Thomas J. Luttrell Diary
[sideways]
Thomas J. Luttrell Sept 7th 1864
Book 79-D-43
July 25 1863 Thomas J Luttrell Sgt
Co B 40th Va Regt
Sgt Thomas J Luttrell Co B 40th Va Regt
Post Office
Richmon County Va
[scribbling]
February, 1864
Scenes in Weyers Cave Augusta County Va
1st Falls of Niagara 2nd Shell room 3rd Elephants head 4th Solomons Throne 5th Devils bake oven 6th Drapery room or Cathedral 7th Bass drum 8th Ball room 9th Ladies dressing room 10th Tea Table 11th Fat mans misery 12th Jacobs Ladder 13th Gallery 14th Washingtons hall 15th his Statue 16th Post office 17th Bridal comb & veil 18 Bonapart Crossing the Alps
(Weyers Cave
19th New Moon 20th Natural Bridge 21st Winter Scenery 22 River of Sticks 23 oyster shell.
She was loveley, she was fair
And for a while was given
An angel came and claimed her for his own
And bore her home to heaven
June 14th 1863 A.N.Va
Left breastworks at Fbg about 2 oclock PM & stopped at night near Mareys hills
15 Marched from Mareys hills about 9 in morning sufferd from heat & for water during day encamped about sundown about 3 miles beyond the battle field of Chancellorsville our brigade caught some Yankees in Stafford this morning
16 Started earley crossed Junanna ford about 9 AM & marched in three miles of Stevensburg distance 17 miles
pleasant today
17 Marched one mile above Culpepper C House the weather is very
17 warm encamped on Hon J S Pendletons farm about 12.M in afternoon Lt Ficklin & several of our Co had a very pleasant bath &c.
18 Weather hot marched to Woodville at the break of the mountain in Rappahannock Co heavy thunder storm took supper with Mr Welch distance of march 18 mls
19 Marched through Sperryville & S. Washington & encamped at flint hill on foot blue ridg
20 Marched over the mountain passed through Ft Royal at 3 PM crossed the Shenandoah & stopped near the river heavy rain &c
21 Marched through Shenandoah to Clark Co through white post were greeted by several pretty ladies & encamped in about 2 miles of Berryville
22 Nothing of interest to day remained in camp Cavalry & skermish H Lyell was wounded in fight yesterday near Ashbys gap
23 Left Berryville at 11 AM & marched 11 miles on Charlestown & B pike all quiet
24 in motion at sunrise passed through Chastown saw the enemys flag & earth work works at Harpers ferry & encamped near Shepherdstown
25 Crossed the Potomac past through Sharpsburg & encamped for night at Hagerstown rainey met with several icebergs
26 Still rainey in six miles of Penn crossed the line & encamped near Weinsborough March a muddy road of 15 miles & stopped beyond Greenwood on Balto turnpike in A[faded]
28. Lay over today inspection this morning dressperade this evening strict orders about plundering &c.
29. Cloudy & rainey marched at 11 AM through Funkstown to north side of South Mountain at the foot of which is Cash Town
30 Orders to march to Gettysburg marched 4 miles learned the Northern Army was advancing on that road fell back to Cash Town to cook rations &c expect a big fight tomorrow
July 1st
1st Our Corps in motion at 6 AM Heaths division in front Archers Brigade in front of Division
July 1st
1st in line of battle at 9 A.M. our company were deployed as skermishers A N Bramham killed R McGarland wounded in foot. Our Brigade fought well & took three stand of Colours Enemy badly whipped we have town Yankee Genl Reynols killed
2 Our Division in reserve today ordered at 9 PM to support Andersons heavy Artillery fight a portion of the Army engaged in afternoon a drawn battle
3rd All quiet till 1 Oclock PM when our whole line of Artillery
opened on the Yankee works after two hours hard cannonading the line of infantry charged their position & failed to carry it. we fell back to our position Tom Tune & James Metcalf wounded in hand.
