April 23d. Early this morning the Johnnie Rebs made an attack on the outposts on the Charlestown Pike. A hot fire was kept up. Our pickets holding them in check while our regiment was ordered out, double quick. We made a forced march out about two miles but the enemy had left. It was thought [...]
April 20th. A very pleasant morning. Came off picket. After a good clean-up, obtained a pass permitting me to cross the Potomac River into Maryland, as I wished to visit and climb to the top of Maryland Heights, which I had done before. One gets a ?ne view of a tract of country which is [...]
April 19th. All quiet in camp for the past few days. Detailed for picket duty this morning. Weather ?ne. Located at the bridge over the Shenandoah River. Of?cer of the guard a Lieutenant from the 5th New York Heavy Artillery. General Max Weber, a former colonel, 20th New York Regiment known as the Turner Ri?es, [...]
April 14th. Sunshine for this morning. Came off picket duty. Visited town on a pass, a lonesome old place. The old buildings show the effects of the war, broken down and ruined. Some must have been fine ones in their day. At dress parade a new national flag was brought out for the first time. [...]
April 12th. Nothing important has taken place. Our regular routine of duty goes on from day to day. A strong picket guard is kept up owing to the guerillas in these mountains. Mosby is the chief among them. This seems to be the rainy season, judging by the way it comes down. Mud, mud, sticky [...]
April 10th. A cold, damp, disagreeable morning. Passed the Point of Rocks early this morning. Saw that the Potomac River was on a rampage owing to the recent heavy rains. On arrival at Harper’s Ferry formed in line for a march to Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights. During our absence the 34th Massachusetts Regiment was ordered [...]
April 9th. Still waiting at the Union Relief Rooms for transportation to our camp. Rain —- cold — disagreeable weather. Cannot leave the place for we don’t know just when a train will be ready for us. Late this P. M. we go on board train for Virginia.
April 8th. Arrived at midnight last night. Marched to the Union Relief Rooms. Here we wait for transportation to Harper’s Ferry. Wishing we were in our camp.
April 7th. Arrived in New York early this morning. Crossed over to Jersey City by ferry-boat. Soon on board train, bound for Philadelphia. Making good time, much better than when home-bound. On arrival had another good dinner at the Cooper Shop, after which we again boarded train for Baltimore. Everything going well, making good time. [...]
April 6th. Soon after noon the regiment formed in line for parade through some of the principal streets. Received a great reception all along the line of march. After the parade marched on board the steamer City of Norwich, which soon got under way and moved slowly down the river. With cheers and waving of [...]
April 5th. Governor Wm. A. Buckingham reelected. Pleasing to the boys in blue. The body of William Town, Company A, having arrived, was given a military funeral by the regiment in Greenville, Norwich. Bought one dollar’s worth of postage stamps. Writing letters is one of the pleasing features of the army life. Orders for our [...]
April 3d. Sunday. Attended church and Sunday School at Hanover, New London County, where I spent my boyhood days.
March 31st. Norwich, Connecticut. It is good to be home once more among friends. Wishing the war was over. I am afraid that many more of the 18th Regiment must fall before the end comes. Some will never see home again. These are dark, sad days, but we are trying to enjoy our visit at [...]
March 30th. After an all-night’s ride on a slow train we reached Jersey City at eight o’clock this morning. We were due in Connecticut this morning in time for the men to register, so they could vote, this being the last day. At Jersey City marched on board a small transport. By the time half [...]
March 29th. Arrived in Baltimore early this morning. Nothing happened to mar the pleasure of the journey. All were soon out of the cars, line quickly formed, ready to march from the Camden Street station to the Philadelphia R. R. station, on the east side. Our march led through Pratt Street, the scene of the [...]
March 28th. Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights. Early this morning received orders to prepare three days’ rations. Reported we are to go up the valley, scouting. Waiting for orders. At noontime rumors began to circulate that the regiment was ordered home to vote. The news seemed too good to be true. Orders came to detail two [...]
March 25th. Marching orders received to report at regimental headquarters, Camp Hill, Bolivar Heights, near Harper’s Ferry. A cold rain storm on at this time. On account of a hard cold, with a number of others, went to Harper’s Ferry by cars. There met by ambulance and rode to camp. My first ride in an [...]
March 20th. Sunday. Detailed for picket duty. Posted about two miles up the river, between the river and the canal, on the tow path. Our company, C, and the Loudon Rangers ordered to ford the river for a scout into Virginia. Returned quite late. Nothing important obtained. Bad time of the year to ford rivers. [...]
March 19th. L. A. Manning and I off duty. Weather being fine, we decided to take a long walk out into the country. Passed a few farm houses. Came to a small school house where we heard the music of a violin. Looking at the building and listening to the music, a gentleman came out [...]
March 18th. Nothing important has taken place during the past few days. Weather very good, but very cold nights along the Potomac. Out among the farmers buying straw for our tents. Ground too cold to sleep on. Try to keep comfortable, large campfires kept burning nights and days. When too cold to sleep sit around [...]
March 14th. Cold, disagreeable morning. All quiet along the Potomac at this place. Received a number of letters from friends at home. These letters bring much comfort to a fellow. Some of our boys are being appointed officers in the colored regiments. These regiments must have white commissioned officers. L. A. Manning and I, of [...]
March 12th. This morning opened up bright and pleasant. Camp located and tents put up. A busy day. We have here with us a battalion of cavalry known as the Loudon Rangers, composed of loyal Virginians and Marylanders. They make good scouts. Some few have been in the rebel service. They often ford the river, [...]
March 11th. Up to this date the weather has been very bad. We are also short of rations. On picket every other night. Late today our tents arrived, and a good supply of rations. We shall have to put in another night in the cold old barn. Somewhat discouraged over our present condition. It is [...]
March 8th. A cold, wet, disagreeable night for picket duty. We are about as miserable as we can be. When off duty we find shelter in an old barn, until the arrival of our tents. Maryland mud is fully as bad as Virginia. Trying to make the best of our condition, hoping for sunshine and [...]
March 7th. Broke camp early this morning. Marched through town. Boarded a train of box cars at the station. Headed east. Stopped at Harper’s Ferry. Five companies ordered to go in camp on Bolivar Heights. The train with five companies proceeded on, over the Potomac River into Maryland about ten miles farther, stopping at the [...]