The following 1863 diary was sent to me for transcription. I was informed the first part of the diary was kept by a member of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry who had not yet been unidentified. After some effort, I was able to identify the author as 40 year-old John T. Goldsmith (1823-1904), a carpenter by trade, who mustered into the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry in November 1862 and deserted the regiment in June 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia. The portion of the diary written by Goldsmith can be found at 1863 Diary of John T. Goldsmith, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry.

A notation of the inside cover of the diary suggests that the diary was picked up on the battlefield during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Subsequent diary entries reveal that they were made by Walter Augustus (“Gus”) Weddin (1840-1902), a member of Manly’s Battery, or Co. A, 1st North Carolina Artillery. This battery was commanded by Captain Basil C. Manly, the son of the former governor of North Carolina. By the summer of 1863, the battery consisted of two Napoleons and two 3-inch Blakely Rifles. In the Battle of Chancellorsville, Manly’s Battery was attached to Cabell’s Artillery Battalion in Lafayette McLaws’ Division and factored heavily in defending Lee’s rear at Salem Church. In fact, Manly posted one gun immediately adjacent to the church. Later in the day, Manly’s battery fired at the retreating enemy passing over the Rappahannock on a pontoon bridge.

Gus was born in Wake county, North Carolina, where he resided as a professor and enlisted at age 21 on 8 May 1861. He mustered in as a farrier but was promoted to Corporal in 1862. He suffered a gunshot wound to the arm on 9 June 1864 but returned to duty in mid-September and was present and accounted for through December 1864. After the war he married Kate Levy (1846-1908) of Raleigh and became one of the proprietors of the Weddin & Bailey Stage Line to Asheville. When that business was replaced by the railroads, Weddin ran the Eagle Hotel and then became superintendent of the Greystone Quarry.

One of the artillerists in Manly’s Battery was a New York native named Henry Ellis Thain. The story of his service in the battery and of having a “Confederate Medal of Honor” conferred on him can be found at the following web page along with some very interesting material about the battery. See Private Henry Ellis Thain.

[Note: This diary is from the collection of Rob Morgan and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

JUNE 1863

Monday, June 1, 1863—In camp near the Poe River. Nothing transpired of importance. Went fishing. Caught a fine mess.

Tuesday, June 2, 1863—In camp near Poe River. Nothing transpired of importance only we received three days rations in advance. We expected orders at any moment. Called on Mrs. Blackley. Taken tea with them.

Wednesday, June 3, 1863—Marching orders. Left camp at sunset. Ordered to or near Chancellorsville. Marched 7 miles & went into park. Remained there until daylight.

Thursday, June 4, 1863—Marched 25 miles near the Rapidan. Went in park. Remained there until the morning.

Friday, June 5, 1863—Left camp at ten o’clock. Went one mile to better grass. Remained in camp until morning.

Saturday, June 6, 1863—Left camp at eleven o’clock. Ordered to Stevensburg. Got in camp at 10 o’clock. Remained there until morning.

Sunday, June 7, 1863—Received orders to march back to Culpeper Court House. Was out towards Sperryville on the turn pike 3 miles. Went in camp [illegible].

Monday, June 8, 1863—Remained in camp. All quiet. Many troops passed.

Tuesday, June 9, 1863—Fighting commenced at Beverly’s Ford soon after sunrise. Cavalry engaged. Our boys run back. Our battery was ordered off. Formed line of battle after marching through Culpeper. Advanced in sight of Stevensburg. Remained in position till near night. Went in park for the night.

Wednesday, June 10, 1863—Remained in camp all day. Reported that the Yankees had recrossed the river. All quiet during the day. We received orders to hook up to move camp. The order was countermanded.

Thursday, June 11, 1863—Still in camp. Nothing of importance transpired. No orders.

Friday, June 12, 1863—Received marching orders. Hooked up. Remained in park all night. Orders countermanded. All quiet along the lines.

Saturday, June 13, 1863—Went down near Stevensburg to graze the horses. Yankees crossed the river near Brandy Station. March back at double quick. Hooked up and moved out in a field. Moved from there to a new camp.

