Friday, November 2, 2012

1862 November 3 Arlington, Va.

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]



Mon 3.  Fine cold blustering day – All the tent huts fold – My tent
last night only half pitched blew pins out & was very cold.
had it repitched & floored & now very comfortable.  Yesterday for
first time we sent out pickets – about 3 miles – no one is
allowed to pass be[yond?] without pass except Gen. officers – or to
come within except negroes & unarmed citizens - & they to be con-
ducted to Officer in command – 27th N.J. an No.[?] & 15th Conn.
an 50 – just by us – visited Capt. Wheeler of latter & he me in eveg.
yesterday talked with contrabands – she sd. when Jackson came
up to the “Siyde”[?] she escaped for life – got separated fr. two of
her children – most crazy about ‘em.  Got Kind o’ Squandered” -
found em by & bye – Send out pickets now every day.  Yesterday four
soldiers were buried fr. the large hospital close by – they keep half a
dozen graves always dug in the new cemetery just across road fr.
our rt. wing – one had lately been taken up.
At dress parade – men returned to quarters – when long roll was beat –
a stirring sound – it called them out at double quick –

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935


Captain John D. Wheeler, 15th Connecticut

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