July 4, 1863. A most welcome message

Freedom and Unity

"Camp near Gettysburg - July

"My ever dear Lettie:

"This is probably the most welcome message that you ever received from me. I have time to write but few words. This is the first opportunity I have had. I have been engaged nearly all the time for the past few days in one of the worst battles this continent ever knew. We are all well except Floyd,* who went to the hospital this morn. None of us were hurt in battle but Floyd is all tired out, but think he will be all right when he gets rested. 2 out of my company were killed and 7 wounded. A spent-ball struck me, knocking me down but I got right up again madder than ever.

 E. P. Davis of Felchville was killed. 

Ed Davis of Felchville (Co. H) was shot through the head, dead ~ Joseph Spafford

O such scenes such scenes. I cannot write now but will if ever I get time. I am sitting on the battlefield now and there is a man here who says he will try and get this to some P.O. He is waiting, I must close. We have suffered for want of food on the long march and the fight. I haven't had a mite of clothing on me night or day except my Blouse & Pants for 3 days and nights and slept right in the mud without a tent or a sign of anything. We lived on excitement for two days certain for I didn't eat more than two or three hard tacks all the time. We won a great victory and are now following the enemy. I counted 115 dead Rebels today on a piece of ground 4 rods square. The troops have all left, except the W. Brigade. We are burying the Rebs now and shall leave as soon as we get done. Our Reg't won the admiration of all for its gallantry, having captured 3 stand of colors and lots of prisoners.

"I will write again as soon as I possibly get time. From your loving husband, Elmer" ~ E.D. Keyes, Captain Company H, Sixteenth Vt.

The above envelope was obtained by my Father, Capt. E. D. Keyes from a wounded Confederate soldier on the Battlefield of Gettysburg on the night  of July 2nd, 1863, after the second day’s battle.

My Father wrote a letter home to my Mother while on the Battlefield of Gettysburg and enclosed it in this envelope.  This was the first news she had from him after the battle.

I have the letter he wrote and sent in this envelope. My father told me that he was on picket duty the night after the second day’s battle and that the cries of the many wounded soldiers were heart-rending.

The motto on the envelope is as follows:

“Gather round your Country’s flag,

Men of the South, the hour has come;

None may falter, none may lag,

March to the sound of the fife and drum,”

Under this my Father wrote as follows;

   

“Yes, it has come with just vengeance upon the traitorous horde who would destroy their Country”

                       Mrs. Elmer D. Keyes,

Reading, Vt.

Taken from a rebel at the Battle of Gettysburg.

~ Arthur H. Keyes, Sr.

* Floyd Hawkins, Elmer's  brother in law:

July 3, Friday

This morning at 4 o’clock the pickets commenced firing at each other, just to the left of where I was, and soon the artillery commenced it was heavy, shelled us till afternoon before they showed themselves much. I lay about 1/4 mile from the batteries. About 3 o’clock I saw them forming to advance, in a few minutes the musketry began and such firing seems so was never heard before, and was kept up till dark. The 16th made two charges and captured three stands of colors. After dark we were taken back to the rear.

Saturday, July 4

Today has been very quiet. The rebels ain’t been seen today, they think they are retreating. The battlefield is completely covered with dead  and begins to smell bad. I am all used up. I hurt my hip yesterday..

Sunday, July 5.

It rained all night. The regiment was ordered to move this afternoon so I had to come to the hospital about 5 miles from the battlefield.

Monday, July 6 .

There is between 4 & 5 thousand wounded here. . .

. . .

Friday, July 10

[] has cleaned out the wounded, but about 20. Some were so bad they couldn’t be moved. I shall stay a few days . . . I am living pretty high here the inhabitants fetch me everything one could wish for most . Thousands are coming here to see the battle ground. I have seen all I want of it.

~  Diary of Floyd Hawkins, Sergeant, Company H, Sixteenth Vt

July, Wednesday 1.

started at 10 oclock & marched to Gettysburg & camped for the night. is rainy with showers David goes on guard. heavy firing

 

Thursday 2

We march out under a hill & were under heavy fire all this afternoon. The 1[3]^th charged on battery & took 8 pieces.

                                                                  

July, Friday 3, 1863

is very hot day was under heavy firing all day. We charged on the rebs and took two flags David is wounded in the leg.

