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Chapter 9:
December 4, 1863, to May 3, 1864.
- At Brandy Station
-- winter
-- quarters and Army life in them
-- reorganization of the Army
-- Dissolution of the Third Corps
-- we join the Second Corps
-- Corps review
-- hanging scene.
The attention of the army was now occupied in settling itself comfortably in winter-quarters about
Brandy Station.
For miles in all directions sprang up the tented villages and cities, as regiments, brigades, or divisions pitched their white canvas or built their more substantial log cabins.
There were the aristocratic establishments for army, corps, or division headquarters, with spacious surroundings, enclosed in many cases by a hedge of pine, and having tastefully arched entrances.
Apart from these were the camps of the troops laid out in regular streets, one to a company, a row of tents flanking either side, and not far away hospital and commissary tents were erected.
Sutlers opened their stores, exchanging homeopathic doses of goods for allopathic quantities of greenbacks.
Tents of the Christian Commission, too, were to be found near large centres.
The wagon trains were drawn up in long lines, and near them shelters for the protection of the mules were erected.
But the most unique camp in the whole army was that built and occupied by the Engineer Corps.
These were the pioneers of the army.
Their duties consisted in constructing
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roads where needed, corduroying impassable places over which the army must move, laying pontoon bridges, taking up the same, and all work of kindred nature.
They were not called upon to fight except in self-defence, and became very expert in the duties of their department.
They gave their mechanical and inventive skill full play in the construction of their officers' quarters, which were marvels of their kind, ofttimes of two stories, with many angles and much ornament, fashioned out of the straight cedar, which being undressed, gave the settlement a rustic appearance truly unique and pleasing.
Even the quarters of the rank and file were remarkably ornate, and as cosy and convenient within as they were attractive without.
Their streets were corduroyed, and they even boasted sidewalks similarly constructed.
A comprehensive photograph of their camp at
Brandy Station, in the winter of 1863– 64, would be a valuable feature in any history of the army to which this corps belonged.
In erecting our own quarters for the winter, we made no lofty endeavors of the above nature, but satisfied ourselves with the simplest construction consistent with keeping comfortable.
In a former chapter the fact was mentioned of our being furnished with shelter-tents, but no description of these was given.
They were pieces of drilling about four feet square, so light that an ordinary rain would easily drive through them.
They were provided with buttons and button-holes on three sides.
Four of these pieces, buttoned together and pitched over a rectanglar enclosure of logs built ‘cob fashion’ four or five feet high, and suitably provided with bunks, doors, and fireplaces, made on the whole a comfortable abiding-place, and one sufficiently roomy to accommodate the ‘regular boarders,’ but would not
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admit of much company at the same time.
The more fastidious or ingenious added to the internal convenience by improvised floors, tables, cupboards, pegs, etc., so far as the limited space would permit.
Our neighbors in this camp were Battery B, First New Jersey Regiment, on our left, and Battery K, Fourth Regulars, Battery E, First Rhode Island Regiment and the Fourth Maine Battery, consecutively, on our right, with
Gen. Patrick and his provost guard already alluded to, in the rear.
On a little knoll at our left-front, in a cluster of pines, stood Artillery Brigade Headquarters, while a full half-mile farther, in plain view, stood a large, square, white house, occupied by
Gen. French as Corps Headquarters.
Life in winter camp was pretty much the same throughout the army.
Tales of battle told by comrades from other regiments, who called to renew old acquaintances, beguiled a part of the time.
Some of the men engaged in an extensive correspondence, or read every book that came before them, whether trashy or sensible.
Many played at cards, and in these and other ways showed a spirit of contentment unknown to them a year before, when they had experienced little of the wear and tear of the service, and were less disciplined in making the best of things.
A few pored over new or neglected studies, and the old yet ever fresh questions of Matter and Spirit, Good and Evil, and Ultimate Atoms, were favorite themes with some of a more philosophic turn of mind.
Drills and inspections were not lost sight of in this period.
A review of the Artillery Brigade of our corps took place under the observation of
Generals Meade,
French, and
Hunt, December 23d, and again by
Gen. French, February 23d. February
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6th, orders came to pack up, and the next morning we hitched in, momentarily expecting to depart, but on what errand we then knew not. It seems that
Gen. Butler, believing
Richmond had been stripped of its garrison to strengthen
Pickett's force in
North Carolina, planned a cavalry expedition against it up the
Peninsula under
Gen. Wistar, while as a diversion in his favor
Gen. Sedgwick, then temporarily in command of the army, threw across the
Rapidan two divisions of cavalry and two of the Second Corps to occupy the attention of
Lee's army.
