1863 February 7-8 on route to Suffolk, Va.

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

Sat 7. Beautiful morng.  No orders yet. Zouaves have
               my birth day – had some
gone.  After dinner struck tents, loaded train & about sunset
marched to R. R. Station – lay there till about 10. P.M. – Sent horses by land
Cold –Chilly night, ice makg – a Soldiers wife asked me to hold baby.
Set off for Aquia’s Creek about 11 – tried to sleep in baggage train too
cold.  Maj. walked. Got out & was left. Arrived about 1. oclk – cold
night  Col & I on boat awhile – not allowed to lie down –
morg. ate cold rations with Mr. Holms of Paterson.
Col. A[yres]. got rgt. on board of Str. In. A. Warner. fine steamer.
horses & baggage & men all right, lovely day, but cold  - ran
down Potomac about 11 A.M. fine places all along,
about 4. held service – preached on What must I do to be
Saved – we felt great liberty in speaking. Col. sd. twas best
discourse I had given since in service – men seemed attentive.
Got thro. just as we entered Chesapeake Bay.  Calm night

dined on board all officers – Capt. very polite
to me – attended service – In night  he sent for my
telescope – Anchor  made nice bed for Col. A & me –
About midnight – anchored in Hampton Roads, had prayers
before retiring.  Christie [?] pointed out several curious
& remarkable places.  In P.M. called R[iley]. aside & renewed our
friendly relations – since Friday night interrupted.  We both felt
better – I preached better for it.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935