Sunday, June 14, 1863—Remained in camp all day. All quiet. Attended prayer meeting conducted by Mr. Oliver. Spoke a great deal of [ ].

Monday, June 15, 1863—Received marching orders. Left camp at 9 o’clock a.m. Marched through Culpeper. Very warm day. Went out ten miles on the turnpike road. Camp on Ha____ River.

Tuesday, June 16, 1863—Reveille at 2 o’clock a.m. Marched at daylight. Passed Sperryville at eleven o’clock. Camped near Washington all night. Passed through Woodville before we got to Sperryville. Taken breakfast with Mrs. Williams.

Wednesday, June 17, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left camp at 4 a.m. Passed through Washington. Got to Gaines’s Crossroads at ten o’clock a.m. and waited there for our Division. Very warm/ Camped on Fishers [Farm?].

Thursday, June 18, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left at 7 a.m.. Marched 12 miles. Very warm. great many sun stricken men. Got to Piedmont at 5 p.m. Camped for the night. Pleasant rain.

Friday, June 19, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Cloudy but very pleasant. Marched at 7. Got to Paris at 9 o’clock at the top of the Blue Ridge. Got to the top, rested under a large Poplar [tree] where three counties joined (Fauquier, Loudoun and Clark). Remained all day. Cold and rainy. Ashby’s Gap.

Saturday, June 20, 1863—Still on the ridge. Very cold & rainy. Clouds very low. Orders to leave at 3 p.m. Got to the Shenandoah river. Cross the river. Very deep. Camped for the night. Still cloudy.

Sunday, June 21, 1863—Reveille at daylight. Left camp at 8 a.m. Turned back. Threw up breastworks. Expected a fight. Taken position on bank. Through out part of our force. Heavy fighting with cavalry beyond Paris.

Monday, June 22, 1863—Reveille at daylight. Ordered across the river. Taken position on the Blue Ridge. Yankees fell back. No fighting up to 2 p.m. Ordered to recross the river. Camp near ford for the night.

Tuesday, June 23, 1863—Reveille at daylight. Nothing transpired until evening. Received orders to cook up three days rations. Enemy falling back. Reported by cavalry.

Wednesday, June 24, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Marched at 4. Passed Millwood, very pretty village, taking the Pike Road to Berryville. Very pretty town. Taking the Smithfield Pike. Left the Charlestown to our right. Passed Summer Points on the Harpers Ferry-Winchester Railroad. Camped for the night.

Thursday, June 25, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Marched at 4 a.m. Passed Smithsburg, very pretty little place. Went on, struck the W&M Pike. Passed through Darkesville one mile [and then] rested. Marched on through Martinsburg. Very pretty town. Came out one mile & camped for the night.

Friday, June 26, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Marched at 4 a.m. Came to a crossing of the Potomac at Williamsport. Came out a mile and rested. Had whiskey. Cold and rainy day. Came on to Hagerstown. Quite a large place. Great many secesh. Came out one mile [and] camped for the night on the Frederick City Turnpike, Maryland. Whiskey killed 50 yards around the corner.

Saturday, June 27, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left Hagerstown at 9 o’clock a.m. Meet a great many friends. Went in Pennsylvania at 12 M. Received very cordially at Middleburg. Came past Greencastle [ ] came on towards Chambersburg. Passed through Marion. Camped [with]in 4 and a half miles of Chambersburg.

Sunday, June 28, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Left camp at 7 a.m. Came through Chambersburg. All Union. Very pretty place. Came out mile and camped for the night. Population about 8 thousand.

Monday, June 29, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Remained in camp all day.

Tuesday, June 30, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Marched at 7 a.m. Passed through Fayetteville at 9 a.m. on the Baltimore Turnpike. Camped near Fayetteville at the foot of the Schuylkill Mountain.

JULY 1863

Wednesday, July 1, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Orders to cook up 3 days rations. Left camp at 2 p.m.. Passed the ruins [of the] Catskill Iron Works at the foot of the Catskill M. Came down at Cashtown. Heavy fighting near Gettysburg. Came on through New Salem. Came on near Gettysburg to camp. Yankees driven 5 miles. Reported 30 pieces of artillery & three thousand prisoners. Rainy.

