USA > Pennsylvania > Concise history of the camp and field life of the 122d regiment, Penn'a volunteers. Compiled from notes, sketches, facts and incidents > Part 9
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the situation afforded, wrote letters home to friends and families, as well as discussed the prospect of enjoying grand Christmas dinners in Richmond, and retired to rest for the night.
CHAPTER XII.
THE ARMY YET ENCAMPED NEAR FALMOUTH-WEATHER DELIGHT- FUL, BUT ROADS MUDDY-GRAND REVIEW BY GENERAL HOOKER-BELLE PLAIN LANDING WITH INCIDENTS -RESULTS FROM CAMPING IN THE MARSHY MEADOW-CHANGE OF LOCATION, ETC.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1862 .- After enjoying another sound sleep, we awoke refreshed, this A. M., to find the sun shining down upon us in all his glory and grandeur, but the roads were still very muddy. Orders were received "to clean up for inspection, and corps review." At 1 o'clock, P. M., we were ordered into line and marched about 11/2 miles to a level tract of country, where many troops had concentrated for the review. General markers were then planted in line; whereupon, according to numbers of di- vision, we approached and formed into line; when, about 21/2 o'clock, we were reviewed by that gallant corps com- mander, "Fighting General JOE HOOKER,"-the sobriquet by which he was known-as well as his staff. After which we broke " by companies into column," and passed in re- view before the several other Generals, who all expressed satisfaction with the appearance as well as the seemingly re- invigorated condition of the men ; whereupon, as we again returned to camp, many were the surmises and anticipations as to what would be the next important order or movement. With the foregone conclusion that, according to Micawber, " something would turn up," the boys all went to their vir- tuons couches to dream upon what might be the realizations of the morrow.
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TO TELLE PLAIN LANDING FOR COMMISSARY STORES- DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED-INCIDENTS AT THE LANDING.
' HURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1862 .- This morning opened fin and warm. About 8 o'clock a detail of six privates fron Company K, together with forty-two other privates and a Corporal from the balance of the Regiment, under charge of Sergeant GEORGE F. SPRENGER, was ordered "as Regi- mental wagon-guard, to proceed to Belle Plain Landing for Commissary stores, with instructions to report at First Brigade headquarters." They reported in due time, at the headquarters designated, where details from other regiments were found coming in to join the expedition. They were soon en route, with forty army wagons, taking a southerly course, through mud and swamp-land, until they reached a point eight miles from the camp, where they met the 50th United States Engineer Corps constructing a corduroy wagon- road through the meshy swamp-land. After a very-short stop, they were again on the move and over this corduroy road, whereupon the general ejaculation of all was: "Oh, kind heavens forbid, that we shall ever be obliged to go over another one !" Some of us had made the initiatory trips through the lodges of various societies, from time to time, both of brief and long duration ; but, in all our experience in that line, this corduroy road gave us the worst shaking up we ever had, almost bouncing the " inner men out," as well as the bodies apart. Our greatest difficulty, however, was that of crossing the small streams which were spanned by improvised bridges, banked up with loose dirt, where many upsets and breakdowns occurred. We finally reached the landing about 4:30 P. M., when the teams were formed in corral, and fires were built, whilst the officers in command of the train proceeded to file their requisitions at the Quar- termaster-General's headquarters.
While we were awaiting our turn a stroll through and about the premises was afforded for discoveries and amuse-
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nent. Being somewhat or almost famished we were not slow or behind-hand in procuring some loose crackers and fitch to appease the craving hunger of our men, when we returned to our wagons for a proper detail to convey the same to our night quarters at the corral. At the same time, however, we had the good luck to discover the locality of a special lot of choice, sugar-cured hams, with pitched canvass coverings, in the store-tents belonging to the Army Purveyor, in the rear of which a few of our stout, dauntless, chary boys quickly and quietly took position unobserved, whence to await and watch their chance for a capture. The favorable opportunity soon presented itself, when the boys succeeded in securing not only several fine hams, but also a cask of nice pickles, which under cover of the darkness they conveyed to and secreted in our wagons. They then returned again, however, and speedily; while, in the meantime, another discovery had been made-that of a good supply of best Bourbon Commissary whiskey, of which, too, we soon secured a share, by gratify- ing the itching palm of a darkey stevedore's hand with a SI greenback and handing him four canteens, which the faithful son of Ham then promptly returned well-filled, through the hind end of the tent, to the boys there in waiting, who then went off on their way rejoicing.
