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1861:
AUGUST
August 29-31, 1861: Regiment musters in at
Camp Wilkins, PA
SEPTEMBER
September 2, 1861: Regiment marches to
Pittsburgh depot, boards the train cars and departs to Harrisburg at
4:00 pm.
September 3, 1861: Regiment arrives in
Harrisburg at 10:00 am. Regiment leaves for Baltimore by train at
1:00 pm.
September 4, 1861: Regiment arrives in
Baltimore at 3:00 am. Move by train to Washington D.C. Arrive in
Washington in the morning after 2 hour train ride. March through
Washington to Camp Kalorama in Kalorama Heights.
September 5-30, 1861: Camped at Kalorama
Heights—Drill.
OCTOBER
October 1-9, 1861: Camped at Kalorama
Heights—Drill.
October 10, 1861: Leave for Annapolis, MD by
Train, 22 miles away.
October 10-18, 1861: Encamped at Annapolis, MD
awaiting orders for campaign along South Carolina coast. Encamped
with 79th NY Highlanders, 8th Michigan and 50th
Penna regiments.
October 19, 1861: Leave for South Carolina
coast on a large side-wheeled steamer, “The Ocean Queen”.
October 22, 1861: Stop at Fortress Monroe at
Hampton Roads on Chesapeake Bay until weather clears to sail.
October 22-28, 1861: Camp on ship waiting for
orders to sail again after weather clears. Sail with fleet of 75
ships.
October 29-31, 1861: Continue sailing on
“Ocean Queen” for South Carolina coast.
NOVEMBER
November 1-3, 1861: Continue sailing on “Ocean
Queen” for South Carolina coast. Hurricane force storm hits fleet,
but is of short duration saving disaster for the fleet. 3 cargo
ships and one transport are lost in storm.
November 4, 1861: “Ocean Queen” arrives at the
mouth of Port Royal Harbor.
November 7, 1861: Naval attack on Fort Walker
on Hilton Head Island. U.S. ship “Wabash” spearheads the attack.
At 11:00pm at night, Roundheads land on island. The gunboat
“Winfield Scott” gets them close to shore, than by “surf” boats and
then wading in to shore.
November 8-30, 1861: Encampment near Fort
Walker on Hilton Head, SC.
DECEMBER
December 1-6, 1861: Continue encampment at
Fort Walker on Hilton Head, SC.
December 7, 1861: Depart for Beaufort, S.C. on
the “Winfield Scott” in the morning and arrive in Beaufort that
afternoon.
December 8-31, 1861: Camp in Beaufort, SC. on
Port Royal Island.
December 30, 1861: Port Royal Ferry Action
with the 14th South Carolina, four companies of the 12th
South Carolina, a section of Leak’s
Virginia battery and detachment of cavalry, all under command of
Col. James Jones of the 14th SC. Rebels retreat without
support. The Roundheads suffer no casualties.
1862:
JANUARY-MAY:
Continue encampment
in town of Beaufort, S.C.
May 30, 1862:
Receive marching orders. Leave on gunboat 6 miles down river to
gunboat “Bienville” and by that gunboat to Hilton Head Island.
May 31,
1862: Lie waiting at Hilton Head for orders to move out.
JUNE
June 1, 1862: Regiment assigned to Isaac I.
Stevens 2nd Division.
June 2, 1862: Regiment moves from Hilton Head
to Stono River Inlet. Companies “C” and “M” land at Legareville to
secure that area for encampment on Legare Island. Main force lands
on James Island.
June 3, 1862: Forty Roundheads from four
companies (A, D, I and F) under the command of Co. “F’s” Capt.
Cline sends a reconnaissance 1 ½ miles from camp and in conjunction
with two companies with the 28th Massachusetts captures
two pieces of confederate artillery after heavy skirmishing. 28th
Massachussetts troops are attacked by Confederates in their front,
flee the field and leave Cline’s men exposed. After putting up a
spirited fight, 22 men and officers of the company surrender. A
company of the 79th NY Highlanders also come up in
support.
June 4-15, 1862: Encampment on Legare Island.
June 16, 1862: Battle of Secessionville
against Tower Battery Lamar, in early morning.
June 17-30, 1862: Continue encampment at
Legare Island.
JULY
July 1-9, 1862: Continue encampment on Legare
Island.
July 10-11, 1862: Board ocean transport
“Merrimac” on maiden voyage after taking the steamer “Cosmopolitan”
to Hilton Head. Regiment battered by storm.
July 12, 1862: Set sail for Newport News, VA.
