Jerome Bottomly Diary, 1864
Jerome Bottomly
Co. "C" U.S. Engrs
Brandy Station
January, Friday, 22, 1864.
Leicester Mohegan
Mass
Cherry Valley
Mapleville
January, Monday, 25, 1864.
Jerome Bottomly
Esq
[figures]
Camp near Brandy
Station
April, Wednesday, 6, 1864.
Went on guard at night as corpl.
countersign was
Frankfort
Thursday 7.
Had pleasant weather on guard. The officers had Kilpatricks minstrels to play for them the men not allowed to go consequence several stones hit Flicks shanty countersign Galveston
Friday, 8.
Double guard put on camp to punish the men 15 posts
countersign gregory
April, Saturday, 9, 1864.
Rained so we could not go to pontoon drill did not do much on garrison police
countersign Princeton
Sunday, 10.
Wrote to Sarah. did not go to Church. Cleared off this morning was warm. had inspection commenced raining this afternoon
countersign Blair
Monday, 11.
Went to work on a bridge near Culpeper that we built last fall and that had been washed away rode home in wagons on guard countersign Troy
April, Tuesday, 12, 1864.
Very hard guard I was so tired. No 11 Post front of officers. we were paid off 31.85. Shelter tent taken out. Com. C & D went to pontoon drill
Countersign tonight St Louis
Wednesday, 13.
Company did nothing neither did I. was tired and slept in the forenoon. received a letter from Edmund
countersign tonight Allegheny
Thursday, 14.
After wood all the forenoon
Countersign this night Ireland
April, Friday, 15, 1864.
162
On company police in charge got along very well
countersign tonight
Taylor.
161
Saturday, 16.
Rainy got to go on guard tonight
Partly cleared off and had a decently pleasant night
Congress
160 Sunday, 17.
Pleasant enough for Inspection the Co had Inspection in knapsacks
Brighton
April Monday, 18, 1864.
Drilled with canvas boats at the Rapp
Clifton tonight
Tuesday, 19.
On garrison police. Miller would not excuse me so went to Howell. told him wanted to go on pass see Wiley went to Hd qrs. and 17 Mass did not go to Wiley. came near getting shot.
Rector
Wednesday, 20.
In charge of Co. police. most of the Co. are making gabions had orders at tattoo to go on fatigue tomorrow
April, Thursday, 21, 1864.
156
Started from camp 8½ waited at the station till 12 came to Bristow Station got here about 4. as soon as we had our tents pitched the Co went to work tonight I'm Sergt corpal of guard 4 men
Friday 22.
The Co. at work building a stockade I was in camp having an easy time
Saturday, 23.
Saturday. I was at work with the company I was to cut the loop holes and three to help me
April Sunday, 24, 1864.
Worked all day same job
Monday, 25.
Same
Tuesday, 26.
Same
April, Wednesday, 27 1864.
150
Finished the stockade about noon. in the afternoon the Company went to work shoveling. I went to B. Co. came back and had a swim in Broad Run then we packed up and came to Brandy got here 9½ started at 6
Thursday, 28.
This day slept all the forenoon and in the after did most everything
Friday, 29.
Charge of Company police
April, Saturday, 30 1864.
Company off at work I was told to stop in camp sent a picture of camp to Lavina write to Edmund on guard at night
May Sunday, 1.
Countersign Milton
Some of the company out at work
a letter from H
Monday, 2.
did nothing in camp
May, Tuesday, 3, 1864.
144
Reveille at 4 marched to Richardsville and went to work fixing a road to the river came back to 11 and camped
Wednesday, 4
The 2nd Corps passed we marched about 2 crossed the river and fixed a bridge about 5 miles and bivouac at 12 oclock
Thursday, 5
Started in the morning came 1½m about faced came back ½m. Stacked arms and lay here now skirmishing a mile or so in front
May, Friday, 6, 1864.
Went to the front and laid in the rifle pits all the forenoon. in the afternoon was digging rifle pits when our right broke we laid in line all night
Saturday 7.
The rebs were just coming when we received orders to go back. we work part of the forenoon diggi making bridge. Burnsides men came back in the pm saw J Butterworth we started about 6 and was on the road all night
Sunday, 8.
laid in the woods long enough this morning to make coffee when we moved again 1½ and laid all day and then marched 3 or 4 miles and laid on a side hole ploughed
May, Monday, 9, 1864.