As a precautionary measure for the safety of the troops thus thrown forward, we were ordered to be in readiness.
It is scarcely necessary to add that the expedition came to naught; having found its way blocked at Bottom's Bridge, the troops returned to their starting-point, their fortune almost identical with that of the
British troops sent to
Salem a hundred years before, who, as
Trumbull puts it,—
. . . . without loss of time or men,
Veer'd round for Boston back again,
And found so well their projects thrive,
That every soul got home alive.
But the Army of the Potomac suffered a useless sacrifice of two hundred and fifty lives.
Wednesday, March 16, a corps review was had by
Gen. French, accompanied by
Gen. Sedgwick, near the residence of that uncompromising loyalist
John Minor Botts.
The gentleman himself came out to see the parade, and, while waiting for ‘Headquarters’ to arrive, several of us engaged him in interesting conversation.
He related to us some of his experiences when taken to Castle Thunder early in the war, and described the battles that had taken place on his farm.
He was one of the few men in the Old Dominion whom neither argument nor intimidation
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could swerve from an unyielding devotion to the
Union.
On the 2d of March,
Maj. Gen. Grant having been previously nominated to the grade of lieutenantgeneral, was confirmed in this rank by the Senate, and on tile 10th assigned, by special order of
President Lincoln, to the command of all the Armies of the
United States; and soon came the tidings that his headquarters were to be with the Army of the Potomac.
Then followed a rumor that the army was to be reorganized, and this report soon took the form of reality, for we now learned that the Third Corps was doomed,—dismal news indeed.
Next to the attachment men feel for their own company or regiment comes that which they feel for their corps.
All the active service we had yet seen had been in the Third Corps, and its earlier history and traditions from the
Peninsula to
Gettysburg had become a part of our pride, and we did not care to identify ourselves with any other.
If such was our feeling in the matter, how much more intense must have been that of the troops longer in its membership, whose very blood and sinew were incorporated with the imperishable name it had won under
Gen. Sickles.
The authorities paid deference to this feeling by allowing the ‘Diamond’ badge to be retained after the troops were merged in other corps.
The First Corps was consolidated into two divisions and added to the Fifth.
The first and second divisions of the Third Corps were added to the Second, and the third division to the Sixth Corps.
By this reorganization
Major Generals Sykes,
French, and
Newton, and
Brigadier Generals Kenly,
Spinola, and
Meredith, were relieved and sent elsewhere.
Gen. Winfield S. Hancock now resumed command of the Second Corps, having been absent from it since
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Gettysburg;
Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren was placed in charge of the Fifth; and
Gen. John Sedgwick, the Sixth.
Gen. Hunt,
Chief of Artillery of the Army, having left
Capt. Sleeper to elect which corps he would go into, much to our gratification the latter selected the Second. Battery K chose the same lot, so that with it, and the
red and
white Diamonds under
Birney, for company, we became tolerably reconciled to the new situation.
In accordance with our expectations, but much to our disgust, this consolidation necessitated another change of camp before commencing active operations.
It took place Friday, April S. That day we bade a final adieu to our blazing fireplaces and roofless stockades, and removed to
Stevensburg,—a desolate little town five miles distant, around which the Second Corps was encamped,—and pitching our shelters on the wet ground began to rough it again.
Next day there came a cold, drenching rain-storm against which our thin tents were but slight protection.
Continuing as it did all that day and night, when Sunday morning dawned not a man in camp could boast a dry stitch of clothing; but when the sun appeared the camp was transformed, as at
Frederick, into a vast clothes-yard.
In a day or two we fixed up our quarters more comfortably.
The return of good weather brought renewed activity.
Inspections and brigade, division, or corps reviews followed in quick succession.
We washed our carriages, polished the harnesses, and made preparations for the grand corps review to take place on the plain below us; and Friday the 22d it came.
On our way to participate in it we passed through the settlement of
Stevensburg.
It bore sad marks of desolation.
The houses were battered and crumbling; some of them were occupied with goods belonging
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to the commissary department.
The streets were filled with soldiers and mule teams.
Now and then a few negro women were seen lounging about a house otherwise deserted, and the haggard features of some poor white woman, here and there to be observed peering from a window, betrayed in some degree the suffering that
Virginia was undergoing.
As we left camp at 9 o'clock we could see the long lines of infantry wending their serpentine course from distant camps to the review ground, and bands accompanying the different columns filled the air with martial melody.
Having arrived at the place designated, the infantry were drawn up in four lines of a division each, while the batteries were formed in two lines.
