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Page 36
Here we were sworn into the United States service for thirty days from
the 17th June.
On Wednesday, July 1st, all our prospect of camp life, with its
regularity of drill, inspection, and, above all, of rations, was dashed
by orders to move in the morning to Carlisle. General Knipe, riding
through camp, was asked where he was going to take us. 'Right into the
face of the enemy,' said he. 'Hi, hi!' shouted the men.
So away we went again. I was detailed to guard baggage, and remained,
loading wagons, &c., subject to the quartermaster, and went on in the
cars to Carlisle, where, on the evening of the 3d, I joined the regiment
when it came in.
Since we left Carlisle the rebels had been there and burned the
barracks. They had shelled the town the night before, and the 37th had
had a sharp skirmish with them.
On the morning of the 4th July we started about ten thousand strong--a
movement in force. The battle of Gettysburg had been fought, the danger
to Harrisburg was past, and, without knowing exactly where we were
bound, it was plain that we were to cooperate with Meade. That day we
made a long march. Our knapsacks were left behind. The first six miles
were well enough. We move on slowly, the sun overclouded, the road good,
and marching, as always is allowed on a long march (save when we pass
through a town), without order or file. The men talk, laugh, and sing,
get water and tobacco from the roadside dwellers, and chaff them with
all sorts of absurd questions. The first six miles are pleasant. At the
foot of the South Mountains we rest. This is Papertown. Papertown, as
far as visible, consists of one house. From the piazza of said house, an
8th makes a speech: I am not near enough to hear, but suppose it funny,
for colonels and all laugh. Some go to eating, some to sleep, some take
the chance, as is wise, to wash their feet at the stream below, the best
preventive of blisters.
In an hour it begins to rain, and we start to go through the Gap, along
which we meet squads of prisoners and deserters from Lee's army. Eleven
miles through that rain. I have never seen such rain before; it is
credited to the cannonading which for days past has been going on all
around. Trudge, trudge; in fifteen minutes soaked through, in half an
hour walking in six inches of water, in two hours walking in six inches
of mud. Then throw away blankets and overcoats--men fall behind done
up--men can go no farther for sore feet.
At Pine Grove, that night, Company I, out of seventy men, musters thirty
at roll call. The different regiments scatter over half a mile of
ground. Every fence about is converted into fuel. The cattle and hogs in
the fields are levied upon--shot, dressed, cooked, and eaten. There is
nothing else to be had, and the wagons cannot follow us for some time
over such roads. So officers shut their eyes. It rains still, but we can
be no wetter than we are, so we lie down and take it. This is our
glorious Fourth!
In the morning--Sunday morning again--there is nothing to eat. In the
town, which comprises half a dozen houses and an old foundery, the
answer is, 'The rebels has eat us all out.' A few secure loaves of
bread, paying as high as a dollar; another few boil what coffee they had
carried with them and contrived to save from the rain. The rest have
nothing. Henceforth the order of the day is march and starve, and the
story is only of ceaseless fatigue, hunger, and rain. Thus far we have
stood stiff and taken it cheerfully. There was growling before we got
through.
Off again over the mountains.
If I have enough to eat, I can stand anything--if not, I break down. In
two miles I 'caved in.' The captain thought the regiment would return
shortly. So I staid behind. On Monday afternoon, however, they had not
come back, and I started after them. I got a meal and passed the night
in a house on the mountain, and, after some sixteen miles' walking,
caught them on the broad turnpike the next day, and marched some seven
miles farther, to Funkstown, Pennsylvania.
Here an episode. As we started the next morning (in the rain, of
course), I was sent to the rear to report to a sergeant. The sergeant,
with nine besides me, reported to the brigade quartermaster. The
quartermaster distributed the ten, with an equal number of the 23d,
through ten army wagons, to drive and guard. We went through
Chambersburg to Shippensburg, where we loaded with provisions. Here I
heard abundance of the doings of the rebels, who loaded seven hundred
wagons at this place. I bought Confederate money and got meals at a
hotel--at my own expense.
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