138
In the forenoon went about a mile and then came back in the afternoon went to the front and then came back laid in the woods till night and went to our old place Sedgwick killed
Tuesday 10.
The Batt. A and C went to the right to build a bridge over the R. got it most done when Hancock ordered us to destroy it and help the 50 take up the pontoon our men all came this side laid near Head quarters
Wednesday, 11.
Reveille at 3 went to work corduroying a road taking everything with us worked till dark and came back to our old place raining
May Thursday, 12, 1864.
Reveille early. 2 oclock marched soon after daylight 3 or 4m to our left. met a great many wounds and see 3,000 prisoners 15 pieces of artillery taken this morn. worked most all day cutting a road and laying corduroy
Raining
Friday, 13.
Reveille 2 oclock. packed up worked all day making road taking our knapsacks and every thing. got back to where we started from after dark very muddy and rainy
Saturday, 14.
Reveille 1½ marched soon after daylight 2 or 3 miles to the left fixing roads some of the time rainy
May, Sunday, 15, 1864.
132 Reveille at 4. Some rainy. no firing this morning. expect to move every minute.
We did not move
Monday, 16.
Laid still all day
received some mail and wrote to Mother
Tuesday, 17.
We moved about the middle of the day and camped in the woods 1½ miles from camp see John Knights
May, Wednesday, 18, 1864.
Reveille at 2. moved at daylight. back where we were yesterday to the front laid several hours and then came back in the woods near where we were last night. hospital in our old camp, had to move after we had pitched one on account of hospital some fighting some mail
Thursday, 19.
Laying still this forenoon
Fighting. 14th Mass wounded came into the hospital near us
Friday, 20.
Laid still
May, Saturday, 21, 1864.
126
Marched to Guineas Station 6 or 7 miles had go skirmishing all the afternoon with the rest of Head Quarters guard
Sunday, 22.
Marched about noon Johny Butterworth was in camp to see me
Marched 7 or 8 miles and camped on Tylers plantation ret. Congressman
Monday, 23
Marched 10 miles. working some on the road
May, Tuesday, 24, 1864.
Had rations issued and marched soon after daylight went 2 miles and rested at some church about 2 we marched 4 or 5 miles crossed the N Anna at Jericho Mills and camped near the line of Battle
on guard
Wednesday, 25.
The Batt. had reveille at 3 and left at 4. we left at 2pm went 2 miles and back across the river over a bridge the Batt built
Thursday, 26.
Raining hard no signs of moving yet
May, Friday, 27, 1864.
120
Reveille at 2 marched at 4. camped about 3 must have made 20m flanked by bees. vinegar for supper. supposed to have on days rations
Saturday, 28.
no rations
Reveille at 1 marched at 3. came about 8 miles hard march for me I was sick. got to the Pamunkey built some road helped to build 2 bridges
Sunday, 29.
Laid at Little Pages bridge no rations went on the sick report
May, Monday, 30, 1864.
Marched about 3 miles
I went with the train
Rations came up at night
Tuesday 31.
Laid still
June, Wednesday, 1.
Marched about 3 miles
After tattoo C & D Cos had to go out and fix some bridges I was with the sick
June, Thursday 2, 1864.
114
Marched about 7. very dusty road. went 6 miles and camped near Coal harbor. C & D co's came in an hour after us
Friday, 3.
Laid still all day all packed up ready to move at night D company went off and just after tattoo the three other companies
the sick and guard left
considerable fighting
Saturday, 4.
B & D Co's came in this morning and went out again had been digging rifle pits C co came in at night had not been doing anything
rainy
June, Sunday, 5, 1864.
Good cool day. All the companies except C. out B came in and went out again
heavy skirmishing after dark
Monday, 6.
C co in camp doing nothing the other co's out
Tuesday, 7.
Ditto
hot in the afternoon
June, Wednesday, 8, 1864.
108
All the companies came in to day. Skirmish firing every day and some cannonading. The hot weather makes one feel very weak
Thursday, 9
Nothing happened worth remembering
Friday, 10.
Lieut Mac Kenzie leaves
Col of HA 1st Conn
June, Saturday, 11, 1864.
