Tuesday, June 30, 1863. "A collision must soon take place."

Emmitsburg
1863

"Tuesday June 30, 1863 ... to Emmitsburg. Very severe march. Men are footsore. Have marched 108 miles in 6 days."~From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

"Tuesday 30th. Started again & followed the pike thro' Emmetsburgh & a mile beyond & found that our 1st Corps teams were here but that the Corps had gone ahead. Parked our teams with the Corps train. Too tired to write more than minutes. 15 miles." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 137, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 30. We commence marching at six; and halt at Lewistown in about two hours. ... We also halt awhile at Mechanicstown. Here we find that a brigade of cavalry passed us in the night. These, too, wear out as well as infantry. I saw six sleeping in a field, whilst it was raining, and no rubbers over them. Our regiment is in the rear, and arrives at Emmettsburg just at dark; we must pitch our tents and have our coffee. The march this afternoon has been exceedingly hard. Two soldiers are left in houses on the way."  ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

"June 30, 1863. Camp at Emmittsburg. We have marched one hundred and ten miles since we started. This is a splendid country; I never saw anything to beat it. We expect to see fighting before long. My feet are so sore I hardly can step on them. Paid one dollar for a loaf of bread. One of our company fell out and we had to leave him; we do not know where he is." ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59)

"June 30. The column was again put in motion this morning at seven o'clock. We halted for rest at noon near Mechanicstown. Marching again at one o'clock, we arrived at Emmitsburg at six, where we have gone into camp for the night. We are now only two miles from the Pennsylvania line, and one hundred and twenty miles from Wolf Run shoals, which distance we have marched in six days. The 1st, 3d and 11th Corps are now concentrated here. The enemy's cavalry is reported to be near Gettysburg, ten miles distant, and Lee is supposed to be advancing upon Harrisburg. A collision must soon take place." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 137 (1864)

Monday, June 29, 1863. "Gen'l very cross. Says we have no discipline."

Gen'l Stannard
 marches us like "Old Harry"
June 29, 1863

"Strong exertions are required and must be made to prevent straggling." ~ General Order No. 70, June 29, 1863, by command of Major-General Reynolds

"Monday June 29, 1863 ... to Adamsville. My Regt was on rear guard--very hard road passed through Frederick. Gen'l very cross. Says we have no discipline." ~From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

"Monday 29th. Left Camp & marched up the valley still farther & encamped about 5 miles beyond Frederick on the Emmetsburgh pike. Reached F. just after noon, & before passing made a half of an hour or two. Marched about 17- miles & were as tired & footsore as one could possibly wish to be. Hoped that we should find our Gen Reynolds & so got a little rest, but were disappointed, as he was said to be a day's march ahead of us. So our tiresome journey must continue. Gen Stannard marches us like the "old Harry" & the pike has been very hard & rather rough." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 136-37, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"General Stannard ... put us to the test of human endurance. In order that nothing should impede his progress he issued an order that none should leave the ranks, while on the march, to procure water. This order under the circumstances seemed cruel, because ofthe weather 90 degrees in the shade and marching from dawn to sunset at our utmost speed stopping only at mid-day for rest and to eat a sandwich of hard tack and boiled pork. We camped for the night, June 29th, about twelve miles north of Frederick City and three or four miles south of Lewiston in a little valley on the west bank of the Monocacy." ~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 207 (1910)

"June 29. ...To-day noon, after plodding through mud and rain as fast as we can, wind ourselves at Frederick city. Here the brigade leaves ninety soldiers, unable to go farther. Some buy pies and pay fifty cents apiece, and a dollar for smallish loaves of bread. From this place we march northerly, and pitch out tents just at dark in a rich valley covered with grass, waving wheat and corn. ... We have herd that Gen. Meade is in command of the army, not knowing whether to believe it." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)



"June 29. The march was resumed at seven o'clock this morning, and it has rained all day. We arrived at Frederick city about noon, ...Halted about three hours at Frederick, when we were again ordered forward. Have gone into camp to-night near Creagerstown. I learn to-night that Hooker has been relieved from the command of the army, and Major Gen. Meade appointed in his place."~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 136 (1864)


"June 29, 1863. Camp eight miles out of Frederick. Marched all day; Oh how tired I am to-night; one man from our company fell out; we do not know whether he is dead or not. I had a good swig of whiskkey to-day, it does me more good than anything. ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59)

Saturday June 27, 1863. " ...across Edward Ferry passed the Vt.1st Brigade."