4 Lay in line of battle till night when we fell back & marched on a mud road two miles beyond Fairfield I sufferd much on this march we halted about sunrise
5 Marched at 11 during day passed through South Mountain encamped in two miles of Weinsborough
July 6th
Marched through Weinsborough at 1 PM inhabitants looking cheerful halted at night near Hagerstown Md
7 Marched one mile beyond Hagerstown where we encamped at 9 oclock AM
8 Remained in camp
9 Do " Do
10 At 3 oclock PM we were ordered to Funkstown cavalry & some Infantry skermishing
11 left town at 6 PM & marched to line of battle on the right we have a good position &c
Sunday July 12th 1863
Remained in breast works all day. I have devoted a portion of the day in the reading of my Bible
Davises Skermishers driven back about night enemy moving down on our right. Still rainey
13 Monday night 8 PM left the line for the pontoons at falling Water which is six miles below Williamsport marched all night through rain & mud.
14 was attacked in 2 miles of river at 11 AM by Cavalry repulsed them but lost several taken prisoners
14
being surprised relying upon our Cavalry
Genl Pettigrew badly wounded. Crossed the potomac at 12M & encamped three miles below on Martensburg road
15 Under march at 5 AM passed through Martensburg at 9 & stopped one mile below bunker hill
16th Remained in camp
17th Do rain
18th still in camp. fair & pleasant to day
19 Sunday on pickett three miles up the
Winchester road
20th releaved by 23rd N. Carolina Regt. Brigadier Genl H H Walker takes command of brigade to day no rations to day
21st Left Bunker Hill to day at 10 oclock & encamped at Winchester
22nd Marched to Front Royal and encamped in a beautiful grove no rashions to day
23 Marched 14 miles and encamped in grove near Flint hill drawing rations
July 24th 1863
24th Marched from Flint hill at light had a skermish with Cavalry lost one man killed & one wounded in brigade supporting Ps Battery crossed two streams of the Rappahannock one is the Hazel encamped hear the river in Culpeper Co March 16 miles
25th Marched to Culpeper C House encamped on Hon J S Pendletons farm March 10 miles
26th Sunday Sermond this morning by Mr Anderson Some verse in John 3rd chapt God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die that whosoever beleaved on him shall not
perish but have everlasting life
pleasant rain at night
27th Still in camp warm cloudy & heavey rain in afternoon
28 Brigade Guard today the beginning of troubles nothing new
29 drill Inspection dress Pd rain. nothing new
30 Drill this morning preaching at 3 oclock by Corps Chaplain D. Greene Text 2nd Peter 1st Chapt & 16th verse fine sermond
31st Drill morning & evening ordered to cook rations to night
August first 1st 1863
No drill this morning Cavalry skermish this evening we were ordered to support our Cavalry one mile beyond Ct House our Cavalry drove the enemy back & we returned to camp at 10 P.M.
2nd Very warm Sunday preaching at 3 oclock by Mr Anderson
3rd Marched at 5 A.M. encamped for night at 8 near Robinsons River
4th Crossed R & Rapid Ann R & halted between the river & Orange Ct House
5th still in camp nothing doing
6th Nothing of interest to day still in camp
7th rain this evening
8 " "
9 Sunday preaching this morning & afternoon by Mr Anderson
10th changed camp dress perade
11th Drill this morning
12 Battle drill this evening
13th Inspection by Capt Slaid Division Inspection
14th heavey rain this evening dress perade this evening
15th Lt Ficklin & Saml A Headley leavs for home I am on guard this morning in charge of 1st [?]
Inspection this afternoon Inspt by Col Maurey of Genl Lees staff & Mjr Wingate of A P Hills
August 16th 1863
16th Sunday no preaching today our Chaplain has gone to Richmond after books &c heavey cloud to night
17th Morning drill & battalion in evening
18 Co drill in AM & battn P.M.
19th " "
20th On guard took dinner at Mr Shepherd in Madison Co
21st a day of fasting & prayer it was kept by the Regt & I hope by all troops preaching morning prayer meeting in evening
22nd Nothing doing today
23rd Sunday preaching this morning by Mr A & this evening by Mr Meridith of 47th Va Regt
24th drill this morning on police this evening
25th Brigade drill at M Division Review this PM by Genls Hill & heath had to march to camp through heavey rain all wet
26th Clear & cool
27 Brigade drill this evening
28 Co Battn & Brigade drill
29 No drill on guard &c
30 Sunday services morning & evening pleasant
31 Cool Inspection for pay
Sept 1st 1863—
Drills as usual
2nd heard a fine sermon this AM by Rev Mr More
3 Regtl drill this morning brigade this evening I am detailed to drill recruits
4 Cool drills as usual
5 wash day
6 Sunday preaching by chaplain 47th Va Regt
Sept 7th 1863
drills as usual cool
8th " "
