Today at Brandy Station: December 3, 1863
The Union army recrosses the Rapidan River today and returns to it's former camps in and around Brandy Station. As they finally settle in for the winter, the First Corps will camp south of the town of Culpeper; the Second Corps will camp in the vicinity of Stevensburg; the Third Corps in and around Brandy Station; The Fifth Corps along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad between Rappahannock Station and the Bull Run and the Sixth Corps along the Hazel River, centered near Farley. The Cavalry will be dispersed, with divisions at Stevensburg and Warrenton.
But the commentary from the soldiers about there return is what today's blog is about:
86th New York: Stayed in camp all day, tired & worn out & rations short. Stragglers coming in all day. Called up in the night to march, did not go.
4th Michigan: Rose early and Packed up and went to the Rappahanock River crossed at Rapp Station and our Brig went on to Bealeton Station where we Camped for the night.
2nd Rhode Island: We moved three miles to this camp. I do not understand the late movements, but I presume General Meade does, and that is sufficient for me.
20th Indiana: Got back to our old camp about daylight. ...left the rapidan about noon, marching a short distance ...stopping for the train to pass, ...we stopped in the woods and were told that we would lay there three hours. About eleven we started again. I never saw worse roads in my life...
111th New York: We have just got Orders, to pack up everything, & be ready to move at a moments notice. Now for a general Sekdaddle, to Washington. It is also reported that Joe Hooker, had Command of the Army again. If this is so, we may be kept pretty busy this winter. You may be sure we are living anything, but Comfortable...
17th Maine: ...we recrossed the Rapidan, thankful to be alive. As soon as we got over, a band near the end of the bridge piped up, “O Ain’t We Glad We’re Out of the Wilderness.” We rather thought we were, and a hearty “Amen!” rose from every throat.
Jed Hotchkiss, mapmaker for General Richard Ewell wrote to his wife today: "...Well, we got back to our old quarters again today, Mr. Meade would not stay & fight, he ran away night before last & recrossed the river, we followed as soon as we saw that he was gone, but he had too much the start & we only succeeded in catching some 300 of the stragglers & rear guard..."
And the Army of the Potomac's Winter Encampment will finally begin.
Showing posts with label 20th Indiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 20th Indiana. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Protecting Property
Today at Brandy Station: November 12, 1863
From the Diary of Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana:
"Camp in the woods near Brandy Station. Our camp is on land belonging to the Hon. John Miner Botts, and a circular was read on dress parade ordering all officers to protect his property as far as possible. He is living with his family but a short distance from here."
John Botts, owner of Auburn would spend a good portion of the winter protecting his wood lots, fences and farm animals from being 'liberated' by the boys in blue. He would become such an issue that units actually moved off his property so they would not have to deal with him and his allegations of impropriety. Botts would press for payment for wood cut/used during the winter and for years afterwards. His family would receive final payment after he died.
From the Diary of Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana:
"Camp in the woods near Brandy Station. Our camp is on land belonging to the Hon. John Miner Botts, and a circular was read on dress parade ordering all officers to protect his property as far as possible. He is living with his family but a short distance from here."
John Botts, owner of Auburn would spend a good portion of the winter protecting his wood lots, fences and farm animals from being 'liberated' by the boys in blue. He would become such an issue that units actually moved off his property so they would not have to deal with him and his allegations of impropriety. Botts would press for payment for wood cut/used during the winter and for years afterwards. His family would receive final payment after he died.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Washin' my drawers
Today at Brandy Station: July 30, 1863
Another entry from the diary of Private Edwin Weist of the 20th Indiana
Camp near Warrenton. Mailed a letter to Anna this morning. The day has been pleasant with the appearance of rain. I was about two miles from camp this morning in search of du berries. The officers are ordered to make out a requisition for camp or garrison equipage. The first Brigade changed camp this morning. The reg. was inspected by Brigade inspection. I washed a pair of drawers to day in the creek was pretty hard work. About 11. o.clock we moved camp moving about forty feet and went into camp by column of Divisions. Had some heavy shower of rain this afternoon. Commenced a letter to cousin Carrie.
Yes - Edwin had a busy day.
-Mailed a letter
-Search for du berries
-change camp
-regimental inspection
-washed his drawers
-dealt with a summer shower
-wrote a letter
Such is the life of a private.
