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). 

Monday. June 22, 1863. Some were minus legs and arms.

"Monday 22nd Co. Drill in A.M. Then getting excused from Noon roll-call, C. Thacher & I departed for "Sally Davis'". Stayed to dinner, which was very fair, had a good visit & returned to camp about 3 P.M. Battalion drill in P.M. & Dress Parade in eve. It is vastly more pleasant here, than it was in the Winter, when the mud was so deep & everything so drear." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 132, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Camp of the 12th Regt. About one mile from Wolf run 

June 22nd 1863

"Dear Parents:   I now seat Myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am yet alive and well and hope this will find you the same.   it is pleasant and warm to day ... yesterday there was very heavy Canonading off Towards Thorifare(?) Gap but dont know where it was.   James w. Taylor is here in my tent he is pretty poor and Weak, but is in pretty good Spirits ... we are in Camp about 3/4 of a mile from where we was last Winter. We Expect to have to go out on picket tomorrow but do not know. 

"to day there has been a paper to see if the boys will vote to stay six months more but I Think that Capt will vote to go home Just as Soon as Uncle Samuel will let us go and then we can Talk about Enlisting and that is that ... Well I think that I will put by this Writing a little While. 

"half past five P.M. I will now try and finish this letter. there has been pretty heavy fireing this afternoon. We have been out on Battalion drill Just for a Change...." ~ Ulysses Haller Hammond, West Windsor,  Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 44, June 22, 1863

"Camp Carusi 

June 22th 1863

"Dear Mother, I rec’d your last letter some days ago but have been so busy that I have not had time to answer it till now. My health is good at this time and the rest of our boys seem to be feeling well now days. We remain on our old ground (no, I am mistaken we have moved just swung the Regt. round so we are within ten rods of where we have been all the time). 

"We have not had anything to disturb us as yet, although we are on the very front here. There are no troops between us and the Rebels. One wing of Hooker’s army is within eight miles of here and are the only guard they have, so we occupy a very important position. If we allow ourselves to be surprised without giving them the alarm, serious consequences might be the result but we shant. Our pickets are vigilant. No force can approach without their being aware of it.

"... It does not seem that nine months have past since I left home (or nearly that). It has been the shortest nine months that ever I saw and the time now passes off very fast. I suppose the reason is that we are kept too busy. We are on duty three days in a week but it is not hard. The nights are so short that it does not seem as bad as it did last winter and we can lay down and sleep anywhere without a blanket and not be cold.

"There has been fighting above here for three days, mostly artillery and cavalry. I went to the station yesterday as one of the guards (we have to guard the teams since the others were taken) and I saw some of the wounded and some prisoners. They said our men were driving the Rebels and after I came away. There were some more passed. Some were minus legs and arms. They were hit in every place that it don’t seem possible that they could live so long."~ James Willson, 13th Regt., pvt, Co. B., Letter #52, June 22, 1863 (VHS)

"Camp Carusi, 

"June 22, 1863.

"My Dear Sister, -Everybody moves but us. This picket line is still kept up. The boys were going to move long before, and fight the enemy; but not a rebel has been seen yet. The oft repeated question is, "Where is Lee?" Some say he is in the Shenandoah valley; others think that he is just south of the Bull Run battle-field. Gen. Hooker's army corps are within supporting distance of each other in the vicinity of Centreville and Fairfax Court House. 

"It is reported that a few of the enemy have reached Pennsylvania, and that Harrisburg is in danger. We do not know what to think of these things, or how this great move will finally turn out. 

"The soldiers are in good health and spirits. None expect a large force this way; but in case of a great battle near where the armies have met twice before, this brigade will doubtless take part in the bloody drama. The excitement is just enough for some, operating like wine on them." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment, The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864) 

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)

Wednesday, June 10, 1863

"Union Mills Va. June 10th 1863

"Dear Parents, I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am not well, but a great deel better than I was yesterday. Last Sauterday morning I went out on picket & as it was very warm in the morning, I did not take any thing with me but my rubber Blanket & Overcoat it continued warm during the day & at night I went through the lines (a distance of about two miles) to carry the Countersign & I got pretty well warmed up & when I got back the wing began to blow & I never suffered more with the cold on picket that I did that night. I took a severe cold. 

