Dexter Butterfield Diary, 1862
Dexter Butterfield
2nd Regt Mass. Vol.
Co. A.
Camp Hicks Frederick
M.D.
Feb 1st 1862.
Dexter Butterfield
Co A. Dunstable
2nd Mass. Vol Mass.
Strasburg Va May
22ond
Wednesday, January 1, 1862.
Camp Hicks Frederick
2ond Regt. Mass. Vol. Co A.
Dexter Butterfield
Dunstable Mass.
Enlisted Oct. 14th 1861.
Thursday 2
1 Walking 14
4
Camp Hicks 56
Came to this Camp
5 of Dec. 1861.
Friday 3
April 24th Washing
20 Handkerchiefs 1
1 Towel 1 Shirt 1 draws
4 Pr. Stockings
Saturday, January 4, 1862.
Strasburg May 19th 1862
had Brigade drill the first that this Regt ever had by order of Col. P. H. Gordon.
Sunday 5
Andrew P. Butterfield
Strasburg Va
Edwin Simonds
Co H 1st Min
Monday 6
sent Father 4.50
L. W. Hickory
Lowell
Mass
July 13 paid 1.20
Tuesday, January 7, 1862.
James A. Davis Dr
June 25th $1.25
June 27th $1.75
June 30th $ .30
July 27th $ .20
" 30 .15
3.65
Wednesday 8
A. J. OHare $5.00
Lewis C. Wright Died
Oct 12/62
Thursday 9
President Lincoln visited Harpers Ferry October 1st/62.
Friday, January 10, 1862.
Battle of Winchester May 25
" " Cedar Mountain Aug 9
" " Antietam Sept 17
Sunday, January 19, 1862.
2 shirts 2 draws 3 Stockings
15 Handkerchies
1 Towell
4 Collars
[margin]
Great battle of Antietam
Sept 17th 1862.
Wednesday, January 22, 1862.
Charles E. Perkins
No 50 Hanover St
Near Fremont Cossr.
Tuesday, January 28, 1862.
Paid of this night about eight o'clock
And on guard which was the fourth time, since my enlistment.
Friday, January 31, 1862.
James & I went to Frederick and see George for the last time. Bought a portfolio for fifty cents.
Sunday 2 [February]
Commenced waiting on Capt Abbott.
Thursday, February 6, 1862.
Bought 1 lb. of candles for 25 cents. For
Friday 7
Commenced waiting on Lieut. Abbott. Received a letter from home & one from Emmie Richardson
Saturday 8
Death of George Taylor at the Gen. Hospital at Frederick Md.
Sent home fifteen dollars by Chas Taylor
Sunday, February 9, 1862
Inspection at nine o'clock it is one week to day since I have been a waiter for Capt Abbott. Co. A 2nd Regt. Mass Vol.
Monday 10
Drilled this fornoon the first time for a month. By order of Col. Gordon O.Whealer Jr Ajt.
Tuesday 11
Rather cold & beans for breakfast. Drilled this forenoon. Soup for dinner. Bread & coffee for supper. Snowed to night.
Wednesday, February 12, 1862.
I am sick as a [?] this day. Went with washing also to the supply train Pleasant but muddy.
Thursday 13
Warm & pleasant but muddy Great news from Burnsides expedition at Roanoak Island. Received a box from home by the Lowell box.
Friday 14
Warm & pleasant with a south west wind. A beef stake for dinner. Cleaned both soards. And choped wood.
Saturday, February 15, 1862.
I went with washing for Capt Abbott 2 pr draws 9 handkerchiefs 1 collar 1 shirt. Snowed about four inches.
Sunday 16
Hearing of the General Court Marshal. Very pleasant Baked beef for dinner.
Monday 17
Rainy to day. good news from the southwest. Very slipery and rainy all day. Fort Donelson taken with 15 Thousand men
Tuesday, February 18, 1862.
Went with washing for Lieut Abbott. 2 shirts 1 draws 1 towell 1 pr stockings 1 handkerchief.
Wednesday 19
Went after washing for Capt. Abbot. 13 pieces at .04cts per piece .52 cents. Rain & hail all day.
Thursday 20
Bought four papers for 18 cents and pint of milk for 5 cents
Friday, February 21, 1862.
Went after washing for Lieut Abbott and paid 28 cents.
Saturday 22
Washingtons birth day the regiment went to Frederick to celebrate the day. Wrote a letter to Andrew Spaulding.
Sunday 23
Nothing going on of any importance. wrote to the south west. it was Department.
Monday, February 24, 1862.
Packed things for the march but did not go as soon as we expected to. cold and very windy. Copl Goodwins house burnt.
Tuesday 25
cold & clear nothing new. Capt gave me two bottles Jolly day in the day put with five bottles of whiskey [?]
Wednesday 26
Expecting to march every moment. warm & pleasant
Thursday, February 27, 1862.
Marched at five o'clock Bought some crackers for 12 cents. Arrived at Harpers Ferry at sun down
Friday 28
Bought bread and meat for 10 cents. Marched from Harpers Ferry to Charlestown & back
Saturday, March 1
Started from Harpers Ferry for Charlestown.
