1863 DIARY WITH GETTYBURG CONTENT OF JOHN W. HAMMOND, 2ND N.H. VOLS.
Excellent content leather bound 1863 pocket diary kept by John W. Hammond, Co. A, N.H. 2nd Infantry, 12mo., several pages of excellent content, in pencil. The 2nd New Hampshire was involved in several major campaigns, including Second Bull Run, and Gettysburg, where twenty two men were killed, one hundred thirteen wounded, and thirty seven either captured or missing. Hammond was wounded in the hip on the second day of the battle, July 2nd. In Feb. 1863 the regiment headed to New Hampshire to a rousing reception in Manchester and Concord. The regiment was reinforced with ninety four men, and on May 25th set out to rejoin the army, eventually making its way to Gettysburg on July 2nd. This excellent content diary reads in part: "June 21...Gum Springs, Va. Here we are this Sabbath morning everything packed and ready to move but most of us hoping we may stop here through the day. Received a mail from home the first since we left Washington. One letter from father. Towards night we moved our camp into new and better position ...Went on guard for Belknap, from six o'clock...June 22...Gum Spring, Va., On guard duty till six o'clock P.M...At noon orders came that no one should be allowed to go outside the guard with out a pass from Regt. or Brigd. Head Quarters and the guard was extended so as to take in the celebrated gum spring from which to get water...On guard through the night over Regt's horse by new detail...June 24...Out on the road. Orders for an inspection tomorrow at nine o'clock A.M. in heavy marching order...Proceeded to clean my rifle...Drill at two o'clock P.M. in manual of arms while on drill orders came for three regts. of our Brigd. to go out front for the purpose of keeping open communications between ours and the third and eleventh corps. Stopped for the night in a nice grove near the house of a man who is apparently a guerilla, as there are various barrels and boxes marked U.S. Sun. Dept. laying around....June 25...On the bank of the Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal...left our Bivouac about six o'clock A.M. and moved towards Ewards Ferry crossing the Potomac at that place about four o'clock. Took the tow path of the canel and proceeded up between that and the river...Commenced raining quite steady so that the path we are following becomes very slippery, and after traveling along till after eleven o'clock P.M. and still no signs of a halt...fall out for the night...June 26...Near Point of Rocks on the Md. side of the potomac...Early this morning started on to overtake the Regt. Found them scattered all along the canel...Overtook the bulk of the Brigd. just after crossing Mataneez acquaduct and proceeded to this place arriving here about six o'clock P.M...June 27...Near Middleton, Md. Left our last night bivouac early this morning with the understanding that we were to march six miles to Jefferson at which place arrived about eleven o'clock and pitched a nice camp, but after eating dinner were ordered to take the road again...Detailed for guard - Came on to this place arriving here about six o'clock...The battle field of South mountain is within right of our present stopping place...June 28...Near Wordboro, Md. This morning we started with the promise that we should not be marched further than Fredrick City, there to stay some time and have a chance to draw clothing...This would have been seven to nine miles but we were marched to this place twelve to fourteen miles and the promise respect clothing not kept. I am in great want of a pair of shoes and some of the men are bare foot. At Frederick City we see Gen. Marston formally our Col., and the boys cheered robustly...June 29 ...Tanneytown, Md. Early this morning we were on the road again without any premises of easy marches or anything of the kind. passed through Middleburg and Leadsburg...Stopping for the night just after passing through Tanney-town beside a nice brook to wash in. Gen. Sickles commander of the thrid Corps. passed us today towards the head of the column...The Gen. had just returned from a furlough to New York...June 30...Brideport, Md. Today we stopped in the place of last night, Bivouaced till P.M. During the A.M. we were mustered for two months pay and shoes were issued to those in want of them. Wrote letters to father and Bro. Arthur. Rec'd mail containing letter from home. P.M. marched to Bridgeport an easy march of six miles. Sent letter to P.O. by a negro I met on the road after passing through Tenneytown...July 1...Emmitsburg, Md. left out last bivouac at a reasonable hour after a good nights rest - And by easy marching reached this place by one o'clock and pitched camp just outside of town...July 2...Near Gettysburg, Pa. Early this morning by two o'clock at least we were called up and ordered to prepare to march as it was expected we should be at this place by day light- By eight o'clock came to our troops massed on the left flank of our battle line. During the A.M. there was not much firing excepting by one battery which appeared to be firing the enemies position, and skirmishing by the Berdan S.S. - A little after noon it became evident the enemy (July 2nd continued on January 1st page) " were pressing our left or working around that way for that purpose - About one o'clock P.M. our division was moved towards the left for the purpose of supporting and extending by Batts. when the enemy open a hot fire of artillery on us - At this time our batteries are changing position so this can not answer. Ordered to fall back into the woods again (July 2nd continued on January 2 page) "Soon we were ordered to take up a position battle line to support a battery in the extreme angle of our battle line. hard again by cannon art cross fire this brought us in a tight place. One piece of shell took the pains to got through my canteen and haversack using them completely up, also giving my hip a considerable struck...July 3...Near Gettysburg, Pa. Today my hip troubles me considerable being lame and sore. Started to go to our third corps. hospital but my bruise troubled me so much and not expecting they would do anything for me I concluded to stop beside a stream of water close beside the road. It is reported our Brig. got cut up badly yesterday and our Regt. lost several men - This P.M. the artillery firing on the left has been very heavy...July 4...Near Gettysburg. Pa. Today I started to go to the Regt. but it commenced raining and I turned in for the purpose of keeping dry, thinking it might be better for my general health as well as for my hip particularly - Very little firing today, either the rebels are preparing to leave or tomorrow will see hard fighting...July...5 Near Gettysburg, Pa. This morning I thought I would try to find the Regt. as my hip troubled me very little - After considerable search and travel suceeded in reaching the Regt. up in line behind earth works near the front of the late battlefield - men that have been out to the front some two to three miles report that no rebels are to be seen. Go back into the woods and stay all day. Firing heard in the dir. of South Mountain Pass...July 6...Near Gettysburg, Pa. Early this morning were we arroused up and ordered to prepare to move, so the men cooked their coffee and dried there blankets and made other nessessary preparation to move - About nine o'clock A.M. left our place of bivouac, but went only a short distance, and returned as the road was occupied by troops and trains - wrote letters home - stopped for the night....July 7...Mechanicstown, Md. Left the battlefield of Gettysburg at four o'clock this morning and took the road towards Emmestburg - Passed through the place Franklin Mill camping just after passing Mechanicstown - We have had a good turnpike since we left Emmettsburg to travel on but it has rained most of the day making it quite disagreable - Detailed for Brgd. duty twenty four hours..." (July 7 continued on January 3rd page) "As we passed through Emmittsburg enroute for Middletown we stopped to rest and take dinner on the farm near the buildings of the Covent of St. Joseph a wealthy Catholic Semminary in which are upwards of five hundred females of nearly all ages, who have renounced the pleasures of the world and consercrated themselves to holiness. Emmittsburg which was considerable of a town was so unfortunate as to be made the victim of a malicious person who to revenge on a neighbor set fire to his buildiings...July 8...Frederick City, Md. Left our last nights bivouac about sunrise this morning. Is said we are to go to Middletown before night, distance twenty three to twenty five miles. Very hard marching today and long before night I begun to feel quite tired. Today we passed a few of the N.Y. Seventh Militia on provst. duty at this city. News of the surrender of Vicksburg confirmed. Fighting out amongst the mountains today...July 9...Out on the mountain today early in the morning, we are on the move, pass through Middletown and about eight A.M. stop for the purpose of having rations delt out and cooking beakfest. Remain here till ten o'clock. Then start marching up onto the side of the mountain and stop supposed for the night. About five o'clock P.M. start again and march over the mountain. We suppose this to be South Mountain...July 10...Opposite Boonsburg, Md. Up early this morning as usual and by easy marching move till about one o'clock P.M. and halt till four o'clock. Washed up and had a good rest. Started at the above mentioned time and marched till nearly seven o'clock passing the Antietam creek and camping on the battle field by that name, supposed we might stop here for the night but after laying a short time was routed up and by a rough lane marched to this place...July 15...On Antietam Creek...Very warm marching and our officers do not seem to care if they do kill the men, but march without resting, although the men are continually falling out with sun stroke and exaustion...July 24...Up in the gap. Early this morning the boys were called out and ordered to pack and be ready...As soon as it became light enough all eyes were directed to the hills oppposite to see if the enemy were in the position occupied last night but we looked in vain, not a Johnny was to bee seen...July 26...Warrington, Va....While passing through the town we see Genl. Marston our first Col., he was looking "bully" and well pleased with something...Aug. 27...Point Lookout, Md...Detailed early this morning to work on our oven...I reported to Kit Carsen and we proceeded to work. It was reported that the Rebs had captured two of our gun boats up on the Rappahanuck river - guess it is true as several new gun boats have come in to our harbor today...Aug. 28...Point Lookout, Md...Detailed to go out to find some prisoners that escaped last night. Brought back three men...Sept. 4...Point Lookout, Md...It is said four men escaped from the prison camp last night...". The remaining content of the diary pertains to picket duty, guarding prisoners, and camp life. Hammond was promoted to Sergt. in July 1864, and Second Lieut. in Nov. 1865, and mustered out of service at City Point in Dec. 1865. Some pages light, but readable. A fine diary with excellent Gettysburg battle content.