Franklin County: Diary of Jonah Yoder (1863)
About Jonah Yoder:
Jonah Yoder fought in the cavalry of the 16th Pennsylvania
Regiment. His
diary begins at camp at Potomac Roads and follows his
regiment's
movement throughout Northern Virginia in 1863.
1863
May 1863
May the 10, 1863
This day is pleasant this afternoon about two oclock we signed the pay roll and about five oclock we got our pay paid by MajorPotter.
Monday the 11
This day is plesant This morning I started to the one hundred and twenty six regiment and got back this afternoon
Tuesday the 12
This day is plesant and I was detailed to help to dind the Major's quarters
Wednesday the 13
This day is plesant and very warm
Thursday the 14
This morning is cloudy and raining this afternoon we had a thunder shower and I was detached for guard
Friday the 15
This morning is clear and Crambargrer and me started to take a walk
Saturday the 16
This morning is very plesant This evening there was a man buried of company L He died this morning of the tnyfuires fevar his name was Soliman Humparly
Sunday the 17
This day was plesant we had preaching by the chaplain of the first Pa cavalry the Chaplain was from Lancaster County his name is hardy heabe and at four oclock there was inspection
Monday the 18
This day is plesant this afternoon we moved our camp about two hundred rods from the old one into an open feild
Tuesday the 19
This day is plesent and I was detailed to fix up the adjatant quarters and the balance of the day I run about
Wednesday the 20
This day is plesant our Leut Colonel has resignd and one of our majors and, I was on guard
Thursday the 21
This day is plesant This evning I went to the railroad to help to load a couple of wagons with grain
Friday the 22
This day is plesant and this morning about six oclock we left camp to go on picket and going along we passed a store, said The Parerson Store, and had our reserve close by.
Saturday the 23
This day is plesant This day still on picket and about 2 oclock A.M. there was ten men and Sergeant went out on a scout
Sunday the 24
This day is plesant and still on picket at nine oclock they was a 5 of us went from the main reserve and went out, out in the field to stand post and patrol we partrolled past the monture house to the log church on the opposite side of the creek and about five forks we was ordered to drag in our any go to camp we got to camp about 1 A.M.
Monday the 25
This day has been misting and raining all day we left about seven oclock A.M. to march we went on to the bartwood farm then we fed our horses then we went about a mile beyond the log church there we remained for the night
Tuesday the 26
This morning is plesant we took up our line of march at six A.M. we marched on to belton station there we camped for the night
Wednesday the 27
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at five A.M.to march back to deep run we went by Morrisville we camped at deep run on picket about 11 oclock A.M. and there was some of us went down in spiner ford to picket
Thursday the 28
This is plesant and on picket and the rebels are still moving about on the of the river but how much force they have I dont know
Friday the 29
This day is plesant and still on picket
Saturday the 30
This day is plesant and this afternoon we was relieved of picket by the third Pa sy and we was ordered back to deep run
Sunday the 31
This morning is plesant and at five oclock we left deep run and went through Morrisville and went on to Catlett station and from their we went on to licking creek there we encamped then
June 1863
Monday the 1 June
This day is plesant this afternoon we moved our camp about ten hundred yards from where we encamped the first place
Tuesday the 2
This day is plesant. To day williams M. Appelbaurgh was promoted to Sergeant major and F. Dgarmon was promoted to regimental quarter master Sergeant to fill M. Appelbaurgs place
Wednesday the 3
This day is plesant this afternoon our old horses were and saddles were condemned
Thursday the 4
This day is plesant This afternoon we drawed sabers.
Friday the 5
This day is plesant today they was a detachment to go out dismounted to sulpher springs to suport the battery where the mounted men went across the river to start out the rebels.
