Thursday, June 25, 1863. "Dont worry about me but think me all right and be happy."

On the 25th  the pickets on duty were called in. Colonel Veazey called his officer and non-commissioned officers together and assured them that they might soon expect to meet the enemy in battle, and gave them good advice and instructions. At 3 o'clock of that day, the regiment started on its march, joining the great tide of the Army of the Potomac, which was moving northward to intercept the enemy in its advance on Washington, Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia. ~Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

"Union Mills June 25th 1863

"Dear Lettie

"We are all packed and just on another start and have just time to write a word. The last I wrote you a note we were just on a start to guard a Ford on Cedar Run Mill. We just as I said started until last night when we had orders to withdraw our picket and report to this place at once which we did arriving about half past one o'clock this morning. I traveled some 20 miles yesterday and last night and feel first rate today better fitted for another march than so I had lazed in camp until now. 

"It is now most noon and I have working just as hard as I can jump every since morning getting ready. Have given up all my stuff except a shirt pair stockings blanket and a few other things.

"We have been transferred to the Army of Potomac 1st Corps under command of Genl. Reynolds. The whole brigade goes and we expect a lively campaign but it will be short less than a month. It is expected we march to Leesburg at once. We are only waiting for 12th & 13th to come up from the Shoals.

"I shall write often as I can but you must not expect many when on such marches. I feel first rate had as well go there as any where for a short time. I dont think there is much doubt but what we shall have fun soon. 

"Geo has got better and is going to Alexandria with some Express boxes today and follow us tomorrow or next day. Read your kind letter of the 18th inst. this morning when I arrived in camp which I read with much pleasure before retiring. I have no time to notice its contents.

"Dont worry about me but think me all right and be happy. Be at home soon now if nothing happens. I shall think of you every minute and love you always. Let me hug and kiss you again and again as I bid you good bye my darling one.

"Affectionately Elmer" ~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment, Letter of June 25, 1863

"Union Mills, Virginia, June 25, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"We are packing up our things, preparing to move by noon. We have been transferred to the first corps even to the 12th. The other regiments are ordered to report here this morning though their have none of them arrived here yet. Last night at half past nine about half of the regiment was down on the Occoquan River eight miles from here, and by 12:30 we had got into camp, good for another day, though I think that my feet will get a drink of whiskey before we start, as I find that it keeps the feet from chafing and getting sore as they sometimes do.

"We have lightened our packs all they will let us but would like to send off our dress coats, but they won't let us. Mine is good yet, worth at least five dollars, and I don't want to throw it away, so I see no way but to carry it. I am going to put in $10 and run the risk of its going through. I do not think we will go further than Centerville today, and would not be surprised if we did not start before tomorrow. 

"I am glad we came from the Occoquan last night rather than wait till this morning. We went out there day before yesterday, caught three Reb cavalrymen and three horses. One of the men was a Lieutenant and one a Sergeant and they had come home to visit their friends and got nabbed. They were smart, intelligent men... I suppose we are going up toward Leesburg, but do not know." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 25, 1863

"Camp near Union Mills, VA June 25th, 1863

"My Dear Wife,


"Since I last wrote I have recovered my usual health. Tuesday I took half of the regiment and marched 7 miles to Spriggs Ford on the Occoquan and did picket duty capturing three prisoners of the 15th Virginia Cavalry. Last night at 7 o’clock I received orders to call in my pickets and return to Union Mills. I did so arriving here about 1 a.m., this morning. Today the whole brigade started with 10 days rations towards the Potomac in the direction of Leesburgh, to join Reynold’s Corps. It is likely that we shall see active service soon.

'There is nothing else of special interest. My letters for the present must be brief. Love to all - Your loving husband - Charles." "~ Lt. Col.Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters June 15, 1863. VHS.

"Thurs. June 25, 1863. Marched to Coppels Mills this P.M." ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

Saturday, June 20, 1863. Scorched earth. The 12th is ordered to join the 14th at Wolf Run Shoals.

"Union Mills, Virginia, June 20, 1863

"Dear Parents: We have been having some rain- am glad of it, to lay the dust for a while, and where the dust flies like snow in a regular March tornado, that is no small favor. Besides, it is cooler now. Day before yesterday it was 108 degrees in the shade. ...

"... The old brigade is not more than 8 or 10 miles from us now. They stayed nearer than that one night and a good many of the boys went over there to see them and some of them came over to see us. ... There are no troops now between us and Richmond now, unless they be Rebel troops. All have either fallen back or gone to Maryland. ... 

"I cannot believe that Lee is foolhardy enough to take his whole army or the greater portion of it north of the Potomac. If he does, I am afraid that he will never get back again without getting it all cut to pieces. We expect that a heavy force from Hooker's army has gone up to meet them there; while another good part of it remains within the defenses of Washington ready for any emergency.
"As the army fell back this time, it did what ought to have been done long ago, viz: cleaned out the country as they came along. I do not suppose that every house is burned, but they have purified a good many Sesesh kennels and left the inhabitants thereof to go either north or south as they felt inclined, though it is more than probable that most of them chose to go beyond the Rebel lines.For several days we could see immense clouds of smoke looming up from the direction of the Rappahannock, but hardly knew what to make of it. 

