Albert Husted Diary, May 1, 1864-June 30, 1864
Mon. May 2
No move. Not much doing, some ball playing, 5 PM Brigade Dress Parade. I act as Adj. 44th. A heavy storm of wind and rain suddenly comes up and the Parade is dismissed soon as the band is through. We "about Face" and put for camp double quick, just in time to save our tents.
Tue. May 3
Fine, rather windy. AM play ball a little. 12 M we pack up and move within a mile or two of Culpepper-bivouac. 11 PM we are roused by the bugle sounding, "Strike tents." Our bed is so good and our sleep so sweet that it seems hard. We move toward the Rapidan.
Wed. May 4
Before one AM we get fairly in motion, at daylight reach Stevensburgh, 8 cross the Rapidan at Germanna Ford. Get breakfast and rest 2 hrs. 1½ reach Wilderness Tavern and bivouac. Weather fine and prospects fair.
Thurs. May 5
Hot day, hot work. The rebs have gathered in upon us during the night. 11 AM 44th. moves out and forms line in the woods, gets somewhat mixup up but does pretty good work. Charges and counter charges are made. In our front not much is lost or gained. Very obstinate fighting on left towards evening.
Fri. May 6
Very warm, we spend the night in the intrenchments. Before daylight we move and form line where we fought yesterday, lay flat on our bellies. All stay firing a little and getting a pretty good shelling. AM heavy fighting on our left and we drive the rebs a mile or two, towards evening they seem to have got back. At dusk they break through on our right but are soon repulsed.
Sat. May 7
Very hot. We remain quietly in our intrenchments. Not very much doing any where so far as we know ------- information received that Smith has captured Petersburg, Va. We are all in splendid spirits tonight. The campaign seems to be opening finally. 10 PM we move south along our intrenchments!
Sun. May 8
Hotter, We move slowly till 8 AM when we meet the rebs in position. We form line, 44th. and 83rd. Pa. and charge. After sharp fighting we are flanked and withdraw back with heavy loss. 44th. losing nearly ½ in killed or wounded and missing, 7 officers. Fighting continues nearly all day, we are quite successful towards night, 44th. gets its men together.
Mon. May 9
Very warm, The losses of the 44th. thus far are 9 killed, 102 wounded and 44 missing. 8 AM move out and take a position in reserve, but in the sun. But very little fighting. At sundown our pickets advance and bring on quite a skirmish. The rebel trains and troops have been passing in sight nearly all day.
Tue. May 10
Hot and dusty. But little doing in the morning. 12 AM heavy musketry battle begins and continues till 4. We appear to have gained something by it. Towards evening 5th. and 2nd. Corps get in line for a charge but do not start. The 6th. Corps captured 3000 prisoners and 12 cannon this morning. Gens. Rice and Sedgewick are ----- [killed]
Wed. May 11
AM hot. PM rain ------. Not much doing except pickets skirmishing. We change position a little to escape shelling. 8 PM go on picket. Not much firing but muddy, cold work.
Thurs. May 12
Rainy. 3 ½ AM we are relieved from picket and move to the right, then come back, then move to the left. Heavy firing from dawn till dark mostly by 2nd. and 6th. Corps. They are quite ------- ,advance our left and capture 6 or 7000 prisoners. Reinforcements are coming.
Fri. May 13
AM fair. PM rainy. 3 AM 1st Div moves towards the right and intrenches. The rebs have gone. But very little firing. A congratulatory order from Gen'l Meade is received. We have captured 18 guns, 22 colors, 8000 prisoners. 2 Reg't comes in and give themselves up. 10 PM 5 Corps moves to the left. Muddly.
Sat. May 14
About daylight cross the ----- and advance south to within about 1 mile of Spotsylvania C. H. which is in sight. The 5th. and 6th. Corps gather about us and at our left. ------- showing. At sundown a part of the 5th. and 6th. Corps charges, the rebs run without resistance. Some good residences a out and rather a fine country. We are out of the wilderness.
