January 16–Nothing more until to-day. W. R. Berryhill has got the smallpox. Quite a number of us were in the same quarters with him, but none of us caught the disease. I was detailed to work at the mills, and therefore I am learning a new trade. Live and learn.
January 11 –Left our camp at sun-up, got five miles and halted in the woods. We have been detailed to run two sawmills, and we are now putting up winter quarters there.
January 8–It has been snowing, and is very cold. Some of the boys have formed a dramatic company, and I went to see them play “Toodles.” There were two men shot in our brigade for desertion to-day. Nothing of interest until 11th.
December 27–We moved our camps from our picket posts seven miles from Orange Court House. On the turnpike from there to Fredericksburg, and commenced putting up winter quarters. On the 31st moved into them, and for the first time in a year or two we have with our rations some coffee, sugar and dried apples.
December 3–Marched back to our camp at Moulton’s Ford, and our regiment was sent on picket at Mitchell’s Ford, seven miles from camp. This has been a very severe seven-days’ campaign, as we fought mostly all the time. Cold, sleety, disagreeable weather, and we dare not make large fires, as that would be a sure [...]
December 2–This morning at 3 we moved to the right until daylight, when our corps was again sent to the front. We advanced toward the enemy’s works. We moved, of course, very carefully, as we saw their breastworks, and in front of us two cannon. When we got in shooting range, the order was given [...]
December 1–The other corps is out to-day. The Yankees, as well as ourselves, are well fortified, and we are confronting one another.
November 29–Ours again to-day, but not as hard as before, but heavy enough. The cannonading is getting heavier.
November 28–To-day the whole army is throwing up breastworks. The sharpshooters are out in front, my corps out to-day. We made ourselves small pits to lay in as a protection from the Yankee bullets. These pits are just about large enough to hold two or three men. Pinkney King, Sam Wilson and myself are in [...]
November 27–This morning we marched seven miles, halted a short time, and resumed our march. Got three miles further, and firing commenced in our front. We then counter-marched and formed in line of battle, in the edge of the woods. One corps of sharpshooters was sent out to find the enemy. Fought the enemy one-half [...]
November 26–When we had marched seven miles we heard cannonading. The enemy is trying to cross the river at Jacob’s Ford, but our boys kept them back. We laid in breastworks of our own make until the 27th.
November 7–To-day, as several of us went to get some straw near Kelly’s Ford, we heard firing, and the long roll beat. Looking up we saw the Yankees crossing the river. We double-quicked to camp and got there just in time to fall in with our regiment, to intercept the enemy, but they had already [...]
November 6–Were relieved to-day.
November 3–Went on picket on the Rappahannock at Norman’s Ford, six miles from camp.
November 1–Moved into our shanties to-day. There are five of us in mine. They are ten feet square.
October 23–We commenced putting up winter quarters, and were hard at work up till the last of this month.
October 22–Relieved to-day. It was bitter cold.
October 21–We were sent to Kelly’s Ford on picket.
October 19–Left at 4 this morning, crossed the river on pontoon bridges. It commenced to hail and rain very hard, and kept it up for two hours. We got very wet. Halted at Cedar Run, marched ten miles, and stayed here until the 21st.
October 18–Started at 4 this morning and marched ten miles toward Culpepper Court House. We tore up the railroad from Manassas to the Rappahannock River. The way we tear up railroads is this: we take the cross-ties and make a square of them as high as your head. We place the rails on the cross-ties, [...]
October 16–Left this morning at 4, marched five miles, and halted on the Orange and Alexander Railroad, tore it up one and a quarter miles, and camped.
October 15–Here all day, and talking with our prisoners.
October 14–My corps of sharpshooters marched in front of the line. Left camp at 4 this morning, and at daylight, as General Ewell and staff rode up to us, there was a volley shot at us. We immediately deployed and after the enemy. We fought on a run for six hours, all the time the [...]
October 13–Left here at daylight, marched through Warrington, a very handsome place, went two miles further and camped for the night–seven miles.
October 12–Started at daylight, marched twenty-five miles, waded the Hazel River at 10 this morning. Had to take off our shoes and pants, according to orders. It was very cold. We got within a quarter of a mile of Jefferson town, when the fight commenced. We drove the Yankees through town double quick. We halted [...]