Albert H. Kingman Diary, 1862
[stricken account for molasses, potatoes, etc]
[1861 diary overwritten for 1862]
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F. C. Wordsworth Dr
Oct 29 + molasses & [?]
Nov 1 1 lb potatoes
[further account stricken]
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Jan. Tuesday 1 1862
Very pleasant day warm as May or June at home.
1862
Drew
Took a long tramp Capt. Austin treated us on cider in evening
Wednesday 2
Battalion scurmish drill a.m. & p.m. Another Co. of SS from N.Y.—poor boys
The 6th Reg are not coming into Berdan's[?]
Thursday 3
Snow storm The whole Reg. took a scout over to fort Bunker Hill east of city & took our dinner. fine cool day. Recd a letter from E.D.R.
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Jan. Friday 4 1862
Snowed a little last night. cool this morning ground looks white
Saturday 5
Been over to see the 6th N.H. Reg. Saw many boys of my acquaintance Geo. Stakwether is Cap of Co K. O. G. Dort is Cap. of Co G. Marshal Brown is nurse in the Hospital. He is not very well. Most of the Keen boys are officers. A letter from home & Nellie all well & smart.
Sunday 6
On guard
Cold winter morning Snowing at night Letter from father Sgt Wadsworth has got out of the hospital very weak. Manning is out of the tent now.
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Jan. Monday 7 1862
Two inches snow nearly Wrote to father & to mother
Tuesday 8
Cold & blustering Wadsworth still quite weak, no fire to keep him warm here in our tent
Wednesday 9
Cold morning Wadsworth is up to the hospital is very weak but find hes easyer.
I am called to be waiter in the hospital
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Jan. Thursday 10 1862
Ida little female Dr who tends the sick at the patent office Hosp came up to see the sick Sturns[?] of the measle tent is acuainted with her. says she wants to come up here
Friday 11
Took a severe cold running out & into the hospital tent came off at night feeling very poorly didnt go up again [faded] having two female nurses Another one been up to see the sick
Saturday 12
On year to day since I lost my watch [faded] I found it the 4 of March all in good runing order buryed deep in the snow
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Jan. Sunday 13 1862
Signed the pay roll today Expect to be paid of tomorrow
Monday 14
Last year today mercury 16° below
Tis snowing fast I have fasted the past three days cones noon & feel very much better but not hungry yet [?] Recd pay today
Tuesday 15
Much stronger been to city & took a nice bath on E St. Wadsworth was brot down to patent office yesterday looks tired. Got hair cut. Rains
Sent 15 dollars to father.
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Jan. Wednesday 16 1862
Recd a letter from George he is in or was on the Licking river the Geffen Co., Ken. under Gen Buel.
Letter from Hurd of 2nd N.H.
Thursday 17
Wrote to Cousin L.R.W. Little
Friday 18
Letter from home & cousin Anna K.B.
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Jan. Saturday 19 1862
On guard. Rainy
Sunday 20
Rained hard 4 hours while on guard. Very mudy
Monday 21
Took another bad cold yesterday.
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Jan. Tuesday 22 1862
Letter from L.R.W. & one from W. Metcalf one from home yester. Manly arived all safe well as usual expect father lamed himself by sliping.
Wednesday 23
Cold some better
Rainy & mudy very [?] today for the past two weeks A letter from "Schoolmarm"
Thursday 24
Cold much better. Eat only two meals pr day now Got pass of Col. B. over lines & practised a little. Two of last five shots in same hole in middle of an [?] 10 rds off hand. I am some weak yet. Ding out 7 or 8 lbs of bullets out of old target
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Jan. Friday 25 1862
Run up 243 balls for Manning & T. had enough to run 25 or 30 more raining & hailing in evening.
Saturday 26
Rained & froze all night
Sent letter to L.R.W. & brother Geo. Morse got a stove for 1.75cts
Sunday 27
Wrote to E.D.R. today Pleasant
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Jan. Monday 27 1862
On guard Supernumerary. Cloudy
Tuesday 28
On guard post 11
Raining
Cram & Ross laid floor in tent that with plaster makes it very comfortable
Wednesday 29
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Jan. Thursday 30 1862
Rained all day. Carried Wadsworths papers (Discharge papers) down & bot him several things. calculates to start for home first of next week.
Feb. Friday 31
Graniss of our Co. died very sudenly this morning Wm Willson & I went out & fired my gun made two very good targets 20 rds.
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Feb. Sunday 2 1862
Called up to go on pay roll about ten last eve took several officers of 2nd Reg & put them under orders for speaking disrespectfully of [?] &c. Had Colts revolving rifle 5 shooter something going to happen I guess
Monday 3
Snowed some this morning not very cold but froze a little
Tuesday 4
Three inches snow on ground The Col. excuses all who have the Colts revolving guns from duty keeping us as minuit men. Very pleasant today. Dr Trall comences a course of lectures in the city tonight. I shall go & hear him if possible
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Feb. Wednesday 5
On ward. Rainy
Past one
Thursday 6
Letter from George. He is at Paintsville Johnston Co Ken.
Wrote to Geo.