"At last we learned that the cavalry were cleaning out the country as they came along. At Bealton they burned all the station buildings and at Catlett did the same thing, but at Warrenton Junction they did not burn a single thing for the simple reason that there is nothing there that will burn. Neither is there at Manassas, except the water tank, and at Bristow there is nothing left worth burning, for we used up the buildings pretty much for shanties to live in. ..." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 20, 1863


Saturday 20th. Home to Camp about 10 o'clock. Day lowery & but with only an occasional shower. Report says we are to remove to the "Graveyard", to-morrow at 6 A.M. Alas! Alas!" ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 132, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 20. We are once more in a new camp, and to-day the regiment is busily engaged in pitching tents. Another member of Company B, by the name of Caleb Fisk, died last night." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 130 (1864).

Caleb P. Fisk
(1837-1863)
died June 19, 1863 at Wolf Run Shoals

Tuesday, June 16, 1863. The Second Brigade are now the the rear Guard of Hooker's Army

"June 16th, Morning: It bids fair to be another scorching hot day just such as we are in the habit of having at the present time. We have to start at 5:30, and that does not leave much time for writing or anything else. We have just packed up our overcoats in a box to send to Alexandria to stay until we come home. We do not need then now! And we do not want to lug them in case we have to march anywhere." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 15, 1863

Joseph Spafford

"Camp at Union Mills Va.

"June 16th 1863

"Dear Sister,

"Yesterday was extremely hot, and as we have had no rain for several weeks you can have something of an idea what a dust a train of baggage wagons, Artillery, Cav. &c. would kick up in our camp, if they were moving through it all the time. Since yesterday noon there has been an almost continual train passing directly through our camp, so we have had dust for breadfast, dust for dinner, & dust for supper. Trains were passing nearly all night and are still going to day. They are most of them going in the direction of Centerville.

"Many soldiers were sun struck yesterday while on the march; old soldiers passing through here say it was about as bad a day as they ever saw, for a march. To day is quite cool & comfortable. I think they must have had thunder storms somewhere about us during the night. I wish we might get enough to lay the dust, here.

"I understand that the 15th Regt. are all together at Manassas Junction & are coming back here to day. Geo. is with them yet, did not come back yesterday.

"Our Co. is all on picket to day. Every man of them, it was not Capts. or my turn to go so we are stoping in camp, the Co. will not be back until day after tomorrow. Our boys are all well and feeling well; the same with myself. I never felt better during the hot weather." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, June 15, 1863 (uvm)

At Occuquan:

"June 16. We move our camp about a hundred rods, thinking it to be healthier. All carry their bunks to the new place. We have seen several officers from the army of the Potomac.

"Evening. Here, squads of ten or fifteen are gathered around some old soldier telling his tales of blood, or where he thinks the enemy are; there are many sitting on the ground, talking, laughing, singing, and some are smoking." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

At Wolf Run
". . . For the last three days and nights there has been a continual stream of soldiers waggon trains and Artillery trains passing. They are Hookers big army leaving the Rappahannock. Where they are going I do not know but I have fears that Lee is trying to get his army into Maryland and Penn. and that Hooker comes across this way to defeat him if he can / The men said that their waggon train was over 50 miles long anyway it was 3 days and nights passing "
". . . We expect to start for home 4 weeks from to day to go by water from Alexandria to New Haven Conn. The Regiment are being inspected to day by one of Gen. Stannards Aids. We have a good many inspections reviews &c. but I cant see as they do much towards putting down Rebellion It is now six weeks since there has been a drop of rain here. Most of the time the weather is very warm . . ." Letter from corporal Charles. E. Mead, 14th Regiment , Company G [KIA July 3, 1863]

At Catlett's:

"16th. The 6th A. C. is at the station. Brigade is doing well. The 15th are the rear Guard of Hooker's Army." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

Monday, June 15, 1863. "...if Lee's whole army were in sight, he would keep on drilling."

"Monday 15th.  Rumors & then positive knowledge that "Hooker's" whole army is coming in this direction. Before night, several corps have been heard of directly, either this side of M. Junction or even across Bull Run, near Centreville." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 127, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"The 14th, 15th and i6th were very warm days, roads dry and full of dust, great clouds appeared wherever troops were on the march.The 6th corps, in which was the old Vermont brigade, crossed the Occoquan at the ford near our old camp ground at Wolf Run Shoals. An army of 100,000 could not all pass on a single road and hence occupied all the roads from Fredericksburg north between the Potomac and Bull Run and Manassas Junction. The diaries of Peter J. Dewey and John Brough say "General Hooker and staff passed our camp on the 15th of June.''

