June 1, 1863—We continue our meeting Bros. Cobb and Stradly helping.
June 2—Meet chaplains. At night we see 15 penitents and several converts.
June 3—Bro. Stradly preaches in a. m. Thirteen join the church, and two or three are converted during the meeting – 15 or 18 penitents. Army receive marching orders!
June 4—Pass Spottslyvania Court House.
June 5—Move on. Dr. Deems and Bros. Cobb and Stradly with us. Seven penitents at evening prayers.
June 6—Move on. Dr. Deems preaches to our Brigade, as we rest on the road at mid-day. Rain. I sit under a wagon, as my tent was left. I sleep on wet leaves at night.
Sunday, June 7—Pass Culpepper Court House. At evening worship, 29 penitents. Yesterday p. m. Bro. Cobb examined 7 candidates for his church, and I, 8 for mine.
June 8—Dr. Deems preached for _____ Brigade. I preach for Doles Brigade and take five into my church. Bro. Marshall, of 12th Ga., preaches for our Brigade at 6 p. m.—28 penitents, six converts. Seven or eight join different churches.
June 9—Dr. Deems leaves us for North Carolina, not knowing his oldest son, Theodore Disosway was to be mortally wounded at Gettysburg in a few days. March every day.
June 12—Pass up valley and over mountain toward Front Royal. Dine with Rev. Dr. Hough and his good wife. Cross Shenandoah River.
June 13—Pass Berryville and capture a fine deserted camp.
Sunday, June 14—Call on Wm. Asbury, nephew of Bishop Asbury (?) Army pass on to Martinsburg. Enemy being run out, our men save some burning commissary stores.
June 15—Cross Potomac at Williamsport and camp in Maryland. Fever in p. m. and night.
June 17—Brigade moves to Hagerstown. I call on Oberton Homes and sup with him. Spend night with Dr. Halm at Female Seminary. He and wife so very kind.
June 19—Leave H. at 5 p. m. Heavy rain. Ride nearly all night. Reach wagons two miles beyond Martinsburg at 5 a. m.
June 20—Damp and dark. Retrace my steps and sleep in a barn near Hagerstown. Write wife by Bro. Stallings, Quartermaster Sergeant.
June 21—Very unwell. Bro. Cobb preaches for our Brigade. Several are immersed in p. m.
June 22—Division moves toward Chambersburg, Pa. Dr. J. V. Simmons in Hagerstown, fills a tooth for me and will not charge a “rebel.” Enter Pennsylvania and camp near Green Castle.
June 23—In camp. Seven penitents at night.
June 26—Prayer meeting in J. Kenigg’s barn.
June 27—Hard march. Mud! Mud! Pass through Carlisle and camp in United States Barracks. I sleep on ground. Get two letters from wife. Daughter sick June 4. God spare her!
Sunday, June 28—Bro. Lacy preaches to three North Carolina Brigades in the forenoon. I preach in the afternoon and baptize five by pouring. (In 1896 I met one of them in North Carolina. He told me I baptized him at Carlisle; but I smelt whiskey on his breath in 1896.) Bro. Brooks and I baptise four each, in a pool near by. Pleasant day, but not much spirituality among the soldiers. Write to Mary at night.
June 29—Rainy. Ride into Carlisle. Call on Marshall in College grove. Meet Rev. Dr. Johnson, President of Dickinson College. When Rev. Dr. Deems graduated there, he did not know his oldest son would hear preaching for the last time at this place and then march on to Gettysburg to be killed. Meet Rev. Grandin of Baltimore Conference, who graduated here eighteen years ago. Meet Dr. Johnson’s daughter, a bright young woman, who asks me some questions. “Mr. Betts, what was your object in joining the army? Was it to help the rebellion?” I told her I could not have taken the oath of office as Chaplain if I had not been in full sympathy with the Confederate cause, but I did not think it so weak as to need my help. I told her my love for souls led me into the work. Fixing her eyes on mine, she said: “Mr. Betts, would you be willing to see the Union restored?” I quickly said: “Miss Johnson, I would rejoice to see the Union ‘restored,’ but you and I will never see it ‘restored.’ ” Visit Federal prisoners at night.
June 30—Division crosses Blue Ridge and camp half a mile beyond Heidleburg. Dark rainy evening. I sit on a fence and write to my wife and tell her I expect to sleep on two rails on top of that fence, while soldiers sleep among the rocks around me. I add: “Thank God! I am happy.” Happiness does not depend so much on our surroundings as some may think. Once I was not happy while it seems I should have been. Walking with some young people across the beautiful University grounds in North Carolina I said: “Miss Julia, it seems that a young man ought to be happy here.” That expression was a confession that I was not happy. What a contrast!