July 16, 1862: Arrive in Newport News, VA
after pleasant journey. Go into encampment there approximately 5 or
6 miles from Fort Monroe.
July 22, 1862: 9th Army Corps is
born, Ambrose Burnside commanding three divisions commanded by Reno,
Parke and Stevens.
July 23-31, 1862: Continue encampment at
Newport News, VA
AUGUST
August 3, 1862: At 3:00 pm leave for Aquia
Creek on the Potomac River near Fredericksburg aboard the steamer
“Atlantic”.
August 5, 1862: Arrive at Aquia Creek in
morning. Leave for Falmouth in the afternoon by rail and bivouac
there for the night with 79th NY Highlanders and a
portion of the 46th NY.
August 6, 1862: Brigade crosses the
Rappahannock and marches through the town of Fredericksburg and
encamps in the immediate vicinity of Fredericksburg.
August 7-11, 1862: Encampment in vicinity of
Fredericksburg.
August 12, 1862: Fierce storm of wind and rain
knocks down many tents of the brigade
August 13, 1862: Receive orders at 2:30 am to
move. March out at 4:00 pm. Camp for night at Deep Run.
August 14, 1862: March for Rappahannock
Station on the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and arrive
there in the evening after an extremely long and tiring march.
Bivouac at Rappahannock Station.
August 15, 1862: March to Culpepper Court
House. Arrive there at 3:00pm. Bivouac just east of Culpepper.
Artillery and army supply wagons slow down march.
August 16, 1862: March in the morning to the
vicinity of Cedar Mountain Battlefield and stop at noon. Encamp
there.
August 17-18, 1862: Remain encamped in the
vicinity of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield at Racoon Ford. Racoon
Ford on the Rapidan is approximately 2 miles away from the
Battlefield.
August 19, 1862: At midnight silently march to
Barnett’s Ford on the Rapidan, then ordered to halt retrace steps of
march and retire beyond the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford on the east
bank of the Rappahannock. Movement is made here to prevent crossing
of the Rappahannock.. Bivouac partly in an orchard and cornfield.
August 20-26, 1862: March, counter-march and
maneuvering in the vicinity of Kelly’s Ford.
August 27, 1862: Fearful march and just before
sundown reach Greenwich where alongside Kearny’s Division,
Roundheads go into bivouac sleeping on arms. The night of the 27,
1862, a comet is viewed over Manassas junction as an evil omen to
the following day. Stonewall Jackson’s troops burn union army
stores at Manassas Junction and destroy railroad rolling stock.
August 28, 1862: Steven’s Division moves,
reaches Manassas Junction by 11:00 am, and camp in vicinity of
Centerville at 11:00 pm on the battleground of First Bull Run.
August 29, 1862: At 5:00am, Roundheads are in
line of battle with Leasure’s Brigade…All of the 100th PA
and half of the 46th NY for a battle strength of
approximately 650 muskets. Battle of 2nd Bull Run
begins, Roundheads initially at Groveton, then east up the Warrenton
Turnpike and then an attack north on the confederates in the
railroad cut and then retreat off to the east near the Manassas-Sudley
Road.
August 30, 1862: Battle of 2nd Bull
Run ends; regiment remains in the vicinity of the Manassas-Sudley
Road, east of the Matthews house.
August 31, 1862: Steven’s Division forms
across the Warrenton Turnpike about one mile west of Centreville on
high ground overlooking Cub Run.
SEPTEMBER
September 1, 1862: Orders to move out at
2:00pm to march eastward on the Warrenton Turnpike, then northward
by a cross road to the Little River Turnpike, taking position to
block the enemy’s movement there. Steven’s Division attacks
confederates in the woods across cornfield of the Reid House toward
Ox Hill. Battle of Chantilly/Ox Hill underway. General Stevens
is killed.
September 2, 1862: March to Alexandria,
VA…camp there.
September 3, 1862: Continue encampment at
Alexandria.
September 4, 1862: March to Washington D.C.;
encamp at 7th Street in Washington.
September 5-6, 1862: Camp at 7th
Street in Washington.
September 7, 1862: Maryland campaign begins;
march 10 miles to Leesborough
September 8, 1862: March to Brookville.
September 9, 1862: Arrive in Brookville.
March to New Market, 8 miles further.
September 10, 1862: Arrive in New Market. Camp
September 11, 1862: Camp at New Market
September 12, 1862: March to Frederick, MD via
the Monocacy River crossing on the B&O Railroad bridge. Camp.
September 13, 1862: March to Middletown, MD,
camp.