Saturday the 6
This morning is plesant and this morning we started to go along with the battery and about six oclock this evening we started to go back we came back to Fayetteville there we stayed there for the night
Sunday the 7
This morning is plesant this morning we left Fayetteville for camp and got there about twelve oclock
Monday the 8
This morning is plesant this afternoon about three oclock we got orders to march we went as far as marisville ther we stoped for the night
Tuesday the 9
This morning we plesant we took up our line of march about five oclock for ladgs ford and the cavalry went across our regiment stand on this side and had a small fight they was a good many wounded and our men took a great many prisoners
Wednesday the 10
This day is plesant this afternoon we left hely ford for the old camp we went around by bealton we got to camp about eleven oclock at night
Thursday the 11
This day is plesant and near noon in the old camp again at licking creek
Friday the 12
This day is plesant and to day our captain got his commission for Lieutenant Colonel of our regiment and they was three cheers for him from every man in the regiment
Saturday the 13
This day is plesant and they was a lot of artillery and infantry went by here towards Alexandria
Sunday the 14
This morning we went back to warington Junction encamped for the night
Monday the 15
This day is plesant and we left warington Junction about towe oclock P.M. and went by callot station and bristo and thare we came on this side of Manassas Junction and stayed there for the night
Tuesday the 16
This day is plesant we are still laying about towe miles of the Junction we drawed some rations and forage
Wednesday the 17
This day is plesant and we took up our line of march and went on to Centerville there the mounted men went of to the left and those that had bad horses that were condemed where sent on to Alexandria we went by fairfax court house and about towe mile on this side of the court we encamped for the night
Thursday the 18
This morning is plesant and we took up our line of march for Alexandria we got there about ten oclock we encamped on the banks of the potomac about a mile of the town and this evening we had a shower
Friday the 19
This day has been drisling and raining all day and we where still laying in the dismounted camp
Saturday the 20
This morning is plesant and they was a lot of us detached to go for horses we went to the landing and got on a boat and went across to washington to get horses but there was none there we lay there about towe houres than we came back to alexandria and drawed horses there and went back to camp and than all those that had horses started for to join the regiment we went within two mile of fairfax there we encamped for the night
Sunday the 21
This day is plesant and we took up our line of march for sniders creek where our force where enjoyed we pased through alide and went through Middleburg and we encamped about a mile on the other side of the town for the night
Monday the 22
This day is plesant this day our force fell back on this side of Middleburg to take a knew position the rebels folowed them up as far as the town there they stoped
Tuesday the 23
This day is plesant This morning our regiment out on picket about two mile of camp
Wednesday the 24
This day is plesant this morning we was releived by our first New Jersey and we went back to camp at dover mills
Thursday the 25
This morning we turned over our extra baggage and our shelters tents and this afternoon it comenced raining
Friday the 26
This day is plesant this morning our force left dover Mills and went on to this side of the goose creek and encamped there for to night
Saturday the 27
This day is clody we left goose creek at towe P.M. went on to the river edwards fery there our regiment went up towards leesburg about towe mile crossed the ferry to guard the rear untill our train crosed over and our regiment crossed over at eight P.M. and than we drawd forage there and than we went on to barnesville and got their at six A.M. and than we stoped their to get something to eat
Sunday the 28
This day is plesant and we lay at barnsville untill towe P.M. than we started and passed Aeurchdlbert mount chappell and than we pased a small village called fayetsville and strem we crosed the Monaceey river and than we crosed the baltimore and ohio railroads and encamped near Frederick city for the night
Monday the 29
This morning it is raining and at ten A.M. we took up our march and went through the city and crosed the monnacy river and went on to new mincer and encamped their for the night
Tuesday the 30
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at eight A.M. and went to Westminster there we stoped to get our diner and than we marched through the town and went on to Manchester there we encamped there for the night
July 1863
July the 1
This morning is plesant at seven a.m. we took up our line of march and went on to Homers Junction where the rebels destroyed some of our cars and tore up the railroad and there we got some forage for our horses and than we went on to Jefferson and from there we went on to hanover we pased through the town between twelve and one oclock and than went up for the night in a wheat field for the night
Thursday the 2
This day is plesant we took up our line of march seven A.M. and went on to sherlysburg and than we went to bush town and went on to about five mile fo Gettysburg there we stopped to fix our diner and about three P.M. the was hevy firing in the direction of Gettysburg it was continued till about eight oclock than the firing was ceased
Friday the 3
This day is plesant This morning the canonading was commenced again about four P.M. our squadron was deployed as skirmishers and they was very heavy firing with canon and musketry and about five oclock the firing was ceased and we was taken of the skirmish about eight oclock
Saturday the 4
This day it is cloudy and our regiment went out on a scout and this afternoon it comenced raining and rained all day and and captured a rebel hospital with about twenty five wounded rebels and went on to huntsville and than we came back
Sunday the 5
This day is plesant and we went out on a picket and our regiment was withdrawn about eleven oclock and than we started for chambersburg we wemt through gettysburg and over the battle ground and the dead where laying thick and than we went on to cashtown and than we went on through the gap to Caledonia furnace wich the rebels burned last friday and encamped there for the night
Monday the 6
This morning is cloudy we took up our line of march at seven A.M. we went through green wood and on to fayettsville and we went on to New Franklin there our regiment turned to come back to Caledonia furnace there we encamped for the night
