MAY 1862

Thursday, May 1

Rained some, is warm. Company H and part of Company I went out to work on the road. We finished the part allotted to our Brigade. Was four new recruits joined Company A. Andrew Carans from Butler was one of them. There was very heavy firing and of long duration in the direction of Fortress Monroe this afternoon. Our artillery shelled the Rebels last night.

Friday, May 2

Sunshine and very warm. There is great rejoicing in the different Camps here on the receipt of the news of the taking of New Orleans. We drew one days rations of fresh beef one of crackers &c. There was Company inspection of arms in the street by the Captain this evening. I sent twenty dollars with the Chaplain to Fortress Monroe to be sent by Express to Butler, Butler Co Penn.

Saturday, May 3

Cloudy and warm. There was not anything of importance transpired in camp today. Is heavy cannonading in the direction of Yorktown all day. We drew one days rations of crackers, three of coffee, three sugar, three of beans, three of rice and some soap and one of smoked pork. The Chaplain came to camp this evening. We had a very good prayer meeting this evening.

Sunday, May 4

Sunshines very warm. Was preaching at eleven in forenoon at which time a young man of Co M was baptised by Chaplain A. M. Stewart. Recd marching orders and started at three oclock P.M. in the direction of Yorktown. We marched eight miles and laid for the night. We passed the first line of Rebel Fortifications five miles from camp. Began raining at ten p.m. rained till morn.

Monday, May 5

Rained all day and is very muddy and hard marching. We began the march at seven came up to the second line of Fortifications and began fighting at three oclock P.M. Marched some six miles. We drove the rebels from their Forts, there was six Forts. We fought till dark then fell back half a mile for the night. None of our Co killed, J. Davis was wounded.

Tuesday, May 6

Sun rose clear, was clear and warm all day. Rained some last night. We put in a pretty hard night, all our clothes was wet. We started this morning at seven oclock and marched one mile and camped within one mile of Williamsburg. I visited the burgh in the evening. Our Regt was engaged with the Lousianna Tigers and some Indians and Cavalry. Was prayer meeting this evening. Our company went out on grand guard at nine oclock this evening.

Wednesday, May 7

Sun rose clear. Is warm. The Company came off Grand Guard at nine oclock. S. J. Trimble and myself was at Williamsburg we saw some three hundred prisoners all badly clad. General McClelland went past here today. There was a vast amount of Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery past today. Was at prayer meeting this evening.

Thursday, May 8

Sun shines out pleasant and is very warm all day. Wm Stoops I. Irvin and others came up to the Regt in forenoon. We got some corn meal and made some mush. We got three days rations of crackers, got orders to pack up ready to march at noon. Got one days rations of mess pork. The letters came in the evening but it brought none for me. Was prayer meeting in the evening.  A. N. Y. V. was presented with a flag through General Peck by the city councils of N. York. It was interesting.

Friday, May 9

Was up at four this morn cooking rations to march. Started at seven oclock A.M. Our Regt is in the rear of the Brigade to day. The day is clear and extremely hot. We marched through a very beautiful part of the Country. We marched some seventeen miles a very circautious rout from the place we encamped at Williamsburg. The road is pretty good. I was very tired. All was ready to rest.

Saturday, May 10

Was up at six, we started on the march at seven oclock. Was a nice day very hot, roads dusty and dry. We marched some seven or eight miles and encamped in a clover field. We passed through a nice section of Country. The Rebels is in full retreat towards Richmond. F. M. Eastman and others went to Franklins landing for grub to night.

Sunday, May 11

Day clear and warm. Was inspection arms in the forenoon. The wagons came in with provision from Franklins landing this afternoon. We drew two days rations of fresh beef, two of coffee and two of sugar. I wrote one letter home this forenoon and received one from home in the afternoon. Was dress parade in the evening. Was prayer meeting in the evening. Revalie is beat in all the camps.

                                         Part Of The Vista Of The Federal Encampment At Williamsburg

Monday, May 12

Sun rose clear. Is warm all day. Is nothing doing in camp but eating and lying around reading newspapers and talking over the successes of our Army in the Country. The mail came in this morning and went out in the evening. Wrote one letter to J. Martin. We signed the clothing bill to day. Was prayer meeting this evening at dusk. Is nothing of interest going on in camp.

Tuesday, May 13                                                                                                                            We drew one days rations of crackers and one of meat. Started on the march at eight oclock this morning and marched ten miles; about one mile beyond New Kent Courthouse. The day is very warm and the roads is dry and dusty, is very ####### a person marching. Was one Rebel Colonel and one Major captured. The most of our Company is wagon guard and on detached service

Wednesday, May 14

Wrote one letter home. Is somewhat cloudy and sultry this morning. Rained some in the afternoon. We built a shanty this morning. Drew one days rations of crackers. S. J. Trimble, Nixon Wade and myself went down to the Paumankey River where they was landing provision &c. Is a great deal of troops and Artillery there. McClelland and Seward was there. Was at prayer meeting this evening.

Thursday, May 15

Rained considerable last night. Rained all day with slight intermissions, is very disagreeable. We drew one days rations of fresh beef this evening. I am Corporal of the third relief Camp Guard, Samuel Blaney and Boreland is from our Company, is six on a relief. Is troops passing here all day. The mail went out this morning, and came in, in the evening. All quiet.

Friday, May 16

Rained last night. Sprinkled rain some today. Is quite warm. We drew one days rations of fresh beef. We got orders to march at six oclock this evening and started at seven oclock and marched about seven miles, and encamped near New Baltimore in New Kent County. The roads is very bad on account of the late rains. Some of the Artillery stuck in the mud. All quiet.

