12th. Orders early to move. Sent 10 teams yesterday after forage. Sent two today for rations: Went with Pike and Ed. Livingston to the front, raining quite hard. Last night Gen. Hancock moved from right to left and this morning captured a division of Rebs under Johnson—Bushrod, I hear. Several charges made to little purpose. Ed and I visited our breastworks and one battery of 15 guns, Napoleon 12 and Rifled guns. Artillery firing very heavy all along the lines. Train pulled out about 2 o’clock and moved to within 3 miles of Fredericksburg. Cut off several miles of bad roads. Camped a little after dark. Rainy night. Firing still continues.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
10th. During the day went to the regt. Some beef, 16½ cents per pound. Thomas and I went to the front. Arrived there at nearly sundown just as a charge was to be made. Gen. Grant, Meade and several lesser generals with staffs out. We fell in. Col. Upton’s Brigade charged and took the enemy’s works with a brigade of rebs under Dough. Grant had one of his never-ending stubs in his mouth, and puffed freely. Both Grant and Meade looked serious and thoughtful till the news of success came. Then they seemed pleased. Grant said “That looks like desperation, surrendering without firing a gun.” But they had held their ground stubbornly during the day. Grant said “A brigade today, will try a corps tomorrow.” Never felt more animated. I felt such a relief from the suspense and anxiety which had been upon me for several days. I presume nearly the whole of the army and country are as uneasy and anxious as I. I awake frequently during the night. “H.” moved half a mile last night towards Fredericksburg. Rained most all day. Heavy fighting all day, with little success. Several charges made, but rebs repulsed them.
9th. Moved half a mile in the afternoon and then divided my forage to last till Sunday. Many of the teams on quarter rations. Hard fighting, all day.
8th. During the day moved to Todd’s Tavern. A large open space. All the trains of the army parked here. An ocean of teams. Pulled out a short distance after dark. General order saying that our armies had been victorious at Spottsylvania during the day. Parked near Gen. Burnside’s Hdqrs. Saw Gen. Stevenson, Patten and Patrick. Maj. Nettleton stayed with us. Considerable encouraging news in regard to Butler and Thomas.
7th. At 1 o’clock, received orders to pull out. Followed some 3rd Div. trains. Went down near Chancellorsville and breakfasted. Firing commenced early. Very hot and sultry. Regt. still back at the Ford. Moved to Chancellorsville (the walls of a brick house mark the spot) and remained over night. A good many fortifications remaining of those thrown up a year ago. Firing has been incessant all day. Troops passing towards Spottsylvania all night.
6th. Regt. saddled and moved out into position at 2 o’clock. After breakfast went out to Regt. awhile. Very hot. Firing commenced at daylight. Heaviest again in Sedgwick’s Corps. Burnside over near Chancellorsville. Just about dark firing was very heavy. Various reports in regard to loss. Dreamed last night of Fannie.
5th. Orders to march at 4 o’clock. Got up in time for breakfast. Today our forces seem to abandon Brandy Station, and the railroad. Most of the army across the Rapidan and Germania Ford. Reached the ford with 300 cattle at 10. Four companies reported to Gen. Wilcox. Infantry crossing all day, 9th Corps. A very warm day. Dusty roads, faces all crisped. Rapidan a narrow rocky bottom, high banks, rapid stream. Rappahannock narrow and less rapid. Went into camp about a mile from the river, rode out Pike to our pickets. Rebel pickets in sight. Very heavy firing on the left in the 6th Sedgwicks Corps. Quite heavy loss. Rumor that Butler was in Petersburg and Thomas fighting at Dalton. (Beginning of Grant’s attack on Lee and the Campaign of the Wilderness.)
4th. Got off before 4 o’clock. Came up with one div. of infantry at Bealeton Station. Beautiful morning. Went on to Brandy Station, unsaddled and got dinner and finally remained overnight. Drew hay and picked up some oats. Fight at Chancellorsville. Did some business.
2nd. Reveille at 4. Off at 7. Pike road still. Passed through Fairfax C. H. a place of only half a dozen scattered buildings. No fences along the road and very few houses, and those abandoned, hilly country and considerably woody. Camped near Bristol Station. 22nd and 24th N. Y. and 3rd N. J. near us. Commenced raining before we got our tents pitched. Cold, wet night. Slept very well.
May 1st. Busy getting ordnance boxes returned to Dept. till 10 o’clock. Regt. marched at 11. Train off at about 1 P. M.—12 wagons. Thede and I stayed behind to get receipts for property. Left Washington between 5 and 6 o’clock. Capt. and A. D. C. on Maj. Gen. Auger’s staff disliked to give me a pass for fear we would be gobbled! Caught up just as the regt. camped 9 or 10 miles from Washington. Supper and to bed at 10 P. M. Slept well, beautiful day.
