Today at Brandy Station: November 15, 1863
As I reviewed what was on the minds of soldiers today, the sound of heavy cannonading was heard in many camps. It began around 9am and was "off to the left". The cause was unknown, but "...are anticipating a battle somewhere on the Rapidan River"
The firing was also heard in the Midland area, between Warrenton Junction and Bealeton. "This morning the day was opened with cannonading in our front; with what success is not known."
Orders were given throughout the army to be ready to move at a moments notice.
According to Theodore Lyman, of General Meade's staff: [written on November 16] "Yesterday morning we heard heavy artillery fire, apparently not over two miles away! It proved to be a reconnaissance by Custer at Raccoon Ford, 10 miles away. The damp air probably conveyed the sound; but there was some singular reflection, for at Stevensburg it was not heard at all."
It wasn't heard in Stevensburg (five miles), but it was heard in Midland (nearly 20 miles), Bealeton (15 miles), along the Hazel River (13 miles) and near Cedar Mountain (about 5 miles), and Brandy Station (10 miles). Acoustic shadow strikes again.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Lost near Brandy Station
Today at Brandy Station: November 14, 1863
As it appeared in the Richmond Daily Dispatch:
To officers and Privates of Gen R. E. Lee's army.
--I will pay a reward of $200 for my boy Thornton, if lodged in jail so I can get him again. He is 35 years of age, a mulatto, about 5 feet7 inches, weighs about 160 lbs, whiskers and moustache, intelligent, good looking, writes well, well built, one or two small hard lumps on side of his neck. He was formerly owned by Col. J. Willis, near Orange C. H., and left there two weeks ago for the army at Brandy Station. He left Montgomery in the charge of a Lt Brooks, and he may be in some Alabama regiment. He may go by some other name. Address me, at Montgomery, Ala.
S. P. Wreford.
I have no idea if S.P. Wreford ever saw Thornton again. There are many documented stories of the loyalty of slaves to stay with their masters throughout the war. There are just as many stories of slaves who took the opportunity and crossed over the lines into Federally controlled land. Thornton could have just as easily been in either camp.
As it appeared in the Richmond Daily Dispatch:
To officers and Privates of Gen R. E. Lee's army.
--I will pay a reward of $200 for my boy Thornton, if lodged in jail so I can get him again. He is 35 years of age, a mulatto, about 5 feet7 inches, weighs about 160 lbs, whiskers and moustache, intelligent, good looking, writes well, well built, one or two small hard lumps on side of his neck. He was formerly owned by Col. J. Willis, near Orange C. H., and left there two weeks ago for the army at Brandy Station. He left Montgomery in the charge of a Lt Brooks, and he may be in some Alabama regiment. He may go by some other name. Address me, at Montgomery, Ala.
S. P. Wreford.
I have no idea if S.P. Wreford ever saw Thornton again. There are many documented stories of the loyalty of slaves to stay with their masters throughout the war. There are just as many stories of slaves who took the opportunity and crossed over the lines into Federally controlled land. Thornton could have just as easily been in either camp.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Laundry Day
Today at Brandy Station: November 13, 1863
Sometimes, as I look over the events of a certain day, the mundane appears. For soldiers, life was hurry up and wait; days, weeks and maybe months between action -- then brief moments of shear terror. Those moments are what most remember.
But what is captured in the diaries and letters, is the mundane, day-to-day survival of the private. Their diaries tell of what they did, or what was important to them that particular day. It will never make the regimental histories, but nonetheless, doing laundry was an important part of life.
Today, in the diaries and letters, the simple, quiet life emerges.
141st Pennsylvania: "[I] had Dandy [Graves’ horse] shod all around."
4th Michigan: "Jimmy Washed Clothes"
86th New York: "Washed some clothes..."
91st Pennsylvania: "...continued occupying quarters at Mountain Run...'
49th New York: "[no] mail today."
20 Indiana: "I done some extensive patchwork on my pantaloons to day, as indeed it was getting about time."
Sometimes, as I look over the events of a certain day, the mundane appears. For soldiers, life was hurry up and wait; days, weeks and maybe months between action -- then brief moments of shear terror. Those moments are what most remember.
But what is captured in the diaries and letters, is the mundane, day-to-day survival of the private. Their diaries tell of what they did, or what was important to them that particular day. It will never make the regimental histories, but nonetheless, doing laundry was an important part of life.
Today, in the diaries and letters, the simple, quiet life emerges.
141st Pennsylvania: "[I] had Dandy [Graves’ horse] shod all around."
4th Michigan: "Jimmy Washed Clothes"
86th New York: "Washed some clothes..."
91st Pennsylvania: "...continued occupying quarters at Mountain Run...'
49th New York: "[no] mail today."
20 Indiana: "I done some extensive patchwork on my pantaloons to day, as indeed it was getting about time."
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.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Colonel Duffie' - leading the charge
Today along the Hazel River: November 11, 1862
From the history of the First Rhode Island Cavalry, by Frederic Denison
Near Hazee [Hazel] Run occurred a smart skirmish – a battle, indeed – in which our squadrons participated, Colonel [Alfred] Duffie, with carbine in hand, leading our men, and himself emptying a rebel saddle. We had two horses wounded, but no men; and we rolled the enemy back to Culpeper Court House. We ought to mention the coolness, bravery, and executive skill often exhibited by Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson.
