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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 1
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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 1

(Stationery with picture of Phillips Academy in upper left corner) Composition No. 2.

Here goes for a description of another of my little trips about Virginia. About twenty days before our time would be out, I believe it was about the 10th of May. As we were out one morning having a company drill, a messenger came and called us back to camp, I expected what was coming and on reaching camp my fears were confirmed. We were ordered to fall in as soon as possible, with rations &etc &etc. I prepared as usual and about one o'clock we started, it was an exceeding hot day and none carried more clothing than was necessary. I carried my rubber blanket and wore a thin blouse. We marched all of that afternoon until seven o'clock, when we halted and as the sun had set, it began to grow extremely cold and chilly, so we built fires and made coffee &etc. and then most of us laid down to sleep. I laid down on the bare ground with my blanket over me and slept like a log for about three hours then the order was forward march, and away we went till after sunrise the next day when we had travelled about twenty miles. We had all of that day to rest and that night we went forward a mile and camped for the night. It rained almost all night and I had all I could do to keep my gun dry. It seems as though it was only yesterday. I remember an old barn near by where we were and how many of our men went up in the loft to keep dry. Some who were not quite so fortunate as others went into the barn at midnight and began to holler fire. Those upstairs were terribly frightened, some jumped out of the window, and others ran down stairs, but any how the barn was cleared very quickly. The next forenoon we were sent forward to the extreme front , there were six regiments of us (our force was about twenty regiments in all), we had not more than got into position before the enemy came to the edge of some woods which were nearby, and

Last edit over 2 years ago by heidimarie
Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 2
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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 2

off opened a fire on us. They had no artillery and we had, so ours opened on them and we also were ordered to commence firing. Finally part of our regiment, our company among them were ordered to move down the hill to the woods where the enemy were and try to find out their force. We did so and very narrowly escaped being all taken prisoner. Our whole force then fell back half a mile and we fought for the rest of the day. As soon as it was dark we fell back and other regiments took our places. But I would like to mention one little fact that shows what the rebels are. During the afternoon at one time there was a kind of a lull in the firing, and so a number of our musicians went out towards the enemy to bring up our dead and wounded, but no sooner had these unarmed men come near the enemy than the rebs opened up on them and rushed out and took them all prisoners. The next day we found one of our dead men entirely stript of his clothes and set up in a gig by the roadside, this happened at a place called Carrsville. We staid there about four days and then marched on to a place ten miles further, and in that way, for ten days, we marched arround the country. We had no change of clothes, and having had no chance to bathe ourselves; we were exposed to all kinds of weather, hot days and cold nights, that is what brought on fevers and like diseases. We reached camp on Friday and the next Tuesday, we started for home. I think I have had enough of war to last me till the next time.

Last edit over 2 years ago by heidimarie
Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 3
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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 3

(Stationery with picture of Phillips Academy in upper right corner) I am at a loss to know what to write about so I shall write a few facts connected with my trip down South. Our Regiment was never in any very severe battles but was engaged in quite a number of skirmishes; and the first one of any importance that we saw was fought on the 30th of January 1863 , at a place called the "Deserted house." I had lain down in my tent on my blanket and was just going to sleep when I heard our orderly pass down our company street and sing out "Be ready to fall in men in one hour with three days rations and in light marching order." Before I heard him I was almost asleep but you may be assured that opened my eyes quite effectually. I went up to the cookhouse and put twenty-seven hard tack in my haversack (that is nine each day) also three good slices of raw fat pork, went to my tent did up my rubber blanket filled my canteen with water, went to the captains tent and replenished my stock of ammunition to the amount of sixty rounds of cartridges and one hundred caps and then I laid down to wait for further orders. I dozed the time away until almost twelve o'clock when the bugle sounded and we were rapidly placed in a line. Our regiment marched to a road about a mile from camp which was the general rendezvous. Soon after our arrival the entire column was put in motion. I believe there were about twelve regiments of Infantry and one of Cavelry and three Batteries. General Corcoran had command of the entire expedition. We marched quite rapidly for about three hours. There was a moon, but it was quite cloudy and the roads were very muddy. Indeed, we would march perhaps a mile or so on good ground and then being right in the Dismal Swamp, the mud and

Last edit over 2 years ago by heidimarie
Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 4
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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 4

water would come up to the knee. It was entirely useless to try to pick ones way. All we could do when we came to a "bad spot" was to get through as quick as possible. Some would go around through the woods, but their only reward would be the loss of a boot or shoe in the bogs which were even worse than in the main road. I had on a pair of high boots and thought at first I should be able to keep my feet dry but I did not cherish the hope very long. The 13th Indiana took the lead and ours came next. There were several companies of Cavalry in front of all of the infantry which is always the case. We had gone about ten miles when we heard firing about half a mile to the front. It was our cavelry driving in the rebel pickets. We had not expected to come across the enemy for a long time so all were surprised. We were ordered to halt load and fix bayonets and then forward double quick and as we were all tired, it came hard for to walk ten miles on the roads then with the load we had is equal to walking twenty miles on a Northern road. I should think we double quicked it for nearly a mile and just then we came to a bend in the road. And less than a quarter of a mile beyond the bend was all of the rebel Artillery placed. And no sooner had our the head of our column come to the turn then they opened on us. The moon had set then and it was very dark. The 13th Regiment Indiana and ours were ordered into the woods by the side of the road and our Artillery came galloping up. And in a twinkleing were at it. They could only see to aim by the flash of the rebel pieces and for four hours there was a tremendous fire kept up a great majority of the evening. Shell and solid shot went over our heads and took effect in regiments that were a mile or so in the rear. I saw one solid shot go through our Colonel's horse also our Adjutant's, and kill two men. It being so dark made it much worse for all parties. At length the sun rose and I can assure you I was never any [?]

Last edit over 2 years ago by heidimarie
Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 5
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Waterman Composition No. 2 Page 5

happier to see it. None of us had fired a gun. All we had done was to wait by the side of the artillery in readiness to either make or repel a charge but fortunately we were called on to do neither. A little after day break the enemy fell back a mile or so and we went forward into an open field and stood in line of battle till almost noon when we eat our dinner. It was the first time we had had a chance to eat anything and we went at it with a zest. My pork and Hardtack tasted as good then as ever did the best meal I ever had at home. Our dinner over we started after rebs., chased them foar[four?] miles and had another brush with them and then turned about and marched home. Got there about twelve o'clock that night, having been gone only twenty four hours and having marched about thirty miles. I was pretty well used up when I got to camp (or as we used to say "played out" - crossed out) but a day or two after we were as well as ever. Our regiment lost only about twenty killed wounded and missing which was quite reasonable. I guess this will do for today

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