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

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[156] It makes me mad, miserable and melancholy to ponder on this subject, for I think Jeff. might make a great sanitary improvement by a little attention to this simple, but most important, to the human economy, subject.

August 17.--Clear. At daylight ordered into front. At 8 o'clock took. the road, in charge of road-guard. Marched to near Kernstown and rested about an hour; unusually hot. Filed left, put into position, and ordered to charge the enemy; did so under a heavy fire of artillery and small arms. We drove them from hill to hill, over their breastworks, through Milltown to Winchester; the fight was continued until 11 P. M. J. Kelley was struck by a piece of shell, slight contusion. I was hit on the left knee by a spent ball, but did not find it out until next day. I stript to louse a little and found the contusion. We suffered for water. T. Stuart had been sent for water just as we went in, and got to us at the wind up; never was so pleased to see any one. I got a Burnside-belt, spur, and pistol-scabbard.

August 22.--Heavy firing; we move up and find the Yanks have retreated; we follow to Charleston, where we take up in woods; put up shanty; heavy rain; roasting-ears and apples.

August 23.--Clear; cleaning up arms. 12 M.--Ordered out, and marched to our old position, four miles west of Charleston.

August 24.--Clear; ordered out swamp; put into line, and awaited all day; at night, back to camp.

August 25.--Clear; daylight start to Leetown; about one mile from there came on enemy in ambush. They opened on us unexpectedly, with artillery, causing temporary confusion. Wharton's brigade being in the advance, were deployed as skirmishers; our brigade was next in line ; had a short but severe time of it, but drove them on to the right of Sheppardstown, where they came across Gordon, who took them in hand, and put them across the river; we here re-formed and tried to intercept, but failed; dark, we marched back through Sheppardstown, and encamped in meadow; much tired; got a Sharp's rifle; gave it to Lieutenant McLamy.

August 18.--Rain. To hospital to see McRea; doing tolerable only; his wound is a very painful one, and he is much out of heart; lying here to-day; Longstreet's corps going through tomorrow; bought cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers; Colonel found about a half pound bacon, and we had a fine dinner.

August 19.--Hazy; Daylight start; skirmishing near Berryville; we keep to the left, and encamp near Bunker Hill.

August 20.--Rain. Apples and corn; I drew eight months pay to 31st July, 1864; cleaned my pistols; skirmishing in front; drew and cooked two days rations; Government charging officers twenty-five cents each for pistol-cartridge; at those prices I can't afford to kill Yanks for Jeff, unless he gives scalp money.

August 21.--Daylight start; filed right at Bunker Hill; struck across country through Smithland to near Charleston; came upon Yankees intrenched; put in line; heavy skirmishing just in our front; our men are much exposed, judging from the wounded brought out past us; we drive them from their first line; fighting continued until away in night; on our right heavy cannonading all day; suppose it is Longstreet at Snicker's Gap.

August 26.--Clear; Captain bought a Spencer rifle for $25; learn the force we were opposed to yesterday was 10,000 cavalry; cannonading toward evening, about Bolivar Hights; buried Lieutenant Colonel Wolfe with military honors; 4 P. M. marched back to Leetown; encamped at dark; Captain bought a Colt's navy pistol for $1 50.

August 27.--Clear; took road and arrived at Bunker Hill.

August 28.--Clear; Sunday, rest, preaching; T. Stuart brought in a lot of pine-apples; enjoying them, when “fall in” admonished us there was no rest for the wicked; all is now bustle; as yet we do not know whether it's a fall back or forward; remain under arms till night; get ye cook-vessel; a charge is made; some get, some don't. The alarm was caused by the enemy running our cavalry into Smithfield; the infantry soon put them back.

August 29.--Night very cold, clear; inspection; to-day is supposed to be fraught with weal or woe to the Confederacy; the Chicago Convention meets; 10 A. M. into line and moved toward Smithfield; heavy cannonading; lay in line all day in reserve; General Early sent us word he had men enough; so back to camp; toward evening drew half ration of mutton; appointed with Captain and Lieutenant McCollister on ordnance board; acted; euchre.

August 30.--Clear; inspection; on O. B.; on picket in evening; got a letter from my sister, greatest treat I have had for months; they are faring better in Yankee hands than I expected; how I do wish we could effect an honorable peace, and all that are spared return to their several avocations; had I my own way it would take but little welding to convert my sword into a reaping-hook.

August 31.--Clear. Skirmishing on our left; roasting-ears ad libitum; relieved about sundown; back and formed new camps.

September 1.--Clear. Chicken for breakfast; another picket sign; orders to leave in one hour; countermanded.

September 2.--Clear. Nights very cold; 10 A. M. marched to road; general fall back. We take a roundabout, a zig-zag, an about face, and near 4 P. M. find ourselves at Bruce-Town and still going, all utterly bewildered. I will except “Jubal,” perhaps he knows. At dark take up — or rather at 11 P. M., before things are shipshape. We are now about six miles from Winchester, hid.

September 3.--Cloudy. March across country to turnpike, 10 A. M., and lay in line till 4 P. M.;