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11th Vermont Infantry (aka 1st Artillery, 11th Vermont Volunteers)
DiaryLieutenant Henry Edson Bedell's 1864 Diary
May 4th, 1864 Wednesday I am officer of the day. We were inspected by Lieutenant Colonel. He was keen on Artillery. Passed a good inspection. Quite warm and pleasant. Benjamin Place brother came here from Jay. He had been home on furlow & re-enlisted again for 3 years. The suttler opened a shop to our Fort. Capt Walker went to the City. Countersigned for day.(Private Benjamin F. Place, Co. D - Jay, Vt.)
(Private James A. Place 6th VT Co. D - Jay, Vt.)
(Major Aldace F. Walker, Staff - Middlebury, Vt.)
May 5th, Thursday Lieut. Dodge is officer of the day. We went over to Fort Lincoln to recite to Major Chamberlin. I got a letter from my wife. My folks were all well. I wrote an answer to it. Shall send it in the morning. George and I rode over to Lincoln on horse back. Daniel Burt paid up on getting married. Dave and Moody went out in the country, got home pretty tired. Lieut Lewis went to town Capt. Walker went to Ft. Stevens on a Court Marshall for Wm. Gage. A warm day. Bought a sword off Wm. Hudson Gave him $2.00 Oliver cleaned it up got it looking well. Walker & Lewis hired Oliver's brother for a waiter.(Lt. Col. George Chamberlin, Staff - St. Johnsbury, Vt.)
(Sergeant Daniel Burt Jr. Co. D - Troy, Vt.)
(Corporal Moody Bedell, Co. D - Barton, Vt.)
(Captain Charles J. Lewis, Co. D - Middlesex, Vt.)
(Lieut. William W. Gage, Co. F - Monkton, Vt.)
(Lieut. William Hudson, Co. B - Stowe, Vt.)
(Oliver is Bedell's "colored servant boy")
-------------------------- May 6th, 1864 Friday Warm and pleasant this morning. Lieutenant Lewis is Officer of the day. Capt. Walker is a going to Ft. Stevens to a court marshal of William Gage. Sent a letter to Emeline. moody is on Guard and so Ft. Lincoln to Battalion Drill. It was awful hot.(Captain Charles J. Lewis, Co. D - Middlesex, Vt.)
(Major Aldace F. Walker, Staff - Middlebury, Vt.)
(Lieut. William W. Gage, Co F - Monkton, Vt.)
(Corporal Moody Bedell, Co. D - Barton, Vt.)
(Sergt. David H. Gilman, Co. D - Westfield, Vt.)
May 7th Saturday Warmest day we have had this spring. Went to Bunker Hil to a Brigade Drill. Got most tuckered out. Lieut Dunham is Officer of the day. I had command of Batty B. I went by the suttler to get me a box of clothes and shoes. I sold my old ones to Oliver for $2.00.(Lieutenant William G. Dunham, Co. D - Morristown, Vt.)
(Oliver is Bidell's "colored servant boy")
May 8th Sunday Morning, countersign Georgetown. Warm and pleasant. Had a Post Inspection and then went to Fort Lincoln Drill Ground and carried knapsacks. The boys were pretty mad. I am Officer of the Day but I changed to go over to Lincoln with Lieut. Dodge for he was lame. Colonel Warner came over and said we would have to go into the field within a week.(Lieutenant Chester W. Dodge, Co. D - Morristown, Vt.)
(Colonel James M. Warner, Staff - Middlebury, Vt.)
