Began to rain in the night and rained hard nearly all day.There has been some tall fighting on the left today. I have made the monthly returns of C.L. & G. equipment today. Shall try to go to the Regt. tomorrow. Attended prayer meeting this evening. All is still around here and we expect every moment to hear the order to pack up in the 31st.
Thursday/ March 30, 1865
A very rainy day. Began to rain sometime early in the night and poured down in torrents the remainder of the night and all day. Cleared off at night. There has been hard fighting going on on the left today and the report is that the S.C. side road is taken. Rebs kicked up a row on the right in the night and are reported to have been badly beaten. I am still in the camp of the 31st Maine. Have been here all day. Wrote a letter to Mary today. Hope to hear good news tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 29, 1865
Another pleasant day. The troops started again this morning at 4 o'clock and as the Captain wanted me to remain behind I am doing so. I came to the camp of the 31st Maine. Found J. Cushman, S.C. Record and some other old friends. Have had a pleasant time with them but rather want to be with my company. There is a big thing going on on the left as though a large force is moving over that way. I saw Gens. Meade, Ord, and several others going to the front
Tuesday, March 28, 1865
A warm and pleasant day. We crossed the Appomattox Pontoons about sunrise this morning. pretty tired and footsore. We are a strong company being somewhere from 15 to 100 thousand strong. It has been a hard day today for us all. The captain got me a pass and told me not to try to keep up with the Regt. so I fell out, took the cars and flanked the regiment getting a long ways ahead of them Waited till they came up and camped with them. Stopped marching at dark having marched thirty miles.
Monday, March 27, 1865
A very pleasant beautiful day. We were relieved this morning about 8 o'clock and immediately struck tents and marched down to Brigade Headquarters where we are now. I received a letter from Mary this morning. Wrote one to her part in the old camp and part here. Started from here about 4 P.M. and marched all night long, crossing the pontoon at deep bottom and marching towards Burmuda and Point of Rocks, Va.
Sunday, March 26, 1865
A very windy cold day. We got orders this morning to make every preparation to move at a moments warning and in the P.M. we had positive orders to pack up for we were to move. We got all ready and waited till late at night to be relieved then turned in to sleep a little. I wrote a letter to May Wellie and one to Mel Urick. The raiders came in today and brought in General Sheridan with all his cavalry. I think we are to go with him down south. I feel pretty well for a move. Hope I may go trusting in God to keep me from sin and harm.
Saturday, March 25, 1865
A.M. fair P.M. cloudy Eve rainy. It has been an exciting day today. This morning a large force of Cavalry and Infantry went past here with artillery, ambulances,ammunition, evidently on a raid towards Fair Oaks. Then we got orders to pack up and be ready to march immediately which we did striking tents. Then got orders to pitch tents again as there had been a fight on the left in front of the 9th Corps but we had retaken the line of works lost and all was right again so we are in camp tonight alright again. I attended meeting tonight, wrote a letter to Myra Valentine today. Have worked nearly all day making out papers for the company.
Friday, March 24, 1865
Fair but very windy and cold. The Regt. has had but little duty to do today as the sand blew like drifting snow. I have done but little today though I have been writing almost all day more or less. The war news comes in as encouraging as one could wish. Things look now as if the war could not last long. It seems now that we must leave here soon as we have got orders to pack all surplus baggage and send it to Norfolk, Va. without delay. Every heart is buoy out and hopeful that we are not to have a very tedious campaign
Thursday, March 23, 1865
A very windy day but fair. I have been very busy all day on Muster Rolls and other Co. papers. Our Regt. is reported best in the whole Division on an inspection by Division Commander. Hear no news of importance except that there is great activity in all quarters and every appearance of an early move. We are now under marching orders. Cyrus Cushman and Wm. Scribner came to the Regt. today.
Wednesday, March 22, 1865
Cold and very windy all day.I have spent the entire day in writing for the company and in the evening I have written a letter to Mary and one to Francis. Received a good letter from Mary today which cheered me very much. Our Regt. was inspected today to see which was the best- It or the "11th Maine" in the Div. Have not heard the report. Hope it was ours. It is now after Taps and I must go to bed.