Detail of 10 from this company out laying out rifle pits and batteries in rear of the rest
begged 2 hard tack drink of water and chew tobacco for dinner
Sunday, 12.
Marched at half past two. went 2 or 3 miles over the R.R. about 6 miles from camp but went 2 miles off the road 8½ oclock when we got into camp
Monday, 13.
Marched at 4½. went 10 miles and rest 4 hours at providence ford Mills then crossed the Chickahominy and went 7 miles to Chas. City C.H.
went on guard at night
June, Tuesday, 14, 1864.
102
Marched at 10½ a.m. was with the train and went on the wrong road 9 miles and back. got to camp 6½
The Batt. went 5 miles they are at work building a bridge over the James
Wednesday, 15.
Was not relieved last night. The Batt. working most of the night. bridge /o/ boats. relieved to night
Thursday, 16.
Marched from 8½ till 7 at night. must have gone 20m. good. got to within 2m of Petersburg road smokey and dusty. fighting in front
June, Friday, 17, 1864.
Did not move today very hot but plenty of ice
Saturday 18.
Marched 1 mile. went into a good camp only water is not very handy wrote to Martha
Sunday, 19.
Laid still
Rebel earth works near us Petersburg in sight from there
96
June, Monday, 20, 1864.
Laid in camp
Tuesday, 21.
Fixed up a bunk
Man hung near our camp
Wednesday, 22.
Marched 5 miles. went into camp laid several hours had to pack up. go back 1 mile rested till dark. then came back and laid near where we camped this forenoon part of the men still at work
June, Thursday, 23, 1864.
The party that was out last night came in. built an 8 gun battery. Harris of B company hit with a spent ball. moved camp about a mile. helping dig for water
Friday, 24.
Hot Laid still
Bourn Discharged
Saturday, 25.
Ditto
Co A went off
June, Sunday 26, 1864.
90
Hot as the devil
Gregory Discharged
Monday, 27.
Slightly cooler, went on guard at night and there was a little rain
received a hat and handkerchief from home
Tuesday, 28.
Not so uncomfortable sent a letter to Mother. Picket firing every night not much through the day now
1 loaf of soft bread issued
June, Wednesday, 29, 1864.
Cold last night. great relief from the heat
Wrote to Collins
Thursday, 30.
Cool and comfortable. nothing to do. Muster about 9. Co A came in have been at Burnsides Hd. qurs. not done any thing Muster 9 oclock
July, Friday 1.
Co A went away again Washed 2 shirts pants stockings myself
July, Saturday, 2, 1864.
84
Pretty warm day reading wish I had plenty of reading matter
Sunday, 3.
Pleasant. cool breeze this morning
Monday, 4.
July, Tuesday, 5, 1864.
Wednesday, 6.
Reveille at half past two went to work on a fort
Thursday 7.
working
July, Friday, 8, 1864.
78
Working
Saturday, 9.
Working all day making loops and leveling off. got to camp at nine
Sunday, 10.
Worked till 1 had charge of 32nd Mass showing them where to place the logs
wrote to Nancy
July, Monday, 11, 1864.
Out last night till 12. to day in camp for guard, washing &c
Tuesday, 12.
Batt moved camp about 4 miles in to the woods I was left with some things and did not start till one
was not relieved from guard
Wednesday, 13.
awful hot weather
relieved tonight
Batt out all night
July, Thursday, 14, 1864.
72
Did nothing much but rest
Friday, 15.
Built a bunk
Reenlisted 5 years men go on furlough
two men hung for rape not far from here
Saturday, 16.
Lazy day reading the Wonder of Kingswood Chase
July, Sunday, 17, 1864.
Was out all last night Segt Grants Party revetting a 4 gun battery with gabions and fascines
Slept nearly all day
Monday, 18.
Went out last night but came in about one could not work for they were expecting an attack
Tuesday 19. Raining first time for a long while
slept well last night
July, Wednesday, 20, 1864.
68 66
Cleared off today
Thursday, 21.
Out all day. With Lovejoy not working very hard
Friday, 22.
Out again all day shoveling some laid out a magazine out to the front line
July, Saturday, 23, 1864.
