July 25th. Bunker Hill. A very severe rain storm set in last night. We are wet through. Orders to march on to Martinsburg. My feet keep me reminded of the rough roads, stubs and briers in the lots. We reach Martinsburg after a march of ten miles. After holding the enemy in check for a [...]

July 24th. Sunday morning, Kearnstown, hot. Ordered out into line early for inspection. Instead orders came to advance. Hot skirmishing began right off. Our regiment placed at the right of the line, west side of the pike. Colonel Mulligan with his division form the left of the line. Our position is on high ground where [...]

July 23d. Routed out early this morning. Picket firing has commenced. Our boys are driving the enemy. We advance in line of battle for quite a distance through the open lots, coming to a halt at Kearnstown, going right at work digging rifle pits and throwing up earthworks. Our regiment ordered out on the skirmish [...]

July 22d. Early on the march. After a march of about five miles, passed through the town of Berryville. A raid was made on bee-hives that looked inviting near the town. Honey for a change. The boys could eat most anything. Pushing on along the Winchester Pike, fording the Opequon Creek and a wide brook, [...]

July 21st. The sun came up this morning bright and warm. The morning finds us in the same woods where we passed the night. A foraging party, sent out last night from our regiment, returned with flour, bacon, hams. The officers appropriated the best sugar-cured hams. Late in the night the hams were taken from [...]

July 20th. Called up early, this hot, muggy morning. The 6th Corps early on the move. Watching them cross the Shenandoah River at Snicker’s Ford. No enemy in sight. We follow on after the 6th Corps. As we wade the river I think it was never known to rain harder. We were soaked from head [...]

July 19th. This hot morning finds us at Snicker’s Gap. Everything quiet. The enemy on one side of the river and we the other. Both armies where we see one another. Later in the day batteries were put in position on both sides, and occasionally open fire on one another. One shell from the enemy [...]

July 18th. Up and early on the march this fine morning. Pushing on to the south in the direction of Snicker’s Gap, Blue Ridge Mountains, eighteen miles south of Harper’s Ferry. We cannot tell what an hour may bring forth. As we approach Snicker’s Gap we came to a halt. Here we meet a part [...]

July 17th. Sunday morning. Late last night we were ordered to march. Estimated we marched about five miles, when we came to a halt in a wooded field. Fine large trees. During the night we heard the rattling of the wheels of artillery and wagons, being driven very rapid, going south. This morning report reached [...]

July 16th. Yesterday we had a long tedious march, putting in a hard day. Last night we were glad to drop on the ground for rest and sleep. This is a hot morning out here in the open fields. Our cavalry boys brought in a captured rebel wagon train. The rebel teamsters were driving as [...]

July 15th. Came off picket very early. A fine morning. The army again on the march. Our regiment in the rear, waiting for orders. Passed through Knoxville, pushing on to Berlin, Maryland. Coming to a halt discovered the advance wading the Potomac River, over into Virginia, the Loudon Valley country. At this point there was [...]

July 14th. We have to turn out at daylight. Soon after rations, again in line and marching. We are getting very ragged. Many are barefooted. Clothes will wear out in this rough life. Pushing along. Marched over Bolivar Heights, down through Harper’s Ferry, over the Potomac River on the railroad bridge, into Maryland, taking the [...]

July 13th. Routed out by daylight. After rations, while waiting, wrote a few letters. The mail was most generally looked after by the Chaplain. Marching orders, “Fall in,” came the command, line soon formed. Down through the town we go, out on the Harper’s Ferry Pike. Weather fine. Soon take the route step, an easy [...]

July 12th. A fine morning. When relieved from duty went to the large spring for a bath. Called on Mrs. Shults, my wash-woman. A fine old German woman. Always did my washing and the mending of my clothes. Her old father lived with her. Owned a small home on the Winchester Pike, close to the [...]

July 11th. Called up early this morning. Orders to march. Left Back Creek. After a slow march of about seven miles we came to Martinsburg. We call this our home town, having served in this section of the Shenandoah Valley for two years. Marched through the town, meeting a few old friends. Camped on the [...]

July 10th. Back Creek, seven miles from Martinsburg. Some of the companies are out scouting about all the time. The enemy must be near. All sorts of rumors are in circulation. Our scouts do not run up against the Confederates. Bridge over this creek has been destroyed. When we cross it, must wade. We are [...]

July 9th. This fine morning finds me on picket near Cherry Run, Maryland. Nothing important occurred so far. Late this afternoon relieved from picket. Ordered to join the regiment, it having left Cherry Run and advanced east along the line of the railroad, towards Martinsburg. After pushing along from six to eight miles, found headquarters [...]

July 8th. A bright morning in the mountains. Up to last evening we were two hundred miles from Parkersburg. At nine o’clock this morning we arrived at Cumberland after a very slow journey. We are now in Maryland. A great coal mining country. Here we left the cars. Could not proceed any farther, the rebels [...]

July 7th. Rain this morning. Late last night the train got under way. Kept running all night. Soon after daylight a number of us climbed to the top of the cars. I always did that when I could. It relieved the packed condition of the inside. I have slept many miles while riding on top [...]

July 6th. A very pleasant morning. A good night’s rest. The boat pushed along all night. Must be getting near our journey’s end, or destination, Parkersburg. Soon after noon the boat grounded and held fast. We were again obliged to wade ashore, on the Ohio side. Later it was decided, we give up the boat [...]

July 5th. At daylight this morning the boat got under way, pushing on up the great Ohio. Passed the towns, Middlesport, Pomeroy, Syracuse, on the Ohio side, and Hartford, West Virginia. The farther up the river we go, have more trouble with low water. Sand bars are many. Again obliged to wade ashore. Later, go [...]

July 4th. The day we celebrate. At dark last night the boat tied up at Charleston. Went ashore for a while. The town is located on a bluff, which we had to climb to reach it. As we saw it in the dark, it was a dirty looking place. Perhaps because it was a mining [...]

July 3d. No boats showed up last night. This morning finds us still waiting at Camp Piatt. Yesterday’s march was a hard one. We are resting while waiting. Up and down hill over these old stony roads makes a fellow tired and used up. At noon two boats arrived. They had large stern wheels and [...]

July 2nd. Routed out early this morning, a hot one. Packed up, ready to march. We bid farewell to our good camp, where we received so much pleasure in this section of West Virginia. After a march of twenty-six miles over a very rough, stony road, along the banks of the Kanawah River, we came [...]