Gabriel Shank
Military Records,
Articles, Letters
And
Diary
From Margaret S. Mohr Weaver
(Great-great-granddaughter of Gabriel Shank)
Gresham, Oregon
E-mail address: Kwe3845118@aol.com
11 February 2003
GABRIEL SHANK
Confederate States of America
10th Virginia Regiment, Infantry, Company G
Born: April 23, 1839
Parents: David Shank, born March 29, 1813
Rebecca Funk, born June 9, 1810, died June 12, 1887
9 children, Gabriel had 3 brothers, 5 sisters
Married: Annie Amelia Kieffer, October 5, 1862
Born December 5, 1844, died March 17, 1930
Children: Alice May (Geil) born March 8, 1864
Gabriella Lee (Bryan) born May 9, 1865, died June 8, 1958
Died: CSA Prisoner, Fort Delaware, Delaware
(smallpox) March 18, 1865 Register 56, page 120
Buried: Finn's Point National Cemetery, Fort Mott
WAR ENDS: April 9, 1865
Enlisted: Harrisonburg, Virginia (Private)
June 12, 1861
Captain Sprinkel
Promoted: Color Sergeant
April 22, 1862
Wounded: Cedar Mountain, Battle of (confirmed in
letter of recommendation for promotion, by
Col. E.T. Warren) August 9, 1862
Wounded: Chancellorsville, Battle of
May 3, 1863 Series 1, Vol 25, part 1 pg 1034
Captured: Chancellorsville, Battle of
May 3, 1863 Roll 21, sheet 4
Paroled: City Point, Virginia, prisoner exchange
May 10, 1863 (sent home to recover) Roll 9, page 19
Promoted: Ensign (Lieutenant) Chapt. 1 File No. 92
page 284 April 7, 1864, accepted April 27, 1864
Recommended by: Col. E.T.H. Warren, 10th Virginia Regiment
Brig. Gen. Geo. H. Steurts
Maj. Gen. Ed. Johnson
Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, 2nd Army Corps
Captured: Fisher's Hill Sept. 22, 1864 (Gen. Jubal Early's retreat
from the Washington Campaign and defeat at Winchester)
Union-General Phil Sheridan
Prisoner Roll: Sent to Fort Delaware, Sept. 25, 1864 Roll
15, sheet 3 Fort Delaware Register No. 56, page 120
Documentation: Battle Participation:
10TH VIRGINIA REGIMENT, INFANTRY
Confederate States of America
Gabriel Shank, Company G
13 Battle Stripes
First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) July 21, 1861
The Battle of Kernstown – Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley March 23, 1862
Campaign
McDowell Va. May 8, 1862
Seven Day Battle May 20-June 10, 1862
Front Royal, Newtown, and Winchester May 23, 24,& 25th, 1862
Cross Keys June 8, 1862
Port Republic June 9, 1862
Hanover Courthouse and Gaines Mill June 22, 1862
Beaver Dam Creek June 27-28, 1862
Cedar Mountain (Wounded) August 9, 1862
The Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) August 26, 1862
Jackson's Raid around Pope August 27-30, 1862
Crampton's Gapp and Antietum September 14, 1862
Fredericksburg December 13, 1862
Chancellorsville (Wounded/Captured) May 2-5, 1863
Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863
The Battle of Antietum (Sharpsburg) Sept 26, 1863
Antioch Church-Mill Run November 1863
Letter recommending promotion E.T.H. Warren, Col. March 30, 1864
10th Va. Regt.
The Wilderness Campaign May 5-7, 1864
Early's Corps to Lynchburg May 11, 1864
Spotsylvania (The Bloody Angle) May 12, 1864
"The 10th Virginia Regiment has been in fourteen battles and many skirmishes."
Regrouping-10th Virginia - Brig. Gen. George H. Steuart placed in Gordon's Division
Grant's Campaign vs. Richmond June 1, 1864
Cold Harbor June 4, 1864
Monocacy, Md. June 9, 1864
Early's March on Washington June 11, 1864
Battle of Winchester vs Union Army-Gen.Phil Sheridan Sept 19, 1864
FISHERS HILL (Captured) Sept. 22,1864
Obituary
Ensign Gabriel Shank, son of David Shank, of this country, died of small-pox in Fort Delaware, on the 17th of March last, in the 26th year of his age. He enlisted in the 10th Reg't Va. Infantry the first summer of the war, and carried its flag through almost every battle in which it was engaged. After many providential escapes he was severely wounded about a year ago. Upon his recovery he joined his command, when, on the same day, he was captured and taken to prison where he ended his life.
A fellow-soldier, who nursed him during his last sickness, says that he was altogether rational until a few days of his end, that he uniformly displayed great patience and resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father, and that his end was peace.
The deceased was a young man of uncommon promise. His strong good sense, his taste for mental improvement, his energy of character, his amiable disposition, led his friends to have high hopes of his future usefulness. In all the qualities of a good soldier he had few superiors. He entered as a volunteer, under the compelling powers of Patriotism, and he never regretted the step. In his regiment he was a great favorite with both officers and men; and his religious influence there was most happy. Many will long recollect how his clear voice rang through the grove in leading the praises of the religious meetings in camp.
His fate was a sad one to surviving friends. His widow with her fatherless babe, his father and mother, with many other warmly attached relatives and friends, will greatly need, and we trust will abundantly receive, the grace of that God whom he served on earth and enjoys in heaven, to be able to say sincerely, "I know, O Lord, that thy judgements are right; and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me."
Died March 17, 1865
This next document was evidently sent to Mrs. Elizabeth Brenneman (a sister) Eberlys Mill, Cumberland, Pa.
Resolution passed at a regular meeting of the C.S.Christian Association of Prisoners at Fort Delaware, March 24th 1865.
Preamble, Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to take from us our Friend and fellow prisoner, Lt. Gabriel Shank, who died in the Hospital on this island, March 17th 1865; therefore Resolved; that while we bow with resignation to the hand of Providence we are filled with the deepest regret at the loss of one who so worthily bore the name of Christian whom we knew as an efficient member of our association: as a true and gallant officer: and as a truly humble, sincere and devoted follower of the cross: as one who bore into all the relations of Life the principles that characterize the Christian, the soldier, and the gentleman.
Resolved: That we tender to his bereaved family our full sympathy in this their sore affliction, and that we most earnestly invoke for them from that God who has thus grievously afflicted them, strength and resignation to endure the trial, and grace to live so that they may in eternity meet him who has gone to his reward.
Resolved: That this Preamble and Resolutions be placed upon the minutes of the Association and that the Corresponding Secretary be instructed to forward a copy of the same to the family and friends of
the dec'd.
Francis A. Boyle,
secretary
(this letter to Gabriel's sister)
Mrs. Brenneman:
Dear Madame: Yours of 26th. Inst. Came to hand this morning, and it gives me a great pleasure to be able to answer promptly your enquiries concerning your brother's death. He was sick a little over two weeks. His disease (smallpox) was deemed fatal from the first, by those acquainted with it's nature. He continued cheerful and resigned until he became unconscious (which was several days before he died) reading his bible until his eyes became too sore, when he was read to by a convalescent friend. It will be a consolation to you to know that he received every attention that the kind hearts of his fellow prisoners could bestow, being nursed by our own soldiers, and being especially cared for by a friend and former bunkmate of his brother-in-law-Sgt. A.S. Kieffer. He received the clothing you sent him while in hospital, and was buried in the same. He was unable to answer your letter, but a friend did so for him. I am sorry you did not receive his dying thanks, for he ever turned to you, his favorite sister, for love and sympathy. When he went to the hospital he left everything he had with me – his bible, diary, purse & letters. He did not have his wife's picture. The bible was hers. A nice uniform jacket, and the other articles in my possession I intend to take through to his wife. I will be as careful with them as if they were those of my own brother.
I am afraid to risk them by express, but if you desire it I will send you by mail his prayer book or a Book of Music which he praised very highly. All his other clothing I have given to his friend, Lt. Gutheen, of his old company. Please write soon if you desire me to do anything more, and tell me whether or, not, you approve of mycourse, concerning the articles I have mentioned. I am in deep sympathy.
Yours truly,
The following derives from Portland, Oregon newspaper (Oregonian April 15, 1928)
Oregon Man Proud of Banner Wrapped about Body of Rebel Ancestor to Keep it From Hands of Union Soldiers.
Sixty-five years ago a Confederate soldier by the name of Gabriel Shank of Virginia marched with the troops of Lee upon an invasion of the north. He had served with the 10th Virginia Infantry since the beginning of the war. He was a veteran. It had been the privilege of Lieutenant Shank to carry the flag on many a campaign and into many a conflict, and he was cited for bravery on more than one occasion. And in 1863 he carried the battlescarred old emblem into the north and through the din and furor of Gettysburg.
It is a far cry from Virginia to Oregon and much water has run under the bridge since that fateful Gettysburg campaign, but mementos of the conflict have found their way to this west coast.
The 10th Virginia Infantry flag which was carried through the storm and stress of the civil war is now
in the possession of Shank's grandson, Rev. H.R. Geil, at Brownsville, Ore. The minister also has a prized possession which is a diary written by Shank and carried by the veteran 65 years ago through the battles of 1863.
The flag is some five and a half feet long by four feet eight inches in width, made of durable cloth, purple in color, gold fringed and containing a large painted central figure some 32 inches in diameter. This central piece shows a conqueror with drawn sword, standing above a prostrate foe. It is the state of Virginia, and reveals the legend: Sic semper tyrannis (Ever thus to tyrants).
The colors, are bright and vivid and the whole fabric is remarkably preserved. Nevertheless, by reason of the innumerable bullet holes and several rents, well darned, it is not difficult for the most prosaic person who sees it to picture the times when shot and shell were flying over the field, when the ground was drenched in blood and the muffled beat of drums heard amidst the din of war.
Shank was of heroic timber and oft times when the southern army was hardpressed by the foe he wrapped the precious emblem about his body and bore it to safety. The last great battle in which he played a part was the fight at Fisher's hill, and in that fierce foray the tide of battle was set strongly against the Confederates. There was a retreat and as the Southerns were hard-pressed by Sheridan's exultant men, Shank was at his wit's end to know how the flag might be saved.
