Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery Part 12

_Wednesday, December 2._--We crossed the Rapidan at Culpepper Ford, early in the morning. All the troops went over at once; the cavalry cutting off on a shorter route. The pontoons were taken off immediately, while the troops halted to rest on the other side of the Rapidan. The rebel van-guard made its appearance, but were sh.e.l.led by our horse artillery, dispersing them soon. We marched until eight o'clock P. M., when we reached our old camp on Colonel Thomas' plantation. The mansion was destroyed entirely by our troops during the seven days campaign across the Rapidan. This is the first night for some time, we rest again in peace.

_Friday, December 4._--All the artillery changed camp.

_Sat.u.r.day, December 5._--Left at eight o'clock A. M., and went to camp near Stevensburg, five miles from Culpepper; the poorest place that could be selected in winter time, as there is no firewood near at hand.

_Sunday, December 6._--Camp near Stevensburg. Lieutenant Lamb left the battery, going to Battery C, Rhode Island. Lieutenant Blake, formerly orderly sergeant of Battery B, took his place.

_Monday, December 7._--Camp near Stevensburg. The infantry of the Second corps marched to the woods to build winter-quarters.

_Tuesday, December 8._--Camp near Stevensburg. The artillery brigade left camp, going to winter-quarters within one and a-half miles of Brandy Station.

_Wednesday, December 9._--Camp near Mountain Run. Everybody is cutting wood for winter-quarters. A battalion of engineers are building a bridge over the Mountain Run. Lieutenant Colewell arrived for our battery.

_Thursday, December 10._--The artillery brigade changed camp, going across Mountain Run at noon, and again by four o'clock P. M.

_Friday, December 11._--It is now decided to remain here for the winter, and orders were given to build winter-quarters. A general order was read in line, to the effect that veterans, wis.h.i.+ng to re-enlist, would get eight hundred dollars bounty and a furlough of thirty days.

_Sat.u.r.day, December 12._--It was announced that soldiers could obtain furloughs for ten days. The building of winter-quarters is progressing. It rained to-day.

_Wednesday, December 16._--Mounted inspection by Lieutenant Colonel Munroe. Orderly Sergeant Thompson went home on a furlough.

_Thursday, December 17._--Captain Arnold left on a furlough of ten days.

_Friday, December 18._--Private Bontemps arrived in the battery after seven months absence. Raid of guerillas on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.

_Sunday, December 20._--Mounted inspection.

_Tuesday, December 22._--Commenced building stables for the horses.

_Thursday, December 24._--Cold weather.

_Sat.u.r.day, December 26._--Orderly Sergeant Thompson returned from home.

_Sunday, 27_, _Monday, 28_, _Tuesday, 29_, _Wednesday, 30_, _and Thursday, December 31._--Rainy weather all this time.

1864.

_Friday, January 1._--Winter-quarters at Mountain Run. Cold weather.

_Sat.u.r.day, January 2._--Many horses die from the cold.

_Wednesday, January 6._--Cold weather.

_Thursday, January 7._--Mountain Run. Snow storm.

_Monday, January 11._--The use of countersigns commenced again from this day.

_Friday, January 15._--Mounted inspection.

_Monday, January 18._--Rain.

_Thursday, January 21._--Mrs. Captain Arnold arrived in camp.

_Sunday, January 24._--Mounted inspection.

_Friday, January 29._--Mounted drill before General Hayes.

_Tuesday, February 2._--First thunder-shower.

_Friday, February 5._--The First Minnesota regiment marched off at daybreak, going home to reorganize.

_Sat.u.r.day, February 6._--Reveille at four o'clock in the morning. We had orders to march by six o'clock A. M., with a blanket and rations for three days. The infantry of the Second corps, and all the long range artillery, marched through Stevensburg to the Rapidan. Arriving at Morton's Ford, skirmis.h.i.+ng commenced between ours and the rebel infantry. A rebel battery on a hill opened on our battery, while going in position close to the river. We did not open immediately, as the rebel battery fired but a few rounds. The Third division, under General Hayes, forded the stream. At four o'clock in the afternoon, General Webb, of the Second division, ordered the infantry to advance, and our battery to fire. We used twenty-four rounds. The infantry pushed on, half-way up the hill, but had to retire at dark. Our battery fired fifteen more rounds, by Lieutenant Colonel Munroe's order. The infantry kept on fighting until seven o'clock in the evening. It rained all day.

_Sunday, February 7._--In line of battle at Morton's Ford. All of our infantry recrossed last night. The rebel sharpshooters advanced to their rifle-pits, firing on us. We remained quiet nearly all day. At dark we returned to camp, arriving about ten o'clock P. M. The roads were in a floating condition. The loss of our corps amounts to three hundred men.

_Friday, February 12._--Sergeant Greene and Eugene Googins, went to Rhode Island for the purpose of recruiting. Mounted drill.

_Sunday, February 14._--Mounted inspection.

_Tuesday, February 16._--Monthly mounted inspection, by Captain Thompson, acting chief-of-artillery.

_Wednesday, February 17._--The battery was paid off for two months service. Some of the men received clothing money.

_Friday, February 19._--Review of the artillery of the Second corps by General Warren.

_Sunday, February 21._--Mounted inspection.

_Monday, February 22._--Was.h.i.+ngton's birthday. Battalion drill of the artillery of the Second corps, by Captain Thompson.

_Tuesday, February 23._--Review of the Second corps and General Kilpatrick's cavalry division. The review was held between Stevensburg and Pony Mountain. The weather was splendid. The troops presented a good appearance. Generals Meade and Warren, Senator Sprague, and many ladies were present.

_Sat.u.r.day, February 27._--The Sixth corps is going towards the Rapidan, on a reconnoissance. We have orders to keep three days rations on hand, and be ready to march.

_Tuesday, March 1._--A heavy fall of rain.

_Sat.u.r.day, March 5._--Rain.

_Sunday, March 6._--Mounted inspection.

_Thursday, March 17._--St. Patrick's day. Monthly inspection by Captain Thompson.

_Friday, March 18._--One section of each battery in the corps had to turn out for target-shooting in the afternoon.

_Sat.u.r.day, March 19._--All the artillery had to go in position on the hill, but returned soon to the camp again.