June the 1st. "Monday." 1863
- Cool & pleasant day. Received orders to leave at 6 A.M. & go back the same way we came & near the same old Camps. We marched quick time. We marched the same road rested only 3 times . We stopped near a large pond in a piece of woods, water not plentiful . Brigade guard placed around; & now all the boys resting themselves finely; . Quite a warm & pleasant night. We drew 3 days rations, bacon flour & peasJune 2nd. "Tuesday." 1863
- Pleasant day. "Co" drill & Batt. in Eve. Our Camps are in a very rough thicket. Wrote a letter to "C.K.R." No news from Vicksburg only that "grant" was falling back & Joe "Johnson" preparing to attack him, nothing confirmed. "Vallandigham" reported to be in our lines. raining at dark, all preparing Shanties, needing rain very much.June 3rd. "Wednesday." 1863
- Cloudy, but little rain fell during the night. No drill today as 'tis damp. Requisition made out for clothing for the "Co". An address at major "Bird's" by Col. Harris of 2nd Ga & Capt "Parks" of 17th. Ga on Christian Association. A. Gullatt & J. Remson arrived in Camps from N.C. where we left them sick. "Gullatt" not exactly well of the Small Pox. All very glad to see them as we had no idea we would seem them so soon. W.B. Sim died in N.C. with Small Pox, all regretted his death very much as he was loved by all, he had no enemies. Abb. & Jim escaped through the enemies lines & crossed the "Chowan" river. Jerry "Crawford" joined the "Co" is quite an unhealthy man, & will get a discharge. Received orders to prepare 3 days rations & be ready to leave by day tomorrow. All busy cooking most the night.June 4th. "Thursday." 1863
- Fine morning. Drums beat before day for all to be us & ready to march by light. We got but little sleep (as we were up cooking 'till 11 P.M. & then aroused at 3 A.M.) Quite a stir around early, called in lines & left at sunrise . (A. Gullatt unwell and left with a pass at a private house. After a march over a rough road mostly plantation road, we came to the ford, most of us waded it, some crossed on the dam. (At this place we crossed last Aug.) We marched slowly . Water very scarse & very hot & dusty. We rested often. After a march over a hilly road we stopped to Camp at 1 P.M. Brigade guard placed around. Gen'l "Longstreet" passed through Camps, the boys cheered him. All resting themselves finely, pleasant & warm night. Abb. came to Camps, did not succeed in getting in a Priv house as the family was afraid, had a good nights rest.June the 5th. "Friday." 1863
- Apperance of rain. Received orders for all to be ready to leave by 8 A.M. to see the "Cavalry Review" . We were in lines & awaited for marching order. We soon left, passing through the village with music The town is a very desolate looking place, a great many houses in ruins, but few citizens could be seen. Each Brig stacked guns along the R.R. a guard stationed beyond & none permitted to go beyond, so the track for several miles was crowded with soldiers & hills, the cars came down full, tops crowded with girls. There was over 2000 citizens, a great many girls several on horseback. Several the girls rode up & down the road accompanied with officers at full speed The girls could ride faster than the men. The girls are great riders in this country. Evry thing passed off finely, we suffered very much with heat as the day was warm & no water near. The review lasted 5 hours & all left for Camps, the road very dusty. Cloudy & apperance of rain, we marched back the same road & arrived in the same Camps at 6 P.M. all very much pleased. Sprinkling rain a little, very much needed. Cloudy night but no rain. No sick, & all resting finely. Good nights rest.June the 6th. "Saturday." 1863
- Pleasant day. Received orders to wash & clean our guns & be ready for Inspection tomorrow. 9 A.M. Received orders to cook 3 days rations & be ready to leave at 12 A. M. So we have 3 days rations of flour to cook & no cooking utensils. All very busy, very warm day. Rumors are that we will cross the river tonight. Evry thing in motion. All in lines at 12 A. M. line formed in the road. We stacked guns & awaited 1 hour for the Div to form. it rained a small shower which greatly refreshed evry thing, as the roads were very dusty. stopped to camp at 11 P.M. it as dark as "Erebus" evry one so tired Just fell out & lie down with orders to leave in 2 hours. our long & wearied march was in vane. All quite wet & no fires allowed, of course we suffered & some got but little sleep.June 7th. "Sunday." 1863
- Clear & pleasant morning, all up by sunrise & formed a line in the road, & about faced (which showed plainly we were going back) We marched back the same road we came yesterday, marching slowly, only we marched through "Stevensburg", marched through "Culpeper" C.H. up "East" St. with music. 15th Ga in front the Brig. "Rhoads" Div was marching down "Coleman" St the same time. Arrived in Camps (same old Camps) at 12 A.M. & rested, all very tired. "McLaw's" Div encamped near the town & was in our front, "Early's" Div. also near the town. John Arnett came to our "Co" to see us, his Reg'mt near. We drew 3 days rations & all very buisy cooking. Several Companies up nearly all night. Quite a cold night, slept but little.June 8th. "Monday. 1863