Saturday, May 17

Sun rose clear this morning. It is quite warm all day and the roads is drying up very fast. We got orders to march and started at twelve oclock and marched four miles. Co M and L went out on a scout and took possession of some railroad near the Chickahominy River. We stoped within six miles of that River. Rebels is on the other side of it. We got two Rebels prisoner this evening.

Prayer meeting this evening. Comp went on picket this evening.

Sunday, May 18

This morning is very beautiful and pleasant. Is nice all day. We are on picket on Doctor Crumps farm, in an oats field. N. Wade, Watson Young, S. J. Trimble, F. M. Eastman and myself is on the same post. Nothing but crackers and coffee to day. We were relieved this evening at sundown by the 93rd Regt P.V. Was at prayer meeting this evening.

Monday, May 19

Cloudy. Rained in forenoon. Is warm. We drew three days rations of sugar, and three of coffee three of meat and beans and rice, and molasses, and three of crackers. Got marching orders and started at half past nine A.M. marched three miles and camped. We built a shanty. There was some prisoners taken by our Cavalry. Was prayer meeting this evening at dusk. Was a flag of truce came in to Gen Keys.

The Battery at Action- Front

Tuesday, May 20

Sun rose clear and shines warm. Wrote one letter to Mr. Frederick Garwick. We got orders at eleven A.M. to get ready to march without knapsacks. We started (Pecks Brigade with three Batteries of Artillery) at noon and marched one mile. One of the Batteries threw some shell and shot but received no answer. We came back to camp at six oclock. Was prayer meeting this evening. Is reported that Beauregard has surrendered.

Wednesday, May 21

Rained some last night. Flying clouds and a good breeze a blowing, but the sun is very warm. Drew three days rations of crackers, and coffee, and sugar, and beans, and one of salt beef. Got orders to move and started at noon and marched a little over one mile and Camped within about a mile from the Chickahominy. Was a half gill of whiskey drew this morn for each man. Was prayer meeting this evening.

Thursday, May 22

Sun rose clear but soon clouded up and rained very hard and hailed very hard in the afternoon for an hour or so. Very large hail. We build a shanty this afternoon. We had beans and cracker soup for dinner, and rice and coffee for supper. There was some pontoon bridges past here for the Chickahominy. There was one Capt. and one Lieutenant Rebels gave themselves up at General Keys head Quarters. Was at prayer meeting this evening. I got two small books from the preacher this evening.

Friday, May 23

Crossed the Chickahominy. Cloudy this morning. Sun shines very warm at times. Recd orders at noon and started at one oclock and marched four miles towards Richmond. Heard heavy cannonading in afternoon, think it was on the James River. Our Regiment camped in an old field grown up with small pines. Cos M. and L went out on picket. Was at prayer meeting.

Saturday, May 24

Cloudy and cool. Rained some. We drew three days rations of crackers and coffee, and meat, and sugar, and beans, and potatoes, and some soap, and one day's rations of whiskey. There was a small engagement between the Rebels and part of Smith's Division and part of Casey's; Rebels routed out of rifle pits. Was four killed in the 109 Regt P.V. The Co went out of picket this evening. Was prayer meeting this evening.

Sunday, May 25

Sun rose clear. Last night cool. Got orders to march at half past ten. I recd a letter from home stating all well. Wrote one letter home, Milton White received a letter from Uncle William stating they heard Marrion was at Washington City wishing to return to the Regiment. They have written me two letters from home, that I did not get. Was at prayer meeting this evening. All quiet about here.

Monday, May 26

Very cloudy this morning. Cool last night. We got orders to pack up and get ready to march. The Regiment was formed in line at ten oclock but we got no orders to march. Gen Casey's Division moved on to day. Our Company went out this evening and choped down some timber to give cannon range, came in at nine oclock. Was at prayer meeting this evening. All quiet.

Tuesday, May 27

Rained hard all night. Heard heavy cannonading in the direction of Richmond. I wrote a letter home and sent a paper. We drew three days rations of coffee and sugar and vegetables, and one of meat. Drew whiskey this evening. Company was out falling timber this afternoon, heard musketry very plain. Was at prayer meeting this evening. Clears up and shines out very pleasant.

Wednesday, May 28

Morning is nice and cool. Clouds up and rains some. The troops is busy diging rifle pits and falling timber since we came to this camp. The Company went out on Picket this evening. The mail came in this evening, Milton received a letter from Aunt Eveline stating all well at home. Was prayer meeting this morning. Orders to march in the morning.

 Thursday, May 29

Clear in the morning. Regiment started at seven A.M. and marched about three quarters of a mile and encamped. The whole Division moved forward. Our Company has not been relieved yet at dusk. Was some of our men taken prisoners this morning. The Major of the ninety sixth New York Regiment was shot with four balls this morning while placing the picket.

Friday, May 20

Cloudy and looks like rain. Is a cool wind blowing all day sun shines pleasant. Is heavy cannonading between here and Richmond. Wrote a letter to A. C. Martin this afternoon. The Regiment was taken out some two miles in the afternoon and waited till five oclock then returned to camp. No signs of a fight. It begins to cloud up in the evening and rains and thunders and lightens very hard. Company returns to camp at five P.M. I. N. Hays went to hospital.

Saturday, May 31

Rained nearly all night. Bought twenty five cts worth of paper and envelopes. The Rebels attacked our forces at noon and repulsed them for a mile or two and they captured several pieces of our Artillery. They fought some five hours, and then retired for the night. The loss on both sides was great. S. Myers wounded in shoulder, J.G. Brown in arm, W. J. Noel in thigh, W. J. Young in thigh, J. H. Randolph in hip, and J. Reddic, and W. Cross shot dead.