Excerpt from the 1863 Diary of James Hamilton Mills, 11th Pennsylvania Reserves

The following excerpt of the Gettysburg Campaign comes from the 1863 diary of James Hamilton Mills (1837-1904) who was a native of new Lisbon, Ohio. He was working in “mercantile and mechanical pursuits” until the Civil War when he enlisted as a private on 27 April 1861 in Co. G (“The Independent Blues”), 11th Pennsylvania Reserves (40th Pennsylvania Infantry). With his regiment he participated in twenty seven general engagements of the Army of the Potomac, and for “gallant conduct on the field” he was promoted to corporal, first sergeant, first lieutenant and captain and for “heroic conduct in the Battle of the Wilderness and Bethesda Church” he was commissioned brevet-major and brevet-lieutenant colonel. He was mustered out of service at Pittsburg on June 13, 1864.

During the Gettysburg Campaign, Mills served as the 1st Lieutenant of his company. Following the battle, on 17 August 1863, he was promoted to Captain. The monument of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves on the Gettysburg Battlefield is located on the east side of Ayers Avenue just south of Wheatfield Road. On the back of the monument, It reads: July 2nd in the evening charged from the hill in rear to this position and held it until the afternoon of July 3d when the Brigade advanced through the woods to the front and left driving the enemy and capturing many prisoners.

Mills’ 1863 diary is among several diaries of his that are housed at the Montana State Library. It has been digitized recently but apparently never before transcribed and published. I have not shown the images of the diary pages since these can be viewed on line at James H. Mills diary, 1863.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Sunday, June 21, 1863—We have been on the qui vive all day. Expecting a fight. Heavy firing from ten a.m. until 7 p.m. in the direction of Aldie. It is likely our cavalry at Thoroughdare Gap. Wrote to Hattie & D. W. Hoppstot. Preaching at 10.30.

Monday, June 22, 1863—Very pleasant today. The roads are in excellent order for marching. The firing yesterday was a cavalry fight. Pleasonton attacked the Rebel Stuart at Middleburg and drove them to Ashby’s Gap, holding the field and capturing 2 guns, 3 caissons, small arms, and prisoners. Our cavalry is beginning to be of service.

Tuesday, June 23, 1863—A little warm. Today we received orders to prepare to march at a moment’s notice.

Wednesday, June 24, 1863—Everything quiet in the forenoon. An inspecting officer from Gen. Heintzelman was around during the day and professed ignorance of our having orders. We were congratulating ourselves on it being a false alarm when at dark an order came to march to Upton’s Hill and so I suppose our play day is over and we are again to go to the front. Letter from Eliza English.

Thursday, June 25, 1863—Left camp at 9 last night and marched to Upton Hill. Reached there at 2 a.m. & camped on the drill ground this morning. It was very uncertain about us moving but about 2 p.m. we fell in and marched up the Leesburg Pike to the crossroad to Fairfax Court House and camped in pine woods. Only the 3rd Brigade is here. The 1st is to join us here tomorrow & the 2nd is to remain at Alexandria. Lucky 2nd.

Friday, June 26, 1863—2nd Brigade joined us at midnight. It rained all the night and only held up this evening. We started a little after 6 this morning and after making a great sound, came on the pike again and marched as far as Broad Run. The march was very severe and the curses of the men were plenty. Received a letter last evening from Hanna & Ramsey. Miss Annie [Jones], the ex-cavalryman is in the Old Capitol [prison] having been caught outside the lines. ¹

¹ See story about Annie Jones in the following article: Forbidden, Hidden, and Forgotten: Women Soldiers of the Civil War: Women Soldiers at Old Capitol Prison.

Saturday, June 27, 1863—Reveille at 4 a.m. Broke camp at 5.30, marched about 4 miles & crossed the Potomac river into Maryland at Edward’s Ferry. Marched some 8 or ten miles up the Potomac and camped for the night. It has rained off and on all day. The roads are not very muddy but the men were very much fatigued. Rumor today that the Rebels have taken Harrisburg. Issued knapsacks and canteens.