September 14, 1862: March to the base of South
Mountain at Turner’s Gap. Battle of South Mountain
September 15, 1862: Leisurely march toward
site of Antietam Battlefield.
September 16, 1862: Reach Porterstown on
Antietam Creek in the early am. Bivouac here at Locust Spring or
Geeting Farm between Keedysville and Porterstown.
September 17, 1862: Battle of Antietam.
Roundheads don’t engage until late morning. Advance units (51st
NY and 51st PA) of the 9th Corps under
Burnside finally secure Rohrbach Bridge at 1:00pm after two bloody
and unsuccessful attempts. Roundheads reach the outskirts of
Sharpsburg at 3:00pm before being driven back with no support from
other Army of the Potomac troops under McClellan.
September 18, 1862: Bivouac on Antietam
Battlefield.
September 19, 1862: March to vicinity of
Antietam Furnace close to the mouth of the Antietam Creek on the
Potomac River.
September 20-30, 1862: Camped at Antietam
Furnace.
OCTOBER
October 1-6, 1862: Continue encampment at
Antietam Furnace.
October 7, 1862: March to Pleasant Valley,
south of Harper’s Ferry, WV on the Maryland side of the Potomac.
March commences via Elk Ridge and through Solomon’s Gap and then
south about 1 mile from the Potomac close to Weaverton. Encamp
along “Israel Creek”. Camp is called “Camp Israel”.
October 8-25, 1862: Continue encampment at
“Camp Israel”.
October 13, 1862: Regiment transports by rail
to “Point of Rocks” and then following the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal, marched back to Camp Israel.
October 14, 1862: Camp in the field on way
back to Camp Israel.
October 15, 1862: Regiment arrives back at
Camp Israel.
October 26, 1862: Regiment receives marching
orders and marches down the C&O Canal down the Potomac Valley to
Brunswick, MD, now called Berlin, MD. Here they crossed a pontoon
bridge and set up camp in Lovettsville, VA
October 29, 1862: Receive marching orders;
begin march to Waterford, VA. Arrive in Waterford, VA in the
evening and set up camp.
October 30-31, 1862: Regiment encamps at
Waterford.
NOVEMBER
November 1, 1862: Regiment’s last day at
Waterford.
November 2, 1862: Marching orders. Regiment
marches 13 miles to Philomont, VA via the village of Hamilton.
November 3, 1862: Encamp at Philomont, VA.
November 4, 1862: March to Upperville. Encamp.
November 5, 1862: March to Rectortown. Encamp.
November 6, 1862: March to Carter’s Run, a
tributary to the Rappahannock, 2 miles from Waterloo. Regiment
passes through Salem, VA, now called Marshall, VA. Camp at Orlean,
VA.
November 7, 1862: March from Orlean, VA to
Carter’s Run…Encamp. McClellan relieved of command by President
Lincoln. Ambrose Burnside takes command of the Army of the Potomac.
November 8-15, 1862: Encampment at Carter’s
Run near Waterloo.
November 16, 1862: March to White Sulphur
Springs…picket duty until 11:00 am.
November 17, 1862: Picket duty until 11:00am
in White Sulphur Springs. March to a point near Warrenton Junction
and then on to a point 3 miles north of Bealeton, VA. Encamp.
November 18, 1862: March toward
Fredericksburg, VA. Camp near Fredericksburg, near the road to
Belle Plain approximately 1 to 2 miles east of Fredericksburg.
November 19-30, 1862: Encampment outside of
Fredericksburg on south side of Potomac.
DECEMBER
December 1-12, 1862: Encampment outside of
Fredericksburg on south side of Potomac.
December 13, 1862: Disastrous Battle of
Fredericksburg. Roundheads held in reserve are scheduled to attack
Marye’s Heights but officers under Burnside convince him that
further attacks would be suicidal. Roundheads cross Potomac into
the streets of Fredericksburg in the afternoon. But stay in position
there.
December 14, 1862: Go into Winter Quarters
west of the Phillips House near the road to Belle Plain
approximately 1 to 2 miles east of Fredericksburg.
December 15-31, 1862: Winter Quarters outside
of Fredericksburg, VA
1863
JANUARY:
Remain in Winter Quarters in and around Fredericksburg
January 21, 1863: Roundheads don’t get a
chance to participate in Burnside’s Mud March, an attempt to cross
the Potomac again and envelope Lee in a flanking maneuver. Terrible
weather doomed the operation and Burnside was relieved of command on
January 26, 1863. Gen. Joseph Hooker takes over command.
FEBRUARY
February 1-9, 1863: Remain in Winter Quarters
in and around Fredericksburg
February 10, 1863: Orders to move out….march
at 2:00 pm to nearby railroad station at Falmouth to take the cars
to Aquia Landing.