Sun. May 15
AM clears up, PM showers. Supplies coming up but the roads very bad. Gen'ls Grant and Meade up and observe the fire, but very little firing. Towards sundown two lines are formed and things look like an advance. The rebs skirmish us -----------their pits, but we make no attack.
Mon. May 16
Foggy morning, clears up and dries off pretty well before night. We draw rations to make out 7 days, also replenish ammunition. No movement, we hear a little fighting on our right. 24,700 reinforcements have been sent from Washington. Things look very encouraging.
Tue. May 17
Roads get in pretty good order but there is no fighting. Reinforcements continue to come in, also a good many stragglers etc. After dark our Div. moves to the front and intrenches itself in a new position.
Wed. May 18
Fine day. Before daylight we are secure in our new position. At dawn our artillery opens and an attack is made by our right. I do not learn that it was very successful. 4 PM we get our mail up to the 15th. Some of the slightly wounded are sent back, Eldred among them.
Thurs. May 19
Pleasant. Very little doing so far as we know. Rebs make a strike for some Hard Tack towards evening. The "Heavies" fight well and instead of taking tack, have 600 of their man captured. Fine, moonlight evening. Our own and rebel bands "Discourse sweet music."
Fri. May 20
Hot. A very quiet day. Gen. Meade issues a complimentary order on the behavior of the Heavy Artillery yesterday. 'We are getting tired of resting but there will be something for us to do soon. Bands play again tonight and the woods seem almost gay.
Sat. May 21
Hot. We remain quiet, till 1 PM then withdraw quietly. Rebs follow pretty close for a short distance then get scared and go back. We move east, reach G ------- [Guiney's] Station at sundown, Cross river below the Marsh and bivouac. We are very tired.
Sun. May 22
Daylight 5th. Corps moves out a mile and forms line; 10 AM fall in and move south, our Brigade leads. We have two "brushes" with the rebs and drive them. 44th. and 16th. are marching in line then rebs get a shot at them from a parallel road to our right. It wounds 4 of our men. 'We cross the ------- [North Anna River] below the Junction, on picket.
Mon. May 23
11 AM Corps Moves towards the North ----- [Anna River] 2 PM crosses at Island Ford with opposition. 6 PM we having got a pontoon down and our artillery across the rebs make an attack on our right but are driven back three times with loss. We (44th.) are not engaged. Lt. Graves is slightly mounded in arm.
Tue. May 24
Very hot. Men work nearly all night and get up pretty good works. Morning finds that the rebs have gone, our troops move out and look around. 44th. lays still till 7 PM then moves a little front of the breast-works and bivouacs, considerable firing on our left.
Wed. May 25
Cooler. 5 AM move out to railroad, pass Noel's March about a mile and a half, the rebs are in our way and we halt. 6th. Corps comes up and forms on our right. We lay about till sundown and go on picket, advance the line and get very close to the enemy.
Thurs. May 26
Daylight we return to works that have been put up during the night. Heavy rain, fills our ditch. 8 AM relieved, fall back, sun comes out, we dry off and get something to eat. 8 PM recross North Anna at Quail's Ford, draw rations and wait till 3 PM.
Fri. May 27
Hot. 3 AM move to the left. 6 ½ breakfast and rest till 10. March till 5 ½ with no dinner and very little rest. Much straggling. We have marched through lanes and by-roads at a distance from river, direction east.
Sat. May 28
Cooler. 4 AM continue the march. Nearly all the men are up and march well. Pass through Mungohick, Enfield and cross Pamunkey near Hanovertown at 10. No opposition, but we get in position and intrench a little. Have a good rest this afternoon. We sleep within 15 miles of Richmond.
Sun. May 29
Cool. Troops been crossing river all night. 2nd., 9th., and 1 Div. 6th. Corps are with us. 1 AM we move out through two lines works. After several moves we settle on south bank Tolopatamoy creek. Quite brisk skirmishing in our front. A report tonight that Lee is wounded and that Smith is at White House with 2000 men.
