Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  February 7, 1863

  And fine day, verry. Nothing of importance today. But drawing rations &c. We drew Onions today, it being the first I ever got from U.S. But the Boys got them pretty regular for a while before I come back. We drew Potatoes also but those we have had evry few days. What I draw makes me two good meals & we draw them about once a week. I got a letter from my friend Shesart at the Chester Hospital and the certificate from the Hospital showing that I was mustered there came in the letter. He said things was going on as usual and that he was well. From him forgetting to put Washington, D.C. on it, it went to Cairo, Ill and then was returned to Washington which delayed it some. But, however, I got my certificate before the Paymaster come to see us.

  February 8, 1863

  And fine day. This being Sunday our Regt Inspection come of. The Major giving us praise for our cleanliness. Nothing else transpired in a military way. [William P.] Norman,85 one of my tentmates and myself took a walk, went down the ridge striking the Potomac about 3 miles below here then came up the Beach, found quite a number of good apples that had been dropped or lost in the river from time to time and blown ashore. We came up the Beach to the lower landing in Potomac Creek then home, it being only ¾ of a mile from the Landry home.

  February 11, 1863

  And fine day. Norman and I got up a good pile of wood. Our tentmate C. F. Dean [Charles F. Dean]86 wont do anything. He don’t bring even as much water as he drinks. Don’t do anything whatever. Damed Lazy fellow. Perfect imposter, he wouldnt do his own cooking as long as I would do it. So I quit cooking with him. And day before yesterday D. Rector [Danforth Rector] come home from the Hospital, he having stayed here before he went there and before I came in, so he had a claim so that makes 4 of us now in this small place. And he is sickly so we have to do a good deal for him. But Dean is hearty and must do more or he and I will have a fuss and I have plenty to back me in it.

  February 12, 1863

  And little Rainy in the morning. But turned out to be a fine day. We drilled a little today in the manual of Arms.

  February 13, 1863

  And fine day. Had Inspection. We drew soft Bread yesterday again which makes twice that we have drawn. The first loaf I sold for 25 cents and the last one for 15 cents. I sold them because I was hard up for money and had plenty of hardtack. I got sutlers tickets, it being all the money we have nowadays. So I bought me a plate to eat off from and couple of papers of smoking tobacco. I got my Plate for 10 cents. But they always sold them for 15 cents. That was the fault of the new clerk which they have got. Lucky for me. We finished getting up our tree we had cut down.

  February 17, 1863

  And went on Picket this morning starting at 7 A.M. It having been snowing for an hour or so. The whole Brigade went this time. They have got a line so that it takes a Brigade instead of a Regt as heretofore. We walked pretty smart out there reaching the line about 9 A.M. and commenced Relieving. We went to the extreme Right which made about 2 miles more traveling than the other time out. Our Regt was right Grand Reserve. Only one Company on Picket and the first 2 hours our Company was on. Then Co B next and each man had only two hours out of the 48 and the other 8 Cos was on reserve all the time. We got all fixed about 11 A.M. and still snowing. It is now near six inches deep. We found verry poor arrangements which western enterprise soon bettered. The Boys said they couldnt expect anything better of down-Easters for they never seem to have the nac of getting along asaid western Boys. I was on the 3rd Relief which went on at 11 oclock at night and No 1 of that Relief. I stood from 11 to 1 oclock as we supposed. Having no timepiece, we guessed at it. We were Relieved from Post at 5 AM and went back to the first Reserve. That being our Boys that were not on post.

  It quit storming about dark so I had a pretty good time but rather cold as I had to stand on a high sharp ridge and a keen cutting wind blowing which made the leaves and brush crack.

  February 18, 1863

  Come in at 5 AM, got breakfast which I ate with a good relish. Daylight comes & with it a mist of rain. Been a little rainy all day by spells but more comfortable than yesterday. Night come and sett in raining in earnest. We, Norman and I, got up a good pile of wood and I had taken my piece of surplus tent along so with one oilcloth & the tent, we fixed up a shelter so that we slept dry for all it rained torrents. Part of the time my Blanket was on top and got a little wet.

  February 19, 1863

  And cloudy but not stormy. Most of the snow is gone. Rained hard last night. Slept warm and dry. I soon dried out my wet Blanket for we had a good fire as we looked out and got plenty of dry wood last evening. Most of the boys put out & went to old houses around last night and stayed till the Regt come to relieve us. About 11 A.M. we started home, come across lots & through woods and saved walking near a mile and a half. We reached home about 1 P.M. I felt as if I had got home. We begin to think this is home at any rate we were verry glad to get back. The Boys say that it was the hardest Picket duty they ever done and I think I never see worse. One of our tentmates D. Rector came home the night before we did and he had a good fire. Somebody had taken 4 large sticks of wood from our wood pile. I don’t know who it was but I hope that it will Burn on their fire. We can stand it and not break us.

