[Newspaper clippings]

 

How to Begin the Day.

"Begin thy day with God;

   He is thy sun and day;

His is the radiance of thy dawn;

   To Him address thy lay.

 

"Take thy first meal with God;

   He is thy heavenly food;

Feed with and on Him; He with thee

   Will feast in brotherhood.

 

"Take thy first walk with God;

   Let Him go forth with thee;

By stream, or sea, or mountain-path,

   Seek still His company.

 

"Thy first transactions be

   With God Himself above;

So shall thy business prosper well,

   And all the day be love."

 

            A turkey gobbled up some Ayer's pills that had been dropped from a gentleman's window, who was taking them as an antibilious remedy. His faithful cook Sambo killed the turkey, and still finding him tough, Sambo says, "Massa, dat turkey take so many dem Pills dere is no bile in him."

            People always express a great deal of sympathy for women who are unhappily married—but how about those who are unhappily single?

            Since our government has been disordered, the political doctors apply leeches to its chest.

   Teacher. What does h-a-i-r spell?

   Dull Boy. Don't know.

   Teacher. What have you got on your head?

   Boy. Don't know. Something that bites.

 

            "Christian, view the day

Of Retribution! Think how ye will bear

From your Redeemer's lips the fearful words,

'Thy brother, perishing in his own blood,

Thou saw'st—Thy brother hungered, was athirst,

Was naked, and thou saw'st it. He was sick,

Thou didst withold the healing; was in prison

To vice and ignorance, nor didst thou send

To set him free.' Oh! ere that hour of doom,

Whence there is no reprieve, brother, awake

From this dark dream!"

 

   An honest farmer writes to an agricultural society, "Gent., please put me down on your list of cattle for a bull."

   True Friendship.—Insects swarm around you in the sunshine, but only the faithful dog stays by in a storm.

   Get married [torn]ith a wife the lawyer is more trusty, the doctor more respected and useful, the mechanic more industrious, and the merchant gets better credit; in short, a man without a wife is no man at all.

 

   Religion is like a river, which widens and deepens as it goes, being broadest and deepest at its mouth, where it rolls into the ocean of eternity.

 

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Still in camp near white Oak Ch. Va.

March 24^th 1863

Weather cloudy but warm. Some rain in the afternoon. was am up on guard today. Had quite a rain during the night. 25^th Quite warm this morning fine weather Plenty of drills going on now. Nothing but drills from morning till night. All the boys getting tired of it and say they would rather fight than to be forced around in this manner. 'Tis nearly dinner time. Have just wrote a couple of letters. Feel quite lively at this time. Expect that we shall have to move sure of it Continues such pleasant weather. I reckon that the Johny rebs will make a break over here sometime this spring. 26^th Quite warm this morning. 27^th Very pleasant this morning. Saw a balloon up close to where our line of pickets run observing the movements of the rebels. Looks like a storm agathering soon.

 

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Leaf No 1.

 

28^th Feel pretty well today As I predicted it is fairly a storming today. The rain just seems to pour down from the black clouds. There is to be an inspection tomorrow. We will have to pull off our shoes & stockings to show if our feet are clean or not. For there is a disease among the Army called gangrene which begins in the feet and gradually dries them up and without any sickness hardly at all the sufferer dies. 'Tis supposed that that is what ails the 15^th Reg. N.J. Vol. for they are dying off like sheep. Bad day to clean up. Got nothing to wash in at all and to stormy to go and wash in the run.

 

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Leaf No 2.