Friday 7
Recd three letters one from Hattie mother & Libbe one from Nellie Nellie one from Elsina one from Anna Very mudy
[margin: 29° below 1861]
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Feb. Saturday 8
Recd a letter from home & one from W. Hurd of 2nd N.H. Very pleasant but mudy. Cooks waiter today
[margin: mercury 36° below 1861]
Sunday 9
A young man of the 2nd Reg. stabed himself with the bayonet of his gun today on purpose. Cram's box came today full of "good things from home"
Monday 10
Very fine day
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Feb Tuesday 11
Very pleasant. On police.
Wednesday 12
Snowed a little last evening very pleasant. War news very encouraging. Fort Henry on the Ten. R. taken by our fleet & all their boats taken or destroyed.
[margin: Heard H. W. Beecher lecture 1861]
Thursday 13
Very pleasant. More good news. Elis. I. has been taken by Burnside fleet togather with Roanoke I. with 2000 prisoners & "Misqueto" fleet destroyed
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Feb. Friday 1862
Our troops are surrounding fort Donaldson on the Ten. River
A letter from cousin L.R. Whittle
Saturday 15
On guard (powderhouse) Snowing Recd a bundle of butternut meats from Elsina with a note by way of Wm Willsons box
Sunday 16
Very pleasant. Snowed nearly 3 in. deep. more than at any other time. Quite cold morning. Wrote to E.D.R. & L R Whittle
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Feb. Monday 17 1862
Raining Fort Donaldson has been attacked & the stars & stripes flote over the upper fort F. Donaldson is about 13ms. W of F Henry. Bowling Green Ken is in hands of our men (Baltimore Clipper) later all taken
Tuesday
Letter from Nellie
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Feb. Friday 21 1862
Went over to fort Bunkerhill with 80 others cuting wood for our camp
Sat 22
Rainy in morning
Wrote to W Hurd & B [?] Celebrating Washingtons birthday in & about the city
Saturday 23
[stricken farm entry from 1861]
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Feb. Monday 24
Terrible gale of wind, N.W. blowing down steeples, chimneys, tents & trees.
Took ours down.
Cold towards night
Small pox has into camp.
Tuesday 25
No guns yet
Wrote to P. & Nellie
Wednesday 26
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Feb. Thursday 27
No guns yet. The old story that we are to be disbanded revived. War news still very encouraging
A letter from Wm Metcalf.
Thursday 28
Cold & windy. Wrote to Wm Metcalf
Our arms have now 11 victories since Nov no reverses.Nashvill is taken &c &c &c
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[diary commences to be a composite of entries from 1861 and 1862]
March Friday
Sat. 3
Warm all day & all night 1861
Got 1½ bushels of apples
1862
Sunday 4
1861
Warm last night & today.
Drew home 1½ ft of wood
I found watch all safe & sound began to run when I opened it & has run well ever since
[margin: Runs 1862]
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March Monday 5 1862
Tuesday 6th
Cold & squally
Thursday 7
Very cold wind
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March Friday 7 1862
1861
Went up & got things ready for gathering sap on Holbrooks
Letter from Geo. He is on the Big Sandy River His letter dated 23d of Feb.
Saturday 8th
Carried up a load of wood to sugar place
Rained most all day
Sunday 9 1862
1861
Very fine weather.
Sap runs.
Very pleasant & quite warm
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March Monday 10 1862
1861
Went up & found many of the buckets running over full of sap. Salvaged about 8 bbs. on sled in the near holder. the ice in buckets was about 2 inches thick sap very sweet
Tuesday 11
Going to write to B Ruffle
Wednesday 12
Went down to Navy Yard & saw them make shot & shell Saw them fire a 30 lber several times Saw process of making balls minee & round. Saw a machine boring brass gun. The ball from the gun they fired could be seen for a mile.
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March Thursday 13 1862
Got a new knife last week. proved to be soft & carried it back & got another some better 1861 good yet
14th
Letter from Elsina D.R. & cousin L.R.Whittle.
Fine weather now. One army is in possession of all the most important strongholds of the enemy & they still play.
Wrote to L. A. Severance
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March Sunday 1862
Monday 16
Carried Mr Whitemore $11.26 worth of hay @ $15. Sled slips first rate very cold this a.m. Mercury 5 above this morning at 7 oc.
Wednesday 19
Rainy. Orders to march.
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March Thursday 20 1862
Marched to Alexandria through mud & rain
Slept in the tent of a N.Y. Reg. (Now at the [?]) very comfortably
A letter from Nellie
Friday 21
Marched into Alexa. & took boat named "Emperor" for Fortress Monroe. Wrote to Wm Metcalf. Recd letter from cousin Hurd.
Sat. 22
The weather is fine
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March Sunday 23 1862
[stricken entry from 1861]
Our whole Reg. excepting one Co is on board
One of Co B's men got his foot smashed in the machinery of the engine
Monday 24
Landed at Hampton & encamped a little out of village burned by rebels. It is or was a pretty place. No tents looks like rain. Drew another rubber blanket [?] tents of them Were about 5 mls from the rebels. Move in morn. Camp Hamilton
Tuesday 25
There is a whole Brigade here
Left Camp Hamilton
Now camped a mile or two west towards Newpor News.
