1864 Diary of John Witherspoon
MS- Witherspoon, John
John Witherspoon
Capt Comdy Co. C
24th Mich Vols
1st brigade
1st division
1st Army Corps
Friday, January 1, 1864
- One o'clock A. M. finds me on picket 1 mile [?] west of Culpepper
Va., near Lookout Mountain. Raining heavily. Five A.M. rain ceases
followed by cold winds. For "New Years" dinner had
a piece of raw pork, hard tack, coffee. Our camp - "Camp
Meade" is located on the side of the Sperrysville Macadamized
road 1 mile west of Culpepper Va. Saturday,
January 2, 1864
- At one A. M. on picket, weather so cold that the sentinels
have to "run their beats" to keep from "freezing
to death". The conscripts and subs suffered very much. At
12 A. M. was relieved by Capt. Patron [?]. At 2 P. M. forded
Mountain River - waist deep. At 3 P. M. reached camp being wet,
hungry, cold. Ate a hearty supper and retired to my bed, in a
shelter tent on the ground. Night too cold to sleep.
Sunday, January 3, 1864
- Weather pleasant, wind south. Col. Morrow placed in command
of the Brigade. No "religious services".
Monday, January 4, 1864
- Weather very cold, went to Culpepper on Business.
Tuesday, January 5, 1864
- Snow 4 inches deep. Cut and drew prime logs to build my "cabin"
Geo. Welsh and Collins Architects and Builders.
Wednesday, January 6, 1864
- Weather Cold. Nothing transpiring to break the monotony of
camp life except the arrival of Capt. Hutton and Lieut.
Burchell being on leave of absence.
Thursday, January 7, 1864
- Weather cold. Snow still on the ground. Cabin "half
built"
Friday, January 8, 1864
- High winds. "All quiet on the Rappohannock to Rapidan"
Saturday, January 9, 1864
- Blustering weather. "Cabin" progressing.
Sunday, January 10, 1864
- Weather Moderate. Old Sol set forth his beautiful rays, and
melts a portion of the snow. Went down to Culpepper to see the
19th regt. Indiana Vols. go on board the cars for home on 33
day furlough as veterans. Was too late for church.
Monday January 11, 1864
- Weather pleasant. Resumed work on "Cabin" and slept
in it at night, thereby "dedicating it to glory".
Tuesday, January 12 1864
- Morning Cold. Lieut. Earnshaw detailed for picket
-
Wednesday, January 13, 1864
- * Weather cold. "All quiet in front"
Thursday, January 14, 1864
- Weather cold. Received leave of absence of 10 days to visit
Detroit Mich. and slept on the cars. At 8 A. M. arriving at Washington
at 3 P. M. 15th took ticket for N. Y. 16th took ticket for Detroit
Arriving here on the 17th at 11:20 A. M.
Friday, January 15, 1864
- En route for Detroit Michigan
Saturday, January 16, 1864
- Put up at the Girard House N. Y. Feel very much indisposed
Sunday, January 17, 1864
- 11 A M. arrived safe at Detroit Mich. Found friends all well
and surprised all very much.
Monday, January 18, 1864
- Weather pleasant. Enjoying myself very much among my friends.
Tuesday, January 19, 1864
- Weather mild. Business in Detroit very brisk.
Wednesday, January 20, 1864
- Nothing transpiring worthy of note. In the evening had a
"Social Gathering" at my father's house, and enjoyed
myself.
Thursday, January 21, 1864
- Weather mild. In the evening attended theater accompanied
by sister Maggie, Cespie, Corinne, Nellie, James Birth. Play
"The Merchant of Venice".
Friday, January 22, 1864
- Morning Boisterous. Programme for day and evening "calling
on friends".
Saturday, January 23, 1864
- Pleasant weather. "Running around" as usual.
Sunday, January 24, 1864
- Morning Mild. Enjoyment is the order of the day.
Monday, January 25, 1864
- Weather moderate. Rode down to Ecorse with Sister Maggie;
found Pierces well.
Tuesday, January 26, 1864
- In the evening had a select party at Father's House. "Everything
passed off harmoniously"
Wednesday, January 27, 1864
- Last days visit at home. At 6 o'clock P. M. bid all friends
an "affectionate adieu" and that too without being
ceremonious. Took passage on the Grand Trunk Railway in company
with Captain Norton.
Thursday January 28, 1864
- Arrived in Buffalo at 8 1/2 A M. Left on the Erie Road at
9 A. M.
Friday, January 29, 1864
- Arrived at New York at 8 am left for Washington at 9 A. M.
arriving there at 11 P. M. Put up at Markham's hotel.