Mon. May 30
Hot and dusty. 8 AM 1st. Division moves out to front. 2nd. Brig. leading. By sharp skirmishing they drive the rebs a mile or more. PM we are annoyed by sharp-shooters. Capt. Nash wounded by a stray ball. The enemy gains a temporary advantage on our left. Dark 44th. on picket. Both sides are fortifying tonight.
Tue. May 31
Warm. 11 AM off picket, active within intrenchments and rest in woods, enjoy it. Considerable cannonading though no general engagement. A rumor that "Baldy" Smith is at White House with a considerable force.
Wed. June 1
Warm. Lay around till 1 PM then move out, quick, go to the front and form line in advance of the swamp. We put up a pretty good work. 6 PM the rebs attack in two lines and our men have the first chance of fighting behind works, they are driven back with loss. But two of our men are wounded by ------ 1 killed and 1 wounded by 3rd.
Thurs. June 2
Very quiet till 3 ½ PM then we attempt a move to the left but the rebs discover it and pitch in. We "about face" and meet them. There is a sharp fight but appears to result in our favor. 44th. not engaged. Part of 9th. Corps makes a charge in good style and gain the point. Heavy shower 5 PM. Sleep in my rubber tonight, in the rain also.
Fri. June 3
6 AM heavy cannonading. 8 our lines advance on the right. 3rd. Brigade swings round. I command skirmishes, the rebs give us a warm reception but we get a good -----, silence 4 guns and shoot a number of horses. Sundown rebs flank our advance post and we retire it to the main line. Been heavy fighting on our left this PM.
Sat. June 5
A very quiet day. Soon after dark the rebs attack our picket and there is sharp skirmishing. 9 PM they attack 2nd. Corps and are repulsed, losing heavily. Midnight we fall in and move to the left.
Sun. June 6
1 AM halt near Cold Harbor, draw shoes. PM our baggage comes up and we get clean shirts, etc., for which we are very thankful. Been but little fighting today.
Mon. June 7
Up at 3, off at 4. 1st. Div. marches across the heel of the horse shoe which our line of battle now seems to form and take a position on the exterior left, picketing the Chickahominy. 44th. takes up a very pleasant position in the woods and stops, rebs throw shell about but do not trouble us.
Tue. June 8
Very pleasant, we rest all day. The rebs have a couple turns at shelling us. They wound, two of 16th. Mich. and kill two and wound 5 in a battery near us. Our army is said to be intrenching strongly.
Wed. June 9
Pleasant, nothing doing. We make out a camp and get things into shape.
Thurs. June 10
Weather continues dry and pleasant. No firing. Pickets in our front get quite friendly with and exchange tobacco, beef, etc. N.Y. Times of 7th. rec'd tonight, gives full report of the battle of last Friday, thinks it was a failure and that Grant hoped to make it decisive.
Fri. June 11
Cool and dry. Very quiet. Tonight get "Times" of 9th. inst. Lincoln and Johnson were nominated at Baltimore, the news gives great and general satisfaction.
Sat. June 12
Cool and quiet. 10 ½ AM listen to sermon by Chaplain of 20th. Maine. It seems quite a treat to again hear the gospel. At dark pack up, Corps moves down the Chickahominy, passes Dispatch Station. 2 ½ AM of Monday bivouac near Long Bridge. The night fine and roads good.
Mon. June 13
5 AM 5th. Corps crosses Chickahominy on pontoons at long Bridge, move west towards White Oak Swamp and halt to protect crossing of the rest of the Army. At dark we march towards Charles City, C. H., bivouac at 2 AM 4 miles from it. A good march.
Tue. June 14
Cool. 5 AM roused from our sleep and march towards Charles City C. H., reach it 10 AM, get dinner 1 PM, move to the James above C. H. The 2nd. Corps is taking transports for ----- This is the best part of Va. we have seen, land fertile, tolerably well cultivated, scenery beautiful.