----------------------------- Morgan, VT April 19th 1863 Sister Emeline & Children I sit down to write you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along. We are all smart. I believe Jasper has sold his place to Father. He has bought about 35 acres off Mr. Haskett and has moved up on it. Mother is here keeping house for me. She is a going to stay until the snow is all gone. That won't be very long if it goes as fast as it has for the last few days. I had a letter from Edson last week. He was well. He sent me his picture about four weeks ago. He looked as if he was strong and rugged. Emeline, I should like to come over and make a visit, but can't. This summer I suppose. I think Some of going to New York this spring. We are having very nice weather here now. Well Emeline, how are you getting along alone? Well I hope. Are the children well this spring? -------------------------------- Tell them to be good children and mind their mother. It is very sickley here this spring. The small pox is again in West Charleston very hard. I am in hopes that I shall not have it or any the rest of the folks. Please write to me as soon as you get this. From your Brother & Mother Amanda & Moody Bedell, East Charleston, Vt. Write to Edson Bedell, Bat. D - 1st Vt. Art.(Letter written by Moody Bedell but never sent. It was left in his notebook which he subsequently gave to Henry to use as a diary. Henry, Moody and Jasper are brothers. Amanda is their mother. Henry was called Edson by friends and family)
May 9, 1864 Monday Lieutenant Lewis is officer of the day. It is quite warm but not as warm as it was yesterday. We have got to go to Fort Lincoln at 4 o'clock PM to a Battalion Drill. Capt. Walker has gone to Fort Stevens. I packed up some of my things to send home. Evening was warm and pleasant. Got home from Battalion Drill. I got a letter from my wife. Found them all well. Em wrote to me that she had put some pants onto Alden. The birds here are singing something lovely. Must write to Emeline. -------------------------- May 10, 1864 Tuesday Warm but cloudy. The morning looks some like rain. Sent a letter to Emeline. Lieut. Lieut Dodge is officer of the day. Dunham and Lewis went over to Fort Lincoln to write a lesson to Major Chamberland. I did not feel very well so I did not go. We went in the fore noon to Bunker Hill to a Brigade Drill. I took command of Batty. G.(Lt. Colonel George Chamberlin, - St. Johnsbury, Vt.)
May 11 Wednesday Warm and pleasant. Moody is on guard and I am on as Officer of the day. Lieut.. Dunham has gone to the City on a pass. Moody has gone to the city with a prisoner. The wind blows up some like rain. E. Bapp has gone to the city. Wednesday evening: the talk is now that we shall have to move in the morning. It is raining now. Capt. Walker has just got home from Ft. Slocum. The countersign word is Hamilton.(Corporal Moody Bedell, Co. D - Barton, Vt.)
(Private Erza S. Bapp, Co. D - Westfield, Vt.)May 12 Thursday Started for the front. Stayed over night at Bell Plain. It rained hard. Camped out for the first time. Saw a lot of wounded soldiers. ----------------------- May 13, 1864 Friday Started from Belle Plain, We met 8000 Rebel prisoners. They were a going to Washington. It was rather muddy walking. May 14 Saturday Rather cool. We had Hard Tack for breakfast. Got to the front after dark. It rained. May 15 Sunday Cool and raining. I saw a lot of the Old Brigade Boys. We joined the Vt. Brigade in the 6th Corps. May 16 Monday Cool and foggy. Oliver my colored boy was taken sick. I wrote a letter to my wife. I was hard sick. May 17 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. We layed in support of a field battery. At night we had orders to march. I was sick. May 18 Wednesday Cool and warmer. was wounded in the neck in the first fight we ever was in. I did not eat for 2 or 3 days. We fought for 5 hours. Lost in the Regt., 13 men. Lieutenant Wilson had his arm shot off.(Bedell was mistaken here. No Lieut. Wilson was wounded this day, however Benedict (Vermont In The Civil War) states that Lieut.. N. Newton Glazier of Co. A had his arm shot off on 5-18-64)
---------------------- May 19, 1864 Thursday Warm. We marched at 12 in the morning. I was some better. We built some rifle pits. It was rainy in the afternoon. May 20 Friday Some rain. We moved to our right a half a mile. Went on Pickett. Major Hunsdon Captain Walker and forty men.(Lt. Colonel Charles Hunsdon, Staff - Shoreham, Vt.)
May 21 Saturday Quite warm. The Sharp Shooters got a pretty good range on we Officers. Had a small fight at night. Geo. Stevens and Joseph Larock were killed. Zelora Marsh was wounded in the eye. This was at Spotsylvania.(Private Joseph Larock, Co. D - Mongomery, Vt.)
(Corporal George O. Stevens, Co. D - Stowe, Vt.)
(Corporal Zelora Marsh, Co. D - Westfield, Vt.)
May 22 Sunday Quite warm. Our Army moved towards Richmond. We covered the rear. Marched 15 miles, had a hard time. I came very near getting sun stroke. Moody was not very well but he kept up. May 23 Monday Some cloudy but warm. Had a hard march. Got to South Hampton where they had a smart fight . Our soldiers drove the Johnnies back. We were not engaged at this time. ---------------------- May 24, 1864 Tuesday We formed a line of Battle. It was quite warm. We are on the move but slow. Moody is not very well. Pitched our tents and stoped all day. Went to the river and washed up. Capt. Templeton put in arrest.(Captain Robinson Templeton, Co. I - Worchester, Vt.)
