August 4—Left our camp, marched three miles, one mile on the south side of town.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
August 4, Tuesday. Very warm. Little done at Cabinet. Seward undertook to talk wise in relation to Commander Collins and the Mont Blanc, but really betrayed inexcusable ignorance of the subject of prize and prize courts, and admiralty law, the responsibilities of an officer, etc.
August 4.—The draft in Philadelphia, Pa., and Oswego, N. Y., was completed this day.—The launch of the National steamer Wabash, containing a crew of twenty-two men, under the command of Acting Master E. L. Haines, of the gunboat Powhatan, and carrying a twelve, pound howitzer, was captured by the rebel blockade-runner Juno, near Cummings Point, in Charleston Harbor.—A force of rebel cavalry attacked General Buford’s pickets, near Rappahannock Station, but were repulsed and driven back beyond Brandy Station, with slight loss. The National loss was one killed and two wounded.—The steamer Ruth, with two million five hundred thousand dollars in funds, belonging to the United States, was burned on the Mississippi River.
August 4 — At sunrise this morning we were ordered to the front. We started immediately after we received the order. We passed through Culpeper Court House and moved out on the Brandy Station road. After we had proceeded about four miles on that road we were ordered back to Culpeper Court House, as the Yankees were advancing on the Rickseyville road from the direction of Hazel River. We went back nearly to town and halted on a commanding hill and awaited orders.
Late this evening General Jenkins attacked the Yankee cavalry at Brandy Station and drove them back a mile. At dusk we were ordered forward again toward Brandy Station. We moved in that direction through a hard rain, accompanied with thunder and lightning; at some places on the road the water was two feet deep. It was ten o’clock to-night when we halted to camp, one mile west of Brandy Station. Camping to-night is a cheerless affair, as thunder-shower after shower passed over us all afternoon and evening, and everything we have, and everything around us, is wet from the ground up to the tree tops.
August 4th. At twelve midnight stood off to west-southwest in chase of a sail; at twelve fifteen A. M. discovered her to be a brig, standing to northward and eastward, closehauled; stood on our course again; braced yards up by port braces, and then again by starboard braces; at three fifteen set mizzen-topmast stay-sail, and at three thirty fore-topmast stay-sail, jib, and main trysail; also set the spanker; at five o’clock hoisted our colors to an American barque standing to northward and westward.
August, 1863.—The U. S. Sanitary Commission has been organised. Canandaigua sent Dr W. Fitch Cheney to Gettysburg with supplies for the sick and wounded and he took seven assistants with him. Home bounty was brought to the tents and put into the hands of the wounded soldiers. A blessed work.
4th. Right after breakfast got a livery team and Thede and I were on our way to Amherst. Called at Helen’s (Helen Rood), then Grandpa’s. He seemed affected to see us. Growing old or rather young again (in mind). Stopped at Mr. Lysell’s for dinner. Uncle Milo there. Stayed at Elyria three hours. Good visits with Floy, and Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Back, and in evening at Mr. Haynes’—good time.
August 4. — General Newton rode down to the river this morning and visited General Robinson and GeneralCutler. Also stopped at General Buford’s headquarters. We had just got back to camp when we heard firing down near the river, and found that the enemy were advancing. After swallowing a hasty dinner, we rode down on a gallop, and found that the enemy were being driven back by our cavalry. It was showery during the day.
Tuesday, 4th—The heat is intense today. We finished putting up the brush shades and also completed our bunks. It seems like home once more. Our regimental payrolls were made out today, while the Thirteenth Iowa received their pay. Major Foster is now in command of our regiment.
Vicksburg, Tuesday, Aug. 4. Felt much better, but have no appetite. Griff brought me a dish of arrowroot which I ate. I think I am out of danger of a fever, so I will not go to sick call. Received six days’ mail.