After receiving all we desired in that line, as well as our number for loading, we returned to our wagons, made up a supper "fit for lords," of which we partook very freely, and enjoyed the same with a relish, especially after our late fast, besides a day of regular rough and tumble. We next turned into our wagons and wrapped ourselves in blankets for the night ; when, with the consolation of having plenty of good fare as well as whiskey for the return trip to camp headquar- ters in the morning, we were quickly at rest, to dream of the ruggedness of the roads and the difficulties probably to be encountered on the morrow.
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STOLEN RAILS PROVIDE A ROYAL BREAKFAST-SAD SIGHTS ON THE RETURN TRIP-ATTRACTIVE AND INSPIRING SCENES.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1862 .- We awoke this morning, from a very refreshing sleep, to find that our fires were almost burnt out, with no woodland close by, wherefrom to obtain the essential fuel to revive the dying embers. However, sev- eral teams on the road-side, whose drivers were absent, af- forded the opportunity of a peep therein-the result of which was the discovery in one of the wagons, stowed away, of some broken fence-rails, which speedily rekindled our fires, while all then engaged in the busy preparations of a royal breakfast-a welcome and delicious one, indeed-partaking to us, on this occasion, rather somewhat of the order of a collation, of which it is well to mention, or give the
MENU, OR BILL OF FARE :
I. Confiscated Sugar-Cured Ham : Elegantly Sliced, Spitted and Toasted over the Brisk Fire-Decidedly Luscious and Palatable Morsels. Fresh Hard-Tack Accompaniment : Broiled Ham, Sandwiched, in Choice Cuts.
II. Side-Dish Dessert :
Pickles in Variety, Specially Furnished to Order. Relishes : Solace-Providing Cups of Hot Coffee-Royal. " A No. 1" Bourbon Commissary Whiskey.
After fully regaling " the inner men" with the good things provided as above, from our spreads upon the damp and muddy sward of Belle Plain, we received the order " to hitch up, proceed with our loading of supplies, etc., and be ready to return to camp." It was then about 1 1 o'clock, A. M., when we were at once in motion, homeward-bound.
As we left, we met with teams upon teams, as they were on their way to the landing, as also, farther on, the parked teams of all brigades which had arrived during the night,
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awaiting their turn in order for the filing of their requisitions, whilst the small bay behind us could be plainly discerned, covered with the newly-arrived transports, laden with army supplies and commissary stores. Still farther on, and we found an uninviting, sorrowful spectacle-one, indeed, that fully taxed our faculties of comprehension ; for, before us in our way were numerous upset army wagons, dead horses and mules lying in the mud, teams stuck fast in the mire up to the very wagon-beds, and thus deserted by the teamsters ; whilst the others, who had arrived and remained, were busily en- gaged in " double-teaming " horses and mules together in the endeavor to extricate those which had stuck fast during the darkness of the night.
It was our good fortune, however, to possess experienced Lancaster county teamsters in care of our train, and we therefore escaped the extreme and serious difficulties there presented. Although our progress upland was very laborious, as well as much impeded, yet we managed to get out of the low lands before night was fully upon us, reaching a point directly to the left of and opposite Fredericksburg, where then a grand and interesting scene was presented to our view-that of the camps all around, illuminated with their brightly burning camp-fires, by means of which, as we plodded along and through them, many were the sights that caught the eye and sounds that greeted the ear-such as lively, genial, camp sports in various forms, the sweet, cheer- ing strains of music from the brass bands, and the soul-in- spiring martial airs from the drum and fife. It was then night, 10 o'clock the hour, as we arrived at Brigade headquar- ters, where each detail of guard was dismissed with instruc- tions to report to their respective commands. Tired and sore of limb, yet deeply impressed, however, with the sights and hardships experienced on the expedition, it is needless to state that once again, comfortably fixed in our own bunks, but few moments were lost ere the boys were enjoying that welcome rest which served to restore the wonted energy to
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the wearied body, or that felicitous slumber which soothed the troubled and depressed spirits of the soldier.