June 27, 1863
(See Stannard's Route to Edwards's Ferry)

The speed at which the Army of the Potomac was able to move up during that last week of June took a little initiative away from Lee, forcing him to concentrate the far flung Army of Northern Virginia. 

The events of June 25-27 lead to the events on July 1-3.

Craig Swain 2013-06-28

"Saturday June 27, 1863. ...across Edward Ferry passed the Vt. 1st Brigade. crossed on pontoon bridge." ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

Between June 25-27, 1863, approximately 70,000 Union troops

 crossed the Potomac at Edwards Ferry utilizing two 1400 ft. long pontoon bridges.

Craig Swain

"Saturday 27th. Started quite early on our march. ... Day wet & rainy as usual. Feet rather sore & blistered but spirits tolerably good yet. Came to the Potomac River at Edward's Ferry & crossed on Pontoons. There were 2 bridges & one across Goose Creek. 64 Pontoons composed the bridge on which we crossed the P. & 11 the one over Goose C. & the other bridge was about as long as both of these put together. We encamped at night about 2 miles N of the Ferry & pitched our tent in a miserable sprinkle, tired as dogs. 16 miles." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 135, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 27. ... At one time we made a long stop, for hundreds of teams belonging to the army of the Potomac to pass. At two we came in sight of Edward's Ferry. All around it is a beautiful, rolling country, covered with wheat and corn. Here we find many soldiers; and here we halt an hour,-during which time many wash their feet, some of them blistered and almost bleeding. We encamp for the night a few miles north of the river, expecting to start early in the morning for Harper's Ferry, or Hagerstown." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

"June 27. Reveille was sounded at three o'clock this morning, and at five we were ordered forward, keeping the line of railroad for Guilford, at which place we arrived about six o'clock. On arriving there, it was ascertained that the 1st Corps, to which we now belong, had left two days before, and the brigade was again ordered forward. We arrived at Broad run at ten o'clock in the forenoon, where we intersected the 3d and 6th Corps, they having been ordered forward from Drainsville. The brigade was detained there some two hours in waiting for baggage train to pass, after which the column was again put in motion. We arrived at Edwards Ferry at three o'clock in the afternoon, and crossed over to the Maryland side of the Potomac on pontoon bridges. This place was the headquarters of Gen. Sedgwick, commander of the 6th Corps. To-night we have gone into camp near Poolsville." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 133-34 (1864)

"June 27, 1863. Camp near Edward's Ferry, Md. Marched 20 miles; very tired to-night; feet blistered. Troops passed all night; we met all the boys at the Ferry. Crossed the Potomac on pontoons. There is a big force with us."  ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59.)

"27^th. Hard day." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

Friday, June 26, 1863. The march to Herndon Station.

 June 26, 1863
(See Stannard's Route to Edwards's Ferry)

"Friday June 26, 1863. Marched from Coppels Mills near Centreville to within 3 miles of Guilford Station. Very arduous march owing to the delays by the teams in front." ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

"Friday 26th. Were ordered to march at 7 A.M. but as the 6th Corps. Artillery Baggage & all were passing we could not start till considerably later. Finally got started & as our baggage train was at the front & immediately in rear of the 6th Corps we were continually stopped & obliged to wait & wait, so that we only arrived at Herndon station at about 7.30 P.M. only having marched 9 miles. Encamped in a large open field just before a drizzle commenced. It had been a miserably drizzling day but during the latter part of the day it was dry & so we got along very well. Boys all right & things as lovely as possible at such a time. I still attend the Col & his baggage & so am as well off as you please". ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 134-35, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 26 ....Centreville is abandoned, and all the government property that cannot be carried is burned. After the artillery, teams, and all the troops have passed us, we fall in, and bring up the rear.

"Friday Noon. -The whole brigade is resting in a wide, grassy plain. On the right and left are cherry trees, filled with boys picking the delicious fruit; here, are squads around little fires, (they don't burn well, for small, thick drops of rain are falling,) cooking coffee; there, are long lines of soldiers, with rubbers tied close around the neck, sitting on knapsacks, eating their dry food; and now and then you meet one asleep, all covered with his blanket. Soon the drum beats, and we are marching again. ...