As he fled, just ahead of the Union soldiers, he came to a farmhouse, hastily entered and found—
friends. These Virginians said that they would undertake to hide the flag that had been so proudly
borne through Chanceloorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness and many of Stonewall Jackson's victorious battles. Shank, leaving the colors behind rejoined the fleeing troops and was captured. He was taken to Fort Delaware off the New Jersey coast, where he soon contracted smallpox and died (captured Sept. 22 1864 - died Mar. 17 1865). He was a native of Singer's Glen in the Shenandoah valley, Virginia.
Many and many a year the 10th Virginia flag was hidden from sight. It was forgotten. Then one day Mrs. John Geil, Shank’s daughter, who now resides at Sweet Home Oregon, overheard a certain conversation in a village store that shed great light upon the whereabouts of the escutscheon. She overheard a man by the name of Price telling the storekeeper about an old flag which he had, how he had received it from the hands of a young soldier during the flight of troops from Fisher’s Hill in 1864. Mrs. Geil instantly made herself known and the upshot of the matter was she received the flag from the man who had hidden and guarded it. (Approximately 1878)
When Mrs. Geil took the flag to a general under whom Shank served during the Civil War, the office broke down and wept. He recounted many of the stirring scenes about the battle emblem, told how Shank had kept it flying when the warfare was furious, and how at Chancellorsville when it was shot entirely away from its staff, the young color-bearer wrapped it about his own body and saved it from the enemy.
As for the staff, and the cord which bound the flag to it, these are owned by an aunt of Mr. Geil, namely Mrs. Gabriela Lee Shank Bryan, of Hardin, Missouri. It is planned by the Brownsville man to return the historic emblem to Virginia as soon as he can get in touch with the property authorities.
Originally it was the handiwork of the ladies of Spottsyvania, Virginia, a place made immortal by the grim battle fought there between the Union and the Confederate forces.
Notes and updated information from Margaret S. Mohr Weaver:
The flag was taken to Virginia in the 1930’s and at that time family members decided that Grandpa Geil should bring it back to Oregon and keep it in the family. At that time the museum in Virginia wanted a donation of $1000.00 and that was much more then a poor preacher like Grandpa could afford.
The following is a copy of a letter written on January 13, 1980, to Clifford Bryan, the son of Gabriella Lee Shank, daughter of Gabriel Shank. It was written to him by W. Emerson Wilson, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fort Delaware Society and is as follows:
Dear Mr. Bryan,
In going over our records I have found another reference to your grandfather, Lt. Gabriel Shank. It is contained in the diary of Lt. Francis Boyle, which is in the southern collection of the University of North Carolina library at Chapel Hill.
The first excerpt dated March 6, 1865 follows: “Yesterday morning a young man, Lt. Shank, whose bunk immediately adjoins mine so close indeed that as we lie at night we touch, was taken to the hospital with smallpox broken out upon him. It is strange how indifferent one becomes to such risk when it is unavoidable. No one seems to mind seeing an officer lie in a crowded division containing over 100 men until this disease makes its appearance upon him, when he is leisurely removed to the hospital. It has made its appearance all around me but never quite so close before. Although hundreds of cases are treated here there have been very few deaths from this cause, only one of two officers whom I know.”
“Saturday, April 1st, 1865…Yesterday about 100 more officers came in, mostly Fort Steadman captives. Major Dencell was also in this arrival. He has taken the place next to me vacated by Lt. Shank’s death. Another officer, Capt. Sellers of Kentucky has gone to the hospital with smallpox. He lay just on the other side of Lt. Shank. This makes three cases in this little corner. Why the rest of us do not have it is indeed incomprehensible. These barracks are now very much crowded. There are over 1800 officers in the 16 divisions averaging in size 50 by 20 feet. Each man has a space just 6x2 for lying, sitting and everything in fact beside the use of the floor between the bunks 8 x 50 in common with 130 others.”
I thought you might be interested in the above because it also describes the room in which he was stricken.
Yours Sincerely,
W. Emerson Wilson
Letters from Gabriel Shank to his wife Annie Kieffer Shank
June 19, 1861 Harrisonburg, Va.
Sept. 15, 1861 Fairfax Station
Jan. 19, 1862 Camp Walker, Va.
April 3, 1862 Camp Rappahannock Culpeper Co. Va.
----(Married Oct. 5, 1862)
Nov. 27, 1862 Camp near M.C.H. Va.
Jan. 16, 1863 Camp near Hopyard Landing, Va.
April 2, 1863 Camp Skinker, Va.
May 22, 1863 Camp near Hamilton, Va.
June 29, 1863 Alexander's Spring, Pa.
July 8, 1863 Camp near Hagerstown, Md.
July 21, 1863 Camp near Luray Page Co., Va.
Aug. 30, 1863 Camp near Orange C.H., Va.
Sept 27, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Fall 1863 Camp on the Rapidan (?)
Nov. 10, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Nov. 18, 1863 Camp on the Rapidan
Jan. 30, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
March 9, 1864 Note from Mary Kieffer
March 13, 1864 Morton's Ford, Va.
March 17, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 13, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 20, 1864 Camp 10th Va. Infantry
Harrisonburg, Ro. C.,Va.
Miss Anna,
I take this opportunity of dropping you a few lines to give you some information about several things of which I will now tell you but I have not time to write much and consequently will have to make it as short as possible.
Well, in the first place I will inform you that by volunteering I excommunicated myself from the church to which I belonged and after finding out that that was my case or my position I went about it to apply for a membership in some other church. After reflection and consideration I concluded to apply to Mr. Bell for a membership in the Presbyterian Church and obtained it so I am now a member of that church.
I expect to start for Winchester in a few hours, there is none of my company here yet. There is undoubtedly a draft here this morning for some of the militia but what number of them I have not learned but that some will be drafted is certain.
Nothing more at present but remain your unwavering friend,
Gabriel Shank
Fairfax Station, Va.
September the 15, 1861
Miss Anna A.K.
I have taken my pen in hand for the purpose of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well and still well satisfied. I have been looking for a letter from you and I intended writing to you a week ago, but on Saturday we had to go down to Upton's hill on picket and did not get back until last Thursday night about eleven oclock, and on Friday morning our company had to go down to Burk's Station about 4 miles below here on picket again and only got back last night so that I have not had an opportunity of writing for more than a week. Aldine has heard from home lately and he told me that you were all well and he told me that you had started a letter to me more than two weeks ago but it did not reach me yet. I am very sorry that it was miss carried as I am very anxious to hear from you. It has been longer this time since I am acquainted with you and I hope that I will never have to wait so long again for a letter but I am sure that it was not your fault nor mine: so I will say no more about it and talk about something else.
We have all had the pleasure of seeing Washington City Georgetown Arlington heights and the Potomic River and a good many other places that I do not know the names of. We also saw them ascend in their Balloon and as the soldiers express it, we had the fun of shooting at some of the yankies. Well I suppose Aldine told you all about it so it is not worth while for me to tell it over again only to say that we were nearer to Washington City this time then we were the other time.
We have lately had very hard services to undergo we have twice been down at the enemies lines on picket. The first time we stayed a little more than two days and the last six days, the distance down is between 12 and 14 miles, besides a great deal of extra duty about the station such as unloading Flour and Bacon and such things from the cars. But we do not mind any thing any more, those that are left of us. But the regiment has gone down in numbers, so many of them are sick and that makes the duty harder on the remainder of us.
The weather is very pleasant and though we have lately had some very bad and rainy weather we have no preaching today, our Chaplain is absent. Everyone appears to be lonesome and a great many of them are writing to their sweethearts. I suppose they are writing to somebody anyway. Cousin Jacob Frank is here and intends to go home in a day or two and I will send this by him he will probably come to see you and he is going to come down again in a short time and you will probably have the opportunity of sending a letter down with him again. I would like very much to have your Picture, and you will gratify your friend very much by sending it to me. I do not calculate on getting home for some time and probably never and would like very much to have it. You can send it to Aldine by some one and he will give it to me. Oh! how well I would like to be at the Glen today I know that I could tell you more in one hour than I can write all day. It is true it is a great pleasure to receive a letter but it would certainly be much more pleasant to meet face to face and pass word for word for hours, than to sit and write the same length of time. But I am doubtful whether you would know me if you were to see me. I look very much like a soldier now, am not very particular as to the clothes I wear just so that they are clean and comfortable. Am wearing a military cap which makes me look very odd. We have sent on for new caps and uniforms and will then look a little better again for a while. It is impossible for us to take care of our clothes as we ought the way we have to lay about in the woods and on the ground. I hope you will excuse my badly written letter and answer it soon.
May heaven's choicest blessings rest upon us is the prayer of your friend. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate friend.
Yours truly,
Gabriel Shank
Aldine is well.
Camp Walker Va.
Jan. 19th, 1862
Miss A.A.
Today has been a very bad rainy day, the earth has been rapt in clouds and the sun has been hidden from our view. I think the day has been a fair representation of the condition of our Country, as the day has been very gloomy so is our Country rapt in gloom or o'er-spread with dark clouds of war, and which have caused and are still causing many tears to be shed and this is not all, but alas! it has caused many useful citizens to lose their lives and with their patriotic blood to water the tree of our liberty. But as those rain-clouds will soon pass away and the sun will again pour forth her lovely rays of light and heat, so we will hope that those dark and furious clouds of war will soon pass over, and leave the sky of peace bright and pleasant as a cloudless summer's shouting for joy at the opening of that day. Oh! me thinks I see the once weary but now gay and happy soldier starting for his loved home and Dear Friends far away in the Sunny South. Me thinks I see him bidding adieu to his comrades in-arms and then move off with a glad heart toward his home, and just as he comes in sight of his own or his father's house he draws a long and pleasant sigh and says to himself ah there is my home, there are those I love. Oh the emotion that now swell his noble and manly heart, the thoughts that now fly through his mind but all of a sudden his brow is overcast with sadness! What thought has caused this sudden change? But a moment ago his heart was full of pleasantness! There was a smile of joy on his face oh alas! shocking thought he has just been struck almost with horror, his mind returned to the bloody field on which he saw probably a Dear Brother fall by his side and there breaths out his life for the sake of or in defense of the home and friends of which he is ever thinking and he also remembers how many of his comrades are left in some far off battle field, and who, poor brave sons of the Son can never see home and friends as he does. Now forgetting those sad thoughts he raises his head and fixes his eyes once more on that sweet home where dwell his loved ones. He quickens his step and in a few moments more he will be in the embrace of Parents and Sister or his wife and children, and oh! what do we liken now, tears of joy are trickling from every cheek, but this is soon turned into bitter sobs as he tell of the fate with which his Brother his near relative or his neighbor met with. Oh this I fear will not interest you, so I will turn my attending to something else.