COMMISSARY STORES REPLETE-WHAT THE CAMP IN THE MARSHY MEADOW BROUGHT FORTH.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1862 .- Day again appeared beautifully, with "Old Sol " shedding forth his lustre in pro- fuse rays-insomuch, that their effect was then perceptible, for the first time, in drying off the damp grounds about our camps, and at the same moment infusing the boys with re- newed cheer and vigor. They were happy, too, in the pros- pect next before them of receiving fresh and generous rations from our Commissary stores, which were replete with hard tack, mess pork, beans, sugar, coffee, compressed vege- table soup, candles, as well as new clothing, shoes, etc. Con- siderable sickness, however, prevailed throughout the Regi- ment, which was entirely due to the location of our camp, being very unhealthy, as it was situated in the midst of a marshy meadow, serving thus again to turn the cheerfulness and happiness of our boys into despondency and sorrow ; for, Company K having eight men already confined in their bunks, Sergeant GEORGE F. SPRENGER reported, this day, four more on the sick list. so increasing the quota of men to twelve for medi ine at hospital tent, as also unfit for duty. Our surgeon- then had their hands full, while our Colonel had made every effort to have the location of our camp changed. The cleaning up of gu ",, accoutrements, etc., being the order of the day. the attention of the boys was generally given thereto, until fatigued they retired to rest, when the day and night passed without further event.
SICK MEN REMOVED TO HOSPITAL. TENI-PROMOTION -- REPORTS ALARMINGLY MEAGRE.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1862 .-- After a night of repose, such as the circumstances and condition of affairs afforded, we were aroused at an early hour of the morning-in time,
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at least, to perceive that a heavy frost had fallen upon our camp during the night, thus refreshing the atmosphere to such a degree that the boys generally felt and enjoyed its bracing benefits. Our sick boys, too, felt much better, except the more serious cases, all of whom were then ordered to be removed from their bunks to the Regimental Hospital- among the number being our Orderly Sergeant, JOHN A. TRISSLER, Corporal WILLIAM SCHAUM, JACOB LUTZ, and several others. Sergeant GEORGE F. SPRENGER was then promoted to the position of Orderly Sergeant, whose first duty in that capacity was the report of thirteen sick men for the day. Company inspection and drill were ordered for the balance of the day, which grew warmer and proved more cheerful to the drooping spirits of our sick men. At dress- parade, which was held in the evening, the reports from Orderly Sergeants to the Adjutant, and by the Adjutant to the Colonel, were alarmingly meagre as to the number of men fit for duty ; for camp fever and dysentery seemed to have taken possession as well as to threaten full sway of the camps, judging from the extent to which illness through those maladies then prevailed-the opinion became universal that our location was unsuitable and decidedly unhealthy, when, without any further important event to record, the boys all sought their wonted rest for the night.
ORDERS THAT MEANT BUSINESS-THOROUGH INSPECTION-CLEVER TRICK-COMPANY K TAKES THE PALM.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1862 .- The weather this morning was fine and warm, as we awoke, to find strict orders from Division headquarters for Regimental inspection at 2 P. M. At an early hour, all the men were active and industrious in the preparation therefor, during which further orders were received from Colonel FRANKLIN-" to have all arms in best of condition ; that barrel and breach of guns be perfectly clean, as well as clothing, accoutrements, etc .: Company streets of camp to be swept up, rubbage carried to the rear,
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etc."-in short, all to be in readiness for a rigid inspection. At I P. M., our Regiment was formed in line, marched to the north and rear of the camp, into an open field surrounded by woods, where Colonel FRANKLIN directed or conducted the Regiment through several intricate or complicated move- ments before the arrival of the Division inspecting officers, in which the Regiment excelled all similarly previous efforts.
At the appointed hour, 2 P. M. precisely, the inspecting officers were on hand, when the Regiment went through the drill, and then formed into column by companies, ready for inspection. The inspection was gone through with very rigidly, when Company K carried off the palm again, on this occasion, through the clever ruse of "one who was always on the alert, and never caught napping." It ap- peared that, while the officers were inspecting the two com- panies on the right of our column, a certain friend, who had the good fortune and privilege of being close by, witnessed the test practiced by the inspecting officer-that of applying the butt of the ramrod to the light-colored gloves he wore, to see if the breeches were clean, or not. Having found the guns of these companies rather unclean, his remarks of se- vere censure were heard, and at once reported by this friend to the boys of Company K, who were in the rear, being the company on the extreme left of the Regiment. There- fore, being in dread fear of censure, in the meantime of awaiting their turn, our boys at once took the precaution to hurriedly ge wer their guns with the swabbing screw and rag, when they were soon in readiness again for inspection, without exciting the least suspicion of what they had been doing. Our turn then came, when the officer, after apply- ing the butt of the ramrod to his buckskins, and perceiving no dirt therefrom or thereon, awarded the honor with special mention, "that the game of Company K were the cleanest ones to be found in the Regiment." the announcement of which produced much merriment among the boys. After inspection of arms, etc., we returned to camp, stacked
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arms, and remained in line, while the officers made a tour of the camp and passed through each company street, express- ing admiration of and satisfaction with the general cleanli- ness of the camp as well as condition of the men. Thus ended the duties of the day. The next event-mail arrived -some of us were fortunate enough to receive missives and news from home as well as friends, and therefore contented ourselves in their perusal, whilst the disappointed and un- lucky ones wrote letters home, censuring those who had neglected or forgotten them. So thus closed another day well spent by the Regiment.