9th on guard to day heard a fine sermond by Mr Walker to night. cool & cloudy
10th drills as usual
11 Corps inspection to day by Genls Lee & Hill As division was reviewed first Hs second & Ws last.
12 on pickett heavey rain
13 Sunday the cavalry have been fighting near Culpeper—we have orders to hold ourselvs in readiness to march
14 marched at day for the rapid ann near the station skermishing with the enemy for several miles down the river no genl engagement yet expect a big fight tomorrow
15th nothing of interest encamped near the ford
16th Still in camp dress perade orders &c Lt Harding reduced to ranks enemy still over the river
17th on pickett this morning at Peytons ford rain nearly all night
18th raining very hard this morning we are all wet as rats releaved about 12M by 14th Tenn Regt
19th Cold & Cloudy orders to cook rashons about 2 oclock AM & be ready to march at any moment
20th Sunday nothing of interest
21st on pickett at Peyton's ford I am on the out post
22nd Releaved by 13th Alabama Cavalry fight across the river opposite old camp
23rd all quiet drill this morning good news from T.
24 drill as usual
25 on pickett to day
26 Brigade drill this evening
27 Sunday revival in camp
28 drill as usual
29 on pickett I am on post
30 Lt Ficklin returned to camp Brigade drill
October 1st 1863
Brigade drill this evening
2nd rain all day
3rd on pickett I took bath
4th Sunday reld by 14th Tenn
I am on camp guard a revival in camp
5th our regt on fatigue duty
6 heavey rain
7 on pickett at Peytons ford
8 Left ford at light & took the place of Davis brigade at Rapidan Station
9 Crossed the river at 3 PM for pickett
10 releaved by 13 Ala the enemy fell back from this point to night
11th crossed the river at 5 Oclock PM & encamped at Mitchells Station Yanks all crossed the Rappahannock
12 marched through a good many Yankee camps near Culpeper Ct. H. & encamped for the night near the hazel river
13th we forded the hazel river this morning also crossed the rappahannock at Warrenton distance 23 miles
14th left Warrenton early marched very fast our division in front in pursuit of wagon train enemy gave us fight at Bristoe station to cover their retreat the skermishers of our brigade only engaged bad behavior on part of North Carolinians Genl Cook & Kirkland was wounded enemy have been falling back all night
15 still on the battle field a heavey Cavalry fight at Manassas our Cavalry run the enemy across bull run & captured many prisoners cooking two days rations we started back on Orange & Alex railroad about night marched 4 miles
16 tearing rail road up all day heavey rain &c
17 Clear this morning still at work on R.R. encamped for night on the rappahannock river
18th Sunday in camp to day
19th Crossed the rappahannock in the rain & encamped near the river in Culpeper
20 still in camp nothing going on
21 Inspection to day
22 Changed camp for the purpose of getting good water I visited 15th Cavalry
23rd drill this morning
24 rain nothing going on
25 Preaching by Mr Perkins & Mr Bagby Genl Lee present
26 I am on guard drill &c
27 Called to see my brother in 15th Va Cavalry
28 drill after which we went hunting & caught three rabits
29 drill this morning
30 do "
31 rain in morning inspection for pay this evening
November 1st 1863
Sunday changed camp &c
2nd working on quarters &c drew a fine lott of over coats
3rd Regt paid off for the months of July & Aug
4 nothing doing spent a night with 15th Va Cavalry
5 attended Corps review of Cavalry Batt from
November 6th 1863
Regiment on pickett I am in camp gerard
7th Regt returned from Wellfords ford off pickett this afternoon orders at 10 oclock PM to cook rations enemy advancing
8th Left camp at 3 AM fell back beyond Balls farm where we formed a line of battle and waited all day for the enemy to advance Yankee cavalry charged Lanes brigade on our left and were beaten back at night we started for the rapidann marched all night crossed the Robinson about light after which we rested about 4 hours disagreeable
Night we started for the rapid ann marched all night crossed the Robinson about light after which we rested about 4 hours disagreeable march
9th Crossed the rapidan at Peytons ford about 1 PM & returned to old camp which we left one month previous snow to day
10th in camp all day commenced to build quarters to change camp tomorrow
11 moved this morning near Orange Court House I have charge of guard left with rations &c for return wagon
Nov 12 in new camp near court house nothing going on
13
[section faded]
Headley came to Co.