 

Saturday 4

is cloudy wet and muddy. we moved over the hill & camped in an orchard by a barn. is a very rainy night.

 

Sunday 5.

is cloudy all day. we moved in the morning over beyond the rifle pits and staid all day. the men were burying the dead

~ Diary of William Martin Ballou. private, Company F, Sixteenth Vt

Camp on the Battlefield / 

July 4th 63 / 

Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania 

My Dear Sister I will write a few lines + let you know that I am alive + well. We have fought the hardest battle of the war. The 13th, 4th,16th have been in the engagement for two days our loss is heavy. Henry White and Bart White have lost a leg each Merley Walker was hit in the head with a piece of shell also William Rogers in the arm[.] Wm. Geryell killed[.] A. S. Thompson wounded in the leg with ball this is as far as I know. I came off the field the first day with the Headquarters team. There is no fighting this morning as yet I think Lee is on the retreat he has got all he wants. Our regiment captured three stands of colors from the rebs + a good many prisoners[.] our boys fought bravely we have lost a good many out of our three Reg'mt. Oren Rice is wounded badly[.] I must close now and help take care of the wounded you never saw such sights in your life men without legs and arms. I have not had a letter from you for two weeks[.] Gen Stannard is wounded in leg but did not leave the field Goodbye... From Hiram" 

letter of Hiram Spafford (1841-1912), a corpsman or Doctor's assistant 

After the battle, the regiment followed in pursuit of Lee's retreating army until Lee crossed the Potomac into Virginia, when it was ordered home, its term of enlistment having expired. The regiment arrived in New York during the draft riots and remained there until order was restored. It was finally mustered out at Brattleboro, Aug. 10, 1863. The total enrolment of the 16th was 968, of whom 735 began the 7-day march to Gettysburg and 661 arrived in the field. 24 were killed in action or mortally wounded; 48 died of disease and 1 died in prison - total deaths, 73. Eighty men were wounded, 4 were captured and 2 deserted.

The Brigadier General commanding, in view of the gallantry and efficiency of the 13th, 14th and 16th Vermont Regiments, displayed at the battle of Gettysburg, directs that the flags of each of the regiments be inscribed "Gettysburg;" that the people of the State may be reminded at the sight of these flags of the men who bore and honored them in the hour of national danger and triumph , and that every soldier may justly be proud of his devotion to country, and credit done to the State....

But while the entire command may well be proud of its laurels, they will not forget to remember the fallen dead. Let their names be embalmed in the hearts of their comrades! Let their memory be green as the sod that covers them! Let their virtues and example be a watchword in coming time! Let the tear of sympathy alleviate the sorrow of relatives and friends!

~Brig. Gen. Geo. J. Stannard,  General Order No. 10,  July 15,1863.

"We are once more in our native State, whose green hills and pleasant valleys we left to fight in this war for right and freedom. But not all have returned. Those whose lives were consecrated on the bloody field of Gettysburg, who fell nobly fighting for their country, as well as others who died in camp and on the march, are absent but not forgotten.

"All honors to the defenders of our country, and when the cause of this Rebellion -- slavery -- shall have been ended, and in its stead is heard the voice of FREEDOM, then shall we be a happy and prosperous people." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 167 (1864).

Friday, June 19, 1863. Five weeks to go.

“We got a nice shower last night so to day it is quite cool & comfortable, & not at all dusty. The 1st Brigade encamped last night at the Court House; whether they are going to stay there any length of time or not, I do not know. ... When I was down to the Old Brigade, I saw a N.Y. Regt. under guard; asked a Sergt. who stood near what the difficulty was, & he told me they thought their time was out. 

"We shall know when ours is next time. Five weeks from yesterday, probably four weeks will see us on the road. The boys do not have word to say about their time now days, all quiet as can be.” ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, June 19, 1863 (uvm)

"June 19. This is a busy day for us. Our old camp being too much exposed, situate so near the picket line, it was thought advisable to move it back about a mile. Accordingly, orders were issued to that effect, and to-day they are being complied with."   ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 129 -30 (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

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.

Saturday, June 13, 1863. Hooker's Army is on the move.

"13th. Hooker's army is on the move. They are at Rappahannock station. 14th and 11th Army Corps has gone to Centerville."
 ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

"Saturday Eve June 13th 1863

"Dear Sister

"I write to night not because I have any thing to write, but because I have nothing else to do.

"For the last three or four weeks we have had nothing but hot, dry, weather & every time the wind blew a little the dust would fly like snow in the winter time; to night it looked quite like rain & I think we shall get at least a shower this time. We dont get many showers in this vacinity, in fact we have had only one yet this season. They either follow the Potomac down, or go south of us, & follow the Rappahannock.

"Present appearances seem to indicate that the rebs intend to give us another Bull Run fight. A portion of Hookers army have moved up near Bealton. ...

"... . I recd my pay to night $214.00. Shall send home $175.00 of it but I’m sure I dont know how, for there is no chance to get Paymasters Checks this time short of going into W. for them & its almost impossible to get a pass at present. I owe the odd $14. & shall need as much as the $25. before the 23d of July.... I shall at least save $250. out of what is paid me at Brattleboro which will make $900. saved in the 9 mos. I think that is doing pretty well to save that much tho’ probarbly some have done still better, & some very much worse....; if I cannot get the pass I shall send it in letters $20. at a time. I shall not send anything in this unless it is a little script, which perhaps would come handy for you to make change with.  ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, June 13, 1863 (uvm)

Thursday, July 11, 1863; the 16th moves back to Union Mills

On the 11th of June the regiment returned to Union Mills and resumed picket duty along Bull Run. ~Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

"Camp at Union Mills Va.

"June 11th 1863

"Dear Sister,

"I recd your & mothers letters of the 7th inst this P.M. after we came in from Bristoe Station. We were releived by the 15th Regt to day. Dr. Geo. remains here to attend the sick that were left behind. We have encamped on the hill here near the site of our old camp.

"I am rather tired to night having worked hard pitching our tents, building bunks, &c. so shall not write much, tho’ I have taken a big sheet.

"...We are to be paid up to May 1st tomorrow. There is no chance to get checks short of going to Washington for them now & as Capt Mason’s uncle (H.H. Mason) is here & starts for Springfield tomorrow or next day I think I shall send my money by him. Probarbly quite a number of our boys will do the same." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, June 11, 1863 (uvm)

April 27,1863. 4 months pay; Company H guarding the RR

"Washington, DC April 27th, 1863

"My Dearest Wife,

"Instead of being at the “front” I am in the rear. Our court martial adjourned for three or four days and as then was not much going on in the regiment, I came to the city. Yesterday I was at the Metropolitan with Capt. and Mrs. Hunt. I go back to the regiment this morning.

"Enclosed pleased find check for $300 which with your name on the back in fall as it is on the face, will get you the money at either bank in Brattleboro.
"My health is splendid. In a few days will write more at length. I write on a best case now. "Love to mother and children - Truly yours loving husband - Charles" ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters April 19, 1863. VHS.

"Monday 27th. Slept on a feather bed last night & undressed for the first time since leaving Brattleboro. Feel refreshed, & rested from my walk. It is very quiet here & my time is mostly spent between the Cooper's shop & the house, going backwards & forwards, as the spirit moves. The Reg't was paid 4 months pay to-day by Major Robinson." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 110, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment


"April 27. Battalion drill in the morning. At the close, the regiment is formed into a square; Gen. Stannard is introduced, and makes a short speech; the soldiers give him three loud and hearty cheers; then the officers are called forward, and introduced personally to him by Col. Randall,-the General shaking each by the hand warmly."~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

"April 27. The Paymaster is again in our camp, laden with "green backs" to pay us off. The weather is still fine."  ~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 113 (1864) "Camp at Union Mills Va. "Our Regt is a little broken up just at present, 3 Co’s (F. G. & H.) being out on the R.R. between here & Warrenton, for four days, & about as many more on picket, for 24 hours. "I think before long some of our Regt will be sent down on the R.R. to encamp. I think that would be the best way. I wish they would send ours, for all the way from Manassas Junction to Warrenton it is the most beautiful country I ever saw. "I noticed when we went out, a man ploughing about a mile from the R.R. near Warrenton, & in a field near by, a large flock of sheep; it looked quite like civilization again. Some how he had managed to stick to his place in the midst of the war. "I think he must have been astonished to see the long train of cars coming up the road that day, covered all over with blue soldiers, after so many months of quiet." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, April 27, 1863 (uvm)

.

