Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  April 11, 1862

  And a fine day with plenty to eat and feel well. And on Brigade commisary guard today but we do not have to stand guard only at night as we can watch the things in the daytime a sitting in our bough house by the fire. And I and Frank & John bought a cup of molasses and three lbs of crackers from the Brigade commisary and we had plenty of Coffee so we made out a good dinner for a soldier. We are near the railroad and there has [been] four trains past since 10 oclock this morning going on to Warrenton Station distant 10 miles from this place. Soldiers, both Cavelry and infantry have been going past all the forenoon, the infantry crossing on the Railroad bridge and the Cavelry fording the stream, it being the largest of any I have seen in Virginia. They come past on the road to the left of us and we are on the other road but I guess they went that way so as to cross on the bridge. Just now there had been a great drove of cattle (a great many hundred) went past. They were all beef cattle. It looks as we had ought to have plenty of beef but we do not get it. The Brigade teams are bringing lots of provisions.

  April 14, 1862

  And the day is overcast with clouds with the appearance of storm. Well we got orders yesterday morning to pack up ready to march at nine oclock to come six miles to the front. We came to the Railroad opposite the camp we left where the road crossed the stream. Crossed the bridge, come five miles to Catlets Station and camped in the woods within 40 rods of the station on the best ground that we have camped on since we left Wisconsin. It is a delightful place, we are in the corner of the woods and can look out on the green fields. In some of them fall wheat is growing nice. There is plenty of leaves to make beds of which is nice for us. And if we want, we can fall the wood on our fires so thick is the timber. To this station terminates the use of the road at present.

  And there are a great many men working on a large bridge within a quarter of a mile of us. On the 12th inst, the 2nd [Wisconsin] & 19th [Indiana] were ordered out to guard the R.R. from the Camp to Catlet [Catlett] Station and we found them on the road in groups of 3 to 6 men. And when we got here we found the 19th camped and we camped by the side of them and the sixth camped on the right of us again. The country looks better as we advance. Around here I must say that it beats our native state. Hurrah, the sun is shining. Last night there was two company of our Regt ordered out to go, I don’t know where but I suppose to guard something. I expect to guard things at the station. For they say that the boys destroyed fifty dollars worth of whiskey &c, and some of our boys was boozy last night and nobody knew where they got it, but now it is supposed they got it there.

  The Camp has a lively appearance this morning and now if a man wants to go out of camp safely he must get permission of the commander of the Co. The Colonel has adapted the plan of having roll call any time in the day and all of those absent without leave are to be reported as such. There we have no guard around camp and I like that. There is quite a number of our boys sick again. I don’t know the cause of it.

  (To return) to the last time I wrote I spoke of so many troops going by. But that evening they commenced going back. It proved afterwards to be Franklins Division and they were ordered to Alexandria to take shipping to go to reinforce McClelen, he being down near York Town [Yorktown, Virginia] which the Rebels hold and is a verry strong place. I pitied them troops after marching out all forenoon and then going back to the rear again. Oh it is Discouraging but it looks as if we would go ahead this time.51

  April 15, 1862

  And we had the usual roll calls in the forenoon and at two oclock we went out to drill by division which was something new. The divisions comprising 2 Companies each and the Senior Commander of the division takes command. We drilled till 5 oclock and then the Regt formed and had dress parade. After the courtmartial of Lieutenant Bird of Co I of this Regt was read, we were dissmissed. come to quarters, got supper &c. The Lieut proved himself clear of all the charges that were refered against him by the Captain of the Co. [Captain George H. Walther] to the great joy of the Company which they made known by cheering when they got to their quarters as they don’t like the Capt verry well. They made quite a noise. Oh joy to the world. The great battle at Pittsburg landing [Shiloh] terminating in the complete rout of the enemy and Johnson [Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston] killed and [Confederate General P. G. T.] Beauregard wounded and since died therefrom. It was the bloodiest battle of the war as yet. I have forgotten but believe it was fought on or near the 6 & 7 inst. It was a glorious victory to our army. It raised the brooding spirits of many engaged in the war.52

  Yesterday I took a walk round to the station and down to the new bridge.

  April 16, 1862

  And a verry nice day. Quite warm and still at the same place. And no drill today but got permission from the Col to wash. That is the whole Regt, all that wanted to wash their persons or clothes and get their hair cut to the length of inch and half long and all that shaved at all must shave. And well it was a general cleaning. And Cedar Creek affording plenty of water for those to swim that wanted to and being within quarter of a mile. Well we had a general good time of it.

  Well I bought a morning paper this morning which stated that Beaureguard was not dead as yet but I shall leave those things for history to prove after the war is over and just write what we hear in our Camp so as to show what camp life is in time of war.

  April 17, 1862

  And a verry pretty day. Drill by division in the forenoon and battallion drill in the afternoon. Nothing of importance transpired. This brigade is building a bridge over cedar creek so we can cross. The Colonel made us a little speech in which he said that we were to go ahead, that we would be left all over the country to guard railroads &c and the rumor was that the enemy was within 12 miles of us, 30,000 strong says he. Mcdowel says that his old division shall have a chance to do something. If it is possible we shall have a chance to see Richmond. Well on the 16th it is said Pattersons [Union] Brigade went by on the right to one mile in front of us and camped. And I saw a large camp over in the woods when we were out on the hill a drilling. The report this evening is that we start in the morning.

  April 18, 1862

  And a fine day and not gone yet but hear heavy canonading off to the left of us and it is thought to be a battle going on. Boom boom they go, but it may be practice only. No drill today but had to form at 1 P.M. in our shirt sleeves without arms and evrybody was conjucturing but the general conclusion was that they was going to make us work on the bridge and it terminated so for we were marched round to a stone fence within a few rods of the bridge and set to carrying stone and filling up the butments that were built. I tell you when the whole of the 7th Regt got to work, the stones rolled in and the general enthusiasm prevailed, hollowing, yelling & cheering for the paddies and it was a picturesque sight. Well when we had carried a few stones each, the Colonel said rest. I didnt think the hole was full but it was and in 10 minutes more the bridge was half done. But when the second butment got about half full, it being quite large and the stone harder to get, a great many quit. But when the Colonel mentioned that they were to get whiskey when done, they all put in harder than ever and they all got started so that they filled it up in about 5 minutes and they got more stone than they wanted. The Bridge builders had evrything ready and we didnt work over two hours and we had a good strong bridge but verry rough. We came to Camp and all those that wanted got their drink of whiskey. It being quite warm, the boys went in a swimming and the creek or run (or Cedar Run as the Virginians call it) was perfectly alive.

  April 19, 1862

  And looks like rain verry much, did rain a little last night. Rumors that we are going ahead today. The railroad Bridge is finished and the track is repaired for some distance onward. Our old Orderly Sargeant [John McKenzie] has been promoted to Second Lieutenant and last night he came out and called roll for the last time for this Camp and the Second [Henry Young] promoted to first and he came out with one bar on his shoulder straps, the second having a plain strap on his shoulder
s. The Second Lieut made a short speech saying that he would stick to Co. F. let what might come but if any 14 men would sign their names to a paper requesting him to resign he would do it and he wouldnt wait for a majority. The boys gave three cheers. He was a little tight (a short name for drunkeness) and today both of the Lieuts is on a tight also some of the boys. I don’t think much of the Lieuts or anybody that will get drunk. And in the evening the 2nd Lieut had to take charge of a lot of men to go up to General Kings headquarters to guard his things and he was in a pretty fix. He could walk and that was all. Oh it is ridiculous.

  There is two Cos of this Regt out on picket someplace, don’t know where. We had quite a shower in the evening, at night looks like clearing off. Simon Woodhouse, one of the Corporals of this Co come to us this evening from the hospital where he has been for some three weeks. Also James Clark came day before yesterday from Fairfax hospital where he had been since we marched through. He had the typhod fever.

  April 20, 1862

  And Sunday. Nothing done but lay around camp, rained some. A great many packing up their overcoats, sending them to Washington, some sending them home but I didnt get mine packed up.

  April 21, 1862

  And rainy. Revilee at 5 oclock in the morning and marched at eight. Still raining a little, went 2 miles and came to Cedar Run farther down than where we were camped and it was verry high. We made a temporary bridge and crossed. The teams forded it and it was all they wanted to do. It being noon, we stoped and got dinner, started, come on about 4 miles through fields and all ways to get through for it was the hardest traveling I have experienced. Then we came to another large creek which they couldnt bridge and we camped and still raining. We were all wet, put a good dry rail fire, soon made them warm. I had to go on guard after carrying big loads of rails, getting tent fixed &c.

  Had to pack up and [go] to a house as guard where the headquarters of brigade was for the night. We had to stand in the rain and mud all night but made the mans yard fence suffer. He had been a rich man once but had nothing much left. He said that Union soldiers that went along before us had taken evrything they could make use of. He had quite a large house and it was full of officers. He said he was born on that place and had lived on it all his life and he was considerable gray headed.

  April 22, 1862

  Marched at 8 oclock and we guards had to go to our Companies and march in the Company. We thought that we would be put to guard the wagons and get our knappsacks hauled. But no such good luck. This morning the creek has run down so that they built a bridge which we crossed. The teams forded to our regt goes in rear of the teams as rear guard and we had to wait till 11 oclock for it was so bad crossing & three wagons tiped over but didnt break them except the covers a little. We marched about 1 mile, stoped for dinner and let the teams go ahead a little as the road was awful, the teams sticking fast evry few minutes. We marched till dark getting about ten miles for today and camped after dark in the woods. This was a hard day for me, and I came verry near giving out. Sgt [George W.] Cowan carried my gun some which rested me some. Me being on guard last night, not getting any sleep, not getting dry, it went hard with me.

