War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

30th. Moved on to the 2nd Corps inside of the entrenchments. 6th Corps moved out too late yesterday to relieve us. Tore up several miles of the Welden R. R. We are satisfied with our work. Several miles on the south side R. R. and 25 or 30 miles of the Danville R. R. Sorry that we could not get out without so much loss. Blame Wilson. No grain and no day’s rations.

29th. By daylight, all our force save three Regts. and brigade for rear guard had moved out towards Ream’s Station. Heavy firing in rear. Soon heard that rebs had got between horses and men and captured nearly all. Reached Ream’s Station about noon. Rebels in heavy force, cavalry and infantry. Longstreet’s Corps being along the railroad to Weldon. Kautz went on in morning to take position. Sent back word that the command could not get through. Wilson said we must. Soon organized to charge through. Then this was given up. 5th N. Y. partly dismounted and part in reserve. Same with 2nd Ohio. Then mounted as reserve. Wilson got ready to leave by the road we came—burned the wagons and moved on. Soon rebs came on dismounted in our rear. Very heavy force. Moved off regularly towards the battery, which opened with grape and canister. Moved up to Kautz’ division through the woods. Col. absent—don’t know why. Kautz said the orders were to get out the best way possible. Columns moved near together. Moved to the southwest to near Stony Creek Station and crossed the R. R. Advance charged the rebs. Kautz had considerable fighting at first. Soon after crossing the R. R. rebs came upon our rear and we had a run of several miles—5th Penn. and Detachments of several regts.—Col. West in command. No advance or rear guard. Had I been a line officer, I should have organized a force rear guard. Did propose the thing to Capt. Easton, but he couldn’t see it. Held up and walked determined if there were any more firing to fall out and call upon 2nd Ohio and wait. Tom Wood, brave and true boy, fell out with several others and formed rear guard when almost within our lines. Rebs in ambush fired upon them and killed Tom. Poor fellow. How sorry I am for his young wife. Camped soon after passing our picket.

28th. D. and L. companies extremes. 2nd Ohio in advance. Stopped at one rich plantation thoroughly secesh. Col. said to the lady of the house, “We are out foraging today and are coming down here to live soon.” She said, “I guess Gen. Lee will have something to say about that.” Crossed the Nottoway at the double bridge. After crossing Stony Creek encountered rebels in force. 2nd soon in. Charged—drove rebs. Rebs charged back again and drove us. Brigade dismounted and went into the woods and soon into the open fields and drove the rebs back some distance. 2nd Batt. in picket. After firing moved up to a house and lane and formed. Advanced. Soon close and heavy work. Night came on. Boys hastily built breastworks of rails 50 yds from rebs. Soon our Regt. was reduced to 50 or 60 men who lay upon their faces till midnight, when the line withdrew a little. I was mounted for some time in the lane and behind the house, firing and carrying orders till the line advanced when I dismounted and led forward with the line. Awful hot. Horse got away once. Before midnight my lungs began to bleed so badly that I mounted and went back to Artillery and then to a fire. Several very heavy volleys by the rebs—said to be infantry.

27th. Moved out early in the morning. Encountered rebs about noon. Encamped an hour. 2nd Ohio on picket. Moved nearly all night. Stopped from 1:30 till 3. 8 miles from Lawrenceville.

26th. Kautz left the Staunton just before daylight. Passed through Christianville, getting a good supply of corn and oats. Crossed the south fork of the Meherrin river and camped. All quiet.

25th. Up early and moved at 4 A. M. 2nd Brigade in rear. Passed through Keysville at 5 A. M. Took a detail of 20 men away from column for horses and mules. A great many men dismounted in the heat of yesterday. Went 6 or 7 miles to the right of the R. R. Passed through a very rich and beautiful country. Never saw more splendid crops. Went to Charlotte C. H. (Charlotte (Co.) C. H. is given as Marysville on war maps, and in Century Atlas as Smithville.) Detachment of 2nd N. Y. broke open stores, released two civil prisoners and did many things out of the way. Our boys did not indulge in one thing disgraceful to my knowledge. People complimented us very highly. Seemed very thankful that we were so kind to them. They seemed perfectly surprised that we did not burn and rob. What a shame that Southern papers should deceive the country so in regard to our army. Got dinner at Mrs. Smith’s, very pleasant and kind. Wanted my name, for she should always remember me with a feeling of kindness and obligation. Son in Wise’s brigade. Rejoined the column near Mossing Ford with about 25 mules and horses. All the stock and carriages had been run farther off. Many pretty girls in town, some refugees from Fredericksburg. Most of them had been north and had dear friends there. Dressed neatly, pleasant and educated. Pleased with the trip. Halted one mile from the Staunton river. Artillery firing. Rode up to the front with Col. Purington. Rebels fortified on west bank of the river. Heavy fort on one side of the R. R. and a battery on the other. Entrenchments right on the bank of the river. Our boys on the east bank without protection. Our batteries in prominent position commanding bridge and reb works. Quite a duel. Our boys suffered from grape and canister. Reb force supposed to be about 1000 militia and 300 regulars. At 11 moved by our batteries in easy range of reb batteries up the river R. R. crossing covered with hay to muffle the sound. Depot buildings full of wounded. Moved on to Wylliesburg, arriving at daylight.

24th. At 3 A. M. breakfasted. Column moved out on Meherrin road—our Regt. the rear guard. Reached the station at 4 P. M. On picket. Troops destroyed the track as they advanced. Road made of stringers and bar iron spiked on. Destruction almost complete. Disturbed but little on picket.

22nd. Up last night till midnight issuing oats, etc., and drawing clothing. Regt. up at 1 A. M. and moved at 2. Moved through byroads around to the Jerusalem Plank road across to Reams’ Station on the Weldon and Petersburg R. R. having crossed the Norfolk R. R. Burned the station and water tanks and a quantity of wood. Moved off to Dinwiddie C. H. and then across the country to the Petersburg and Lynchburg R. R. Destroyed several miles of track, tearing up much and burning fence rails on the rest. Don’t think this did much good. Kautz captured two trains of cars loaded with furniture, etc., from Petersburg. Went into camp at 11 and remained till 1:30 A. M. (This began the famous and rather disastrous “Wilson’s Raid.”)

21st. Tuesday. Wrote home and to George’s people in Tenn. Saw Gen. Kautz. He came over to pay us a visit. It seemed good to shake his hand and talk with him once more. Hope that we can be transferred to his command. He encouraged us. Preparations for a big move tomorrow by the cavalry. May success attend us. Kautz thinks that Richmond is a certain capture. Very hot day. Maj. N. goes to hospital, best man in our Regt., brave, upright, modest, dignified and sound in principles and morals. Would the same could be said of more of our officers.