DIARY OF A SOLDIER BOY©
James Elwood Armstrong, III
Author and Narrator
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A time capsule opened when my cousin, Alan Russell, found when visiting a more distant cousin, the Civil War diary of our great grandfather, James Eusebius Armstrong, then a private in Company H, 2d Maryland Volunteers, Eastern Shore Regiment. Those of our generation had never seen it; to the previous generation its possible existence was part of the blurred images distorted by family folklore.
Transcription of the faded ink and pencil jotting was not easy. The writing is discontinuous, fragmented and disorganized, but the information correlates perfectly with the Regimental records from the enlistment of young James at Baltimore, August 15, 1862 until his discharge in Baltimore on June 15, 1865. As the pages of a young soldier's life unfolded, I could sense the black of night in a rain-drenched wood while pursuing Confederate soldiers in retreat from Gettysburg in order to evacuate from Maryland at Falling Waters; the fatigue of constant forced marching without sufficient food as the Union forces fell back from Lynchburg through the untamed mountains of West Virginia to find refuge in the Kanawha Valley; and the fear in the face of the deafening cannonade as the Union left broke in disorder at Berryville. The skeletal notes needed flesh; this I have obtained from the Official Records, contemporary histories and autobiographies. Original spellings in the diary have been changed only where necessary to improve the readability of the text.
Young James Armstrong was a Port Deposit boy, well, at least by adoption. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware on August 14, 1840, the second son of James and Bridgit (nee Russel) Armstrong who had immigrated from Ireland. His father and his uncle Patrick had trained him as a cordwainer or shoemaker, a trade which he continued as his lifetime work. At the time of the Cecil County Census of 1860 he was living in Port Deposit in the home of John and Rebecca Peters together with George Grant and Harriet McCullough. All of the male members of the Peters household were shoemakers, as was Jacob Jennings of Port Deposit, the father of James' future bride Mary Jennings, age 16 in 1860.
Then, the drums of war were sounded. What motivated young James to become a soldier boy, as he later styled himself? Was it his affection for his elder brother William, who had probably already enlisted in the First Delaware Volunteers? Did he feel a sense of patriotic duty or was it simply hard to earn a living at home in the uncertainty of a war time economy? In August of 1862 he left Port Deposit for Baltimore and enlisted in the 2d Maryland Volunteers, Eastern Shore, Company H, one of two companies, G and H, organized by Colonel Robert S. Rodgers in Havre de Grace, Harford Co., Md. about October 1, 1861. Colonel Rodgers, a descendent of a distinguished family of American naval officers was married to the daughter of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, who opened Japan to world commerce in 1853.
On August 15, 1862 when James enlisted, Company H was at Camden Station, Baltimore. Did he choose Company H because it was composed of people from his local area? The Camden Station assignment was only temporary. The companies of the regiment, on detached duty in and around Baltimore, were assembled on October 7 at Lafayette Square. The regiment was told to proceed to the Eastern Shore of Virginia and report to General Lockwood for orders, as indicated in the regimental report:
"October 23-24, 1862--Remained there until October 23, the regiment being at that time ordered to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, embarked on board government transport Belvidere on October 24.
October 26.--Landed at Pungoteague Wharf. Marched three and one-half miles to the town of Pungoteague, Accomac County, Virginia. Encamped by orders of Brigadier-General Henry [Hayes] Lockwood."1
On November 3, 1862 the regiment marched from Pungoteague to Eastville, Va, a distance of 24 miles. Thirteen enlisted men were then selected for special detached duty on Virginia's Eastern Shore. James, being among the lucky (?) thirteen, was sent on November 6, 1862 to guard the lighthouse at Hog Island on Virginia's Atlantic coast.
Map of march from Pungoteague to Eastville, Va.
Hog Island must have been both bleak and lonely in that far-off winter of 1862-63. Apparently James spent some of his idle hours writing; the diary indicates letters to his Aunt Mary Armstrong in Wilmington, his older brother William of Company G, 1st Regiment, Del. Vol., his younger brother Robert then living in Wilmington, his sister Elizabeth in Philadelphia, Mrs. Rebecca Peters of Port Deposit and, of course to his sweetheart whom he was eventually to marry, Mary E. Jennings. Beyond family and loved ones in Port Deposit, the lonesome soldier boy seemed to notice the attractive young women local to his current duty station. A Miss Jane Price of Baltimore was listed among his correspondents and, while at Hog Island, he befriended a Miss Margett Doughty of nearby Franktown, with whom he later exchanged letters.
Those on detached duty gave each other support, evidenced by borrowing and lending money:
DIARY ENTRIES, JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1863
DATE BORROWED RECEIVED PAID.
12 Walter Phelps 2..00 Paid
12 Do for blows 1.50 Paid
15 Morris Kane Borrowed 5.00 Paid
one on interest 1.00 Paid
5 Michel Gilbert Borrowed 1.00 Paid
Feb 29 '63 Geo. Bradfield Borrowed 1.25 Paid
The solitary duty at Hog Island ended in late April or early May when James was ordered to rejoin his regiment at Point Lookout, St. Mary's Co. Md., then a Union prison camp for Confederate soldiers.
The diary in text form begins in June, 1863.
DIARY ENTRIES, JUNE 2 - JUNE 22, 1863
Marching orders on June 2, 1863 from Point Lookout Md. an landed at Drummondtown on the 12 1863
Stationed at Onancock on 15th 1863 a squad of 7 men to do guard and left on 18th an started for Baltimore.