17th nothing new in camp
18 " " "
19 " " "
20 Regt on pickett will not return for two days I am on camp guard
21st rainey &c
22 returned from pickett brigade inspection by Genls Lees Hills & Heths Inspcts
23 4 nothing going on
26 Inspection by Genl Hill I am on guard have orders at night to cook Yankees crossing the river
27 Regt left camp about 4 oclock AM & marched towards Fredericksburg on plank road Lt Ficklin has charge of brigade prisoners I am with him regt has a skermish 3 miles below Madisonville 2 men killed & 8 or 10 wounded
28 fell back about a mile & are throwing up works I learn the Yanks are in sight
29 Skermishers near each other some skermishing & artillery firing
30 I have heard artillery firing all day still in rear with prisoners
Decr 1st all seems to be quiet in front Yankees cross the river to night
Decr 2 Troops still on the line
3 returned to old camp I have been sick for a week
4th drill this morning
5 " "
6 " "
7 on pickett at Williss ford
8 nothing going on
9 " "
10 " "
11 " "
12 " "
13 I am on guard at [faded]
14 Left Orange at 5 PM for Staunton traveled all night reached Staunton on night of 15 our delay caused by engine being out of order disagreeable trip
16 Went to Buffalo Gap about 12 miles from Staunton it began to rain about 12 oclock at night we have no tents this rain freezes as it falls we are suffering greatly Citizens are very kind to us
17 still raining & freezing We marched from Buffalo to Staunton & halted 3 miles beyond S. on Lexington pike we are all wet the worst tramp of the war most of brigade stopped in town
18 remained in camp
19 the regt left camp about 10 oclock to night marched 3 miles beyond [faded] S & Winchester pike I am at camp with baggage
20 we marched & encamped near regt at Mount Crawford past through Mount Sidney &c
21 Marched through Mt Crawford & harrisonburg in pursuit of the enemy who are skedaddling halted near New Market
22 marched to Mount Jackson and encamped for night very cold to day
23 Still in camp
24 "
25 "
26 "
27 "
28 "
29 "
30 "
31 Rain and snow
January 1st 1864
Clear and cold
2 "
3 "
4 Snowing all day the snow is 6 inches deep
5 Clear and cold
9 We have orders to night to cook rations and march tomorrow at 7 oclock AM
10 marched through snow and encamped for night near Lucy springs on [?] Lincolns farm
11 marched two miles this side of Mt Crawford
12 marched in 2 miles of Staunton & encamped on South Mountain
13 Still in camp
14 "
15 "
16 Paid off to day
17 heard a good sermond to day in Staunton by Rev Mr. Ripton 119 Psalm 4 vse
18 Marched from Staunton to Mt Crawford distant 17 mls
19 marched through Harrisonburg & encamped near Cross keys where we expect to spend the remainder of the winter
20 in camp
21 "
26 Inspection by Capt Brown
27 marched this morning & encamped near New Market
28 marched to Mount Jackson where we expect to remain for some time
29 in camp
30 "
31 "
March 1st 1864
our troops leave this valley today for Orange I am detailed to remain in camp till
wagons return from Orange
13 we leave the valley to day detained at Port republic till night on account of high wind crossed the river at night & marched 2 miles in direction of Browns Gap
14 crossed the Gap & marched about 30 miles encamping near Earlysville
15 marched all day & encamped near Stoney point
16 reached camp about 2 PM found the boys well & in good spirits
17 Brigade inspection drill in afternoon Lt Col Cunningham commanding 40th Regt
took command the [?]
