10. 'we are growing dainty on hard bread and tainted pork'

[Previous post]

The 5th New Hampshire Volunteers idled at Harrison’s Landing on the James River for nearly a month and a half. It then marched to Newport News and steamed back to Aquia Creek, a Union depot on Potomac River tributary. This journey ended the Peninsula campaign.

Gen. John Pope

The regimental commander, Col. Edward E. Cross, who had been recuperating at home in Lancaster, N.H., from his Fair Oaks wounds, rejoined the 5th just before its voyage. He found his officers and men dispirited, tired and homesick. “A great battle would not have damaged us more,” he wrote to a friend. A staunch Democrat, he blamed not McClellan but the Lincoln administration for the failed campaign.

In fact, McClellan had botched his own grand plan. He had also abandoned it so deliberately that, most likely by design, his army arrived too late to help Gen. John Pope at the second Bull Run battle in late August.

This segment of the story of the early months of the 5th New Hampshire as told through the eyes of two soldiers begins on July 12, 1862, with our protagonists in different places. Cutler Edson, the bugler, is camping with the regiment at Harrison’s Landing. Sgt. Eldad Rhodes is in Union Hospital in Georgetown recovering from his July 1 foot wound at Malvern Hill.

Their moods also diverged. Until a crackdown on peddling, Edson reveled in the commercial opportunities of camp life. Rhodes, meanwhile, became increasingly bored, then bitter about medical care for Union soldiers.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Saturday 12: Bought a few Lemons and a few pounds of Sugar which I made into Lemon aid which sold very readily which I cleared a little something.

Sunday July 13=1862: General inspection but on account of my head not being very clear did not go out.

Gunboats on the James River protected McClellan's army at Harrison's Landing

Monday 14: Sold Maple Sugar & Lemon Aid on which I made tolerable well. my health has bin better. have just recd letters from home, No 35, and Sister Abbie & Bro Folsom by the way of A. Comins* which came in to day. he brot likewise the picturs of my 5 children. how can I expres my gratitude, it cannot be done. it affordes me a great deal of comefort to look upon those once familear faces which have but very little changed since I last beheld and took my farewell leave of them most 9 months ago. hope I shal greet them again before 9 months passes.

[*Like Edson, Albert G. Cummings, a lieutenant in the 5th, lived in Enfield, N.H. He had been wounded at Fair Oaks on June 1 and gone home to recuperate.]

Tuesday 15: this has bin another buisy day with me. sold 9 pales full of Lemon aid and a lot of Stationary. no war news and everything seams quiet in camp.

Wednesday 16: this has bin a grand day for my Lemon Aid business. cleared a handsome profit. we were mustered to day for our pay.

Thursday 17: Wrote a letter to wife, then went to making and seling Lemon Aid. it has bin quite warm and a thunder shower at knight as usual. buisness seams quite brisk. quite a number have bot stuf of the sutler and have gone to pedling.

Friday 18: 9 months to day since I enlisted in the Army. varyous have bin the changes since then but the good Lord has wonderfully sustained me and led me in paths I know not of and I still feele willing to be led by him for I know he doith all things well. Sold about 12 dollars worth of dryed apple for 25 cts per pound and 20 dollars worth of Lemonaid. recd a letter from Bro Jewett.

Saturday 19: Wrote to wife and sent her 50 dollars by express. recd a letter from her, No 36. was glad to learn that she had heard from me since we left before Richmond. have made and sold 20 dollars worth of Leamonaid. I feal very greatful that I can earn something besides the small wages that the government alows me.*

[*A private’s pay was $13 a month.]

Letter from Cutler Edson to his wife

Datelined Harrison’s Landing, Va., July 19, 1862, to “My dear Wife”

God has wonderfully prospered me of late in worldly matters so that I am enabled to send you fifty dollars. Take of this what you want for your own comfort and pay debts with the rest. There will be 18 dollars due Mr Meril sometime in August for interest on our place. it can be paid any time. When you pay Sister Strong take out the 8 dollars and give them Crosses recpt.

My health is quite good. Oscar Collins health is poor but he is so that he is about. Ezra Aldrich health is poor, has been ever since he had measles at Camp California. He lost his spunck then and never has regained it. The rest of our ackuantance about as usual.

No particular war news of late. every thing seams very quiet around here. There is great demand for Lemonaid here and I have permission to make and sell what I please. Yesterday I sold about 12 dollars worth of dries apple. This with my other dutyes keeps me pretty buisy but I am good for it yet.

Have just recd yours of the 15, No. 36. I shall write to Bro Folsom to you soon in regard to a lot in the Cemetary. I don’t want any one to turn in our lot after it is mowed but I must close praying God will abundantly bless you all with health and spiritual blessings. Yours with much live – Cutler Edson

Edson’s diary, Sunday 20: this has bin a day of rest for me. it is what I much neaded. I am glad I ever learned to observe the sabath as a holy day and a day of rest both to the body and sole. my health has greatly improved  for a week past & I am feeling quite well now. bless God for health Spiritual  & Temporal. no religious exercises to day but I have enjoyed my self very well here in my little tent. am glad that I am not wholy dependant upon human aid to guide me to heaven, but that I have the privalege of comeing direct to the fountain from whence flows all neaded blessings. Oh I thank God for the comefort that the religion of Jesus Christ affordes me. It makes me happy and contented here in this distant land away from dear kindred friends and home and all that I hold dear on earth. it also removes from me the fear of death when at times it has almost seamed to stair me in the face.

Monday July 21: in camp at Harrisons Landing. wrote to Bro Jewett yesterday. wrote to wife to day. made & sold 18 pales full of Lemonaid which came to 25 dollars. this has bin a good days work. Bro Strong came back here last knight. his coming was quite unexpected. was glad to see him looking so well. commenced playing all the general calls and the Regt drill 2 hours a day.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday, July 21, 1862: A year ago to day the battle of Bull Run was fought which proved so desasterous to our cause. my foot much worse. walked too much yesterday.

Tuesday 22: Still worse. my foot badly swolen and very sore.

Edwin Vose "Bull" Sumner,  born in 1797 and the oldest
field commander in the war, was the 5th's corps commander.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Tuesday 22: Grand review of General Sumners Corps, 48 Regts I think. Sold Lemonaid as usual. recd a letter from home, No 37.

Wednesday 23: All peddling in the Regt forbidden except by the sutler. went out and washed my cloaths. wrote to my good wife.

Saturday 26: this has bin pay day in our regt – sent home 45 dollars by the commitioner Sanbern. it has bin a buisy day in camp with the boys collecting and paying debts.

Sunday 27: Inspection as usual. Recd a letter from wife No 38 for which I am very greatful. should like to be at home to quartily meeting to day but shal have to wate a while longer.

Monday 28: wrote to wife for a shirt. moved our quartors a few rods to make room for a new tent for Davis & I alone. this is much pleasanter.

Tuesday 29: a review of Gen Richardson Division by Gen. French. Spent the most of the day in reading religious book. thank God for Salvation.

[This is the end of Rhodes diary, although he will rejoin this account with a couple of letters. It is nearly certain he continued to keep the diary; perhaps the rest of it was lost.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary (from Union Hospital in Georgetown)

Tuesday 29: Nothing very exciting is going on here. foot better.