Thursday, July 2, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Went to the hospital. Saw Capt. [Campbell Tredwell] Iredell [of Co. C, 47th North Carolina Infantry]. Right arm shot off. ¹ Came on to battlefield. Went in line of battle. Marched to the right. Marched back to center. Went in action about half past 2. Battery fought till night. Lost one man killed—W. F. Ramsey, 7 wounded, 8 horses wounded & killed. ²

¹ Captain Campbell T. Iredell of Co. C, 47th North Carolina Infantry had his right arm shot off by a shell in the first days fight but lingered for nearly two days before dying. He was 27 at the time of his death and as far as is known, his remains were never recovered and no record exists, except for the fact that he was buried on the Polly Farm. He may still to this day rest where the “green grass waves between thy clay and heaven.” See Their Stories.
² Capt. Manly’s after action report for 2 July 1863 reads: “When we arrived within a few hundred yards of the crossroads mentioned above, we discovered that the enemy held it with a large force of infantry and artillery, which opened upon us immediately. We forwarded into line by a right oblique, and came into battery on an eminence a short distance to the right of the road on which we were advancing, at a distance of 700 yards from the enemy’s batteries. From this position we engage the enemy at 2.30 p.m., giving and receiving a very heavy fire for several hours, until at last, with the assistance of other troops, we succeeded in driving them from their position. During the evening, we advanced by a left oblique to the position left by the enemy in a large peach orchard. During the night, I was ordered to resume the position I had occupied during the afternoon.“

Friday, July 3, 1863—Still in line of battle. Fought all day. Fell back to our former position. Severe shelling. Rifle Section engaged. Lost three men wounded, 7 horses killed & wounded. ³ Heavy rain.

³ Capt. Manly’s after action report for 3 July 1863 reads: “On Friday, July 3, at 5 a.m., I was ordered to carry my rifled guns to the position occupied by the enemy’s batteries the day previous, leaving my smooth-bores in the same position occupied on Thursday, to check the advance in that direction. I accordingly placed my rifles in battery beyond and to the left of the crossroads, from which point the enemy’s line of artillery was 2,000 yards distant. At a given signal, we engaged the enemy from this position, my guns firing slowly and with deliberation. About 3 p.m. my supply of ammunition was exhausted, but in a short time I received another supply, and was enabled again to engage the enemy, which we did, keeping the fire until 7.30 p.m., at which time I received orders to withdraw my guns, as our troops had carried that line.“

Saturday, July 4, 1863—Still in line of battle. Enemy attempted to charge our batteries. We opened & drove them back in gallant style. Sharp skirmishing all day. Rumors of falling back. Fell back at 8 o’clock p.m. Enemy also fell back. ⁴ Rainy.

⁴ Capt. Manly’s after action report for 4 July 1863 reads: “On Saturday, July 4, I occupied my original position of Thursday, 2nd. At about 10 a.m. the enemy advanced with about three regiments toward our position. At about 1,200 yards distance we opened on them with beautiful effect, causing them to report that fact to their comrades in rear in great haste and disorder. They made no other advance on our position during that day. That night we withdrew from the vicinity of Gettysburg, and marched toward Hagerstown, Md.“

Sunday, July 5, 1863—Struck the Fairfield Road at the Black Horse Tavern. Very rainy. Roads awful muddy. Seen 35 hundred prisoners come through Fairfield town. Our loss in the 3 days fight in Battalion was 67 horses & 65 men. Struck the Mountains. Got to the top about 10 o’clock at night. At Monterrey, great waiting place. Came down at Waterloo, Rainy.

Monday, July 6, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left Monterrey Springs at 8 a.m. Came down the mountain. saw good many wagons destroyed by the enemy. Passed Waterloo. Came on by Ringgold Crossroads. Came on through Leitersburg. Heavy firing towards Hagerstown. Cavalry fighting. Came on to Hagerstown. Saw some dead Yankees where they fought through town. Our boys run them several miles. Camped for the night. Rainy.

Tuesday, July 7, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Ordered to hook up to meet a cavalry dash. Orders countermanded. Still in camp. Rainy morning.