Sunday, June 28, 1864—Took a 5 o’clock start this morning. Crossed the Monocacy [river] on a stone aqueduct and marched 10 or 12 miles and camped in the 5th Corps, of which it is supposed we will be the 3rd Division. Gen. Hooker was relieved of the command and Gen. Meade superseded him. Saw R. Townsend. Iti s rumored this evening that we are to march on to Pennsylvania in the morning. A rumor is current that Vicksburg is taken.

Monday, June 29, 1864—Was ordered to be ready to start at daylight this morning. We were up and had tents down just in time to be dry. The rain fell in heavy showers for the remainder of the day. We did not get started until 1.15 o’clock and were delayed until after dark when we made a rush ahead and nearly run ourselves down. Camped for the night at 11 o’clock on top of a range of high hills some 8 miles east of Frederick. Marched through a fine valley.

Tuesday, June 30, 1864—Woke up this morning soaking wet. We did not put up tents last night and the boys were all soaked this morning. Marched very hard today. I was sick and had to ride in the ambulance in the afternoon. Passed through Uniontown, Liberty, and Union Bridge. Camped with 3rd Corps near Uniontown at dark and were mustered for pay at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 1, 1863—Left camp at 6 this morning and about 1 p.m. crossed the line into Pennsylvania. Addresses were issued from Division & Brigade commands before crossing and the boys gave three good cheers for Pennsylvania. Stopped five miles south of Hanover. Rations were issued and the wagons sent to the rear. Ammunition inspected and everything in readiness for a fight. There is a fight today at Gettysburg.

Thursday, July 2, 1863—We started at 9 last night and marched until 2 a.m. Men very much fatigued. Turned into a meadow and slept until 5 a.m. Started again and made a hard march to Gettysburg where are now at 1 p.m. Both armies are here and there will be a terrible fight today or tomorrow. 8 p.m. Sure enough we had it today. We arrived in time to save the field. Made a most brilliant charge and drove the rebs as far as the General would let us go. Am on the front skirmishing.

Friday, July 3, 1863—We lost last evening in killed Graves Gallagher. Wounded, S[amuel] L. Potter, Jas. N. Maguire, W[illiam] D. Scott. Held a strong position all day and wanted the rebs to attack us. The great battle was fought today on the right. We gained the day. Took 8,000 prisoners. Made another charge this evening and drove them 1.5 miles. Took many prisoners, one color (15th Georgia) and over 3,000 arms. We are fighting wit hthe 1st Brigade. Are lying tonight a mile in the advance. A very heavy rain after dark. All nearly dead.

Saturday, July 4, 1863—This is a glorious 4th of July. The rebs were whipped all along the lines yesterday and they will have to retreat or be cut to pieces. Gen. Meade is trump with the army and Crawford suits us exactly. We came back to our old position at the stone wall and after standing a most drenching rain, were relieved and taken up on the hill. We lay down on the wet ground and slept soundly.

Sunday, July 5, 1863—Very wet all last night and most of today. We lay quiet until about 5 p.m. when we fell in and marched down around the right flank of the rebs, and halted about 11 o’clock. The roads were terrible but the men are in good heart and kept up well. The rebs are falling back having been completely whipped.

Monday, July 6, 1863—We marched a few miles today and camped. The men are scouring the country in search of extras to eat. I never saw the Army of the Potomac in such good spirits. All are anxious to push on and give the rebs another whipping before they succeed in leaving Pennsylvania. Went to a mill near and got two canteens of old rye for the boys.

Tuesday, July 7, 1863—Started at 7 this morning and made a very rapid march of over twenty miles down the south side of the Blue Mountains. We are heading toward Frederick. The roads are very heavy but I have not heard a grumble from a man. We camped about 5 miles from Frederick and received a mail.