February 11, 1863: From Aquia Landing take the
transport “Sylvan Shore” to Fortress Monroe at Hampton Roads to the
south.
February 13, 1863: Arrive at Fortress
Monroe. March to Newport News on the nearby James River—8 miles.
Encamp about 1 mile away from the main landings.
February 14-28, 1863: Encampment at Newport
News.
MARCH
March 1-17, 1863: Continue Encampment at
Newport News.
March 18, 1863: Marching orders…march for
Hampton, 6 miles away. Stay in Hampton two nights.
March 20, 1863: March for Fortress Monroe, two
hours away through snow and slush knee deep.
March 22, 1863: Board the transport “John
Brooks in the morning. Leave for Baltimore, MD
March 23, 1863: Arrive in Baltimore, MD.
March 24, 1863: Depart by train to Parkersburg
on the Ohio River.
March 26, 1863: Arrive in Parkersburg…depart
by steamer “Jennie Rodgers” to Cincinnati, OH.
March 28, 1863: Arrive in Cincinnati, OH.
From Covington Depot, depart for Lexington KY by train.
March 29, 1863: Arrive in Lexington, KY.
Encampment.
APRIL
April 1-6, 1863: Continue encampment at
Lexington, KY.
April 7, 1863: March for Nicholasville, KY—14
miles to the south.
April 8, 1863: Arrive in Nicholasville, KY at
Camp Dick Robinson in the evening.
April 9-29, 1863: Continue encampment at Camp
Dick Robinson.
April 30, 1863: Receive marching orders…march
16 miles south to Stanford, KY. Camp.
MAY
May 1, 1863: Continue marching south to
Hustonville, KY—bivouac.
May 2, 1863: Continue marching south through
Middleburg and on to the Green River—Camp again.
May 3-22, 1863: Continue encampment at the
Green River, KY south of Middleburg.
May 23, 1863: Receive marching orders
again…march through Liberty and 2 miles beyond that—Camp.
May 24, 1863: No marching in observance of the
Sabbath…continue camping south of Liberty.
May 25, 1863: Continue marching south
covering 15 miles to Neatsville, KY—camp.
May 26, 1863: March to a location one mile
east of Columbia, KY. Encamp.
May 27, 1863: March west to Gradysville in the
evening, 10 miles west of Columbia, KY. Camp there at 1:00 am May
28, 1863. Scouting for confederate cavalry guerillas under Morgan.
May 29, 1863: March toward Breeding 8 miles
continuing search for rebel cavalry.
May 30, 1863: Task force returns to Columbia
with 25 rebel prisoners.
May 31, 1863: Camp back at Columbia, KY
location.
JUNE
June 1-3, 1863: Continue Columbia encampment.
June 4, 1863: After receiving marching orders
on the 3rd, Roundheads move out with brigade at 4:00 am.
Arrive in Campbellsville and encamp 1 mile north of the town for a
22 mile march since Columbia.
June 5, 1863: Continue marching to Lebanon and
arrive at New Market at 10:00 am. there. Board trains in Lebanon
at midnight.
June 6, 1863: Arrive in Louisville, KY. Cross
the Ohio River to Jeffersonville, Indiana. Board a train for
Seymour, Indiana. Train stops at
Seymour, Indiana at 3:00 pm. Train is changed to the Ohio and
Mississippi railroad and continue on to Cairo, Illinois.
June 7, 1863: Breakfast stop at Vincennes,
Indiana. Arrive at Sandoval, Illinois at 3:00 pm.
June 8, 1863: Arrive in Cairo, Illinois at
11:00 am.
June 9, 1863: Board the “Alice Dean” steamer
for Memphis, TN. Vicksburg Campaign begins.
June 10, 1863: Arrive in Memphis, TN
June 12, 1863: Leave Memphis on the “Alice
Dean” at 7:00 am, continue down Mississippi River passing through
Helena, AR to the mouth of the White River. Dock for the night.
June 13, 1863: Tie up boats at Milliken’s Bend
in enemy territory in the late evening.
June 14, 1863: Convoy moors at Young’s Point,
LA in the am on the Louisiana bank of the Mississippi, several miles
upstream from Vicksburg, MS.
June 15, 1863: March toward Warrenton, south
of the city of Vicksburg. At noon an order is given to march back
to Young’s Point. An aid of General Grant tells Capt. Cline that
there are more soldiers around Warrenton then he knows what to do
with.
June 16, 1863: Receive orders to go up the
Yazoo River. Embark up the river on the steamer “Sam Young”. The
water of the Yazoo is stagnant and green and the Indians of the
territory named it Yazoo or “River of Death”. Arrive at Snyder’s
Bluff.
June 17, 1863: March from Snyder’s Bluff to
Hayne’s Bluff. Camp at Milldale Church, southeast of Snyder’s
Bluff.
June 20, 1863: Move to a location 3 miles
further to the right and entrench rifle pits.
June 29, 1863: March east towards Big Black
River to Flower Hill Church about eight miles west of Birdsong’s
Ferry on the Big Black River.
July 30, 1863: Minor skirmish with confederate
cavalry in the vicinity of Flower Hill Church.
JULY
July 1-3, 1863: Roundheads entrenched around
July 4, 1863: Siege on Vicksburg a
success—Confederates surrender the city to General Grant. Clear
Flower Hill camp in late afternoon and march east past Young’s Cross
Roads.
July 5, 1863: March to location two miles west
of Birdsong’s Ferry on the Big Black River camping at Hill’s
Plantation.
July 6, 1863: Build a floating bridge to cross
the Big Black River at Birdsong’s Ferry.
July 7, 1863: Cross Big Black River on
floating bridge constructed at Birdsong’s Ferry. Encounter thunder
and lighting storm for two hours. The regiment sees it as a
blessing as fresh rainwater is funneled into canteens from the
rubber ponchos. A caisson and two horses are lost when a portion of
the bridge collapses during the crossing by Durell’s Pennsylvania
Battery of the 9th Corps.
July 8, 1863: Camp at Queen’s Hill Church with
Parke’s 9th Corps, 6 miles northwest of Bolton
July 9, 1863: March to Jackson, MS. March 12
miles to a point north of Clinton. Camp in fields north of that
village. Water is scarce…soldiers that fall out of the ranks are
left behind the roadside to fend for themselves or die.
July 10, 1863: Approach Jackson from the
north. March 5 miles to the railroad and Canton Road. Sleep on
arms in battle line.
July 11, 1863: Move toward Confederate
fortifications in Jackson in the am. Encounter heavy artillery fire
from Confederate batteries inside Jackson. Roundheads slowly advance
behind the 2nd Michigan infantry used as skirmishers.
Shot and shell rain over their heads all afternoon and into the
evening but no Roundheads are wounded or killed. Most of the action
for the Roundheads occurs near the Insane Asylum.
July 12, 1863: In the afternoon, Leasure
orders the 100th PA to move out of the battle lines and
proceed up the Canton Road to protect the divisions rear and left
flank after reports of Rebel cavalry being active in that area.
July 13-16, 1863: Roundheads remain up the
Canton Road, north of Jackson guarding the division’s rear and left
flank and help in front line skirmishing toward Jackson, alternating
tasks. On the evening of the 16th, Joseph Johnston’s
rebel troops retreat and abandon the fortifications in Jackson.
July 17, 1863: Roundheads rejoin Leasure’s
Brigade on the march up the Pearl River. :March 8 miles north to
Grant’s Ferry or Grant’s Mills in attempt to isolate and cut off
Confederate General Jackson and his cavalry—bivouac.
July 18, 1863: March 5 miles further north and
strike the Mississippi Central Railroad, destroying 10 miles of rail
and burning a depot. March back to Jackson.
July 19, 1863: Arrive in Jackson at noon.
Some troops take opportunity to visit burned out City of Jackson
dubbed “Chimneyville” because of the many burned out and destroyed
buildings.
July 20, 1863: Begin march at 4 am and march
18 miles west under a hot sun. Men dropping out of the ranks like
flies.
July 21, 1863: Heat is so intense a halt is
made at 10 am and rest until 4pm. March through Bolton at 5 pm. At
8 pm bivouac in a cornfield near the Big Black River. Total march
this day is 15 miles. Many soldiers drop out of the ranks from heat
and exhaustion and several die.
July 22, 1863: Cross Big Black River and march
4 miles and camp in a Shady Wood with plenty of water on hand.
July 23, 1863: March back to Milldale, the old
encampment during the Vicksburg campaign. Roundheads get knapsacks
back here that had been in storage.
July 24-31, 1863: Encampment at Milldale, MS.
AUGUST
August 1, 1863: After receiving orders the
previous day, Roundheads and the rest of the 9th Corps
march to Snyder’s Bluff where the boarded steamers heading up the
Mississippi.
August 2-6, 1863: Roundheads steam toward
Cairo, IL up the Mississippi.
