Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  April 18, 1864

  And fine day. We had Brigade Inspection today & was pronounced in the best of order. Had dress parade at the usual hour. The Col. Drilled us some in the Manual of Arms. This being something new I thought I would mention it.

  April 19, 1864

  And fine day. In forenoon we had Co. Drill. In the afternoon shot 5 rounds apiece at [a] Mark & was to have Battalion drill. But the Col. give off to let us clean our guns. I mailed a letter to Mother today & at night when the mail come in I got a letter from her. She is well as usual & in the same envelope one from Lu. She was well & expected to start to learn the Millinery trade the next week. My money got home all right and Mother got the ten dollars I owed her & Lu got the $20.001 was to let her have.

  April 20, 1864

  And fine day. We had Co. Drill in forenoon. But I drilled a recruit in the Manual of Arms so I didnt go on with the Co. In the afternoon Battallion drill. We drill in the Skirmish drill the whole Battalion at the same time. All the sick was sent off this morning. This indicates that we will move soon. I wrote a letter to Brother Amos today in answer to one I received last October. I wrote one to Mother also today.

  April 21, 1864

  And fine day. Had Co. drill in forenoon, Battalion drill in the afternoon. The drill same as yesterday. Dress Parade in the evening and we come out in style I tell you. There was an important order read. It is as follows. Any Private or non commissioned officer that can get a good recommend from his Co. & Regt. Officers can go before a Board of Officers to be examined if they are or will be qualified to hold a commission in a negro Regt., by going to the Free Military School at Philadelphia for 30 days. If they pass they will get a commission.

  April 22, 1864

  And fine day. Had Co. Drill in forenoon all doublequick. I had 20 recruits by myself drilling them in the Manual of Arms. In the afternoon had Battalion drill. I rec’d a letter from Henry this evening. They are all well as usual. The money I sent got through safe. I let Lu have $20.00 of it.

  April 23, 1864

  And fine day. This being Saturday we have no drill. But had to turn out on review for the Govenor [James T. Lewis]. The review lasted about one hour and half. The Govenor look the same as he used to. I answered Henrys letter today and mailed it. We have such fine weather now & have had that we expect to move any hour.

  April 24, 1864

  And fine day. But just after dark commenced to rain & pretty hard wind. This being Sunday we have the usual Inspection (Regt’l). We had church today. The chaplain distributed a lot of small books & Papers. The Col. when looking at my gun on Inspection say that [it is] a good & clean one. It being the only one in the front rank he remarked about cleanness. Rumors are beginning to fly about when & where we will move. The officers turned in all surplus kettles, axes &c today. Oh, I forgot to tell you about me comencing to study the tactics in earnest. I have recited 3 lessons. Wm Booth hears me recite & explains to me &c.142

  April 25, 1864

  And fine day after a nights rain. Had Co drill in forenoon. We have to drill in heavy marching order so as to accustom the recruits to it.

  April 26, 1864

  And fine day. Had Co. Drill in forenoon. Capt drilled us. Battallion drill in afternoon. I acted as left guide to the Co. I made several mistakes by not being used to the buisness on that part of it. A lot more recruits come today. 2 more for our Co. There is one private from our Co. got a recommend, viz. Wm. Booth, to go before the Board to be examined to go to the Military school. Also the Sergt-Major and Corpl Homes of Co. A [Lewis P. Holmes of Columbus].143 Those three from the Regt. I still continue studying tactics and am making great speed.

  April 27, 1864

  And fine day. We have Co. drill in forenoon. In afternoon Battallion drill. We had target firing this afternoon also. I got one mark of merit. Among some 20 men, not half the Co hit the Board. We shot 200 yds and the wind was sideways and blew pretty hard. This was disadvantageous to us.

  April 28, 1864

  And fine day. Drill the same as yesterday except no firing. I wrote a letter to Mother today in answer to one I got several days since. In [it] she wanted to know about the walling of the cellar under the house. And getting the house painted. Ordered the cellar walled but not the house painted for it would cost $30.00 & I don’t feel able to pay that just now.

  April 30, 1864

  And fine day. We go on the line about 10 A.M. and take the third post of the right reserve. That being the one we were on. We have all sorts of rumors concerning both our forces & the Rebels. This being the last day of the month they are having muster in camp for 2 months more pay.

  May 1, 1864

  And fine day. We were relieved at the time. Come home. I found a mess of beans waiting for me which I done justice. I also found a letter from Mother and a pair of socks awaiting my return. The socks I was not in need of just now but they will not come amiss soon. Rumors about marching still afloat. This being Sunday we have church at the usual time. The sermon was a good one given by a Chaplain from the 2nd Brigade. I attended. I wrote a letter to my niece L Lander today.

  May 2, 1864

  And fine day. We had Co drill in forenoon, Battalion drill in afternoon. Rumors about marching.

  May 3, 1864

  And fine day. But in the evening had a perfect hurricane. We get orders at dark to pack up all but blankets. That we expected to march about midnight. Sure enough after tapps we drew rations & got ready & marched at midnight.

  May 4, 1864 [Opening of the Overland Campaign]

  And fine day. We marched on briskly till 8 A.M. when we stoped & got coffee. Marched on crossing the Rappidan [Rapidan] & Germania. Rested 2 hours & slept. I went & washed my feet & face. Then we marched to Gordonsville & camped. It is now four P.M. We get supper (Ben & I) and go & take a good wash. The rumor is that the Rebs is retreating (hope so). Rumored that [Union General Benjamin] Butler is coming up from Ft. Monroe on Richmond. The Boys stayed the march well & have heavier knapsacks than usual. We came 24 miles today. All think Grant is doing it right. It is a beautiful evening.144

  May 5, 1864 [Battle of the Wilderness]

  We march at pretty early hour. We march & figure around & get into line of Battle about noon (being about 3 miles from Quartzville). We advanced on the foe through a dense forest. After going about 1 mile or so we came on to them.145

  They fired at us pretty brisk. We done the same for a while & then charged on them, drove them & kept driving them for a mile or so when they got support & routed us completely.146 We took many Prisinors while driving them and they took some when they drove us. But the most they took from us was wounded. While we got verry few of their wounded. They fired into us pretty brisk for a while. But we outrun them & got back to some brestworks & here the officers, what there was there, and a few of the Bravest Privates got a few to rally. And they of course gave confidence to others so it was not long till we had a line of battle 1 mile long & the old colonel come up. He took us back to the rear where the rest of the corps (the 5th) was forming a new line.

  Here the whole Brigade formed & also the division. But just as we commenced retreating, the rebs gave me a shot.147 One buckshot taking effect in the calf of my right leg, laming me some. But they couldn’t catch me. I seen them all settled. They all prevailed on me to go back for I could scarcely walk. I came to the rear, found a hospital established by a good spring. Here I got a cloth, put around my leg & the Doctor, being a regular, he didnt pay much attention & said I could carry a gun again, didnt need to go to the hospital. But I couldnt see it & as soon as one of our Div. Ambulances come, I got in and come to hospital which is about 3 miles from the main line of battle. Here I found things fixed to receive us. There being tents & flags being pitched for to go under. But about this time the firing is awful to hear. They keep fighting without intermission. The wounded comes in verry fast till dark when I go to sleep but wake up several times hear firing. Pickets firing.148

  This image of Saunder’s Fie
ld was taken after the end of the war. It looks from the Union position across the Orange Turnpike (visible in the foreground) and the field up the slope to the woods beyond, which marked the position of General Richard Ewell’s Corps. The Iron Brigade went into action in woods that extended out of view on the left side of the photo. USAMHI