 

Have been reading some tracts this morning especially one entitled the conversion of Abigail Hutchinson By P—t Edwards. O when I read that short and simple history it makes me long to be like her O that I was more of a Christian. Sometimes indeed I doubt whether such a sinful being as I am can claim to be one of Gods children O that I had more of the spirit of Christ. O that I was more humble. Then I think that I should get along better and enjoy a lively sense of the saviors dying love to sinners. O God I beseech thee to forgive me my many sins and to teach me what to pray for and how to pray. Make me to hunger and thirst after righteousness so that I may be filled. O that I was to pray more for my dear comrades who seem to be bent on going down to everlasting

 

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destruction and despair. O when I get this night upon my knees to worship thee I entreat thee to overwhelm me with an exceeding sense of my sinfulness and of the puniness of my habit continualy to do evil in thy sight. I want to be more like Jesus. Sometimes I get puzzled about to day but something seems as it were to whisper in my ear dont go back to the begging elements of this world. O alas! What an imperfect being that I am full of sin and evil thoughts continually. I hope indeed that my heart has been changed for some how or other I feel that I do truly love Jesus. I do want to see all my comrades converted and become Christians.

Sunday the 29^th The storm has passed over us and left the air quite cool but wholesome to a persons

 

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Leaf No 3

 

health. Have just been on an inspection. Had our underclothing which we had upon us and also which we had in our knapsacks. The inspection passed off very well. Capt. Wright of Co. A. Acting Captain of our Co. said the guns and all else were in excellent order. Bully for us we say There may be another inspection ordered this afternoon. We hope not. How glad and thankful should we be that at this stormy time we are not upon the march but have comfortable log houses to live in. O my soul draw near unto thy savior this day and let thy thoughts as much as possible be withdrawn from the things

 

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of this earth and fix them upon thy treasures which are in heaven thy future home. O that I might make a sabbath days journey towards heaven. "O praise the Lord O my soul and all that is within me rejoice and bless and magnify his great & holy name. How I would love to be home next sunday to participate in the celebration of the blessed Lords Supper. O Lord keep me humble. Make to feel a great sense of my own sinfulness and of my dependence upon thee. Help me to watch and pray lest I enter into temptation Middle of the afternoon. Have just been to meeting. O my God! shall I record it. That when the Lieut. wanted

 

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Leaf No 4.

 

the men to fall out and go to meeting they cried out against it and wanted to know if they were going to be compelled to go to meeting. O is not this surprising so much hardness of heart & unbelief still existing in the reg and in the Company. Tis truly awful that this state of affairs should be. And if one might take this regt. as a specimen of the other reg^ts in the Army it is no wonderful thing that God does not bless our efforts to put down the rebellion if the Army and the nation does not recognise a God over all or if they do growl at being wanted to assemble them

 

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to worship and reverence the Lord of hosts. It gives me great pain to record this. How some of the men swore when they were asked to fall in line. But still I am against compelling any one to go to church for if you force or attempt to force a soldier to attend divine service gainst his will, it only makes him 10 times worse. He gets angry and sets himself against the influence of the truth. Resists the action of the Holy Spirit. Had a very pleasant interview during this afternoon & evening with Serg^t Jos. Glaspey of Co. F. 23 Reg^t N.J. Vols I had not seen since he had enlisted. He is a true Christian and friend during the time that I have been in

 

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Leaf No 5

 

the service of the U.S. I was enabled to unburden my mind to one who could sympathise with me and we took sweet counsel and advice together. It does me much good thus to meet with friends. Have just been told that too of our regt are going to guard our Division Genl (Genl. Banks) and the rest would go on duty at Major Genl. Hookers Headquarters.

30^th Weather fine. Have struck tents 6 companies of us Viz: C. F. G. B. E. & I. and marched for our destination We soon perceived that we were going to have a tough time of it for a few days. And so it proved. We left log tents on which we had bestowed much labor to make it comfortable and had our beds some 2 ft high from the ground. Besides having a comfortable fireplace and plenty of wood. Now

 

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we have pitched our tents upon the cold ground and no wood to make a fire of to cook any thing. 'Tis going to be rough. 31^st Weather very stormy indeed. Awoke this morning and found the snow some 3 inches in depth. And still storming furiously. We have nothing to eat and there is no other prospect before us but what this storm will prove another [?] Station. Only will be worse on account of the scarcity of wood. We see no prospects of the storm abating at all untill we we shall be nearly all drowned out But I hope that God will look in mercy on us and take care of us. I believe that he doeth all things for our good although we oftentimes cannot see it for a long time if at all. But I will not repine but pray to God

 

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Leaf No 6.