Sunday, March 2, 1862.
Wrote a letter to George Snowed most all day Stoped in the school house.
Monday 3
Rainy Bought pack card for 25 cents Quartered in the school house. Lost all of my clothing.
Tuesday 4
Went on picket.
Wednesday, March 5, 1862.
Went after washing to Capt Abbott and paid 54 68 14 pieces small 2 large
Thursday 6
Changed our camp from our door yard to where the 12th Regt was. Bought a paper for five cents
Friday 7
Marched at two o'clock but come back to camp again Bought corn cakes for 5 cents
Saturday, March 8, 1862.
Wrote a letter to Shalden and received one from home
Sunday 9
did not go on inspection I was sick the first time for a good while. A beautiful spring morning
Monday 10
Marched from Charlestown to Bellesville, stoped in the woods without tents. the Capt. house caught fire
Tuesday, March 11, 1862.
Warm & pleasant did not march to day. tents came at sun down. Seven batterys and two brigade passed by. Bought 25 cents worth of corn bread.
Wednesday 12
Very warm did not march to day Marched at sundown to Winchester Bought 20 cents
Thursday 13
Camped on the rebel camp ground. Bought a dipper for Capt Abbott 10 cents
Friday, March 14, 1862.
Warm and very foggy. Bought a brush for Capt. for 20 cents.
Saturday 15
Nothing new. very rainy
Sunday 16
Warm but cloudy Received a letter from home. the Company killed a hog.
Monday, March 17, 1862.
Cold and windy. Wrote home. Bought ten apples for 25 cents for Capt. Abbott
Tuesday 18
Drilled for the first time for months
Wednesday 19
Drilled to day. received a letter from Shalden. answered it to day.
Thursday, March 20, 1862.
Very rainy to day.
Friday 21
Went to Winchester
Bought a paper for 5 cents
Saturday 22
Marched from Winchester Bread raw meat for 40 cents
Sunday, March 23, 1862.
Bought sausages & butter for the Capt for 50 cents. Battle at Winchester
Monday 24
Bought matches for 5 cents Went down to Snickers Ferry and stoped over night
Tuesday 25
Bought corn bread & chicken for 40 cents
Wednesday, March 26, 1862.
Wrote a letter home but could not send it one of the Mich. Cavalry shot across the river this night
Thursday 27
Very warm and pleasant
Buried the Cavalry man
Friday 28
Beautiful day this at Snickers Ferry. Bought chicken & eggs for fifty cents
Saturday, March 29, 1862.
Cold and snowy. Expected an attack. slept on my gun.
Sunday 30
Very rainy & icy
A heavy thunder shower with hail the largest I ever saw.
Monday 31
Took up the bridge across the Shenandoah river at Snickers Ferry
Tuesday, April 1, 1862.
Paid one dollar to Mrs Shepard.
Wednesday 2
Marched from Winchester to Newtown. Paid for butter soap oranges & paper 67 cents
Thursday 3
Marched from Newtown to Strasburg Paid 25 cents for bread & meat.
Friday, April 4, 1862.
Paid for washing 23 pieces 92 cents. Marched from Strasburg to Woodstock Bought a holster for 1.00 dollar.
Saturday 5
Marched from Woodstock to Edenburg.
Sunday 6
Camped near Edenburg wrote home.
Monday, April 7, 1862.
Storm of snow
Tuesday 8
Very stormy, very hard storm of snow and rain
Wednesday 9
Very stormy, great news from the South & West. news of the surrender of Island No. 10.
Thursday, April 10, 1862.
Faired off. Went on picket. the first time on the north branch of the Shenandoah.
Friday 11
Came off picket, bought bread for 25 cents. One of the 27th Ind boys shot.
Saturday 12
Bought a paper for 20 cents
Sunday, April 13, 1862.
Bought bread for 12 cents.
Monday 14
Expected to have to have a fight
Tuesday 15
Bought bread and cheese for 52 cents
Wednesday, April 16, 1862.
Warm and plesant
Drill in the afternoon
Thursday 17
Marched at four o'clock until 8. went 23 miles. Stoped in the woods over night. very warm. Paid for milk and bread 13
Friday 18
Marched from the woods four miles, through New Market, and camped on the open field. Bought bread and meat for 15 cents
Saturday, April 19, 1862.
Very rainy and without tents Bought chickens and bread for 50 cents and a paper for 8 cents
Sunday 20
Very rainy and without tents. Bought bread for 25 cents.
Monday 21
Very rainy. Bought bread meat & paper for 80 cents.
Tuesday, April 22, 1862.
Rained all day like shot
went on picket.
Wednesday 23
Bought chicken for 25 cents. came of picket.
Thursday 24
Snowed like shot all day pitched tents and stoped in them one night. Capt gave me a shirt.
Friday, April 25, 1862.
The Regt marched to Harrisonburg. I stoped with the Capt at Dr. Williamsons house. Paid 85 cents for washing 27 pieces.
