Diary of Mark Flanigan
The Regiment's First Lt. Colonel
Excerpts From Mark Flanigan's Diary
Tuesday April 28, 1863
- 12 noon Broke camp and marched to within 1 mile of Fredericksburg
at 7 pm. Rested until 11 pm. Moved to the bank of River at 4
o'clock & 40 minutes. The battle commences with Rebs on one
side of the Rapidan and us on the other. The 24th Mich. &
6th Wisconsin opening the battle by a sharp infty. fire.
Wednesday, April 29, 1863
- 4:40 the battle began, our right being engaged from 4:40
to 5:30 when we fell back to rest. At 8 o'clock we were ordered
to [illegible] and cross the river. 24th & 6th Wis. advanced
in Double Quick. We throw ourselves into boats and with a cheer
we cross the river and charge their works and capture about 200
pris.. All done in less than half an hour. Now 10:00 am we occupy
the positions we held Dec. 13. While they are putting in the
bridges, I count with ten holes in my coat. 7 pm all quiet. I
have written my wife.
Sunday May 3, 1863 [loose sheet from rear portion of diary]
- 2 am up & our brigade marched in an hour to the front
5 miles & took our place on the right in first line of battle.
At 6 1/2 o'clock am to [illegible] anything I never heard or
saw continual row of cannon & musketry. XI Corps is now fighting
& falling back. We will be under fire soon and God protect
and assist us. If I did good by my dear wife and children &
friends. I died believing that [illegible] endeavored to do my
duty. God bless you all. Mark Flanigan Lt. Col. 24 Michigan
This is the brightest day in the history of the Army of the Potomac.
Our people have repulsed their attack and slaughtered them with
great slaughter. Cannot tell how many men are killed. Are supposed
to go into the engagement at 9 am but did not. Today Majr. Berry
is killed. Col. Sherlock 5th Mich. killed by shell. Pullford
the major is wounded.
Monday, June 29, 1863
- 4 am up and ordered to move in half an hour. The boys are
getting breakfast. 6 am march towards Gettysburg via Lewistown,
Mechanicsville, & C & camped for the night at Emmittsburg
after a march of 3 miles. At 7 pm today, our route lay thro a
beautiful country. The inhabitants were out with flags waving
and handkerchiefs flying at every house, with cheers for the
union & C. This cheered the boys, and not withstanding the
rain & mud they kept on their way, knowing[?] that there
were people to defend who appreciate their sacrifices.
Tuesday, June 30, 1863
- Reveille 6 am 8 am we are to march towards Gettysburg. The
Rebs are there. It is nine miles from here. We think they will
not stand this side of York. (They may fall back to their lines
of communication between Harrisburg and Hagerstown.) At any rate,
we shall see.
-
Friday, July 3, 1863
- Leg taken off [hastily scrawled]
Last Updated: 05/03/99
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