 

to make me contented. To make me submissive, meek, and kind. I begin to feel daily a more sincere and thorough trust in gd. God. Let what come what will I am resolved to be contented therewith Believing that God doeth all things for the good of those who make him their hiding place and refuge. Have caught a bad cold. Dreampt I was at home to my beloved pastors last night rehearsing unto them the hardships of the soldiers life. As we marched along yesterday we could see the place over the river where the dreadful slaughter took place on the 15^th of December known as the battle of Fredericksburg. We saw some of the steeples of the city but as it is in a low plain and a high hill between us we could not see the city. We saw plenty of rebel tents

 

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dotting the hills upon the other side of the river. We could also fortifications in plenty. We could see and can now see from here the Blue ridge mountains in the distance. The balloons go up in two places to observe the rebels movements. The one at H—d q—ters goes up and then comes down and then goes up again thus preventing the rebels from getting range upon the balloon with one of their long range pieces. Our Company and Co F. had to strike tents and go about a half a mile to take our turn to guard the reserve corps artillery ammunition train. There was some 150 wagons there nearly all loaded with fixed ammunition for artillery. We made 3 reliefs 14 being the number required to make a relief. The

 

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Leaf No 7.

 

drivers are nearly all contrabands or escaped negroes. The orders were to let no one in nor out of the camp except at No 1 post. Commissioned officers not excepted. Had a hard time of it. The day and night were very cold. Thought I should certainly freezze whether or no. April 1^st Weather clear very windy and cold. I do experience some happy times when I am upon guard for there I am alone on my beat and can have all my thoughts to myself and to God. As at the midnight hour when all nature and creation was hushed in silent slumber and all was still then I experienced a visit from my Savior. And O how happy was I in his love. I walked & prayed and meditated upon the goodness & mercy of God and of the sinfulness and ingratitude

 

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of man. I thought to myself O what if I had no religion in my soul to comfort and keep me up. What a most miserable creature I should be. And then I thought in the language of some dear departed saint in heaven "If we poor finite worms of the dust do enjoy such heavenly sweets and privilege here below in this vale of tears O! what must heaven [?]. Have returned to camp. Was walking up and down to keep warm when one of my tent mates joined me. Immediately endeavoring to turn our talk to that relating to the eternal interest of our souls I told him of the sweet joys of religion what pleasure there and what a hope I had in peace but he told me he was happy as I was in going his own way that he did not believe in any

 

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Leaf No 8.

 

hereafter. That he believed when a man was dead there never would be any more of him. And furthermore he said that if he ever lived to get out of this war that he was determined to become one of [?]est men that ever lived. I felt sorry for him from the bottom of my heart. He told that it was all breath spent in vain talking to him on such subjects. Well I told him that I should pray to God for him that by means of the Holy Spirit God would lead him to think differently. That God could convert him.

April 2^nd Weather very windy and cool. April 3^rd Weather very cold and a storm apparently a coming on. Upon guard today. Saw some friends of mine accidentally which cheered up my heart considerable. A tremendous

 

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and furious snow storm set in about 6 o'clock in the evening. Experienced a great time of soul refreshing from on high about 10 o'clock. It was so cold I could not keep warm and I had to walk backwards on account of my eyes being blinded by the driving snow. 5^th Me reg^t has mooved into a pine woods. Cold & bitter & cloudy. Tis Sunday. The boys were at work all day long in fixing up their tents As I was at work I thought how queer it would seem to one from home to see me mixing mortar today

6^th Weather cloudy. tent finished Fell sick got an awful cough.