Tuesday, March 21, 1865
A.M. fair. P.M. cloudy Eve. rainy. Our Regt. received orders about 10 o'clock last night to be ready to march at 7 o'clock this morning in heavy marching order.We were up betimes this morning and were busy packing up,striking tents and getting our four days rations ready to move.Did not start till 9 A.M. There was the usual amount of guessing where we were going but no one knew where we were going. Went about a mile, halted, rested till afternoon, then marched back to camp and the Regt. was called off. I have been hard at work making out Ordinance Returns. Received letters from MissValentine and Millie Myrick.
Monday, March 20, 1865
A very fine warm day. We had a Brigade drill today under General Jordan, it was quite a long hard drill. P.M. We each drew all new guns, or rather such that had not Springfield rifles drew them. Our Co. got all new guns. I had an offer to go into the Corps Sharpshooters category but the Captain was so opposed to it that I gave up the idea for the present. Still have a strong notion of going. Attended a very good meeting this evening. We have not important war news today. Did not get any paper.
Sunday, March 19, 1865
A beautiful pleasant day. We had a great Brigade Review this A.M. quite fatiguing. I stood it well however. A.M. lecture in the open air by the chaplain from these words "Today if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts.” It was appropriate. Evening attended pray meeting and enjoyed a refreshing session. Jesus seemed to be with us and to bless us. Truly it was good to be there. Since meeting I have written a letter to Mary and now will retire to rest. May God preserve and protect me.
Saturday, March 18, 1865
A very fine pleasant day. It has been one of the busiest days here that I have spent for a long time. I was on a long Battalion Drill in the A.M. and in the afternoon went to the Brigade Commissary to try to get my commutation of rations on my furlough, but did not get it. I wrote a long letter to Novilla today Received one from Charles Killore. War news very cheery from every quarter today. Attended a very interesting prayer meeting this evening and the Chaplain's tent was crowded full.
Friday, March 17, 1865
Fair, windy and quite cool.It rained and the wind blew violently nearly all night, but towards morning the wind suddenly changed to the northwest and became quite cold. Had orders to get ready for Grand Corps Review today but we were left to hold the line while the rest of the troops went on Review.Solomon Cormier of Co. "K" accidentally shot himself last night while hunting in the slashing for a deserter. Was buried today. A man in the fort jammed his hand so badly today as to lose two fingers. Some recruits came to the Rgt. today. Two for Co."B". I have been writing for Co. all the evening. We have glorious news from Sheridan.
Thursday, March 16, 1865
Strong southerly wind, cloudy and warm. The sand has blown like drifting snow today making it quite uncomfortable being out of doors.I have helped to issue clothing to the company today. Drew a haversack and napsack. Wrote a long letter to Mary today. Received a letter from Dead Letter Office containing one dollar. Attended prayer meeting in the evening at the Chaplains tent. William Wilbur and I have sings in our tent every day and think we are improving some.
Wednesday, March 15, 1865
Another fair day. Quite windy. Came off picket this morning and got ready and went out target shooting with the company. Came in cleaned up my gun and then wrote request for a furlough for J. Turner of my company. We get very cheering from the seat of the war. Everything seems to point to an early end of war. Sherman seems to be doing finally and his march seems to be irresistible and many rebs. are coming into his lines voluntarily.There never seemed to be a time when the hopes of the North were as buoyant or the spirits of the South so low and despondant as now.
Tuesday, March 14, 1865
A.M. cloudy and windy. P.M. pleasant.Have little to do today in the line of writing. Studied tactics a little and went in with Nei and had an interview with the Lieut. Col. Attended a very interesting prayer meeting in the evening at the Chaplains tent. There are all sorts of stories going the rounds in relation to Sherman, Schofield, and Sheridan but nothing that seems to be reliable. I am getting anxious to hear from home again.
Monday, March 13, 1865
Warm south wind. Some clouds.Have had some writing to do today. Made out discharge papers for two more of our regiment today. One for Peter Gemo of Co. "B"and one for a man in Co.”E". Was on Dress Parade today for the first time since I came from home. Col. McArthur has got his eagles and with the Adj't. started on furlough this morning. U.W. Yorny is acting Adj't. Had recitature in tactics this evening. We expect to commence active operations soon as an order has been issued stopping any more furloughs from this army.
