cols

Written on stub of the eleventh:
To Col. Torbett
ditto

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Written on stub of the twelfth:
To Col. Jackson
ditto

Written on stub of the thirteenth:
To Gen. Newton
Centerville Hights
Sept. 1
Ordering muster for payment
at 4ok p.m. Colonels to act as
mustering officers.

Written on stub of the fourteenth:
To Gen. Newton
Aug. 31
Circular about the issue of rations
and forage to the troops.

Written on stub of the fifteenth:
Aug. 31 1862, 6 o’clock p.m.
Note to Lt. Swan 27th, N.Y.V.
About issuing days ration to the
teamsters + orderlies at Div. hd. qtrs.

Written on stub of the sixteenth:

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To Col. Jackson
Aug. 31 1862, 6 o’clock p.m.
Circular about issue of rations
+ forage to the troops.

Written on stub of the seventeenth:
To Col. Jackson
Comd’g 2nd Brig. 1862, 2¾ o’clock p.m.
About rations from Gen. Newton

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[Upside down]
1. J. H. Jones 3rd Audition office
2. W. B. Turner
3. Chas H. Cornwell Registers office
Treasury Department
Residence 21 Indiana Av.
Washington D. C.
4. John L. Hepes [?]
Patent office
5. Nathaniel Hatch
514 12th st.
6. Mr. Sellman, Bauerville [?]
7. Mr. Hedge, Carroll Manor
8. Mr. Delaplane. Mill Seat
9. Mrs. Castle Birkheadsville
10. Mrs. Albans [?[ “

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