Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

January:

Capt. William L. Palmer, who was commissioned as Major in September, 1863, held this position until Jan. 25, 1864. Capt. Moncena Dunn was commissioned Major during the winter of 1864 but could not be mustered as the regiment had not men enough to allow three field officers to be mustered.

After the re-enlistment of the men there was difficulty about their being sent home on furlough from the fact that the orders read that this could not be done unless three-fourths of the volunteers re-enlisted. There were 124 recruits in the ranks and as they could not re-enlist at that time the commanding general claimed that the necessary three-fourths of the regiment had not re-enlisted. The recruits were transferred to the Twentieth Massachusetts and this relieved the difficulty and enabled the regiment to come home.

The men spent the time after their re-enlistment in picket duty to a large extent. Two or three days at a time were spent in this duty, the men having frequently to go four or five miles from camp. In the pleasant weather this work was very enjoyable, it being a welcome change from the dull camp routine, but during much of the time it was bitterly cold, wet and gloomy and left small room for cheer or comfort. Heavy details were engaged in the daily labor of building corduroy roads through the boundless sea of stiff, adhesive, half-frozen mud that stretched for miles around Brandy Station.

The camp of the Nineteenth Massachusetts regiment was pleasantly situated on the southeasterly slope of the hill. Near it and in front was corps headquarters; on the hill at the rear were division headquarters, and in front of the right flank of the regiment stood the tents of the brigade commander. In fact, the camp seemed to be hemmed in by general officers.