Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  Gambling is going on at a great rate. Most evrybody but me is at it. Boys in our Co set up all night, at least some do, to Gamble. Tis really shocking to see to what extent it is carried on.

  November 19, 1863

  And fine day. There was a detail made late last night to go on fatigue. But this morning the order was countermanded with the explanation of marching. But we laid in camp all day and done nothing. We drew 2 days rations of soft bread today. We have lots of rations now and that is good.

  Today the ceremonies and dedications of the National Cemetary for the fallen brave of the Battle of Gettysburg. The President is to be there and the Govenors of each and all the states that had soldiers there (except Rebels states) and in fact each & all or evrybody that chose to go or could go.125

  November 20, 1863

  And fine day. We that were to work yesterday, went today. Our work was filling up all the old Rebel works around Rappahannock Station both on this & the other side of the River. We get done 8 P.M. and the Sergt of the Engineer Corps wanted us to help the 2nd Brigade finish their job. But we wouldn’t which caused some words & we came home. We done a big days work & the Sergt said so, but he feared that if we didn’t stay, the others would leave. But we came home. We expressed our money today, the chaplain taking it to Brandy Station. I sent $50.00 to Henry.

  November 21, 1863

  And rainy day, all day. Rained some last night also. Tis a verry disagreeable day. We keep good fires in front of our tents which makes it more comfortable. We got no dailies today or yesterday. The reason I don’t know unless they expected to move. & the Main Army may have moved but our Corps didnt. Cap Bird of Co I [Joseph N.P. Bird of Wautoma] come to the Co this morning, he hasn’t been with it since the Battle of Gainesville. He was badly wounded there & he is now lame.

  November 23, 1863

  And fine day. Nothing of note transpired till just night when the orders come to be ready to march at daylight on the morrow morning. So we drew our rations from the Co commissary, he having kept the rations in the boxes till we wanted them to use as they will keep better there than in the haversack.

  November 24, 1863

  And stormy. We didnt march as was ordered last night. The storm preventing I suppose. The Pickets were drawn in this morning but went out again at 10 A.M.

  November 25, 1863

  And fine day. We lay in camp today. I got a letter from Mother and Lucretia. They were both well as usual. Mother had rented the same rooms of Sarah she had 3 years since, & her & Lucretia are going to live together which I am pleased to hear. I think they will live verry comfortable.

  November 26, 1863 [Mine Run Campaign]

  And we marched at daybreak, crossed the Rappahannock at the R Road Bridge & traveled on nicely till within ½ mile of Elys Ford on the Rappidan River. I should judge we come 15 miles today. We came through the timber most of the way making altogether a rather a pleasant march. We reached the ford about 10 P.M., bivauck by the roadside. Tis said by the Commisarys that the 5th and 2nd Corps crossed today without opposition.126

  November 27, 1863

  And fine day. We got up at 2 A.M., started to march at 3 A.M., crossed the Rappidan River and traveled most all day on different roads coming, I cant tell where. We lay by the roadside for about 2 hours and got dinner. All this time there is skirmishing of to our left & front. Some ways off though.127 Then we started and marched another direction, come on to the Orange Co Pike. Shortly after camped. It now being about 10 P.M. and we are right by Meads Headquarters.

  We had a little brush with the Gurilles. Our Brigade led the corps today and the Gurrillas attacked the 5th Corps wagon train. They being just ahead of us so we got in line & marched through the woods. Our skirmish line drove them back so we didn’t get a shot at them. We pushed them so hard they couldnt get off with all the wagons so they took the mules, set the wagons on fire. And while we were there, 4 or 5 ammunition wagons blew up. Twas a pretty sight if twas our own. The pieces flew & the shells burst in evry direction.

