JM Linn Diary: November 1861 - June 1862

This is a bright fair day. We got up about seven, breakfast, company drill, dress parade, supper brought & is quickly through & evening. Visited over to see our sick — Henry Miller, Hogan & Kelly in the hospital. Sent them tea and toast. The hospital situation and the hospital arrangements are far from comfortable. Besides them lay Charles Drainer, weakened down with a severe hemorrhage, & not long for this world. He was with our company in the three months service & was lately in Hagerstown. He has been discharged in the service, went out into town to inquire for Mrs. Monroe, but since he has moved away to take charge of a school at Frederick. His brother Harry has now charge of the seminary. Col. Hartshorne’s lady was here this evening. The Col. returned from Washington this evening.

This morning when we got up it was raining and the camp was wet and dreary. I felt as if I was glad it rained to get relieved. But it cleared off about ten o'clock. There was regimental drill but as our muskets were freshly marked, I got excused, but we were out for dress parade & had a march in review. We had the pleasure of welcoming Seth Housel back this afternoon, and this evening Beaver returned, bringing all that we expected of him, George Shorkley is lieutenant of the guard today. We had an oyster pie for dinner, but we were hurried & didn't enjoy it.

The day was gloomy - sadly overcast - air windy & this evening it commenced snowing. We had a preaching by our Chaplain. "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft," the text. This afternoon, Shorkleley, Beaver & I took a stroll through the navy yard, town & cemetery. Everything has an air of decay.

The navy yard does not look like it did when I first saw it last spring. The old Battery looks natural enough. So the Cemetery. There are the graves of the Randalls, [?] & many old familiar names. As we came out of the cemetery, we met an officer with a [squad?] of men from the cavalry Regiment going to dig a grave.

This evening, Tom Grier and I went to the Presbyterian Church & came home through rain and snow. We saw several handsome ladies, one in particular. I got vaccinated yesterday, & this evening it itches considerable I have two slight scars on my arm, but they are very slight.

We moved our camp from St. John’s College to about a mile & a half from Annapolis. We are now comfortably fixed with the only disadvantage of a scarcity of water — a very serious one by the way. Jeremiah Miller, one of our company, died last night — about eleven o’clock — of hemorage of the lungs. We had hardly expected it, though we were about getting his discharge. We had a grave dug in the soldiers burying ground near Annapolis. Our removal to-day prevented any discouraging effect which might have been were it not for the excitement caused by it.We are brigaded as [?] in the Second brigade of the Coast Division. The day was bright and fine though somewhat cold. One of the tents caught fire & burned up a while ago. We have given one of our wall-tents to the servants, & have taken a common tent for our kitchen & Dick’s quarters. We have a sheet iron cook stove & one also for our tent which makes it cosy and comfortable. I was officer of the day yesterday. We received news of the death of Will Cameron last Friday.

We buried Jerry Miller to-day with the honors of War - Shorkly & I went to the Legislature - they were swearing in the Speaker & Members of the House. Did not get out in time for Regimental drill.

Drilled all day. We raised a pole for a play at the Col's quarters.

We were out bright & early this morning & just at sunrise there raised the flag the band playing & then we cheered it. A brother of Man one of the privates. Frank Porter & Lt Hart of the 2nd Phil cavalry were here today.

A bright, fine day again. Nothing was done in camp but policing. The boys brought evergreens, dug trenches & now we have a most beautiful camp. I received a letter of introduction to Gov. Hicks from Gov. Curtin.

This evening I called, was agreeably received & introduced to his daughter. He is a portly fine looking man, gray-headed & evidently jovial.

Yesterday I was officer of the day & took occasion by the leisure it afforded me to fix up pay rolls &c. Last night I made the grand rounds, & the greenness of the sentinels was amusing. One fellow stuttered & when the sergt told him to say if the countersign is correct Advance grand rounds, he commenced with [The e - -?] it - it - oh shit - in his vexation he exclaimed. Today was very fine as to weather. We went out target firing for the first time this morning. Koser & Neyhart made the best shots - This evening Jeremiah Miller's brother came here. John Morris was acting adjutant at dress parade and did it well. The south wind is blowing & we will be apt to have rain soon. We have enjoyed a week of glorious weather. John Morris took tea with, but we had to borrow a candle from him to eat it by. Tom Grier says his balls weren't big enough, they went just the target.

The morning was dark and lowering, & the forenoon passed with wind and rain. This afternoon cleared brightly, & though somewhat windy, it was beautiful I was notified that I was appointed judge advocate in a Court of Inquiry demanded by Lt Col Vignier de Monteil of the New York 53rd commonly known as the D'Epineuil Zouaves , on charges proffered against him by his Colonel D'Epineuil & Cap W.W. Armstrong of the same Regt. The charges are unofficer-like conduct, getting drunk & speaking disrespectfully of Col D'Epineuil - among the rest that he D'Epineuil had never seen service - never anything that a common sailor - also that he ate breakfast at the same table with his orderly. This Regiment dresses the same as the French imperial Zouaves - blue jacket trimmed with yellow, blue scarf around the waist, skyblue pants - bagging down to the knees - Tom Grier asked Camp Union near Annapolist Md. Wednesday 11thcontinued 1861

one the other day whether he couldn't carry ten days rations in the seat of his pantaloons - white leggings. Tom took the notices of the Court of Inquiry over to D'Epineul - he saw his wife, a buxom French woman dressed in the full Zouave costume.

We have a little black pup belonging to someone in the Regiment. He is called General, and is very playful. During the solemnity of the Dress parade, he got after the heels of Lt. Morris, acting adjutant - then he treed the Colonel, and wound up with biting the heels of the Band, when they were beating off. The butler arrived this evening & began by distributing a piece of tobacco to the boys. There was a grand rush - for they were nearly starved for it. It has caused great rejoicing, as they think it an end to their troubles, & especially as they were notified at dress parade that the paymaster would be along soon. Beaver went to town - to attend meeting I suppose.

This was a bright fine day though cold. I put on my full uniform and went to the Navy Yard, and attended the Court of Inquiry. The Col Lionel jobert d'Epineuil, Lt. Col. A.J. Vigeur de' Monteil witnessed. Lt. Col. Maggi, Captain Cipriani Captain [blank] ,Major Cameron, Capt. Willard, Lt.Merriam, Capt. W.W. Armstrong - Board Lt Cols Bell, 51st Penn, Lt. Col. Potter 37st N.Y. & Lt. Col. Martin 11th Penn. Maggi was counsel for Lt. Col. Monteil. He is an Italian. We had an interpreter Lt. Col. Legendre. We sat until near three o'clock and adjourned. I came out in time for dress-parade. Col D'Epineuil invited me to tea. I went over to Mr Welsh, where he has his quarters, & spent the pleasantest kind of an evening. The major is a jolly fat man: the Abbe, Capt Cipriani, Capt Griffin. We had music. The Col sang - Capt Cipriani & the Col's wife - a french woman, who says her mother was English. They all speak English very well. I find what Tom told us about the Col's wife wearing Zouave uniform was a hoax - though I suspected it when I told it. I kept it up when I came home giving a full description of her. It was an eminently social evening. The lady sent for a little box - french particolored fancy box - and it was batted around - it had various colored confectionary - birds eggs = lozenges: the Maj Cartel was a short clumsy man with a bald head and rat tail mustachios. He put me in mind of the Maj. in Capt O'Malley.

This was a bright fine day, clear but cold. I went to the court of inquiry. The examination of Capt. Gilmore was concluded - then a sergt was examined and winding up with Maj. Cantel. Maggi was very impertinent & thought himself very cute. Maj. Legendre was calm & passive. Maj. Cantel with his dumpy figure and rat-tail mustache got excited when Maggi asked him whether he considered himself competent to judge of the capacity of the Lt. Col. When we adjourned the french and Italian had a vigorous onslaught of words. They stood up to each other in the position of a soldier, & blathered away, it was quite amusing. I got out in time to see the Division reviewed by Ge Foster - 8th Connecticut, 51st New York, 51st Pennsylvania, 53rd New York.D'Epineuil Zoauves. The Connecticut were a [spiraling?] looking set - about 500 - New York were another fine looking set. But the 57th Pennsylvania was the finest of all - better looking men, finer marching and the only regiment that went through the review in proper form. The D'Epineuil Zoauves looked well - but they had a comical looking drum major, with an immense bear skin hat, & a band that sounds like a dutch organ, & a drum corps which was simply ridiculous. Our regiment passed in fine style & passed once in review at double quick. The flat at the place where the reviewing officer stood was once carried by the 4th Connecticut at Bulls run, by Capt. Fowler's Company, now in the 8th Connecticut. It has several bullet holes through it. An officer told me that it disappeared during the fight, & they afterwards found that the carrier had skulked and hid it in the fence corner. There were several ladies on the field - one particularly handsome. It is quite a treat to see ladies. Our camp looked very beautiful from the field of review. Tomorrow the division is to be reviewed by Gen Burnside, consisting of the two brigades 10th Connecticut 22nd 23rd 27th Mass in the first Brigade. The twenty fourth Mass arrived at the Navy Yard this morning in the steamer Admiral.

We were out early at nine o'clock for the Division Review. We were reviewed by Gen Foster, Burnside no having arrived. The day was splendid, & there were eleven Regts of infantry, 21st, 22,23, 24, 27 Mass 57th N.Y. 61st & 11th Penn 8th & 11th Connecticut 33 NY D'Epineuil [?] & the Ira Harris cavalry.

We got through by two o'clock. The performance of our Regiment was admirable.

Another bright day . Company inspection, regimental inspection and review, double quick with knapsacks . This evening, Beaver , Tom , and I went to Presbyterian Church .

Another fine day, though somewhat cold and windy . I was at the Court of Inquiry . Adjourned at two . I went into the House of Delegates . Heard two speeches on some resolutions with regard to the partition of Maryland , Delaware , and Virginia . Cameron was fiercely denounced - and there was a secession speech denouncing Cameron Administration, the President and all - the Gentleman from St Mary's proclaimed the treason of Cameron . I did not go to dress parade. The news of the burning of Charlestown , and the demand of England for the restitution of Mason and Slidell came on us. I believe if there were anything which could rouse a great enthusiasm in the North, even greater, it would be the prospect of a brush with England . The old hatred lingers. We would do it as readily as the house nation would pitch into it. Beaver and Little have went to town to visit the ladies.

This is again another bright fine day . The court of inquiry was ordered to be held at Col. d'Epineuil's headquarters , at Mr. Welsh's . Col Bell and I walked over. It warm enough to have the window open - the air clear and bracing. The Col called his wife down to have some music. She was dressed in a dark brown dress faced with yellow, a red Zouave cap with yellow tassel . After the Court adjourned Col Bell and I started out and after we got down the lane, we saw the Maj coming with Mrs D'Epineuil , she dressed in full Zouave costume , which she told me belonged to one of the drummer boys. She said she was going with the expedition if Gen Burnside would permit - she thought if she dressed as a Zouave he would not object, as she would not be in the road She said she did not know what she would do if she were not to go along, as she had no relative or friend out of Europe . I found a box from home, when I got back to quarters - shoes , turkeys , chickens , butter & and an excellent photograph of Papa and Mother. George and I went to town this evening - found out nothing but that they were loading transports . 100 men are detailed from our Regiment for Patrol duty, & Lt Morris is detailed as the Lt of the Guards .

Still fine weather . We went over to the Court of Inquiry , we adjourned from the house to the Col's headquarters . His tent is nicely fitted up. Has a writing desk like the one in my reading room. We examined witnesses for defence. The butler got us up a dinner of steaks - there were large and we incontinently each ate one. Rice and bread constituted the other parts of the feast. The Col has a frame of wood put up around inside the wall tent , & instead of tent pole has two forked stakes put up - this prevents the wind from affecting the tent . We sat until late at night. Col. Martin spoke of the man that was shot for desertion at Washington - that the bullets did not go through him, though the detail that fired were but 6 paces from him. Col. Maggi explained it by saying that the bullets of rifles acquired their penetrating force only by passing through the air a certain distance - the wind - and they do not yet require that at six paces. Col. Maggi & Col Monteil said that they never went through a campaign in which they did not lose their baggage - when different divisions marched on the same line - got mixed, crossed each other, and the baggage one lost never reached their destination. I can easily see how it would be, from what little I know. A division or even a brigade hardly ever knew what regiments composed another - especially one division never knew what Regiments composed another & baggage may be easily lost. I remember the night we went to Centreville , several divisions came up and crossed each other. Our division got in between the baggage train of the N.Y. Fire Zouaves and their regiment - and their baggage train got in between mine. I had charge of Gen Franklin's brigade train , and our division, & I had some trouble to find our brigade. Tom Grier and I started to walk to town: the 21st Mass is relieved of their charge of the railroad by the 11th Pennsylvania . The guards of the latter were all drunk and unfit for duty - no wonder with the example set by Col. Dick Coulter We went into Dunkers for oysters : the Editor Baily & Dr Jackson 11th Penna - were talking and drinking - Baily giving the Doctor an account of all the ills he suffered since he was a boy - especially that he had bad lungs & a cough and never was free from it until he was afflicted with a fistula during the last [?]. The Legislature was in session - they were just starting a vote on the resolution - Many of the members protested against the 6th some the 4th but voted aye for the sake of the message of the resolution. We returned about twelve o'clock finding Dick Coulters men drunker than ever.

Another bright, fine day . We had another grand review by Gen Foster today. We formed on the parade about ten o'clock . It was long tedeious and tiresome. Gov Hicks the Pres of the Senate and House on horseback - and some twenty or thirty indiscreet members who walked. They got very tired, and when they got to our regiment the 7th Regiment they hung their heads like tired dogs, & never looked up at us - one old fat fellow puffed and blowed - We made a calculation - that they walked 24 times across the field the length of the Regiment, and twice across along it, making a distance in the aggregate of three miles. I was a little bilious and our men were very tired standing there so long, - and did their marching rather carelessly - then having to march in review once in quick time and once a double quick - we were tired too - What must have been the State of the Legislature . Col. Potter N.Y. 51st came and took dinner with us and spent the afternoon, as also Lt. Col. Bell . We had a very pleasant time. He told us that Sec. Seward was a very hard drinker - that is he was always sober before dinner but after dinner drank a great deal. He said he took him home from dining at Lord John Russells, in England , in his carriage very boozy. He uses tobacco excessively too. I noticed at Washington at his levee that I thought he drank a good deal, but afterwards thought it was only because he was a high color. The Lt.Col. gave us a very comic description of a negro sermon preached in Annapolis . Are not Abana and Pharpar rivers of Damascus &c. I forgot the rest: but he went on to describe the leprosy - called it a noble disease - appeared to have some idea that it was a disease peculiar to noblemen. In giving a description of the scene at the house - He sent the servant in: the servant comes out. Massa is in de inner room and can't be seen - When he was in the river - he says he wallowed and dived and wallowed and dived - & when he had dived a number of times - his servant called and dive again Massa & he dived - When the prophet told him to go bathe in the Jordan seven times - then a man bust out - Are not Abana & Pharpar . The Lt Col was at our dress parade, but we did most miserably. Pride will have a fall. George & Beaver have gone to town to spend the evening.

We went over to hold court, and had just been seated when we got the order to prepare for review. We adjourned and I got back just as the Regiment was moving off. The review was by Gen. Burnside at last. The New York 57th Camp Union , near Annapolis Md .
December 20, Friday, continued 1861. came just in time on double quick. Burnside is a fine, sharp, dark eyed looking man, and rode a beautiful horse . He has black hair and whiskers along the side of the face. The review passed finely in the same order, as the other days I spent the afternoon in looking of McClellans bayonet exercise. This evening Gib and I went to town, called at Dr Claude's , to see Miss Burton , but she was not at home. Going along the street we met a miserable looking white man, worse with whiskey , who was asking a negro wench to go home with. "I don't want company" "I can see myself home." We went into the National Hotel but recently opened. I remembered the last time I was in here, sick and weak and miserable. I enjoyed the hospitality of Mr Monroe and his pretty little wife. Last Spring - I had been officer of the guard all night - attack witih diarrahea - he took me there - put me in the nicest whitest bed so it seemed to me - I had not seen a bed for three weeks - and told me to sleep until 2 o'clock when they dined - I had been in bed but an hour when he came and awakened me, saying that he was sorry to disturb me, but that orders to march had reached the Regiment . I had been sent for. I jumped and with a alacrity, at which he seemed surprised - & with a cup of tea I bid them goodbye - my last look was at his pretty wife. I got a glimpse of them as the Regiment marched past. He has gone to Frederick where he has a female seminary in successful operation. He moved about two weeks before we came here.

A bright day, but much colder . This evening on dress parade I felt the cold strike across my feet considerably. We finished The testimony of the Court of Inquiry about one o'clock . Maggi in despite of his indignant protest of yesterday, because Lt Col Monteil was put in close arrest, was back as counsel. We had Capt Allabaugh and Capt Bell at our tent to tea this evening. Had roast chicken . Col Bell was in and told us that there were 19 transports lying in the bay. This looks favorable for our speedy departure. Gen Reno , a Pennsylvanian, is the Commander of our Brigade . Do we have 3 regulars of the finest reputation: Burnside , Foster and Reno - who was instructor of infantry tactics at West Point . Col. Hartranft told us that he had received a letter from the paymaster stating he would be here to pay us off on Monday. Lt Col. Potter is a son of Bishop Potter of Pennsylvania , of the Episcopal Church .

Another fine day, though cold . Had company inspection at ten oclock . Then we had orders to form our companies without arms and accoutrements & march to the parade ground, where we had a sermon by the Rev Mallory , our chaplain, "I am the way and the life" After dinner Beaver , Tom Grier and I went to town. We went by the wagon road to take a view of the camps though we commenced the adornment with ever greenes and have the advantage of the situation the yankees have taken up the idea and have gone ahead of us. The 10th Connecticut have archs wreaths &c. The arch over the main street has an eagle with oustpread wings worked in pine . The N. York 31st have an arch in which 1776 worked in pine as also flags , and other devices . We went down to the warf and saw the river covered with vessels some one told us there were twenty four transports . some are large side wheel steamers - I noticed the New Hampshire New York . Most of the others are painted black. I suppose they would not afford as fair a mark for artillary as the white ones. As we came back up the railroad I noticed we saw a train bringing in the 7th Rhode Island Battery . The preparations are so great that it is supposed that it will be ten days before we will be able to start. Beaver staid in to attend church. Tom and I went into the yard of the Episcopal church where there are several old tombstones - rectangular tombs of white marble . By itself at the corner of the church is one carved to the memory of Margaret Carroll , relict of Charles Carroll , daughter of Matthew Tilghman , born January 15, 1742, died March 14, 1818. Over by the side of the church, was that of Rebecca wife of Daniel Pulaney , daughter of Col. Walter Smith died March 18. 1737. aged 47 years. Enclosed in an iron railing were those of William Bladen died August 9. 1718. Benjamin Tasker Jun. late Secretary of Maryland died October 17. 1760 aged 39. Honourable Benjamin Tasker died 18. June 1768 aged 78, "which , tho of a constitution naturally weak and tender he attained through the efficiency of an exemplary temperance. At the time of his death he was President of the council a station he occupied 32 years. The offices of the agent and Receiver General & Judge of the prerogative court he successfully exercised." I observed the other day the chickens roosting on the branches of a low tree over the latter tomb, and Tom scraped away the piles of excrement in order to decipher the inscription. It has begun to rain this evening about nine o'clock .

We went to Lieutenant Colonel Potter's tent & heard Lieutenant Colonel Maggi read Lieutenant Colonel Viguier de Monteil's defence. It rained nearly all last night & the greater part of the day. When I came back found the camp in somewhat of an excitement, owing to the paymaster having arrived. Maj Morill and his assistant Mr Morton. As there were some errors we had ours to make over - or rather for them as they had made most of the mistakes.

Our company was paid off today. Shorkly received some 84 dollars, but Beaver & I got none, as they paid out to the 1st of November & we were not mustered in until the 16th of November. The first lieutenant received pay from the time he mustered in, but it was when we had 41 men, although not actually mustered in. We got in this afternoon and made our payrolls for Nov. & Dec. This evening, Beaver Tom and I went into Annapolis. It was more lively than I ever seen it. We went to an Episcopal service. The church is very beautiful inside, with arches and stained windows, and the evergreen decorations were beautifully contrasted on the chaste white walls. The children sang a Christmas carol after the service.

This was a bright fine day. Some of the companies went into town under charge of a commissioned officer. We had almost a rebellion because we declined doing it. It was very fortunate we didn't. They had a dreadful row in town - some hundred of our men getting drunk, and having a free fight in the centre opening behind the Episcopal church. Gen. Reno, I hear, was drunk, got knocked down twice and a tooth knocked out. The dress parade was slim owing to so many absences. The detail from our Regiment was happily relieved today and returned to camp. We presented each of our men with a pair of white gloves. They looked quite fine on dress parade. They appear to be satisfied that they did not get to town, especially when they saw that the Col. collected all the old barrels in camp, and made the drunk party shoulder them, and walk the sing. Beaver & Shorkly went to town this evening.

We had Regimental inspection today - Col Sweitzer, aide of McClellan inspected our arms - he caught us in a bad condition after our Christmas and hey day. We all received our new coats today. Bill Schaffley from Lewisburg came into camp today, from Lewisburg. He induced Frank Beale to resign his second lieutenancy. Sgt I think will succeed him.

Tom Grier & Lt. Beaver were detached for signal service today & reported themselves in town. Charley Schaffley, Lt in Company D, Capt Thoms. Chamberlain, 5th Reg Reserve, came into camp this evening. He had a furlough for 48 hours from Washington and slipped off down here. Bill Schaffley and Frank Beale went to Washington this morning. The weather was cold and windy and drilling was disagreeable, beside that the men had lost considerable by the inaction of the past few days.

We had a drill this morning - But Col. Hartranft & Col Bell happened to go away, and we were ordered to drill the manual. It was exceedingly cold, so we had to double quick to get warm. Unfortunately for me Gen Reno came on to the drill ground just as the other companies were gone, but I was still there, & he saw us go into the manual. I apologized by stating that we never got our muskets until the day we left Harrisburg, & we had to pay most attention to marching to keep up with the Regiment. He made the remark to Col Bell that we must drill more in the manual, & mentioned Co. H. I felt badly all day about it. He caught the Col & Lt Col as bad, absent from camp. He inspected Adjutant Bible dry. Bible is a fellow that don't know anything and knows too much. Gen Hatch stood us up wonderfully. I went to town with John Morris this afternoon, who felt gay, because he had just been appointed aide du camp to Gen Reno. We took a look at the transport fleet - then took tea at the City Hotel. There we saw Gen Hatch a short red faced gray haired man.

We had a company inspection - then Gen Reno came & the Col understood from him that we were to embark tomorrow at twelve o'clock. We were busy this afternoon razeeing down our baggage. George & Gib went to church this evening. I stayed at home and wrote some letters. We feel quite good in the prospect of marching, if only we were a little better drilled.

We discovered today that we misunderstood the order; that it was that Commander of Regiments should hold themselves in readiness to march on twelve hours notice. So we spent the day as usual in drill. On Saturday, the Regiment received new coats - & now look like soldiers, and make a fine appearance. Frank Beale returned from Washington, and bid us goodbye. I sent my gold watch home with him, and bought his silver watch: paid him in full for it - $20. Tom Grier has been detailed as clerk to the Assistant Adjutant Reno.

Still bright fine weather. We were mustered today. Nearly 700 men out or more perhaps - dressed in their best. We made a splendid appearance. They are drawn as in review, in open order - The rolls are called - each man comes to a support and as his name is called comes to a shoulder and then to an order. Every man must be accounted for whose name is on the rolls. We then had inspection and review - As we were marching in review Gen Reno & staff, Lt Morris on his gallant bay. Lt Reno, & Gen Park commander of the third brigade came in. They complimented our marching. Lt Reno told Beaver in town that company H marched finely, and were well drilled. Morris told us that they all said we did the finest drilling of any Regiment in the expedition, & they had been around to all the camps today. We had Regimental drill during the afternoon. We think we are still improving. During the muster this morning - it was warm and pleasant. The parade ground is large & level, and the slight frost melting made part of it greasy. The sun was bright and fine - the arms glistening in the sun, and a solemn stillness resting on the whole scene. Then came rushing across the field a big boar, his bristles sticking up, and after him two n____ and two dogs; the boar grunted, the dogs barked, & the n____ made all sorts of noises. The hog, as usual with hogs, ran just the opposite way they wanted to drive him - indeed the plan of action, between the dogs the n____ and the hog, was so complicated, that it was impossible to tell which way they wanted to drive him - after a performance unequalled by any circus I have ever seen, they retired and the audience, the whole regiment was convulsed with laughter. I had my likeness taken today. This evening we had our school of sergeants and corporals. I could not help thinking how differently we would all have spent it if we were at home. The Zouaves rebelled today and would come out on muster. & this camp was put in charge of two companies of the Connecticut Regiment. Thus endeth the year 1861. I cant remember how the last day of last year was spent, but I'm sure that I never dreamed of being in canvas walls, so far south as to have splendid weather. One of our men returned who had been to Union County on furlough. I now commenced on the other side of Baltimore & in Union County there was sleighing. Here it about like the pleasant days of October I will now close this up and start anew - & send this home. Tom. Grier is not with us & we feel like as if we were waiting for him all the time.