Saturday January 30, 1864
- Missed the train in the front [?]. Attended theater in the
eve with Capt Norton and Adjt Barnes.
Sunday January 31, 1864
- Left for the front at 10 1/2 A. M. Reported to the regt.
for duty at 4 P. M.
Monday, February 1, 1864
- Mustered as Captain of Co. "C" by Lieut E. S. Egbert
of the regular army at Culpepper.
Tuesday, February 2, 1864
- "Officer of the Day". Nothing transpiring to break
the monotony of camp life.
Wednesday February 3, 1864
- On Picket.
Thursday, February 4, 1864
- On picket "All quiet".
Friday, February 5, 1864
- Relieved at 10 A. M. from picket.
Saturday, February 6, 1864
- At 6 1/2 A. M. broke camp near Culpepper Va.,. and marched
towards Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan and stacked arms to build
fires and make ourselves "Comfortable". Cannonading
commenced at 10 A. M. below the ford, and ceased at 5:30 P. M.
Sunday, February 7, 1864
- Returned to camp; roads very bad; mud knee-deep and rivulets
waist deep. Tedious marching.
Saturday, February 20, 1864
- Left uni Theos. A Indianapolis march
Sunday, March 20, 1864
- On picket, near Botts house. Weather pleasant.
Monday, March 21, 1864
- On picket. Weather cold.
Tuesday, March 22, 1864
- 11 A. M. relieved from picket. at 5 P. M. a heavy snow set
in.
Wednesday, March 23, 1864
- Morning very cold. - Snow one foot deep on the level. This
is the 3 hundredth anniversary of Shakespear's birthday.
Thursday, March 24, 1864
- Day Mild. Snow disappearing
Friday, March 25, 1864
- Day Gloomy. 1st and 5th Corps consolidated. Maj. Gen. Warren
Comdy. To be known as the 5th Corps.
March 26-29
- No Entries
March 30
- John Royce Co H. 92nd Ill Infantry
- 162nd Ill. Infantry go to provost guard house if this man
is there (name nickname)
Mar 31-April 6
- No Entries
April 7
- Vaccinated by W. Beech. the virus being taken from the arm
of a young "Virginia Lady"
April 8-12
- No Entries
Wednesday, April 13
- Weather pleasant on picket near "Slaughter Mountain",
Va.,.
Tuesday, April 14
- Morning Clear and Pleasant. On picket duty. The setting of
the sun was beautiful beyond grandeur; previous to it departure
it set forth its lovely and variegated rays upon the lofty "Blue
Ridge Mountains" while being covered with snow presented
a magnificent picture for the brush of "Artistical profession.
Night chilly. Burned brush wood to keep me warm.
Friday, April 15
- Relieved from project at 10 am by Lieut Haigh.
Saturday, April 16
- "Officer of the day" Rain coming down unmercifully
- Erestus Wright
- - Co. E 9th Ill Cav
- Henry Jarrett
- - Co. K 9th Ill Cav.
- Jacob Bramer
- - Co. B 7th Ill Cav.
Sun April 17
- Morning Pleasant. Attended Divine Worship in our "Log
Chapel", Chaplain Way officiating.
Monday, April 18
- "Officer of the Day" leaving camp thoroughly "policed".
W.T. Towar, "Medical Inspector of camps in brigade".
Tuesday April 19
- Weather fine.
Wednesday, April 20
- Officer of the Day. Nothing transpiring.
Thursday, April 21
- Rebels Reported Crossing Rapidan near James City Va.,.
Friday, April 22
- Capt. Buhl and Lieut W. Ingersoll
visit our camp.
Saturday, April 23
- Reviewed by Gov. Lewis of Wisconsin and Gens. Wadsworth and
Cutler. The Brigade made an excellent appearance.
Sunday April 24, 1864
- Lieut. Haigh and myself visited the Michigan Cav Brig and
met with cordial reception. Seventh Indiana attached to our brigade.
Six p.m. commenced raining and continued nearly all night.
April 25-28
- No Entries
Friday April. 29, 1864
- Morning cold made one Muster Roll complete with 60 names
in one hour 15 minutes
April 30-May 2
- No Entries
Tuesday, May 3
- Eleven p.m. struck tents. "Fell in". Took up "line=of=march"
towards the Rapidan Crossing it at Germania Ford at nine AM,
4th inst. March very tedious going 12 miles before breakfast.
Wednesday, May 4, 1864
- Day very warm. 4 pm halted 4 miles from Rapidan near Chancellorsville.
After we partook of supper. All in high spirits being sanguine
of success. Gen Meade issued a very "encouraging and Congratulatory
order".
