June 1st. In camp waiting for orders to advance. Skirmish drill during the forenoon. This afternoon went to the Shenandoah River. Gave my clothes a good washing, which they needed. Remained in the water, having a good bath and swim, until they were dry. It did not take long in the hot sun. No change of raiment for a soldier in the field. Managed to carry one extra pair of woolen stockings. Army brogans for soldiers. Marching orders received.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
June 1st. Skirmishing all the way to Ashland under McIntosh. 5th N. Y. in advance. Soon after reaching Ashland rear was attacked. Then commenced a fight lasting till near sundown, when we left up the R. R. track by order of Gen. Wilson, who was on the telegraph road with the remainder of Div. Reached Hanover C. H. about 11 P. M., the object of the movement being accomplished, viz.: bridges over the North Anna were destroyed. Again the 2nd O. V. V. C. did splendidly—probably saving the Brigade.
Wednesday, June 1st.
At 10 A. M. the enemy charged their own rifle pits supposing that we still held them, but our troops had left there at 2 A. M., and when the “Johnnies” advanced on the line held by our regiment and the artillery, we soon scattered them. Heavy firing was heard on the left, and it was reported that the Sixth Corps, and the Eighteenth under General “Baldy” Smith, were engaged. We left the vicinity of the Shelton House at dusk and marched about five miles to the left, crossing a ravine which we understood was called Gaine’s Mills, and halted for rest at 12 o’clock midnight.
Wednesday, 1st—Our brigade started at 5 this morning, but covered only twelve miles. We marched down the Sandy mountains into the valley and went into bivouac along the banks of Sandy creek. The rear of the army did not get into camp until midnight. The wagon trains could move but slowly over the rough, rocky roads, and even then the teams are almost worn out. Many of the horses and mules lost their shoes and have broken hoofs and sore feet. Large foraging parties are sent out, but because of the poverty of the country they do not get much.
June 1st.—We have been to Bloomsbury again and hear that William Kirkland has been wounded. A scene occurred then, Mary weeping bitterly and Aunt B. frantic as to Tanny’s danger. I proposed to make arrangements for Mary to go on at once. The Judge took me aside, frowning angrily. “You are unwise to talk in that way. She can neither take her infant nor leave it. The cars are closed by order of the government to all but soldiers.”
I told him of the woman who, when the conductor said she could not go, cried at the top of her voice, “Soldiers, I want to go to Richmond to nurse my wounded husband.” In a moment twenty men made themselves her body-guard, and she went on unmolested. The Judge said I talked nonsense. I said I would go on in my carriage if need be. Besides, there would be no difficulty in getting Mary a “permit.”
He answered hotly that in no case would he let her go, and that I had better not go back into the house. We were on the piazza and my carriage at the door. I took it and crossed over to see Mary Boykin. She was weeping, too, so washed away with tears one would hardly know her. “So many killed. My son and my husband—I do not hear a word from them.”
Gave to-day for two pounds of tea, forty pounds of coffee, and sixty pounds of sugar, $800.
Beauregard is a gentleman and was a genius as long as Whiting did his engineering for him. Our Creole general is not quite so clever as he thinks himself.
Mary Ford writes for school-books for her boys. She is in great distress on the subject. When Longstreet’s corps passed through Greenville there was great enthusiasm; handkerchiefs were waved, bouquets and flowers were thrown the troops; her boys, having nothing else to throw, threw their school-books.
Five miles west of Acworth,
June 1, 1864.
At daylight this morning we left our position on the right and moved over here, six or seven miles, and relieved Hooker’s 20th Corps, which moved around to the left. It was ticklish business moving out from under at least 30 of the enemy’s guns, and we did it very quietly. They did not suspect it. We are now within 90 yards of the Rebel works, and the shooting is very lively. Only one of our regiment wounded to-day. I would much rather be here than where we were, for there they shot at us square from three sides, and here they can but from one front. This is dense woods and the ground between our works nearly level. There are two lines of works here, 30 yards apart; we occupy the rear works to-day, but will relieve the 6th Iowa to-morrow and take the front. This is the ground that Hooker had his big fight on on the 25th of May. He lost some 2,000 men killed and wounded. The woods are all torn up with canister, shell and shot, and bloody shoes, clothing and accoutrements are thick.
Huntsville, Wednesday, June 1. No drill. General policing. Veterans were assigned to platoons, giving about thirty-six men to a platoon and three corporals. Very crowded. Seven men in our tent and mess. On guard as supernumerary. Lieutenant Clark left on evening train for Louisville with his wife, she going North in expectation of our moving.
Wednesday, June 1. — We did not get the regiment into camp until about 2 A.M. We occupy a very unpleasant place. The road passes right in our rear, and a cloud of dust envelopes us night and day. We were under marching orders all day. The enemy attacked the Fifth Corps, and also made a reconnoissance in force in our front. Saw Riddle and Mason in the evening. Hancock moved to the left.
June 1 —General Grant is still at his base-changing business and eagerly endeavors to get to Richmond on that line by moving, by the left flank, while at the same time he has hundreds of Union patriots slaughtered by rushing them up without much strategy against General Lee’s breastworks that are always ready, manned, and loaded to give the blue host a shower of fresh warm bullets. We remained in camp, but on the lookout and ready for orders all day.
Wednesday, June 1. — Marched thirteen miles to [within] one mile of White Sulphur Springs. A hot day; easy march. Waded Greenbrier. A good camp on Howard’s Creek, headquarters on a knoll, left-hand side going east. Mr. Caldwell at White Sulphur very civil. Sold me two teams. A fine, beautiful place. Rumors of Rebels at Callaghan, Jackson River, etc., etc.; a patrol or picket at White Sulphur.