Stationed on the Baltimore and Central Rail Road on 22nd 1863 (June)
J.E.A. Phoenix Station North and Central Rail Road Baltimore Co.Md
Company H was said to have been at Gunpowder Bridge, near Phoenix, Baltimore County, presumably beginning in late June. From July 1- 3, 1863, the decisive battle of the war was raging at Gettysburg, about sixty miles to the northwest. Meanwhile, the 2d Md Regiment was headquartered at Cockeysville, Baltimore Co., from July 1 to 6. Through his exchange of letters, James knew that his elder brother William H. L. Armstrong had been hospitalized after surviving Antietam and Fredricksburg. William’s Delaware Regiment, II Corps, Hays' 3rd. Division, 2nd. brigade, deployed on July 3, 1863 at Cemetery Ridge south of Gettysburg not far from the targeted "little clump of trees," had withstood a day-long engagement on July 2 and the fatal charge of Pickett and Pettigrew on the afternoon of July 3. William rejoined his regiment in February,1864 and was wounded in his left arm at the Wilderness on May 5-6.
DIARY ENTRIES, JULY 6-JULY 8, 1863
July 6th Left the North and Central Railway on Monday 6 A.M. Went to Baltimore and then to Frederick (City) On our march on 8th A.M. we marched 12 miles and then in the after noon 12 more miles.
A perfect fit with the Official Records; the regiment arrived at Frederick City on July 8.
July 8-19.--The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at Frederick City, Maryland in the Second Brigade, First Division of the Twelfth Corps [July 8] and remained with it during its march to Falling Waters and thence to Pleasant Valley near Sandy Hook, Maryland. On July 19 we occupied Maryland Heights."2
FALLING WATERS, MD, July 14, 1863
DIARY ENTRIES, JULY 9-JULY 18, 1863
Co. H 11 Regt Maryland vol formerly 2nd ES Maryland Vol Commanded by Col. R.S. Rodgers and under him we participated in battle of Falling Waters, Va. July 14 1863 composed part of 1st Division 12 Corps commanded by Gen. Slocum from there to Md Heights.
On the 9th we marched in to the Cumberland Valley and there we remained for the night at Rohrersville. and on the 10th we were drawed up in the line of battle above Centreville we travelled over Antedam battle ground on the 10th we fell in line of battle 3 times on the 10th and we laid in the woods all night of 10 and 11th waiting for attackes of the rebs and we attacked them in the front at 10 o'clock Saturday as skirmishers on the 11th and kept up all day and night till 12 and then returned to camp; and on the 12th it commenced a raining and it rained for 3 days and this is Tuesday 14 and we started out a skimirmishing and we captured several rebs in arms and we drove them across the field for several miles and still going in, and we stayed at Antiedam Iron Works the night of 15th and the next day we started for Harpers Ferry and we past several vilages and stopped above Sandy Hoock on 16th. We remained till the 18th and then we marched back on part of Maryland Heights.
James' vivid description matches well with the regimental report:
"On the morning of July 14 the regiment was deployed as skirmishers and advanced to ascertain the position of the enemy. At about 12 o'clock m. we arrived at a point, when the report of musketry announced the presence of the enemy. On arriving near the enemy's breastworks we found the cavalry had by a desperate charge carried the position, and the enemy had fled. Our skirmishers on the right continued to push forwards through the mud and rain and captured, in their advance, twelve officers and 387 men who represented several North Carolina regiments and one Alabama regiment, with some scattering men from South Carolina.
As our skirmishers, exclusive of the reserve, did not exceed 150 men, it seems extraordinary that so large a force of the enemy should have made so little resistance. It can only be attributed to the result of the cavalry charge and the confidence of our advance through the woods, which led the enemy to believe that our force was much larger, and many of them expressed surprise to find that they had yielded to so small a force. The prisoners were turned over to sundry persons in our rear, some to the officers of the Third Maryland, some to the cavalry. It was impossible, on account of the number, to keep an accurate account of them."3
After Falling Waters, the regiment began a long stay at Maryland Heights, a high promontory above the Potomac facing Harpers Ferry, W. Va., fortified by the Union forces after the battle of Antiedam. Perhaps the assigned duty was to expand the fortifications. James was meticulous in recording his pay:
DIARY ENTRIES, JULY 1863 - JANUARY 1864
Maryland Heights juy July 28, 1863 -Paid off with 26 dolers in greenbacks.
Maryland Heights, September 15, 1863 - Received on Md. Hts. Paid off Sept. 23. Paid on Dec 2nd. in greenbacks. Paid off with 26 dolers on January 20, 1864.
Other transactions occurred:
DIARY ENTRIES, JULY 30 - SEPTEMBER 24, 1863
John Grothouse bought a pistol of J.E. Armstrong for 10 dolers, payable on payday next, recvd the pistol on July 30. John Grothouse paid 5 dolars wich he borrowed on Sept. 17, 1863. Settled for all paid 10.00 Sept. 24. Paid.
New clothing was purchased:
DIARY ENTRY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1863
List of Clothing
Over Coate 9.30 Pants 3.56
Dress Coat 7.21 Blankett 3.60
blouses 2.70 Caps .56
Shirts 1.46 Haversack .48
Drowrs .96 Canteen .44
Shoues 2.05 Knapsack 2.14
Stockings .36
Borrowing and lending of money continued:
DIARY ENTRIES, JULY, 1863 - DECEMBER, 1863
DATE RECEIVED PAID
July 22nd 1863 John Durham Borrowed 1.00 Paid
Sep 17 Will Udderzook Borrowed 2.00 Paid
Nov 19 B.W. Barnes Borrowed .50 cents Paid
John Haines .50
Dec 17 C. Springstead .25
Dec 20 C.H. H (illegible) 1.05 Paid
John D. White 1.00
Do = Paid .50
The chill of approaching winter was felt early on Maryland Heights.