. - Troops passing most the day. "Ewell's" Corps passed . Expecting orders constant to leave. Finished cooking rations by 3 P.M. Received orders we would remain all day & clean up &c.June 9th. "Tuesday." 1863
- Heavy Cannonading this morning below "Brandy Station . Enemy succeeded in crossing at 2 places & drove our Cavalry . While we were drilling we received orders to leave immediately. We formed a line & stacked guns & awaited for orders to leave, which soon came. formed a line in an open field exposed to the hot sun, at 12. A.M. formed a line of battle. Part the Div marched to our rear & formed a line . We put up blankets as shelters & thus protected us from the burning sun, here we remained 'till darkJune 10th. "Wednesday." 1863
- Fine morning, all quiet in Camps, heard a few particulars of yesterdays fight. Some important moves are on hand both armies in motion & will soon meet. "Co" drill today all passed off finely in Camp nothing but Reg'mt Inspection. Beawtiful eve. We drew 2 days rations & buisy cooking them as we have a standing order allways to have 2 days rations cooked. Apperance of rain tonight.June 11th. "Thursday." 1863
- Cloudy morning, no rain fell during the [?] We were aroused before day by a little sprinkle, all up & made shelters but no rain fell. "Co" drill, no news all quiet in camps. Nothing important from "Vicksburg" . All await with anxious hearts the result. all quiet tonight.June 13th. "Saturday." 1863
- Fine morning. Orders are to wash & clean up & be ready to move & change Camps at 3 P.M. Several of the boys gone to the pond to wash. Received orders to move immediately & be in lines in great haste at 11 A.M. not more than half the "Co" present. So hastily was the order we expected the enemy to be very near. Companies formed & marched near the Col's qurts, formed a line stacked guns & lie there 2 hours, soon all the "Co" came, & we soon found out that the Div. was going to change Camps. We soon in lines & left marched the roads very dusty & very warm day, we suffered for water. We stopped to Camp in a beautiful piece of woods at 1 P.M. rained a little during the Eve. I with several went out & got a great many Cherrys. We have very good water & Camps. Cloudy night with thunder & lightning.June 14th. "Sunday." 1863
- Cloudy morning no rain fell last night. Have a guard around the Brig & very strict orders. "Co" Inspection. Preaching in Camps. we drew 2 days rations & some cooking it. All quiet in Camps. Fine night, all up late enjoying themselves.June 15th. "Monday." 1863
- Drums beat at day for all to get up & be ready to march at sun rise. All soon up & buisy preparing to leave All in lines & left at the appointed time with 3 days rations. We marched back to "Culpeper" C.H. the same road we came Saturday. All the Division stopped 1/2 mile from the town, stacked guns & rested 1 hour & here we got orders to prepare for hard marching as we were going in the direction of "Winchester" on a force march. We here drew 1 days rations of Crackers & now have 4 days rations. All those who was not able to march & sick would be left . The waggons we left [to take the Pike] So the officers all carried their blankets with them as we would not be with the wagons] in several days, none but the Ambulance went with us. The pike as far as we marched it was very good but very dusty, the day very warm water scarse. We suffered very much & I think was the hottest days march we ever taken, especially a force march. A great many fell out ranks overcome by heat & several sun stroke & some died, the road side was full. We stopped & rested 2 hours in a shade at 2 P.M. the men broke ranks & fell about like hogs, so tired, hot & thirsty. We left at 4 P.M., hot & dusty, the country quite poor, few people living along the road, houses mostly deserted few farms in cultivation. We marched 'till 9 P.M. very dark & a great many had fallen out. So we marched 18 miles the hottest days march I ever took. We lie down in an open field with orders to leave by light tomorrow, but little sleep by me.June 17th. "Wednesday." 1863
- Several were sunstroke & over 100 of the Reg'mt fell out so much overcome by heat. . Some the "Co" over half the men have fallen out, I never saw men so much fatigued & it was hottest march we ever done. We stopped at 4 P.M. & rested 'till sun set, then called in line & marched 1/2 mile down the road & remained all night. 1 Company from each Reg't of the Brig was sent out on the different roads as pickets. We had a good nights rest for the first time in 3 nights. Not more than half the Co. for duty, several quite sick from fatigue in Camps & some scattered along the road.June 19th. "Friday." 1863