This was a warm fine day. We had squad and company drill, Regimental and dress parade and that took up the major portion of the day. I never saw a New Year day so pleasant and beautiful in weather. We drew new caps and distributed them. This evening it has become exceedingly windy - it blows like a gale around our tent up here on the hill, but we are safe enough yet. I don't know how it will be before morning. We have some funny characters in our company; so different and of all sorts and shades - such as it is said are required to make up a world. From the Captain to Dick Langly our servant, from Wilter the tallest man down to Beur the smallest, from Nyhart the orderly to Campbell the 5th Sergt, from Allison the tallest corporal to John Dawson the shortest, we have grades and shades which make a wonderful variety in the company's components. Campbell is nicknamed the Chaplain, Stewart, the Commodore, Phillips, the Adjutant & so on. Phillips is a small blackhaired man, about 35, and is always looking on the best side of everything. Bully for that, is his expression, for everything good bad and indifferent. He is religious, and on inspection has his knapsack arranged, like a little old womans, and his little stock of religious books quietly paraded. He is careful of his person, earnest in drill, marches with his little toes turned up, and has a wheezing little cough, half affected, which he indicates his whereabouts night and day. He uses it to attract attention, he has a queer cozening way of edging up to you, sort of a way of stroking you like a cat the ways the [?] [?], when he wants anything of you. He does everything you want him to do, does it with alacrity and pleasure, and at the same time quietly parades everything he does, the mannaer in which it is done and completeness before you, so that you lose none of its excellence. Stewart is a tall clumsily made fellow, with hands like shovels, good natured, ignorant, never seen beyond the blue ranges of his nature valley, always eating, & spends all he has for eatables. Ask for him, the answer will most probably be, at the sutlers, or [?] they make fun of him, but he is good-natured, only his expressiveness makes him easily imposed upon. I received a letter from Annie and one from Amelia Dansen this afternoon. George and I boxed up our useless stuff to send home.

Yesterday, Sunday, we knew that we were to break camps and embark. We were busy making preparations: packing and fixing. About four o'clock the paymaster came. We had the mail signed, and towards seven o'clock were paid. We had orders to cook three days provisions, but they did not draw provisions until late in the evening, and the men were nearly all night cooking. It commenced to snow a little on Saturday night, was cold and blustering during yesterday, sleeted during the night. It was hard work. Besides the wood gone wet, and the men had to go to the woods and get wood. Then we were busy bringing up packages for the men to send money home. This morning dawned a wintry scene - snow about two inches. Our beautiful camp was soon destroyed - It was wonderful what amount of truck gathered on our housekeeping for six weeks. The men gathered boxes and barrels and made bonfires. Seth Housel was dispatched to town with the money packages amounting to some fifteen hundred dollars. The little ground moles that burrowed about our tent we had to bid fare well - our shrubbery, urch & I went to the Bonfires. About twelve o'clock the general beat, and we marched, leaving only marks of where we had been. Lots of n____ around gathering the odd ends of crackers, old shoes & other things which necessity made us wasteful of. We marched through town, and at the centre at the church, Companies C, A, K & L separated, carrying with them the old Fourth colors, now attend to 51st and so command of Lt Col Bell, marching to the city wharf to embark on the Scout. The rest of us went down into the Navy Yard, and after little delay we embarked on the Cossack steamer. This is a fine ocean steamer and the officers have the ladies cabin for quarters. Most of my company are in the state rooms. But the poor fellows left with the baggage have not come on board yet. The officers have no baggage and nothing to eat. We managed to get a poor cup of tea. The scene in town was awful. The shop keepers were set crazy and many in despair closed their stores. Everything was bought out. The bakers were fairly demented. The express office gave out and drove everybody away. All the troops here were paid off - everybody was saying - the 21st Mass got drunk. Every fellow that could get liquor got & how was a mystery to us. Sunday was an awful day in town. Stores closed - troops marching - everybody on the street. Tonight it is a beautiful scene on the water: we got aground and had to be towed off - We drifted down the stream - It is a bleak wintry night - the waters dark - the river full of black hulled vessels, with their signal lights aloft. The ships full of men, the bands playing - the sound of the fiddle, the song and shout of the men. If we only had something to eat. The reporters for the press, six of them, occupy a table and state rooms - a table by themselves, with little slips of paper written full - Then they had a meal - coffee and ham fried, which was particularly tan-talizing to us. We ate a full breakfast this morning, but a breakfast don't last all day. We have luxurious quarters down here, but after all one's comfort should very materially on the arrangements made for your stomach. My canteen full of water tastes delicious. Dick filled it for me at the spring just before we started. Our Brigade now consists of the 21st Mass 51st N.Y. 51st Penna 19th New Jersey 1240 strong 69th New York. Tom Grier goes with Gen Reno on the Northerner. As Seth could not get into the Express Office, Beaver gave my package of money to steamer $340 of my own, $50 of Vandine, $40 Seth's & $30, in all. We fortunately carried our knapsacks with us, in which I have my portfolio, & writing material, cigars, and a blanket: so that we are comfortably better off than the other officers. We managed to get 30 loaves of bread - so that we are not starved - but it would be a luxury to have our coffee hot, and that boiled ham that we have in the camp chest together with a morsel of butter.

I slept splendidly last night and we turned out about seven o'clock. We began to wonder where breakfast was to come from, when Lt. Shorkley was appointed commissary for the officers, and under his energetic supervision we had breakfast dinner and supper. He and Beaver were out nearly all day laying in a stock of provisions. The ship Cossack was formerly the Eastern City and is now painted black - it was evidently painted white before. It is an ocean steamer I think used between Portland, Maine & Boston or New York. It is about 300 feet long and sixty wide. The lady's cabin, the officers quarters, is about 30 or more feet long - has thirty berths, - Brussels carpet - dainty curtains - recess - a washing place - large mirrors & otherwise like all those large steamboats. This was a bright fine day, and this evening the moon is shining over the waters - the ships and steamboats with their signal lights - the light house - the snow covered banks - make a lovely scene - add to this the bands in every ship are playing - ours is now playing Dixie - they played it first before the general was beaten - as we left our camping ground yesterday. I amused myself up on deck with my glass - then reading a message from the sea. The wind was pretty high this morning: it rocked our boat very slightly. I felt the dizziness without exactly knowing exactly what it was until I look out of the windows and saw the waves running pretty high. We have everything embarked and ready except our horses. Another regiment came down from Washington, I think a Connecticut regiment, so that all are now embarked. The British ship Imolita, 37 Armstrong guns, is lying off the light house. Her officers were in town - Capt Hancock - and they told their officers that they had been sent to bring away Lord Lyons, had not the difficulty been settled. The British ungenerous exaltation over what they call our back - out, will only serve to increase that American feeling for a fight, which will burst out in violence some of these days. We have now an immense army - soldiers training for fight, and they will need employment. I received two letters by this mornings mail, one from John and one from Laura. When I come to think of it, it seemed like yesterday that I received it. This day has been long and short. John Morris was in and told us, that Gen Reno, had been so heartily disgusted with the 21st Mass. for being generally drunk, that he threatened to remove his staff from the Northerner to our boat. Maj. Clark urged him to wait till this morning, when he said if it were no better he would do so. Morris looks as gay riding around in the little boats as he does on his bay. He is very popular and the men think if any thing can be done Morris will do it. I was just coming down stairs to hunt berths for some men, when I met the officers of the boat rushing up stairs. I went out to the side & saw them lower the captain's gig in hot haste. I went out to the other side and heard the most agonizing scream of drowning men "I'm drowning" "let go my legs" & I waited until the officers returned. They reported they had rescued four men, one clinging to the wheel and three on the surf boards. The side wheel steamer run over a boat of the Chasseur, loaded it is said with 23 men nineteen of whom were saved. I was in harrowing suspense until I found out that it was not one of our boats but returned with three of our men just after it happened. Part of the 8th Connecticut ref="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BucknellDSC/jmlinn/refs/heads/main/jmlinn_gazetteer.xml#linnpl017">Connecticut are on board the Chasseur. It was bright moonlight - we could see the men struggling in the water, and their screams were awful. I heard on firm manly voice raise above the din of the confusion, "Keep cool its all right" and at once it all seemed to subside. The side wheel boat has been considered the nuisance of these waters running in to every one. It must have been gross carelessness to have run into the boat on such a night as this.

Wednesday January 8.

There is a square rigged brig lying out near us, which was captured on New Year's day endeavouring to run the blockade off the mouth of James River . I just learned the distinction in ships. A schooner is a boat with 2 masts without yards. A square rigged brig has two masts and yards. A hermaphrodite brig has two masts, one with yards. A ship has three masts witih yards. A bark three masts, two with yards. We learn this morning that the men in the boat last night, run over by the wheel-bound steamer, were all saved & doing well. They were of the 27th Mass. Those supposed to be lost were on shore & returned to the boat this morning. First serj Nyhart hurt, on recommendation of the surgeon, need a furlough for sixty days, and has resigned his serjantry. This vessel is the former Eastern City, now named the Cossack. She is 237 feet long and 30 feet beam.

It is really a beautiful sight on deck. There are some forty ships and steamers. The day is bright - the wind blowing brisk, waters sparkling in the sunlight. The Scout is just now 3 o'clock P.M. towed up - containing the balance of our Regiment. It is said we will start at four o'clock. The steamers have their steam up. The first brigade is distinguished by a red flag. The second by a blue flag. The latter is ours with no. 2 on it. The Scout is numbered 8. Everything looks brisk and lively. We have been hourly in expectation of moving. As it was growing dark, a boat came around our bow - I was walking on deck - Lt Morris voice sung out - "Cossack" "Aye Aye" I yelled. "Col Hartranft on board" "Yes sir" "Call him out". And the message was that the Captain should keep a good look out for three rockets - Then the first gun would be a signal for the first brigade to move: Two guns for the second. We have drill in the manual on deck during the day. I received a letter from Annie and one from John. George rec'd his pistol and shoes from Philadelphia. He told me that there was a large crowd around the Express office, & happening to catch the Agents eye, he gave him the Freemason sign, and was waited on immediately. Otherwise he might have waited all the day. We spent most of the afternoon on deck, looking at the gay scene. My marine glass is a very useful auxilliary in our pleasures, and we are as much pleased with it as any children with their toys. One of the notable characters among our Officers is Lt Blair. He is the man that things dress parade a humbug, and his own careless unofficer appearance indicates his tastes - the size of his shirt collar is a wonderful and sticks straight out - pointed - like his black eyes - like his nose, like his disposition - sharp, pointed, cutting. He is extreme in all his views - expresses everything in a sharp way. He always turns up in any discussion; he dislikes adjutant, and hammers him unmercifully. The Adjt is slow at repartee. Blair has been Lt of the Guard today and his oddities and eccentricities have appeared in a very prominent manner. He has demonstrated on Lloyds map that our ship the Cossack is to land at Apalachicola and go up and take possession of the Railroad at Talahassee - Lt Col Bell is to [stand?] at Cedar Keys - Florida - with the "Scout" and hold the road there - & then the United States holding Fernandina - then we had possession of Florida. Our steam is up & we will probably be off tonight.

Thursday January 9 1862. Steamship Cossack.

I was wakened this morning about six o’clock by the cry of a “man overboard.” That cry is fearful enough at any time, but to be waked out of sleep, in the dark of the morning, and hear it — and the cries of the drowning man, and that gulping noise he makes as he is swept rapidly by the stern of the ship. However, I was not startled. I got up, however, and tried to look out the window of Shorkly’s berth. He was turned round and said there was no use in getting up; we must get used to these things.I went out to the back window and saw a number of little boats flying about. One husky voice — salty — I remember the first time I heard such a voice, the night we came down from Perrysville to Annapolis last spring, when we were hailed by the Cumberland and ordered to haul under his stern. I have noticed it since in all sailors. This husky voice called out, “Keep the lad up! Keep the lad up!” Then again another, just as husky, cried out, “I’ve got him!” “Heave him up!” “Put your arm around me, lad!” Then I knew he was safe. In the army, when they speak to a man, they say “my man”; on sea “my lad.”The three rockets went up about seven o’clock, then one gun fired, and the first brigade got under way. Then two guns, and our brigade started about a quarter past eight. We have two ships in tow — 7 & 8 — 8 is the Scout with the balance of our regiment. Gen. Burnside, in a small boat with eight or ten oarsmen, went shooting about from ship to ship, cheered by all of us as he passed. He had a common cavalry hat and gum coat. The bands saluted as he passed; we waved our hats; the men cheered. On each ship, as it started, the band commenced playing “Dixie.”I have spent most of the morning out looking at the fleet. How proudly they plough their way. Our vessel seems the staunchest and fastest sailor. I recognized Lt. Col. Potter on one of the ships (3), waved my hat to him; he turned to his men, did something in dumb show — but we heard a cheer burst from them, and we cheered in return.We passed the English Imolita off the lighthouse. England is rousing a terrible feeling in our hearts. There will be a great war some of these days. I can’t keep it down in myself. The officers spoke of it with an ill-concealed glare, that it was an insult to have that lying there. The ill-concealed exultation of the British, and their mentioning with such satisfaction that there are so many French war vessels on our coast, is making up the desired indignation in the breasts of those most opposed to war and least blood-thirsty in feeling. At five bells, at two o’clock afternoon, passed Cove Point, Drum Point, and the mouth of the Patuxet River .This evening, at the request of Bentley, reporter for the Philadelphia Enquirer, I wrote out a list of our company with their residences and took it up to his room. He introduced me to McDonald, the reporter for the Commercial Advertiser. Captain Bennet, captain of my boat, came in and told us to come out and see a beautiful sight. He took us to the stern of the ship, and see the wake of the ship. The moon was not very bright; the waters like dark green glass — a wake as broad as the ship, as straight as an arrow, extending as far back as the ships we had in tow, boiling and foaming white. It was indeed beautiful.We went back to the reporter’s room. Bennet gave us a succinct history of his life — 22 years at sea; master of a ship at 18 years of age; keeper of the Minot Ledge Lighthouse; saved by being accidentally away when it washed into the sea, where he lost all his charts and drawings, having been three times around the world — which were peculiarly valuable to him. Joined his fate with Mayor Wood of New York ; captain of the 5th Ward police; went into the Custom House; had his head cut off for his connection with Mayor Wood; and with difficulty, and owing to his personal acquaintance with Welles and Burnside and his position here, he was superintendent of the outfitting of this fleet at New York.He has a little boy, ten years old perhaps, that cried to go along. Burnside happened to be by. The boy said he would carry cartridges and do many other things. Burnside told him to take him along, and he would allow him rations.While we were standing on the hurricane deck this evening, the sky was mottled white, with long dark streaks along the western sky. Bentley came over the sailors’ rhyme: “A mackered sky and mare’s tails make waves high, and covers the ship’s sails.”

The boat stopped last night about eleven o'clock on account of the density of the fog. This morning the fog was still very thick, could not see fifty paces ahead. About nine o'clock there were signs of clearing & the Captain ordered the engines to get up steam. We are still thirty miles from Hampton Roads. Some time after we started, we had dinner at half past 12 o'clock, and we went on deck. Soon we saw the masts of vessels looming through the fog. Then the red light boat, the Kiptopeke, Sewells point and Fortress Monroe There were three men of war - the sailors manned the yards and cheered. We cheered in return. We soon recognized some of our acquaintances. The New York , New Brunswick. We dipped our flag as we came in. We anchored off the fortress toward Sewall's point. The ripraps are a heap of rocks out to the left of us, with some stone walls, 2 stone houses, and some poles with ropes stretched. I saw but one cannon perched up pointing toward Sewall's point. It looked an acre or so in extent, and is exactly like the summit of Mount Washington. Willoughby point was [?] on the red light boat. The day cleared, but it was still smoky - we looked with interest upon the places we had so often read about. We were all soon in the cabin preparing our letters to send home. I wrote one to Aunt Margery, one to the Chronicle and one to Annie. We went up after supper, but saw nothing but a gunboat out towards Sewalls point, used as a watch-boat. Lt Col Bell came on board and took tea with us. It was so foggy that we could see nothing until we entered Hampton Roads. Sewalls Point is a long low reach of sand, covered with woods. I could see a house and barn a mile perhaps from the point. We could not distinguish anything at all on the point, except that the sand appeared who reached up along the edge of the wood, but that may have been done by the action of the waves. The fleet here is not so imposing in appearance, as up at Annapolis - perhaps because the harbor is wider. Hassenflug, and John Smith, the Col's servant were the only ones that were sea-sick. The adjutant has a great time with his consolidated reports, and each Captain has to make one every time, to rectify mistakes &c. It is the great bore of all of us and especially the adjutant. Blair remarked that he expected that the adjutant, when he died, would take the form of a consolidated report.

This was a bright fine day. A lot of us got into a surf boat and went to shore. We first went to the Fortress. It is immense and the number of cannon surprised us. I think it is a mile and a half around the ramparts, and encloses 80 acres. In the inside are houses for officers and quarters, and trees - live oak. The 10th N. York Vols or National Zouaves are quartered in it. Their uniform light blue, with pink selvage trimming. We saw the Union Gun down on the beach, 12 inch bore, and the Floyd lying beside it, not mounted. There are an immense number of guns, many of them ten inch, lying outside. 150 at least are mounted. Grass is grown over the piles of ball inside. From one side we saw Camp Hamilton, and the ruins of Hamilton - nothing but the stacks of chimnies standing up, like ghosts. We went to a store - a little store but got everything you asked for. I got some drawing paper. The grocery also furnished everything wanted at very advanced prices however. Capt. Cook, formerly of the old Fourth met us on the beach and came over and took dinner with us. I amused myself trying to sketch the ripraps - but the vessel kept swinging around and I was so slow that I did not succeed & wound up my labors sketching a hermaphrodite brig lying near us. As the Adjt. came in Blair says "There comes consolidated report." "Consolidated Bible" says Mallory. "Bound in calf" says Blair. The Scout and the Brig that we towed sailed somewhere this afternoon. Part of the fleet is gone. We have to coal - 25 tons & take in water yet - 100 tons of coal last six days. Do we go up the Potomac? Up the James River? We have our bay pilot on board yet. Captain says he won't know but his pilot will be changed. 1/2 past nine o'clock. P.M. Lt. Reno just came in, and gave orders to get upstream and start. It may be interesting, hereafter, to note our conjectures. Rodamel asserts that we will not go out of James River. Bently, the reporter, says we are going to Lynhaven Bay - behind Norfolk. Beaver asserts that we go to Savannah. The Col. said that we go to sea.

Ten o'clock P.M. anchor heaved and we start. The water in the roads smooth as glass but it heaves now that we are out in the bay. The Col, rec'd sealed orders, merely told us that we were going to sea. Blair gets the prop but can't fish it yet. The Col. says he will tell us our destination in the morning. The commissary says that there are no better [?] than we have. The chief engineer has been on this boat 8 years, plying in the stormy coast between Portland and St. Johns that she was thoroughly overhauled at New York before coming to Annapolis - so that so far as good steamanship, good enginners and a staunch boat can carry us we will go safely. 12 o'clock, our bay pilot takes leave of us at the light ship, and we steam out into the [?]

We got awake this morning, with rocking boat, dense fog - many with sick stomachs. Some acknowledged it - others got quietly into their bunks and staid there. Beaver went to his bunk and was sick all day. The Col was struck suddenly after breakfast. Down in the hold and up on deck it was still worse. We stopped on account of the density of the fog and laid by until afternoon. We saw the Picket with Gen. Burnside on board. I felt a little reely after breakfast but an hour or two on deck settled, and this evening I feel splendid. This afternoon it cleared off, and I enjoyed the ride very much. We could see the low coast line to our right about two miles, strewed with the wrecks of ships. Toward five o'clock we came opposite Cape Hatteras, the wind blowing hard, and the sea very rough. There were several attacks of sickness - Beaver being out most of the afternoon, retires in intense disgust. We are now lying an and off Cape Hatteras waiting for a pilot. I was on the Hurricane deck at sunset - it was delightfully exhilarating - rising and falling with the waves - the spray breaking over the bow - the sunset was very beautiful the orange and sapphire - the ashes of roses - the long low sand beach of Cape Hatteras, with its white shaft of Light House.

Blair was officer of the day today - and luxuriated in the full reign of a sound stomach. The adjutant was sick as well as the sentinels at guard-mounting - & Blair goes up and cooly tells them that no one should get sick without a written permit signed by the Colonel. The white sea birds followed in our wake a long while this afternoon on their untiring wing. We saw the Cossack as also the City of New York off Cape Hatteras. One of the Reporters told me that it was that ship, but I rather suppose it is one of the blockading fleet. Along what is called Bald Beach, the wrecks of vessels are very numerous. One Schooner apparently lately wrecked, and what we took to be a tent pitched back of it. The ship is rolling heavily this evening, and it is said we will have to stay outside all night. Mr. Mallory told me this morning that they had heard in the Fortress yesterday afternoon the destination of the fleet - that the news came through directly from Norfolk - that we were to go to Hatteras Inlet, and our object was to blow up some locks of some canal, to prevent the egress of a Rebel expedition fitting out at Norfolk. It is said that there is a canal between Norfolk and Albemarle Sound - I can't find anything on the maps I have with me, but I think there is what is called the dismal swamp canal. The Col's orders were to enter Hatteras Inlet and wait. It seems strange that we can keep the intelligence only from our own sailors. I was told by the World reporter that the notice of a traitor being found in the family of a distinguished military officer, was that of Adjt. Gen. Thomas, and his daughter was the one implicated. This information must have come through some such source. Thomas is a Virginian by birth and residence and on the breaking out of the war sent his slaves to Kentucky. I was told also, by the same man, that on Friday night, one of the officers detailed on the signal corps, was arrested endeavouring to escape over to Sewalls Point, in a small boat, having with him all the signals to be used in the expedition. I see by Colton's map the Dismal Swamp Canal marked.

When I woke up this morning the ship was pitching and rolling very much. Every one almost was sick. I went out to wash, and came back for a touch when it struck me about the pit of the stomach - I got outside & got well enough, until I came in to get breakfast - & had to rush out, and got up all the bile in me. About ten we arrived opposite Hatteras Inlet & in a half hour crossed the bar and anchored opposite Ft. Clark. I could not help laughing at the woe begone expression of the countenances for the last few days; John Smith, the Col's servant suffered particularly. Dick was sick too until we stopped inside the bar. Cap Snyder, Lt Gaulen, Beaver and several others were sick all the time. The Col. was also in best most of his time. I had a sort of tremulous fear of it, until last night, when though there was a good deal of high seas, I felt so well that I had given up all expectation of being sick. During the night there was a severe wind, and nearly every one on the boat was sick. I however slept through it all - toward morning I wakened up by being nearly pitched out. I had no suspicion of my own fate until I got up. I found Dick rolling around the floor, and after the most ridiculous attempts falling over my trunk pitching in to Capt Shawl's bread basket with my head, and seeing Capt. Shawl immediately after make a motion as if he were going to die, and landing head formost among a pile of trunks. I steadied myself with one arm around a post, and managed to get my stock on. I then went out to wash - & coming back was seized with a burning sensation in the pit of the stomach and commenced gaging: I rushed out, but it ended in gaging. I went out on the side of the stern and lay there watching the fleet. We were farthest out, just opposite Cape Hatteras. Between us and the shore was a white steamer, the Eastern Queen, the George Peabody, having the little propeller Picket in tow, and several other steamers following behind. They were in the worst of the rolling waves, and rolled and pitched wonderfully: we could see them roll down until the sides were covered. We could see Gen. Burnside standing on the Deck of the Picket, seemingly unaffected. The propellers rolled like logs. We soon stood in towards shore, and crossed the bow of the Peabody. A splendid steamship came up past us, the Spaulding - the little gunboat pilot came out, she hailed us, and asked our draft - 8 feet replied the Captain - "Too much sea to cross the Bar." Our paddles stopped, but the Spaulding & Picket made a dash. It was a splendid sight - The waves rolling and chasing each other until they broke in madness, dashing high the spray - the Spaulding went through, and we followed hard after her, getting in before the little Picket. I stood on the hurricane deck as we went through. Even our big boat pitched so that we had to hold fast. But just before this I had been down aft - Foster came out pale and dizzy looking - John Smith stuck his out of a little window - had colored in hue - each making desperate efforts to relieve the stomach. Foster recovered and proposed to go in to breakfast. I consented - went in - took a piece of ham - & was waiting for bread - when I was seized with an intense nausea - I started aft - fell over a trunk overset the Col's table, which went down with a tremendous clatter - & succeeded in getting out to relieve myself of considerable bile. Since then I have been perfectly well, except being weak from not having eaten anything. Four o'clock we had dinner and a hungrier set of men were never seen - Some had not eaten for two days. I feel most splendidly now. All have recovered & are in fine spirits. This is a dreadful windy place. We interested ourselves in watching the other ships come through the inlet. Very few of the sailing vessels have come through, owing to the head winds, and are riding outside. But nearly all the steamships have arrived, and the harbor looks lively. The point is a low beach of sand - Fort Clark near the point, with one or two board houses on it. The inlet is but a quarter of a mile wide and very dangerous. The book prescribes that no one should go in without a pilot. When we reached Cape Hatteras last evening, we turned back and ran north until midnight & then turned passing the light house at the Cape about nine o'clock. The 48th Penn Reg, Col Nagle is on this place garrisoning Ft. Clark.

It blowed fearfully and those outside the bar last night must have had a severely rolling time last night. The little Picket, used by Burnside as his ship, is owned by her Captain, named Ives, who is a wealthy man, and offered his services and boat to the Government without pay and received a captain's commission. The steamship New York is fast on the bar. The surf is so bad that the tugs can't get near it. And the captain won't allow a boat to go ashore. The officer's mess is out of provisions. We have no meat & came down to the last scrapings this morning. There is a little fellow, nominally a servant of Capt. Blair, as peculiar as Blair too, goes by the name of Bucktail. He is about 15 years old, with small, turned up features, wears a belt with a bayonet & scabbard, large blouse and large pants. He is from Tyrone. Father & Mother dead, all from Tyrone - got into camp at Harrisburg, in the employ of some of the serjts - & one night about ten o'clock came up to Blair's tent, saying that they had turned him out. He started with ten cents - bought newspapers &c - Blair lent him five dollars at Camp Union: because with his little capital he had to go to town so often to replenish - He has paid that back - & has now some ten or fifteen dollars. The other day he got terribly sea sick and someone told him to take a dose of salts. He came in and wanted Blair to get him a dose, & could hardly be persuaded to the contrary. I think his name of Bucktail came from his having some kind of an animals tail pinned on to his hat. The wind has blown stormily all day. A little gun boat dragged her anchor and has come against us twice. We have just heard this evening that the Scout with other sailing vessels have come in. The steamship City of New York is still aground - they cut away her mast, and her smokepipe came down this afternoon. Of all desolate looking places this beach is the most desolate. Those that hold her must have a very disagreeable time. We are getting down to the originals in our officers' mess. We have no soft bread. At noon we had pea soup and hard bread, and the adjutant fished up a little bunch of butter out of his haversack and gave us a knife full. This evening we had hard bread, cooked rice and tea.