DIARY ENTRY, NOVEMBER 9, 1863
First snow on 9th of November 1863
In December, 1863, the 2d Md. Regiment went on maneuvers:
"December 10-24, 1863.--The regiment marched to Camp Hill, Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and occupied the rifle pits from December 10 to December 24 during the absence of the troops from the ferry who were under General [William Woods] Averell during his late expedition in the valley of the Shenandoah. Headquarters of the regiment are now again on the summit of Maryland Heights."4
Drinks at the encampment on Maryland Heights, styled as Fort Lincoln on the Plains of Abraham, were plentiful and cheap, perhaps to keep the troops sullen, but not mutinous. Whiskey was 25 cents a half pint, 5 cents per shot. An account of January, 1864 tells us something of life in the tent community:
DIARY ENTRY, JANUARY 1864
DATE Smith RECEIVED PAID
2 Sheep Tungs .20
5 Drinks .25
6 Drinks .30
6 Drinks .30
7 Drinks .35
2 Drinks .10
2 Tungs .20
3 Drinks .15
3 Drinks PAID .15
John Murphy
3 slats Oysters .75
5 Drinks .25
James E. Armstrong
It is not clear who was buying and who was drinking. On February 1, 1864 James was assigned detached duty as provost guard at Sandy Hook, Md., located on the Potomac directly below Maryland Heights. The Diary entries show economy in the use of his spare time by applying his skills as a shoemaker.
DIARY ENTRIES, FEBRUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 11, 1864
February 1, 1964 February 11th
1 pair of futers 1.50 New pair Boots 1.50
1 pair of new boots 1.50 4 Pair Mending 1.62
Mending .50 11.22 Cash 3.25
1 pair of shoes 1.00 7.97
1 pair of boots 1.50 5.00
February 8th ----------------- Mending 2.97
Mending 3 pairs 1.50 .97
Mending 5.03 .94
.10
8.10
Was it bending or crouching in the damp and cold in an awkward position that caused what James termed "a dose of piles," occurring for the first time on February 10 at Sandy Hook? Hemorrhoids were a recurring problem for the rest of his life, as documented in a long series of pension applications from 1891-1900.
DIARY ENTRIES, UNDATED, FEBRUARY - MARCH, 1864
1 dose of piles at Sandy Hook for (illegible) & piles Feb. 1864 from Pleasant Valley Hospital box of salv for piles. 1 box of salv for piles March 1864 from Wilmington, Del. Surgeo Brisbine Field hospital at Martinsburg, W. Va. 1 sore piles.
Shoemaking continued upon returning to Maryland Heights in March, 1864, as shown in diary entries of March 2, March 16 and March 18. Also, James continued to write letters to friends and family, particularly to his brother William who was once again in a military hospital while recovering from his wound suffered at the Wilderness. As March ended James was ordered to leave Maryland Heights for guard duty at the B&O depot at Sleepy Creek, near Cherry Run an important railroad depot, northwest of Martinsburg. The diary shows the check out at Maryland Heights:
DIARY ENTRY, MARCH 29, 1864
Md. Hights - One stove, 2 camp kettles, two mess pans one axe, one tent. All turned in March 29, 1864.
The regimental report tells of the deployment of the troops and their call to action in May.
"May 1864. -- During the month the different companies of the regiment assembled from different points at which they were stationed on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between Harper' Ferry and Sleepy Creek, West Virginia to Martinsburg, West Virginia and marched May 18 to Cedar Creek, Virginia and joined General [Franz] Sigel's command in the field and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Infantry Division, under Brigadier-General [Jeremiah Cutler] Sullivan, commanding the division."5
DIARY ENTRY, MAY 17, 1864
Left Martinsburg on 17th of May to join Segle [Sigel] an then we joined Gen. Hunters com(mand) going up Shenandoah Valley to Lynchburg
The regimental records show:
"May 18.--Left Martinsburg, West Virginia.
May 20-22.--Joined General Sigel's Army at Cedar Creek, Virginia and assigned to Second Brigade, First Infantry Division, Department of West Virginia by orders of Brigadier-General [David] Hunter May 22."6
Upon orders from Ulysses S. Grant, Brigadier General David. "Black Dave" Hunter assumed command of the Department of Western Virginia. Black Dave was a "burner." His reputation blossomed when, in Lexington en route to Lynchburg, he torched the Virginia Military Institute and reduced Governor Thomas Letcher's home to ashes, in spite of strong protests by his subordinate, General George Crook. Proceeding rapidly from Washington to Cedar Creek, Hunter quickly took over Sigel's army, then demoralized and in bad condition from their earlier beating at New Market. After receiving reinforcements, he issued a general order, directing that all tents and superfluous baggage be sent back to Martinsburg, allowing only wagon to each regiment and requiring each soldier to carry in his knapsack one hundred pounds of ammunition and provisions for eight days. James prepared for his forthcoming journey by acquiring food.