Wednesday, July 30, 1862: Went to Washington to get my pay yesterday. could not get it. Pay Master gone.

Friday, Aug. 1: A good many are going to their Regts to day. a good many got discharged.

Saturday Aug. 2, 1862: Still in Hospital. Weather warm. foot better.

Monday 4: Quite a number were sent away to day to their regiments.

Tuesday, Aug. 5, 1862: Nothing further to day happened more than common. The same old round of affairs.

Wednesday 6: Hospital life begins to grow wearisome – no better.

Thursday 7: Patients are doing well generally, my foot about the same.

Friday, Aug. 8, 1862: Went to Washington to day, – with Sergt Ripley. went up to the Capitol grounds.

Saturday 9: Was appointed ward master and took my position. a good deal of trouble it is if I am allowed to judge.

Sunday 10:  Oweing to Stantons* order all the attendents will be sent to their Regiments tomorrow, I among them.

[*Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war. I could find no specific order to which Rhodes’s diary entry might refer, but an obvious imperative in army hospitals was to get able soldiers back to their regiments as soon as possible.]

Monday, Aug. 11, 1862: We were huddled up to Washington in the morning to the Soldiers Retreat. it is a miserable lousy place.

Tuesday 12: Still in the Hospital Soldiers Rest; – a miserable place this.

Wednesday 13: Got out of the old Hog pen and went up to the City and got my pay.

Thursday, August 14, 1862: Remained in the Hog pen all day. Soldiers arriving and leaving daily.

Friday 15: Went out on the same pass that I did on Wednesday; just altered the date and went up to the City to the Smithsonian Institute.

Saturday 16: went up to the City in the afternoon.

Sunday August 17, 1862: We left the hospital Soldiers rest in the morning for the wharf, took boat to Alexandria and marched up to fort Elsworth* and pitched tents.

[*Named or Elmer Ellsworth, an early martyr of the war who had been killed in the city, Fort Ellsworth stood on Shuters Hill in Alexandria.]

Monday 18: We were in Camp all day milking cows &c. everything quiet.

Wednesday 27: Weather very warm. we left our Camp on the Hill back of Alexandria at 6 and marched down to the wharf and embarked on a miserable old tug boat for Aqua Creek.*

[*Aquia Creek was a Union supply and transportation depot on a Potomac tributary.]
  

Thursday 28: Awoke and found ourselves aground off Ft Washington.* a long time was spent in getting off. Several large transports passed us loaded with troops. Got to Aqua Creek at 2.

[*Fort Washington, which guarded the federal capital, was on the Potomac River.]

Clouds Mill (photo by James Larkin of the 5th)

Friday, August 29, 1862: We arrived in Alexandria last night from Aqua creak. left the Boat this morning for our camp on the Hill – Our Division I hear is in camp at Clouds Mills.*

[*Although he did not say so, Rhodes must have noted the irony of a possible return to Clouds Mill, Va., which was near Camp California, the 5th’s training ground before the Peninsula campaign.] 

Saturday 30: Weather rainy. remained in camp. our Corps went up to Chain bridge last night; – A fight is expected or is going on at Bull Run.*

[*The 2nd Battle of Bull Run was another Union defeat.]

Sunday 31: We hear news from the big fight at Bull Run. Conflicting rumors. cannot get any authentic information from any where. Still in Camp.

Monday, September 1, 1862: Weather cold and rainy. fighting still going on. went down to Alexandria. saw many wounded soldiers from the late fight. Many left for their Regiments or elsewhere to day.

Tuesday 2: Still in Camp. we were divided into Companies to day. everything looks like our Army falling back.

Wednesday 3: I got a letter from home to day. Baggage wagons still coming in and straglers; – we are growing dainty on hard bread and tainted pork.

Next: Antietam

9. At Malvern Hill, 'Kind friends alone prevented me falling into the hands of the Enemy’ – Eldad Rhodes

[Previous post]

After the Battle of Fair Oaks, many men of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers were confident they would soon be marching through the streets of Richmond. Gen. George B. McClellan, their army’s commander, had boasted as much. And the Confederate capital now lay just six miles away.

Pvt. Charles Phelps: 'Richmond will have to fall soon.'

Corporal Charles Phelps and Private Theron Farr of the 5th each wrote to their sisters from Fair Oaks. “Richmond will have to fall soon,” Phelps predicted. “We are expecting a new battle here any minute,” wrote Farr.

The battle came – several battles – but while McClellan chose the direction of the move – away from Richmond – the rebels dictated the pace and timing.

Bugler Cutler Edson and Sgt. Eldad Rhodes of the 5th tracked these battles in their diaries and letters. On June 25, 1862, the regiment had endured more than three weeks of anxiety and peril before the enemy. In his letter to friends at his church in a small western New Hampshire town, Rhodes summed up the offensive spirit of McClellan in a single sentence: “We are expecting there will be something done here soon as we have bin making great preparation for a siege.” A siege, not an advance.

In their diaries the next day, both Edson and Rhodes noted the sounds of the battle of Mechanicsville. McClellan’s retreat across the Peninsula to the James River was about to begin. That week became known as the Seven Days, and the 5th New Hampshire was in the thick of the fighting.

Cutler Edson letter

Dateline: In camp near Fair Oaks, Va., June 25 ’62. To Sister Folsom, wife of Edson’s pastor in Enfield, N.H.

I recvd yours of the 19th yesterday and it afforded me great pleasure and satisfaction to peruse its lovely pages. There is no one but a soldier far away from his quiet and peaceful home in the midst of strife and battle that is better capable of estimating the value of a kind letter from his old friends. Was glad to here of the prosperity of Zion. it seems as though the Lord was about to work mightily in your midst. My prayer to God is that the Church may be fully ready & prepared to work with him & that there may be a glorious reformation in that vicinity. Your camp meeting strikes me very favorably. I shall endeavor to be there with you.

8 months experience has taught me some useful lessons in camp life and I am just foolish enough to think that I could set up housekeeping and live in the woods about as well as they will arrange. Havent seen Osker Collins for 2 or 3 days. then he was out round not very sick. Bugler Ingolls is well and pretty stedy. We have had no playing to do since our last battle [June 1] but have to stand in readiness every moment for we know not when we shal be needed.*

I suppose you get as much war news at home as we get here. We are expecting there will be something done here soon as we have bin making great preparation for a siege.

Tell my good wife not to worry about me in the least for I am getting along nicely. My health is very good, my mind clear, my trust firm in God, but try & take care of her self & children a little while longer. then I expect to go home and help do my part. Tell Bro Folsom I shal expect to here the particulars about the camp meeting. which way from the village is it. My love to you and family and all enquiring friends.

[*Oscar Collins, 20, of Enfield was a private in Company C of the 5th. He served out his three-year enlistment. Melvin L. Ingalls of Hanover, N.H., was a 26-year-old bugler in the 5th.]

Edson’s diary, Wednesday 25: Wrote home to day and likewise to Sister Folsom sent by mr Liscom. Went over and saw the Drummer. found him not quite as well. wrote a letter for him and put in 25 dollars for his sister.*

We have advanced our pickets on the right & left to day which caused conciderable fighting and we have bin shelling most all the after noon. recd a letter from wife No 31 with her picture. it is a good one and words cannot express my joy to behold it. Oh! how much reason I have to thank the good lord for all the privaleges I enjoy from time to time.

