Joseph Brown Diary

thursday 4 sent a letter home wrote to Major Ben Ricketts of the Second Del was out at target practicing visited the hospital Mr Boyd of Co E from the Rising Sun Cecil Co died to day they lay him out in the church yard the(y) leave tomorrow morning at 6 oclk with him for his former home had my likeness taken wrote to Rev Bro Hurn of Easton PA at 10 oclock to night at tent in Co G. Caut fire and burned up the fire discharging a pistol I am in good health thank god

Friday 5th Cloudey and raining in my tent most of the day one of the privates tents took fire last night and burned up a pistol discharged from the effect of the fire to the Rev H. I. Hurn recieved a letter from Jane McCauley Mrs Carter is better my family all well

Saterday 6th tremendius storm of wind and snow about 8 oclock this morning the wind blew hard all day so much so that I had to desist from wrighting the wind blue my stove pipe down twice was smelly and coald to night in my tent all the day and night two men ran away last night from Co G I am in good health for which I feeal thankfull I have been comfortabe(?) in my tent all day though it is extremely cold all the day the sentinals have it very hard to day received a letter from home to night all were well at the time of its wrighting Mrs Castre was better thank god

Sunday 7th last night'wind blew fierce(?) and very late this morning still very windy and extremely cold no Sabeth School this morning the (?) Major took them to church in the town at 2 oclock the drums called us out to service in the headquarters the chaplain from the first Reg preached from (?)ocupy till I come a short sermon very few out to here him the night very cold and windy. Monday 8 weather more pleasant wrote to Sallie E Carter nothing of importance to day went to the post office in the afternoon Borrowed a paper the presbyterian(?) from Mr. Ciclletstori(?) no news from home to day I am in good health for which I feall thankfull

Tuesday 9th wrote home to day Visited the hospital in town and also Andrew Smith he is better rumor says we leave to day for Harrisburg all is excitement went over to the left wing at Batalion Perade the day very pleasant and warm Recd the methodist from home I am in good health thank god

Thersday 10 warm and pleasant to day early this morning order came for Marching I packed up my duds but orders was revoked Marching postponed until tomorrow morning at 7 oclock report say we go down the river 18 miles opposite Shephard town

Thursday 11th Early this morning we packed up and at 8 oclock the regiment(?) was formed into line and to the tune of the girl I left behind me we left Williamsport for Shepherds town but as we reached the town orders was given to march to Harpers Ferry we passed through Sharpsburgh and crossed the Battle field we saw many graves houses fences trees and an old church gave evidence that the strugle was terible we came to a halt between sun down and dark in an old field our Blanketts and provision was packed up in the wagon therefore we was any thing els but comfortable I rode in an ambulance until the driver became so drunk that it became dangerious I then took to my feet--I sleep but little all night and eat but little our coloreds(?) sleep in a pile (?)

[along right side of margin] having marched to day 15 miles