1862 September 6 near Washington, D. C.

[from the diary of Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C., 13th Massachusetts]



     Saturday   Sep  6th/62

     I went to the brook this forenoon
had a wash, and washed my
things.  Rumors of marching
to night.  The swelling on my
face has turned out to be a bile
the first I have had since
being in the Army.  I think
it must be from the effects of
eating so much salt pork while
in Virginia.  I must be careful
how I eat it here after.
About dark we received orders to
march.  We pack up and were soon
on our way.  We marched to ac-
quiaduct bridge, passed through
Georgetown and Washington.
General Ricketts must have been
either mad or crazy for he marched
us over six miles without a hault
The Boys were unable to march so,
and the consequences were that
the road was lined with Straglers.
I fell out of the ranks while passing
through Washington.  I sat down on
the steps of a beautiful Mansion.
It was about One Oclock Sunday
morning.  The owner of the House
happened to be up watching the
Soldiers go by.  He saw me and
came out, had a talk with me
and gave me an Apple and a
couple of peaches.  After resting a
little while I marched on again,
and took the road that went
to Rockville.  About two miles
from Washington I went to a house,
spread my blanket on the
Piazza, and went to sleep.
The people of the house were up
talking with some Soldiers            

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021