[*Elisha P. Liscomb was the allotment commissioner for New Hampshire. He delivered letters and soldier pay to families of the state’s soldiers. “The Drummer” was E. Woodbury Young, a sick soldier of the regiment. His father had recently murdered his best friend back home In Lisbon, N.H. (see previous post).]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Wednesday 25: We were up by times and under the Breastworks. at 7 Hookers & Sedgwicks Divisions began an advance on the Rebs. soon a brisk fight began. Rebs run. the fight continued during the day. our Batteries opened in the afternoon a brisk cannonade; sun down all quiet. thus ended the battle.

Thursday 26: We were aroused last by an attack from the Rebs, soon were in line, remained under the bank all night –  in the fore noon Freedom came wounded through his arm in yesterdays fight*; – all is quiet thus far, 4 OC heavy cannonade is now going on on our right.

[*Eldad’s brother, a sergeant in the 2nd New Hampshire, in Gen. Joseph B. Hooker’s division. The June 25 clash at Oak Grove began the battles of the Seven Days – the retreat across the Peninsula of McClellan and his Army of the Potomac.]

Cutler Edson’s diary

Thursday 26: a quiet time till about 4 oc when we heard heavy cannonaidig which appears to be beyond Richmond. it is now dark and it is still going on powerfully. drew my first pants since I left home. the firing to day was on our right under Porter who succeded in driving the rebels and licking them badley.*

[*The battle of Mechanicsville. McClellan, under the false impression that his army was outnumbered 2-1, withdrew his troops after this encounter.]

Capt. James B. Perry

Friday 27: fireing commenced this morning at an early hour on our right and continued till late at knight runing the whole length of the line. it seemed as though they were determined to break thru our lines. the rebs fought desperately but they found more than there match.* havent learned the particulars of yesterday nor to day. to knight finds me at the hospital watching over 2 sick men, Adjt Charles Dodd & Capt Perry of Co. C. he is a sick man, has the Colary Morbus. he is some better. hope he will get well soon.**

[*The battle of Gaines’s Mill, a Confederate victory.]

[**Charles Dodd, a 26-year-old Bostonian, was the 5th’s adjutant, or administrative officer. He was wounded at Fredericksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, and left the regiment shortly afterward. James B. Perry, 28, of Lebanon, N.H., recovered from his illness on the Peninsula but was killed at Fredericksburg.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Friday, June 27, 1862: Weather very warm. heavy firing renewed on our right. the Rebels advanced on our front but we repeled them with our artillery. had an exciting time all day. went on picket in the evening, out all night.

Saturday 28: Had orders to march, packed, moved a short distance, halted & pitched tents; – Struck tents in the afternoon ready to march, laid on the ground until morning.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Saturday 28: packed up and moved around a little to the right and pitched tents. remained here till about midle of the after noon, then packed up every thing ready for a general moove by the whole division. things look rather misterius but think it will come out right.

Sunday 29: Laid on our arms threw the knight without tents and started as soon as light towards James river. the enemy following hard after. we had several skirmishes with them threw the day and at knight     we had a sharp engagement which succeded in licking them nicely. we burnt and distroyed all our comisary stores wich was a great distruction. our Brigade was the rear guard and had to bear the brunt of the battle yet we lost but few. thus has passed another Sunday in the army.*

[*On June 27, though in good position with a superior force, McClellan ordered the Army of the Potomac to withdraw to the James River. As part of the rear guard, the 5th engaged the pursuing rebels at Orchard Station and Savage’s Station on June 29. Large supply stores were burned at both stations.]

Wounded men on platform cars. Savage's Station, Va., June 29, 1862,

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Sunday 29: We were on the march at day light – halted in about an hour. The 5th NH were ordered back as skirmishers. went back & had a smart fight with the Rebs. retreated 5 miles in the after noon. had a general Battle at dark.

Monday, June 30, 1862: Found us across white oak swamp with Bridge Burnt. very tired; – Had a severe fight in the after noon. The 5th were on picket before the Enemy untill 1 in the morning when our whole force retreated in good order.*

[*On the morning of June 30, on an open hillside above the bridge they had destroyed, the 5th New Hampshire withstood heavy artillery fire.]

Cutler Edson’s diary

Monday 30: the rebs followed us up with there artillery and aranged it threw the knight so that they opened on us in the morning with a deadly fire, ours returning fire, and after a hard struggle we suceeded in silencing theres. about this time they opened on us on our left – I think on Hookers division. this was a hard fight which lasted till between 8 and 9 oclock. we succeeded in bruising them back although there forces ware much larger than ours. there was great loss on both sides. the 5th lost in killed 3 or 4 and several wounded.

In the woods near James river, July 1st 1862, Tuesday: this has bin another day of excitement being the third day we have bin fighting. commenced this morning by Shelling from Burnsides gun boats. then the rebs shelled us powerfully. we answering them as powerful. we succeded in driving them, Porter following them up with his flying artillery til we could hardely here there cannonading. this has bin a glorius victory. thank God for our success. amen & amen.*

[*The battle of Malvern Hill was a huge tactical defeat for Robert E. Lee’s pursuing army. Because McClellan’s strategy was retreat, there was no thought of counterattack.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Tuesday, July 1: Caught an hours sleep. With the Enemy advancing we were ordered forward in line of Battle; – were under fire of the Enemies Artillery all day. I was wounded By a Shell toward night; – was helped off the field by 2 men.

Wednesday 2: The Army still in retreat. I was very lame. it began to rain in the morning; – I walked between 2 men all day to City point 8 miles through mud and rain. kind friends alone prevented me from falling into the hands of the Enemy.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Wednesday 2nd: The army all started this morning at a very early hour and marched nearly all day    raining most of the time very hard, makeing it very muddy. we took our wounded along with us. we halted near Citty point where we got a part of our wounded on board boats and sent them off. others were stowed away in barns old sheds & houses where the most of there wounds were dressed. I took charge of a wounded man in our regt. a shell struck his foot so that it took 2 of us to get him along. he leaning up on our sholders. thus we marched several miles threw woods over hedges and ditches mud and water till came here to a barn where I am assisting in taking care of the wounded.*

[*Rhodes’s  diary does not identify the two men who helped him, and Edson does not name the man he helped. But years later, Rhodes’s daughter wrote that it was Edson. In his diary Edson later corrected the destination to Harrison’s Landing, not City Point.]

Thursday 3: rained most all knight which made it very bad for thos that ware camped on the open field,  many of them without blankets or tents, yet I am very comfortable here in the barn for which I feele very grateful. the rebs followed us up last knight and began to shell us this morning. we thought they ment us, so we soon emptyed the barn. those that ware able to walk started on foot for the landing. the others we loded into Amberlances and then skedaddled our selves. the Regt got to gather in the coarse of the day and camped in a wheet field near citty point. it is not certinly known how many is lost out of the Regt yet.

Fortress Monroe on the tip of the Virginia Peninsula

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Thursday 3: I was taken from the Gen Hospital in an ambulance to the Boat and put on board the Commodore with 500 others. am very lame. got under way in the evening down the River.

