Saturday 1st November 1862
Wrote 1st November a letter to Able. In the afternoon went down to
the creek and washed my clothes. Was called out at dusk and stacked our weapons in
preparation for an attack.
Sunday 2nd November 1862
Wrote a letter home. Had an inspection of arms in the morning,
undress parade and a short sermon from the chaplain in the afternoon.
Monday 3rd November 1862
James and I went to Bolivar in the morning, down to the creek in the
afternoon to wash clothes.
Tuesday 4th November 1862
Had orders to move our tents 40 feet further down the hill. Moved
down in the afternoon. Received a letter from Mary Lathrop and an Evening Post.
Wednesday 5th November 1862
Had company drill in the forenoon and afternoon. Received a letter
from Samuel and one from home.
Thursday 6th November 1862
Drilled in the forenoon and had a review of our division in the
afternoon by General Geary.
Friday 7th November 1862
Was on camp guard on second relief, It commenced snowing in the
morning and snowed all day until 9 in the evening when the guard was excused for the
night.
Saturday 8th November 1862
Went on guard in the morning. Came off at 10 AM. In the afternoon
James Heines and myself went outside the picket lines to a rebel straw stack and stole
some straw to make a bed.
Monday 10th November 1862
We were allowed to rest in the morning. Went on drill in the
afternoon. Received a letter from home in the evening.
Sunday 9th November 1862
Was called up this morning by the long roll. Cooked our breakfast
and started on a reconnaissance mission toward Charleston. Drove the Rebs about 4 miles
beyond Charleston and then marched back to camp.
Tuesday 11th November 1862 (Bolivar Hgts. )
Did not drill any today. Went on dress parade. Received our
cartridge belts and gun wrenches and screwdrivers.
Wednesday 12th November 1862
Went on picket on post 4. It rained all night but cleared up in the
morning.
Thursday 13th November 1862
Came off picket duty at noon. In the afternoon we had an inspection
by General Green. Got back to camp at dark. Mr. Fay and Mr. Hayes came to camp and brought
some things for me. Got a letter from Abel and one from home.
Friday 14th November 1862
Went out for review by General Slocum. Got back to camp at noon.
Fired our guns at a mark. Wrote a letter home. Our new
sergeant Major came and brought us a new flag.
Saturday 15th November 1862
Up at 5 AM and ordered to stack our guns in the street. Drilled in
the forenoon. 8 men were sent from our company to work on fortifications and chopping.
Sunday 16th November 1862
The regiment was ordered to fall into line and chop down the woods
in back of Bolivar Heights. After standing around for a couple of hours those with axes
were excused and sent back to camp. Wrote a letter to Samuel.
Monday 17th November 1862
Wrote a letter to Hendrick Stonwell and one to Will Wilson. No drill
or dress parade because all our men were off digging and chopping.
Tuesday 18th November 1862
Left camp at 7 AM to chop down the Bolivar woods. Saw a number of
Rebs in the woods a mile away.
Wednesday 19th November 1862
Went to the woods to chop. A Rebel cavalry man was captured on
picket this morning.
Thursday 20th November 1862
Co. E went on picket today. Was on post 6. Geary made a speech to
the pickets. Did not see any Rebs but heard their noises and saw a lot of their signal
lights.
Friday 21st November 1862
It rained nearly all night. Was relieved at 11. Got into camp at
noon. Drew 5 days rations today.
Saturday 22th November 1862
Went out chopping near Shenandowa. Saw plenty of Rebels. Shot our
cannon balls so close that they ran about quite lively. Came back to camp and fired our
guns at a mark.
Sunday 23rd November 1862
Had an inspection of arms. Wrote a letter home. Received a letter
from home and an Evening Post and Standard.
Monday 24th November 1862
Was on guard first relief. Received our wedge tents and put them up
in the afternoon. Stood guard all night. Pretty cold.
Tuesday 25th November 1862
Was relieved from guard at 9. Had a battalion drill in the
afternoon. Wrote a letter home.
Wednesday 26th N 1862
Was drilled in skirmish by Captain Ira Wood. The same in the
afternoon. 5 days rations were given out.
Thursday 27th November 1862
This being Thanksgiving day we did not drill any. James Hines came
off of picket and brought with him a duck which we cooked for supper. Wrote a letter to
Mary Lathrop.
Friday 28th November 1862
was on guard at General Greens headquarters, wrote a letter home.
Saturday 29th November 1862
Came off of guard duty at 9. Forgot my haversack and went back after
it. Didn't drill any in the PM.
Sunday 30th November 1862
Had a general inspection this morning. Preaching in the PM, undress
parade in the late afternoon.