Tuesday the 7
This day is plesant There was a man of Company G shot by accident of one of Company C and we left the furnace at seven oclock we went on by greenwood and Fayettesville and frankstown and pasing there there we encamped there for the night
Wednesday the 8
This morning it is cloudy and raining and thay was a detail made to go to Pottsville for forage and than we went on to maymesburg there we joined the regiment and than they stoped to feed and than started to cross the mountain went to the top of the mountain to a place called the Vramon and than we turned to our left and went out along the mountain and encamped on the top of the mountain for the night
Thursday the 9
This day is plesant This morning at seven oclock we took up our line of march and went by boosrville and Magestown there we stoped to get our dinner and than we went on to Middletown and encamped there for the night in a wheat field
Friday the 10
This day is plesant this morning we moved our camp about a half a mile back of town and than they was one squadron of our regiment went out on picket about two mile south of town
Saturday the 11
This day is plesant this afternoon we was taken in off of picket to march to Boonsboro we got there about ten oclock and encamped there
Sunday the 12
This morning it is plesant this afternoon we had a small thunder shower
Monday the 13
This morning it is cloudy and raining we moved our camp about towe mile rods from where we lay out of the mud
Tuesday the 14
This day is cloudy we took up our line of march at eight A.M. we pased a church called emanuel curch and went on along the west side of the myroland highth and crosed the Potomac at Harpers Ferry and went up along Shenandoah river to the Bolivar Heights there we encamped for the night the rebels are about eight miles of this place our men shelled them out of this place from the fortification on the maryland heights
Wednesday the 15
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at seven A.M. for Shepherdstown we captured eight prisoners tue ambulance and twelve horses at Shepherdstown and at our regiment went on beyond the town on a scout and returned to Shepherdstown in the evening and went on picket on the left of town
Thursday the 16
This day is plesant This morning we was releived by the tenth New York Regimentand than we went o the right of the town and stoped to get our diners and feed our horses and about the time some of us had got our diners the rebels came in contact with our picket and than we had to saddle and get out and about one oclock the battle was opened and our regiment was on the skirmish line and about six oclock the firing the firing was ceased we got to men wounded one was John Bailur and Sergeant James Ylekenady and about twelve oclock we was with drawen and started for Harpers Ferryharpersfery
Friday the 17 1863
This morning is cloudy and raining and we fell back to Harpers Ferry and encamped there for the present
Saturday the 18
This day is plesant we are still in camp
Sunday the 19
This day is plesant This morning is plesant and all those that had condemed horses started to get knew ones we crosed the river at Harpers Ferry and went down along the to knoxville there we got the horses to us that had very bad ones we did not take many of them they were worse than the ones we had from there we went to berlin there we crosed the river and went to Powerystown there we encamped for the night
Monday the 20, 1863
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at seven A.M. and pased through Leesburg and went on for goose creek and encamped there for the night
Tuesday the 21
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at seven oclock A.M. and crosed the goose creek and went by centerville and crosed the bull run and encamped about a mile on this side of the bull run for the night
Wednesday the 22
This day is plesant we took up our line of march at seven A.M. and went by Manassas Junction and went on to bristo station and encamped there
Thursday the 23
This day is plesant we are still beying in camp at bristo station
Friday the 24-1863
This day is plesant we left bristo at seven A.M. and went along the railroad to Catlett station and went on to warington Junction there our squadron went up along the Warrenton branch of the railroad to turky run there capt. Alexandria took a part of the squadron and want on to Warrenton and than we, we returned to turkey run to picket and than the fourth Pa. and stayed here there untill morning
Saturday the 25
This day is plesant This morning we went back to Warrenton to join the regiment and staid there untill four P.M. and than we went to bealton and encamped for the night
Sunday the 26, 1863
This morning is plesant this afternoon they was seven of our company went out on picket about a mile and a half from camp and was relieved again in the evening by the tenth NY. and went back to camp
Monday the 27, 1863
Camped at bealton This day is plesant this day laying in camp there is infantry marching by here they are going to put up the railroad bridge at the Rappahannock station
Tuesday the 28
This day is plesant our regiment is still in camp This afternoon they was fifteen prisoners brought in by the scouts nine hundred and this evening they was a heavy thunder gust
Wednesday the 29
This day is cloudy we left camp at ten A.M. and went towards Warrenton and encamped about two of the town for the night
Thursday the 30
This morning at ten A.M. oclock we took up our line of march and the Rappannock river at the Weatherby ford and went on to aenasvile and than our regiment on towards crossroad to picket and it rained very heavy
Friday the 31
This morning is plesant after the rain and still laying in the reserve
August 1863
Saturday the 1 of August 1863
This day is plesant they was three rebels came in our line to give them selfs up and than we was relieved by the 1 maine and than we went back to anasville there we encamped
Sunday the 2
Camp at anasville This morning is plesant and we are still laying in camp and this evening we had dress parade and inspection of arms
Monday the 3
This morning is plesant today I was detailed to tend to the captain horse and pack mule
Tuesday the 4
This morning is cloudy and still laying in camp and they was two squadron of our regiment went out on scout and at ten A.M. they mule train started for Warrenton for forage and there was a heavy Thunder shower we got to Warrenton at six P.M. and lay there all night
Wednesday the 5
This morning is plesant and about ten A.M. we pack up and started for Amosville and got there at five P.M.