Another entry from the diary of Private Edwin Weist of the 20th Indiana
Camp near Warrenton. Mailed a letter to Anna this morning. The day has been pleasant with the appearance of rain. I was about two miles from camp this morning in search of du berries. The officers are ordered to make out a requisition for camp or garrison equipage. The first Brigade changed camp this morning. The reg. was inspected by Brigade inspection. I washed a pair of drawers to day in the creek was pretty hard work. About 11. o.clock we moved camp moving about forty feet and went into camp by column of Divisions. Had some heavy shower of rain this afternoon. Commenced a letter to cousin Carrie.
Yes - Edwin had a busy day.
-Mailed a letter
-Search for du berries
-change camp
-regimental inspection
-washed his drawers
-dealt with a summer shower
-wrote a letter
Such is the life of a private.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Back in Fauquier
Today in Brandy Station: July 27, 1863
From the diary of Private Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana Infantry
"Camp near Warrenton. It has rained some little to day. Col. Berdan has placed guards all around the camp and does not allow anyone to pass out even for water without a pass. I wrote a letter to father to day. We had word day before yesterday while marching through Gen. Ward that Indiana had captured Morgan and his whole force. We have three cheers for the gallant old state and its gallant Governor."
The Army of Northern Virginia has been followed down the Shenandoah and Loudoun Valley's by the Army of the Potomac and, crossing the 'Dare mark line' of the Rappahannock River, is settling into Culpeper and Orange Counties.
The Army of the Potomac, is filtering down into Fauquier County. The 20th Indiana, part of the First Division of the Third Corps, encamped around Warrenton, Virginia. Their stay however, would be short. On July 31, they would travel by foot, train and boat -- to New York City, to quell the draft riots which erupted in that city. The 20th Indiana would be in New York for two and a half months.
As for John Hunt Morgan, well his stay up north would not be as long as some had hoped.
From the diary of Private Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana Infantry
"Camp near Warrenton. It has rained some little to day. Col. Berdan has placed guards all around the camp and does not allow anyone to pass out even for water without a pass. I wrote a letter to father to day. We had word day before yesterday while marching through Gen. Ward that Indiana had captured Morgan and his whole force. We have three cheers for the gallant old state and its gallant Governor."
The Army of Northern Virginia has been followed down the Shenandoah and Loudoun Valley's by the Army of the Potomac and, crossing the 'Dare mark line' of the Rappahannock River, is settling into Culpeper and Orange Counties.
The Army of the Potomac, is filtering down into Fauquier County. The 20th Indiana, part of the First Division of the Third Corps, encamped around Warrenton, Virginia. Their stay however, would be short. On July 31, they would travel by foot, train and boat -- to New York City, to quell the draft riots which erupted in that city. The 20th Indiana would be in New York for two and a half months.
As for John Hunt Morgan, well his stay up north would not be as long as some had hoped.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Marched to Catlett Station
Today at Brandy Station: June 14, 1863
From the diary of Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana Infantry Regiment
Cadlit station. Revellie at 3. o.clock this morning with orders to be ready to march at 4. Did not get started till 4 in the evening however. Marched to Cadlit station where we arrived about 9. o.clock. The road we passed over was very familliar to me who had been over so often. The house at wich Gen. Kearny had his head quarters is in sight.
The 20th Indiana -- assigned to Brig. Gen. J.H. Hobart Ward's Brigade, Maj. Gen. David Birney's First Division of Dan Sickle's Third Corps -- has left Stafford County and now is moving up the Rappahannock, shadowing the Army of Northern Virginia as both armies move towards Gettysburg.
From the diary of Edwin Weist, 20th Indiana Infantry Regiment
Cadlit station. Revellie at 3. o.clock this morning with orders to be ready to march at 4. Did not get started till 4 in the evening however. Marched to Cadlit station where we arrived about 9. o.clock. The road we passed over was very familliar to me who had been over so often. The house at wich Gen. Kearny had his head quarters is in sight.
The 20th Indiana -- assigned to Brig. Gen. J.H. Hobart Ward's Brigade, Maj. Gen. David Birney's First Division of Dan Sickle's Third Corps -- has left Stafford County and now is moving up the Rappahannock, shadowing the Army of Northern Virginia as both armies move towards Gettysburg.
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