Our cavelry has cut evry R.Road around Richmond & intend to keep them so. Also the telegraphs. We have a wounded Rebel in our room. He don’t like to hear of them being whipped. But when I told him that Butler had to fall back, there was a great change in his countenance. He is a true Rebel but at the same time pretty smart. He thought to fool me some by appearing ignorant about things. I saw his game & done the same. Then afterward I would tell him all about the place, so that rather beat him. He appeared to know nothing about Vicsburg [Vicksburg, Mississippi, which surrendered to Grant on July 4, 1863] but I got him the same way as before. It rather took him down, so I guess he wont feign ignorance anymore. He can talk pretty well. But he has to give in most of the time. We get along fine. Through all our talk we don’t get angry with each other. Live well together well.
May 22, 1864
And fine day. Things are about the same as yesterday. There has been no fighting the last day or two. There is not so many troops going to the Army now and a few wounded coming up. They are the worst cases that come now. Those that wouldnt bear moving sooner. We have recaptured most of our wounded from the rebs. That is, those that were badly wounded & left in the field Hospitals.
May 23, 1864
And fine day. There is nothing unusual transpired today. There has been no fighting but slight skirmishing. There was several boatloads of wounded come up today. But none for this place. The news appears to be suppressed if there is any.159
May 24, 1864
And fine day till just evening when we had an awful storm of both wind & water, the former being verry hard. The news from the front is that Lee is falling back. That our forces have got as far as 7 miles the other side of Bowling Green, nearly halfway from Fredricsburg to Richmond. I am beginning to look for a letter from home, waiting patiently.
May 25, 1864
And fine day. The news from the front is good. Lee has fallen back to a position between the north & south Ann [Anna] rivers. Our Army capturing about a thousand Prisinors more. There has been a little fighting with their rear guard which is verry strong. There was a large number brought to this hospital tonight of badly wounded. Some verry bad cases. They have been laying at Fredericsburg a number of days and half starved. Some have the fever. They are a heart rending sight. They are as poor as a snake.
May 26, 1864
And fine day. The news from the front is cheering indeed. We have drove the Rebs again. What I spoke of yesterday is confirmed today. The Rebs cant tell what it means. This flanking movement of Grants which he will persist in doing rather beats them. Prisnors that we have taken say that evrything has been removed from Richmond to Columbus, South Carolina. That it is nothing more or less than a mere fortress now. Even Jeff [Confederate President Jefferson Davis] himself has gone to a more genial clime as also his cabinet. They are beginning to be afraid we will capture Richmond.160
The Johny we have in here with us cant see it though. He says we will have harder fighting to do than what we have done yet. Grant is changing his base from Fredericsburg to Port Royal, which is, I believe, 15 or 20 miles below the former place. And he is going to evacuate as soon as the wounded are removed & going to take up the road &c. This I think a wise plan for he will have shorter communications to guard & when he gets down far enough he can change the base to Po [Pamunkey] River or somewhere in that neighborhood.
There was a large number of wounded come into the hospital last night. It is full now. They are awful to behold. The verry worst cases, some with maggots in their wounds. I have turned in to help them or the nurses. We got one new one in our room. That being the only vacant bed. We had a number of ladies in to see us today
May 27, 1864
And fine day. The news from the front is cheering. Our fellows is gaining still & our supplies are going it is said to Port Royal. And evrything is progressing rapidly. I have turned nurse today & will be till I hear from home when I shall leave here for my Regt. But I must if possible hear from home before going. I expect a letter tomorrow. I am waiting with all patience. The fellow that I have to attend to is shot through the ankle. It is a verry bad wound & worse than all he is a perfect baby of a fellow. There is lots of troops going to the front today. There has boat loads gone down. At least 3000.
May 28, 1864
And fine day. Nothing unusual transpired. My patient is verry trublesome. But I put up with it knowing he wouldnt say so if he was well. Our Johny Reb is still with us. His friends still come in to see him, always bringing him something evry time. But he is verry clever. Always divides with us fellows. The news from the front is highly cheering. We still hold our own & a little more. Port Royal is our base for supplies now.
May 29, 1864
And fine day. Evrything is going about the same. I expect to go tomorrow to my Regt or make a start. This being Sunday we have the usual inspection. All is right &c. There is more troops going to the front & some wounded coming up. Our forces have entirely evacuated Fredericsburg and Acquia Creek and Port Royal is the base now.
May 30, 1864
And fine day. Things as usual. I got a memor [memoir] and one book from Henry which I sent for sometime since. It comes in good time for have been writing Diary on note paper.
The report is that our Army has recrossed the North Ann [Anna] River and march down & captured Hanover town on the Paxumakey [Pamunkey] River. This is supposed to flank Lees Army.161
Volume 12
The Petersburg Mine
May 31, 1864 to August 28, 1864
Corpl. Wm R. Ray
Co. F, 7th Rgt., Wis. Vols.
Residence
Cassville, Grant Co., Wisconsin
1st Brigade, 4th division, 5th Corps, Army of Potomac
Enlisted Aug. 29th 1861, Reenlisted Jan 1st 1864
Wounded at Gainesville, Gettysburg & Wilderness
May 31, 1864
I got a pass and went out in the town a couple of hours which I enjoyed much. I got my hair cut & face shaved. But the heat hurts my head verry bad.
June 1, 1864
I don’t get off for my Regt yet but will hail that day with joy. I have a repugnance to nursing. The news from the front is that our corps was within 7 miles of Richmond, had a fight & repulsed the Rebs. Our transports have reached West Point & White House so the supplies will be got to the army without truble. Home of the army is on the same ground as when under [Union General George B.] McClellan. Evrybody seems to think Grant is capable to cope with Lee.
June 2, 1864
And fine day. I have another room to take care of now with 4 patients in it. & I am a regular nurse now, have to come to it. The news from the front is good. Skirmishing evry day.
June 3, 1864
And fine day. I get along well with my new duties. Long for the time to come when I shall go from here. There has been some hard fighting. Our corps being engaged. Our corps lays near Mechanicsville on the left of the army. I see the names of T. C. Alexander [Thomas C. Alexander] & I. C. Raymer [Isaac C. Raemer] among the wounded in the Washington hospital.
June 4, 1864
And fine day. The news from the army is good. I got a letter from Lu today. Minnie Lander wrote a little in it also, by the way reminding me that I hadnt answered her last letter. So I set down & answered it. This being Saturday I will have to scrub up the floor &c preparatory for tomorrows inspection. The Johny Reb that was with us went to the Prisnors hospital at Washington today. We were verry intimate friends. He being a good clever fellow. His visitors came and to see him but he being gone so they gave us the cakes, berries &c that they brought.
June 5, 1864
And fine day. Nothing unusual transpires. We have the usual inspection. I have another room with 4 patients to take care of.
June 6, 1864
And fine day. Some more wounded come in but none to my rooms. The news is rather cheering. But not so much so as heretofore for we don’t gain so much. Those that come in today came for the White House landing being wounded on the 3rd inst
there being a hard battle that day [Cold Harbor]. But not much since beyond skirmish.162
June 7, 1864
And fine day. The news from the front is that we are within 40 yards in some places of their brestworks & slight skirmishing going on all the while. There was a large number come into this hospital late this evening from the Battlefield of the 3rd [at Cold Harbor]. I got 2 verry bad cases in my room. There is one that will die I think. His thigh is badly fractured near his body. The other is flesh wound. They are both helpless. Oh, but I have hard work now. I have 6 helpless men & 2 that can help themselves some & they being in two different rooms makes it worse. I long to go to my Regt for I don’t like the buisness but the Doctor cant spare me at present, he says.
June 8, 1864
And fine day Hard work verry & bad work. The man that has his thigh broke, I had to clean. His wound was teeming with maggots & they were half over his body having eaten holes right into his flesh. The stench was awful. But I rolled up my sleeves & went at it. Used turpentine pretty free. I soon had him clean. Twas an awful stinking job. I soon got the poor fellow comfortable as he could be made. The Doctors don’t do anything for him but give him stimulants. I guess they think his case is hopeless. He wants me to write to his wife which I shall do as soon as possible.
June 9, 1864
And fine day till towards night when there was a light shower. Things went on all right today. I had a pretty hard days work to day. I wrote a letter today for the fellow I spoke of yesterday. His name is Farrell of the 28th Massachusetts.163 He is verry low. The Doctors I think have left him to die for amputation would be sure death. I wrote her just how he was. Thought it wouldnt be right to do otherwise. There was more wounded come today. But none to this hospital.
June 10, 1864
And fine day & hard work. The old man is still alive. But failing fast. The wounded continue to come in. There was a few come in to this hospital. But I got none. The news from the front is devoid of interest. Slight skirmishing continues and still fortifying.
June 11, 1864
And fine day. This morning at 4 oclock I was awok by the night watch to get up & take out the old gentleman to the dead house & prepare him for the undertakers. I with 3 other nurses soon did it. So goes another soul, a sacrifice to the cause we so much cherish.
June 13, 1864
I get a pass today to go to Washington for my pay & did so. But when I arrived and enquired for it they wanted to see my certificate from the surgeon in charge of the hospital I was in. But this I forgot to get. Therefore, I could show nothing as evidence that I hadnt been paid at hospital so my errand was fruitless in that way. A Co. K fellow of our Regt went over with me & he was in same fix. So after running around the streets a while we steered for the Smithsonian Institute, which we reached in due time. After taking a rest under one of the many large & pretty shade trees that beautify large lawn around the spacious building, we enter. On the right hand side of the door there is a large book on a stand in which the placard above it invites us to register our names &c which we done & went on gazing around for couple of hours & still didnt get done looking. But the shades of evening were coming on so we leave the place feeling well satisfied with our trip & wind our way toward the Ferryboat dock which we reach in time to be just a little to late. Then we had to wait 2 hours till when it returned. When we got aboard & soon started for Alexandria which we reached in course of ¾ hours & come to hospital, it now being nearly dark. I will make another try for pay in a few days.