Thursday the 6
This morning is plesant and still in camp and at ten A.M. we moved camp about a quarter of a mile into a place where there is more wood and fixed up our tents
Friday the 7 - 1863
This morning is plesant and we received orders to pack up to march we went by Inporom and Newport within a mile of Sulpher Springs and we had a thunder shower
Saturday the 8, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp there was inspection
Sunday the 9, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying camp and our squadron went out to escort a battery to Colonel Randolph company head quarters
Monday the 10, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp and I went out to the picket reserve with some rations for the company and today we got our new recruit his name is Benjiman McWilliams from monture county
Thuesday the 11, 1863
this morning is plesant and still laying in camp and I went out to the picket reserve with forage
Wednesday the 12, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp
Thursday the 13
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp and about ten oclock our regiment was relieved and than we moved camp about a half mile and it commenced raining
Friday the 14
This morning is cloudy but not raining and still laying in camp
Saturday the 15
This morning is plesant and we received orders to pack up to be ready to march at eight A.M. we crosed the Rappahannockriver at sulpher springs and took the Warrenton road and pased through Warrenton and went on within a mile of Catlett Station and encamped there for the night
Sunday the 16
This morning is plesant and we cleaned of ground for to encamp upon
Monday the 17
This morning is plesant and our regiment was ordered out to scout all that had horses had to go
Tuesday the 18
This morning is plesant and our regiment returned this evening
Wednesday the 19, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp
Thursday the 20
This day is plesant still laying in camp and this afternoon the pay master came and we signed the pay rolls
Friday the 21, 1863
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp and to day we payed us and than our regiment went to picket at haymarket
Saturday the 22
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp and this afternoon I went out with the pack mule with rations
Sunday the 23
This morning is plesant and still laying in camp and our regiment was releived by the first maine and returned to camp
Monday the 24
This morning is plesant we was ordered to pack up to march at eight A.M. we went by Warrenton and crosed the river and went to the old camp and put up our quarters
Thuesday the 25
This day in the old camp again and this afternoon we had a thunder shower
Wednesday the 26
This day is plesant and our regiment received orders to get ready to go on a litle march they went out to Amosville there they had a small skirmish with the rebels and then returned to camp
Thursday the 27
This day is plesant and still laying in camp and we had inspection of arms
Friday the 28
This morning we was ordered to pack up to go on picket we relieved the first maine
Saturday the 29
This day is plesant and still on picket
Sunday the 30
This day is plesant and still on picket we was relieved by the fourth Pa and returned to camp
Monday the 31
This day is plesant and we was mustered for two months pay
September 1863
September Thuesday the 1
This day is plesant and still laying in camp at sulpher springs
Wednesday the 2
This day is plesant and we received orders to get ready to go on a scout we went out by amosville and than we went on to sandy hook and from there we came back by Flint hill and came on to Amosville there we put up for the might, took four prisoners
Thursday the 3
This day is plesant and we returned to camp
Friday the 4
This morning is plesant and at eight we left camp for picket we went out by Jefferson
Saturday the 5
this day is plesant and still on picket to day was four rebels came into our lines