I remember of hearing Mother often remark that rice was such a tasteless thing when cooked without milk. This was evidently cooked with water. We had no butter. The hard bread is good - the tea is good, the rice seasoned with salt, and sugar to make it gritty was good. I don't know what we are to have tomorrow. I see Commisary Shorkley in anxious consultation with the Quartermaster. We have seen the ships lying outside all day - but I hear that most of them have got in. We conjecture that the first attack will be on Roanoke Island. The surf ran so high that the Captain would not allow his boats to go ashore, so that we have not had any communication with anyone.

It was foggy this morning. We could just see the "City of New York" laying out in the breakers. A boat came in to our ship with five men - they had swamped two boats before they succeeded in getting off. The Captain lowered one of his boats, and he, the Mate, the Col and & Dr Hossackstarted out. They arrived just in time to see a little boat belonging to a Schooner take off the remaining crew. Both boats came up to see us at the same time and Captain Bennet called to us to cheer the little white boat, that had rescued the crew, which we did with a hearty good will. The capt and mate went away again and shortly after, the Brig "Hope" swung against us, pushed in our wheel house, and kept digging at us until it had all the out side works on the starboard side at the stern crushed - opened out our cabin knocking to pieces Capt Bell's berth. Mine just escaped. While this was going on we saw Capt Bennet returning: I was standing at the side as the Captain came up. His boat shot past the place for getting on. He scolded his crew remarking with a forcible ejaculation that he "wouldn't give a handful of cow-dung for the whole of them" We got up steam, and the Brig was towed away, leaving our stern pretty well smashed on one side. The City of New York" was loaded with 70 cases muskets and rifles, ammunition, hay, shot and shell, and a great deal of Officers baggage. She is lying on her side one side stoved in - the poor fellows were on there for two days, and were clinging to her side when taken off. They had no sleep for two days, and were 15 & 1/2 feet, and why she should attempt to cross with such a sea is owing to the government pilot. In calm sea she might have made it as the channel is 17 feet. The sailors were pretty well whiskeyed when we came on board. The Captain's name was Nye and the sailors spoke highly of him. The Quarter master, Shorkley, Beaver, Jones and I got a boat, and with little Cuffy, a dark rich colored boy, with long dark locks, such luscious red lips and black eyes, and another sailor boy, with a game eye, and big quid of tobacco in his cheeck went over to the shore. We picked up some shells, saw Gen Williams and staff, and went into Fort Hatteras , which is built of sods, having barrels filled with sand for a foundation. There was a steam engine making fresh water, and a ten inch gun outside. Three or four wrecked schooners, masts and remains of many other wrecks on the shore. We had a gay time getting our boat off the beach - as the surf rolled heavily. This morning as we were standing on deck, we saw a boat run to shore, and they buried some poor sailor on the lonely beach. There will be nothing to mark his grave - the waves will soon smooth down the little hillock of sand - He'll always have storms and winds and dashing waves over him. The ninth New York 48th Penna are on this beach. Company C. 1st N.H. Artillery have Fort Hatteras. Fort Clark is just above. Camp Bull is the N.Y. regiment & five miles above Camp [blank] of the 48th. We hear that the New Hampshire Regt is to be landed & the 9th N.Y. to go with us. Just as I was getting into the boat I shook hands with Morris - the first I have seen him since we left Annapolis.

Capt. Neal as adj. gen. came on board this evening, and told us that Col. Allen of the 9th New Jersey and the surgeon of that Regiment were drowned. Their ship lay outside, and they came in on the yawl - and in returning were overset. Their bodies were recovered, and taken on board of the Highlander, a brig passing by. I saw their little boat dancing in the breakers, and afterwards saw the Highlander towed in, but I did not dream of the tragedy. I did not even observe that their bodies were lying on deck, as some of the rest did, and that they were rubbing there, and that their coats [?] up were those of officers. Just as they were taking the bodies below deck, one of our sailors said "pretty hard boys, but it can't be helped, drag 'em down." On the stern of one of the vessels which came in, a woman was sitting. One of our fellows in his ecstacy cried out, "that sight's worth a quarter, who shall I pay it to" turning round and plunging his hands into his pocket. The engineer of the City of New York, as he left the boat tore off the brass [?] in the engine room, and tied the colors around his neck.

The day was cold and rainy. One of Co D. James Conoway died last night of consumption. They lowered him into the surf boat, the band playing the dead march, and took him over to bury him on the lonely sand beach. The Col, Chaplain & Dr went along, but owing to the wind and tide they have not been able to return. The Cap was out in a boat, and had to be towed back by a steam tug. This is a dreadful stormy place. We loitered on deck this morning, the only thing of interest, to watch our carpenters repairing our breaches, and the tide heaving out barrels, & beds & pieces of the wreck which it brought in last night. Dr Gibson Chaplain of the 45th & young Gregg came on board, & would not get off on account of the storm. They came from Baltimore  on a schooner, which turned in on account of the storm, on their way to join the 45th at Port Royal. I amused myself reading the army regulations and the Mill on the Floss. Lots of light reading has turned up from somewhere, and as we can't drill, nor go ashore, we are pinned down to it. Rations are severe. We had fried pork boiled potatoes hard bread & coffee for breakfast, boiled potatoes and soup for dinner - fried pork, boiled rice and tea for suppr. Those that are fond of molasses relish it probably best - but it comes quite natural to me. We have settled in our own minds that we are going up to the Roanoke Island . When, we have not settled. Reports are so covert and unfounded that I put no faith in them until I am completely assured.

Charles Kleckner , a Lieut in the 48th, was on board yesterday. One of the funniest things that has occurred is Dick's last merchantile transaction. He bought a box of cigars, 100, of the sutler for five dollars, and went upstairs and commenced selling them out at 3 cents apiece. The sutler went up after while and told him he was losing 2 cents on every cigar. He was astounded and sold at 6, then became disgusted and sold at five. He managed to get out with losing 25 cents, according to his own account. He paid that much for his experience and will probably not embark on any more. We parted our cable this morning in trying to get clear of a bark, and got aground, and spent most of the morning trying to get loose. We are still aground. Reno said we must be over the swash tomorrow morning, and this evening, we are [onclad?] to get out, arms and acoustic [events?] on board some tugs who are to take us over. Another gunboat was sunk today, so we have lost two gunboats, a schooner or two - several ships are fast aground. Mr Carpenter reports for [?], was on board this morning. Also Capt. Potts of Reading or Pottsville. The day has been cold and windy. The sun came out this evening, but this is a dreary day [wast?]. I could not sleep last night, and this afternoon, my bones ache all over. I hope I am not going to be sick, and that it is only temporary, from being confined on board so closely, and from want of exercise. see [ante?] for conclusion.

It was very foggy during the forenoon - we were up early, had breakfast, and the two ferry boats, Patuxent, Pond Curlew came alongside. We all got out, with arms and equipments - our company getting on to the Patuxent. They were both fast to the Cossack, and worked and pushed and crashed each others sides at a desperate rate for a half hour. We began to fear that it would not move. While we were watching it listlessly, both boats fell back & raised together, and lifted the Cossack right off - We held our breath awhile to be sure it was moving - we saw all the other ships must be moving or else our long-hoped release had come - she moved sure, and we gave three hearty cheers. A little regardless perhaps in the delirium of moving again, the stem of the Patuxent struck a hole in our stern; it was crowded with men - one was knocked off his feet and jumped into the light boat - another pitched after him - The extent of the damage, however, was in drawing back of a musket, and breaking off the front teeth of one of our men Hugh McClure, but it was a very narrow escape. We dropped astern and then hauled up to a schooner & lashed fast. We watched them unloading the horses from the Peabody. It was anchored about 57 yards from shore - the horses pushed off the ship tumbling down 4 of 5 feet until they reached the water, & men in a boat lead them by a rope to shore - It seemed a cruel way of doing it, but was accomplished safely. They were trotted around on shore, until there was no danger of chill. The Capt of the Patuxent is named Bennet, a short red faced man. The three Ferry Boats Curlew, Pilot-boy were chartered at Philadelphia by the Government to go to Port Royal and put in here on account of streak of weather, & Burnside put them in to service. He used to run the Keystone state. He said he had been on this coast 16 years, and never knew such a week of such weather as last week. About 11 o'clock we got back to our home in the Cossack. Our Captain Burnside, Reno & the Pilot were sounding the channel across the swash this afternoon. I spent the afternoon reading. Some men from the Pocahontas came in the evening. They were wrecked about 15 miles above Hatteras light-house. Their boiler gave out during the storm, anchored and dragged on shore - out of 120 horses save 17 - All the men were saved. The Pilot told me this evening that it is 52 miles to Roanoke Island - that any vessel that can cross teh swash would go up the Sound - but the rebels had taken up all the light Boats and buoys. The name swash is probably a contraction of sea-wash. We are anchored just inside the inlet, but before we can get into the sound there is the swash - a shoal of sand yet to cross. We have a sea-shell mania. Parties go out to the shore and collect shells - some are very beautiful - some are lucky dogs and find nice ones. Others come in with a batch of very common looking shells. They will be probably carried far Sunday January 19, 1862 or lost long before they get home - but they serve to fill the hour - the tedious monotonous hours. I find I have injured my eyes reading in this dark cabin - I long to get back to my canvass home. We had a New York Tribune today which states that the [John Trucks?] which had the Zouaves on board, put back to Fortress Monroe .

Monday 20.

This is a bright lovely morning - the first one we have had - it is like a summer day. We were loaded on to the Patuxent again, swung away from the Cossack. She ran up turned around, came down on the rate of 20 miles an hour, ploughed through the first bar, stopped, swung around aground again, Gen Reno was on the Patuxent, and as he saw the Cossack go through, fairly danced. But feelings slightly changed when she got hard fast again. We went up to help the Scout out & with the help of the Pilot boy pulled her in to safer anchorage. Then we devilled around to [?] Captain Bennet of the Patuxent's expression, and were put on board the Cossack about half past twelve, in time for dinner. Bennet says he never saw such a tide - when its high tide its low water, low tide high water - he'd be devilled if it wasn't. Many of those on the Scout we had not seen since we embarked, and it was comical to hear the mutual greetings of the men. So here we lie, high & dry again. With how much truth I cannot say, but Morris says it was the intention of the Expedition to go to Yorktown. It is supposed that we will be embarked on schooners and taken up to Roanoke Island . is very dreary and monotonous staying here, though this getting out and cruising around makes one feel better. I only fear sickness breaking out among our men. Necessarily the ship is getting very filthy. Half the ships are aground again, though this morning there a good many of them afloat. Lt. Col. Potter & Maj. Legendre of the N.Y. 51st came on to see us this evening. We are still hard aground. I was up and with the Captain well it appears that the man divorced from a former wife on account of some improper conduct, and married a second time. This was made in favor of the second wife in order to prevent any difficulty that might arise, if the legality of the divorce was called in question.

This was a still warmer day than yesterday. There was no winter in it. We were again put on to the Patuxent, and with hope [?] we moved off a considerable way into the channel, but stuck just near where the Pioneer, which has part of the N.Y. 51st on, was fast.The Union and a black little gunboat were at her, and directly we saw her move, cheered her, and away she went into the channel, up into the sound. She is in anyhow, and if we but get past this wave, we will go in too. The little Patuxent tugs away, the Eagle comes to help us - but, it is now twelve o'clock, the water is low, but we are in the best of spirits that this evening we will go over, or tomorrow at farthest. The schooner on which the signal corps sailed has not been heard from yet. Beaver feels rather good that he got sailing with us. Some one that counted says that there are 110 vessels in here. We got back to the Cossack in time for dinner.

Wednesday 22

Last night about 8 o'clock, quite a little fleet came around us. Our old friend Patuxent, the Union and two other tugs. We were all em- barked on the Union. There was just room enough to stand between decks. 3 companies quartered in the upper & 3 in the lower packed in like shad We dropped astern of the Cossack and anchored. There was a lively time among the sailors getting the tugs lashed to, it was dark, and the few lights [?] had seemed to make it darker yet. The channel which was yesterday with barrels, and flags, now various colored lights, red & white. Our men were in fine spirits during the first three or four hours. There was considerable singing, Campbell & Smith of our company, performing finely. Campbell has a peculiarly sweet voice, and his songs showed his temperament delicate, refined - above the courser passions and tastes - and they touched chords which were in every breast - Smith's was one about a miller, who about to die, had an old mill and three sons; and called them each in, at his deathbed to inquire how much toll they would take - & left it to the eldest, who would take three pecks or all. It was a quiet satire on millers. His other had a delicate touch of smut - the charge for a guinea, and the tailor's wife - the [?], some Butcher goes to Leicester to buy cattle - [?] the charms of some pretty country wench and gives her a guinea - when he comes to pay the bill he tells the Landlord that he gave the [?] maid a guinea & got no change - the Landlord calls the maid and she has to give up the guinea - a year afterwards the Butcher returns again, and she places a child 3 months old on his knee - with some [?] about the change for the guinea. The Tailor's wife has a frolic with a sailor, Tailor comes home suddenly, she puts him in a chest, sailor carries off off his [chest?] the tailor in it - it is so heavy he opens it - finds tailor & carries him off sea, They are evidently "auld country" songs, handed down among them - would [?] doubt have a trace of his descent, to look up how they got them North Snyder sung "The Jolly brown jug" & "Northhampton County Prison" The latter is [his?] trial, Reeder, Judge Jones & other local incidents. North has been three times in the Penetentiary. He is a singular character, and very wicked, vulgar, though he seems to have a good heart. So the time passed pleasantly - gradually they became quiet & sunk into disturbed slumber - [piled?] and mixed in an indiscriminate manner. [?] & I borrowed blankets of the men and lay down on the gangway outside. We were there an hour or two - I discovered symptoms of rain - & went down by the furnace - where I had just room enough to sit - by leaning [?] a little I dozed some - but my arms and legs got paralyzed - & could not change my position. Then it rained - a dozen or more who were outside came crowding in crawled over us, down into the fire place - then we dozed again - the rain ran in along the floor - I slipped off my blanket - found my overcoat and [posterior?] all wet - the the [firemen?] had orders to get up steam - then the dozen men, with knapsacks guns & cartridge boxes, had to crawl gack again over us. Capt Bell did some [funny?] swearing over it. Oh! it was a dreary uncomfortable night. On comparing notes I found that none of the officers or men had it any better than I had. About seven we steamed back to the Cossack now happily beyond the channel, safely in the sound. That is a satisfaction that makes up for all the discomfort of last night. Curtin came on board last night. He & Dr Gibson have been having pleasure excursions around ever since last Friday. One of the unpleasant things that occur on board is the food and water of the men. Yesterday the cooks went out to see the ship moving, and when they got back, the soup was [burned?] a half inch crust on the bottom - the men threw the stuff overboard. There had been detailed each day - the three got scared at the fury of the men & deserted the cook house, and it was impossible to find out who they were. Then Lt. Goulen was put in charge, & by evening coffee was made - When it isknown that it takes two gallons of water a day - that it takes 3 barrels of water to make coffee once around - when it requires them to be cooking day and night, how easily things may be thrown into disorder, and once so it takes long to rectify - meanwhile 4 or 5 [?] men are suffering - growling - more [?] and irritable because they have nothing all day long to engage their attention. To-day they are out of water - they had coffee in the morning - but no water all day - a thirst is intolerable - I felt it last night during the long night - The wind was so high all day that we could not send any small boats for it, & had to depend on the tender mercies of a tug to come to relieve us. This evening it is blowing furiously. But we have depth of water & see room, and have no fears. [Down] it was a constant source of anxiety - either aground or run into by other vessels, all the time - not safe anchorage for ten vessels & yet we had over a hundred - blowing a gale all the time - Bennet the Pilot said he had not seen such weather for [eighteen?] years.

There came on a blow last night & continued fearfully until this evening. The waves were rolling high, and the weak stomachs got sick- and there were no vessels came across the swash. We have been out of water for two days, a boat started for some this morning in the storm - & this evening a tug came alongside & put water on board. This is about all that happened. The storm kept off all communication with us. We have a dead man - Geo Schaffer Co. G. an old man, who had been in the War of 1812 - never had been sick - I saw his box - plain wooden [though] his name cut in and [tarred?] - [????] on it. The [?] them on the sand beach, nothing [?] [mask?] them with a prospect of their being strewn out or washed out. This evening, the wind lulled - waves gone down, and stomachs righted.

Last night the storm burst down in fury and this forenoon it raged without intermission. This afternoon it cleared again, but the sound is still very rough. They took out the dead man and buried him on the

Friday January 24

shore, with scarce room enough to do it. Those on shore said it was the fiercest storm we had here. The companies made presents to the seamen who went for water for them. I was made officer of the day and worried myself considerably getting a code of regulations made - which I supplied will be effective for a few days, and then fall into discuse. It is the only objection I have here is that there is not the energy to carry out effective discipline and officers themselves somehow resist it. This now Friday - two days more it'll take to bring the vessels across the swash - & then we will have some active work, I hope.

The day was clear and cool - the waves ran high. We are beginning to recognize old comrades now across the swash. I saw the eagle beak of the Scout with my glass. The Northerner and Admiral are lying together not our the the bar. We were watching some firing from the Hunchback. The burst of flame and smoke long before we heard the report - then the rushing noise - the explosion of the shell - a cloud like a mans hand - in the air 3 or 4 miles from the ship - [again?] long before the explosion heard. If one gun makes so much noise what will many make. I was officer of the guard yesterday - the [Lts?] did not work well - & was up all night - & felt delapidated most of the day - the brightness of the sun - the rolling glittering waves & sharp northern air made it unpleasant to be out - it blinded me - Reading so much in this dark saloon has affected my eyes somewhat. Last evening we had some warm bread, and this evening again - which though tough was sweet, and delicious with some butter that [Rodarmel?] [raked?] up somewhere & I paid 50 cents a pound for it. The bodies of those two men that died were lifted and taken up to the burying ground up at camp Winfield. I should have gone up there, but have neglected until now it is too late. Getting over and back has been no easy matter during the last three or four days - Some of our boats had to be brought back by the steam tugs. We got into a fine discussion as to card playing & chess & checkers - some contending that there was chance in checkers as in eucher. - one that cards was chance which resulted in some one producing a chess-board & checkers - & Shorkly Adjutant & Chaplain have indulged. Last night while going the rounds I found a card party in every rat hole in the ship. They appeared to have runners out, so as to give notice of my coming. It would sound like the scampering of rats when you go into a cellar with a light, just getting glimpses of their retreating forms. One place in the forecastle I would just see them going down a hole into the hold, and past going round a bale of hay. I drafted instructions and regulations, and I suppose everything will be back to the old state by the time my turn comes, & I'll have to take renewed curing, for getting up something new again.

This was such a bright bracing day - We had the long swell of the water, remaining effect of the late storm - the waves danced gaily in the bright sunshine - the wild geese and ducks sailed about in droves and the sea gulls gathered like snow flakes over the dark green water. In the fresh morning breeze came the Admiral over the sea - wash - Two of [Ward's?] 62 [?] [?] were brought from the wreck of the gun boat Zouave and put on the [fore-part?] of our boat. After dinner, Mr Glott , Rodamel , Shorkley & I got into the first cutter and sailed over to the Sutlers Schooner - the air was fresh enough to be bracing - the water rough enough to give a bounding, exhilerating motion to the boat. We went down along the channel , among the vessels so familiar to us, past the wrecked Zouave , under the bow of the Scout - I thought I had made her out among the vessels over in the sound - out into the farthest pockets, Sunday Jan 26. continued

as the deep places of the harbor are called - the harbor is full of shoals and deep places - the deep places are called pockets - It was near sunset when we left the Sutlers' boat - we saw the Northerner gaily steaming into the sound, cheered, as she passed, by those already there. It really makes one feel good to see the difficulties at last overcome - there are now 12 or 13 transports across - but the sun sank, as we [?] under a light wind, back - leaving a horizon of orange and gold - gloriously resplendent. We got back to the Cossack in time for tea - refreshed very considerably by our trip. There is a brother of the [shoals?] gets the night-mare, almost every night, yells horribly and wakens up every one in the saloon. Markley remarked quietly that he wished he would ride that mare in the [daytime?] We call tomorrow - I read a paper this evening - the Baltimore American of Jan 23. It says "all that has been heard from the Burnside expedition was a despatch from [?] Goldsboro that the town was full of people flying from Newbern : also something taken from one of the southern papers - that one hundred of Burnside's fleet were seen on Pamlico sound --that probably they would attack simultaneously Roanoke Island and Newbern - that they were prepared for them in both places I think there are some thirty ships, transports and gun boats now in the sound the balance are out in the inlet yet. But we saw schooners come scudding in all sails set - [jibsail] - [staysail] - [foresail] - [mainsail] - [main topsail] - fore-topsail] - I learned their names from Mitchel the sailor who steered our boat -

Monday January 27th

This morning was pure and delightful - the sound waters were calm and placid - all forenoon there was but the slightest ripple - We were on deck most of the morning watching the gunboats practicing with their guns. Lt Col Bell came over from the Scout - He told us that yesterday a small rebel gunboat, bearing U.S. colors came into the inlet and lay within a hundred yards of the Scout. One of our gun-boats happening to go that way - she put up and off. That was real cute [They?] - much to be admired. Another part of the mail of the other day came in but no letters for me. Our life is so monotonous that slight things interest - & it is interesting to watch how at one time we gather in knots and how the conversation floats from one topic to another, & how the one group to another - Last night - Sunday - in the fore part of the evening Gib  & I talked of home and many things that happened in our early lives - Shorkley Charley Kline & some other one got talking of Muncy , got around to [?town] Shirleysburg - Then at that town Capt Snyder floated in somehow - they got talking of stage coaches - that reminded the Capt of a story of [?] who got into a coach, with a woman with a baby - and [?] to put his hands in improper places - got his fingers daubed by mistaking the baby's posterior, for something else, exclaiming Coachman, stop this coach I am disgust - Then he told the story of a hair lipped fellow - which we recognized as the story of Chas McGregor & the cow - Blair floated in - Shorkly & I floated to bed - Blair wanted to know why we couldn't have roasted potatoes for breakfast & thought they might be roasted in the galleys of the men. Other officers opposed interfering in anyway with the cook house of the men, giving them a chance to growl - Interfere it won't interfere says Blair . "They don't use those roasting places Who cares if they do talk if we really don't interfere with them" but he [posts?] to ascertain. Capt Shawl officer of the guard, said he wished he had known Blair was going out he would have slipped out and ordered the guard to allow no one to enter. Re-enter Blair "The cooks say that they will roast potatoes if they are taken out at five o'clock in the morning John " to John Smith Col's servant & head Monday Jan 27 continued. manager. " John did you hear" Shorkley , commisary general for the officers mess, from his berth above. "There'll be no roasted potatoes for breakfast in the morning. John " Blair , high tenor, "I was not saying there would be Lt. Shorkley , only ascertaining whether potatoes would be roasted" Blair 'high mad', and picks a quarrel with the adjutant, which was very comical at the time, but has faded out of my memory. Morning. John sounds the gong - Shorkley rises first: finds that the dog "general" has [cacapufied?] in front of my [berth?] has been tramped around - & his stockings are daubed - flings them incontinently out - Mr Blair's light blue pants discovered lying on the floor - Blair informed of danger, examines - finds the light blues daubed - By the time all are up in that region & the General receives a liberal cursing and sundry threats. Meanwhile Capt. Shawl is dressings is annoyed by our remarks - General is caught by the neck and summarily ejected - conversation and [objurgation continues until breakfast. Shorkley passes some severe remark about dogs in general & the general in particular - Capt. Shawl unable to justify, [espouses?] the roast potatoes [aside?] and sayd he'd rather have roast potatoes than that tough biscuit but Blair ain't on that side now - he's adverse on the dog question. Blair comes to the second table - & the dog question absorbs his attention - the only sharp remark amid all the filth, was that the dog would have to die a soldier's death if caught again, & if he would have only staid on his own side ([id est?] the side the Shawl berth was on) "but a dog always hunts a clean place." Blair appears in dark blue. The roast potatoes appeared at dinner - It is remarked that Blair , usually very talkative wherever he is, is silent. Now we get an explanation of how so many of our towels have disappeared. Every one complains of having lost towels, one two or three. We thought some one must be laying in a stock - but we are told that during the days of the sickness, the General was sick too - he wawsn't particular where he put his accounts [cast up?] - on the sofas, on the carpet, and elsewhere - most generally inconvenient for the rest of us - & the servant that cleaned them up generally seized on one of our towells, wiped it up & cast it into the sea- So it is with the general as with the rest of us - when once the general attention of the community is drawn to a criminal all faults, crimes and misfortunes are fished up. I tremble for the general if he commits any other bad deed. His faults are not his faults - but is rather his misfortune. There thats a dirty sheet - but one can't give a full description of our life without mentioning such incidents. Some two weeks ago I threw out my chewing tobacco - Thursday I quit smoking until I can get on

Bright & pleasant. Morris on board this morning - he told us that all the missing schooners were outside, the Col. Satterlie among the number on which the signal corps embarked. Lt. Reed of that corps came on board this evening. He said the fog that came on us in the Chesapeake , closed on them before they left Annapolis . They were anchored at Fortress Monroe during the storm - came opposite Hatteras Inlet last Wednesday - the storm of Thursday drove them out to sea, and took them clear across the gulf stream - they got back last night. Rodarmel told me Saml Wilson was a Lt. in a Cavalry Company in Corman's regiment. We had notice a mail would go out tomorrow morning, & every one [?] himself tonight preparing letters - many no doubt, the last that they will send. North Snyder , among the rest brings one in to he sent to that little [darling?] [duck?] he never expects to see again, & perhaps this is the last he says.

Wednesday Jan. 29. 1862

This was a delicious day. One felt like lying out on the sunny side of the decks  & enjoying the [dolce far niente?] - the air was so pure - but they told me the barometer was sinking, & I have pains in my bones this evening. I was out on deck until ten o'clock just lazily enjoying myself. Then I looked over Lessings pictorial history of the U.S. I think that is a most admirable book. About twelve a suspicious sail was in sight and a gun boat started in pursuit. We watched them as they sped away, until both faded from sight and the reach of our glasses. The gun boat returned toward sunset, but I have not learned the result. I only saw that she had nothing in tow. A coal schooner came along side, and they commenced putting on coal. The Pawtuxent came up with the four companies from the Scout, and crowded them on our boat. I understand that the Scout is to be brought across in the morning - she and the Rue - which has our camp equipage on board and to be taken in tow by our ship. I was on board the coal schooner - one of the [mates] told me that along the Southern shore there are a great many dead bodies [in bodies?] washed out: lying along the Beach . Supposed to be those that were killed when Hateras was taken, buried at low tide and since washed out. He said he had heard that there were 240 killed. About sunset the Spaulding came across the swash - [cheered?] every ship load - the band of the 24th Mass playing hail to the chief, and Dixie. We gave her a cheer as she let go her anchor among us. This was the ship that ran regular trips between Fortress Monroe , Hateras , Port Royal . She is a very fine steamer. GenBurnside took her, made her his headquarters, substituted another steamer, I think the Eastern State. It was said that when she came across the swash, the expedition would sail. I got a "World" of the 22nd from the Sutters Schooner. There were some conjectures about our Expedition. Roanoke , Washington and New Berne were mentioned as points of attack, and that 50,000 men had probably been sent from the army of the Potomac to strengthen these points. Clearly North Carolina will be the theatre of war very soon. To take Roanoke , occupy New Bern , and hold it as a point at [?] to make way for an army to to go goldsboro - The army of the Potomac must then retrograde & when that is done their cause is done. Tom Grier and Harry House came on board this afternoon: both looking fat and hearty. They were both very sea-sick - Tom , as expected, made friends with every one, and has a button from each State Regiment sewed on his overcoat.

There came on a pretty severe blow during the forenoon, the wind blowing one way and the tide coming counter, which made a rough sea. The waves were white-capped, and the number of sea-gulls attracted by the floating waifs of food, together with the lowering sky, made it a beautiful storm scene.We are all still crowded on board — something over a thousand souls. The ship is badly ventilated, dirty, hardly standing room, and it stinks like a pig-pen. It makes me more and more uneasy every day.A schooner came alongside with water this evening. If the Scout would make his appearance.I had a long letter with Cleat , the Tribune reporter. The substance of the information is that there are but two regular officers, outside the three generals, among all the staff. Most of them are club men of New York — wealthy men, civilians — who don’t understand anything of military detail, are not accustomed to any self-reliant exertion, and this accounts for the inefficient management, or rather execution, of things.Besides that, the tugs did not arrive until today. We are to go to Roanoke . The battle will be fought principally by gunboats. We are to be landed, the expedition reorganized, and boats reassigned.The New Brunswick makes her appearance across the swash, and the arrival of the tugs gives us new hope of sailing soon. The chase yesterday turned out to be a steamer, schooner-rigged. They were not able to overtake her.

Friday 31st

The wind blew pretty hard all day, and this evening set in with storm and rain. This morning we saw a little schooner standing in toward us, running hard before the stiff nor-wester, steered like a hog, the sailors said, badly steered. One of our gunboats ran out to her, she dropped sail and was towed in. It had on board 2 New Yorkers, 1 New Jersey man & one N. Carolinian - they had been impressed into a company. answered roll call last night, stationed at Middleton, Hyde County, just across the sound, & came in this morning. There were 800 stationed there - they said it was reported that there were ten thousand at Roanoke Island and that we had 30,000 We received our mail this afternoon about a bushel & a half. I rec'd 3 letters from John & Annie of the 7.14. 20. January.

The name of that little scr. that came in was John Benjamin Washington. It is between 20 & 30 feet long, and 8 or ten wide. The names of those on it were Trail Stubs, Peter Mc W. Davis, Thoms. Blay, Thomas Bulger, Lewis Longereau. Except Davis were all Northerners. They belonged to the Beaufort County Plow boys of the 7th Reg N.C. State Troops. Commanded by Maj. Hall, and were stationed at Middleton in Hyde Co, 25 miles S.W. from here. They were at roll call the previous evening, stole away along a creek got the schooner & steered N.E. Bulger says he belong to 3rd Artillery U.S.S. in service 10 years was sent as a spy by Maj Anderson in April, but was caught in attempting to get back to Ft Sumpter sent to Stone Inlet, after 2 months escaped to N.C. Where he was impressed - rations cornbread & pork - no tea or coffee - tea made from the[?] Tree whose leaves were worth $9 per bushel - rec'd no pay - gov N.C. issued a proclamation & men were drafted, when he heard of the fleet that it was Maj. Hall made the reconaisance - came back ordered up two more companies - had them about 800 men & he could whip 4000 yankees with them. Last night it rained and we had a very disagreeable time on board. The ship had not been policed for several days, ever since the companies from the Scout came on board. The rain drove them in from the decks, & they were lying thick all over the boat - in the dirt and filth - every available foot was covered. Then to make things worse, the Surgeon, Capt Snyder, and several other officers having been off the boat and came back drunk, about one o'clock pulled the Reporter Bently out of bed, and they tramped all over the boat, through our cabin and among the men in the gangways. Capt Snyder very tight in the morning and the Surgeon evidently feeling stumpy & [steaming?] it. The Scout came along side about ten o'clock and the four companies put on her & she dropped astern. Shorkly came to me and told me that Santo who has been sick several days had the small-pox, evidently, judgeing from symptoms, though the surgeons said it was chicken pox. I felt dreadfully for a little while - no sense of personal fear, as I do not feel afraid of it, but I felt sick at heart to think that had broken out among us. Crowded as we were, and lying here unable to move him it could not but spread rapidly. The thought of our regiment being prostrated with it was horrible. I went to Dr Noble however, and he assured me that it was chicken pox - and that the reason why it was so hard on him was he was thick and dark skinned. We now dine at four o clock and have no supper. We relish our meals much more, as with three meals a day we had no time to get hungry. Alcott told me that D'Epineuil raised his money by the sale of commissions - would kick up a fuss with some captain or other officer, kick him out and re-sell the commission. That Regiment has gone back to Fortress Monroe . The Lt Col Monteil is here some place. He had been ordered to rejoin his Regiment, & after it was order- ed back he was directed to stay here. He is, I believe, an experienced artillery officer. It cleared of beautifully this evening, but the barometer indicated a blow, the Captain told me.

The morning was bright but it kept up windy, and cold as any winter day. We had a sermon from Mr Malory about 3 o'clock and dined at five. We have been having only two meals for several days - breakfast at nine o'clock and dinner at four. The day was observed in the fleet. There was no work done, except this evening there were one or two schooners brought up. We had a chance to send letters to-day as we understand there is a mail to leave tomorrow. I wrote one letter to the Chronicle and one yesterday to John. Everything appears to be ready. I heard that Burnside said he would not move on a Friday or Sunday: on the first because of the superstition connected with it, on the latter because it was not right. There are 5 or so little tugs - very small - named, Lioness Champion, Tempest the smallest of all - and they look so bold and brave. rushing around.

We thought we were to start today _ but it dragged through without any thing more than the simple inquiry whether we were ready. It began to rain during the forenoon, & kept up almost all the day. I was officer of the day, and altogether it has been an impatient day. Nothing at all happened except that a small boat came in, said to have had on board 19 contrabands, who escaped from above Roanoke — 5 women & a baby.

This morning early it drizzled, but then cleared cold cloudy. This afternoon sun came out, very windy, and [sitck] behind a bank of clouds. Capt. Renaut promised a clear day for tomorrow. [Landsnun] prophecie a storm. It is said that the little boat had three rebel spies. They came near in the fog, the fog suddenly cleared away and they hadn’t time to get off : that another boat had the contrabands. There was [Auff] dog, and it sat heavy on my stomach. The inconvenience of so many of us being here together is exemplified in many ways. One can regard the illness of a [news] of a small family with charity — but when there are thirty or forty, of varied and not all ways pleasant habits, some sick with different diseases, the consumption spreading around, those subject to sick headache puking around — pigs overloading their stomachs, and making themselves disagreeable — oh, for our canvas home and quiet gentlemanly mess. A day passes very quick. Breakfast at nine — a few hours reading brings dinner at four — we then go on deck to watch the sunset, or take a constitutional. The evenings seem the longest however. It seems a long while until nine o’clock . Morris came on board this evening with sailing orders — to go at 7 o’clock in the morning — but its terms and effect I did not learn further. Morris had been used to talking to Neill, who has caught cold and is very deaf, and he bellowed at us as if we were deaf.

It was bright and clear this morning and cold , continued so all day. The first brigade got under way about eight o’clock, and the second Brigade about nine o’clock. The Northerner first, with three schooners in tow, George Peabody with two schooners, and next the Cossack, with the Scout in tow. We watched with interest the Commodore lead out past the point followed by the gun boats, and when it headed Northward we felt assured our destination was Roanoke Island . It was a beautiful sight to see the fleet steaming slowly up the sound, the waters sparkling in the brilliant sunshine. The air cold and clear. So they continued all day long, making scarcely more than three miles an hour. We dined at four o’clock and went on deck, as usual to watch the sunset. Stumpy point was in eight. A low range of trees marked the marshy shore to the left, and over it down back of us, the splendid arch that crowned the sun as he sank down, was as fine as any I ever saw. The red had not yet left the sky, before we came opposite Stumpy point . The American flag run up the foremast of the Patuxeut, our anchor dropped, and we left the deck. Not before we saw the gunboats range themselves as usual out beyond us, our bulwark and safety. The Scout came floating up along side, our comrades of that ilk were gathered on the sides and shrouds, as we were gathered on the side next them, and a lively conversation ensued, Scout. “Bring back those hams you stole” Cossack. “Where are the hospital towels. Scout. You can sleep on the hurricane deck if you come over here.” Cossack. Where’s the quartermaster’s whiskey.” Scout we can accommodate you in the dirty gangways, as you did us.” Cossack you weren’t fit to sleep any place else.” & so it went on with banter and test. The allusions were to the fact that when the Scouters came on board here the other day and during their stay forty five dollars worth of ham, belonging to the officer of the Scouters was stolen as also beef tongue &c. And our hospital stores were broken open and fifteen towels taken, and a barrel of whiskey belonging to Uncle Sam. Tapped. Money was also stolen. We were unable to tell whose crew did it but in a bantering way each accused the other of it: Each alledging that there was no thieving in either vessel until they all got together on board the Cossack. Frank Vizetelly, artist for the Lon Illust news, a correspondent of Lon Times, and Frank Leslies artist are on board the Spaulding. I heard of Frank Vizetelly being at Centreville but did not see him. I should like to see him, because I commenced taking the Lon Illust News first at the beginning of the Italian war & he illustrated that and afterwards the Sicilians war

We moved farther up the south - very slowly - stopped about ten o'clock, and anchored about eleven. It began to rain became misty, and rained until evening, and then cleared off about six o'clock. When the anchor was let go, the boatswain gave a long whistle, and called down the hatchway "All hands splice the main brace" I watched & wondered what that meant, but was soon edified on seeing the grog served out all around. The other evening a boatswain came on board and now everything is done by the whistle. The whole batch of reporters left this evening.They evidently got the idea that their advantages were not so great here for obtaining information. They were as jealous of each other as tom-cats, and every day or two raised a row with the Captain because he, or they supposed he showed favour to one more than the other, & then they would have a convention - so that one wouldn't take advantage of the other. They were mad because they supposed the officers were corresponding for his dirty little country newspapers. Alcot, Ripley and Prawe asked the Capt. for a boat to go to the Spaulding - then all wanted to go. Capt. said but 3 could go at one time. When Alcot got over he sends a note back to the Col. that it was with difficulty they were allowed to stay, and that they would have no sleeping accomodations. This was evidently to deter the Herald & Inquirer. But as the Col. was not interested, he did not impart the information and they all departed. Burnside will curse the day they were allowed to come along, and the sooner they are sent off the better. We Pennsylvanians needn't expect anything from them - Even Alcot, not disposed toward us, seemed sort of mad because our Regiment was assigned the left of the Brigade. Roanoke Island is in sight of us - a little blue streak on the horizon. We can see a light house too. We can't tell what has been done today, further than that the troops of the Pioneer and Lancer have been put on other boats, and they, the boats, taken forward. They are gunboats and each have four guns.

This morning it was clearer but rather cold. The gun boats has moved up into the Channel between Roanoke Island and the Tyrell shore . We kept moving up slowly too - the fleet passed a bend at the point of the island, and we could see them across the point of the shore . This took all the morning and we were eager spectators of the scene, until about half past eleven the gun boats opened on the batteries. Then commenced an awful cannonade. We watched the shells bursting in every direction, some high in mid air some low close to the ships, and our shells striking in every direction about the battery. A black smoke enveloped the battery - and the flames burst out - their barracks were on fire - twice they put them out and a third time they caught. We recognized the different boats - we especially admired a little sloop with one gun, which sailed like a duck up and down delivering her fire with emphasis. The Cossack ran up within perhaps four miles & we had a beautiful and uninterrupted view of the my crossed our bow full, and drawing behind her about 30 surf boats filled with men. They stood over to our right. Just before this the Patuxent passed up with Reno on board - we cheered him. I got up on the hog-frame and waved my hat to Tom Grier, whom I saw on the hurricane deck. When the boats had got off to the right they laid there - about five o'clock the signal for disembarking was given. The Scout had been lashed along side of the Cossack during the afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel Bell in attempting to cross from the Scout fell down between the boats. Fortunately the wheels were not going, and he climbed up the paddles and came out the door of the wheel house.

Our boats had already been lowered. The two surf boats were to be towed by the small ones. Then Captain Bennet & his little boy got into the small boat. The color guard, I noticed Peter Kozier, color corporal from our company among them, got into the boats and as many of Co. B. Captain Bell , as could got on board and put off. Co. A. Captain Bolton put off from the Scout. Soon Croatan Sound was full of little black specks moving toward the shore. I think there must have near five thousand men moved at once. There were a few houses standing on the shore, and we observed a company of rebels there but they ran as ours landed. We watched the first color planted on the shore and its black surrounding of men, then a second. It was now nearly dusk. The firing of the gunboats and battery had nearly ceased. One of the little black gunboats came near us - we observed his stern somewhat decomposed. On inquiring he said one of his steel gunsburst and killed one man and wounded several others. We saw the Hunchback draw off with her and knocked out. The Delware covered the landing of the troops and the other gun boats formed in a line toward shore between the battery and the place of landing. We went below - coffee hot and smoking, warm bread and ham on the table, we thought to have a stomach full before we went. But the Deleware ran along side, and we were ordered off immediately - had hardly time to pour the scalding fluid down. It was now night - the moon struggling with fitful effort through the dark banks of clouds. The 8 companies were put on board and we left Cossack. When the steamer was about a hundred yards from shore, a boat at the stern disembarked part of Co H with myself and we made the shore. I formed them and sent Dave Brewer up ahead to pick out the way. It was very dark and the ground boggy, so that it shook under our feet. Brewer had gone but a few yards when he suddenly disappeared, & I saw him bobbing up on the other side of a ditch "look out Captain heres a well" We passed it safely, and got abreast the bow of the boat where I waited and formed the whole company with a few missing who turned up afterwards however. Then we had to travel through a swamp - a road had been formed of saplings but they were scattered and we often went in over boot top. We got on to terra firma pretty soon, and met Beaver, who was acting as an aid to the Colonel who piloted us up to our place in the Regiment. We stacked arms, placed sentinels over the stacks, I cautioned the men about an alarm, that they should rise and take their places behind the stacks, and await orders to take arms. Then they dispersed to hunt wood & bedding, cornstalks, brush etc. There was a house and some outbuildings and fences. These latter were soon demolished to make firewood, & an apparently well fence clearing of about 8 acres was soon as open as any common. I got several split sticks & Shorkly & I lay down on them. He had a gum parachute& I a small gum blanket. Beaver had nothing but a blue overcoat , which we had all put on one of each before we started. We lay an hour or two. It began to rain. Beaver got off to the porch of a house and shivered under a canvass tent.

It rained incessantly all night and there was no sleep. We sat by a miserable little fire all night. Sometimes I dozed and dreamed of being in the comfortable cabin of Cossack, to wake with a start to find myself miserably cold and wet. So all passed the night. I don't know, but I think I suffered more than ever I did. Towards morning, perhaps between five and six, we all went over to the porch of the house,Shorkley, Beaver & I, and though it was crowded, I sat down & took a few winks of sleep. A few shots were fired, & every body ran. We got back to our company and found them quietly standing behind their stacks, ready to take arms. We took arms, dressed, & stood some time. The alarm passed. I formed the men according to their numbers; we could not do it last night. I divided them into platoons & sections, and we stood in the drizzling rain. The different regiments formed, some had lapped with us in the darkness of the night. There were perhaps two thousand men there. Our regiment came out with over 800 men, My company 73. The first Brigade started about seven o'clock. Reno, Burnside were about. Morris came across to us with a great big sword with a steel scabbard buckled on him. None of the officers had their horses. "You'll soon have orders to march are you ready". "Yes". We teased Morris about his big sword he could scarcely draw it & return it, it was so long. I saw Lt. Col Monteil cross the field to the house, the first time I had seen him since I sat as judge advocate.

About up past seven, we heard some shots and then a volley of musketry. Foster was driving in the pickets. Then bang went the artillery, then musketry, and so it kept up. We moved up - the head of our brigade had already entered the wood, and our regiment. still standing in the clear, when the first wounded man was carried along - then another and another - it was the most trying thing we had to endure. But the officers were all cool and calm, and every command was given in a clear voice, & it seemed to keep the courage up. We passed up a narrow road through the wood, just wide as a wagon track, like our mountain roads, thickets of low pines and bushes. It was just like the roads up around Rengler’s old mill. Then it was thick with wounded men carried and limping past us. Double quick - came to a mud puddle, we were dainty at the first & got around it, which broke us up a little, but the next one we dashed through. An occasional shell and bullet whistled, but we could see nothing but the regiment winding through the wood ahead - we turned off through the wood at a double quick, and got into another road - the battle we could hear, raged fiercely - every step we met wounded and dying and exhausted, and some to whom we strongly suspected of being prematurely exhausted. An officer came and told me to send word to my Col. to send a company of skirmishers out to the right. I thought of aids & officers giving orders without authority, but still determined to obey orders, and sent up Sergt Etwine with the order. The Col afterwards told me that some company at the head, relieved him of that, agreeing to deploy. We passed the hospital, which was so near that several men who carried the wounded there were killed. Zing goes a shell over our heads, and a piece struck a man lying down to rest & killed him. We came to a halt - our regiment had turned to the left by order, but could not get through. My company was just at the point where we had turned off the road. The Col sent word forward that he couldn't advance on the left. The Rhode Island regiment came through the woods and passed by the head of my co. up the road. I stood with the Col on a log at the fork of the roads when a volley of musketry passed over our heads, accompanied by a shell. We got down rather suddenly. Here, the bullets sang unpleasantly near. Orders came for us to leave so much of our Regt. as had passed the fork of the road and turn the rest to the right up the road. There, thinks I, I am to lead the column. Everything was so uncertain, we did not know where the enemy was, musketry sounded all over - all around - it was wood and brush & nobody to be seen - we soon saw things, however, with more than the eye of faith. Co D Second company ahead of me was turned off leaving two companies and Lt. Col Bell in the thicket on the left - Double quick up, up we go - balls,shell flying somewhere - I saw Gen Reno at the corner of the wood -John Morris, then our brass field pieces, then all our other regiments lying flat down then an opening two or three hundred yards broad, then the battery of the enemy, the belching fire and smoke, the pail report of rattle of balls all around and above us- wanging into the trees - here we came into a swamp up to our knees in mud & deeper - a poor fellow lie all doubled up beside a felled pine tree, we tramp on over him - we were in front of the enemies battery, in full view, crossing to gain their right - the swamp was tangled so that the regiment halted and we lay down right in front of the battery.The swamp was just like a pine swamp - I've been in both, and this was worse. Up again to run the gauntlet. We lay there for ten or twenty minutes flat on the ground. We gained the right and went plunging through the swamp up to our waists. Beaver was standing on a stump collecting the different companies - I never saw more than half a dozen of my company. I was standing on a stump looking ahead, when I saw Shorkley about ten yards ahead, plunging through, calling co. H. It bewildered me to see him there. I wondered how the rear of my company could have gotten there. Billy Allison, Brewer, Sergt Campbell &Charles Merrill were with me generally and others who appeared and disappeared I rushed ahead and found that Shorkley had but two or three with him. He had cut across and got ahead of our colors - we still dispute how it happened, he alleging that I followed the Rhode Island colors. That couldn't be, as the Rhode Islanders were still further to our right. However, Beaver appeared on a stump, and he was calling to co. H away to the right to come over to the capt - We were certainly ahead of our colors, for they came up afterwards, part of our company having followed it. Here we halted and got collected. The Rhode Islanders on our right parallel. Here we heard a cheer. The rear companies of our Regt were still in front of the battery. We all took it up and cheered when they told us our colors were planted on the enemy battery. Just before it, however, we saw a man in a tree making signals. One from our regiment stepped out without orders. The man disappeared. Charles Merrill was with me, though, and he kept on talking in his usual quiet way. He said he had been in Pine Swamp , but this was worse. He had been hardly able to do any service since he had been here, but he was one of the quietest, cheerful soldiers I ever saw & he walked along, waded rather, with his musket on his shoulder, canteen, and haversack just as if he were in the courtroom walking round the bar. We pushed on - the Rhode Island and ours got mixed. We came out on the right and the front of the battery. Here we had to wade through a pond up to our middle, but there was the battery. The right wing of our regiment, drawn up, was marching on. We had to stop to form, and it was nearly an hour before it formed. By this time, all the troops had left, and our battalion was ordered to remain at first to draw the guns, & then to stay in the battery. I chafed at this. However, while forming, I left the company to go to the battery. Here, I met Mr. Mallory & he shook hands with us, congratulating us on our safe delivery. I remember saluting him just as we left our bivouac ground in the morning as we marched fast to go to the wood, and his face said, "he might not see us again in life." We lost but two or three. I went on to the road on the left of the battery - just at the corner lay a dead man - and on the right just by the gun of the embrasure a handsome dark skinned man, black whiskers and mustache & hair I noticed his delicate hands and small feet - he lay on his back his eye staring wide open, handsome even in his miserable surroundings - half imbedded in mud - hands blackened with powder - no uniform - had a pea jacket, and fine underclothes - with "Seldon" written on his undershirt and waistband of his drawers I learned afterward he was Lt. Seldon, son of Dr Seldon of Norfolk - that Col. Shaw cautioned him against exposing himself - "Damn them they can't hit me" he scarcely said it when he fell pierced through below the eye. At the centre gun lay a mule still in harness, probably to draw off the gun - looked, very much, as if it had its throat cut - but Col Jordan of the Rebels said it was killed by a mine-ball. Farther over lay a muscular man, with large red whiskers - a ball had struck him in the back of the head, and his brain had oozed out into his hat until it was full. There were five or six dead men lying in the fort. A wall tent was pitched on the left. Two wounded rebel officers were lying there. Lt. Col. Patter who entered the fort from the left said that when a few of our men approached one of the them he cut at them with his sword, and on his asking him why, he did so, he said he had heard that we were ordered to give no quarter. If officers believed that, what should their men believe? We later learned that they thought so; I had been told so by their officers. The most disagreeable thing was to see that the dead had been all robbed - pockets turned inside out - buttons cut off for relics. I was attracted to look at Seldon again, & found his name had been cut out in both places. I walked around through the swamp & dead bodies were lying scattered around through it. We had dragged one of the cannons some distance when Burnside ordered them back, and the balance of our regiment was ordered to stay in the fort. Owing to the constant wet weather and exposure with no coffee or cooking utensils, all we had to eat was in our haversacks. Reno had ordered up whiskey. The officer in charge passed us, and wished Shawl to send a party in charge of a commissioned officer to bring some back to our men, as he would not deal it out until he reached head quarters Lt. Foster & I were sent with ten men & we followed up the grog for a couple of miles when we met Beaver Saturday 8th who was on with the advance, and had been sent back to order up the rest. I told him that we had been ordered to remain. He started back with us. We came to a crossroad, which he said was the road they went, but the officer in charge was perverse & went straight on - we followed him & Beaver left us. Up to the right was a house where Capt C. Jennings Wise lay mortally wounded with five wounds. A gentleman had picked up his gum blanket at the battle field & I saw his name on it. The road was strewed with knapsacks and other things thrown away. I met Gen. Foster on horseback - “Well,” says he, “boys, we have gained a great victory - they have just surrendered to me two or three thousand, and the island is ours.” We threw up our caps and yelled. We came to a field. An old man and a young man, Islanders, half-drunk, were explaining to us how they had been loyal all the time. Then we travelled on - everyone we met told us it was a couple of miles. We were dreadfully tired. We let the grog gang go, anxious to get some quarters as it was growing dark. Lost our road several times - at last, after dark, arrived in what seemed a little town, but was the enemy’s barracks. I stumbled into Col Upton, Mass., on the 25th and asked permission to sleep on the floor. I pulled off my boots. There was an inch of water in them, & we had travelled 7 or 8 miles since we left the battle ground, & I was rather sore. It was a grateful thing to lie on the cabin floor. Col Russel of the 10th Conn was killed in the battle from a concussion, it is supposed to be from a passing cannonball, as there was no mark on him. One near him said he just doubled himself together and fell dead. We passed him on our way to the battlefield. One of his men, carrying him, cried to us to give it to them; they had killed his Col. Capt Henry was killed too. He talked awhile, complaining of pain in his stomach, but there was nothing but a blue streak across his stomach. Lt. Col Monteil was also killed, he unnecessarily exposed himself, firing with his rifle in front of the battle, Frank Leslie’s artist was in close, behind a stump.

