Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)

April 22d. To-day the Second corps was reviewed by General Grant and made a splendid appearance. It was drawn up in four parallel lines in front of the reviewing stand, with the artillery on the right. We estimated the number of men parading at about twenty-five thousand, splendidly equipped and armed in the best fashion. Our division had the right of the line. Grant first moved down the ranks, after which we passed the reviewing stand in column, marching with great precision. John Hancock rode to the right as chief of staff, I next and then came Derrickson and the others.

This is the beginning of the end, and in a few days camp near Stevensburg will be a thing of the past, and where we shall we be, who can tell?

Under general order No. 104, from army headquarters, all superfluous baggage has been sent back to Washington, and we have little with us besides the clothing on our backs. All look forward to this campaign as the last of the series and expect Grant to spare neither life nor material in reducing the rebel army to submission.

March 24th. Preparations are making on every hand for the spring campaign, which threatens to be the most momentous and bloody of all the series we have yet made. Grant is in full command of all the armies in the United States and is to be with our army in person. We received an order to-day, announcing a consolidating of the corps and many changes in the commanding officers.

The army of the Potomac will hereafter consist of the Second corps, General Hancock; the Fifth corps, General S. K. Warren; the Sixth corps, General John Sedgwick and the cavalry corps, commanded by General Phil Sheridan.

The First and Third corps are disbanded, and the Ninth corps, General Burnside, is, I believe, to be part of the army of the Potomac. General Hunt commands the artillery and General George Meade remains in nominal command of the army.

Hancock is the most popular corps commanded by all odds, differing from other general officers I have served with in being always in sight during an action. He is fearless, constantly on the alert, and generally in the very thickest of the fight supervising every movement himself. He keeps his own staff and every other staff, which happens to be near him, constantly on the go and is himself frequently without a single attendant. He is magnificent in appearance, lordly, but cordial, and is remarkably generous, giving every one ample credit for what he does and can call by name almost every officer in his command. This is a very rare faculty and adds much to his popularity. When he was in command of the division, I met him, of course, every day. Now I see him only occasionally, but he always remembers me, and in his lordly fashion is as friendly as possible.

The change that came home to us most severely was the removal of our immediate commander General Caldwell, and the assignment in his place of General Frances Barlow, from the Eleventh corps. This was the most unkindest cut of all. General Caldwell is our friend, as well as commander; the soul of honor and perfection of good nature. He has been a father to us youngsters and ever ready to help in smoothing the pathway of official duty. The general’s amiability and delightful manner won all hearts, and his sudden removal from command gained him the sympathy of every man in the division. Besides possessing a genial manner, he is an excellent scholar and very capable soldier and has served from the beginning with this division, being promoted from the command of the First brigade on Hancock’s transfer to the corps command. Of course, he was greatly chagrined and left the division with much reluctance.

General French is also relieved, my original brigade commander, late in command of the Third division, and his division is broken up. There are so many changes that one scarcely recognizes the army for the same that we have grown up with. Dr. R. C. Stiles, the surgeon in chief of the division, has resigned and gone home, which is a great personal loss to me. He is a splendid fellow, accomplished, fond of all kinds of field sports and should have been in the fighting ranks instead of the medical department.

The corps now contains four divisions, commanded, respectively, by Barlow, Gibbon, Birney, and Mott; our brigades, four in number, are commanded by Miles, Thomas A. Smyth, Paul Frank, and John R. Brooke, all colonels. Brooke and Frank are original colonels, who have served from the beginning in our old brigade, without promotion or reward of any kind. Miles has come up from a captain and is an excellent soldier, but owes much of his success in attaining rank to the favor of General Caldwell, who has favored him in every possible way, giving him most of the independent small commands where there was a chance for gaining notoriety and credit. It is due to Miles to say that he always proved more than equal to the emergency. He is fine looking, courageous, a natural-born soldier and is bound to succeed.

Smyth, who commands the Second or Irish brigade, I know little of. Nearly all of these fellows are courageous, and as I have many times observed natural-born soldiers. For my own part, I would rather command a good regiment of Irishmen than any other I have ever seen. Brooke, commanding the Fourth brigade, is equaled by few officers in the army and should have been a brigadier-general long ago.