Oh you cannot imagine how glad I was when I opened and read your letter, it afforded me more pleasure than any letter that I have ever received, be sure it gave me a great deal of trouble to think that you was probably losing confidence in me for no fault of mine, but I hope this will only tend to strengthen the cords which bind our hearts together, and may heaven grant that it will.
You said that you would like so well to know what was in that letter which you missed getting, to another
(remainder is lost)
Camp Rappahannock Culpeper Va.
April 3rd, 1862
Miss A.A.
Well remembered friend today while the Sun beats upon my sheet and the warm western wind blows jauntly over it I will endeavor to pen you a few lines to let you know how I am faring. In the first place I will inform you that we stayed at Warrenton Junction nine days and as I told you before we lived a while there on hard crackers and bacon, it rained four nights while we were there and also several days and we went down all the way in the rain, so you may guess what kind of a time we had, it was decidedly the most severe tour that we have yet had, and since we returned from there we have fared worse than usual, but it seems that the circumstances by which we are surrounded bring to us results which are by us unavoidable, the fact is that the enemy is hanging close to the rear of our army, and in consequence of that we are in daily expection of an advance by them so that we cannot consistently expect to have many accomodations such as cooking utensils with us. We have just what we can barely make out to get along with, the rest with all the mess chests are ten or twelve miles back, they were sent back from here last Friday and all was sent back at that time for the reason I suppose that the enemy were advancing and a fight expected and the fact is that there was a little fighting in the evening the enemy however were throwing Shell all day at our cavalry as they retreated before them and when they came in sight of our batteries stationed on this side of the River, they opened fire upon them, we were placed in line a little to the rear and on the right of our battery where we lay all the time that firing was going on the several shell exploded very near us and a good many more passed over us. The enemy did not attempt to cross the River now come near enough for infantry to do an executions by firing across at them, as soon as our troops had all crossed the river to this side, the bridge was fired and burned after which we all retreated from the river leaving the yankies to wonder at the meaning. I said all but there were pickets left behind to watch their movements, we retreated about a mile and a half where we still remain. The enemy are seen occasionally on the opposite side at the distance of more than a mile from the river, it is supposed that their main body or force is some distance from the advance probably not far this side of Manasses, we do not know what hour they will attempt to cross the River nor do we know what is their strength, ours is not over ten thousand men it being Maj Gen Ewell's command, where the remainder of Johnston army is I am not able to say, reports say that some are at Gordonville and others have gone towards Fredericksburg.
Several days ago I began to think that the yankies would get possession of the valley but reports now say that Jackson has driven them beyond Winchester and we also have news that he won a grand victory at Kernstown hope all is true.
I received a letter that you wrote to me about the time we left Manasses it came to hand the evening we came from Warrenton Junction and you can't imagine how glad I was to hear from you. I also got one from home from sister Elizabeth, but have received none that were written since we left Manasses, am very anxious to hear from my friends but how do you think we all felt when we heard that our homes would be given up to the yankies, well I'll tell how I felt I did not feel at all willing for them to be given my home, could I think that they would without a desperate struggle. Oh yes the news came here several days ago that your Unkle Solomon and Ephraim Persbush (could this be Ruebush?) were taken prisoners by our men whilst on their way to your Unkle Joseph's on suspicion that they were trying to escape to yankeedom, am very anxious to know all about it, whether they were taken or not and where they are.
There were six prisoners taken by our cavalry a few days ago and they stayed here all night and they told some of our men that Gen McClellan the yankie commander says that the contest will be short but desperate, that it must be ended by the last of July next, but whether they told the truth or not is doubtful. I only hope it will be ended by that time, if we are to have our independence let us have it soon, and if we are to be conquered let it be done soon, but God forbid that we shall be. As I do not know when I will have an opportunity of sending this I will not write any more at present. Please write soon and direct to Culpeper Court-house Va.
Camp near M.C.H. Va.
Nov. 27th, 1862
Dear Annie,
I will improve this opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well and where we are at. I suppose you have heard before this time of the move of the army. We were on the march six days and made a march of ninety five miles. We are camped in sight of Madison Court House but do not count on staying here more than a few days nor do we know where we will go to from here, but it is supposed that we will join Gen. Lee in the defense of Richmond. The Rockingham boys were all in great hopes (when we started through Winchester) that we would go through Harrisonburg and they would all get to see their friends but in that they were disappointed, and me with the rest. Gen. Jones had promised to let us all go home a short time in case we went up as far as Harrisonburg but as we turned off at New Market he could not do it.
I must inform you that I was at Unkle Daniel Driver's on Sunday night. I was very anxious to get up as far as the Glen but could not get permission to be absent long enough. Oh yes, I must tell you that we received a box of books yesterday evening and as most of the boys who had subscribed for them were absent we had to turn out this morning and sell them but in that we found no difficulty. We sold them all in an hour. Will send the money to mother the first opportunity we have of sending it by hand. Please tell her to let us know what the box cost and what it cost to take them to town and we will send her the whole amount.
This is a very pleasant day for this season of the year. Oh how well I would like to spend it at home with you and the rest of my friends. I would like so well to see Grandfather again, but I am fearful that I have seen him the last time this side of eternity. Oh what a thought, but if it will only be our happy lot to meet our aged parent in that land of pure delights where we will never have the pain of separating again. Oh how happy we all will be when from pain and sorrow free! Oh should we not live careful and try to do the will of our Creator.
I have nothing more of interest to write at this time. Brother Aldine is well, he will write and send in this letter. Give my love to Sister Kate and all the rest of the folks. Direct before to Tenth Regt. Vol. 3rd Brigade and First Division Jackson's Army.
From your affectionate husband
G. Shank
Camp near Hopyard Landing
Carline Co. Va.
Jan 16th, 1863
Dear Annie,
I have not written to you for more than a week and must ask you to excuse me for it. I was made glad yesterday evening by receiving a letter from you and sister Elizabeth. Oh! you can not imagine how happy I felt when I read the letters, although sister's letter contained some bad news.
I am very glad that you are at home and are so well satisfied. I hope the time is hasten in here when I will be permitted to be there with you and the rest of the folks. I think they would all like to see me return. Furlows are now being granted to the reenlisted men so that if nothing turns up to stop them from granting before the last of next month I will get home, my turn may come before the last of the month, any time will do me if it is tomorrow I mean any time between this and the last of February, you asked me about Aldine and his Sallie, but if you get the last letter that I wrote to you you will see how he is progressing in that line, and as I told you in that letter I will try and get my furlow so as to be at home at the time he brings his Lady home. He does not know yet what time it will take place he will learn when he hears from Sallie again. He expects a letter from her tomorrow. He is also looking very anxiously for a letter from Mother & sister Kate he is very anxious to know what they think of it. I hope he will meet with no opposition and will make himself happy for life.
You asked whether I still have a good bed. I am happy to inform you that I have the best cabin or house in the Regiment. I just finished it yesterday we have been living in it two days, we have a very good fire-place and can make it quite warm, it is small and not hard to warm up, you would be surprised to see how well we are fixed, we cook in the house.....I expect that two of our boys will go home in a few days on detail such as I was on when at home.
I sent a pair of Scissors to you by Mr. John H. Moore. They were presented to me by Captain D.H. Lee Martz on the battle field at Richmond, am glad to hear that you got the book that I sent.
I have no news to write to you today everything is quiet. The yankies are still on the opposite side of the River. Hope they will not attempt to cross before spring so that we can stay in our house and get furlows. Give my love to all the folks. Please write soon this leaves me well and hoping it will find all well at home. May heaven bless and protect you is the prayer of your affectionate husband.
G. Shank
These two letters cover a single sheet of paper--Mary Kieffer (mother of Annie and Aldine).
Singers Glen
March 9, 1864
My Dear Son,
The import of this note will give you the proud name of father not of a son but a very interesting and promising little daughter (Alice May Shank) who was born yesterday. Annie is doing well she says she will write in a few days. She sends her love and says write soon in haste I close.
Yours affectionable
Mary Kieffer
Morton's Ford, Va.
March 13, 1864
My Dear Wife,
You can not imagine how happy I was when I received this sheet or when I read what is on the inside. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for his goodness and mercy to us all. Oh how I would love to be with you this beautiful Sabbath morning and rejoice with you over the little babe. I suppose you were all a little surprised yesterday to see our dear Brother return but his stay will be very short. We are still on picket. We will be relieved tomorrow, we have had a great deal of rain since we are here. All is quiet along the line and has been ever since we came down.
I will write to you again after we get to camp and tell you many things that I am compelled to omit here as I have no paper here to write on. This leaves me well and hoping it will find you and the dear little Babe enjoying the same great blessing. I am very anxious to hear from my Dear Wife. Please write as soon as practicable. Hoping the God of Mercies will prosper us and our dear Babe and also feeling willing to resign all to His will and good pleasure, I cheerfully go on my journey through this world.
From your Husband. Please accept my constant love, also remember me kindly to all the family.
Gabriel Shank
Camp Skinker Va.
April 2nd, 1863
My Dear Annie,
After waiting a long time for a letter from you and being very anxious to hear from you it affords me unusual pleasure to read your letter which I now endeavor to answer. It is not worth while to speak of disappointment, I can only say that I sympathize very deeply with you on account of your disappointment and as for myself I think that I am better able to bear with things of that sort then you, although it made me very sad for a short time.
You asked me whether I need any drawers & shirts. No, I do not need any now--we are not allowed to have more than we can handily carry on marches and for that reason I do not want more than what I can just make out with. I have six pair of drawers, two cotton and two flannel shirts. The two latter I will send home after the weather gets warm if I can get an opportunity and if not I will have them either to use for ___ or throw away. You need not give yourself any trouble about clothes for me as I can get them much cheaper here then you could there, I will need a pair of pants before long and I will draw them here. Those that I have will last a month or more yet. Now in regards to furniture I hardly know what to say but I think that if you can get it for anything like a reasonable price you had better have it made. If you will name it to Father he will be able to tell you whether it would be advisable or not.