18
22nd Snow storm
23rd stopped snowing this morning snow 18 inches deep
24 fair
25 rain
26 Lieut Ficklin & John H Lemoine start home on furlough
27 Sunday Inspection
28 clear "
29 rain
30 clear
31 Washington Mathews a musician in 55th Va Regt was shot to death with musketry in front of his brigade at 2 oclock PM
April 1st Drill this morning interrupted by rain
2nd Snow and rain to day
3rd Sunday [faded]
April 5th 1864
Still rainey
6 clear drill to day in afternoon a Mr Dent a deserter in 47th Va regt was executed in front of his brigade to day an affecting scene
7 rain all day
8 This is a day recommended by the Congress of Confederate States as a day of fasting humiliation and prayer and set apart as such by the president it has been kept sacred by our Army may the froots of it be seen at an early day and may the good Lord so direct the affairs of our Country that we may soon have an honorable adjustment of American troubles.
9th clear nothing going on in camp
10th Preaching this morning by Chapln Beattes rain in afternoon
11th drill as usual
12th " "
13th I am confined to my tent sick with cold drill as usual
14th
19 fair heard Revd Mr Grandberry preach to night
20 heard Dr Burrows preach a fine sermond this morning Text 97th Psalm 1st vs
21 There was another man shot in 47th Va Regt to day
22 nothing going on
23 Sunday preaching by Revd Mr Grandberry a great revival going on in brigade
24 inspection this morning drill this evening
April 25 drills as usual
26 " "
27 had a meeting for the purpose of organizing a young mens christian assosiation and to meet the 30th at 4 oclock PM brigade drill this PM
28 Co drill in morning brigade in afternoon
29 Do Do Do
30 Inspection for pay at 8½ AM. Our Christian assosiation met this afternoon at 4 PM for the purpose of electing officers &c the constitution was red and adopted after which Capt J B Jett was elected President Lt Efford recording Secretary & Ajt Williams of 55th Va Corresponding Secretary other officers
were not elected for want of time
May 1st 1864
Sunday I saw 28 persons immerced this afternoon at Madison Station
2nd changed camp
3rd cleaning up camp and paraid ground
4th orders to drill at eleven oclock order revoked on account of Yanks crossing the river at 2 oclock we were under way & marched on plank road to Mine run where we halted for night
5th under march about day struck the Yank Cavalry about 3 miles below the run drove them till within 4 miles of Chancellors
ville where we met the Infantry which brought on a Genl engagement our Division engaged them first on the right of the road and held 40 000 men in check till night
6 fighting commenced at sun rise Wilcox Division in front engaged the enemy but soon fell back. we fought them for 20 minutes after which time we were compelled to retire being flanked Longstreets troops comeing up in time repulsed the enemy. a heavy battle has been raging all day our troops victorious
7 not much fighting to day only Anderson and Ewell being partly engaged
8 Enemy moving down on our right our Corps moved in the direction of Spottsylvania C H and encamped for night near shady Grove our advance engaged the enemy about one six oclock PM and after a sharp engagement drove the enemy back
9th throwing up entrenchments near the Court house no regular engagement to day
10 Our division drove the flanking party consisting of Hancocks Corps about 4 miles they were badly beaten
11th comparatively quiet to day we being on the extream right
12 A Genl engagement commenced this morning at five oclock and raged with great fury till 4 in evening fighting however continued till night the enemy have been repulsed to day with heavy loss our Division again engaged it has been raining all day also at night Saml Headley wounded also Lt Stewart took several stand of colours this evening 5
13 A heavey cannonading going on but no regular engagement still raining
14 unusually quiet till 4 P.M. when the enemy attacked Wrights brigade were repulsed then charged by W and driven from his works & across the Matt river with
a loss of a great many killed & wounded more than 100 prisoners and three stand of colours I have been on pickett to night enemy throwing up works &c
15 Sunday there is nothing of interest going on to day have had a severe thunder storm this evening still in line of battle near the Court House.
