James A. Pattie Diary, 1863
J. A. Pattie
Co. F.
XVIIth Regt.
Va Inftr
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Diary of 1863.
Thursday 1st of January
The sun rose clear & warm
Friday 2nd moderate. all quiet in camp. Sat 3rd clear & warm. on brigade guard.
Sunday 4th
Cold & windy. Inspection of arms at 10 AM.
Monday 5th
Pleasant, commenced building a hut. Dress parade 7 P.M. Received orders at 5 P.M. to go on picket at Fredericksburg 12 miles. Three days rations
Tuesday 6th
Went on picket at Fred 12m got there at 1 P.M., commenced raining. We picketed on the south bank of the Rappa & the Yankees on the other
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We had orders not to talk with them, the penalty was death by order of Genl R. E. Lee. They would hollow at us, but we dare not make an answer. The officers would exchange papers with them
Wednesday 7th
Cold & raining, on picket
Thursday 8th
Clear & exceedingly cold Still on Pickett.
Friday 9th
Clear & moderate, 2 Yanks came over in a boat to bring papers & on their return the boat sunk & drowned them boath. Releaved at 7 P.M. got to camp at 10½ P.M. The hardest marching we ever did, it was cold the boys wanted
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to get in camp.
Saturday 10th
Cold, raining & in camp
Sunday 11th
Clear, Inspection of Arms all quiet to day. Pleasant up to the 14th had Company Drill at 10 A.M. & Battallion drill at 2 P.M. Dress Parade 4 P.M. Tattoo at 6 A.M. Revilee at 8 P.M.
Thursday 15th
Same drills, commenced raining at night continued to rain all night.
Friday 16th
Raining cleared off at 10 A.M. with a high wind. Received orders to be ready to move at a moments warning. Everything wet
Saturday 17th
Clear & cold, orders counter-
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manded. Company drill 10 A.M. Battallion at 2 P.M. Dress Parade at 7 P.M. J. A. Harrison came to camp.
Sunday 18th
Clear & warm all quiet
Monday 19th
Jno. A Harrison left camp for Richmond took his negroes with him. Inspection of Arms at 10 A.M. All quiet in camp
Tuesday 20th
Cloudy cold, had Brigade Review at 2 P.M. commenced raining & rained all night
Wednesday 21st
Still raining. My hut is leaking very badly through the earth roof. I had to tack blankets to ceiling to catch the water as it ran through all quiet in camp
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Thursday 22nd
Still cloudy, ceased raining I have not slept any for two nights scarsely. we had to sit up before the fire it leaked all over my head & blankets is the cause of our getting up and nodding over the fire.
W. Friday 23rd
Still cloudy no rain I slept sound to night as my house did not leak All quiet. Saturday 24th
Still cloudy, had our usual drills.
Sunday 25th
Cloudy & cold. Inspection of Arms at 11 A.M. Old Man Basey came to camp at 4 P.M. to see his son Luther. received a pair of new boots by him.
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Monday 26th
Very warm, clear. company drill at 11 A.M.
Tuesday 27th
Cloudy, raining. Long roll beat at 4 A.M. orders came to pack up to move at 7 A.M. roads very mudy Marched 10 miles in the direction of Culpeper C. House. went into camp at night in a big woods. we had no tents commenced raining at 6 P.M. rained until 4 A.M.
Wednesday 28th
Cloudy. Snowing. snowed all day & night hard I went on guard at 1 P.M. at Genl Pickett's Hd Qrs. remained there all night
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Thursday 29th
Clear. received orders to be ready to move at 6 A.M. back to our old camp, snow 18 inches deep. myself & guard had to escort Pickett's Staff waggons I never had such a trip in my life as I had to wade through the mud & snow to Genl Pickett's old Hd Qurs. I had to remain until 7 P.M. as I did not get there until 4 P.M.
Friday 30th
Clear & cold. My feet had swolen so I could not wear my boots. All quiet in camp.
Saturday 31st
Clear, warm, a great Battle was fought with snowballs. The troops engaged were a portion of Corse's Brigade against Tooms's Brigade &
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Armistead Brigade, we drove them back through their camp. our officers were conducting the engagement.
Sunday 1st of February.
Clear & pleasant. Inspection of arms at 10 A.M. Snowball fight renewed. I heared to day that the blockade was raised for 4 days, which proved to be correct.
Monday 2nd
Clear & cold. Luther Basey, G. Pickett & myself went to Guinea Station for the purpose of having our deguarotypes taken, but did not succeed had dress parade at 3 P.M. all quiet in camp
Tuesday 3rd
Commenced snowing at 6 A.M. & stoped, was clear by 8 A.M. very cold. all quiet in camp.
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Wednesday 4th
Clear & cold. we went to Guineas Station & had our likeness taken. we returned to camp at 3 P.M. all quiet & dull here
Thursday 5th
Commenced snowing about 5 A.M. Stopped snowing at 12 A.M. commenced raining at 4 P.M. the snow fell about 3 inches deep. we had a beautiful row here, the Irish got drunk & got to fighting, the Fairfax rifles got drunk, we had to turn out the guard & take some of them to the guard house to quiet them.
Friday 6th
Raining. The snow was all gone when I woke up in the morning. all quiet
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Saturday 7th
Cloudy & raw. I was getting ready to go home on furlough I left camp for home on a 20 day furlough. I took the train at Guinea Station 1½ P.M. I went from there to Hanover Junction a distance of 30 miles. I then took the central train for Gordonsville. I got off at Trevillian Station & stayed all night with an old gentleman by the name of Ogg.
Sunday 8th
It was clear & cold. I took the train at Trevillian for Culpeper C. House. we arrived at Culpeper at 4 P.M. There I pressed a horse to carry me as far as Mudy run. I then
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took it afoot and went to a friend of mine by the name of Hefflin at Rixieville
Monday 9th
Clear & pleasant. I left there at light. I got to Warrenton 1½ P.M. remained there until 9 P.M. distributing some letters I then left for Buckland and reached there at 12 P.M. I knocked at the door and my brother let me in. I found them all well.
Tuesday 10th
Clear & pleasant. I felt very much jaded from my long march. 72 Yanks made their appearance in the village but I made good my escape. I spent the remnant of the day visiting my friends in the town.
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Wednesday 11th
Clear & pleasant. I spent the day at home. all quiet
Thursday 12th
Clear & warm. I went to Gainesville to visit some of my relations. I found them all well. I did not leave there until Sunday week. then I returned to Buckland did not visit about much owing to the Yanks scouting about so thick, but nothing of interest transpired. I left for the Regt 2 days before my time was up.
Wednesday 25th
Clear & warm but snow covered the ground. I left home at 9 A.M. a friend of mine took me to Warrenton I then crossed with Wm
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F. Hutchison who took me to Culpeper C. House we arrived there at 8 P.M. waters high & roads very mudy our picket lines at Hazle River we stayed all night at the Virginia Hotel C.C.H
Thursday 26th
Cloudy & raining. Took the train at 9 A.M. for Richmond, arrived at Richmond at 7 P.M. a distance of 108 miles, stayed all night at the Exchange Hotel.
Friday 27th
Clear & Pleasant. I took the train on the Richmond & Petersburg R. Road for Chester Station, there I joined my Regt, as they had moved to that place during my absence. I had a good time with my friends while on furlough
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Saturday 28th
Received orders to move at 7 A.M. Raining & disagreeable we are in tents. All quiet.
March 1st Sunday 1st
We took up our line of march at 10 A.M. for Petersburg and camped 3 miles beyond town on the City point R.R a distance of 13 miles, cloudy.
Monday 2nd
Clear & warm. All quiet in camp
Tuesday 3rd
Received orders & moved ½ mile to a new camp & then pitched our tents
Wednesday 4th
Cloudy & cold. Dress Parade at 5 P.M. All quiet
Thursday 5th
Clear & cold. Dress Parade 5 P.M.