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March Tuesday 25 1862
[stricken 1861 entry]
Wednesday 26
Wrote to E.D.R.
Looks like rain
Thursday 27th
Fine day. Troops passing constantly in morning. 200 out of our Reg. gone scouting
Friday 28
The S. Shooters made themselvs conspicuous.T. W. Morse of our Co. shot the first rebel today at a distance of 80 rods. They were the first to mount the fortifications at Big Bethel which our troops took possesion of today
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March Sat. 29 1862
On picket duty last night No "rebubs" to be seen. We were put on the out posts. Read paper from home. Going to write to Nellie.
Sunday 30
Pleasant
One of our pickets shot through leg.
Two more monitors on hand ready attack the Merimac
Monday 31
On guard. Another of our pickets shot through the shoulder & the rebel taken. Quarter master come bringing bakery & a large mail containing a letter from home with a nice pair of bullet molds for me & one dollar in money the snow is very deep yet
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April Tuesday 1 /62
Snowing. Very hot sun with cold breezes. Tryed the new balls. shoot very well [?] or wet.
Wrote home.
Wednesday 2
[stricken entry from 1861]
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April Friday 4 1862
*Ide exposed himself unnecessarily. He was the only one of my Com Sharpshooters lost more than any other Regt. 2 killed All acknowledge that we did good servise We laid before their fort & kept their guns quiet for several hours in spite of their sharp shooters who popped away at us constantly to but little affect—All this on the 5th of Apr
Sat 5
Slept under the fence last night at Millard Springs a very pretty place. The country is well wooded & live timber mostly hard pine. Had all the fighting I wanted today. Our Reg. ahead of [?] train. *Ide is killed & several others
Sunday 6
Pretty quiet considering a lot of 100 siege guns coming from Fortress Monroe. Went out on a scout today. We lay concealed in one of the pretiest little nooks by a brook & mill that ever I saw. Discovered a battery of 4 guns
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April Monday 7
A letter from E.D.R. of 2nd
All well at R. Falls
Another S.S. wounded yesterday on picket. Lost one finger. Waiting for a lot of large siege guns to come up from Fortress Monroe. part of them have come. expect 100 or more. Wrote to E.D.R.
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April Thursday 10 1862
Left camp foster one week since. Been rainy & uncomfortable most of the time. No fighting constant shooting between pickets not many lost on our side. Moved out about a mile from under the guns of the rebels to an open piece in the York river near our own gun boats.
Friday 11
Very pleasant today
[?] went up in his balloon this morning.
Sat. 12
[stricken 1861 entry:
Drew home six loads of manure from Barkers
War commenced
Cecessionists attacked fort Sumpter.]
Sat 1862
Before Yorktown on picket
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April Sunday 13 1862
Very pleasant. Heavy firing in direction of Fortress.
Sunday 14
Fort Sumpter is taken
Not a man killed
Very pleasant
14th
Pleasant but cool
Row in Baltimore
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April Tuesday 16 1862
Warm & dry
Wednesday 17
The rebels undertook to break through our lines last night but got driven back with some loss on both sides. They haven't had a victory since the one at Balls Bluff. While we have taken all important places except N. Orleans Yorktown & Richmond. Gen McClelan seems to have no doubt about the result of this but is making great preparations.
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April Friday 19
A letter Westminster & Wm Metcalf. Went with Lieut over to N.H. 2nd found the friends all OK
Saturday 20
The rebels tryed to take one of our guns last night but were driven back with a loss of 800 killed & wounded
On picket today, no chance to shoot. Saw Han Metcalf as came in
A letter from E.D.R. all well as usual
Sunday 21
The rebs tryed to break our lines again last night. not heard any particulars
Quite rainy all night & in morning.
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April Tuesday 22 1862
Rained all night not much firing. Making great preparations for a siege
Tuesday 23
On picket Could see rebels but too far of to get a good sight at them Fired twice & made them get down Our men are very tired puting up earth works night & day.
Thursday 24
Wrote home. A letter from mother. Wrote to E.D.R. A letter from W.M.B.
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April Friday 25 1862
[upside down under 1861 entry]
The South must be very foolish to pitch into our solid ranks.
May the Lord open their eyes.
Sat 26
Raining. Wrote to Nellie. All quiet
Sunday 27
On picket. Above the old mill. Very cold & wind blowing Gen McClelan & staff made us a visit & got all shot from the rebs but recd no injury. Our boats 2½ miles below on the York R. drop the shot & shell onto the fort just about right
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April Monday 28 1862
Very pleasant & warm
Tuesday 29
The "Rebs" throwing shot & shell very cairlessly this morning. Reb accounts say our forces have taken N. Orleans. It is thought the rebs are trying to leave Yorktown. We are geting our works nearer theirs every day.
Wednesday 30
Rainy. Mustered in.
Some shooting of big guns near here.
On picket in morning. Cousin Geo Boyle came over He is not very well. Bot me a spy glass $3.00
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May Wednesday 1 1862
On picket today in Hamiltons Division. My spy glass is very handy. Not much shooting til eve. Our fortifycations protect our men compleetly. They are 3 miles or more in length & about 1000 yds from the reb fortifycations.
