Romain O. Landry Diary
61 – 65
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No. 1. No such company as the "Donaldsonville Artillery" was ever mustered in the Confederate State service—
[This is inserted in the document by a second author. Notes entered within the text by this author appear in subscript.]
The Donaldsonville ArtilleryNr. 1 of Louisiana was mustured into the service of the Confederate States of America, for the duration of the War on the 13th day of September 1861 of which company the officers were as follows.
Captain Victor Maurin
1st Lieut. Sr Wm C. Laws
2d " Sr L. Fortier
1st " Jr M. Cazaré
2d " Jr R. P. Landry
C. B. Israel orderly Sergeant
J. Scheur Quarter Master
Pierre Ramirez 1st Sergeant
R. Gaillard 2d "
H. Treille 3d "
Wm Parks 4th "
M. Ramirez 5th "
R. Winchester 6th "
O. DeMesmé 1st Corporal
T Blouin 2d " /
John Landry 3d "
C. Mollère 4th "
L. A. Landry 5th "
S. Liòn 6th "
V. Fouin 7th "
P. Viala 8th "
John O'Hara 9th "
C. Pridoux 10th "
Jas. Kellet 11th "
C. Leblanc 12th "
J. N. Brand 1st Bugler
P. Comstock 1st Artificer
A. Richard 2d "
L. Lanoise 3d "
B. Cire 4th "
J. S. Stanley 5th "
Adolph Landry 6th " /
1861
September 18. The Company with three smooth bored guns left Donaldsonville on the steamboat Prince of Wales bound for Memphis Tenn.
22 Arrived at Memphis at 11 A.M. at 3 P.M. the Company left for the fair grounds a distance of 5 miles, at which place it arrived at 5 P.M. and camped.
24 Went to the Railroad station and stayed there all next day
26 Left on the cars
27 in the evening arrived at Chattanooga and left the same evening
28 Arrived at Knoxville Tenn.
29 Left Knoxville and arrived at Bristol Tenn on the Virginia line /
1861
Sept 30. Left Bristol
Oct 2. Still on the train going towards Lynchburg Va.
4th at 3 P.M. arrived at Lynchburg & left for Burkesville Junction
5th Arrived at Richmond Va. and camped at Rocketts. Received from the government 3 pieces of artillery, a forge, 4 wagons and each man received a short sabre, and in the mean time the Company was drilled daily.
November 11th. The first, second & third detachments left for Kings Mill wharf on the James River by steamboat North Hampton
12 The balance of the Battery left for the same destination
13. Arrived at York Town at 5 P.M.
18. Marched 16 miles and arrived at Bethel Church /
25. The 4th Detachment went on an expedition, saw a company of Yankees, fired on them & killed & wounded several
27 Another expedition
28 Went to target shooting
Dec 2. Cannonading heard on the James River
3. Snow.
5 Went on another expedition
9. fell back to Wards Mill
15 Left for Yorktown and arrived there at 2 P.M. and camped. the camp called camp Randall.
1862.
Jan. 2. Building log cabins for Winter Quarters.
4. Ice and very cold weather
6 Went to Crab Neck
7 Came back to our camp
8 left for Crab Neck but being counter ordered returned to camp & finished Winter Quarters.
13 Snow 5in deep. commenced building stables for our horses /
Feb 3 Snow.
10 Lieut. Cazaré left on furlough.
15 Snow.
27 Desiré Landry received a discharge and left for Louisiana
March 2 Made an expedition to Young's Mill 17 miles from our camp in the rain & mud arriving there in the evening
3 Left to return to our camp still raining
6 Left camp again and arrived at Ship Point at 4 P.M. snow during the night. camped near the 14th Louisiana Regiment
9 Left Ship Point and arrived at Bethel at 2 P.M. at 3 PM ordered to march again as it was reported that the Yankees were coming. After having marched about 4 miles, saw /
some Cavalry and immediately placed our guns in battery. as soon as this was done, the Cavalry waved & signaled that we should not fire and we found out that they were our own men. the Battery then went back to Bethel arriving there at 7 P.M.
10 at 3 A.M. an order came to hitch up & go to meet the enemy but as soon as we were ready to leave the order was countermanded
11 A false alarm
12 returned to Ship Point
13 Saw several Yankee ships & blockading vessels
17 Received orders to go to Bethel but order again countermanded
18 left Ship Point at 8 AM and arrived at Howard's Mill at 10 & camped
19 Left Howards mill and arrived /
March 19th 1862
at Bethel at 11 slept that night in a church
20 Left Bethel and marched towards Yorktown and arrived there at 12 M. finding our camp the possession of another Company, but nevertheless taking possession of it.
23 Father Boglioli made known his intention of leaving our Company.
24 Father Boglioli left
27 the Yankees came as far as Ward's mill, but went back Corp. C. Leblanc received his discharge from the army
28 Corp. C. Leblanc left for Louisiana.
Apl 3 Seven Who were they? recruits arrived from Louisiana all from Ascension Parish
4 Drill every day. /
5 heavy rain The yankees (McCleland army) appeared in front of Yorktown at 10 A.M. and kept on firing until dark. the 1st 2d 3d & fourth detachments being there were in the engagement, only one man being wounded and he not being a member of the Company (E. Brunet an old man from Louisiana who was on a visit to us) two battery horses were also wounded. the 5th & 6th piece had been ordered to Wynn's Mill, but was ordered to return that night.
6 The Yankees had a baloon up the sharp shooters are within 500 yds of our lines & firing on us all the time, we are behind breast works
11 Sharp shooters still firing on whoever shows his head. During the afternoon two battalions advanced as /
Apl 11/1862
Sharpshooters with one regiment to support them and notwithstanding their artillery fire our men advanced and set fire to a house which was about 300 yds from their batteries & then returned within our lines. Who did this?