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Friday 6th
Cloudy, had some little rain. I went to Petersburg & returned in the evening All quiet in camp
Saturday 7th
Warm with some little rain in the evening & wind I went to the Appomattox a fishing, but did not catch any thing owing to the high tide, but I had a nice boat ride & returned to camp in the evening. All quiet in camp
Sunday 8th
Had a thunder storm at 7 A.M. it rained very hard until 8 when it cleared off & the sun shown very bright. Polend & Hurst were brought to camp
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Monday 9th
Clear & pleasant. I went fishing on the Appomattox. I enjoyed my self very much fishing & ducking. I returned to camp in the evening.
Tuesday 10th
Raining all day, cold. I had to go to bed to keep warm It is very dull in camp, all quiet
Wednesday 11th
Clear & pleasant in camp.
Thursday 12th
Clear & pleasant in camp had Dress Parade 4 P.M.
Friday 13th
Clear & pleasant, Company drill 11 A.M. Battallion drill at 2 P.M. F. Brauner came to camp to see his son. All quiet
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Saturday 14th
Pleasant. Company drill at 10 A.M. Battallion drill at 2 P.M. Mr. B. left for home at 10 A.M.
Sunday 15th
Cold, windy, in camp all quiet.
Monday 16th
Cloudy, windy, all quiet in camp. Company drill at 9 A.M. W. S. McIntosh left camp to report at Petersburg hospital as a nurse being unfit for field duty
Tuesday 17th
Clear & warm. I was on Brigade guard. Company drill at 9 A.M.
Wednesday 18th
Cloudy. some little rain at noon. Brigade Inspection at 10 A.M.
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Thursday 19th
Cloudy, commenced hailing at 8 A.M. & raining, turned into snowing at 12 A.M. & snowed until the night of the twentieth. the snow fell 14 inches. we had to clean around our tents in order that we could get out
Saturday 21st
Cloudy, raining.
Sunday 22nd
Clear & warm, in camp
Monday 23
Cloudy, received orders to march at 9 A.M. we took up the line of march at 1 P.M. Marched 7 miles passing through the town of Prince
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George C. House There is but 7 houses on the place. we camped at the head of Black Water River.
Tuesday 24th
Cloudy. we took up our march at 8 A.M. & marched 15 miles & went in camp at 6 o'clock P.M. we had to wade rivers, creeks &c just as they had to come it rained all night
Wednesday 25th
Clear & warm. took up the line of march 7 A.M. for Ivor Station on the Norfolk & Petersburg R.R. got into camp at sundown. This place is in Southampton County & 40 miles to Norfolk &
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thirty six miles to Petersburg Thursday 26th
Clear & warm, in camp
Friday 27th
Clear & warm, this is the day set apart by the President for fasting & prayer
Saturday 28th
Cloudy, commenced thundering and raining at 9 A.M.
Sunday 29th
Cloudy & cold, in camp.
Monday 30th
Pleasant, I was on guard
Tuesday 31st
Cloudy, raining, moved camp 9 A.M. 3 miles near Blackwater. Cleared off at 4 P.M.
April 1st, Wednesday 1st
Clear & cool, in camp
Thursday 2nd
Clear & pleasant, all quiet in camp.
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Friday 3rd
Cloudy & cold, company drill 9 A.M. Lieut Colo A. Herbert was transfered temporarily to the 29 Va Regt & ordered to take command by order of Genl Pickett, as there was no comd officer. Saturday 4th
Cloudy & cold, windy, snowed some little at 3 P.M. Colo Herbert left this morning to take command of the 29th Va
Sunday 5th
Cloudy, mist of rain
Monday 6th
Changeable, in camp.
Tuesday 7th
Clear & cool. Brigade Inspection, all quiet in camp
Wednesday 8
Clear & cool. Reynols of Co K got his discharge and
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started for his home in Warrenton, Fauquier Co. Va.
Thursday 9th
Clear & cool. took up the line of march at 9 A.M. marched 12 miles and went into camp at 3½ P.M. I was sick and rode in the ambulance.
Friday 10th
Clear & warm, we continued the line of march at 6 A.M. Crossed the Black Water South Key. at 9 A.M. we passed through a beautiful little town called Franklin, a junction of the Roanoke & Seaboard R.Road. We went into camp near Franklin at 3 P.M.
Saturday 11th
Clear & warm, drawed 3 days
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rations, took up our line of march at 6 P.M. crossed the Black Water at 10 A.M. at South Key where we left our baggage. we marched 14 miles and went into camp at 7 P.M. near the Nanceymond River, camped in 8 miles of Suffolk our Regt was the rear guard
Sunday 12th
Clear and warm, we were woke up at 4 A.M. and took up the line of march at 5 A.M. made 4 miles of Suffolk where we remained all night There were some little canonading on both sides, nothing done on either side. rained all night, all quiet
Monday 13th
Cloudy & cool, took up our line
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of march at 5 A.M. Marched 10 miles backwards & forwards until we came upon the enemy's pickets which was 3 miles from Suffolk. we arrived at this point at 11 A.M. at this time the canonading was severe for two hours and skirmishing likewise which lasted until night. there was a woman killed while making her way into our lines. we were taken from that point over to the Suffolk & Eden road, on picket (just our Regt) There were heavy canonading all night.
Tuesday 14th
Clear & cold. Some little picket fighting along the lines. Heavy canon-
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ading on the Nanseymond River. all quiet elsewhere.
Wednesday 15th
Cool, raining. the enemy supprised our regt at 5 A.M. the Regt were all asleep except Co I which was on picket and our Co F, which were about to releave the said Company. they attacked us with 2 Regt. of Cavly 2 regt. of Infantry & two pieces of Artillery. our Company succeeded in holding the Yanks in check until the rest of the Regt. crossed over a dam. we rallied and succeed in stopping the onward movement of the Yanks with the aid of an other Regt. extended our lines ½ mile further. Our loss was
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2 slightly wounded belonging to Co K & 1 belonging to Co B 2 were captured from Co I & from Co B. Captured 2 Yankees, killed 3 horses, their loss not being ascertained properly as they carried them off
Thursday 16th
Clear & cool. our company was on picket on out post. commenced throwing up breast works running from dismal swamp to Mill dam, distance ½ mile reinforcements sent us, the 57th Va & 11th Va Regiments. heavy canonading on James River at 2 P.M. we had some little skirmishing along the lines. Some few cannons fired during the night supposed to be signal guns. the cars are running in
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Suffolk all night, supposed to be bringing in reinforcements all quiet along the lines to night.
Friday 17th
Still cool & clear. were releaved at 8 A.M. Still fortifying & fireing on the river, some little picket fighting. all quiet to night.
Saturday 18th
About the same as yesterday all quiet to night except throwing up breast works
Sunday 19th
Clear & warm, heavy cannonading on the river. some little picket fighting. had preaching by the Rev. Granberry at 3 P.M. in camp to the Soldiers his text was 11th Chap. & 30 verse of Matthew. kept up cannonading all night. They captured the Loudoun &
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Fauquier Batteries with some of the men, 2 companys of infantry also
Monday 20th
Cloudy, cold, raining some little went on out post picketing, all was quiet
Tuesday 21st
Clear & pleasant, releaved at 7 A.M. went to camp. some little picket fighting on the left & cannonading also
Wednesday 22nd
Rained hard all day, a heavy picket fight took place at 4 P.M. on the front. They came up & burned a house in sight of our picket lines. they had 3 regiments of Infantry but did not drive our pickets in every man was at his post in the trenches. we were kept
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in line of Battle one hour when we were dismissed and sent to our tents. all quiet tonight
Thursday 23rd
Cloudy raining & in camp
Friday 24th
Rained some Little, myself & 3 others went on picket at 6 A.M. 2 miles down in the dismal swamp on Washington's canal running to Lake Drummon. The Yankees ran our picket in at 3 P.M. but did not attack our forces in the trenches, because we opened on them with 2 pieces of Artillery & drove them back. they had 3 Regiments of Infantry. the canonading was severe it lasted 2 hours There were no casualties on our side, only we had 4 horses killed. the Yankee's loss is not known, all quiet tonight
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Saturday 25th
Clear & warm. I was releaved on Washington's Canal & returned to camp. the Yankees sent over a flag of truce to bury their dead. received orders to move the next day, all quiet in camp
Sunday 26th
Clear & warm, moved at 2 A.M. up to the left on the Sumerton road 3 miles. we were releaved by Genl Armistead's Brigade & we took his place on the left all quiet except a few cannon had preaching in camp morning & evening by the Rev. Mr August.