7^th Weather fair. Inspection today. Went to the doctors this morning and have been lying abed

 

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Leaf No 9.

 

all the day. Feel quite sick. Thankful to God that I am no worse. Hope that I shall be better soon. Received a box from home today just in the right time when I could not have an appetite for the coarse fare of camp life.

April 8^th Fair weather this morning by the blessing of God I feel much better this morning. Hope that I may soon get well and be restored to my usual health and strength. Dont get any letters from my friends like I did—dont know what is the reason. Am waiting patiently from day to day. Wouldnt mind if the pay master would come along soon. Will soon have 6 months coming to us. 9^th Weather very fine today indeed. Sun shone out bright & fair making us all to rejoice and feel lazy all over.

 

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I feel a little better today. Have just come in from target shooting. I am conscious that out of my 4 shots that I did not hit the target once but if I had fired a little lower I should have hit on target for I made as others said some good line shots. I will try to hit it next time. Dont feel right in my mind Been reading a piece in a paper headed A Christian everywhere. O that I had such an assurance in my heart that I had lived such a life. Some says that I have been a Christian everywhere. But I when I come to examine my heart O how much am I inclined to sin against my best friend—Jesus. Here today I have neglected prayer and does this look like living the

 

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life of a Christian everywhere. Sometimes I fancy that I am not living at all the life of a Christian and then again I hear some of my comrades say when they are speaking of some of my comrades who once professed the religion of Jesus that I am the only one who has stuck to my religion. This encourages me to press on. 10^th Weather still serene & beautiful. Dont feel well today in body or in mind. 11^th Weather the same. Got the spring fever for a certainty. 12^th Weather still beautiful. Went upon guard over there at the ammunition train. 13^th Was relieved from off of guard this morning. The weather still beautiful with some April showers through the night & the morning. Received marching orders tonight to be ready by tomorrow night to march. Will have

 

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have to carry 60 rounds of cartridges apiece. And 8 days rations in our haversacks and knapsacks. We to be quite limited about what we carry. Well I feel that I am prepared for any thing that comes off. On the 12^th the first Army Corps moved some where. (on the 13^th) Today all the cavalry and 2 batteries of artillery went out upon a reconnoissance we suppose toward Warrenton Station. 14^th Weather still nice and warm. 15^th Weather rainy. Experienced some tremendous hard dashes of rain. It came down in such big drops that the tent never stopped the water from coming through. Got a canal in our tent. Think that we will soon have Vicksburg cut off and

 

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ready to take. 16^th Weather cloudy with some appearance of clearing away. Hope it will be a nice day for we are upon guard today upon the ammunition train. Dont think as we have not yet moved that we will hardly be calculated to move for a week yet. While I was upon post I thought how good a time for reflection over the past life of myself I walked up & down my beat thinking of home and the prayer meetings in which I used to enjoy myself so much. I do feel myself to be a great sinner but still I feel that Jesus loves me & that I love him too. Talked a little to Sam Wells a backslider. How much I ought to pray for him. I reminded him

 

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he used to sing and talk and join in prayer with us in our meetings at Camp Seminary but he seems not to be willing to come back. He seems to prefer the low road that leadeth to destruction. I told him that I felt sorry for the change which had been wrought in him since that time. His and another comrades first step backwards was learning how to play cards. O God how thankful I am to thee that thou didst preserve me from falling about that time Some of my comrades say the reason why I have made out to stick to so long is because that they did not begin their plan right. So I perceive that they had a plan to entrap my soul. Thank God that I have been

 

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kept from getting into the snare set for me. However I have still much need to be very watchful with prayer. For these very ones say that they mean before my time runs out to have me a backslider or an apostate. But I am determined by the grace of God to still live the life of a Christian relying upon Jesus for strength in the hour of trial and temptation. O Lord wilt thou not stand by me and deliver my soul from the hands of those who would seek the ruin of my eternal interests.