Wednesday, July 8, 1863—Still in camp. No orders. Still rainy. Faired off about noon. Received orders at 8 o’clock p.m. Left at 9. Marched down the Boonsboro Road to the Antietam river. Cavalry fight near Boonsboro Gap. Beautiful night.

Thursday, July 9, 1863—Went in position at the bridge at the edge of Funkstown. Remained there all night.

Friday, July 10, 1863—Still in position. Orders to cross at 8 o’clock. Heavy fighting beyond town. Went in position and commenced firing at the edge of town [Funkstown]. Exhausted all our ammunition. Came to the rear. Loss C. Harwood seriously through the stomach. [George] Bridgers [ ] on horse killed. ⁵ J. H. Dunn [taken] prisoner. ⁶ Came to the old camp. [ ] to General Pickett.

⁵ Capt. Manly’s after action reports reads: “On Friday, July 10, I was ordered to cross the Antietam, and go to the assistance of General Stuart’s cavalry. We engaged the enemy at about 6 a.m. near the suburbs of Funkstown, and fought them from that position until late in the afternoon, compelling their artillery to change position twice during the engagement.”
⁶ J. H. Dunn was taken prisoner at Funkstown on 10 July 1863 and taken to Baltimore, then Point Lookout. He was exchanged on 17 March 1864.

Saturday, July 11, 1863—Left camp at 7 a.m. Came to Williamsport. waited for orders. Ordered out to park on the Potomac near the town. Charley Harwood died about 5 o’clock p.m. No orders.

Sunday, July 12, 1863—Still in camp near Williamsport. Went over to town to bury Charley. Buried him in the Catholic Church yard. No orders. Fighting up on river. The enemy repulsed three times. Rainy.

Monday, July 13, 1863—Still at Williamsport. Rainy. George Bridges died about 1 o’clock. Firing on the line towards Hagerstown. Orders to cross the river at 4 p.m. Left camp 6 p.m. Very rainy & muddy. Got over about 9 o’clock. Ordered to Martinsburg. Went several miles and camped for the night.

Tuesday, July 14, 1863—Left camp at 7 a.m. Came on through Martinsburg two miles and camped near the Big Springs. Heavy fight with [ ‘s] Brigade. General P. killed. Reported.

Wednesday, July 15, 1863—Left camp at 7 a.m. Came on through Darkesville on to Bunker Hill. Ordered in camp for the night. Fine day.

Thursday, July 16, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Orders to join our Battalion. Left camp at one o’clock p.m. Very pleasant. Arrived at 3 p.m. Taken very sick in the morning. Heavy firing in the direction of Martinsburg.

Friday, July 17, 1863—Rainy today. Severe pain in my head & neck. Nothing of importance going on.

Saturday, July 18, 1863—Received orders to move camp. Left at 2 p.m. Came on towards Winchester several miles & camped for the night.

Sunday, July 19, 1863—Camped in a beautiful grove. Orders to be ready to move. Didn’t leave today. Received a letter from home. Wrote letter.

Monday, July 20, 1863—Reveille at daylight. Orders to leave at 7 o’clock. Left at half past 7 a.m. Ordered to Berryville. Came through Bucktown on to Berryville from there to Millwood. Got in camp at 7 p.m. Yankees occupied Ashby Gap at 12 o’clock.

Tuesday, July 21, 1863—Reveille at half past three thirty. Left camp at 8. Passed through Millwood. Took the Winchester Turnpike. Left the pike. Came on to White Post. On out to Winchester & F. R. Pike on towards F. R. Camped on Crooked Run.

Wednesday, July 22, 1863—Reveille at 3 o’clock. Marched at light. Came down to the Shenandoah River. Crossed on the pontoon bridge at the fork. Came on through Front Royal. Came up the mountain through Chester Gap 5 miles up. Had a cavalry fight coming down. Run them back. Came on to Gaines’s Crossroads. Got into camp at 11 o’clock at night.

Thursday, July 23, 1863—Reveille at daylight. Left camp at eleven o’clock. Came on towards Cupeper. Camped near the Hazel River. Rained.

Friday, July 24, 1863—Reveille at half past 3. Marched at daylight. Came on to Culpeper. Out mile and camped. Very warm.