Friday 4: A fine day. arrived at Fort Munroe in the morning. took on coal and steemed up the Bay at a good rate. got into the River at dark. everything goes well.

Cutler Edson’s diary

In camp near Citty Point [Harrison’s Landing]. July 4 62: A pleasant day but not very warm for the 4th. wrote home and sent my diary up to this date. it has bin quiet and seamed much like Sunday except when our gun boats gave us a few salutes and our field peices like wise.

Saturday 5: another peacible day. no particular excitement. had a good time washing. this has bin a warm day but cold knight.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Saturday 5: Beautiful weather, cool and refreshing breezes accompanied to Washington, where we arrived about noon and were carried in Ambulances to various Hospitals. I am at Union hospital.

Sunday, July 6, 1862: it seemed strange to hear once more the Musical Chime of the Sabath Bell; t – And to hear the rumble not of artillery, but of carriages going to the hous of God.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Sunday 6: our troops are fortifying about 2 miles from here and our detail went out this morning as usual. we have no Sundays in the army in time of war. this is deplorable but it is even so; Oh may God grant that this unholey rebellion may soon come to an end. have just recd a letter from my dear Wife. how grateful I feele for it. it is No. 33. No 32 have not recd. think it is lost. moved our camp about 20 rods to give us more room. wrote home.

Monday 7: recd another letter from wife concerning a lot in the cemetery. No 34 and answered it.

Louisa May Alcott

Sarah Low

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday 7: we are very well cared for here by Kind Women Nurses*; my foot is improving.

[*Among the nurses who worked at Union Hospital in Georgetown were Louisa May Alcott, who would later write Little Women, and Sarah Low, a young woman from Dover, N.H.]

Tuesday 8: Hot Hotter Hottest. every thing quiet. my foot slowly improving. Am able to hobble about without a cain.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Tuesday 8: recd the lost letter No 32 with Bro Strongs notes. have had the Neuralgia in my head most of the day but not very severe. no detail went out to day but are to drill 2 hours a day 1 in the morning and 1 at knight. this has bin another very warm day. Seargeant Sanbern returned to us to day. has bin at Anapilus sick several weeks. President Lincoln and Gen. McClealon passed threw our camp to day. he was recd by a national Salute from 1 of our bateryes and 3 hearty chears from each of our Regts.*

Augustus Sanborn 

[*Bro Strong was Lewis J. Strong, a private from Enfield, Edson’s hometown. Augustus B. Sanborn was a 19-year-old sergeant from Franklin, N.H., who later rose to captain.

[During the president’s visit, McClellan gave Lincoln a letter about the war and its aims. The war, he wrote, “should not be, at all, a War upon population; but against armed forces and political organizations. Neither confiscation of property, political executions of persons, territorial organization of states or forcible abolition of slavery should be contemplated for a moment. . . . Military power should not be allowed to interfere with the relations of servitude. . . . A declaration of radical views, especially upon slavery, will rapidly disintegrate our present Armies.” Already disgusted with the general’s military performance, Lincoln did not welcome this political advice.]

Wednesday 9: extreemely warm. laid in my tent the most of the day. Bought 1 pound of cheese for which I paid 50 cts & 8 little Ginger cakes for 25. this is dear living, but it will answer once in a while when a fellow has no appetite for any thing else that he can get. a flag of truice came  down the river to day requesting us to go and get our Sick & wounded prisoners for which we dispatched 3 gun boats towards Richmond. this looks as though they had about as many of there own as they could well attend to.

Thursday 10: Paid  Lieut. Cross for Bro Strong and took his recpt $8.00. got his discriptive list of Capt Perry. laid in my tent this fore noon but this after noon am feeling much better. hope the Neuralgia has left me for the present. very warm again till middle of the after noon when it began to rain which cooled the air nicely. Lieut Colonel Langley left to day for home on furlow. this leaves us with out any field officer.*

Lt. Col. Samuel Langley

[*Lt. Daniel K. Cross of Hanover, N.H., was no relation to Col. Edward E. Cross. Lt. Col. Samuel G. Langley of Manchester left the regiment for good later in 1862. Edward E. Sturtevant, the senior captain of the 5th, would be promoted to major on July 30.]

Friday 11: pain in my head the fore part of the day but wears off after noon. recd a letter from my old mother and sent it home with 1 I wrote to my good wife. Sent Bro Strongs discriptive list, and a recpt from Lieut. Cross of 8 dollars.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Friday 11: The same old round and that is all. foot still improving.

Saturday, July 12, 1862: Went out on the street to day. saw no grate sights or wonders. every thing in Georgetown is old and decaying. no new buildings are going up. every thing bares the mark of age.

Next: Harrison’s Landing

8.The Battle of Fair Oaks: 'thus the Sabath has passed with the most horible seins I ever witnessed'

[Previous post]

Like bugler Cutler Edson and Sgt. Eldad Rhodes, Col. Edward E. Cross kept a diary. He was the commander of their regiment, the 5th New Hampshire. Unlike them he did not write almost daily in his long bound journal. A former newspaperman, he tended to craft narrative accounts covering days or even weeks of the regiment’s experience. Of the eve of his regiment’s first battle, he wrote: “For once I felt that we were wanted.”

Edward E. Cross, bridge-builder (literally but not figuratively), warrior

This captured the sentiments of many men in the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers. They had been drilling, camping, toiling and marching since October 1861. They had been on the Virginia Peninsula for nearly two months without a fight. At last, as May turned to June, they seemed destined to face the enemy and eager for the battle to come.

First, however, they spent two days building a quarter-mile bridge over the Chickahominy River. Cross led this challenging project. The bridge had to withstand drenching rains and support the weight of infantry, artillery and equipment trains. Its failure might expose the Army of the Potomac to just the divide-and-conquer strategy that opposing Gen. Joseph E. Johnston had devised.

    

The bridge stood.

On the night of May 31, the 5th crossed the Chickahominy a mile downstream from the bridge it had built. It reached the other bank too late to participate in the Battle of Seven Pines but did march through the chaos and carnage after the battle. The next morning, the 5th was part of the attack force that lined up along railroad tracks near Fair Oaks Station and marched into the woods toward the enemy.  

The bugler Edson was in the thick of the Battle of Fair Oaks. “I was in the hardest fight, the balls flying all around me like hail stones yet by the mercy of God I escaped injury,” he wrote in his diary. Sgt. Rhodes was ill but crossed the river anyway late in the day. Both men helped clear the battlefield the next morning. “I have been out among the dead, Strown about friend and foe,” Rhodes wrote.

Although the men of the 5th had cause to be proud of their performance, the Battle of Fair Oaks was a draw. Casualties were roughly the same, 1,132 on the rebel side, 1,203 on the union. The 5th lost 41 dead or mortally wounded, 129 wounded. Little ground was won or lost.

The next move for Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac was no move at all. A Union soldier with sharp eyes could now climb a tree and see the spires of Richmond. Victory was in sight. But the order from the top was to dig in and hold.

Before turning the story of the battle and its aftermath over to Edson and Rhodes, one major change in circumstance on the Confederate side is worth noting. Gen. Johnston, commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, was wounded by an artillery shell during the battle. To replace him President Jefferson Davis chose Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Wednesday, May 28, 1862: We went up about 2 miles working on a Bridge across the Chickehomony. had a hard time. I was quite unwell with a Diorhea & returned to Camp at night very tired.