May 25 Wednesday Warm and quite pleasant. Moody is quite sick. We have orders to march. The army is on the move. Capt. Walker acting as Major. Moved about 2 miles. Moody is up to the Hospital. May 26 Thursday Raining very hard. Got within five miles of Hanover Junction. Had orders to be ready for a long march and to draw rations. May 27 Friday Marched all day. Quite warm. Got within three miles of the Per Monkey River. Moody rode in the ambulance. I was some tired. May 28 Saturday Warm and pleasant. Started for the White House. Moody went a foot. We crossed the Permonkey River and went to making rifle pits. --------------------- May 29, 1864 Sunday Warm and pleasant. Stoped in Camp. Lived on parched corn all day. Not much fiting. May 30 Monday Went up near Hanover Court House and burnt up a lot of Rail Road and a Depot. then we started towards Richmond. Had a smart fight on our left. May 31 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. We are in line of Battle. Got four letters from home. My folks are all well. Hard fiting on our left. June 1 Wednesday Started on a march and had a hard one I'll tell you. We got to Cold Harbor where our folks are fiting hard. We were drawed up in a line and shoved into the fight in a hurry we had quite a lot killed and wounded.(The Battle of Cold Harbor June 1 to June 12)
June 2 Thursday We finished up our rifle pits and went to fiting. I was not very well. It commenced to rain quite hard. June 3 Friday Damp and cold. Commenced to advance in line of Battle. We are in the Chickahomany Swamps under fire, but pretty well covered. The Johneys tried to break our lines. ---------------------- June 4, 1864 Saturday Made some more rifle pits. Got some letters from home. The balls flew thick June 5 Sunday Had a sharp fight on our left just after dark. We moved in to the front line of Battle and finished some rifle pits. I worked all night. June 6 Monday Layed behind rifle pits all day. At night moved out into 3rd line of pits and stoped all night. Farnsworth & T. Clarey wounded.(Private Ebenezer G. Farnsworth, Co. D - Wolcott, Vt.)
(Private Thomas Clarey, Co. D - Huntington, Vt.)
June 7 Tuesday Quite cool. Moved back to the rear in to a pine grove and the Rebs shelled us out very quick. We put up some works on right. June 8 Wednesday Wrote to Emeline. Cloudy and cool. In camp all day. Drawed some clothing. I got a pair of pants. June 9 Thursday Quite warm. We still stay in camp. Bought a watch off Joseph Martin. Sergt.. Fisher, Corp. Tillotsen, Christmas & Gordon came to the Co.(Private Joseph Martin, Co. D - Westfield, Vt.)
(Sergeant Henry J. Fisher, Co. D - Wolcott, Vt.)
(Corporal Orlando M. Tillotson, Co. D - Wolcott, Vt.)
(Private George Christmas, Co. D - Williston, Vt.)
(Private Edward Gordon, Co. D - Bridgeport, Vt.)
June 10 Friday A letter form Emeline, all well. Warm and pleasant. Still in camp. Had some beans for dinner. ------------------------- June 11, 1864 Saturday Went to the front line of Battle. No one in our Battery killed. George Whitney wounded in head, slightly. Warm and pleasant.(Private George S. Whitney, Co. D - Stowe, Vt.)
June 12, Sunday Still in front line. No one killed. No fighting today, but as soon as dark came the shells came in fast. We had orders to move out in a hurry. We started for the James River. Went to Charles City Court House. Warm. June 13, Monday Warm and pleasant. On the march. Colonel Sever in Command of our Regt. Troubled with the Summer Complaint, Colonel Benton has gone to the hospital. Stoped out over the Chichomony all night.(Colonel Thomas O. Seaver, 3rd Vt - Pomfret, Vt.)
(Lt. Colonel Reubin C. Benton, 11th Vt - Hyde Park, Vt.)