"At night we pitch our tents in a mowing near a station on the Alexandria and Loudon railroad. Pickets at once are sent forward to guard all approaches to the camp." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)



"June 26. Reveille was sounded at five o'clock this morning, and we were to march half an hour later, but having to wait until the 3d and 6th Corps, together with the baggage train, passed, we could not start until eight o'clock. Our baggage train was sent ahead, but in consequence of the roads being bad our progress was very slow. The rain had caused the roads to be somewhat muddy, but the weather has been cool to-day and favorable for the march.

"... We arrived at Herndon, four miles below Guildford, at seven o'clock, where we have camped for the night. The 3d and 6th Corps have passed on to Drainsville. ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp  133-34 (1864)


"Camp near Harrington Station in a meadow. We marched very slow to-day; all are feeling good. I am a little sore footed but I am bound to stand it. This is a nice country. We expect to see fighting to-morrow. It has been a good day to march." ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59)

Sunday, June 21, 1863. The 12th moves camp to the "graveyard". Sounds of a cavalry fight.

"Saturday night we had orders to be ready to move at 6 A.M. on Sunday and We Started at five Moments of 6 and marched to this place and got here at Nine. A distance of about five miles in three hours, with our house and bedding and our cupboard. got our houses All Framed and put up at Twelve N. Ready to go to Keeping house again. ...

"Harler wanted that I should finish this letter. ... D. Parker died Sunday morning with typhoid pneumonia. The orderly went to Ax. with his remains & got them embalmed & started for home yesterday. the cost of embalming & for transportation to Proctersville was $59.63." ~ Ulysses Haller Hammond and Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 44, June 22, 1863

"Sunday 21st. At time specified took up our line of march for Wolf Run Shoals, & encamped about a half mile from our old camps, towards the Station, just in front of a fine old woods. Arranging camp & taking it easy for the rest of the day. The march of 7 miles did not tire me in the least." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 132, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 21. Stirring news expected soon. Firing is heard to-day in the direction of Centreville, which is at present the headquarters of the army." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 130 (1864)

"June 21. Sunday. We have heard firing the most of the day. Our teamsters at the Station saw the wounded brought in, and rebel prisoners going to Washington. They came from the west of us. There was a sharp cavalry fight near Snicker's Gap, leading into the Shenandoah Valley."  ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

Thursday, June 18, 1863. We are the front line.

"June 18. On picket opposite the village. ... During the next two days events are being shaped behind the curtain, -we spectators seeing and hearing just enough to set curiosity and anxiety chafing the pickets as they leave camp are reminded of their responsibility; that we are in the front line, guarding not only our own camps, but those of the army of the Potomac, which is mostly in the rear of us."  ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)


"June 18. We are still acting an important part in the great drama. It can be said with truthfulness that the 14th is now in the front. The movements of Gen. Lee have compelled the army of the Potomac to fall back towards Washington. We became apprised of the fact on Sunday, the 14th. This being one of the principal routes to Fredericksburg, a part of the army passed here. ...  It took four days and nights for the column to pass. 

"The 1st Vermont Brigade passed on Tuesday, stopping here two hours for rest. We had a fine chance to give these heroes of many battles a hearty shake of the hand. The officers and men appeared to be in fine spirits, notwithstanding the forced march they had endured. The brigade halted at Fairfax Station until this morning, when they again moved on. 

"The 14th is now in a very exposed position. There was no picket line between ours and the Rappahannock, which now leaves us in front." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 126-29 (1864)

June 17, 1863. A Reunion

"June 17. A hundred and fifty from our regiment have been to see their sons, brothers and more distant relatives in the First Brigade, which is now encamped near the Station. Some, as soon as it was known where they were, started at midnight, and found them in a forest, asleep, and lying on the ground here and there "like sheep," as one expressed it. Brothers awoke brothers, and friends friends who left home nearly two years ago, and fought in every battle in which the army of the Potomac had been engaged; and though too dark to discern face or form, perhaps changed by toil or exposure or battle, but the voice is remembered, and they clasp each other with the affection of children." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

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

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)

Friday, May 29, 1863. Guarding the iron train.

Meanwhile, Mosby's men  assemble at
Greenwich, near Warrenton
(Civil War Daily Gazette)

"Friday 29th. Co. drill in A.M. At 8½ A.M. ordered to go down to Mannassas Junction as guard for iron train. Day pretty warm, but our job was an easy one. Back about 2 P.M. Went in swimming & in eve had dress parade. 

