Text set / Henry O. Nightingale diary, 1864

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Poor Richard's reasons for buying United States' securities [16]

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Title: Facing pages [124-125]
Date Created and/or Issued: 18640503-18640504
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Transcription: Very pleasant but cool in the morning was [on] [illegible] Mon Tue duty. When I returned to camp was surprised to find the tent down and the boys building another in the St., got to work and soon had the pleasure of having another home in the evening received [illegible] to have our [illegible] of [sacks] packed and be in [illegible] to march. At 8 in the evening started and rejoined the Corp. at our old camp marched from there to [Elys] [illegible]. [illegible] from our camp of 18 [miles] and [tired out. [we] expect warm wash tomorrow if [illegible] the to cross. but the [illegible] to [home]. [There is writing on the left margin.] After marching all last night we crossed the [illegible] at Elys [yard] about 3 'o' clock in the morning were surprised to get across so easily, no rebels to be found. Continued our march and finally halted on the old Battle ground of [Phancella] [is] ville. A [illgegible] [sight] the ground covered with bones had to go in pain [illegible] the wounds, got lost but found again. At 8 P.M. was relieved and [illegible] to the Grand sea [was] picked [by] [down] completely [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] tell what will happen to war now that we [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] long without [illegible] in [illegible]. [There is writing on left margin] ------------------------------ May 3, Tuesday. Very pleasant but cool in the morning, was on court martial duty, when I returned to camp was surprised to find the tent down and the boys building another in the St. Got to work and soon had the pleasure of having another house – in the evening, received orders to have our knapsacks packed and be in readiness to march at 8 in the evening, started and rejoined the corps at our old camp. Marched from there to Ely’s Ford – a distance from our camp of 18 miles –am tired out. [1.] We expect warm work tomorrow if we are able to cross but the men are to have no rest and would be refused fires. Dr. Munson left for home from here. May 4, Wednesday. On the March After marching all last night, we crossed the Rapidan at Ely’s Ford about 3 o’clock in the morning, were surprised to get across so easily, no rebels to be found – continued our march and finally halted in the old battle field of Chancellorsville – a sad sight the ground covered with bones. Had to go on picket in the woods, got lost but found again – at 8 pm was relieved and transferred to the General Reserve Picket [2.] lying down completely exhausted, no man can tell what will happen tomorrow but we cannot remain here long without coming into contact with the enemy. It is rumored Gen. Grant is here. [3.] Note: 1. The Second Corps began its march on the night of May 3. The Corps left Stevensburg area and moved to Ely’s Ford on the Rapidan. Nightingale’s party were located on Stony Mountain, perhaps 2-3 miles south of Stevensburg so he had to move north to Stevensburg then farther north towards Brandy Station then join the brigade en route to Ely’s Ford. The reason his tent was down was that earlier a fierce storm of tornado-like power swept over the camp at Stevensburg. 2. The General Picker Reserve was the picket line in reserve behind the original line. The General Reserve was likely made up of from members in the division or brigade. 3. Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was not in the immediate area but was camped at Germanna Ford in the area just south of the Rapidan. Crooks, Terence G. “Transcribed and Annotated Diaries of Henry Oliver Nightingale.” Unpublished manuscript, 2014. Microsoft Word file.
Parent Item: Henry O. Nightingale diary, 1864
Contributing Institution: UC Merced, Library and Special Collections
Collection: Henry O. Nightingale diaries

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