  May 6, 1864

  Hard fighting all day.149 Most of it at & near Parkers Store about 2 miles [away.] The contention is for the Plank Road running to Gordonsville. Our division has been in it today again and been cut up worse than ever. We havent gained or lost ground yet, we hold them and they us. The rumor is that Burnsides [Union General Ambrose Burnside] come this evening with 40,000 men.150

  May 7, 1864

  Hard fighting all day. We start for Fredericsburg [Fredericksburg] at night & those that can walk do & others ride in ambulances & wagons. We march most all night & stop & rest.151

  May 8, 1864 [Spotsylvania Court House Campaign]

  And fine day. Fighting again today. We come to within 2 miles of Fredericsburg, stop & rest. It now being 2 A.M. of the 9th [8th] the rumors is that the rebs have fell back. We hear cheering all along the lines. But it is verry distant.

  May 10, 1864

  And fine day. We stop in the city most of the day. Towards evening they get the bridge laid and all the wounded pile into the wagons & we start for Bell Plane [Belle Plain]. There is communication men now & the teams are to go back to the front loaded. We traveled half the night & camped within 8 miles of the landing.

  May 11, 1864

  And fine day. We rise early, go to Bell Plane [Belle Plain]. Here find the Sanitary Commission making coffee for the wounded. I soon got some & some bread. Had breakfast, lay around all day waiting for my turn to come. But there being always worse wounded so I didnt get of. So I & another fellow from our Co. fixed up a shelter, went to bed. Still raining a little & the wounded still coming on. Many from yesterdays battle which was hard. Evrything is favorable in front. The Rebs have fell back. There is busy times here now getting forage & provisions loaded on the teams for to go to the front.

  May 12, 1864

  And rainy all day. I & my tentmate get breakfast & try several times to get on the boat but always full or something the matter. But at last after noon we got on. Got started up the river. We get dinner on board. Come on up good gait, get opposite Alexandria & boat comes out & hail us to know if we are wounded. Yes. Land here then. So we landed & got off the boat. Ambulance brought us to Union House hospital.

  [Ed. Note: book ends—continues on paper]

  May 13, 1864

  And fine day. My diary being full I have to take a sheet of paper to post up with till I get some money from home which I have sent for today in a letter I wrote to Mother. I also wrote a letter to F.A. Boyanton [Boynton] today & the Co. Also. We have good attendance & my wound is slight. Soon be well. But I don’t like the situation of the Hospital at all. It is right in the City surrounded by the dirty dingy looking buildings. Not even a spear of grass to be seen unless we look across to Potomac into another state. There, there is a good scenery, fine landscape. If the hospital was over there, it would be nice writing in the hospital good enough. But all we can see stirring is a verry few citizens & some negro brats. Few invalid soldiers &c. The streets are not crowded as usual with soldiers.

  Old Grant has them all at the front & evry day there is thousands going to the front. The soldiers that have heretofore been in the Forts around here doing nothing are going to the front now. They will reinforce the army considerable. I have seen to my knowledge as many as 10,000 go down the river. The news from the front is verry cheering. Our forces are still driving the enemy & he had asked for a flag of truce for 48 hours to bury his dead. Grant told him he hadnt time to bury his own dead & that he would advance on him and did advance on them, & drove them.152

  May 14, 1864

  And rather rainy. Little showery enough to cool the air. & the wounded still come, a number of boatloads have passed up the river today. Some have stoped here at this place but most of them go to Washington. The boats go down loaded with troops, provisions & forage & come back loaded with wounded. This has been an awful battle or will be when finished. The Surgeon of our Ward was around wanting to know if we wanted a furlough. If we did, say so & we would be likely to get one. The transportations will be furnished to those wanting it by the Quartermaster.

  May 15, 1864

  And showery, sunshine & showers at intervals, not what you might call a bad day. Things goes on all right. But our diet is light, exceedingly so. My wound is doing well. There is great many troops going to the front. I should think there has been some 5,000 troops gone down to Bell Plane today & so they go evry day.

