George Diary: June 1864

Wednesday June 1st.: Heavy skirmishing all day ending in a considerable battle in the evening.
Thursday June 2nd.: Weather raining. Troops fall back with the Roundheads bringing up the rear, which resulted in casualties, as they were vigorously pressed by the enemy. Lieut. John Offut, John McGee, and William Eastlick are among the wounded. Brother Samuel is safe.
Friday June 3d.: Weather raining. Heavy fighting during the day with little intermission. Wagon train arrived from the White House Landing on the York River. This point is our new base of supplies. The train was attacked by the rebels along the way, and David Henry one of the guards was killed.
Saturday June 4th.: Weather cloudy raining. Met Lieut. Justice and the supply train; I expect to be up all night issueing rations. No severe fighting to-day; the 9th. Corps is shifting to the right.
Sabbath June 5th.: Cloudy and raining. Continual rain seems to follow the army; it is said to be caused by cannonading and musketry firing. Was up all last night looking after the issueing of rations. Issued to some of the Brigades this A.M.
Monday June 6th.: Last night the rebels made a desperate charge on our lines and were repulsed with heavy loss. Several casualties in our Regiment but have no particulars. Supply train remained where we parked last night. During the afternoon rebel shells began falling among our wagons causing us to make a hasty move; some of our teamsters were wounded; wagons were struck without much damage. Moved back a mile or so out of range.
Tuesday June 7th.: Weather warm cloudy. Lying quiet; Lieut. Justice arrived with a wagon train of supplies. Issued to Brigades. Lieut. Justice relieved from the A.C.S. department, and Captain England assumes charge. This change in the A.C.S. may relieve me also; therefore I anticipate an order to join my Regiment. All apparently quiet on our front.
Wednesday June 8th.: Weather very warm raining. Busy to-day getting receipts and papers signed closing up the business of Lieut. Justice with the A.C.S. 1st. Division 9th. Army Corps. No order yet relieving me has yet been received.
Thursday June 9th.: Was out at the front this A.M. Lieut. Justice had an ague chill.
Friday June 10th.: Move supply train toward White House Landing about three miles; this is our present base of supplies.
Saturday June 11th.: Was sent with a message to General Burnside and instructed to deliver it to him in person, which I did. Was also at Division Head Quarters on business. Both armies have been lying quiet for the last day or two. Troops move this evening in the direction of Bottoms Ridge.
Sabbath June 12th.: Weather clear and warm. Orders at noon to move wagon train to White House Landing; arrive there after dark a distance of twelve miles.
Monday June 13th.: Move this morning with wagon train to Harrisons Landing. Pass New Kent Court House, arrive at Broadville on the Williamsburg road, and park for the night.
Tuesday June 14th.: Leave Broadville about 8 A.M., move in the direction of the Chicahominy near Dyers Church; park train.
Wednesday June 15th.: Weather clear and warm; cross the Dianisong, also the Chicahominy; was on the road all night. Our troops are crossing the James River at Bermuda Hundred.
Thursday June 16th.: Park train about nine o'clock A.M. Very tired and worn out with the long day and night march of twenty seven hours. Rest from nine A.M. until noon. Move to the James River and during the after-noon cross the river with wagon trains over a Pontoon Bridge two thousand one hundred feet in length, near Bermuda Hundred. The whole army seems to be crossing the James River.
Friday June 17th.: Leave the James River about seven A.M., and drive toward Petersburg. Hard fighting near Petersburg. Several casualties occurred in our Regiment, (the Roundheads); among them was Captain Morrow, killed; Colonel Dawson; Lieut. Kirk; Jacob Ball; David Book; and D. Breckenridge among the wounded. So far as I can learn brother Samuel is safe. Have not full particulars.
Saturday June 18th.: Moved wagon train to the front. Lieut. Justice has been appointed Acting Commissary of Subsistance for the first Division Hospital. hard fighting to-day; rebels driven back; Rail Road occupied by out troops. Was engaged this evening issuing rations to Hospital.
Sabbath June 19th.: Weather clear warm and dusty. All quiet on our lines.
Monday June 20th.: All comparatively quiet along our lines. Our troops are now erecting breastworks and forts in anticipation of a prolonged siege of the city of Petersburg Va. This is the key to Richmond. Constant fighting day and night.
Tuesday June 21st.: All quiet except picket firing which is constant.
Wednesday June 22nd.: Heavty fighting on our left. It is reported that the rebels [captured] one of our batteries and some prisoners. Samuel Moore of Co. C. of the Roundheads was wounded from which he died. Other casualties but do not know particulars.
Thursday June 23d.: Heavy fighting and picket firing all daty and night long. Our lines are being tightened around the city.
Friday June 24th.: Sharp fighting this morning in which our troops made a capture of about two thousand prisoners and six pieces of artillery.
Saturday June 25th.: Was down at City Point on business in the morning; return in the evening. Lieut. John W. Morrison came up with me. Dr. Taylor who has been connected with the Commissary department for some time was relieved at his request to return to duty with his company, G. Roundheads.
Sabbath June 26th.: Nothing important going on along our lines; constant picket firing day and night. City point is our present base of supplies and is situated on the James River about twelve miles N.E. of Petersburg. It is also the Head Quarters of General Grant.
Monday June 27th.: Weather clear and very warm. The rebels have been shelling us some to-day with large guns. So far not much damage done. Continual picket firing day and night.
Tuesday June 28th.: Some of our regiment were wounded to-day by rebel sharpshooters. Earth works are being thrown up by our troops. On the right of the line held by the Roundheads is Fort Steadman, and on our left is Fort Haskel. On the right of our regiment there is a battery of Cohorn Mortars, mounted, near Fort Steadman.
Wednesday June 29th.: Some desultory fighting on our lines without result so far as I know.
Thursday June 30th.: Nothing unusual in a military way on our lines to-day.

PREVIOUS NEXT