16th we are still in our old position nothing of interest
17th Enemy seem to be moving down on our right I am on guard to night and there seems to be a great moving of wagons &c
18 There has been a heavey shelling to day enemy made a feeble effort to advance but our skermishers drove them back
19 Genl Ewell has flanked the enemies right to day I have not heard the particulars but there has been considerable fight
took some prisoners and 25 wagons
20th all quiet this evening this morning the enemy made an attempt to advance but their men refused to do so our skermishers drove them back and artillery
21 Yankees moving down on our right our forces also going to the right Wilcoxs Division had an engagement this evening with their rear which was soon repulsed by Wilcox we left entrenchments about 8 PM and stopped at 3 near Mitchells shop
22 Marched all day sufferd greatly from heat crossed North Anna and encamped near station on Cr Road 2 miles from river
23 Crossed south little [?] and encamped early where we have been resting all day till
about 5 PM when we marched in the direction of [faded] Station to support Wilcox division which was engaged we had to contend with a hot shelling but were not engaged during night fell back to railroad to fortify before day we marched to road on little river and slept a short while
24 moving up works on the road no fighting to day rain this afternoon
25 all quiet except some skermishing & artillery firing on the part of enemy rain this afternoon
26 comparatively quiet enemy moving down on our right
27 We left breastworks this morning at 9 oclock and encamped for night near Ashland this day two years ago we passed through Ashland for Meadow Bridge
28 made a short march to day and have stopped within two miles of McCanickville Cavalry fighting below hanover Court House
29th we have been laying over to day heard two sermonds marched this evening at half past five learn the enemy are crossing the Pamunkey at Hanover town and other points in line of battle and commenced throwing up works at night have a good position &c
30 finished our breast works this morning all quiet on front. I have charge of cooking detail this evening
31 all quiet till ten oclock AM there is a considerable fight on our right on Hanovertown road our brigade & cooks are ordered to support Breckenridge Division have thrown up two lines of works ordered back to our old line which we reach at day light having slept none during night
June 1 We marched again about 10 AM take the McCanicsville
road marched about 3 miles in the direction of White House & releaved Earlys division we have been in a shelling this PM & hot skermishing the enemy charged the left of our division and were repulsed with considerable loss
2nd About 5 PM we made a flank movement on the enemys right drove him 3 miles took all of their works & 700 prisoners our Divsn & Rodes were engaged in this move under Genl Early T S Tune Co B wounded during night some of our troops threw up works &c
3rd we threw up works early this morning the enemy have attempted to charge us several times to day but were repulsed we have been exposed to a heavey shelling all
day. during the evening some Cavalry made their appearance on our flank 40th 55th Va & 1st Tenn drove them back with ease.
R H Settles & R H Coleman wounded in Co F to day to night we are ordered to join our Corps which is on the old battle ground of Gaines Mill
4 reached Gaines Mill about 2 oclock PM we are in reserve all quiet the Yanks made a charge to night but was repulsed as usual
5 still in reserve discharged our guns this morning there was another charge to night with usual result
6 Inspection this morning moved down on the right this PM to support Wilcox whose right is resting on the Chickahominy
7th All quiet to day Yanks are burying their dead in our front from 6 to 8 PM under flag of truce
8th There is nothing going on in front all quiet till 5 or 6 oclock which was broken by shelling from our guns & the enemy no one hurt on our side
9th not a gun has been fired in our front to day
10th all is quiet today I am 25 years old to day it being the 4th birth I have spent in this cruel war
11 all quiet till this afternoon when we were shelled a little skermish fighting to night
12 nothing of interest to day the enemy left our front to night & gone down the Pamunkey
13th we crossed the pamunkey at 8 AM and met the enemy in white oak swamp. skermishing but no engagement
14 still in or near the swamp some skermishing in front today
15th we have fortified to day. Cooks & Davis brigade have driven the enemy 4 miles & learn they are in full retreat on Chas City road & williamsburg
16 still in line of battle Yanks crossing James river
17 Marched 5 PM and encamped for night near Whites Tavern on Charles City road
18 marched to James river crossed at Drewries bluff & stopped near Petersburg on north side of appomattox river distance of march being about 23 miles suffered greatly from heat
19 finished our works this morning put up shades &c
20 still in line nothing of much interest going
on Yankee batteries opened this morning in our front but were soon silenced by our guns
21st remained in line till 6 PM when we marched to Petersburg being ordered down on the right the order having been countermanded we returned to old position
22 quiet in our front the enemy have been flanked to day & lost 1600 prisoners 4 pc artillery & several stands of colours
23 nothing of interest today
