Chapter XXI: Extracts From My Diary

Such is the price with which we bought
A country! And our sons here see
How faithfully the fathers wrought,
For manhood, peace, and liberty.

And you, ye sons, as here you tread,
And on our graves your tribute lay,
That ye be worthy of such dead,
Forget not till the latest day.

_M. J. Savage._

_June 1, 1864._ Sunset. Another battle has begun, and brave men are
now falling for their country and their homes. Ah, many a heart will
mourn when they hear of this hour’s history, but may the thought
cheer them, that their dear ones fell like heroes, as they are, in
the holiest cause for which man ever fought.

_June 2._ Five P. M. Again has the battle begun, and again we hear
the hum of lead and iron, like hail in a storm. Oh, how terrible is
the conflict of arms among men of one nation!

_June 3._ The battle began early this morning, and now many of my
dear comrades are cold in death. Many others are suffering with pain
from wounds received while facing traitors to their country.

At six o’clock this morning we charged across a field about a quarter of a mile; fighting began, and we had it hot and heavy until dark. Our loss was very heavy, and of my company, Warren P. Locke, and Makepeace C. Young are killed, and Hazen, Kennison, Robinson, Melvin, Parsons, Beals, Uffindale, and Fuller are wounded. Oh, may their names be ever honored by those who love their country!

_June 4._ Went out skirmishing; relieved at noon, and joined my
company. Started for some place, and went about one mile, then back
we went to the front, and staid all night.

_June 5._ Laid behind our works until four P. M., then with two other
regiments, we went out on a reconnoissance; skirmishing began soon
after starting, and we fell back to our works, got our rations, and
fooled around all night.

_June 13._ Started at eight o’clock last night, and marched until
half past four this morning, when we halted near the Chickahominy
river; laid down an hour, then up and going again. Stopped for
breakfast at seven o’clock. Crossed the Chickahominy, and went about
a mile, then halted until dark; then packed up and started for
Charles City courthouse. Stopped at midnight.

_June 14._ Once more back on the James river. I little thought one
year ago that I should ever return here. But where are my companions
that were with me then? Some are lying beneath Virginia soil, others
are wounded in the hospitals, and others are at home with their
friends; but I am still in my country’s service, fighting for the
Nation that was given to us by our forefathers.

_June 18._ This day will ever be fresh in my memory, for through the
mercy of God, my life was spared, when death certainly stared me in
the face. While men fell all around me, I was left unharmed. It was a
desperate attempt to carry the enemy’s works; we charged three times
and were repulsed each time, with terrible loss. Our Colonel fell,
fatally wounded, while leading his men in the charge. Major Edmunds
was wounded; William R. Wait was killed, and Wheeler and many others
of my company were wounded.

_June 19._ Col. Prescott died of his wounds today at 11 A. M. He was
a good and brave man and we deeply feel his loss.

_July 30._ Before Petersburg. Battle opened all along the line before
sunrise this morning. About as heavy artillery firing as I ever
heard. There is hard fighting on the left and centre of our line.

_August 18._ On guard last night; packed up at three this morning,
and moved to the left across the Weldon railroad, and tore up the
rails. Heavy fighting all day; was on the skirmish line; Melvin of my
company wounded; was relieved from the skirmish line at 10 o’clock
tonight.

_August 21._ Sunday; on the Weldon railroad; just got my breakfast
down when the outposts of our line were driven in; we opened fire,
but were driven back to our works, then we advanced, skirmishing all
the way back to our old picket line.