Sunday, April 19, 1863

Lt. Col. Charles Cummings,
 Sixteenth Regiment,

"April 19. Seven days' rations are still on hand, ready for a move. ..." ~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 110 (1864).

"19th. Very warm and breezy. Gen. Stannard is to take command of this brigade Monday. It is reported that he is a very fine man." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

"Camp at Union Mills Virginia 

"Sunday, April 19, 1863 

"Dear Sister. I recd a letter from you to day so will answer this evening tho' I have nothing in particular to write only that we are still at our old Camp and likely to remain here for the present. It seems from what we can learn that at the time we expected to move, they intended to send us to Suffolk Va. but finally concluded to take Regts from nearer Washington. We have got our tents back and are living again. ..." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, April 19, 1863, in A War of the People: Vermont Civil War Letters , Jeffrey D. Marshall, ed., pp. 149-159.

"Camp (Peter T.) Washburn, Va. Apr. 19th, 1863

"My health would be tiptop were it not for a little cold that I took out on picket last Wednsday, which was as Stormy a day as you ever saw. Bull run, which is about the same size of black river near Downers, rose from twelve to fifteen feet in twenty four hours. So you can imagine whether it stormed or not. ..." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 36

“Camp Near Union Mills, VA

“April 19th, 1863

“My Dear Wife,

“I have not received a letter from you since yours of the 9th inst. came to hand. But the day is so magnificently delightful and as it is Sunday, I have nothing of importance on hand to demand immediate attention. I will spend my time in the agreeable duty of writing to you.  

“You will readily discover that our forward movement has not been made yet. Why, I do not know. Reasons are not vouched in military orders. …

“During the past week, just as our boys had got under their shelter tents a severe and protracted rainstorm came on which so raised the streams and Bull Run in particular, as to carry off the bridge over that stream at this place - only the iron rails and a few pieces being left - and the river was totally unfordable. 

The Photographic History of the Civil War: Forts and artillery
 By Robert Sampson Lanier

'If we move now we cannot make any progress until the bridge is rebuilt, for there will be no mode of getting along supplies until the railroad is in repair.

“But an early movement from here does not seem probable, and yet we may receive marching orders without a moment’s notice. We keep ourselves constantly supplied with seven days rations and over 100 rounds of ammunition.  

“We are no longer in Casey’s Division. Last week our division of 3 brigades were placed under Brig. Gen. J. J. Abercombie an old West Pointer over sixty years of age, who is coming out to Centerville this week to establish his headquarters. Gen. Casey still remains in Washington. He is the author of our present tactics and is at work on tactics for the Negro regiments.

“Gen. George J. Stannard has at last been assigned to the 2nd Brigade and will arrive and assume command tomorrow. This is good news. We have been sadly in want of a General since Col. Blunt has been in command. The Colonel is not up to Veazey nor Proctor by a long chalk.

“The truth is that the 16th has the best Colonel in the Brigade, and the 16th Regiment can beat any other regiment in the brigade or in this section out of sight at any evolution and in any movement. This is conceded by Col. Blunt and Gen. Hayes of the 3rd Brigade.”  

"All the past week I have been at Centerville on the court martial, and it will take up nearly another week to finish the trial of all the prisoners now on the docket - and then may be other cases sent in. No one in this or the 15th Regiments has been brought before court martial nor is then a case before the Court at Centerville from this brigade. Our boys got disciplined in camp - all that is necessary.  

"My health is just as good as it can be. I have not felt so tough and hardy for many years. You would be surprised to see me eat and then I can lay down anywhere and sleep soundly on the floor, ground, or in any place.”  

Our term of enlistment is fast drawing to a close. By the time you receive this letter it will have two thirds expired and the pleasantest season and pact of the campaign is yet to come.

"Yours of the 15th was received a few moments since. I am glad to know that you are all well. And getting along well. I do not know what to do about the garden. It will not do to let it run up towards nor will it pay to put so much labor into it as I have done heretofore. Perhaps some way can be devised to get us out of the difficulty.

