The following diary was kept by William Bennett Morton (1844-1902), the son of Harrison Grey Otis Morton (1810-1891) and Theodate Helena Gibson (1819-1897) of Fryeburg, Oxford county, Maine. William enlisted on 20 July 1862 and mustered into the service on 18 August 1862 as a private in Co. B, 17th Maine Infantry. He participated in 19 battles. He was detailed on 11 August 1864 as chief clerk under Capt. Bronson, commander of musters 2nd Army Corps. He mustered out of the service on 4 June 1865.
William had two older twin brothers who also served in the Civil War. Both are mentioned from time to time in this diary. They were Sidney Gibson Morton (1842-1897) who enlisted at the same time as William and served with him in Co. B, 17th Maine. Sidney was wounded at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863 and transferred to the veteran reserve corps. The other brother was Harry Gray Morton (1842-1883) who enlisted in December 1863 in Co. E, 1st Maine Heavy Artillery. Used as infantrymen in the Battle of the Wilderness, they suffered a 75% casualty rate on 5 May 1864. Harry survived the Wilderness and was detailed on 9 May 1864 to serve under Quartermaster General Ingalls. He was later transferred to Gen. Grant’s headquarters and mustered out in June 1865.
This diary is from the personal collection of Keith Fleckner and was made available for publication in Spared & Shared by express consent. The transcription was done by Keith as the diary was too fragile to make scanned images.
I have previously transcribed numerous letters by members of the 17th Maine Infantry, but this is the first diary. There are letters below from four comrades in Co. B listed below. For active links to all the letters of the 17th Maine, see:
Joseph Augustus Hodsdon, Co. A, 17th Maine (4 Letters)
Willard Snell Axtell, Co. B, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
Giles Grant Berry, Co. B, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
Charles E. Carruthers, Co. B, 17th Maine (2 Letters)
John Olin Rice, Co. B, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
George W. Doughty, Co. E, 17th Maine (3 Letters)
David Vining Lovell, Co. E, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
Albert C. Gammon, Co. F, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
Eliab Washburn Murdock, Co. F, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
Edward Gookin Parker, Co. K, 17th Maine (1 Letter)
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Tuesday, February 9, 1864
Co. Inspection. Dress parade. Rec. this diary by mail. Drew two day soft bread, coffee, & sugar.
Wednesday 10
Co. inspection. On fatigue. Drew ration of meat, pork, beans, dried apple and molasses, pepper and candles. Dress parade. Rec a letter from Sidney and one from home.
Thursday 11
Co. drill inspection. Batt drill. Dress parade. Drew two days soft bread. Wrote to Sidney, also home. Rec. a letter from Harry. Mailed old diary.
Friday. February 12, 1864
Co. drill and inspection. Drew two days soft bread. Pickets came in last night. Batt. drill and dress parade. Rec. by mail three papers.
Saturday 13
Cleaning insp. Dress parade. Drew pork & beef. Played a game of football. Rec. a letter from home with $1.00 enclosed
Sunday 14
Regular inspection, Wrote home. Dress parade.
Monday February 15, 1864
Co. drill & inspection. On fatigue. Drew two days soft bread. Ordered to be ready to move at a moments notice. Drew five days coffee & sugar, pork.
Tuesday 16
Snowed yesterday. Brigade inspection. Very windy and cold. Wrote to Harry.
Wednesday 17
Co. inspection. Very cold. Rec. three papers by mail.
Thursday, February 18, 1864
Reg’tal inspection & drill. Sent to guard Brig. train. Signed the pay rolls. Co. paid off. Rec. a letter from Sidney.
Friday 19
Off guard. Wrote to Sidney. Rec. a letter from home and papers. Drew hard bread, sugar & coffee. 2 loaves soft bread. Detailed for picket.
Saturday 20
Washed shirt & socks yesterday. On reserve.
Sunday, February 21, 1864
Still on picket. Rather lonesome….
Monday 22
On picket…..
Tuesday 23
Came off picket. Found a letter from Harry. Drew two days rations coffee & sugar & soft bread. Wrote to Harry. Reg. Co.
Wednesday February 24, 1864
Co. drill and inspection. Review by Gen. French in the afternoon. Drew two days soft breed and beef,
Thursday 25
Co. drill (no) inspection. Mailed Com. recorded. Wrote an advertisement for the Waverly. Rec. by mail two letters, one from home & one from Sidney, also papers @ $1.00
Friday 26
Co. drill & insp. Brig. drill. Wrote home. Sent for book. Drew rations. Sidney arrived.