"We got into camp monday noon & signed the payroll & got our pay. at six oclock there was a Battallion drill which lasted until about dark & yesterday morning there was a co. drill at Six Oclock. I drilled about an hour & I had to fall out & by the time that I got into camp I shook like popler leaf that followed me up about two hours & left me with a very high fever. But the Lieut. gave me a sweat, which made me feel better. 

"This morning I feel as if I was about eighty five. But I am in hopes to feel better by to morrow

"Col. Blunt says that it is his intention to have the regiment muster out on or before the 3rd of July & he calculates to start the regiment from here by the 27th or 28th of this month. The Quartermaster had orders to have everything ready by the 27th. so if things work to suit Col. Blunt, we shall be at home to celebrate the fourth.

"As I am about tired out. I will draw to a close. I sent home $20 last night by express which you will please to take charge or. Charles Stone & F G Shedd are rather hard up. caught cold while on picket. My best respects to all." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 42, June 10, 1863

Saturday, May 23, 1863. A grand review.

Gen.Stannard
(VHS)

"Camp Near Bristol Station

"[This] morning the Bush whackers attacked our cavalry patrol on the road about thee miles below here. They killed one man from the first Vermont, without any loss to them. Our men said that two of the men had been in their camp several times. But I reckon that they had not better be seen there again. if they be they will face Slim."  ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 41, May 24, 1863

"Saturday 23rd.  Last Monday 18th I enlisted & to-day is the completion of 9 months since the election of our Co. officers. Six weeks more will finish this job. In camp & taking it easy to-day". ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 121, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"May 23. A grand review of the troops in this vicinity to-day, by Gen. Stannard, and a very warm day for such business." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 121 (1864)

"23rd. Very hot and dry. Exciting news from Grant. Report that he has taken eighty pieces of field artillery." ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

May 8, 1863. "A very pretty place for a camp"

"Friday 8th. This is a very pretty place for a camp, near the River & we find good water. Raining to-day. So we are lying in our tents, mostly. The farther we push into Va. the better the land & better improved. This must have been a splendid section before the war, but now we see, for the most part, ruins." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow (UVM), 115, Horace Barlow, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment



PS: "About 10,000 (ten thousand) cavalry came to this station, under command of Gen Stoneman, just having returned from their great raid down toward Richmond. A part went on to Bealeston Station. They presented a splendid appearance, tho' tired & hungry, horses & men having had no food for 24 hours. They went within about 2 (two) miles) of R & destroyed all that came in their way." ~ Id. at 117-118



"Friday morning. all as well as we were yesterday & hope that this will find you well. It has rained a good share of the time for the last four days & it rains some now & some it dont. Ira, C. Small & myself set here on our Rubber blankets under our shelter tents doubled up about as much as E. Sanders used to be. So you may judge what kind of a chance we have to write. The Country between here and manassas junction is as nice as any that I ever saw & where we are encamped now the clover is three our four inches high & looks as green & rank as any that you ever saw

"... I presume that you have seen in the paper about the death of Templeton the notorious Rebel Spy who was shot at the Battle of Warrenton last Sunday he was a man I should think of about forty years of age. Slim built. was about five feet seven inches in height I should think (could of tole better if I could have seen him a standing up) I saw the one who shot him. he said that he Templeton rode up to him & said Surrender you d...d yankee son of a bitch well says he I will. At the same time he drew his revolver & put a ball through his heart & he fell from his horse & died without a struggle. I heard some of Mosbys men say that they had better lost fifty men than him. Dick Moran whose name you have probably noticed in the paper I should gage would weigh about two hundred pounds was shot through the windpipe.

"But the cars have come in & I must stop in order to have this go out. write soon.

"J H Hammond to the folks at home." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 40


[Templeton the "notorious spy" and Moran: see Report of Report of Gen Julius Stahel, in  James Joseph Williamson Mosby's Rangers 58]

May 7, 1863. The 12th and 15th move to the banks of the Rappahannock.