"The old Vermont brigade bivouacked for the night, June 15th at Fairfax Station. Some of our regiment who were at Fairfax Station reported meeting a few they knew, and they made inquiries about friends in our regiment and brigade. We were on this day ordered to take down A tents and load them to be hauled to Alexandria and use instead fly tents. Everything foreshadowed that we had marching orders and would soon follow..."~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 173 (1910)

"Union Mills, Virginia June 15, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"We came back from Bristows as We expected, and are now here with the 12th. The weather is excessively warm, 114 by this thermometer hanging against the tent. We have to get up at 4:30 in the morning, a half hour earlier than usual, but I don't think that will hurt us any. 

"You wonder that they put us on a new drill when our time was so nearly out. Well perhaps you don't imagine that our colonel wants to make a big show when we get to Brattleboro. In fact the only great fault we have to find with him is that he does not know when men have drilled enough. Indeed it was remarked here today that if Lee's whole army were in sight, he would keep on drilling.

"There is a great movement going on among the troops composing Hooker's Army. The report is that Lee crossed the Rappahannock above Hooker's army and was making off up the Shenandoah Valley. ... The trains of the 1st Army Corps passed by our camp today. It is said that they will reach five miles to stand in a row just as close together as they can. 

"We hear tonight that the 15th has been ordered back here again and I have no doubt that this is true, and they would not be likely to leave a single regiment out there while the whole Rebel army is on the wing." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 15, 1863

"Camp at Union Mills Va.June 15th 1863

"Hooker’s Army is all around us at Manassas, Centerville, &c. ... From the hill where we are encamped we can look over the river (Bull Run) to Manassas & beyond and see nothing but a cloud of dust in all directions, caused by the moving of troops; it has been so ever since yesterday noon. 

"To day is an extremely hot day, not a bit of air stiring & the sun scalds down awfuly. The nights are cool, so we get along quite comfortably through the day.

" ... We hear all sorts of absurd rumors every five minutes. Lee, close by, Stuart Cav. in sight &c. &c. but we have learned to beleive nothing, & care for nothing, that we do not see, or that does not concern us personally. We’ll come out all right in the end." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, June 15, 1863 (uvm)




"Union Mills - June 15, 1863

"My Dear Wife:

"Your letter announcing your determination to visit Boston was duly received last Thursday, and I should have answered it sooner, but we came from Catlett’s that day and I had my tent to pitch, horses to see to etc., the next day I went on picket for two days, and yesterday I was too tired and sleepy to write. ...

"Last night the 11th Army Corps Gen. Howard commanding, moved to Centerville, only three or four miles from us. It is about 20,000 strong. Other movements are in progress but we do not yet know what. Our picket line on Bull Run, 7 miles long, has recently and is now being strengthened with trees felled from this side into the river forming an abatis almost impenetrable...

"The banks of Bull Run are covered with laurel which is now in full blossom. It is the same species as grows in Brattleboro, but it grows here with great luxuriance, some of it being 20 to 30 feet high. It is a great curiosity to our soldiers, for the laurel does not grow in Vermont more than ten or a dozen miles north of Brattleboro. All vegetation grows here with a rankness and luxuriance not know to the north, and wood ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, flies, spiders and the like bite with tenfold frequency and power than there. ...


"I am looking forward with delightful anticipation when I can see you and our dear children again. How I long to fold you all in my arms, yet I do not often allow my mind to dwell on such thoughts. They will come constantly and unbidden, but I should get homesick should I cherish them. Time flies rapidly and the few remaining days will pass away. 

"The 12th goes home the 4th of July, the 13th the 10th and the others the last of the month. It is now the middle of June and in less than six weeks our time will be out. After all this is a matter of regret. It is not right that a regiment so will drilled and disciplined as the 16th should, just as the men have become capable of rending their country efficient service, leave that service and this whole process of work, labor, toil and anxiety be gone through with to fit another set of men to take there place. ...."~ Lt. Col.Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters June 15, 1863. VHS.

Sunday, June 14, 1863. The Army of the Potomac passes slowly back through the lines of the Second Vt. Brigade.

"The van of General Hooker's great army arrives on the 14th and crosses the Occoquan on a pontoon bridge laid across at Occoquan Village near our camp. We assist in laying the bridge and then for a number of days sit on the bank and watch the moving army, infantry, cavalry and artillery, a whole army corps cross here ...." ~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 173 (1910).

"...the whole Army of the Potomac is falling back. 180 pieces of artillery stayed at Wolf Shoals last night [the 14th] and where we are we could see infantry, artillery and cavalry streaming off toward Centerville. Whether they stay there or go somewhere else I do not know. The army is confident of not having another Bull Run defeat in case of a collision here, though I believe Lee means Maryland more than he does Bull Run." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 15, 1863

"Sunday 14th. Inspection of Guns & Equipments in A.M. Church in P.M. Weather pretty hot." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 127, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

June 5, 1863. Fresh stawberries and woolens

“Bristow Station, Virginia June 5, 1863

“Dear Parents:

“You wonder if I will spend my birthday in chasing after "Rebels" or be a prisoner among them, etc. Well, I was on guard about camp yesterday, and my post was up on the Lookout, so nice I felt nearer Heaven than militarism will ever carry anybody. I employed myself with a spyglass on viewing the surrounding country not a very hard task surely. The weather has not been so boiling scorching hot for a few days...although it is plenty warm enough now. We have very decent water here, though not near so good as at Union Mills, where the county is very uneven.