12. in the afternoon the 24 Virginia & Mississippi troops advanced outside of our fortifications & set fire to several buildings & cut down peach trees in a large orchard in front of us which masked the yankees. Skirmish
13 in the evening went back to cut more trees (skirmish)
14 this morning at 1 oclock the yankees fired several cannon shots at us and retired
16 heavy firing heard from Wynn's Mill & dam No 2. /
17 firing all day at dam No 2 and during the night an attack but they were repulsed.
21. fired on the breast works the enemy erected last night
23 Received 2 wagons
25 ships & gunboat in sight in York River
30 Eleven recruits arrived from Louisiana, 3 from Ascension and 8 from Assumption. Who were they?
May 1 Heavy firing at Yorktown all along the line and a brisk firing from (our redoubt No 5)
2 Orders to prepare to march given, after dark when every thing was hitched the order was countermanded.
3 orders to march left Yorktown at 8 hr PM to evacuate the place. Very dark, the roads are very bad and travelling very slow the guns & caissons constantly /
May 3 1862
sticking in the mud, the booming of our guns heard all night to keep the yankees in the dark about our movements. traveled all night.
4 still on the march at day light a tremendous explosion heard in the distance. it was the blowing up of the magazine at Yorktown marched all day passed Williamsburg & camped, during the day fighting going on in our rear.
5 Battle of Williamsburg our smooth bore guns in the fight commanded by whom?, rain, cold and the deepest kind of mud.
6 retreat resumed still raining & cold, roads as muddy & as bad as they can be at night camped
7 left again this morning stopped a while marched again /
and during the night, lost our way and got stuck in the mud
8 After getting our guns & caissons out of the mud we camped for a while on the Chickahominy River, after having cooked rations resumed the march and camped at night.
9 weather fine to-day resumed the march at 12 M. at night camped near the Chickahominy River
10 Sent 2 of our guns to Richmond to have them repaired
13 No change drilled to day
15 orders to leave at 3 A.M. but only left at 3 P.M. it having rained since morning, after having marched about 7 miles camped still raining
16 Left against 7 this morning marched until 3 PM & camped still raining /
May 17 1862
At 3 PM left again and camped at about 3 miles from Richmond at Stern farm
19 No change fine weather
22 Rain. Our wagons went near the James River on a forage expedition but seeing a yankee gunboat returned to camp
24 Sergent R. Winchester having been discharged from service left for Louisiana
25 Left camp marched through Richmond and camped 2 miles from the city
26 heavy cannonading in the direction of New Bridge
27 artillery firing in the distance
28 Cannonading still heard
30 Rain
31 at day light received marching orders. /
at 7 A.M. left camp and stationed in a field 1½ miles from Richmond. Roads very bad, stayed there until 5 P.M. when we left for the battle field up to the breast works 6 miles from Richmond fighting to day capturing artillery enemy routed. Seven Pines
June 1 the battle field covered with dead and wounded & stores strewn about in profusion. at 9 A.M. the battle opened we were in a very hot place under a heavy fire, during the night the company with drawn from the front & camped
2 All quiet remained on the line all day
4 Rain the enemy is retreating
5 firing heard in the distance Corporal Kellet died at the Louisiana Hospital /
1862
June 6 at 5 PM the battery was relieved from the line and came and camped near Richmond
10 Rainy
11th Went near the York River Railroad.
14 orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice & to keep the horses harnessed all the time
15 left in the morning on an expedition to the line, Rain at 3 PM ordered to return to camp
16 ordered to march, hitched the horses & then orders countermanded during the afternoon drilled.
17 Kept the horses harnessed drilled
19 Kept drilling every day after the drill ordered to be ready to move, but countermanded /
June
20 orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Drill.
22 Went in front on Picket
23 Rain the enemy forced to their intrenchments.
25 the battery returned to camp arrived at 11 A.M. at 12 orders to hitch up then order countermanded at 3 PM orders to hitch up again (cannonading all day) left camp and took a position 1 mile from our former position
26 left at 6 A.M. passed through Richmond and stopped on the Mechanicsville road on the road all day and all night but travelled slowly, all the troops on the move fighting going on all day
27 at day light arrived at the advanced post & went in position & opened fire on the enemy at Cold Harbor their sharp /
June 27 1862
shooters kept a brisk fire on us but we repulsed them One of our men was killed (Stanley) followed the yankees until 12 M. they stopped at Gaines mill there we found them in a strong position on high hills. we attacked them the battle was terrible, we drove them from their position the infantry charged them and the firing ceased only at 10 PM. We had 2 of our company wounded here (John Hernandez & Taylor)
28 Occupied the position the enemy had yesterday, firing during the morning, a cannon that was captured yesterday was given to our company to day the battle field covered with knapsacks. /
29 On the march all day
" Rain
30 This morning resumed the march at 12 M. met the enemy at Frazier's farm our battery placed in position on a hill where it was exposed to a terrible fire of shells & minie balls in the evening we advanced on the battle field exposed to their minie balls & shells opened fire on them and shortly after they abandoned their position & our infantry charged their batteries and captured several pieces.
July. at 8 A.M. battle opened and firing continued all day After dark the gun boats on the James River at Malvern Hill opened fire on us and kept on firing untill after dark
2 Rain /
July 2 1862
Went with our horses to get some caissons that was captured yesterday & one of ours which had been damaged in the fight yesterday the enemy still retreating our army following.
3 camped all day
5 left this morning at 4 to join our brigade at 12 M. camped
6 the enemy still retreating and burning all store that they cannot carry.