August 7, 1863: Roundheads arrive in Cairo, IL
after a steamer journey of over 600 miles in six days. In the
afternoon, they board train cars for Hickman’s Bridge, Kentucky
between Lexington and the old camping ground Camp Dick Robinson.
August 8, 1863: At noon, at Sandoval, IL the
Roundheads change trains and bound for Cinncinnati, OH
August 9, 1863: Reach Cincinnati in the
evening. Marched to the market house and eat a dinner of boiled
ham, bread and coffee.
August 10, 1863: Regiment travels through
Lexington and arrives at railroad’s end, in Nicholasville,
Kentucky. March to Camp Nelson six miles south of there.
August 11, 1863: Arrive in Camp Nelson.
August 12, 1863: Encampment at Camp Nelson.
August 13, 1863: Move 3 miles north where
Leasure’s Brigade establishes a new camp at Camp Parke in a
beautiful piece of woodland.
August 14-27, 1863: Encampment at Camp Parke,
Kentucky.
August 28-30, 1863: March 30 miles in three
days to Crab Orchard, Kentucky, arriving there at 10 am on the 30th.
August 31, 1863: Encampment at Crab Orchard,
Kentucky.
SEPTEMBER
September 1-9, 1863: Roundheads and the rest
of the 9th Corps remain in Crab Orchard, Kentucky resting
up and preparing for the East Tennessee Campaign.
September 10, 1863: March to Mt. Vernon,
Kentucky.
September 11, 1863: March 16 miles over “Wild
Cat” Ridge. Ky. Bivouac on the banks of the Little Rockcastle River
September 12, 1863: March to within 2 miles of
London at forks of Richmond and Lexington Roads.
September 13, 1863: Camp at forks of Richmond
and Lexington Roads in observance of the Sabbath.
September 14, 1863: Resume marching, passing
through London and stopping at the White River for dinner. Camp 3
miles beyond London.
September 15, 1863: Reveille at 4 am. Long
march to Barbourville, on the Cumberland River.
September 16, 1863: March 8 miles and stop at
11 am just two miles short of the hamlet of Flat Lick, Ky.
September 17-18, 1863: Encampment at Flat
Lick, Ky.
September 19, 1863: March at 6 am. Ford the
Cumberland River. March over two high ridges and cover 13 miles
before camping. Cold at night is severe.
September 20, 1863: March over third ridge.
Scenery is magnificent. March 12 miles and camp in a field of high
weeds on the side of a hill just beyond the Kentucky/Tennessee
border in Tennessee.
September 21, 1863: Begin marching at 5:30
am. Orders from the previous evening instruct the regiment to move
as quickly as possible to Morristown, Tennessee about 42 miles
distant. Cross the Powell River, pass through Tazewell. March a
total of 18 miles and bivouac 5 miles past Tazewell in a field of
weeds as high as the Roundheads heads.
September 22, 1863: March behind wagon train.
Ford the Clinch River and then pass over Clinch Mountain. In the
afternoon pass through Bean’s Station, ford the Holston River.
Another 18 miles are marched and regiment stops at 8 pm in
Morristown. Here, the train cars are boarded and the regiment heads
for Knoxville.
September 23, 1863: Continue train ride to
Knoxville. A train dispatch error is made and the regiment travels
in the opposite direction from Knoxville toward Greenville.
September 24, 1863: Error is corrected in the
route and arrive in Knoxville at 4 am.
September 25-28, 1863: Encampment in Knoxville.
September 29, 1863: Regiment awakened at 3 am
to march across the Holston River, east of the town move east about
a mile to occupy with artillery support high ground there. There is
reports that a confederate force may be
moving toward the city.
OCTOBER
October 8, 1863: Move back into Knoxville.
October 9, 1863: Brigade boards train with
General Burnside himself. Move up valley to Bull’s Gap.
October 10, 1863: Battle of Blue Springs. 9th
Corps and 23rd Corps only union army engaged with
Confederates at Blue Springs between Bull’s Gap and Greenville.
October 11, 1863: Confederates are defeated at
Blue Springs..9th and 23rd Corps drive the
rebels across Watauga River, chasing them 22 miles.
October 12, 1863: Cavalry continues to chase
rebels. Infantry does not.
October 16, 1863: Arrive back in Knoxville by
rail.
October 20, 1863: March toward Loudon, 30
miles away.
October 22, 1863: Stop 4 miles short of
Loudon. Cross the Holston River on pontoon bridge in the evening
and camp in Loudon proper.
October 23-27, 1863: Encampment at Loudon.
Await for orders. Confederates in the vicinity.