Thursday 29: We were on the march at 4 in the morning to resume our labors on the Bridge. I was still very unwell, not fit to be out, but held up; – finnished the Bridge, returned very tired.

Friday 30: We remained in Camp. I was sick abed all day nearly; – made out to go out on Co inspection; – hope to be better soon. I can eat nothing; heard heavy firing all day.

Saturday, May 31, 1862: Weather rainy and rather cool; – I was very unwell; – and went reluctantly to the Surgeons and got an excuse; – in the afternoon heavy firing was heard in front and our division was soon ordered to march; – I was not able to march.

Alfred Waud's drawing for Harper's Weekly of the burning of horses killed at the Battle of Fair Oaks. 

Cutler Edson’s diary:

Saturday 31: orders to march in the after noon. marched up to the front about 10 oc at knight and camped on the field where there was a heavy fight thru the day. passed many wounded rebels. we marched up very still and drew up in  line of battle within a few yards of the enemy where we remained till morning.

Sunday, June 1, 1862: When a heavy musketry fireing commenced on both sides and was kept up till 10 or 11 oc when we was so badly cut up that we  retreted back a little and our artillary soon silenced them. 5 of our company shot dead and a large number wounded. our first Lieut D. Read shot threw the leg. I helped carry him off and took care of him threw the knight. Col Cross and Majer Cook both shot in the leg. the Regt & whole Brigade suffored badly espesily the 64 N.Y. & 61.*

Fair Oaks was the first and last battle for Maj. Cook

thus the Sabath has passed with the most horible seins I ever witnessed. I was in the hardest fight, the balls flying all around me like hail stones yet by the mercy of God I escaped injury. thanks be to his great name for his preserving care. God save me from witnessing such a sean again. it was awful to behold –   the wounded and dying after they were gathered to gether, some in houses in barns and many in the open field. this is the rough side of war.

[*Lt. Dexter Reed of Newport, N.H., left the regiment in November 1862 but later served in the 1st New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. Maj. William W. Cook of Derry resigned his commission July 17. By his own count Col. Edward E. Cross was hit by nine balls during the battle. A Minie ball through the left thigh sent him home for most of the summer.

[The two New York regiments were in the same brigade as the 5th New Hampshire. By mistake, a company of the 5th fired twice on the 64th during the battle.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Sunday June 1: Was quite unwell in the morning. Soon heavy firing commenced in front and continued. I felt better at noon and started on foot for the scene of Battle; – Got there 5 miles from camp about 5 OC PM. The Regt were terribly cut up; – It was a horrible sight; 21 from Co B were killed and wounded.

Monday 2: We were alarmed last night falsely. Slept on the Battle field without blankets or covering; – To day is warm and I have been out among the dead, Strown about friend and foe; – went out and helpt bring a wounded Rebel in to day.

Lt. Charles Howard, younger brother and aide to the general.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Monday 2: feele as well as could be expected under the circumstances. all quiet this morning along the lines. went out on the battle field to day and helped bury the dead. Some places the ground was nearly covered, Rebels and Union all together. the rebels retreted and left there dead and wounded on the ground.

helped bury 3 in Co. C, Sargeant Laton that use to live in our village, Corporal Joseph Atwood from Lisbon (a brother mason) & Corporal Parker. 5 in Co. E. I have heard much of the horable seans of the battle field, but it is one thing to read and another to witness. wrote a short letter to my dear family. General Howard has lost his right arm. his Bro Charles wounded in his leg. have heard about 200 killed and wounded in all.*

[*Sgt. Levi A. Leighton of Lebanon, N.H., was 29, Atwood 27, and Corporal Byron H. Parker, also of Lisbon, 28. Brig. Gen. O.O. Howard was hit twice in the right arm but recovered from his amputation in time to fight at Antietam in September. Shortly after the general went down, his younger brother and aide, Lt. Charles Howard, was shot in the leg. He was back at his brother’s side at Antietam. Charles later rose to major and was chosen by Gen. William T. Sherman to report to President Lincoln on Sherman’s march to the sea.]

Cutler Edson plucked this page out of a hymnbook he found on the Fair
Oaks battlefield on June 2, 1862.

Tuesday 3 June: all quiet along the line. we are yet here on the West point & Richmond R.R. washed the blood from my haversack and pants that I got on them in moving the wounded from the field.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Tuesday, June 3, 1862: We remained in line of Battle all day. had several alarms. Signs of rain in the afternoon. we have no shelter except what we pick up. are to form a line of Battle tomorrow at 3 in the morning.

Wednesday 4: Rained all night. we fell in at 3 but no alarm coming we were ordered to brake ranks to fall in at a moments notice. a terrible rain all day drownded us out and we changed Camps toward night. had a letter from home.

Thursday 6: am quite sick. Freedom [his brother, a sergeant in the 2nd New Hampshire] came over to see me. we wrote a letter home. Freedom gave me some quinine powders.

Saturday 7: am no better. no grate news gets to us here in the Wilderness. The Rebs are to cut some shine I suppose soon. had orders to sleep under arms to night.

Sunday 8: We were ordered to march in the Morning as the Rebels were supposed to be advancing; moved to a position in the woods and awated their approach but no Rebs appeared. layed on our arms all night. scarsely a sound disturbed the night.

Fair Oaks Station after the battle, June 1862.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Sunday 8: about 8 oc. we was called into line and marched quickly to the front being alarmed by the fireing of our pickets which seamed to have a smart engagement. Several shells came over from the enimy but done but little damage. our batteries returned the fire and soon silenced them. just recd a letter from my good wife which encourages me. we lay here close by the reb line in the woods.

Monday 9 June: we yet lay here in line of battle. every moment expect an attact. our Baterys throwing some shells and occasionaly we here a crack from our pickets & sharp shooters. about 5:oc we moved back in to the open field and soon the rebs began to shell the woods where we left. wrote a  letter to wife.

Gen, Israel B. Richardson

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday, June 9, 1862: We were up at 4 ready for any emergency. Expected an attack; – Freedom came over to see me and brought me some tea; – It is now 2 PM. every thing quiet; – 6 PM have moved out of the woods. the Rebs are shelling the woods – are under arms.

Tuesday 10: We were in line of Battle at day light. raining; – Were ordered to be ready to fall in at a moments notice. marched in the afternoon a short distance and stood in line of Battle then stacked Arms. Cut a lot of trees for Richardson and Camped for the night.*

[*Brig. Gen. Israel B. Richardson was the 5th’s division commander.]

Cutler Edson’s diary

Tuesday 10: some cannonading on both sides but no general engagement. Lieut Col Langley and Capt Barton sick in hospital. we have no field officer with us except our Agitent Charles R. Dodd. a bad condition to go into battle.*

Charles R. Dodd, the 5th's adjutant

[*Col. Cross and Maj. Cook had been wounded June 1. The ill Lt. Col. Samuel G. Langley, 37, of Manchester, resigned before the year was out. The adjutant, Charles R. Dodd, was a 26-year-old first lieutenant from Boston. His job was administrative, not military. In coming weeks, Edward E. Sturtevant, the senior company commander, would lead the 5th. He was promoted to major on July 30, succeeding Cook.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Wednesday 11: remained in Camp without much going on. hope to get good news from some where; –  We were Alarmed by picket firing and called under Arms. A false alarm. the moon was in an eclipse.