"Thursday 7th. Still lowery & rainy. Orders to move on arrival of R.R. train. Left about 1 P.M. & in due season arrived at Rappahannock station & there encamped. Got boards & put up a shanty with all the tents & we 5 all live together. Baxter is yet in Alexandria. A Section of Artillery came down with us, or rather in a train following, & the 15th Vt. came down to "Bealeston" station." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 115, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment



"Camp in the field at Rappahanock Station on the banks of the Rappahanock River Va. May 7th 1863

"Dear Father, Mother, Brothers & Sister I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that we are yet alive & enjoying tolerable health, although I thought yesterday that I should have to lay off for a few days. I was threatened hard with a fever. But come to lay down in the mud knee deep to Sleep last night I found myself a good deal better this morning & I am in hopes that I shall come out all right in a few days.

"We had orders last night to be ready to move to day at 11 Oclock A.M. But the cars did not get along until one Oclock. when they got there we got aboard of them & came to this place, a distance of seven miles. we are encamped about sixty rods from the Rappahanock river & about that distance from the Bridge. The bridge is somewhat out of shape & it is talk that there will be workmen here immediately to repair it & that we are here to guard it

"I understand that if Hooker is successful that his supplies will have to pass over this road in the course of three or four days The 15th regiment came up to Bealton Station (three miles below here) to day.

"Lieut. Wait & Wilber Herrick were sent back to Union mills this morning they are both of them rather off the hooks. But are not very sick.   Wilber has been in the hospital three days.   But he was so that he was out doors this morning & looked pretty bright. They will probably be sent to Alexandria.

"...There is rumors of all sort in camp. Some are that Hooker has ben repulsed & others are that he has been Successful & that he has got the Rebs into such a position that he could withstand the whole force of confederates that there is & so it is. But we shall know sometime if ever we do I reckon right Smart.

"As it is about dark, shall have to close until morning J H Hammond"~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 40

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

Sunday, May 3, 1863. A skirmish with Mosby. "We are approaching the front"

"At Warrenton Junction (Calverton) on May 3, 1863, 

Colonel John S. Mosby attacked

 the Federal 1st West Virginia Regiment,

 but was forced to flee when 

surprised by 1st Vermont
and the 5th New York Calvary."

'Camp in the field Near Warrenton Junction Va.
" May third 1863

"Well father, I commenced this letter this morning had written five lines & the order came along for Co. A & B to fall in as quick as possible. We did so & under the command of Capt. Savage we marched to Warrenton Junction a distance of about three miles & there I saw a sight that I never see before.

"...one of our boys of Co H came into camp a horse back & said that he had been taken prisoner by mosbys cavalry but by close work had got away & took a horse with him. ... In a few minutes after the man came in . there was another one came in to camp in the same shape, horse and all & about the same time there was a cavalryman from the 1st Vt. who are stationed at Warrinton junction & said that they had (been) attacked by the rebels under Mosby & that they wished for a reinforcement of infantry. 

"So Co.s A & B under the command of Capt Savage started for that place. But before we arrived there they were gone. ...The first Va. had one man killed instantly & from twelve to fifteen wounded. The Rebs had one man killed at the house & when we left the house at three Oclock there were 2 rebels dead & 18 wounded & several of those were wounded mortally & when we left they were fetching in the wounded ones in ambulances that were wounded in their retreat. they stated that there was several dead rebels laid along the road that the rebs took.

"The Rebels were the roughest looking mortals that you ever saw. dirt & rags, rags & dirt. A goodly number o them were citizens & one of them I have seen a great many times in our camp at wolf run Shoals & there was another one that was badly wounded who we saw a harrowing with a yoke of cattle only the night before & all of them were dressed in citizens clothes..." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 39


"....A body of cavalry, in the blue uniforms of Uncle Sam's boys, held the Junction, and the bodies of a dozen dead horses strewn around the solitary house at the station told of a sharp skirmish on that spot. Springing from the train, I had hardly taken twenty steps before I came upon the body of a dead rebel, stretched stark and cold, face upward, in coats of rusty brown and pantaloons of butternut. 