7 Left for the front
8 Returned within 5 miles of Richmond
10 marched to within 3 miles of Richmond Rain
11 Rain
12 returned to our former camp near Richmond (2 miles) Stern farm & camped
13 Rain /
July 22 1862
C. Leblanc & [overwritten] Mollère arrived from Donaldsonville with letters from home for us.
25 C. Leblanc, L. Lanoise & Adolph Landry having been discharged from the Army left for Louisiana.
28 M. Morin, J. O. Hebert & J. Oubre were appointed Artificers
29 left camp & went on picket at Malvern Hill
31 firing heard in the distance
August 4 Skirmish on the line
5 the enemy made an advance & captured Malvern Hill
6 marched to the front but the enemy retired and abandoned Malvern Hill
10 Returned to New Market heights arrived at 10 AM. orders to cook rations & be ready to march /
1862
August 11 Left camp at 5 P.M. passed through Richmond & took the Gordonsville Road Rain. camped at 1 AM.
12 Valentin Hebert died at the Hospital in Richmond. P.M. heavy rain left a 3 P.M. and camped at 9 P.M.
13 Resumed the march at 5 this morning and stopped at 12 M. left again at 2 P.M. and camped at night near Louisa Court House
14 left at 8 A.M. passed through Louisa Court House at 1 PM arrived at Gordonsville & joined our Brigade (Rogers A. Pryor)
15 orders to cook 3 days rations
16 left at 12 M. marched until
17 2 oclock this morning and camped near Orange Court /
House Roads very bad. all ups & down.
17 Orders to hitch up & waited until 3 PM. then ordered to camp
18 left and marched about 2 miles & stopped to let a large force of our infantry pass, then resumed the march until 2 P.M. when we camped
19 Resumed the march at 3 PM. passed Orange Court House & camped
20 Left this morning crossed the Rapidan River at Raccoon ford at night Camped
21 left this morning, at 2 PM crossed Cedar Run. Had a skirmish were charged by the Yankee Cavalry drove them back, were shelled & shelled them in return who did this?. We had taken the wrong road, were induced to do so by a pretended dispatch brought in by a spy, he was taken and hung by /
Aug 21 1862
order of Col. Walton. turned back and took the good road marched all day and camped at 12 PM.
22 marched all day P.M. rain at night heard artillery fire camped near Brandy Station
23 Marched to Brandy Station Artillery fight our battery engaged all day, during the evening the enemy in full retreat and they are burning every thing around them stores & houses & the bridge
24 Resumed the march marched until 2 o'clock AM on the 25th crossed a branch of the Rappahannock River.
25 Resumed the march passed Jefferson, shelling going on near us without any harm, at night camped /
26 Cannonade heard in the distance left a 3 PM and marched until 12 PM & camped
27 crossed the Rappahannock at Rockford stopped 1 hr resumed the march passed at Orleans on the road to Salem camped on the Manassas Rail Road 4 miles from Salem
28 Resumed the march passed through Salem and White Plains stopped near Bull Run Mts. skirmishing to day
29 left this morning passed Haymarket fighting going on part of our Battery in the fight who commanding?
30 Second Battle of Manassas, fighting all day enemy retreating towards Centreville they lost a great many pieces of artillery
31 Rain this morning /
August 31 1862
Our Battery & Brigade followed the enemy crossed Bull Run getting large quantities of arms & supplies, stopped on the Centreville Road 4 miles beyond yesterday's battle field fired a few shots at the retreating who did? enemy stayed in this position until next morning a 3 oclock then ordered to join the main body of the Army which had taken the line of march on the Alexandria road caught up with them at day light.
Sept 1 marched to near Chantilly near Fairfax had a fight took many prisoners yankee General Kerney killed
2 Camped and cooked rations
3 marched all day night camped
4 marched all the afternoon and night crossed broad run camped a 2 A.M. /
and camped
5 left this morning marched until 11 AM. camped, left at 2 PM. Crossed Goose creek at night camped within 2 miles of Leesburg.
6 passed through Leesburg & camped near town.
7 in camp all day C Mollère elected lieutenant
8 Received Parrot guns in place of our Blakely's, also horses from the Fauquier battery left at 3 PM. and at 11 PM crossed the Potomac River marched along the canal & crossed on the bridge and camped for the night
9 left this morning passed through Buckeystown and camped 4 miles from Frederick City Maryland.
10 marched all day /
1862
Sept 10 Passed through Frederick City & Middletown and camped between Frederick city & Middletown crossed the Catoctin Mountains, beautiful scenery to be seen from the top the country is seen 25 miles around.
11 marched all day passed Buckitsville & camped
12 marched all day on the ridge of South Mountains Maryland passed Brownsville & camped
13 fighting going on on Maryland heights enemy driven into Harpers Ferry
14 one part of our battery went along the Railroad near Harpers Ferry passed Knoxville & the other part of the Battery on an adjoining hill Firing in Harpers Ferry /
15. Harpers Ferry surrendered 13500 prisoners taken 78 pieces of artillery and an immense quantity of small arms, provisions & ammunition etc. also many negroes.
16 Crossed the Potomac River on a pontoon bridge above the railroad bridge into Harpers Ferry passed through town in front of the prisoners taken yesterday who were drawn in line after burning & blowing up the Rail Road Bridge and gathering the stores camped at 12 M. left in the evening and at 12 P.M. camped. we had hardly unhitched our horses when the order came to keep on marching immediately & left.
17 this morning passed Shepherdstown & recrossed the Potomac River to the Maryland side /
Sept 17 1862
Fighting going on at Sharpsburg, marched & entered in the fight that had already commenced and stayed in the battle all day and in a cross fire all the time loss in our battery 5 wounded one of whom died & lost several horses. during the day our battery repulsed two infantry charges one against a battery of the Washington Artillery and the other on our right between us and the town of Sharpsburg. at night one part of the battery stayed on the battlefield & the other retired some distance back
18 nothing done all day. at 8 P.M. the whole army is on the march to recross the Potomac on a slow march all night /
Sept
19 Recrossed the Potomac at daylight at Shepherdstown and ordered by Genl. Longstreet to go to the extreme right on the heights commanding the ford to protect the retreat. at about 9 AM. the enemy appeared on the opposite side of the Potomac on the hills and placed their artillery in position and we had an artillery duel all day and we were under a cross fire from 3 batteries (as hot a place as we had ever been) the infantry was also firing all day at dusk we left (had to retreat) amidst showers of shells & minie balls while the enemys cavalry were crossing the river. we came very near being taken prisoners had to retreat through fields and woods, left one of our guns /
Sept 19 1862
behind and 1 caisson which had been disabled during the fight travelled all night and by morning camped we had caught up with the balance of the army
During this days fight we had one man killed (Wagner) and two wounded Armand Widmer & H. Treille.
