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1-1-1861

Diary of Corporal William E. Walsh: First RhodeIsland Cavalry, 1861-1865William E. Walsh

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Walsh, William E., "Diary of Corporal William E. Walsh: First Rhode Island Cavalry, 1861-1865" (1861). The William E. Walsh CivilWar Diary Collection. Paper 1.http://digitalcommons.providence.edu/walsh_diary/1

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Providence RI May 17th 1865Notes In Brief,

Enlisted At Providence R.I. InCaptain J.B. Woods. Co. G. 1st RI CavAs Private, on December 2nd 1861For 3 ys, The Regt left the State onThe 14th of march 1862, AndProceeded to Washington D.C.We Remaind here a Short time.To get horses etc. We left thereAnd went to Camp mudd. inVirginia. In the neighbourhoodof Warrenton Junction.There We lost a good many menBy diaharrae. We was undercommand of ColonelRB LautonIn Abercrombees BrigadeAfter a time We moved toCamp alliance nearer toWarrenton Junction.

And while here General ShieldsTook our 3rd Battallion ofNewhampshire men With him.And the 2 Battallions of RI.Men went in the Rear.While with Shields the 3rdBattallion had a Severe fight.Against Great odds. YourBoys lost 8 men and 1 CaptainWe was put under other Generals.Whose names I forget now.So I write from memory.But all events we was Sentup the Luray Valley up tpMillers Bridge. NearFort Republic Va.From there we went Backto Manasses. In the meantimeOur Col Resigned on accountOf ill heath. then the ResponsibyRested on Lt Col Sayles.After Suffering every privation.Wanting food, water, + sleep.

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Shortly after arriving thereWe was Reviewd. by GeneralMc dowell, and GovonorWmSprague. here we gotA new fit out horses clothingAnd Such things as we needed.And while here Col AlfredN Duffie, was appointed totake charge of the Regt. He,At once made Such changesAs was considered best. forus. We went through aSeries. of drills for 3 monthswhen we was ordered in theField. All that I RememberNow Is, we was at the2nd Bull Run,, Cedar mountanChantilla from there toWashington, In Mc ClellanCampaign. We fought undrKearny, Joe Hooker, Kimball.Shields. and a dozen, otherswhose names I forget now.

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Then we went through, thePopes Campaign. on the Rappahanoc.And we was at the Battle ofFredricksburg. on Both occasions.And after the 2nd one, wewent into Camp, wherewe Remaind all winter.That was at Potomac Creek.This time Burnside was,stuck in the Mudd, wherewe knew what hunger was.Living, on 10 Small hard tackPer day, and we usually eatSeven, at the first meal,During those times, many menDeserted and the men wasDischarged, for disability,Brought on by hungerwhile we lay here we had newRecruits. And they was discharged,Again before old menI never wish to go throughSuch Campaigns again

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No. 2 ContinuationWhile at PotomacCreek,We had to go about,

Eight miles off. to do picketDuty. and it was the devilsOwn work= I have PassedOver many Small and importEvents. on account of onlywriting from memoryBut to ResumeOn the 24 Feb 1863While on Picket I and 3Comissiond officers 1 each of 1st RI3rd + 4 Penn, and 39 Men wasSurrounded, and taken PrisonesWe was taken to CulpeperGordonsville and on to RichmondVa

Where Sympathetic old ladieswanted us all hanged for theirParticular amusementBut it is Presumed their wish

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was not Complied withAfter Parading us all theywanted they took us insideof the World Renouned PrisonOf Libby How many Sad,Stories, Could be told aboutThis Infernal place. I SawCitizens that was there a year.Some more for nothing, onlyThey had a preference for theOld flag. and the Laws thatSustain it over the LoyalStates. Only a couple of daysBefore we got there. oneMan Put His Head out ofThe window. and the Greyback.Fired at him and ShotAn Innocent man lying onThe floor above.And I Saw 2 men Shot.After being taken prisoners.And had no arms.To defend themselves that was