INCREASE OF SICK LIST-RAIN-FALL INTERFERES WITH CHANGE OF LOCATION OF COMPANY STREETS.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1862 .- A change of weather was indicated, as the morning opened before us cloudy and damp, while the location of our company street was certainly very unhealthy, lying low and close to a small run. As a result of this situation, Sergeant SPRENGER reported, at Surgeon's call this morning, fourteen sick men in Company K, with others complaining. He reported to Colonel FRANKLIN, in person, who promptly ordered the company street to be moved farther up on the hill: but. as the rain then com- menced to fall rather briskly, and as many of the men were unwell, it was postponed for another occasion. Fires then were built, but under disadvantages; however, by close at ation, and the adding of dry wood from hour to hour they were kept burning, so that the shivering, half-sick boys were clinging to and around them, but got very little comfort. The rain still continued, in the midst of which, together with the discomfort of the damp and unpleasant situation, the whole day was devoted to quietude and thought. Even- ing was at hand, when, as our larder had been amply pro- vided, our company cooks had prepared an abundant repast of bean-soup, bacon, and hard tack, besides good coffee, of which all partook heartily, and which was also enjoyed, save
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by those who were too ill; after which, those of us well, were soon coiled up between blankets to obtain our usual and desired rest.
THE DREAD CAMP-FEVER-THE FUNERAL DIRGE RESOUNDS- COLONEL FRANKLIN APPEALS IN VAIN.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1862 .- The weather, this A. M., continued damp and disagreeable, with "Old Sol" occasionally peeping through the clouds, in the endeavor, apparently, to dispel them, as well as shed forth his lustrous, softening rays, which served, in a manner, to chee our fallen spirits. Company K boys, as well as the rest of the Regi- ment, were busy at striking tents and moving farther up hill, away from the swamp-land. Quite numerous were the sick men already taken to the hospital since we had pitched our camp here, while several deaths had occurred around us -- those of Privates DAVID W. RAMBO, of Company C, and JESSE S. WALTER, of Company E, on the 2d inst., and those of Private I. DAVIDSON, of Company H, and Corporal W. A. BITZER, of Company I, to-day. The funeral dirge, with muffled drums, had daily been heard, and was even then resounding in all directions, while many more became vic- tims to the dread camp-fever. Our kind-hearted Colonel had been very active in the endeavor to have us removed from that death-dealing location, sparing no effort or oppor- tunity whatever, but thus far to no avail : however, it was then very apparent that something would have to be done in that line, either to some other locality, or the "Onward, March !" for our mortality was greatly on the increase ; and, that it was mainly due to the matchless inactivity displayed by those would-be illustrious wise-acres in the War Depart- ment at Washington, in compelling our army, while in con- dition to move forward. to lay encamped there through the non-forwarding of the necessary supplies, etc., was not a mere matter of conjecture ; but. in general terms, Old HAL- LECK, with the others, then came in for another liberal share
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of censure and cursing from the boys. With no events of further importance to record, we wound up the day by seeking solace and repose beneath the cover of our tents and the folds of our blankets.
BURIAL OF A REGIMENTAL COMRADE-CHANGE OF LOCATION.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1862 .- We awoke this morn- ing in the midst of a very heavy frost, which had fallen during the night, all around us, and immediately proceeded to the preparation of breakfast; after which the Regiment received orders to " strike tents, pack up, and be ready to move at once !" Before leaving our camp here, however, we had the sad duty of interring the body of Corporal W. A. BITZER, of Company I, whose spirit had, on Wed- nesday, the 3d inst., departed and fled to the regions from whence it came. Colonel FRANKLIN conducted the burial service on this occasion, and that, too, in a most impressive manner. Having been in line, in readiness, since 10 A. M., we marched off to a locality northeast of the camp just va- cated, about three-fourths of a mile distant, arriving about noon, when we pitched our tents, and formed our company streets on the sloping grounds.