Saturday. February 27, 1864
Co. insp. Drew three days rations.
Sunday 28
Left camp and marched to James City. Opposite Thoroughfarm Mt. Rec. a letter from Harry. The distance 15 miles beyond Culpeper.
Monday 29
Still here. Commenced raining guard night. Mustered for pay.
Tuesday, March 1, 1864
Rained all night & day. Turned to snow. Went on picket.
Wednesday 2
Left here for camp, got here at about 2 o’clock. Rec. a letter from home.
Thursday 3
Co. inspection & dress parade. Drew two day coffee & sugar, soft bread. Rec. a letter from Aunt Mary & Harriet.
Friday 4
Co. inspection & drill. Dress parade. Drew ration of candles, soap, dried apples & beans. Got four rolls of tickets at Bakers.
Saturday 5
On fatigue. Drew two days soft bread. Dress parade. Wrote to Aunt Harriet. Sidney received a letter. I received my book & two papers.
Sunday 6
Brig. insp. Quarters insp. Wrote to Uncle Oren. Dress parade. Divine services in the afternoon with a prayer meeting appointed. Rec. a letter from home.
Monday, March 6, 1864
Co. insp. & drill. Drew 2 days coffee, sugar. 2 days soft bread. Also pork, beans, soap, & candles. Wrote home.
Tuesday 8
Dress parade. Drew ration for picket. Detailed for picket.
Wednesday 9
Reached the line at about noon. On reserve.
Thursday, March 10, 1864
Commenced raining and kept on til near mid-night. Very uncomfortable and wet. Spent the night better than I expected.
Friday 11
Cloudy, but no rain. It is quite muddy. A thunder storm. Cleared off. Letter from home.
Saturday 12
Quite pleasant, seems quite like spring. Relieved by the 3d. Michigan Regt. Arrived in camp at 10 o’clock.
Sunday, March 13, 1864
Services ordered. Very high wind. We left for the ground at 2 o’clock. We were the first off. We inaugurated two new banners. They look very well. Dress parade.
Monday 14
Co. insp. Division drill in the afternoon. Drew two days soft bread.
Tuesday 15
Detailed for guard. 3d relief.
Wednesday 16
Co. insp. after 9 o’clock followed by a Corps review. Did not get relieved till about 7 p.m. One prisoner confined to the guard house. Drew two days soft bread.
Thursday 17
Drew general rations. Co. drill & insp. Dress parade. Rec. two letters, one from home, one from mother. Gary Ansonia CT. in answer to advertisement.
Friday 18
Co. drill. Drew two days soft bread. Wrote home. Brig. drill. Ordered to hold ourselves in readiness to move. Wrote to mother.
Saturday, March 19, 1864
Regular monthly insp. by Houghton. Dress parade. Drew meat. Received three new recruits—one is an Indian.
Sunday 20
Brig. insp. Our regiment disciplined, probably on account of their neatness, before the others. Dress parade.
Monday 21
Co. drill & insp. Co. drill in the afternoon. Drew rations. Dress parade. Detailed for fatigue.
Tuesday, March 22, 1864
Detail went to Brandy Station, worked on the corduroy. Rec. a letter from home. It is snowing.
Wednesday 23
Cleared off. Got wood for Captain. Detailed picked out of the regt. Drew soft bread.
Thursday 24
Batt. drill. Dress parade. Wrote home. Quite pleasant. Rec. two letters from Wm. Bennett. Wrote home.
Friday, March 25, 1864
Batt. drill. On police. Answered one letter. Commenced to rain in afternoon. Rec. a letter from home with $2.00 in. Wrote to Carrie Brown.
Saturday 26
Clear & windy. Detailed on guard. Rained some during the night. Rec. a letter from Harry.
Sunday 27
Off guard. Got rations at about 2 p.m. Answered Miss Bailey’s letter.
Monday, March 28, 1864
Co. insp. & drill. Drew two days of soft bread. Div. drills.
Tuesday 29
Grand Review ordered, but was stopped on account of rain. We are in the 2nd brigade. Drew pork. Wrote to Harry.
Wednesday 30
Windy. Drew two days hard bread. Drew two days soft bread. Dress parade. Rec. a letter from home.