The brigades have changed so much by reason of transfer, expiration of term of service, annihilation, etc., that I shall put down the present roster for the opening of the campaign.

First division, General Francis C. Barlow commanding; First brigade, Colonel Nelson A. Miles, Sixty-first New York Volunteers, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, One Hundred and Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Second brigade, Colonel Thos. A. Smyth commanding: Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry (a very good regiment), Sixty-third New York Infantry, Sixty-ninth New York Infantry (original Irish brigade), Eighty-eighth New York Infantry (original Irish brigade), One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry (Irish regiment).

Third brigade, Colonel Paul Frank commanding: Thirty-ninth New York Infantry, Fifty-second New York Infantry, Fifty-seventh New York Infantry, One Hundred and Eleventh New York Infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Infantry, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth New York Infantry, and a battalion of the Seventh New York Infantry.

Fourth brigade, Colonel John R. Brooke commanding: Second Delaware Volunteers, Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Sixty-fourth New York, Sixty-sixth New York.

There is no general officer serving with any of the brigades of our division, as the above roster shows. In the Second division Generals Webb and Owens command brigades, and the Third division, Generals J. H. H. Wood and Alex Hayes. The Fourth division is like the First, wholly without any. One would have thought the government might have made promotions during the winter and started the army off on its great campaign fully officered, but it did not do so, and so most of us must continue acting in grades above our actual rank. Many that have been commissioned to higher grades cannot be mustered, on account of reduced numbers, and it really seems as if the goverment could not have made a regulation better calculated to keep regimental officers from exposing their men and doing good service. Every prominent regiment, which has done hard fighting, has effectually stopped promotion within its ranks; and there is nothing to look forward to as a military reward. Those recommendations for good conduct and gallant behavior have thus far succeeded in obtaining no advantage, which is certainly a bad state of things in a great army like this.

Amongst the new officers that have joined us this winter and have established themselves in the good opinion of the old soldiers is Colonel James A. Beaver of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania, a gallant, accomplished, and most agreeable gentleman. I have met him frequently on matters appertaining to my department and greatly admire him. His regiment is full and in excellent condition. Colonel Brown, of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania, is one of our especial favorites. He is large, very stout, overflowing with good nature, and very gallant and capable. He is a constant guest at headquarters and very popular, being a fine singer, and he and his dog Spot have contributed much to the amusement of the headquarters during the winter. He always gets shot in every battle, but manages to recover in time for the next.

Colonel MacDougall, of the One Hundred and Eleventh New York, is another favorite; young, fine looking, full of fight and energy, and possessed of a genial disposition; he is always a welcome guest at headquarters.

So many of our original number have fallen on the field that new men are constantly coming to the front, and it takes time to get to know them intimately. It is calculated that last year our division lost seven thousand five hundred men of all ranks, so it is easy to see how many fresh faces there must be to fill up these vacancies.

The following appeared in our “Camp Journal” some time after the great ball:

“The appearance of this charming and accomplished author and lecturer (Grace Greenwood) before our lecture association last week and her entire visit to the corps is a source of pride and pleasure alike to all of us. The entire winter has been very gay and spirited in its numerous festivities in the gallant old corps; and it was certainly an appropriate finale to them that this cultivated and accomplished lady should come from the refinement of her quiet home to the very outskirts of the rebel army and lay the rich treasures of her loyal, womanly heart and fertile mind at the feet of the men, who have come from their far Northern homes, to plant the dear old flag once more upon the mountain tops and domes, where it was ruthlessly torn by traitors’ hands. We shall not soon forget her earnest, burning words in behalf of justice, liberty, and law, nor cease to feel their inspiration, as night after night they gave some new charm to the holiness and majesty of our great cause. Our only regret is that we have not the room at this late hour to give a synopsis of her eloquent lecture before the officers of the corps, and that the exigencies of the service were such that she could not have spoken to every corps in the army.

“During her stay, Mrs. Lippencott has been the guest of General Caldwell and staff and has received many attentions at the hands of our most distinguished officers.”