October 28, 1863: Roundheads fall back to
Lenoir’s Station about 8 miles north of Loudon, on the north side of
the Holston River. Pontoon bridge is pulled up and freighted back
to Knoxville, to be used on the Holston River crossing there.
October 29th, 1863: Roundheads go
into winter quarters at Lenoir’s Station right next to the
railroad.
NOVEMBER
November 7, 1863: Orders to rail to Knoxville
to immediately reinforce and support the 23rd Corps who
had several forces captured there.
November 8, 1863: Arrive in Knoxville at
sunrise. Roundheads remain for two days and camp without shelter,
having left their tents in Lenoir’s Station. After several days,
there is no longer a perception of emergency and the Roundheads
return to Lenoir’s Station.
November 12, 1863: No sooner had the
Roundheads returned to their winter quarters in Lenoir’s Station
that there were reports that Longstreet’s Corps had orders to attack
Burnside’s 9th Corps at Loudon. Burnside, getting wind
of this, races to Knoxville to set up a defensive position and draw
Longstreet further from Bragg in Chattanooga.
November 16, 1863: Three companies of
Roundheads (A, D and F) and several other units of the 23rd
and 9th Corps are at the Kingston/Concord Roads junction,
dig in and ready themselves for an attack by Longstreet’s corps.
The troops are there literally minutes before the confederates and
gain an advantage.
This quick development causes the Roundheads to
abandon their fine winter quarters in Lenoir to the enemy. Whatever
supplies and baggage is not saved is set a fire to prevent it from
being captured by the rebs.
The attack by the confederates at Campbell’s
Station fails as the 9th Corps effectively places
artillery in good defensive positions. Captain Thomas J. Hamilton of
the Roundheads commands the 3 companies engaged and only suffer 3
wounded.
November 17, 1863: Remaining companies of the
Roundheads arrive in Knoxville. Settle into and around Fort Sanders
at Knoxville with entrenchments and rifle pits.
November 29, 1863: Longstreet’s corps of
McLaw’s Division and Anderson’s Brigade of Jenkins’ Division assault
Fort Sanders. Co. A of the Roundheads are the only company in the
fort. The other companies are in a line of entrenchment running 200
yards to the Kingston Pike. Attack is repulsed and Roundheads lose
several men from Company A.
DECEMBER
December 7, 1863: Roundheads pursue
Longstreet’s retreat having left December 4. March 12 miles first
day.
December 8, 1863: March seven miles.
December 9, 1863: March 12 miles to Rutledge,
Tennessee.
December 10-13, 1863: Encampment at Rutledge.
Cavalry activity in the vicinity of Bean’s Station to the north.
December 14, 1863: Roundheads move out with
brigade to Farley’s Mill about 7 miles north of Rutledge on the
Holston River to support cavalry engagements with the rebels. After
some shots are exchanged fall back to about 4 miles from Rutledge
and camp for the night.
December 15, 1863: More shots are exchanged
and infantry falls back to cover the cavalry retreat from Bean’s
Station.
December 16, 1863: March to Blaine’s Cross
Roads and form a line of battle.
December 17, 1863: Continue defensive position
and exchange shots with Confederate forces. Weather is wet and
miserable.
December 18, 1863: Confederates retreat
entirely and Roundheads go into camp at Blaine’s Cross Roads, 14
miles northeast of Knoxville.
December 29, 1863: Roundheads extend their
service beyond the 3 year enlistment…Chaplain Browne resigns.
1864
January 12, 1864: Roundheads that re-enlist
start the long trek home to Pennsylvania on 30 day furlough. They
travel 175 miles in 10 days. March 20 miles.
January 13, 1864: No information.
January 14, 1864: March 17 miles. Passed
through Cumberland Gap at 12:30 pm. Bad roads.
January 15, 1864: March 15 miles. Cross two
mountains and one river.
January 16, 1864: March 22 miles. Eat dinner
at Barbersville.
January 17, 1864: March to Camp Pitman, near
London.
January 18, 1864: March 16 miles from London
to Rockcastle River.
January 19, 1864: March 10 miles to Mt.
Vernon.
January 20, 1864: March 11 miles to Crab
Orchard.
January 21, 1864: March 18 miles and approach
Camp Dick Robinson.
January 22, 1864: March past Camp Robinson to
Camp Nelson.
January 23, 1864: Break camp at 8 am. Take
train to Nicholasville and then on to Covington, Kentucky. Board
train for Cinncinnati
January 24, 1864: Arrive in Cinncinnati and
march to 6th Street Barracks.