Saturday, July 25, 1863—Beautiful morning. Orders to was the gun carriages & rub up the pieces. Pleasant rain after dusk.

Sunday, July 26, 1863—Pleasant morning. Nothing transpired of importance. Wrote a letter to G. L. T. & received a letter G. L. T.

Monday, July 27, 1863—In camp. Nothing of importance transpired. Rain in the afternoon. No orders.

Tuesday, July 28, 1863—In camp. Nothing of importance transpired. Thunder storm & heavy rain. No orders.

Wednesday, July 29, 1863—In camp. No orders. Pleasant rain.

Thursday, July 30, 1863—In camp. Nothing of importance transpired. Light showers of rain. Yankee General Meade’s Headquarters at Warrenton.

Friday, July 31, 1863—In camp. No orders. Signal gun heard towards the enemy just at light. Eleven o’clock received orders for two days rations. Commenced cooking. No sleep for the night.

AUGUST 1863

Saturday, August 1, 1863—Reveille at 2:30 o’clock. Orders to march at 4 a.m. Harnessed, hooked up, orders countermanded. Heavy firing towards Stevensburg. Cavalry fighting. Enemy drove ours 2 miles.

Sunday, August 2, 1863—In camp. All quiet today.

Monday, August 3, 1863—Reveille at 3 o’clock. Orders to be in readiness at daylight. Moved at 8 o’clock. Came out and struck the Rapidan road. Stopped to rest on the battlefield of Cedar Run. Came across to country toward Summersville. Crossed the Rapidan at Summersville ford. Camp for the night.

Tuesday, August 4, 1863—Very warm. Heavy storm of wind and rain. Some firing towards Fredericksburg. All quiet along our lines up to this time—half past 2 o’clock. No orders. All quiet.

Wednesday, August 5, 1863—Reveille at sunrise. Orders to cook up three days rations & be ready to march at 8 o’clock. Came of 20 miles of Fredericksburg. Camped for the night.

Thursday, August 6, 1863—In camp. No orders. All quiet except slight firing towards Stevensburg.

Friday, August 7, 1863—In camp. No orders. Went foraging. Got some hay. Pleasant rain.

Saturday, August 8, 1863—ve camp. Left at camp at 5 o’clock p.m. Came 4 miles. went in park. Very pleasant camp.

Sunday, August 9, 1863—No orders. All quiet. Quite warm.

Monday, August 10, 1863—No orders. All quiet. Very warm.

Tuesday, August 11, 1863—All quiet today. Orders to report to General Kershaw. Some talk of moving towards Spotsylvania Court House. Very warm. Moved at 5 p.m. Came to [ ] Church. Camp near the church.

Wednesday, August 12, 1863—In camp. No orders. Went fishing. Catched a fine mess. very warm. Rain.

Thursday, August 13, 1863—Still in camp. No orders. Very warm. Rainy.

Friday, August 14, 1863—No orders. Very warm. Rainy.

Saturday, August 15, 1863—All quiet. No orders. Warm.

Sunday, August 16, 1863—Orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move. Firing towards Fredericksburg.

Monday, August 17, 1863—No orders. Very warm.

Tuesday, August 18, 1863—No orders. All quiet. Very warm. Orders to grant furloughs.

Wednesday, August 19, 1863—No orders. All quiet.

Thursday, August 20, 1863—All quiet. No orders., Very warm.

Friday, August 21, 1863—All quiet. Fast and pray. Went to church. Orders to leave at 2 o’clock.

Saturday, August 22, 1863—Reveille 2 a.m. Marched at 3. Came 12 miles. Halted for the night.

Sunday, August 23, 1863—Reveille at 2 a.m. Marched at 3 a.m. Came 10 miles. Went in camp. Expected to stay some time here.

Monday, August 24, 1863—All quiet. No orders, Rain in the evening.

Tuesday, August 25, 1863—All quiet. No news of interest. Pleasant rain in the evening.

Wednesday, August 26, 1863—All quiet. Very pleasant. Cool. Wind. No news of interest.

Thursday, August 27, 1863—All quiet. No orders. Beautiful day.

