Freddy
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
- Location
- Worcester, MA
Nice photos as one could have my GGF in it! Here is what he wrote about the IX Corps on the move in 1863.
February 9th. Broke camp at daylight, packed up and ready to move. The scene of packing up was lively and exhilarating, with bonfires in plenty of old barrels, remains of shanties and chimneys and old boxes. At 7 a.m. took cars and were landed at Aquia Creek and from thence on board the steamer Louisanna were soon steaming down the Potomac. Our ultimate destination is as yet unknown to us. Reports say to KY or East TN. At the first we go to Fort Munroe. Our whole Corps is on the move. We were not sorry to bid goodbye to the soil and state of VA. It is little else but a slough hole of mud now. While en route to Aquia Creek saw many of our baggage wagons stuck in the mud, some in rather laugh able positions, no laughing matter to the poor mules, however. The whole country from Falmouth to Aquia Creek presents but one scene of desolation. Woods, fences, and all unoccupied out buildings are fast disappearing before the hungry wants of the multitude of campfires. Houses not occupied by citizens (and many of the latter have fled into the interior of “Dixie”) are used for hospitals and headquarters of officers. Fields are cut up with heavy wagon and artillery trains or trenched and dug over for camps and fortifications. Many of the hitherto quiet and peaceable homes are thus desolated, and I fear the owners will never see them, harvest fields and homes, under prosperous circumstances again.
February 10th.
Made but little progress last night, remaining at anchor most of the night. Got but little sleep owing to the crowd and consequent noise and confusion on board. There are three regiments of us on board, 51st PA and 21st MA. Fine weather and our sail down the river has been very pleasant. It is truly a noble river for commercial purposes, presents but little of any great interest in its scenery. All sorts of methods are adopted to pass or improve the time. Some busy with card playing, some with novel reading, some with a better class of reading, and still more with viewing the scenery. It was interesting to watch the men at these various methods of whiling away the time, and a pretty good way in which to get at the habits and mental tastes of most of them. Busy with viewing the scenery and reading rather lazily in a history of the United States.
February 11th.
Took up a position on the hurricane deck last night and slept quite soundly. Woke up to find the weather raw and chilly. Passed the impregnable looking walls of Fort Munroe, which looked strong enough to defy the combined navies of the world. Thank God it did not treacherously get into rebel hands. Steamed up the James River, passing the half-sunken wrecks of the Congress and Cumberland. The sight of these caused feelings of wonder and enthusiasm with thoughts of the overruling providence of God. Which in turning what seemed at the first to be a terrible disaster into a consummate and wonderful victory into the change that must eventually ensue in the manner of conducting naval warfare for the future. Landed at Newport News and went into camp on a good camp spot of sandy soil with a smooth grassy surface and quite in contrast to our mud hole of Falmouth. Out up our shelter tents, two to a tent, John W. Fiske, tenting with me.
February 9th. Broke camp at daylight, packed up and ready to move. The scene of packing up was lively and exhilarating, with bonfires in plenty of old barrels, remains of shanties and chimneys and old boxes. At 7 a.m. took cars and were landed at Aquia Creek and from thence on board the steamer Louisanna were soon steaming down the Potomac. Our ultimate destination is as yet unknown to us. Reports say to KY or East TN. At the first we go to Fort Munroe. Our whole Corps is on the move. We were not sorry to bid goodbye to the soil and state of VA. It is little else but a slough hole of mud now. While en route to Aquia Creek saw many of our baggage wagons stuck in the mud, some in rather laugh able positions, no laughing matter to the poor mules, however. The whole country from Falmouth to Aquia Creek presents but one scene of desolation. Woods, fences, and all unoccupied out buildings are fast disappearing before the hungry wants of the multitude of campfires. Houses not occupied by citizens (and many of the latter have fled into the interior of “Dixie”) are used for hospitals and headquarters of officers. Fields are cut up with heavy wagon and artillery trains or trenched and dug over for camps and fortifications. Many of the hitherto quiet and peaceable homes are thus desolated, and I fear the owners will never see them, harvest fields and homes, under prosperous circumstances again.
February 10th.
Made but little progress last night, remaining at anchor most of the night. Got but little sleep owing to the crowd and consequent noise and confusion on board. There are three regiments of us on board, 51st PA and 21st MA. Fine weather and our sail down the river has been very pleasant. It is truly a noble river for commercial purposes, presents but little of any great interest in its scenery. All sorts of methods are adopted to pass or improve the time. Some busy with card playing, some with novel reading, some with a better class of reading, and still more with viewing the scenery. It was interesting to watch the men at these various methods of whiling away the time, and a pretty good way in which to get at the habits and mental tastes of most of them. Busy with viewing the scenery and reading rather lazily in a history of the United States.
February 11th.
Took up a position on the hurricane deck last night and slept quite soundly. Woke up to find the weather raw and chilly. Passed the impregnable looking walls of Fort Munroe, which looked strong enough to defy the combined navies of the world. Thank God it did not treacherously get into rebel hands. Steamed up the James River, passing the half-sunken wrecks of the Congress and Cumberland. The sight of these caused feelings of wonder and enthusiasm with thoughts of the overruling providence of God. Which in turning what seemed at the first to be a terrible disaster into a consummate and wonderful victory into the change that must eventually ensue in the manner of conducting naval warfare for the future. Landed at Newport News and went into camp on a good camp spot of sandy soil with a smooth grassy surface and quite in contrast to our mud hole of Falmouth. Out up our shelter tents, two to a tent, John W. Fiske, tenting with me.