Saturday 26
Went to New Market after a paper. Bought two lbs. white sugar for 24 cents.
Sunday 27
Started from Dr Williamson to Harrisonburg. Very pleasant The Regt went out reconnaissance.
Monday, April 28, 1862.
Very pleasant Paid off to day Capt paid me up to the first of May.
Tuesday 29
Paid for chickens, milk and tapping shoes 1.20 cents
Wednesday 30
Went out on muster Bought paper and potatoes for 35 cents Wrote a letter to the south west.
Thursday May 1, 1862.
Paid 120 cents for figs oranges Rainy all day
Friday 2
Went out after straw for the Capt and got some milk.
Saturday 3
Bought bread eggs & paper 75 cents. very pleasant to day.
Sunday, May 4, 1862.
Went on picket wrote a letter home. Paid for milk 25
Monday 5
Bought bread & paper Paid for carrying blankets 50 cents. Marched from Harrisonburg to New Market.
Tuesday 6
Marched from New Market across the gap. Bought bread and ham for 25 cents
Wednesday, May 7, 1862.
Stoped in the woods on the side of the mountain. Bought sugar for 10 cents
Thursday 8
Marched from Coopers Gap to New Market. Camped near this place.
Friday 9
Drilled this forenoon
Saturday, May 10, 1862.
Very warm & pleasant
Struck tents and expected to march but did not.
Sunday 11
Warm and pleasant.
Monday 12
Warm and pleasant
Marched from New Market to Woodstock very dusty
Tuesday, May 13, 1862.
Marched from Woodstock to Strasburg. Bought a paper for five cents. very dusty on the march.
Wednesday 14
very rainy, went on picket. Bought a paper for 5 cents. Received a letter from home.
Thursday 15
Wrote home came off picket Went with washing. Bought soap blacking & [?] for 40 cents.
Friday, May 16, 1862.
Rainy to day Bought a paper for 5 cents
Saturday 17
very warm & plesant Bought a paper for 5 cents
Sunday 18
Went after straw & got the washing. paid 64 cents. very warm.
Monday, May 19, 1862.
Warm and plesant. Had a Brigade the first that we ever had.
Tuesday 20
Warm and plesant drill in the forenoon. a little rain in the afternoon. wrote to Herman. Bought a paper for 5 cents.
Wednesday 21
Drilled a brigade drill this forenoon under Gordon. very hot. Bought a paper for 5 cents.
Thursday, May 22, 1862.
Bought a paper for 5 cents. Drilled to day very hot with signs of a thunder storm.
Friday 23
Bought a paper for 5 cents. Went on picket skirmish with the rebels on the railroad about 5 miles from Strasburg.
Saturday 24
Came from picket at two o'clock this morning and waited for orders to march. bought bread for 15 cents.
Sunday, May 25, 1862.
Battle of Winchester.
Marched 35 miles to Williamsport or rather [?]
Monday 26
Crossed the river into Williamsport. Recrossed the river at night and returned the company supporting our battery.
Tuesday 27
Crossed the river to go up to the battery stoped all day. Bought bread for 15 cents.
Wednesday, May 28, 1862.
Stoped with the battery most all day. went across the river at night
Thursday 29
Wrote home to day. Bought oranges for 1.10 cents
Friday 30
Went with washing. Capt paid what I had paid out and there was thirty one cents his due.
Saturday, May 31, 1862.
Went to town & got the horse shod and got shoes mended and bought a paper for 65 cents
Sunday, June 1
Went after washing paid for washing & paper 85 cents
Monday 2
Went to town and bought a brush for 13 cents
Tuesday, June 3, 1862.
Paid 20 cents for honing a razor. Very warm.
Wednesday 4
Went to town and bought 3 papers for 15 & 12 oranges for 96 cents Very rainy all day long
Thursday 5
Some what rainy. Went to town after papers and got one and paid Sergt Whitten 12 cents for an inkstand.
Friday, June 6, 1862.
Bought a paper & blacking for 10 cents. Cloudy but know rain
Saturday 7
Warm with a heavy thunder shower. Went to town and got a paper for 5 cents.
Sunday 8
Wrote home. very pleasant
Monday, June 9, 1862.
Went to town after a paper & sugar for 20 cents
Tuesday 10
Crossed the river and marched to Falling waters
Wednesday 11
Marched from Falling waters to Bunker Hill. Bought bread for 10 cents
Thursday, June 12, 1862.
Bought bread for 10 cents
Friday 13
Bought papers for 10 cents.
Saturday 14
Very hot. Drilled this forenoon. wrote to Bill French. went after straw for the Captain.
Sunday, June 15, 1862.
Went to town and got a paper also got sugar for 20 cents. Bought a paper. Got paid of today at Newtown Va.
Monday 16
Bought soap for 15 cents
Drilled twice to day. Very pleasant weather cool and fine.
Tuesday 17
Paid 35 cents for washing 20 pieces. paid 15 cents for ironing.
Wednesday, June 18, 1862.
Bought a paper & cakes for 37. Marched from Newtown to fore miles of Front royal.