June 14, Tuesday Warm and pleasant. Marched some 6 miles and stoped within 1/2 mile of Charles City Court House. Our first Battalion went out to work on roads. We formed a line of Battle and went and washed up. June 15 Wednesday Warm and pleasant. Moved some 2 miles and stoped over night. Lieut.. Dunham went on Pickett. We bought a horse off Nelson. Gave him $2.00 in to the second line of pits. ---------------------------- June 16, 1864 Thursday Warm and pleasant. We moved our line of Battle some 1/2 mile and put up some earth works. Started for Harrison landing crost the river at Duskins. The James had 100 pontoons. June 17 Friday Warm and pleasant. We marched all night last night. My feet got very sore. We stoped for Breakfast at 7 o'clock, drawed rations At noon we moved down within 2 miles of Petersburg. Things looks some blue. June 18 Saturday In earth works. Warm and pleasant. Supporting Maine Battery. Colored boy Oliver ran away. We advanced our lines. Had a good nights rest. Had a letter from home. June 19 Sunday Very warm and pleasant. Chester Dodge went down to the Div. Hospital. We moved in to the second line of pits. June 20 Monday Warm and pleasant. Lieut. Dodge on Pickett. Drawed rations. I am in command of 2nd Company. The balls come over quite thick. We moved to our left in to the front line of Battle. The Maine Battery set a house on fire with the second shot they made. --------------------------- June 21, 1864 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. The Jonnies commenced to fire pretty smart. We were relieved at eleven o'clock and started for the South side of Petersburg. Moody was detaied as orderly for General Grant. I got a letter from home.(Corporal Moody Bedell, Co. D - Barton, Vt.)
(General Lewis A. Grant - Vt Brigade - Burlington, Vt)
June 22 Wednesday Warm and pleasant. We are on the move to our left. Stoped in the rear of the picquett line in the woods. June 23 Thursday Went on Picquett on the skirmish line. We advanced in the afternoon. Lieut. Chase taken prisoner. Lieutenant Sherman shot by my side in the fore head. I was left in charge of 380 men. It was a hard fight for a short one. They took some 400 of our men from one of the Battalions. Peter White wounded.(Lieutenant Oren G. Chase, Co A & C - St. Johnsbury, Vt.)
(Lieutenant Merritt H. Sherman, Co C - Clarendon, Vt.)
(Private Peter White, Co D - Morristown, Vt.)
(The fighting took place at Weldon Railroad, Va..)
June 24 Friday We were on the skirmish line. Stayed on until 3 o'clock before we were relieved. Came back to the rear near Grant's Head Qua. June 25 Saturday Very hot. Wrote a letter home. I went on detail putting up abatus. ------------------------- June 26, 1864 Sunday Quite warm and pleasant. Our men are fiting on our right. Daniel Burt put me up a good tent in the shade. 3 o'clock, moved a little to our left. Wrote Father.(Sergeant Daniel Burt, Co. D - Troy, Vt.)
June 27 Monday Some cooler. We moved some 60 rods to our left and comenced to put up some rifle pits. I was in charge of them. Got most of them done. Layed out our Co. streets. June 28 Tuesday Cool but pleasant. Finished the rifle pits and picked up the grounds. Moody is at his turn of duty to day. He has been to our company 6 or 8 times. June 29 Wednesday Warm and pleasant. We were inspected by General Wright. Our Boys cleaned up the grounds in good shape. We still stay in camp. I wrote a letter to Emeline. June 30 Thursday We advanced our picquitt line. Found a dubble barrel shot gun. We were drawed up in the night. We did not get into the fight this time. --------------------- July 1st 1864 Friday Warm and cloudy. Looks some like rain. July 2 Saturday Warm and pleasant. Moved back from the Rail road where we started from. I was in command of Company K. Got a letter, all is well at home. July 3 Sunday Warm and pleasant. Moody was sick with the Colic. Lieut.. Todd came back to the Company, so I went back to my company.(Lieutenant Edward A. Todd, Co K - Brattleboro, Vt.)
July 4 Monday Quite warm but cloudy. It seems like Sunday. Made me a bed. Wrote to Emeline. Had a fine dinner. July 5 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. Went on fatigue with Capt. Lee. Moody had the colic very hard and I sat up with him. Some better in morning.(Captain Edward P. Lee, Co B - Waterford, Vt.)
July 6 Wednesday Had orders to move in the morning, to our left. Brought Moody a fife. Moody is quite smart today. We finished up on Muster rolls. July 7 Thursday Quite cool. Stayed in camp, Moody is quite smart. Bought a Spencer off Harmon Burt. Gave him 3 dollars for it.(Corporal Charles H. Burt, Co D - Westfield, Vt.)