Friday 3
Letter from Mother & L. A. Severance
On guard Countersign Monteray
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May Saturday 4
Corinth is evacuated by Beauregard for Memphis
Yorktown has the Stars & Stripes floating over it Geting ready to follow the rebs.
3¾ oc. p.m. Our (S.S.) pickets have got in Bringing in a large cecesin flag & various other relics Our troops are persuing them
Monday 5
Rainy. quiet
Our troops have taken 9000 rebs Hear heavy firing N.W. of here apparently from our gun boats report says 13 of them have gone up the James. We are not to be in front this time. Our boys were the fortifications at Yorktown. Other troops are jealous of us some so they put us in the rear
Tuesday 6
Day pleasant. Our troops are still persuing the flying rebels. Report from hd quarters says we have them tight. Beauregard & half his force prisoners. Richmond is in our hands. Cecesh is about played out. Navigation has opened on the James & York has opened very sudenly
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May Wednesday 7 1862
We expect to move on today towards richmond.
Thank the Lord our fighting is pretty much done. Every body this world over seems to be pleased. Our music has changed from the horrid screaching of cannon balls to that of well drilled ranks & we sleep quietly nights. Very pleasant today Writing to E.D.R.
Wednesday 7
Marched into Yorktown
It is a very smart spot for strength otherwise it is a nasty place
Thursday 8
Stored up the silver for West point Went over & visited Charles Severance. He lent me a good revolver saying I might keep it until I got through with it.
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May Friday 10
Arived at West point & landed in the pontoon boats yesterday
Official reports say Richmond is taken
Very warm
We have the rebs where they must fight or surrender
Saturday 11
Recd a letter from cousin L R Whittle. Wrote to L. R. Whittle
Gen McClellan came here today he says the Merimac was blown up this morning & our forces ocupy Norfolk. "Cecesh is about played out".
Monday 12
very warm Went in swimming in the york river. pretty cold.
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May Friday 16 1862
[entry from 1861: Shot a woodchuck through the heart from the west window over in the N.W. corner (25 rods) Planted 1¾ b. [?]
Encamped on the grounds of Gen Lee: the place where Mrs Custis lived before Gen. Washington married her at a place called Whitehouse
Friday 17
1862
Very warm Went in swimming in the Piemonkey river 4 or 5 gun boats up here
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May Monday 19 1862
Marched from Whitehouse towards Richmond to a place on the railroad called Tunstalls Station. Rained as usual until we got our tents pitched. The Contrybands come in fast 7 or 8 came into our camp this pmThe most abused set of beings I ever saw
Tuesday 20
No move today Very warm Most of the darkies are pretty good looking if they were clothed decent.
A letter & paper from mother Hold ourselves ready to march.
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May Thursday 22 1862
Very fine. The rebels have planted large quantities of corn & sowed much wheat about here. Our boys are rebuilding the railroad bridge at this place.
Very hot marched to this place yesterday, more than ¼ of the bags [?] on the way. 14 ms from Richmond
Cousin G. Boyle is near & gave me many good things from home. My health is very good. Good chance to bathe here
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May Saturday 25 1861
Planted the corn—yellow & popcorn planted @ little curly corn, 1/8 acre of yelow 1/8 acre of pop or more Very pleasant
Sunday 26
Fine weather
Willie Thair had his skull severly fractured to night by the Haywoods cow.
Battle between U.S. the Southerners at Sewells point yesterday. 83 killed & wounded on our side about 300 on theirs and from 600 to 1000 prisoners taken of them.
Tuesday 27th
Very rainy. Started for Hanover to cut of the rebs retreat from Richmond—mud & water very deep. Came to the rebels about 11½ oc a.m. the railroad lying back of them. We soon drove them away but not without the loss of many men in killed wounded &
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prisoners. We then stoped
May Wednesday 28
to rest when the rebels outflanked us but our men drove them with great slaughter & took many prisoners during the day. we took something like 1000. They were N.C. trooops they left us all they had & we loaded ourselves with plunder as much as we wished. I found a nice dress sword, a nice coat & various other trophies.
Thursday 29
Came home to camp Gen. McClellan came up to see us at H. & said we had done more than he expected. 7 of our Reg. were wounded but none killed Our Dr Marshall was taken prisoner. We took two or more of their Drs. Some say 5.
Found a letter from cousin H.M. Kingman
Thursday 30
Rained all night the p.m. hard
A letter from cousin Henry M Kingman
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May Sat 31
Rained most all night. Regular thunderstorm. P.M. heavy fireing south of us
Wrote to L R Whittle E.D. Rice & cousin H. M. Kingman. Letter from home L.R.W. Wm Metcalf
Sunday 2
Our Reg all on picket about a mile south of here near the Chickahominy crick
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June Tuesday 3 1862
Got ready to go over the Chickahominy
Eve not ordered to march Commenced raining hard
Weds 4
Stoped raining, Bridges flooded no starting for Richmond yet.
Rubin K Emerson Co. E. is dead. died of fever. buryed yesterday.
Thursday 5
Rained last night
Wrote to father, sent home 15 dollars. Paid off last night. Heavy artillery firing this a.m.
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June Thursday 6 1862
Recd two papers from home—one a Ledger.
Sat 7
Warm. On picket the other side of the Chickahominy Had to waid through swamp middle deep with water got to our posts Had to stand all day. Hard shower in p.m.
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June Monday 9 1862
Tuesday 10
Wrote to Wm Metcalf. Very rainy
Wednesday 11
On picket at new bridge Rebs were near but no shots from either side.
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June Thursday 12 1862
Friday 13
On picket yesterday across new bridge Rebs very friendly & very near 20 rods to nearest, not a shot fired betwen us
Sat. 14
A letter from L. R. Whittle
Wrote to her.
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Monday 17
Very warm
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June Tuesday 18
Recd a letter from Nellie in K & ansd her letter
Wednesday 19
Sarah & I went up to B. Falls. Found the folks well as usual. Grandpa Rice is quite lame however
Elzina is teaching school
Thursday 20
Our siege train has just arived from Yorktown. Still we stop at Gains Bluffs
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June Sat 21
A letter from E.D.R.
Mon. 23
On picket not a shot exchanged between pickets We met them half way & had a talk changed canteens &c letter from Wm Metcalf. Writing home
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June Monday 24
4 30lb Parrot siege guns came up today. a lot came up yesterday.
Tuesday 25
Wrote to Wm Metcalf
Great deal of artilery firing this a.m.
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June Sunday 30 1862
A little rain
Wrote to Nellie & to Lydia A. Severance
Wednesday 2
Just arived at Harrisons Landing after a week of retreating & hard fighting in which our Reg. has lost or killed & wounded & missing about ½ of the men & officers (over
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July Thursday 3d 1862
Among the latter are Col Ripley Capt Drue Co G. Lieut S. E. Jones Co. E. Col Ripley wounded in thigh. Jones in leg. Capt Drue killed & Corp Ward killed by a shell.
Lieut of this Co E & the best shot of the Reg. & one of the best men was killed. We came here with N.H. 2nd stoping in the cemetery of the Harrison very mudy
We lost all we had most of us as our knapsacks most of them were left behind at Gains Mills.
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July Friday 6th 1862
Sat 6
Made our camp in the woods today We have been nearly starved since the retreat commenced.
Monday 7
Haying
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July Sat 12 1862
Lowery. Stoping in woods yet. heard from home they were very anxious to hear from us. We have got aranged so we can begin to draw a little something to eat.
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July Tuesday 15 1862
[stricken entries from 1861]
Saturday 20
The Rebbels ar flying.
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[continued farm entries from 1861]
Aug. Sat 2 1862
Found my knapsack at last filled up with a lot of unclaimed loot most of the things were in it
Saturday 3
Heard from Benj Ruffle yesterday. wrote to him. Somewhat exhausted after the battle.
Sunday 4
Very warm in p.m. The army worm is visiting us. Some have been seen in several places about town but they are too late to do much harm Mr. Cobb who went from here is on. Wants 20 men for Capt Barkers comp. & 75 more I understand for other Cos
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Wednesday 6
Target practis in a.m. Orders to be ready to march at short notice with two days rations on hand
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[continued farm entries from 1861]
Aug. Wednesday 14 1862
1861
The Soldiers go to join the army today I suppose Cobb has not got men enough yet I guess he had not Sat. Geo Bingham & his mother started for home this morning
Cloudy & cold [faded]
Left Harrisons Landing for Hampton on foot
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Aug. Saturday 17 1862
Still "marching on" Very good weather. pleanty of green corn & apples to eat on the road. We help our selves to what we want
Sunday 18
Wery & foot soar we arive at Hampton at the end of 4 days march. Had a tip top supper at Hampton of as good things as could expect.
Tuesday 19
Embarked on board the New Brunswick for I dont know where but probably Acquia Creek. My health is good but my feet are very soar Letter from Nellie
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Aug. Wednesday 20 1862
Arived at Acquia Creek & took the cars for Falmouth. Encamped near Fredricsburg Burnside is here besides the troops that are constantly from H. Landing
Thursday 21
"On the road" working Moved back onto high ground.—Wrote to E. D. Rice
Thursday 22
Orders to be ready to march with three days rations at short notice. Can buy things reasonable here bot 4 qt pears for ten cts. bot some milk 5 cts pr pt. bread 8 cts pr loaf of 8 oz. Corn for the geting
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[1861 farm entries]
Aug. Monday 25 1862
Encamped 4 miles S.E. of Ellises mills 15 ms N.E. of Falmouth Va. marched up last night from E. Mills. Marched up there Sat night & S. morn. waiting orders. Expected to help Pope but the Reb. Jackson left very sudenly, they were fighting Sat.
Wednesday 28 [1861]
Worked on road Enlisted in the N.H. company of Sharp shooters this evening.