Thursday 19
Bought two blacking for 20 cents. took my horse away from me.
Friday 20
Bought two papers for 10 cents Drilled a skirmish drill this forenoon. Went over to the Maine 10 to see if I could find the Capt revolver.
Saturday, June 21, 1862.
Bought two papers for 10 cents, went up to Headquarters twice.
Sunday 22
Very warm. wrote to Holen Bought a paper for 5 cents
Monday 23
Bought oranges for 25 cents. Very warm with a thunder shower. The new sutler came to day.
Tuesday, June 24, 1862.
Showery all day, very hot Bought a paper for 5 Wrote home.
Wednesday 25
Bought a paper for 5 cents Wrote to Andrew & Everett. Our company went on picket but I did not go on account of the Capt bargain
Thursday 26
Bought a paper for 5 cents Two boxes came from Lowell
Friday, June 27, 1862.
Bought a paper for 5 cents Had a letter from the south west and answered it I did not drill to day
Saturday 28
Bought a paper for five cents. Received a letter from home & from Martha. wrote home.
Sunday 29
Bought a paper for 5 cents.
Monday, June 30, 1862.
Mustered in this forenoon
Bought a candle stick for 10 cents.
Peddled lemonade.
Tuesday, July 1
Bought a candle stick for 10 cents & paper for 5 cents. Drilled twice today.
Wednesday 2
Bought a paper for 5 cents. rained all day and very muddy.
Thursday, July 3, 1862.
Bought two papers for 10 cents. Drew one pr of socks. Drilled this afternoon
Friday 4
Bought a paper for five cents. got a box from Lowell. got a pair of stockings. No drill to day. received a letter from home wrote to Martha
Saturday 5
Bought three papers for 15 cents. wrote home
Sunday, July 6, 1862.
Marched about six miles very hot. Crossed both forks of the Shenandoah river near Front Royal.
Monday 7
Marched at five o'clock Our company out as skirmishers. Front Royal to Flinthill. very hot
Tuesday 8
Marched from Flinthill to Gaines cross roads Got any quantity of cherries.
Wednesday, July 9, 1862.
Very hot did not march to day, but went on picket. Went out and picked a pail of cherries. Received a letter from the south west.
Thursday 10
Some what rainy. picked blackburries & cherries. Came off picket at eight o'clock
Friday 11
Marched from Gaines Crossroads to Warrington. Paid 50 cents for a map Got 4 boxes of sardines Charged to Capt. Abbott.
Saturday, July 12, 1862.
Got 12 lemons charged. Went out after cherries & blackburries.
Sunday 13
Very hot. wrote home We had our tents taken away from us.
Monday 14
The Capt. sent of his trunk to day. Bought a paper for 5 cents. Got a pair of suspenders & got them charged.
Tuesday, July 15, 1862.
Went after washing. paid 80 cents for washing 20 pieces. Bought a paper for 5 cents. Very hot with showers in the afternoon. drew our new tents to day
Wednesday 16
Very hot, marched after dinner. went across the river above Waterloo and camped. An awful thunder shower. wet as a rat.
Thursday 17
Marched at 5 o'clock hot in the forenoon & rainy in the afternoon went as far as Washington or about 12 miles. Bought two papers for 10 cents.
Friday, July 18, 1862.
Rained all day, not very plesant in our new tents for the rain ran through as fast as it rained
Saturday 19
Cloudy but no rain was out with washing paid 25 cents for washing 6 pieces Went after cherries got a pail full.
Sunday 20
Went out berring got ten quarts and made them into sauce There came up a shower when I was at the brook washing which made me run home.
Monday, July 21, 1862.
Very plesant not very hot Drilled this after noon, the first time since we left Front Royal. The guarullers took nine of our wagons and two cannons went after them.
Tuesday 22
Commenced drilling aiming this forenoon, rained this afternoon. Bought a book for 10 cents had it charged to Capt. Got a letter from home answered it.
Wednesday 23
Drilled at aiming. rainy this afternoon no drill. The first brigade marched this morning at two o'clock Their band plaid as they went through our camp.
Thursday, July 24, 1862.
Bought a shoe brush and got it charged. Sent my revolver home. Bought a paper for 5 cents. Showery to day.
Friday 25
Dog days commenced very fine day for the commencement. moved our camp about a mile. Bought a paper for 5 cents & a box of blacking.
Saturday 26
Very hot, drilled this forenoon Bought a paper 5 cents got a letter from home rained at night as usual.
Sunday, July 27, 1862.
Warm and plesant. Bought a paper 5 cents got a letter from home and answered. also wrote to Herman.
Monday 28
There was a Division review at ten o'clock there was 14 regt Infantry, 3 companies Cavalry and 12 batteries. review by Gen Banks.
Tuesday 29
Bought a paper for 5 cents John A Garland tied and handcuffed yesterday. Had a brigade drill by Gen Gordon.
Wednesday, July 30, 1862.
Bought a paper 5 cents. very hot so hot that we did not drill in the afternoon. The paymaster came in to camp.