You spoke of a plan you all have struck upon to get me out of the army while I have no fondness for the army and it is very unpleasant to be parted from you and on the other hand while it would be much more pleasant to be at home and seeming out of danger I would dislike---this not withstanding all that---to quit the army just at the time when my service is very much needed, however if I were detailed by the secretary of war to enter upon some other field of action where my services would be equally profitable to our cause than of course that would become my duty to obey the calling and whether I was willing or not I would have to go but I would rather have known nothing about that there is an effort being made to have me detailed until after it was all over but I can not think that Mr. Hupp will succeed, but all things work together for good to them that love God so let us trust that we will. I am very glad to hear that you are getting along so well. You spoke of someone to do the cooking when I get home but I think I will have done my share by the time I get out of the army, don't you? Say yes. I have not been baking any pies for some time on account of the scarcity of shortening. I do not think that I will be able to bake many more as materials of all sorts are getting very scarce and also very high. Well as it is getting late I will close. Brother Aldine is well. He sends his love to you. Please give my love to all the folks at the Glen. Please write soon again. May the Lord bless and protect is the prayer of your husband.
very truly your devoted husband, G. Shank
Camp near Hamilton Va.
May 22, 1863
Dear Annie,
I am again with my regiment after having been absent 17 days. We arrived here on the 20th from Richmond. I was very glad to see the boys again and they were apparently very glad to see me and the rest of the prisoner boys. I am very thankful that I got off as well as I did. I will now tell you that Sunday morning the 3rd was the most desperate and bloody battle that ever I was in, there was scarcely a man anywhere near me that was not either killed or wounded. I was struck twice but fortunately was not hurt at all. The first shot the ball struck my pants on the side of my right leg between the knee and hip. The ball struck my haversack in which was a pepper box that fortunately turned the direction of the ball, had it not been for the box I would doubtless have been severely wounded, but thank God for his protective care over me. I was also very glad to learn that the old flag was not captured by the enemy, as it is very much timeworn and bears many marks of the desperate conflict through which it has been carried. Almost everyone wonders how it happened that the Yankies did not get it when they got me. I will here tell you how I managed to save it when I found that there was a very strong probability that we would be captured I took down the flag and folded it in as close around the staff as I could and threw it down hard by a wounded man and as I intended it wasn't observed by the Yankies who were not allowed to stay but a few moments at the breastworks where we were captured. Brother Aldine wrote a piece for the Register giving a description of our trip through Yank Hagerstown which you will probably have read before this reaches you so I will not say anything about it. I am very anxious to hear from you as I have not heard since sometime in April. There were two letters come to the Regt. whilst I was gone but Lieut. Campbell thinking that I would not be back until for a long time yet, he thought best to destroy them so he burned them a few days before I got back.
Our men suffered very severely in the battle. Col. Walker was killed. Capt. Martz and Lieut. Guihears wounded, myself captured and slightly wounded, the remaining three, Lieuts. Campbell and Easthouse and Maj. Jennings were not hurt, two of them were not in the fight. I deeply regret the loss of our old Gen. T.J. Jackson but such was the will of heaven and we must submit calmly and without murmuring
I trust that heaven will give another man to fill his place. How thankful we should be for the many victories that have been given us. Give my love to all the folks and please write soon.
May heaven bless you all is the prayer of your affectionate husband. This leaves me well.
G. Shank
NOTE from Margaret S. Mohr Weaver:
The below letter dated June 29th, 1863, is one that Gabriel carried on his person during the battle of Gettysburg and finished it July 8th, 1863. It is a pale blue paper and shows more wear than the others. It would seem to have been folded many times to have fit in a pocket or some thing.
Alexander's Spring Cumberland Co. Pa.
June 29th, 1863
Dear Annie,
I will endeavor to drop you a few lines today as I suppose you are anxious to hear from us at this time. We are getting a good way from Carto now and we may expect lively times. We are within a day's march of the capital of Pennsylvania and it is generally supposed that we will go there but I think not. We have had some very hard marches lately, our brigade especially. We were detached from the division for a short time and sent on a trip across the mountains to dislodge and scatter a militia force that had collected there. After having accomplished that we rested one day and again turned in the direction of the main enemy. Having marched 27 miles to get to McConnelsburg the place where the militia were we now had to make another of 25 to get to the road again that we had left and upon which the main army was traveling. In the round we had to march about 36 miles farther than the rest of the army. We are now with the division again and are camped about (?) miles from Carlsburg.
We captured a good many horses and cattle on our trip. Our army is subsisting on the country through which it is passing. People are very much alarmed everywhere on our approach. A great many leave their home, their cattle, and their horses but they all say they are very much disappointed. They had been told that the rebels would burn houses and everything that came in their course. But something of that sort is ill-advised. Orders are very strict that no private property shall be disturbed. I will tell you what we seize as we go along. Anything we want for the use of the army such as horses, cattle, molasses, bread, flour, coffee, shoes, hats, etc. We were unable to get those boxes (indeciperable) but we get a great many things of that sort from the citizens. We passed through Hagerstown but did not have time to stop to inquire about sister Sue. I watched for her as we passed through but did not see anyone that looked like her.
I have dreamed several nights lately of seeing you. Oh, that those dreams had been realities! I have not heard since I came back.
Camp near Hagerstown, Md.
July 8, 1863
Dear Annie,
Through the mercy of an allwise Providence I am permitted to finish this letter which was commenced nine days ago. I was prevented from finishing at that time in consequence of a move of the army. We received orders very suddenly and started for Gettysburg, Pa. where we arrived on the evening of the first of this month where we fought (as you have probably already heard) the bloodiest and biggest battle of this war. The battle lasted three days. Our division was in only two days, the second and third. We did not succeed in driving the enemy from his position which was unusually strong. Finding ourselves unable to dislodge him Gen. Lee fell back a short distance and waited for the enemy to come out and attack him but he did not come. On the morning of the fifth Gen. Lee withdrew his army in the direction of this place. We reached here yesterday. The loses on both sides was very heavy. I am not able to give anything like a proper estimate of the loss on either side. I have understood that northern papers put their loss in killed and wounded at from twenty five to thirty thousand, and ten thousand prisoners added to that will make a very heavy loss. Ours including prisoners is probably as much as twenty thousand, not much under that I do assure you. The most terrific cannonading that has ever shook American hills shook the hills and mountains around Gettysburg on the third day of this month. I have no words to describe to you the awful roar of that terrible day. The loss of our regiment was not heavy as we had but few men in the regt. at the time. Brother Aldine was not in the battle. He broke down on the march the day we arrived at the scene of action it being a very long and hard day's march. I came nearer breaking down myself than on any previous march I have ever been on. Our army is now as far as I know resting in this vicinity. I think we are waiting for reinforcements at least such are the reports. Some think that we will cross the river again as soon as it falls enough so that the troops can ford it. Others think that we will have another battle in a few days. My boots are worn out and I had to march one day without any but fortunately yesterday evening I got a pair of shoes again. I only have one shirt and one pair of drawers. I loaned a pair to a friend and he was killed with them on. And one shirt I lost myself during the battle. My pants are ragged so that I look very hard and honery. I have not heard of Aldine since he was left back but it is supposed that he is with the wagons of which I do not think there is any doubt. He did not complain of being sick he was very chafed or galded. Friend E.P. Schacklette of our com. was killed also James M. Landis. Oh that this war were over, every battle costs us some of our best and bravest men.
Dear Annie, how I long for the war to close so that we may have the pleasure of enjoying each other's society but we must submit to the will of heaven. Oh do not neglect to pray and to supplicate the throne of grace in behalf of your absent husband. It is a great consolation to me in an hour of danger to think and know that a devoted heart is daily pouring out supplication in my behalf and oh how wonderfully has the good Lord delivered me. Oh let us be thankful to him for his goodness. May God continue to shield me and preserve me unhurt and to keep us in health and may it be his will that we may meet before long to part no more as we are now parted. May he bless us in all that we need and keep us from sin is the prayer of your husband.
Please write soon. You need not send any clothes, I will be able to get some here before long. Give my love to all the folks. Nothing more at this time.
from you affectionate husband,
G. Shank
N.B. This leaves me well and hoping it will find you enjoying the same.
Camp near Luray, Page Co. Va.
July 21, 1863
Dear Annie,
Yours of the 17th has been received I was very glad to hear from you again, the one you sent by that soldier reached me Saturday evening, it interested me very much to read it. We arrived here Saturday and will be very apt to (?) the morning we (?) prepared to go to Culpeper. I have been unwell since I wrote to you last, I took a severe cold from which I suffered very much. I had severe headaches, pains in the back and (?) for several days but I now feel as well as usual again. I began to think that I would take the fever.
I am getting supplied in clothes again. I drew a new shirt a few days ago. Most of the barefooted have been furnished with shoes. I need socks I have only one pair any more and they need darning.
I must inform you that I am again very hopeful of a speedy peace through the recognition of The South by Foreign Powers. Though I may again be disappointed but I think not. I am not at all afraid of being Subjugated, we have spent too much treasure and blood ever to give up, tis true we have met with reverses but we needed them to show us our place again, we were getting too boastful too selfrelying. The riots at the North are favorable omens to us, also they show that the war is very unpopular there and that they have nearly all the men in the field now that they will ever get out, so there is nothing to be scared at yet. I have nothing more of interest at present, if spared I will write again as soon as we get settle which I think will be in a few days. Please excuse my bad writing. Pen and ink are very scarce in camp at this time. May the Lord bless you is my prayer.
yours truly,
G. Shank
Camp near Orange Ct. H. Va.
August 30, 1863
Dear Annie,
I have just finished cleaning up my kitchen and parler and am now at leisure so I will employ the time in writing to you. I am happy to inform you that Mr. Bell is with us this morning and will preach for us at ten o'clock. He expects to stay with us a week or two. We have had a good meeting in our camp for several weeks and there have been a goodly number of conversions and the interest is still growing.
Yours of the 23 and 25 came to hand a few days ago. I was very glad to hear from you. It had been some time since I had received a letter from you or at least I thought so. I will here inform you that I sent my roundabout to Harrisonburg. I directed it to be left with Mrs. Campbell. I also sent a pair of socks which I put in the pockets of the roundabout I thought the socks would do to foot again. (I have drawn a new roundabout.)