"They showed me papers taken from his pockets, showing him to be one Templeman, a well known scout and spy of Mosby's command. Passing on to the house I found lying around it seventeen wounded "butternuts" of all ages, from boys of sixteen to shaggy and grizzled men of fifty years. They lay in their blood, with wounds as yet undressed, for the skirmish ended but a little while before we arrived, some with gaping sabre cuts, some with terrible bullet wounds through face, body or limbs. 

"Four or five rebel prisoners, unhurt, stood by, with downcast faces, but willing to answer civil questions. Close by, covered decently with a blanket, lay the body of a Union cavalryman, shot in cold blood after he had surrendered and given up his arms, by a long haired young rebel, who had received his reward for the dastardly act and lay near his victim, with a bullet wound in his stomach.

"The floor of the house was strewn with wounded men, among them Major Steele of the First Virginia, mortally wounded, and two of Mosby's officers. Their wounds had just been dressed, and the surgeon now began to give attention to the wounded rebels outside." ~ Lieut.  G.G. Benedict, Company C, 12th Regiment, Letter to the Free Press of May 4, 1863 in Army Life in Virginia

"Sunday 3rd.  This A.M. off guard & are ordered to Union Mills, our knapsacks being carried in an ambulance. Reached Union Mills & waited about an hour for train & left on it about 11½. Found two Co's K & G. at Catlett's station, & the rest of the reg't about 5 miles below Warrenton Junction. 

"This A.M. (it seems) Capt Mosely with a force of about 150 attacked a party of our 1st Virginia Cav & as they were totally unprepared, as they were engaged in watering their horses &c, they took them prisoners, but as the 5th N.Y. bore down on them immediately they were hardly used & were scattered.

"We took (i.e. the 5th N.Y. & 1st Vt Cav) a Major 2 Capt's, several Lieut's & some 30 Prisoners & wounded. This occurred at W. Junction & as we passed by on the train, we saw Prisoners, dead & wounded, & traces of the fight. We are approaching the "Front"." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 113, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment

"Union Mills, Virginia, May 3, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"We are going down to Bristow Station to stay four days, and relieve the 13th, who are down there now, if the Rebs don't catch us, and I don't much think they will. We came down on the cars, and expect to go back the same way. We are working quite hard down here, doing guard duty on the railroad, and patrolling all over the country, yet we are having a good time, good weather, and a superb country to stay in. I understand that the captain is going to try to get permission to stay four days longer, He thinks that he has got a clue that will enable him to catch a Reb or two...

"Matt Stewart was shot at night before last while on picket. There is no regular force of Rebs about here, only some men detached for scouting service- some say 150 in all. There is once in a while a Union man in the neighborhood, but most of the citizens are either Sesesh openly or sympathize with them.

"The cavalry catch a Reb or two almost every day. A dozen of us went out scouting, and only a little later two Rebs came on the opposite side of the woods and were caught. We can hear cannonading even now, and know that Hooker is at work. We are very anxious to know the result. 

"Mosely's gang of Rebs got thrashed down at Warrenton Junction twelve miles from here. They first caught about fifty of the 1st Virginia (Union) Cavalry with horses unsaddled and turned out to graze, and the men cooking coffee, and charged them. They rallied in a house, as they did not have time to saddle and mount, and there held Mosely's men-110 in all, at bay until they set fire to the house and burst in the doors.

"They sabred the Rebs as they came in, but they had to surrender at last, though not before the 5th NY Cavalry, which was some little distance away, had time to get up, and the tables were turned. 

"The 1st Virginians were all released, three of Mosely's men killed, 25 or 30 taken prisoner, the most of whom were wounded, including two lieutenants and one captain. And Mosely himself was wounded in the shoulder severely enough to make him drop his saber, which the boys picked up. The loss on our side, I believe, was one killed, thirteen wounded. But dinner is ready, and I must go on duty afterward. H.G. Day" ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 3, 1863

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

April 23, 1863. "The Nine Month Men"

Insults from civilians and the press back in the North were especially stinging. Nine-month men were upset by attitudes like that expressed by The New York Tribune, which called them “beauties who enlisted for the bounties, and took into the service neither health, patriotism, nor honesty.” W. Hockox,  Nine Months of Hell

"Union Mills, Virginia April 23, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"Having Just returned from a pleasure trip down to the Rappahannock, I propose to devote a part of this rainy forenoon writing to you. ...

