April 28, 1863. Some sort of movement in progress.

"Tuesday 28th.  We are living pretty well now. Our bill of fare consists, in general, of Bacon, Fresh fish, corn-bread & biscuit, Molasses, & Coffee. Went to Camp this A.M. on horseback, about 9 o'clock. Saw the boys & got my pay for 4 mo's, $52.00 of the Capt. Had a nice visit & came back in rain about 3 P.M. Of course, after getting my pay, I did not visit the sutler, nor nothing of the kind."  ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 111, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Union Mills, Virginia, April 28th, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"You see that we still hold Union Mills, and have not taken up a permanent abode on the Rappahannock shore, though we are just now having a little more picket duty to do than we have had before. Our new Division General, Abercrombie, is mighty strict. He has ordered out all the fires on the picket line, made some new regulations about passes, etc. The boys feel rather aggrieved about the fires, and were so mad yesterday morning they set fire to the woods. 

"I was kept off picket this morning to make out the muster rolls, as we all have to be mustered for pay again the last day of this month. The paymaster has just been around with four months' pay ($52). Many of the boys are sending home a considerable portion of it. I am going to send $50 in the shape of a check from the paymaster, which I presume you can draw at any bank, as well as you could the widow's order that you dealt with last year. 

"There seems to be some sort of movement in progress down in front of us this morning. Artillery, cavalry, and a lot of mules have been sent down on the railroad this morning, and 'tis said that there was a skirmish down on the Rapahannock this morning, and that the first trains brought up some wounded soldiers, though I did not see them.

I imagine that if the weather holds good for a week, we will hear of awful fighting on the Rapahannock, and I feel confident of success, for they are taking unwearied pains to make it a sure thing and of all the forces of cavalry and light artillery that they have on the river 30,000 cavalry on the river around the railroad, and Warrenton, besides the artillery and what troops have gone down on the railroad last night and today*: all these exclusive of the troops that Hooker has with him in front of Fredricksburg. 

"We had some new non commissioned officers made last night, and concluded that the newly promoted men had better wet their stripes, so the company fell in to two ranks and marched down to the sutler's, the non coms heading the delegation, and there we devoured a half barrel of apples at their expense, the Adjutant and commissioned officers sharing with us. Then we marched back to our company ground, dispensed a few good lusty cheers and had a good time generally for the remainder of the evening. 

"We are now expecting to get back about the first of June. Have just got my check from the paymaster, which I enclose, but do not have time to write more. H.G. Day" ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of April 28, 1863

* At 10:30 pm, Howard’s XI Corps, 14,000-strong, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford as part of Hooker's plan to flank Lee at Fredericksburg. 

Meanwhile (?) John C. Williams of Danby muses on why we fight.

"April 28. We were paid off yesterday -- received four months' pay.

"Recent circumstances indicate that the campaign is about to open, and much confidence is felt in Hooker, and that victory awaits our arms. This is to be an eventful week, and we are waiting very anxiously to know the result of the next movement. We are confident that success will inevitably be secured to our arms. The glorious old Stars and Stripes will yet float over every inch of soil where rebeldom lifts its accursed head, and where thrice accursed traitors trample it beneath their feet. 

"This is a cause which is worthy to be engaged in, one in which all mankind are interested. The preservation of this Union is one of the noblest things to fight for. Not anywhere in the annals of the past ages do we find a government founded upon such liberal principles. America! glorious America! long may she live to be an asylum for the oppressed of all nations, where men of all color can enjoy equal rights and privileges, and freedom the inalienable right of man; a country where the people do not bow to kings or tyrants, but in whose hands alone rests the power to govern, and where people can worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience; where education is unrestrained, and civilization unchecked.

"I blush to mention that one foul blot upon our country's fair escutcheon, which has been allowed to exist too long in one part of the land — I mean "that sum of all villainies," that evil system, which holds a part of the human race in bondage, which has impoverished the land, and reduced the people to the lowest state of misery and degradation, and has at last culminated in this wicked rebellion. But if slavery dies with this war, then shall we be well paid for the sacrifices that are now being made, and the glorious results which will bless millions yet unborn." ~ John  C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 113-  115 (1864)

April 10, 1863: to free the country from the grasp of its hellish foes

"April 10. The "grand Army of the Potomac" still inactive. How much longer shall the nation be kept in suspense, awaiting the movements of our armies? Must there yet be months of inactivity, before the immense force now in the field shall be ready to deal destruction to those engaged in this sacrilegious outrage upon this hitherto prosperous government, and free the country from the grasp of its hellish foes, who are plotting the destruction of our liberties? 