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Sat 30
Skurmishing near Bull Run. Regt (about 150 men) nearly anihilated if not quite. Hard fought battle Rebs drove us back two miles. Our loss very heavy McDowel in command
Sunday 31
Started for Fairfax court house. Lost Reg by carrying & waiting on wounded Stoped by Prov camping in bush with few of our Co Capt Austin wounded in arm Sargt Brown shot dead by my side
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Sept. Monday 1 1862
The Gurrillas shelled us out of our little camp last evening & started a number of other camps toward Alexandria in a hurry I have lost the boys & am alone going to the provost to find out what to do with my self
we have taken the forts at Hatteras inlet the place where Jef Davis privateers go with their prizes of which there was about 12 taken in there
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Friday 6 [1861]
Nigh recd an or for us sharp shooters to report our selvs at Concord tomorrow or Monday
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[journal now commences to be a mixture of 1861 and 1862, overlapping entries from when the soldier left home to join the Army and entries from a year later]
Sept. Sunday 7 1862
Battle at Centerville McDowel in command We are beaten with great loss—75,000 troops of ours not engaged. 58 of our Reg killed & wounded 10 killed
Mon 8
1862
On the road to Alexandria
Monday 9
Lin thread. needles.
Concord. Arrived 3 ½ pm. Put up at Eagle. First rate house. Fine city.
1862
Found Regt at H[?] Hill, A box from home sent aug 4th berys pies &c spoiled of course
7 or 8 letters from home
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Sept. Wednesday 10 1862
Recd. bounty & pay to 6th inst.
No gun for me yet.
Leonard is writing Janie
1862
After being nocked about for 3 weeks & more we are encamped by fort Corcoran on a hill good view of Geo. town & the Capitol near Acquaduct bridge
Wednesday 11
Started for N.Y. at 3½ p.m. today arived at 6½
Thursday 12
Arived in "York" at 6½ oc. a.m. Came from Boston to Avery's Point on the splendid boat City of Boston. new last July. The finest thing I ever saw for a boat nicer than the best hotel
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Sept. Friday 12th 1862
Long hard march of 16 miles or more, most of the men in the Div. or Brig. fell out. many sun struck. Warm & mugy. Going N. from W. Sent Nellie a letter On guard last night.
Sunday 14
Ledger came In camp at Washington DC. On the way to Washington
1862
On the road to Frederick Encamped south of city 1m Rebs left here day before yesterday. Our boys are at them, fireing all day
Sunday 15
Came to Washington encamped at Bermans head qts. which is on a hill N. of the city which lies in full view.
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Sept. Monday 16 1861
Put up our tents &c Fruit peddlers &c are very plenty here. Milk is only 8 cts pr qt.
Tuesday
Been considerable firing beyond the city today losses not known
Tuesday 17
Been fixing the grounds around our camp. There are 4 Cos. of us here now 1 of Yorkers 1 of Mich. boys, 1 of Swiss who are very near us & are a jolly set of fellows—singing continually The Mich boys expect to go over the river tomorrow, they are glad
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Friday 1862
Sept. Thursday 19 1861
Geting ready for company. Our rations are very poor consisting of sour bread, tea & coffee mostly. occasionally a ration of beef.
Letter from home yesterday
Friday 20
The president Gen Mack Mc.Lelan & various other magnates came to see us today The President first and we all fired (except a few of us) at a target of two Zouaves 500 yds. It was riddled.
Saturday 21
The weather is very warm All but 15 of our boys & the Mich boys have gone over the river today to fight if there is a chance. My gun has not come or I would go. a battle is anticipated soon.
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Sept. Sunday 21 1862
Hard fight yesterday morn at the ford below Shepherdsville on the Potomac. 118 N.Y. got badly cut up. The S.S. took the ford the night before with the 4 Mich after a little sharp fighting taking 4 field pieces. Wrote to E.D.R. & cousing Henry M.K.
Monday 23
Came over to Virginia to camp Advance
Met the celebrated gunner & surveyor fired a parot 10 lb. gun load with percussion shell at Falls church from fort Smith whos guns we lie directly under & smashed the steeple & scatered the cecesh in all directions.
The church is not in sight from here. the was quieted by the baloon.
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Sept. Wednesday 25 1861
About 5000 of our troops went out & took about $10000. of hay & grain besides a lot of sheep & cattle the were fired upon by cecesh bateries some of the shells striking very near our Sharp S.s they all came home that night
Thursday 26
All quiet. Went in swimming in the old Potomac yesterday & today Tug boats come up as far as Chain bridg It costs me about 25 cts per day to live besides what U.S. furnishes.
Friday 27
Rainy. Our boys have gone out (21 of them) on picket duty. Got a new overcoat of MS. today felt grey looks well.
very pleasant being here now—bands all around us. 2000 troops within 1½ miles
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Sunday
Sept. Saturday 28 1861
the rebel troops are gathering at Munsons Hill & a few thousand of our men went out to meet them last night among them were 50 of the N.H. sharp S. one of them has been brot in this morning wounded in both legs it is Sargent Brooks He says the SS.s were put in front & they were fired on twice none of us know yet how many were killed.
Recd a letter from Elsina last night. is well & likes her school
Sunday 28
1862
Very warm. Am geting over the diarhea. Cousin G.S. came over to see me. He isnt very well. I took 2 of Ayers pills last night as a last resort. did me good We still on the Potomac below Shepardstown
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Oct Weds. 1 1862
Rhumer says Jef Davis has sent reps. to Washington with proposals of peace.