Throughout the war, around the big battles, small actions like this one occurred. May resulted in little or no casualties, such as this on. While these events get little or no attention, all it would take is a random shot to end a life. And to that soldier, it doesn't matter if it is at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, or along the Hazel River.
From the history of the First Rhode Island Cavalry, by Frederic Denison
Near Hazee [Hazel] Run occurred a smart skirmish – a battle, indeed – in which our squadrons participated, Colonel [Alfred] Duffie, with carbine in hand, leading our men, and himself emptying a rebel saddle. We had two horses wounded, but no men; and we rolled the enemy back to Culpeper Court House. We ought to mention the coolness, bravery, and executive skill often exhibited by Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson.
Throughout the war, around the big battles, small actions like this one occurred. May resulted in little or no casualties, such as this on. While these events get little or no attention, all it would take is a random shot to end a life. And to that soldier, it doesn't matter if it is at Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, or along the Hazel River.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Squatters
Today at Brandy Station: November 10, 1863
The Army of Northern Virginia has vacated Culpeper County, and into the vacuum swept the Army of the Potomac.
Soldiers will always take the path of least resistance, especially when it comes to "housing":
2nd Pennsylvania Reserves: "We marched to Mountain Run, where we also found comfortable quarters, which the enemy had erected in expectation of enjoying a pleasant winter’s rest. We remained here until the 24th..."
20th Indiana: "Camp in the woods near Brandy Station. This morning we changed front and went into regular camp. The rebels had up very good winter quarters here and left them a very great hurry leaving their rations of fresh beef behind. I got hold of a paper (Richmond Examiner)..."
141st Pennsylvania: "put up our tent by one of Johnny’s chimneys, for we have routed them out of their snug winter quarters."
Hey, they weren't going to be using them...
The Army of Northern Virginia has vacated Culpeper County, and into the vacuum swept the Army of the Potomac.
Soldiers will always take the path of least resistance, especially when it comes to "housing":
2nd Pennsylvania Reserves: "We marched to Mountain Run, where we also found comfortable quarters, which the enemy had erected in expectation of enjoying a pleasant winter’s rest. We remained here until the 24th..."
20th Indiana: "Camp in the woods near Brandy Station. This morning we changed front and went into regular camp. The rebels had up very good winter quarters here and left them a very great hurry leaving their rations of fresh beef behind. I got hold of a paper (Richmond Examiner)..."
141st Pennsylvania: "put up our tent by one of Johnny’s chimneys, for we have routed them out of their snug winter quarters."
Hey, they weren't going to be using them...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
First snow of the year
Today at Brandy Station: November 9, 1863
It is a simple statement on the wall: "First snow of the year November 9, 1863" The wall of course is in the Graffiti House in Brandy Station. This comment was revealed during restoration work completed by Christopher Mills this past spring.
All by itself, no other commentary. But true.
From the diary of a member of 3rd Massachusetts Light, Battery C: "There was a snow squall in the afternoon."
The History of the 40th Virginia Infantry reported: "...regiment marched through falling snow to the old camp along the Rapidan."
And Henry Seage of the 4th Michigan recorded in his diary: "It Snowed quite hard tonight the first snow of the Season"
The weather impacted the soldier greatly during the war, and diaries almost always included the local weather. It was important to the soldier to document how he endured the elements.
The 9th of November was also the last day the Army of Northern Virginia spent in Culpeper County. It's twin defeats at Kelly's Ford and Rappahannock Station by the Army of the Potomac closed the book on this portion of the ANV's storied history.
Personal note: between work and personal requirements and demands as well as my health, has caused this two month plus pause in the Today at Brandy Station blog. I hope most of these issues are behind me and I endeavour to again chronicle the daily passage of time and activities in and around Brandy Station.
It is a simple statement on the wall: "First snow of the year November 9, 1863" The wall of course is in the Graffiti House in Brandy Station. This comment was revealed during restoration work completed by Christopher Mills this past spring.
All by itself, no other commentary. But true.
From the diary of a member of 3rd Massachusetts Light, Battery C: "There was a snow squall in the afternoon."
The History of the 40th Virginia Infantry reported: "...regiment marched through falling snow to the old camp along the Rapidan."
And Henry Seage of the 4th Michigan recorded in his diary: "It Snowed quite hard tonight the first snow of the Season"
The weather impacted the soldier greatly during the war, and diaries almost always included the local weather. It was important to the soldier to document how he endured the elements.
The 9th of November was also the last day the Army of Northern Virginia spent in Culpeper County. It's twin defeats at Kelly's Ford and Rappahannock Station by the Army of the Potomac closed the book on this portion of the ANV's storied history.
Personal note: between work and personal requirements and demands as well as my health, has caused this two month plus pause in the Today at Brandy Station blog. I hope most of these issues are behind me and I endeavour to again chronicle the daily passage of time and activities in and around Brandy Station.
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