"I hope that peace, with its many blessings, will soon be proclaimed throughout our land. It cannot be that our beloved country is doomed to a dissolution by parties warring against her." ~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 105-06 (1864).

"Friday 10th. Feeling a little better this A.M. Living on rather a plain diet, yet, as Dr. says it is best. Boys are getting the shanty fixed up pretty well. Got letters to-night & money. All the letters were written, having just recd Baxter's letter, which he wrote for me, advising them of my sickness, & they are all scared almost to death, & here I am, getting pretty well! About ½ hour after receiving my letters, who should come to the tent but Edward. It seems he came on to New York last Monday, & transacted his business & then as they had had no news that I was better, he thought it best to come on. ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 101, Co. C, 12th Regiment

February 28, 1863. Why we fight.

Lt.Col. Charles Cummings 16th Vt. Regt.

"My Dearest Wife,

"This afternoon the 14th, 15th, and 16th Vermont Regiments have been ordered to be ready to receive marching orders at a moment’s notice with two days cooked rations where to I do not know, but I suspect in the direction of Leesburg towards Harper’s Ferry from here. It is  said that the rebel cavalry is threatening an attack in that quarter. After all just as likely as not it  is only a big scare. ...

"The most painful spectacle that now presents itself is that of the traitorous copperhead “peace” men in the north who are talking and acting treason under the guise of restoring “the Union as it was and the Constitution as it is.” They are a secret confederation of traitors who see in the putting down of the rebellion and the consequent downfall of slavery the loss of their natural political allies and their future party poverty. It stirs one’s blood that the miserable, craven hearted demagogues not content with their own treason should seek to link the brave soldiers who are periling all they hold dear in the defense of their country with them in their shame. 

"C. H. Davenport of Wilmington is one of this number. He came out here and after hearing me talk said I was the first officer he had seen who was willing to support the administration to the utmost in putting down the rebellion and in employing any and every means for that purpose. He went home and most shamefully belied the 16th Regiment.

"Last Monday a series of resolutions persuasive of the sentiments of the 16th Regiment in relation to the war were drawn up and signed by every commissioned officer present and after being read on dress parade were put to vote, when on the question of there adoption from six to seven hundred men all that were present, answered a thundering, hearty, unanimous aye! These have been sent to Vermont, and will appear in some of the papers. The army is all right and if the men and women we have left behind us will take care of the miserable platoon who are maligning us we will put down the rebellion here, and then come home and squelch their treasonable speech and practices.

"I have faith that we shall succeed. I recognize but one alternative - Disunion or the subjugation of the rebels. To disunion, I will never willingly consent so long as my arm and my tongue is left. Whatever I am, I am at my country’s service until this great work is accomplished  and may God speed the day. ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter  February 28, 1863. VHS.

"There is too much sympathy for the rebels in their unholy and devilish work."

"February 26.  The snow has fallen to the depth of a foot.

"We hear of those at home who are already beginning to shake in their boots for fear of the draft which is soon to take place. Such people have doubtless become horrified upon the subject of war, for it has lasted longer than most of the people thought for. I fear that there has not been earnestness enough in the people of the North in prosecuting the war. They have not viewed the matter in its true light, and realized the gigantic proportions of this Rebellion. They have shown too much mercy to those wretches who are grappling so earnestly at the throat of the nation. The advantages have been with the South, in having a knowledge of the country, and by acting on the defensive; and it is generally conceded by good tacticians, that the invading army should be three times as strong as the invaded.

"But this does not show our weakness in so striking a degree as when we consider the sympathy manifested in the North for secession. There is too much sympathy for the rebels in their unholy and devilish work. This has been a great drawback to us in accomplishing what we should. The President would doubtless have issued his emancipation scheme before, had it not been for this opposition. It was evident to him, as well as to al far-seeing statesmen, that slavery was the cause and main story of the rebellion, and by the opposition of those who would not recognize any policy which touched the "Sacred Institution," he was deterred from issuing that proclamation which embodies the noble principles ever conceived by man, and thereby striking at once at the foundation of this most uncalled for strife." ~ J. C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp, 81 (1864)

"Feb. 26. Rain, which makes the snow quite soft. The 15th have had a snow ball- the right wing against the left. As fast as they got hit they had to fall out, which they done very well, until the wounded got to fighting among themselves, and then it was nip and tuck. The left took Col. Proctor prisoner, and they hang on to him so tight that he had to use some of his authority. Liet. Col. Grout came out on his horse and had quite a time taking him prisoner and moving him up to his quarters, which they made out to do." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment.