Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

  We start again & march on taking the usual rests. But march verry brisk. At last we reached our destination for today. Hartwood Church, 7 miles from Falmouth and it is 11 oclock. We lay down for the rest of the night, We have marched about 15 miles to get 13. So ended today and a hard one too. Verry tired are we. We now see that we are going to the right of the army for some purpose. Some say one thing some say another. We were lucky having good water all the time and I had some lemons and I put some in my canteen having lemonade all the time. It went well here. We found out also that we are to be joined by more troops. We hear Hooker has some troops on the other side of the river yet. There is lots of troops all around here. So there is no general move.

  June 8, 1863

  And fine day. We got breakfast, started at 6 oclock, turned to the left leaving the Catlets road. We go up and towards the river resting evry 3 or 4 miles. Our Regt goes ahead today. When we started this morning another Regt joined us from the 6th Corps. We marched till about noon on this road then turned on another going toward the river. We went on some 3 miles, stoped within about 1 mile of the river. Here we stoped for dinner near a good spring. We had a scarcity of water today. Here it was said we were to cross. We lay about 2 hours. There is considerable troops here and we have passed troops all along today. Havnt got out of the army yet. There we are ordered to march around to the rear of some woods there to stay till further orders. So we stayed. When night come on, got coffee, put out fires for we were only about 1 mile from the river. We lay down. We marched hard today. We are to cross here it is said.

  June 9, 1863 [Battle of Brandy Station, Virginia]

  And fine day. We were awoke at break of day this morning to draw 3 days more rations & get ready to march at a minutes notice. Daylight comes & we build fires. Hark, there is Picket firing. There was a regt went by before we got up going to the river. There was not more than a dozen shots fired. We get Breakfast. News comes that our men is on the other side of the river. Our cavelry is going down & several batteries. 7 A.M. We start, go down to the River. The Infantry are crossing & there is several thousand cavelry formed waiting for us to get across and more coming. We have to wade the river, it being about 2 ½ feet deep in the deepest place. Some takes off shoes & socks, some roll up pants only. Most of them wade in just as they are, hollowing & yelling &c. We get across. Being the last regt today so we were the last infantry to cross.

  Go ¼ mile, come to the little town consisting of a large mill not running and store. But nothing of value in it. Some two or three old ledgers showing that there had been considerable buisness done. One paper was found stating that he, Kelly, had entered suit in the circuit court against a man to the amount of $7,000.00 and evrything around showed that there had been great buisness done there before the war broke out. There was the mansion and a number of small buildings. The latter I suppose for the hirelings and negros. The mill was started, I suppose, for the purpose of spoiling the stones by letting them run togather. Well, we lay here till the cavelry went by, probably 3000 of them. They turned square into the country.

  We started, went up the road running up the river. Went 1 mile, stoped for 2 hours. While we were stoped they run out scouts & skirmishers &c to feel for the rebs for we are going right toward where they were fighting all day today. And where we heard cannonading all day yesterday. But now we can hear occasional shots of small arms. We get up, start and march verry fast for probably 4 miles then stop. Can hear one shot, from our piece, we suppose. We can see our cavelry charge in among a few houses off a mile or so to the left of us.

  We start again, go a mile or so and form line of battle. And we see away to the south our cavelry going along in same direction we [are]. Here the men that was detailed to go after water come up. We had carried their things along and then they come without water, we having no chance to get any since leaving the river. We can see our & the Rebel cavelry charging. Cavelry & artillery being all that is engaged. We right face, start again in towards the enemy. We cross the R.Road. I judged about 3 miles from Brandy station, this being the place we were to take, I understand. But our calvery couldnt hold it. They took it but the rebs charged on them with a superior force, strongly supported by Infantry which come on the cars just as our men got there. When our cavelry charged, the Rebs run the train back a ways. We went into an open field about 1 mile from the engagement, laid down here. Details was sent after water but returned with only a little muddy stuff.

  After laying there a little while, we went back to where we stoped before. There we went behind the woods. And details for water again. We lay there about an hour, then ordered over to near the river about 2 miles off. We went out through the field again. But this time we could see no fighting, there being a lull. We have to carry the knappsacks of the men after water. We got over and formed behind a stone wall, the Battery in front on the hill. Here we see some sign of retreat. Cavelry goes out and others come in. We see several dead & wounded come in. We lay here about half an hour then ordered to cross the River and take a strong position. We started, got nearly to the river and ordered Back to support a Battery that was posted on the hill a little way from the river. We can hear an occasional shot of small fire arms. We lay here about half hour. The rebs fire several shots at us but do no damage. The rebs keep firing rapidly with one gun, that being about all they have used today in the way of artillery.

  We are ordered across the river. We start, get down to the river the battery following us. We being hard up for water all day and as quick as the Boys steped into the river, they stoped to get a drink & fill their canteens. But an officer on the bank commenced yelling for us to go on but the boys didnt pay much attention to him. This ford is deeper than the one we crossed this morning. It being about 7 miles below here. We went up into the woods about ¾ of a mile, stoped. Evry one of our troops will soon be over. There is lots of cavelry. There is still skirmishing and occasional shot fired. We lay in the woods till night which wasnt long coming and we being wet up to the waist we were chilly. Then we started down the river. Good road. We travel down to Rappahannock Station some four miles I should judge. There camped, it being 10 P.M. This was a hard day. Crossed the river, traveled most of the day & without water or stoping to get anything to eat and expecting to get into a fight any minute. There is many things that I could write but time & space will not admit of it. It is said we accomplished the thing we went for.91

  June 10, 1863

  And fine morning. We got up at 6 oclock & started without breakfast to go only 1 mile. We went right up the [Orange and Alexandria] railroad and camped till further orders which didnt come today. We had good dry rails for fire & we cooked & eat & slept. It is a nice shady place not verry good water though but plenty. There was a great many, I guess most all the cavelry went by today. There was four rebel flags went by, four different regts carrying them. They being tied on their flag staffs below their flags showing those regts captured them. This shows that our forces done something. The rumor is that we took 400 Prisinors.

  June 11, 1863

  And fine day. Sprinkled rain a little just at dark. At half past 6 oclock we moved. Go up the railroad still till reaching Bersley Station [Bealeton Station] about 2 miles travel this morning. Here we rested some 2 hours. All or most of the infantry come up consisting of some 2000 men in all. The cars run to this station bringing supplies of forage & rations. They took the wounded on the cars here. We turn to the right on the main road to Falmouth. We rather thought we were going back to camp. But after going 1 mile we turned into the woods and camped. A good shady place. Water scarce and bad. We were told to fix up comfortable as we might stay here two or three days. So Tommy & I made a shelter of our oilcloths, got good lot of leaves for bed. We have a scarcity of meat having none today and being so much exposed we eat all we can get. But lucky for us, Tommy found some where some troops were camped.

  We got orders about 5 P.M. to get ready to go on picket. Our Co & Co H & dozen men from Co B. We got ready to start & beho
ld there was 4 men absent without leave. Sergt Boyanton & Corporal Schloesser were among them. But they come in soon after we formed. There was about a hundred men from each regt, our Major Finnecum having command. We came down the R.R. to where we left camp in the morning. There we waited till dark which soon come. Then we marched down to the river where the RR Bridge is. There we find a section of artillery. Here we find that we are here to keep the rebs from crossing if they should try it. Our Co was taken and sliped into the rifle pits. Also were others from other Regts. Then we lay down taking out our Blankets, evry man laying down in his tracks. Sentinels were put in front to give the alarm if anything transpired. But when we got back to the station as we come down, we drew 3 days rations consisting of crackers & pork, sugar & coffee. We got verry nice pork, verry.

  June 12, 1863

  And fine day. We lay around all day a few rods back of the Rifle pits. There being about 1,000 men in all. But last night there was only 2 or 3 Co in the pits. There was 2 men came over with a flag of truce on Pretence of seeing after two or three wounded officers. The guard at the bridge didnt take them under his care as he should have done but let them come on. I guess he, the sentinel, was a recruit. Fortunately an officer seen them and stoped them ere they got up the bank so as to see what force &c we had. He sent them back verry soon without the expected information.

  Just at dark a part of the 3d corps come up and relieved us. There was a division. I suppose they calculate to stay awhile some say. Probably, some say, most of the army is coming up the river. We went back to camp reaching it about 10 oclock, found the Regt &c just when we left the evening before. The cars are coming in fast bringing supplies. We now see that this will be made a base of operations of a part or all of the army.

  It looked like rain again this evening as it has for several evenings past but don’t come.

  June 13, 1863

  And fine day but warm. We lay in camp till 2 P.M. when Gen Wadsworth come into camp & ordered us to march. Our corps is coming up by here. There has been a number of troops going by today. The report is that the whole army is coming this [way]. We went up by the station and on some 3 miles and camped it being about 6 P.M. Just before dark our Regt teams come up bringing our baggage that was left in the old camp. I got all my things but my tin pail, coffee pail. So did the Boys but some few little things. Captain [Henry Young] come up with the train as also did several of our Boys who were left in camp. We have plenty of good water here. I was glad, verry glad to see Cap come back. He brought good news from home. Mother is well. Cap says he never seen her look so well as she does. All the relatives were well & doing well as far as he knew. We got the mail this evening, the first for a week. I got a letter from Henry and all is well.

  June 14, 1863

  And fine day. We started this morning. Came to Warrenton Junction, traveled verry slow. We are front guard today of our corps. From here we come to Catlets Station. From here we come to Manassas Junction. We stoped at Kettle Run 7 miles back just at dark, just after dark to make coffee. We traveled verry slow making about 20 miles in 22 hours. We started at 6 A.M., traveled today & all night. It is said we have to report at Alexander tomorrow night. 3 corps do. This has been a hard day. But we knew the road well as we had traveled it last summer, some of it 3 times over.

  June 15, 1863

  And fine day. We wish for rain so as to lay the dust which is almost intolerable. We traveled all night, stopping at Manassas Junction this morning little after sunrise. Here we stack arms, make coffee. The Boys think that we will have another Battle on the old Bullrun [Bull Run] Battlefield as the rumor is that the rebs is trying on the same thing they did last year. But they havent got in our rear, that we know. I cant make out what is up unless the rebs is attacking us in superior force. And we have to fall back. We lay here till ten oclock when we started for Centerville which we reached just night. Distance 6 miles, slow traveling. We were rear guard today. Had a great deal of truble with the stragglers. We got to Bullrun Creek where we had coffee. Here we got some pretty good water. It is verry hot today. We stoped here about 2 hours. There were a lot of rebel earth works here that were made by them in 61 which interested the boys considerable. They were verry well made. The Boys huddled togather under the trees to cool off, they being verry warm. We start & cross the creek which is rather small and coming along verry slow. We have skirmishers out on each flank to pick up and start up the Boys that give out and crawl under some shade trees or another. And I imagine many fall behind to get taken prisinor so as to get out of soldiering for some 2 or 3 months &c. But we didnt leave many. Our officers got off their horses and let the worst ones ride.

  The rumor is that [General John A.] Dix is coming on to Richmond by way of the Peninsula. And it is even asserted that he has Richmond. Time will tell what this move means. The Army is still in good spirits, seem to think that we may have a fight soon and I cant help but think it myself.