  November 28, 1863

  And rains some today. We got up at 2 A.M., marched at 3 AM, come to Robinsons [Robertson’s] Tavern. Here we turned of the road and stoped, it being daylight now. We lay here till about 9 AM when we started through the woods. Skirmishers ahead. Came about 1 ½ miles when we were halted, formed line, our skir [skirmishers] firing pretty brisk with the Rebs. We lay here all day. Our Batteries threw a few shells & the Rebs replied with a few shots. When it ceased & all was quiet except skirmishers firing constantly. We lay in a hollow & by going on the top of the hills, we can see away across a big field. There the Rebs are plenty. Our men have planted lots of canons on the top of the hill. Night comes and all quiet. Our Brigade skirmishers captured 3 Reb cavelry men when we advanced this morning. They are fine looking men.

  November 29, 1863

  And fine but cold day, sharp wind blowing. We have big fires and keep comfortable. This morning at daylight we moved out of the hollow up on the hillside in a good position, so as the hill will shelter us from the enemies shells if they should open on us or reply to our guns if they open. Which they did at 8 A.M., threw a few shots and the Rebs made a feeble reply. And soon all ceased and nothing but skirmish firing. There is a few comes in wounded & one or two killed today. The day passed off without any heavy fighting. But the usual amount of rumors. But there is one consolation. That is that we know [Union General Ulysses S.] Grant is doing just about as he pleases with Rebs, he having whipped them bad.128

  November 30, 1863

  And fine, but cold north wind blowing. We as usual expected the thing would open this morning but only our guns threw a few shots and got no reply. But a Brass Battery kept up a desultory fire with one piece at the enemies Pickets or skirmishers and so the day passed off. We drew Beef this evening and a little later we drew 5 days rations of sugar, coffee, meat and hardtack & salt. Some or most of the Boys was out of rations. Some had no bread for 4 of 5 meals back. I, having more than I would eat, gave some 25 crackers to them. I have a good large haversack and took care of & drew all I get. While some of those hungry chaps was playing Poker instead of drawing their full rations.

  December 1, 1863

  And fine day. Still a raw wind blowing, but tis from the south today. Things passed off pretty much the same today as yesterday until about 2 P.M. when we drew beef again. And got orders to be ready to move. So we went to work & got a good [meal], John having got 25 cents worth of beef liver from the butcher.

  4 P.M. And we relieved the Penn Reserves. They form the 3rd Div of 3rd Corps. And we marched out, taking the road and come to Germania Ford on the Rappidan which we reached about 10 P.M. When we got there, the 2nd & 7th [Wisconsin] had to go on Picket up the road on the other side about 1 ½ miles so we crossed the River, come up. The 2nd going on reserve, we went out to the front and turned off the road into the woods & camped. One man from a Co had to go on Picket, there being only two Posts. The others bivoucked and twas not long ere we was in bed. We come over some verry rough road. Come about 9 miles. The Boys think tis a retreat. But I hardly think the Army will retreat tonight. But it may for the rumor is that Longstreet has come back from the Southwest with his Corps de army. And if so, I think we have not forces enough to cope with Lee. If we cant, why we draw so many forces away from Grants front, which will give him a still better chance.129

  December 2, 1863

  And fine day. We found when we got up, we found the whole army has come across this side of the river, a good share coming along this road through the night. We lay here till about 10 A.M. When the rest of the Brigade coming up, we fell [in] and went along. Taking a kind of a byroad, went to Mortons Ford. Got near the ford, turned into the woods. Made coffee, expecting to go to Rappahannock Station tonight. And that we had been sent here to guard this ford to keep the Rebs from crossing till our trains &c should get back. But night and we bivouked. We heard 2 or 3 canon when we first came here. & that is all for today.

  December
3, 1863

  And fine day. We lay here till 12N when we marched to Mountain Run. Crossed it and camped. We are now within 2 ½ miles Kelly Ford. We once thought before we stoped, we would put the Rappahannock between us and the Rebs. We found many troops along the roadside putting up winter quarters. We begin now to think that the campaigning is over for this fall. We hope so at least.