Am not out today
cool last night
out at night building magazine, minnies whistling, no chance of them hitting
Sunday, 24.
on guard at night
Monday, 25.
Rained hard all last night and cold
July, Tuesday, 26, 1864.
62 60
In camp so far 9 oclk
Out all night tonight with Sergt Putman in the 18 gun battery. did not have to work myself
Wednesday, 27.
Slept about all day
Thursday, 28.
Out about all day with corpl. Kehoe working on a magazine to the 6 mortar battery
July, Friday, 29, 1864.
Guess Ill not go out today for I expect the work is about done
Ill write to Sarah
Saturday 30.
Reveille 2½ Batt went to Warrens Hd Qurs about daylight soon after we got there there was the greatest cannonading I ever heard came to camp about noon
Sunday, 31.
Grinding axes all the forenoon. hear we lost all we gained yesterday. orders for inspection at six tonight. very warm
August, Monday, 1, 1864.
Wrote to Mother
very warm
Tuesday, 2.
Hot did little of
nothing
Wednesday, 3.
Charlie Bottomly and Johnathan Butterworth came to see me
August, Thursday, 4, 1864.
Out all day.
Revetting a lunette behind some batteries that are supposed to be under mined
Rebs working in plain sight
Friday, 5.
Saturday 6.
Working the same place I was at Thursday
August, Sunday, 7, 1864.
48
For guard tonight
Flies awful thick
no comfort
Several of our men were hit to day none hurt bad. spent balls
Monday, 8.
Hot on guard
Courtmartial
[?]
Tuesday, 9.
Not quite as warm to day. reading novel Lady Mand
Went to the fourteen gun battery at night but did not work got
August, Wednesday, 10, 1864.
back just after taps
Weighed 135
Mendell left. Harwood commanding
Thursday, 11.
Cleaning up the camp some I was in Co police, nothing of importance occurred
Friday, 12.
Wrote to Father about the bounty
August, Saturday, 13, 1864.
42
Moved our tent as most of Batt had to busy all forenoon and part of aft
out all night
Sunday, 14.
Dull hard day
Sleepy and too hot to sleep. orders to be ready to move some rain at night no inspection Sentences read to Batt
Monday, 15.
Hot this morning.
no signs of moving
August, Tuesday, 16, 1864.
Nothing occurred worth remembering
Wednesday, 17.
Thursday, 18.
of a Co was hit in the knee and had his leg taken off
August, Friday, 19, 1864
36
Was out all last night right of rail road 14. batt. plenty of minnies any quantity of shells no one hurt
did not do much
went out at night but rain drove us
Saturday 20.
Went out at 7 this morning. worked by reliefs till 7 at night Some rain plenty of mud a few minnies no shells left of rail road 3 gun bat
Sunday, 21.
wrote to C L and N
Police to day guard to night plenty of firing on the line
see 3 or 400 prisoners
August, Monday, 22, 1864.
Was supe last night and am laying off today
Tuesday, 23.
Rained hard last night Mather lent me his overcoat so I kept dry. big details out today
Reed & Biss discharged
Wednesday, 24
Went out about ten got back at 7 working on bomb proof left of RR
Johnson Curtis Gott Robinson left
August, Thursday, 25, 1864.
30
Co. B. went away. Reveille at 3 this morning most of the co out. me on G. relieved about 3 p.m. guard doubled soon after Batt came in we went of under arms no canteen or haversack to the rifle pit Capt. Harwood letting our services were needed in the trenches expected every man to do his duty.
Friday, 26.
Came in this morning soon after daylight and layed in camp all day
Saturday, 27.
Woke at 4 out all day shoveling on the bomb proof Sergt Taylor got in at 7.
August Sunday, 28, 1864.
out the same as yesterday only we worked by relief Serg Taylor
Monday, 29.
Out again Sergt Stoddard did not get in till nearly 8
Tuesday, 30.
For guard to night but carried the mens dinners out
Did not have to go on guard
20 men out today
August, Wednesday, 31. 1864.
24
Laid off today for guard at night
No 3 Post
Muster at 6 P.m.
September Thursday, 1.
Nothing of importance
Friday, 2.
Was out all day
finished the work on the left of the R.R.
September, Saturday, 3, 1864.
In camp. Garrison police. 6 men out to day some place
Sunday, 4.
