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

June 19th. Returned from the works at 8 A. M. this morning, tired out, but in good spirits, as we indulged in a good deal of sport when the firing slacked. Had a good dinner, the sutler having finally found his way to camp. Lieutenant-Colonel Parisen returned from sick leave to-day, looking very well. We were all pleased to have him back with us.

McCall’s division, of Pennsylvania reserves, from McDowell’s army, joined to-day, and were placed in position near Mechanicsville.

June 18th. At three o’clock this afternoon, the picket line was advanced to a crest, a short distance in front, which was desirable on account of the shelter it afforded the rebel sharpshooters. Of course, it brought on a contest immediately; all the redoubts fired their big guns, and pandemonium broke loose. We fell in and hurried down to the works, but by that time our troops had gained the desired position, and the fighting ceased. We marched back to camp and were just dismissing the parade when a furious fire opened all along the line, and we were hurried back again to the front. The enemy came on this time in long lines of battle, extending over a mile along the works; they drove in the pickets and reserves, and came within sight of our works for the first time. They did not remain long, however. All the guns opened fire, and instantly one continued blaze enveloped forts and redoubts, torrents of leaden hail, and bursting shells were hurled against them; their line soon halted, then broke and ran for shelter, without making a second effort to reach us. They lost a heap of men in this effort, and gained nothing whatever. We remained all night under arms. The slashing in front of the earthworks is very intricate and formidable. All the trees immediately in front were felled, so that they fell away from the works; then the tops and branches were slashed, and tied, and twisted, so that, if we were not shooting, it would take an hour’s time to climb through them; when one imagines a steady line of good soldiers, behind a bulletproof rampart shooting at every man advancing, it is not difficult to imagine the strength of our position. Of course, the line is so constructed that every part is covered by a flanking fire of both musketry and artillery.

June 17th. Weather very threatening to-day. About 3 P. M. it became almost dark, but immediately afterwards cleared up without rain or wind; very curious. The firing on the picket line, always continuous; to-day it has been unusually severe, resulting in the death of a great many men, without advantage to either side. Colonel Zook was detailed this morning for twenty-four hours as general officer of the day in charge of picket lines. He took off his shoulder straps and wore ordinary soldier clothes in accordance with orders, as every officer exposing himself is sure to be shot. The works are finished in our front, and are strong and handsome and can never be taken by direct attack, that is certain. Everybody is joking now about “on to Richmond.” These works don’t look much like advancing, and from that point of view are a mistake. I forget whether I ever mentioned the best of all, camp beds. We never think now of using any other, and it is worth noting, even at the risk of doing so twice. Seth gets a barrel from the commissary department, takes off the hoops and loosens the staves; then he drives four crotches into the ground about five feet apart lengthways, and two feet across; places two long poles parallel to each other, resting on the crotches, and lays the barrel staves across them, when the bed is complete. We have two in our tents, covered with red blankets, which look very fine. Inverted cracker boxes, placed on sticks driven in the ground, make the best of tables, and are always to be had for the asking. Received letters and newspapers from home; how much pleasure it gives one to hear from civilization. Here there is nothing but pine trees and sand, not even a ditch or spring to relieve the dull monotony; where there is no water I soon grow dull and stupid. Made out to-day a record of the Fifty-seventh, from the date of its organization, for the War Department. Towards evening the enemy opened all his guns, and a lively bombardment followed; our guns replied, and the row was tremendous. The skirmish line increased its fire so earnestly, we thought certainly this time something was up; at 9 o’clock P. M. we were ordered to fall in, and soon afterwards marched to the works and stacked arms, just in rear of the breastworks manned by Burn’s brigade. The air was alive above us with shells, screeching and howling in their rapid flight. They all went over us and think did no harm to anybody. Remained all night, and at 6 A. M. returned to camp and went to sleep.

June 16th. The rumor of a night attack proved utterly groundless, nothing out of the usual happened. We slept in our blankets in line of battle, and slept pretty well, too. When an alarm is sounded now, all hands rush to the color line, nobody waiting for orders. This makes it easier for me, and saves time. Food still poor for officers on account of the non-appearance of the sutlers. The men get fresh beef twice a week; bean soup, salt pork, dessicated vegetables, and occasionally canned peaches. In appearance, we are almost as dark as Indians, the regulation fatigue cap being the worst possible protection for the face. All the officers wear soldiers’ trousers and blouses, the latter simply ornamented with gilt buttons and shoulder straps. We buy these things from the quartermaster, paying cost price for them. Our full dress hat is the slouch soft hat, with gold cord and acorn tassles; gold wreath in front encircling for infantry, a bugle; artillery, crossed cannons; cavalry, crossed sabres; and staff and general officers, U. S. We have long ago done away with the gold sword knot, and now use a strong leather one, which is serviceable. Seth I find the greatest of all treasures. He is indefatigable in his attention to my comfort; and never neglects anything belonging to me; books, horses, swords, buckles, and clothes are always in order; and when I want to be amused, he is ever ready to talk interestingly upon a great variety of subjects, and knows when to stop and when to go ahead.

June 15th. Weather hot and uncomfortable. Had a regimental inspection in the morning, found the men fully equipped. Company G joined us to-day from Dispatch Station, where it has been on duty since our arrival on the Pamunkey. At 6 P. M. General French sent for all the regimental commanders and told them there was a report that the rebels intended making an attack on the works to-night; they are to wear white bands in their hats, to distinguish them, and hope to capture the army of the Potomac asleep. The orders are to inspect the arms and load the pieces, issue extra ammunition, and remain all night on the color line, sleeping on our arms. I hope the report may prove true, and that they will come, but none of us believe it possible.

June 14th. Very hot; to-day about noon, the corps was reviewed by General McClellan and the Spanish general, Prim; all the troops not in the works were massed in close column of division in rear of their respective fronts, and made a fine appearance; the men cheered the general and his guest vociferously, and the rebels paid their respects by firing a good many shots at us, their balls whistling over our heads, rather inconveniently. The water here is wretchedly poor, and now that the weather is hot, and the men drink a good deal, the sick list is rapidly increasing. No military news of importance.

June 13th. There was much excitement just before daylight this morning, the rebels opening a tremendous cannonade on Sumner’s headquarters, creating a general stampede in that direction. All the troops fell in and remained in line, till the firing ceased; our big guns in the new redoubts and forts replied and made a terrific row. It was all wasted ammunition, I suppose; no losses on our side, at any rate. Weather very hot, so we sent to the woods for pine boughs, and had them placed in front of our tents; to keep the sun off. Seth made some fine seats of inverted cracker boxes, and we can now sit outside under the shade of the pines, and get the air. How many men are killed every day on the picket line, from the fire of the sharpshooters? It does no good, and has not the most remote effect upon the ultimate result, is barbarous, and ought to be stopped. Got a furlough for Quartermaster Sergeant Smith to-day, and made out field returns. In the evening we lay under our fine shade trees, and sampled some Rhine wine brought up by the sutler; found it good; got hold of a Richmond paper to-day, containing an account of the fight of the thirty-first and first, from the rebel point of view. They admit there was great confusion on the night of the first, and that they fully expected us to follow them up. It was a serious mistake we did not do so; they must have been demoralized by the great change in affairs on the first; on the thirty-first they had considerable success, capturing Casey’s camp and stores, two or three batteries, and drove back all the reserves brought up to oppose them, until night stopped the fighting. The following morning everything was reversed; they lost all they had gained the previous day, leaving their camp equipage and dead and wounded in our hands, and lost heavily all along the line; nothing prevented a great disaster to the Confederacy on the first but the timidity of McClellan; officers and men were ready and anxious to advance, and would, if allowed to have done so, followed the enemy directly into their works. Colonel Bailey, the chief of artillery of Key’s corps, was killed on the first. I knew him when he first joined the army, after graduating from West Point. He was a splendid specimen of the genus homo, and married to one of the most beautiful women I ever saw, one of Major Patten’s daughters, of Fort Ontario, Oswego. He was a fine officer, and his death is a great loss to the service.

June 12th. Struck tents early this morning, and marched nearly a mile to the rear; laid out a regular camp, and removed our accoutrements, so we shall have leisure to make ourselves decent and comfortable. I took a bath in a tub, being the first chance since the 31st. It has stopped raining, and the roads and fields are in good order again.

June 11th. The regiment was relieved to-day from fatigue duty, and retired to a position out of range of the enemy’s guns, in the second line; our tents (officers’) came up, too, and for the first time in twelve days we have shelter from the weather; we have laid out night and day in rubber coats, never undressing, and without any protection whatever, other than our rubber blankets. G ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲  and B ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ . left the regiment to-day, their resignations having been accepted on account of their conduct in the late battle. Nobody seemed to sympathize with them, but I felt sorry, particularly for B ̲ ̲ ̲ ̲ . Last night an alarm was sounded, and in accordance with standing orders we rushed to the color line, fell in, and stood under arms half an hour; about 1 P. M. there was a total eclipse of the moon, which we had the pleasure of observing from the color line. The daily routine now is not particularly interesting. Officers and men are always armed and equipped, never removing their belts. At three this morning I got up and routed out the company officers, then formed the regiment on the color line, where we remained for two hours. No drums, bugles, or bands are allowed to play, so we are obliged to go amongst the men to wake them up, and give the orders; an adjutant’s duty just now is more arduous than ornamental. Many reports of possible movements, but nothing intelligent. McClellan seems to be afraid.