Thursday 12: We changed fronts in the morning and moved our tents and in the evening we went up to stay behind the entrenchments in case of an attack. Nothing troubled us in the night.

Friday 13: The Rebels this morning opened a smart cannonade on our lines at the Right for an hour on two but we let them bang away – did not ans. Freedom came to see me today. McClellan rode through Camp to day.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Friday 13: wrote to wife. Saw General McClealon as he reviewed his troops.

Saturday 14: went over to the hospital and fixed up tents for our sick boyes. washed &c.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Saturday 14: We went out on picket last night as a reserve, got a good wetting in the evening; To day we laid in readiness for an attack. everything quiet. were releaved at night. Our Regt changed Camps to the earth works.

Sunday, June 15, 1862: we were buisy making our tents &c; – Sharp picket firing in the afternoon. had inspection in the afternoon.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Sunday 15: Went to church to the Irish Brigade after which to the 61 N.Y. the first religious exercises I have attended for a long time. The rebs threw a few shels this morning but nothing very alarming. a skirmish along the line this after noon. a few killed. we was called out in line and 6 companyes of our Regt went out on picket. my co. remained in camp.

Monday 16: Sharp firing about day light on our left but soon seaced. moved our quarters just back of our paripets to guarde our fortification. General McClealon passed by us to view the works. his presents created great enthusiasm amongst the soldiers.

Tuesday June 17 1862: heavy cannonading last knight on our right and some on the left. the work is going on finely. we are having cold knights and warm days. my friend Drummer* is sick at the hospital. for this I am very sorry. wish he could by here so that I could take care of him.

[Pvt. E. Woodbury Young, the 22-year-old Company E drummer.]

[This ends Edson’s bound diary, but he continued on notepaper.]

Camp near Fair Oaks, June 18:1862, Wednesday: continuation of my Diary. Finished our Forts & brest works & advanced our pickets which enraged the rebs so that they gave us fight. our batteryes dealing out to them grape & Canister in such bountiful doses that they soon retreted with the loss of between 5 & 8 hundred killed & wounded as it was estimated by some deserters and prisoners that we took. our loss was in killed wounded & missing about 25.*

[*Exaggeration of enemy losses is a regular feature of Civil War diaries and letters.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Wednesday, June 18, 1862: we were under Arms nearly all the afternoon. McClellan rode along our lines this evening; – Soon the Rebels advanced and we had a smart little skirmish without a rifle being fired inside the pickets.

Thursday 19: we laid on our Arms last night behind the breastworks. had an attack from the Rebs. repelled them with grape & shell.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Thursday 19: 8 months to day since I was mustered into the Service of My Country. veryous have bin the changes in that short period and how good the Lord has bin to me and to my dear family in preserving our lives while others have died and for that, good hope we have of the life to come. all quiet this morning along the line.

Friday 20: have bin sick to day with bowel complant but am feeling better to knight. the rebs have thrown shell in to our camp to day but did no damage. went over to see the Drummer. found him quite low. think he has the typhoid fever. our co. grows smaller every day by sickness.

Gen. Joseph B. Hooker

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Friday 20: Freedom came over to see me in the afternoon and remained untill the Rebs commenced to shell us and Hooker* when he returned the fire with Pettits Battery in our Division. soon the Rebs skudaddled.

[*The 2nd New Hampshire, Sgt. Freedom Rhodes’s regiment, was in Brig Gen. Joseph B. Hooker’s 2nd Division of the 3rd Corps. Capt. Rufus D. Pettit’s Battery B was in the 1st New York Artillery.] 

Saturday, June 21, 1862: pickets kept poping occasionally and we were out in line once or twic; – we were rousted up in the night by picket firing and slept under the entrenchments untill morning.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Saturday 21: got up this morning feeling quite smart. washed out my cloaths &c. recd a letter from home  date 15th, No. 30. was very glad to recv it as I have bin almost impatient to here from home for several days. I rejoys greatly at the prosperity of the church. Oh! may it continue to aris higher in the divine life untill every member becomes wholy sanctified to God and by its faithfulness many be converted and brot to Christ. Amen.

A smart skirmish took place here to day commencing with the pickets. the rebs trying to drive ours in. they retreted back a short distance whilst our bateryes opened on them so powerfully that they ware glad to retire.

Sunday 22: this has bin the quietest Sabath we have had for a long time. our Chaplain has his discharge and gon home so we are with out a Spiritual leader, but he will be but little missed for he done but very little for us since we left Camp California. I think he has an appointment at Manchester first Church. hope he will do his duty and be faith ful to his flock. Oh: when will the Meathodist Ministry be what they profess; a holey people. Thank God there are honorable exceptions.*

[*Elijah R. Wilkins, the 50-year-old chaplain, returned to the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Manchester. An itinerant printer early in life, he had been the pastor there during the mid-1850s. Late in life he served for 19 years as pastor at the New Hampshire State Prison. He died in Concord in 1908 at the age of 86.] 

Monday 23: another quiet day, but little fireing on either side. went over and took care of the Drummer this fore noon. found him quite feeble and his mind very much affected by hearing of his father shooting Bishop in Lisbon.* I have known it several days but have  kept it from him till this morning when he accidently saw it in a paper. tryed to sooth and comefort him the best I could under the circumstances.     wrote a letter for him to his mother and sent by express the most of the money he had on hand to his sister $55.00. left him feeling much better. hope he will be better in a few days. my health is very good where off  I feal very greatful. my sheet is full and will send it home in the morning. very resptively Cutler Edson.

[*E. Woodbury Young, the drummer, lived on a farm in Lisbon, N.H. His father, Brewster Young, turned violent when he drank. The son had intervened to stop his father’s rages many times. As a favor, Woodbury’s neighbor and best friend, Ralph Bishop, had assumed this role in his absence. One day in June he heard Young screaming drunken threats at his wife and a daughter, who had been ill. Young cursed the growing doctor’s bills and kicked a kettle onto his stove onto his wife. When Bishop came to the rescue, Young grabbed his gun and held it to Bishop’s head. He said he had shot a rooster in the neck that morning and would shoot Bishop. He then stormed into the next room. Young’s wife told Bishop to leave, but Bishop said he was not afraid. He followed Young into the next room. Young fired a shotgun in Bishop’s face, killing him.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday 23: The day was quiet untill near night when the Pickets began a spirreted firing; we immediately formed behind the breastworks; – went to supper at dark & returned. slept under the brestwork all night. rain fell heavily in the night.

Tuesday, June 24, 1862: every thing quiet on the lines. Freedom came over a few minutes in the evening.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Tuesday, In Camp near fair Oakes, June 24: Sent home a leaf of my diary yesterday. a good deal of fireing & Skirmishing along on the line last knight. our Regt. laid out under our entrenchments all knight and the worst of it was they had to lay ther threw one of the hardest thunder showers we have had, but it is of no use to dodg. a Soldier has to obey orders.

this has bin our pay day but nothing for me. recd a letter from Sister Folsom, a good long one. how glad I am that my old friends think of me and occasionly write me. if they only knew with what eagerness I devour there contence. I think they would more of them write, yet I feele very thankful for what I do recv. waid to day, 134 pounds. pritty good for me.