Out all day to the left near our old camp Met C. B. and J. B. when coming back
& raining the bottom of the ditch
Monday, 5.
A & B Co's came back. D went away for guard Relieved from guard at 8. Co going away
September, Tuesday, 6, 1864.
18
Marched 7 ½ to the left 4m to D Co a little rainy. Orders read reducing Butter and making Paine Duharsh and Hess Corps. Went to work at 2 was to work all night but the infantry left so we had to
Wednesday, 7.
Was out in the forenoon
Co D in the afternoon
Easy duty compared with
Thursday, 8.
Pleasant
Was out this afternoon
but did not do much
September, Friday, 9, 1864.
We did not do any thing all day. the boys were boxing this afternoon
Saturday, 10.
Detail out this morning laying out a redoubt
expect I'll be out this afternoon
Out this afternoon profiling a large [?]
Sunday, 11.
Out all the forenoon making profile
had a wash this afternoon
September, Monday, 12, 1864.
12
At work digging for a magazine
Bottomly & Butterworth came over
Tuesday, 13.
11
Digging for magazine
Wednesday, 14.
10
Digging same as yesterday and day before
September, Thursday, 15, 1864.
9
Digging in the forenoon and in the afternoon
lot of niggers at work and I did not do much
Friday, 16.
8
Out about all day and at night marched back to our old camp
Stoddard left
Saturday, 17.
7
We were laying still pretty much today
September, Sunday, 18, 1864.
6
Inspection at nine
dull day afterwards
boys singing under our
shade in the evening
Monday, 19.
5
Digging sink in the forenoon washed in the afternoon
Tuesday, 20.
4
The company went to Prince Georges C.H. about 4 miles to the rear. laid out and partly profiled a redoubt and battery Joe Rogers left. News of a great victory
September, Wednesday, 21, 1864.
3
The company packed up and marched to P.G.C.H. busy in the forenoon making a bunk. got out some stuff for magazine in the afternoon
3d Brig 2d Div 2 Corps drill
Thursday, 22.
2
Busy this forenoon tearing down old house commenced reveting
In the afternoon was helping revet
Friday, 23.
1
Came up to camp this morning after bidding all the boys good by Sergt Lovejoy came with me
got discharge at night
September, Saturday, 24, 1864.
Walked to City Point
See D Wiley. got discharge stamped by pro. vo. m. Gen got on the boat and was off about 10½ poor accommodation on the boat slept last night of Clancy R. bank
Sunday, 25.
Did not sleep much last night—cold. got to W. about 10. went to 562 Penn Av. had good breakfast dinner and supper dull in the city
Monday, 26.
Put in our final statements at nine got pay at 2--$281.60. loafed most of the day bought a ticket to N.Y. by way of Harrisburg. started at 7.20
September, Tuesday, 27, 1864.
got to N.Y. at 10½ this forenoon Bought my cloths and rode up to 27 St depot loafed most of the afternoon took the 8pm train for Worcester via Springfield
Wednesday, 28.
Got to Worcester this morning about 4. started on a foot got to Sarahs about daylight and took breakfast with her and then came on home
Thursday, 29.
Went to Worcester with Milton rainy got back soon after noon
September, Friday, 30, 1864.
Loafing around home getting disgusted with CV already. Went after the paper at noon and shook hands with a number
October, Saturday, 1.
M. N. Milton & I went to Worcester got home soon after noon. walking around in the afternoon to the water works &c
Sunday, 2.
Rainy went to Church in the afternoon. prayer meeting so rainy just as natural as though I had been all the time
October, Monday 3, 1864.
Walked to N.W. took the horse cars and got to So Framingham. 4/4 See Andrew first and then Lavina
Tuesday, 4.
In the forenoon over to the shop. in the afternoon went to F. Center. in the eve to Mr Coolidges
Wednesday, 5.
Took a walk in the forenoon and found Lawrence Coolidge. Left So. F. at 2½ p.m. got to Worcester 3½ and went into Mr Howes school rode to N.W. on horse cars and walked home
October, Thursday, 6, 1864.
Passed the day unprofitably. went after some nuts in the afternoon got but few
carried Nancy and Mrs G. Largent to Worcester in the morning
Friday, 7.