Wed. June 15
Soon after midnight we move into works thrown up by 2nd. Corps, stay there all day. 6th. and 9th. Corps and trains are crossing pontoons a mile or two below us. Firing is heard in that direction of Petersburg. Weather continues coal, dry and all things seem to be in our favor.
[Commencement of operations against Petersburg by General Grant.2]
Thurs. June 16
At daylight 5th. Corps begins to cross the James, in steamers. The 9th. and 6th. and our trains are crossing below on pontoons, 3 PM we march towards Petersburg, hot and awful dusty. 10 PM halt for supper at Prince Geo. C. H., 11 continue the march, 1 AM bivouac 2 or 3 miles from Petersburg, musketry is lively.
Fri. June 17
Hot. Div. lays in reserve, all day. At daylight 9th. Corps takes a fort and 5 cannon. Considerable fighting all day, heavy towards dark, our lines advance on the left. Lt. Col. Royce pays us a visit, we are glad to see him and get some information.
Sat. June 18
Colder, dusty. Sunrise 1st. Div. moves towards the front. 2nd., 3rd., and 4th, Divs. are pushing forward. Our left is advanced. We lay somewhat exposed to shot and shell all day. Harris. Co. E. wounded in groin, slightly. Sundown we advance beyond Suffolk R. Road throw up intrenchments.
Sun. June 19
No demonstrations. Sharp-shooting from breastworks and by our pickets all day. Corp. Darling, Markham and Walch killed, none wounded. Been a hot dusty day. We get two meals.
Mon. June 20
Sharp-shooters keep up their fire, one of 44th. wounded. We are quiet till 10 PM, then pack up, are relieved by 5th. Div. move back to rear and bivouac. Heavy guns are coming up from City Point, we are getting ready to shell something.
Tue. June 21
Hot. 9 AM 1st. Div. moves to the left, 2nd. Corps on our left. 100 men and 3 Officers detailed as picket from 44th. I am in command, work pretty hard. We advance the lines to within 600 yards of rebel works. Hold our position, after dark 1st. Brig moves in our rear and intrench. 44th. has 1 killed, 1 wounded.
Wed. June 22
Remain on picket all day. Quiet in our front except cannonading. We get a few shells. Towards evening rebs attack 2nd. Corps and there is quite a fight. The line is nervous. Various reports as to results.
Thurs. June 23
Very warm. Brooks are very scarce but I manage to get a wash. Not much stirring. 44th. has two men wounded. Just after dark there seems to be an attack on our left, the musketry seems up along the line but is soon over. Today we learn Snider is all right.
Fri. June 24
Hotter yet. Heavy cannonading on the right, across the Appomattox. It is said to have been an attack on Butler's negroes, they repel it. Same time we are shelled rather lively. Receive notice that an attack is expected on our left, we get ready.
Sat. June 25
Very warm and very quiet, though the sharp-shooters bullets keep our heads down. Just after dark there is an attack by somebody and considerable firing along the whole line. We pack up partially but do not fall in.
Sun. June 26
Very hot and very little doing. Picket line has almost ceased in our ------- ---------- front. Lt. Col Royce calls again tonight, tells us of the fight in our right, we charged, our men gave the volley at short range, when the whole line came in on hands and knees.
Mon. June 27
Another quiet, hot, dusty day. Towards evening a slight shower and the air becomes cool and pleasant.
Tue. June 28
Cool and quiet. Report saith that our Cavalry yesterday captured 200 prisoners on our left. PM Co. books are brought up and make out one of "I's" rolls. Some mortar practice on the right this evening.
Wed. June 29
Cool and pleasant. Complete Muster Rolls. Very quiet along the lines. Lt. Dempsey honorably discharged today on ----------- --------- of Disability.
Thurs. June 30
Pleasant. Reg't mustered for May and June. Lt. Dempsey comes up to see us. He owes me $8.00, is to send it from Washington by mail.