DIARY ENTRIES, UNDATED
1 Peck of Potato .25 1 Pound of Butter .50
4 1/2 Pounds of Beef .90 1 1/4 Pack Stakes .23
Bread .35 1 Quart of Oile
1/2 Barl of flour 5.50 1 Pound of Lard .25
1 Picker of Coffee .15 1 Pint of Molasses .8
1 Pound of Butter .48 6 Pounds of Prok .16 .96
1 Pound of Cheas .25 .35 1 Bread .10
2 Pounds of Shugar .17 .34 1/2 Pint of Wisky .25
1 Ounce of Paper .80 aples .5
1 Pound o Soap .12 Miss .90
1 Quart of tea .25 Molasses .14 .22
Salt .60 Beaf 2 pound .18 .36
2 Mackrial X .10 .20 1 Ham 1.62 1/2
1 Quart Oysters .35 1 1/2 Tobacco .75
1 1/2 Eggs .12 1/2 1 Quart of oil .75
1 Pint of Milk .50
Hunter's army marched up the Shenandoah Valley from Cedar Creek, passed through Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, and Harrisonburg and then on to Port Republic at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains to the east.
The regimental report described the march in late May:
"May 26-29 - The regiment marched with the division [under Sullivan] to Woodstock, Va. May 29 to New Market, Va. Distance marched from Martinsburg, seventy miles. We participated in no actions during the month."7
PIEDMONT, VA, June 5, 1864
On Sunday the 5th of June, Hunter advanced to Piedmont, near Mount Crawford on the North River about fifteen miles northeast of Staunton, where he encountered a Confederate force commanded by General W. E. "Grumble" Jones. After an initial cavalry strike at dawn, the Union infantry, under brigade commanders Cols. Moor and Thoburn, advanced on both sides of the Cross Road, east of the village of Piedmont. Moor's brigade, which included the 2d Md. Eastern Shore, attacked on the right, while Thoburn led three regiments through a ravine on the Union left. Severe hand-to-hand fighting erupted on the crest of a hill. Hunter's superiority of numbers under Thoburn's command enabled him to turn Jones' right flank. The Confederates were routed from their position with severe losses in killed and wounded, leaving their commander, Grumble Jones, dead upon the field. Hunter took about nine hundred prisoners, three thousand stand of arms, three pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of stores.
The regimental report was brief.
"June 5.--Were engaged in the action at Mount Crawford near Staunton, Virginia, where one man was wounded in the face by a piece of shell."8
General Hunter immediately occupied Staunton, where on the 8th he was joined by the Department of West Virginia forces, comprising Major-General George Crook's infantry and Major-General William Averill's cavalry, who had made their way from Meadow Bluff, W. Va. over North Mountain to Staunton. The march to Lynchburg was about to begin.
LYNCHBURG, VA, June 18, 1864
Liberty was reached via the lofty Peaks of Otter on the 16th. At ten on the morning of the 17th, Crook, leading the advance, arrived within eight miles of Lynchburg, and halted till three o'clock, awaiting the arrival of the main body. The advance continued through New London to within two and one half miles of the city.
Early in the morning of the 18th Hunter ordered a reconnaissance to determine the strength of his enemy. Sullivan's division (including the 2d Md. regiment) was deployed on the left of the Salem Turnpike, with Crook on the right. As Hunter hesitated, suddenly the Confederate artillery opened fire and their infantry began to charge. Part of Sullivan's division was routed and had to be reinforced by Crook. Although the Confederate soldiers were driven back to their breast-works, Hunter became convinced that their numbers were too great and their defenses too strong, his forces, although actually outnumbering the Confederates, seemed to him to be entirely inadequate to operate with success against Lynchburg. He ordered a retreat into West Virginia along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, instead of down the Shenandoah Valley by way of Staunton.
On the night of the 18th, at nine o'clock, the army began its march along the line of the railroad, General Crook bringing up the rear, and the enemy in close pursuit. General Crook, in his autobiography, described the retreat:
"This was one of the hardest nights [the 18th] I ever put in. We were worn out by constant marching, and no sleep at nights. It was almost a constant fight since we left Lynchburg. We had little or nothing to eat. One ear of corn was all that I had. I felt the whole responsibility on my shoulders. I had no confidence in those in front. I was so worn out that it was only with the greatest exertions I could keep awake.
The men were dodging out of ranks so they could hide away and go to sleep. I stayed in the rear so as to look out for these things. I knew that the enemy's cavalry would be along early in the morning and gobble up all stragglers. But even the knowledge of that fact had no terrors for the poor, worn-out wretches."9
Bonsack's Depot was reached at 9 AM on the 20th and from there the march was continued through the whole of the following night. On the 21st several pieces of artillery were captured by the pursuing Confederates. The retreat became a series of forced marches, because it seemed necessary to reach the supply depot at Meadow Bluff with all possible speed. The Confederates abandoned their pursuit on the 22nd, having no intention of entangling their troops in the mountains of the Kanawha Valley. On the night of the 25th the retreating Union army arrived at Meadow Bluff in great destitution, to find that the stores left there had been destroyed.
General Crook's account:
"We reached the Kanawha Valley in a sad plight. Men were worn out from fatigue and hunger, all sadly in need of clothing. Many were barefoot."10
The regimental report of the retreat was unemotional:
"Returning by way of Liberty, passed by Buford's Gap through Big Lick to Salem; thence by way of New Castle to Sweet Springs, White Sulphur Springs, to Lewisburg; thence through Meadow Bluff to Gauley Bridge and Kanawha Falls in Kanawha Valley, West Virginia. Distance marched during the month [June] over the roads, through fields, etc., will not fall short of 400 miles."11
Company H was stationed at Gauley Bridge, West Virginia on June 30. 1864. James must have been tuckered out.
To gain time and to give the exhausted soldiers some chance for rest, Hunter decided to move his troops by water down the Kanawha and up the Ohio to Parkersburg, and then by the Ohio and Baltimore Railway to Cherry Run, W. Va.. But the rivers were very low and progress was slow. The troops were frequently obliged to leave the transports in order to get them over the shoals, and when the railway was finally reached, further delay was caused by having to repair the damage to the line. It was not until July 11th that Hunter's leading division reached Martinsburg. Sullivan's division, as part of the main body, must have reached Martinsburg about three days earlier. James immediately bought new clothes:
DIARY ENTRY, JULY 8, 1864
1 pair of drours .96 2 stokens .76
1 pair of socks .36 1 pair of shoes 2.10
1 shirt 1.46 3 pairs of stockings 1.08
1 bon blankett 3.60 1 pair of pants 3.00
1 shirt 1.46 1 haversack .48
The diary also foretold of things yet to come:
DIARY ENTRY, UNDATED
joined Gen. Hunter's company......and took part in several battles to [until] October '64
Although Company H was stationed at Charlestown, West Virginia during July and August of 1864, at least twice during July it marched out into the field with the regiment, as of July 16th a part of Ely's brigade, Thoburn's division, Crook's VIII corps. One of James' "several battles" was at Island Ford, slightly west and south of Snicker's Gap, Va.
ISLAND FORD, VA, July 18, 1864
Confederate General Jubal Early's forces retreated westward into the Shenandoah Valley from an attempted raid on Washington, DC, on July 11. Elements of Wright's VI Corps moved from their bivouac at Purcellville, Va. in pursuit. Crook, with one division of his infantry from Martinsburg under the command of Colonel Joseph Thoburn, joined forces with Wright. The combined force headed west across the Blue Ridge at Snicker's Gap, Va. and then on to the Shenandoah river. On July 18th, about three o' clock in the afternoon. Thoburn's 3,250 infantrymen, under Wright's orders to Crook and with the promise that Ricketts' division of the VI Corps would follow in support, crossed the Shenandoah at Island Ford (Parker's Ford), two and a half miles below Snicker's Ferry. To Thoburn's surprise, he was faced resolutely by Confederate infantry. A line of battle was formed and a sharp engagement ensued with repeated attacks by the Confederates. Colonel Rodgers, commanding the 2d Md. Eastern Shore, together with Colonel Ely, then commanding the 18th Connecticut, took bold action to hold the right flank, which, according to Colonel Thoburn's report "saved the command from a complete rout."
Colonel Thoburn, aware of his precarious position, had hoped to hold his position until Ricketts arrived. Help failed to come. Thoburn's infantry held out until dark with good men having been sacrificed and was compelled to recross the river, leaving the Confederates in possession of the west bank. In his autobiography, Crook called it "murder by incompetency or worse."
Within six days James was to face another of his "several battles"
VIRGINIA, SECOND KERNSTOWN, July 24, 1864
After the unfortunate engagement at Island Ford General Wright, commanding the VI and XIX Corps, returned to Alexandria, leaving Crook with three small infantry divisions and a cavalry division to cover the Valley. On the 23rd of July some skirmishing occurred at Kernstown, four miles south of Winchester, where, on March 23, 1862, Stonewall Jackson had suffered his only defeat during his brilliant '62 Valley campaign.
Crook received word on the morning of the 24th that Early's army was advancing and deployed two of his three infantry divisions (commanded by Cols Mulligan and Duval) just north of Hoge's Run at Kernstown. Thoburn's division was held in reserve on Pritchard's Hill on the Union right. Under heavy attack, the Union line was breached between Mulligan and Duval and Thoburn's division was brought forward to fill the gap. Confederate General Gordon's brigade attacked without orders and dislodged Union troops in the center sheltered behind two stone fences. The Union center collapsed and Crook's men began streaming to the rear. Ely's brigade of Thoburn's Division, including the 2d Md., was ordered to make a stand on Cedar Creek Grade south of Winchester and west of the Valley Pike. Ely held the position until Crook's entire command had retreated through the streets of Winchester. The retreat continued until nightfall to Bunker Hill, where the Union forces regrouped. The Union loss was at least twelve hundred men, including prisoners.
On the 7th of August, a momentous reorganization occurred, unifying the fragmented Union command. Grant replaced Hunter as field commander with General Philip H. Sheridan, who was assigned the command of the new Middle Military Division, combining the departments of Washington, the Middle Department, and the departments of the Susquehanna and West Virginia.
The big change was not noted in the regimental report:
"Stationed in the field near Charlestown, West Virginia, August 1864. The regiment has been, during the month of August, in the field doing active duty in the Second Brigade, First Infantry Division, Department of West Virginia under command of Brevet Major-General [George] Crook."12
At the beginning of September, James was to fight in his last of "several battles."
BERRYVILLE, VA, September 3, 1864
On the morning of September 3, Sheridan's army moved from Charlestown in a southwesterly direction, Crook's infantry divisions occupying the left, the XIX Corps the center, and the VI Corps the right.
About noon Crook's infantry reached the vicinity of Berryville, where it unexpectedly became entangled with a large Confederate force under General Anderson, coming from the direction of Winchester and marching toward Ashby's Gap. The confrontation at Berryville was an accident; an unfortunate one for the "soldier boy." Crook hastily formed his men, Thoburn's division being deployed to the left of the Winchester Pike. A Confederate battery suddenly launched a cannonade toward the left center of the Union line at Thoburn's right flank, occupied by Col. Rodgers' 2d Md. Regiment. The Marylanders hastily fell back in confusion under heavy cannon fire, leaving young James with a a lifelong hearing impairment. The Union line was eventually restored and by nightfall the Confederates were repulsed.
DIARY ENTRY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1864
Lost my hearing at the Battle of Berryville in left eare Sep 3, 1864.
Thoburn expressed mortification when he submitted his official report on September 17, 1864, a little more than a month before the gallant Colonel was to fall mortally wounded at Cedar Creek.
"CAPTAIN: On arriving at Berryville on the afternoon of the 3d instant, in obedience to orders, I directed two regiments (the First West Virginia and Second Eastern Shore Maryland), under command of Colonel Rodgers, to move one mile and a half on the Winchester pike, and take a strong position and throw out a picket-line to their front and flanks. In less than one hour information was received that the enemy was advancing in pretty strong force, and skirmish firing was quite brisk. ... I found [Colonel Rodgers] falling back, and directed a line to be formed on the crest of the hill three-quarters of a mile west of Berryville, and took possession of some old earth-works in an open field on the left of the road, and also occupied a woods to the right of the road. The enemy was in plain view and was moving his troops into the woods upon our right flank and also on the left. The Fifteenth West Virginia Volunteers and One hundred and twenty-third Ohio volunteers were formed upon the left of the two regiments of Colonel Rodgers in order to strengthen his line, which was considered an essential point to hold. These dispositions were scarcely completed when the enemy moved upon my left flank from out of the cover of the woods and also from a corn field. As the enemy advanced a battery was opened upon our front, and the left of the line at once gave way. The Second Eastern Shore Maryland broke and fell back in disorder; the First West Virginia was left alone and had to retire; the Fifteenth West Virginia Volunteers and the One hundred and twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry also failed to make a stand.
My loss was 13 killed, 63 wounded, and 19 missing. The enemy is believed to have suffered heavily in my front, having been several times repulsed."13
Map of Battle of Berryville, Va.
James noted leaving the front:
DIARY ENTRY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1864
Left the front on 6 of September went to Charleston West Va..
For whatever reason the 2d Md Eastern Shore had seen its last day of combat; it was destined to be absent from Sheridan' great victory at the battle of the Opequan on September 19th and at his subsequent triumphs at Fisher's Hill on September 22nd and Cedar Creek on October 19th. Company H was stationed at Martinsburg, West Virginia, during September and October of 1864, presumably guarding the nearby railroads.
Map of Shenandoah Campaign
DIARY ENTRY, UNDATED
to Oct 1864 when we were ordered to guard the Rail Road at Duffield Station W Va.
Company H was reported to be at Brown's Crossing, Virginia, presumably near Harpers Ferry W. Va., during November and December 1864. However James, ever mindful of his pay, recorded his exact December location in his diary:
DIARY ENTRY, DECEMBER 5,1864
Paid off at Duffield Station. Paid 2 months pay on Dec. 5/ 64
James lost none of his quickness in making friends with the local ladies. His diary address list included a Miss Margaret Grove, Duffield Depot, W. Va. By New Year's Day of 1865, the 1864 Valley Campaign was history. James noted his current duty station:
DIARY ENTRY, JANUARY 1, 1865
Stationed on the Potomac and Chesapeake rail road, January 1st. 1865.
Orders for reorganization were soon to come. The regimental report made note:
"Companies D, E, F, and G of the First Eastern Shore, Maryland Volunteers and Companies H, I and K of the Second Eastern Shore, Maryland Volunteers were consolidated with three companies of the Eleventh Maryland Infantry by virtue of Special Orders No. 22, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, District of Columbia, dated January 14, 1865."14
The consolidation was also noted in James' dairy:
DIARY ENTRY, UNDATED
and consolidation with 11 Reg Feb 1865
Officially, Company H was stationed from January to April of 1865 at Fort Delaware, a Union prison for Confederate soldiers, on Pea Patch Island in Delaware Bay. Even Fort Delaware wasn't altogether boring. James apparently met a Miss Mary Thompson from Kennedyville in Kent Co.Md., as suggested in his diary address list. The ever persistent concern over money continued. Apparently as a precaution against theft, James, as he had done previously, recorded the serial numbers of the greenbacks in which he was paid:
DIARY ENTRY, APRIL 21, 1865.
A240043 5 B 692961 10
A 692961 10 B 692951 10
C 692951 10 A 692951 10
A 693003 10 C 693003 10
B 693003 10 B 692991 10
Paid at Fort Delaware 105.25 Paid of April 21st / 65
The war was over. Soon it would be time to be mustered out. The regimental report told of the preparations:
"May 30-31.--Companies A, B, D, E, F, G, H, and K left Fort Delaware and reached Camp Carroll, Baltimore May 31."15
After being returned to Baltimore, Company H, then part of the 11 Regiment of Maryland Eastern Shore Volunteers, received its final orders:
"June 15.--Muster-out roll of Captain Harrison Hopper's Company (H), in the Eleventh Regiment of Maryland Infantry Volunteers, commanded by Colonel J. G. Johannes, called into the service of the Untied States by the President at Havre de Grace (the place of general rendezvous) on October 1, 1861 to serve for the term of three years from the date of enrollment, unless sooner discharged, from ---- to June 15, 1865 when discharged. ...
R.H. OFFLEY, Captain
Eighth Army Corps, Mustering Officer"16
On June 15, 1865, the soldier boy once again became a shoemaker.
The essence of a regiment, or of a company within a regiment, is its self image, its esprit de corps. James must have felt this intensely when he entered in his diary "the roll call of Company H in the year of 1863 on Dec. 31st." Three generations later his great-grandson, 1st.Lieutenant James E. Armstrong III, Rear Echelon Maintenance Combined Organization, 51st. Fighter Interceptor Wing, 5th. Air Force, Korea, also understood the essence of his beloved 51st.
Taps for the regiment were sounded in an undated newspaper clipping found in the diary:
"Rodgers (G.A.R) Post, No. 28, of Havre de Grace had the battle flag of the Second Maryland Regiment, Eastern Shore volunteers. This flag was in the battles of Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Island Ford, Berryville and Lynchburg. The last man who carried it a battle, Wm. M. Lockerman, was killed in the Custer massacre on the Little Bighorn".17
The flag never was flown at Gettysburg, but William Lockerman of Company H fell with Custer during his Last Stand on June 25, 1876.
DIARY ENTRY, DECEMBER 31, 1863
The roll call of Company H in the year of 1863 on Dec. 31st.
.
Sgt. W. B. Barnes Corp. H. H. Pitcock
Wm. Udderzook W. Kelly
M.J. Udderzook
Albright, C 1 Durham, J. 15 Lammey, L. 28 Musgrave, C. 41 Sills,J. 54
Armstrong, J.E 2 Fouct, L. 16 Lukemire, C. 29 Mitchell, T. 42 Simonds, W. 55
Brown, C. 3 Gilbert, M. 17 Liskum, L. 30 Phelps, W. 43 Singleton, W. 56
Brown, E 4 Gilbert, N. 18 Lockerman, W. 31 Pfister, L. 44 Sabins,J 57
Bradfield, G. 5 Glass, J. 19 Martin, J. 32 Poplar, W. 45 Townsley, L. 58
Ebert, A. 6 Grothouse, J 20 Martin, M. 33 Rodgers, M. 46 Thornton,S. 59
Bradley, P. 7 Grant, G.N. 21 McNulty, G. 34 Rhinehart, L. 47 Todd,W.T. 60
Baldwin, J. 8 Herbert, C. 22 McCann, C. 35 Smith, R. 48 Webber,T. 61
Cunningham, B. 9 Hopkins, G. 23 McGeee, J. 36 Smith, J. 49 Wood, L. 62
Corbett, T. 10 Haines, J.T. 24 Murphy, J. 37 Smith, J. 50 Woolford, W. 63
Clisham, J. 11 Jackson, J.G. 25 Mathews, C. 38 Smyth, J. 51 White,J. 64
Coggins, J. 12 Kane, J. 26 Moffitt, W. 39 Stephenson, A. 52 O'Farrell, T. 65
Conner, J. 13 Kelly, T 27 Moffitt, A 40 Scullens, J. 53 Pearsall,J. 66
Donahoo, D. 14 Springstead, C. - Shear, A -
Discharged- Camell, W., Cameron, F., Suter, H., Haines, H.
Epilogue
James quickly returned to Port Deposit. On July 6, 1865, three weeks after his discharge, he married the girl whom he had left at home, Mary E. Jennings. On March 7, 1866 he "commenced housekeeping" and itemized his expenses. He first bought:
1 stove $25.00 1 bed 11.25
1/2 dos of chairs 7.00 1 bed tick 5.00
1 table 4.50 1 broom .40
1 bedstead 9.00 1 dozen of tacks .12 1/2
16 yards of carpet 35 c 5.60 2 curtins 20.15 .35
1 looking glass 2.00 piler cases 3.65
1 tin bucket .90 bolster in frilers 2.62
1 dish pan 1.00 1/2 small frepa base 8 c
1 basin . .60 1/2 dos nives & forks 2.65
1 lot of dishes 6.63 1 clock 2.65
5 plates .50 1 rocking chair 4.25
1 basket 1.37 4 large spoons 1.00
1 cat dis1 .75 1 pair of sheats 5.00
1 meat plate .45
1 pitcher .70
1 box 1 1/2 nail .50
1 bucket .32
67.83
On March 25, 1866 James bought from Joe Stebbings18 a local merchant, 1 1/2 pound of tobacco at 0.75; 1 ham 17/9 at $1.62; and one quart of oil at 0.25. But money was running out. In May, 1866 he received at loan of $10.00 from Joe Stebbings and soon thereafter a second $10.00 loan, also from Joe Stebbings. Apparently to pay off the loans he fished for Joe on every available day from the middle of April through most of May. From April 16th.-24th. fishing was good, the 25th. was stormy and from the 26th.- 29th the Susquehanna was swollen. James fished in the high water from the 28th. through the end of the month and on May 1 he reported himself sick. Fishing began again on May 10th. and continued until May 22nd. with apparent success, although the 12th was stormy and on the 18th and 19th he caught no fish. It seems that he was credited with one dollar per day for successful fishing to repay the $20.00 loan. All the while he must have continued working at his shoemaking trade.
James and Mary had their first child, whom they named Margrett Rebba, on June 5, 1866. Happiness was short lived. In September James became ill, recording a "doctor bill for operation on bladder and consultation with Doctor Rowland19, of Port Deposit, and medicine while sick-$48.00," a large sum considering the cost of commencing housekeeping with his bride. The war had taken its toll. Throughout his life, as evidenced by the pension applications of later years, he complained of deafness in the left ear, piles, rheumatism, dysentery, kidney disorder, neuralgia of the left side and vertigo.
James' first son, named William for his elder brother, was born October 31, 1867 in Port Deposit. Joy turned quickly to tragedy and sorrow. Eight days later Mary died at the youthful age of twenty three and was buried on November 10th. James' sister Elizabeth came from Philadelphia to help and to keep house. William survived his mother only by a few months; he died on June 25, 1869, aged seven months and twenty five days. Elizabeth continued for the time being to live with her brother and care for the two year old Margrett, said to have been a child with a sweet disposition. The Jennings and Winchester families were cousins. Somehow James became acquainted with Harriet Rebecca Winchester, one of the daughters of George Thomas Winchester of Charlestown and later Principio. James and Harriet were married in Chester, Pa, on October 11, 1871. After their marriage the couple left Cecil County and moved on to Wilmington, Philadelphia and eventually to Baltimore. With Harriet, James had a second family from whom the narrator of this diary is descended.