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The Southron CavAlmost a terror inThose days. We was onlyIn that Celebrated BoardingHouse Libby 7 days 14 allTogether, from time of beingTaken till paroled. We hadone Small loaf. with a SmallPeice of Beef. and one pint ofSoup. for a days Ration.We arrived at Annopolis. inSeason. Where we had enoughTo Eat and a new out fit.And we threw away. theLice. of the Chivalry. goodSized ones they was too.During all this time myHealth was Rather Poor.While at annopolis. I gotA furlough. and Came home.And Staid 49 days. andwent back to annopolis.From this time. I have notes

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I will make a Remark hereAfter being taken prisonerOur Cav met and fought.The Black Horse Cav. StewartsAnd they was whipped to theirHearts content and they haveNever been able to Stand

ourBefore of Cavalry Since.We lost in our Regt Somekilld and Wounded.I dont know the NumberAfter arriving at annopolisI went to work for the SutlerTill the 29th of May 1863Then all exchanged prisoners wentTo baltimore. as Gen Lee.was Bent on taking that City.That night the alarm bellswas Rung. and 8000 Citizensof Union Leagues. turnedOut, with all the military there.To protect the city. as it wasSaid the Rebs was Coming

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No 3 ContinuationThe Street was.Barricaded. and

Artillery planted on every avenue.where they thought the enemyMight Come. But no enemyCame. But he got to ChamersburgPennsylvania, where the atrocities theyCommited I have nothing to SayIt is the duty of the faithfulHistorian to Chronicle.The Squad I Came to Baltimorewith, part done Provost duty,And Patrol also I and 4 otherswas detaied to guard a fortwe went there on 17th June 163Notes from my books NowMonday Aug. 3rd heat 95 degreesAugust 11th Heat 130 degSep 2nd John Conlen died at annopolisM.D. of Fever.

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Sep 17th Anniversary of Battleof Antietam M.D.Oct 17th I went on the WashingtonMonument BaltimoreDec 22nd first Snow in Baltimore“ 31st left Baltimore forWashington Went to Camp Stoneman.Jan 5th Reenlisted for 3 yrs.In January went to my Company, atWarrenton Junction Va.Staid there 1 month. got aFurlough. for 35 days. had itExtended 20 days more.Receivd for Reenlisting theon 1st 2 yearsOld U.S. Bounty of $1,00and $400 More and $300From the State of R.I..Making a total of $8,00.On April 8th 1864 we all leftProvidence. Went to N.Y. andRemaind there waiting forTransportation about 4 days.Left there got to Washington.

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Promptly. Went intoCamp at Camp Stoneman.Here we got Arms etc.May 9th left here went toBriston Station on Cars.10th Went to Rappahannock,Station. Returned to Fairfax.11th went to Vienna. WentNear Chantilla on foot.12th Went to Chantilla farm.13th went to frying pan.14th _________________15th got back to Vienna.Had been looking for guerillasLeft for Bell plain. Arrivd on 16th.17th Gaurding Rebs.Our army was fighting throughThat county toward fredrickburgSpotsylvana Court house downTo Richmond in this Campaign.18th on picket at oak woodChurch 3 Miles from fredricksburg.21st Got our horses and equipments.

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Tuesday May 24th Broke Camp.Heavy Rain and hail Storm.Such as is Seldom seen north.Stones weighed 1/2 oz and we Had enough to do to manage our Horses. as for Seeing that was out of the question.25th we arrived at Port Royal. At this place I Saw a torpedoMade to explode by a Galvanic battery.It was about 3 ft long and asMuch Round. nice play thing that26 crossed the River went onPicket some days. Very fine landIn this place.30th Left Port Royal for White House on pamunkey River.At this time we was with GenAbercrombee at the base of SuppliesWhile with him we went out foragingFor horses. Passed through CarolineCounty.May 31st arrived at Bowling Green Col Lisonold of 4th N.Y. hanged 2 Guerillas for killing someof our men.JuneJuly 1st I and 4 others caught1 Reb Captain a Spy and horse theif

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No 4 ContinuationHe got away again.Through Neglect of gaurdCame to Pamunkey