Monday 27th
Clear & warm, all quiet in camp
Tuesday 28th
Cloudy & cool, went on picket at 6 P.M. held in reserve
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until morning, went on out post at 3 A.M. rained all night.
Wednesday 29th
Raining, cleared off at noon warm Severe thunderstorm at 6 P.M. releaved at 7 P.M. went to camp rained all night. heavy cannonading & some musketry during the night.
Thursday 30
Cloudy & cool with some rain Some little skirmishing as usual
May Friday 1st
Clear & warm, some little skirmishing & cannonading I am on quarter guard tonight
Saturday 2nd
Clear & warm. Some little cannonading & musketry
Sunday 3rd
Clear & warm. had preaching at 11 A.M. by the Rev. Mr August 15 ver.
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Monday 4th
we left Suffolk at 9 P.M. on the evening of the 3rd & marched 25 miles to South Quay. we arrived there at 8 A.M. on the morning of the 4th there we crossed the Black Water & marched two miles this side & went into camp in Southampton County Va Very warm all broken down remained there all day.
Tuesday 5th
Clear & warm. Took up our line of march at 8 A.M. Marched 22 miles and went into camp near Jerusalem at 6 P.M. had a tremendous thunderstorm that night it rained very hard for two hours, but continued all night rainy. I was on guard.
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Wednesday 6th
Cloudy, raining some little all day. took up our march at 7 A.M. Marched 20 miles camped near a small village called Littletown in Southampton County at 6 P.M. commenced raining hard and rained all night we were all very tired and had no tents.
Thursday 7th
Cloudy, marched at 8 A.M. Made 20 miles and went into camp at 7 Oclock within 6 miles of Petersburg in Prince George County
Friday 8th
Cloudy. Took up up our march at 9 A.M. and marched through Petersburg and camped on the turnpike
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leading from Petersburg to Richmond at 4 P.M. a great many of the boys went back to town that night. Saturday 9th
Clear & cool. took up our march at 7 A.M. made 15 miles & went into camp at 4 P.M. near falling creek a distance from Richmond 7 miles. Also from Petersburg to Richmond 22 miles
Sunday 10th
Clear & warm. Very dull I went Drurie's Bluff at 3 P.M. It is a very pretty place, there are 22 large guns mounted and an Iron Clad Steamer called the Virginia. their force is 800 men. I returned to camp at 6 P.M. all quiet
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I then heared of the death of Genl Jackson he died at Guinea's Station on Sunday at 3.15 Oclock The Enquirer was draped in mourning
Monday 11th
Clear & warm all quiet in camp.
Tuesday 12th
Clear & warm all quiet
Wednesday 13th
Clear & warm I went to falling creek at 5 P.M. and took a fine bathe. 2nd paid off at 9 Oclock A.M. All quiet.
Thursday 14th
A little cloudy. cleared of warm. Wm F. Hutchison came to camp.
Friday 15th
Clear & warm. received orders to march we took up our
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march at 2 P.M. made 6 miles and went into camp near Manchester in Manchester County. I went into Richmond that night and returned at 2 AM. I went in on a forged pass
Saturday 16th
Clear & warm. took up our march at 7 A.M. passed through Manchester and Richmond. Made 13 miles and went into camp at 4 P.M. in Henrico County we are very tired and dusty, hungry & nothing to eat.
Sunday 17th
Clear & warm. marched at 7 A.M. made 10 miles went into camp near Hanover C. House. From Richmond to Fredericksburg is 65 miles
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Monday 18th
Clear & warm all quiet in camp
Tuesday 19th
Clear & warm. had company drill at 10 A.M. dress Parade at 4 P.M.
Wednesday 20th
Clear & warm. Company drill at 10 A.M. Battallion drill at 4 P.M.
Thursday 21st
Clear & warm. the right wing of the regiment drilled the skirmish drill for the first time.
Friday 22nd
Clear & warm. All quiet. I went to assist in hauling a [?] in the Southana River. Caught none returned to camp at noon I went to a revival in the 29 Va Regt. at night
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there were a great many mourners. the Rev. Mr August was present the preacher belonging to the regt. was a Lutherarian
Saturday 23rd
Clear and warm no drill to day owing to the men having to wash their clothes I went fishing at night on the Southanna River
Sunday 24th
Clear & warm. Myself & L. Basey went to Hanover Junction to see a friend returned to camp at 5 P.M. Clouded up in the evening and rained at night
Monday 25th
Cloudy, Company drill in the morning and evening all quiet in camp
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Thuesday 26th
Cloudy, Company drill at morning & evening I went Hanover C House a distance of 6 miles and returned at 5 P.M. 2nd Simpson Harrison returned to camp.
Wednesday 27th
Cloudy. Skirmish drill at 7 AM. Brigade drill at 5 P.M. a great many spectators. 2nd received orders to march at a moment's warning. I went to preaching in the 29 Va Regt at night
Thursday 28th
Clear & warm. Election took place for Governor & house of delegates at Dr Lewis's tent. paid the regt off 2nd S. Harrison and
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myself went to Hanover C. House at 3 P.M. Colo Rosser was married to Miss Willis of Hanover. Genls Lee & Stewart with staff were present at the marriage. we returned to camp at dark all quiet
Friday 29th
Cloudy warm. drills as usual
Saturday 30th
Cloudy. Skirmish drill at 8 A.M. All quiet.
Sunday 31st
Clear & warm. I attended preaching in the 29 Va at 10 also in the evening at 4 PM. Wm Baxter of Co F 17th Va Regt joined the church. there were a great many joined the different churches
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June, Monday 1st/63
Clear & warm. I was on brigade guard, company drill at 7 A.M. Brigade drill 4 P.M.
Tuesday 2nd
Clear & warm, received orders at 7 A.M. to get under arms with 3 days rations and blankets, left camp at 9 A.M. for Newtown passing through Taylorville crossing the North Anna River & the Mataponi went into camp at dark on the Massacosey Creek in Caroline County Va 3 miles from Newtown. Made 25 to day at night rained some little
Wednesday 3rd
Cloudy. Took up our march at 3 A.M. for Newtown
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arrived there at 9 A.M. and remained there until noon. it is a small village. Colo Herbert had dress parade for the benefit of the ladies they said we were the first infantry they ever saw. we then took up our march in the direction of Tappahannock a distance of 18 miles we marched 4 miles from new town and went into camp at 3 P.M. Piscataway Creek in King & Queen Co
Thursday 4th
Clear & warm. we remained here all day. The rest of the division came down to day. they camped near us on the same creek
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Our scouts came in and reported there were no Yankees this side of the Rappahannock
Friday 5th
Took up our march at 8 A.M. in the direction we came When we got to new Town we halted and were drawn up in line of Battle. the Yankee Cavalry were trying to cut us off by burning the bridge across the Mataponi but did not succeed. the recrossed the Rappahannock. we then renewed our march at 3 P.M. Marched across the Mataponi River and camped all night in Caroline Co
Saturday 6th
Clear & warm took up
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our march at 8 A.M. we were in front of the division We went into camp at 3 P.M. near Taylorsville
Sunday 7th
Clear & cool, owing to the Thunderstorm last night. I think there was hale somewhere but it rained very little here. had preaching at 4 P.M. by our new Chaplain Rev. Mr. Baker. went on picket at night to the railroad Bridge across the Southanna River.
Monday 8th
Clear & cool, on picket.