Friday, August 28, 1863—All quiet. No orders. Very cool day.

Saturday, August 29, 1863—Orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move. Yankee force advancing on Richmond. Two of our brigades ordered to Richmond. Wofford’s & Semmes’s orders were countermanded when around at Bumpass’s Station.

Sunday, August 30, 1863—Beautiful day. Went to (Good Hope) to church. Heard a splendid sermon from the 68 Psalms. Came to camp. Went to prayer meeting in Kershaw’s Brigade.

Monday, August 31, 1863—No orders. All quiet today. Very cool.

SEPTEMBER 1863

Tuesday, September 1, 1863—Very quiet today.

Wednesday, September 2, 1863—No orders. All quiet today. Very pleasant.

Monday, September 7, 1863—Pleasant today. Orders to cook up three days rations. Orders to move at daylight.

Tuesday, September 8, 1863—Left camp at half past five. Very warm. Camped on Butler farm near the railroad.

Wednesday, September 9, 1863—Left camp at 7 a.m. Came down to Hanover Junction. Parked on the railroad.

Thursday, September 10, 1863—Great many troops being transported on the roads. Our battery still in park on the railroad.

Friday, September 11, 1863—All quiet today. Still waiting for transportation. Went on guard at Mrs. Saunders’.

Saturday, September 12, x1863—Corporals Weddin and Brooks are detailed to go to Chesterfield after some clothing. Camp Manly Battery, September 12, ’63. Granted, — B. B. Guion, in command. Went to Chesterfield Taken dinner with Mrs. Burns.

Sunday, September 13, 1863—No transportation yet. Rumored that the artillery is not going out West. Went visiting to the 15th N. C. Regiment.

Monday, September 14, 1863—Orders for going out West is countermanded. Received orders to report at Gordonsville.

Tuesday, September 15, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left camp at daylight. Very pleasant morning. Came on near Villa Green. Camped for the night.

Wednesday, September 16, 1863—Reveille at 3 a.m. Left camp at 4 a.m. Came on to Louisa Court House. Camp for the night past Collinsville.

Thursday, September 17, 1863—Left Louisa C. H. at daylight. Came near Gordonsville. Heavy rain. Dr. Wall’s farm.

Friday, September 18, 1863—Very rainy. No orders.

Saturday, September 19, 1863—No orders, Rainy. Reported that the army was going to fall back.

Sunday, September 20, 1863—No orders. Very pretty day.

Monday, September 21, 1863—All quiet. No orders.

Tuesday, September 22, 1863—Heavy firing towards Liberty Mills. Cavalry engaged. Our men driven back. Received reinforcements. Held them. Own ground. Our loss 70 in all. Received orders to move.

Wednesday, September 23, 1863—Left at daylight. Came our near Gordonsville. Went in park. Run around there all day.

Thursday, September 24, 1863—Still in camp near Gordonsville. All quiet beyond the mountains.

OCTOBER 1863

Thursday, October 8, 1863—No orders. Samuel Snow and Nock West returned from home. Joseph Harly came with them.

Friday, October 9, 1863—Orders to move to t he front. Hooked up. Orders countermanded. Henry & Batte [?] left us [ ]. Whole army moved forward.

Saturday, October 10, 1863—Sharp skirmishing in the front. Good many cavalry came to Gordonsville.

Sunday, October 11, 1863—All quiet today. No news from the front. Went to work on quarters. Put up very comfortable house.

Monday, October 12, 1863—Reported that the army have passed Springville. Our army marching altogether through the woods to avoid being seen from the heights occupied by the enemy.

Tuesday, October 13, 1863—But little news from the front. Some prisoners passed Gordonsville. Heavy rain.

Wednesday, October 14, 1863—Heavy fight near Bristoe Station. [John Roger] Cooke’s & [William Whedbee] Kirkland’s Brigades engaged. Our loss near a thousand on our side. Enemy loss also heavy. Lieut. Boone wounded. General Cooke wounded in the thigh. General Kirkland in the arm. Heavy rain.

Thursday, October 15, 1863—Heavy storm of wind and rain. Enemy reported to fall back to Centerville.