FEBRUARY
February 5, 1864: After many delays in issuing
official furlough papers, Roundheads leave Cinncinnati
February 5, 1864: Regiment leaves by train
from Cinncinnati to Pittsburg, Pa. At 7 pm change trains in
Columbus, OH.
February 6, 1864: Arrive in Pittsburg, Pa at 4
pm.
February 7, 1864: Roundheads are given
furlough papers and are free to proceed home.
February 8, 1864: Companies A and M leave for
Washington and Westmoreland Counties. All eight other companies of
the regiment arrive in New Castle for a luncheon hosted by the
citizens.
February 9-28, 1864: Regiment on furlough.
MARCH
March 1-7, 1864: Regiment on furlough
March 8-21, 1864: New recruits drilling at
Camp Copeland. Some veterans return.
March 22, 1864: Last of the veterans of the
regiment arrive at Camp Copeland, officially ending their furlough.
March 23, 1864: Board train at 3 pm for
Baltimore
March 24, 1864: March to wharf. Depart on
steamboat “Columbia” for Annapolis, MD. Arrive in mid-afternoon.
March 25, 1864: Encampment at Camp Burnside
near Annapolis, MD. Location approximately 1 mile from Camp Parole.
March 26-31, 1864: Encampment at Camp Burnside
drilling new recruits and awaiting orders.
APRIL
April 1-22, 1864: Encampment at Camp Burnside
near Annapolis, MD.
April 23, 1864: 9th Corps begins to
move.
April 24, 1864: Bivouac at Bladensburg, just
outside Washington.
April 25, 1864: President Lincoln, General
Burnside and others watch as the 9th Corps parades
through Washington down New York Avenue, along 14th
Street passing the Willard Hotel. Here is where the President,
General Burnside and other dignitaries watched from a balcony above
the hotel. Go into camp in the vicinity of Alexandria.
April 26, 1864: Camp two miles west of
Alexandria, Va.
April 27, 1864: Orders received to move out.
Reveille at 4 am and regiment begins march at 8 am. March to
Fairfax Courthouse, 16 miles away.
April 28, 1864: March to Bristoe Station, 20
miles.
April 29, 1864: March 12 miles and bivouac 3
miles south of Warrenton Junction.
April 30, 1864: March to Bealeton Station, 5
miles.
April 31, 1864: Encampment at Bealeton
Station.
MAY
May 1-3, 1864: Encampment at Bealeton Station.
May 4, 1864: Reveille at 3:00 am, ready to
march at 5:00 am. Train wreck derailment in front of camp kills 2
and wounds 3 soldiers. March off to Brandy Station, 8 miles. Camp.
May 5, 1864: Start march at 7:00 am, march 1
mile. Cross Rapidan River and lay on south bank in position until
night and then go out on picket. Troops in advance engaged in
battle.
May 6, 1864: Roundheads engage confederates in
the am in the second day of the Battle of the Wilderness. Moved
into position near the Wilderness Tavern.
Roundheads commanded to conduct a sweep of
confederate forces along with 21st Mass and 3rd
Maryland regiments. Sweep made along right flank, 100 feet west and
parallel with the Brock Road.
"At daylight a great battle seems
to be on; owing to the heavy forest, and thick under growth, and the
broken rough country, our fighting lines are hid from view. As the
day advances musketry firing grows more and more furious, crashing
along our lines in a continuous rattling roar, rising and falling as
it waves destruction along the different sections of our widely
extended lines. Artillery not much in use because of the unfavorable
topography of the field. The field hospital has been established
near our head quarters; crores of wounded are being brought in and
many surgeons are at work. General Grant, also General Mead, both on
the field. Heavy fighting all day. Fire broke out in the underbrush
on a part of our line, and some of the wounded lying on the field
were burned. at sun-down the enemy broke our right causing confusion
and alarm. General Wadsworth who was in command on the right was
killed in this charge of the enemy, also General Hayes. Darkness
ends the terrible struggle of the day, but the groans of the wounded
and dying fill the air". --Henderson George, 100th
PA
May 7, 1864:
TO BE CONTINUED.....
REFERENCES:
Campaigning with the Roundheads, The History of the Hundredth
Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Regiment in the American Civil War
1861-1865, The Roundhead Regiment,
By: William G. Gavin, 1989, Morningside Publishers, 773 p
"Diary and Memoirs of Pvt. Henderson George, Co. G" Website at
www.100thpenn.com/hendersongeorgediary.htm, by Robert Luoma
"Diary of Pvt. Bingham Findley Junkin, Co. E", Website at
http://www.100thpenn.com/bfjunkindiary.htm, by Eric Davis
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