Thursday 31
Cloudy and very muggy weather. Bought a paper 5 Got paid off to night did not drill at all to day
Friday, August 1
Bought papers & matches for 15 cents. A Division drill this forenoon by Gen Banks I did not drill to day I had a sick headache
Saturday, August 2, 1862.
Very hot, bought papers Capt paid me up to the first of this month, and 2.80 more. he gave me 20 dollars when he did not owe me but 17.10
Sunday 3
Bought 3 papers for 25 cents. 2 Harpers Weekly 10 cents each. 5 for the other. A review by Gen Pope. I was sick
Monday 4
Very hot. I have been sick four days.
Tuesday, August 5, 1862.
Sick the same as ever. Bought one paper & soap for 20 cents.
Wednesday 6
Marched from Washington to Woodville very hot. I wrode in the ambulance
Thursday 7
Marched about 7 miles very hot. wrode all the way in the hospital wagons.
Friday, August 8, 1862.
Marched at night to Culpepper. very hot
Saturday 9
Marched from Culpepper and had a teriable battle commenced at ten minutes of 4 and lasted until dark
Sunday 10
Stopped in Culpepper all day. Bringing in the wounded all day the Capt was killed last night.
Monday, August 11, 1862.
Came back to the Company stoped in the woods over night.
Tuesday 12
Stoped in the woods until afternoon expecting every moment a battle but finily marched back to Culpepper.
Wednesday 13
Packed up the Capt things to be sent home. very pleasant. Lieut Col Dwight returned this afternoon.
Thursday, August 14, 1862.
Warm and pleasant nothing going on of any account wrote to the south west.
Friday 15
Had a review by Gen Williams at Culpepper. very plesant not very hot but very cold nights
Saturday 16
Quite cool and pleasant wrote to Herman & Charles. a very cold night Drew a pair of blue pants.
Sunday, August 17, 1862.
Cool and plesant. on inspection as usual by Lieut James Frances.
Monday 18
Went on guard the first time since Feb. got orders to march this afternoon.
Tuesday 19
Marched from Culpepper and crossed the Rappahannock stoped in the open field near the river
The fight commenced
Wednesday, August 20, 1862.
Lay by the river until about three o'clock and the rebels showed themselves, and expected a fight and we moved into the woods, and stoped over night
Thursday 21
Lay in the woods all day near Rappahannock Station some artillery firing in the day time at night we marched about a mile and stoped in the woods
Friday 22
Marched to the right flank, quite a fight toards night, moved to the front of the woods and lay on the wet ground all night.
Saturday, August 23, 1862.
The artillery commenced firing at six o'clock. shell us in the woods. then we marched up the river until eight o'clock. some fighting until most midnight
Sunday 24
Got wet rather cold laid on the wet ground without any thing over us. went to the pike from Warrenton to Culpepper went on picket.
Monday 25
Marched and countermarched we were right of the rebels camp. marched back about five miles and stoped in the open field. laid on straw a very heavy dew.
Tuesday, August 26, 1862.
Ordered to march at six o'clock. marched about four miles toards Beaver Station and camped in the woods. Cannonading all day it is the eight day that there has been cannonading.
Wednesday 27
Weather warm and plesant cannonading as usual. Marched to Warrenton Junction about 7 miles went on picket.
Thursday 28
Marched at day break as far as to watch the rebels tear up the rail road. Heavy cannonading as usual making nine days. Camped near the creek
Friday, August 29, 1862.
It was cannonading fighting all day. we could hear the cannons roar. Stoped by the brook until night then marched about three miles.
Saturday 30
Marched to Milford and countermarched to the creek and stoped over night the report of a teriable battle. we could hear the cannons.
Sunday 31
It rained but we marched to Centerville burnt the cars and all of the baggage. awful muddy, could hear the cannons.
Monday, September 1, 1862.
Marched from Bulls Run toards Fairfax an attact on the wagon train toard night. a heavy shower to night and we lay by the road side. Cold.
Tuesday 2
Marched, hard bread short. Marched from Centerville to Alexandria a long march until 12 o'clock at night. Cold and no supper.
Wednesday 3
Marched from Fort Ellsworth to Fort Albany and stoped over night. Saw the Tyngsboro boys.
Thursday, September 4, 1862.
Marched from Fort Albany to four miles beyond Georgetown. Warm days but cold nights.
Friday 5
Marched at two o'clock to Rockville about 12 miles. warm and plesant but cold nights.
Saturday 6
Marched at on o'clock and formed a line of battle about two miles from Rockville.
Sunday, September 7, 1862.
Rested all day, wrote a letter home. the first for three weeks.
Monday 8
Wrote a letter to Herman marched at noon about eight miles.
Tuesday 9
Marched at nine o'clock. we were the rear guard for the brigade.
Wednesday, September 10, 1862.
Marched at seven o'clock Warm and plesant. Went about 10 miles and camped a little before dark
Thursday 11
Marched at seven o'clock a little rainy. went as far as Damascus.