After some delay
Gen. Grant appeared, riding across the field with a numerous staff.
Gen. Meade rode forward to receive him, and conducted him to a knoll which commanded a view of the entire corps; then the former took position on the left of the
General-in-Chief, while
Gen. Hancock sat at his right.
In their rear were
Sedgwick,
Warren,
Sheridan, and a numerous array of staff officers.
The signal is given.
The music strikes up, and the first division advances, first by the right flank, then the head of the division wheels to the left, passing the position of the reviewers in column of companies, the officers and color-bearers saluting when abreast of the
Lieutenant General.
The other three divisions follow in like manner.
While awaiting the turn of the artillery, our position had been such as to give us an excellent view of the column as it moved along, with its continuous mass of glittering bayonets, and the steady tramp of its stalwart men. Some of the flags were new and beautiful, but most of them were rent and torn, often showing the merest tatters of the original standard clinging to
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the staff.
After a division had got well past the
Lieutenant General, it was marched back to camp; and before the second division had wholly marched in review, we could see the head of the column just winding into camp on the hills a mile distant.
The infantry having passed, our turn came.
With drivers erect on their horses, and cannoneers with folded arms sitting in their appointed places on the chests, we wheeled into column to march before
Lieut. Gen. Grant, of whom we now get our first near view.
He seemed quite plainly attired, to us, who perhaps had a magnified notion of how the
General-in-Chief of all the armies should look.
He raised his hat as we passed, a recognition extended to each separate organization on such parades.
Having marched by in battery front, each man feeling a personal responsibility of impressing the
General favorably, the
Captain breaks from the right into column and we gallop back to camp.
While at
Stevensburg an event occurred in our newly adopted corps which, being the first of the kind we had witnessed, made a lasting impression upon us. This was a, hanging scene that took place on the plain below our camp and in full view.
The criminal was a member of a regiment in the second division.
As our Company was not ordered out to witness the execution, most of the men kept aloof or viewed it from camp.
The friends of the accused, who deemed the sentence of the court-martial too severe for the offence, sought the interposition of
President Lincoln; but that great and good man thought it best not to interfere.
No one can tell the struggle which this decision cost him. He had exercised the pardoning power to such an extent hitherto that he was
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charged in many quarters with seriously impairing the efficiency of the army, and now, under the new military administration, he was striving to make his pen say yes when every impulse of his great heart said no.
Battery drills, section drills, standing gun drills, inspections, etc., engrossed much of our time and attention in pleasant weather, as we lay in hourly anticipation of marching orders, and soon they came.
At this time the question of forming a regimental organization of the light batteries from
Massachusetts was under consideration.
Had it been carried through it was expected that
Captain Martin of the Third Battery would have been made the colonel and
Captain Sleeper the
lieutenant colonel of the regiment.
The following letters are interesting in this connection:—
Sir,—I learn, and hope correctly, that the independent Batteries of your state are to be organized as a regiment and field officers appointed, and write to ask you to consider favorably the claim to promotion of
Captain J. Henry Sleeper, 10th Mass. Battery.
He has served under me since his connection with the Army of the Potomac and has taken a high stand as a Battery commander and placed his Battery among the best in the Army.
I am sure from my knowledge of
Captain Sleeper's merits that he will fill the office and perform the duties of any grade among the field officers of the proposed Regiment with honor to himself and credit to the state.
I shall consider his promotion as an act of justice to a meritorious officer, as a promotive of the interest of the service and as a personal favor to
Your Ob't Serv't,
[Signed]
This letter bears the following endorsements.
Head
Qr's 3rd Army Corps, Jan. 1, 1864.
It gives me great pleasure to fully confirm
Captain Randolph,
Chief of Artillery's high testimony regarding the military services
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of
Capt. Sleeper, and to earnestly recommend him for promotion in the Artillery arm in which he has frequently distinguished himself.
[Signed]
Office of Judge Advocate. Headquarters A. O. P., Jan. 1st, 1864.
Capt. Sleeper served under my command for nearly a year and it gives me pleasure to record my opinion that he is a most able and meritorious officer, one whose promotion would be of advantage to the service.
I most cordially recommend him to the favorable notice of his
Excellency the
Governor of
Massachusetts.
[Signed]
E. K. Platt,
Capt. & U. S. Artillery
Major and
Judge Advocate, A. O. P.
Art'y Head Quarters, Jan'y 1st, 1864.
I concur with the recommendations of
Col. Platt, whose immediate order
Capt. Sleeper has served.
The want of field officers for the Artillery is much felt in the Army and the service of both
Capt. Martin and
Capt. Sleeper would be valuable as such and I would recommend them both for promotion.