River. this day. Crossed on pontoon.Staid over night at Eastern ViewHanover County. 4th ArrivdAt White house Landing.June 5th 1864 went to West Point.6th Came back Heavy thunderStorm. on bolt fell and blindedThe whole Squad for 15 minuets.The Shock was So Sudden that 2 menwas dismounted Suddenly but noone was hurt.We was here on 8th.8th went out near West Point.But this happen on 11th.The advance came on guerillas andone of our boys was badly woundedwith buck Shot he is in theService at present but has lostThe use of his Left arm he isIn the Invalide Corps at Rocky PointWm R Spink

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11th Went to King W mCt houseKing Wm County the foregoing manwas Wounded here.As we was Coming back WeRan into more Rebs, in ouruniform, Was ordered to SurrendrI thought they Was in funThey fired at I and myCompanion my horse wasShot in the fore Shoulder andDisabled. I got another horseTo w Ride back to Camp.And the worst of it was they gotoff all Safe_ 12th went outTo Kg WmCt House again.14th A Squad of us went to GammonsBluff 10 miles from White houseour picket attacked on 15th2 men taken prisoner1 got away the other was shotThrough the Shouldr. in ColdBlood June 20th went toSignall gunboat. Coming back.

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We Ran into Rebs. theyfired one Shot of artillery.But hurt no one. they tookone prisoner as he got dismountedThis was the day White housewas attacked. but the gunBoats kept them off Well.We went back to GammonsBluff. Staid there all night.21st the Rebs fired into ourGun boat. but a few dosesof Grape and Canister setThem Running. We heardSheridan had Come up withHis Cav. So we went throughAll Safe. That night we JoinedThe Reserve Brigade of SheridansCav. 22nd got to Jones Bridge15 miles from Harrison Landing.23 Lay all day for Rest24th went over ChicohomnyPassed Chas City Ct House.Passed Wilsons Landing.

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Staid over night near here.25th Moved on to Wyandott Landing.on Picket Sunday 26 June.My wedding day with nothinngTo Eat and a blue loo lookFor More. 27th Hot one ManSunstruck. 29th leftWyandott Landing. PassedPrince Geo Ct House, halted.30th Moved on Went to Jones holeCame Back to Reams. Station.Had my leg Cut very bad byAccident. July 1st turnedIn my horse. Went in theAmbulance to City point.Cav Corps Hospital. had 4Stitches in my leg. Lay inHospital. 3 weeks. Left forRemount Camp at LightHouse point. 25th We heardof fall of Atlanta Georgia.While in hospital Genls GrantAnd Sheridan passed through_

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No 5 ContinuationJuly 26th 1864Detached to

Horse Battery D 2nd U.S.Artillery. the Squad I wasWith Start at Light housePoint till July 31st. We leftFor Washington DC.Aug 2nd Arrived at Washington.Went into Camp Near Camp Stoneman.Was assigned to 2nd detachment.As driver on Caisson.4th was a general fast day5th Left Washington Went into CampNear Tennaly town D.C.7th Moved on Passed Rockville CameTo Sandy Hook. Crossed at Harpers ferry.10th Left Harpers ferry. Moved on.up the valley. 11th Very Sharp fight.My Batteries in action (Those I was with)Friday 12th Came to New town.

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Rebs retreating. Skirmishing.At this time my Regt wasSent out on a Reconnisance.And was Reported all captured. butwas not. 14th the RebsTook one waggon from our Brigade.15th Lay near Middle town.Frederick County. Passed BeryvilleStaid here looking for enemy.19th Still near Beryville.21st Left Camp Near Beryville.Came to Charlestown. We RetreatingThe Rebs Close on our heels.22nd left Chastown. Came toShepardstown. Staid here all day.23rd My Regt lost all Company books.A Week before got the news on this date24th Moved a Short distance.25th Moved again met theEnemy. and we fell back.Fell back all day but madeStands. Smart fighting all day.Came in Sight of Boliver heights

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26th Staid here all day28th Left here Severe SkirmishingAll day. drove the Rebs finely all day.And out of Smithville.29th Was punished for SupposedDisobedience of orders Fault of SergtSkirmishing after the RiverBattery in action. Orderly SergeantScott was Shot through the headAnd died in a few minuets.This was at Smithville._We fell back the Rebs occupidSmithville. We had 2 men WoundedIn this action. 30th Moved nearBeryville. Sep 2nd Moved downThe Charlestown road a few miles.Rebs Close up. Moved on to BeryvillePassed white oak. 4th Moved backAgain Came on Rebs fightingEarly in the morning. SomeFlanking done We got the bestFlank. Lay around Some days.7th one Section went out ona Reconnisance._