The enemy has had the good taste not to disturb the festivities by any ill timed demonstrations on the approach of a party of ladies and their attendants; they have frequently saluted them and have always refrained from firing or other disagreeable attentions. The picket lines, in fact, fraternize very agreeably, and unless closely watched get to be unduly familiar, that is, for the safety and good of the army.

Horse races, in many of which I ride, hurdle races, division and brigade drills occupy our daily life, which runs as smoothly as could be desired. The army is, of course, bountifully supplied and clothed and is fast filling up again to its normal standard.

By dint of steady and indefatigable work we have managed to empty the guard house, straighten out the muster rolls, relieve the oppressed and punish the guilty.

The Irish brigade was for a time in a most chaotic state; nearly every other officer and man had charges preferred against him, thereby stopping their pay and taking them off the roster for duty; by assiduous labor we have gone through the entire command, dismissing the charges in most cases as frivolous and unworthy of attention.

The ladies remained at our headquarters their allotted time, and then took leave with great reluctance. They were escorted to the train by the entire body of officers, who wished to show their appreciation of their great kindness. Several officers’ wives and daughters remained, and Miss Hamlin is still a visitor at our quarters and promises to remain in the army for some time to come.

February 27th. Grace Greenwood, Mrs. Lippencott of literary renown, has been our guest for the past two days. She came to lecture before the officers and their friends of the division and is quartered and will remain for two weeks with us. She is most fascinating in her conversation and manner and is a valuable acquisition at the breakfast table, full of anecdotes, wit, and bon mots all carefully arranged and kept in readiness for the proper occasion. After the lecture we clear the floor for dancing, and there is “revelry by night,” invariably till twelve o’clock. Hobart, Wilson, Broom, and I are standing floor managers and are always receiving more or less agreeable attention.

February 24, 1864. The great ball, reception, and review all came off with the utmost distinction. A special train brought out an immense throng of notables, who in many cases remained over for the review on the 23d and Kilpatrick’s fine cavalry charge. Amongst the distinguished guests were Vice-president Hamlin and his daughter Sarah, a most agreeable young lady; Mrs. Governor Curtin, her daughter, and a bevy of beauties from the state capital. Guests of our headquarters: Mrs. Governor Sprague, radiant in all her glorious beauty, acknowledged to be the handsomest woman in America, and at present the star around which the fashionable world revolves; her husband, Governor Sprague; a large party from the British embassy; Mrs. Chancellor Walworth, of New York; O. A. Brownsen, of Brownsen’s Review; Colonel and Mrs. Carrol; Mrs. Senator Hale and daughters; Senator Wilkinson and party; Mrs. and Judge Miller, of the United States Supreme Court, and hundreds of others, together with every general officer in the army and their staffs. It was a wonderful success without a drawback. The music was furnished by our band and that of the Fourteenth Connecticut, and was delightfully spoken of by all. “Gayly sped the feet and sweetly smiled the lips” of the brave and beautiful and honored of the republic. Swiftly passed the hours of the festal night, and with the matin song of lark and blue bird and the courtesies of parting, the morning light looked in upon a “Banquet Hall deserted.”

Miss Alvord was especially in my charge, but everybody danced with everybody else, and I had the distinguished honor of dancing once with the queenly beauty, Mrs. Sprague, and the superb and beautiful Miss Curtin, who was by the way sought after by every one. Nothing could surpass the kindness of the ladies; they were in no wise exclusive, and the youngest lieutenant received as much consideration as the oldest and most conspicuous general. This surprised us most agreeably and completed the enchantment, which will live forever in the memory of those of us who had the honor to belong to the grand army and participate in its festivities.

The following day the entire Second corps and Kilpatrick’s division of cavalry were reviewed in the presence of a great throng of officers and ladies. There were as many as two hundred ladies mounted in the cavalcade, which followed in the retinue of General Meade, the reviewing officer. The day was superb, and the men looked well, eliciting immense applause. When the Second corps had passed, Kilpatrick, at the head of his splendid command, made a spirited charge across the plain for the diversion of the party, which, of course, pleased the guests the most of anything. In the evening a special train took home the major part of the visitors, and thus the Second corps ball passed among the things that were.

