1862 November 30 camp near Fairfax Seminary

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



Sun 30.  Fine.  Inspection so long, no morng. service.  must see
Col. about it.  Visited hospitals – talked & prayed with
them – hung up cards of SS – in four dift.  tents & some[?].
                                 was about to
Just as Afternoon Service ^ begin – orders came to march
at 12.  tomorrow with shelter tents & seven days rations –
Preached. fr. Surely [symbol for "God"] is in this place & I knew it not –
We have abt. 200 off duty.  It is sd. Burnside is repulsed –
don’t believe it – Don’t know where we are to go –
Camp all astir getting ready.  I went to hospitals - & at
suggestion of a pious nurse established family worship
in four wards – while I am away – also conducted a
[Either a word missing or Butler intended to write "one" instead of "a"]
in Camp in F. in P.M.  Much pleased both they & I
& now may God prepare us for what is before us
tomorrow – we leave one sick - & one Doctor - & the Camp
standing for in charge of Adjutant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935