Soldier Boy at time of 1915 G.A.R. parade.
1915 G.A.R. Parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
Narrator’s Note:
Appreciation is expressed to Luke A. Kilyk and to Aleksandra Zajackowski, Librarian, The Army and Navy Club, whose research assistance and helpful suggestions contributed immeasurably to this paper.
Bibliography
Armstrong, James E. Diary, 1863 – 65.
Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 1861 – 1865. (Atlas)
Schmitt, Martin F., General George Crook, His Autobiography University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK, 1946 (Crook)
Stackpole, Edward J., Sheridan in the Shenandoah, Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa 1992
Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume 26, Serial No. 38 (SOR)
Tomes and Smith, The War with the South, Vol. III, Virtue & Yorston, N.Y. 1862, 1865
Valley Campaigns 1861 – 1865 Http//www2:cr.nps. gov/abpp/sus2-4html
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Volume 36(1), Volume 43 (1) (OR)
Wilmer, Jarrette, & Vernon Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861 – 1865, Guggenheimer Weil & Co., Baltimore 1898
Woods and Edmonds, A History of The Civil War in the United States, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, N.Y. 1905
End Notes
1. SOR, p. 396
2. SOR, p. 402
3. SOR, p. 402
4. SOR, p. 403
5. SOR, p. 404
6. SOR, p. 417
7. SOR, p. 417
8. SOR, p. 417
9. Crook, p. 119
10. Crook, p.121
11. SOR, p. 405
12. SOR, p. 405
13. OR, Vol. 43 (1), p. 367
14. SOR, p. 768
15. SOR, p. 769
16. SOR, p. 773
17. Undated newspaper clipping
18. Note on Joe Stebbing by Fred Kelso "When Armstrong needed help getting on his feet after the war he turned to Joe Stebbing, a man who was very much like himself in many ways, but who was ten years older and had better local connections.
Like Armstrong's, Stebbing's father was an Irish immigrant who trained his son to be a shoemaker. George Stebbing, Joe’s father, was born in Ireland around 1797. He came to Cecil County sometime prior to 1820, where he met and married Maryland_born Elizabeth Grant on September 25, 1820. In the 1860 Census for the 7th District of Cecil County, he is listed as a Shoemaker, as are his sons Frederick, Joseph, and George. Son Jesse was a Butcher, and son William J. was a Farmer. The 1867 Tax records for Port Deposit show that George Sr. was taxed on $200 worth of store goods; Jesse was taxed on $50 worth of provisions; and William was taxed on a stable. In the 1870 Census, George Sr. is recorded as being a Retired Grocer; sons Joseph and George Jr. are still occupied as Shoemakers, and Joseph's 19-year old son James is included as a Clerk in a Store.
When the above facts are taken together with James Armstrong's diary entries, it appears that in addition to shoemaking and farming the extended Stebbing family was involved in keeping a general store in the town of Port Deposit. Evidently they sold meat and fish, among other things, as early as 1860.
The Stebbings remained businessmen for at least the next 55 years. In 1880 William 3. had a livery stable, to which he added a butcher shop in 1887. George H. started in the grocery business in town in 1883; his son Robert L. opened a store in 1889 in which he sold stationery, confections, fruit, newspapers and books. In 1915 Robert L. and George H. are still both noted as keepers of General Stores.
Armstrong's friend Joe was married to Francina Kerr in Cecil County on November 15, 1847. By 1880 he had taken up farming, perhaps returning to a family farm which had belonged to his father."
19. Note on Dr. William Black Rowland by Fred Kelso. "William Black Rowland was born in Cecil County in 1822 to Samuel and Mary (Black) Rowland. His mother was born in Geneva, New York in 1783; his father was born to William and Sarah (Latham) Rowland February 28, 1780 in Cecil County. Samuel Rowland's parents, William and Sarah (Latham) Rowland, had immigrated to Delaware in the late 1700's, then relocated to Cecil County.
Samuel is one of the most prominent personalities of Port Deposit history. He was a successful businessman as early as 1811. He had a succession of business partners including George Kidd, John Sterrett, Mr. Cathcart, Rowland's nephews John and William Carson of Baltimore, John S. Everett, and Cornelius Smith. Iris business pursuits included general stores, shad and herring fishing, lumber, The Farmer's and Commercial Hotel, real estate speculation and the loaning of money. He was also a director of the Marine Bank of Baltimore and Postmaster of the village of Rowlandsville, which was named for him. He seems to have acquired the reputation of being a loan shark, as he often foreclosed on homes for which he had lent owners money. Others contend that he was judged unfairly, as he had at least given the defaulters an opportunity that no one else ever would have.
After his wife died in 1856, Samuel moved in with his merchant son James Harvey Rowland in downtown Pon Deposit, and gave the family farrn, "Octorara Heights," to Dr. William. William was married to a daughter of Dr. John K. and Rebecca (Neeper) Sappington of Havre de Grace.
The record books don't show William practicing medicine in Port Deposit, but he may have practiced out of his home.
Dr. Rowland died on September 5,1885, and was buried in West Nottingham Presbyterian Cemetery, as were his parents."
I Atlas, Plate XXVII, portion of Map 1.
II Atlas, Plate LXXXII, portion of Map 10.
III Atlas, Plate CXXXVII, portion of Map, Sheet II