24 A heavy cannonading commenced from our batteries this morning which lasted about 40 minutes our skermishers advanced and drove the enemies back but they being reinforced by a line of battle ours had to fall back
25 We left the line this morning and made a connection with picketts right opposite bermuda hundred
June 26
It is very warm today though we are blessed with a plenty of ice water
27 nothing of interest going on
28 " " "
29 " " "
30 we go on pickett this morning releave 22 Va Battn
July 1 still on pickett
" 2 are releaved this morning by 7th Tenn are ordered to fort Clifton very warm
3rd Still at Clifton having a good time
4th leave to night for Petersburg releaved by Thomases brigade
5 took our position this morning two miles beyond Petersburg on the right have a good position &c
6 still in line no change
7 nothing going on but occasional shelling of town &c
8 brisk skermishing and cannonading on our left yesterday PM
9th Nothing of interest going on no change in front
10th We left the line for the Petersburg & Weldon RR about night marched down the road 5 miles releaved the Cavalry who have gone to stoney creek to guard wagon train &c cars
11th still on rail road near ream station all quiet in front our trains have been moving provisions to Petersburg all day & night
12 returned to our old position this morning
13 no change in front HWA came to Co yesterday
14th nothing of interest all quiet
15 " " "
16 " " "
17 Preaching this morning by Mr Barber afternoon Mr Beattes T S Tune returned to camp to day from home
18 Preaching this PM by Revd Grandbery text Philipns 4 chapt 5th & 6th verses
19 We have had a good rain today the first for two months
20th Nothing of interest going on
21st " " "
22 " " "
23 Marching orders Smith Richards & Clark returned to Co
24th still in line
25 "
26 I have been on working detail to day—
27th We left the lines this afternoon passed through Petersburg took the cars to a point near Drewries bluff marched to deep bottom
28 took our position on the line after which the enemy opened on us with artillery but did no damage.
29 nothing of interest to day
30 marched for Petersburg about noon sufferd greatly it being very warm returned to our old position that night
during the day enemy blew up a portion of works in front of Petersburg charged the line but were repulsed with heavy loss
31 all quiet today
August 1st 1864
Our brigade releaved Colquits to night near the center of the line and near the point of Grants mine Negroes in our front
2nd one man killed & two wounded in brigade to day
3rd nothing of any importance to day some shelling
4th I have been to town today. shelling & skermishing as usual
5th we blew up the enemies mines to day which brought on a considerable shelling
6 morter firing this afternoon no one hurt
7 skermishing as usual
August 8th 1864
Skermishing and morter firing as usual
9th " " " "
10 " " " "
11 " " " "
12 one of our long range batterys opened on a regt of Yanks to day who were drilling & compleatly demorilized the poor devils Morter firing this afternoon as usual
13 Skermishing & morter firing our morters did splendid shooting one shell blew up three Yanks we are releaved to night by Kirklands brigade
14th Preaching this morning by Mr Barber heavey rain in afternoon & night
15 our brigade has been out to witness the shooting of Wm & Richard Drake
members of Co C 40th Va these men are brothers and were both shot at the same moment for desertion a very heavy fall of water this afternoon
16 nothing of importance Tune Rains & myself have taken a delightful bath
17th A heavey artillery duel on the lines to night
18 Enemy reported to have possession of Weldon RR we leave camp about noon to meet them charged their at 4 PM repulsed 3 lines of battle killed a great many & took 300 prisoners our loss heavey but nothing to that of the enemy the enemy charged us about 6 PM & were repulsed with heavy loss D Crolee J Bunn & R Vanlandingham killed Thrift Lt George Chilton & 8 or 10 others wounded in regt about 9 oclock we returned to breastworks in front of town Cal Lyell wounded
19th It has been raining very hard at intervals during the day we commenced fighting this PM at 4 PM charged the Yanks & took 2 strong lines of works but not being supported on the right were compelled to give up the second line Mahoney has been doing big work on our left prisoners taken
I was wounded while in action on cheak left, about 8 PM & can give no more particulars from the front
was taken to division hospitle had my wound dressed & from there to Corps hospitle at which point I reached about one oclock at night
20 Today finds me doing well in a good tent & well provided for it is raining as usual
28th I returned to brigade Infirmary today
29 I came to regt today
30 our brigade was relieved to night by Cookes shelling town at night
31st nothing of interest
Sept 1 nothing of interest today
2 " " "
3 marched down on Washington St road 3 miles to support Cavalry
4th still on road nothing new
5 " " "
6 " " "
14th Marched on Dinwiddie Ct House road 1½ miles I attended R J Lamkin to Court Martial to day
15 reported Yankees advancing marched ½ mile down some road & threw up
works returned to camp in afternoon
16 still in camp
17 "
18 Took the place of Andersons brigade we have good works here & in a nice oak woods with water convenient
19 still here
20 "
21 moved down the Vaughan road I are throwing up works
22 " " " "
23 " " " "
24 " " " "
25 I am sent to brigade hospitle
30 our brigade has been fighting to day
Oct 1st engaged again today our regiment suffering severely
14 I returned to the regt to day from brigade hospitle
15 all seems to be quiet in front.