Tuesday 9th
Clear & warm. we pitched our tents here in a beautiful grove. Still on Picket.
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Wednesday 10th
Clear & warm. We were releaved at 9 A.M. by a North Carolina Regt belonging to Cooks Brigade. we then marched up to Hanover Junction and camped all night.
Thursday 11th
Clear & warm. took up up our march at 6 A.M. for Culpeper C. House distance 62 miles. we marched 20 miles passing through a portion of Caroline County thence into Spotsylvania at Chilesburg. this is a very poor county went into camp at 5 P.M. made 20 miles
Friday 12th
Clear & warm. marched at 6 A.M. Went into camp at 5 P.M.
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near the Orange & Spotsylvania line Made 20 miles.
Saturday 13th
Clear & warm. received orders from Genl Lee to go back to the Bridge took up our march at 9 A.M. camped at the same place we left the day before.
Sunday 14th
Clear & warm. Continued our march at 6 A.M. arrived at Taylorsville at 3 P.M. Camped all night
Monday 15th
Clear & warm. went back to the Bridge. pitched our tents in the same grove
Tuesday 16th
Clear & warm. very dry, all quiet in camp.
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Wednesday 17th
Clear, strong south wind very disagreeable in camp on account of the dust.
Thursday 18th
Warm. had a thunder storm in the evening. we had a fine rain at night had preaching in the evening
Friday 19th
Cloudy. I went on guard at 8 A.M. All quiet in camp
Saturday 20th
Clear, warm. all quiet.
Sunday 21st
Clear warm. had preaching 4 PM
Monday & Tuesday 22nd & 23
the same as on the 21st
Wednesday 24th
Cloudy. All quiet
Thursday 25th
Cloudy. received orders to
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march at 8 A.M. for Gordonsville. Struck tents at 9 A.M. Marched to Beaver dam Station, took the cars at 8 P.M. for Gordonsville, arrived there at 4 A.M. it rained all day and nearly all night
Friday 26th
Cloudy. Got off of the cars at 6 A.M. Marched out in the woods to camp near Gordonsville rained some little to day We had no tents and were under arms all night. rained all night
Saturday 27th
Still cloudy. Some little rain had preaching at 6 P.M.
Sunday 28th
Cloudy. some rain, received orders to move at 5 P.M. Took
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the cars at 7 P.M. for Richmond. we arrived in Richmond just as day was breaking we got off and stacked arms and remained until 10 A.M. We were then formed and marched out 3 miles on the Williamsburg road and pitched our tents rained some in the evening
Tuesday 30th
Raining received orders to strike tents at 11 A.M. and go back to Gordonsville, took the cars at 7 P.M. great many of the boys were tight, a private belonging to Co H by the name of Charles Darley fell off of the cars and crushed his arm so as to have it amputated. We arrived
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at Gordonsville at 8 A.M. on the 1st day of July 1863 it was clear & warm. we got off of the cars and marched to our old camp. It rained as hard at 2 P.M. as I ever saw it. we moved camp one mile during the rain. we pitched tents on the right of the railroad on a beautiful ridge in the woods, half a mile from town
July, Wednesday 1st 1863
Cloudy warm. in camp, all quiet
Thursday 2nd
Clear warm, 3 conscripts were put in our Company to day Hile, Hendleson & Stokes.
Friday 3rd
Clear very warm, had Dress Parade at 5 P.M. orders were to have Company Drill at
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9 A.M. Battallion Drill at 5 P.M.
Saturday 4th
Clear, all quiet in camp. I am sick to day. rained at night
Sunday 5th
Cloudy, had Prayer Meeting at 6 A.M., had orders to remain in camp. They expected the Yanks here or at Hanover Junction. orders were countermanded in the evening all quiet, had Prayer Meeting at 5 P.M.
Monday 6th
Cloudy. Rained very hard in the evening. had preaching at 6 P.M. I went to Gordonsville at night to preaching There was a large assembly both of Ladies & men the Church was full Mr August was the speaker, made an appointment for the next night
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Tuesday 7th 1863
Raining. It continued to rain all night, all quiet
Wednesday 8th 1863
Raining hard, received or. to strike tents and move at 6 A.M. to report at Winchester in 6 days to rejoin our division. distance 108m We took the New Market & Gordonsville pike 64 mls. from Gordonsville pike to New Market 54 miles from New Market to Winchester. made 10 miles and went into camp near Madison C. House in Madison County.
Thursday 9th
Clear. We took up our march at 6 A.M. rodes very mudy Waters very high, crossed the Rapidan on the 8th 6 miles
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from the Court House, waded the roberson River several times, owing to the present rain washing away the bridges. the old Citizens say the waters are higher than they have been for several years. they are just fordable now. made 16 miles and went into camp 5 miles from the top of the Blue Ridge in Madison County. this is a beautiful camp. we are surrounded by mountains, the Roberson River passing near camp
Friday 10th
Clear & warm. took up our line of march at 6 A.M. Made Luray at 5 P.M. & went in to camp after making 18 miles. Camped near town on the hawk bill creek in Page County Va
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our Company was Provo Guard in town at the bridge Some of the boys serinaded the town, Ladies in town. there are about 500 inhabitants
Saturday 11th
Took up our line of march at 9 A.M. Made 18 miles and camped near the South branch of the Shenandoah at McCorses ford. At night I started for home at 8 P.M. running the block. I marched that night 15 miles. went into camp at 3 oclock near Markum Station. I started next morning by light and went to Markum to breakfast. after eating I started keeping the Rail Road as I did not know the road I waided Goose creek twice as the R Road bridge was
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burned. I reached old Man J. Hurst at 9 P.M. near Broadrun Station. raining very hard. I stayed all night. next day the 13th it was raining very hard. I left for home at light and reached Buckland at 9 A.M. I was very tired owing to the long march I have just accomplished. I left home on the 20th and joined my Brigade on the 22nd at Chester's Gap on the Blue Ridge Mts, as it was retreating from Winchester I encountered the Yanks several times while I was crossing the mountain and had to dodge several times off of the road to keep from being captured. on the 21st
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my Regt was fighting the Yanks just ahead of me at Manassas Gap. I was completely surrounded and had to do some good flanking to get out. After joining my Regt at Chester Gap we continued our march on in the direction of Culpeper C. House we camped at Gaine's Cross Cross Road. camped all night, a part of the night I may say as we did not stop until 12 Oclock at night. it was very muddy
Thursday 23rd
Clear & warm. Took up our line of march 1 P.M. owing to the roads being blocaded by troops & wagons. waded the Hazzle River at night & camped on the south side near the river & 9 miles
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from Culpeper C. House. made 12 miles. camp in Cul. Co
Friday 24th
Clear & very warm. took up our march at 6 A.M. passing through Cul.C.House & camped 3 miles on the south side. went into camp at 5 P.M. near the R. Road. Troops were very tired owing to the long march they had just undergone.
Saturday 25th
Clear & warm, all quiet in camp this is a day of releaf to the boys, as there are a great many barefooted & nearly naked.
Sunday 26th
Clear & warm. Received orders to clean up our guns for
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Inspection at 4 P.M. orders were countermanded.
Monday 27th
Cloudy. form the Brigade at 7 A.M. for inspection we then marched out in the field with the rest of the Division. We were inspected by Genl Longstreet after inspection we were marched back to camp and dismissed rained some little Thunderstorm at night & it rained very hard.
Tuesday 28th
Cloudy in camp all quiet
Wednesday 29th
Clear moved camp at 5 P.M. 1½ miles in a beautiful grove, rained at night some little we stretched our oil cloths for a shelter.
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Thursday 30th
Cloudy, cleared off in the evening all quiet in camp
Friday 31st
Clear & very warm, company drill at 8 A.M. all quiet.
August, Saturday 1st/1863
Received orders to be ready to move at 6 A.M., remained in camp under marching orders all day. had 3 days rations in our haversacks orders countermanded at night the cause of this order was that a small scouting party of Yanks came up to Brandy Station. all quiet otherwise.