Sunday, March 12, 1865
Very pleasant sunny day.It has been quite a busy day for our regiment as we had an inspection in the A.M. and in the P.M. a division review by Lt. Genl. Grant which took nearly all the afternoon. I did not go on review so I went on picket at night for the first time since before I went away on furlough. Wrote a letter to Mary Susan today. I have not attended meeting at all today as there was none till evening and then I was on picket.
Saturday, March 11, 1865
Fair and pleasant, cool.I have had but little to do today. Wrote a letter to Col. Bennett and one to Mary Susan. Spent the larger part of the day studying infantry tactics. Don't hear any news of importance. Pay Rolls have come tonight and we have signed them.
Friday, March 10, 1865
A.M. cloudy P.M. fair and cool I have had but little to do today except to make out an estimate of C.C. and G.E. for the month of April. Called on Col. McArthur to see if he would assist me to get a better position than I now have. Found him quite cordial and friendly and ready to assist me in any way all he could. The papers bring good news of the rebellion. Everything seems to work pleasantly for the Union cause. We expect a move here in a very few days which will be an important one and we feel ready to do our part to finish us this horrid war.
Thursday, March 9, 1865
A.M. cloudy P.M. rain It was one of the easiest nights last night that I ever saw. I have not done anything but write letters to Mary and to all the children. Sent each of the children my Ambrotype. Hear no news of importance except that General Hurleys staff has been captured by Phil Sheridan and thirteen hundred prisoners of Hurleys army. The regt has been out on company and squad drills today but I have not drilled any since I came back from furlough. All is quiet here now.
Wednesday, March 8, 1865
Very rainy nearly all day.It has been a dull day in the regt. No drill, no duty, except a Co. inspection.I have done but little writing today.Received a good cheering letter from Mary and from Gracie.Sent the children some papers by mail today.Attended prayer meeting this evening at the Chaplain's tent.and after meeting had a good long chat with the Chaplain. It is raining this evening.
Tuesday, March 7, 1865
A very fine day. Being a little unwell today I went to the Surgeon and was excused from duty. There was a general review of the whole division today but I was not out with the Regiment. I wrote a letter to Mary and one to William today. There seems to be some hope yet for the sixty two recruits to have tardy justice done them. Twenty two Johnnys came into our lives today near one regiment. There is much rejoicing all through the troops here in view of recent Union victories. All seems to go merrily as far as we have heard.
Monday, March 6, 1865
Quite pleasant though cool.I have done but little today except to write a letter to Mary and to make out a list of men on detached service belonging to "B".Regt. had Butt Drill but I had nothing to do with it.The war news continues favorable and cheering.
Sunday, March 5, 1865
Fair but quite windy and cooler. Was armed this morning with a rusty gun to clean up for inspection. Went on inspection at noon, was selected as the best looking man in the Co. to go to HdQuarters for inspection. Went no further. John A. came to see me today A Captain in L.M. 4th Mass Cav. Got my things that I left at the Soldiers Rest in Bangor today. Also an express box came all right and very welcome. We are now prepared to live again. Attended a very interesting lecture in the open air at 5:00 P.M. and prayer meeting at Chaplain's tent in the evening which was also interesting.
Saturday, March 4, 1865
A.M. very windy and rainy P.M. fair but windy. It has been a lazy day for me today. I have done but little writing and but little else. Received a letter from A.E. persons with second certificate of the J.A. Caldwell state lot. I have written letters today to Dr. A.G. Bennett and Emily J. Record. Attended prayer meeting this evening and had pleasant chat with Chaplain after the meeting. Troops have been mustering all day long. Supposed to be going to reinforce Sherman. All goes well so far as we know of the war.
Friday, March 3, 1865
Warm and Cloudy but no rain. I have been writing nearly all day. but found time to read a very interesting book called the Merry Irishman which treats of the ones knowledge of mind compared with ones knowledge of matter. Our regiment was inspected today by Gen. Jordan for a furlough for Lt. Col. McArthur. We had but few minutes notice before the inspection. Attended non-Comm officers recitation in infantry tactics this evening
Thursday, March 2, 1865
Quite dark and rainy today. I have made out the monthly returns today and assisted to condemn a large lot of Q.M.s stores. There seems to be no important war news now. All is quiet on our front. I attended another meeting tonight. Very interesting. After meeting had a good sing at the Chaplin's tent.
