November 28th. Formed line of battle and marched forward, expecting to meet the enemy, but finding them gone, formed in column and closely followed their rear guard. Approaching Mine Run the enemy were found occupying the high ground, entrenched with rifle pits; we drove their pickets across the creek and lay in line of battle all night; the night was very cold and everybody suffered severely and was glad when daylight came, although the works were to be carried by assault. While the attack was being arranged, it was discovered the enemy had retired during the night, leaving us masters of the field.
Diary of a Young Officer–Josiah Marshall Favill (57th New York Infantry)
November 27th. Marched to Robertson’s tavern, where a spirited engagement took place, lasting most of the day, resulting in driving the enemy back and occupying their ground; bivouacked here all night.
November 26th. Yesterday to the intense disgust of all hands, orders were issued to prepare to march, and this morning at daylight the whole command fell in and marched away, leaving their cozy huts, just finished, to whoever choose to take them. The column marched via Germania Ford, crossed the Rapidan and bivouacked for the night on the south side, near Flat Run Church.
[November 15th.] Every man not needed for other duty was set to work building log huts, and in three days’ time our division at least was snugly quartered. The huts were built to hold four men, covered with shelter tents, and provided with mud and wood fireplaces and chimneys. This is the second winter we have built log huts, and the men are now completely au fait in their construction.
November 12th. General Meade issued an order to-day congratulating the army on its successful crossing of the Rappahannock in the face of the enemy, and compelling them to withdraw behind the Rapidan, mentioning especially Sedgwick, who captured four guns, two thousand stand of arms, eight battle flags, and sixteen hundred prisoners.
November 10th. A slight fall of snow during the night, the first of the season, which suggests a cessation of campaigning; at 3 P. M. the first division was ordered to encamp on the south side of Mountain Run and put up winter quarters. The order was received with unbounded satisfaction, as the season is late, the weather cold and the troops pretty well tired out. Division headquarters in the Hamilton house.
November 8th. At 7 A. M. the Second corps crossed the Rappahannock following the Third corps, which partially crossed yesterday and carried the heights, in spite of a good deal of opposition. The Sixth corps, General Sedgwick, crossed at Rappahannock Station, completely surprising the enemy, capturing a battery and eleven hundred prisoners. The Second corps formed line of battle and advanced to Berry Hill; met with no resistance. Berry Hill is three miles southeast of Brandy Station. The men put up their tents, as the weather appeared very threatening.
November 7th. At break of day the whole corps marched to Warrenton Junction, thence via Bealton Station and Morrisville, to within three-quarters of a mile of Kelly’s ford; arrived there at 5 P. M. and went into bivouac for the night; marched twenty-one miles in the face of a frightful wind and blinding clouds of dust heard heavy cannonading towards evening in front, where the cavalry are pushing the advance. Another battle supposed to be imminent.
October 27th. Had a severe frost, forming ice half an inch thick.
October 23d. Left Auburn Mills at 7 A. M. to-day and marched towards Warrenton, bivouacking four miles north of it, at a place called Turkey Run bridge; weather very fine, no enemy in sight. Remained in this position until November 7th; are laying the railroad, rebuilding bridges, putting up telegraph wires, etc.