Sunday 2nd
Clear, warm, under marching orders, had preaching at 11 AM in the Regt by the Chaplain Rev. Mr Baker.
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Monday 3rd
Clear & hot. Received orders to move at 5½ A.M. for Rapidan Station distance 12 miles crossed the river on the R.Road Bridge & went into camp on the south side at 5 P.M. rained some little
Tuesday 4th
Clear & warm in camp all quiet. Several of the boys & myself went in the river a swiming it was very warm.
Wednesday 5th
Clear very warm, received orders to move at 7 A.M. with 3 days rations to Raccoon ford, 12 miles, the road we traveled ran immediately down the river. it was very warm & dusty rained very hard at 3 P.M.
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went into camp at 6 P.M. 2nd Willis Foley & Stephen Canty deserted and left for home
Thursday 6th
Clear & warm in camp at 5 P.M. My sentence & the rest of the boys were read out for going home. I was reduced to the ranks & one months pay taken from me. I was not to have a pass to go out side of the Regt lines for 3 months. the other 5 had to polece the camp during that time no pass to go out side of the Regimental lines for 2 months allowed no books to read & no amusement whatever & their meals to be brought to them
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to be kept in close confinement all the time, but we were released by Jeffs Davis's proclamation, a free pardon to all who were under conviction & who would return to their command in 20 days
Friday 7th
Clear & warm & all quiet
Saturday 8th
Clear & warm all quiet in camp
Sunday 9th
Clear & warm, had preaching at 9 A.M. in camp
Monday 10th
clear very warm all quiet
Tuesday 11th
Clear & very warm. had company drill at 7 A.M. Battallion at 4 P.M. all quiet
Wednesday 12th
Clear & very pleasant same
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drills. put quarter guard around camp detail of 30 men
Thursday 13th
Clear & warm. same drills paid off the Regt for two months
Friday 14th
Clear & warm. drills as usual Severe thunder storm at night. all quiet.
Saturday 15th
Cloudy, cleared off at 10 A.M. I was on guard, no drills to day
Sunday 16th
Clear & very warm. I attended preaching in the Brigade at 10 A.M. The speaker was Dr Prior from Lynchburg
Monday 17th
Clear & cool, drills as usual had preaching at night
Tuesday 18th
Clear & cool, drills as usual & preaching as usual.
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Wednesday 19th
Clear & warm, company drill at 11 A.M. Brigade drill at 4 P.M. there is a revival going on in Kempers Brigade
Thursday 20th
Clear, warm, same drill Division inspection at 3 P.M.
Friday 21st
Do no drills this day is set apart by President Davis as a day of fasting & prayer throughout the Confd States We had 3 sermons in our Brigade by the Chap. of the different Regt.
Saturday 22nd
No drills, preaching as usual
Sunday 23rd
Clear & warm, Inspection at 8 A.M. preaching at 10 by Dr Prior his text was "Man has but once to
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die there were a great many present.
Monday 24th
Clear & warm. Same drills
Tuesday 25th
Do drills as usual. Thunder cloud at night severe rain & winds
Wednesday 26
Clear & very cool. I was comfortable with an over coat on Brigade drill at 4 PM. It was so cold that they double quicked us on drill. Jas Rollins got a furlough for 15 days to visit his friends
Thursday 27th
Company drill at 8 A.M. Brigade drill at 4 P.M. very warm & all quiet
Friday 28th
Do Drills as usual
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I went on quarter guard at night, all quiet in front
Saturday 29
Cloudy. some little rain Cleared off at 9 AM, pleasant. Company drill at 9 AM. no Brigade drill to day.
Sunday 30th
Clear & cool. Inspection at 10 A.M. preaching at 11 in the Regt, Genl Corse & wife were present with some other Ladies. All quiet in camp.
Monday 31st
Clear & pleasant. Company drill at 8 A.M. Brigade drill at 4 P.M. Colo Herbert left camp on sick furlough he went to Genl Corses Hd Qrs
September, Tuesday 1st/63
Clear & warm. company
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drill at 3 A.M. Battallion at 4 P.M. Capt Kirby drilled the Regt. all quiet to day
Wednesday 2nd
Clear & cool mornings & nights. drills as usual. there were several Ladies present, weather very warm
Thursday 3rd
Clear & warm, drills as usual
Friday 4th
Clear & warm. drills as usual there were a great many Ladies present, Genl Corse's wife, Pickett & Staff. had preaching at night by the Rev Mr Leachman from Prince William, his text was the 1st Chapter 15th verse 1st Epistle of Paul to Timothy there were a great many present. all quiet along the line
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Saturday 5th/63
Clear & warm, no drill. I am quarter guard, all quiet.
Sunday 6th
Clear & warm. Inspection of arms at 9 AM, had preaching at 11 AM by the Rev Mr Dunkin, all quiet in camp
Monday 7th
clear & warm. Company drill at 9 A.M. at 10 there were a Union Association held in this Regt. the Rev Mr Prior was chairman. the members in the different Regts in the Brigade met in this Regiment. There were a great many persons present. received orders at 4 P.M. to get ready to move early in the morning
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Tuesday 8th
Clear & warm. left camp near Raccoon ford Orange County at 8 A.M. for Richmond. marched 12 miles went into camp at 5 PM. in 4 miles of Gordonsville rained some little at night I received a letter from home
Wednesday 9th
Clear & warm. took our march at 6 A.M. marched 18 miles went into camp at 5 PM in 3 miles of Louisa C.H. boys were very tired marching
Thursday 10th
Took up our march at 7 AM clear & warm. Marched 18 miles & went into camp at 4 P.M. in Louisa County it was very dusty & warm. Jno Polend, Sizemore King
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Levi Payne deserted Co F 7 Va Infty on the march at Louisa C.H. and went home, all quiet
Friday 11th
Clear & warm. took up our march at 7 AM. Marched 16 miles & went into camp at 4 PM very dusty.
Saturday 12th
Clear & warm. Took up our march at 6 A.M. made 22 miles & went into camp at 5 PM at Brooks Church in three miles of Richmond had a very heavy thunder storm at night. it was very badly wanting. I was on Guard.
Sunday 13th
Clear & hot. Took up our march for Richmond at 9 A.M.
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arrived there at 11 AM remained there until 3 P.M. at what time we took the cars for Petersburg 25 miles we arrived there at 5 PM & camped near town.
Monday 14th
Clear & warm. took the train at 6 PM for Lynchburg 123 miles. traveled all night arrived in Lynchburg at noon on Tuesday. Jas Hirst of our Company was stabbed in Petersburg on the train before it left town by a man of Company "I" by the name of Manley. he was arrested on the spot by the Provost Guard
Tuesday 15th
Clear and warm, drew 3 days rations of bacon & crackers at 3 P.M. took the Tennessee
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& Virginia Rail Road train at 3 P.M. for Witheville 132 miles passing through a tunnel near the town of Lynchburg, got to the Blue Ridge Springs at dark. these springs are in Botetourt County Virginia, 45 miles from Lynchburg. we got off the train there for a half of an hour and formed a line, for a snack of bread & meat, which was handed around by the proprietor of the springs. after eating the snack, we got on board the train, travelled all night. we arrived at Wytheville at light. I slept all the way to this place. this is a very pretty place for a small town. there is a large lead mine here. this is Wythe County Virginia. Cal Hansborough got his foot mashed between the
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bumpers of the cars while we were here.
Wednesday 16th
Clear and warm, left here at 8 A.M. on the train for the Glade Springs Depot a distance of 45 miles, arrived there at noon. this place is in Smythe County Va in 9 miles of the salt works. they are in Washington County Va. this is a small village remained here until 9 P.M. Genl Corse is waiting for further orders. The train left here for Zollicoffer in Tennessee, 40 miles, passing through a very pretty town called Bristol. This place is on the line that divides Virginia from Tennessee, arrived at Zollicoffer Tennessee a short while before light on the day of the 17th. this station is on
[margin: a man of the 30th Va Regt had his arm & leg cut off by the cars at Glade Springs.]
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the Holston River. we got off the train here and camped near the station in Sullivan County Tennessee. clear and warm all quiet here. I went squirrel hunting in the evening. the trees are very tall, this is a very mountainous country.
Friday the 18th
Raining some little. moved camp one mile across the Holston River on the west side. camped right in the mountains. We then throwed out Picquets one mile in front, on the big road to Blountsville, a distance of 5 miles. all is quiet to day it is very cool. The Boys went out and laid in a supply of apples, as they are our principal rations. Saturday 19th—
Clear & cool, ordered under
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arms at 4 A.M. as Burnsides Cavalry were advancing on the Blountsville road. We were marched upon a very high hill above camp, and was drawn up in line of Battle. the Yankees were at Blountsville, 5 miles off. they went on down to Bristol, ten miles distance, tore up the Rail Road, and burnt a few buildings. we were kept in line of Battle all day but the Yankees did not come to see us. we went back to camp at night and sent a company from our Regiment on Picquet, all quiet to night.
Sunday 20th
Clear & cool, got under arms at 4 A.M. & went back and took up our same position at light. The Yankees reported
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close by 20 thousand strong. they came down the Blountsville road, attacked us at 9 A.M.they were mounted Infantry, they opened on us with their Artillery and Sharp Shooters. they fought us until 12 A.M. when they returned to Blountsville they found they could not move us from our position. Our loss was small, 2 killed of the 29th Va Infantry & 6 wounded the enemy loss was not known. We started in pursuit of them at 4 P.M. Orders countermanded, we returned to our same old camp at sundown. Sent Co. "K" of our Regiment on Picquet, all quiet in front very cool.
Monday 21st
Clear, very cool, heavy frost last night, all quiet in camp
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to day very little news.
Tuesday 22nd
Clear and cool, some frost all quiet up to 1 P.M. Colonel Carters cavalry commenced skirmishing with the Enemy at Blountsville, fought all the evening, drove our men in at night, capturing some of our men and one piece of Artillery. we were kept under arms all night, at our same position. our cavalry fell back on us, all is quiet to night, very cool.
Wednesday 23rd
Clear and pleasant, our Picquets commenced fighting at 9 A.M. they exchanged shots all day at long range. there was no general engagement as the Yankees would not advance
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their lines, there were some little fighting on the right and left. we had a few men wounded. the Yankees tore up the Rail Road above and below us, tried to surround us but failed to do so. we remained in a line of Battle all day & part of the night making in all 30 hours. the Yankees left some time in the night. all quiet to night very cool. Thursday 24th
Clear & cool, all quiet in front this morning. we went down to our old camp at 9 A.M. ordered under arms again at 1 P.M., the Yankees were advancing on Zollicoffer, in 1 mile of the village. they came from the direction of Carters Station. we did not
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leave camp, they were driven back by our Cavalry. all quiet to night.
Friday the 25th
Clear & cool. our company is on Picquet on the Blountsville Road. all is quiet in front to day.
Saturday the 26th
Clear, very cool in camp. One Brigade of Cavalry went to the front. there was about 2 thousand in number, most of them mounted Infantry. Received orders to march at 6 A.M.
Sunday the 27th
Clear, cool heavy frost, took up our line of march at 7 A.M. for Carters station, 9 miles, arrived there at 2 P.M. the Yankees had left and burnt the Rail Road Bridge across the Watauga River. the bridge was burning
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when we arrived there. they had torn down the Depot & several other buildings. We went in to camp near the village at 4 P.M. on the Watauga River in Carter County Tennessee.
Monday the 28th
Pleasant, all quiet up to noon, received orders to cook up three days rations and to move as soon as they were ready to Jonesborough distance of 13 miles. the orders were countermanded, we remained in camp all day. all quiet in front.
Tuesday the 29th
Clear and cool, all quiet up to 5 P.M. received orders to move back to Zollicoffer, 9 miles, arrived there at
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12 o'clock at night, camped all night at our old camp which we landed at the first time.
Wednesday the 31st
Clear & pleasant, took the train at 11 P.M. for Lynchburg, 216 miles, arrived there on Thursday at 10 A.M. we travelled night & day until we arrived at this point. we had nothing to eat during the trip. we got off the train and was marched across the James River on an Island where we camped, drew rations at night. It rained hard all night. This town is called the town of seven hills. it has about 10 thousand inhabitants. The remainder of the Brigade came in at night, as we could not all come on one train.
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Friday October the 1st 1863
Raining very hard to day, but cleared off at noon very warm. all is quiet here. The James River rose considerably. A man in the 30th Virginia Regiment was killed by a free Negro man. Our cooks were sent to the hospital to cook up rations. whilst cooking there, this accident occurred. the Negro split his head open with a spade. he was arrested on the spot by the civil authorities. the members of his Company went up next morning and broke open the jail and took the Negro out, and was going to shoot him, but was stopped by Genl Corse.
Saturday the 3rd
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clear and warm. took the train at 11 A.M. for Petersburg, 132 miles, arrived there at 7 A.M. on the 4th. This morning is clear and warm, got off the train and marched out on the plank road running from Petersburg to Jerusalem, 50 miles, camped near the suburbs on the south east side of Petersburg. All quiet here.
Monday the 5th
Clear and pleasant laid off our camp and pitched tents. this is a very pretty camp here, the only difficulty is wood, as it has to be hauled some distance here. There is only three sticks allowed to a man per day. All quiet in camp.
Tuesday the 6th
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Clear, cool and windy. Armisteads old brigade now commanded by Genl Barton left here this morning for North Carolina, the rest of our Division is around Richmond & Petersburg together
Wednesday the 7th
Cloudy, cool, raining very hard at night. received orders to move at 6 A.M. for Ivor Station. All quiet.
Thursday the 8th
Still raining, went to the Depot at Petersburg at 8 A.M. My Regiment (the 17th) took the train at 10 A.M. for Ivor Station, as it was the only one under marching orders, arrived there at noon. it was clear, got off the train and went in camp close by
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the Station in Southampton County Virginia. We pitched our tents this evening. It is 36 miles from here to Petersburg. This Regiment was sent here to picquet on Black Water & do Provost duty at Ivor Station, & also to recruit up. Friday the 9th
All quiet in camp
Saturday the 10th
Clear & warm, cool nights, all quiet in camp.
Sunday the 11th
Clear & warm. I went to Tucker's Swamp Church to preaching at 11 A.M. It is a New School Baptist Church. there were a good many present Ladies and Gentlemen. After preaching on my return I called at Dr Griffins and
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got my dinner, remaining there an hour or so and then returned to camp.
Monday the 12th
Clear and pleasant, all quiet in camp. received papers to day by the train that Genl R. E. Lee had made a forward movement on Genl Meade as he had commenced falling back
Tuesday the 13th
Clear and cool, heavy frost, Company Drill at 10 A.M., Battalion Drill at 4 P.M. All quiet in camp.
Wednesday the 14th
Cloudy, raining some, had no drills to day. Commenced clearing up a new camping ground for to move in
Thursday the 15th
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Cloudy, commenced building Winter Quarters at Ivor Station, consisting of a few logs and a tent stretched over them.
Friday 16th
Cloudy with occasional showers of rain through the day, moved into our Winter Quarters.
Saturday 17th
Clear and warm. Boys building chimneys to their huts. I went after a load of bricks 3 miles off at Tucker's Swamp Church.
Sunday 18th
Clear and warm, all quiet in camp, had preaching in the evening.