We have had several reviews lately. First we were reviewed by Gen. Johnson and next by Gen. Ewell and yesterday whilst our regt. was being inspected by the Brigade inspector, Gen. Ewell and his wife rode through our camp and also out to the regt. and stopped to inspect and look at the men. They also took a good look at the Flag. They both were very much please with the appearance of our camp and of the condition of the guns, and they appeared to admire the old Flag very much. The Gen. made many inquiries in regard to it - he wanted to know who had carried it at the time it got the holes shot through it, and also how many Color bearers we had lost. It afforded me great pleasure to answer the questions of the venerable old Gen. and his affectionate looking companion. You spoke of going to St. John's by yourself and said you wished I were there to go with you, but I think you are not any more anxious for me to be there than I am. But so it is and I hope all will be well I trust it will . We have been parted a long time and under the most trying circumstances and a kind and Merciful Providence has protected us thus far and may we not with confidence trust the same strong arm for the future. Oh blessed be God for his goodness and mercy. Oh that we may be enabled to love and serve him as we ought that our lives may be devoted to his service. I long for the time when we will be permitted to spend our time together, when we can go to the house of worship together and enjoy all the pleasure of peace and prosperity. I look forward with anticipations of pleasure to the time when the war will be ended and the soldiers all return to their homes and friends. Possibly I may not (in the order of divine Providence) live to see that joyful time but it is certain that some of the soldiers will live to see it and I hope to be one of them.
Well, preaching is over. We had a very good sermon, a large and attentive congregation and I hope that much good may come from what was said. There is no news of interest in camp for me to write about. Everything is very quiet in front, more so than I have ever known it before. The enemy is down on the banks of the Potomac with the main body of his army at least. We hear some news from Charleston occasionally. The enemy is gradually working his way into that city. But he will soon meet his more impregnable point and I hope will be finally repulsed, however, I do not think we would lose much if Charleston did fall--some think it would be an advantage to us to lose the place.
Mr. David Fairburn is here and will start home tomorrow morning and I will send this letter by him. I will send a pack of envelopes to Mrs. Campbell for you. Lieutenant Campbell and myself made eighty yesterday and will send fifty of them to you and Mrs. Campbell--twenty five for each of you. Envelopes cost from three to five dollars per pack now and we thought it would be cheaper to make them than to buy them at that price. We got paper at the quartermaster's department. It was waste paper they had, formerly blank reports. We will send them the first opportunity we have. You asked me sometime ago how our friend P. H. Dice is getting along and I fear that I have not said anything about it. If I have not I ask pardon for it. I received a letter from him a week or ten days ago and he then told me that he was getting better slowly. He said he was able to ride about in the carriage a little. He said he had been to see his sweetheart once. Says he would like very much to be with us again. I must close for this time-hope to hear from you soon. This leaves me well and in fine spirits. Brother Aldine is well and in fine spirits. Give my love to all the folks. May Heaven protect us is the prayer of your husband,
most affectionately yours, G. Shank
Camp on the Rapidan
September 27, 1863
Dear Annie,
This is a beautiful Sabbath day and oh how pleasant would it be to me if there was peace and I was at home with you my dear but the pleasures and enjoyments that follow those who are so young in marriage and matrimonial love are forbidden us to some extent at this time but I hope the time is coming and that not far in the future when we will be allowed to enjoy all the pleasures and happiness of those who are truly united in love and affection. How often do my thoughts go from me and wander over earth until they find your form and there dwell for a long time at a time. I dream often as I sleep that I am with you or am going to see you but it is all the fiction of the mind. There is nothing real in a dream and thoughts have only a fleeting pleasure in them.
Yours of the 19th came to hand a few days ago. I was very happy to hear from you. Oh it is such a great pleasure to me to read your letters and it is not surprising that such is the case because of all beings on earth there is none so near and dear to me as my dear Annie. And as we are parted under such circumstances as we are it is certainly a great privilege corresponding letters. But we possess still a greater privilege than that of corresponding by letter. It is far greater, it is a glorious privilege of supplicating a common mercy seat, where we can make our wants and desires known to the giver of every good and perfect gift. And where we can commune together in Christian love. Oh for a heart and mind ever to praise and serve the Lord.
I am very glad that Billy is so gently and of so much service to you. I trust that by spring the war will be over and then if it is the will of heaven for me to survive we can have the pleasure of attending worship and Sabbath School together.
I am very anxious to hear that sister Kate has returned. I think she has had a pretty long visit. She must enjoy it very much or she would return. You asked whether Aldine still loves Sallie. I think he does but possible Sallie will not trust him any longer. Aldine wrote to her a few days ago.
I'm very glad to hear that Miss Mollie will be with you again. I know she is good company for you and can help you to pass off dull hours more pleasantly. Please give my kindest regards and tell her I still sing her favorite hymn sometimes.
I was very much surprised to hear that I had made such a mistake in that letter that I wrote. I wrote two that day if I'm not mistaken, one to my sister Susan and the other to sister Elizabeth. And I fear that both were sent to the wrong place. However, it is all in the family and makes no difference, only the inconvenience it puts you all to. You done right by reading sister's letter. I'm glad you took the privilege of doing so. I will try and do better hereafter.
I have no important news to write today. Everything is quiet along the Front. There have been several cavalry fights during the last week but they were of little importance and the result is unknown to me. It is generally though now that there will not be a battle here shortly in consequence of the defeat of the Yankies in Tennessee. It is reported that Mead's Army is moving back towards the Rappahannock again. Give my love to all the folks at the Glen especially to Annie if you know her. May heaven bless and keep us all is the prayer of your affectionate husband.
G. Shank
Fall of 1863?
Good morning, My Dear and how did you rest last night, very well I hope. I have done all my morning work such as get breakfast and clear the table and wash the dishes and have been at brother's tent for some time singing and after we were tired of singing we all talked over old times. I must here tell you who was present besides brother and I. Mr. K.T. Bowers, I. Burkholder, M. Besser, S.A. Firebaugh, and Cousin John H. Frank also came in while we were talking. We had a very pleasant sing and also a very entertaining talk, entertaining to me at least. Some very pleasant recollections were brought to mind such as the trips to Pa. alternately with Cousin John Frank, Mr. Besser and Brother Aldine. Tis pleasant indeed to talk of things that took place in past time, but when we do compare those times with the present we can not help sighing when we see the great contrast that there is between them. Then it seemed as if all was enjoyment and contentment now all hardship and privation but thank Heaven there is a day coming (as I hope at least) when all these troubles will be at an end when the bright sunshine of peace will again illumine our once happy but now blood stained and sorrow smitten land, how pleasant it will then be (for those who survive this dreadful, calamitous war) to sit and tell their children or even their grand children of all the troubles, hardships and privations through which their parents or grandparents had to pass in order to secure for them the blessings of liberty and independence.
I for one look forward with joyful anticipation to the happy day when it will please heaven (if ever) to restore peace and when all our faithful toilworn soldiers shall be permitted to turn their backs to the bloody fields upon which their independence (by the aid of high heaven) was won and where sad memory must often return when they think of loved friends and neighbors, who were slain whilst struggling by their side, for the liberty they will then be permitted to enjoy, having turned their backs to the field. Their faces are now homeward, and oh! who can describe their thoughts, their feeling, their emotions, the joyful swelling of their hearts, just at this moment they have forgotten the horrors of the bloody field. They think of nothing but what the future promises them. That joyful hope and anticipation of meeting a fond Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers and many also a dear wife and children will give new life to their whole frame. But why speculate on the joys of that much wished-for time when we know not whether we will be permitted to see and enjoy it.
Yes many I may say thousands are at this moment destitute of hope of the joys of that day because their friends have fallen on some far off field the memory of which will sadden the heart that would fain try to rejoice with those who may be more fortunate. But I thank Heaven for the hope we will have and pray that it may be our happy lot to be permitted to see that longed for time, and realize all the joys of a favored and grateful people. I will now drop this subject and talk of something else, probably I ought not to have written what I did. Hope you will excuse me when I write things that I ought not to write.
It is rumored in camp today that we will move to another camp in a few days such reports have been in circulation though ever since we first came to this camp so that we do not know when to believe them. It was reported a few days ago that we were going to move back to Tolersville on the Central Railroad near Louise Court House, but now the report is that we are going up to the neighborhood of Pisga Church about six miles this side of O.C.H. for me I had rather stay where we are as we are well fixed here now, and it would take some time for us to get as well fixed again.
I think the fighting for this winter is over, for at least there are reasons to think so, and I will be glad when I find out that we are permanently settled for the winter, it is now the season of the year when we can expect rough weather and it would be very severe to have to leave our comfortable huts and go to a new camp where we would have to build again. I have already built two houses and would desire to remain in this one all the winter, however if it is necessary and will promote the welfare of soldiers and beasts to move to a place where supplies for both can be obtained more easily, I am willing to build still another hut.
I am glad to inform you that Mr. Sites got his furlow a few moments ago and will start for home in the morning. As I told you there is one more in our company, after he gets back to go before my turns comes in. Mr. Sites will be gone fifteen days. Then it will take six days more for the other man's furlow to go to Gen. Lee for approval, and return which will be twenty one days and give him fifteen days to return, would be thirty six and six for mine to go to Gen. Lee and return will be forty two days from this time before I can reasonably expect to get home, but there is no dependence to be placed in the present system of granting furlows as they are given only to men whose families are in want or when circumstances demand the presence of their supporter. I have nothing more to write at this time. Please excuse my long letter and write soon if you please as I am very anxious to hear from you. This leaves me well and hoping it will find you enjoying good health. May the God of Mercy guard, guide and protect us is the prayer of your husband.
G. Shank
Camp on the Rapidan
Nov. 10th, 1863
Dear Annie,
This morning finds me in the same place that we were at a little more than a month ago. I had just finished my winter quarters when orders came to get ready to move at a moments notice. The enemy flanked our position and we were compelled to withdraw to the south side of the Rapidan, but I care but little about it now that it is all over. We marched nearly the whole two nights and the worst of it all, we had to wade the Rapidan cold as it was. It was a severe thing but had to be done. I did not mind it much. I received a letter from you last Friday and answered it the same evening but did not get to send the letter. You asked about Cousin John Frank. He is doing very well. He is driving an ambulance. I saw friend Wm. Ruebush a few days ago. He had the blues, he said. Though he is looking very well.
I am looking for Brother David, and Rollin down in a short time. Hope I will not be disappointed. You stated that you are looking for Mr. Shank home before long but I am sorry to tell you that I'm afraid you will be disappointed. I see no (word omitted here he must mean chance) for getting home at present. Col. Warren will not let me come just to bring the flag and I have no other way that I could get home at this time. I would like very much to get home to see my dear Annie and the rest of my friends, but I will have to wait until my times comes, so do not feel disappointed or discouraged at my not coming now. I will come the first opportunity I get.
I will send you twenty dollars in this letter. You probably haven't got as much as you would wish. When ever you get out of money let me know and I will try and furnish you with it. I expect to draw upwards of a hundred dollars at the next payday, which will be at new year.
Brother Aldine is well and is at his old trade again (trading in tobacco).
This leaves me well. My love to you and all the folks. May Heaven bless and protect us all is the prayer of your husband,
G. Shank
Please write soon
Those socks were a little too short in the foot.
Camp on the Rapidan Va.
Novm. 18th 1863
My Dear Annie,
Today whilst most of my comrades are at work on fortifications I remain in camp to take care of their things and to improve the opportunity of writing to one so dear. Your last letter must have been written last week as it came to hand some two days ago but as I was looking for Brother David and Rollin down I thought I would wait until they came if that was not too long and write by them but as they have had time to be here if they started last Saturday as they expected to do I begin now to think that probably they (end of this sentence is chopped off so it is completely illegible.)
--------wrote me about a comfort you ----- use your own pleasure about making one. It would not be a miss for me to have one. I never have had one _____ service. I need a pair of warm gloves more than I do a comfort. So you had better knit me some gloves first now please. You ought to see the patches that I put on my socks I know you would laugh at them. When they wear out I will try and send the legs home for you to foot again. I was glad to hear that Cousin George ? had been home, he is a very good soldier and deserves great credit for the way he is conducting himself. Brother Aldine is well-he is on duty today at the Brigade Guard House. That man you spoke of I think you called him Mr. Shank sends his best love to you, his kisses love and regards to Mother and all the folks. Please write soon, may Heaven ever bless and protect us is the prayer of your devoted husband.
Gabriel
Novm. 19th, 1863
My Dear Annie,
I will add a few lines to the above tonight and send it in the morning by a gentleman who is going up ---- I have nothing more of interest to write this evening. I have a request to make of you in regards to this letter and that is that you permit no one but yourself to see it and that you will please destroy it after having read it. It contains things I would not want any one else to see for something very understandable. I suppose you will understand that portion of the letter I have reference to, to that portion which speaks of your probable condition-I say probable because I am not certain you are in the condition that I allude to.
Please let me know all about it when you write again. Some of the boys tease me about a baby sometimes as is natural for them to do newly married persons.
Yours,
G.
(Note: This request explains the torn out section.)
Camp 10th Va. Infantry
January 30th, 1864
My Dear Annie,
Your very kind letter of the 27th is to hand. Brother arrived here yesterday evening. Oh how glad I was to see him and how glad I was to hear from my Dear Annie. I hope that I will have the pleasure of seeing you in a short time. Oh how much I long for that time to come, but it is not far off anymore. I think that if all goes right we will see each other in twelve days from this time. A considerable portion of that time will have passed ere this reaches you.
My Dear, you asked what I think that Brother David will do if he is required to come into the army. I am not able to say what he will do but I fear that he will not do what he ought to do. I hate to think of him going North but I fear that he will be prevailed upon to go. I think however that he will not be required to go into service as there is a bill on foot in Congress now which proposes to exempt all persons who were engaged in raising something for the army during the year of '63 which if it become a law will exempt him and I have no doubt but that it will become a law, so if Brother is not in too big a hurry about leaving probably he will not need to go at all. I would be very sorry indeed to hear that he had to leave our dear parents but if his services have to be lost to them I would a thousand times rather for him to join the army than to go to the enemy as I fear he would be persuaded to do. Oh I hate to think of such a thing as that.
My Dear, you say that you fear that I will never know how much you love me but my dear be assured that your love is rightly appreciated by me and also that you love not in vain but you are repaid by my love to you. As for you love can never be told, only by acts of kindness and a disposition to please. Therefore I will not attempt to tell you the love I entertain for you by words but will leave you to judge by my actions towards you whether it is strong and of a pure nature or not. I am happy indeed to know that I have been bless with a wife whose love for me is of the purest kind. Oh how happily we could live if this war was only over. I observed on your letter the tears you shed whilst writing it. You ask me to excuse the blots they made-you are very excusable where ever they may drop.
I am sorry to hear that your friend Miss Mollie has left you. I know you will miss her very much.
I still hear from Sister Elizabeth. She is at Mr. Brenneman's at this time. I am sorry to hear that Cousin John Brenneman is so poorly. Hope he will be spared to his family and will soon recover.
Please tell Unkle Timothy that I must have four dozen books when I get home and that I said that he would have to bind that number himself or hire someone to bind them. I am very sorry that brother could not get books while he was at home. We have one hundred scholars and could get a great many more if we had books for them. I did not go to Standardsville, as I told you in my last that I expected to do, but got a man to go for me.
Oh My Dear, your letter is so interesting, and good, it shows a spirit of the utmost kindness and love. You have my sincere prayers for your welfare, both spiritual and temporal. I must close for this time, hoping to see you soon, I bid you farewell. May Heaven ever bless and protect you--your husband.
G. Shank
I am happy to inform you that I have heard better news from Brother David, since I wrote yesterday. I understand that he will join our army if he is not exempted. I was very glad indeed to hear it. I was so afraid that he would permit himself to be persuaded into something disgraceful to himself and friends.
your husband.
G. Shank
You wished to know whether I have received that comfort yet. It came a few days ago, it is very nice and good. Thank you my dear for your kindness to me.
Singers Glen
March 9, 1864
My Dear Son,
The import of this note will give you the proud name of father not of a son but a very interesting and promising little daughter (Alice May Shank) who was born yesterday. Annie is doing well she says she will write in a few days. She sends her love and says write soon in haste I close.
Yours affectionable
Mary Kieffer
Morton's Ford, Va.
March 13, 1864
My Dear Wife,
You can not imagine how happy I was when I received this sheet or when I read what is on the inside. I thank God from the bottom of my heart for his goodness and mercy to us all. Oh how I would love to be with you this beautiful Sabbath morning
and rejoice with you over the little babe. I suppose you were all a little surprised yesterday to see our dear Brother return but his stay will be very short. We are still on picket. We will be relieved tomorrow, we have had a great deal of rain since we are here. All is quiet along the line and has been ever since we came down.
I will write to you again after we get to camp and tell you many things that I am compelled to omit here as I have no paper here to write on. This leaves me well and hoping it will find you and the dear little Babe enjoying the same great blessing. I am very anxious to hear from my Dear Wife. Please write as soon as practicable. Hoping the God of Mercies will prosper us and our dear Babe and also feeling willing to resign all to His will and good pleasure, I cheerfully go on my journey through this world.
From your Husband. Please accept my constant love, also remember me kindly to all the family.
Gabriel Shank
Camp 10th Va. Inft.
March 17th, 1864
My Dear Annie,
Your kind letter of the 14th came to hand last night. I was so very glad to receive it and to see Brother. I have just had a pleasant talk with him he told me that you and the baby were both doing very well, he also told me all about his visit to Miss Amanda. Brother is so very kind to your Gabe he appears to have all confidence in me. I am so glad that we can be together as much as we can. You say that you think he was afraid to come into your room and also that you do not think that your Gabe would be afraid will my Dear you are right-I would not be afraid, but on the other hand it would be a great pleasure to me to enter your room no one knows how well I would like to see my Dear Wife and Baby, neither does any one know how much I love them unless it is my own Dear wife and I hardly think that she does, do you? and it is a great consolation to me to know that my love is not bestowed in vain, but that it is returned, and that in good measure. I am very happy to hear that you are improving and the dear little Babe is growing and is so good and so little trouble to its Dear mother, I hope you will at some convenient time have in consecrated to our blessed redeemer by having Baptism administered to it.
I have not heard any thing from my pass yet. I am afraid that I never will. Everything is quiet so far as I know. Please tell Aunt Susan that I am very much obliged for those apples she sent me, they are very nice. I am glad to hear that Cousin D.S. Heatwole got that leather. I will send my measure to Mr. Jacobs in Bridgewater to have a pair of boots made, you will please sent him your measure for a pair of shoes. I want fine boots, the feet calfskin and the legs upper leather. I suppose there will be calfskin enough for your shoes and my boots, tell mother she can use some of the leather if she chooses I will pay Cousin David the rest on the leather. I will send you some money as soon as I can get some of the new issue.
My Dear Wife and fellow pilgrim you can rest assured that your husband always remembers you in his petitions to a merciful God of how often I think of God's mercy to me in blessing me with a pious and Christian wife. Blessed be his name for his Goodness and Mercy. I thank you for your prayers. Please remember me kindly to Unkle Tim and Aunt Susan, also to Aunt Lizy, and Unkle Ben. My love to our Dear Kind mother and all the family. My best love to Annie and the baby.
May Heaven ever bless and protect us is the prayer of your own husband.
G. Shank
Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 13th 1864
My Dear Wife,
I will try and write you a few lines today. I have nothing of interest to tell you in this letter more than that I am in good health. My eyes are entirely well again! Brother wrote this morning and I suppose gave all the news so I need not give any. I am expecting a letter tonight from Annie, hope I will not be disappointed. I expect Annie will write me a long letter this time as she received four the last time I heard from there. I saw Drew Bear a few moments ago he has just returned from home. I only spoke a few words to him. I think he looks a little badly to have been at home as long as he has. Nearly every one thought that I improved whilst I was at home I think it would be a great benefit to me to get home now it would do me so much good to see my Dear Wife and daughter, but I must be satisfied for the time with having you to look at and kiss the baby for me. You wished to know in your last letter whether we get enough to eat. I can inform you now that we Capt. and I will not starve for some time if nothing happens. Capt. received a box today that should last us a month if we would draw nothing else. My box has not arrived yet but I am looking for it every day. Oh yes Mr. Jacobs sent me word that he can not make any shoes or boots for me now as he is employed in working for the Government exclusively, so I do not know where to take the leather now unless you send it to Mr. Wampler or Parker, just where every you think best. I would rather that you would send it to Mr. Wampler as that is handy and you can have the shoes made that you need. My boots and a pair of Coars shoes and then bring the leather home again, try and trade enough of upper leather to Mr. Wampler for kip enough for me a pair of boots or else try and get him to furnish the kip without trading. You remember he promised me a kip anyway by April so I believe you may please try to buy it from him and then have me a pair of kip boots made. I am sorry that I have to ask you to do or attend to so much but I know you will take pleasure in attending to those things for your husband, who is at present not able to attend to those things himself, if you can get a kip from Mr. Wampler let me know how much it costs and I will send you the money to pay for it. I will try and send you as much as I can as soon as they pay off again, if spared to see that time, you may wait until then to have my boots made. I will not need them no way until I get home again. Which I suppose will be some time yet. Hope you will excuse this hasty letter and do me the kindness to answer soon. My love to all the folks. My best love to Annie and her daughter.