Thurs 2
Shower last eve Clear & pleasant today. Some heavy firing over the river today & last eve in direction of Harpers F. Not any mail for a long time. No pay. Runing down on "hardtack" & salt pork, very little fresh meat
Friday 3
1861
Letter from Elzina
1862
A letter from Elsina one from Nellie & one from mother & father. Cousin Julius is turned Quartermaster of __Regt. All O.K. at home. C. Boyle & Edna's husband Gray are in the 15 Conn Co. E.
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3d Con
Oct. Friday 3
1862
A letter from mother this week 1861) last evening (1862)
& 3 papers from cous Henry This army Chore was reviewed by Pres. Lincoln yester. p.m. He passed near us. He is the same good honest Abe that he was last year to appearance
Sunday 5
(On guard 1861)
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Oct. Monday 6 1862
—61
Kept us on guard over an hour after we should have been relieved. Bot portfolio .25
Tuesday 8—7
Rained terribly all night.
Wednesday 9—8
A letter from Elzina all well
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1862
Oct. Thursday 10 of 1861 & 9th of 62
Friday 11—10 of 62
1861
Went over the line (guard) & got some of the largest chestnuts that ever I saw On guard like last 24 hours
Saturday 12—11
Rained all last night Cool & comfortable
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Oct. Sunday of 1861 & 12 of 62
A letter from Nellie & the "Laws of Life"
Cold last night some signs there was a little frost.
12th Cold night last night. War news encouraging out West Buell & others all driving the rebs on good stile. They have got over into Penn. No mail since last Sun
Monday 14—13
Very fine day.
Frost last night
Cool rainy night
Drew overcoat, shirt cap & shoes yesterday
Tuesday 15 14
Very fine. Folks cuting up & geting in corn
Sent a letter to E.D.R. Cloudy & cool. No mail for 8 days
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Oct. Wednesday 16 of 1861 15 of 62
—61
My health is first rate now have been rather weak for diarhea
Oct 16th 1862 Recd letters from cousin L. R. Whittle, Chas. Severance, cousin Anne K Boyle, & cousin Henry M. Kingman. Our troops made a reconnoisance over the river today. heavy firing all day.
Thursday 16
Rainy in evening. Firing ceased. Recd a Ledger & Sentinel.
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Oct. Saturday 19 1861
Wrote to D. R. Calef.
Warm & showery.
All quiet here abouts doing well 40 000 rebels surrounded the Col says by our men over the river All Bosh
Monday 21
Cloudy. Dont hear any thing from the "40 000" above refered to. Our boys had a battle at Leesburg today lost in killed & wounded 200—being reinforced by Banks.
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Oct. Tuesday 22—21 1861—1862
Rainy. On guard from 4 or 6 a.m. today to 8 a.m. tomorrow
Wednesday 23—22
Rained half the night.
1862
Cold & blustering
Thursday 24—23
Cold night the first frost of any consequence in this vicinity.
Col. Baker who was killed lately was brot into the city today
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Oct. Friday 25—24 1861-1862
Coldest night we have had froze water over standing in dish last night.
Had orders to be ready to march this m'ng. but dont hear anything more of it—2¾ p.m. The canall is filled to here They say boats come up.Going to write to N.M. Boswell. Lieut. Col Trent has got back to us again No battalion drill this p.m.
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Oct. Monday 28=27 1861=62
Cold stormy night the 26th Orders to march before noon today—dont see any signs of it yet. 11 a.m. I have not got my blanket nor any other yet
Tuesday 29—28
On guard Pleasant most of time
Wednesday 30
Letter from mother & Nell
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Oct. Thursday 31 1861
Great Naval expedition sailed from fortress Monroe today About 30 steam vessels in it. dont know how many more.
Saturday 2
Rain storm—very windy
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Nov. Sunday 3 1861
Very rainy
Tuesday 5
On guard
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Nov. Wednesday 6 1861
Going to send home for sundries
rainy from 4 to six & by turns all day. N. W. wind. Writing to mother Pay master has come
A letter from Elzina twelvth of Nov.
Thursday 7
A.M. Cold
Friday 8
Building an underground furnis in our tent
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Nov. Saturday 9 1861
Rainy all day
The furnis heats up pretty well (form of furnis sectional view [picture]
Sunday 10
Very pleasant
Washing
Monday 11
Signed the pay roll. Grand fire works by the Elkart Brig. on the secession of MClelan to the command of Potomac army Good news from the fleet Have raised the stars & stripes over Beaufort—taken 3 forts & are about to march on Charleston
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Nov. Tuesday 12 1861
Cool last night Got shoes taped (.40cts) Got paid up in full for serving U.S. We were paid to the first of this month. They pay every two mos.
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Nov. Friday 15 1861
Letter from Lydia A Severance
Sunday 17
Letter from home my things are on the way.
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Nov. Monday 18 1861
Wrote to M. Brown last evening
Robbins has franked a lot of envelopes for the N.H. Boys—10 a piece.
