28th. D. and L. companies extremes. 2nd Ohio in advance. Stopped at one rich plantation thoroughly secesh. Col. said to the lady of the house, “We are out foraging today and are coming down here to live soon.” She said, “I guess Gen. Lee will have something to say about that.” Crossed the Nottoway at [...]

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

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

25th. Up early and moved at 4 A. M. 2nd Brigade in rear. Passed through Keysville at 5 A. M. Took a detail of 20 men away from column for horses and mules. A great many men dismounted in the heat of yesterday. Went 6 or 7 miles to the right of the R. R. [...]

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

22nd. Up last night till midnight issuing oats, etc., and drawing clothing. Regt. up at 1 A. M. and moved at 2. Moved through byroads around to the Jerusalem Plank road across to Reams’ Station on the Weldon and Petersburg R. R. having crossed the Norfolk R. R. Burned the station and water tanks and [...]

21st. Tuesday. Wrote home and to George’s people in Tenn. Saw Gen. Kautz. He came over to pay us a visit. It seemed good to shake his hand and talk with him once more. Hope that we can be transferred to his command. He encouraged us. Preparations for a big move tomorrow by the cavalry. [...]

20th. Moved camp into the woods to the left of the old camp in the open field. Major Nettleton attacked with dysentery. Letter last night from George, the night before, from home. Both welcome. Drew two days’ forage.

19th. Sunday. Bathed and washed shirt and drawers. Read some in the Acts of the Apostles. Went to headquarters with Purington.

18th. At 4 A. M. moved out on Sussex C. H. road and camped 8 miles from Petersburg. In evening drew rations and forage. In P. M. awful connonading and musketry, the most terrific we have yet heard. Already last night we held all but the inner line of works. Captured 22 guns and many [...]

17th. Moved soon after daylight across the James River on pontoon bridges. River full of boats, splendid river. Camped till 3 P. M. Drew rations and forage. Moved to 4 miles of Petersburg, other brigade too. Camped at 10 P. M. till morning.

16th. Engineer Corps came out and made fortifications. 2nd had strong works. Co. D left in a fort thing built by Co. in evening over night. Just at dusk before regt. fell back, rebels came out to open place and we gave them a volley. Co. D withdrew to works soon after daylight–rebs appearing in [...]

15th. Moved out on Richmond road, and Malvern Hill road till we encountered the enemy. Six companies of our regiment on extreme left skirmish line–rest in reserve, till the 18 P. V. were driven back in a little disorder; then the six companies were ordered in. So much confusion on part of 18th that we [...]

14th. Moved on to Charles City, and drew one-half day’s rations of provisions. Remained saddled till 3 P. M. when we moved back on the Richmond road to the junction of Richmond and Harrison Landing roads. Remained saddled at some church till morning. Hasty breakfast.

13th. In the morning our regiment left at White House road on picket and rear guard. Several prisoners. Whole army moved. Rear guard until we crossed the Chickahominy, a narrow, swampy, insignificant stream. Remained near the river–south bank–till dark. Moved on towards Charles City C. H.–camping from 2 A. M. till daylight.

12th. Wrote a letter of apology to Mr. Brown, our former chaplain. Would my temper, etc., never got the upper hand of me. Read Independents. Afternoon ordered to move in evening. Sent off train. Our Regt. in rear till midnight.

11. Wrote to Fred Allen, and Watson Jones. Big mail came. Whole month. Big feast.

10th. Friday. Cloudy this morning and a cool refreshing breeze stirring. Wrote a letter home. Would we could see the dear friends. Regt. relieved from picket. I feel happy and contented today. Would that these uneasy, dark, gloomy moments would never come again. Night of the 4th dreamed of a lost friend.

9th. Read in “Queen Mab,” by Julia Kavanagh. Shoeing horses as rapidly as possible. A very sultry, oppressive day. A few drops of rain. Turned in to Capt. Viall 3 contraband mules temporarily. Hired David Brooks.

8th. Got an order from Col. Hammond and procured a forge of the 5th N. Y., an old one, shoes and nails. 2nd O. V. C. went out on picket. Relieved 1st Conn. Firing still continues at intervals along the line. Grant is getting siege guns up to the front. Everything looks encouraging. Railroad in [...]

7th. Our wagons came up. Went down again to train. Took four mules to draw forge. Q. M. away, so failed. Have worked pretty faithfully for a forge but yet without success. Saw Col. of 2nd N. Y. this morning and borrowed a forge–temporarily. Got some clothing and shoeing tools.

6th. During the morning the corps fell back to “Old Church Tavern,” near Newcastle on the Pamunkey to rest men and recruit horses. I went on to the train to see about forage, etc. Took supper with the boys. Like Capt. Viall very much. A very pleasant man but of little principle, I guess. Tom [...]

23rd. Moved on the R. R. destroying as we went till noon, when we got dinner. 12 miles from Burkesville a rebel force under W. H. Lee as reported of about 2000 cavalry got between Kautz and Wilson. Fight commenced immediately and lasted till dark– our brigade in rear. Drove the rebs at dark in [...]

Sunday, 5th. Rainy and cool this morning. Would that I could see some of the dear home friends. A letter from Minnie Friday did us much good. Hear the glad result of the fighting last night. Rebels charged our center from five to eight times and every time were repulsed. Passed the day mostly under [...]