---------------------- July 8, 1864 Friday Moody is on duty. The wind blows hard. I sent a letter to Emeline. We are in camp today. I went to see Moody. July 9 Saturday Cooler but cloudy. Had a skirmish drill. We started for City Point, marched all night. Got there early in the morning. July 10 Sunday Quite warm. We took a boat for Washington at six o'clock. We had a good beach. Rested well. Passed Newport News Monday morning. July 11 Monday Warm and pleasant. The different points we came past: Newport News, Lady's Institute, Smiths Point, Point Lookout. Came through Chesepeak Bay, was out of sight of land. Came by Black Stone Island, Mariah Point Fortress Monroe, Mount Vernon. Came past Fort Washington on the Potomac. July 12 Tuesday Landed at Washington in the morning. I was in charge of all Baggage. Went up to Fort Stevens. Went out on Picquett. July 15 Wednesday Warm. Came in from Picquett. Started on the march. I left a 2 lb gun with the Dayorian Man at Brightwood. Moody came back to the company. ------------------------ July 14, 1864 Thursday Warm and pleasant. We are on the march. I am sick. Got into the Ambulance for the first time while in the Army. Stayed in all night. Came past Edwards Ferry, got to Poolsville. The Jonnys just went. July 15 Friday Warm and pleasant. Stayed in camp all day at Poolsville. Lieut. Dodge was Officer of the day. I and Moody went and saw Major Nelson. The old 3rd boys left for home.(Major Thomas Nelson, Staff - 3rd Vt. - Ryegate, Vt.)
July 16 Saturday Warm and pleasant. Stayed on the march. Got up to Whites Ford. Our Artillery opened fire on the rebs. Our Cav. went through Leesburg. July 17 Sunday Warm and pleasant. Stayed on the hill beyond Leesburg. Moody and I went out and got some blackberrys. I got $5.00 off Lot Edwards and $1.00 off Wilson Lampher. Saw Oak leaves drifted 5 feet high. I took some of the leaves for a bed and they went well.(Private. Lott Edwards, Co. D 5th Vt. - Morristown Vt.)
(Private Wilson Lamphere Co. D 5th Vt. - Lowell, Vt.)
July 18 Monday Started on the march. Went through Snickers Gap on the Blue Ridge. Got over into the Shanandoah Valley but did not cross the river. Went into camp for the night. They had a fight on our right in the night. It was very warm. ----------------------- July 19, 1864 Tuesday Quite warm and pleasant. Our Ambulances are fetching in the wounded. Had orders to march but they were countermanded. Stoped all night in camp. July 20 Wednesday Very warm. Started on the march. Went acrost the Shanodoah River about noon. Stoped in the woods and we had a smart shower with wind that blew down a tree and killed a man. Dan and some of the boys stole a lot of honey. i lost my saber belt. Stoped until after dark and started on our way back. July 21 Thursday Warm and pleasant. Came back acrost the river Moody was taken with the colic. I carried him on my back acrost. the Shanodoah river, then got him into the ambulance. We started for Washington. Bought a saber off Harmond Burt. Gave him $2.00. July 22 Friday Warm and pleasant. On the march to Washington Joseph Martin got into the ambulance. Started from Goose Creek and crossed Brods Run. Went into camp for the night. Formed a line of battle all around camp. One hot night. ----------------------- July 23, 1864 Saturday Warm and pleasant. Started on the march for Chain Bridge. Got to Teneltown at night. The 4th & 3rd & 6th Regts. got paid off. Came past Chanclorsvill and Prospect Hill. July 24 Sunday Warm and pleasant. Got mail for the first time in three weeks. I got one from Father, some from Jasper and 3 from Emeline. One from Emeline with $10.00 in it and one from Father with $5.00 in it. July 25 Monday Warm and raining. We left the 6th Corps And came into our old Forts. I wrote to my wife. Moody is in the Howard Hospital. July 26 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. Commenced to have a Colored Woman cook for Lieut. Dodge and myself. Joseph Muzzey is our ordily. Had orders to march. We went into Maryland. We were some man, you may bet.(Private Joseph Muzzey, Co. D - Johnson, Vt.)
July 27 Wednesday Warm. Went through Rockville & Clarksburg & Hagerstown. I got foot sore. Took my company and went in the rear as patrol guard. ------------------------- July 28, 1864 Thursday Warm and pleasant. Got to Fredrick and joined the 6th Corps. Stoped until afternoon and then started on this march. Stoped at Jefferson, Md. July 29 Friday Quite warm. Started for Harpers Ferry. Went through Sandy Hook and came past Md. Heights. Passed through Harpersburg in W. Va.. Passed Bolever Heights and stayed all night at Alltown. July 30 Saturday Started from Alltown for Fredric City. Marched all night, got to Sandy Hook. Had to fall out. A lot of our boys fell out. Timothy Deblois got sun stroke so did Corp. Tilerston.(Private Timothy Deblois, Co. D - Westfield, Vt.)