Monday 19th
Clear and warm, built a chimney to my tent, all
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quiet to day. The cars make three trips here a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All quiet to day
Tuesday 20th
Clear and warm. Boys busy in building their Winter Quarters. All quiet to day
Wednesday 21st
Clear and warm. 25 Refugee Ladies arrived here from Norfolk and took the train for Petersburg. All quiet to day
Thursday 22nd
Cloudy. Some 75 more Ladies arrived here from the same place last night. Colonel Herbert had a large tent pitched for their accommodation and the Officers gave up their tents also. Luther Basey was taken sick, the same
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night. at 4 oclock in the morning he was speechless. I went for the Surgeon of the Regiment, it was very dark and raining some little. he commenced talking at 9 A.M.
Friday 23rd
Clear and warm. I put Luther Basey on the train at one P.M. and taken to Petersburg to the Virginia Hospital. I got leave of absence for three days to go up with him. we arrived at Petersburg at sundown. I got an ambulance and had him conveyed to the Virginia Hospital on Washington Street near the Weldon Depot. he was taken up in a third ward. the house is about 100 feet long, 60 beds in each ward. it is said to be one of the best Hospitals in the
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Confederacy, everything is right in order here. it is under the charge of Doctor Pottinger. it rained all night very hard. I slept in the Hospital very near him. The train came down to Ivor bringing 40 conscripts for our Regiment.
Saturday 24th
Cold rain all day. Luther seems to be no better. I went down town once and returned to the Hospital in the course of two hours. there was nothing new in town.
Sunday 25th
Clear and very cool. Luther Basey seems to be about the same he seems to be a little flighty at times. I went to preaching at the Catholic
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Church at 11 A.M. from the Hospital to preaching. it was quite a curiosity to me as I had never been in one before. At 3 P.M. I went to the Episcopal Church on Washington Street. I returned to the Hospital after preaching. Luther seems to be worse, suffering very much with pains in his head & back.
Monday 26th
Clear and cool. Luther B. seems to be about the same as he was last night out of his head most of the time. Mr Jourdan from Prince Wm came in to see him last night. I wrote a letter to his father in Pr Wm and sent it by Mr Jourdan.
Tuesday 27th
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Clear and pleasant. Luther is considerably worse, and continued so until half past 12 oclock at night when he died. the Doctors done all in their power to save him. he died very hard. I stood by the bed and heard him draw his last breath. he was laid out until light by 2 Negroes and a man. His disease was the Spinal Marin Ietis. he was taken to the dead house at light in the morning. I had him washed and dressed in his uniform.
Wednesday 28th
Clear and pleasant. I spent the day in walking about town, to while away the lonely hours.
Thursday 29th
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Clear and warm. The Hearse came about 8 A.M. with the coffin. he was immediately put in it, the coffin was plain flattopped stained with red. he was put in the hearse, and I on top, was conveyed to the Blanford Cemetery on the East side of the town. he was buried at 10 A.M. I put a board at his head with his name, company and Regiment written thereon. I returned to town with a sad heart, leaving one of my best friends in the silent grave. Wm B Davidson is the keeper of the Blandford Cemetery
Friday 30th
Clear and pleasant, took the train at 9 A.M. for Ivor Station to join my Regt.
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Jessie S. Rogers and 2 other members of my company came down with me. they had been up as witnesses on the trial of Manly & Hirst. We arrived at Ivor Station at 1 P.M. On returning to my hut it was destitute as my company had gone on Picquet 12 miles down on Black Water. I eat a snack and went down in the evening and got there at dark. all was quiet.
My Company got new arms during my absence, Minnie Rifles, as we were one of the flank Companies.
Saturday 31st
Clear, all quiet in camp
Sunday 1st November1863
Clear and warm, I went
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on guard at 1 P.M. on the river
Monday the 2nd
Clear and pleasant, quiet.
Tuesday the 3rd
Ditto—I went boat riding.
Wednesday the 4th
Clear and warm, we are relieved from Picquet by Col Taliaferro's Cavalry, returned to camp at Ivor by noon, all is quiet.
Thursday the 5th
Clear and windy.
Friday 6th
Clear and windy, all quiet in camp. Herville and Jas Haislip left camp on the train to go a conscripting for 20 days.
Saturday the 7th
Cloudy, windy. Boys are busy in building Winter Quarters. The style of my hut is a log
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pen, 5 logs high and a tent stretched over it.
Sunday 8th
Clear and pleasant, had preaching in the Regt by the Chaplain, Rev Mr Baker. The cars came down to day and brought Sturdiman's Battery of 4 pieces which was attached to this post.
Monday 9th
Cloudy, stormy, had a flair of snow at 2 P.M. Received orders to move at 4 P.M. with 3 days rations. we are going on a raid to Suffolk, 25 miles. My Regt & Col Taliaferros Cavalry & Sturdimans Battery constituted our force. We marched to the Black Water a distance of 4 miles and crossed in a ferry boat at
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8 P.M. and remained there two hours until the forces all got over. we then marched for 4 miles and went in camp at 12 oclock at night, in Nansemond County. it was very cold & we were not allowed to have any fires. We rolled up in our blankets, all quiet
Tuesday 10th
Clear and cold. Took up our march at sunrise and went to Windsor Station, a distance of 4 miles, on the Norfolk and Petersburg R.R. There we halted and remained there all day. A portion of Col Ts Cavalry were sent out to reconnoitre. A squadron of 40 men dashed in to Suffolk and captured 7 men 8 horses and a wagon & brought them safely to our lines, about 8 miles. the Yankees started in
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pursuit but did not follow them very far. We then took up our march at dark and came back by the way we come and went in to camp, marching 3 miles. at 9 P.M. it was very cold, making ice the first I have seen this fall. I like to of frozen. all is quiet to night.
Wednesday 11th
Clear and cool Reveilee at light. There was a very heavy frost last night. took up our march at sunrise. we made the Black Water at 10 A.M. We were retained at the ford some 2 hours or more getting our plunder over. we then took up our march for camp, arrived in camp about 3 P.M.
Thursday 12 & Friday 13th
Clear and pleasant
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Saturday 14th
Pleasant, cloudy. I went on guard at night it rained very hard during the night. I took the guard off for the night.
Sunday the 15th
Cloudy, cleared off at 10 A.M. warm. Preaching at 10 A.M. as usual.
Monday 16th
Warm. Had Company Drill at 10 A.M., Battalion at 3 P.M.
Tuesday 17th
Clear and warm, drill as usual
Wednesday 18th
Clear & pleasant, Jessie Rogers and Ebhart went to Petersburg as witnesses on the case of Manly & Hirst. the trial was postponed as the witnesses were not all present.
Friday 20th
Pleasant, usual drills
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Saturday 21st
Warm, no drills. I went hunting in the evening, rained some little. all quiet to day.
Sunday 22nd
Clear and warm. Preaching as usual. all quiet
Monday 23
Cloudy and rain at night. Rogers & Ebhardt returned from the trial. Battalion drill at 10 A.M., Company Dr at 3 P.M. all quiet.
Tuesday 24th
Raining, all quiet in camp
Wednesday 25th
Cloudy. Drills as usual. Draw a pair of shoes from the Qr Master, all quiet in camp.
Thursday 26th
Clear and cool. Drills as usual. Dress Parade at 4 P.M.
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John Sisemore of Company F sentenced, all pay & allowances stopped. no pass for 6 months, carry a rail for 10 days, two hours each day. all quiet
Friday 27th
Clear & cool. heavy frost Drills as usual, all quiet.
Saturday 28th
Raining. Received orders to pack up and be ready to move at a moments warning, orders countermanded. The 61st North Carolina Infantry came down on the train and went down on Picquet on the Black Water
Sunday 29th
Still raining, rather hard.
Monday 30th
Cleared off. W. S. Harrison went to Richmond on a 48 hours pass. all quiet in camp
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December 1st 1863 Tuesday
Clear & very cold, froze very hard last night. all quiet
Wednesday 2nd
Clear & cold. received orders at 3 A.M. to be ready to move at light, took up our march at 7 A.M. in the direction of Smithfield, marched two miles & halted, remaining there until 3 P.M. received orders then to go back to camp.