20 We stayed all day in the same place, while the army went back & drove the enemy back across the Potomac during the day we sent back for our gun and caisson which we had to leave behind yesterday. marched a part of the night and camped near Martinsburg.
21 marched a short distance and camped 2 miles from Martinsburg /
24 Rain
27 this morning left camp & marching towards Winchester marched all day camped at 10 PM.
28 in the evening resumed the march stopped at night 5 miles from Winchester
October 9 changed camp one mile
10 Rain all day & all night
13 Grand Review
17 at 1:30 A.M. orders to hitch up & be ready to move at a moments notice
21 Grand Review by Genl. Lee.
22 Rain
26 Rain & cold
29 orders to cook 3 days rations
30 left this morning passed in Winchester marched on the Front Royal Road at night camped
31 Left this morning crossed the Shenandoah River & passed /
Oct 31 1862
Front Royal stopped 1 hr and took the Gaines X Road and marched until night, crossed during the day the Blue Ridge mountains at Chester Gap & camped a short distance from Flint hill
Nov 1 marched all day passed through Flint hill & Washington night camped
2 left on the march this morning passed through Sperryville and P.M. arrived near Culpepper Court House and camped
7 snow all day
8 during the night snow
10 heavy firing heard all day
11 one section of the battery sent on picket on the Hazel River
17 Rain
18 Balance of Battery went on picket on Hazel River /
19 ordered to rejoin our Brigade which had left. Passed through Culpepper Court House on the road to Fredericksburg. Rain all day & night camped at night
20 Rain again all day & all night, marched all day crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon Ford.
21 on the march
22 arrived near Fredericksburg at 11½ A.M. and camped
29 Rifle pieces sent to the front
30 Changed camp.
Dec 5 snow all day
11 The enemy is bombarding Fredericksburg all day
12 The enemy is still shelling & crossing troops over the Rappahannock River /
Dec 13 1862
Battle of Fredericksburg heavy fog this morning at about 9 AM the battle opened in earnest. the enemy being only about 700 yds from our breast works we were then ordered to open fire on them. during the fight our 4th detachment was ordered who ordered? out in front of the breast works to dislodge the enemy from a hollow in front of our breast work & 8 rounds was fired in this position, it being exposed to the enemy on all sides & the fire was opened on this piece from all the line, the wheel of the gun was broken 1 man killed (Linouier) and six wounded. the other guns in the mean time doing all /
they could
14 shelling kept up during the day.
15 shelling kept up.
16 Every thing quiet the enemy recrossed the river last night.
22 Scheur our quarter Master died in camp
28 left this morning by the Telegraph Road going toward Richmond at night camped
29 marched until 3 P.M. arrived at our destination Chesterfield Station Caroline county for our Winter Quarters
31 Commenced building stables for our horses
1863
Jan 6 Rain
9 finished our stables
Sergeant Gaillard died at the Hospital /
1863
Jan 15 still building our Winter Quarters
16 left for Fredericksburg at 8 A.M. at night camped Rained
17 marched all day very cold camped at Massaponax Church
18 left at 10 A.M. and camped within 5 miles of Fredericksburg.
19 left this morning for United States ford on the Rappahannock 12 miles from Fredericksburg arrived there in the evening
20 Rain during the night
21 Rain received orders to go and work on fortifications near the ford
27 Rain all day
28 snow all day
Feb 3 finished our breast works /
1863
Feb 3 snow
5 snow all day and rain all night.
7 sent out to make more breastworks
17 heavy snow
18 Rain all day our horses were three days without eating anything the roads being to bad to send to Fredericksburg for feed. We sent men on horseback to Fredericksburg 12 miles to get corn for our horses
22 heavy snow all day
23 P.M. left United States ford for the plank road very cold, very bad roads, camped after dark, shoveling the snow off the ground to lye down. We had to go very far to get wood to build fires
24 staid here all day about 3 miles from Fredericksburg /
Feb. 25 1863
marched through Fredericksburg to Hamilton's crossing arrived there in the evening and camped in quarters where Pickets division had been camped, there found a great deal of beef bones or meat in the chimneys which had been left by the boys who had left this camp and although this meat was spoiled or worse (wrotten) we enjoyed it very much after having been starved for such a length of time at United States ford.
26 Rain all day
28 Rain all night.
March 3 the first Louisiana Brigade arrived and camped near us.
7 & 8 Rain.
10 Snow & Rain
15 hail & snow
17 Enemy reported crossing at Kelley's ford /
1863
with Cavalry & infantry & repulsed
19, 20, & 21 snow & rain
31 snow.
April 3 Very cold left for the Railroad with our battery to put it on the cars to carry it to our Winter Quarters at Chesterfield, the roads being too bad to pass on them even on horseback
4 loaded our guns on the train to day and left in the evening for Chesterfield our horses left this morning through the woods & fields and arrived at the camp in the evening. Snow during the night.
x5 our guns arrived & were brought to camp
11 Sent our 3 smooth bore guns 6 pounds to Richmond to be exchanged for 12 pound Napoleons.
23 & 24 Rain. /
1863
April 29
fighting going on near Fredericksburg. another company took our Rifle guns to go in front.