(Corporal A. Orlando Tillotson, Co. D - Waterfield, Vt.)
July 31 Sunday One of the hottest days we ever had to march. A lot of our boys fell out. I came in at night with the largest Company of them that fell out by the way. Got in to camp at Fredric some 2 miles from the city. Aug. 1 1864 Monday Warm and pleasant. In camp near Fredric. Had a good rest. Had some pudding with milk for supper. Drank some whiskey. I am pretty well played. -------------------------- August 8, 1864 Monday Warm and pleasant. Still in camp at Alltown. Strengthened our Breast Works. August 9 Tuesday Warm and pleasant. Still in camp. Got a letter from my wife. All well. Harry Bailey came back to the company. Maj. Walker and Lieut. Dodge went down to the Ferry and got some meat.(Corporal Harry J. Baily, Co. D - Troy, Vt.)
August 10 Wednesday D.r Meiggs came into our mess. Started on the march. Warm and pleasant. Our Brigade was in the rear. Sent a letter to Emeline. Stoped for the night some 15 miles south of Harpers Ferry. I went on picquitt with 25 men. August 11 Thursday Started on the march. We heard cannonading in advance of us, in the direction of Martinsburg. Went into camp in a good place. Got a 1/2 of a sleep. It was quite a treat. August 12 Friday Quite warm and pleasant. Started on the march. Came past Newtown and through Middletown one mile. Went into camp at Cedar Creek in sight of both Skirmish lines. August 13 Saturday Cloudy but warm. Moved over to Strawsburg. Went into camp in sight of that village. Came back to our old position at night. Mosby killed a lot of our mules from the trains. ----------------------- August 14 1864 Sunday Warm and pleasant. Doctor Meiggs and I went down to the Opaquan Creek and had a good bath. Advanced our Picquett lines. Sergt. Pike went to the Ambulance trains.(Asst. Surgeon John J. Meigs, Staff - Hyde Park, Vt.)
(Sergeant Paphro D. Pike, Co. D - Stowe, Vt.)
August 15 Monday Looks some like rain. Still in camp in the same place. Went in to bathe. August 16 Tuesday Cloudy but warm. Had a Turkey for breakfast. Willey came into camp. Orders to hold our selves in readiness to march at a moments notice. We started on the march at 10 o'clock. Moved back a few miles. August 17 Wednesday Warm and pleasant. On our way back towards Harpers Ferry. Stopped near Winchester for breakfast. Our Cavl. had a fight and we got the worst of it but they held the enemy in check until we got back to Alltown. August 18 Thursday Warm but quite rainy. Started without our breakfast. Came into camp near Charleston. Did not have time to eat until we got into camp. Hoped to make coffee but before we had time to make any, we had orders to move again. --------------------- August 19th 1864 Friday We was in camp near Charleston. Some raining. Drawed some rations for the Company. We are living first rate for about three days. I got two letters from my wife and two from Moody. August 20th Saturday Quite warm but cloudy. Still in camp. Lieut. Dodge and Capt. Lewis swapped horses with Doctor Meiggs. I wrote to my wife and one to Father and one to Moody. Lieut. Nichols bought himself a horse.(Lieutenant Henry J Nichols, Co. D - Sudbury, Vt.)
August 21th Sunday We had a fight at Charleston. I was on the skirmish line David Goosey was wounded and afterwards died. Joseph Bashaw & Moore & Drugg Col. Chamberlin was killed.(Private David Goosey, Co. D - Johnson, Vt.)
(Private Joseph Bashaw, Co. D - Elmore, Vt.)
(Private Hardin G. Moore, Co. D - Montgomery, Vt.)
(Private Cliffus Drugg, Co. D - Stowe, Vt.)
(The fighting took place at Charles Town, W. Va..)
August 22nd Monday Retreated back to Boliver Hights. Quite rainy. Our Cavl. had a fight with the enemy. Smart musket fire in our rear. I got a letter from Father. All is well. August 23rd Tuesday Got up at 3 o'clock. Had orders to strike Tents and be ready to move at a moments notice. We did not move, but built rifle pits. Smart skirmishing in front. ----------------------- August 24th, 1864 Wednesday Sent out 12 men and one Captain on Picquett. Skirmishing on our left. Capt. Lee in arrest for not turning out the Picquett when the Corps Officer of the day came along.(Captain Edward P. Lee, Co. B - Waterford, Vt.)