"The season is quite late out here. Peach trees are now in bloom and the crocus and daffodil and such like are in their prime. … I am sitting in my tent with the front down to keep out the sun with a neck scarf my shirtsleeves and sweating at that. But it does feel like some warm morning at home in May when I have been at work in the garden. The Blue Ridge in the distance which I can see for many miles is covered with snow yet.”

 …Your Loving husband - Charles.” ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters  April 19, 1863. VHS.

December 31, 1862. Resignations

George Clark
Sgt. Co. E
promoted 2d Lieut Co. D
16th Regt.
12/31/1862

"Wed. Eve Dec. 31st ...Three of the resignations in our Regt have been accepted. The Capt & 2d Lieut of Co. H. (Felchville) & Lieut Sherwin of Co. D. (Townsend) There are 4 more which will doubtless be accepted before long. I think Geo Clark stands quite a chance for a Lieutenancy. I would not take a Captaincy (not that there is any propect of my getting one) on any account. I consider a 1st Lieutenancy altogether better.

"This is the last letter I shall write in 1862 Tomorrow another year begins I wonder if it is to be a year of so much suffering as '62 has been.

"We have got a splendid Gen. & the Gen has a splendid staff. The whole Brigade are very much pleased with him." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, December 30 1862, UVM

"Dec. 31. All are mustered. The boys do their best, at washing themselves and clothes, cutting hair and scouring guns, to show off as well as they can. The brigade head-quarters are established at the village, and for the past few days the regiment shave taken turns in sending a hundred men to guard them. No little sensation has been produced by the arrest of several officers and privates, for not dressing, and washing, and stepping, and saluting, and other smaller things, just according to stern military rules. So before leaving our parade ground we go through a mimic guard-mount, under the eye of a field officer. We make a number of mistakes here. These are pointed out. And as is often the case, when, one not thoroughly versed in what he is doing, attempts at being over nice, comes short of his common work, so we under the eye of the General. Yet none are arrested; but some are sworn at, and one of the lieutenants laughed at for making a sort of an awkward start instead of a graceful salute as he passes the officer of the day. Two regiments of cavalry camped near the village. Some of these about midnight make havoc with the sutler's shops, helping themselves to the tobacco, beer, cider and apples, before the guards could reach tem, declaring that they were 'on a bust the last day of the year.'" ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment,  The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

December 30, 1862. Excitement and something to do.

"Camp Near Fairfax C.H. Va

"Tuesday Eve Dec 30th 1862

"It was a beautiful moonlight night & the whole Brigade was out, the 15th on picket at Bull Run the 12th & 13th at Fairfax C.H. or near there & the 14th near there in another direction & we (the 16th) down to Fairfax Station. Each Regt lay on thier arms. We were drawn up in line along side of the Catholic Church which had had all the pews taken out & been used as a hospital, it was empty when we were there so our & some Officers from other Co’s went into it & slept. 

"The station is between 2 & 3 miles from the C.H. I slept so soundly that I did not even hear the firing at the C.H. which was done by the 12th 13th & the Battery that was with them. Sometime in the night, I dont know what time, some Co’s of the 12th & 13th which were stationed by some old breast works discovered the Rebel cavalry passing & fired into them with no further results that we know of, than killing one of their horses, & taking one of the men prisoner. The Gen. ordered some shells flung after them from the 6 pound guns which were there, which was done, but to no effect it seems. 

"Our Regt stayed down to the station until about 3 P.M. The next day when we came back to camp & have been here undisturbed ever since. It makes me so mad I dont know what to do to think how they can slip round among our troops & not get taken. It seems almost impossible that they could pass right through among so many of us here and recieve no further damage. The prisoner captured states that thier object in doing so is meerly to capture what sutlers stores they can so they are getting hungry. ...

"Tomorrow is the 31st day of December & consiquently “muster day” with us. Day after tomorrow is our time to go on picket again for four days. I like it & had rather do it than to stay in camp. This is good fun to what it is staying back to Alexandria or somewhere else where there is no excitement & nothing to do." ~ Joseph Spafford, 1st Lieutenant, Company E, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter, December 30 1862, UVM

"Dec. 30. All quiet until about dark, when it was reported that Jackson was crossing the Rappahannock in force. Then I had to run with orders to the different regiments to hold themselves in readiness to march at one minutes notice with three days rations in their haversacks. Did not get much time to sleep that night."   ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment.