Oscar L. Williams

11 Reg Co F

            N.H.V.

Camp near Winchester

            Kentuckey

April 22 1863

 

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[printed dates irrelevant to text]

 

Thursday Sept 11, 1862 Broke camp at Concord 7 AM arrived at [?]ington 9 PM 12 arrived at Jersey City 7 AM and at Philadilphia 6 PM 13 Started from Philadilphia 7 AM arrived at Baltimore 4 PM Started from Baltimore 6 PM 14 arrived at Washington 7 AM encamped on East Capitol Hill 16 Broke camp and moved to Arlington Heights 30 Broke camp 7 AM marched to Washington Oct 1 Started from Washington 9 AM by Rail Road 2 arrived at Frederick City 5 AM 3 started from Frederick City at 10 AM arrived at Sandy Hook 2 P.M.

 

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Oct 6 moved about 3 miles north to Pleasant Valley. 27 Broke camp at noon and marched down the Potomac to Berlin crossed the pontoon bridge on to the Va side Marched 8 miles 29 Struck tents 3 P.M. marched 5 miles. 30 Struck tents 6 AM marched 5 miles to Wheatland.

Sun Nov 2 Struck tents 9 A.M. Marched 15 miles 3 Struck tents 2 P.M. Loaded our guns soon after starting marched 5 miles. 4 Struck tents 9 AM marched 5 miles to Upperville 5 Struck tents 7 A.M. encamped at Peadmont marched 8 miles 6 Struck tents 8 AM marched 12 miles. 7 very cold commenced snowing 9 AM Struck tents 3 P.M. marched 8 miles Camped in the woods. 8. Struck tents 9 AM marched to Jefferson 12 Struck tents 2 A.M. expecting an attack from the rebels marched to

 

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White Sulphur Springs Distance of 5 miles 15. Struck tents 5 AM soon after starting the Rebels commence to throw shells at our waggon train our Artillary replied and lost one man marched 4 miles. 16. Struck tents marched 6 miles to Warrenton Junction. 17. Struck tents 11 AM Marched 12 miles. 18. Struck tents 8 A.M. marched 12 miles. 19. Struck tents 6 AM marched 8 miles to Falmouth Heights oposite Frederickburg City. 24 Struck tents and moved about one mile north and encamped to get out of the mud.

Dec 12 Crossed the river to Fredrickburg. 13. Battle of Frederickburg. 15 the troops commenced to retreat across the river as soon as it was dark 16 our troops were all accrosed the river at day light this morning

 

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Feb 9 Broke camp 6 AM went to Aquia Creek by rail road then aboard schooner 10 Started from Aquia Creek 5 A.M.

11 arrived opposite Fortress Monroe 8 A.M. and Newport News 2 PM

Mar 26 Broke camp at Newport News left camping ground about 3 P.M. for steamboat landing took steamboat at 9 evening for Baltimore very pleasant.

27 passed Anapolis at noon and the steamboat loaded with Soldiers at the same hour. Pased fort carrol at 2 P.M. arrived at Baltimore 3 P.M.

28 staid on board the boat all night rainy left the boat at 10 AM for the depot distance of 2 miles had orders to march to the western depot distance of one mile got into the cars 4½ PM raining left Baltimore 5½ PM in the carrs arrived at little York P.A. ½ past 11 at night got some

 

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hot coffee arrived at Altoona ½ past two got some hot coffee

Mar 29 arrived at Pittsburg 10 P.M. went to the Hall splendidly trimed with flags and mottoes. At 11 P.M. on entering the Hall the first mottoo that met our eyes was Pittsburg Welcomes our country's Defenders. 2^d on Burnside 9^th Army Corps Victory. 3^d Honors to the Heros of Newbern Roanoake South Mountain Antiedam and Frederickburg. after supper Col Harriman made a short speach and then proposed three cheers for the Union ladies and the supper

went back to the Carrs and staid untill 2 oclock Mar 30 and then took passenger carrs and travelled on arriving at alliance Ohio ½ past ten A.M. got some coffee arrived at Canton Ohio 12 AM passed through Wochester

 

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city a splendid place 2 PM arrived at mansfield at 6 oclock arrived at Cincinnaty Ohio at 8 A.M. March 31 we had a splendid reception at this place about noon partook of a good dinner at the market house after which fell into line and marched towards Kentuckey crosed the river into Coveington K.Y. in the ferry boat Queen City. went into camp in a Hall on greenup street ½ past three, staid in the hall all night Apr 1 Left the Hall at 9 AM for the carrs. took the carrs at ½ past 11 AM for Paris. arrived at Paris ½ past 9 PM. past through a few small places on the journey. in the morning of the 2 went into camp in a field near the rail-road Apr 3 left Paris for Mount Sterling at 7 AM distance of 22 miles sun very hot arrived at Mount Sterling about dark went into camp

 

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on a nole Apr 4 very pleasant did not like the ground Struck tents and marched through the villiage of Sterling out 2 miles and camped in a maple grove

Apr 17 Broke camp at Mount Sterling ½ past 3 in the morning and marched to Whenchester distance of 20 miles camped in a wallnut grove about two miles back of the villiage.

Apr 18. Sunday very warm and pleasant attended Church in the forenoon. took dinner at Mr Rush*. May 4 Broke camp 8 in the morning Started on a march for Lexington by the way of Whenchester Marched 11 miles went into camp about 5 oclock 7 miles from Lexington May 5 Struck tents ½ past 7 Marched 13 miles went through Lexington Camped 6 miles beyond the City of Lexington. May 6 Struck tents and

 

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commenced to march about 8 in the morning marched 17 miles went acrost the Kentuckey river and camped in a sheep pasture raining very hard May 7 raining hard Struck tents marched 15 miles camped near the Villiage of Lancaster K.Y. May 8 Struck tents and marched 10 miles Camped back of Lowell K.Y. May 11 Struck tents and marched 9½ miles Camped ½ mile back towards Lancaster K.Y. I was detailed as Black-Smith in company with Reuben Ray

A Lane Started for New London N.H. on a Furlow to day in company with Tom Abbott and others.

*

May 12 warm and pleasant Reg on picket to day. May 13 Cloudy with some rain. Ray come in from picket.* May 14 warm and pleasant layed in camp all day nothing of importance took place.

 

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May 15 warm and pleasant the Regiment had orders to be ready to march at a moments notice.

May 16 warm and pleasant

May 17 warm and pleasant

May 18 Very pleasant the Regiment moved into a new camp ground this morning. May 19. warm and pleasant nothing new to day.

May 20. dreadful hot to day.

May 21. very hott. the Thermometer stood at 98 in the shade.

May 22. Hot as ever There is nothing of interest to day.

May 23. Another hot day. we started this morning at 6½ & marched about 10 miles.

May 24. Hot and pleasant the Regt layed still to day. May 25 Hot we moved about 2 miles to day to a new camping ground.

May 26 had orders to move last evening at 7 & marched 11 miles to Stanford and got here at midnight.

 

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May 27. Cloudy but warm.

May 28. Cloudy but warm and it rained a little towards night. May 29 Cloudy, warm nothing of importance to day.

May 30. A little rainy. May 31. Cloudy and a little cool. had a fine shower in the evening.

*

June 1 Clear and pleasant with a nice breese. had orders to be ready to march at a short notice with 8 days raitions. June 2. Cloudy but warm it rained towards night & in the night. June 3. Cloudy and cool. we had orders to pack up & be ready to march in 15 minnutes about 4 P.M. We got started at 6 PM & marched some 10 miles then rested untill daylight & then started for Nicolasville. May June 4 warm and pleasant we got to Nicolasville at 5 P.M. a distance of 12 miles

 

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from Stanford we took the carrs for Cincinnity Ohio at 6 P.M. A Lane joined the Regiment here on his return from New Hampshire.

June 5 arrived at Coveington 9 A.M. soon crossed the Ky river took dinner at Soldiers home. took the carrs at 2 P.M. for Cario Ill. passed through Lawrenceburg. June 6. Found ourselves 146 miles from Cincinnity Ohio. arrived at Sandover 5 P.M. went onto the Ill Central R.R. got refreshments at Centrelia. June 7 arrived at Cario 4 A.M. camped on the bank of the Ohio river in the afternoon. June 8 went on board the Steamer at 5 P.M. for Memphis Tennessee Started at 6 down the Missippee run on a sand barr at 2 PM. June 9 got off the barr about sunrise passed Island No 10 9 A.M. stopped twice for wood on the Missouri shore

 

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just before dark on the Arkansas shore. June 10. boat hands loading wood nearly all night. Started at daylight and arrived at Memphis 6 P.M. passed Fort Pillow 11 A.M. 2 gun boats joined our fleet which consisted of 11 steamers. hauled up on the Arkansas shore sent out pickets. June 12 started at daylight with 2 gun boats passed Island No 64 No 65 woodvill. June 13. Started at daylight passed the mouth of the arkansas river at 6 A.M. Stopped at Millikens Bend Arkansas 10 P.M. Found 2 Negro Regiments. June 14 Started at daylight landed at Young's point at 9 A.M. put up our tents near the cut off in sight of Vitchburg Continual fireing upon the City through the day and night by morter boats.

 

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no fireing by the rebels. June 15 started 4 AM marched to the landing and went to Warrenton passed 2 encampments of contrabands crossed the river at 1 oclock to Warrenton Stopped about one hour returned to Young's Point

June 16 9 A.M. went on board Steamer started at 3 P.M. went up the Yasoo river arrived at Haynes Bluff at ½ past 5 P.M. a very heavy shower at 4 P.M. June 17 cloudy got off of the boat at 7 A.M. Stacked arms and stayed untill the baggage was on loaded then marched out about three miles and went into camp among the bluffs boys having a good time eating black berryes

June 18 Hot stayed in camp.

"      19 Hot. nothing going on in camp.

 

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June 20. Hot a heavy fireing in the direction of Vitchburg early this morning. June 21 Hot. O L Williams R. Ray C S Bingham M J Adams returned to Co for duty having been on detailed service L P Morgan detailed as Clerk for Capt Hovey Provose Marshall. June 22 Hot. troops digging entrencements had orders to be ready to march at a moments warning after three hours.

June 23 very hot. between 12 & 1 this morning 250 men detailed from the Regiment for fatigue duty on entrencements

Struck tents and moved about 1½ miles towards the river and encamped on a bluff. Covered with berry bushes. rainy through the night. N.J. Nye A Stevens returned to Co haveing been

 

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on detached service June 24 Cloudy and sultry. heavy fireing at Vitchburg result not known. June 25 very hot fireing at Vitchburg continued. June 26. Nothing new in camp The acceptance of Col Harrimans resignation was read on dress prade. The Col made a very appropate speach to the Regt who are all very sorry to have him leave June 27. men working on entrencements Col Harriman & Lt Harriman of Co D started for home today. June 28 very hot. Nothing new in camp to day. June 29 had orders to march at 9 A.M. marched 8 mile towards big black river and encamped near Oak Ridge. all very tyred June 30 went to work cleaning up the camping ground. mustered for pay by Lt Col Collings herd fireing at Vitchburg.

 

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July 1. fatigue we went out to work on fortifactions.

July 2 Hot and dry

"    4 M J Adams & C S Bingham ordered to report to Capt Ro[?] as teamsters had orders to be ready to fall in at a moments notice with 5 days rations. No fireing at Vitchburg

Started at ½ past 5 P.M. & marched about 4 miles towards Black river layed down in a corn field. Vitchburg surrendered at 8 P.M. to General Grant. Hot & dusty.

July 5 Started a little after sun rise and marched about 1 mile and stopped to rest. Started again about noon and marched about 2 mile farther and stopped in the woods. did not put up any tents. herd fireing in the direction of Black river. Hot and dry.

 

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July 6 Remained on the ground all day. fireing reported on or near the Black river. Had orders to be ready to move at a moments notice a shower just before sundown

July 7 Heavy thunder shower in the night had orders to march fell in at 1 P.M. marched accrost the big Black river about 1 mile from the river went into camp. July 8 started a little after sunrise had to stop a number of times for teams to pass Started about 5 P.M. marched towards Jackson halted about 2 in the morning of July 9. Started about 8 in the direction of Jackson a larg number of the boys had to fall out on account of the heat. July 10. had orders to leave knapsacks. Started about 7 A.M. halted and

 

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and formed line of battle the men laying on there guns all night about 2 miles from Jackson Missipee July 11 Started about 8 A.M. and marched by the Asylum for the Inland layed down in the woods through the day. formed a line of battle at sunset stacked arms layed down under the guns.

July 12. were aroused at 3 A.M. and deployed out as skirmishers commenced at daylight and kept it up till dark. 1 killed Corp Stickny Co A. 9 wounded went to digging rifle pits as soon as dark. July 13 were relieved at 3 A.M. by 6 NH Regt. we fell back to the rear and layed down to rest. formed in a line in the afternoon expecting an attack Sharp firing on both sides.

 

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July 14. Relieved at 6 AM rested during the day July 15 Marched off to left of Hospital. rested all day. July 16 moved up in front again David W. Bagly was wounded while in front with a rifle ball fired from a rebel gun. wounded in the leg above the knee. July 17 took position in the rifle pits at 2 A.M. all quiet through the day & night Ordered at sunrise to advance our line to our great surprise found the rebels had retired during the night leaving the way to the City of Jackson all clear and we were not long in going their rifle pits. remained in side there works untill night and marched back to camp. July 18. In camp all day trying to rest from the recent effects observe above. Weather very hot. July 19 In camp ordered to be ready to march at 4 P.M. but did not.

 

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July 20 At 4 A.M. Called up to move did not get started untill evening marched untill 10 oclock and rested till P.M. marched till late at night made some 25 miles. July 21 Started at 4 A.M. and at sunrise was marching under the same order as yesterday July 22 rested near Black river till 4 P.M. Started off and after crossing the river passed through a heavy shower, marched about 4 mile. went into camp for the night. mud about 5 inches deep. July 23. Started in the morning at 4 A.M. and reached Mill Dale at 8 A.M. July 24. Ordered to be ready to march at a moments notice with 8 days cooked rations. July 25. in camp, hot.

July 26. in camp showery.

"      27 in camp all day nothing new at all very hott. July 28. frequent showers very warm.

SOURCES