2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Diary of James W. Johnson, was mustered into "C" Co. PA 29th Infantry, on July 28,1861. Diary covers July 28, 1861 through May 6, 1863, 3-1/4” x 5-3/4,” +/- 120 pp., loose, tightly written. The diary opens with 4pages logging in the distances marched, over 1000 miles. The early portion of the diary provides camp life material with occasional skirmishes. March 24 (1862) Received news of the battle of Winchester and started to return. March 25th, “Visited the battlefield and saw from 200 to 250 dead rebels most shot in the head ..” April 2nd, “Our picketts and the rebels .. were exchanging shots all day .. we lost one man killed.” September 1st, “Left Bull Run and passed through Centerville .. rained very hard until 12 o’clock at night .. here the rebels getting hungary made an attack on our supply train ..it was here that Generals Kearney and Stevans were killed.” September 17th (Antietam), “About 5 am the battle commenced and raged fearfully all day until 8 at night when it slackened. We took a great many prisoners. All quiet through the night, both forces held their own ground.” September 18th, “The battle was not resumed owing the rebels sending a flag of truce to care for their dead & wounded. While the burial of the dead was going on the rebels skedadled leaving most of the dead for us to bury and their wounded to care for.” There are 11 pages of the Chancellorsville battle. In small part, “... about 12 o’clock on the first .. we were ordered to feel for the enemy .. and at on time within 100 yards of a rebel battery of heavy artillery. Our Brigade had not all got on the road before the rebels were on us with cavalry and artillery. We had several men wounded .. By 5 o’clock on the morning of the 2nd we had an almost impregnable barriers between us and the enemy ..There was heavy artillery firing and sharp skirmishing all morning but they did not make any advance .. we intended they shall meet us on our own ground. .. we were in action about one hour and lost out of company 2 men killed and 2 wounded ... About sunset the rebels made another assault on our right and broke through .. About 8 pm. we received news of the capture of Fredericksburgh by Gen’l Sedwick .. During the night they massed their forces on our right and early on the morning of the 3rd commenced the assault. After a very hard fight of over two hours they succeeded in turning our right ... we lost about 6 men killed .. we were ordered back for fear of being cut off .. the enemy let us have plenty of grape killing and wounding seven. About 6 pm Gen. Hooker rode along and was noticed by the men and heartily cheered. At 10 we received orders to fall back and cross the Rappahanock. This was caused by Gen. Sedwick having been whipped at Fredericksburgh, the enemy reenforced by troops from Suffolk and N. Carolina.”
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