Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

August 4--Clear. Moved out toward Staunton; about one mile out, struck across country and on to Newtown, when we filed left and encamped near Shepardstown. Slight rain.

August 5--Clear; moved out at 6 A. M., waded Potomac and are now lying at Sharpsburg; our company all on duty, and sick, but one Corporal, Second Lieutenant, and Captain; sharpshooters are engaged about one mile to our front; the line moving up; will be our turn in a few minutes; had to try my skill as cook, smartly out of practice I find.

August 6.--Early daylight, start through Sharpsburg; filed left through Logtown and Williamsport across Potomac; heavy rain, all wet through; encamped one mile from river ; again we have to get from the Yankees; I wish this raid was through with.

August 7.--Daylight; shoes drawn; 5 A. M., marched in rear; awful hot; through Martinsburg to Darksville; encamped; much tired; Russell sick; bought tobacco; rations too scanty for the severe duty we are doing.

August 8.--Clear; Tennessee officers drew a pair of pants apiece; Colonel McRanny back from hospital; received a letter from N. A. W., highly pleased, it being the first received from her; she has not forgotten her rebel friend; must take an early opportunity of replying to it.

August 9.--Clear; took Russell to hospital yesterday; 9 A. M., marched about five miles on Winchester Road; very hot; stewed apples for supper; encroached on to-morrow's rations; I act as water-bearer for Mess. No. Nasty, and find it a hard pill; officers drawing their pay; would much rather draw a clean shirt and slip.

August 10.--Clear; start daylight; now resting five miles from Winchester; filed left, passing Jordan's White Sulphur Springs; here Yankee cavalry made a dash on our wagons; repulsed them easily; encamped six miles west of Berrysville; had just commenced cooking; firing commenced; ordered into line; proved to be cavalry harassing us; formed into a hollow square, and witnessed the execution of a deserter, private, 22d Virginia Regiment, marched in column of review past him, and saw the work had been surely done; I counted five bullet-holes in his breast I could have covered with my hand. Afterward put in position behind a battery, where we now are. It's awful hot, and yet our Generals have all the wells guarded, compelling us to drink creek-water. You'll think of this, soldiers, “when this cruel war is over ;” it is not the first time it has been done. Martinsburg — brought flour from brick mill at night back to camp and cooked.

August 11.--Called at 8 A. M. Marched to near Winchester and placed in line of battle. Musketry and cannonading to our right; we shall have another fight of it. Counter-marched and moved on right bank past Winchester to Mill Town. Lay in line here for two hours; shelling us; some fell about one hundred yards from us. Sharpshooters engaged in our immediate front. A few prisoners brought in, who report Burnside in command of four corps. They keep striving to turn our right or get in our rear. Moved again and lay in line at New Town. Brisk cavalry fighting. 12 P. M., moved to right about one mile and lay until daylight of the 12th.

August 12. Took the road, reaching Strasburg about 10, and immediately formed into line — still fighting — the enemy appear to provoke a battle. They can now get one, but it is awful hot for such work. Privates Roddy and Kelley in from hospital, Just had fixed to cook. Ordered into line again. No shade. J. W. McCullough gave me pistol scabbard — drew tobacco — dark. Moved to Fisher's Hill. 1 P. M., Legion put on picket. Battalion as vedettes. A raid on roasting ears..

August 13.--Awful hot. Made a glorious breakfast of corn. Moved to extreme right in woods as pickets — country rough and mountainous — like our position. Fighting going on around ; as yet, we are not in. Think the Yanks getting around us, up the other valley. 2 P. M — The enemy appear in beautiful order on hights near Strasburg, evidently to turn our left. If they keep on, in a few minutes we shall join issue. Their numbers, order, and deliberation look enough to scare Confeds, but “nil desperandum,” our motto. We are in say one half mile of each other, where they fall back, in a hurry too. We watch them as they rapidly disappear toward Washington — at a loss to know what it means — the general supposition is that Longstreet has come to our relief via Front Royal. Rain. We have put up a shanty.

August 14.--Sunday, clear, hot; 7 A. M., ordered out to make a reconnoissance. Our brigade (Smith's) and two pieces of artillery marched through Strasburg on to the bights, when sharpshooters were immediately engaged; lay the whole day behind the artillery, in line, and about sundown returned and took up our old position on the ridge near the Shenandoah River. The enemy are in strong force, and fortifying on Cedar Creek, about three miles from us. We also are some on fortifications, I see, and Early will not attack, but await one if they want to pitch in. George Ross, is slightly wounded in the arm.

August 15.--Clear. Musketry on and off all day. Euchre; rain at night.

August 16.--Slight rain; very warm. Fine mess of roasting ears; went to the river to bathe; all unusually quiet. Had time to-day to think of absent friends, and wonder when, if ever, I may enjoy their dear society again. The next highest gratification is in studying when the next clean linen will adorn our persons. Most of us have had but one shirt on during this campaign, and not a particle of soap. Think of this, oh ye who are blessed with a change, and to whom wood-ashes and grease are no strangers.