17^th Regt Maine Vol^s in camp at

                                                                                    White Sulpher Springs  Va

                                                                                                            Sept 10, 1863.

 

                        Coppy of Journal kept by Sergt Gookin

 

July 3^d.            Heavy battle to day. we are doing our old work this afternoon supporting baterys. A shell burst directly in our front wonding G. L Norton & S. G. Morton, one of them on each side of me & nearest too me.

                        about 10 minuates after another shell struck in the middle of Co B, between Sergt C.W. Hall & Private Monroe Quint, killing them instantly, & wonding George H Duran in head & side rendering him insencable. he caught up his gun and ran over me falling his whole length over me also wonding James M^cKean in the shoulder, and Lieut Green slightly in side, a piece of shell took off Lieut Greens Haversack filled with hard bread scattering it all over me (quite a shelling)

                        17^th Regt on picket. on the field of battle all night. 17^th Regt lost this day in killed 2. Wonded 8 all of Co B but 3.

 

July 4.             We have in Co B this morning for duty 1 Lieut. 2 Sergeants & 12 Privates No fighting this day except by Scirmishers heavy Thunder Shower all the after noon and rain all night. We were engaged throwing up earthworks all the after noon & evening. in front of us, ready to renew the conflict on the

 

July 5              morrow rebels retreating by way of Williamsport. closly persued by our forces

                        The Incidents of the battle 2^d & 3^d are two horable to record. I have traveled over a large part of the battle field & have seen sights long to be remembered.

We bless & praise Thy great and Holy Name O God for preserving our lifes through the terable conflict we have just passed. May we live a more Holy life in the future in view of thy great mercies to us. And O God bless those that mourn the loss of near & dear friends, fill the place made void in their hearts with Thy love through Thy well beloved Son Jesus. bless the wonded, spare their lifes and lead them all to Jesus. Amen.

the third Corps has lost in killed, wonded & missing/thus far 4700 men. Encamped at Gettysburg all day

 

July 6              Misty weather all day. We are ready for a start. Brouk camp at day light. Started in persute of the rebs. Marched through Emmitsburg to Mecanicksvill 19 miles and encamped for the night. followed the Catoctin Mountains down passed the Catoctin Iron Works. was invited by a Citizan to go into his garden & eat cherries in Company with Crp Witham. the trees were loaded down with butiful ripe Cherries.

                        What a feast of good things we enjoyed I thought the Corporal would never eat enofe

 

July 8              Marched down to Fredrick City & encamped 3 miles beyond, marched 18 miles this day Passed the Celebrated 7^th Regt Independant Vol^s at Frederick City. doing Provost Generel duty.

 

July 9              Brouk Camp at 6 A.M. Marched to Middletown stopped 5 hours for rest & three days raitions. Middletown Valley is very butiful. Grain fields as far as the eye can reach. God has let His rich blessings drop down bountifully hear. Continued our march to South Mountain pass we marched through the old battle ground of South Mountain at 6 P.M. It was at this battle the 17^th Mich fought with such desperation. Saw a great many of their graves with bits of cracker boxes for head boards with their names.

 

July 10            We are nearly worn out with our hard marches & privations. I think I understand the Apostles 2^d Timothy 3^d verce, Thou therefore, endure hardness, as a good Soldier of Jesus Christ Marched to Antietam 6 miles. we are now encamped on  the old battle ground, west side of Antietam Creek, the ground occupied by the rebels

 

July 11            March 3 miles in the direction of Williamsport to the line of battle. we now occupy the ground of the rebs of yesterday. Viewed the 5 Corps formed in line of battle, moving forward in splendid style driving the enemy before them. They seem disposed not to give battle except a little Scurmishing. we are all advancing little by little, one Corps supporting another.

 

July 12.           Another Holy Sabbath day. May we hide Thy law in our hearts & may it make us well unto Salvation through Jesus Christ. keep me this day O God shed abroad thy love in my heart by the

Holy Ghost. preserve me in battle through Thy dear Son to whome be Glory forever & ever. Amen.

                        1.o.clock 3^d Corps moving forward in line of battle

                        It is a day of quiet for which we praise the Lord

 

July 13            remained in the same position all day

 

July 14            Forward move to feel of the enemy & occupied his works. The bird hath flown.

 

July 15            Marched down through Sharpsburgh 13 miles

 

July 16            Marched through Brownsville towards Harpers Ferry 10 miles

 

July 17            Marched through Sandy Hook, passed over Harpers Ferry into Virginia, 5 miles.

 

July 18            Marched down Loudon Valley, 11 miles.

 

July 19            Continued our march down the valley 5 miles and encamped for the rest of the day & night.

 

July 20            Marched to Upperville 18 miles & encamped for night.

 

July 21            remained in camp all day making out pay roll.

 

July 22            Co B. & H. Consolidated untill the conscripts arrive Brouk Camp at 2-1/2 P.M. Marched to Piedmont Sta. then up the Manassas Gap R.R. 14 miles arrived in camp at 11 O clock at night. rested 2-1/2 hours then made coffee. took breakfast & started for Wapping Hills, 2 miles.

 

July 23            Advancing cautiously, Battle of Wapping Hills oponed at 2 P.M. We drove the enemy at every point. we was under a heavy fire of shells in a very exposed position for about 1-1/2 hours. It is a very hot day and as we advance from Hill to Hill top the sweet runs very freely. We are opposing A.P. Hills forces in this fight. Breakfasted on one hard bread and coffee without sweetning and for supper the night before coffee without any thing else. Sergt Maj. wonded in the hip with a Solled Shot. (Since died)

                        no other casuality in the 17^th Regt. had a good rest on the field of battle. God has still preserved my life & health through another battle. It is Only another proof of His Fatherly care over me And I Bless His Holy Name. O God unworthy as I am keep me this day in the love of the truth through thy dear Son Jesus. May his blood so freely shed, avail to wash all my sins away. Bless the dear ones at home, feed them with the bread of life. Amen

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