May 1.2.3.4. fighting at Chancellorsville
6 The enemys Cavalry in our line on a raid around Richmond (Stoneman Cavalry) our guns went to Hanover Junction and camped there.
10 left Hanover Junction at 12 M. & P.M. arrived at our camp at Chesterfield
Genl. Jackson died at Guinea's Station
11 Left camp this morning and camped near Guinea Station Called the camp Camp Anderson
16 our battery was put in Garnett's Battalion our Company being Co B.
30 Achille Dupuy arrived from Louisiana and joined our battery /
1863
June 4 left camp this morning at 10 o'clock marching towards Fredericksburg camped near there during the afternoon, the enemy had 2 baloons up.
5 The enemy crossing the river during the night our battery went & took a position on right of the Telegraph road.
6 Rain in position in breast work on Lee's heights, firing now and then during the day
7 the enemy crossed our artillery last night and fired now and then on us during the day
8 same position
9 cannon firing during the day
14 The enemy recrossed the river
15 left our position at 11 A.M. and during the night camped near Chancellorsville on the ground where Jackson had made the charge /
June 15 1863
at the battle of the Wilderness. cooked 3 days rations during the night. The only water to be had was in a well near our camp and next morning in drawing water from this same well we drawed out from the well one human foot that had been thrown in the well after the battle of the Wilderness no hospital being near there.
16. Left on the march this morning and in the afternoon camped
17 left this morning and at 12 M. arrived at Culpepper Court house and camped
18 Rain left this morning crossed Hazel River and at night camped.
19 Left this morning on the Gaines road, passed Flint hill & camped near Chester Gap. /
1863
June 20 Rain all day left this morning crossed the Blue Ridge at Chester Gap. Past Front Royal. Crossed the Shenandoah River and at night camped
21 left this morning passed White Post and camped near Berryville
22. stayed in same place
23 Left a 10 A.M. passed through Berryville and camped near Charlestown
24 left this morning passed through Charlestown in the afternoon camped near Shepherdstown near the Potomac River During the day we were in sight of Harpers Ferry.
25 Left this morning crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown passed Sharpsburg and marched on the Hagerstown Road and at night camped within one mile of Hagerstown Maryland. /
June 26 1863 Rain, This morning left marched through Hagerstown, Leitersburg and at night camped near Waynesburg Penn.
27 left this morning passed through Waynesburg, Quincy, Fairfield and also along the iron works of Thaddeus Stephens which was burning.
28 Stayed in same place all day, sent out in the country for horses & a great many brought in
29 left this morning with Pettigrew's Brigade and camped near Cashtown, Rain.
30 Rain marched as advanced guard to outskirts of Gettysburg, fell back one mile and place on out posts.
July 1. The whole Army advanced and met the enemy at 10 A.M. our rifle pieces were in action the enemy retired to the heights beyond Gettysburg while Ewell's Corps occupied the town. one man wounded /
July 2. 1863
Commenced fighting at daylight (We advanced our position) and continued all day. one man wounded the most terrible cannonade during the day.
3 fighting still going on we had 2 of our horses killed to day
4 Rain all day and all night. left our position at 9 A.M. and marched all day and all night without stopping not even to water our horses & we had nothing to eat ourselves on the road going towards Williamsport on the Potomac
5 Still raining stopped raining at about 8 A.M. Still on the march Passed Greencastle this morning and after having made about 2 miles the Cavalry made a dash on our wagon train & several of our /
July 5 1863
men were taken prisoner The wheels of our wagons & forge cut by citizens living near the road. Our men (Prisoners) were made to run across oat fields for about 3 miles & our cavalry made a charge and recaptured us we were in a very hot place being between 2 fires the enemys & our cavalry's. after having been recaptured came back to the main road where we had been captured and resumed our march with the wagon train to Williamsport, at which place our wagons arrived at 12 oclock M. the battery in the road & camped near Greencastle this day
6 the battery marched through Greencastle towards Hagerstown & camped, the Potomac being too high to cross over
July 6 1863
During the afternoon the enemy's cavalry made a charge on our wagon train near Williamsport & all the drivers went out & repulsed them.
7 still at the same place the battery in position near Hagerstown & the wagons and forge near the Potomac, firing on the line 2 of our guns in the engagement. Rain all day & night
8 Wagons & forge returned to the battery near Hagerstown
9 Prisoners sent across the Potomac in boats (flats)
10 firing on the line our wagons returned to near the ford at Williamsport.
11 this morning the wagons & forge returned on Hagerstown road 2 miles from Williamsport.
12 in the same place /
July 13 1863
our wagons & the forge crossed the Potomac to day and camped that night at 10 oclock Rain all day & all night.
the water being too deep for the artillery to cross here, our battery crossed at falling waters on a pontoon at day light.
14 After crossing this morning 2 of our guns placed in position & opened fire on the enemy who were advancing towards the river
left on the march during the forenoon & going towards Martinsburg & camp 2 miles from there
15 left this morning, passed through Martinsburg & Bucklestown and camped near Bunker Hill
16 Stayed in the same place
17 Rain /
1863
July 21 left camp this morning passed through Winchester Newtown & camped
22 left this morning camped in the evening near Middletown
23 left this morning passed Strasburg & Woodstock and camped 2 miles from there
24 Left this morning passed Hamburg, Mount Jackson & camped at 2 P.M.
25 left this morning passed New Market & crossed the mountain & camped
26 left this morning crossed the Shenandoah River and at 12 M. camped at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mts.
27 left this morning crossed the Blue Ridge mts & camped Rain /
July 1863
28 left this morning passed through Madison Court House at night camped. Rain
29 left this morning and arriving at Gordonsville camped Rain.
30 Same place Rain
31 moved 3 miles from Gordonsville
August 5, 6 & 7 Rain Rainy all the month.
26 changed camp went about 2 miles from town on the Orange Court House road. it is getting cold
Sept. 16 left camp this morning and went & camped near Orange Court house.
