Departing from Camp Gilmore

Sunday, April 24, 1864

The departure from Camp Gilmore was delayed by one day to break down the camp and to begin a march on Tuesday morning. The Thirteenth New Hampshire had been stationed at Camp Gilmore for nearly one year. With a final cheer the Thirteenth bade farewell to Camp Gilmore on Tuesday, April 19, and embarked on the road to Portsmouth, where they boarded the steamer "Escort" en route to Newport News. After disembarking at Newport News the Thirteenth marched to Yorktown by way of Big Bethel and Lee’s Mills and made camp. On Saturday, for the first time in one year, the Thirteenth engaged in a brigade dress parade. Today the Thirteenth took part in the usual Sunday routine of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. They also received orders to cut down their baggage for marching to one suit and one set of underclothes. 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), 249-52.

Answering the "Long Roll" Call to Arms

Sunday, April 17, 1864

On Tuesday at 11:00 P.M. the Thirteenth New Hampshire responded to the "Long Roll," a call to arms or to battle, by marching from Camp Gilmore to Suffolk and lying on their arms all night. On Wednesday the Thirteenth deployed pickets at Suffolk and on Thursday marched along the Nansemond River to their old camp of May 1863 at Jericho Creek. Early Friday morning the Thirteenth boarded railroad cars for the return to Camp Gilmore. The event was designated a reconnaissance for cavalry with support of the infantry. Today the true reason for the reconnaissance was revealed, as the Thirteenth received orders to march in the morning with three-days rations for the beginning of the Spring Campaign of 1864. 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), 247-49.

Detachment for Duty around Camp Gilmore

Sunday, April 10, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire endured another week of heavy rain at Camp Gilmore. Many of the Thirteenth had again detached for picket, guard, garrison, and provost duty in and around camp. Today the Thirteenth took part 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), 246.

Colonel Stevens Returns for Service

Sunday, April 3, 1864

In the early part of the week heavy rain caused flooding at Camp Gilmore, with the wet weather postponing daily drills. At least one-hundred men from the Thirteenth New Hampshire were detached and sent to Portsmouth on provost guard duty. Colonel Aaron Stevens returned to Camp Gilmore on Friday, as he had been away from camp since December enlisting men for other New Hampshire regiments. General Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Norfolk by boat but did not make landing. This morning the Thirteenth lined up for inspection and in the evening engaged in a dress parade.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), 244-46.

Heavy Snow at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, March 27, 1864

A severe snowstorm on Monday left eight inches of snow at Camp Gilmore. The men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment endured a cold week in camp drilling in the snow and mud. Today the men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire engaged in the routine Sunday duties of inspection, dress parade, and religious services despite the snow and mud. 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), 242-44.

Voting Party Returns to Camp Gilmore

Sunday, March 20, 1864

The men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment enjoyed a week of pleasant weather at Camp Gilmore. On Saturday the voting party returned to camp and the Thirteenth was once again at full strength. Today the men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire devoted their energy 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), 241-42.

Skirmishes at Suffolk

Sunday, March 13, 1864

The men of the Thirteenth New Hampshire were rushed to Bowers Hill on Wednesday in response to skirmishes along the front near Suffolk, where nearly twenty cavalrymen were killed. The skirmishes were diversions to cover the Confederate retreat from Suffolk. After three days at Bowers Hill the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned to Camp Gilmore.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), 239-41.

Voting and Skirmishes

Sunday, March 6, 1864

News of a skirmish near Suffolk resulted in the Thirteenth New Hampshire under orders to move at a moment's notice. Many officers and men of the Thirteenth are granted leave to return to New Hampshire from Friday, March 4 to Wednesday, March 16 to vote in elections, reducing the strength of the Thirteenth to nearly 200 men. On Friday the voting party left Camp Gilmore by railroad to Portsmouth and then embarked on the steamboat "Guide." At the same time troops landed at Norfolk and Portsmouth and were rushed to Suffolk to meet any impending threats. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire passed their time in camp, with the usual Sunday activities of inspection, dress parade, and religious services suspended. 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), 236-39.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New Recruits Arrive at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, January 31, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire observed a very warm winter week at Camp Gilmore, with the temperatures reading in the 80s in the shade and in the 90s in the sun. On Saturday vaccinations were ordered for soldiers and citizens in the camp and environs. Today sixty-four new recruits for the Thirteenth arrived at camp from Concord. 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), 230-31.

Military Ball and Railroad Tour Celebrated at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, January 24, 1864

During the week detachments from the Thirteenth New Hampshire were detailed to picket duty on the nearby Union outposts and employed on the provost guard line west of Portsmouth. On Thursday the Connecticut Brigade reluctantly departed Camp Gilmore for New Berne, North Carolina. The depletion of the ranks from their exodus made hard work for the remainder of the troops at Camp Gilmore, with only four to five thousand men defending eight miles around camp. To honor the family members visiting camp the hospital is cleared and cleaned for a military ball on Saturday. Today a party of officers and their families enjoyed a railroad voyage to Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, and Portsmouth and returned to camp by nightfall for 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), 229-30.

Family Members Visit Camp Gilmore

Sunday, January 17, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire welcomed a week of milder weather. The officers enjoyed visits from family members and organized riding parties to show their families around camp. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire engaged in the usual regimen of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. An outbreak of smallpox was reported in the contraband camp.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), 228-29.

Reenlistments at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, January 10, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire endured a stormy week of hail and snow in camp and spent much of their time inside quarters. This week many veterans of the original three-year regiments at Camp Gilmore re-enlisted for an additional term of service.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), 227-28.

Confederate Force at Suffolk

Sunday, January 3, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire observed another cold week at Camp Gilmore. Reinforcements were deployed at the Bowers Hill garrison as a report reached the camp of a sizable force of Confederates at Suffolk.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), 226-27.

Christmas Celebration at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, December 27, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent a cold and sometimes snowy week at Camp Gilmore, highlighted by an observance of Christmas on Friday. The Thirteenth enjoyed a holiday feast and celebrated with games and other festivities accompanied by music from the Brigade Band.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), 222-26.

Weekly Target Practice on Saturday

Sunday, December 20, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent another week engaged in company and battalion drills. Saturday has now become the regular day for regimental target practice with infantry, artillery, and cavalry. Today the Thirteenth took part in the usual regimen of inspection, drill, and religious services, as well as opening a new regimental hospital.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), 222-23.

Severe Thunderstorm Wreaks Damage at Camp Gilmore

Sunday, December 13, 1863

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent most of their week in drills, which now consumed at least five hours of every day. Today Colonel Aaron Stevens departed from Camp Gilmore, traveling to Concord, New Hampshire to procure new recruits. This evening a violent thunderstorm, producing high winds, rain, hail, and lightning, exacted heavy damage on buildings and earthworks at Camp Gilmore.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), 221-22.