The 2nd Wis came in to Washington today. Their time is out. There is about 100 privates & a few officers. I saw several of my friends. They were gay and happy fellows & I don’t begrudge them their happiness. God speed them is my prayer.
June 15, 1864
And fine day. I got another pass for Washington. I went over and got my pay. There was some 40 cents stoppage against me for little things I lost. I went to the Treasury to draw my money & went around through the building looking at the different Departments. Found it far superior to anything I ever saw and a great deal larger & from there I went to the Patent office, looked at the different things till I got tired & returned on the 6 P.M. boat. Found things all right.
June 17, 1864
The news from the front is cheering. Grant has crossed the James River south of Richmond & thumping away at Petersburg. Rumored that they took it.164
June 18, 1864
And fine day. All is right. The news is that Smiths Corps took Petersburg yesterday morning. But the Official Dispatches don’t confirm it. It rather puzzles the Rebs to make out what Grant is doing, he having flanked him again. This move across the river shows a masterly man has got hold of the Boys & they think so too. How I would like to be with them now.165
June 19, 1864
Things as usual. The news front is that we have the outer works of Petersburg only 1 mile from the city. The city could be bumed anytime now. Grant rather surprised Lee this time. But not quite enough to get the strong works. Petersburg is only second in importance to Richmond to the Rebs in VA.
June 20, 1864
And fine day. I got a pass today & went to Battery Rodgers at the lower one of the City and visited Richard Calvert. He is a member of the first Battalion Wis. Heavy Artillery [Company A, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery]. They have a nice camp and well situated in every respect. He is coming up to see me soon if I stay here. I had a good companion out with me today. We had a good [time] & at night went out to the Theatre. Had a pretty one. 25 cents admission fee. I also saw Sergt Enlaw of Co C. [Oscar W. Enloe], my Regt. He is just returning to the Army from home on recruiting service. He having been home since last November. Twas 11 P.M. when I got to bed. I got my photo taken today. [It is likely that this photograph is the one appearing as the frontis in this book.] Got 1 doz which cost $3.00.
The news from the front is that there has been another hard Battle. Our forces are still confronting the Rebs & confident of Final success. They are represented as being in the Best of Spirits which I don’t doubt in the least.
June 21, 1864
And fine day. I am at work still. I spoke to the Doct again this morning about sending me to my Co. & he promised to send me tomorrow morning. But I hope not too early for Richard Calvert will be up this forenoon & I want to see him ere I go.
June 22, 1864
And fine day. I do up the morning work & quit work, prepare to go out on pass, but the Doct being so busy amputating a leg &c that he couldnt sign it so I went out without it. Went on an old one. But didnt have occasion to use it. Richard came up about 10 A.M. and we went up to see Charly Chipman [Charles F. Chipman]166 one of my Co. Found him doing well. He will be apt to loose the use of his arm. & after talking over things &c we returned to hospital & got dinner, taking my friend down to dinner with me. After dinner I was called on to go so I got on knapsack &c and started. Dick went with me to the Provost Marshalls & after shaking hands &c we parted though much to our dislike. I think a great deal of Dick. He is a fine fellow. He sent his love to his brother & best respects to the Co &c. Well they put me in with a lot of fellows that had been Courtmartialed & bounty jumpers &c. Bad company. But at 3 P.M. the ambulances come & we go to Camp Distribution. Reach here about 4 P.M. and after going through the routine characteristic to entering the camp we were assigned our Barracks, each corps by itself. I was put in No. 36 Barracks. Here I met with Webster [Mathias Weber], cook of our Co.167 Verry glad was I to see some of the Co go to the Regt with me. He has been to the Germantown Hospital. He says it is a bully place. I know it was when I was there.
June 23, 1864
And fine day. We ly around the Barracks all day &c. There is a squad detached to work evry day. But I didnt come on. This is a verry warm day. I went down & got my hair cut again. Was too warm with so much on my head & then went & got the Shoemaker to halfsole my shoes & I calculated to go to the field well fixed.
June 24, 1864
And fine day but verry warm, exceedingly so. We lay a
round the same as yesterday & as we may expect to do until sent away. I took my pants to the Tailorers to get the stripes put on to be done in the evening. But when I went after them she had just returned from Washington. She having been over to see her brother, he being wounded and in the Hospital. So she had done nothing to them. But am to go tomorrow morning. I wrote a letter to Henry today, sent him my photograph. We have rather poor rations here. They are cooked and we go to the dining room & eat. I buy milk morning & evening.
The news from the front is without interest. Nothing but skirmishing at times. We hold our own and gain a new position on some part of the line most evry day.168
June 25, 1864
And fine day & things about the same as yesterday. The news about the same except that Sherman has captured Lookout Mountain [in Tennessee] & 1000 Prisnors & 12 cannon from which place he could count the houses in Marielle. But afterwards abandoned it.169
Four Years With the Iron Brigade Page 39