  We come on slowly passing a number of graves which were made in the 2 Battles [of Bull Run]. We passed the house where I first had my wound dressed, 29th of last August. It then being used for division hospital. At last we reach Centerville, go inside the old rebel Brestworks and camp verry tired. Here we get good water. We, our Regt, stands it well to what the others do for we got well broke in before they come to us. I went down to the creek, took good wash, put on a clean shirt which I bought from one of the Boys for 50 cents. It is a good shirt but he was about to throw it away and I hadnt changed since last Sunday week and both my shirts was dirty and hard worn. I think I shall take one to patch the other. I drew a new pair of shoes yesterday. My feet are nearly on the ground. But as long as it is dry weather I will not attempt to break the new ones while on the march as I wear the old ones in preference for the new ones would make my feet sore.

  I was grossly insulted & abused this morning by Corporal Schloesser [John J. Schlosser]. He is a german & he done it without the slitest provication. But he is a large heavy man. I guess he thought he would scare me & he couldnt. He at last gave me a slight kick. I treated him well. Kept my anger down, knowing I would have him foul if I had a mind to arrest him and courtmartialed. He put up his tent on my gun and I wanted to use it for that purpose myself to make a shade and had no buisness about the ranks for he is color corporal. He was intruding on others besides me. We got started, one word brought on another. He talked verry harsh while I laughed and spoke kindly which enraged him so that he kicked me. I got what I wanted. This happened this morning and tonight I spoke to Cap about and got good satisfaction. He is going to attend to the gentleman right off. Cap said I done just right and for me to not let him run over me and if he ever abused me again to report to him and he would reduce him the ranks for it. Said I must not let him run over me. When I told all about it, he said I had ought to have knocked him down with a club, stone or anything.

  June 16, 1863

  And fine day. Don’t it beat all how the dry weather holds on. I had a good nights rest. We get no orders to march as yet. About 10 A.M. we get orders to clean up for inspection tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. and evry man is to have on a clean shirt so the boys got their clothes washed up. But it couldnt be helped, our being dirty for we have had no time to wash up. We lay here all day. The sutlers to the different Regt come in today bringing a load of stuff which they quickly sold. Just at night they were ordered to Washington for we are to move in the morning early. There was some excitement in camp in consequence of the daily paper bringing reliable news of the rebs whiping our forces at Winchester under command of Milroy. The [rebs] surrounded him & he cut his way out with the loss of 2,000 killed, wounded & taken prisinor. Milroy’s force was 18,000 strong. He fell back to Harpers Ferry and the rebs went into Maryland and on up to Pennsylvania plundering and destroying.92

  The Govenors of the states bordering Penn and the govenor of Penn also call for men to repel the invaders. Great excitement throughout the north. The Regts of men that have went home volunteer to help repel the invaders. We
now begin to see the intentions or partly so of our generals. They are going to keep a force between Washington & rebs and harass them with a part of the rest. The report is that there is 30,000 rebs gone up there which I don’t doubt. The rumor is Gen Dix of the Peninsula is coming up on transports with a part of his command. But this I doubt.

  This place, Centerville, is occupied & fortified by our forces. This has been going on all summer. Since coming here, Cap has quartered with Tommy & I. His tent not coming up.

  June 17, 1863

  And fine day. But verry warm. Revilee was beat at 3 oclock this morning. Had roll call, got breakfast, packed up ready to start. Waited long time. At last at sunrise we start coming the much noted but small dirty looking village of Centerville. But when coming to the Alexandria turnpike, contrary to our expectations, we come right across it instead of turning on it. We took the Leesburg road, coming on at a good speed for some 4 miles when we rested, then come on 2 miles, rested again and so on. We come to a creek when we took a rest of about an hour. Those that chose made coffee. Tommy & I made tea as I have about ¼ pound for to have some on such occasions. When tired & weary, it tastes good. Then we started, come probably 2 miles when we were ordered to halt & countermarch which we done, causing some scolding & jokes. This thing & that was talked about to numerous to mention & numerous rumors about the enemy but we know nothing. Only that we come back keeping straight east. We come by the road. We went on as the road forked. This was unexpected. Then as a matter of course, the boys had some new speculations and Jake & I said I guessed the reason that we didnt go on was that the enemy was there.