"Our company is assuming proportions that seem vast in comparison with the No. last Winter & Spring. All the sick are rapidly recovering & the health of the Reg't is very good. Chas Thacher quite unwell in evening." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 123, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment


"May 29. ...  After the drilling is over, towards evening, the wide, level space, in front of the camp, is crowded with soldiers. Many are playing ball. The most expert chooses up, and one is to keep tally; now they strip off coats, and sweating and eager as to the result, push on the lively game. Some are pitching quoits, all boisterous, joyous as school boys at home. It is now dark, and one street is lighted, not with golden chandeliers, but candles stuck in bayonets, and these hanging in mimic shade trees. One is playing on the fiddle, another on the banjo, for the many to 'chase the glowing hour with flying feet.'" ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

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

Saturday, May 16, 1863. All in camp.

"Camp of 12th Vermont Vol.
.Near Rappahannock R. R. Bridge Va.
May 16th. 1863

"My Dear Wife: . . Speaking of Wolf Run - Col. Randall's whole baggage train was taken night before lastbetween Wolf Run & Occoquan - the mules & horses - thirty-two in all - carried off - the stores taken & the waggons broken. It was probably done by bushwackers.

"You ask where the other Regts. are. the 13th. is still at Occoquan, the 14th. at the Shoals, the 15th. 2-1/2 miles above us, at Bealton, the 16th. at Union Mills. We are stretched out fifty miles. Genl. Stannard makes his headquarters at the Mills, & also Genl. Abercrombie. How long we shall have to stay here I do not know. . . .
From your affectionate husband Roswell Farnham." UVM

"Saturday 16th Off duty i.e. Not on guard or picket & so quiet in Camp. Nothing new or alarming." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 120, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"May 16. Companies have been scouting over the river; and the result is, we have more horses than we had before our teams were captured. Our soldiers, who had been captured on the 14th, came in. They had been paroled, when a little south of the Bull Run battle field; but not according to the cartel." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864)

[Forty years later Sturtevant recalls: "a large company of boys went over on the south side of the Occoquan as a scouting party and returned with eight horses and one man. The boys now claimed to be about even for those we lost on the 14th. Some of the horses were good, but most of them were played out, unfit for work or riding." ~Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers  167 (1910)]

"May 16. Reveille at five o'clock. We have a model camp now -- streets regularly laid out and policed every morning." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 121 (1864)

"16th. Quite windy. Are going to move back the length of butternuts in order to have shade in front of our tent." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment


"OSCAR B. HUBBARD died in our regimental hospital at Camp Widow Violet on the Occoquan, and quite suddenly. Corporal Hubbard  was present at the organization of the Highgate Company, September 11th, 1862, and at this time was 19 years of age, six feet tall, gray eyes, dark hair and was a fine looking and appearing young man,... He was taken sick at Camp Widow Violet with typhoid fever and died May 16th, 1863. His body was sent home and buried in the family lot in the town of Georgia, Vt. " ~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers  728 (1910)

May 14, 1863. Captured! Three teams (twelve mules and four horses), the drivers and two sergeants.

On the Rappahannack:

"Thursday 14th. In P.M. Reg't moved back from the river, on the line of R.R. about 1½ miles. More pickets &c are put out & so we come on oftener. We are placed near woods, now."~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 119, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

On the Occoquan:

"May 14. At nine o'clock the orderly, who was carrying dispatches and the mail to headquarters, came galloping his horse into camp. "The 'rebs' have got the teams," he quickly cries; and "the 'rebs' have got the teams'" quickly flies to every tent. 

"There is a space of some two miles that is unfordable, between the two regiments, during the high waters of spring; and supposed to be so now, and hence not picketed. Here a little band of eight rebel cavalry cross, each armed with two pistols, and lie in ambush in thick trees, near where our teams almost daily go to the station,- out three miles from camp. 

"As the three teams - twelve mules and four horses, - and with the drivers happened to be two sergeants,  all unarmed - were just emerging from the dark forest, the enemy pounced upon them, cocking their pistols, and ejaculating: "Halt! Halt! There, you d-d Yankees." Resistance is sure death, producing no good; for the rebels would have got the horses, which they were after. 