Friday, October 16, 1863—No fighting as can be heard today. Ambulance committee went on from Richmond.

Saturday, October 17, 1863—Some wounded arrived here today.

Sunday, October 18, 1863—Good many wounded came down today. Saw good many friends among them. Very pleasant day. Went to church in afternoon.

Monday, October 19, 1863—Wounded still coming. Saw Lieut. Boone wounded through the right arm near the shoulder. No news from the front—only Hill’s Corps reported falling back to the Rapidan river.

Tuesday, October 20, 1863—no news reliable today. Rumors say Meade is advancing to [ ].

Wednesday, October 21, 1863—No news from the front. Very cool. Went to depot. Saw some acquaintances from North Carolina.

Thursday, October 22, 1863—No news today from the front. Saw three hundred prisoners that came down on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. General [Stephen Dodson] Ramseur visited our camp on his way home. Looked very well.

Tuesday, October 27, 1863—Went out foraging with two wagons to Morris’s farm. Very cool today. The cavalry had a skirmish yesterday. One hundred of the enemy killed. A great many wounded. Our loss killed ten, 30 wounded.

NOVEMBER 1863

Sunday, November 8, 1863—Nothing of interest today. Very stormy. Very cold. Windy. Cloudy. Fighting up on the line. Two of our Brigade reported captured except 6 hundred. Hooks and Hayes. Our forces fell back to Rapidan.

Monday, November 9, 1863—Cold and windy. Heavy snow commenced at 2 o’clock and stopped during the night.

Friday, November 13, 1863—Very pleasant today. Very dull in camp. Went to Gordonsville after corn with the wagons. received orders to leave camp early on Saturday morning.

Saturday, November 14, 1863—Left camp at 8 a.m. Came out two miles to the right of Orange Court House. Camp in an old field. Rainy. Very pleasant. Camped near a camp where we camped one year two months before. Awful thunder storm lasted all night.

Sunday, November 15, 1863—Thunder showers until 7 a.m. Faired off very pretty morning over head. Heavy cannonading towards Germanna Ford on the Rapidan.

Tuesday, November 17, 1863—Very cool morning. Some rain early. Went to Orange C. H. Went over to Kirkland’s Brigade. Saw several acquaintances…

Wednesday, November 18, 1863—Sharp skirmishing in front. Went to Orange C. H. with the wagon after forage. Dreamed of being home again 4th night in secession.

Sunday, November 22, 1863—Beautiful morning. Went down near Forest Hill Church to see some friends. Came back late at night. Very cool.

Monday, November 23, 1863—Moved camp. Cloudy and cool. To more wood.

Tuesday, November 24, 1863—Cold and rainy. On detail after lost horses. Nothing could be heard from them. Went over to Riley’s Battalion. Saw some old friends.

Wednesday, November 25, 1863—On detail after horses. Very cold…Major Badger came from home. Went out to camp.

Thursday, November 26, 1863—On detail after stray horses. Came to the depot. Mrs. Sterne and Lieut. Dunn came from home. I went out to camp with. Heavy firing down towards Raccoon Ford. Enemy reported trying to cross at Raccoon Ford. Received orders to cook up 2 days rations & be ready to move.

Friday, November 27, 1863—Reveille at 2 o’clock a.m. Left camp at 4 a.m. Came down towards Spotsylvania C. H. Heavy firing on the river. Cavalry fighting 3 miles off. We were ordered out towards Louisa C. H. to avoid the raid. Close place all day. Stopped at 3 o’clock p.m. & camped for the night 6 miles west of Waller’s Tavern. Rations wagon broke down. No rations tonight. Very bad pain in my head. Cold.

Saturday, November 28, 1863—Remained in camp all day. Heavy fighting in front. Nothing heard of the losses. Rained. Received orders to be ready to move at moments notice. Ordered to cook up 3 days rations. Rumors say 100 captured. 450 prisoners & 225 mules and horses. Destroyed 50 wagons.

Sunday, November 29, 1863—Reveille at 2 a.m. Left camp at 4 a.m. Ordered to Sandersville on the O & F Plank Road. Cannonading heard towards Ely’s Ford. Came several miles before daylight. Very warm & looked like rain until daylight. Then turned off very cool.