17^th Weather still cloudy. Still here in camp. Been signing the payrolls today. Have to drill right smart nowadays. Feel quite unwell in body. 18^th Weather is nice Washing up our clothes in the run

 

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19^th Weather extremely beautiful It could not be a more pleasanter Sunday spring morning than it is today. All nature seems to be praising God. The birds are turning their voices and the frogs in the run are tittering. And if thus the reptiles seem to be thus engaged upon this most delightful Sabbath morning how much more should we who are rational beings gifted with powers of soul & mind. We should as far as it is possible lift up our hearts to God. To thank him for all his mercies that he has been bestowing upon us his ungrateful subjects. O God I pray thee to enable me thy humble servant to keep thee in my thoughts this day and to

 

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try to make a sabbath's day's journey nearer heaven I am upon guard today on camp guard. There was an inspection this morning of everything. It has passed off quietly and now the boys are occupying the time. Some are endeavoring as far as lies in their power to "Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy" unto the Lord. While others are sitting and in squads playing cards—others are pitching Quirts Others are asleep some are drawing rations whilst others are cleaning the ground, &c. Pity that our Chaplain should turn out to be such a man as he has. We want a man for a chaplain of this reg^t who is alive to his duty and who feels the weight of the immense responsibilities resting upon

 

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him. And one who would preach nothing but the gospel, the pure and undefiled word of God. O God help me to hold fast to the faith for I feel that satan desires to have me to sift mens wheat. I see that the boys are trying their best to catch me and turn me away. When they fail in one thing the devil punishes them with some other plan Some of the boys keep [?] coming back to the reg^t They all notice it fine right away that I still hold fast the religion of Jesus. I even hear them often saying its a great wonder that Tom stands fast to his proffession as he does. He does well to stand alone and still stick fast. O God I give the glory to thee to thy grace for thus keeping me from falling away. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord.

 

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20^th Weather raining today. April showers descending. The peach trees are out in full bloom and the grass looks quite green in spots. Here & there through the woods one comes across a bright green spot where some cavalry man has fed his horse during the past winter. Have been paid 4 months pay this afternoon. Have sent to my mother 35 dollars for herself. Feel very sore indeed. 21^st Weather mild. 22^nd Weather still warm. Our Col. took us out on a walk around the country. Down to the Potomac Creek. We could see Belle Plain Landing. Away in the distance we could see the noble, majestic Potomac. We descried one single sail cruising about on it. 23^rd. Weather still

 

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pleasant. Our Col. took us out on another 5 mile excursion this afternoon. First we went over to the 2^nd Brigade and staid there a little while seeing them have a game of cricket. Then the drums beat the call to attention we at once fell in and took arms and then headed for Falmouth. By and by we reached the hills overlooking the village which is truly a dilapidated looking place. There we saw forts upon the hills for the defence of the place. The peach trees looked pretty out in full blossom amid the surrounding desolation. We stacked arms in Falmouth and for a wonder Col. Birney permitted us to break ranks. We went down by the shore of the river (the Rappahannock) to see the Johnnys. There was

 

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plenty of the old grey backs upon the opposite shore fishing. We could see them relieve their picket guards quite plain. A little to the left lay the city of Fredericksburg. On the right of the town in the low ground there was a regt drawn up into line. Probaly on dress parade. They looked as natural as ever over there. I have read in the papers that all the rebels was gone in front of Hookers army oppisite Fredricksburg. But as far as any one of us could see the woods that lined the hills were full of camps We could see the little white tents quite plainly. We only went down to look at them a while When we were coming back to our camp we came by a house that stood upon a hill. An old secesh woman was standing inside as soon as we came along she began to blackguard us saying You have to

 

