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)

Sunday June 28, 1863. "... from near Edward Ferry toward Frederick Md."

"... from near Edward Ferry toward Frederick Md." 

~From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

Lt. Col Charles Cummings
16th Vt. Regt.

"Near Poolesville, MD - June 28th, 1863 

"My Dear Wife, Thursday afternoon we started from Union Mills and marched a mile north of Centerville and camped. It rained all night. 

The next day we started and went 12 miles to Herndon’s Station above Vienna and camped. I was Field Officer of the Day. 

"The next day we went to the Potomac crossed on pontoon bridges and arrived at Poolesville about sun down, marching about 17 miles and crossing at Edwards Ferry, 30 miles above Washington. 

"This Sunday morning we started at 8:30 for Frederick City. There are 40,000 or more troops around us all bound up into Maryland to meet Lee who is supposed by us underlings to be somewhere northwest of us. There is considerable prospect that we may encounter the rebs in a fight. 

"We go into the 1st Army corps. Maj. Reynolds commanding. The old brigade is close to us, and last night I saw many of the officers. My health is excellent. I am living on hardtack and raw pork and glad to get enough of that, but I do enjoy the march.

"I am writing this sitting on the ground, my horses saddled and my equipment by my side. Our march today will be about 20 miles.

"This seems like the reality of a soldier’s life, and I expect a fight will put on the finishing touches.

"I got your letter of the 21st Thursday, a few minutes before we started and after I had written you a line. When I shall get another of your good letters I do not know nor do I even guess when this will be mailed. It will be dropped into the first Post office that we come across, perhaps today.

"My dear wife if I get into a fight I shall endeavor to do my duty with discretion and faithfully, trusting the results to that kind Providence who rules has thus far shielded and presented us, and strewn our path with so much happiness.

"Kiss the dear children for their absent but not forgetful papa. - Love to all your loving husband - Charles. ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters June 28, 1863. VHS.

"Sunday 28th Marched at 8 A.M. Crossed the Monocacy river at a Ford, in P.M. & Passed thro' a splendid country, most of the day. I have no time to waste in description. Encamped about a mile N. of Adamstown a station on the B & Ohio R.R. about 10 miles S of Frederick. Marched about 16 miles & were foot sore & tired everyway". ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 136, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 28. Marched again this morning at seven o'clock; crossed the Monocacy river near its mouth about noon, and halted for rest. At one o'clock the march was resumed. Passed Adamsville, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about six o'clock in the evening, and have gone into camp for the night two miles beyond."~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 136 (1864)

"June 28, 1863. Camp near Adamstown. Marched all day. Adamstown was a very nice little place. I see five or six nice looking ladies. the Rebs were in this town last night but have gone to-day. Paid fifty cents for a loaf of bread." ~ 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)

Wednesday, June 24, 1863. Marching Orders to join Gen'l Reynolds. "We now belong to the Army of the Potomac."

Col. Wheelock Veazey
16th Vermont

"Wed. June 24, 1863. Have an order to march tomorrow to join 1st Army Corps at Guilford Station. Gen'l Reynolds. Very glad to get away from this place." ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)


"Wednesday 24th. Co. Drill but as I go on guard, was not obliged to attend. Detailed as Col. Blunt's orderly. Col went to Union Mills intending to go to W- but soon returned with orders for the Reg't to move the next morn to the Mills & then onward. We learned also that we are transferred to the 1st Army Corps, Gen. Reynolds." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 133, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 24. Ten days' rations have been procured, and orders are received for the regiment to report at Union Mills to-morrow at ten o'clock in the forenoon. We now belong to the Army of the Potomac."   ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 132 (1864)

"June 24, 1863. Wolf Run Shoals. Boys getting ready to move in the morning. They all feel well about moving. We have got to carry three days' rations." ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59)

"24th. Marched to Centerville. Rained." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

"Prior to June 24, my regiment was doing picket duty on the Occoquan River, from Occoquan Bay to near Wolf Run Shoals, headquarters near the village of Occoquan. The balance of our brigade (Second Vermont Brigade) was stationed at or near Union Mills.On the evening of June 24, I received orders to call in my pickets and join the brigade at Centreville, which I did on June 25. The brigade consisted of the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Vermont Regiments, commanded by Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard"~ Report of Col. Francis V.Randall, Thirteenth Vermont Infantry.Camp Near Middletown, Md.,July 10, 1863.

Tuesday, June 23, 1863. Wondering where we are going.

On the 23d the Second Vermont brigade is attached to the First corps of the Army of the Potomac under General Reynolds. ~ Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

Disposition of Stannard's troops June 23, 1863
( See Stannard's Route to Edwards's Ferry)

"Tuesday morning one half past seven Oclock.   Co. A is out on picket to day. The boys are all as well as usual this morning. We expect to Start for home next Sauterday if nothing new turns up. J.H. Hammond to the folks at home, one & all" ~ Jabez Hammond, West Windsor, Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 44, June 22, 1863

"Tuesday 23rd. Co. Drill. Right wing out on picket this A.M. No Battalion Drill, but Dress Parade as usual in eve. As my gun was very dirty & much rusted, I spent the P.M. in cleaning it. Also played Whist considerable, during the day & evening." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 133, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"June 23. To-day orders have been received to be ready to march at a moment's notice, supplied with ten days' rations, which clearly shows that a long march is expected." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 131 (1864)

"June 23, 1863. Received orders to be ready to move. I hope we will not go. Nothing new in camp to-day only all are wondering where we are going." ~ Diary of Frederick L. Reed, Orderly Sergt., Co.. D, 14th Regt., (Memorial Exercises, Castleton VT 1885, p 57-59) 

"On the 23d of June General Stannard received notice that his brigade had been attached to the Third division of the First Army Corps; that it was to hold the line of the Occoquan till the main army had passed, and then was to follow the corps and join it if possible before the great battle which was expected." ~ Benedict, Army Life in Virginia, letter to Free PressJuly 4, 1863

Lieut. Colonel Grout, commanding the four companies of the Fifteenth stationed at Catlett's, which was now the extreme southern infantry outpost on that line, was informed by General Buford, commanding the First division of the cavalry corps, then in camp within sight of Catlett's and forming the rear guard of the army, that he should move to the north that night; that the enemy was in force in his immediate front and undoubtedly follow him; and that it would not do for Grout to remain after he left. ... A car was hastily constructed by Captain Blake from some lumber and a set of car-trucks found by the side of the track. A rope was attached to the front of the car, to draw it by hand; another rope behind served the purpose of a brake. The tents and baggage were loaded, and the battalion started for Bristoe's, followed by Buford, who burned his forage and supplies, to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy, and marched away by the light of the conflagration. A colored woman with a baby three hours old had a place on Grout's car, and a crowd of over a thousand Negroes, men, women and children, accompanied the battalion. The party joined the rest of the regiment at Bristoe's that night; and next day the regiment joined the rest of the brigade at Union Mills.   ~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 438 (Burlington Vt 1888).