Augusta County: Diary of Thomas M. Smiley (1862)
About Thomas M. Smiley:
In his diary for July 1862, Thomas M. Smiley describes the hardships of
life in camp and on the march. In particular, Smiley records information
on religious sentiment, troop morale, and army food.
Introduction:
Camp at darkesville
1862
July 1862
Friday July 17
Nothing of interest has occured to day except a heavy rain which is not very agreeable to us being without tent
Saturday 18th
In camp all day with nothing to eat a great deal of dissatisfaction is being shown by the men on account of not getting enough to eat
Sunday 19th
Remained in camp all day preaching in the regiment by a Chaplain of another regiment got orders this evening to cook several days rations and move by five Oclock
Monday 20th
Started at five and marched below Martinsburg on the railroad where we camped. the third brigade having been sent out to tear up the railroad
Tuesday 21st
the whole division was taken out to day to
work. tore up
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and burnt a good portion of the road got orders this evening to quit work
and march back to darkesville
Wednesday 22nd
got to darksville last night after dark ordered to cook two days rations and march at daylight marched through Bunker Hill and camped near Winchester. after camping we found a large field of Blackberries where the whole division was bountifuly supplied with fresh fruit Received orders to cook another days rations and march at daylight
Thursday 23rd
Went through Winchester this morning turned off on the Front Royal road which place we reached at dark we crossed the Shenandoah on pontoon bridges
Friday 24th
Left at daylight and marched twelve miles on the road leading to Luray
through a mountainous country camped at sundown and cooked two days
rations
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Orders for revelie at three Oclock. The first
brigade is begining to look very small owing
to hard marching and not much to eat
Saturday 25th
started at daylight and marched to within three miles of Luray where we turned off the main road towards the mountain and camped making in all about seventy five miles traveled this week. The men are now all out washing thier clothes it being the first oportunity for six weeks
Sunday 26th
remained in camp all day. in the morning Lieut Wright and S. F. McCutchan went and
gathered blackberries out of which we baked a large family pie for dinner
in the evening there was inspection. The day was spent generaly by the men in washing their clothes and
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mending them. as they expected to march tomorrow they consider it a work
of necessity preaching in camp to day at three
different times. several united with the church and were baptized. There
seems to be a great interest felt in the army now, on the subject of
religion
Monday 27th
Left camp at five Oclock marched very slow until noon as the wagons had some difficulty in going up the mountain after getting up to the top we marched fast and camped at Sperryvill in a large orchard had another Blackberry pie for supper a great many of the boys made apple dumplings.
Tuesday 28th
Left camp at Sperryvill and took the culpeper road but soon turned off on the Madison Court House road and marched some ten or twelve miles and camped. a right heavy shower of rain this evening.
Wednesday 29th
Left camp this morning and marched about eight miles and camped the road traveled being the worst I ever saw in my life.
Thursday 30th
We have no move to day remained in camp. a great deal of grumbling among the men as they drew bran in place of flour; for bread. Had a smart shower of rain this evening. roads very mudy