Friday 12
Marched from Damascus almost to [?]ville rainy in the forenoon but hot in the afternoon. camped where the rebels did the night before
Saturday, September 13, 1862.
Marched at seven o'clock and went as far as Frederick and stoped to rest. got within sight of the rebels at noon. quite warm.
Sunday 14
Marched from Frederick to Middletown, marched until midnight. had a battle on the side of the mountain. Gen Reno killed.
Monday 15
Marched from Middletown to Boonville stoped over night. saw a great many prisoners passed over the battle field in the gap.
Tuesday, September 16, 1862.
Marched at nine and went about a mile and stoped all day on the plowed ground and at night marched about three miles to war
Wednesday 17
A severe battle and I stoped one ball and James wounded. the battle lasted all day and a severe battle it was too.
Thursday 18
Lay on the battle field in the woods no firing only by the sharpshooters. Carrying of the wounded all day.
Friday, September 19, 1862.
Marched about sun down from the battle ground to Ruralville and lay in the road until day light.
Saturday 20
Marched early over the mountain and onto Maryland Hights went as far as the old camp ground then went back to the top of the mountain
Sunday 21
Stoped with the signal corps until dark and was relieved, and went down the mountain in the dark and camped at the foot with the rest of the brigade
wrote home
Monday, September 22, 1862.
Went on guard for Trip. Warm and plesant, had the long roll beat at half past two, but did not go until morning Wrote to Emmie R.
Tuesday 23
Marched quite early. went through Sandy Hook and on to Maryland Hights. and camped a bout a quarter of a mile from the fort. Wrote to Ella
Wednesday 24
Very plesant in the morning but it rained before noon and cleared off quite cool and windy. I washed my shirt the first time since Culpepper.
Thursday, September 25, 1862.
Cold nights but plesant days. nothing going on but drilling recruits. the baloon went up five times to day Wrote a letter home to Martha
Friday 26
Went on picket guard down to the pontoon bridge at Harpers Ferry. Gen McClellan was here to day. I wrote a letter to Georgie was plesant in the day time but cold nights
Saturday 27
Was not relieved as we expected but stoped on guard another day. Got a letter from Andrew quite warm and plesant
Sunday, September 28, 1862.
Came of picket the morning. wrote a letter to Andrew. very warm and plesant. had a dress perade after dark.
Monday 29
Went on fatigue duty but did not do any thing but lay on the side of the mountain. Came back and went on dress perade.
Tuesday 30
Went up onto the mountain and choped all day. Wrote a letter to Susan Davis. Very warm weather for the time of the year
Wednesday, October 1, 1862.
Very foggy in the morning Went up onto the mountain to chop. in the afternoon there came up a teriable thunder shower and I got wet through.
Thursday 2
Very foggy this morning Went up onto the mountain under charge of Capt Bangs and we raised ned with him. did not get to camp until dark. quite warm.
Friday 3
Very warm and plesant
went onto the mountain under charge of Lieut. Younger We have very windy nights for the past week.
Saturday, October 4, 1862.
Very warm and plesant I did not chop much to day. Capt George was the officer of the day. A shower toards night
Sunday 5
Warm and plesant but it was quite cool toards night Our knapsacks came from Washington and was glad to see them. Wrote to Charles Butterfield.
Monday 6
Quite cool to day the coolest day we have had this fall. Went choping the baloon went up from Bolivar Hights.
Tuesday, October 7, 1862.
Very plesant to day could see a good ways from the top of the mountain. I got three letters to night one from Martha.
Wednesday 8
Very warm and plesant. Choped on the south end of the mountain. Got a letter from Andrew Spaulding and wrote one to Martha.
Thursday 9
Choped on the south end of the mountain. it was very warm. Received a letter from Susan & Herman.
Friday, October 10, 1862.
Choped on the mountain in the forenoon and down on the Potomac in the afternoon Got a letter from home.
Saturday 11
Somewhat rainy in the morning and did not go out to choping until late. Somewhat chilly with a damp wind.
Sunday 12
Somewhat cold and a little rainy. went on inspection Wrote a letter home & also to A Spaulding rained all night. Lewis C. Wright died.
Monday, October 13, 1862.
Quite cold and damp day but we choped all day next to the river the last of that job. But what a change since one year ago.
Tuesday 14
One year ago to day I enlisted one year has passed and glad am I but I hope that another will bring me home. Choping near the camp.
Wednesday 15
To day the Draft commenced in Massachusetts. Choped small brush to day near camp by order of Gerald Fitzgerald Esqr of Company F.
Thursday, October 16, 1862.
Commenced at camp and choped up to the top of the hill in the forenoon and choped out road in the afternoon by order of Lieut George. Letter home
Friday 17
Choped out road in the forenoon and choped by the spring in the afternoon by order of Lieut. Sawyer. A very cold night to night.
Saturday 18
Choped down near the river in the forenoon and did one wash in the afternoon. broke my axe handle Got a paper from Dea Kimball
Sunday, October 19, 1862.
A very plesant day to day. more so than we have been having.
Wrote a letter home & to Herman.