"...Moses and Alfred have gone out on picket tonight so I am alone. … We are quite comfortable here in our shanty which we built so the air could circulate out through and under it.

“Four long trains of cars have just gone by laden with forage and they say that the entire 5th army corps is at Bealton. I should not think that the army of the Potomac would lie idle and let the present good weather pass by unimproved. The roads are just as hard as stone but there is no pleasure riding done on them, save what is done by the soldiers. No citizen dare trust himself away from home unless he has urgent business and can prove himself above suspicion.

“I saw a small box of strawberries today, containing perhaps a quart. The berries were as big as your thumb, red and ripe. They certainly looked nice. I would not have had the least objection to buying them myself, but no matter, Uncle Sam's cookies (hard tacks) would sustain life longer and probably cost less.

“I understand that Sam Pinney has gone back to his regiment again, having been reported as a deserter by his captain. Moses saw Eugene Bellow in the cavalry the other day. He said that he looked dirty and hard and his horse likewise. They have got some noble horses in the Vt. cavalry, and they look very much better now than they did last winter, and the cavalry boys themselves say that winter almost kills their horses.

“… Speaking of woolen clothes and warm weather! We do not wear a great amount of woolen this warm weather only a shirt and pants, except when on guard or dress parade, and you will see lots of them out barefoot, sporting around like so many school boys. Drawers and undershirts have long ago been thrown away or sent to Alexandria for storage, and overcoats would go too if they would let us send them, for nobody likes to carry any more than he is obliged to. I have not yet taken the lining out of my blanket but if we have to march for a single day, I shall use my pocket knife on it, though if we don't have to travel any distance, I shall bring it home entire. H.G. Day” ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of June 5, 1863


"Friday 5th Had a glorious sleep last night. Drills as usual to-day. Weather warm, but not so hot by any means as at Bristow Station. Camp duty does not come very hard & we enjoy ourselves." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 126, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

Sunday, May 31, 1863. There is just excitement enough to keep us feeling good.

"The General's wife came to-day on the evening train. She is one of the boys, now I tell ye!" ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

E. D. Keyes,
Captain Co. H
Sixteenth Vermont

"Camp near Bristow Station Va.
"May 31st

"Dear Father:

Thinking that you might be anxious to hear a word from me I now seat myself to pen a few lines for you perusal. I am in the best of health and enjoying life finely. You see since I wrote you last we have changed our camp to this place distance about 10 miles from Union Mills and about 20 from the Rappahannock. 

"Two Companies are at Manassas Junct. 3 at this place and 3 at Catletts Station 6 miles beyond here all on the Alexandria & Orange R.R. Our business is to guard the road from guerrillas &c which are very plenty here- nearly all the citizens that remain are secessionist of the deepest dye. They work in their fields in the day time as honest as you please and nights the cut up all the deviltry they can with the Union boys. We boys all of us ache with vengeance & revenge and would like very much to clear them out and burn their buildings but this the Government prohibits. 

"Yesterday forenoon a train of 12 cars loaded with forage went up and when about a mile and a half from Catletts Station a citizen was noticed standing directly upon the track and he stood there until the engine got near when he jumped up taking the rails from the track with him thus running the engine off when they (the Rebs) commenced shelling the engine & train from a musket battery in the woods. They fired 5 or 6 shots and then put for the train which they fired, took what they could and skedaddled pretty lively you better guess. The whole train was burned with the exception of one car. There was a guard on the train but too small to do any good only 15 in number.

"Our Companies fell in pretty quick when we heard the firing but we were too far off to do any good. The Vt. Cavalry and some Michigan Cavalry was about 5 miles from there and immediately came and followed. Have not heard the final result yet --heard that they overtook them captured their guns killed about 20 and took as many men prisoners. Our loss was less. 

"This morning about half past three a ball went whizzing directly over our camp and the way we tumbled out of our bunks into line was a caution I tell you. We saw nothing, all was quiet then some think it came from the picket lines. We all enjoy this life first rate as there is just excitement enough to keep us feeling good. We may stay here a month and not see a Reb and we may be attacked within an hour.

"Our Co goes out on a scouting trip most every day where we get milk Butter Eggs and lots of stuff which is a rarity to us soldiers. We have been here almost a week and the weather has been beautiful, neither too hot nor too cold, just right. I suppose seven weeks more will see us home. We may start in six. Many have thought we should return in June but I guess the idea is given up now. I hope we shall stay until July, for we are having the pleasantest part of our campaign now. It is very dry now what was mud knee deep two months ago is now hard as stone almost. 