Several brigades of Artillery of the Army are now under
Captains.
[Signed]
Governor,—I concur fully in all that the
Chief of Artillery of this Corps,
Col. Platt, and
Generals Hunt and
French say concerning
Capt. Sleeper, 10th Mass. Battery.
He has served immediately under my command in several engagements and I consider him as an officer eminently worthy of promotion, and trust that he will receive it in the proposed reorganization of the batteries from your state.
I remain Your Ob't Serv't,
[Signed]
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Morning reports.
1863.
Dec. 4.
Privates Wm. Endicott and
Henry Orcutt reported to quarters.
Eleven horses unserviceable.
Sergeant Chas. E. Pierce appointed
Orderly Sergeant,
vice Sergeant Geo. H. Putnam relieved.
Dec. 5.
Corp'l
John H. Stevens and
Hunt reported to quarters.
One horse died last night.
Private Samuel J. Bradllee received is discharge by Order 534 from the
War Dep't.
W. H. Fitzpatrick returned from furlough.
Dec. 7. Three horses shot by order
Inspector General 3rd Corps.
Dec. 8. One horse died, worn out. Corp'l
John H. Stevens and
privates Endicott and
Orcutt reported for duty.
Waldo Pierce reported to quarters.
Corp'l
Luther L. Estabrook is promoted Corporal (
Gunner)? to (late from Nov. 1st, 1863, vice
Shattuck dropped from the rolls.
Dec. 9. One horse unserviceable.
John Ramsdell reported to quarters.
Dec. 10.
Corp'ls Win.
B. Lemmon and
John H. Stevens reported to quarters.
Dec. 12.
Wm. E. Endicott appointed Lance
Sergeant.
Capt. J. Henry Sleeper absent in
Boston on furlough for 15 days.
Dec. 13.
Corp'ls
Currant and
George A. Smith reported to quarters.
Dec. 14.
Corp'ls
Currant and
Stevens reported for duty.
Dec. 15.
Corp'l
Smith and
Private Hunt reported for duty.
Harmon Newton to quarters.
Serg't
Putnam left on 15 days furlough for
Lewiston;
John F. Baxter for
Boston on 10 days furlough.
Received
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from
Capt. Pierce 12 horses; turned over to him 7 horses.
Dec. 16.
H. Newton reported for duty.
John H. Stevens reported to quarters.
Dec. 18.
Corp'ls
Stevens and
Smith report for duty;
John Ramsdell, duty.
Harmon Newton, reported to quarters.
Dec. 19.
Privates Alex. Holbrook reported to quarters.
Harmon Newton reported for duty.
Dec. 20.
Private Harmon Newton reported to quarters.
Dec. 21.
Private Thomas Ellworth reported to quarters.
Dec. 22.
Harmon Newton reported for quarters.
Dec. 23.
Thomas Ellworth reported for duty.
John Ramsdell reported to quarters.
Dec. 24.
John Ramsdell reported to quarters.
Thomas Ellworth, do.,
Frank Loham duty.
Dec. 25.
Reported to quarters,
Samuel Paine and
Albert N. A. Maxwell.
Dec. 26.
Privates Paine and
Maxwell reported for duty.
Dec. 27.
Privates Paine and
Maxwell reported to quarters.
Dec. 28.
Privates Paine and
Ellworth reported for duty.
John F. Baxter absent without leave.
Dec. 29.
Corp'l
Geo. A. Smith reported to quarters.
Capt. J. Henry Sleeper returned from
Boston.
Dec. 30.
Private Albert N. A. Maxwell for duty.
Dec. 31.
Sergeant George H. Putnam absent without leave.
Arrived in camp at 4 P. M. 1864.
Jan. 1.
Lieut. Henry H. Granger started for
Brattleboro, Vt., on 15 days furlough.
John Baxter returned from furlough and reported for duty.
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Jan. 4.
Privates Jacob B. Sulham,
Henry L. Ewell and
Everett J. Wilson permanently transferred to this Battery for the purpose of reenlistment agreeable to
Special Order No. 2 H “dq'r” s 3rd Army Corps.
Francis Loham reported to quarters.
Jan. 5.
Privates Jacob B. Sulham,
Henry I. Ewell, and
Everett J. Wilson were re-enlisted by
Lieut. Asa Smith for Tenth Mass. Battery for 3 years from Jan. 4, 1864.
Mustered out and re-mustered into the U. S. Vols. service this 5th day Jan'y 1864.
Jan. 6.
Private John Ramsdell and
Francis Loham reported for duty.