Monday 20
One year ago to day I left my happy home. To day I am choping on the Potomac river a little above Harpers Ferry A cold morning but a warm day.
Tuesday 21
A very cool and windy morning went to work quite early under Capt Bangs. A review by Gen Slouchum.
Wrote a letter to A.J.W. One year ago to day since Balls Bluff
Wednesday, October 22, 1862.
Choped on the side of the mountain and disagreeable windy day. Holy Joe was with us to day and a great time we had too.
Thursday 23
One year ago to day I left Lowell for the war. Choped wood in the forenoon and came down to dinner. This finished out choping and I worked 22 days.
Friday 24
Very windy, expected to have gun inspection but did not I got a letter from home to night. Lieut Cook & D[?] came to the company.
Saturday, October 25, 1862.
Had orders to march but did not. I went on guard as William Bowman was sick. Got a letter from James to night the first since the battle.
Sunday 26
Came off guard and it rained very hard. Had orders to be ready to march. Wrote a letter to James and sent him those that I had that came for him.
Monday 27
A little rainy in the morning but cleared off quite cold and windy. Did not drill as we expected to march.
Tuesday, October 28, 1862.
The coldest morning we have had, a very white frost the first of the season. Had an inspection this forenoon by the inspector General. Worked for Capt Cogswell in the afternoon.
Wednesday 29
A very plesant day worked on Capt. Cogswells house. We marched at eight o'clock at night toards Sharpsburg and lay by the side of the road by the canal.
Thursday 30
Marched from Antietam Iron Works to Dam No 5 and went on picket near the ford at Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg.
Friday, October 31, 1862.
Came off picket this forenoon and went to building a house and quite a good one it was too. Had a muster for two months pay.
Saturday, November 1
Went on picket at half past seven, very plesant. wrote a letter home but did not send it. The rebels fired three times to night.
Sunday 2
Came off picket and worked on my house until night. then wrote a few words and put in my letter that I wrote yesterday. Letter from home
Monday, November 3, 1862.
Worked all day luging logs for picket houses and then went on picket at night. very cold night Stood six hours in frost
Tuesday 4
Came of picket at light and went to work building picket houses. worked all day at it. did not go on perade to night. Got a letter from Ella.
Wednesday 5
Worked the forenoon on picket houses in the afternoon worked on my house a little went once after boards. Cloudy all day.
Thursday, November 6, 1862.
Went on camp guard. Cold and windy to day froze quite hard at night did not sleep any on guard had a good fire.
Friday 7
Came off guard. very cool. commenced snowing at 10 o'clock and snowed all day quite fast. built a chimney but it did not work very well. smoked.
Saturday 8
Went on picket a very cold night. Got a letter from Georgie. It was the coldest night of the season no fires allowed on picket so we liked to froze.
Sunday, November 9, 1862.
Came off guard this morning. worked on my house all day. Wrote a letter home in which I wrote for my box But do not know how soon I shall get it.
Monday 10
Went on picket this morning. a very plesant day. I was on the third relief at the ford under Lieut. George.
Tuesday 11
Came of picket this morning and went on review before Gen Gordon. An inspection of every thing we had. I drew a blouse, one of the regulars. Half of our time is out to day. Wrote to Ella.
Wednesday, November 12, 1862.
Went on picket this morning was on the west post. Cloudy and rained a little toards night but cleared of before morning Box from Lowell came.
Thursday 13
Came of picket this morning. Worked on my house a little very plesant to day.
Friday 14
Did not go on picket to day. Worked on the guard house in the forenoon and went after walnuts in the afternoon. Dr Morse showed us his book
Saturday, November 15, 1862.
Went on picket this morn it was a very good day to be on picket. Got a letter from A. J. Woodward.
Sunday 16
Came off picket wrote a letter home but have not got one since the one wrote on the 26th of October. a very raw day damp air.
Monday 17
Went to the Dr and got excused because it rained and I did not want to go on picket.
Tuesday, November 18, 1862.
Did not go on picket but worked all day at policing the camp a little rainy. The weather is not very cold.
Wednesday 19
Went on picket this morning. it was cloudy but did not rain. quite warm for the time of year. Got a letter from home dated Nov 9th.
Thursday 20
Came off picket this morning somewhat rainy. Got a letter from James also one from home & Helen.
I wrote to James this afternoon
Friday, November 21, 1862.
Did not go on picket this morning. Something for me to be off two days at a time. It rained some to day but not very much.
Saturday 22
Went on picket this morning. quite windy, and snowed a little. Got a letter from George to night.
Sunday 23
Came of picket. Wrote a letter to George. Quite cold and windy to day
Monday, November 24, 1862.
Did not go on picket made a ax handle. Went across the river at night and took six prisoners and shot one Capt. and returned at four in the morning.
Tuesday 25
Did not do any thing in the forenoon but went over to Shepherdstown in the afternoon. forded the river both ways. did not find much of any thing.
Wednesday 26
Went off on a pass to Sharpsburg and to the battle field. Also plaid ball a little while.
Thursday, November 27, 1862.
