Wednesday, May 25th.
At seven this morning Kitchings Brigade moved off toward the left, while our Battalion was sent to the right. Lively skirmishing occurred in our front, and at half-past three o’clock there was some artillery firing on our left, but there was very little close fighting. The cavalry came in from a raid, and it was rumored that the Sixth Corps had torn up the railroad track from Hanover Junction to Gordonsville. Towards night we were drawn in and sent out on picket along the North Anna.
Wednesday, 25th—We packed our knapsacks and sent them by rail to Rome, Georgia. The advance of our corps started early this morning for Decatur, Alabama, but our brigade taking up the rear did not leave Huntsville till in the afternoon. From Decatur we are to proceed to Rome, Georgia. We marched through fine farming country with good buildings, but as usual the people are gone and the farms are idle. Such is the effect of war, the citizens being afraid to remain while our armies are marching back and forth.
May 25th.—Started at daylight, marching in direction of Dallas. Marching very hard. Some skirmishing on our right. Formed in line of battle at 2 P. M., near New Hope Church. Our brigade in second line. 6 P. M., Hooker’s Corps made heavy assault just to our left; two regiments of our division engaged. When the Federals began to advance, a whole battalion, sixteen guns, was massed in their front and did terrible execution, causing them to fall back.
Hanover Court House, Va., May 25th, 1864.
I left Fredericksburg on Sunday to rejoin my regiment in order to get my parole papers, as I can do nothing without them. We are now within twenty-six miles of Richmond, and very much nearer to Lee’s army, which I consider vastly more important.
I find that during my absence Grant and Lee have “locked horns” nearly every day, with no decided advantage on either side. Grant is now crossing the North Anna with the hope of finding a more vulnerable point. I find the Seventeenth taken from the brigade and doing provost duty at Wilcox’s headquarters. They were nearly annihilated at Spottsylvania on the 12th inst., and muster but 125 men. I am not doing any duty. The position in which I find myself is annoying, but I bear it patiently as possible, firmly believing I did my duty. I do not seem to have lost friends in the regiment—rather the reverse. I still expect to get home before a great while.
May.—The 4th New York Heavy Artillery is having hard times in the Virginia mud and rain. They are near Culpepper. It is such a change from their snug winter quarters at Fort Ethan Allen. There are 2,800 men in the Regiment and 1,200 are sick. Dr Charles S. Hoyt of the 126th, which is camping close by, has come to the help of these new recruits so kindly as to win every heart, quite in contrast to the heartlessness of their own surgeons. They will always love him for this. It is just like him.
[May 25, written on envelope]
Dear Hannah, — I am glad to inform you that I am safe and sound so far. Had a hard scrimmage yesterday. I came out safely although a bullet went through my coat, etc., and raised a scratch over an inch long. It is the first time that I have ever been wounded or rather touched by a ball. Had my boot torn by a bullet in the Wilderness, which was the nearest I ever came to it.
We go into a real fight every six days. Have been in one the 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th. Next time will be the 30th. I shall be lucky if I get through without being killed. Every one is being killed that I know. We are whipping the rebels well, although it is a work of time.
I see by the papers that we lost our colors. It is a falsehood. We have never lost our colors, and I hope never shall.
Wednesday, May 25. — We occupied the second line of intrenchments. Had a heavy thunder-storm. During the day we rested, while the Fifth Corps advanced their skirmish-line. We were assigned to the Army of the Potomac to-day, and our division temporarily assigned to General Warren, who is on our right. Saw Colonel Theodore Lyman to-day.
May 25 — We were ordered to the front this morning, southwest of Hanover Court House. The Yankees are in heavy force in our immediate front. However, we did no firing to-day, as all seems to be quiet along the front. We are camped this evening near Hanover academy, about six miles from Hanover Junction. We passed Fork Church to-day, one of the oldest churches in Virginia, and it is still a good substantial building. It is built of brick that was imported from England. The church is built in a style that resembles very much our modern country churches, except that it has a portico in front like a dwelling house. Heavy thunder this evening.
Huntsville, Wednesday, May 25. The 17th Corps took up the line of march early this morning but did not get under way, all of it till 11 A. M. They go back towards Decatur, supposed to cross the river for Rome. As they marched out with bands playing and colors flying, it was a grand sight, and to any man an incentive to patriotism to watch the firm, measured step of thousands of brave men, marching cheerfully to the hardest of deaths, many miles away from home and its endearments. As they march through this traitor land, do not their hearts beat quick as they think of those behind. Would that they could but behold the cheerful and willing countenances of those they love this morning as they left Huntsville to seek the foes of this country. Wisconsin, my beloved State, has many interests centered in the 17th Corps, six regiments true and brave. Their moving eased our minds as the probabilities of our moving thereby lessened.
The guards that were posted at every corner were relieved, and the by this time quiet 3rd Division allowed to go at will and come when they pleased. They carry themselves as honorable men with but few exceptions. On guard, first relief, after returned. At 10 A. M. went up town. Sat for half a dozen photographs.
25th. Troops crossed the North Anna. Regt. camped near the train. Read in “Villette” and played a little at cards.