"I take it you are well at home as I hear nothing to the contrary. Suppose you are very busy now planting are you not. I want to see you all ever so much but I shall soon be there time passes very rapidly here the shortest 8 months I ever knew. If I live to get home I believe I shall try it again. I certainly would if it was not for Lorette. She doesn't want I should come again. I think those that stay at home and think of it have the worst of it. 

"Give my love to Mother (how odd the name) and tell her I want to see her ever & ever so much and some of her barley cakes too. Tell her Capt. Atchinson has been here. I got acquainted with him, stayed with me one night like to talked me to death. He seemed to know everybody and everybody's business. I liked him well enough. 

"Wallace is well. We boys took an old hand car and went way up the R.R. and tore down an old house and made us summer houses nice for soldiers or kings. I must close. 

"Good Bye. Elmer" ~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment, Letter of May 31, 1863


"Sunday morning, May 31, 1863: Yesterday the Rebs attacked and burned a train two or three miles below us. They planted a gun on a knoll a little way from the road and when the train came along they poured the shells into them disabling the engine and burning the cars - 10 or 12 in number. There was no one killed, but a few hurt by jumping off the train. The guards are like sheep. They say they were from the 15th. 

"Our Cavalry took after the Rebs, caught them, captured two guns, took some 20 prisoners, and killed some 20 more as near as we can learn. A train has just gone up to repair the road, taking with them at least half the regiment as guards, -- always lock the stable after the horse is stolen, you know. The whole value of the train that was burned is estimated at $50,000. Whether Mosely's gang is chastised enough to pay the expense remains to be seen. Mosely is smart on his raid business but lately he has been getting some hard knocks from the 1st Vt., 1st Va. and 5th NY Cavalry. 

"Just before we left Union Mills we saw two of his men who assisted in capturing West and Ashley, themselves prisoners in the guard house. 

"By the way I saw a piece in the Journal which would lead one to think that the 12th had had a part in the late cavalry fight at Warrenton Junction. Such was not the case. The only men of the 12th that saw the Rebs that day were two or three whom they caught away from camp, and but for whom Mosely would have run slap against the 12th and most probably got cut up some. ... I must close and leave the rest until the next time. H. G. Day"   ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 30, 1863

Saturday, May 30, 1863. Mosby burns a supply train

Boxes of Oranges and Candy,

 a Howitzer, 

and a Daring Yankee – 

Mosby’s Raid on Catlett’s Station

"Bristow Station, Virginia May 30, 1863

"Dear Parents: When we are moving about the time flies away so rapidly that we can scarcely keep track of the rapidly flying weeks. Nine months ago yesterday - August 29th- we went to Ludlow and organized our company. Therefore according to law and order our time was out yesterday, but it seems we must stay a while longer. Well we are good for it. If we don't see any harder times than we have seen thus far. 

"Immediately after arriving here we went to work to get us some boards and build us some first class summer houses. Indeed we have got the best quarters now that we have ever had, considering the season of the year, though they would not be so good for winter use. The table that our cooks use for giving out rations etc. was once the counter to an old store, and there is one or two shanties built entirely of green window blinds and several composed of good panel doors, painted and grained, which makes them all the better for soldiers' use. 

"We do not expect to stay here more than a fortnight anyhow. We will then either go back to Union Mills or else got to Occoquan where the 13th now is. They say that 'tis a splendid country down there so that if we do have to march down we will get partly paid for our travel. The grass is up now about as high as it usually is in Vt. at the 20th of June or 1st of July, and the clover has been in blossom this long time.

"Give my thanks to Dr. Scott for a copy of the Bellows Falls Times sent to me, and tell little Charlie that the "drummers" are out now trying to learn to drum as well as he can. ... 

"Uncle Joe is at Catlett with his company. You will remember that Popes wagon Train was surprised and burned there last August by Stuarts Cavalry and many of his papers captured. Companies E, H, C, and D and F are here and B, I, and N, at Catlett, and A and G at Manassas Junction." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 30, 1863


While private Day is at Bristoe writing home, a unit of the 15th Vt. is detailed to guard a supply train carrying forage to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock:

"On the 30th of May a supply train of ten cars loaded with forage for the cavalry at Rappahannock Station left Alexandria. At Union Mills it took on a train guard of twenty-five men, detailed from the Fifteenth regiment under command of Lieutenant Hartshorn of company E of that regiment. Chaplain Brastow of the Twelfth accompanied the train as a passenger.

 "In the neighborhood of Catlett's Station, Major Mosby, with 50 or 60 men, was lying in wait for the train. He had obtained from General Stuart a mountain howitzer to assist his operations against the railroad trains, and, proud as a boy with a new top, he took it to a favorable spot, put it in position behind a screen of bushes about a hundred yards from the track, removed a rail sufficiently to derail the train, and taking his men under cover, awaited the train. It approached at a good rate of speed, ran off from the track and came to a halt. Mosby's first shell crashed through a car.