Next: The Seven Days

7. The rebels 'left this place in a great hurry'

[Previous post]

Having achieved their objective of stalling Gen. George B. McClellan’s campaign on the Virginia Peninsula, Confederate troops abandoned Yorktown on May 4, 1862. For the next several weeks, the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers joined in  passive pursuit of them, Many of them still expected to occupy Richmond before the Fourth of July.

Cutler Edson

The 5th was a reserve regiment at a sharp battle in the rain at Williamsburg on May 5, but for the next 26 days, its chief enemies were disease, humidity and terrain.

On the day of the Williamsburg battle, bugler Cutler Edson of the 5th’s Company E took time to gather seashells in the York River to send home to his children. When the regiment left Yorktown he encountered the landmines he had heard rumors about. These were Confederate “torpedoes” buried in the road and rigged to detonate if stepped upon. Edson remarked on the ingenuity of the weapons.

Eldad Rhodes, the sergeant whose diary and letters are the second major source of this series, was ill for most of May but carried on. “The jaundice has a hold on me and I must drive it out soon, that is sure,” he wrote on the 12th.

McClellan was still maneuvering his army with excessive caution. Provisioning such a large force in enemy territory was a challenge, but the pace of the advance toward Richmond, a distance of 35 miles from Yorktown, gave the Confederates time to plot a vigorous defense of their capital.

The last days of May found the 5th sensing, correctly for once, that their first battle was at hand.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Monday 5: Struck tents this morning. packed up and marched in to York town, that place where there has bin much contention. it was evacuated and we had no difficulty in entering. We got here about 11 oc., pitched our tents and camped for the knight. rained all day. about 6oc. orders came to march. struck tents and packed up agan and started in persuit of the rebels who ware at Williams burg. marched till about 11 oc. threw the muddiest road that I ever saw. raining hard most of the time. halted and built camp fires. dryed us some then camped down for rest.

this has bin a hard march not on account of the distance for I dont think we marched more than 5 or 6 miles. gathered sea shells in york river for the children.

Tuesday 6: Started about 6 this morning and marched about 4 miles when we had news that the rebs had left Williamsburg in the knight. we halted and pitched tents. it has cleared off and has bin quite a pleasant day. saw the place at York town where Cornwallis delivered his sword to Washington. it is a small parcel of ground inclosed by a fence with a cedar tree at each end.

Wednesday 7: packed up and returned to York town where we pitched tents for the knight. expect to embark for Richmond when we get orders. we have had to use a great deal of caution whilst in this place. the rebels have planted Torpedoes around in different places. they have used a great deal of ingenuity. it is hard finding them but if one steps on them they explode and kill everything around them. we have lost a few men in this way but they have bin searched out the most of them and marked so that by caution they can be shund. they left  this place in a great hurry, leving there big guns not spiked.

The ironclad CSS Virginia (Merrimac)

Thursday 8: a fine pleasant day. went out and practised this fore noon, the first time I believe since we left Camp California. had dress parade here to knight. Saw one large peace of corn yesterday up 2 inches high. we here glorious news to knight. hope it is true. report is that the Marymack is sunk & that Norfolk is taken and this is good if true.*

[*Union troops took Norfolk on May 10. The Confederates blew up their ironclad Merrimac, which had been refitted as the CSS Virginia, the following day. It is possible that in catching up on his diary after the 5th’s march to and from Alexandria, Cutler mistook the day he had heard of the taking of Norfolk.]

Friday 9: another pleasant day. Sent a letter to wife. recd one from home with one in it from Sis Abbie and one from G. Hoit. went down to the river and washed my self and cloaths. at about 5 oc orders to pack up and march about 1 mile up the river and camped in a young peach orchard, a pleasant place.

Saturday 10: went out and practised 2 hours  this for noon and 1 in the after noon.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Saturday, May 10, 1862: [Before this entry there is a gap of several days in Rhodes’s diary, perhaps a result of the illness mentioned here.] we went out on Co drill in the fore noon; – I was still unwell, am not improving much if any; – our Camp is a very sightly one commanding a splendid view of the River for a long way down.

Sunday 11: A very warm day; we went on an inspection in the morning while on the ground. had orders to march and immediately marched back to camp and struck tents and marched down to the landing and shipped on board the Vanderbilt bound up River. Had a pleasant ride up &c.

The C. Vanderbilt, which took the 5th up the York River (1846 oil painting by the Bard twins, James and John)

Cutler Edson’s diary

Sunday 11: inspection this morning as usual on the field. prayer by the chaplin but in so low a tone that but few of us could here it. Orders have just come to pack up and be ready to march down to the wharf where we embarked on board the C. Vanderbilt. went about 6 miles beyond west point up the York  river and cast anchor for the knight. the weather was fine and the scenery was  delightful for this country. thus another Sabbath has past with great excitement and but very little religious devotion. feele that I am yet the Lords.

Monday 12: landed here this mourning and pitched our tents in a beautiful wheat field which stood about 10 inches high but was soon trampled down. wrote to  Sis Abbie. Lieut Read promoted to first Lieut., Sumner Hurd to Seckond. Baron Noice to Ordily Seargant.* tent companies divided off with a squad master to each.

[*Like Edson and Rhodes, all three of these men would remain with the 5th New Hampshire for less than a year from this date. Dexter G. Reed and Sumner Hurd were both Company E officers from Newport, N.H. Reed, 22, was soon to be wounded at Fair Oaks, ending his time with the 5th. Hurd, 24, lasted a little longer, resigning after wounds at Antietam and Fredericksburg. Sergeant Baron S. Noyes of Claremont was disabled and discharged in November 1862.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday 12: we land above West Point* and encamped in a large field. I was quite unwell, wors than usual; – the jaundice has a hold on me and I must drive it out soon that is sure.

[*The regiment was moving toward Richmond. West Point is the Virginia Peninsula town where the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers merge to form the York. The town was also a new station on the York and Richmond Railroad.]

Tuesday, May 13, 1862: Weather very warm. I went to the Dr and got excused as I am quite unwell; –  had Brigade drill in the forenoon and inspection; – I felt quite down at the heel I assure you; a fine evening. been slop for dinner.

Wednesday 14: we were in Camp all day. think it probable that we may march soon. I am better of my Jaundice but my teeth are in a bad state.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Wednesday 14: had orders to knight to be ready for a march in the morning.

Thursday 15: Revalie this  morning at 2 oc. breakfast at 3 which consisted of hard crackers, Boiled Salt Beefe & Coffee. this is our common living. Struck tents, packed up and was on the march in the direction of Richmond before it was barely light. we marched till about 1 oc. and camped in the woods. rained some of the time very hard. just recd a good letter from wife.

Friday 16: laid here in the woods which is much pleasanter than marching in the mud.

Letter from Eldad Rhodes

Datelined Camp on the Road to Richmond Va., May 17th 1862

Dear Grandparents

I have never I believe written to you personaly since I left N Hampshire thinking perhaps that a letter to one was as good as a letter to each or all of the Family; – But I feel as though I ought to write to you and see if you Grandmother could write to me; – For what do you think when I tell you that I have not heard a word from home since I arrived on the Peninsula, a space of more than 6 weeks.