Thursday, May 5, 1864
- At 5 am Reveille. Morning fine.
- No of Guns on had in the Regt to date 300
Captains - 5
Lieutenants - 15
Colonel - 1
Lt Col - 1
Maj - 1
Adjutant - 1
Surgeons - 2
-
- At 4 am heavy skirmishing began in the woods, in our immediate
front. Formed line = of = battle threw up works. 11 am advanced
in line, driving the enemy 1 mile. 12 pm musketry nearby. Made [illegible] Charges 1 pm fell, being
shot through the right breast, rose up walked a mile, got a drink,
went to hosp. This day we were repulsed, with [illegible]
(Page stained with brown markings)
Friday, May 6
- Daybreak heavy fighting the enemy holds the ground one hour
while we the next. At 11 am the enemy tried to break our left
flank 5 p.m. tried to recapture the plank road where we are fortified;
in this reckless charging, they lost hundreds in killed. Fighting
lasted until midnight, this day we were successful. Wound very
painful.
Saturday, May 7
- Change base of operations. The enemy moving by his right
towards Chancellorsville, while we swing hard our right and advanced
our left. Strategy on both sides commanding fight. The enemy
driven back. The Wilderness on fire; The wounded reported to
be burning up in large numbers. Suffered much during the night.
Put tonight in an ambulance to be conveyed to Fredericksburg.
Sunday, May 8
- The enemy in force near Spottsylvania a heavy battle ensued
our arms were victorious at every point. Still lying on my back
in an ambulance wound very painful.
Monday, May 9
- Very little fighting, both armies very nearly exhausted and
are resting apparently by "common consent". Guerrillas
entered one of our hospitals and shot our poor, helpless wounded.
Lying on the floor in an empty house at Fredericksburg, Va. having
no attendance and nothing to eat.
Tuesday May 10
- Daylight, heavy cannonading to the right of Spottsylvania.
Weather very warm. Lying in an empty house on Prince Edward St.
in the city of Fredericksburg Va. Breast very painful. Nothing
to eat but hardtack and coffee. 11 am left in an army wagon for
Bell Plain; Suffered very much on the way. Took steamer for Washington,
arriving at 12 pm.
Wednesday, May 11
- Very Feverish. Reported and admitted to Georgetown Seminary
hospital. 2 pm felt well. Col Morrow in same room with me, shot
in the calf of the right leg, suffering very much. Wrote to Mother.
Thursday May 12, 1864
- Wound draining much; awful cramps in bowels, head feverish,
sick at the stomach. Ate no dinner; took salts. 5 pm Somewhat
relieved. Col had an operation performed on his leg. 1/2 an hour
under chloroform, ten small pieces of bone taken from his leg.
He has been raving up to midnight. [He did not want to take the
chloroform].
Friday May 13
- Morning finds me pretty well but "doubled up like a
jack = knife". Ate a hearty breakfast. Col. feels a little
better. Senators Chandler and Howard and Gen Terry paid us a
visit. Five pm no person allowed to talk to the Col. Wrote to
Sister Maggie. 1 pm Col Morrow begs at me to take his revolver
and blow his brains out and put him out of suffering.
Saturday, May 14
- Feel refreshed this morning Col a little easier one pm ate
a good dinner and then took a good sleep. Five pm the Col nearly
crazy with the excessive pain of his leg. Got up walked about
the room a little while.
Sunday, May 15
- Suffering much pain. Col a little better. Wrote to Cassie.
4 pm very sore caused probably by moving about the room too much.
4 am finds me in a reproachable condition, bowels cramped, sick
at stomach, headache, back sore, wound sore and inflamed.
Tuesday, May 17
- Slept a little last night. 8 am somewhat better. Wrote to
Mother.
Wednesday, May 18
- 10 am "gay as a lark". Wound discharging nicely
but smells bad. Col feeling well. Weather fine.
Thursday, May 19
- Wound somewhat painful. Bled during the night. Wrote to Mother,
Sturgis and C. Dutton also Booth.
Friday, May 20
- Not in the best condition. Kidneys sore. Wound aching much.
Col feeling well.
Saturday, May 21
- Slept well during the night. 4 pm wound sore and bleeding;
feverish also. Col Morrow resting well.
Sunday, May 22
- Feeling very well.
Monday, May 23
- Wound rather painful. Col. doing well
Tuesday, May 24, 1864
- Feeling well, received leave of absence for 30 days. 5 pm
left Washington for Detroit 9 pm left Baltimore for Harrisburg
very tired. Sgt. Geo Davie accompanied me from Washington to
Detroit and was kind to me, in fact, I couldn't conceivably have
got along without him.
