May 4th, Sunday morning. I was just about taking my bath when an aide rode up and ordered us to fall in immediately in full marching order, tents and all, as Yorktown had been evacuated. I ran out, ordered the regiment to fall in, and announced the welcome news. The enemy evacuated the town last night, under cover of the heavy cannonading which kept us awake. They had no doubt learned that our batteries were about to open the bombardment and concluded to take time by the forelock and clear out. By nine o’clock we were in motion, marching over our works and up to the glacis in front of Yorktown. Here we stacked arms and awaited orders, close to the deep ditch of a great work. From this position we could see the country for miles and got a good idea of the place. It is naturally a strong position, and if it could not be turned, which I think rather an easy matter, would be very difficult to take. While we were waiting it began to rain again, and in almost no time the roads, fields, and slopes were knee deep in mud. Towards noon, we heard the distant firing of musketry between Stoneman’s advance and the rebel rear guard. Smith’s division of infantry is with Stoneman, in close pursuit, and it is hoped may capture some of the retreating force. About one o’clock we were ordered to fall in, and advance as rapidly as possible to the support of Smith and Stoneman. Our brigade stepped out in splendid style, notwithstanding the wretched weather and slippery roads. We passed through the town, out on the Williamsburg road, marching without interruption till long after dark, losing many of our men by the wayside. The colonel rode in front and I in rear, to keep the regiment closed up, but when it became dark it was impossible to see anything. Still we plodded along by this time up to our knees in mud. About midnight every man had disappeared around me, and to my surprise there was no longer a regiment in front. Much astonished I rode ahead, thinking I had fallen behind, and presently came up with Captain Gott and about twenty-five men, halted by the road side. He reported the regiment lost, but knowing I was in the rear, had concluded to wait until I came along. Telling him to follow, I rode ahead, and soon fell in with another party, which proved to be the colonel and a few men of the leading companies, waiting for the rest of the regiment to come up. The colonel was greatly astonished when he found the men had disappeared and concluded to turn into the field to the right and bivouac for the night, posting a guard to collect the stragglers as they came along. It is impossible to give an idea of the terrible state of the roads. Smith’s wagons were passing over it, many of which were broken down or stuck fast in holes, blocking the way, and causing infinite trouble. The roads being clay, were so sticky that a man could hardly draw his feet out when once they were in. The result was complete exhaustion, causing the men to drop out one by one along the roadside, utterly disheartened, and so we lost the greater part of our men. Those of the regiment who were with us, and those who subsequently came up, struggled manfully to get up their shelter tents, which was no easy matter. Several succeeded, however, as they always do, and before long had crawled in and were soon asleep. I sat on my horse a long time watching the men at work, wondering what I had better do. The headquarters baggage was not up, and consequently we had no shelter of any kind. The ground was knee deep in mud, and I hesitated to dismount, although so sleepy I could hardly keep awake. To add to the difficulty, Seth was lost, and there was no one to take my horse or make a shelter. I finally concluded to dismount anyway and hitched my horse to a tree, along the roadside; while I was making him fast Seth came up, and to my great delight took charge. In the meantime I stood in the mud, not knowing what to do when McKay called out “There’s the adjutant stuck in the mud.” He called me to him and pointing out his little shelter tent, invited me to share it with him. He had made a comfortable bed of rails under which the water ran away, and we were both as snug and secure from the rain as though we had been in a regular tent; what a godsend it was, and how grateful I felt to the captain. After a heavy nightcap from my canteen, we were soon asleep.
Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)
May 3d. Weather fine and warm again. The colonel and I rode over to Sumner’s headquarters and had a chat with Captain Taylor, the assistant adjutant-general. He is a very pleasant fellow, a swell, a nephew of ex-President Taylor. He told us he thought the bombardment would open the day after to-morrow all along the line, and that the water battery which opened on the first had done much injury to the docks and town and was a great success. He told us also of the landing below Gloucester, on the opposite side of the river, of Franklin’s division. It seems they have been on board transports since the 20th of April and only landed yesterday. The delay, he says, was due to lack of facilities for landing, the engineer corps having more than they can possibly attend to, but there must be some mistake about this, as we landed without engineers, and amongst these regiments there are scores of men familiar with every phase of engineering, and wood choppers, boatmen, and carpenters can be had by simply asking for them in any number. A little less style and more business would be very useful just now to the country. The landing of this division ought to insure the capture of the works on that shore and help our gunboats and vessels immensely. Enjoyed the visit and also the ride home. In the evening sat outside out tents watching the flashes from the enemy’s guns, which were unusually active. To bed late, but not to sleep much, on account of the heavy firing.
May 2d. Last night at eleven P. M., after we were all sound asleep, an orderly came from brigade headquarters with written orders, directing the regiment to be in marching order by twelve o’clock, formed on the color line. I jumped out of bed, ran to the company commanders, hustled them out, and had the regiment formed at the appointed hour. We saw the other troops of the division parading on their color line, and expected something serious was about to occur, but it did not. We stood in line till about seven o’clock and were then dismissed and ordered to pitch tents again, and get breakfast. Upon investigation, we learned the whole movement was a fancy of General Sumner, who desired to see how quickly he could get his command ready for action. He found out, and we lost a night’s sleep.
May 1st. Weather still bad, preventing any but necessary outdoor operations. Received the glorious news of the capture of New Orleans. The men cheered prodigiously, which could easily be heard in the rebel lines and must have been depressing for their side.
April 30th. On the 25th it rained and was very cold and disagreeable; received authoritative information of the speedy arrival of the paymaster, so distributed blank muster rolls to company commanders, with orders to have them filled out promptly. At noon time the whole regiment was detailed for fatigue duty in the trenches, field and staff remaining in camp. The regiment returned to camp this morning, and was immediately mustered for pay. Captain McKay, who was in command, reported very favorably on the conduct of the men who worked well and paid little attention to the shells the enemy fired at them. They looked very muddy and tired and were glad to get back again. Major Potter, the paymaster, arrived last night and put up with us. He is a good looking man who enjoys being in the field immensely and joined in the sport last evening with enthusiasm. He brought along a patent camp cot, which took about an hour to set up and afforded us a lot of fun. We initiated the major in the matter of army drinks (field drinks) and found him a man of excellent taste. He paid the regiment off very quickly during the day.
April 24th. A very sudden snap of cold weather came upon us last night, the thermometer going down to 34. It was so cold and uncomfortable in my tent that I got up and took a run in the open air to get up my circulation. Battalion drill in the forenoon, then office work until quite late. Nothing unusual from the front, the earthworks are steadily growing larger and parallels advancing nearer and nearer to their goal. The men have acquired great dexterity in the use of the shovel and pick-axe and can do twice as much now as they could at first, in a given time.
April 23d. I was at brigade headquarters this morning and had a friendly talk with the general. He thinks the siege will be long and troublesome and is not very happy over the notion of spending half the summer here. In the afternoon, received a series of maps showing the enemy’s position, and our line of investment, with instructions to make ourselves familiar with the situation. They are very nicely done, from surveys and drawings made by the engineer corps. After dress parade, joined a large party of mounted officers for a view of the town and had a fine gallop, but did not see much.
April 21st and 22d. It rained nearly all the past two days, so we have been unable to do anything outside of office work. No new developments, but the work of mounting guns and advancing parallels goes on, rain or shine. Towards evening, the weather cleared, and the brigade paraded for inspection.
April 20th, Sunday morning. It is just one year ago today since I marched down Broadway as one of the Seventy-first regiment, enlisted for three months to put down the rebellion, and here it is stronger and more defiant than ever. How rapidly the year has passed, and how little we have done. So far as producing any results this army has done nothing to speak of, but is ready and powerful enough to deal some stunning blows and will if its commander has the pluck to use it. Many of my notions have been rudely shattered. The old army officer who loomed up so mighty as a man of war, has lost much of his prestige; red tapeism, slowness, desire for a comfortable berth, and above and beyond all, jealousy in such monstrous form, that like vice, to be hated, is but to be seen. During the morning it rained hard; nevertheless, we had the regular inspection and at five o’clock a dress parade, Captain McKay in command. Received some interesting letters from home.
April 19th. Delightful breeze this morning which, on account of the extreme heat for this season, is most enjoyable. There is a good deal of firing in front where the men are at work, but that is now the regular routine. Had a slim breakfast; supplies giving out, no more soft bread; hard tack, salt pork, coffee, and canned fruit make up our daily bill of fare, which tells upon our physiognomy. Most of us are growing lean.
Hear many rumors again to-day. In our front the batteries are making rapid progress and expect to open in less than two weeks; from the rear the news is not so satisfactory: it seems the hospital service at Ship Point is sadly inadequate to the needs of the army, at least that is the report. There are only two surgeons to care for four hundred men, no beds or covering, and a great want of proper remedies and appliances. In the meantime, the men are lying on the floor and dying in great numbers. It seems most of the trouble is caused by red tape, the supplies being on hand, but the officer who controls them not to be found. This sounds much like the affairs of the British before Sebastopol, but I am satisfied this state of affairs will be quickly changed, as soon as it is known how matters stand. Sergeant Morse, of the Fifty-seventh, died there this morning. One of the principal causes of our limited larder is absence of the sutler, who has not shown up since we left Alexandria. We are absolutely without money, not having been paid since the 25th of January, and in consequence are obliged to live upon plain soldiers’ fare, bought from the commissary on tick. We hear, as we have many times before, that the paymaster will soon arrive, but hope deferred has made our hearts very sick.