Sunday 9th

I woke up this morning feeling as if I had been made for an old man eighty years old . My boots were scarcely dry, but fortunately the Chaplain of the 21st had found a can of lard and by a dint of greasing, and halling I got them on. I found outside quite a little town. Cabins nicely built in streets for the men & log houses for the officers in the order of a regular camp. I saw a great many of the rebel prisoners- among them the Richmond Light infantry blues, Capt Wise’s company, which had so handsomely, entertained the New York 7th. They were fine aristocrat looking fellows in grey uniform like the Lewisburg greys. I found I was but two of three hundred yards from Reno’s quarters through the wood. It was a handsomer set of barracks than the others - the houses built of boards - the chimneys outside of mud and sticks plastered with mud. I found Beaver in the Col’s quarters & the Col told me I need not go back as he had ordered the other companies to come up. During the forenoon I went down to see the forts - there were three - one of eleven one of four, the other of ten - this last one was the one that was bombarded but it had not been materially injured at all. They had spiked the guns, cut the ropes, threw most of the ammunition into the swamp. They are beautiful works built of sod and sand - and heavily armed with thirty two pounders some rifled - they are very formidable, & well manned could not well be taken.

The batteries, numbering three, are very nicely constructed of sod and sand. The fort just below here on the beach was called, Huger , now Reno, eleven guns next Blanchard, now Park, four guns mounted and a place for a fifth, lying on the shore at the landing - the third on Pig point , Bartow , now Fort Foster. This latter was not injured any of account. There were two red guns - one or two disabled. The barracks inside were burned and a great many arms destroyed. Houses outside were perforated with shot & shell and we saw many lying far back of it. A great deal of powder had been thrown into the swamp, and are in case number of arms have been fished out of the swamps. On our way back, we met a party who had taken two prisoners. One a bright eyed fellow said he was from Craven County & that his company had worked the guns themselves. The fourth shot had disabled the gun, and one man killed & three wounded was all the casualties. Hassenplug found an old classmate of his when at Union College , Piot by name, from Murfreesboro' capt of a company. He knew John Blair Linn. They had long conversations of old times. He told us a great deal, which we did not altogether. I suppose they placed the same reliance on a great many of our statements. He said the army at Norfolk was 15.000 that was on the Island on Saturday during the battle, and was so hard pressed that he left his overcoat. We heard the explosion of the fortification on Nags head on Saturday evening, but took it for an evening gun from a nine inch shell gun. Beaver picked up a tract “for the times” published at Petersburg Va . He has also one he took out of the cap of one that was shot in the last skirmish just before the the surrender near this camp. Casting our burden on the Lord by Joseph Atkinson. “There is no class of men who excite a deeper interest in every loyal son of the south than our gallant soldiers & who have exposed them selves in defense of our honor our liberties & our lives" The Col sent for the rest of our battalion & our company arrived in the evening. They passed a most miserably wretched night, and said they felt very anxious about me. The barracks put up here will probably accommodate four regiments. There is every thing indicating an eye to comfort convenience and a permanent stay.

It commenced snowing, and on the whole was a very disagreeable day. This after noon or evening I started to go on board the Cossack, I went with Lt Blair, Brown & Conolly seamen, & a half dozen others. It rained and grew dark on us before our weary tramp of five or six miles through the sand ended at the Pig point battery. As the cook pointed out where our boat lay, visions of hot coffee and warm biscuit rose before me - decent coffee we had not since we left the Cossack - & that was nothing like Dick can make. Our vexation can be imagined faintly when we found the boat gone - we were five miles from our camp and it would take two hours to make it - it was snowing. We made various attempts to get over - we started to get quarters. Our clothes were wet we had no blankets - We found a little house whose whole front had been knocked out with a shell - built a fire with about a half cord of wood at a time and got just inside the house. Oh, but it was miserable It was the longest night I had yet spent, of all the miserable nights I had spent since I left the Cossack. About eleven o’clock we were roused with the news brought there, to the headquarters, we were not aware they were in a shanty close by that the gunboats had run past the fortification at Elizabeth City , slap against the gunboats boarded them set fire to & burned five, the Jamy among the number, captured one, then turned their attention the fort, landed, spiked the guns, blew up the fortifications. The rebels set fire to the City, blew up the locks. The mayor of the City came off and surrendered to Capt Rowan, and requested him to assist in putting out the fire. Rowan said that he could not consent to land & if they saw fit to fire the City he could not help it - that he could not lie under the imputation of having fired it.

After spending a most miserable night I succeeded in getting on the Cossack. It looked very lonely and desolate, and I could not even sleep. I returned after dinner with the baggage of our company. Capt Snyder of Company G resigned on account of ill health. His lungs are seriously affected. Lt Henry, Capt Picot & Dr Worthington rebel officers took dinner with the Col. Recently is of the regular. Rebel army fights with a will. Speaking of the pilot that brought us up, Bony somebody - he said so earnestly. Well if he can reconcile it with his conscience I’m satisfied. Worthington was the exaggerated southerner, with long hair and very light mustache.

This was a delicious warm day. I was detailed to bring up the days provisions from the shore, about a mile. We had no transportation. Everything had to be carried Barrels rolled - we laid a board path for nearly a mile over by land. In the delicious air of the forenoon Jim Gibson George & I sat on a pile of rocks by the shore & watched rebel officers march on board the Pilot boy to be taken to the Spaulding.

our friends Worthington Picot & Kenney among the number. There were many fine gentlemanly looking men, of all sort shaped hats. It is said that the officers of the Virginia Regt, when they started to come here, they for a fake had their baggage marked New York - intimating they were going to fight their way through - they go there in an unexpected way. A flag of truce came over from Nag's head and took the bodies of Capt [?] & Cole. Gen Burnsides quarters were crowded with Islanders taking the oath of allegiance. We got in to quarters along by our Company, accepting Capt Picots wounded, and I suppose George's and mine were taken among them. If that is so I am well enough satisfied.

Another delightful day. Our Regiment was on guard yesterday, and we were up last night. I got a tub last night, took a bath, one of the islanders had washed some clothes for us, and now I feel a new man. Beaver and I went over to see the site of Ft Raleigh . The [?] of a mound, but grown over with trees fifty or a hundred years old, are to be seen. it is in an overgrown thicket. Jim a darky piloted us to it - He was a ship launcher - that is helped to get off ships that were beached - He said the rebels told him that we would put him in [?] and take him to [?] and sell him. We passed the house of old [Dol?] - two rebels in uniform were brought up to see the old man before he died. Yesterday, one of the barracks in which the rebel prisoners were was taken for a hospital, & the prisoners were turned out, & had to lay out all night. It was a pity, but we were as bad for we have our men crowded in two small rooms. This evening, an order came that each captain should take five prisoners into their quarters. It was an utter impossibility with me. Beaver & I talked with them last night a good deal. They are very ignorant - & are something like our rivermen without their smartness. We got our mail last night. Rec'd three letters from John & one from Annie. Our boys were sitting around reading newspapers & the rebels stared at them. They look agape at us drilling. This afternoon Lt Col Bell took the regiment out along the beach. Saw an ancient mill, where there were still remains of corn lately ground. This with being on guard duty last night makes me undisposed to write.

It was rainy, drizzling all day. About ten o'clock we had regimental drill and marched down along the beach & visited all the batteries. At the lower one they were digging trenches, making bridges, drains and putting up a telegraph up this way. We returned up the road about three o'clock hungry enough to eat a good dinner. Dick had ready for us of roast potatoes, fried beef, coffee and butter & crackers. Yesterday up at [Loes?] he showed us some fig trees - they resembled in appearance horse chestnut, not in leaf. Our cooks were ordered on board to cook three days provisions and have them ready by tomorrow evening. We understand that we are to go on some expedition and return here - our camp equipage is to come on shore.

Rained, fizzled, and was generally unpleasant. We had company inspection and regimental, and service. Rodumel has quartered with us, & we live as comfortably as ever. Dick makes excellent tea and coffee, biscuit, and we have had butter and canned tomatoes this several days. Tomorrow, we we hear, we are to go on board the Cossack to go on some expedition, and are to return here. The New York 51st remains on the island. An arrangement has been made to exchange prisoners, and an oath has been to day administered to them not to [?] against the U.S. until duly exchanged. Morris told me they had a communication with Gen [?] stating that the Bull Run prisoners would be exchanged first & then others as far as they go. One of the Louisianans formerly of New Jersey, told us that a wounded rebel was waited on by his brother in our army at one of the houses on the island. As they passed up here, they found the North Carolinians here, who told them they should go up & fight, and after the defeat, they came back this way & found them cooking. They told them there was a devil of an army coming after them - they got so scared they ran around in a ring. An old negro gave a comical description - he said they ran down to the shore, some of them stripped off their clothes, and they were all bedassled.

It rained furiously all morning. But quit toward noon. We were put in charge of the prisoners in our camp somewhere near five hundred, and ordered to get ready to go on board the Cossack as guard. About noon, the regiment formed to escort them down, but the Adjt had neglected to give us orders, and in the stress of time we had to get ready. Beaver was left to bring down the baggage - he got an old go-cart, but we marched off without him. We were all put on board the dinkie, and taken to the Cossack - where we stowed them in the hold and between decks - Many were sick and very miserable - we put them in the ladies saloon - Little Connolly that spent the [snowy?] night with us is down with the smallpox. I was talking to some of the prisoners - one of them asked me with a seriousness that made me laugh, whether our government had not sold many of the slaves taken from their masters & that escaped to the Spaniards - that they had been so informed - also they had been told that on our march up to [?] that we had burned pillaged and destroyed - raped women - that many men had to stand by and see their wives and daughters raped before their eyes. They asked me whether they would not be allowed to go home before they would have to go into service again, and said they would like to get out of it. We feel that we are in rather disagreeable service, with the number of dirty filthy, sick men with all sorts of diseases, mumps, fever, chicken pox - but have said that we are to do our duty, and leave the consequences in the hands in whom all things are. We took possession of one of the bridal chambers. Mr Mallory, Charles Mallory & Capt Snyder are on board, & we form a mess. Beaver & party got on board, in a surf boat with all our baggage last night which puts us in good trim. I little thought when I sailed on the Cossack that I would ever have charge of her.

Our men were busy cleaning their arms and we put up racks amid ships. The [light?] & Capt Snyder went ashore. Kelly came back with him - having absent two days without leave I put him under arrest. Two surgeons, rebels were sent on board to attend to the sick. Of all miserable dirty squalid looking men, these prisoners are the worst - We turned them out on deck and counted them numbering 484. This evening we cleaned out the ladies cabin and made a hospital of it. [?] & mumps appear to be most prevalent. This evening the Dinky came along side with 50 or 60 wounded prisoners There was a rebel doctor                a very gentlemanly fellow, with them and he protested against putting them on board. I felt disinclined as we had enough to do. So the capt of the Dinky, Chambers, concluded not to put them on. The day was cold. A fleet with soldiers came up the channel - some said the D'Epineuil Zouves were along. I never wish to be put in charge of a prisonership. Though some are very intelligent the majority are helpless as they are ignorant. They all tell us that we have treated them very kindly. War is horrible. I first saw the pomp & circumstance - the battle field - the dead and wounded now the prison ship. I felt relieved when they took away the wounded - we had no bed pans - and they would have to evacuate as they lay - I could imagine what it would be by morning, from what I have already seen. I understand we are to go to Elizabeth City. My hope & wish is to get there soon. Tom Grier came on board to see us this evening. He looks very well.

Clear. I went with Mr Carpenter, the mate down to the Picket, to inquire for the mail, but found she had been only to Hatteras, & brought none. Then we went to Gen. Burnsides headquarters on shore to inquire for coal - then up to Ft. Reno to see our quarter master about provisions & went up to camp to see our sick - they were in our old quarters but they had with chicken pox - two others we have in the hospital. When we came down to the beach a party had a little [bull?], like a two year old, but which a grey headed darky declared had been on the island 6 years, & he was old then, hitched in a high cart, filled with boxes and barrels. He walked off with his [mountain?] load with considerable care. We sent Bobst to shore, sick with the chicken pox. Shorkley & the Captain went over to Croatan Island to the fortification that the rebels blew up, on the day of the surrender. It was made by putting in two canal boats end to end, and filling up outside with sod. A man said they had about a thousand darkies. He said also that they had drafted on in three on the island & this was the day they were to come after them. We got some sweet potatoes and a bottle of milk. The sick are getting worse. The rebels had run a gun boat through which we had put some holes into the shore at Croatan Island, and there it sank. Our gun boats took away all the cannon burned the boats, and took up the engine & boiler of the gun boat which were in good condition.

This was a delightful day - like ours of May. I went ashore with Captain Bennet. The prisoners were getting sick by the dozens, and the surgeons said they would die in piles if we remained long. It smells dreadfully down there, & the filth & dirt is indescribable. Although we have plenty of flour, there is no means of baking - our hard bread was done, & from the trouble in getting food seemed as it was, I was afraid of a row, if the want of bread was added to the trouble. So we went up to Reno's quarters, and I gave him the history - He said we would start this afternoon which was good news - so when we got to the beach we saw the flag at half mast, blue, & knew it to be recall of all hands to the ship. I had fortified myself however with an order to remove all my sick to the Peabody. We got to the Cossack in time for dinner, twelve o'clock anchor hewed immediately and we ran up to where the other vessels were anchored, just above the head of the Island, and along side the Peabody. I communicated my orders, but just then Gens Burnside & Reno came up with Alice Price, and orders were given to sail, so we concluded to leave them on board. The day was bright and we went it gaily, the little tug Champion leading the way, next the Spaulding, Peabody, Admiral, Cossack, New York. The Spaulding was the officers and the Peabody the wounded and sick. About four o'clock we entered Pasquotonk river . The shores were marshy and lined with dark pines, with here and there an acre or two cleared, and a windmill. At one place six windmills were congregated and ten were in sight, so we neared Elizabeth City. There were plantations and some fine looking houses. The most beautiful sight were successive [?] or steppes of dark green pines, of different heights, thick and dark - as if they had been cleared and grown at different pines. The water was dark colored like tan bark, the shores winding, bluffed with groves of the tall yellow pine. We rounded a point and came in sight of the place, a shire, tall brick buildings, like mills, apparently just placed on shore among the tall pines. On the point was their fortification tenantless, & gunless, its magazine blown up, and near the shore wrecks of gun boats, one a propeller perhaps the Jamy, and one a side wheeler. The shore appeared close in here. The sunset was very beautiful - and the scene was sombre enough - those pines give it a dark severe look - perhaps in the summer it is brighter - but the most pleasant sensation was to see something of civilization again - a town however small. As we came near, & I saw the houses & farms on shore - Large fine looking houses, some with balconies all around - in the calm evening much like our summer, I thought more of home, and how I would live & alter things in our old house, than I have done since I left home. I was talking to one of the Surgeons - he said though he had been very enthusiastic for southern rights, he thought if he got off he wouldnt get in the army again.

This morning after a splendid sleep - relieved from all anxiety, whilst raining very hard, I went off to shore and up to camp, where I was informed we were to come over: owing to having no quarters I got permission of Gen. Reno to stay on board until Monday morning. We got back in time for dinner. The Capt. was going over to Burnside's quarters, & as there was something said about fumigation, I concluded to go too. We took poor little Cuffy over to the Hospital to die perhaps - I heard the Capt brutally remark that he brought him over to the hospital because he hadn't pine enough to make a coffin for him. When I got there I heard Dr Church send an order to Gen Reno to have the 51st Regiment P.V. separated from the others. He told me to get my company off the Cossack as soon as I could. I sent word over to Shorkley to have them ready, and took the back road up to camp. I met the Col. & told him what I had heard, I went to camp, then to the beach, found the Brigade commissary got a little boat, rowed 5 or 10 miles, got to the Cossack just as the Company left in the surf-boats - I went back to get quarters as the quartermaster hadn't got our tents off as promised - I could not find any at Camp & got an order from Gen Reno to use the tents at Fort Park . So down we trudged all the way - & found the tents had no poles. However New Jersey boys turned in and pulled the tents over the cook house made coffee for us & treated us splendidly. Capt Chesney treated me like a prince & gave me a bed in his tent.

The Jersey-boys gave us our coffee this morning, & we came down and took poss. of a house & have been busy fixing up quarters. This evening after a dull cloudy day we had a glorious sunset - I have not seen many finer things than the look down over the Sound this evening.

It was very windy here today. The Sound was lashed into fury and beat with a roar on the beach. Dr Cutter & Dr Hossack were here today. It appears that the cases we have had were varioloid. We had one in the Cossack and four now in the hospital. One man is broken out. We appear to have been the only company in which it was any ways prevalent, and we have been ordered to stay here until it is eradicated.

We sent Smith up to the hospital with the small pox. no other cases have developed. The day was very pleasant and we drilled steadily. Dick has a very bad cold and we are fearful that he is another case. There are others apparently having bad colds and pains in the back - Confound it, I expect it will prevent us from being along with the next expedition. In other respects it has blest us with good quarters. We went up to the [?] and got a couple of boxes & then to the [?] where we saw Tom Grier.

It was pleasant this afternoon. We drilled all day. About noon we were put in possession of Ft. Park . I did not remove from my present quarters in Meekim's hill , but detailed a guard of 14 to the fort. This evening rain set in & it is dreary enough. We have another case of small pox probably - at least the symptoms of pain in the head and back like a bad cold, are very much like the other cases. Well we are in for it & a good time will have of it I expect. When danger is near it hasn't near the ugly appearance it has when afar off. I feel as easy about it as if I were at home. The only annoying thing is that it will prevent our going with the expedition. I have really spent a delightful time since I have been here, & the prospect of a rainy day, which perforce eased one from exertion is really delightful in contemplation.

Last night it stormed fearfully. It howled around our old barracks. This morning however it was clear and bright and cool. I went up to the barracks - the first thing I saw was them carry several drunk Irishmen across to the guard house & the next thing the Stler tent with three guards, & and not allowed to sell anything. They had searched the tent & found some sherry Brandy. We bought flour at the Brigade Commissary for 3 cts per pd - sugar 10 cts & candles 25 - We can pay anything at what the government pays. We returned in time for company drill. The boys drill admirably & if we only have a week or two more we will get along. This afternoon we drilled as skirmishers. The sunset was remarkably beautiful. Our house fronts on the shore about a hundred paces from it. The sound is about five miles wide & the further shore gives a deep blue color - Tonight it was saffron and scarlet before last gold and orange & blue. At dusk Beaver & I strolled up to the Fort. The boys had a fire in the old cook house & were sitting around its cheery blaze talking. These campfires will long live in our memories to be talked about when we go home. I bid them good night & thought amid all discomforts, war has many pleasant cheery phases.

Contrary to our expectation from the terrible storm last night it was a bright and beautiful day. Beaver & I started with our walking across the island , & came to a little house, where a woman & two children sat by the fire. Everything was neat & clean and the floor nicely sanded. "Can you do some washing?" "No I ain't able to wash for myself." She said she was a widow - that there were few women on this island that cleaned had died in two weeks: they just took a pain in the head and the eyes swelled, and they died in two or three days. We trudged back remarking that if we could have got our washing done we would not have thought the way half as long. We went on up to camp - bought some butter at the sutler's for 45 cts per pd, & rice at the commissary 6 1/2. We returned, whose orders in our absence came to be ready to be mustered for pay. It was late in the afternoon when Lt Reno came, & this evening we had a game of ball - It has blown up quite cold.

The morning was cold and clear - ice and a bleak wind blowing at all angles. Lt Shorkley and I intended to be off early, on a trip to the battle ground, but everything went wrong. As the wind was so variable, and the wooden chimney after burning half up, was found not to work, we adopted the expedient of cutting two pipe holes one out each side & changing around the stove as the wind changed. We had the pipe out the north side, but as it smoked, Dick changed it to the South side - it smoked worse - so it was changed again to the north - then again to the east - and again to the north where it was found to do best, but miserable at best. This occupied an hour and were smoked and frozen nearly to death - once Shorkley broke the elbow - We have the stove on a box of sand, and it is pretty hard to move around. Dick in his efforts overset a pan of slop water over the floor & began to swear - Beaver scolded - "Well between the smoking stove and oversetting that its enough to make any man swear." At last the stove took a slight notion to burn and the shad was frying briskly - I sat reading behind the stove - then was an exception - two pieces of fish flew out on the stove and floor - spattered me with hot fat & my book all over. There never in all our house keeping such extraordinary trouble nor were we all ever in such a bad humor. At last we got breakfast about nine o'clock. Shorkley got started - went down past Fort Park , along the beach about two miles, when a major met us: we followed someone's truck and bound he had been fooled just as we were - we followed his track clear around the swamp back to the beach & then tramped back to Gen Burnside's head quarters, crossed the camp of the 8th Conn & took down a crooked road, reached the main road, and after a walk of three or four miles the old battery - Ft Russel We observed the trees marked with bullets more than 3/4 of a mile back of it, and near it every tree was scarred and cut. The battery was built in half moon shape, with three very wide outside so as to give as wide a sweep as possible to the cannon. On the brazens, where the 24 pdr Dahlgren was, swept the road - right in the centre. It was all cleared in front - & the road runs straight down about 1/4 of a mile and then bends to the right - & the wood is cleared so as that the road straight in front as also that of the bend. But right in front of the battery just where we crossed showed the most marks of bullets: two trees about 15-20 feet up were pierced through with cannon balls. The pine tree where we lay down was full of bullet holes. We then went down the familiar road, past where the field hospitals were, filled with groaning mangled men when we passed there last to the landing. The owner had come back - named Hayman, and it was at his landing instead of Ashby's where we landed. He said he was there until near sunset - that they did not expect us to land there but at Ashby's : that when he took is family across there the road was full of troops - Between the road leading to Ashby's & this place there is a deep creek, and probably the rebels were afraid of losing their artillery, or they would have attacked us there. This battery is but a half mile across & it could have been shelled by our gunboats had we known it. We walked down to where we landed and saw our broad swaths across the reedy shore - then went over to Ashby's We saw the young man there - he said he had been drafted - had gone up the canal bridge - & his lot fell on him & they were to go home and stay until called. From this landing where they expected us to land, there is a road leading through a swamp - when the rebels were posted with two of their pieces that night they thought the water too low to land at Haymans. The Ashby's raised a white flag - & the rebel officers threated to take them up. We saw the graves of our dead, one com. off Lieut Goodwin, & one first Serjt Jeremiah W Morse - [?] - 23rd Mass 27 in all - 1 unknown 2 prob N.Y. 51 & 57th Penna. We returned the same way: met Alcott - had supper flour cake.

It rained and drizzled all day. The adjt came in this morning and told us to have three copies of our payrolls made out again at one o'clock. So we set to work & it took us all forenoon. John Morris was here to dinner, He told us we were to sail in a day or two - that the Generals had agreed to disobey instructions & not go to Newbern , We were to go some place where we would be landed, and have a march of 60 miles to be done in two days & strike a blow that had ten chances to one of success - that any general would take one in three. He also brought us the news that Nashville , Memphis, and Savannah had been occupied by our troops: that Gen Wool was in Norfolk with his staff by invitation from rebel authorities - supposed that they pushed to surrender to him so as to take the chances as prisoners of war. What this means, I can not conceive. I occupied the afternoon writing for the Chronicle. So I suppose we will have to hustle out of this in a hurry tomorrow or the next day. We had another abominable job with our stove this morning, trying it out of the various holes, and not succeeding in getting our breakfast until nine o'clock.

This morning is bright and clear again. We had another trouble with our stove and had to clean out the pipe. We have come to the conclusion that stoves were not made for this part of the country. One day seeming this pitch pine wood clogs up the pipe with soot and tar. Wide mouthed chimnies are the only comforts, and in them we will not dare to build the fires too high or we will set fire to the chimney. But if they are behind in many things, in building chimnies they have succeeded admirably. We noticed this particularly in the wooden ones put up in the wooden barracks, built by the Georgians. Beaver and I had started up to camp, when we were met with the Col. with orders to pack up and get up to the upper fort as quick as possible. We had nothing for transportation except a small hand cart. We hauled everything to the narrow path this side of Ft. Park, making a half dozen trips - carried them over to the fort, then carried dragged, and pulled all up along the beach, through the deep sand, up to the landing. It was a terrible job. It worried us very much. There we met the rest of the Regiment, & our baggage put on a boat to be taken to the schooner, which was to take it to the Cossack. But the Schooner went off without it and the boat had no oars. The Dinkey came & we piled the whole Regiment on it - our boat, which fortunately was in the same boat with the Surgeon's, which gave it a better chance was poled down & put on the Dinkey. We got safely landed on the Cossack about four o'clock. We had scarce been on here an hour when Mr Walton came on with a large mail for us. I received letters from John of the 19th & 21st. In the latter he mentions the receipt of mine of the 11th, and the grand jubilee over the victory of Ft Donnelson . He enclosed a copy of the Times' correspondence describing the battle. It is grossly inaccurate, and as if written by one who had not been on the battlefield, but had picked up his intelligence from different mouths. Morris told me that Smith, the Times correspondent, was down there the other day with the Generals & some of the Staff, when the conversation ran on the coolness of some artist sketching Gen Foster in the midst of the fire. Smith said he was standing right by him. Frank Reno said you lie, you weren't there - no one was near him." Smith was in to our quarters the other day, and he got some yarns from me that made him gulp. We all now have separate messes on board the Cossack. We have been told that we are going to Winton and from there to Weldon. We have taken none but our well men along - being ordered to have none but those who can stand a march of 60 miles in two days. New rifles, Enfield, are on board for eight companies of our Regiment.