  February 20, 1863

  Fine morning. Nothing done today but get ready for inspection at 4 P.M. and Dress parade just after. We had a Corporal promoted to Sargeant, 2 privates promoted to Corp, Frank Boynton [Francis A. Boynton] is the Sargeant, T.C. Alexander [Thomas C. Alexander] and J Black [John C. Bradley] Corp.87 So much for Co. F. The two privates were as deserving as any two in the Co of the Promotion

  February 21, 1863

  And fine day. Had Dress parade. In accordance to an order read last night on Parade, there were 7 men Drummed out of the service of the U.S. in presence of this, their Brigade. They had been Court-martialed and that was the sentence. There was 5 of them had their heads shaved in presence of the Brigade and the ornaments and buttons torn off their clothing and then the Brigade was formed in two columns facing each other and about 40 feet distant apart and they were marched through with the Band playing the Rogues March. First there were six soldiers marched by the front with reversed arms then the victims formed in two lines and then 6 soldiers behind them marching at charge Bayonets. The whole of the Brigade drummers and fifers, they played the Rogues March clear through twixt the two lines. It caused some sport for us fellows & some of them didnt seem to care anything about it. One of them, the worst character, pulled out a quarter and offered to pay the Barber which he declined taking. When they came past me I took one glare at them and turned my head in spite of my wish to look. I couldnt stand it. Then we were dismissed. I came home well satisfied with the Proceeding. They were marched to the landing, I supposed to send to Washington and there let them go their way. As it happened, we had a fine day for the Proceeding which I hope I shall never witness again. I think, as also do most of the rank and file, that commissioned officers had ought to be served the same for the same offence. Which was (with the exceptions of one) for Limbering to the rear in time of Battle. And one for disobeying orders. I say Limbering as that is the name the Boys give it when a man wont go up to the slaughter-pen in time of Battle but show their heels. I read most evry day of some officers being dismissed from the service and evrything seems to be going on better of late. Gen Hooker comes out bold in evry order he gives.

  February 22, 1863

  And stormy day. This being Sunday there was nothing done. It snowed nearly all day. The snow got to the depth of 6 in. It will be rather a cold time for those fellows that had their head shaved. But they will soon get a wig when they get to Washington.

  February 23, 1863

  And fine warm day. Nothing done today in milatary matters. I and all my tentmates went, got one load of wood each. We have to bring it near half mile. But all of us can bring enough at once to do a day.

  February 24, 1863

  And fine day and I am on Brigade Guard. There is twel
ve Privates and only one Post in daytime and that is at the Guard house door to watch Prisnors, there being 9 of them. One of our Boys come in today, he being the first from our Regt this winter and it being the first Brigade Guard also from our Regt to my knowledge. It is a dreary job as only one can be gone at a time to meals &c and it is in a dreary place down over the hill from the camp. At night there is two posts, the other one being down at the Bakery a little further down the hill to keep the Boys from carrying off the dry wood. We now get soft Bread most evry day. They run the Bakery day & night. I got a loaf of good bread too when I stood there. One of the Boys from our Regt gave it me. I guess out of his own.

  February 25, 1863

  And fine morning. Expect to be relieved. But 9 oclock & 10 oclock came and no Relief. At last the Lieut went up and Behold they hadnt detailed any guard which they soon done from the 19th and it was about noon when they got there. The Boys thought they would have to go on Picket this morning but the order was countermanded so we fellows will have to go at last. But we wouldnt have to have gone this morning. But the third Brigade goes 4 days to the others two as theirs is the largest. So we will have to go on Friday morning I expect.

  February 27, 1863

  Went on Picket this morning. Fine weather but looked like rain. We reached the lines as usual in good time and our Co and Co B was assigned three Posts right where we struck the lines. The rest of the Brigade going on their Respective assigned them. We or our Reserve or at least our Co had a good place this time. We occupied an old cabin. The center of the floor having been torn out by others we had a good fire in it. It was a good I tell you for us fellows.

  [Ed. Note: The last two pages have been partially torn out.]

  . . . I must commence on my new book. I have just purchased one for 50 cts and I will bid this good bye until I return home if ever.

  I missed one day as you will see but we were in camp.

  This book was made a present to me. Quite a contrast in cost.

  Volume 9

  Wounded at Gettysburg

  June 4, 1863 to August 7, 1863

  [Ed. Note: Unfortunately, the volume covering March 1, 1863 through June 5, 1863, which included the Chancellorsville Campaign, is missing. According to Ray, he lost his diary while on picket duty.]

  Wm R. Ray

  Member of Co F, 7th Regt, Wis Volt

  Resident of Cassville, Grant Co Wisconsin

  1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps

  Camp 4 miles Below Falmouth

  Stafford County, Virginia

  June 4, 1863

  Just returned from Picket and I have had a bad misfortune. I lost my diary while on Picket and couldnt find it. I offered $5.00 reward to the man that would return it safely to me. Time will tell whether I find it or not. I must go back to the first of June.88

  1st [June 1863] Fine day. We had Co drill in forenoon and in the afternoon we signed the clothing book for things that we got since signing last time. Nothing else of consequence.