17 & 18 Rain
19 left this morning passed through Orange Court House and camped 2 miles from town /
1863
Sept 23 Old Eloi Brunet from Louisiana arrived here to day
24 Genl. A. J. Powell paid us a visit to-day
25. Old Brunet left to day for Louisiana 3 of our guns went on picket on the Rapidan at Robinson ford.
26 Changed camp
October 1 The Company received twelve horses to-day.
2 Received a Napoleon gun to day from Orange Court House
8 Orders to cook rations our guns returned from picket & left camp at 12 M. passed through Orange Court House and camped near Liberty Mill
9 left at daylight Crossed the Rapidan and camped 4 miles from Madison Court House
10 left this morning, passed Madison Court House, crossed Robinson's River /
1863
Oct 10 and took the Culpepper Court House road at night camped.
11. Left this morning and at night camped within 6 miles of Culpepper Court House & ordered to cook 3 days rations.
12 Left this morning crossed the Hazel River, at night camped near Amisville
13 Left early this morning, fighting ahead of us going on, passed through Amisville on the Waterloo turnpike and camped near Warrenton & orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice
14 left this morning passed through Warrenton, New Baltimore at night camped near Bristoe Station fighting ahead of us during the day
15 Orders to cook rations in the afternoon left & went and took a position at Bristoe our Cavalry fighting ahead PM Rain. /
1863
October 16 Stayed in the same place, troops are tearing up the Rail Road track since yesterday & burning cross ties & twisting rails heavy rain to day
17 left during the afternoon and at night camped near Warrenton
18 left this morning and in the evening camped near the Rappahannock River
19 left this morning crossed the Rappahannock River & camped near Brandy Station. Heavy rain.
20 Stayed at the same place
23 still at the same place Rain
24 Rain all day
25 Very cold
30 Received clothing from the Government to day still at the same place
31 Rain
Nov 7. the enemy attacked our troops across the river (Rappahannock) /
1863
Nov 7 and captured one of our Louisiana Brigade. We left at 3 PM. in a hurry going towards Culpepper Court House and camped at 9 P.M. and left again at 8—one this morning placed our guns in position, wagon train going ahead on the retreat travelled to near Culpepper & camped at day light at night left again and marched all night very cold.
9 this morning crossed the Robinson & Rapidan Rivers and camped within 3 miles of Orange Court House
10 Left this morning & went & camped at the same place we left on the 8th of October 2 miles from Orange Court House
13 left camp this morning & went on picket at Rapidan Station /
1863
Nov 14 same place Rain during the night.
21 Rain all day
23 Rain
25 Very cold orders to move at a moments notice at night went & put our guns in position near Rapidan Station the enemy is on the move.
26 Same orders
27 left this morning at 2, marched all day by the plank road. camped at 10 PM. rain near Orange Springs
28 left this morning at 3 returned by the same road travelled all day and at midnight camped near Verdiersville Rain all the time roads very muddy. The enemy crossed the Rapidan at Germania ford. /
1863
Nov 29 left this morning travelled one mile & camped. during the evening 2 of our pieces sent to the front to take a position on the line. the enemy near Chancellorsville. Very cold.
30 balance of the battalion went on the line. heavy firing in front began soon this morning
December 1. Same position at 8 P.M. retired from the line
2 This morning left and came back and camped near Maderaville, the enemy having recrossed the Rapidan.
3 Left this morning and went to camp near Rapidan Station at the same place where we were before.
12 Still in the same place. Rain all night.
14 left at day light this morning passed through Orange Court House /
1863
Dec 14 and Gordonsville & camped on the Charlottesville Road. we are going to Winter Quarters Very cold.
15 left this morning and camped near Lindsey's Station 5 miles from Gordonsville in Albemarle Co.
16 Commence to build our Winter Quarters. rain all night.
`17 Rain all day & all night, but nevertheless working on our quarters.
23 Snowing a little this morning. finished our house
25 Very cold.
27 Rain all day and all night
28 Rain again almost all day
31 Rain all day
1864
January 1. Very cold
4 Snow all day.
5 Very Cold
6 " "
7 Snow all night /
1864
Jan 9 Received news from home by Jules Savoi who is from La. finished building our stables.
14 Rain during the night
16 Rain during the night.
18 Rain all day & all night.
26 inspection today by Genl Chilton
30 Orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. Rain during the night.
Feb 1 last night and this morning rain
3 rain
7 Rain last night. to-day McIntosh Battalion took 2 of our pieces & 4 of Moore's battery to go to the front. the enemy is on the move. during the afternoon our other pieces went in position at Lindsey's Station and the Norfolk Blues of our battalion at Cobham Station, the enemy's Cavalry is in our lines. /
1864
Feb 8 Returned to our camp the enemy repulsed
12 Our company reenlisted for the duration of the war.
14 inspection by Genl. Col Garnett
15 snow
19. Inspection
21 inspection by Col. Garnett.
23 Col. Garnett bids us goodbye to-day he left our battalion
25 Inspection by Major McIntosh who command our battalion for the present.
28 orders to be ready to move
29 left camp at 6 PM. with a part of our battery and arrived at Gordonsville at 12 Midnight & came back after the balance of the battery & arrived at Gordonsville at 7 A.M. we are short of horses
March 1 Rain all of last night /
1864
March 1 left at 4 P.M. and camped at 8 P.M. near Liberty Mill Rain all day & a part of the night the enemy's Cavalry is in our lines
2 same place, orders to be ready to move.
5 Left this morning for our camp at Lindsey's and arrived there in the evening.
8 Rain this morning
10 Rain all day
14 inspection
16 orders to detail 15 men to drill as infantry.