May we ever have the guidance and protection of Heaven is the prayer of your husband.
Ever yours
G. Shank
Camp 10th Va. Infantry
April 20th 1864
My Dear Wife,
Your kind letter of the 13th is to hand. I was very happy to hear from you again. I am very glad to hear that my letters always interest you, but you need not be ashamed about your letters because they never fail to interest me and I am sure they are nicely written but the best thing about them is the kind and affectionate spirit in which they are written. You say you would enjoy a visit from Gabe more than from any one else My Dear I do not doubt that at all and I am sure there is no one would rather pay you a visit then the same Gabe you speak of, I really believe that Annie thinks a great deal of Gabe don't she. I very well know that Gabe thinks a great deal of Annie. You said something about having written on such indifferent paper you are entirely excusable for it. My Dear I am not afraid that you will write to the boys. I think you have enough to do to write to Gabe don't you think so my Dear. Please tell Unkle Tim that I am much obliged to him for going after Mrs. Shank. I am glad that you gave that Roundabout to Mr. Diel I think that I have a very good wife to attend to matters of that sort and indeed I think she is the best Lady that I could have found anywhere don't you think so my Dear. She is so kind and good, so amiable and patriotic. I am really proud of her and our babe. My Dear you say you dread the coming campaign I hope then my Dear that you will have your earnest prayers on my behalf. Oh my Dear I know that I shall have them and that is a great consolation to me. My Dear I hope you will be satisfied with a short letter this time. I wrote a very long one the first of this week. I am glad to hear that the folks all think a great deal of our Dear Alice May and I am also glad to hear that Annie makes a great deal of it, and I do not object to her being a little proud of it-because I am proud of it-and have never saw it. My Dear you spoke of having taken a Fancy to the tune Florida, and requested me to sing it for you some time. I will do so with pleasure. I will sing it and think of you I will sing it for my Dear every Sunday evening that I have a book. I will sing it and think of you also of the course you are pursuing. I will try and commit the words so that I can sing it without a book.
You spoke of having found your wach. I hope Miss Mollie is all right Dear. I am glad that you ? solace her. She is so very kind to us. I am so happy to hear that My Dear Wife and child are doing so well, Oh how good is our God! Thank you all for your love, was John Good sincere when he spoke of hearing a wild cat. Tell Kate I thank her for the compliment she pays our Dear Babe, but tell her that I ?? not to ?? wild cat any more. Our meeting is still going on with growing interest. Brother is well and in usual spirits. I do not know when he will write again, I have not received a letter from Brother C.F. yet, hope he will write soon. This leaves me well and hoping it will find all right at home. That we may ever have the guidance of God's spirit and the protection of his strong arm is the prayer of your husband. My love to all the folks and especially to Annie and Alice please write soon.
Your ever true husband
G. Shank
NOTE from Margaret S. Mohr Weaver:
I’m sure that the first section of this diary dated Feb. 1, 1863 – Tuesday the 17th, were written by a Yankee soldier and maybe found on a battle field by Gabriel, as paper was very hard to come by in those days. I’m sure Gabriel must have picked it up and used it to record his own words, as the rest of the diary is all his writing. I am sure that the Yankee was a member of the Iron Brigade, under which the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan served.
Dates Covered
Feb 1-17th 1863
June 11-30th 1863
July 1-31th 1863
Aug 1- 9th 1863
Sept 5-30th 1863
Oct 7-14th 1863
Pacendum est victus,
Nocendum est nemons,
Resistendum estprae
Nonne resistendum est irae
Invedendum est nemon
Perendum est legibus suae patriae
Succurendum est miseris.
Nonne etiam balbo pacendum est.
Ignoscendum est et caio et balbo.
Ne Caesari guiden ipsi credendum est.
Nocendum est nicbonis nec malis.
Sui apistolae scribendae, venatum ibit.
Rus evolavit ut venatum est,
Rus lendum est ad Romae.
Evolandum est ex rus----
Favendum est bonis
Credendum est chairo quia nos minquam decepit,
Cinzendment capint pueii corona.
Claudendum est portam urbis aesperi.
Ne frandate mea lande
Quum scripsisset-epitolam suam cubitumibat.
Nonne improbi virtutem ipso lande sua privant-
Laude mea nae privatus legesne patriae hie violabitus.
Colena est virtus ut passis vivere bene et beatur.
Sunday, Feb. 1, 1863
Spent the forenoon in doing camp duty. In the afternoon went to see some of my friends in the 24th Mich. Regt. at night wrote two letters.
Monday 2
Went to Bell Plain Landing to grind my axe. Came back. I put a door in the Colonel's tent in the afternoon.
Tuesday 3
Spent the forenoon in camp. Got a letter from D.M.Rutherford in the afternoon. Chopped wood till night in the evening wrote a letter to D.M.
Wednesday 4
Went to the woods in the forenoon and cut a load of wood. Got back to camp half past two. Spent the rest of the day in camp. Weather cold.
Thursday 5
Got a load of wood in the forenoon. It was snowing. Spent the afternoon in reading. It was raining at night.
Friday 6
Nothing going on in camp but the ordinary duty of the men, weather is wet and rainy. Clears off towards night and is cold and clear.
Saturday 7
All quiet in camp today had guard mounting at nine o'clock this morning. Me and one of my tent mates cut a load of wood in the afternoon.
Sunday 8
Spent the forenoon in cleaning up my equipment. In the afternoon went to the landing. The P.A. Reserve Corps was embarking for Washington.
Monday 9
Spent the day in doing nothing. The weather is warm and pleasant.
All quiet in the army as far as heard from.
Tuesday 10
Went in the forenoon and took a ride on horseback with E. Ford. In the afternoon I went to the 24th Mich. Regt.
Wednesday 11
Received marching orders last night at half past twelve to be ready in an hours notice with six days rations. Weather rainy.
Thursday 12
Got ready to march in the forenoon. Started down the river at halfpast three, on the steamer Alice Rice. Went 20 miles and dropped anchor for the night.
Friday 13
Weighed anchor in the morning at five o'clock. Landed at the mouth of the same river at noon. Was there a spell and then went up the river, three miles. Disembarked and went to ??ville and back.
Saturday 14
The 2nd Regt. was detailed by company as foragers in the forenoon got the boat loaded at noon and started backrun out in the river and had to send a boat back after three of the 6th that got left.
Sunday 15
Made two landings coming up but did not see anything. Got back to the landing at dark was soon off the boat and in camp. Had a good time of it.
Monday 16
Spent the forenoon in doing nothing in the afternoon made a bunk for the Lieut. Col. The day warm and clear.
Tuesday 17
It was snowing this morning when I got up and has snowed all day. The regiment went on picket today Captain Odis in command.
Thursday June 11, 1863
Left home this morning for the army which was at Culpeper C.H. after having spent thirteen days at home. Got to New Market at 4 PM. Started for Luray at sundown.
Friday 12
After having traveled all night slowly we arrived at Luray about daybreak and left at ten for Front Royal in a one horse wagon. Arrived there at nine at night.
Saturday 13
Started early this morning to overtake the army it having camped five miles beyond the town on the Winchester Road. Overtook it three miles of Winchester in line of battle.
Sunday 14
There was a drenching rain last night. Changed our position twice during the day. Skirmishing in front all day. At dark our division starts on a march round the right of the line.
Monday 15
After having marched all night we arrived at the pike five miles below Winchester just at daylight where we met the enemy and a brisk fight ensued which resulted in the capture of the enemy.
Tuesday 16
After the prisoners were all taken to a place safely we took up our line of march in the direction of Sheperdstown. The Md. Battalion joined our Brigade today. Stopped to encamp for the night at dark.
Wednesday 17
Took up the line march early this morning and went into camp in three miles of Sheperdstown. The troops drew candy, paper, envelopes and segars captured at Winchester.
Thursday 18
Remained in camp until about 2 PM. Then started for Maryland. Crossed the Potomac one mile below Sheperdstown. The troops had to wade, went into camp one mile from Sharpsburg.
Friday 19
Remained in camp today nothing of interest occurred during the day. Rain in the evening. The enemy reported to be in Sharpsburg. The report not true.
Saturday 20
Changed camp to the other side of the town on the old battle ground of Antietam. The signs of battle are still visible on the trees.
Sunday 21
Remained in camp today. Had a fine sermon by our old chaplain J.P. Hyde of Md. birth.
Monday 22
Remained in camp, all quiet. Cattle coming from the direction of Hagerstown having been captured by Gen. Jenkens command.
Tuesday 23
Took up the line of march this morning in the direction of Chambersburg Pa. Passed through Hagerstown and encamped near Middletown in the Pa. line.
Wednesday 24
Moved early in the same direction our brigade (3) turned to the left at Greencastle and marched on McConellsburg which lay across the mountain reached the place at dark. A slight skirmish took place on the mountain with some militia.
Friday 26
Rained all night and is still raining. The Brigade starts for Chambersburg. Arrived at Chambersburg, and go into camp on the fairgrounds.
Saturday 27
Resumed the march this morning to join the division, encamped at Springfield.
Sunday 28
Resumed the march on the Carlisle Pike and camped five miles south of that town at Alexanders Spring.
Monday 29
Left at 1 PM and march in the direction of Chambersburg.
Tuesday 30
Resumed the march and turned off of the Chambersburg road to the left about five miles north of that place.
Wednesday July 1
Left camp near Chambersburg and marched hard all day to get to Gettysburg to take part in the battle which began this morning. Arrived on the field late this evening and took position on the left wing. Co.? joined the skirmish the rest of the troops sleep on their arms.
