Chapter 34 - In Camp, & First Campaign

CHAPTER XXXIV

IN CAMP

The Suttler of the 28th Pennsylvania Regiment did a thriving business, being patronized by both Regiments, our Suttler, John F. Frank, never having put in his appearance after his appointment to the position.  Everything was sold at the very highest figures, butter was sold at from 75 cents to $1 a pound; eggs 60 cts. a dozen; cheese 50 cents a pound; ginger snaps 25 cents for ten, and everything else in due proportion.  It did not require Danny Kreamer to much “general” figuring to discover that at $13 per month it did not require a shelter tent to carry the provisions purchased of the suttler with a month’s wages.  It was a common saying that it cost 25 cents to peep into a suttler’s tent, 50 cents to open your mouth and $1 to buy anything.

On the evening of the 17th of April W. E. Fausnacht of our company was detailed as a stretcher-bearer, in addition to seven others from the regiment.  At this same time general marching orders were read, instructing the officers to hold the command to move at an hour’s notice.

At roll call Hooker’s famous eight day’s rations and 100 rounds of ammunition order was read by the orderly in the presence our company’s officers.

After the ranks were broken Snyder County Dutch made things 1ively, the men could not see the necessity of being transformed into pack mules.

Serg’t. Eby who was of a mathematical turn of mind, took his pencil and presented the following facts, which caused our eyes to open like saucers and the Dutch to flow more fluently and at a higher key.  The following are the figures which confronted us, embracing 8 days rations:

 Soft bread, 3 days,             3 lbs. 12 oz.

 Hard-tack, 5 days,              5 lbs.

 Fresh beef, 2 days,             2 lbs.   9 oz.

 Salt pork, 6 days,               4 lbs.   8 oz.

 Coffee, Sugar, Beans, &c  2 lbs.   7 oz.

                                  Total       18 lbs.   4 oz.

In addition to the above the ammunition, gun and accouterments, weighed 24 lbs., whilst the knapsack, with shelter tent, poncho, and two changes of under clothing, made 12 lbs. more or a total of 54 lbs

Sergeant Eby’s figures caused the boys to feel that now came the “tug” of war.  In addition to the above we carried blankets weighing from 4 to 9 lbs. and over-coats weighing from 6 to 12 lbs. all of which would make a total of about 75 pounds.

On the evening of the 19^th of April, 1863, we received orders to move out the following morning on our

FIRST CAMPAIGN.

At the early break of dawn on the 20^th of April, we were aroused from our slumbers by the Division Bugle, which was answered by all the bugles and Drum Corps in the Division.

After partaking of a hearty breakfast, for grub was abundant, and in the language of C. E. Parks, it could be carried easier “in our bellies than on our backs,” and we commenced to tear down our quarters and prepared to do up our personal effects.

A number of the boys threw away all their surplus baggage and packed just as much as they needed, whilst others packed up everything they had causing their knapsacks to have the appearance of a first-class peddler’s kit.  We distinctly remember the fact that William Henry Harrison Shiffer, better known to the boys as “Bawlly” who was a follower of St. Crispin, fearing that he might not be able to procure another lap-stone, packed his entire shoe-maker’s kit up, thinking that he could easily carry it in addition to his already over-filled knapsack.

At about 8 o’clock. a. m., we fell in line and turning our faces southward we bid good-bye to Dumfries and the camp in which we had passed the winter so pleasantly, curiously wondering how long it might be before we would be permitted to go into such quarters as those again?

On the first day it happened to fall to the writer’s good fortune, in company with Keller, McFall, and several others of the company to be detailed as wagon guards, and consequently were frequently able to have our fixings hauled, thus helping to ease ourselves.

The command had been in camp all winter and the men had been fed up in a first rate condition and not being able to stand much fatigue, the march proved to be a very severe one.

As soon as the train began to move we loaded articles of clothing of all description, found scattered on the line of march in every direction, the men thus freeing themselves of every particle of superfluent weight.

Some of the boys say it was fun to see how that little shoemaker’s out fit flew, first the lap-stone, followed by the ham-???? lasts, awls and lastly he even dropped the bristles.

Our first camp was on a small creek, the name of which we have recorded as ????pawumsy, at half-past 3 p. m., having traveled about six miles from Dumfries.

The train escort encamped on the plantation of Col. Colquohoun, and as may well be expected the boys made free with the old Col.’s property.  He had a number of bees, the old gentleman did not appear to care for the bees if the boys only did not destroy the “bee-gums.”  On inquiry we learned that he meant hives.

D. W. Gross, who had been detailed to the pioneer corps and who had been away for some time was sent to the hospital and we never expected to see him any more, as he appeared to be to far gone to fever, but owing to a strong constitution he was enabled to weather the gale and after a hard tussle for his life, came out the victor.

On the 21^st we crossed the creek marched into ­Acquia Church and went into camp having marched about 8 miles. The day was intensely hot and the marching proved severe.  One death was reported in our Division on account of the heat.

One of Company B’s boys cut a tree down to secure a nest of f1ying squirrels which had been discovered in the tree, when it fell the boys made a rush for the squirrels.  Ed. Shreffler secured one of the squirrels and for want of a better place put it in his cap.  Upon examining it the boys found it was full of “flees.”  Shreffler gave the Squirrel its liberty instantly.

In the morning of the 22^nd  we fell in and commenced to move at about 9 a. m., marching past Stafford Court House.  Here for the first time we met the 1^st Division, or Red Star Boys, under the command of General Williams, the oldest Brigadier General in rank, in the volunteer service.

The troops of the gallant old 1^st Division ranged themselves on both sides of the road and as we passed through the line thus formed we were received with cheer upon cheer and which was just as warmly returned by the White Star as it was given by the Red Star boys.

After a six mile march we went into camp where we remained on the 22^nd in order to recuperate, as well as to allow General Hooker time to consummate his plan for the approaching and impending campaign.

This day in camp was made use of to write letters home and wash and clean our clothing which had became soiled by the march.  Not a small part of the day was devoted to demolishing the stock of rations on hand in order to bring them down to light marching order.

From this camp we had a plain view of Prof. Low’s balloons in which reconnaissance and observation were being made on the enemy in the vicinity of Falmouth, in connection with this we could occasionally hear the far distant boom of Artillery, all of which seemed to indicate to us that ere a great many days should pass around a battle between the two opposing armies would be fought, a supposition which was verified sooner perhaps than we at the time supposed.

On the 24^th  we broke camp and moved about one mile nearer Aquia Landing, in an orchard where we went into camp, being about miles from the landing.  Here orders were issued to make ourselves comfortable as there was no telling how long we might remain here.