"One thing that happened at Manassas I must not omit to mention. While we were resting there, Matt Stewart and another started off in pursuit of adventure, and came across a drove of Virginia pigs, whereupon Matt grabbed one that would weigh 60 or 70 pounds, by the ears, and kept the old sole away as best he could, while the other one stuck him with his bayonet. Matt came back and reported just as we were ready to start on again, and one took his gun and another his blanket, he grabbed his rubber and pressed on ahead until he got to where his pig lay, and then picked him up and put him in his rubber, slung him on his back and brought him off. But he was soon relieved of his load by Bingham, who rode one of the officers' horses. I had a mouthful or two of said pig, and can testify that he tasted very much like veal....

"The Vermont Journal of the 18th has just come to hand. One piece in it entitled "The Nine Month Men" has been read by many of the boys, and pronounced by all an unmitigated lie. Some of them wish that they could see the man that wrote the piece--you may guess for what. It is true that they are in no hurry to turn their backs on Rebeldom until their time is out, and that the men of this brigade firmly and conscientiously believe to be in nine months from the date of organization, and they are not men that like to be fooled or tampered with, whether it be by P.T. Washburn and Fred Holbrook, or by our respected Uncle Samuel. Very many of them and half the entire brigade, would enlist again within thirty days after they were discharged if they were only discharged within a reasonable time after they consider their time honestly and fairly out, but say they, if they keep us until the twenty third of July, Uncle Sam may run his machine just as he can for all we care.

"Not that they care for the extra two months time, for they consider themselves good for that, but they enlisted, believing their time to be out in nine months, and the idea of being fooled and hocussed by General P. T. Washburn or any other general does not sit gracefully upon their minds, and some few of them go so far as to declare that they will not do a day's duty after they call their time out, and the great majority of them say that they may have fooled us once, but never can again, for, say they, if they can hold us two months and then muster us in and keep us for the full time of our enlistment, they can hold us twenty years and then do the same. This brigade is ready to do its duty, whatever that may be, but "play not with edge tools all ye State authorities", for if our bayonets do not count in the coming struggle, our votes certainly will count in the Fall elections, and against you too, I fear. H. G. Day" ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of April 23, 1863

"Near Wolf Run, Va. Aprl 23d 1863

"Dear parents

"...One Oclock P.M. it has rained a perfect Shower all day & looks now as if it would continue to the rest of the day if not all night ... The number of men present for duty this morning was fifty one. ...    

"There is considerable talk here concerning our time. But a good many have come to the conclusion (since they saw the order from Hockeer relative reinlistments) that they have got to stay until the fourth of July.

"Two months ago I though that we should be at home in may or the fore part of June. But I have altered my mind.   But the boys that I tent with say that they are going home in may so you see we have some jolly times. they say that all that makes me say so is Because I want to be on the contrary side & I let them have it to suit themselfs so that we can have Something for an argument.  

"I think sometimes that I should like to be home to help you do Springs work. But if we are well it will not make much differance to me whether I go in may or july. it is I think just seven months come day after to morrow morning since we left home & we have all of us been blessed with good health or at least better than the Co. will average, a blessing which cannot be to highly prized in this buisness.(?) As to night is the night for Sundays mail I will dray to a close until evening.

"Half past seven PM ...General Stanard is a going to move to union mills to morrow & as Iras team has been turned over to the Brigade & is a Brigade team & belonging to headquarters, he has got to go with him. But I do not think that he will have so much to do as he would to stay here, as the cars run through there towards warrenton. he has been to the Station to day & he got wet and he feels rather hard up to night.

"...The boys that are well feel as good as horses & say that Uncle Sam may do what he is a mind to with them But that it will play out in about seventy one or two days more at the longest, which is but a short time

"I am glad that your bees are in good shape & I hope to be able to hive some of them but if I am not you will have to be careful & not get stung. by the way, Cook wants to know if you wintered that Swarm that stung Grandfather & him so. He thinks that he should liked to have had a chance to have smoked them a little. The report is at this time that we have got to move to union mills to morrow & if we do we shall know more about it, that is all." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 37

   

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.