Thursday 2
Battle continues sharp skirmishing until late in the evening. This evening we charged the enemy's works and took them. The right a little stubborn.
Friday 3
Fighting continues this morning. A charge was made about ten but nothing effected by it. Fight continues all day. We fall back and give up the works at 5 PM. At eleven at night we leave silently and fall back behind Gettysburg and form a line of battle on the brow of the hill fronting the town.
Saturday 4
Rain in torrents fell last night. This morning we fortify our position and wait for the enemy to attack us. Night comes on and no attack is made on our lines. All day the trains move in the direction of Hagerstown. 11 o'clock at night the troops start in the same direction, the roads bad and the rain still falling.
Sunday 5
This morning continues to be rainy. The troops halt to let the trains get ahead. The 10th goes out on the skirmish. They are mistaken for Yankees and come very near being fired into. About ten o'clock the troops move on. Early in rear. Yankee Cavalry annoy our rear all day. Rain ceased in the forenoon but continues to be cloudy. Ewell's corps camps for the night near Fairfield. Cloudy all night without rain.
This morning is very foggy. Gen. Rhodes division in rear today. The troops move on early this morning. Our rear not much annoyed. The troops go into camp near Waynesborough for the night. The weather still gloomy.
Tuesday 7
The troops move out at five this morning. Gen. Johnsons division in rear. No annoyance from the enemy. Nothing of interest transpired on the march today. The troops go into camp three miles from Hagerstown.
Wednesday 8
All quiet in camp today. The weather rainy and mud deep.
Thursday 9
Troops still resting in camp. The weather fair today. I went to Hagerstown to try to find some relations but did not find or hear of them.
Friday 10
This morning we received marching orders but did not march until five o'clock in the evening. Camped for the night two miles from Hagerstown, near the Williamsport road.
Saturday 11
This morning we moved out and took position in line of battle and about twelve o'clock began to fortify our position. Worked hard all day but did not get quite done.
Sunday 12
This morning we finished our works and in a short time after we had to take another position and again amend the works. The enemy expected to advance every moment.
Monday 13
Today we expected to have a fight beyond a doubt. Skirmishing has been going on in front since Saturday. No attack by the enemy. At nine at night the troops move off in the direction of Williamsport.
Tuesday 14
Gen. Ewell's corps waded the Potomac at Williamsport the river very deep. Moved on towards Martinsburg and camped within four miles of the town.
Wednesday 15
The troops rested until four in the evening then marched on to Darksville and went into camp. Captain Martz joined us today from home.
Thursday 16
This day was spent in camp. The troops enjoying the benefits of a halt after a hard and wearisome march.
Friday 17
Nothing of interest in camp took place today. Rations short.
Saturday 18
Nothing of interest transpired today. Good news from Charleston. The weather good, no news from the enemy.
Sunday 19
Heard a very good sermon by Rev. Mr. Lacey. Orders this evening to cook two days rations and be ready to move at five in the morning.
Monday 20
Left camp at Darksville at 5 this morning and went to Martinsburg to tear up railroad. Worked from 11 AM until night.
Tuesday 21
Worked on the railroad until 4 PM then moved back to our former camp at Darksville. Orders to cook two days rations and be ready to march at six next morning.
Wednesday 22
Marched in the direction of Winchester, camped three miles below for the night. Orders to move at five next morning.
Thursday 23
Left camp near Winchester and marched to Front Royal distance 22 miles. Formed in line of battle and remained until after dark then withdrew to the town.
Friday 24
Moved on up the Page Valley twelve miles and went into camp for the night, the weather very warm and the roads dusty a great many men broken down along the line of march.
Saturday 25
Took up the line of march at 5 in the morning and marched to Springfield, distance 10 miles. The weather very warm and the roads dusty.
Sunday 26
Today the army remained in camp. Inspections were held in the different regts. Orders at night for reveille to be at 3 and be ready to move at 4.
Monday 27
Left camp this morning at four. The weather very warm a dash of rain about eleven. Went into camp at Sperryville at 3 PM after having crossed the Blue Ridge.
Tuesday 28
Took up the line of march at six o'clock. Marched in the direction of Madison C.H. went into camp at 3 PM.
Wednesday; 29
Took up the line of march at 5 and continued to march in the direction of Madison, the roads very bad and the march tedious and wearisome.
Thursday 30
Orders this morning to remain in camp to turn the horses out to graze. Camping four miles from Md. C.H.
Friday 31
Remained in camp today. Nothing of interest transpired today. The troops drilling a little this evening. Some of the Brigade moved their camp today.
Saturday August 1
Received orders late yesterday evening to march. Marched all night and all day today. The weather extremely hot and many of the men overcome by exhaustion.
Sunday 2
Arrived in camp yesterday and remained in camp today. Encampment near Orange C.H. Va. The weather clear and hot. Seargt. Billhimer gets a furlow for ten days.
Monday 3
Remain in camp today nothing of interest transpired today. Had a meeting in the evening of the Soldier's Association.
Tuesday 4
In camp, drew clothing of the government.
Wednesday 5
Moved camp this morning at six o'clock. Spend the rest of the day in cleaning up the camp and fixing comfortable bunks.
Thursday 6
Spend the day in camp nothing of interest occurred in camp today.
Friday 7
All quiet in front. One Battalion and one Brigade drill each day is ordered. In camp on the Rapidan.
Saturday 8
The weather very hot, no news in camp.
Sunday 9
Inspection this morning at 7 AM. A sermon at night by Rev. Mr. Balthie.
Wednesday 26
Review of the 1st Y 3rd Brigade by Gen. Johnson.
Saturday September 5
In camp on the Rapidan. Ten deserters from the 3rd N.C. Regt. were shot to death with musketry in presence of Johnson's division.
Sunday 6
Sacramental meeting held today by Rev. T.D. Bell. Some twelve or more soldiers admitted into the church of Christ.
Wednesday 9
Review of the 2nd Army Corps by Gen. Lee. The old corps presented a very fine appearance and was supposed to number twenty thousand.
Sunday 13
Left for Barnett's Ford at dark this evening arrived there at 11 o'clock. A cavalry fight took place at Culpeper C.H. our forces driven back to Robison River.
Monday 14
On picket at Barnett's Ford. Firing heard in the direction of Culpeper C.H.
Tuesday 15
On picket at Barnetts Ford. Nothing of interest occurring. The soldiers enjoy the benefits of bathing in the Rapidan.
Saturday 19
Marched at 4 AM to join the Brigade at Orange C.H. and marched with the whole division for a ford 16 miles down the Rapidan.
Sunday 20
The troops work on breastworks all day. The Yankee trains move down the country in the direction of Brandy Station.
Monday 21
Nothing of interest transpired today, the works are completed. A party cross the river and bring out a lot of sheep and cattle after dark.
Tuesday 22
The Yankees make new picket posts in sight of our lines.
Wednesday 23
Moved to a new camp a short distance east of our former one. Good news from Gen. Braggs army.
Thursday 24
News of a great victory in Tennessee by Bragg's army. Lieut. Campbell started home on a furlow of 15 days.
Friday 25
All quiet in camp the 10th on picket at Michell's Ford. One of Co. L. 10th Va. deserted to the enemy. Relieved at ten o'clock by the 23rd Va.
Saturday 26
All quiet in camp and also along the front.
Sunday 27
All quiet. A sermon in the evening by our chaplain L.M.G. Balthie A very interesting meeting, a good many penitents out.
Monday 28
The vacancies in the field are filled by the promotion of Capt. D.H. Lee Martz to Lieut. Col. and Capt. I Coffman to Major of the 10th Va.
Wednesday 30
Nothing of note took place today.
Wednesday October 7
The 10th goes on picket again at Michell's Ford.
Thursday 8
About four o'clock PM we received orders to pack up and be ready to march. Marched at 5 PM in the direction of Orange C.H. Encamped for the night at Clark M .
Friday 9
Moved on in the same direction at 6 AM passed through Orange C.H. and marched thence in the direction of Madison C.H. Encamped within five miles of Madison C.H. Orders to move at 6 in the morning.
Saturday 10
Moved at 6, passed through M.C.H. and kept on thence round the enemy's flank canonading in front towards Culpeper C.H. captured three hundred prisoners. Encamped within 10 miles of Culpeper C.H.
Sunday 11
Resumed the march at 6 but the Yankees it is found have retreated in the direction of Manasses Junction. Our cavalry have a sharp fight near Brandy Station in which captured some artillery. Encamped on the Sperryville Pike.
Monday 12
Moved at 6 AM in the direction of Warrenton, considerable skirmishing near Warrenton Springs, captured several hundred prisoners. Encamped near Warrenton Springs on the North side of the Rappahannock.
Tuesday 13
Moved on in the direction of Warrenton, nothing of interest from the front. The 3rd Brigade (Gen. Stuarts) marched through Warrenton in Column of Company. Encamped near that place and cooked one days rations.
Wednesday 14
This morning the artillery opened very early and every thing looked like a battle was certain but it turned out only to be the rear guard of the Yankee army. Gen. Hill has a slight engagement late in the evening near Bristow Station. Encamped near there. Artillery firing continues until late at night. Gen. Hill lost 5 pieces of artillery captured by the enemy.
Battle of First Bull Run Va. July 21, 1861
Battle of Gainsville Va. Aug. 28, 1862
Battle of South Mountain Md. Sept. 14, 1862
Battle of Antietamm, Md. Sept. 17, 1862
Battle of Bull Run or Groveton Va. 29th and 30th Aug. 1862
Battle of Fredricksburg Va. Dec. 12, 13, 14, and 15, 1862
Skirmishes
Blackborns Ford July 18, 1861
Orange C.H. July 26, 1862
Bowling Green Road Aug. 5 and 6, 1862
Rappahannock Station Aug. 21, 1862
Under Artillery fire Aug. 22, 23, and 26, 1862
Burnside attempted to cross the Rappahannock River Jan. 20, 1863.
Expedition to the mouth of the Potomac River. Started Feb. 12, and returned the 15th Feb. 1863. The expedition was composed of two regts. the 2nd and 6th Miss. Vol.
This morning a detail was made to go into the town and obtain provisions for the men, such as onions, butter, lard, bacon. Changed camp to the Chambersburg road. Captured a large wagon.