No prospect of any arms of the right sort
Tuesday 19
Very fine day
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Friday 22
On guard today
Recd a box from home containing my boots & various other things
Saturday 23
Went to the city today. Went into Pat. Office Saw the pants & vest worn by George Washington also a part of his tent besides various other things to numerous to mention
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Nov. Sunday 24 1861
Cold—Snow in the evening. the first of the season just enough to whiten the tops of houses.
Monday 25
Cold & frosty.
Sold my new overshoes to Futro for two dollars
Tuesday 26
Rainy
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Nov. Wednesday 27 1861
Took leave of our Lieu. Col Myers. He was to join his Co "20000 miles from here"
Thursday 28
Thanksgiving. We are to have a dinner of rost turkey &c
Wrote to E.D.R. "Esq."
Friday 29
Very rainy. On guard 2nd Co. N.H. U.S.S.S.
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Dec. Sunday 1 1861
N.H. 2nd Co. of U.S.S.S. arrived today. Recd a letter from father & one from Nellie
Father has recd. the money I sent ($13.00)
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Dec. Tuesday 3 1861
Very cold ground froze last night. We have built us a chimney & fireplace which makes our tent very pleasant.
Wednesday 4
Ground froze 1½ inch last night
The order came to strike our tents this morning It look like a city in ruins now. smokeing chimnies & [?] scattered in every direction. Put in a letter for home. Wrote to N yesterday
Thursday 5
On guard. Very pleasant. Snow at home
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Dec. Friday 6 1861
Pleasant
Letter from Nellie
Saturday 7
Pleasant & warm
Sunday 8
Warm & pleasant
On guard Letter from E.D.R. "Esq."
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Dec. Monday 9 1861
Pleasant & warm
Tuesday 10
Cloudy but mild
Wednesday 11
A letter from home
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Dec. Thursday 12 1861
Recd a "Sentinel" from father
Friday 13
Cold night last night Sent paper to E.D.R. The Co took a tramp to the city went to the cap & got a bite of warm bread. Weighed myself. gained ten lbs. present weight with out any extra clothing 153 lbs. No signs of any guns yet We are all geting tired of this kind of nondescript life.
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Dec. Sunday 15 1861
Took cair of the sick last night all night
Monday 16
Rec. a letter from Wm Metcalf. He is at Crown Point teaching.
Cold nights & warm days. Very pleasant
War news very encouraging.
Tuesday 17
On guard
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Dec. Wednesday 18 1861
A letter from Nellie & answered it
Thursday 20
A man died today of the 2nd Reg. U.S.S.S. He died of measles.
Call of our Co. is very sick of measles. There are 15 or 16 sick of the same disease now
Friday 20
A letter from E.D. Rice The "Harpers" came all O.K.
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Dec. Saturday 21 1861
Colder
Call has come to his sences somewhat is dreadful weak. He is one of the best fellows in the camp.
Sunday 22
Wrote to E.D.R. commenced raining Had over 21 days fair weather Good news from Va. & Ken.
Monday 23
Rainy
Call died today
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Dec. Tuesday 24 1861
Call is sent home
Terrible windy & cold in morning milder at night On guard Berdan is trying to make us take muskets but we dont see it.
Wednesday 25
Another man died last night of measles in the 2 Reg. from Me. 3 men lie dead in that Reg. now
Recd a letter from Nellie & 1 from Hattie & the rest of the rest
Thursday 26
Went to the city & got picture taken to send home.
Have got me a good target gun one of Hildreths of Cornish. takes about 30 pointed balls to the lb. Run up 35 balls.
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Dec. Friday 27 1862
Wrote home & sent picture
Cold & windy.
Saturday 28
The 6th N.H. Reg. came in this P.M. They expect to come up there
Sunday 29
Cloudy but milder
Rutherford thinks he shall die & he wants to be buryed here Wrote to Nellie & brother Geo. Recd a letter from W. H. Hurd of 2nd Reg. Tides are double on river
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Dec. Monday 30 1861
On guard—Rutherford is dead.—
Sar. Wordsworth was taken down with measles this morning. Carried him up to hospital this noon.
Sent G'd Rice a paper.
Weather moderately cold
Tuesday 31
Inspection prepairatory to paying off. Col B. showed himself today.
4 men lay dead of the U.S.S.S. most of them died of measles
Wadsworth is comfortable measles well out. Says they take good cair of him.
Sent paper (Harpers) to Duck.
Rutherford buryed 6 more corpses brot in while we were in the cemetary
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[cash accounts for farm]
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Jan 20th 1863
Mother Please preserve this for me. Put it in the drawer in my book case
A H Kingman
We move today.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15316) | DL1148.001 | Diaries | 1862 |
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Artillery, Camp/Lodging, Death (Military), Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Food, Foraging/Theft, Fortifications, George B. McClellan, Guns, Hospitals, Hygiene, Illnesses, Injuries, Mail, Marching, Money, Nature, News, Payment, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Rivers, School/Education, Scouting, Ships/Boats, Supplies, Victory, Weather
People - Records: 1
- (5342) [writer] ~ Kingman, Albert H.
SOURCES
Albert H. Kingman Diary, 1862, DL1148.001, Nau Collection