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Had a Small brush with Rebs.Evening Came back Without loss.The doctor an Lt Chapin wasBoth Drunk and fought_9th Right Section went out again my SectionSevere fighting all day Near Chastown.13 We We Went out again Battery inAction. Came back to Camp.The Cav took 300 prisoners atOppequas Creek. 17th Still NearBeryville. 18th left here at2 A.M. found Rebs befor light.Captured 13 guerillas all Shot.The guerillas Shot one of ourCaptains and 2 men in cold blood.Went on to Luray. 24th got thereHere we took a good many prisoners.Sunday 25th Moved over the mountainTo New market. here we wasReleivd by the 6th Pennsylani Battery.The Cav went on up to HarrisonburgAnd we went back to pleasantValley M.D. to Recruit our horses.

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No 6 ContinuationThe march up toNewmarket was verySevere on Horses. WeHad a Great many men

Dismounted. Those men wentBack to Remount Camp,Pleasant Valley M.D.Sep 25th Moved back Staid atEdinburgh all night. Move onStaid near Winchester.27th Staid at Boliver Heights.28th Went into pleasant Valley.Where I remaind till . Nov firstIn the meantime Startling thingsWas going on up the valleyOct 15th Some Guerillas madeA dash into Pennsylani and M.D.Considerable excitement about it.19th Battle of Cedar Creek VaWe could hear the cannonadingvery plain although about 100 milesoff. The 6th Corps Gen Wright.

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The Cav Corps Gen torbett.And the timely Coming upof Little Phil Sheridan. Savedus from a Sad disaster.20th. I left the Battery WentTo Remount Camp got aFit out left there for my RegtAt Cedar Creek on Nov 1stGot to my Regt on 4thThey was Escort for Gen torbettWe Remaind here and done theusual duties till 9th when weLeft. was expecting an attack on nightof 8th 10th we left hereWent into Winter quaters nearWinchester 12th Severe Cav fight1st New hampshire Cut up bad.Gen Powell took 2 peices ofArtillery and 2 flags. Some prisoners.19th Nov Saw Gen Custur andLady for first time. She wasA Splendid young Woman.Custur has a Sallow complexion.

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Long curly hair. TallAnd as Smart as a whip.It is said he has Some indianBlood in him. 21st Broke campWent up to Woodstock.22nd Went up to Mount Jackson.Found the enemy in force. WithInfantry. We had only Cav + artillery.Too Strong for us. fell back toWoodstock. 30 of us left hereFor Winchester with a dispatch.For Gen Sheridan. It was aCold night tedious travelling.one man had one foot frozeAnd has done no duty Since.While here we got turkys fromR.I. for thanksgiving dinner.Nov 25th Mosely made a dash intoGen Powels Camp And lost27 men 9 shot dead. So MrB Mosey Rather had the Worst of itFor once. 26th Copied fromA daily paper those names.

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Catholic Major Generals inThe US Service.Rosecrans, Meade, Gilmore,Sheridan, Ord, Foster.Stoneman, Shields, Sickles,Stanly, Newton, Pleasanton,Richardson, Carr, Hunt,Sherman. And others not named.16 menBrigadiersMeagher, Sweeney, Connor,Lawlor, Ewing, devin, Stone,Duffie, Mulligan, Comyn.10 menAll Popular men and goodGenerals. And the Rank andFile is Nearly one half Irish.All those that make most talkAbout our Victories are yankeeswho stay at home. If it wasNot for the Irish and Germans.The North would have been whipped.So the Northron army was feedBy Emigrants from Europe.This Cant be denied at all.

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No 7 ContinuationAfter the battleof Cedar Creek.We always Staid nearWinchester Va.

Dec 2nd my 3 ys time out.“ 4th Promoted Corporal toDate from 1st Inst A long timeTo wait for promotion.7th we was Releivad at Corp HdqrsBy first Regulars. Our Regt too smallWent into Reserve as RegularBrigade. Gen Devins. MerrittsDivision. 1st division.Here we done picket duty etc.15th We went up to fishers site.Distance 31 Miles. 17th HeardSherman took Savannah and25000 prisoners. 180 peaces ofArtillery. 19th Packed up went onA Raid. Moved out WentThrough front Royal. StaidIn Chester gap. Cold windy night

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Moved on went through littleWashington. Went into CampTravelled 32 miles this day.21st Came to Madison Court.House. Went on picket Very SevereWeather. our Brigade went towithin 9 miles of Gordonsville.Custur went on had someFighting. took and lost men.Rebs too strong for us We fellBack to Madison C.H.24 moved on home again.25 passed Sulphur Springs Cedarone Man drowned crossing Riverhazel Run26th Passed through WarrentonGuerillas Charged on Gen torbettHe was Near been taken prisoner.2 men shot for Insulting women.1 wounded. Heard this day thatMosely was kiled he was woundedBy the 8th Illinois Cav27th went throug Middleburg.Crossed Shenandoah River. Water

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Was high. got wet up toknees. had a Small horse28th Pass Millwood andover 2 Streams both very high.got In camp again afterA dangerous + tedious march31st Closes this year we wasMustered for pay and we madeourselves as comfortable as possible.Thinking of our friends at homeNow It come To Jan 1st 1865This day I was on picketOur 4 companies wasConsolidated into 2And the 2nd battalion the sameSo we had one battalionWe done Camp duty till Feb 27thIn the meantime other things needSome Notice Feb 11thThe N.Y. Legislature passed a noteof thanks to Sheridan and hisCommand 14th We SentHome some Recruiting officers

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Feb 20th News of Capture ofColumbia S.C. by Sherman21st news of Capture of Charleston.By Sherman with 770 peices of artillery24th Report of Capture ofWilmington S.C.27th Went on another Raid.Came to Woodstock took 4 prisonersShot one more 28th wasRearguard was skirmishing all dayLost 1 officer and 4 men fellInto Shenandoah River not of ourRegt Moved on Went throughNew market Sheridan came upPassed us March firstCame to within a few miles ofMount Cranford At 3 A.M.Very much tired Custur took100 Rebs and Some waggons2nd Passed through StantonBad travelling Custur took1340 prisoners 9 peices of artillery12 Stand of Colars and 100 WaggonsIn fact Bagged all of Early army

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Chung StenerNo 8 ContinuationCurry + MaxwellWith the exceptionof about 200 CavGen Early barely got off

our Regt was left atChristian Creek to do picket dutyWe Staid here till the 4thIn the meantime numbers ofRebs Came in and plenty of BlacksWell mounted all Stolen propertyon the 4th t he 1st RI 1stN.H. 18th penn 22nd NY4th N.Y. was detaild to gowith the prisoners to WinchesterAll dismounted men with usAnd all men with poor horsesWe had It was Supposed 1700 RebsCame down to Mount CranfordAttacked Near this place Butwe Sustained no loss that I knowof 6th Passed NewmarketSkirmishing all day with guerillas

Joyc

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The Rebs held the ford allNight The 4th NY on front7th 22nd NY and 1st R.I.Took the advance Charged andTook the ford and held it.We charged a Reb flag butdid not take it while thePrisoners was Crossing theFord Gen Rosser thought toLiberate them and madeA Charge on 1st New hampshireIn that Charge we took 50 menAnd killd a number WeLost. a few men 1 Cap inN.H. was wounded not badlyWe got the prisoners over allSafe, This day our Companywas on the advance, I had6 narrow escapes this day.8th arrived at WinchesterAll Safe Bringing in 100 morePrisoners than we had firstWe slept this night as we

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....................... ....................

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............................. heridan

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...............................done muchhard Capturing that placeAnd in Compelling Gen LeeTo Surrender but that isFor the historian to writeNot meWe Remaind doing dutyTill 8th May when I got aFurlough to Providnce whereI Now am, writing thisHaving gone all through tillNow without losing my heador other Serious InjuryMay 17th 1865W Walsh