Transcribed from the diary of Ordell Hiram Wilder
from his experiences in the Civil War. It was found May 1988 while cleaning
out his granddaughter's (Alleta Wilder Slayton) house in Conneautville,
Pennsylvania after her death. Transcribed (as written) and submitted by
Pat Vedner.
1864, February 20: Enlisted at Conneautville under Lieut. Joe Sitler,
2nd Pa. Cav. Co. I.
March
7 went to Meadville
8 examined and mustered in the service
9 had a general row with irish of the A & GW Railway
10 left Meadville for Pittsburg and staid all night and the
11 went to Camp Copland a dirty nasty camp 12 miles south of Pittsburg.
Drew clothing before we left
21 drew first installment of bounty 73 dollars
23 left Pittsburg for Washington to meet the veterans
24 staid in Baltimore all night and the
25 staid in Washington
26 staid all night in Alexandria and the
27 went across the river to Camp Stoumon where we found the veterans
30 second detachment arrived from Pittsburg
31 drew horses and equipments
9 left Washington
for the regiment rained all day stopped all night at Fairfax tiered and
wet
10 found the regiment at Warrington distance from Washington 63 miles
13 review and inspection by General Gregg
18 division review by Gen. Sheridan
21 moved camp
23 scouted
26 broke camp and went to Grove Church for picket duty relieved the
10 N.Y.
27 guarded wagon train to Bealton 12 miles
30 Burnside passed by with fifty thousand men going to the front
2 scout to
fulmonth opposite Fredricksburg
3 broke camp and crossed the Rappahannock at Kellysford
4 crossed the Rapidan at Elysford passed through Chancellerville
and the
5 went on picket at Todds tavern or wilderness began to look spookerish
6 slight skirmish Abe Stephens wounded
7 a general set to heavy charge by the Rebs but were driven back
Beard killed and Dorchester wounded and Lieut. Sitler taken prisoner
8 light skirmish fell back at night drew feed
9 started on the raid to Richmond forded the north ann river and
staid all night
10 burned the station of Keaver dam and liberated a lot of prisoners
afternoon had a fight at Hanover C.H.
11 started again and had a general fight in front of Richmond got
out after getting handled pretty rough
12 passed around Richmond
13 passed through deep bottom and the
14 arrived at Hoxoll landing on the James tiered and dirty
15 drew rations
17 wounded in the hand while cleaning my revolver
19 left the regiment and went to Corps Hd quarters
21 went to white house landing and started for the hospital with
Matt Luce
24 reached Norfolk and crossed the bay to Portsmouth lots of fun
catching oysters
15 left the
hospital on a 30 day furlough home
16 arrived in Baltimore
17 Harrisburg and Pittsburg
18 got home
30 went to Pierpont to a party
12 left home
with Dorchester went by way of Dunkirk and Elmyra to Harrisburg staid there
until the 23 than left for Baltimore
25 arrived at Portsmouth
27 left the hospital for light house point
28 staid in Norfolk
29 all night Frt. Monroe
30 city point and light house point where I found post of regiment
9 moved camp
to city point explosion of transport loaded with shells made bad work with
our fleet and workers
13 went to the regiment for the mail
22 left City Point for the regiment rained and got lost but the
23 found the regiment and went into fight at Reams Station on the
Weldon road had a pretty rough day of it Pinkney killed Byers and Hadlock
taken prisnor
24 light skirmish
25 established a picket line through to (gerisglem?) plank road fell
back that night to the road acting as reserve picket
27 went into camp
28 boys from camp Stouman arrived
31 monthly inspection
1 moved camp
about 80 rods west
2 went on a scout over west and got into trouble come back with tormies
right to our heels and went on picket
6 went on picket
11 inspection of arms
13 drill
14 picket
23 picket
28 picket
29 general move of the 2nd 5th 9th and Cavelry Corps
1 had a general
fight drove the Rebs back to south side road
27 went down near the hatches run and a regular set to got surrounded
by the rebs and left most of the dead and wounded on the field started back
at midnight followed by the rebs
28 came back to weldon road and then to the old camp
31 went on picket and mustered for pay
7 went on a
scout down the weldon road
8 held a company election for Lincoln 41 McClellan 1
22 brigade inspection by Gen. Mead(e)
23 worked hard all day building a shanty
1 went to stony
creek on a raid captured 165 prisoners destroyed one fort and a lot of stores
with the depot then came back with Wade Hampton after us
4 inspection by Gen. Gregg
7 broke camp and start on a raid tearing up the weldon road as far
as Bellfield rained and froze all the time got back to camp on the 11th
16 commenced building winter quarters in new camp Jud Wheeler and
I going in together as usual made a good team
18 moved into our new shanty 6 feet by 10 with a good fire place
23 went on picket
25 Christmas trees chickens and plenty of honey the products of Wheeler
raid
30 Jud started home on 15 days furlough
1 cold and
stormy
6 received a box of provisions from home
27 Jud returned from furlough got cathauled for staying over his
time
17 sergent
Faulk promoted to 2nd Lieut
25 Marks, Howley and Wilder promoted to Corporal
29 broke camp and went to 9th Corps Hqr and commenced patroling in
rear of our picket lines while the seige of Petersburg was going on
3 went to Petersburg
which had just surrendered
9 broke camp and started for Burksville 52 miles west of Petersburg
18 arrived at Rusksville with 5th Corps and went into camp
20 went to farmville south west 20 miles
21 to Stony Point 22 miles west
22 from stony Point to Burksville 20 miles
24 left Burksville and marched 19 miles toward farmville
25 marched to new Store
26 to Clover and then started back
28 reached Burksville (1 six ago?)
1 started north
for Washington and marched to Wilsons Station
2 reached Petersburg
3 to manchester across the river from Richmond went in camp
6 passed through Richmond and camped at Hanover Court House where
we had staid in 64
7 crossed the Pamunkey river and went on safe guard had lots of fun
lived high and started again. Overlook the company
10 crossed the Rappohonnock at Fredericksburg and staid at Dronfreeze
11 reached Washington cold and wet
12 went into camp
24 went to the city
25 moved camp 10 miles to Clouds Mills
13 went to Mt Vernon
12 mustered
out of the service and started for washington
13 left for Philadelphia
14 went to camp Cadwalder
18 Discharged and started for home
19 reached Pittsburg at daylight came up to Jamestown and staid all
night
20 reached home
25 commenced cutting logs for O. (Licoror and out)