1862 September 7 12 miles from Washington

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

     Sunday    sept 7th/62

     I awoke a little after Sun rise
There was two Ladies siting on the
Pzza and they asked me if I
Slept well.  There was plenty of Soldiers
about. trying to buy a Breakfast
The Ladies said that there had
been so many Soldiers about that
they had eat them all out of every thing
and they thought it was doubtful
if they could get anything for
their own breakfast, but we
were welcome to go into the
Kitchen, use the fire to cook
our Coffee, and anything that we
could use to help get out breakfast.
I made my self at home, and soon
had my Coffee cooked.
After eating my hard bread and
drinking my Coffee I strapped
on my Knapsack and started.
I had gone but a little ways

when I found Shuttle, Dyer
and Parker of my own Mess
cooking their breakfast by the
roadside.  I stoped and when they
got through, we four started on to-
gether.  We reached the Regt (which
was in Camp about twelve miles
from Washington) a little before
dark.  When the Regt reached there
they only had eight men, the 12th
they say had only the Major come in.
We four got in long before our Captain
did.  I heard many Officers say that
they thought Gen Ricketts must be
crazy to march the men the way
he did.  It is not always the distance
that tires the men the most.  It
is the manner in which we are
made to march it.  If we don’t march
but six miles, if the Gen marches
us that distance without a hault
he will have very few men come
in with him.  We marched through
the upper part of Washington
and did not have a chance
to see the Capitol close to
even by night.  I was in hopes
we would pass through there in the
day time.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12021