Intense Heat at Camp Bowers

Sunday, July 26, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent their Sunday in camp in the usual fashion for inspection and picket duty. During the last week court martial cases had taken place for those that had deserted during the recent "Blackberry Raid." The weather remained exceedingly hot. Today one thermometer registered 108 degrees in the shade and another thermometer registered 126 degrees in the full sunshine.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), 186-87.

Toll of the Blackberry Raid - Illness and Desertion

Sunday, July 19, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent Sunday in camp for inspection and picket duty. The human cost of the raid was heavy, as many men had become severely ill due to overheating and dehydration. Others had deserted during the long, hot march.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), 181-86.

Arrival at Camp Bowers

Monday, July 13, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment marched at 9:00 A.M. from Big Bethel to Hampton, where they boarded a steamer at 6:00 P.M. for transport to Portsmouth. They arrived at Camp Bowers at 11:00 P.M. and were welcomed by their comrades in camp. Their return to Camp Bowers ended the "Blackberry Raid," an unsuccessful attempt to sever General Robert E. Lee's communication lines with Richmond.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), 181.

Blackberries at Big Bethel

Sunday, July 12, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment rested at Yorktown on Saturday and resumed their march at 5:00 A.M., covering fourteen miles and arriving at Big Bethel by afternoon. The men of the Thirteenth feasted on the abundant blackberries during the evening bivouac.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), 180-81.

Long March to Yorktown

Friday, July 10, 1863

After two days of hard marching the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment reached Yorktown and made camp at the location they vacated on June 26. In the last two days the Thirteenth New Hampshire covered forty miles. 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), 180.

From White House to New Kent Court House

Wednesday, July 8, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment marched twelve miles from White House past New Kent Court House and made evening camp six miles east of New Kent. 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), 179-180.

March to White House

Tuesday, July 7, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment marched nine miles from King William Court House to White House in heavy rain and made camp for the evening. Illness began to take a toll in the regiment from the forced march in extreme weather. 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), 179.

Bivouac at King William Court House

Monday, July 6, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment reached Ayletts on the Mattapony River this morning at 1:15 A.M. after marching all day on Sunday. After a few hours of sleep the Thirteenth resumed their march at 8:30 A.M., reaching King William Court House by 3:00 P.M. and making evening camp in the heavy rain.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), 178-79.

On the Return March to Camp Bowers

Sunday, July 5, 1863

After burning Littlepage's Bridge the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment began the return march to Camp Bowers. They endured a hard day's march from Littlepage's Bridge to Ayletts on the Mattapony River, traversing past their camp locations at Taylor's Plantation and White House.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), 176-78.

Picket Duty at Littlepage's Bridge

Saturday, July 4, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment began their march at 9:00 A.M. Around noon they halted for bivouac and picket duty near Littlepage's Bridge over the Pamunkey River, as artillery fire revealed the proximity of the Confederate forces.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), 175-76.

March to Hanover Court House

Friday, July 3, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment arose early and commenced their march at 6:00 A.M. During the morning they passed through Mongohit and Mechanicsville. At noon the Thirteenth halted and feasted on the abundant blackberries on the trail. During the afternoon many were again stricken with sunstroke. Halting frequently for rest stops the Thirteenth made camp three miles north of Hanover Court House at 9:00 P.M.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), 174-75.

March to Brandywine

Thursday, July 2, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment arose early and marched to Brandywine, where they camped for the evening. Many of the men suffered from sunstroke due to the extremely hot weather.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), 174.

March to King William Court House

Wednesday, July 1, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment arose at 3:00 A.M. and marched nine miles to King William Court House on the Mattapony River, making camp at 6:30 P.M.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), 173-74.

Transferred to Seventh Corps

Monday, June 29, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment engaged in regimental drills during the day and a dress parade in the evening. They also received news of their transfer to the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Seventh Army Corps.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), 173.

Meade Replaces Hooker as Commander of the Army of the Potomac

Sunday, June 28, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment took part in inspection, dress parade, and religious services at their camp at White House Landing. They received the news that General George Meade replaced General Joseph Hooker as commander of the Army of the Potomac.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), 172.

Arrival at White House Landing

Friday, June 26, 1863

After receiving orders on the previous day to be ready to march at a moment’s notice the Thirteenth New Hampshire arose at 2:00 A.M. and marched at 3:30 A.M. to Yorktown, embarking on the steamer “Hero” with the Tenth New Hampshire Regiment. After journeying along the York and Pamunkey Rivers they arrived at White House Landing at 3:00 P.M. and made camp for the evening.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), 171-72.

Blackberry Raid Begins - On the Move to Yorktown

Monday, June 22, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire arose at midnight and marched to Portsmouth, arriving at 3:00 A.M. The Thirteenth boarded the steamer “Maple Leaf” with the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment and arrived at Yorktown at 10:00 P.M. After debarking from the steamer the Thirteenth New Hampshire made evening camp nearby. 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), 171.