18 two inspections to day
22 P.M. heavy snow, the heaviest we had this winter
25 Heavy rain
Some of our men accused of having stolen hides & they are delivered to the Provost Marshall. /
1864
March 29 Heavy rain all day
30 Rain all of last night
April 2 Snow this morning
3 Old Michel Morin having been discharged from our Company left to-day for Louisiana
4 Snow, sleet & rain all day
5 the same thing all of last night.
6 Rain last night
9 Rain all day & night
10 Heavy rain
12 Target shooting
16 Rain last night
17 Father Smulders of the 1st La Brigade is with us to day we had a little snow to day.
19 Our Battalion Garnetts change name to Richardson
28 left our Winter quarters & went and camped near Cobham Station /
1864
May 2 Rain & high wind our men who were accused of stealing hides were discharged and came back to camp to day. Capt. V. Maurin received his commission of Major.
4 orders to be ready to move P.M. Moore's & Grandy's batteries of our battalion left, the enemy is moving.
5 fighting going on near Chancellorsville
6 fighting still going on
10 left our camp and at 9 P.M. camped Gordonville near the Railroad Depot.
11 P.M. Rain Received Cavalry horses which was captured from the enemy in this last battle at Chancellorsville
12 Heavy Rain all day /
1864
May 12. heavy firing heard in the distance, battle to day at Spotsylvania Court House
13 heavy rain
14 Rain all day. This morning the horses were sent out to graze some distance from camp & hitched to the limbers to break them to harness, and late in the afternoon while returning to camp the 4th limber exploded & Wm Kuhn who was driving the tongue horses was mortally wounded and he died at the Hospital at Gordonsville near our camp at 10 oclock at night. his 2 horses were also killed
15 This morning 4 guns of our battery left for Spotsylvania Court House with the balance of the Battalion /
1864
May 15 and the other 2 guns were left at Gordonsville with 45 men not having any horses to move them. P.M. Rain
18 Rain
24 the 2 guns left at Gordonsville with the men left by rail during the afternoon for Charlottesville. The enemy's cavalry is in our lines. PM. Rain arriving in the evening at Charlottesville and camped near the Railroad depot.
27 PM. Rain
31 I visited Monticello farm to-day (Thomas Jefferson)
June 1 our 2 pieces left by rail for Lynchburg & a few horses & the wagon we have left by turnpike road for same destination
4 arrived with horses at 11 A.M. at Lynchburg & found our 2 guns already there /
1864
June 4 Camped near town. Rain
6 During the night heavy rain.
11 Went & put our 2 guns in battery across the James River the enemy's cavalry is reported coming.
12 Stayed at the same place Woods Farm.
15 Recrossed the James River & went & took a position on College Hill, near the College.
16 in the same position & making fortifications
17 left at 4 this morning & went in a position on the Lexington Road 1½ miles from Lynchburg.
18 firing heard
19 Returned to College Hill the enemy retreating /
1864
June 20 Same place
22 Returned to day where we had first camped at Daniel Grove near the Railroad depot across Muddy creek. We had barely camped, when an order came to put our guns & horses on the cars & we left at 11 P.M. on the South Side road for the High Bridge 5 miles beyond Farmville.
23 Arrived at the High Bridge at 8 A.M. in the afternoon put our 2 guns in the fortifications we found there.
24 The enemy's cavalry reported to be at Burksville Junction
July 1. Went and camped in the woods, a short distance from the forts that protect the Bridge /
1864
July 7 Rain
11 Rain
August 12 Grand pic-nic given by the young ladies of the neighborhood, for the benefit of our men, enjoyed it very much & had plenty to eat.
14th to 21st Rain every day.
Oct 1 building Winter Quarters.
14 Received clothing from the Government.
22 last night rain & wind to day a little snow.
Nov 2 & 3d rain all day.
We have camped around here with us Militia that is young men under 18 years old and old men above 50 years
13 a little snow.
19, 20 & 21 rain /
1864
Dec 9 All the militia left on the cars, the enemy's cavalry is in our lines, our section is all that is left here to take care of the Bridge & 4 forts. Snow all night.
17 the Militia returned
25 Rain all night
31 Snow
1865
January
4 Snow
6 Rain all day
9 Rain all night
10 Rain all day
12 W. H. Ely left for Mississippi he has been wounded at Petersburg & is on the retired list.
19 Major Maurin left on furlough
21 Rain last night & to day all day & every thing is freezing /
1865
Jan 26 Orders to take possession of all the posts to morrow morning, the militia have marching orders
27 the militia left & we took charge of all posts.
29 the Militia returned & relieved us.
Feb 7 heavy snow all day.
10 A Representation given in camp by our battery (or Section) the pieces composed by E. Levy (The fortunes of War) and a french piece (by E. Hardy) the lost French man at High Bridge Many ladies from the neighborhood present.
15 Rain all day
16 another representation by our section
23 Rain all day
25 Rain all day /
1865
March 2 Rain all day
3 Rain. Militia orders to be ready to move.
4 Took possession of all posts & the Militia left for Lynchburg.
7 orders to send 4 men & 1 officer on a scouting expedition on the James River
8 Rain. in the evening a battalion of dismounted cavalry arrived here the enemy's cavalry is on the move
10 This morning one of our scouts came back and reported that the enemy could not cross the James River it being too high. troops passed on the railroad to day going towards Lynchburg.
11 The troops that passed here yesterday came back here & camped /
March 1865
11 on the Cumberland side of the Appomattox River during the afternoon our scouts came back & reports the enemy following the James River down it being too high to cross.
12 Other troops arrived here this morning from Petersburg. The reserve has also returned from Lynchburg.
13 Some of the troops left here last night and we have orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice
14 the Militia relieved us.
15 this morning the dismounted cavalry that was here left and we relieved all the posts, the Militia has moving orders.