August 25th Thursday Some rain. Our Cavl had a fight on our right. Skirmishing in front and on our left. Got a letter from Moody. Got orders to be ready to move. August 26th Friday We are still in camp. Had a stand to arms. I went to the Ferry. We had a fight on our left. I got my velease from Washington. J.A. Lewis got it for me.(Lieutenant Judson A. Lewis, Co. C - Poultney, Vt.)
August 27th Saturday Warm and pleasant. We are still in camp. Had a Batallion Drill. I got a letter from Emeline. Made out our clothing roll. August 28th Sunday In the morning we had orders to march. Quite cool. We are going up the Valley again. We are on the march. Cannonading in our front. Went on Picquitt. August 29th Monday Warm and pleasant. We are having a hard Cavl. fight on our right. Drew 2 days rations. ------------------------ August 30th 1864 Tuesday Still on Picquett. Warm and pleasant. Lieut. Dodge went to the hospital. I got a letter from Emeline. All is well. Harling Maning came back to the Co.(Private Harlin P. Manning, Co D - Johnson, Vt.)
August 31th, Wednesday Warm and pleasant. Still on Picquitt. Came in from Picquitt. In camp in sight of Charleston, in a pleasant place. Got a letter from Emeline. Sept. 1st Thursday Warm and pleasant, still in camp. I got a letter from Father, some from Moody and Jasper. I went out to the hospital to see Lieut. Dodge. Sept. 2nd Friday I am to work on clothing account. I sent a letter to Emeline and some to Jasper. We had two new recruits come into our Co. Sept. 3rd Saturday Warm but cloudy. We started on the march. Bought me a saber. Sold mine to Maj. Walker for $6.00. We marched to Clifton. Had a smart fight in front. Some raining. Sept. 4th Sunday Some raining. Commenced to fire in front. Skirmishing all day, some cannonading. John Handy came back to the company. We went out to build rifle pits.(Private John G. Handy, Co. D - Stowe, Vt.)
------------------------- Sept. 5th, 1864 Monday We got into camp in the forenoon. Layed Us out a new camp ground. Bought me a Rubber blanket off of Barrett.(Private Oliver Barrett, Co. D - Hinesburgh, Vt.)
Sept. 6th Tuesday It is Town Meeting day with the soldiers. They have a chance to vote a member of Congress. The most of them voted for Portus Baxter for our district. I got a Letter from Emeline and one from Father some from Moody. All well. Rained all day.(Honorable Portus Baxter, 38th & 39th Congress, Brownington, Vt., Henry Clay Baxter, his son, Brevet Major, Cos. D, I, A)
Sept. 7th Wednesday It cleared up last night and it is pleasant today. I have written a letter to Father, some to my wife and one to Moody. Had a Regimental Inspection. Guns looked quite well. Major Walker was Officer of the day. Sept. 8th Thursday Commenced to rain in the morning and rained all day. Got our payrolls done. The 8th Corps moved around to our right. Sept. 9th Friday Warm and pleasant. Our regiment and the 2nd Regiment went out to Rippon to escort in our supplies. It was 6 miles long. Six of we officers took dinner to Doctor Osburne. I got a letter from Emeline and one from Moody. I answered them all. ------------------------ Sept. 10th, 1864 Saturday Commenced to rain in the morning. It is quite warm. We had one of the hardest rains last night that we have had this season. It wet through our tents. Sept. 11th Sunday Raining hard. Zelora Marsh came back to the Company. Capt. Safford came into our mess. He had 10 lbs. of flour and 7 lbs. of ham, 2 lbs.of sugar, some cans of condensed milk and one bottle of mustard.(Captain Darius J. Safford, Co. D - Morristown, Vt.)
Sept. 12th Monday Our train came up. I was detailed to take Charge of the sales. I sent two letters to Emeline. We drew some new clothes I got two tents.Lieutenant Henry Edson Bedell was seriously wounded the next day, Sept. 13, 1864 at Gilbert's Ford, Va.
See also:
Henry Bedell's record and biography
"An Unknown Heroine"
The Vermont Brigade in the Shenandoah Valley, 1864
Diary ©2004, Ed Italo