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come back aye. I know'd you have to come back and thus she went on till we were out of sight and hearing. 24^th Company went over to the ammunition train to go on guard. Weather fairy storming. Some tremendous heavy rain fell during the day & night. 25^th Still very stormy. Very windy this morning, with rain. Came off the ammunition train this morning. 26^th tis sunday today. The air is somewhat cool this morning but upon the whole we have not had so fine a morning for some time. Feel rather serious this morning. Think I ought to be more so when I come to look over the past few days though I can make no amends for them for they are gone. I have sinned against God. How dare I so many times hope for his forgiveness. I pray that

 

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he will reinstate me to his love to his former favor though I deserve to be banished from his presence forever. I have been reading the Bible a little and some good papers which I get from home. Bless God for them. I have been writing a little of my history during the past few days.

27^th Weather rather cool but pleasant. Our state governor (Joel Parker) visited us last night about Tatoo on roll call Companies D & O received him with cheers. [?] as far as I know about it none of the other companies cheered him. Our Company wish before they cheer a man to see what he will make first. They've done cheering for any one except little Mac. 28^th Weather very pleasant this morning indeed. Think I am getting a little better Have been having some rain today and good prospects of more. The way things

 

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are going now they look very much like as if there was going to be a [?] this before long over the river cross the river below here in all probality. One Division of the 6^th Corps moved towards the Rappahannock this morning and the pontoons have been taken down nearer to the river and other things look like as if active operations were to be resumed in this quarter soon. Our line officers had to take down their comfortable tents and turn them into the Quartermasters hands and put up little shelter tents in their place just the same as the rank & file have to. So being upon the right of our army we are drawing clothing tonight in a hurry. Something is up surely. But we may have strict marching orders for some time to come. It looks funny to see our line officers quartered in

 

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shelter tents. Our old Brigade moved today toward the river. They had their knapsacks full of hard tacks. I reckon that afore long we shall hear the whizzing of shells and the booming of cannon. O that our leaders will remember their God that he has the control of all these events in their hands. May God bless us and make us a terror to our enemies. I pray that the Lord will deliver the rebels in our hand and that our army may whip them so bad that they may never know what ails them. 29^th Troops moving all night. About half past 4 o'clock this morning was a whole volley fired down in the direction of Falmouth. Since that there has been some cannonading heard at a distance. The ball in all probality is opened. We have just got orders to be ready at a moments notice to fall in without knapsacks. The weather is misty but no rain. Expect that there will be some exciting news soon in this quarter

 

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Something must certainly be going on of strategical movements of importance for the papers have lately made no mention of us scarcely at all. According to all accounts the rebels are getting the worst of it in Louisiana and in Missouri O God wilt thou not look down upon us in mercy and keep us from all harm. Have been some considerable cannonading going on on the left and right Have had various rumors but dont know what is true. 30^th Weather bad All the troops across the river except 2 corps. Our old Brigade yesterday took a battery of artillery and a large number of prisoners of the enemy. The three 3 companies of our reg^t are guarding them. Have just been out upon a hill observing our fellows and the rebels shelling each other. The rebels have a close fix upon ours. Plenty of the rebels in line of battle over there. I expect to hear

 

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warm work tomorrow 1^st of May. Weather quite sultry and warm. Am upon guard today on the train. Am so lazy that I can hardly hold my gun or stand up. All the guards got the spring fever terrible bad. Heavy cannonading upon the right all day and up to 12 o'clock in the evening. Could see the flashing of the rebels shells bursting in the air [?] over the hills in the distance. To the left of Kelly's ford could be seen great columns of smoke rising all the afternoon from the rebels encampments as if they were burning up commissary stores to keep them from falling into the hands of our boys who were still at last accounts advancing. Hope that God will bless our armies in putting down the armies of the rebellion. Tremendous cannonading on the left and right. 2^nd of May Heavy cannonading upon the left, front & right. Our fellows drove some 4 miles on account of Lee's getting reinforcements sooner than Hooker's. 3^rd Tis Sunday. Weather delightful. About half past 1 o'clock this morning our boys crossed to the right of the

 

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city of Fredericksburg. As soon as they were over they let drive at the rebels with musketry. Then pretty soon the rebels upon the heights opened with a terrific round and the air was full of the missiles of destruction. Terrific cannonading continued till after noon. Just before noon our boys charged up the hill while the rebels blazed away with all their might. But soon the stars and stripes were floating from these heretofore impregnable heights. And our old Brigade must even now be after the rebles. The firing is so far off that we can hardly hear it. 3 cheers for Genl Hooker May our boys soon have Richmond in their possession. We should give thanks to God for the victory he has given. And may we he smile upon us. May 4^th A heavy fight still going on. A good lot of rebels been taken prisoners. Weather stormy. Our boys still hold the heights of Fredericksburg. Last night as our old Brigade were fighting the rebels they made them run Not long after the rebels came up in too strong a force for the

 

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Jersey boys and therefore they began to run retreat in good order. Up came the rebels closer and closer till the rebels were within 20 yds of each other. Now the rebels let fly and killed a large number of the officers and men. But our troops finally repulsed them. Quite a hard fight has been going on over there all the day. It is feared that the rebels will gain the heights. The sun is very warm. Very heavy cannonading. O God have mercy on our cause and help us in this our time of need. 800 more rebels from Jacksons force upon our right have just been brought in This is now the 5^th day. How very thankful we need to be that we have got this job of guarding this ammunition train or else we would have been cut to pieces and in all probality our friends would have had to mourn our loss. 5^th Tremendous fighting going on. Experienced a terrific thunderstorm of rain and hail. 7^th 6^th A great northeast storm prevailing

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But a severe cannonading going on on the right. The rebels demanded a flag of truce to bury their dead and Hooker would not grant it. 7^th Weather very stormy. Very rough upon the soldiers. The 3^rd Corps has come back to their camps. Whether for to stay we know not. There has been a most terrible slaughter of men and officers. The report is that our loss up to yesterday were supposed to amount to 40,000 killed, wounded & missing. Dont hear tell of Hooker's coming back yet. The rebels must have suffered severely. In one place there must have been an awful slaughter for Birney's Division were ordered to break and run bank back. Thus [?] on the heedless rebels came on and on till they arrived within close range of 32 pieces of cannon loaded with grape and canister. All at once just as the Johnnys

 

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felt sure of the pieces of artillery the cannoniers opened and slew the rebels with an awful slaughter. 'Tis calculated that upwards of 3000 rebels were slain in the short space of 10 minutes. The report is now that the cause of our defeat is because the 11^th Corps wouldn't stand pat but broke and run away 7^th Still stormy weather. Army all coming back. 8^th Weather still stormy. Gen^l Stoneman with the cavalry reported to be at Gloucester pt. Some part of the army going there. Think that there is something else in the wind Am on guard over at the train. 9^th Nice & clear this morning. Beautiful day not much news. Will soon be at the end of this book. Yesterday we saw our old Brigade and division pass by on the way back to White Oak Church. They were terribly cut up O war what hast thou done. How many homes & hearths hast thou now in a few days made desolate by the hand of death.

 

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Now for the [?] Let it be carried into execution and let all arm and overpower the rebels soon. May 10^th. It has been a most beautiful sabbath day. Gen^l Stonemans raid amongst the rebels gives great satisfaction to the boys. 11^th Weather very warm. The roads are quite dusty again. The 3^rd Corps were reviewed this afternoon. No news. Felt quite unwell within mind & body. 12. Weather fair and warm. 13^th Weather quite warm. Signed for our ration money. A little rain. 14^th Weather rainy and warm. Expect that we will have to move our camp today. 15^th Weather very warm today. Am on guard at the train. did move our camp but only a half a mile. 16^th Weather very warm. 17^th Weather very warm indeed. Well I must draw this book to a close. May it reach home in safety is my prayer now and ever. Amen

SOURCES