Thursday, March 31, 1864
Broke camp at about 8 o’clock a.m. Charged with the 3d Div. Our huts are built of oak, with rift staves covering the roof. The hut in which we are holds eight.
Friday, April 1
Rec. this morning two packages of paper with two slices of wedding cake, probably those of Mrs. Weeks. On fatigue. Received the Congregationalist. It has stormed most of the day.
Saturday 2
Rain & hail. Drew 2 days of beef. Wrote home. Rec. a letter from home.
Sunday, April 3, 1864
Regimental inspection. Cloudy with some wind.
Monday 4
Co. insp. and drill. Drew one days. Stormed in the afternoon.
Tuesday 5
Skirmishing. Drew one loaf bread, also meat, rice. A letter from Harry.
Wednesday, April 6, 1864
Drew general assortment of rations. Wrote home.
Thursday 7
On fatigue. Rec. a letter from home, also 2 packages of papers.
Friday 8
Co. drill in the forenoon & in the afternoon. Rec. a letter from Aunt Eliza. Wrote to Col. Ingalls. Drew 2 loaves of soft bread.
Saturday, April 9, 1864
Raining & drew ration. Detail was picked, went around 9 a.m. Was rough a time as the 137th I think I ever saw. Went a roundabout way. Very wet and muddy. Near Pony Mt.
Sunday 10
Rained all day till 10 p.m. Very disagreeable. Sidney’s birthday. Drew blouse.
Monday 11
Relieved, went back to reserve. Cloudy, Foster killed a rabbit.
Tuesday, April 12, 1864
Relieved from picket at about noon, and did not get into camp till 5 p.m. Found ration of soft bread etc. There has not been any mail on account of the bridges having been carried away.
Wednesday 13
Div. review by Gen. Meade, Birney, Humphries, Hayes. Brig. dress parade. Rec. two packages of papers, two letters—one from home, one from Harry. Drew 1 pr. shoes.
Thursday 14
Brig. insp. by a new inspector. Co. drill. Brig. dress parade. Rec. a letter from Aunt Harriet. Also three papers.
Friday, April 15, 1864
Signed the payroll. Co. drill. Dress parade.
Saturday 16
Got paid off. Quite a noisy time. Drew soft bread, pork & beef. Rec. a letter from Harry.
Sunday 17
Regimental inspection. Rec. a letter from home with $5.00 enclosed, also one from Miss Bailey. Baked a mess of beans. Wrote to Harry.
Monday, April 18, 1864
Co. drill & insp. a.m. Brig. drill p.m. The beans came out first rate.
Tuesday 19
Div. review, preparatory to Corps review. Challenge drill to come off between the 17th [Maine] and another regiment. Gen. Hayes gives the challenge. Brig. dress parade. Drew meat and bread.
Wednesday 20
Co. insp. and drill. Batt. drill. Brig. dress parade. Rec. two packages of papers.
Thursday, April 21, 1864
Co. drill and insp. F. Chase buried. Brig. dress parade. Rec. a letter from home. Wrote home. Mailed letter to Miss Bailey.
Friday 22
Corps. review by Gens. Grant, Meade, &c. at Stevensburg Plain. Rec. a letter from Harry. Gen. Grant is a plain man with dark whiskers & hair, in stature short, unassuming in appearance.
Saturday 23
On guard, 1st relief. E. Holt corporal. The day pleasant, with a brisk south wind. Rec. a letter from home, with a letter from [Quartermaster] Gen. Ingalls enclosed.
Sunday, April 24, 1864
The day has opened finely. Brig. insp. It is rumored that there is to be a general move Tuesday. We have drawn 3 days rations.
Monday 25
Co. drill and inspection. Batt. drill, dress parade. Drew three days rations. The day has been very hot.
Tuesday 26
Broke camp. Our camp is on Stevensburg Plains about [ ] in distance. Drew 2 days rations potatoes, etc. Wrote home.
Wednesday, April 27, 1864
Co. drill. Batt. insp. Drew one days ration. Rec. a letter from Nellie L. Downing. Wrote to her. Raining.
Thursday 28
Co. insp. Drew one day rations. Rec. three packages of papers. Dress parade.
Friday 29
Co. insp. & drill. Div drill. Drew one day ration. Sidney ordered to be ready to leave.
Saturday, April 30, 1864
To be a mustering in insp. at 10 a.m. Sidney has left. We have been mustered in. Drew one days ration. Wm. Adams tents with me. Raining.
Sunday, May 1, 1864
Brig. insp. Drew one days ration. Dress parade. Rec. one letter from home with stamps enclosed also two papers. Wrote home.
Monday 2
Co. insp. and drill. A view [photograph] is taken of the regiment. A tornado made its appearance. It came rather curiously. The clouds were charged with sand. It was [ ].
Tuesday, May 3, 1864
Detailed for picket. Arrived at the camp at about noon. Returned about dark, got into camp at near 10 o’clock. Left at about 11 o’clock.
Wednesday 4
Marched all night until 2 p.m. Crossed the Rapidan. We are now on the old battle field of Chancellorsville. Most of the traces [of battle] have disappeared.
Thursday 5
Passed through the battle ground of the Cedars. Pork dinner at Todd’s Tavern. Went in at about the middle of the afternoon [and] had a brisk fight. Relieved at dark by the 57th Massachusetts.
Friday, May 6, 1864
Went in again about daylight. Very hot. Col. wounded. Got quite a number of prisoners towards night. Our regiment’s loss severe.
Saturday 7
All night laid in breastwork. Then after were sent out to feel the enemy. Found it rather warm.
Sunday 8
Had a hard tramp. Quite well worn out. Been sun struck. Laid in breastwork waiting for an attack. Left here and went into some other work. Drew 5 days rations.
Monday, May 9, 1864
Left the work in the afternoon, crossed the creek. Went on picket. Up most of the night.
Tuesday 10
Pickets were out to reconnoiter. Went 3 miles or so beyond support. Had to run for it to avoid being taken. A narrow escape.
Wednesday 11
Rejoined the regiment. Laid in the trenches most of the day. Amazed [?] by sharpshooter. Abandoned the works in the afternoon.
Thursday, May 12, 1864
Marched all night. At about 5 a.m., made a charge, took many prisoners, some ?. Laid in front of the trenches in the afternoon. Went with a detail to build works.
Friday 13
Laid all day in the breastworks. Rainy and cold, still most of the day.
Saturday 14
Left the works & massed in front of the works at 1 p.m. At about dark went to build breastworks.
Sunday, May 15, 1864
Up at 3 – 1 – 2. Marched to where the 31st & 32nd lay. Thunderstorm.
Monday 16
Nearly on the same ground we were yesterday. Drew meat. Detailed to act as skirmisher in front of the works. [ ] by this [ ] or legion.
Tuesday 17
Left here & massed. Got shelled. Harry came over to see me. Slept here for the night. Threw up works. Turned down but had to be awake at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, May 18, 1864
We marched quickly to some pits by a house. Left here at 2 a.m. Marched to where we now are. We have left the woods. The enemy here is firm. Left here as the enemy have made a raid. Had a large mail. (Note in memorandum: I received one letter from home. One from Miss Downing Raily.)
Thursday 19
We got back to camp. Drew rations. Orders to pack up. Wrote home.
Friday 20
We went to our camp. Drew two days rations. Left in about 1 or 2 hr. Marched around Gen. Grant’s Hd. Qrs. Remained in the woods till midnight when we left. We captured about 500 men.
Saturday May 21, 1864
Left Spotsylvania. Marched till near noon when we ate breakfast. Passed through some fine plantations. Passed through Bowling Green. This place is quite large. Passed Milford Station. (Note in memorandum: Which looks quite neat for a [ ]. Crossed the South Army (as some call it) [North Anna River] late in the afternoon after which we filed into the fields when we now are now cannonading here.)
Sunday 22
We left our camp in the morning, marched about 1 mi. Filed in and commenced to build breastworks. Saw Harry. Rec. two batches of mail, one letter from home. One from Sidney. Drew rations.
Monday 23
Left in the morning. Marched about 12 miles. Did not get hardly time to get coffee. Towards night we are ordered to charge the enemy’s pits. Had a brisk fight. Threw up rifle pits in the night. We are on the bank of the river near Hanover Junction.
Tuesday, May 24, 1864
In the morning the Rebels shelled us quite heavily. Along in the afternoon we crossed the river on the run, under a heavy shelling. Threw up breastworks. The boys have ransacked a handsome dwelling. Distributed the library, &c. A heavy thunderstorm.
Wednesday 25
Remained here till afternoon, then left for another part of the line. Had a shower. Drew a ration of beef. Out of rations.
Thursday 26
Laid here most of the day. Pitched tents. Detailed to go for pickets. Drew rations. Considerable firing as soon as we got well established. Wrote home.
Friday, May 27, 1864
Pickets quietly drawn in at about dawn. We rejoined the regt. after a short march. We got breakfast and then started again. We marched till 1-2 a.m. of the 28th. Passed through Concord. We are near the river. We passed a handsome dwelling—the largest I have seen South. The peas are in bloom and the garden looked nice.
Saturday 28
Co. insp. at 11 o’clock. Ordered to leave at 12 a.m. Marched for short distance, built breastworks. Left again, marched a few miles, build more breastworks. Out of rations but meat. No salt.
Monday, May 30, 1864
Remained here all day. Drew three days rations. Rec. two letters—one from home [and] one from Uncle Oren. Also five papers. Towards night our batteries opened. The mortars threw quite a number of shells.
Tuesday 31
Left here and marched to where the rebels had had their rifle pits. Quite a number of shells threw over as we crossed an open field. Harry came to see me just before he left. He is with [Quartermaster] General Ingalls. We are now in a line of our own pits fronting three of the rebels which we had taken.
Wednesday, June 1 1864
Wrote to Sidney. Drew meat. Remained here till dust, then joined the 1st Brig. to which we have been assigned. We were marched about all night. Quite heavy skirmishing all day.
Thursday, June 2, 1864
Marched all night and part of the day. Lost my roll. A severe storm. Drew two days rations. Stormed easily during the night.
Friday 3
Shelled in the forenoon. Left for the right. Saw Jason Holt. We are now in breastworks. Drew fresh beef. The rebels charged on the 18th Corps last night and were repulsed. Our rest was disturbed during the night of the firing.
Saturday 4
Left here in the afternoon and went back to the same where we spent Thursday night. Rained all night. Turned out in the night to go for rations. Wrote to Nellie L. Ganning. [ ] Holt came to see me.
Sunday, June 5, 1854
Threw up earthworks. Went on picket. Drizzling. Rec. three letters and a paper. One of the letters was from home, one from Sidney, the other from Aunt Eliza. The paper was from L. Perham, M.C. The M.I. Consolidated. Wrote to mother and Sidney. Left here to go farther to the front. We marched all day into the night.
Monday 6
Got relieved in the morning. Got a lot of sweet and Irish potatoes which made a very good dinner. Drew beef in time for the potatoes. Heavy picket firing created an alarm, but subsided. Wrote Uncle Oren. (Note in Memorandum: Pickets opposite our side to be on friendly terms. Trading tobacco etc. They are the 28th N. C.)
Tuesday 7
Drew four rations with one of port. Got very hard bread. Detailed for fatigue to cut logs for breastworks. A flag of truce said to have been sent out. Truce to end at 8 p.m. Very quiet day. Night quite cool.
Wednesday, June 8, 1864
Went for fresh beef. We now recaptured and hold another line of works, commencing from the left wing. Rec. two papers from Mr. Sewall. On guard during the night. Still another line thrown out.
Thursday 9
Drew beef. Drew one pair socks, canteen, hard bread, coffee, and sugar, pork, soap. Routed out at 3 am. but alarm soon subsided.
Friday 10
The day thus far passed quietly. Received by mail the Congregationalist and Independent. Rec. a letter from home, also 2 papers.
Saturday, June 11, 1864
Drew beef, also 2 days rations of hard bread, coffee and sugar. Washed shirt for the second time since this campaign. Excusable on account of the want of soap. Drew rations, cornbread, &c.
Sunday 12
Wrote home. Left here at 8 p.m. Marched till 2 a.m. Monday when we got coffee. The country seems to be quite poor, soil sandy.
Monday 13
Left just after day break. Marched from Cold Harbor to within a short distance of the river (James). We crossed the Chickahominy River at 12 a.m. We marched and marched after the usual fashion till near 9 or 10 p.m. when we turned down.
Tuesday, June 14, 1864
Marched out a short distance, commenced to build breastworks. Had to base here (Charles City) and march down to Windmill Point where we crossed in transports. One of them (Thos. Powell) with a [ ] in civilian attire. Halted on the bank of the river. Went in bathing from here we went about a mile or more. The river is wide at this place. We left this place and went about one mile farther.
Wednesday 15
Left here and marched till long in the night, weary, hot, and dusty. We are now within two miles of Petersburg. Saw some of the colored troops. They had taken two forts with artillery and did well.
Thursday 16
Shelled while getting breakfast. Formed and charged the rebel lines, but they were too much for us. Fell back a short distance and then went back again. The sharpshooters made it hot. The 2d Div. made a charge in the p.m.
Friday, June 17, 1864
Remained here in the breastworks during the day. Capt. Pennell shot. Detailed for picket. Threw up a sort of redoubt, using a rebel hut to form the sides of it. We are under quite heavy firing.
Saturday 18
Joined the regt. at about noon. Threw up breastworks. Left here late in the afternoon, massed for a charge upon the rebel works, but did not for certain reason—whiskey. Went back to the rifle pits. Rec. three letters—one from home and two from Sidney, with papers. Threw up breastworks in open field in front.
Sunday 19
The rebels threw over rifle bullets quite thickly, killing one and wounding several. Drew two days rations, also dried apples.
Monday, June 20, 1864
Remained here all night. Relieved by the 57th U.S. Colored. They appear very well & quite orderly; reflect credit to themselves. One of the color guard killed. Left here in the night.
Tuesday 21
Left here and marched back a mile or so. Remained here till morning when we left for a new direction. We crossed the Suffolk & P.R.R. struck the Wilmington N.C. turnpike. Remained here all night.
Wednesday 22
We moved up the right farther, fixed up the works. In the afternoon the 2d Brig. which had moved in our front after having partly built breastworks, got flanked and had to leave them. We expected an attack, butthere was none.
Thursday, June 23, 1864
Drew rations. Left here early in the morning. Went into the rifle pits which the rebels had taken. Strengthened them. Two men hit. Left at about sundown. Were sent to relieve a Brigade of Barlow’s. Occupied their pits. Got one of the new rifles. Rec. a letter from home.
Friday 24
Left here in the morning. Went to the left. Got the frame work up for a breastwork, but it is now at a stand still as we have been ordered to stop work. I wrote home, got it ready to go in the morning mail. The day has been very hot and sultry. On guard.
Saturday 25
Remained here all day. Very hot. Drew rations of the usual kind with pickles. Wrote Sidney. Had some lemonade. Firing in the night created quite a disturbance.
Sunday, June 26, 1864
Remained here till evening, having been previously been ordered to fix up to make ourselves comfortable. Very hot. Detailed for picket. We are on the left of the line in front of the outer line of works.
Monday 27
We passed very quietly with no firing where we were. We could hear the Johnnies singing, their bugles and drum calls, &c. The day was very hot. Drew rations as soon as I got back.
Tuesday 28
The day has been very cool, quiet. A detail has been out in the woods to fix a place for a camp. My chin is swelled very much by a boil.
Wednesday, June 29, 1864
Received a letter from home, also two papers—the Congregationalist & Independent. Drew fresh meet. Changed camp, got it laid out and tent up when we had to leave again. We are now in another line of breastworks, very strong.
Thursday 30
Mustered for pay by Maj. Gilbraith. The day passed very quietly. Wrote home. The band is with us. Harry has got back [and] came over to see me. Co. insp. Policing co. grounds.
Friday, July 1
Rec. a letter from home. We are to have two roll calls—night & morning, together with an inspection every afternoon.
Saturday, July 2, 1864
The day passed very quietly. Harry and a man by the name of Lincoln came to see me. The day was quite cool towards night, though very hot in the middle of the day.
Sunday 3
Drew rations of sugar, coffee, pork, dried apples, bread, vinegar. In the afternoon the chaplain of the 20th Indiana preached. He is a fine, gentlemanly appearing man. Wrote home. Co. inspection.
Monday 4
The day passed very quietly. I saw but two whom I thought to be “sprung.” I have again one pair pants and one shirt. Company insp.
Tuesday, July 5, 1864
Roll call. Detailed to act as corporal of the guard. I have 1st relief. Castle one of Co. H’s men and another on my relief. Drew cucumbers & cabbage (fresh) one days soft bread in addition.
Wednesday 6
Relieved from guard at 9 a.m. Had a short nap. Detailed corporal of the picket. Have three posts under my charge. Did not get any rest until morning.
Thursday 7
The night was very still for a picket line. Scarcely a gun fired. I had to be awake all night. The sergeant’s name is John Hendricks—a very good fellow. Got relieved about 5 o’clock.
Friday, July 8, 1864
Received a letter from home of July 1st. Also three papers. Wrote to Sidney. Our regiment has dug a well of about 8 ft. diameter @ 15 ft. The water appears to be good. Quite a fracas this afternoon. The rebels shelled our line pretty briskly. A captain of the 20th Indiana wounded.
Saturday 9
Drew rations of pork & beans, &c. I stewed the beans. Detailed for picket. The rebels threw over quite a number of shells. 6th Corps left during the night.
Sunday 10
The rebels fired some shots. Two deserted. The middle next to me, got them. Rec. two papers. Washed shirt. Services in the evening by the chaplain of the 20th Indiana.
Monday, July 11, 1864
Rec. a letter from Sidney. Drew fresh meat. Drew two days rations, beans, picked onions, etc. Towards night we packed up at midnight. We were ordered to destroy the breastworks, which we did. We had a splendid well here @ 20ft. deep with 2 well sweep.
Tuesday 12
Left here in the morning. Marched back a mile or two. When we stopped, it was not far from the old line. Pickets came in the afternoon. The day was very hot. It has looked showery all day.
Wednesday 13
Bathed. We left here in the morning, marched about four miles. It was very hot—as much as I could bear without a stroke. We are now nine miles from City Point. Drew rations.
Thursday, July 14, 1864
Detailed for fatigue. We were turned out without our breakfast, ordered to only carry our haversack, whereas we ought to have taken our knapsacks. We are slashing in front of where rifle pits are now dug. The colored troops are at work upon the trenches & fort. They work, I think, better than the white troops. We work by reliefs. Got quite a good night’s rest.
Friday 15
Detailed divided up into reliefs. The colored men have built the walls of the fort. The pit connects with an angle of the fort & runs across the railroad. Ben Maxim went back to camp for pork & sugar. Night quite cool.
Saturday 16
Awoke in the morning to find ourselves alone. Started for camp. Got here in the morning. Passed the fort. It is about ready for the guns. Harry came down. Rec. a letter from Sidney & one from Aunt Mary.
Sunday, July 17, 1864
Inspection ordered. Drew two days rations. Had a shave. Wrote to Aunt Mary & Harriet. Inspection came off. Went to see Harry, but found him on Brigade guard. Changed shirt.
Monday 18
Wrote home. Got poles & fixed up our tent, which makes it quite comfortable.
Tuesday 19
Detailed for fatigue. The whole Div. is on. We are building a covered way. I went over to see the fort which was built on the old line. Got back at 7 p.m. Drew rations. Rec. five papers. Rained all night & day.
Wednesday, July 20, 1864
Rec. three papers. Washed shirt. Harry is doing company writing. The day has been quite showery. Rained in the night. Company inspection.
Thursday 21
Two years ago today since I entered the service. Drew two days rations. We got a few new potatoes with the old. Company inspection. The 3d Maine joined with our regt. Cut my hand.
Friday 22
Regt. on fatigue. Got excused by the Dr. on account of my hand being wounded. Fatigue duty. Drew fresh meat. Boiled the meat for the men. Carried Lieut. Pratt’s meat up to him. The covered way progresses quite well. The night quite cold.
Saturday, July 23, 1864
The 2d Brigade has moved, but where? I have not yet ascertained. Drew two days rations, pickle, [ ]. Co. inspection. Received a letter from home and 5 papers, two from Mr. Sewall.
Sunday 24
The Brigade on fatigue duty, but I do not think that they accomplished much. Saw a trained mule who could perform quite a variety of feats. Commenced to rain before we got through, and rained all night. Windy.
Monday 25
Wind without rain, quite cold. Changed shirt, washed. Wrote to Sidney. Answered the letter from home. Went over to the 2d Brigade, found Harry ready to leave, having been detailed as clerk at Corps Hd. Qrs.
Tuesday, July 26, 1864
Ordered to be ready to move at 1-2p.m. Left in the afternoon, marched across the Appomattox [River]. Very hot, feet sore, had to wrap up with Habbard & Alden. Rested until morning.
Wednesday 27
Caught up with the regt. at noon. Were quite near them, but did not find them. We are out in front as pickets. Saw a monitor gunboat in the James River. We are across the Deep Bottom. There Elias came to see me, but I was not here.
Thursday 28
Left to go on picket far out to the front. The rebel homes were in full view. Relieved by Barlow’s men. Recrossed the James [River], had to stop. Arch Berry was with me.
Friday, July 29, 1864
Started at daybreak. Caught up with the regt. about the middle of the afternoon. Had a hard time of it as my feet were blistered badly, besides being chafed. The day very hot.
Saturday 30
The rebel suddenly opened at daylight and there was a brisk cannonade for a while. Our folks blew up a fort and charged, but as it is said failed [on] account of the colored troops. Relieved by the 10th Army Corps. Went back to our old camp. Pretty well played out. Got three papers.
Sunday 31
Drew days rations. Regt. inspection. Drew fresh meat. Quite warm. Received a letter from home and some envelope paper. [ ] in the night. $1.00-letter.
Monday, August 1, 1864
But little going on. Washed & changed stockings. Paymaster paying the 3d Brigade. Wrote to Sidney & also home. Co. inspection. Drew rations.
Tuesday 2
Roll call, signed the pay rolls. Paymaster paying the 40th N.Y.; to pay our regiment next. Weinburg up with some goods. Rained some in the afternoon & evening. Rec. a letter from Sidney with $2.00 enclosed.
Wednesday 3
Paymaster here. Got paid off, received four months pay. Sent Harry ten dollars. It has seemed more like the 4th of July than anything else. Drew two soft bread, salt-fish, sugar & coffee.
Thursday, August 4, 1864
The usual amount of gambling and drunkenness consigned to payday. Paid for gold per with G. Ballard. Harry came down. The usual company inspection.
Friday 5
Wrote home. Drew one days ration of coffee & sugar, turnips. There was a little disturbance in the evening. We were got under arms and marched 1 or 2 miles toward the right, when we about face & came back here.
Saturday 6
We drew one days soft bread. Harry came down. Wrote to Sidney. Co. inspection. Rec. by mail, the Congregationalist and Independent.
Sunday, August 7, 1864
Company inspection. Weinburg has come up with two loads of goods.
Monday 8
Company inspection.
Tuesday 9
Drew ration. Co. Inspection or rather a Regt. one by Capt. Moore.
Wednesday, August 10, 1864
Wrote to Sidney. Harry came down for me to go up to Corps Hd. Qrtrs. as the Capt. wishes to see me. I carried the Co. Officer’s consent up and the Capt’s. Also wrote one half page. Rec. a letter from home.
Thursday 11
Drew rations. Not much of importance going on. Harry has sent for a blouse for me.
Friday 12
Three p.m. trained till about 10 p.m. Order came for me to report to Corps Hd. Qrtrs. Made a desk in the forenoon. Order to move in the afternoon, packed up the papers. Closed in about the middle.
Saturday, August 13, 1864
We waited the progress of events till the afternoon, when hearing that No. 3 was at City Point, but when we got there, no wagon was to be seen. We spent the night here. We got soda crackers & pickles of C Co. for the supplies. Bathed in the river.
Sunday 14
After trying some time to get something to eat, we came to the conclusion that we had better try and get back to the Corps. 2 Hd. Qrs. We got on the train going to the station. When we got back, we found the wagon and the rest of the clerks.
Monday 15
Washed shirt, socks, and towel. Harry went down to the Point. Got me a blouse and drawers. Wrote home.
Tuesday, August 16, 1864
Wrote some for Harry. Washed his pants, shirt, [ ]. Harry got a letter from Lily.
Wednesday 17
Not much going on. Went on an excursion after apples, but did not succeed in my attempts. Harry got down to the Point.
Thursday 18
Two years in the service. Had green corn for dinner.
Friday, August 19, 1864
Things move in the usual way. Harry went down to the Point. Rained some.
Saturday 20
Raining. Harry got a letter and three papers. Wrote home.
Sunday 21
Left here and came here. We are at the old 2d Hd. Qrs.
Monday, August 22, 1864
Not much going on.
Tuesday 23
Wrote to Uncle Oren. Made a desk.
Wednesday, October 26, 1864
Left here at about noon and set our faces towards the [City] Point. We arrived here at dusk. I rode most of the way in an ambulance. Harry rode a horse down.
Spared & Shared 23 