Four horses unserviceable.
Jan. 7.
Corp'l
John H. Stevens and
Leroy E. Hunt reported to quarters.
Privates Sulham,
Ewell and
Wilson, re-enlisted veteran volunteers, started on 35 days furlough.
Jan. 8.
Corp'l
Stevens reported for duty.
Jan. 9.
Received this P. M. from
Brig. General Devens as recruits
privates Michael B. O'Neil,
Wm. M. Bastable,
James Kay, T. (P)?
Hill,
John Nesbit.
Jan. 10.
Private John W. Bailey received furlough for 10 days to visit
Canton, Mass. Capt. J. Henry Sleeper received leave of absence to go to
Baltimore, Md.
Jan. 11. Two horses turned over to
Capt. L. H. Pierce A. A. Q. Leroy E. Hunt reported for duty.
Jan. 12. One horse died; disease, glanders.
Jan. 13.
Capt. J. Henry Sleeper returned from furlough.
Jan. 16.
Lieut. Henry H. Granger returned from furlough.
One horse shot, by order
Inspector General
Jan. 17.
Privates Nesbitt and
Maxwell and
Artificer Stowell reported to quarters.
Jan. 19.
Privates Nesbitt and
Maxwell reported for duty.
Corporal Currant and
Private Hill reported for duty.
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Jan. 20.
Private Maxwell reported to quarters.
Jan. 21.
Serg't
George H. Putnam reported to quarters.
Jan. 22.
Private John W. Bailey returned from furlough and reported for duty.
Jan. 23.
Sergeant Geo. H. Putnam, Corp'l
Currant,
Artificer Stowell reported for duty.
Private Richard Horrigan discharged Jan. 2, 1864.
Jan. 24.
Win.
A. Trefry returned from hospital and reported for duly.
Jan. 25.
Arthur A. Blandin reported to quarters.
Pierce T. Hill reported for duty.
Received 8 horses from
Lieut. Case, A. A. Q. M., and turned over 15 horses to
Capt. L. H. Pierce.
Jan. 26.
Pierce T. Hill reported to quarters.
Two horses shot, by order
Dr. Benson, Vet.
Surg. 3rd Army Corps.
Capt. J. Henry Sleeper starts on leave of absence for Baltimore.
Jan. 27.
Arthur A. Blandin reported for duty,
J. S. Cross to quarters.
Jan. 28.
Joseph Cross and
James Dwight reported for duty.
M. B. O'Neil reported to quarters.
Received 13 recruits from
Brig. Gen'l Devens ,
Long Island,
Boston Harbor.
Lieut. J. Webb Adams started for
Boston on leave of absence for 15 days.
Jan. 29.
Private Pierce T. Hill reported for duty.
Capt. J. Henry Sleeper returned from leave of absence.
Jan. 30.
Private R. G. Gilley reported to quarters.
Alex. W. Holbrook reported for duty.
Received 6 mules from
Lieut. R. K. Case.
Jan. 3L
Private Richard G. Gilley reported for duty.
Feb. 1.
Received one mule from
Rufus K. Case.
Feb. 2.
Corp'ls
Geo. A. Smith, Win.
B. Lemmon and
Privates Maxwell and
Waldo Pierce sent to general
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hospital,
Washington, D. C. Corp'l
B. F. Parker started on 10 days furlough for
Boston.
Feb. 3.
Privates John Nesbitt and
Thomas W. Strand reported to quarters.
Feb. 4.
Lieut. H. H. Granger and
Private Chas. L. Chase reported to quarters.
Feb. 5.
Private Chas. L. Chase reported for duty.
Privates Beal,
Brown,
Smith (?) and
McAllister reported to quarters.
Feb. 6.
Privates Nesbitt,
O'Neil,
Pierce,
Smith (?) and
McAllister reported for duty.
M. Sawyer reported to quarters.
Feb. 7.
Privates A. W. Smith and
Geo. A. Pierce reported to hospital.
Feb. 9.
Private Geo. K. Putnam reported to quarters.
Two horses slot by order
Dr. Benson, 3rd Corps Headquarters.
Feb. 10.
T. IV.
Strand reported for duty.
Goldsmith and
Neagle reported to quarters.
0.
P. Brown reported for duty.
Received twenty-five (25) recruits from depot
Long Island, B. H. through
Brig. Gen'l Devens.
Feb. 11.
Privates Geo. K. Putnam,
Michael Sawyer reported for duty.
Everett J. Wilson returned from furlough and reported for duty.
Feb. 12.