  December 4, 1863

  And fine day we lay in camp till 12N when we marched about 1 ½ miles on the road to Kellys Ford and turned into the woods & camped. Good water, plenty of wood. Evrything indicates that we will go into winter quarters. But there is no order for it. But the Boys went to work and by night some had up enough timber to build their shanties. Jake & I got up a few logs. John has left us or we left him to tent by ourselves.

  December 5, 1863

  The Boys are busy building their quarters, & some are waiting till further orders. I and Jake for the latter and till some of the Boys get done so that we can get the axes. But lo & behold about 3P.M. orders come to pack up and be ready to march at a minutes notice. So all work ceased. We wait & night comes & bedtime. But no orders so we lay down. Some were cursing, some laughing. The former for having to leave their half finished shanties & the latter pleased because they hadnt done any more & also that the others were so foolish as to go to work without orders.

  December 6, 1863

  Verry cold night last night. Today passed off and we stay at camp but the order of last evening still unchanged. But the Boys couldnt rest. They put in a good day on their shanties. Some have theirs raised. Generally four are going together & building so that 2 tents will cover them. Therefore they are 7 by 10 feet inside, generally.

  December 7, 1863

  7th And fine day. & the order of the 5 inst still unchanged & the Boys still at work on their shanties. Jake & I got up our logs today, thought we wouldnt wait any longer. We had an ax to use all day so we got all our logs. We split them so they will build up & make much nicer house than round poles. We worked verry hard.

  December 8, 1863

  And fine day. The same as yesterday. Today we get up our shanty as far as to where the gable ends will begin. That order is still unchanged but the teams are unloaded and the officers are building quarters. Today there was a small Picket detail made one man from a Co. Tis inside Picket line.

  December 9, 1863

  And fine day. And we still continue work on the shanties. And we now think we will stay here all winter. Some of the Boys have got their shanties finished. And our next neighbors asked us into theirs to sleep till we should get ours finished which we expected. And found it much more comfortable than sleeping in the tent.

  December 10, 1863

  And fine day & things same as yesterday. I got my chimney commenced today & got the cover on.

  December 11, 1863

  And fine day & things as yesterday except I had to go and draw rations, this being my week for the buisness. This Brigade more expecially this Regt is agitating the Veteran Corps question again and many are going into it.

  December 12, 1863

  And windy, cloudy and looks like twas preparing for a big storm. Jake & I are about ready for it. We slept in our house last night. We will soon have it done. We are taking considerable pains with it & the Boys generally pronounce it pretty nice. There is Big news from the Southwest. Our troops have captured great many prisinors.

  December 13, 1863

  And rainy day. Rained hard last night. Jake went on picket today & now I have to work alone today. Our chimney smoked some and I fixed it some today and it goes better. I must hurry with my work & write some to the folks. I have not wrote for so long that they may think hard of it. But I cant well help it for I am so busy that I cant do it.

  December 14, 1863

  And fine day. But verry muddy under foot. I put a bunk in today & still keep doing a little. I have joined the Veterans if the Regt does. But not if the Regt don’t go to the State within 100 days to reorganise and Recruit. But on no other terms.

  December 15, 1863

  And fine day. Jake come in off Picket and brought some nails & lumber that he picked up around some old houses that had been torn down by the Soldiers. Such has been the fate of many of the empty houses around here. We made a door & put up some shelves today and done little things now that a man wouldnt think of if he were not building. We have a Pane of glass. We will have to make a frame for it so we will have a window, a luxury that none of the other Boys have.

  December 16, 1863

  And fine day. The regt turned out today and policed the streets and grounds and I had to go also. Cap sent Jake to borrow a spade and shovel to ditch our street with. So after I was done policing, I went to work and daubed the shanty. Jake doing my part of the ditching street so as I might get it done, which I did by night. Now we have it daubed both inside and out and find it verry comfortable. Finished the days work by hanging the door.