"His second shot went through the boiler of the locomotive. The engineer, train-men and guard waited for no more; the latter fired a few shots, one of which killed one of Mosby's horses; and springing from the cars, made their escape into the woods near by. Mosby's men at once surrounded the train, pillaged a car loaded with sutlers' supplies, and setting fire to the hay in the rest, destroyed the train and started back for the mountains."

 ~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 436-37 (Burlington Vt 1888).

Lt. Col Cummings at Catlett's Station heard the firing and saw the train burn:

 I heard the firing, saw the train burn, at late the smoke and suspected mischief, but as my duties were here I could not go away and going could have done no good. If the rebs had come this way they would have met wit a warm reception. With 25 men I could have charged upon the gun and captured it and all the men who did not run. Mosby is a darling brave fellow indeed

~ Charles Cummings, letter of June 1, 1863 

The news spread to the 13th:

"Captain Thatcher returned on the 30th from Union Mills where he had been attending a court martial hearing, and reported that the Rebel guerilla Mosby with a large force had captured a supply train at Catletts Station about fifteen miles south of Fairfax Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, consisting of ten cars of forage, a quantity of soft bread and Sutler's supplies had taken what they wanted and destroyed the rest, and were on their way east and might be expected at our camp any hour, and he had hastened back to camp to bring the news.

~ Pictorial History of the 13t, Regt. 169

Back at Union Mills, Pvt. Barlow celebrates a birthday and at Occoquan Lt. Palmer experiences a peaceful night:

"Saturday May 30th 1863. My Birthday & the first one I have ever spent away from home. To-day completes my 21st year & brings me to my majority. Five weeks more, if my life is spared, & I hope to see Parents, friends & home. Tho' not especially tired or weary of my service, yet it is not a congenial one, by any means, & there is joy in the thought of home, sweet home. As we were all here, yesterday & I feared some one might be away to-day, I procured a few things in the eatable line, to answer for my birthday. Drills as usual to-day. Charles Thacher still quite sick. Cleaned my gun in P.M." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 123-4, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"May 30. On pickets. The night is really splendid. The blue bay of Occoquan, many feet below us, gives back the shining moon and stars, the air not uncomfortable hot, and just wind enough to stir the luxuriant foliage of oaks near our post. Then there is the noise of the river to the right of us, (here it empties itself into the bay,) dashing against huge rocks; of the whippoorwill, singing its own name, by turns, all night, and often imitated by the soldiers; and of yelping curs, and now and then, loud baying, barking blood-hounds, disturbed in their kennels."  ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

Monday, May 25, 1863. A break in the heat. Rumors

"Camp Union Mills, Va.

May 25th 1863

Absent Brother Seth,

. . . Seth, I can’t write much this time for we have just got marching orders with 3 days rations. I don’t know where we are going. You know that soldiers don’t no anything till we see it ourselves and then we ain’t certain of it." ~ Nathan Albert  Bishp, pvt.Co. I, 16th Regiment letter in Spared and Shared

"25th. Looks very much like rain. Blowed up all night." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

"Monday 25th. Off duty this A.M. Drilled two hours in P.M. Day comparatively cold. Great change in the weather, but only a sprinkle instead of rain." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow(UVM), 122, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

."May 25: I was interrupted yesterday forenoon by the boys coming in to see us, and we had beans for dinner and I was as sick as a horse in the afternoon. whether it was the beans, warm weather, or something else that made me so, or beans and hot weather combined, I don't know. However, I am feeling a great deal better today and will probably be as well as ever in a day or two. The thermometer has stood 90 and 92 in the shade for several days, but it is cloudy today and somewhat cooler. I believe the Plymouth boys are all as well as usual now. There is not much sickness in camp now except someone who has a sort of temporary trip like mine yesterday. 

"We have heard that those two boys of ours who were captured at Bristow have had charges preferred against them by Major General Heintzelman for signing their parole papers. We hope that the authorities in Washington will not be too severe with them. ...

"It is rumored that we are going down on the RR to relieve the 12th day after tomorrow. Bristow is a pleasant place and I had as least be there as here, or if we should happen to land in Manassas or Catlett. There is a good place to stay at either place, and we are perfectly willing to take a car ride and have our knapsacks carried. Besides, we may catch sight of a real live wild Reb once in a while, though we will not be likely to see any considerable force of them. 

"But dinner pork and boiled potatoes is ready and I must go down to the cook house and get my potatoes, though it has got too hot to eat much pork. H.G. Day" ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 25, 1863

Sunday, May 24, 1863. Summer schedule. Inspection; drill; parade; review.

"24th. Hot and muggy.".  ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

"Union Mills, Virginia, May 24, 1863

"Dear Parents, Another uneventful week....two months ago today we came here, hardly expecting to remain nearly so long, but now all is quiet and we have made up our minds that we have got to stay where we are for the present or until we get ready to start for Vermont, and we are not certain how soon that will be. 