Private R. C. Wright reported to quarters;
P. E. Neagle to duty.
Lieut. J. Webb Adams and
Private Jacob Sulham returned from furlough and reported for duty.
Feb. 13.
Privates Schwartz,
M. M. Pierce and
Starkweather reported to quarters;
Privates Wright and
Beale for duty.
Turned over to
Capt. J. Strong 3 horses and one mule.
Corp'l
B. F. Parker returned from furlough and reported for duty.
Feb. 14.
Corp'l
A. B. Parker and
John Snelling reported to quarters.
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Feb. 15.
Corp'ls
A. B. Parker and
Goldsmith and
privates A. W. Smith,
Schwartz and
Snelling reported for duty.
Feb. 16.
Private M. M. Pierce reported for duty.
Privates Wright and
Hunt reported to quarters.
Private P. E. Neagle started to
Boston on furlough for 10 days.
Feb. 17.
Lieut. Asa Smith started on furlough for 15 days and
Private Chas. E. Bruce for 10 days.
Feb. 18.
Privates J. E. Carter,
J. L. Schwartz and
Charles Thompson reported to quarters.
Feb. 19.
Privates Thompson,
John T. Goodwin and
J. P. Brown reported to quarters.
Feb. 20.
Privates N. H. Butterfield,
Lewis R. Allard,
Alvin Abbott,
Chas. E. Osborne,
Joseph A. Hooper,
James D. Smith,
Josh. T. Reed dropped from the rolls of this Battery agreeable to
Gen. Orders No. 3, Art'y Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, Oct. 1, 1863.
Received 5 horses from
Capt. E. J. Strong.
J. P. Brown and
J. L. Schwartz reported for duty.
Feb. 21.
Private John T. Goodwin reported to quarters.
Private J. S. Bailey started on 10 days furlough.
Feb. 22.
Private Asa L. Gowell reported to quarters.
Mears Orcutt and
R. C. Wright reported for duty.
Feb. 23.
Privates John Nesbitt and
Richard Martin reported to quarters.
F. H. Monroe sent on detached service to Artillery Brigade Headquarters.
Feb. 25.
George W. Stetson reported to quarters.
Feb. 26.
Privates Leroy E. Hunt and
Richard Martin reported for duty,
Alvin Thompson to quarters.
Feb. 27.
Private Thompson reported for duty.
Privates A. C. White,
Francis Mins and
Alonzo N. Merrill reported to quarters.
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Feb. 28.
Receive notice of the death of
Private Albert N. A. Maxwell who died at Carver General Hospital,
Washington, Feb. 20, 1864.
Privates Carter,
G. W. Stetson,
F. Mils and
A. Merrill reported for duty.
Received five enlisted men from draft rendezvous,
Long Island.
Feb. 29.
Privates Ellis A. Friend and
J. W. Thayer reported to quarters.
March 1.
Privates E. A. Foster,
T. E. Carter,
E. B. Mullett, reported to quarters,
P. E. Neagle and
Henry L. Ewell absent sick on surgeon's certificate.
March 2.
Privates White,
Friend and
Thayer reported for duty.
March 3.
Privates White,
Adams,
Hooper and
Wright reported to quarters.
March 4.
Privates White and
Wright reported for duty.
Alonzo N. Merrill reported to quarters.
Lieut. Smith and Corp'l
James S. Bailey, Jr., returned from furlough.
Private Michael O'Neil placed under confinement in quarters and charges preferred by
Capt. Sleeper.
March 5.
Received notice of death of
George H. Rice in Art'y Brig. Hospital.
Private William E. Northey on detached service at Brigade Hospital. Two horses shot by order
Dr. Benson, Vet.
Surgeon.
Q. M. Sergeant William G. Rollins discharged from the service per S. O. No. 57 War Dept.
Mustered into the U. S. service as a
Second Lieutenant Tenth Mass. Battery, March 3rd, 1864.
F. Mins and
Edwards (?) reported to quarters.
Received notice of discharge of
Joseph A. Hooper, dropped from the rolls.
March 6.
Serg't
Townsend reported to quarters.
Privates Schwartz,
Thompson,
Thresher and
Edwards reported for duty.
March 7.
Private Wm. H. Fitzpatrick appointed
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Q. M. Serg't March 3, 1864.
Privates Jos. Sheridan,
M. Campbell,
Judson Stevens, and
Chas. Thompson reported to quarters.
Artificer D. R. Stowell on furlough of 10 days.
March 8.
Privates Jos. Sheridan,
F. Mins, and
A. E. Wright reported to duty.
Wm. Rawson and
Geo. W. Stetson reported to quarters.