Wednesday, May 25
- Took sleeping car at Harrisburg for Gettysburg. Wound rather
sore. Left Cleveland at 9 pm for Detroit.
Thursday, May 26
- Arrived in Detroit by Steamer "Morning Star" at
6 am surprised friends at home feeling a little fatigued.
Friday, May 27
- Very well, although not so smart
Saturday, May 28
- Wound doing well
Sunday, May 29
- Feeling well. Wound discharging nicely. Wrote to father and
Col. Morrow
May 30-June 13
- No Entries
Tuesday, June 14
- Gen order No 95 War Dept, May 5/65
June 15 - August 4
- No Entries
Friday, August 5
- Returned to the Regt on the extreme left of the line and
reported for duty. Cannonading
- heavy on Burnsides' front.
Saturday, August 6
- Cannonading and skirmishing heavy. Weather very warm.
Sunday, August 7
- Desultory firing. Services by Chaplain
Way
Monday, August 8
- Weather warm
August 9-23 Nothing
Thursday, August 24
- The enemy made 3 assaults on the 2nd Corps on our left and
were severely punished. but never the less caused the corps to
fall back Our Brig went to reinforce the 2nd corps but did not
become engaged.
Friday, August 26
- weather warm Formed line = of = battle and threw up works
in rear of "Yellow Tavern" on the Weldon Rail Road.
Saturday, August 27
- Morning Cloudy Everything quiet in front; The rebels supposed
to be maneuvering for attack
August 28-September 2
- No Entries
Saturday, September 3
- Day Pleasant In charge of Regt 1 detail to work on the large
fort near the Weldon Railroad 2 p.m. Gen's Grant, Warren, Wallace,
and Crawford visit the fort.
Sunday, September 4
- A lovely day it is respected by both parties, Nothing breaks
the monotony of camp save our "Noble"
Chaplain who is preaching up the gospel to an attentive congregation.
Monday, September 5
- Very quiet along the lines. Large detail working on a fort
Tuesday, September 6
- Standing orders to hold ourselves in readiness to remove;
An attack anticipated
Wednesday, September 7
- Weather cool cannonading light. Encamped in the bush, near
Weldon Railhead. Wrote to Mrs. Capt Sturgis a.m. Mrs E. Clark
September 8-October 4
- No Entries
Sunday, October 16, 1864
- Weather cool. Brigade=Officer=of=Day
Monday, October 17, 1864
- Everything quiet along the lines.
Tuesday, October 18, 1864
- Visited City Point Va.
Wednesday, October 19, 1864
- Nothing of importance transpiring
Thursday, October 20, 1864
- On picket. No firing in our front. Both parties friendly.
Papers, etc., being exchanged.
Friday, October 21, 1864
- No. of men 141 (three to come out).
Wednesday, October 26, 1864
- Root date of being take prisoner Nov 14th/64 and did not
return to his regiment after May 30/65
Tuesday, November 1, 1864
- On picket near Weldon R. R. In charge of division line of
250 men and 5 officers. No picket firing. Videttes very close.
Wednesday, November 2, 1864
- On Picket. Weather rainy
Thursday, November 3, 1864
- No. of men required on right of the road 60 and Non Com 20.
24th MV No. of men 50 - 2 Off. 56 th PV " " 50 - 2
" 91th PV " " 50 - 1 " 16th MV " "
50 - 1 "
Tuesday, December 6, 1864
- Sam Davis Co. B. was shot dead while on vidette post near
Weldon R. R. Va. by a cowardly rebel. His body was buried one
mile south of Fort Stevens. At 9 A. M. regt. was relieved by
the 15 N.J.V. and moved to the rear.
Wednesday, December 7, 1864
- Broke Camp near Fort Stevens and marched to Notaway River
and halted near church. Days march 15 miles.
January 12, 1865 [Written on the page for December 31, 1864]
- Sent pension claim for Mrs. J. A. Sherwood [crossed out replaced
with Bartlett in pencil] Also Mrs. Mary McLaughlin
January 26, 1865 [Written on the page for December 26, 1864]
- Capt. Burchell left for home, having
resigned.
February 9, 1865 [Written on the page for December 23, 1864]
- On picket near Hatchers Run. No. of posts 9 two with 6 each
seven with 3 each.
February 14, 1865 [Written on the page for December 24,
1864]
- [entry crossed out] Borrowed from February, 14th Capt Regs
$5.00 Feb 15th Lt. Wilfred $6.00 Feb 16th Capt. Osburne $10.00
February 18, 1865 [Written on the page for December 27,
1864]
- Lent Capt. Haigh $100.00
Last Updated: 12/25/00
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