Thursday 3rd
Clear & pleasant. Drills as usual
Friday the 4th
Clear & warm. Drills as usual. To days papers state that Genl Meade is falling back without a general engagement. Genl Bragg has been relieved of this command of the Army of Tennessee, according to his
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own request. Genl Hardee takes command temporarily.
Saturday 5th
Pleasant, no drills, all quiet.
Sunday 6th
Cloudy, windy, and cold. Preaching as usual. all quiet
Monday the 7th
Clear and cold. Drills as usual. To days papers state that Genl Longstreet is falling back from Knoxville. No news of interest from Genl Lee. Times are dull. Capt Lynch left to day for Richmond as he is a member of the house of Delegates. Congress sets to day in Richmond. all quiet
Tuesday the 8th
Clear and cool. usual drills. The evening Bulletin from Cincinnati Ohio states that
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Genl John Morgan and 5 of his staff escaped from the Ohio Prison at Columbus on the 20th of November 1863 and have gone to Toronto Canada. They dug out of their cells with 2 pen knives through one foot of stone & brick. He arrived in Danville Va on the 25th of December. all quiet
Wednesday 9th
Very heavy frost, drills as usual
Thursday 10th
Heavy frost this morning.
Friday 11th
Pleasant, usual drills
Saturday 12th
Cloudy, warm, no drills on Saturday
I went on Quarter Guard at night, rained very hard at night with high winds.
Sunday 13th
Cloudy, cleared off about 11 A.M.
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Preaching as usual. There was a severe thunder storm at night, rained very hard.
Monday 14th
Cloudy, some rain, cleared off at 10 A.M.strong south wind No news in the papers.
Tuesday 15th
Clear & pleasant, usual drills and nothing to eat as usual.
Wednesday 16th
Clear and cold, clouded up in the evening and rained at night very hard. Jessie Rogers & Ebhardt went to Petersburg to attend the trial of Manly & Hirst. it was put off until May. He is then to be tried by the Supreme Court
Thursday 17th
Raining hard all day.
Friday 18th
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Cleared off pleasant.
Rogers & Ebhardt returned. all quiet, usual drills
Saturday 19th
Clear & cold, all quiet in camp
Sunday 20th
Clear & cold, preaching as usual Some few Ladies present
Tuesday 22nd
Clear & cold, skirmish drill at 4 P.M. all quiet
Wednesday 23rd
Clear & very cold, same drill. I got my Christmas wood No news in papers to day, only the Yankees have a Brigade of Cavalry in Warrenton. Citizens have brought a great many boxes of Christmas goods to send to their friends in Genl Mahone's Brigade.
John Brauner & Jas Haislip
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of my Company went down near Suffolk on a scout
Thursday 24th
Very cold, no drill to day Orders to Police the camp to be inspected by Major Simpson, our huts also. Myself and several others went out and got a quart of Apple Brandy. we got very lively on our way to camp. we paid 15 dollars for Quart, consequently most of them are sober in camp. The Officers are practising riding at a ring for a tournament which will come off in a few days.
Friday 25th
Clear & pleasant. very dull in camp. I have nothing to drink and a very little to eat except a goose I have
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which cost 5 dollars and one doz eggs which cost 2 dollars. It is very dull in camp, some of the Regiment found whiskey somewhere and got very tight. It looks like everything else to me, except Christmas, I went on guard at night. I went out patroling at 9 Oclock with a squad of 10 men, returned to camp at 10 P.M. It was very cold. I laid down on my bunk thinking of my absent friends, and so ended my Christmas.
Saturday 26th
Clear & pleasant, Officers practising riding at the ring. Sunday 27th
Preaching as usual. I went on a visit in the evening.
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returning at 6 P.M.
Monday 28th
Raining. I set up last night by Huddleson, a member of my Company. He was sent on the train to day to the Petersburg Hospital.
Tuesday 29th
Clear & warm Officers still practising at the ring. Preparations for having a Ball.
Wednesday 30th
Clear & pleasant. Dress Parade at 10 A.M. Sentence of a General Court Martial read out. Two men of Co H. & D. were sentenced to work on the breastworks for 12 months with a 12 pound ball with a chain on the left leg 5 feet long attached. Crime, Desertion. One man in Co G. will be
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shot next Friday with musketry. The Tournament came off at 2 P.M. a great many Ladies and Gentlemen present. The Knights were marched up to the stand on horseback in 2 ranks by Major Simpson. They were then formed by the right, file into line. There were 13 Knights, Captain Sturdiman of the Petersburg Battery delivered a speech to the Knights. it was quite short, but a stirring appeal. There was only 4 Knights from our Regiment. Viz. Lieutenant JFE Hamille, Lou Turner, Ashford & Captain Barnes, the rest belonged to Col Taliaferros Cavalry and Sturdimans Artillery.
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Captain Barnes was the successful Knight but transferred the honor to Captain Moorheyes of the Confederate Cavalry, owing to the young Lady, Miss Hume, whom he wanted to crown. She refusing to accept of it, so he gets drunk on the strength of it. Capt Moorheyes was the second Knight of honor. Lieut Captain Barrett of the 7th Confederate Cavalry was the third Knight of honor. Lieut Ashford of the 17th Virginia Infantry was the 4th Knight of honor. Captain Moorheyes crowned a young Lady by the name of Waders. The Ball commenced at 7 P.M. and broke up at 5 P.M. in the morning. I was not present myself. Cost of the
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Ball one thousand and fifty five dollars.
Thursday 31st
Raining all day hard very high wind also from the North East Some thunder & lightning.
Notes
This is the last day of December 1863, and closes my Diary of 1863, as I do not intend to keep any this coming year.
Sergt Jas A. Pattie of
Company F. 17th Va Regt
Infantry Jany 3rd 1864
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A List of prices in the
Confederacy Sep to Jany 7th 1864
Flour Superfine $110.00 pr Bbl
Do Extra 115.00 "
Corn Meal 14.00 pr Bushel
Bacon 3.25 pr Lb
Lard 3.25 "
Butter (Prime) 5.00 "
Beef 90cts to 1.00 "
Venison $1.75 to 2.00 "
Poultry 1.25 to 1.50 "
Apples $75.00 to $85.00 pr Bbl
Onions $30.00 pr Bushel
Peas $25.00 to $26.00 "
Potatoes $6.00 to 10.00 "
Turnips 5.00 "
Groceries
Brown Sugar $3.25 pr Lb
Molasses $20.00 pr Gallon
Rice 30cts to 35cts pr Lb
Turpentine Soap $1.00 pr Lb
(Continued)
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A List of prices Continued
Candles $4.00 pr Lb
Salt .30cts "
Pepper $8.00 "
Vinegar $5.00 pr Gallon
Sole Leather $7 to $8.00 pr Lb
Upper Do $8 to 10.00 "
Harness Do 7.50 to $8.50 "
Calf S[?] $900.00 to $1200.00 per dozen
Rye Whiskey 60 to 75.00 per Gallon
Apple Brandy 45 to $52.50 "
Rum $52.50 to 60.00 "
Scotch Whiskey $225 pr Case
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A List of Rations for the Army at this date,
Feby 19th 1864.
Viz
Flour pr Day for one man 1 Pound
Bacon " 1/3 "
Beef (Salt) " ½ "
Do (Fresh) " 1 "
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15304) | DL0277 | Diaries | 1863 |
Tags: African Americans, Alcohol, Animals, Artillery, Braxton Bragg, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Clothing, Death (Military), Destruction of Land/Property, Drilling, Elections, Family, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Food Preservation, Fortifications, Furloughs, Gender Relations, George G. Meade, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Hospitals, Illnesses, Injuries, Ironclad Warships, James Longstreet, Jefferson Davis, Mail, Marching, Marriages, Nature, News, Newspapers, Payment, Picket Duty, Railroads, Recreation, Religion, Robert E. Lee, Weather
People - Records: 1
- (5333) [writer] ~ Pattie, James A.
SOURCES
James A. Pattie Diary, 1863, DL0277, Nau Collection