One mule received from
Capt. E. J. Strong, A. G.
March 9.
Lieut. Wm. G. Rollins went to
Boston, Mass., on 10 days leave.
Serg't
Geo. M. Townsend and
Private Rawson reported to quarters.
March 10.
Serg't
Geo. M. Townsend and
Private Thresher reported to quarters.
One horse died of inflammation of bowels.
March 11.
Privates L. W. Adams and
Judson Stevens reported for duty.
Jos. Sheridan and
R. C. Wright to quarters.
Private Charles Slack went on 10 days furlough.
March 12.
Serg't
Geo. M. Townsend,
Privates Foster,
Geo. W. Stetson,
E. D. Thresher and
R. C. Wright reported for duty.
Capt. Sleeper absent on leave.
Lieut. H. H. Granger reported for duty.
Privates James D. Smith and
Geo. W. Parks reported for duty from Convalescent Camp.
They were previously dropped from the rolls in accordance with
General Orders No. 3, Art'y Headquarters A. O. P.
March 13.
Received three recruits from Draft Rendezvous,
Long Island,
Boston Harbor.
John T. Goodwin,
Asa L. Gowell reported for duty.
Henry Orcutt and
S. Johnson reported to quarters.
March 14.
Corp'l
Frank M. Howes,
Michael Haley,
W. Moran reported to quarters.
March 15.
James L. Schwartz,
W. Moran,
A. N. Merrill,
S. H. Johnson reported for duty.
James Dwight ex.
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March 16.
John T. Goodwin reported to duty.
March 17.
Corp. Frank M. Howes,
W. H. Starkweather and
C. Thompson reported for duty.
March 18.
Privates John Nesbit,
James D. Smith reported to duty,
Francis Mins,
L. Ham,
John Millett and
J. E. Mugford reported to quarters.
March 19.
Lieut. Wm. G. Rollins and
Artificer D. R. Stowell returned from leave.
Two horses shot and four condemned by
Major Vanderberg.
Francis Mins reported to duty.
Horace B. Bealsreported sick. Serg't
P. T. Woodfin discharged for promotion by S. O. No. 113 War Dept.
March 20.
L. Ham and
H. B. Beals reported to duty.
Michael B. O'Neil released from arrest.
March 21.
Michael Haley reported for duty.
Francis Loham and
H. B. Beals reported to quarters.
Two horses shot, by order of
Maj. Vanderberg.
March 22.
Corp. Burnham C. Clark reported to quarters.
March 23.
Bugler John E. Mugford reported for duty.
James Peach,
M. M. Pierce and
Asa Richardson reported to quarters.
March 24.
Jos. Sheridan sent to General Hospital,
Washington.
March 25.
Corp'l
B. C. Clark and
H. B. Beals reported for duty.
Artificer A. D. Bacon,
W. Y. Gross and
C. A. Mason reported to quarters.
March 26.
Asa Richardson reported to duty,
L. E. Hunt reported to quarters.
Charles Slack absent without leave.
March 27.
James Peach and
A. D. Bacon reported to duty also
P. T. Hill and
Michael Campbell.
March 28.
C. A. Mason reported to duty;
J. W. Wilson reported to quarters.
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March 29.
M. M. Pierce,
W. Y. Gross,
L. E. Hunt reported to duty.
Private John Pedrick went on furlough of 10 days.
March 30.
Joseph W. Hayden,
Wm. Moran, Win.
E. Hooper,
Michael Haley,
Pierce T. Hill,
Jas. L. Schwartz,
John Handlin,
M. B. O'Neil,
T. A. Carter,
M. M. Bastable,
A. W. Smith,
J. Sanderson, J. H..
Carr,
R. C. Wright,
M. Campbell, temporarily transferred to Battery K 4th U. S. Art'y, per S. 0. No. 13 Art'y Headquarters, Army of Potomac.
March 31.
Jonas W. Wilson and
L. W. Adams reported to quarters.
Charles Slack returned from furlough.
April 1.
Private Francis Loham reported to duty.
Private P. Gallagher,
Corp. J. H. Stevens reported to quarters.
April 2.
Privates Alex. W. Holbrook and
Francis Loham reported to quarters.
Four horses turned in to
Capt. E. J. Strong, sixteen horses received from
Lieut. R. K. Case.
Private Frank A. Monroe reported for duty from detached service.
April 3.
Privates Francis Loham and
Alex. W. Holbrook reported for duty.
Artificer David R. Stowell reported to quarters.
April 4.
Artificer D. R. Stowell reported for duty.
April 5.