  April 23, 1862

  And marched at eight oclock. The 6th regt goes in rear today. Better roads. Come good speed, resting as usual and I feel a great deal better. Nothing of interest transpired. The Negros at the farmhouses coming out and smiling and chatting. We stoped near a house last night & in the morning a number of them came out, tickeled half to death, saying now we put for Alexandria or Washington soon as you boys get by. When we leave a camp they come in to pick up things that is left by the boys, coats &c. And we marched on seeing nothing unusual until we came about ten miles where there was a cavelry picket and we seeing some dead horses and some new graves. They were the graves of our men, 8 of them that were killed in a skirmish on that ground on Friday last, early in the morning about 3 oclock. Here we have in sight of the Rappahannock [River] and coming on 3 ¼ of a mile we came to the town of Falmouth. Quite a village on the bank of the river. The bridge had been burned when the Rebels retreated on Friday. Our Artillery fired four shots into the town which made the secesh soldiers run. We came through the town, band playing national airs. We came 1 mile north from the town, camped until further orders.

  April 24, 1862

  And nearly night still in Camp and rainy day. Teams went out forageing, just come in loaded, plenty to eat but no sugar to sweeten coffee. The rumor is that the citizens of Fredricsburg have raised the stars and stripes. This town lays about three miles down the river from here. It is said the Rebels are five miles from the town.

  April 25, 1862

  And nothing done but the usual roll calls evry two hours. And some more Negros come in. They tell some funny stories about how they fooled their masters and run away. They all appear to be quite smart negros.

  April 26, 1862

  And a fine day. Nothing done but Brigade and Regt teams went out forageing, got plenty of forage. Rumors that we go out 5 miles from here to work on the R.Road. I got a pass, went to town, bought some flour of which there was plenty in the mill where we got ours. The town full of soldiers bought evrything that was for sale. We come back on a point where we could see Fredricksburg and the Country. The loveliest Country I ever seen without any exceptions whatever and it is calculated to be the richest part of Virginia. It is a beautiful sight for the meadows and wheat fields are green.

  April 27, 1862

  And a fine day, verry. And marched at 7 oclock. Come through the wood about half mile to the railroad and came back on it 4 miles to where the large bridge crosses Potomac Run. Crossed on some trees that had been fallen for the purpose and waited till the Col come up as the Major had had command thus far. Our Colonel was out yesterday to find a good place for a camp and he found a good [one]. Well we waited [for] him to come up near a strawpile and we all got as much straw [as] we wanted. When he come up, he taking command, marched us to this place which is by far the best place we have ever had. Good springs & and quite a large brook & plenty of wood. The Camp lays on a side hill just steep enough and easy to drain. The streets running up and down the hill with the brook at the foot of the hill and near to the open fields which are green. The R. Road is half a mile from us. The cars run up this far. Here the bridge being burned, they must stop. This bridge is near 300 ft or more long and 70 ft high and 3 spans in it. And it is the talk that we are going to work on it. And I think so as we have cleaned up our street, fixed things as we never did before since commenced to march. That looks as if we would stay sometime and we cannot go faster than the cars can bring provisions to us. When the other Regts come they found nothing but wet straw which made them verry wrathy, espically the sixth Regt. They just stamped & swore, cussed us and then cussed their Colonel and give our Col a good blessing, called him hoggish &c.

  April 28, 1862

  And fine day. Inspection of arms today and washing day for those that wanted to wash. The usual roll call, dress parade in the Evening. Great many orders read. Great many promotions. Our 2nd Lieut and some sargeants. One Corporal in Co B reduced to the Ranks for absenting himself from his Co 2 ½ days without leave. One man in that Company promoted to second Lieut and so on through the Company and some promotions in other Companys. The boys play football and other games for pastime. Co. D. has got to work on the R.R. today. Out of this Regt there is a Co out of each Regt in the Brigade evry day hereafter. Men have been detailed and built bridges, fixed roads out to the main road.

  April 29, 1862

  And looks like rain but mist a little. Co. D. gone to work on R.R. Our boys playing ball. Only one guard from a Co per day. No camp guard around our Regt. The boys are restricted from taking anything whatever from the inhabitants around in this vicinity of Camp under heavy penalty unless they pay them for it. I mailed a letter to Mother yesterday. Co D was out chopping logs for the bridge. We are mustered in tomorrow. No mail today nor for several days, bad getting mail. Fletcher Kidd the 8
th Corporal of this Company has come. He has been on the sick list about two months. Has been verry sick part of the time. He has not marched a mile with us on the march, being in the hospital at Arlington and thereabouts.

  April 30, 1862

  And last day of April. Mustered in today and rainy like. As a Co was done, marched to camp. In the afternoon we went out to make a road up the steep [hill], the other side of Potomac Run to take two car trucks up on the track to bring logs from the woods to build the bridge. There was a Co from the Indiania Regt to take them off the track and let them down the hill & bring them across the creek. Then we had to take them up and put them on. They made a fuss about laying track which did no good but when our Co got hold of them we just pulled it up through mud, over rocks & with Lieut Young on it to tell us where to go, it was only sport, for the whole Co done their best to forward it which made it go easy for all of us. Got it done, come home. The Regt had gone out on dress parade. The orders was read concerning the bridge giving us or our Regt the center span to build and the 6th Regt one end, Indiania the other and the 2nd Regt have to build a bridge farther back on the road in another place.