I sent $40.00 home some time ago directly after being payed off and am not a little anxious to know how it came out; – I can’t think that you have not written for so long a time. the letters probably have been miscarried but I know that your eyes are turned with grate anxiety toward this Peninsula. –

Here it was that Washington 80 years ago delt the death blow to the Lyon of England that had been for years prowling abroad in our Nation. I have seen with my own eyes old Revolutionary entrenchments with large trees growing in them to show their antiquity; –

You have heard ere this all about the evacuation of York Town and the Battle of Williamsburg, how the Rebels skedaddled and run for dear life. You have heard too of the torpedoes and infernal machines that the Rebels planted thinking to destroy us as we marched along after them but the cowardly knaves were foiled in their inhuman designs for but few were killed by them. I saw many guns on the Rebel fortifications with the swab stick in as though they left in grate haste; –

We were in the reserve and did not participate in the fight at Williamsburg but we had all the pleasure of the chase after them through the rain for one day and until mid night; – I have not heard personaly from Freedom [his brother in the 2nd New Hampshire] but have learned that he came out all right.

we after our wild goose chase after them came back to York Town and after remaining in camp 3 or 4 days took boat and rode 35 miles up the river and landed above west point; – day before yesterday we marched some 12 miles toward richmond and camped in a wood where we now remain awaiting further orders. we are some 25 miles from Richmond and if the Rebels will only make a stand then we will show you how to clean them out in a fair fight.

I cant tell much that is going about us. all that we get for news is the flying Camp story except when we get a paper for 25 cents now and then. Weather is very warm and corn is up high enough for howing. If father has not sent the box of sugar  I spoke of, he need not do it as I find that it would be a doubtful case its getting here except it comes by Adams Express; – I have been quite unwell for a fortnight back with the yellow jaundice but am now very much better. have been off from duty but one day with it when  if I had been at home I should have been sick a bed. I got help from pills and cherry and tree bark steeped; –

I dont see why I dont hear from you as other boys have as many letters as they ever did. write soon.

Rhodes diary, Sunday 18: We got orders to march in the morning and at 8 OC, were under way toward Richmond. weather extremely warm; encamped on a hill 5 miles from our last Camp; Freedom and Sergt Hilliard* came over and stayed with us over night. Hilliard had a wound.

[*Henry S. Hilliard had a slight wound from the Battle of Williamsburg. He later transferred from the 2nd to the 5th New Hampshire.]

Cutler Edson’s diary

Sunday May 18: packed up this morn and had another Sunday march. went about 3 or 4 miles and camped in a beautiful wheat field, a very warm day. thus has ended another Sabath in the armey with out any religious ceremony. may God grant that the time may soon come when I can worship God in my own native land.

White House Landing on the Pamunkey River was a supply and transportation hub during McClellan's Peninsula campaign.  

Monday May 19: our company marched to White house landing* some 3 or 4 Mi. a way. a very beautiful  place. this is said to be the house that Washington coarted and married his wife. one of the best farms I have seene in Va. our business here was to unlock bails of  cloathing. our Regt. started soon after we did and marched some 4 miles in the direction of Richmond  and camped near Saint Peters Church.

[*White House Landing on the Pamunkey River became a supply and communication base for McClellan’s slowly advancing army. Wounded men from the battles to come around Richmond were sent to a field hospital there and often transferred to larger hospitals in the North. The mansion on the bluff at the landing had indeed been the home of Martha Custis, whom George Washington courted there.]

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday, May 19, 1862: Got orders to march at 10 toward Richmond. Freedom and Hilliard left in the morning for their Regt. rain began to fall before noon; when on the Road two Rebel officers were conducted by us with a flag of truce toward McClellans head quarters. camped for the night at New Kent Court House 4 miles nearer Richmond. Dont know what the flag of truce had to offer.

Tuesday 20: We remained in Camp all day near St Peters Church instead of Kent Court House –Washington was married in this Church to the Lovely Widow Custis who was living at the White House.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Tuesday 20: Started this morning and went to the Regt some 4 or 5 miles where we all remained thru the day. Glorious news in the papers to knight. the Gov of North Carolina called home her troops.*

[*The news was less than glorious. The governor to whom Edson referred was no doubt Edward Stanley, a North Carolinian with northern leanings whom U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton had appointed to the position in April. After half-hearted and divisive efforts on the Union’s behalf, Stanley resigned soon after emancipation was proclaimed.]

Wednesday May 21: Revalee at 4 this morning. packed up and started in the direction of Richmond and marched 7 or 8 miles and pitched tents near the railroad,

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Wednesday 21: We marched at Sun rise toward Richmond. weather very warm moved 8 miles in a hot scorching sun. passed Hookers Division. Saw many of the NH 2nd Boys who lined the road on either side to see us. saw Freedom, Young,* Hilliard &c.

[*Harrison “Harry” Young was a 22-year-old second lieutenant from Lancaster, N.H., the Rhodes brothers’ hometown.]

Thursday, May 22, 1862: Weather very warm untill afternoon when we experienced a heavy thunder storm which lasted 2 hours  much hail fell; – I was not very well to day.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Thursday 22: remained in camp all day. washed my pants &c. wrote to Wife. no particular news from the seat of war.

Friday 23: Marched about 6 or 8 miles and camped about the same distance from Richmond as we was when we started. passed some beautiful plantations, camped in an old deserted corn field.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Friday 23: Weather very warm. we struck tents at 11 OC and marched 5 miles over varigated country; – Encamped 14 miles from Richmond; – had a long letter from Home, the first I have had since I landed at Ship point.

Saturday 24: We expect soon to experience a terrible Battle near Richmond.

Cutler Edson’s diary

Saturday 24: Cold rainy day but I keep quite comfortable here in my little tent. just recd a letter from my good wife. commenced dealing out rations of Whiskey to the soldiers, ½ gil at a time knight and morning. this is ordered by Gen McLealon and approved of by our phisitions whilst we are here in this  low swampy land.

Sunday 25:  this has bin one of the most quiet Sabaths I have witnessed for a long time. had Sunday Morning inspection as usual then listened to a short sermon from our Chaplain. read the life of  Gen. Havorlock* and considerable in the Bible.

[*Probably British Gen. Henry Havelock, best known for his exploits in India. His statue is in Trafalgar Square.]

Monday 26: orders to get everything ready for a start at a moments notice but had no orders to march. it is rumered to knight that Richmond is evacuated.

Eldad Rhodes’s diary

Monday 26: had a Co drill of one hour in the fore noon. In after noon we were ordered to put our selves in light marching order; – the order was countermanded.

Tuesday 27: our Co with others went out working on a Road, worked until 3 PM. heard heavy firing which I suppose is McDowell; – The firing proved to be Porter who with 10000 men repulsed 15000 with grate loss to the Rebs.*

[*This was the battle of Hanover Court House, in which troops under Brig. Gen. Fitz John Porter, a native of Portsmouth, N.H., defeated a smaller Confederate force. The battle was fought to secure a route for reinforcements for McClellan’s army from the Shenandoah Valley. Because Stonewall Jackson’s army defeated Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks’s troops there, the reinforcements never showed.]

Next: Across the Chickahominy to meet the enemy