James Dwight and
P. Gallagher reported to duty.
Artificer D. R. Stowell reported to quarters.
Serg't
Geo. H. Putnam went on three days leave to appear before Colored Bureau,
Washington, D. C.
April 7.
Serg't
George F. Gould went on 10 days furlough to
Boston.
J. W. Wilson reported to quarters.
Lance Serg't
James S. Bailey promoted to sergeant and Lance
Corp. Francis M. Howes to
Corp. to date Mar. 19, 1864.
Lance Serg't
George H. Day promoted to Serg't to date March 1, 1864.
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208]
April 8.
Norman H. Butterfield and
Chas E. Osborne reported for duty from Convalescent Camp.
They were previously dropped from the rolls under provision of G. O. No. 3, Art'y Headquarters A. O. P. series 1863. One horse shot by order
Capt. J. H. Sleeper, the stiver (?) water having run out thereby rendering him perfectly useless.
Removed from
Brandy Station to 2nd Corps near
Stevensburg, Va.
April 9.
Joseph Cross reported to quarters.
Serg't
Geo. H. Putnam returned from furlough.
John Millett and
James D. Smith reported to quarters.
April 10.
Artificer D. R. Stowell and Joseph Cross reported to quarters.
Sergeants Geo. H. Putnam and
James S. Bailey reduced to the ranks.
Corp'ls
A. B. Parker and
C. W. Doe promoted sergeants.
Private Asa Richardson promoted Corp.
and
C. E. Osborne promoted Lance Corporal vice Lance
Corporal J. H. Knowland reduced to the ranks.
One horse received from
Lieut. Case.
April 12.
John Pedrick reported from furlough.
April 13.
A. A. Blandin, Artif.
A. D. Bacon,
Geo. H. Putnam and
A. B. Spooner reported to quarters.
April 14.
J. P. Brown,
E. D. Thresher reported to quarters.
April 15.
S. H. Johnson and
A. A. Blandin detailed to wagon train.
April 16.
J. Ellworth,
D. McAllister,
L. W. Adams,
A. F. Southworth reported to quarters.
Nine horses condemned by
Lieut. Rhodes,
Inspector.
Franklin A. Macomber joined recruits (?).
April 17.
John F. Baxter,
John Nesbitt,
John H. Knowland reported to quarters.
L. W. Adams,
A. D. Bacon reported to duty.
April 18.
Artificer D. R. Stowell,
J. P. Brown land
A. B. Spooner reported to duty.
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209]
April 19.
Bugler J. E. Mugford,
C. Chase reported to duty; also
J. F. Baxter.
April 20.
E. D. Thresher reported to quarters;
J. E. Mugford to duty.
John Millett, James Peach sent to General Hospital,
Washington, D. C.
April 21.
H. Orcutt,
John Ramsdell,
O. Wheelock,
J. T. Goodwin reported to quarters.
April 22.
Corp. B. C. Clark reported to quarters.
Henry L. Ewell returned to the
Battery from absent sick.
April 23.
James Ellworth, Dan'l
McAllister,
H. Orcutt,
John Ramsdell reported to duty.
James Kay,
James S. Bailey to quarters.
April 24.
John H. Knowland,
Chas. Chase reported to duty.
John Ramsdell and
R. G. Gilley reported to quarters.
April 25.
Oliver Wheelock,
Corp. B. C. Clark and
James Kay report to duty.
E. F. Damrell and
Geo. W. Parks reported to quarters.
April 26.
E. F. Damrell reported to duty.
W. E. Northey on detached service at Artillery Brigade Headquarters, 2nd A. C., as orderly with horse and equipments.
April 27.
John Ramsdell,
James S. Bailey, Jr., reported to duty.
Chas. E. Prince reported excused.
A. A. Blandin, extra or daily duty as teamster since Mar. 1, 1864.
April 28. Four horses received from
Capt. W. H. D. Cochrane, A. A. Q. M.
April 29.
Patrick E. Neagle reported deserter.
Received a furlough for 10 days to go to
Boston Feb. 16, 1864. Feb. 29, received affidavit of
N. L. Shaw, M. D., Mass.
Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary,
Boston, that he was under treatment and ordered him to remain for a few days longer.
He has not since returned.
Dropped as a deserter.
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210]
April 30.
Charles E. Prince sent to Gen'l Hospital,
Washington, D. C. John Goodwin,
James D. Smith reported to duty.
Henry Jones excused.
May 1.
Richard G. Gilley reported to duty.
Alvin Thompson to quarters.
May 2.
John F. Baxter and
John W. Bailey reported to quarters.
Henry Jones reported to duty.