Our new camp was then west of Stoneman's Station, close by a pleasing brook of water, and not far from the line of the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, while to the north and rear was a dense woodland, with a large level meadow, "rectly parallel, immediately in our front, and particularly adapted for a grand drill and parade ground. * The whole open space of the vicinity abounded in long, dry yellow grass, which the boys readily perceived the advantage of, as well as having improved the opportunity by carrying the same into bunks for soft and comfortable quarters. Our Regiment encamped, however, without the proper alignment, as the other regiments of the Brigade had not yet definitely
*Our camp here had been named Camp near Falmouth, owing to the fact that its location was but a very short distance from that town.
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located themselves ; but, just as the company cooks fired up for our evening meal, the dry grass took fire, creating a lively time among the boys, as well as considerable effort in fight- ing and extinguishing the flames. They succeeded, however, after which we then enjoyed a good supper, retired to our bunks, and were early at rest upon the downy beds of dry grass, without further events to record.
QUARTERS MORE COMFORTABLE-DISCOMFORTS OF THE SICK.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1862 .- Day appeared cool and cloudy. After breakfast, regimental camp was properly laid out by Colonel FRANKLIN, with company streets in better location than before, while the boys were busily putting up quarters, carrying logs from the woods in our rear, digging out holes in the ground, placing the logs at right angles, and banking them up with dirt, thus making themselves as com- fortable as circumstances would permit. The atmosphere became very chilly, with the wind very raw and cutting, which caused the boys to hug the fires very affectionately. We still had a long list of sick in the Regiment, besides the several deaths mentioned during the week, with more expected to follow. The Regimental Hospital was erected on high ground, in the rear of the company streets; never theless, our poor, sick boys were decidedly uncomfortable, lying on iron cot-beds, whilst the wind had fair play under- neath and about them-mighty poor accommodations for sick soldiers, indeed. To-day I made up some sla )-jacks of dough, and pan-cakes of flour, which I fried in ness-pork fat, taking a few up to our sic .. boys in the hospital tent, who ate them with keen relish, as they proved to them quite a dainty dish outside of their regular line of diet-the poor fellows were suffering, and oh how we pitied them ! Dress parade was held in short order, when we got supper ; after which we nestled together in our new-made bunks, and shivered ourselves to sleep for the night.
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REMINDER OF VALLEY FORGE-VISITS TO SICK IN HOSPITALS.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1862 .- Our first appearance this morning, on the outside of our bunks, was greeted with a snow fall of several inches at our feet, and a severe northwest wind raging, making the day very disagreeable. The boys were building huge fires with the hope and object of making themselves comfortable, and were adding more logs to their bunks, from the woodland in our rear, with the same view. The surroundings here reminded us very forcibly of the numerous engravings and pictures of Valley Forge, with its scenes during the revolutionary war, which we had seen from time to time in the past-furnishing us, however, rather a realistic experience of the vexations, discomforts, priva- tions, and sufferings endured by the veterans of that period, in that famous, historical region.
We were to-day afforded a visit to our sick in the hospital tents and found that several of the boys were severely frost- bitten during the cold snap which prevailed, it being im- possible to perfectly shield them from the rough blasts in their rude, tented quarters. We also made an attempt to lead poor JOE WADE of our company, who was very delicate and feeble, from his bunk on the grass in company street to hos- pital quarters, but we found him so exhausted that he would have died in our arms, had we not called and obtained as- sistance. Being but a youth, he had been reduced by camp fever to a mere skeleton : yet, as we arrived with him at the tent, we found the hospital full to overflowir. . and were therefore obliged to lay our exhausted comrade up u a bed of boards and dry grass on the ground, to rest and ind relief, if possible-a matter of great doubt in the minds of all, well as the medical staff, in whose charge we then left hir , with the firm conviction that his demise was only the ques- tion of a day or two. Many cases were still being reported on the sick list; but, withal, the spirits of the boys on duty were as cheerful as could be desired or anticipated. Without 7
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