Thursday, September 25, 2014

Sheridan's Victories in the Shenandoah Valley

Sunday, September 25, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent a cool, rainy, and uneventful week in camp at Petersburg. On Saturday the news of Union Cavalry Major General Philip Sheridan's victories against Confederate General Jubal Early at Third Winchester and Fisher Hill in the Shenandoah Valley reached camp, followed by celebration, cheering, and cannon salutes. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the regular Sunday practice 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), 453-456.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Advanced Picket Duty around Petersburg

Sunday, September 18, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent another week in camp Petersburg. Pickets are far advanced to half the distance between lines, resulting in less enemy fire from sharpshooters in camp. On Wednesday severe fighting occurred along the front lines. Many cases of fever are reported in the Thirteenth, caused by the swampy conditions around camp. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the regular Sunday practice 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), 449-452.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Camp Duties at Petersburg

Sunday, September 11, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent another week in camp Petersburg, alternating between picket duty and digging entrenchments. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the Sunday routine 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), 449-452.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Return to Sunday Routine

Sunday, September 4, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent most of their week in camp at the rear of the lines around Petersburg. Today the Thirteenth engaged in the former Sunday practice of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. Many months of combat on the front lines had made dress parades an infrequent practice. 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), 448-449.