Biography
Co. K, 15th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Militia
Camp Vermont, November 13th, 1862
Dec. 23. Have heard nothing new to-day. All quiet on the Potomac.
Dec. 24. Very pleasant weather. The 14th (14th RegVI )went out to Centerville this morning for picket duty. They are going to have a game of rest tomorrow it being Christmas. Most of the boys are out of money and they will be obliged to pass the day on hard tack and salt pork, which will be rather dry, I think.
Dec. 25. Christmas Day, and I am on a bunk getting my boots tapped, and so passed the day.
Dec 26. Nothing new. At Guard Mounting this morning the General put the officer of the day and our Lt. Under arrest for not knowing their duty. They were from the 12th Regt. (12th RegVI) They had a Brigade Drill this afternoon, and round up with a Brigade Dress Parade, which went off very well, for the first time.
Dec. 27. Very pleasant and warm this morning. It is preparing for a storm of some kind, and it will be a hard one when it comes. We have had a very good Fall for this country. Not but a very little mud to what we have some times. There was a great excitement here this afternoon. All the Regiments were drawn up in line of battle, and the battery took its position, and we waited with the greatest anxiety for the word to march. We were in this position about half an hour when the order was countermanded. The cannonading was at some twenty five miles from here, but was plain and distinct.
Dec. 28. To-day is Sunday, and one of the quietest days I have seen since I have been in the Army. Our regt. went out to Centerville on picket to-day. All quiet on the Potomac. About three in the afternoon we heard the Rebs were at Burke Station in force. We got the regt. into line and the battery in position by nine at night and laid in the rifle pits until one in the morning, when the first gun was fired. The Rebs charged on our advance guard, but were repulsed by two companies of the 12th regt (12th RegVI). and nine shells from the battery, and have not been heard from since.
Dec. 29. The enemy that attacked us last night was Stewart’s Cavalry, 4000 strong. They were after forage but did not get much if any at all. Things have quieted down and the prospect of a fight is rather small. The picket line is back from its former position about one mile. The Regt. has gone back to Camp. Quite cold.
Dec. 30. All quiet until about dark, when it was reported that Jackson was crossing the Rappahannock in force. Then I had to run with orders to the different regiments to hold themselves in readiness to march at one minutes notice with three days rations in their haversacks. Did not get much time to sleep that night.
Dec. 31. The last day of the year and I am at Fairfax Court House. Nothing going on but Brigade Drill this afternoon.
Jan. 1,1863. All quiet on the Potomac. To-day is New Years, and it is the lonesomest day for New Years that I ever saw.
Jan 2. All Right.
Jan3. All Right.
Jan 4. Nothing New.
Jan 5. General gone and no one at home. Very pleasant within.
Jan 6. Somewhat rainy and muddy.
Jan 7. Froze hard and snowed some.
