Life In Camp
A history of the nine months' service of the Fourteenth Vermont Regiment, from October 21, 1862, when it was mustered into the U.S. Service, to July 21, 1863, including the Battle of Gettysburg.
By
J. C. WILLIAMS
Corp. Co. B, 14h Vt. Reg't."Our Country calls us! Quick, be ready!
think of what our sires have been;
Onward! onward! strong and steady,
Drive the Traitor to his den.
On and let the watchword be
Country, home, and liberty."Published for the Author,
By the Claremont Manufacturing Company,
Claremont, N.H.
1864.Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1864,
by J. C. WILLIAMS,
In the Clerk's Officer of the United States District Court
for the District of New Hampshire.
PREFACE
This little book has been written with a design to perpetuate a record of the valuable services which the 14th Vermont Regiment rendered to the Government while in the reserve corps for the defense of the Capital, and also when connected with the Army of the Potomac.
Such a work as this will doubtless be interesting to every Vermonter, as well as to every member of the gallant 2d Brigade, and more especially to those who were members and friends of the 14th. In keeping this record, I have necessarily given a partial history of the other regiments composing the 2d Vermont Brigade.
It was not the original intention to offer this book to the public, but having been over-ruled by the wishes of friends somewhat, I have consented to do so.
The record having been kept for myself, it is confined to a statement of those things which are not found in history; and hoping that such a volume, although a small one, may find favor among the people, it is now offered to the public.
THE AUTHOR
Danby, December, 1863.
CONTENTS
Introduction. -- Mustered into the U.S. Service. -- Leave the State for the Seat of War. -- New York City. -- Indignant treatment. -- Philadelphia. -- Kind Treatment. -- the Regiment at Baltimore. -- Arrival at Washington. -- Camp Chase. -- Severe Storm. -- Join Casey's Division. -- A Review. -- March to Capitol Hill. -- March to Camp Seward. -- Sick Soldiers. -- An Accident. -- Poisoned Soldiers. -- Marching Orders. -- A new Camp. -- Camp Vermont. -- Severe Snow Storm. -- March to Alexandria. -- Exchange of Guns
Orders to go into Winter Quarters. -- The Right Wing of the Regiment on Picket. -- The Regiment to work on Forts. -- The Regiment on Picket. -- An Incident or two. -- Marching Orders. -- In Camp near Occuquon Creek, Virginia. -- In Line of Battle. -- Picket Duty
Removal of the Camp. -- Capture of Prisoners. -- Plenty of Picket Duty. -- Marching Orders again. -- At Camp Vermont once more. -- History of our March back. -- New Order to go into Winter Quarters. -- The original Plan for building Barracks changed. -- On Picket. -- Orders to march again. -- Leave Camp Vermont for good. -- In Camp near Fairfax Court House. -- Movements of the Army. -- Gen. E. H. Stoughton, our Brigadier. -- A Review
Peculiarity in Military Operations. -- Marching Orders. -- They are countermanded. -- Picket Duty at Centerville. -- A Description of Stockading. -- Rumors. -- Christmas. -- Expectations of an Attack. -- -Visit to the Chantilly, Battle Field. Operations of the Rebel Gen. Stuart. -- A Skirmish.
New Year. -- Another Brigade Drill. -- Orders to go into Winter Quarters. -- Letters from Home. -- Sick Soldiers sent to Brattleboro. -- "All quiet on the Potomac." -- More Letters from Home. -- Again in a new Camp. -- Another false Alarm. -- Have received a Box of Delicacies from Home. -- Orders to march.
A new Camp. -- Another severe Storm. -- No Drilling. -- All quiet in Camp. -- Small Pox. -- The Regiment is paid off. -- More Rumors. -- Cold Weather. -- Deep Snow. -- Target Practice. -- Drilling resumed. -- Movement of Troops. -- The 2d Brigade still in the Reserve Corps. -- Winter in earnest. --- Another Box from Home.
Army still inactive. -- Hard Drilling. -- Marching Orders. -- The Orders countermanded. -- Stuart's Movements. -- Capture of Gen. Stoughton, our Brigadier. -- Weather still changeable. -- Drilling again dispensed with. -- More Cold Weather. -- Drilling Resumed. -- Evening Thoughts. -- Pass for Washington. -- At the Capital. -- Return to Camp.
A sad Accident. -- Divine Worship. -- Marching Orders are received. -- In Camp near Wolf Run Shoals. -- History of the March. -- Another false Alarm. -- Preparations for an Engagement. -- Another Promotion. -- More Rain and Snow. -- Expectations of an Engagement with Stuart. --- "Grand Army of the Potomac" still inactive. -- Fast day in Camp. -- Inspection and Muster. -- The Regiment again called out in Line of Battle. -- Sad Intelligence.
Orders to take the Field. -- No longer in the Reserve Corps. -- Seven Days' Rations on Hand. -- Gen. Casey superseded. - The Regiment is again paid off. -- Still under Marching Orders. -- A new Brigadier General. -- The Regiment again called to Arms. -- Mustered for Pay. -- Grand display of "Red Tape." -- The Orders to march are renewed. -- Battle of Fredericksburg. -- Warm Weather. -- Hooker back in his Old Position.
A Grand Review. -- More preparations for an Engagement. -- Dull in Camp again. -- "Onward to Richmond" programme changed. -- Movements of the Army. -- The 14th in front. -- Removal of our Camp. -- Stirring News expected. -- Marching Orders.
A long March commenced. -- At Union Mills. -- Centreville. -- Guilford Station. -- Cross the Potomac. -- Cross the Monocacy. -- Hooker succeeded by Meade. -- Mead's Army in motion. -- First Day's Fight at Gettysburg. -- The great Battle fought. -- The Second Vermont Brigade. -- July 4. -- Effects of a Battle. A Glorious Union Victory.
The Army again in motion. -- Pursuit of the Enemy. -- At Emmittsburg. -- South Mountain. -- A cheerless Night. -- Formed in Line of Battle. -- Again on the move. -- Another Halt. -- Orders to Fortify. -- On the move again. -- The Enemy strongly Fortified. -- No Fighting. -- Escape of Lee. -- Williamsport. -- Campaign north of the Potomac ended. -- Pursuit of Lee continued. -- The Brigade relieved from Duty. -- Homeward bound. -- At Baltimore, Philadelphia, etc. -- At New York again. -- Our arrival Home.
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