Wednesday, July 8, 1863—It rained all last night and until noon today in torrents. We never made as hard marching go. Crossed the first range of the Blue Mountains and camped near South Mountain and Middleburg. Received official news that Vicksburg was surrendered on the 4th of July. Received supplies of shoes from Quartermaster.

Thursday, July 9, 1863—Left camp at 7 a.m., crossed South Mountain and camped in Boonsboro Valley about 1 o’clock I presume we will lay here long enough to concentrate and then push on. The enemy said to be between Hagerstown and Williamsport. Firing in the evening. Wrote to Hattie.

Friday, July 10, 1863—Broke camp at 5 a.m. and after a little delay, jotted out. Crossed the National Pike and Beaver Run and camped on the west side of Antietam Creek, making about 6 miles. Finding the rebs in force, disposition was made of the forces and a force sent to dislodge them. The dismounted cavalry & a battery of flying artillery did this handsomely. The Bucktails are out and the 11th supports them. There has been a good deal of fighting all along the line today.

Saturday, July 11, 1863—Moved out this morning and formed line of battle expecting the rebs to open on us. Laid en masse until evening and advanced with the entire line about 1.5 miles. The rebs fell back on our advance and did not offer battle. Our artillery is all up now adn we will probably have a fight tomorrow. D. Koons came over to see me. Have not met him for ten years.

Sunday, July 12, 1863—Made a general advance again today about a mile and shifted off to the left. We can see the rebel lines distinctly, having earthworks and barricades erected. Our lines advancing, the rebs fell back from Hagerstown & Funkstown leaving their earthworks. Our troops now occupy them. Very heavy rain in the afternoon. Received letter from S. M. and Hattie.

Monday, July 13, 1863—The 2nd Corps on our left must have worked like beavers last night for they have rifle pits along their entire front this morning. We followed suit and in two hours had formidable earthworks up. Advanced about 2 p.m. until we were under fire of their skirmishers. Fixed up defenses andn expected them to shell us. Heavy skirmishing all along in front, the rebs are obstinate and cannot be driven in. Something is in the wind.

Tuesday, July 14, 1863—Orders to move at 7 a.m. Started forward in column of division en masse and pressed on across the bottom up into the Rebel works. We expected a galling fire but the Rebs were gone—skedaddled. Followed them to the river and caught about 2,000 of their rear guard. They crossed on pontoons, ferries and fords near Williamsport. Camped near the river. Rain in the afternoon.

Wednesday, July 15, 1863—Struck tents at 6 a.m. and marched in the direction of South Mountain. Crossed the old Antietam battle ground at Smoketown and after a rapid march of 22 miles, camped on the southeast side of South Mountain gap. We were very tired and the rear was full of stragglers. Warm and no rain for a wonder.

Thursday, July 16, 1863—Broke camp at 4 a.m. and marched to a camp near Berlin. The pontoons not being here then, will be some delay in crossing the river. Commenced making out the muster and pay rolls. Went to a little rill and had a good wash. The wagons coming up, we got a change of clothing—the first I have had since Vienna.

Friday, July 17, 1863—Very wet today. We just got the rolls finished as orders came to move. We struck tents about 2 p.m. and marched across the Potomac [river] at Berlin. The P. R. C. [Penn. Reserve Corps] was the first one over. Moved out about three miles and camped at Lovettsville with orders to move tomorrow to Purcellville. Wrote to Hattie & Hanna.

Saturday, July 18, 1863—Moved out this morning at 7 a.m. but were delayed in the village for a couple of hours. Finally got off and marched until 12 when we stopped and camped for the day. The Loudon Valley through which we are marching is a fine agricultural country but not equal to the Maryland Valley. The citizens are nearly all women but in buying produce, we find them no so extortionate as in Pennsylvania. The Maryland people are the kindest we have met. Write to Mr. Delo.