  The news from the front is cheering. The report is that Secesh Army is completely routed. How true this is I cant say. Time will tell. One thing certain we are whipping them bad. 7,000 prisnors at Bell Plane & most of their dead & wounded. This we know but to say anymore is only guessing. Butler is driving them.153 [General Phil] Sheridan has got into their rear & destroyed the R. Road. & 1,000,000 rations &c. Property to the amount of 10,000,000 dollars & this we know. There is not so many wounded coming up today as usual. There is a number our Generals killed & wounded. Gen [John] Sedgwick killed, Commandant of the 6th Corps. Gen. Warren wounded, Commandant of 5th Corps. Division Commander viz. [Union General James] Wadsworth (our Division Commandant) Rice killed & [William W.] Robinson wounded. On the Rebel side according to their paper, [James] Longstreet & [Confederate cavalry commander J. E. B.] Stuart killed. [General Robert E. ] Lee & [General] A. P. Hill wounded. & a number of their Genrals captured. & also a few of ours. The rebels Bradley [Tyler] Johnson of Frederick, Maryland and Stewart [Confederate General George Hume Steuart] captured.154

  May 16, 1864

  And fine day with little showers occasionally. The troops continue go down but come up. I guess most of the wounded have come up. The news from the front is to the effect that there was no fighting on Friday & Saturday. But evrything was in our favor. The roads were verry muddy caused by the recent rains. They had great deal of it while here there has been little. The roads are in rather bad condition. But the army is well supplied.

  Things went the same as yesterday around the hospital. But today papers don’t say the army is routed but are in force & in strong fortified position & ready to fight. But it is confirmed that they are short of rations and ammunition. Verry bad off for the former. Longstreet is badly wounded. This is confirmed. As also that we have 8,000 Prisnors.

  May 17, 1864

  And rather rainy. Things pretty much the same as yesterday. A few wounded still continue to arrive & pass up to Washington. I see from the papers that there are quite a number of our Regt in the Hospital at this place & Washington.

  May 18, 1864

  And fine day. Things around here the same as yesterday. There are a great many troops going to the front. The news from there is still cheering. Lee is still in force opposing Grant. But Grant is wide awake & I think will give Lee all he wants. Both are fortified. But Grant intends to advance as soon as the roads will permit.155

  My wound is almost healed & I will be able soon to go to the front. And I wont be sorry. I will be glad to get away from here for things don’t suit me. This having dinner at 1 P.M. and supper at 5 P.M. I don’t like. But I can stand it as long as I stay. I want to hear from home first.

  May 19, 1864 [End of Spotsylvania Campaign]

  And fine day. The news from the front is to the effect that Grant attacked Lee pretty vigorously. But with what success is not known. This is the news in the evening papers. We will see in the morning if the morning papers have any official reports. That being the only news that can be depended upon.

  May 20, 1864

  And fine day. The news from the front is favorable. There was some fighting on the 18th & we captured two lines of the enemys brestworks on the right & some 200 Prisnors. But twas not known whether we gained anything particular by it. B
ut we held our own. The boats are running up to Fredericsburg & the Railroad from Acquia Creek [station] to Fredericsburg is running. There was a number of the slightly wounded & those that were well were sent away today. Tis said under Arrest for leaving the field without sufficient cause. But I know that the fellow that was here with me from our Co. B., Bryan, had sufficient cause, but they took him. I was as able to go as he but they didnt see fit to take me.

  May 21, 1864

  And fine day. The news from the front is favorable. They are doing nothing now but a little skirmishing. The Army is well rationed. & all the wounded have been got off the field.156

  Butler has fallen back from besieging Fort Darling & his command captured Brigadier General [William Stephen] Walker (rebel) of Texas.157 So far the loss of Generals has been about equal on both sides. Gen. [William] Sherman has whiped Johnson [Joseph E. Johnston] again at Rome [in Georgia] & captured a few Prisnors & Johnson has fallen back again & Sherman still follows him up like the hunter on the tigers track.158