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Camp Pitcher - Falmouth VA
The Life of a Civil War Soldier
Today, Edwin Weist was at Camp Pitcher which is just outside of Falmouth Virginia. He has spent the last couple of weeks here, and has grown ill. Weist says that everytime he goes to the doctor, it seems to get worse and on this day, the doctor confessed he didn't know what was wrong with him. At this time, there also wasn't much battle going on around them so much time was spent resting. -
Camp near Belle Plain
How Soldiers set up Camp
Weist and his regiment have just arrived at their new camp. They are five miles from Camp Pitcher and three miles from Belle Plain Landing. After setting up his bunk, Weist goes to admire the scenery of the Potomac river. But they begin to build the rail line for supplies. -
Outside Franklin Ford
Battle of Fredericksburg
Weist is at the bivouac five or six miles from Fredericksburg. As it is raining, Weist can here artillery being fired on their front as they search for the enemy. 1 mile up the river, the 24th New York crossed the river and captured 150 enemy soldiers. to their right, Gen. Hooker drives the enemy out and kills Gen. Beaumont. -
Chancellorsville Battle Ground
Battle of Chancellorsville
After a tough battle, Weist and their battery were instructed to go back to camp Belle Plain. They fought hard but they couldn't stand up to the force of the confederate army. As they hustled back to camp, they only received two breaks, and once they return to camp, Weist was exhausted. He wrote, "After 16 miles, I was completely used up." -
On picket, near Banks Ford
Ranks of Union Officers
Weist was assigned gaurd duty that evening. H was starting to think that he kept getting put there out of jealousy. But he wouldn't let that bother him too much. Capt. Hoover had just recieved his discharge papers, and Weist hoped that Lt. Thomas would get promoted. -
Bivouck Bealeton Station
Bealeton Station
Weist and his division are heading to the rail line. At this time, he is a mile away from the station. They set up bivouac and are resting in the pleasant woods around them. Now, they begin to run into a problem. They are running out of water. -
Manasses. 2. miles from the junction
Union Marches into Battle
As they keep moving closer to the station, Weist begins to notice how many stragglers are in his division. Some have died of sunstroke though. They have been going on without breaks, and water is getting scarce. For the past 4 miles, they have seen wreckage of previous raids along the railroad. -
Near Centersville
What these Soldiers Carried
On the way to Gum Springs, Weist got seperated from his regiment. But the entire regiment seperated anyway. He finally met up with another group. They had no staff officers and a few line officers. They decided to stay the night where they were before meeting up with everyone else. -
Camp near Gum springs
Civil War Letters
Weist mentions that he wrote to his father on this day. He mentioned that there was nothing on the front lines worth talking about, besides the fact that they have got fresh meat and water. They expect to march out the next day. -
Camp near Middleton
How the Soldiers would March
Edwin and his regiment marched for twelve miles that day. They passed through Jefferson which he says was a quiet town. Marching through in columns of companies, they had colors and music flying. His regiment was on rear guard and Weist says he never liked marching so much until then. -
Camp near Walkersville
Civil War Generals
That morning, they passed through Middleton and struck the pike for Frederic. At 3:00, they passed through latter place and were joined by Gen. Sickles who took control of the corps. The rebel army is 7 miles from Frederic and then 8 from there to Middleton. -
Camp near Tanneytown
Camp Life
Weist was about one mile from camp when he heard the fall in call. Their camp was about one mile from Wakersville, which they passed through on the way to camp. They were cheered on by the Union civilians as they marched through. -
Camp near Emmettsburg
Civil War Letters
Weist recieved letters from his uncle and aunt. On the march, they passed the 11th corps with rebel prisoners. As of this point, General Mead is in command of the army. -
Near Gettysburg
Battle of Gettysburg
They just passed through Emmettsburg and are heading to the camp on the other side. The 1 and 11 corps had a battle, and Gen. Reynolds was killed. Weist recieved word the Gen. McClellan is there with 75,000 troops and he would command the whole army. -
Near Mechanicsburg, Ind.
How they rebuilt
Edwin recieved orders to be ready to march by 3:00. The road to Emmettsburg was in poor condition, but they made good timing. A portion of the town was burned down at the time the rebels passed through. -
In camp near Warrenton
Col. Berdan has placed gaurds all around the camp and does not allow anyone to pass, even for water, without a pass. Weist then recieves word that Indiana had captured Morgan and his whole force. They were all happy for their home state, and celebrated. -
Washington D.C.
After waking at 2:00, they said goodbye to Gen. Ward who then gave them a farewell speech. They then marched to Warrenton Junction. The train took them from Fairfax to Alexandria. A nine mile journey, in five minutes. -
Port Columbus
The other six Companies met them that morning. They were ready to leave, and then the time was postponed twelve hours. It was reported that four companies were headed to Garrison Fort Lyons. All this with the ballance going somewhere else.
