Lot 610

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1864 CIVIL WAR DAIRY OF JOHN W. HAMMOND, 2ND N.H. VOLS.
Good content 1864 pocket diary kept by Sgt. John. W. Hammond of the 2nd N.H. Vols., 156 pp. approx. (about 1/2 filled in pencil) dating between Feb. 29, 1864 to Jan. 3, 1865. Good content describing his experiences at the Battle of Cold Harbor and on the lines around Petersburg. In small part: "[Yorktown, Va., Apr. 15, 1864] ... Execution of the twe deserters by shooting this AM ... [Apr. 21] ... Rec'd 3 letters ... one from Warren H. Hurd, Lieut. 23rd US Colored Troops ... [May 5] ... Went on board the William C Marsha.., a barge tow of a steamer ... Passed up the James ...[May 7] ... Fighting in the direction of Petersburg [May 9] Worked on earthworks... [May 9] Fighting before Petersburg ... [May 11] ... relieving men that had beer on post over two days ... [May 16] ...The enemy tried to break through our picket lines to the right of here this Am. Reb cavalry seen by our men on our left picket post ... [May 20] ... on picket . Stationed to the right of the line across the creek. the enemies [sic] cavalry seen from the post left. Gun boats shell them ... [May 24] ... enemies cavalry seen moving towards our right in the direction of Richmond ... [May 28] ... reported at Fortress Monroe and received orders to go to White House landing ... [May 31] Bivouacked for the night 15 miles from Richmond ... [June 1] ... marched to the left to re-inforce [sic] the Sixth Corps fighting near Cold Harbor ... [June 3] our regiment in front battle line. Under heavy fire of artillery and infantry. Loss in regiment, 75 to 180 Men. [ June 4] Our regiment still in the front battle line. Newman killed out on skirmish line just in our front. Lugged up rations this evening, two days. [June 5] Still in the advanced entrenchments. No general engagement. Quite sharp picket firing. Charles McIntosh wounded, carried him to the rear. [June 6] In advanced entrenchments. The usual amount of firing today. No casualties in regiment. 5 o'clock PM Reg't advanced and threw up an earthwork. Loss, 1 man wounded. 12th NH Reg't on picket line lost one man wounded ... [June 7] Occupied the same entrenchments as for several days. Our Officers go to rear to make out discharge papers. Reg't under command of officers from the 12th NHV. [June 8] AM Colonel Bailey returns and takes our colors to the rare. Wounded officers return to make out reports and skedaddle again. [June 9] Released form the front and went back to General Smith's Headquarters. Expect the Reg't will be organized into a battalion. ... [June 13] Went on board transports ... [June 14] ... Off Fortress Monroe... after receiving orders started up James River ... [June 15] ... passed up to a pontoon bridge ... [June 16] ... received orders to report to Coll Pond, 62nd Ohio Vol. Joined this reg't and a detachment of cavalry and artillery in making a raid to destroy the P & R RR. [Near Smith's Landing, June 17]...130th Ovio Vols. Out on post broke and rushed to the rear. Our regiment had to re-establish the picket line. I remain there the remainder of 24 hours. [June 18] A portion of the 13th OVI (100 days men) put back on picket line. They act more like young partridges than anything I can compare them to. The reb pickets fire, scattering them ... [Trenches in Front, Petersburg, June 23] ... Just after dark Chaplain commenced religious services, but was obliged to suspend them as we are under orders to go to the front. [June 24] ... Those with Sharps rifles acting as sharpshooters at the river's bank.... [June 30] ... light batteries ... have been relieved by three 32 pounders and three mortars. Our forces made an advance on our left this PM. Lynch Wounded... [July 4] Has been a quite 4th of July... About 2 o'clock PM a section of 32 pounders heavy artillery fired a national salute. [July 5] ... relieved by the 22nd USCT in the same pits as we have occupied twice before ... " Soon afterwards, Hammond was detailed to provost guard duty the City Point & Petersburg Railroad at Smith's Station: " [July 28] ... Arrested two artillerymen on altered pass ... [July 29] Gen'l Grant takes cars at the station for City Point ... [Aug. 6] ... Had to drive off two drunken men last evening. Have come to conclusion not to have any drinking around hdqtrs. [Aug. 9] PM Arrested Britter for selling liquor... [Aug 21] Heavy firing down on the left where the fifth corps are on the Weldon RR ... Early this AM General Hancock came from City Point by special train ... [Wilson's Landing, Sept. 13] On guard over colored prisoners, 35 of them ... [Sept. 14] Very heavy firing all day in the direction of Petersburg. Our men gain the Danville RR ... Enemy attack Gen. Butler's front this PM and are repulsed... [Sept. 19] Cutting and putting in abattis. In charge of a squad of colored prisoners chopping in woods most of the day... [Front North of James, Oct. 7] ... Am at work on a new fort on a road to the left of our lines. Just before noon received orders to move an marched up to the right of a fort captured some days ago from the rebs. ... [Fair Oaks Battlefield, Oct .27] ...engaged the enemy in the same works occupied by him during the Peninsula Campaign in 1862. Were repulsed to fall back... [Nov. 2] Worked tunneling old works ... [Nov. 8] Presidential election today. The legal voters in our Regt. exercise their rights according to law passed in last state session. I act as clerk of election Co. A.... [Nov. 24] ... Thanksgiving day. Had stewed turkeys and chickens for supper... [Dec 10] ... Attacked by Johnnies this morning ... [Dec. 25] Christmas today. The festivities are to take place tomorrow as today is the Sabbath [Dec. 26]. .. Hurdle race, wrestling match, grip dancing, greased pig, foot race, and mock parade..." The rear of the diary includes several "Memoranda" which include some additional information on Cold Harbor on June 6: "Advanced entrenchments AM. Brisk picket fire as usual for some days. Cessation of hostilities for 2 hours. 9 o'clock PM advanced to picket line and threw up new earthworks. Loss in operation one man wounded in regiment and one man wounded in 12th regiment acting as our support ..." Much more good content. The diary bears the expected wear to the leather binding, but is in otherwise very good condition.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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