- joined the Brig. in Camps about 300 yds from the foot of the Mt. a very uneasy position & very rocky to sleep. We placed rock at our feet to hold against & if a rock started to roll it never stopped 'till it reached the foot unless by some larger ones, so none could sleep in our front. The rocks were rolling down all night (I slided down 5 feet from where I first lie by morning). it commenced raining at 9 P.M. & rained as fast as I ever saw it for 1 hour & then slowly all night. All got very wet & no fire nor wood. I lie down as wet as water could make me & a wet blanket, but got but little sleep being so wet & such an uneasy position. We will long remember that dreadful night.June 20th. "Saturday." 1863
- Still raining slowly, got up early & built fires, & all the fences around & dryed tolerable well. Several the boys went out & bought butter which is very plentiful at 50c. Orders to leave at 9 A.M. formed a line & marched left in front then filed right & marched up the Mt'n these 2 Brigades occupied 2 miles up the Mt. thus the Divi'on holds 4 miles. Each "Co" built their own breastworks of rock 3 feet high which was soon done & trimed out the bushes in front. heavy clouds & still raining, very dark. We soon finished our rock works then built fires & rested, still raining. At 3 P.M. orders came to leave immediately. (Our cooking detail was cooking) we marched down the Mt. (our rations was not half cooked & we had to carry 2 days rations of beef in our hands & wade the river, our flour was hauled). We waded the river (orders not to take off our clothes, few obeyed it) the river was quite deep from the heavy rains. We marched up the pike 1 mile & encamped in a grove at 6 P.M. more than half the Brig had waded the river & was very wet & then stop where there was no wood! The men commenced taking rail but was stopped, but at last the fence was given up & each "Co" pay for what rails they burnt. We soon had large fires & cooked 2 days rations & by 12 P.M. we were dry. We were up half the night cooking &c So I slept but little. Clear & pleasant night. Most the "Co" joined us & now have a very good "Co" most the sick well. But little sleep by me.June 21st. "Sunday." 1863
- Cloudy morning, orders to be ready to leave by sun rise, all up early & drum beat for to form the line thus we remained some time awaiting orders to march, by 10 A.M. more than half the men were sleep with their baggage & accoutrements on. At 1 P.M. Gen'l "Hood" passed through Camps & told Gen'l "Benning" to pick out a better Camp & have "Co" inspection &c as several had wet ammunition from wading the river. "Benning" remained in the same Camps (no doubt as good as he could find). Inspection over several gone to the river to wash. Dress parade & orders to prepare to move immediately. So by dark all were ready to leave & awaited 'till late. So we unrolled our blankets & soon made a pallet & were to sleep. "Slept finely."June 22nd. "Monday." 1863
- Beawtiful morning. received orders to leave at 6 A.M. encamped at a village called "Millwood" at 5 P.M. & drew 2 days rations & cooked, we were up late cooking, no salt, lard or soda. Slept very well Water some distance.June 23d. "Tuesday." 1863
- Pleasant morning, all up early expecting to leave. Still in camps at 9 A.M. the boys lying about resting & expecting a hard march before night. 1- A.M. received orders to wash & clean up & rest today. Considerable rejoicing in the Brig. as all were very glad as we needed it. Several gone out foraging, but got but little. Inspection at 5 P.M. But little wood about Camps & water very scarse; night has come Received orders to leave before day tomorrow. Orders read to us tonight relative to marching. No stragling, no pressing private property every man keep his place as we are going in M'd. We cooked beef tonight without salt, & now have 3 days of bread & 1 of Beef & no salt. Beawtiful night, lie down early to be ready for tomorrows march.June 24th. "Wednesday." 1863
- Drums beat at 2 A.M. for all to be up & ready to march. All up and ready so at the break of day all left, marching left in front rested 1 1/2 hour & I got my breakfast at a private house, I was very hungry. (I had plenty of buiskets made without lard soda or salt, & beef too without the latter, which was not pleasant eating) We marched through town with music since the enemy has encamped aound it, the out houses & fences & yards are ruined & fences burnt. This is a very rich country, a great many citizens left, few farms in cultivation, large fields of wheat. A great many girls out to see us pass. We stopped to rest 2 hours . left the pike & marched through plantations & then in a country road very rocky & thinly setled setlement, plenty of water. We did not march through the village [Middleway]. a large crowd of girls came out to see us & waved their handkerchiefs, we passed them with music. After a march brought us to Camp in a large piece of woods, at 5 P.M. no water near & all very tired. We drew beef & bought some flour very cheap (as our bread was out) It was 11 P.M. before many of us went to sleep having marched 18 miles & encamped . Quite a poor & thinly setled country, houses in ruins few farms in cultivation, lands quite rich. This portion of Va. is about ruined fences all burnt. Orders to leave at day break.
June 25th. "Thursday." 1863
- Cloudy day, apperance of a splendid day to march. Drum beat for all to be up at day & we were in lines in a few moments after. .... We filed to the left & marched a rough rocky country road near "Martinsburg" we stopped to rest in the Suberbs of the town we did not march through the place. the town seems as large as Washington. We crossed the "Baltimore & Ohio" R.R. here the depot &c around was burnt, tearing up the track for some distance. We marched 6 miles from "M" & encamped at 5 P.M. it drizling rain, having marched 21 miles the men were very tired & had to cook 1 days rations of beef. Raining slowly most the night.June 26th. "Friday." 1863
- Drum beat for all to be up & ready to leave by light, raining slowly. We were up early But did not leave 'till Sunrise. We marched the pike which was very slopy & 4 miles we came to the river, none were permitted to strip But plunged the river it was little over knee deep & 200 yds wide (it still raining & we were very wet any way) We marched the former pike 2 miles & stopped in a grove 2 hours awaiting farther orders & all to get a dram as it was still raining & all were very wet. Several the boys got quite drunk & we had a jolly set. We soon left leaving the pike & marching a rough mudy country road . Several the Div was quite Jolly & some pass traveling & a few fights, road very good, fine plantations, people very thickly setled, fine crops of wheat & corn. Water good people mostly Union. People here ("Franklin" Co) all living well, have plenty to live on & a great many young people in the counry. All do their own work. We stoped to Camp at sun set, marched 16 miles, & up half the night cooking. We got a great many cherries & living finely.June 28th . "Sunday." 1863
- We will remain in Camps today, passes granted & a great many the boys out foraging, the soldiers are taking evry thing. Camps full of chickens, butter & milk. Our mess had a chicken stew, cherries in great abundance. Nearly half the Reg'mt out foraging & can get almost any thing at your own price. This is a rich country, wheat very good & corn good, people very thickly setled & live in fine houses, nice gardens & seem to think more of their gardens & barns than any thing else . We are encamped in a grove & burnt all the fences around & wheat fields turned out. Our army living all-together on what we capture. Our advance infantry at or near "Harrisburg." Drizling rain most the evening, we kept one sentinel on the watch all night in case of a surprise.June 29th. "Monday." 1863
- Cloudy & drizly day; Regimental Inspection very strict orders none permitted to leave Camps without a pass. A great many cherries brought to Camps. Q Masters are gathering all the horses around, beeves &c. Several the boys have seen fine hourses tied out in the woods. I eat a great many cherries today. Cooking up 3 days rations of flour.June 30th. "Tuesday." 1863
- Cloudy & rainy day. Called in lines at 8, but did not leave 'till 9 A.M. We marched slowly (resting often) stopped to Camp at 1 P.M. We made fences fly. I with several others went to a house near Camps & got a great many cherries I never saw the like before. We are encamped at the foot of the Mt. Several gone over it to look for horses, people mostly poor & very thickly setled. Very good Camps. Drizly wet evening, have a splendid place to sleep, some dry straw. had a splendid nights rest.July 1, 1863
- A cloudy day. We have orders to prepare 3 days rations & be ready to march at a moments warning. Orders came to be ready to leave at 4 O'clock. Soon the drum beat & all in lines. after marching all night we stoped at 4 " O'clock and rested 3 hours.