The day was bright and clear. The sunset was very beautiful. The rifles were distributed among our men. We sent Jim Kelly off to shore, broken out with the small pox. Surgeon Hassack got drunk yesterday and has been laying in bed, sick, all day. Many of our men and officers are suffering for want of medicine. It is an outrageous shame that such should be the case, as no doubt after the hardship undergone and the close quarters we had many would necessarily become sick. The Col. said he had seen as much of it as he would. Hassack would come down nearly everyday to our quarters to see our sick. He would forget all about them, what he prescribed and what their ailments were, and it was as much as we could do to get him to go and look at them. Several days he wasn't fit to do anything and some days would not come down at all. Then I've been told that Dr. Noble has got to drinking too, and was at least once very much intoxicated.

The day was pleasant, the water rough, however. This afternoon we had a threatened storm that didn't amount to much but it was magnificent to behold. The sunset was very fine too. In the open space between a bank of clouds that rested on the shore and those that covered the sun there was the richest tracery in scarlet and vermillion, and above in the dark mess of clouds one open spot golden hued.

My company tried their rifles, shooting two rounds, at a bouey about 200 yards off. They shot very accurately. The rocking of the boat prevented perfect accuracy of aim. I amused myself walking on deck, and writing a letter to the Chronicle. We dispatched our letters this morning. We have such an abundance of fresh shad that we have got disgusted with it. Dr. Noble came on board and went to the Scout. Our surgeon is still sick in bed. He prescribes, however, and the stewards are experienced enough to get along. I hope he has received a lesson that he will not forget.

I saw today the illustrations of the Bombardment of Ft. Bartow in Frank Leslie and New York Illus. news. The first is truthful but the latter is nothing at all like it except the ships, and those anyone can make.

Our sutler got on board this day and has his goods. There is nothing to do here and much less to say about it. Each mess of officers have a table by themselves and the styles are as various as the men. It is a much more comfortable way than the hotch potch we had before. We are no longer in danger of suffering for want of water, as we have a condenser was finished today, making 1400 gallons in 24 hours. We usually consumed 700 gallons a day. We have just heard very distrastrous new -- that Banks was defeated at Leesburg and 14,000 men taken prisoner. The news was brought her from the Pilot-boy. It is very improbable. He may however have crossed the Potomac, and they massed on him. It leaves us in horrible suspense until morning.

This was a delicious day. We were trying our Enfields again this morning at about nine hundred yards. The boys were delighted that they could fire so effectively at such a distance. We can hardly blame reporters that they give such different accounts of things, for no two seem hardly seem to see alike. We were today discussing whether Lt. Selden, who lay dead at the embrasure in the battery we took, had boots on. 3 or so asserted that he had top boots -- others that he wore shoes. We even located him at different places in the battery. We are inclined to think that the story of Banks' defeat is a canard. Sgt was on shore and says the report had been flying around there several days -- that they had papers to the 27th which said nothing about it. It is said that the Spaulding is to be in soon, and that we are not to go until it comes. We think that the ships are very nearly all embarked, on board the different vessels. I hope the Spaulding will bring us a mail. I would like to hear some thing about what has happened since the taking of Savannah and Nashville. This is Lt Beaver's Birthday entering his twenty second year.

There came up a storm last night, raining and snowing, and blowing fearfully, which continued through greater part of today. The Sound was very rough, boats could not leave the ship. We passed the day as usual. I got hold of Lansings pictorial fact book, and amused myself reading and copying the sketches. This evening the sunset was beautifully clear. We hardly think that we will sail before Monday. Tomorrow or Sunday it is not probable that we will start. Our surgeon still continues in bed, and we would not get another on account of the roughness of the sea. We had an argument this evening whether the expression "tomorrow is Saturday," or "tomorrow will be Saturday" is right. I took the former & Shorkley the latter. It is an affirmation of the "tomorrow" abstractly -- we wish to express the future will would be proper -- But to simply predicate that of tomorrow it is Saturday, I think the present can be used.

This was a splendid day. It's pure and bracing. The Sound nearly calm. Dr. Hassack turns up to-day to be sick with the varioloid. We sent two more men ashore today, Moseby [?] and Hause. That makes nine men we have in the hospital. We have another man taken with the symptoms, pain in the back & limbs, & may turn out of the same disease. We are still lying off Roanoke Island. The ships all appear to be in positions and loaded with their freight. It looked lively and cheerful, & we were in momentary expectation of orders to start. This is the day it is said that the draft men in North Carolina were to muster. There were two boats with troops went up the Sound, and it was said they were going to Columbia , or the Albemarle, where one of the musters were to take place. I only hate this confinement on ship-board. It is breeding sickness fast. The Cap & 1st Lieut of Co. I. were left on shore sick. Lt. [?] of Co. [?] has been sent from the Scout. The Adjt had a slight attack of hemmorhage of the lungs today, and I heard it whispered that he was going to resign. The muster at [?] [?] is said to cover a loyal movement, and our expedition is said to be on hand for the [?] Saturday March 8th contd.

of aiding it. We had a fellow in one of our companies who shot a hole through his hand at Camp Union . He has been well cared for and required nursing day and night. When he could not bear the prssure of something or other the nurse held the artery. But he is one of those who expects and demands all attention and shows not the slightest gratitude, but requires everything with a growl. The artery has frequently broken off and had to be retied -- in every instance almost owing to his ungovernable [?]. The last time it broke was during one night that he wished to sit up, and he could not sit unless propped and could not be propped without taking all the blankets and coats of the nurses -- who were tired and wished to sleep & refused, and he broke into a fit of anger -- cursed & swore -- and in the paroxysm the artery broke. It may require the loss of his arm to save his life.

This was the finest day we have had yet, especially in contrast with the stormy preceding ones. The air deliciously pure, the sun bright & warm, so that it was relaxing to be on deck. We had company inspection and the doctor inspected us too. We had to send Knode and Adam Henry on shore, the former with the mumps and the latter with symptoms, either of fever or small pox. They were both very reluctant. We spent the day reading, loafing and smoking. Lt. Beaver went on shore to see the sick. All are doing very well except Kelly, whose face is swollen so as not to be recognizable. [NAME?] has turned out small pox too. The vessels that went up the Sound re- turned this evening. There is a vague report that they have 2000 prisoners but is very improbable. The different regiments appear to fear our Regiment worse than the rebels. It is [?] that we have the small pox bad. We have everybody that has the least symptoms of sickness sent ashore, and I really believe that [?] Lt Lynch is the only officer that had the varoioid. He is doing very well. Buskin & Cap. Perkin are sick, but not with that disease. The Col. was telling us that there has been a quiet fight going on to oust our Regiment from the expedition. There was an effort of the kind at Annapolis. There Dr. Church ordered our Regiment into camp, but Gen. Reno evinced a determination to the contrary, and stood by us. The wish to have the glory ex- clusively Eastern. But our officers kept their eyes open, and Gen Reno happily being a Pennsylvanian has stood by us. The impression appears to be that we will sail tomorrow at nine o'clock, but as to which way there seems to be a doubt. Morris says we are going to Newbern. But why all the vessels and troops were brought up from Hatteras to return. The same route seems queer. However there is no telling where it will be. One thing we feel confident about is that our generals what they are doing, and will certainly take us safely through. I am anxious to get papers and letters to Reno. What they are doing in the outside world. We are to take three schooners in tow.

I think the news about Norfolk is a humbug. The navy not being ready probably delayed us. I won't believe any reports any more. Alcott was on board and told us that we were to go to Washington and march from there to Newbern a distance of 35 miles. This may be true. An order came to have stairs up at six o'clock in the morning and to follow the Northerner. The gunboats went away some-place this afternoon, and is blowing fiercely this afternoon. The Dr. told me he thought that Kelly would die. His face is swollen very much, and he has a perfect scab from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot. Our boys there tell us that it was owing to his impudence -- he would pull off his clothes when he came there and caught cold. He was very stout and nasty, [?] was always so cross-grained and ill-natured -- not ill natured -- but troublesome & contrary -- that he was a nuisance to Surgeon and Captain. He has not drilled more than two weeks since he has been in the service. I regret very much that it is so, for I rather liked him, and he did very well for the last two or three weeks, after I had roughed him down. We can't expect to take all home with us, however. The moon is shining tonight, and we have moonlight nights to fight under.

It rained this morning, but cleared off, cool and bright. The fleet got under weigh about nine o'clock, and under steam and sail, with the Scout, Smith, and another schooner in tow about four o'clock, the Cossack anchored in Pamlico sound off Hatteras Inlet. The New York got aground just as she was rounding the point from Croatan into Roanoke Sound, and the Admiral off long shoal way. The Cossack was the first steam transport in to anchorage the gunboats, the [?], Hussar and other gunboats that carried troopers were here before us.

The day passed without incident. I spent most of the day reading Lossings pictorial field book, so far as it related to North Carolina . One cannot help thinking that if they [slaves?] the same spirit as they did in the days of the revolution it will be a difficult matter to conquer. But their cause is not just as it was then - North Carolina is not in heart as it was then. The men are as brave no doubt: but their enemy is not three thousand miles away. There is not [Chatham?] in the Federal Congress, or any portion of the people in the North that espouse their cause. Their social institution is false at bottom. Capt Picot remarked to us that there would not be such an universal resistance if it were not for the women. In the Mecklenburg District in the days of the revolution the young ladies formed an association agreeing not to receive the attentions of any young man who did not join the army in defense of their country's rights, [?] a man who would not fight for his country, would not be fit to be a protector of them. Perhaps the feeling arises from the stories of rapes & robberies told of our army - perhaps because it is said we would arm their slave against them. They know well that their husbands and brothers make concubines of their slaves - that the slave if freed might wreak their vengeance on them. If I were a Southern women my fears, if I honestly believed this of the northern design, would drive me to a desperation. A tug boat came along side telling us she has a mail for us - The last we had was about the 21st & 22nd of February . 17 days ago. That was the last newspaper news we received. This will [bring?] a little later. We appear more anxious to receive this than any other - perhaps in prospect of a battle near - and it will be the last time many of us will hear from home.

This was a delightful day, and nothing could be pleasanter than our journey from Hatteras to New Berne? We [?] anchor at nine o'clock and steamed down the sound, past Ocracoke inlet, [?] Brant island Island shoals, and felt some what anxious when we came to the place which indicated whether we went up the Pamlico or Neuse. The pilot soon assured us that we were for New Berne sure, but still it was disputed. About [?] o'clock we entered Neuse River and steamed slowly up, the gunboats nosing into every bank and [?] until at 1/2 past seven we anchored. [?] some three miles from New Berne . An exciting chase after two little sail boats by the Picket, she firing a shot across the bow of each. We saw her come up with them in tow after dark. We observed all along the shores fired kindled raising dense smoke, apparently signal fires to warn of our approach. The sun set in glorious splendor over the quiet waters. Our band played the national airs on deck in the quiet moonlight. Morris came on board with orders. He gave us another report we don't believe. That the Merrimac came out at Norfolk , sunk the Congress and Minnesota, played [?] [blues?] with the Cumberland, but the Little [?] stuck to her and disabled her so that she had to put back to Norfolk. Now will take a good nights rest and prepare for the battle tomorrow. I saw the adjt. write his resignation this evening. Ill health the cause - hemorrhage of the lungs. We feel that we will succeed tomorrow, but that it will be a hard fought battle. My hope is that Pennsylvania will not be disgraced.

This is mis-dated. March 24th was a Monday in 1862. It appears that Linn miscalculated and that this should have been Sunday March 23rd.

This morning Tom Grier and Chas Kline came down from New Berne in a boat. They were with two officers who went down to visit the battle ground. But as they didn't come back at 1/2 past twelve we took the boat and went to New Berne. It is about a mile and a half or 2 miles by water. We landed by the Alice Price, and went to a three strong ware-house, washed yellow, looked like Tom's house at home. The rebels had used it for an ordinance room "No smoking" was painted on the door "Yankee devils" inside They did not suppose that we would see it. The room back used as an office was carpeted with cane, and nicely furnished - had a grate. Upstairs above, they had fitted up a nice room - carpet, bedsteads, mohair rocking chair, tables and chairs - fire place, with wood fire qute a library - which they had gathered from various houses in town. Even this gas fixture they had taken from some other house. This table had a fine tea set & everything a house keeper wanted furnished from the same source. I spent the afternoon & evening with them and it was too luxurious. I walked with Yerkes to the Cemetery. There is a wall and arched gateway around it, built of a singular sort of [shelly?] conglomeration - would be very handsome if finished. But it all bears the air of neglect. Founded many years ago 1801 I think, by Christ Church transferred to the City of New Berne 1834 - it had many old graves in it - We noticed that of the Gaston - Wm & Margaret. They had a singular way of putting a figure 1 before their figures, so that one tombstone which told of us of a sea Capt. that died on his passage from London to New Berne, in a certain lattitude and longitude, was aged 134 years. Another was 156. - We begn to think they had made voyages enough and it were time he would cease going to down to the sea, when we discovered that it must be either a _fashion_ they had or the oldest people lived here since the days of the flood. We were pointed to a vault, which bore the marks of being pried open, from which it was said Gen. Burnside recovered $45.000. One iron doored vault was open & the coffins lay there exposed in a way that seemed awful to me.

We returned to the Gaston House & then went back to Tom's quarters. Tom & I started out to walk. Gen. Burnsides Headquarters were in an elegant marble house, with a large well kept yard in front. The comical white guard tent pitched on the dark green grass, the two well dressed sentinels pacing up & down, the roses blooming in the yard, all made a striking picture. Near by was the lonely stacks of the chimnies of a whole half square burned down. Near by the Neuse river are several houses, and evidently stores burned. It looked odd to see a sign of "variety store" flaunting before a scene of desolation - It was curious to notice the vagaries that the fire caused in kegs of nails and other irons. The chimney stacks stood up, & one could not help picturing the bright cheerful parlors where those fire places and grates were, and beneath in the cellar lay the remains of the fire screen. We went up to the Car house & railroad depot. Cannon balls & shell lay all around & in the Passenger Depot were cartrige boxes [belts?], & [accountants?] of all kinds, shell of a new kind with a new kind with a brass [cork?], canister - a tin-case like a tomato can, filled with 54 canister balls. They had evidently just dropped everything and run. From the letters we have picked up, they never dreamed of having to leave, & yet the Richmond papers say New Berne is of no account. It is to us if not to them, though they must have esteemed it of some importance, from the amount of labour they have bestowed upon its defence. I concluded to stay all night and passed the evening cheerily by the bright fire place

This is mis-dated. March 25th was a Tuesday in 1862. It appears that Linn miscalculated and that this should have been Monday March 24th.I went to the Jenny — the Curlew runs over every fifteen minutes, just where the bridge was burned. I was one minute too late. Just then Lt. Shorkley and Lt. Gaulen came up in a boat, and as they told me there was nothing to be done in camp, and as my luxurious quarters last night gave me a cold, I concluded to stay. I acted as guide, and took them to see what remained of Gov. Lyon’s palace, the cemetery, and the car house. Then we went into a French bootmaker’s. Gaulen talked to him in his own tongue. Met Morris, who took us around to Gen. Reno’s quarters — a white house, nicely furnished. While here, a chaplain told us a romantic story of Dr. Cutter’s daughter, the brigade surgeon of the 2nd Brigade, who died this morning here of what they call the Roanoke fever. She had requested to be taken to Roanoke Island and buried beside a young man by the name of Plummer, whose real name was Lidd, and who was with John Brown in Virginia, and who had been attacked by some disease of the stomach.the night before. The battle of Roanoke, and died the same night. We went from there and dined at the Gaston House. Corn bread, rice soup, roasted Irish potatoes, and rice pudding was all [we had?] at the first-class hotel. [And?] a morsel of wheat bread.

I was unwell from my cold all day. It was a bright fine day however. Morris was down to see us, but I was so unwell, I did not enjoy anything. We received a mail from home. Letters from John, from the 14th to the 20th March. We also got papers containing the accounts of the battle of New Berne. Some of them are very absurd.

I am still unwell with cold and passed part of the day between blankets. It commenced raining about ten o'clock and it was very pleasant to hear it patter on the tent cover. The Adjt was to town and brought us the news that New Orleans was taken and that there was a big connonading at Island No 10. & that our fleet had to withdraw from want of ammunition. We had to make new pay rolls to day again. We expect pay pretty soon. Col. Hartranft, received news yesterday of the death of one of his children, and serious illness of others, received a furlough for 20 days & sailed in the New York. We got some yeast powder & Dick baked us some elegant raised bread for supper. It was a real luxury to have it. Hassenplug & Etwine go home on furlough, or recruiting? service after pay day.

Still suffering from my cold. Discovered the cause. I have been accustomed to wearing top boots & heavy sky blue pants. Very foolishly on Saturday after our return I put on cloth pants, and shoes, & have been wearing them since, though it has been considerably colder. Never thought of it, until this morning & have reverted to my top boots again. This afternoon Beaver & I took a stroll down to Ft Ellis [8 Dupre?]. This fort here is Ft Lane, five guns. The next below is Fort Ellis of nine guns - built of sand shows a terrific explosion. The field all around is full of shell & canister, scattered all around - pieces of the magazine hinges of the door - broken arches lying all around. Below this is Dixie. Its construction is peculiar. A heavy frame of logs, floored, covered and sided with planks - two rooms thus made for two rifled guns. Outside frames of [?] are made about the size of barrels and filled with sand, connected by bundles of withes 20-30 feet long. These are built all around and over them making them bomb proof. We could see that the withes were tied with ropes taken from the sunken schooners - where they were cut off the sails. Below This are frames where they made these bundles. One of these guns was dismounted and spiked. There was preparation for building another of a similar kind near it. They named that saucy thing very properly Dixie. The next one below of 13 guns is called Ft Thompson. We got back in time for dress parade. We pulled for some moss that grows on the trees here. It was the first thing I noticed when I landed at Slocum creek. It is of grayish color and looks like the beard of an old man tied fast to limb. It has that peculiarity that it don't creep along the limb, but hangs in a bunch as if tied to it. We had an elegant supper of fritters, bread, omelette, ham, fried potatoes &c. We move our camp up near Gen Reno's headquarters tomorrow. We have now two cases of varioloid in our company Hartz and Dougherty - Captain Taylor is down with it too.

This was a bright fine day - a languid summer day. Part of the Regiment moved to our new camp nearer to town, but still on this side of the Trent, near to where we bivouaced the first night. I was officer of the day, though I was so horse that I could not speak above my breath. Toward evening I think my cold is broken up some.

Saturday 29.

We moved up today. We had been promised teams, but they didn't come, so we tugged away at a hand-cart & we were nearly done. Someone had raised a row over in town, and five 4 horse teams came in the afternoon, & before evening we had all our luggage up. We have a motley collection of tents, some of the 21st Mass, sibley, wall, common tents, great lumbering tents of the rebels. We managed to get two nice wall-tents & I pitched them at right angles - then we got part of a sibley & made a portico in front - it looks [Swiss?] - one Dick has for his department. The other we eat & sleep in. We have it all floored very nicely, & tonight feel as if we were at home again. It seems like our canvas home at Annapolis.

It was dark and gloomy and rained most of the time. Tom. Grier came over and took dinner with us. [?] Kline & [?] were here too. Lt. Applegat, formerly 1st Srgt. of Co. M. 9th New Jersey was in to see us. The 2 lts of his [?] had resigned, & the day before the battle he had appeared as 2nd Lt, in the Battle. Capt. McChesney was wounded & he has been in command ever since. Capt. McChesney was wounded early in the fight. As some of his men were carrying him back he saw Capt Hayes of their Regiment a german company come retreating. He ordered him back. And as the Capt. didn't seem disposed to obey, he drew his revolver on him, and the Capt. got behind a tree. Then McChesney ordered the men that carried him to lay him down, and charge bayonets on them. They did so & the Capt. led his company back, & they behaved very galantly.

The morning was raw and chilly - such as we have in September. Then the sun came out about ten o'clock and was very hot until evening, when it became chilly. Whisky has been ordered to be served to the men, an ounce in the morning I had determined to make application for a commission in the regular army, & got a recommendation from Lt. Col. Bell. I went over to Gen Reno. He and Gen Burnside both advised me to hold on to my rank here, as the army would be reorganized, and Captains would receive commissions to recruit companies: that I could not get a higher rank than 2nd Lieut & would have to rise from it. Morris & I rode out about a half mile, where Capt. Williamson was building a fort. This is large to contain 8 acres, an enclosed fort, & is about a half mile from the Trent. Another is to be built 3/4 of a mile further toward the Neuse , & about a half mile from it. We had dress parade this evening & Lt. Shorkley acted as adjutant, Bible being sick. Since last night, everything has moved with an unusual.

The day was hot, the sun making it so - but the air would at times feel chilly. I was quite unwell during the forenoon, weakened down by my cold and diarrhoea. After dinner owing to some startling rumors I was induced to  [?] over to New Berne . The [?] was as still as death, but the quiet work going on was amazing. Artillery was being hauled out back of town: the 57th N.Y. & 11th Conn. sent to work on the fort. Our pickets had been attacked last night one killed - one rebel killed & a deserter came in, who gave the information, that 5000 rebels were five miles this side of Kingston, and 25,000 in Kingston advancing this way, under command of Gen. Ransom, an old West Pointer, well known to our Generals, and said to be a man of considerable dash. April 1 continued. The [?] [?] was sent to Hatteras last night at twelve o'clock to hasten the reinforcements. The Admiral came in while I was over there, & we saw the Cossack go up afterwards I met Fitzpatrick, cor. of Herald, who gave me papers with the news of the Battle of Winchester. He said the 17. Mass. 103. N York, & 2 Maryland were there - & some batteries in all 3000. [Parke's?] Brigade with the companies New Jersey are at F Macon , so that we have of our old force, 25. 23. 27. 24. Mass 10th 11th Conn, 51st N.Y. 57. Penna. 21 Mass, & 4 companies 9th New Jersey, 6 of the 48th Penna, about 6000 effective men, & the reinforcements 3000, 9000 in all. It is wonderful how the regiments are reduced by sickness and death. Our regiment for instance, had but 450 men on dress parade - & say [200?] Guard & other details make us a little over 500 strong. I have nineteen sick in my own company. But prospects of a battle would call the sick out. It appeared to be a matter of anxiety to Gen Burnside that the troops were broken down so, and he attributed it partly to want of fresh beef & vegetables & he said that he had written to Washington urging beef to be sent. If the rebels wouldnt come for a week, they couldnt come past that fort. Col. Bell says his orders are that if he hears heavy firing to form and march to the Ferry. Lt Bell that was with Capt. McRae in the battle with the Texans and New Mexico was his brother.

Linn seems to have misdated this entry. In 1862 April 2nd fell on a Wednesday. Bright and warm. We were ordered out somewhere about nine or ten o'clock to go down & receive the 2nd Maryland  & marched to the river, & lay there until near one o'clock, when Gen. Reno reviewed us, & told us to go back to camp. After the dress parade, we were ordered to move to the other side of the river in the morning. We have received 4 regts 103 & 13 New York, 2nd Maryland & 17 Mass. We feel some regret about leaving our camp, now that we just been cleverly fixed. It is probable that the rebels have not more than 15.000 men at Kingston , & if they give us a few days, they can't faze us. Chas. Merrill & Warner were promoted to Corporals today, and Aaron Smith to the vacant Serjeantry.

Thursday 4th

Linn seems to have misdated this entry. In 1862 April 4th fell on a Friday. Early this morning we unloaded the baggage, and got it on shore about a quarter of a mile from camp. The camp is at the west end of the town. The first Brigade being all here except the 21st Mass & 2nd Maryland, just in rear of the fort that is in process of erection. It is a large one [?] near eight acres. The western Bastions are nearly completed Cannon are planted all along in the rear of it and in front of our camps. Gen Reno was here to see us this morning. The place is high & dry - but no doubt the sand will prove a nuisance. About here the land is well cultivated, but the fences go down like [?] as each regiment comes in to encamp. Most of the day was spent getting our stores. It is pleasant to be here in a civilized place again. We received orders showing that the army is now divided into divisions two Brigades in our Regiment. We do not know how we are brigaded, but hope Col. Hastraupt will have command of one Brigade. The difficulty rests in the fact that the date of his muster is junior to that of any other Colonel. Its absence now, too, may operate against him. Shorkley and I took a stroll down town. It must be beautiful in the summer. Splendid trees overarch every treet, the quaint old houses, giving one a feeling of satisfaction you do not experience, which seems a [word?], in fact, when you go into the handsome newly built northern towns. Peach trees are loaded with blossoms. Vegetation has commenced, and the buds on the trees are bursting.