  2nd [June 1863] And go on Picket at 8 AM. We went on the left of our Divisions line and the 19th took the right where we went the last time. There not being enough Privates for the last Post so 7 or 8 of us noncommissioned officers stood 24 hours. It was near a large house, in fact in the large dooryard. It was a lovely Place and a large fine house, verry much so. I was on Post at a gate near the house and at night had to keep a close watch to see that there was no signals given. Evrything passed of well. The rebs come over bringing some papers and I traded one of mine with them. I got the Dispatch and some of our boys went over. One fellow out of Co K went over alone right among some 20 that were on the flank. He traded some things with them, I don’t know what. They want coffee evrytime & for evrything. Two of Gen Wads worths [James Wads worth] aids [aides] came down just as he got over there and two of the Rebs come over landing right where the aids sit on the bank. They come out & shook hands with the Boys and we were as brothers as you might say. They to brought tobacco to trade for coffee. We chatted awhile, officers & all togather pell-mell. Then we were ordered back by our officers. Some of the Boys wanted to trade but hated to or feared to before the officers so they asked. The aids consented to it so they got some coffee. The aids was looking for Papers & found a couple at our Post. They found out there was three come over and they coaxed the Sergeants & then the Privates and all. But he couldnt find the third Paper which I had. And the Boys wouldnt tell. But when our man come back, they looked through their glasses at him which we found out afterwards was to know them when they saw them so as to arrest him when he got back. But we fixed it up so that we completely foiled them. They couldnt make him out or find him. They give it up saying that we Wisconsin Boys was too much for them, they would give it up. Our sergt told them if we had a paper we knew enough to keep it too ourselves. They went away not much wiser than when they come.

  3rd [June 1863] And fine day. But rained a verry little last night. When daylight came they began talking again but they were verry still last night. We were relieved this morning, 10 A.M. The aids made us another visit this morning but they could make nothing. They give it saying it was no use. We were old soldiers that we worked together like a machine. So I got through again without them getting the much coveted Paper from me.

  Twas this evening that I first noticed my book being gone. That is the worst thing that has happened [to] me. I dislike that the worst of anything. I breaks into my book so I may have the good luck to get it yet. I am going around to find it. I have stuck up a notice that I would give $5 reward to the man that brought it to me.

  4th [June 1863] And fine day. We were relieved about 9 oclock this morning by the 31 st New Jersey. They come in heavy marching order saying that the division was waiting for us to come in, that we were going some place. The march order come about 12 last night and that all the tents were struck preparatory to start when we reached there. We started home somewhat vexed to think that we had to march without having any rest. But I had a good nights rest as we were on the grand guard. When we got in sight we saw to our surprise that they were pitching tents again. And when we reached camp, the order was countermanded and glad were we. It is that only our [First Army] corps had such orders & that we were going into Maryland to relieve the 8th Corps and they were coming to take our place. They have been recruited up full and our corp was going there for that purpose, they being the smallest in the army. But no such good luck. That would be rather to much of a retired place for us. Oh no, we cant go. They cant do, it appears, without us. We had dress parade at usual time. I got the first number of the Madison Journal I signed for 8 or 10 days since.89

  June 5, 1863

  And fine day. We had Co drill in morning. We drill good. Lieut Sloat understands it well. We had Battalion drill in afternoon. Major Finnecum drilled us. He understands it well. The best drillmaster in the Regt. Went through a series of moves. Marched Battallion in line considerable. We have got so that we can march with a straight front. Straight as a beeline, especially when he has command. Drill over, had dress parade. Just at night we were ordered to be ready to march at 3 oclock in the morning. 3 days rations in haversack. Take evrything along. Many rumors. The general belief is to cross the river. It is said the 6th Corps is across the river. They crossed in the afternoon and took 500 prisinors with considerable loss to themselves. But how true it is time will tell. The camps that we could see has disappeared and it is generally believed the rebs have fell back towards Richmond.90

  June 6, 1863

  And fine day. Still hold ourselves in readiness to march. But night coming and with it the order to be ready to march in the morning at 3 oclock with 3 days rations. Our Regt only having such orders. Great speculation where we are going. Our forces are across the river opposite and above us. And it is said 2 divisions are across. But all we know is that we or some of our forces are across and we hear an occasional cannon fire. Old Hooker [General Joseph Hooker] is going to keep them on the qui-vive it appears.

  Jun
e 7, 1863

  And fine day. We lay around awaiting orders to march and got them. So at last at 2 P.M. we got the order. So we packed up, formed line. Gen Wadsworth comes along to see us then we see the 56th Penn come out ready to accompany us. Then we started, went up to Corps Headquarters. There stoped an hour. They load lots of mules with ammunition, hospital stores &c preparatory for the worst events. We start. One Co of the 2nd [Wisconsin] sent for as guard to the mules &c. We travelled on & on resting about evry 3 miles. We went a verry crooked road & evry imaginable way keeping in hollows and behind woods so the rebels might not discover us. We crossed the R Road about 4 miles from Falmouth, come on, struck the Catlets road. It coming on dark we stoped, made coffee. I forgot to tell you of 1 Battery of light artillery accompanying us.