"The colonel was rather cross this morning on inspection. The Regt. did not march to suit him. We have never been drilled on slow time at all, and come to put us to marching slow time we made bad work of it. But try us on quick or double quick time and the 16th can't be beat! I presume we will be reviewed by the General and staff before long.

"The weather is now decidedly hot here, and has been so for some time. 

"We get up at 5:00, do police duty immediately after, eat breakfast at 5:30, and go on company drill at 6:00, come in again at 7:30. Guard mounting comes at 8:00, after which there is nothing until 5:00 p.m. when Battalion drill comes. This lasts until 6:30. Dress parade comes at 7:00, and supper as soon as we can eat it afterward. Tattoo at 8:30 and taps 9:30, after which everything is supposed to be quiet." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 24, 1863

"Sunday 24th. On guard, but detailed as Colonel's orderly. Easy, pleasant time Very warm & sultry. Had two glasses of lemonade "with a stick in it", during the day. Church Service as usual."  ~ Diary of Horace Barlow(UVM), 121, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Camp Near Bristol Station, May 24th 1863

"Dear Parents, I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that we are yet alive & well & I hope these few lines will find you all the same.

"It is quite pleasant to day, there being air enough so that we can take a little comfort. Stephen & Harler are out on picket. are at the bridge across kettle run, which is about two miles below here.

"It is about eleven Oclock A.M. & if I was in Vt I presume that I should be at church. But if I was not there I should be somewhere else.  Ira was well this morning at eight Oclock for I have seen a man who saw him at that time.

"We had an inspection this morning at nine Oclock by Lieut Waite, Capt. Savage being Officer of the day. Watson is Orderly for him to day perhaps you will wish to know what his business is well he had for one thing scoured up the Capts. Sword & now he has gone to carry a letter to the Chaplains & all such Business. He is as tough as a bear. 

"I will now give you a history of our days work:


     Reville              5 1/4 A.M.
     Breakfast call    6 A.M.
     Police call         6 "
     Surgeons call     6 1/2 "
     Company drill     6 1/2 to 8 1/2 "
     Picket mount      8 "
     Guard Mount      8 "
     Dinner             12 N.
     Company drill    5 to 7 P.M.
     Supper               7 "
     Tattoo             8 1/2 "
     Taps                 9 "

"So you see we have to keep busy most of the time, come to take in the extras. When I undertake to call them out to drill, the first that you hear is my time is out. But they get out after a while & then we sweat & drill around for two hours. It makes the boys feel rather ugly but they cant get out of it.

"There is thirty nine privates to do duty & take from thirteen to fifteen men for guard & picket every day. So you see that they have a little picket duty to do as well as to drill.

"The Capt. went down to the Shoals the other day to see J.W. Taylor he says that he was pretty slim.   But better than he was. There has not been any men to report at the hospital for the last fortnight & the boys all feel tiptop, but rather ugly & want their own way & if you say any thing it is none of your D...d business, my time is out I reckon." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 41, May 24, 1863

May 19, 1863. Spread over a line of fifty miles,

"Two or three days since, a strong force of cavalry from Stoneman's corps came up to guard the lower end of the railroad, and yesterday the infantry regiments were withdrawn.

"The Fifteenth came back to Union Mills, and resumes the old duty of picketing along the Occoquan and Bull Run. The Twelfth remains out a few miles, the right wing, which includes Company C, being stations at Bristow's, and the left wing, in two detachments, at Catlett's Station and Manassas Junction.

"General Stannard retains his headquarters at Union Mills, and devotes himself earnestly and effectively to the care of the troops. It is no light care. The Second Vermont brigade is spread over a line of fifty miles, three of the regiments maintaining a picket line for which the entire brigade used to be hardly sufficient, and two guarding thirty miles of railroad...

"The men of the Twelfth have been enjoying to the full their sojourn in the splendid region at the front, and the regiment has been greatly benefited as to health by the change. The number of new cases of sickness has been reduced to a nominal figure, and the convalescents who have returned from the hospitals in Alexandria have rapidly regained full strength.

"In the Thirteenth regiment the same malarial fever which weakened the Twelfth so at the Shoals is prevailing extensively and has proved fatal in four or five cases within a day or two."~ Lieut. G.G. Benedict, Company C, 12th Regiment, Letter to the Free Press of May 19, 1863 in Army Life in Virginia.  

“I should like to describe more fully than I have done the region between us and the Rappahannock, its melancholy desolation, deserted mansions, farms without a laborer or sign of cultivation, and solitary chimney stacks, the only vestiges of hundreds of farm houses swept away by the scourge of war, while the few remaining inhabitants have reached a point where the owners of plantations of two or three thousand acres are glad to beg from our troops the common necessaries of life; but I have not time to-day.