"Soon all are mounted and steering for the river. Meanwhile we have heard of the affair, and start, now on quick, now double quick time, one company directly for the ford, and three others, down the road, and then on the tracks of the flying guerrillas. But alas! We come to the stream, tired, panting like blood-hounds, a little too late, just as the pursued have crossed." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

Those taken were Sergeants Boyce and Silsby of Company B ; Sergeant Fuller, G. Woodworth and J. Griffith of Company G ; S. Austin of Company H ; J. Carr of Company I and Hubbard J. Searl of Company K. ~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 790 (1910)

See also the accounts of this incident of May 14, 1863 by George Boyce and Guy Woodward, two of the captured soldiers.

Monday, May 4, 1863. Waiting for news from General Hooker's army.

"Monday 4th. All quiet. 2 months more, only, to serve." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 111, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"May 4. The roaring of artillery at Fredericksburg is distinctly heard in camp this morning. All are anxious to hear the result."  ~ John  C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 117 (1864)

"Monday Morning, May 4. We heard cannonading until late in the evening. We are to be relieved from this post soon; have heard from camp, and the whole brigade is under marching orders, and expect to start in a few hours. You shall hear again as soon as affairs are more settled; but I must close now, as the postmaster will soon be on his way to Union Mills with the mail.

"Noon. 'The A tents, and every thing that we cannot easily carry on our backs, are to be loaded on to the wagons and sent at once to Alexandria,' is the first thing we heard as we came in from the picket line. All in great haste are packing their overcoats, drawers, shirts (for hereafter each will have but two), and such as have two blankets, one of these, into boxes, to be carried to the rear. 'This looks a little as though we were stripping for a fight," said a soldier, as he came into my tent and found me in doubt whether to send one, or both, or neither of my blankets, "we shall be off before night.'" ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

"Camp in the field Near Warrenton Junction Va. 

"Dear Parents

"It is nice country around here is very level. Yet there is a good deal of woodland each & cherry & some apple trees are in full Bloom. The forest trees are nearly leaved out. and take it all together if it were not for this rebbelion it would be a pleasant country where we are now.

"John Gay of Windsor or at least he enlisted from Windsor died at wolf run Shoals yesterday morning.   James W. Taylor was but just alive & Surgeon Ketchum said that there was no help for him so I think it doubtful if hi is alive now. Norman Perkins came back to the Co. yesterday. He looks pretty tough.

"Stephen is on picket to day & all of the rest of the boys (excepting those on picket) are digging rifle pits and building block houses.

"The contrabands are coming in from culpepper courthouse & that vicinity in squads of from one to six at a time & I believe that take them on average that there are brighter than the whites are. 

"It is now just a quarter past three & if the cars come up I shall send this letter out to day & if they do not then I cannot send it until to morrow ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 39

"The season here is little or no earlier than in Vermont. The fields are just beginning to look green and the leaves of the forest trees are not yet started.

"We are waiting with intense anxiety for news from General Hooker's army. The brigade has orders to be ready to march at an hour's notice. We look for lively work here if disaster overtakes Hooker." ~ Lieut. G.G. Benedict, Company C, 12th Regiment, Letter to the Free Press of May 4, 1863 in Army Life in Virginia

Friday, May 1, 1863. May-Day

May 1. A holiday with us; warm and lovely as one can imagine. All, save the guards and pickets, take a stroll and come back to camp with a bunch of wild flowers or peach blows." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 


"Friday morning at half past seven. It quite pleasant this morning. The sick ones are all as well this morning as they were yesterday Harler is on light duty to day that is simply to answer to roll call & to go out at dress parade. J.W. Perkins is as tough as ever. He sends his respects to all - is going on picket to day. W.A. Herrick is going on picket he is well.

"G.W. Cook thinks that he is a little better this morning. He has got a light fever. J.W. Taylor is pretty sick & very nervous (or in other words) I think that he would be as well contended if he was at home. We now have 17 men sick at Alexandria. Four in the hospital here & four sick in quarters making in all twenty five sick ones. James Bowers got a letter from one of the boys at Alexandria that Charly Bowers was very sick. Do not know the disease. But think that it is the chronic Diareah. James is going to see him as quick as he can get a pass." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 38


"May 1st 1863. I believe this is the first May-day, on which I have ever been absent from home. Taking it very easy, in my present quarters. About 5 P.M. started for Occoquan to see the process of fishing with dip-nets. As we approached the river at O. had a splendid view of the Potomac & intervening country. It is about 7 miles to O. from Mr. Davis'." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 112, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment