20th. Moved camp into the woods to the left of the old camp in the open field. Major Nettleton attacked with dysentery. Letter last night from George, the night before, from home. Both welcome. Drew two days’ forage.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
19th. Sunday. Bathed and washed shirt and drawers. Read some in the Acts of the Apostles. Went to headquarters with Purington.
18th. At 4 A. M. moved out on Sussex C. H. road and camped 8 miles from Petersburg. In evening drew rations and forage. In P. M. awful connonading and musketry, the most terrific we have yet heard. Already last night we held all but the inner line of works. Captured 22 guns and many prisoners. Report that the blacks captured one fort with 4 guns, and killed all the garrison. Yesterday was almost sick, am better today, but weak. Awful bad water for a few days. Oh the anxiety to know the result of the fighting today. God grant us success.
17th. Moved soon after daylight across the James River on pontoon bridges. River full of boats, splendid river. Camped till 3 P. M. Drew rations and forage. Moved to 4 miles of Petersburg, other brigade too. Camped at 10 P. M. till morning.
16th. Engineer Corps came out and made fortifications. 2nd had strong works. Co. D left in a fort thing built by Co. in evening over night. Just at dusk before regt. fell back, rebels came out to open place and we gave them a volley. Co. D withdrew to works soon after daylight—rebs appearing in force. Great deal of sport. Rebs came down to mill. Our boys would fire and they would aim to kill. Dropped one horse and probably one man. Withdrew at dark to Charles City Landing, arriving at 3 A. M., horses having remained under the saddle 108 hours with no feed and little grazing, horses very weak. Report that Petersburg had been captured —false.
15th. Moved out on Richmond road, and Malvern Hill road till we encountered the enemy. Six companies of our regiment on extreme left skirmish line—rest in reserve, till the 18 P. V. were driven back in a little disorder; then the six companies were ordered in. So much confusion on part of 18th that we were into the rebs or they into us before we knew it. Then came confusion of orders. Our boys saw rebel infantry. Did them some damage. By order fell back a few rods and then held our line. One of Co. A killed and one of Co. M wounded. After one-half hour ordered to fall back. Nettleton’s Batt. holding the rebs—mounted—2 men wounded and 3 horses killed. Awfulest place for a fight we were ever in. Very thick pine brush and few trees. Woods on fire and smoke almost intolerable. Got out well. Fell back to junction of roads. I dismounted to fight. 2nd Ohio on picket. Co. M. ordered back to Smith’s store where we had fought. Rebs came in rear. Killed Sergt. Edson. One missing. Quiet till morning. Deep sleep. Rations issued. We failed to get any. Oh this is the most fatiguing work we ever did.
14th. Moved on to Charles City, and drew one-half day’s rations of provisions. Remained saddled till 3 P. M. when we moved back on the Richmond road to the junction of Richmond and Harrison Landing roads. Remained saddled at some church till morning. Hasty breakfast.
13th. In the morning our regiment left at White House road on picket and rear guard. Several prisoners. Whole army moved. Rear guard until we crossed the Chickahominy, a narrow, swampy, insignificant stream. Remained near the river—south bank—till dark. Moved on towards Charles City C. H.—camping from 2 A. M. till daylight.
12th. Wrote a letter of apology to Mr. Brown, our former chaplain. Would my temper, etc., never got the upper hand of me. Read Independents. Afternoon ordered to move in evening. Sent off train. Our Regt. in rear till midnight.
11. Wrote to Fred Allen, and Watson Jones. Big mail came. Whole month. Big feast.