16 at 3 oclock this morning all the Militia left here going towards Richmond
20 heavy rain /
1865
March 28 One the Militia Regiments (Booker's) returned here in the evening
29 The Militia relieved us orders to be ready to move & send 4 men scout towards Burksville on the South Side Road.
31 Last night we sent out some of our men to capture some deserters who were reported to be camped in a house on a farm near here, and after surrounding the house one of the deserters broke loose was shot & killed by our men heavy rain this morning.
April 3 Richmond & Petersburg reported evacuated & the army routed.
4. This morning the Militia left here for Farmville /
1865
Apl 4 We had orders to destroy every thing of any value around here the High Bridge, during the day we hauled a quantity of ammunition from the forts & dumped it into the Appomattox River & we broke a quantity of muskets & spiked 20 guns in the forts.
5 left the High Bridge a 2 this morning and we blowed one powder magazine as soon as our guns were across the river & we arrived at Farmville at day light and camped near town. at 12 M. false alarm.
6 Heavy firing heard towards Rice's Depot our army in full retreat & reported demoralised. At 12 M. to day a few of the enemy's cavalry appeared /
1865
Apl 6 in front of us, we fired on them and they left & it was reported that they were captured near Major Watson's farm
7 This morning left Farmville at 7 oclock with the army from Richmond which has just reached us. We crossed the Appomattox River on the road to Lynchburg. We had barely crossed the river when the enemy's cavalry appeared near us & it looks as if we have no rear guard to protect our retreat. fighting going on all about. Great confusion in the wagon train on the road. Just across from Farmville, many wagons set on fire with baggage & all and many stores & medicines thrown all along the road. /
1865
April 7 Booker's Regiment of Militia which was with us at the High Bridge refused to go any further and disbanded & the members stayed in Farmville which was in possession of the enemy immediately after we left it. Marched all day at night camped. AM. Rain
8 Left this morning & marched all day, at night camped near Appomattox Court House at 8 P.M. The enemy's cavalry having cut off our retreat & taken possession of the railroad in front of us, made a dash near Appomattox Court House & captured some of our artillery & wagon train & dispersed many of our men. our 4 pieces which were at Petersburg & the Washington Artillery are reported captured /
1865
April 8 Sergeant O. Demesmé acting Quarter Master having gone ahead of us to find some forage for our horses, was shot & killed in the stampede by some of our infantry who shot him for an enemy.
9 This morning fighting going on ahead of us. we are on the road to Appomattox Court House about ¾ of a mile from there and the firing very near one section of mounted cavalry just captured passed near us on the road, a few minutes after the firing ceases all along the line & at the same time on looking at a short distance on our left the enemy's infantry is seen in battle line just coming out of the woods and halted /
1865
April 9 and Genl. Custer of the United States Army with a white flag in his hand followed by two of our generals, passes on the road where we are (at a full gallop.) going to Genl. Lee's headquarters which is behind us, they stayed but a short time and returned & shortly afterward Genl. Lee & Staff passes on the road going to Appomattox Court House & we came & camped in the woods a very short distance back of where we were on the road. Shortly after or at about 1 P.M. officers from the United States Army commenced passing among us. Genl. Lee has surrendered & during the evening Genl. Lee came back & camped near us & he told us that he had surrendered. /
1865
April 9. During the afternoon the enemy fired a salute. Rejoicing for the surrender of Lee's Army. at night Rain.
10. During the day Genl Sheridan and others passed through our camps. They gave us rations to day of hard tacks, beef, coffee & sugar. Many of the United States soldiers came & visited our camps to day. Orders were given from Grant that transportation would be furnished us to our homes
11 light rain. During the afternoon went & parked our artillery in a field & left it there, as no body came to take possession of it while we were there & at dark we received our written paroles to come home /
1865
April 12. Having to walk to Burksville Junction before getting transportation as all the rail road bridges were destroyed to there. We left Appomattox Court House soon this morning walking on the railroad
14 Arrived at the junction to day & drew rations
16 left the Junction (Burksville) this morning on flat cars passed at Petersburg to City Point & there went on board of a transport the Steamer Utica and left for Fortress Monroe
17 this morning arrived off of Fortress Monroe at about one mile from shore & anchored & drew rations. They fired minute guns at Fortress Monroe for Lincoln death /
1865
Apl 19 at 12 oclock firing of cannons wringing of bells & flags at half mast. Lincoln funeral.
20 transferred by tug to day to the Steamship Atlanta.
21 Left Fortress Monroe during the afternoon for New Orleans
26 at 8 P.M. passed Key West
29 Arrived at New Orleans at 8 P.M.
30 This morning went & reported to the Provost Marshall & were sent in a cotton press near the New Basin
May 1 During last night they put negro guards to guard us.
2 This evening the members of the company left by boat for Donaldsonville.
3 Arrived home this morning
R. O. Landry.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15280) | OT0169.006 | Other |
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, African Americans, Amputations, Animals, Appomattox Campaign, Artillery, Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Cold Harbor, Battle of Fredericksburg, Battle of Seven Pines, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of the Wilderness, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Clothing, Confederate Government, Crime, Death (Military), Defeat/Surrender, Desertion/Deserters, Destruction of Land/Property, Discharge/Mustering Out, Drilling, Elections, Engineering/Construction, Fighting, Food, Foraging/Theft, Fortifications, Furloughs, Guns, Home, Hospitals, Industry/Manufacturing, Injuries, James Longstreet, Low Morale, Marching, Medicine, Nature, News, Paroles/Paroled Troops, Philip Sheridan, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Railroads, Recruitment/Recruits, Rivers, Robert E. Lee, Scouting, Ships/Boats, Supplies, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Training, Ulysses S. Grant, Weather, "Yankees" (Confederate opinions of)
People - Records: 1
- (5303) [writer] ~ Landry, Romain Octave
Places - Records: 1
- (179) [origination] ~ Louisiana
SOURCES
Romain O. Landry Diary, OT0169.006, Nau Collection
