Diary Entries November 4th, 1863
Wed. Nov. 4,1863
It is very pleasant. We had to get up at 12 o.c. and draw rations for 4 days, makes 8 days rations to carry. There was a man shot only about twenty rods from my tent in another regt. I wrote three letters today, one to H.B. one to C.N. & B.G.
Thurs. Nov. 5,1863
It is pleasant yet. No order to move yet, but we expect it every minute. Just got out in the field for battalion drill when the recall was sounded and we was ordered to pack up. We started about 9 o.c. for Catholick station.
Fri. Nov. 6, 1863
Got here to Catholick station last night. This morning there was musket firing begun about 1/2 mile from us and we were ordered into line quick but it proved to (be) only Hill Patrick's men coming in and firing their pieces. We was moved around trying to get into a part to suit the general. Finally stopped about I 00 rods from where we started from and pitched tents.
Sat. Nov. 7, 1863
On the march today. Marched all day from Bristoe Station from within 3 miles from the Rappahannock River.
Sun. Nov. 8, 1863
Stopped at sundown last night. Got a good supper and slept first rate. Got up about 4 o.c. and got my breakfast. Started on the march before sunrise. Crossed the Rappahannock at Calleys Ford & marched as far as Brandy Station.
Mon. Nov. 9, 1863
They say the rebs are only 2 or 3 miles ahead of (us). The 3 corps drove the rebs from the river to here yesterday. They took 15 hundred prisoners. We started from Brandy Station tonight at 5 o.c. Marched back about 2 m this side of Bealdon Station.
Tues. Nov. 10, 1863
We marched from Brandy Station back this side of the Rappahannock River 6 miles. In 5 hours about 11 miles went in to camp in a nice pine grove. Laid out streets and laid here today. The officers was all drunk when we started.
Wed. Nov. 11, 1863
Last night about 9 o.c. we got orders to have 14 of us with our things all packed at 6 o.c. to go and work on the railroad 5 miles from camp. I and one of my tent mates are here. We had to place ties today and no whiskey.
Thu. Nov. 12, 1863
A pleasant morning. Here we are with our tents put up in a little piece of wood. About 150 men from our regt shoveling dirt today.
Fri. Nov. 13,1863
On the railroad yet. Our rations are too small for men to work on and no whiskey
Sat. Nov. 14, 1863
Here yet to work.
Sun. Nov. 15,1863
Thunder & rain. Here on the road yet. We had a very hard storm last night. It is very wet and muddy. It rains this morning.
Mon. Nov. 16, 1863
We have got back to our camp again all right. I am fat as a bear. No pay today. I wrote a letter for my wife today.