June 29. — We started early this morning, moving in a drenching rain, which continued most of the day, for Emmetsburg, some 23 miles off. We passed through some magnificent farms near Frederick, the fields of grain being ripe for the harvest, and looking as if they were ready to bend to the ground with their golden fruit. We passed through Mechanicstown and Catoctin Furnace, and finally reached Emmetsburg about 2 o’clock. I managed to get a feed for my horse, and some bread and milk for myself, and then started for Middleburg, 10 miles off, with a note from General Reynolds. I met Newhall[1] on the way, with General Gregg. I arrived at Middleburg, and found headquarters in a hotel. I had to wait until 10.30 for orders, but the time seemed less tedious from the music of the cavalry band, which played almost all the evening. Came back to camp and found our headquarters in the town. We passed on our march to-day St. Mary’s College for young men, about two miles from Emmetsburg, and St. Joseph’s, a convent where the Sisters of Charity “hang out.” I travelled between 40 and 5o miles to-day and did not get to bed until nearly one o’clock. Obtained General Howard’s orders, and brought them to him. Every one felt better to-day as General H. was away.
[1] From Philadelphia.
Headquarters 1st Army Corps, June 28, 10 P.M., 1863.
Dear Father, — We have had another change for the better. General Hooker has been relieved, and General Meade put in his place. The Administration would not let Hooker withdraw our forces from Harper’s Ferry, nor would they give him any reinforcements from Washington or Baltimore, and so he properly resigned. This suicidal policy of the Government is strange. Here we have the whole rebel force in Pennsylvania, and greatly outnumbering us, and yet they persist in keeping a large force at both of these places, in order to prevent the Secessionists from “robbing the stores.” This is President Lincoln’s reason, given to General Butterfield.
You spoke of Porter and McClellan in your last letter in a very unfair way. They are true and loyal and were always willing to carry out the views of the President. The more I see of this war, the stronger and firmer is my belief in McClellan. I see Hooker doing exactly what McC. was blamed for doing, and I see Grant butting against the fortifications of Vicksburg and being driven back with fearful loss, and finally resorting to the despised spade. Now, McClellan would have suffered the same defeat at Yorktown had he attempted to assault it, and yet just see how he has been abused for not doing it. All the soldiers and officers are still strong McClellanites, and General Meade among the number.
We are encamped near Frederick, having marched here to-day, and to-morrow march Northward. May success attend us.
Palfrey is sick and in the hospital. I sent him a bottle of sherry and a few delicacies to help him along. . . .
June 28. — Sunday, and the sound of the church bells in Middleton seemed pleasant indeed. I went over to General Howard’s with General Reynolds, and from there started down for Frederick, when we met an orderly with an order for our three corps to move down to Frederick. The general sent me back to Generals Doubleday and Howard, with orders for them to move at once. While at General Howard’s we learned that General Hooker had been relieved, and General Meade put in command.[1] The intelligence was welcome, although I should have preferred McClellan to any one else. I went on and joined General Reynolds at headquarters, and then picked out a camping place near the alms-house, and a mile west of the town. In the evening it rained. During the day it was cloudy. Secured some chickens and eggs to-day. The movement of the army to-day looks like a move to protect Baltimore.
[1] I was with General Reynolds when he received the order appointing Meade to the command of the army. He said he was very glad of it and he spoke most highly of Meade. He then told me, confidentially, that the command had been offered to him, but that he had refused it
Headquarters Right Wing,
Camp near Middleton, June 27, 1863.
Dear Father, — We arrived here this afternoon, and found that the rebels had marched on through Hagerstown towards Pennsylvania yesterday. I imagine that they have possession of Harrisburg by this time. We have them now just where we want them, and with decent generalship we ought to seize the whole party. Our men will fight desperately and give the rebels fits.
General Reynolds has still command of three infantry corps, and of General Stahl’s cavalry. It is only a temporary affair, however. I dated my letter to Hannah yesterday one day too early. . . .
It may be some time before you hear from me again, and you must not be alarmed if you do not hear from me for some time. We are within three miles of South Mountain, where the fight occurred last year.
I am perfectly well.
June 27.—Started early in the morning for Middleton. The day was cloudy and rainy part of the time. Reached Middleton and went to General Howard’s headquarters. Learned that the rebels had gone through Hagerstown to Pennsylvania yesterday, Longstreet’s corps being the last to move. General Lee went through Hagerstown yesterday at 12 o’clock. Our tents were pitched just behind the town. I went on as officer of the day this evening.
June 26.—We got up and breakfasted at daylight. It was a most dismal morning, being drizzly and thoroughly uncomfortable. General Reynolds and staff rode down to the ferry, where General Hooker and General Slocum soon came up. We then rode back to Poolesville, and from there General R. went to Barnesville, about 6 miles, passing near Sugar Loaf. Barnesville is a small, old-fashioned town, with one or two neat little cottages in it, with pretty flower-gardens in front; quite a contrast to anything we had seen in Virginia. Some of the houses had overhanging eaves, others piazzas all round, and on the main street there was a well with windlass and wheel, quite different from anything I ever saw in New England. It seemed more like my idea of a European town than an American one. Like almost all Maryland towns the houses were all on one main street. From Barnesville we went on to Adamstown, a small way-station on the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. From here we went to Jefferson, lying on the other side, and at the foot of the Little Catoctin range. The scenery all along the route was very beautiful. We passed neat farmhouses with whitewashed palings, and through fields of wheat, rye, etc., almost ready to be gathered. From the top of Little Catoctin the view was splendid. The fertile valley lying between the Little Catoctin and South Mountain ranges presented an appearance truly delightful to our eyes, which had been disgusted and wearied by the monotonous and uncultivated soil of the Old Dominion. Here acres upon acres of clover, wheat, oats, etc., were spread out to our view, seeming like a perfect paradise. We found that Jefferson was a strong Union town, with many pretty houses, and some three or four churches. We pitched, or rather established, our headquarters in a house at the west end of the town, and here I slept in a bed, for the first time since I have been in the field. Our wagons did not get up with us. We travelled about 27 miles to-day, and most of the time in a drenching rain. I ate some cherries, the first I had tasted this season, in Jefferson. General Reynolds still has command of three corps.
June 24. — Started this morning for General Howard’s headquarters with a dispatch from General Reynolds, but on reaching General H.’s picket line, I found that three guerillas had been started out of a house close by, some ten minutes before I came up. The ladies who were here started back for Washington this morning. This evening we heard that Longstreet had crossed into Maryland, and we received orders to move for Edward’s Ferry. Day pleasant.
June 23.— The general routed us all up this morning at 6 o’clock, to be ready to go out with him. At 8 o’clock our cavalry escort of 20 men, with a regiment of infantry, started for Moran’s Cross-roads, about two miles from headquarters. The cavalry rode ahead and formed a line near the cross-roads, while our infantry went into the woods on this side as skirmishers. We found no one in the woods, however. We stopped at Coleman’s house, where our guide was caught the other day. It was undoubtedly Mosby who took him. In the afternoon three ladies and two gentlemen drove up here from Washington. They were Mrs. Dana, Mrs. Ames, and Miss Green, daughter of General Green. They spent the night here, and in the evening a band came over to serenade them. General Howard was ordered this evening to proceed to Harper’s Ferry. The day was pleasant and cool. The evenings are still quite chilly. Received a letter from Hannah and Father.
June 22. — Went over to General Howard’s this morning, and gave him a dispatch from General Reynolds. Left here at 10.36 and arrived there at 11.20, not meeting any bushwhackers on the way. The general had a dispatch this evening from General Meade, saying that he had laid a trap to catch Mosby, but that M. with 30 men drove our 40 cavalry and then escaped from 30 infantry. Tried to buy me some trousers this afternoon, but did not succeed. Weather cool and pleasant. Saw Colonel Asmussen, whom I met once at Stafford Court House, at General Howard’s headquarters.
June 21.— Rosengarten relieved me as officer of the day this evening. The weather has been cloudy and rainy most of the day. We sent a regiment (7th Indiana) down to Frying-Pan, to capture guerillas, etc. A detachment came back this evening with seven citizens or bushwhackers. We found out to-day that our guide was captured at Coleman’s house yesterday. Coleman lives about two miles from here, and as he had a lot of forage, our guide and quartermaster’s clerk went there for it, and were caught by a Secesh there, said to be Mosby.