February 19th. To-day arrived Mrs. Governor Curtin, with her bevy of Pennsylvania beauties. She is accompanied by her sister, Miss Wilson, who is expected to keep an eye on the charming creatures, introduced so suddenly on the field of Mars. Miss Curtin, a graceful, beautiful girl, is easily the belle of the party and attracted universal attention. She is certainly magnificent, dignified, sweet, and graceful in her demeanor. They were assigned to their quarters, and one servant placed absolutely at the disposal of each couple occupying a tent. The men had their quarters just in rear, and we arranged it so they could go in early in the morning, build the fires, take in hot water, clean their boots, and, in fact, take general charge of their domestic economy.

The girls thought the little canvas tents “just too lovely for anything,” and were delighted with all they saw. In the morning the band played in front of the quarters, while they were dressing, and the cooks prepared the breakfast. We arranged amongst ourselves who should escort the different ladies to the mess tent, and at the appointed hour waited upon them and took them in to breakfast. The general presided in his usual suave and graceful manner at the upper end of the table, while the ladies were sandwiched in between the officers. Such glorious breakfasts were these, such flirtations and conversations, where compliments flew like musket balls in a close engagement and batteries of bright sparkling eyes swept everything before them. The sweet strains of music ever rising and falling in rhythmic waves idealized the moments, and we lived in ecstasy.

During the breakfast hour the plans for the day were arranged; excursions to the front, to view the enemy; horse races, hurdle races, picnics, everything was suggested that would keep up the interest. Most of the ladies were horsewomen and had sent their saddles down. Those who were not so fortunate were provided with ambulances and driven to the appointed rendezvous. The cooks followed with abundance of viands, and wine flowed like water on every occasion.

Galloping over vast fields of canvas villages, skirting along the advanced picket lines, getting an occasional view of the rebel videttes or pickets, the gallant cavalcade attracted universal attention, and gave our guests the liveliest satisfaction, besides most excellent appetites. All appeared in full dress for dinner, which usually lasted a couple of hours, by which time the evening’s amusement in the hall was ready to commence.

February 18th. Mrs. Caldwell, wife of the general, arrived to-day. She is young, pretty, and amiable in appearance, and received a hearty welcome. Alvord’s sister also arrived, accompanied by her father. Miss Alvord is petite and very charming indeed. I fell in love with her immediately and have by common consent been allowed to take her in to dinner.

On the 6th, we marched out of camp with the rest of the corps to Morton’s ford, and bivouacked on open ground, overlooking the river and the opposite shore, which is unusually open for this country. General Warren being sick, General Caldwell took command of the corps. Hayes with the Third division crossed over early in the day and drove in the rebel pickets who were quickly reinforced, and a heavy skirmish commenced, which lasted throughout the afternoon. The field of operations was in full view, and our division lay intently watching the progress of the fight, which like all battles, big or little, was extremely fascinating.

Towards evening the enemy showed up in force, Ewell, with his entire corps coming on the field; our batteries opened on them, and for a while there was a lively fight. Hayes gradually fell back, and after dark retired in safety. As usual during the night it rained, making it extremely unpleasant. We lost about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded, without apparently gaining any equivalent; the following morning, February 7th, we marched back to camp and resumed the usual routine.

February 5th. An order was received to-day to be ready to march in light marching order at a moment’s notice and all hands were relieved from the preparation for the great ball.

February 4th. The great hall grows rapidly and is going to be a fine affair. The notables throughout the land have generally accepted invitations. A special train will be run from Washington, and all army circles are on the very tip toe of expectation. At our headquarters the tents are decorated with evergreens, sabres, swords, pistols, etc.; we have remade the beds with the softest of cedars and put everything in order for the reception of our guests, who will soon come along. Our plan is to give up our quarters to the ladies and take shelter in the great hall ourselves after the festivities of the evening are over. We have portable bunks made for this purpose and our men will put them up after the floors are deserted. There will be two girls in each tent, except that Alvord’s is to be devoted to his sister alone. Major Hancock, Captain Martin, and the general each will have their wives with them, and Mrs. Curtin will have a whole tent to herself and maid.

All interest centering in the army, of course, it is immensely popular, and the ladies write most enthusiastically of the coming visit; every woman in the land has taken intense interest in the army, which, necessarily, has been to nearly all of them only a shadow; now they are to see the reality.