Went on picket this Thanksgiving day. had a good turkey dinner and a box & letter from home. Foster died this morning.
Friday 28
Came of picket and found a box from home Wrote a letter home this forenoon. went out playing ball in the afternoon. Morse Kidder & Lamb came back to the company.
Saturday 29
Snowed this forenoon. Plaid checkers about all day. Did not do any thing at all to day Lieut. Miller came to the company.
Sunday, November 30, 1862.
Went on inspection the first time since we have been here. Went on the water detail, went four times after water.
Monday, December 1
Went on picket. it rained some in the morning but not enough to hurt any thing.
Tuesday 2
Came off picket this morning rather cool. Went and ground my ax, and it was a good job.
Wednesday, December 3, 1862.
A very plesant day. I sewed most of the forenoon on my great coat. One year ago we marched from Seneca
Thursday 4
I was on the water detail went twice after water and that was all I done to day.
Friday 5
Went on picket this morning and was quite cold and snowed like fun in the afternoon. 3 inches fell.
Saturday, December 6, 1862.
Came off picket it was a very cold and windy day. There was an eclipse of the moon last night, the coldest day we have had this fall or winter.
Sunday 7
Received a letter from home last night and wrote home to day. A very cold and windy day made pies to day. Got a letter from James.
Monday 8
Went choping wood in the forenoon and water in the afternoon. Wrote to James.
Tuesday, December 9, 1862.
Went on picket. sent James his coat. Orders came to march and was relieved from picket.
Wednesday 10
Marched at sunrise and went about seven miles and stoped in the woods on the snow.
Thursday 11
Got up at 3 o'clock and marched about 10 miles across the river of Harpers F and toards Leesburg. marched part of the night.
Friday, December 12, 1862.
Marched from Hillsboro to Leesburg but did not get in until late in the evening. The Guerillas took one wagon, and we got it back again.
Saturday 13
Marched from Leesburg to near Fairfax Court House or about 20 miles and a hard march it was too.
Sunday 14
Marched at day break to Fairfax Station went through Fairfax Court House.
Monday, December 15, 1862.
Marched from Fairfax Station to Wolfs Run. we were the wagon guard. Got my knapsack carried in a wagon
Tuesday 16
Rained very hard this morning and very muddy Marched from Wolf Run toards Fredericksburg about 5 miles and stoped and dried clothes.
[margin]
Pat Murphys Charge.
Wednesday 17
Marched back to Fairfax Station and stoped in the woods near the Station. a very cold night.
Thursday, December 18, 1862.
Did not march to day but lay in the pines near the Station. Wrote a letter home. It was a cold day.
Friday 19
A very cold night last night. Did not march to day. Fixed me a house.
Saturday 20
Another cold day. did not do any thing but lug wood for the Capt and myself. Got a letter from Herman
Sunday, December 21, 1862.
A very cold day. one of the 13th N.J. froze to death last night. Got a letter from home
Monday 22
Quite cold to day and looks as if it was going to snow Wrote a letter to Herman.
Tuesday 23
It was quite mild and plesant to day. Mr Glines cut my hair to day.
Wednesday, December 24, 1862.
Cloudy and looked like rain, but did not. There was a review by Pat Murphy it was a brigade review of five regiments.
Thursday 25
Quite a warm day for Christmas. Commenced working on our log houses. Got a letter from home, and wrote one home.
Friday 26
Worked choping logs for the log huts. A very warm and plesant day. it rained a few drops at night
Saturday, December 27, 1862.
Worked putting up our log huts and got the fraims all up were warm and looked likely to rain
Sunday 28
We had orders to march with three days rations and went to Wolf Run where we went into camp for the night.
Monday 29
We started and marched back to camp at noon and found that the rebels had not been here.
Tuesday, December 30, 1862.
Came off guard in the morning and went to work on the houses and it rained a little toards night. Got a letter from A.P.B. J.A.D. & Ella
Wednesday 31
Had a muster for two months pay Worked on the houses in the afternoon. And wrote a letter to James. Bought a Diary for 1863. this winds up the old year. with a snow storm
Memoranda.
Camp near Sharpsburg Nov 1st
Memoranda.
Fort Schulyer Hospital
Winchester Co N.Y.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15266) | OT0171.025 | Diaries | 1862 |
Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Alcohol, Ambrose Burnside, Battle of Antietam, Battle of Fort Donelson, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Chores, Clothing, Conscription/Conscripts, Courts Martial, Death (Military), Defeat/Surrender, Drilling, Enlistment, Fighting, Food, George B. McClellan, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guerrilla Warfare, Guns, Home, Hospitals, Hygiene, Illnesses, Industry/Manufacturing, Injuries, Mail, Marching, Money, Nature, News, Newspapers, Payment, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Railroads, "Rebels" (Unionist opinions of), Recruitment/Recruits, Rivers, Supplies, Thanksgiving, Weather, Work
People - Records: 1
- (4150) [writer] ~ Butterfield, Dexter
SOURCES
Dexter Butterfield Diary, 1862, OT0171.025, Nau Collection