Wednesday, March 1, 1865
Cloudy with sprinkles of rain. I have been very busy today on Muster Rolls, monthly returns and blanks for having Quartermasters property condemned by an inspector. Wrote letters to Francis and Emily today. There still seems to be a good deal of talk about sixty two men being mustered out. I attended a prayer meeting this eve. at the Chaplin's tent and had a good time.
Tuesday, February 28, 1865
It has been raining most of the day. Was Muster Day but as it was rainy we had only to march to the Adjts. tent and he mustered by COs. I have been at work most of the day on the Rolls and Morning Report. I find plenty of writing to do. Wrote a letter to Mary and Miss Valentine today. Colonel Boynton has resigned and is no longer Col. of our Regiment. There is a new rumour that the sixty two recruits are to be discharged immediately. We all hope it is so. I don't hear any war news since I came to the front. Attended a non-Comm. recitation this evening.
Monday, February 27, 1865
Some cloudy A.M. P.M. pleasant. I lay on the steamer at Bermuda Hundred till morning then went up to Aikins Landing when I left stmr and footed it to my company, a distance of five miles. Arrived about noon. Found the boys all well and glad to see me. Had to go right to work on the Muster Rolls as they were not made out. I found the boys in fine spirits in reaction to the recent Union victories and the sixty two recruits in hopes they were to be mustered out of service.Col. Boynton is about to resign and go home and everyone seems pleased at it.
Sunday, February 26, 1865
A very pleasant day. I took cars at 7:00 A.M. for Baltimore there paid my fare through to Washington where I arrived at 7:00 P.M. Went to Soldeirs Rest and such a rest I never saw. It was little better than a hog sty. Not a seat or table of any kind and poor fare to boot. A grand place for the capital of our great nation.
Saturday, February 25, 1865
A.M. cloudy with sprinkles of rain. P.M. rain. Went to Q. Master and got transportation to Baltimore then spent the A.M. walking about the city. Took cars at 1/2 past 2 P.M. for New York
Friday, February 24, 1865
Very pleasant day. Started at 7:00 for Baltimore where I arrived at 3:00 P.M. Paid fare to Washington where I arrived at 7:00 P.M. Went to Soldiers Rest and such a rest I never saw. There was not a stool, chair or bed of any kind and we were packed in like so many sheep to lie on the muddy floor as best we might. I felt indignant but could do no better so made the best of it. Found lots of rebel deserters who told doleful stories of how the Rebs were treated in the Rebel Army. I wish the President knew how I fare tonight.
Thursday, February 23, 1865
A.M. cloudy with sprinkles of rain. P.M. fair. Went to D. Master and got transportation to Baltimore. Then walked about the city till 1/2 past 2P.M. then took cars to N.Y. Had a very pleasant ride and arrived at midnight. Went to Soldiers Rest for the remainder of the night. It was very pleasant riding through Broadway, the prettiest street in N.Y. Would not pay hackman because he deceived me in regard to the time of the cars starting.
Wednesday, February 22, 1865
Still very fine & pleasant. Took cars from Bangor to Portland and then on to Boston. It is Washington’s Birthday and there are great demonstrations of Joy throughout all the principal Cities of the North for that and recent Union victories. The war news comes in gloriously. As we passed through Dover, N.H. bells were ringing and cannons booming. Arrived at Boston at 1/2 7 P.M. Could not go through the same night so I stopped at the Soldiers Rest where we have good fun.
Tuesday, February 21, 1865
Another very fine day. Had a pleasant ride from the Point to Old Town. Then took Cars to Bangor where I arrived at 1/2 past 2 P.M Stopped at the Soldiers Rest and in the Eve. attended an interesting lecture at Norombega Hall by Rev. A.X. Stone of Boston. He dealt with Great Britain pretty roughly. I have the company of Miss Bates of Patten who is going through to Washington, D.C. to see her brother who is wounded.
Monday, February 20, 1865
About the first pleasant day since I came home. Started this morning bright and early to go to the road to take the Stage for The Point. Mary came with me. After bidding her goodbye at Pattersons took Stage and arrived at the Point at dark. Roads very hard. Saw in a paper of Feb 17th that a joint resolution has passed Congress mustering out all those who enlisted in old Regts for the unexpired term of said Regt. I have some hopes that I may be mustered out on that order.
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