  The street needed ditching verry bad. Although the ground is considerable inclined (to the east), the water does not run off. The cause I suppose is the soap clay which lies about 3 inches under a gravel soil. This clay will hold water equal to a bucket. The Boys at first thought it would be great stuff for daubing their shanties. But it proved an utter failure for it cracked so bad as to leave almost as much open as before. But lucky for me it was proven before I wanted to use any. The top soil almost as good as lime & sand. It becomes verry firm when dry.

  December 17, 1863

  Stormy day & latter part of last night. Jake had to go on Picket again this morning. The duty is verry heavy now & for a week past. There is a detail evry day to build Corderroy [corduroy] road130 on all the principle roads to be used from the RailRoad Station to all headquarters. I got wood &c & read a little in the newspapers. The talk now about the Veteran is that we cant to go home as an organization. That we cant be spared out of the field. So I for one don’t go. But there are several going from the Co.

  December 18, 1863

  And fine day. I got my shoe mended today which had a hole in the side. Our drum major is the cobler for the Regt or at least for those that choose him. I bought 3 candles today. They will do till we draw again. I put a latch on the door & ditched some around the shanty & built a porch over the door today. Got wood &c.

  The Sutlers are coming up now. There is two up now & selling in 6th & 19th. I tried to get a coffee pot but they were all sold. We need one verry bad. I witnessed the shooting of a Soldier this afternoon of the 2nd Brigade. I neither know what his name is or what Regt. The 2nd Brigade was brought out under arms in military style. But our Boys went out just as they pleased. There being no order for us to go, we could use our pleasure. Most of the Brigade went out. Twas about ¼ mile from camp. All was ready & evrybody straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the doomed man. At last we hear the band, playing the death march. At last they appear coming up the hill in front. There he is, the Boys say, between the Platoons and the Chaplain from our Regt walking by the side of him.

  Now they reach the top of the hill and stop within a few paces of the coffin which sits with the foot of it at the head of the grave. He walks out, seats himself on the head of his coffin (and I suppose is blindfolded, the crowd being so great that I couldnt see that part of it.) Now all is ready & the band ceases to play. The Provost Marshal raises his hat from his head, up comes up the guns of the first Platoon. Then he passes it to the left which is for Aim, then drops it which is the signal to fire which they done at the same instant. And the man drops back on his coffin. The Doctor runs up to see if he is dead. Takes hold of his arm, feels of his pulse. And all is right. The guards are sent off & a crowd gathers round the lifeless corpse of a deserter. Rumor is that he deserted twice & some say three times and went as a substitute two or three times. The crowd disperses and 2nd Brigade goes to their quarters & tis all over with.

  So the day passed.

  December 19, 1863

  And fine day. Jake come in of Picket. He has to go on Pic
ket half the time now, the duty for the Co is so great. He sleeps two nights in the shanty and 2 nights on Picket. We are still trying to get into the Veteran Crops, still keep the thing warm. Maybe we will get it through yet so that we will get home. After Jake come, we got dinner & he & I went to the creek taking about $2.00 worth of washing with us which we done by dark. We worked verry hard to get it done. Tomorrow is Sunday and I will try to rest some.

  December 20, 1863

  And fine day but cold, the ground or rather mud froze hard enough last night to bear up a team today for the first time this winter. The Brigade was called out this evening & Col B Robinson (he is commanding the Brigade) made them a speech explaining the Veteran Corps arrangement. Also the commandants of the Regts said a little and a Private in the 6th Regt come out and made a good humorous as well as comical speech, caused considerable laughter. And also gives us some good sound advice and he appealed to our Patriotism. Said twas our duty to sustain the Government & that he was going to reenlist &c. And upon the whole I believe he made as many Veterans as all the rest. Major Finnecum (he commands our Regt now) told them that we had enough to take us home (viz, ¾ of the Regt) and that we meant to go &c. The major as also the Co officers are doing all they can.