Monday, November 30, 1863—Reveille at usual hour. Heavy cannonading towards Ely’s & United States Fords. Rifle Section ordered off at 9 a.m. Rumors say two Yankee regiments captured. Henry’s Battalion lost good many men. Rifle section returned.

DECEMBER 1863

Tuesday, December 1, 1863—Very cool morning. Went to Orange Court House with Sterne. Enemy reported falling back. No fighting going on today.

Wednesday, December 2, 1863—No fighting going on today. Went to Orange C. H. with the wagon after corn…A. P. Hill’s Corp is returning to old camps.

Thursday, December 3, 1863—Troops all returning to old camps. Went on several miles & meet out battalion coming back to old camp, 2 miles of Orange. Got in camp at 3 p.m.

Wednesday, December 9, 1863—Nothing of interest today. All quiet along the lines. Papers speak of Longstreet falling back to Morristown. Very cool & fair. Received a Napoleon gun for my detachment.

Thursday, December 10, 1863—no orders nor no news. Sergt. Slade & Private Newsom fell out about rations. The latter stabbed the former in three places on the left arm.

Saturday, December 12, 1863—No orders today. Some rumor about going in winter quarters near Louisa Court House. Rainy and cold in afternoon. Yankees leaving Culpeper Court House and destroying a good deal of property of the citizens.

Tuesday, December 15, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Left at 6 a.m. Ordered to Raccoon Ford. Came on near Ewell’s Headquarters & parked & waited for orders. Ordered on in position at Raccoon Ford. Bad camp. No woods. Relieved battery.

Wednesday, December 16, 1863—Nothing of interest today. The enemy seem to be in small force on the opposite side of the Rapidan but in large force on the Rappahannock. Cool. Commenced raining & drizzling during the night. Visited Gen. Ramseur’s Brigade. Saw many friends.

Thursday, December 17, 1863—Still raining and sleeting. see but few Yanks today. Rainy and cold all day.

Friday, December 18, 1863—Went to work on chimney. Finished it & moved in. Very cold, cloudy and looks like snow after dark. On guard. Went up to post. The relief saw signal lights on Pony Mountain. Good many lights up & down the lines. Rapidan very full.

Saturday, December 19, 1863—Nothing going on today of any interest. The Yankees double their lines of pickets. All our extra men and horses are ordered to the rear. Caissons, horses included on account of the bad roads to Orange. We can’t get forage for them over the roads. Worked on my quarters today.

Sunday, December 20, 1863—Nothing of interest today. After suffering for six days with the toothache, I went over to Dr. Brown’s to have it pulled…Pulled two teeth & [ ] the jaw bone which caused much pain. But few Yanks today.

Monday, December 21, 1863—Nothing of interest today. But few of the enemy visible. Early’s Division moved to the rear. Very pretty morning but turned off very cool and looked like snow in the afternoon.

Wednesday, December 23, 1863—Found the ground covered with snow. Faired off in the afternoon. The Louisiana Brigade moved back to Wood. Leaves us alone except a small picket force.

Thursday, December 24, 1863—Beautiful morning, only it’s rather cool. Hear more drums in Yankeedom than usual. This morning snow all gone.

Friday, December 25, 1863—Beautiful morning. Very dull. Yankees reported advancing from Culpeper Court House. Afternoon officers having a gay time. All hands drunk. I don’t think I ever spent a duller Christmas in all my life. Nothing to amuse us at all. Near night, the enemy appeared in some force on the line & we taken three cracks at them & they soon departed.

Tuesday, December 29, 1863—Faired off very pleasant. Went down on the river to see our breastworks. Found them very strong. McM__ wounded himself in the foot.

Wednesday, December 30, 1863—Very pretty morning. Went down to Orange C. H. with the wagon after rations. Went down to the 14th N. C. troops. Saw all the Raleigh boys. Came back to the forage camp after supper. Stayed there all night. Looked like rain.

Thursday, December 31, 1863—Rainy and cold. Came back to camp. Awful roads. Drew coffee, sugar, flour, dried peaches, apples, bacon, beef, and rice. Quite a ration.