Yesterday and the day before we did little else than fix up our camp. We had a short Regimental drill in the afternoon. Our men have forgotten some but the ground was very rough. In the afternoon we were blessed with the arrival of a very large mail from home. I received three letters from John & 2 from Annie & one from Laura. The last one is dated March 31st, so it came through in five days. Both last evening and this evening, Lt. Col. Bell and I took a stroll through the quiet old town. The streets are lined with high arching trees, and the leaves are just budding. There are many fine houses, but the beauty of them is in the large grounds around them and the shrubbery. Roses are blooming, & the lilac & locust are out. The multiforce is crowded. It must be a charming place, and one could not help thinking of the pleasant social times they must have had in times past. There is wealth and leisure. Where Capt Ritchie has his quarters, was the office and rooms of a bachelor Lawyer, built in a cross shape, & the Col tells me has every luxury of library, office, bedroom, dining[&?] bath &c. It was said that at his parties, he always refused to drink wine, & kept up the impression that he was temperate. His servant, whom Capt Ritchie has with him, on the Capt's observing a number of bottles in a closet marked "[haregonic?]" that he would at times drink a bottle of it, April 6. continued. and lie for a day or two, perfectly besotted. He was in that condition when the attack was made on Newbern , & had to be carried away. We had a company inspection in the forenoon. Tom. Grier came and took dinner with us. The day was delightful, & we went up to the platforms & one of the curtains is partially completed. I suppose that the alarms & fuss last week was caused by a Dr Thompson of the First Brigade, making a false alarm. Morris said he had bought about 70 bales of cotton of an old fellow out in the country, and after he had paid the money, some rebel cavalry came down and burnt it. An order was read on dress parade last night, sending the doctor to report at Washington with the recommendation to the Secretary of War to dismiss him from service - that soldiers lost enough rest & sleep not to be annoyed by false alarms and that all alarmists would be dealt summarily with. We formed under arms and marched into the Presbyterian church, where Mr Mallory preached. We also heard a part of the grand concert given by the 24th Mass Band, Gilmore's in front of Gen. Burnsides headquarters. After we got back we found all our men from Roanoke Island had gotten back except Murphy & Adam Henry, who have lymphoid fever. We look very red & some will be marked. Poor Jim Kelly died on the 27th of March - he was delirious for 8 days and swore like a trooper until he died. It was owing to his impudence stripping stark naked - he was so selfruled they could not get him to take any care of himself. His side on which he lay was completely rotten - in fact he was one mass of corruption. I am glad the rest have gotten over it so happily. We have two cases on the other side of the river. We heard, through Gen Burnsides spies, who have just returned from Suffolk , that Gen. Heintzelman had taken Yorktown with 180 pieces of cannon. Our friends in the North appear to have been uneasy about us, for fear that we would get caught in a trap. Gen. Burnside has been kept thoroughly informed of everything that has taken place. His spies are everywhere, & he has a very finely organized system. Many are New York detectives. Six of them were on board the Cossack, & it was a long time before we knew who they were. They appeared and disappeared - where we never saw. One I remember did not come on board for a long time, when the morning we left Hatteras to come here, he suddenly turned up. You would take him for a Jersey huckster rather than a detective. We were on board a week with them when we had the prisoners. We kept the prisoners below except at certain hours, when the detectives would stay in their rooms. April 6 continued. It is wonderful that the change in the appointment of Corporal has made on Charles Merrill. He is dressed very neatly and his hair and beard are nicely trimmed, and he appears to feel for the first time in his life that he has some responsibility. He does his work carefully and intelligently, & takes a great interest in it.

Monday 7.

It was bright fine summer morning but commenced raining about twelve o'clock, & rained until evening. We had a regimental roll call, & company drill. I spent most of the day writing letters to John & Louisa & one to Jim Kelly's wife. This evening Beaver and I shot down town. It was very desolate. The [sandy]? evil drinks in the rain as fast as it falls. It looked odd to see the rain come pouring down, & sort of melt away like snow.

The day was dark and murky in the morning but it cleared towards noon and was hot during the afternoon We had company & Regimental drill & dress parade. Rec'd a mail from home - two letters from John to the 2nd April. We had our payrolls signed and will probably be paid tomorrow morning.

It rained all night and most of the day, & tonight it has set in with rain again . Paymaster Maj. Sherman came here and paid off the Regiment in three hours. It was very surprising to see how large the companies turned out. I looked at Capt. Blairs company of ninety five men - I have not seen so large a company since I left Harrisburg .

On Thursday morning I went with Lt Morris on board the [Vidette?] with 3 companies of the New York 51st to go up the Trent to Pollocksville. Everything seemed against the expedition. I felt badly, and as if I had no business to go along, though I had the Gen. & Lt Cols' permission. Took breakfast with Morris and went down to the river. The Ocean Wave took us to the Vidette - The New Yorkers were mysterious [?] they were on a serious expedition. I suppose their reporter was along - I know Mr Schell was along - & when we ran through the draw of the bridge and knocked one half of it down, he made a fine sketch of it. We had no surgeon - I went to Gen Reno - he sent me to Dr Cutter - he to the Surgeon of the 2nd Maryland, but as they were across the river, we concluded not to go after him, as we had a Dr from Pollockville on board, when [Baron?] Egglestein of N.Y. 3rd had taken up, whilst visiting a patient, with another man named [Baras?] a merchant up there, bound hand & foot & sent him down as a spy. We ran aground a mile up above the bridge & put them ashore to foot their way up. We lay all night then came down, got two tugs and pulled her off. So ended the Expedition. Saturday I was officer of the day. While standing out by the road, a horse came along with a coffin, followed by a buggy with a little boy. It was going out of town. Another buggy came in with two ladies, and when they saw the hearse, they set up the most piercing screams - they beckoned to me to aid them in getting a pass to follow the body out. They were the mother & aunt of the boy 16 years old, who had come to town & died suddenly of congestion of brain. I suppose he was a rebel soldier, but I did not press inquiry. Today I went with Tom Grier down over the battle ground. We took pleasure in having out the big [pine?] trees. We found a ram-rod whose end had been bent by a bullet, and near it a bullet that fitted the indentation on the rod - evidently the same bullet that hit it. The trees showed wild shooting on both sides. The horses had been buried in the trench & a very disagreeable odor prevailed. We heard the news that a battle had been fought at Corinth and after two days hard fighting, the rebels defeated, Gen Albert Sidney Johnston killed, & Beauregard an arm taken off. The loss on both sides great. This battle I feared most of all. It is the last struggle for the Mississippi valle y.

I have been exceedingly unwell - had to leave the drill this afternoon. I got some medicine, went out to dress parade & it had a bad effect on me. My head is giddy, bones ache, burning fever. But I hope I'll be better soon. We have the news of the Battle of Corinth confirmed.

Yesterday we got orders about noon to go on board the "Guide" with six days provision. In two hours we were on our march. Leaving all the sick we have seven hundred solid men with us. We marched through New Bern , past Gen. Burnside's & Reno's headquarters - The streets of the town are sandy like a sea-shore - the day was very hot - & though equipped for light marching it was very hard on us. We went to the wharf at the railroad depot, on the Neuse?, & the Pilot-Boy took us one wing at a time, down to the Guide lying below Town. The Guide is a very fine boat 32 feet longer than the Cossack - & her style finer. We are quartered very comfortable, though the men are very much crowded, and between decks it is very hot. Capt. Shawl is usual drunk as a fool - I was reading at the table when he came up, took the light and made a drunken endeavour to light his pipe. My first impression was that the wind had blown it out. As I looked up he had his pipe upside down, swaying to & fro until he scorched his nose. "Don't you like it you can lump it" he said. I now register this now, that twere I have excused his impertince, because he was drunk, but here after, I will go upon the rule of law as to drunkeness, that is - every man is supposed to know the consequences of his own [?]. He commenced talking about getting killed - that we were to have a battle on this expedition. I shall never vary my belief in his innate cowardice. The only time he kept sober was when he led us away from Centreville. He was drunk when we landed at Roanoke , he was drunk at the battle. He was drunk at Slocum's Creek & presented a most contemptible aspect - having fallen in the mud. The hair matress was too warm for me to sleep on, in the close state room, having slept in the open air for a month. Toward morning it became cooler & I slept. I have today been better than I have been for sometime. I have been bothered with pain in the back, head and back of the neck & stomach - I was not alarmed though they were symptoms of small-pox. But today my both hands broke out with red-spots & pimples. There we are thinks I - only regretting that I was not back to New Berne, and the length of time it would put me off duty. However after looking at it suspiciously all day, I found they turned out to be watering pimples - bless my soul - was ever man known to rejoice that he had caught the Itch - [?] it was - & no small-pox -

We left New Berne about six o’clock. We looked with interest, at Slocum’s creek - but I spent most of the day on the confessions of love queen. We passed Ocracoke inlet about 11 o’clock, passed a steamer, Port Royal , and 7 schooners - Hatteras inlet somewhat after one, and got aground between 4 & 5 miles or so this side of Roanoke Island , just the place where the Guide got aground when we first went up. The Massasoit came down about dusk & took our men off to lighten the boat. The Cossack passed us taking the sick and wounded north. There is something singular about this expedition. The N.Y. 51, Mass. 21. 48 Penna were ordered to go on it. Lt. Col. Bell & some of our officers were sitting on the Gen-Court Martial, & Capt. Mitchel 51 N.Y. & other officers had just got excused, to go on the expedition, & they were twitting Lt. Col. Bell on his noting left behind, when the order came countermanding the orders of other regiments and our one substituted. The officers of the other regiments are as mad as forty. An inspection of marching return showed that our regiment has as many effective men as the other three together. Gen. Reno & Burnside are to join us. Co. E. Capt Hassenplug’s Company had to go without a commissioned officer. Foster is evidently consumpted & it will go hard with him if he gets home. He may attribute it all to his own work - dissipation especially at Harrisburg. When our regiment came on board, one of the the hands asked where we were from - said that we were the quietest men he ever saw - It took but a half of hour before every man was quiet in his bunk - every other regiment he said, in a half hour would have the ship upside down in a half hour. The Capt asked the Col to make proper arrangements for order. The Col said he shouldn’t trouble about that - “Thats what the Cols of other regiments said & we always had a row.” The Capt. [bail] expressed himself agreeably surprised. He is a young man, highly educated, literary - mode sailor and though very young has been master for nine years. We are happily off now, but ...

This was a bright fine day. We ran up toward the head of the Island and got aground. We were better off on the Ocean Wave and with the assistance of the tug Champion, The Guide got through and anchored above the light house. The Northerner came up with the 21st Mass and anchored near us. About 3 o’clock the Picket, Phoenix, Massasoit, Ocean Wave and Pilot Boy came along with hooks. They were the 6th N.H. 9 & 89 N.Y, 21 Mass. We were to wait until The Phil. came along She came with a flat and guns on, and about five o’clock got under way across the Sound. The wind blew strongly and it was very rough making some sea-sick. We understand that we are to land at Elizabeth City , march up to Grape Mills destroy the locks & come down the left Bank- root out some batteries. Its said our friends the 3rd Georgia & Lousiana Tigers are here - and that Gen Wise was seen in EC yesterday

The weather was warm but the wind makes it cool this evening. Eight o'clock aground again. It would be very mortifying if we were left behind - especially would the jealous party for whom we were substituted would twit us.I have been unwell most of the day. But this evening I am pretty well. If the march is 25 miles it will go tough with me.

Linn misdated this - in 1862 Saturday was the 19th of April.We lay after getting off until near three o’clock, when the picket came down after us, and they found the mouth of the Pasquotank and proceeded. The lighthouse had been burned down, so that our pilot — not a good one at best — could not find it. About five o’clock we reached the landing place, a sort of bend or pocket just below Elizabeth City. The three regiments had reached here about two o’clock and had gone on. Our gunboats were lying here in force.The light boats took us off and ran as near shore as they could; then the small boats took us as near as they could, and we waded the rest of it. Very few but got in over the knees. After pulling off our boots and wringing our stockings, we formed. We had been divided into two brigades — the first of three regiments, 9th N.Y., 89th N.Y., and 6th N.H.; and the second brigade, 51st Penna. and 21st Mass. About seven o’clock we got under way. Two four-horse wagons, with our combustibles, and two pieces of cannon under Col. Howard, were ahead; the 21st Mass. in the rear. We marched on some two miles and reached Currituck Court House. It was built of brick; there was a low jail and several houses around. We then marched on through a beautiful country, well cultivated, with nice houses, and over a fine clay road, which it was a pleasure to go over. After going about five miles, we came to a handboard which said “8 miles to the river bridge.” We turned into another road and halted. Suddenly the major of the 21st came along, and the cry was “to arms.” We formed, but it was discovered that the first brigade had lost their way and gone about ten miles around. We then proceeded, our brigade in advance. From twelve o’clock until towards one, we were marching very steadily. Our men were dropping with fatigue. Morris rode along. I stopped and told him our men were dropping out by scores. I was most miserably exhausted. I could scarcely move my legs. I had eaten nothing for two days and had a raging fever last night. We had observed a dense, heavy smoke ahead, across the road, extending over a considerable area of ground. We supposed it was a bridge burning. Morris had scarcely passed when a cannon opened, and a six-pound ball struck in a ploughed field about two hundred yards to our left, and rolled and bounded on past. Immediately a discharge of canister followed. We halted, got over into the field to our right, and formed in line of battle.The cannonade was kept up, the canister striking in front and the round balls in front, and some went over our heads. We could see them quite plainly, but we could not see where they came from on account of the smoke. In crossing into the field there was some confusion, and I ran after stragglers to get them into ranks. I had no assistance, as Shorkley was adjutant and Beaver was aide to Lt. Col. Bell. We moved on into the woods and turned to the left. Here I was so completely exhausted that I begged Col. Bell to give me Lt. Beaver, as I could not proceed. He told Beaver to take command, and that I should stay as his aide until I recovered.We moved on through the woods. More than half of our men lay down, completely exhausted and worn out. The rebels kept our range, and the round shot and canister were crashing all around us.

We stacked arms and then got a drink of water. Several houses standing here had been burned, and the fences made a dense smoke clear across the rebels’ position, so that we never saw the smoke of their cannon or musketry until we got up very close. Our regiment was then moved to the right, towards where we had been in the fight, and stacked arms in the open field. It began to rain very fiercely, and I went around to see the rebel positions. There were deep ditches along the road, used as drains all through this country, which they used as rifle pits, having in front a worn fence partly thrown down, yet high enough to give them cover. The road along which we advanced was very thickly strewn with rails, so that we could not make a charge over it. After making coffee, we were marched to the cover of the woods along the fence where we had fought them, stacked arms, and prepared to bivouac for the night. I went down to see our wounded. I came first to the hospital of the Zouaves, where I saw three of their dead lying outside. I was afraid to uncover their faces, for fear that I would see Lanig. I went a half-mile further to our hospital. The rebels had played fiercely on our hospital, after the red flag was up — round shot and shell. The ground was all ploughed up. They must have seen the fight, for glasses were found by a man in Co. E at the place where their cannon were stationed. Lanig was shot in the jaw — the jawbone broken and the tongue cut off, and the ball lodged somewhere inside, but could not be found. Buskirk had a flesh wound through the upper part of his arm. McCormick was wounded in the leg, via buckshot apparently, but no hole could be found in pants or drawers. Buskirk asked me to write to his father; Lt. Lanig to his wife. He could not talk and could only make some signs. Here Sergt. Shuck, Co. E, came down to carry up Hoffman. Hoffman’s brother was along — poor fellow — he took it very hard.I returned to our bivouac ground about nightfall. Beaver had got a gate, and we had a fire, made some coffee, and after discussing the day, and especially the incompetency of Major Shawl and the cowardice of Capt. Shawl, we turned over to sleep, expecting to be called early, and that tomorrow we would have sharp work.I had not slept but about a half hour. At nine o’clock, Lt. Col. Bell called us all up — the officers — and told us we should get our men ready to march in an hour back to Elizabeth City ; that our safety depended on our doing it that night. Gen. Reno had reliable information that large reinforcements had been sent for and would be there before morning. The Massachusetts pickets could hear them coming already. Each company butted arms, stacked, and dismissed. Arrangements had been made to take all the wounded that could be carried with safety, and the rest would have to be left to fall into the hands of the rebels. The surgeons had cast lots, and the lot fell on Dr. Warren, 21st Mass., to stay. Unless the march was made in perfect silence, we would be attacked by their cavalry, which we had seen in the distance and supposed to be fifteen hundred. So we went and wakened all our men, explained to them all we deemed necessary to prevent them from imagining more. We had them load such of their pieces as were not, and the

Caps taken off. Then Beaver came in and told me the 21st had formed, and that we were to form immediately. So we got out into the field. It was very dark. The regiment formed in perfect silence. I cautioned my men that there was no occasion to be alarmed, and that if anything took place they should stay quietly in ranks until they got orders. That any man who allowed his piece to be discharged Gen. Reno would shoot, and that if I found that anyone had lost his piece in the morning I would have him punished by the severest punishment.The first brigade moved first, then our regiment, the 21st Mass. in rear, then two pieces of artillery, then our axemen, who had orders to destroy the bridges after they had passed; and if cavalry came on, they were to open out on each side, Col. Howard giving them time, and the artillery would play on them. We moved out onto the road. The first mile was very slow, taking an hour or more; then we went faster. And such a march I can give but the faintest description. The roads, which were good in the morning, owing to the rain had become exceedingly bad. It was so dark that you could scarcely see the dark forms of the men in front of you. We were all excessively fatigued by what we had gone through previously. I was particularly unfit for it. But we stuck to it — to the colors all the way through. It rained a great part of the time.In the morning, deep chalk holes cut in the road had been filled with wood in corduroy style, and these were scattered and ricked around, so that the passage over them was rather precarious. Men fell down and sank in the mud. Stragglers dropped out exhausted; some threw away their rifles, though not many. When we reached the courthouse, the glands of my legs swelled, and it was agony to stand still. It was near four o’clock. Stragglers came up and joined us. Then I learned, to my sorrow, that three of our wounded were left behind. It was agony to me for a while, though I know it could not be helped. In fact, all the wounded of our regiment had been left, and of the other regiments except the dirty scoundrels, the Hawkins Zouaves. The surgeon of that regiment was the medical director of the expedition, and he had loaded up only his own men. The 21st Mass. had discovered the trick and got five of theirs along by getting a cart and horse. We were very much chagrined.We left there and got to the river bank about five o’clock. Here we were very agreeably surprised to see Irvin, of Hassenplug’s company, who had been wounded in the arm, join us. When he found the army had decamped, he knew where Col. Hawkins’s horse, which had been wounded, was tied, went for it, and rode through — swimming creeks — all the bridges had been broken down. We were glad of it. He said poor Buskirk urged him not to go.We had to wade out to a plank arrangement taken on the Pilot Boy and put on board the Guide. Fortunately, I had dry socks in my haversack. Dick got me warm water, and some officers kindly gave me liniment, which I rubbed on my leg. But I could not walk — only hop around.We got some breakfast and went to bed. Yesterday is like a bad dream. I can’t remember much about it — I was so used up. Slept most of the time, sat around the stove, and we fought everything over and traveled it again and again, so that I feel perplexed about it. I know it was Sunday the 19th — just one year since I left home to enter the army.

we got out on the ground outside the lighthouse above the Roanoke Island , & today about 12 o'clock a tug & the Massasoit came & took us off. One of our boats brought Stitser, Company E who had been wounded & left, who told us that about 30 of their wounded & stragglers had left the battlefield at 8 o'clock next morning & came through – that McCormick had come through with them, but had gone on to some other boat. Buskirk & Lanig were unable to move. As we have nothing to do but fight and march this thing over and over again, the sound of being rough & raining fiercely, we have anchored at dark. I think that I will fill up the incidents of the time which I have omitted. We landed in a corn field near Elizabeth City . Some one remarked that was always our luck, but it was not always our luck to have as bright and sunny a day as we have now. The man that lived here had a great number of beehives. They were all robbed when we came back. The retreat could not but be disorderly to some extent, & stragglers had a fair opportunity to leave & plunder. At one place along the road a woman came out & waved a US flag, each company as it came up cheered her. Peter Koser our color corporal, was sick, and Chas Merrill took his place. He stuck to the colors from our landing until we came back to it. I often saw him stagger with fatigue but he stuck to it - through thick and thin - mud & mire - oh it was delightful to me to see him - cool and collected, as if he were walking in the bar. While the other boys were talking of how much they had fired, he quietly remarked to me "Captain I considered it my duty not to fire at all," I told him that was right. He showed his courage & coolness and not firing as the color guard never fire - but must be always loaded as I felt the greatest itching to pick up a rifle & had there not been the most stringent order against officers using any arms, I'm afraid I would have run at it. Beaver told me he had the same feeling, & could hardly refrain from relieving some of the dead of their cartridge box & rifle. Lt Shorkley, who is acting adjutant displayed the most consummate skill & courage in conducting the regiment into their place, and afterwards he took the 21 Mass into their position. Our men praise Lt Beaver very much. He had the company in, & I arrived just before the firing commenced: just in time, I was most heartily glad of it, as I was in the battle and in the charge & only fainted when the enemy had fled.

I send this acct to you. You must keep it strictly confidential. Gen Reno has sent the flag of truce requesting the rebels to release on parole our wounded, as that was his way we did at New Berne, & it will no doubt be done. I have been doubting the propriety of the letter to Warden, I wish you wouldn't publish it unless the account is published in the Tribune. I am afraid that it is not right. He might publish the list of killed & wounded & leave the rest until he sees whether other papers are published. I don't wish to be compromised. McCormick our wounded corporal got safe to camp.

This was another lovely day. The weather has been so delightful for the last week, that one does not feel like doing more than he can help - but let life float. We stuck all our tents to air them dry on the ground. We had our tents condemned the other day, and received Sibley tents this afternoon, but not in time to put them up. This forenoon Lt Beaver and I went to see our sick this forenoon. Smith is recovering slowly, & I think Bensinger & [Fike] are too. They are in the Regimental Hospital. Down at the Academy are Knode in the lower ward, Santo, Snyder & Harding in the upper, Knode told us he was so glad we had come to see them. I told him I had been down but couldn’t find him. I told him I had seen Harding the other day “Why wasn’t Harding killed where they attacked us here?” “No,” I said. “Well he lay here just as if he were dead” He evidently was not yet able to separate the real from the dream, and who knows how many fierce and bloody battles he had fought in his deliriousness and how much he suffered in them. Harding, was flushed, but sensible, though the Doctor told us not to talk to him much. My former friend, who mistook thunder for artillery was very talkative, & The Dr would not allow us to talk to him. The “Gaston House” is painted out and “Union House” painted In. Stetson of the Astor House is to keep it. As we passed there Capt Neil recognized, his clerk as one who had been clerk or treasurer of some New York club & found dishonest. He said he would rob him. This afternoon, Charles Mallory and I went across toward the Neuse. Between this & there is a half Moon and Star fort in process of erection, nearly completed. I suppose we will move north west in a week or ten days. This evening we were ordered to send all our sick down to the hospital who would not be able to march in four or five days. I should think the fortifications will be completed in that time.

The morning was lowering, and this afternoon we had a furious thunderstorm. We had news yesterday of the battles of West Point and Williamsburg, and this afternoon received mail & papers. I had a letter from John of the 7th by which time they had just received letters from us. Col Emory's Brigade with the 2nd Maryland went off on some expedition to day.

Gen. Burnside returned yesterday, and there was a review of the Cavalry Regiment [Col. Wine] - it is a splendid regiment. Yesterday we were over looking at two sections of light artillery firing at a target. The other field resembled Camden, and the firing resembled it most, only we were behind instead of in front. They were firing at targets from Fort Totten with 32 pdrs. Thunder what a noise & it called up New Bern - when the 24 & 32 pdrs from the water batteries put in their occasional clamor, above the din and noise of the smaller fry.

This morning the sky was lowering, Beaver and I went down town and bought papers and magazines. We were very lazy, & wondered what we would do if we got marching orders. After dinner Lt Col Bell came over to our tent & said “Boys get ready - we are to march at half past two o clock” We were in a stir - two days provisions that came in wagons. Well that was a relief, but Beaver had just bought a half bushel of clams, and we would have to go without a chance at them. They would spoil before we got back. About two we saw the cavalry Regt. approaching and we all went down to the road to see it. They had had an affair with the rebels 5 miles this side of Trenton in which they had two men killed 6 wounded, a 1 Lieut, & 6 men missing. It commenced raining, and we heard the drummers call, and as we looked at the mortar had the cavalry had much of the roads we thought of our march with a rueful visage. An aid rode up shortly afterward with the word “orders countermanded.” We felt rejoiced and feasted on clams at supper. A section of artillery passed and I heard one of our men say “There been at something more than [?] - don’t you see the wheel hanging on behind” and that raised a shout of laughter.

This morning the sky was lowering, Beaver and I went down town and bought papers and magazines. We were very lazy, & wondered what we would do if we got marching orders. After dinner Lt Col Bell came over to our tent & said “Boys get ready - we are to march at half past two o clock” We were in a stir - two days provisions that came in wagons. Well that was a relief, but Beaver had just bought a half bushel of clams, and we would have to go without a chance at them. They would spoil before we got back. About two we saw the cavalry Regt. approaching and we all went down to the road to see it. They had had an affair with the rebels 5 miles this side of Trenton in which they had two men killed 6 wounded, a 1 Lieut, & 6 men missing. It commenced raining, and we heard the drummers call, and as we looked at the mortar had the cavalry had much of the roads we thought of our march with a rueful visage. An aid rode up shortly afterward with the word “orders countermanded.” We felt rejoiced and feasted on clams at supper. A section of artillery passed and I heard one of our men say “There been at something more than [?] - don’t you see the wheel hanging on behind” and that raised a shout of laughter.

Sam Markley returned from Beaufort. He was sent down by the Col. to buy ponies. The mares of the ponies are left run on the meadows. When with foal the mares are penned up, until the colt is able to run when it is branded and left run. Sam was a week too soon. All the country there out about the 20th & drive them into pens - there are two pennings as they are called. The north and south - the former 25 miles & the latter ten miles from Beaufort - immediately succeeding one another. The people were doubtful whether there would be any, being afraid our officers would come & take them away. Sam asked their price - they said they had been sold for $15-25 - but this year might get one. For $45 = 50. Sam told them if they commenced that game they might be sure our officers would come & take them -- if $15 they would sooner pay it than not.

So far as I can hear of the affair in the last few days, Col Emory with the cavalry, a section of artillery & infantry were sent up toward Trenton. The Maryland Reg’t up to Pollockville - object to beg some cavalry. Emory returned after a slight skirmish. The 22nd Maryland was hemmed in at Pollockville. Morris was sent up with cavalry & extricated them got back - & was sent out again - after them they not returning - Friday night & Reno [?] set out with the 21st Mass - met them returning. Morris rode near 100 miles in 24 hours, without get out of saddle almost - the last few miles he had to dismount & get into a wagon. It cleared off, after raining all night until 7 o’clock this morning.

Very hot, and I am officer of the day. Christy & Stewart had a fight & I put a hand on Christy. A most singular thing has happened in the disappearance of Phillips. He was at roll call last night took his rifle into his tent & that was the last we have seen of him. In the last two or 3 days he has been very quiet - scarcely speaking to any one - in fact ever since the battle of Camden.

