[from the diary of Ephraim Wood, Co. C, 13th Massachusetts]
Saturday Aug 9th/62
We were called up very early this
morning, and after eating some hard
bread (I happened to have a little milk with
mine) we formed into line, and
marched about two miles, towards
the Rappadan, here we stacked arms
and made ourselves comfortable
as possible till further orders
Our Wagons came along and
delivered out to us two days rations
of hard bread and Coffee.
About twelve Oclock we heard the
report of a Cannon from the direction
of the river. The Reports came oftener
till it was one continuous war of
Artilery. We knew then that the
fighting had commenced, We were a
little to far off to hear musketry
except unless once in a while we could hear
a Volley. This Division composed of
Hartsuffs Towers and Duryea s Brigades
were the reserve and here we stoped
till nearly dark, which did not suit
us when the fighting was only three
miles distance A little before dark
we were ordered to the Battle field,
on our way we met many
Ambulances filled with the
wounded, and many on foot
that had slight wounds, some
limping on one foot and some
with their hands in slings, and
many I am sorry to say
that were not hurt at all, and were
nothing more than Cowards getting away
from the field as soon as possible.
Most every one we met said that
their Regt was all cut to pieces.
We knew their stories could not all be
true, and were sorry to see them
coming back. The nearer we got
to the battle field we could hear
the rifle shots quite plainly. It sounded
like corn popping. Every one we met
said that the second Mass V
were all cut to pieces.
It was dark before we reached the
Battle field and the firing had stoped
except once in a while one occasional
shot. We marched up near the front
and stacked arms in a field. We had
our Canteens filled, and were laying
down on the grass to rest, (our
Knapsack & blanket were left in a corn field
two miles back) When Towers Brigade
marched into the field, their drums
and fifes playing Dixie. It was
bright moon light, and the Rebels
could probably see our guns glitter,in the moonlight, and I guess they
did not like th our playing Dixie,
as they opened their Artilery uponus the camp, the shells came amongst
us pretty thick,
We immediately fell in and took
our arms from the stacks, and
marched direct ahead. The Shells flew
around us in grand style, some plowed
through the ground near us, but most
of them went to high. One, we thought
came very near sweeping the heads
of most of our Company, it
came so near. A number of the 11th
PA were wounded, and one killed
and one wounded in the Ninth New
York. We advanced onto a piece of
Woods, and had got within a
hundred feet of it, when we were
fired upon. The Rebel pickets were
in this woods. We were marching, in
column, and at trail arms. When we
were fired upon, the Col gave the
order right [o]blique. We doubled quick
right bliquee, and the men squat
so low to the ground that it was
hard to see us. After going this way
about a hundred feet, we marched direct
ahead and then filed right. We did
not return the shots. The 12th Mass V
were behind us and fired a few
return shots. Capt Shirtleff of the
12 was shot through the neck,
and two more Officers and a private
were wounded. Our Regt was the
only one of the Brigade that came
off unharmed, and I think it was
the Cols order that saved us, for
we were in the most dangerous
place being nearest to the woods.
We went off to the right several
hundred yards, and behind a little
hill, here we stacked arms. The role was
call, so as to see how many there
was to go into battle, and to find out
who the cowards were, as a number
had left the ranks on our way here.
I was sorry to see that two of this
company had left. We then layed down and
tried to get a little sleep. We had
to lay on the ground, we having left
our Rubber blankets this time.
The Battery belonging to this Brigade
was on our left. We had layed on the
ground but a short time, when the Rebels
commenced throwing shells at our Battery,
which returned the fire. The Shells
most of them landed on a woods behind
us about seventy or eighty yds.
It looked beautiful to see them go
through the air. It looked like stars
shooting. They were beautiful but not
very agreeable, if they came to near.
After remaining in this position about
one hour. We received the order to fall in
and we went a little farther to the
right, and again I layed down to rest
about one oclock the Artilery stoped
firing and I fell asleep. We were in
the advance and layed very near
the Rebels. We were as you might say
on picket. We had to lay with our
Equipment on and within reach of our
guns. There was a spring within twenty
feet of us and so near were we
the Rebels that we captured two
or three that came to the Spring
for Water, they not knowing we were
so near. Every order was given in a low
tone. About three oclock we were ordered to
fallin and we marched to the rear through
a piece of woods, and into a corn field, where
we again stacked arms. We was close by
a house where many of our wounded
were. I layed down again and went to
sleep.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12021