Friday, February 28, 2014

Fire Rages near Camp Gilmore

Sunday, February 28, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire enjoyed a week of milder weather at Camp Gilmore. On Friday a raging fire erupted from the dry conditions near the camp. After many hours of struggle the fire was eventually extinguished, but not before the fire consumed the logs the men had felled for breastworks. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire passed their time in the usual Sunday activities of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. The local newspapers reported that Virginia citizens in the vicinity of the camp yearn for the days before secession.1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 235-36.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Presentation of Commissions

Sunday, February 21, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire passed another cold and sometimes snowy week at Camp Gilmore. A few more cases of smallpox broke out in camp. Many of the Thirteenth have volunteered for picket duty as an antidote to tedious camp duties. Five additional commissions in colored regiments were presented to men in the Thirteenth New Hampshire. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire passed their time in the usual Sunday activities of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. 1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 235.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Construction Work at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, February 14, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire enjoyed milder weather at Camp Gilmore during the week. The Thirteenth engaged in construction work around camp by repairing roads and strengthening defenses. Two cases of smallpox broke out in Company H. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire devoted their efforts to the usual Sunday regimen of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. 1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 234-35.

Friday, February 7, 2014

President Lincoln Orders a New Draft

Sunday, February 7, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire passed their week at Camp Gilmore in cold and rainy weather by engaging in regimental matters, including the receipt of four months of payroll. Early in the week the Thirteenth received the news that President Lincoln ordered a draft of 500,000 men for three years or for the duration of the war. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire spent their time in the usual Sunday regimen of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. 1

References:
1S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 231-34.