It was very warm during the day, and the evening we had a severe shower. I sent a scouting party to hunt up Phillips. Just after they left word came to us that he was in the guard house of the 10th Conn. about 4 miles from here, on our outposts evidently deranged. He had been put in the guard house the day before and released. During the night he was captured again & I believe knocked down by the sentry. He said that we were going to shoot him, and he wanted to get in to the rebel lines. We sent an ambulance after him & brought him back. The Dr. has had a blister on the back of his neck. We have got into a pretty difficulty. It appears that Shorkley wrote to his brother stating that he was glad Lt Kelly wasn’t along at Camden, for he might have been discredited & his brother was impudent enough to show it and Stenner wrote demanding an explanation. Shorkley took the bull by the horns, and acknowledged he did write it & would stick to it. There was no Co K in the battle - some few of the company were there. Then to cap it the Chronicle has been rifling my private letters or journal and says the only mention of Co K was that Capt Linn saw Michael Shires on the field - evidently meaning to show that the Co was there, but they in connection with the other, interpret that I mean to say nobody but Shires of that company was there. It annoys me exceedingly that our folks should be so impudent as to exhibit it. I warned them frequently about it and now they have got me in to a miserable scrape. Shorkley wrote his brother that he would confine his correspondence to brief matters. I’ll confine mine to my health.

The weather is so hot, and camp life so monotonous, that it requires the doggedness of a John Quincy Adams to write a journal. The only incident today was the fly of Dick’s tent catching fire. Beaver and I were sitting under the awning between the two when someone gave the yell - “your tent’s on fire.” Beaver seized the wash basin & commenced flinging water from a tub with which we threw slop water - He wasn’t particularly careful as to where he threw it, and as I had got around with a tin pitcher, not another tub, he gave me a few dabs - I did not notice it until after I sat down, the fire out and the narrow escape discussed, when an abominable smell greeted me - Beaver very truly compared it to the smell of a bread and milk poultice which had been three days on an old sore. In the evening, we went downtown. We stopped near a house when we heard a childish voice accompanying the piano with Dixie. The lady of the house came out and sat on a porch and kept up a talk with the sentry. We overheard her say that they would never give up - that their folks have no navy - when we got away from the sea-board, there would be more desperate work. Well said. We all know that both at Roanoke & here our gunboats were of no service except to cover our landing

The morning was dark and lowering. This afternoon Beaver and I started for town, met Morris who brought us back in his buggy, but a heavy rain came on - we went afterwards between cloud bursting. The rain continued at intervals during the night. We went down again this evening. The steamer Burnside is expected in today, but has not arrived we expect a large mail by her, as the Fortress Monroe mails were sent back to New York.

It has been a succession of rainy days. We have a nice cozy time indoors, but cant help thinking of McClellan’s army: it must be dreadful in that low swampy country. Lt Beaver and I strolled around town after morning drill. We saw two of Em French’s whores & several from the crow-nest. Shorkley’s & my visit to those celebrated places is unrecorded, but not unremembered. I never had such fun as the crow-nest afforded. There are three ladies that live down in a house with a porch in front that Beaver and I take occasion to pass every day - they are the only ladies we have seen in town. On Saturday, we met a Pollock from Reading, cousin of John’s wife - a corporal in one of the 4 companies of the 48th, which had been left at Hatteras, and came on here the other day. I met him in Philadelphia when Morris & I were there, and little dreamed of meeting him here. I might have seen him at Hatteras had I taken the trouble to go to Merifield but I did not know he was there.

It has been a succession of rainy days. We have a nice cozy time indoors, but cant help thinking of McClellan’s army: it must be dreadful in that low swampy country. Lt Beaver and I strolled around town after morning drill. We saw two of Em French’s whores & several from the crow-nest. Shorkley’s & my visit to those celebrated places is unrecorded, but not unremembered. I never had such fun as the crow-nest afforded. There are three ladies that live down in a house with a porch in front that Beaver and I take occasion to pass every day - they are the only ladies we have seen in town. On Saturday, we met a Pollock from Reading, cousin of John’s wife - a corporal in one of the 4 companies of the 48th, which had been left at Hatteras, and came on here the other day. I met him in Philadelphia when Morris & I were there, and little dreamed of meeting him here. I might have seen him at Hatteras had I taken the trouble to go to Merifield but I did not know he was there.

This was a warm day with pleasant air stirring. The Jersey Blue arrived last night from Hatteras with mails and Gov. Stanley. The Cossack came from Washington N.C. with about 400 released prisoners. They are from all the states, some 54 Pennsylvanians. 2 were here, who had been captured about the 1st of July near Martinsburg. They had been taken to Richmond, and during the winter were one in New Orleans and the other in Tuscaloosa. In New Orleans they were closely imprisoned from Parish prison - 4 mo. & 2 days had seen no ground. In Tuscaloosa they had it easier. They were then taken to Salisbury, N.C. where there are several thousand. They said they saw Col. Corcoran there. None of the officers were exchanged. They were all to be sent to Washington N.C. Capt. Pollack whom I met the other day, received a commission as second Lt. in his company. But as he was only a corp. & promoted over the head of the orderly, it appears the Lt. Col. has kept the commission and refused to give it to him. We had one of the most furious rains last night we ever had. Everything was flooded.

Warm, very warm. We received orders to move our camp across the Trent. The whole 22nd Division is to be encamped across there. We were nicely fixed here, but 2 months is a long time to have a fixed home here. We regret that we won’t have our quiet strolls into town, & the prospect of wood ticks, mosquitos & gnats is not agreeable. We received news from Beaufort that on last Thursday night Phillips had disappeared again and could not be found. He left his shoes in his room, & got up a 12 oclock in the night in in the bath room. They suppose he is drowned but I am inclined to think he has wandered off again & may turn up.

A bright pleasant day. We got a mail, small one, & papers to the 25th. We heard through rebel sources that Banks was defeated & 4000 prisoners taken. We see by the paper that Col. Kenly with the 1st Maryland was defeated, & I judged that Banks was in a precarious condition. The Reg’t moved by companies, and 6 companies were moved, so that we stay here tonight yet. Adjt. Bible returned this evening.

He looks well. He gives us glowing acts of the refutation of the 51st - He tells a good story on Brower of Norristown who speaking of the sword Jones sent home, “Just to think I never thought there was much in him and he had to kill the men to take it.” & some other one remarked that in after years he would regret having killed a fellow creature.” Rec’d a letter from John with the news that May Husburgh had eloped with Lineweaver. It is hard because some of the members of M H’s church at Lebanon

M H’s church are involved in it, and it will never be pleasant to remain there - It is an outrage because she is only 17 and he 35 years old. Stolen to from our house. John is particularly indignant on that account. The minister who married them, they are determined to prosecute, & wish for conspiracy. Tom Grier said that Gov. Stanly has commenced his reign by suppressing Colyers night schools, and the [d---] are in terror because It is reported that he said they would all be remanded to their masters. One said he would put a knife in his gut before he would go back to his Massa. This is all right. It takes all Abe Wisdom to counteract the rascally radicalism of such men as Phelps and Hunter, who are, by the way, among the best Generals in the service. The 17 Mass returned from picket duty. I understand that the whole of the 1st Division are to be encamped here.

The day was very warm. We took down our tents & packed, “waiting for the wagon” when about 9 o’clock the wagon master came, and told us he had orders from Quarter master Hall not to haul any more over the road until it was repaired, and that he would furnish transportation to the river , and on the other side of the river. If my tents hadn’t been down I wouldn’t have budged - we asked "what then - is there a boat”, well his instructions didn’t go any further. Some peoples was mad, and an indefinite amount of hard swearing done. We expected this from Hall, but yet we couldn’t restrain our indignation. Our Quartermaster starts off with the wagon-master to see about a boat. Directly the teams came, & we of course thought there was a boat - loaded up - Beaver went with the teams - I started with the company by the road. ref="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BucknellDSC/jmlinn/refs/heads/main/jmlinn_gazetteer.xml#linnpl083">Trent by the Bridge/placeName>, part of which we knocked down when we went through the draw with the Vidette, and up the left Bank of the Trent. Within a mile or perhaps less, a deep creek joins the Trent , then runs along it up, with perhaps 500 yards of land between, covered with grass like Timothy, then makes a bend like a horseshoe & comes back again – across the neck it is but a few hundred yards, but the peninsula contains several hundred acres – on the peninsula is our camp : covered with grass & shaded with pines - the banks covered with luxuriant foliage of pines and trees & flowers

The stately cypress, made venerable by the gray-beards of Spanish moss – The creek is very deep. Oh it is a lovely place. But we waited long and wearily. The others have their tents pitched, and our prospect seemed to be to roost on trees or spread on the grass. Just at dusk and we saw a big flat come floating up. Polled with long poles – we had a great time unloading – everybody cross – sharpers looking out for boards - men quarreling over their piles – for boards are considered the luxuries of the camp . The tents were hastily pitched in the dark, & we all took a good sleep.

We were roused early to get ready to march to town to the review of our division. We went as far as the 48th Camp at the Bridge, when it was raining furiously – we got word that the review was postponed until four o'clock. The rest trudged back and I went to town with Capt. Mitchell. He is a highly cultivated and talented man, & I spent a very agreeable day. We went to see Lt. Van Buren Military Sec of Gov Stanley. Stanley is a medium sized man with sandy gray hair, thin & not very prepossessing in his looks. I returned with Capt. Mitchell to 51 N.Y. Camp, & met the Reg't in the afternoon when the review took place. Hot and tiresome. I met Capt. McChesney who was wounded and just returned – it appears that May 31. continued

Capt. Mitchell had met Capt. McChesney just after the battle, had rendered him some assistance and given him a drink of whiskey out of his flask. They had not met since - so we talked the whole battle over again and I think gleaned more of it from this intelligent talk than I knew of it before - & could understand, because we were but a few hundred yards behind them. Then they found mutual acquaintances in New Jersey. We were reviewed by the Gov. Burnside and a very brilliant staff. There was no show, but everything looked uncommonly substantial and in good fighting order. Oh, what a hot march home - everybody hot & tired - out of humor, and swearing enough to take out hats off.

We had a sermon from Mr. Mallory in a grove of pines and we lounged through the day - it was excessively hot - we put up the tent sides and counted take every breath of air. The pleasant places have their annoyances - wood ticks abound - a reddish brown bug, about the size of a bed bug, which plugs its nipper into the flesh and cant be pulled out, you have to cut them off, leaving the nipper stuck in. there are alligators in the creek and these cypress swamps. Whew, what a nice time we’ll have.

The pay master came this morning and we were mostly engaged in receiving the greenbacks and fixing up the tents. I hear that Phillips was taken up by the pickets of the New Jersey 9, but could not hear anything further of him.

We went to town . We have a boat and boats crew, and it is a pleasant ride down. We were fortunate in going today, by being enabled to see the review of the 1st division. It was really splendid, the pioneers had leather or linen aprons - the long train of artillery, the savage, devilish looking marine battery, drawn by sailors & the cavalry.

Made a spectacle such as I have never yet witnessed. In display it far exceeded ours - they are all Yankee regiments - Massachusetts. This then you know, they call us the fighting division

Dark and lowering with some rain. I went to town having some business and anxious to have news, but had to return without hearing any. We did hear that Washington N.C was burned, and that they commenced fighting at Richmond , but had to cease on account of the rain.

Yesterday it was raining, and about 10 o’clock I received an order to be at New Bern at 12 o’clock to sit on a board of survey of foreign stores. I got a dug-out of Grossonfer & took two of my men to row, - the oars light & the blocks broken off - waves running high, and wind blowing strong southwest - we had a hard time getting down half of the way, we ran to shore and poled. Lt Wright & Goodridge 57 N.Y. were the other two. The latter was away North. We looked at the rotten hay & oats and adjutants today. Lt. Morris was substituted. The schooner had been chartered by the gov. of Dibble at New York - he slipped in private stores, & 40 bales of hay were left on deck. She sprung a leak off Hatteras & was near sinking - both hay inside & outside was damaged. We reported; however, that Dibble who had put the store in & smuggled them into a port not open ought to be held liable at least for the 40 bales outside - for though they would have been damaged even if put in there, he ought to have put them inside & it was a question whether by displacing the forage with other smuggled goods would not make him liable for the whole. He is such a mean old curse, he ought to be caught up. It rained this evening and I had to walk up. This morning as we were going down the guards of the H com. discharged their pieces, & the minces with an angry [hing] came into the water all around us. Though we know what it was, it was a scared and mad party. Worse scared than in battle, & we have then many a hearty imprecation. Dick was so scared he was going to jump into the Creek. We got a mail from the North with news of the battle of Hanover Court house and oak grove, & evacuation of Corinth . Rec’d a letter from John of the 28th June.

I was officer of the day as usual on Sunday. It rained during the night and was cool and pleasant today. Morris was here this afternoon. He told us that Gen. Burnside had gone to Norfolk yesterday, by the way of the Dismal swamp canal. Several of our gun boats have gone through and back. We had an elegant dinner — roast pork — boiled ham tomatoes, potatoes &c.

The day was dark and lowering, and in the evening set in rain and rained all the night. We had a brigade drill this afternoon at 4 o’clock down near the 21 Mass camp. The 1st brigade were drilling there too, and Gen Reno was looking on & reviewed us afterwards. Just after dinner Lynch Hassenplug & I went over to a plantation across the creek for honey & mutton . It was fun to see the n---- destroying the “guns” — a bunch of bees got in their wool. This plantation is immense and poverty stricken. We got a large mail.

Having rained all night, we had no drill— until afternoon we had Regimental drill. Santo and Bobst returned from Beaufort . They say that Phillips has not yet been found. They had heard a report of a man found floating without shoes and stockings, answering to his description and then again they heard that he had been taken on by the 9th New Jersey Pickets — but nothing definite. Capt. Mitchell & Capt. Simms 51st New York were here to see me today.

This was a pleasant day. I went to town with Smith McCormick & Cozer. I met Tom Grier & read a read a paper of the 6th. There was nothing doing at all. Dined as the Union & got back to camp for dress parade. I saw Dr Cutter and told him how our men were used in regard to rations at Beaufort . He intimated he had no control & that the party that were in there were at fault. I believe I will raise a row to Gen. Reno.

Linn gives the wrong day of the week for the continuation of June 12 and June 13 This morning I went down to the 48th Penna, to take their affidavits on their claims for back pay. I walked down & back - about 4 miles in all — I dined with the Major — but they never so much as said “Thank You.” They never asked me whether I charged fees, or anything about it — never expressed any regret for my long walk in the broiling sun — it sort of astounded me. Afterwards they Wed June 12 1862. treated me very cordially - but it was essentially dutch. Shorkley got quite indignant at it. While there I saw the first Locamotive come up from Beaufort , and cross over the new bridge. We all cheered it as it passed. At 3 o'clock we marched to the 51st Camp to Brigade drill. Ferrero is a fine drill officer. Gen Foster and staff, with Gen Mauran Adjt. Gen of Rhode Island - who comes, I hear, to present the sword voted to Gen. Burnside, by the Legislature of Rhode Island - and we had an impromptu review. In riding from the right to the front Gen Foster put his horse to his speed & the little militia General was well put to - he looked as much scared as Gilpon & his pants crawled up to his crotch - & he had to get off to have them pulled down. It goes easy to drill by brigade but the awkwardness of it at first shows the necessity of men being drilled in masses. Gen. Stanley with Lt. Van Heusen rode into camp this evening just as we returned, adn appeared pleased with this quiet beauty. Last night Beaver and I staid up until one o'clock to see the Eclipse. We watched it until the moon was wholly eclipsed & then retired. It is a hard matter to stay up late. It goes hard with me. Lt Beaver is officer of the guard, and has to be up this evening or tonight. Shorkley has gone to town to a meeting of Masons. I have made the beds & spent the evening alone, as Dick has skedaddled too. The moon is full and our camp is lovely.

it was very warm toward noon, but in the afternoon breeze sprang up, as it generally does. This for noon we commenced drilling in the bayonet exercise - This afternoon we had regimental, just after dress parade we were greeted with a mail – I rec'd one letter of John of June 6th. Though it gets excessively hot at noon, I think that we will always have a breeze in the afternoon. I took off my leather collar & commenced wearing paper collars – I think from that I caught a cold settled in my throat, which annoys me very much. I haven't felt anything like it since our march to Camden . It is singular how easy one catches cold in this climate. I never was bothered so in inclement Pennsylvania. The warmer the climate the thicker the stockings is the old Travelers rule. The mosquitoes bother us at night considerably now.

It was a warm pleasant day. Lt Col Joshua K Sigfried 48 P. came here to make his affidavit for back pay a very pleasant gentlemanly man. There are many good things happen in camp that need the surroundings to fully appreciate. Bachenheimer is a little fellow in my company, they call him a Jew - he is a printer by trade, and corresponded for a Scranton paper. His bravery is rather doubtful as in our battles he always got tired and lagged. He is the butt of his mess & they torment him about his correspondence especially - and about sketching his various scenes - which is especially pointed because he was never present. Today, some of his men came into his tent and said, “Bachenheimer made one mistake in his sketch of the review and sword presentation. Bachy, as they call him, said nothing, but one of course asked What it was - Why he has sketched Gen Burnside with hair on his head. Gen Burnside is bald. We all have our hair cut very short, and some show very considerable baldness, as my own for instance, And the saying is, that one has his hair cut like Gen Burnside. George Arnold leader of our Band is full of fun. His imitation of the Irish is rich. He wears his mustache, about the size of a calfs tail, and makes a very odd appearance. He said he wore whiskers in Norristown. An old fellow then, who loved to get off a good theory on others but didn’t on himself met him one day, says he George - get shaved - why - oh you're a good looking man but you look ridiculous you ought to have a clean face like me - come I’ll pay for a shave - well come along says George - And as they were going along George asked him why he disliked his whiskers - Why, says the old fellow, you look so much like as if you had swallowed a jackass, and left the tail stick out. Well, says George, do you know what your clean shaved face looks like, No, what? Why you look as if you had swallowed a tail and left the jackass stick out. The old man stopped - thought while - Well I’ll treat George.

The day was exceedingly hot from about ten o’clock until 2 when the breeze sprang up.

Lt. George Shall returned today. Yesterday and today we were in receipt of large mails, my letters from John running from the 6 to the 19th We have papers also of the 19th. Co A had a special Inspection - $5 to be given to one who had arms and accoutrements in the best condition: This was the Springfield rifles. They were most admirably gotten up.

We had Brigade drill this afternoon. It was pleasant - Col. Ferrero had the bands play at intervals of rest & once all the bands joined in playing Hail Columbia. Morris was here this evening and told me he thought we could get a leave of absence next week.

I went to New Bern this morning with Lt. Kelly to get him a leave of absence. We went to Gen. Reno who told us that in the present state of affairs he had concluded to give no leaves of absence or furloughs that if affairs at Richmond turned out as they expected, in about two weeks they intended to give leaves of absence to one or perhaps two officers of each company. As I was going down town I met an officer of the 48th who said the his field and staff wished to make some affidavits before me: I said I would meet them at any time between that and four o’clock at the Gaston House. He fixed twelve. About that time he came in a buggy with an invitation to dine with the Col. I refused to go and he then said they would come up to our camp tomorrow. They've got to come to me after this. Just after this there leapt of a schooner Moses B Something, came to me to make an affidavit to his log. He had been sent by Capt. Biggs out to our camp. I told him that I was as only Com. for Pennsylvania - but as if was for the Government to pay on - & I’m the only civil personage in North Carolina I suppose it will answer. When I refused fees he appeared to be astonished, but I told him that so long as I was in the pay of the United States, I did not June 24. 1862 cont. consider it right to make money off [torn] ... Em French's whore-house has blown off [torn] ... There were a lot of officers there – she [torn] blackguarding them out of the windows [torn] calling them damned Yankee sons of bitches & came out onto the porch with a revolver – Fired three shots rapidly, shooting a handsome young officer who was standing quietly in the middle of the street, in the abdomen. The soldiers were gathering and about gutting the house and preparing to hang Em French on the tree, when Robert Marshall Col Kurtz arrived – arresting four whores – handsome girls – Marching them down the middle of the street to the jail, and toting the dozen officers off as witnesses. Fred Etweine said this: he is one of those fellows that is always about when anything was going on. John Kenedy & Jim. Gibson are such characters. To be shot by a whore – the officers that were inside – one standing on the porch with her – it's very disgraceful. Col. Kurtz in his wrath let out some forcible expressions about the way the house had been upheld. I met Sgt. Grassmine. He is a sort of detective in town. He told me he caught too small boatloads of salt going across the Neuse into the rebels lines. It rained this evening. I talked to the old d---- who said he was 104 years old. He looks very ancient. His hair is not grizzled much, but his toe nails & finger nails are scaly. I asked him whether he remembered the duel between Spaight and Stanley - he said he did well – the first fire Stanley was shot in the sleeve of his coat, and it came out his shoulder. The second Stanley shot straight through the breast. Spaight then wanted them to raise him up to fire a third time, but the second refused. He said the time was fixed and people went down from his county – 16 miles from New Bern to see the battle. He could not tell me where it took place. He said on this place his son [?] [?] & it was bought by Jim Niley who afterwards fell in a duel with some one I have forgotten who. He [torn] Jack Stanley fell dead in the court House of Raleigh as he was taking some oath. He always said he was going to swear to a lie. He was a short old bachelor Jack Stanley was - he never was nobody after that - he told him often that he was no man after that- he had often ferried Jack Stanley over the river to go to Trenton to court. He evidently meant that he was struck with paralysis - as he speaks of talking to him afterwards - as was the fact

It was a fine pleasant day. The morning we spent at bayonet exercise - this afternoon Regimental drill. Col Nagle was here to make his affidavit for pay - he is an essential dutchman though fine looking and said to be a fine drill master. He has a queer high toned voice with a squawk to it- he pronounces rather oddly - speaking of some thing he said it was his “Karculation”. Capt Pollock was here – now a first Lieutenant – the commission Lt Col. Sigfried sent back was returned and the Capt and 1st Lieutenant resigning 3 days after he received a commission as 1st Lieutenant. Lt. Col. Sigfried refused to assign him to duty, but Col. Nagele took it in hand and assigned him. He talked of resigning, but I advised him not do it. There is a feeling because he as a corporal was promoted over the heads of sergeants. Vandine was announced as 1st sergeant & Billy Allison as sergeant – corporal not filled.

A pleasant day – air stirring. We had Brigade drill but as I was officer of the day I did not go. I was busy too preparing applications for our officers for backpay. Been reading Mackenzie's life of Dr Magin. He reminds me very much of Dr Elder of Philadelphia [torn] except the Dr is not near so learned.

This was a fine day – hot however in the middle of it – yet giving us a breeze. Bayonet exercise as usual; and this afternoon, Regimental skirmish drill: deployed by wings, I was senior captain of the left wing and in command of it. We drilled by the bugle - then Capt. Bell gave us a splendid exhibition of skirmish drill with bayonet exercise. The artillery were practicing at target and we were amused with the bursting of shells. Beaver and Shorkley went to town. We got a mail that came by way of Norfolk. Old stuff, but some papers are as late as the 24th. We get our letters by way of New York. Rec'd a paper published by Orwig and Haus at Mifflinburg

A cloudy day of rain this afternoon. Lt. Foster Co. E returned from home - brought me a letter from John. He came on the Cossack which brought us a large mail. I had a letter from Em Hayes and one from [?] & Hummel acknowledging his receipt of the $60 we sent for the purpose of getting the body of Lanig home. Old Christ the sutler was very particular in weighing some cheese for John Miller this evening. Miller told him he was as particular as old [Pehoch?]. How’s that. Why he would brush the flies’ feet when they came out the sugar box for fear they’d waste it. Charley Shriner, after whom the “Shriner guards” Co. E are called sent them a demi john of whisky, & this evening, Co. E feels good on this glass of grog. There seems to be preparations for a march. We are ordered to report our effective men for a sharp march - the reliant ones number 578, though I could report bare 30 rank & file. We were ordered to have 60 rounds of ammunition each. I think it is merely precautionary. We have papers to the 25th,but they are bare of the news we wait for though they tell us of victory at White River & its sad accident on the Mound City. Did not we know that the rebels lie so, we would fear a repulse at James Island. No. 6. We have sent all our sick to the hospital.

It was warm and we had a shower this evening. About noon the Colonel sent for the Commanders of Companies and read our orders - to be ready at 8 hours notice to march. 60 rounds of cartridge & 30,000 in the wagons - 3 days provisions in haversacks - 4 on wagons the latter only to be coffee, hard bread, and salt. To take none but those are capable of doing and rapid marching: tents to be left standing - guards to be of convalescents, who are to strike tents, and have them taken to town, to be put upon a schooner to be designated. This about the substance - only officers are not to be allowed any transportation. They may have one packhorse to regiment, but it is to be considered private property though allowed to go along in the train. 4 camp kettles & 4 mess pans allowed to a company & 3 wagons to a Regiment. This looks like a mysterious raid somewhere, and we have spent the day in various discussions - we know about as much about it as we always did - is probably a diversion in favor of McClellan. We had a sermon this evening by Mr. Mallory he standing before his tent and we seated on the grass. I noticed an unusually large attendance, which probably the prospects of a march effected. It put me in mind of Isaac Beck, one of my company, as he told the story himself, at the battle of Camden, in the midst of it, bullets raining all around, he pulled out his handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his face, & jerked some cards out, which fell on the ground. He looked at them awhile and thought it would be a bad thing if he were shot, and was found with the cards in his jacket, & he was going to throw them away - when the thoughts struck him he had just paid the Sutler 50 cents for them & he thought he would risk it a while yet anyhow - so he picked up those that fell on the ground. He told it in a funny dutch way. I remember at Roanoke we were among the last regiments that moved up, and the road was scattered full of cards. Billy Allison remarked that we're getting conscientious - This was as we were going into the battle. I sort of hate this very rapid march, this hot weather - but as I have stood others pretty severe I know I can go through it. We were mustered as of tomorrow by the Col. Capt. Blair's company has been sent for - their baggage arrived this evening.

We spent the day in preparation and target shooting. We had a man David Clark, North Co transferred to us from the 22nd Md. We have a common [?] from Peter Schmidt, one of our company - who came out on bayonet Drill - Darn it if Reno understand!