Started about 9 rode to Worcester with Milton and Martha. to the 11½ train at Great St. depot rode to Waterford and walked to Mohegan 6 miles found Collins and went to see his brother at Glendale
Saturday, 8.
Around the mill
October, Sunday, 9, 1864.
Collins got a horse and we rode through Slatersville, Woonsocket, Millville and home took a walk through Glendale Oakland Mapleville
Monday, 10.
Around the mill
Slept 3 in a bed
Tuesday, 11.
Started from Mohegan 4pm Collins carried me to Waterford got to Worcester Junction at 7 walked home got there at 8
October, Wednesday, 12, 1864.
Picked some beans in the forenoon. dug some potatoes p.m. sorted them and went with father to the store with 15½ bu
Thursday, 13.
Very rainy
have to get along the best I can
November, Sunday, 27.
J W Plaisdell
Boston Mass
Memoranda.
Charles H Bratt
Cohasset
Mass
Nov 20
Frank J Downes
So Boston Mass
Oct 1st
Howard A Carson
No. Oxford
Oct 28
Memoranda.
Thos Paine
Co. C. U.S.E.
fr John Eldridge
New Bedford
Morgan St
Oct 4
Thos. H Sweetland
Cor. 6 & D St So
Boston
Dec 2
George Howland
New Bedford
Mass
190 Union St
Memoranda.
Wm H Foss
Sharon Mo
Dec 3
Thos W. Beddoe
Charlestown
Henry Rice
Care of Abel R
Marlboro
Alonzo Grant
A. G. Rice
Memoranda.
Jerome B
Benjamin C Sparrow
East Orleans
Mass
John Bishop
13 Brattle Sq.
Boston
Mass
Memoranda.
J. S. Winchell
Jackson
Mich
G. W. Lovejoy
East Corinth
Me
May, Bills Payable.
Tuesday July 19—67
Friday Aug 12—43
Saturday Sept 3—20
Sunday Sept 18—5
December, Bills Payable.
July 10th
Borrowed of
Hess $5.00
Paid
Debt .75
Tobacco 1.50
Milk 1.30 Result
Dipper .50 July 19th
Pencil .10
paper .05
on hand .30
4.50
crackers .25
Lemonade .20
Cegar 5
5.00
Memoranda.
Paid April 12th 31.86
Memoranda.
Sunday
July 3d
1864
Sitting in my
tent Rich
Rogers playing
cards
Memoranda.
wish
I had
something to
read
Memoranda.
Cloths 37.00
Board in W. 3.00
fare home 10.80
To F. and back 1.50
Horse and buggy 1.00
Debt 6.00
Dinner at Easton .50
" N.Y. .75
Lost .25
Shave Shampoo haircut .75
horse car .17
Barber .70
Segars 1.00
[figures]
Memoranda.
[figures]
Jerome Bottomly
Cherry Valley
J Bottomly
Sullivan Gardner
Tuesday July 19
Portsmouth
via Fortress Monroe
[folded paper in back pocket of diary]
Jerome Bottomly
Co. C. US Engineers
Williams House
near Weldon R.R.
Saturday Sept 10th 1864
[sideways]
Sitting on bunk
fire in front of
tent
DATABASE CONTENT
| (13884) | DL1932.002 | X.1 | Diaries | 1864 |
Tags: African Americans, Ambrose Burnside, Amputations, Animals, Artillery, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Bounties, Business, Camp/Lodging, Clothing, Courts Martial, Crime, Crops (Other), Destruction of Land/Property, Discharge/Mustering Out, Discipline, Drilling, Engineering/Construction, Executions, Family, Farming, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Food, Fortifications, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Home, Homecoming, Hygiene, Illnesses, Injuries, Laws/Courts, Mail, Marching, Money, Music, Nature, News, Newspapers, Payment, Photographs, Picket Duty, Planters/Plantations, Prisoners of War, Railroads, Reading, "Rebels" (Unionist opinions of), Recreation, Reenlistment, Religion, Rivers, Supplies, Victory, Weather, Work
People - Records: 1
- (4991) [writer] ~ Bottomly, Jerome
Places - Records: 1
- (495) [origination] ~ Massachusetts
SOURCES
Jerome Bottomly Diary, 1864, DL1932.002, Nau Collection