16 " " "
17 Still strengthening our line
18 " " "
19 am on working detail
20 I am on pickett great cheering among the Yanks tonight
21 relieved this morning nothing of interest going on
22 quiet as usual
23 working on breast works
22 " "
23 working on breast works
25 " "
25 " "
26 I am on pickett to night a great commotion on the Yankee lines
27 Mr Grant has charged our extream right to day also our left and center but has been defeated on all points
28 The Yanks are falling back to their old position
29 We are encamped in the woods
30 take our position on the line beautiful weather
31 still on the line nothing new in front.
Nov 1 " " "
2 I am on pickett a very disagreeable day & night raining all the while
Nov 3rd 1864
releaved this morning clearing up cold
4 nothing of importance
5 A heavey shelling & skermish firing to night about Petersburg
6 I am on the sick list
7 Do rainey
8 still rainey
December 1864
7th We have orders to cook rations & be ready to march at a moments notice
8 Left the lines at 10 AM marched by Dinwiddie Ct house over stoney creek & encamped for night 3 miles beyond the creek two days rations to cook
9th Marched at day light very cold this morning crossed the Nottoway river and encamped for the night
near Jarretts station enemy close at hand It is hailing snowing & raining and every thing freezing that falls now is the hour of my discontent
10th We march this morning for Jarretts station through the rain the enemies infantry have fallen back. Cavalry annoy our front. advance to the station find the buildings laid in ashes &c also a church pass the station & march in the direction of Sussex Ct House about 3 miles where we halt for night
11 Advance within 12 miles of Sussex Ct House then return
learning the enemy have gone back to Petersburg and stop for the night on the Nottoway river near double bridges it is very cold to night we are cooking rations
12 march early this morning and halt for night near stoney creek
13 cross Stoney Creek march by Dinwiddie Ct House & reach camp about 2 PM find our tents torn down the poles burned up &c &c we have marched a distance of one hundred miles & had the worst kind of weather
14 The wind is at the south to day turning warm we are again comfortable in our quarters
15 nothing new
16 I am on pickett
17 releaved this morning at ten oclock
18 The Yanks fired a salute of 100 guns this morning great cheering in their camps the weather is threatning rain
[faint pencil scribbling on back cover]
DATABASE CONTENT
| (4256) | DL1937 | X.1 | Diaries |
Diary of Thomas J. Luttrell, 40th Virginia Infantry, June 14, 1863 to December 18, 1864; re: Gettysburg, Petersburg, Chancellorsville, marching, religion, drilling, Culpeper, Bristoe Station, Shenandoah Valley, President Davis, Cold Harbor
Tags: African Americans, Artillery, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Confederate Government, Death (Military), Desertion/Deserters, Destruction of Land/Property, Drilling, Elections, Engineering/Construction, Executions, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fighting, Foraging/Theft, Fortifications, Furloughs, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Home, Honor, Hospitals, Hygiene, Illnesses, Injuries, James Longstreet, Low Morale, Marching, Nature, Payment, Picket Duty, Poetry, Prisoners of War, Railroads, Reading, Reinforcements, Religion, Rivers, Robert E. Lee, Supplies, Ulysses S. Grant, Victory, Weather, Work, "Yankees" (Confederate opinions of)
People - Records: 1
- (4988) [writer] ~ Luttrell, Thomas J.
Places - Records: 1
- (42) [origination] ~ Richmond, Virginia
SOURCES
Thomas J. Luttrell Diary, DL1937, Nau Collection