“[A]s yet we see no fighting. . . .There is time yet to try our men under fire. If Hooker is further reinforced from this corps, we shall probably be sent to him; and it is not impossible that we may have all the fighting we want right here; but it must come within six weeks or not at all for us, in this term of service.” ~ ~ Lieut. G.G. Benedict, Company C, 12th Regiment, Letter to Free Press of May 19, 1863 in Army Life in Virginia

"Tuesday 19th. Was to have had a great inspection to-day by A.A.G. Capt Hill (of Brigade) but put off till to-morrow. Quiet in Camp. Went in swimming in P.M." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 120, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"There is more sickness than usual in the brigade. My company lost two soldiers, -Cyren Thayer and Charles Billings."~Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

"May 19th: The weather here is quite warm, but I do not see anybody planting corn about here, though I presume you are just beginning to plant at home, and here if you can get across Bull Run and a mile or two away from the Railroad, you will find all sorts of farming business in full operation, except when the men are away on some bushwhacking expedition or other."

"We have just heard that Moses P. Baldwin has got an addition to his family in the shape of a little daughter, so that his time has not been lost after all. 

"How do you prosper with the Spring work? You mention Father is going up to mend fence on the old pasture. How many sheep has he this summer and are their as good ones as those that he sheared last summer? How many cows have you got this summer? Oh, tell little Charlie that he must learn to play on his new "drum" so that he can play for Clarence the next time he gets his regiment together as it is highly necessary at all military gatherings to have a little music. More anon, H. G. Day" ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 19, 1863

Monday, May 18, 1863. At Union Mills. Thin lines; Rebels in the midst.

Union Mills

"Camp at Union Mills, VA 

"Monday morning, May 18th, 1863

"My Dear Wife ... I was Field Officer of the Day Wednesday and Thursday in charge of a fatigue party Saturday and yesterday and today an again Officer of the Day. Our regiment has six miles of picketing to do in a very rough line, without any help; but today the 15th comes back and will relieve us of some of this labor. But the weather in delightful and has been so for ten days so the men endure their labor well. The health of the regiment has at not former time been so good since we crossed the Potomac as now. 

"Then is nothing particularly new or interesting in camp just now. The only item of excitement that I have heard of is the capture of eight other men by the rebels a few days since. It appears that while half a dozen teams belonging to the 13th regiment were drawing supplies for the regiment from Fairfax Station, to near Occoquan village, a party of mounted rebs made their appearance and captured the men and horses and destroyed the wagons. In addition to a driver for each team were four or five men belonging to the regiment that had been off contrary to instructions and were riding back to camp, stragglers we call them here. The rebels, who are well posted as to our movements, made this dash and re-crossed the Occoquan River in safety. 

"We are in the expectation of a raid in here about these days. Then has been no time for a week when Mosby with 150 men could not have come in here and carried off the battery and the general. With 150 men at Bristow’s Station 100 on detached service, 200 on picket, and there is not many left for fight after taking out regimental guards and cooks. Saturday, however, we closed the fords on the river with felled trees, so that a dash cannot be made past our picket line by the mounted rebels. 

"There is nothing new out here of great moment. It is reported that the rebels have an infantry force this side of the Rappahannock and that they contemplate a raid or driving us back within the Defense of Washington. If they do this we may be able to extemporize a smart little fight out here. 

"Our nine months expire on the 23d day of July next, two months longer at the end of which time most of us will be in Brattleboro, where we shall be mustered out of the service of our respected Uncle.

"My love to all, and a kiss for the dear little ones. Your loving husband - Charles. ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters May 18, 1863. VHS.

"Union Mills, Virginia, May 18, 1863

"Dear Parents Yours of the 6th came duly to hand and found me at Bristow, but was just as welcome there as anywhere. Co. "E" is down there now with enough men from other companies to make up 100. .... Stannard is much liked by the men under his command. He is not showy and dashing like Stoughton but seems to be a kind fatherly sort of an individual, chuck full of common sense with a good word for everybody.

"You want to know what a vidette is? It is a mounted sentinel posted outside the picket line to observe the movements of the enemy.

"I had the pleasure of taking another trip down the railroad the other day, going down within two miles of the Rappahannock. Went down as guard on one of the trains. I think from all appearances that we will not have to keep up this picket line alone a great while longer as I think the 12th and 15th will be brought back to assist us.

"There are not many troops left in the Dept. in Washington now. Most of them have been sent down on the front to help Hooker. I have heard that Phillip Crosly was killed in one of the late fights on the Rappahannock. If that is true he is the first Plymouth boy to be killed in action." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 18, 1863

Phillip W Crosby of Plymouth, age 17 Pvt, Co. I, 2nd VT, kia, Marye's Heights, 5/3/63



"Monday 18th. Moved camp, by rail, to Bristow station. The two Co's K & G are still at Catlett's & the right wing at Bristow, & the other 3 at Mannassas Junction. Col. Blunt sent for me to help him move, & so I was detailed & had an easy time. On Picket, (not by necessity) to-night." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 120, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment