Five oclock came & we marched down to the Depot, a distance of 3 miles. The Bottle was still passing around & many verry Boozy and evrybody on the sidewalks was knocked off by the boys pushing each other against them. And evrything no matter what was kicked off the sidewalks. They were cleaned off on that 3 miles. We got on the cars at half past 6 oclock & started & the Boys as noisy as ever. We come on slowly stopping at the different stations & switches at some of which we had to wait till other trains came up. We reached Baltimore 4 oclock and laid till daylight.
September 15, 1863
And fine morning. This morning about 7 oclock we were marched over to the Union Relief association, got Breakfast with the calculation of starting at 8 oclock. But trains kept leaving till 10 oclock when we were permitted to go. After reaching the Depot last night the Boys lay pretty still, most all asleep. We come to Washington. Reaching there about 3 P.M., got our dinner at the Memoriable Soldiers Retreat then were put into the Barracks adjoining or Barracks No 1. There the Boys rested some, were not so noisy. About 6 P.M. we had supper and they tell us that we have to go out to convalescent camp in the morning which we were glad to hear. About 9 oclock they brought in about 50 conscripts & Substitutes and this started the noise again and it was kept up till near midnight when I got to sleep.
September 16, 1863
And fine day. I rested pretty well the latter part of the night. Last night 2 Regts come in, the 3rd & 5th Michigan. They went into other Barracks, they had breakfast before we. We got it about 8 oclock and about 9 we marched out to take the cars. After marching half mile & laying by the side of the Road an hour or so, the cars come along & we got on & come here. We reached here about noon. We were formed in two ranks and all Paroled Prisinors that hadn’t been exchanged step to the front. Not a man here by that name. Then all those that wanted to go to their Regts step to the front and there was about half of them steped out. We were marched of & our names taken. And we were sent to Camp Distribution. Then the Doctor examined those left & pretty soon most of them come over. But of the whole that got to stay in the convalescent camp, there they have good Barracks. But here we have the Sibly [Sibley] tent.113 They are verry good shelter.
Here we go, evry corps to themselves. So of course we go in the first row of tents. The first corps tents is full so we have to go into 2nd. We expect to go away in a day or two. Here we get dinner consisting of Bread & Coffee, Meat & Potatoes. There is a couple of cooks. They draw, cook & deal out the rations and there is a fellow acts as orderly Sergt. He calls the roll when we fall in for meals and a fellow missing roll call, he misses a meal for evry one. So that keep the Boys verry verry punctual. This Department consists of three camps, namely Convalescent camp where those that are not able to go to the field stop. Distribution camp where those that are able to go to field are sent and there wait till the corps commander sends for them. Camp Parole where those that are Paroled go to till they are exchanged. There is a guard around the whole thing which is done by the 3 & 4 Penn Reservers [3rd and 4th Pennsylvania Reserves]. Then the inside guards are invalids. There is a guard twixt our camp & Parole to keep us from mixing.
The camp is neat & orderly and evrything works like a charm. It is a nice camp and kept nice. Quite contrary to what I had been lead to believe by rumors, but I understand that it is better than it used to be. There is evrything carried on here. Most evry Profession except a lawyer. There is dentists, Barbers, Sutlers, Milk pedlars &c all useful. There is no few Pedlars or anything that is a nuisance to Soldiers. I am glad to hear & see things carried on so well. Evrything is neat & clean & the food is well cooked. That used to be the worst place a Soldier passed through. But now it is carried on scientifically & will I think gain a good reputation in time to come. This is all done by the negros, that is the working part is.
I forgot to mention that there is a camp for Deserters & I am sorry to see it full. They are sending thousands of them to the army. The Draft is what catches those thats been deserting since the war commenced. They are most all being caught. When they get here they have to labor evry day working on the Railroad, cleaning the camp & all kinds of work and when the authorities thinks Proper, they are sent to the army. Then when they get there, they are courtmartialed and have to abide by the sentence, let that be what it may.
September 17, 1863
Nice shower in the afternoon. Another lot of fellows come in today, and some went away. All belonging to the Sixth Corp. Fifth corps Boys went to their Regts. Myself & one from the 19th Ind & 3 from the 2nd [Wisconsin] occupy one tent.
September 18, 1863
Some convalescents come in today. One fellow that belonged to the 19th [Indiana] that we left drunk in Washington came with them. He was sent into the Barracks to stay till examined. We get our meals regular and get plenty such as it is. It is rather rough living. There is plenty of evrything to buy. But money is rather scarce. It wont pay to buy when evrything costs so much. I took a walk today, clear around the whole camp being about a mile around. I found evrything that a camp needed. They bake the bread right here in camp. The cars come right into the Camps.
September 19, 1863
Another squad come in today. Some more additions to the first, the first corps men [First Army Corps] number 175 men in this camp. The news from the Army is to the effect that they are not fighting and I should think that they would send for us.
September 20, 1863
And fine day. But verry cool. This is Sunday but we have no Inspection. I went to night meeting. There is meeting here 3 times evry fine day through the week. I wrote a letter to Mother today. There has been a great Revival here and it is still going on. The news tonight from the front is that they are fighting.
September 21, 1863
And fine day. Evrything as usual. Lot more fellows come in today. The report that our men were fighting proved to be untrue. Nothing more than skirmishing. I wrote a letter to Mother & Henry today.
September 22, 1863
Fine day. Twas verry cold last night. The street Sergeant put 6 more men in with us. So our tent is pretty full, 11 of us. The news from the Southwest is not the best today. According to the papers, the Rebs has given Rosencranz [Union General William Rosecrans] the hardest Battle he ever had with them. But he held his ground by hard fighting. I hope it is true. I should dislike to hear of him being whipped now. Oh, the Western Boys will fight hard, I tell you. They are men.114
September 23, 1863
And fine day. Nothing of interest today till about 2 P.M. when orders come to draw what clothing we wanted. And the cook to cook one days rations. So we, the 1 st Corps, drew clothing. I drew a haversack only. I wanted a half tent & oil blanket. But could [not] get them.
September 24, 1863
And fine day. I arose this morning with joy in my heart and got ready to start at 8 A.M. I drew my hardtack once more again, the first for near 3 months. There is about 200 of us. We start with a few guards, go to Alexandria. At 11 oclock we get on the cars. They are loaded but we crawl on and into them, there being about 200 armed men on each train to keep off guerillas if they should attack us. There is four trains and they keep pretty close together for mutual protection. We start, run out stopping at stations along the road, reaching Culpepper about dark. Here we get off and a Lieut takes charge of us. Calls the roll & forms us in line & we march off about 1 mile to Gen Meads [Meade’s] Headquarters where we find out we will have 9 miles to march to reach the corps. So the Lieut said we could camp. But if any of us choose to go on he would get a cavelry escort & let us go. But we chose to camp. So we come a few rods, camp, built fires, made coffee & went to bed. I seen many places along the road where I have often been & where we have camped &c, for instance, Bristow & Catlets & Bealton & Rappahannock Station & many other places where I have traveled by. When we neared the Rappahannock River we see the characteristics of the camp viz Soldiers graves and dead horses. Most of the latter emitting a verry offensive smell. I find the country pretty much the same as when I
went through here last August a year ago. I was then on wagon guard. There is 2 fellows of my Co. with me, [Benjamin] Hayden and [Henry] Hudson.115 We camped together last night. There is not many troops around here. Our lines I understand are about 12 miles from here.
September 25, 1863
A fine day. We arose early, got breakfast, drew rations and started for Corps Headquarters 7 miles, they say. We marched along pretty good jog, resting once & a while. Reached the headquarters about noon and after calling the roll & making out a list for those belonging to the first Division, we started for Division Headquarters. Where roll is called again and a guard sent with us to our respective brigades. And from there a guard was sent with us to our Regt. I found only three in camp and the three officers. The others being on Picket. Those fellows that were taken Prisinor haven’t got back yet. The Boys are well, 2 that was slightly wounded had got back. Cap [Captain Henry F. Young] is rather unwell and looks bad as he has for a number of weeks. Alphonse Kidd [Alphonzo A. Kidd], Second Lieut is a little lame yet from his wound. The Picket line is only 1 mile and Sergt Boyanton [Francis A. Boynton] being up here on Business I went down with him when he went.
I found the Boys in good situation and living well. They had fresh mutton & Pork, there being plenty of it around here amongst the farmers. The Country round here don’t show the affects of war so much as in most Places in Virginia. I had a good supper of green corn and fresh meat.
September 26, 1863
And fine day. Got breakfast. I went on Post for 1 of the Boys. I thought I would try it again. I find the Boys living like Brothers. They seem to be verry much attached to each other. They may be said to be the escence of the 107 men we left the State with. They are or seem to be well satisfied with their lot. They seem to be more devoted with their work than I ever saw them. I see a number of Rebs on the other side of the River.
This River is small, fordable in many places. The Picket lines are each side of it. But quite aways from it along where we were Posted. The Rebs were a mile or more from us. There was one come over to the next Post and they took him back to the Rear. He either give himself up or they took him. I thought he came over to exchange papers only. We were relieved about 5 P.M. by some N.Y. Regt and come to camp. There is a rumor that our Corps is all that is here & the Army is moving in some direction.
September 27, 1863
And fine day. This being Sunday morning we had Regt. Inspection. I have no gun yet. But I went on Inspection. We were Inspected by Major Finnecum [Mark Finnicum], he being in command of the Regt. The Col [William Robinson] is commanding the Brigade & the Lieut Col (Callis) [John B. Callis] was seriously wounded at Gettysburg & has not returned, he being at home now. I never saw such a Brotherly [feeling] amongst men before. Officers and all. It does my verry soul good to see it. I can never forget how Brave the officers was at Gettysburg expecially Lieut [William E.] Sloat. He gave the cowards and stragglers no Peace at all, kept driving them to their Regts. And them that their Regts was too far away he put them in our Regt.
September 28, 1863
And fine day with nothing unusual transpiring. Nearly evrybody expects we will retreat soon to the other side of the Rappahannock. But it don’t come yet. I find things more pleasant than I expected. I am sorry to see Cap so sick. He is just able to get about.
September 29, 1863
And fine day. We have nothing else but fine weather now. There is plenty worse in store for us and it is sure to come. About 10 A.M. we broke camp and came to the rear about a mile to a better camp where we camped & there being lots of old camps hereabouts, we found plenty of boards & boxes. Jake & I started out and left John to fix up a shed over the tent, we having pitched the tent before & got fork & poles for the shed. Jake got some boxes & I got some. Also a good frame for a table which we fix up and now have the best table in the Regt. We got some Virginia feathers (cedar boughs) which makes the bed a great deal better. We are comfortable fixed verry much so.
The rumor is that three Corps has gone to reinforce Rosencranse [General William Rosecrans]. Let that be as it may. There is not much show of advancing. Rosencranse was beaten without a doubt & that seems to put quite a different face on things. But it will come out all right.116
There is one thing I am pleased to see. There is not so much wickedness in the Army as there used to be. There is not half the swearing and the tracts and Religious Papers is read a great deal. Altogether I can percieve a great change in the Soldiers morally speaking. I am glad to see it and before this war is over, I think there will still be a greater change. I can now verry frequently see soldiers reading the Testament which used to be a rare thing.
September 30, 1863
A fine day. 7 Privates & 1 Sergeant from our company for Picket today. They started out at 1 P.M. At 3 P.M. we had drill. There being so many out on Picket that we were formed into 4 companies. We had a good drill of about 2 hours and dress parade.
October 2, 1863
And stormy day, verry. Rained all day verry bad. The Boys come in off Picket some before dark and some long after dark. The latter were so unfortunate as to get lost. But they got in all right. They had an awful time. They were wet as rats. Jake was out. I kept supper warm for him. But found it difficult for the rain put the fire almost out. John & I had the tent in good order having done evrything to make it comfortable that we could.
October 3, 1863
And fine day, contrary to my expectation when I went to bed last night. I awoke this morning to see the sun shining. About 9 AM we had Co Inspection after which John and I made ready to wash some clothes. About the time we got ready the order [came] for all to wash that wanted as Saturday from this [time] on would be set apart for such duties and there would be no drill or duty. So John and I got all we could and went at it & washed till about 2 P.M. when the order come to get ready to go on Picket, to be on Reserve. We relieved the 2nd Regt so we first went to camp, got ready and set off. Come out about 3 miles finding the 2nd in a pretty camp which we took as soon as they went out. And fixed up nice for there is any quantity of boards & boxes here. We are here as a support for the Picket line. One third of the Regt is under arms all the time so it is not verry heavy duty. I believe I could content myself here the rest of my time in the service so pretty is the camp. We certainly are well situated.
I believe I havent noticed about the Regt getting new guns. We now [have] the new Springfield Rifle, a splendidly finished piece. They look to nice to use in the field. The finish on them would entitle them to a rack in a gentlemans Parlor. The Boys are verry proud of them and take the best of a care of them.117
The Army carries 8 days rations now. I drew enough today to make up mine. I had to put crackers in my knappsack. That with the wet clothes made me a verry heavy load.
October 4, 1863
And fine. Jake, Jack & I fixed up our tent today. We had plenty of boards and fixed it nice. The mail comes today but nothing but a paper for me. There is a guard around camp. I am on guard at 4 P.M. and until tomorrow 4 P.M. This is my second time as corporal of the guard. There is considerable excitement amongst the Boys about going into the veteran Corps: if the majority of the Regt will reinlist for 3 years and get $402.00 Bounty and be allowed to go to the State to Reorganize & Recruit. There seems to be a good many that will go.
October 5, 1863
And fine day. And we had great times today about this veteran corps. The Regt fell in & went out to meet the Brigade to decide about [the veteran corps]. I being on duty, I could not go. They were out a couple hours, had letters & speeches read from different General and there was a number of speeches from the officers upholding the scheme. And when the Regt come back the Major made them a long speech supporting the scheme. He recommending the officers to draw up a paper stating the thing fairly and let those sign it that wished to enlist. And if they got a majority they were sure to go to the State. They got up considerable excitement and I believe it will work. But as for me, I don’t know what to do with it. For
Mother requests that I shouldn’t enlist again. And I shall hate to see the Boys all go and me go into some other Regt. I consider a Mothers wish should be complied with. But I think she would rather see me coming home with the Co than go amongst strangers. At least I would rather to go home & I believe I shall if the majority goes, taking the Pay into consideration. It is Big, upon the whole it amounts to $25 a month.
October 6, 1863
And fine day. Great excitement about reenlisting. The papers were drawn up and most of the Co signed. But I wouldn’t at first until I had a little talk with Cap. The Boys, some of them, made considerable sport of me because I didn’t [want] to go. But I talked with Cap and he advised me to go. He said that when they got back to the State and got furlough to go home and when he come to see Mother she would want to know why William didn’t come. And he would hate to tell her that I wouldn’t come and she would think right off that something was the matter twixt him and me. He seemed to think that she would rather I would come home with the Co. And I finally thought so to. And I guess Cap was about Right. I hope so for I want to go with the Boys. I certainly should dislike to go into another Regt. To be sure I could worry through 11 months most any way but I would rather go with the Boys. If Mother is satisfied then I can go it.
Four Years With the Iron Brigade Page 31