Elijah Johnson Diary, Virginia Historical Society: Mss2J6341b
First pages list moneys owed and due
Advancing again to the Rappahannock River. So on the 14th of Sep we were Sharp shooting all day
and on the 15th all our forces fell back on this side of the Rappahannock River
Each was sniping on the 13th in the fight at Brandy Station
Daniel was taken sick on the 8 Sep and was sent to the Hospital on the 14
This book and my Testament saved my life in the fight at Brandy Station.
This book shall forever be respected my me. (The "my" is actually written.)
This the 18th of Sep in (?) had a hard rain but this is a beautiful evening.
On the 23 rd of Sep 63 we departed from near Raccoon Ford to Barbersville near Gordonsville in
Albemarle Co., we had a small fight near Barbersville with the Yanks on the 24 th of Sep.
On the 24th Sep we drove the Yanks out of Orange & Greene (?) Co into Culpeper Co, they did not give us any fight at all we drove them like chafe before the wind.
This the 25th Sep we are near Orange Co.
E. Damron owes me $5.00 Sep 25
I sent Daniel's & Jacks horse home the 25th Sep.
On the 26th Sep we left Orange Co, (?) for Raccoon Ford on our old stamping place.
This 26th Sep is a very cold & windy day
On the 26th Sep Six of our boys went home after fresh horses
On the 29th Sep we had Regimental Inspection
This 30th Sep is a clowdy morning
This the 4th October is Sunday & a beautiful day it is every thing seems to be quiet & peaceable in our army to day. Would that I could be at home to day. I would be at Church or with some nice girls enjoying all the rich blessings of nature.
This the 5th of October we had Regimental drill for Genl Lomax & I think he is a perfect drilled
Officer. I am very much pleased with Genl Lomax. I think he is a good officer & man. This has
been a beautiful day & very clear Oct 5th
October the 8th we received orders last night to march this morning at half after six, but the orders
were countermanded, have no idea when we will march. Three Co's went on picket this morning.
This is somewhat cloudy weather. There is but little grazing here for our horses & we get but little
corn for them.
On the 9th October we move camp about 3 miles toward Orange C. H. & on the 10th Oct move back to our old camp & are now under marching orders, expect to march any moment destination unknown. All the infantry left here on the 10th Oct.
All the infantry left about Raccoon Ford on the 10th October 1863.
On the 11th October 1863 about 1 o'clock PM all cavalry departed from Raccoon Ford after the Yanks, our Brigade went to Mo[r]ton's Ford where we found a small force of the enemy & soon drove them back across river & continued to drive them until we got to Brandy Station where we had a pretty good fight with them but after three gallant charges we drove them from the Station & they retreated rapidly towards Hazel River& this morning the 12th of October we are near the Hazel River saddle up ready to march there was no one in our Co killed but several wounded.
On the 12 Ih Oct 1863 we departed from near Brandy Station to Washington Springs in Foutyear [Fauquier] Co, all of our infantry went with us. Staid all night near Warrington Springs. Our Co was in piquet that night & I cappured [sic] two that were straytin [sic] about & I got two good pistols & two good sabres from them & the next morning I went down the road where our men made a charge on the Yanks & found another good pistol, So I got three good pistols & a good many other things to numerous to mention I suppose [illegible] what I got was worth $200.00 I sold one of the pistols for $45.00
On the 13thh October we left Warrington Springs & went direction of Manassas after the Yanks & about night we met up with them & had a stiff fight but on one in our Co killed. we had to fall back as they had a Division of Infantry & we had none.
On the 14th Oct All of our infantry got down this morning & we had been driving them all day. but no regular regiments. We are now about 10 miles of Manassas making preparations to fight they are fighting in the night now. This is very badly written & I am afraid I can't read it in the future [illegible] must turn in first book.
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I will have to commence writing in the first part of this book. If you want to get a diary of the things that occured [sic] in the last two months turn to the back of this book. I have been marching day & night & haven't [illegible] had a pencil fit to write with.
This the 15th of Oct we are now near Manassas Junction in Prince William Co. They were fighting last night up until 12 o'clock. Haven't heard the result of the fight, but I am confident we drove them, we drove them upwards of 10 miles yesterday.
Oct 15th 8 o'clock AM we are saddle [illegible] ready for marching. I think we will have a fight today if the Yanks make any stan. This is quite a gloomy morning. I think we will have a [illegible] day. Our rations have been cut or out (? could be either word) three days & I am getting pretty hungry [sic].
On the 15th October there was but little fighting with the infantry but we cavalry boys had a pretty hot time. All of our Brigade was dismounted & put out as sharp shooters on the 15th Oct at Manassas Junction. we drove the Yanks back & had no one hurt in our co - we retired after fighting about an hour.
On the night of the 15th Oct we staid around Manassas Junction. On the 16th of October staid around Manassas all day, had no fighting but piquet firing. had a very heavy rain on the 16th Of Oct.
17th Oct we are still at Manassas, all thing seems quiet this morning we are saddle up ready to march. This is a pretty morning.
We are on one side of Bull Run & the Yanks the other -
On the 17th Oct we marched from Manassas Junction to Gainesville, distance 12 miles.
On the 18th Oct our Co was Sharp shooting all day at Bristo [sic] Station. No one in Co hurt.
On the 19th Oct we fell back from Bristo [sic] Station to Buckland in Forquier [sic] Co where we had a prity [sic] sharp fight with the Yanks drove them 3 or 4 miles, took some 200 prisoners & wagons & one cannon & did not have a man killed.
This the 20th Oct we are 6 miles below Warrington. Expect to have another fight today
We having had any rations for three days & I am getting hungry.
On the 20th October we march from 6 miles below Warrington [sic] across the North Prong of the Rappahannock. Last night we cross the Rappahannock came very nigh swimming our horses. We did not have any rations for four days.
This the 21st of Oct we are the south side of the Rappahannock.
On the 19th Oct we commence driving the Yanks from Rappadan [sic] to Bull Run & on the 21st we fell back across the Rappahannock.
We were marching 11 days & in 11 we had five fights
I feel very thankful that God has spared me in such a (rade ?)
This the 23rd Oct is a pretty day
This the 26th of Oct is a beautiful day & I have been lazing in the sun all day
On the 26th Oct we move camp to John Minor Botts farm
On the 29th Oct I went rabbit hunting, had a very long walk & killed nothing
This the 30th Oct is a very gloomy day
On the 31st Oct our Regt went on piquet near Jeffersonton in Culpeper Co. Our Co are now on piquet near Waterton [Waterloo] on the Rappahannock, we have been here two days but expect to be relieved today
I truly hope we will stay here a week or two as this is one of the best piquet post I ever was on, We
have enjoyed the rich blessings of nature. Since we have been here have had everything in the
way of eating that appetite could wish with the exeption [sic] of drinkables & as for & pretty young ladies
I never saw the more plentiful in any vicinity. I have gotten acquainted with several girls & have
enjoyed myself wonderful with them. We that we could stay here a month or two, but I am afraid
we will be relieved this afternoon - I have eaten some of the best meals since I have been on this
post here. Since I have been in the army
I & several of my friends are now at Mr. Burks waiting for breakfast
This the 3rd of Nov is a beautiful morning. Every thing seems to be quiet & peaceable on the piquet post this morning
Last evening the 2 nd Nov, our Piquet Post saw Genl Rosser Brigade on the opposite side of the river
& not knowing they (?) on scout on the opposite side. Thought they were Yanks & reported to
the reserve the Yanks were advancing & it created great confusion with the citizens
This the 3' of November I am Mr. Wezman's near Piquet Post I have had a nice time today with
Miss Miller & Roberta _I?hWezman
On the 3rd of Nov we came of Piquet Post at Waterton [sic] on the Rappahannock
On the 4th Nov we had a Brigade review on John Minor Botts farm
On the 5th Nov we had a General Cavalry review on John Minor Botts farm. It was certainly a great scene. I supposed 100,000 people there
On the 7th Nov I & Scruggs were detail to carry mules to Gordonsville had a hard trip. we got to Gordonsville on the th Nov after a hard march & after we delivered the mules we departed for Jim Garlands in Albermarle Co I went to Jim's & Scruggs went to his fathers
I arrived at Capt. Hammett's (?) about 11 o'clock in the night. Staid [sic] all night & the next morning
departed for Timsley (?) I stopped at Wm. Garland's several hours & had a very nice time with
Perss Carr & Sallie Johnson (Ann Scholl (?) girl) then I proclaimed to Jim & staid all night & the next
morning the 11th Nov we started for our Regt
On 11th Nov I travel from Jim Garlands to Mr. Garrisons near Gordonsville & staid all night, had
quite a nice time.
Brother Daniel got back to the Regt 10th Nov
This the 12th Nov I am quite unwell with the bowle [sic] disease.
Brother Richard left the Regt 8th Nov
This is a very pretty morning 12th Nov
On the 13th Nov 1863 1 took charge of the ordnance department of the 15th Va Cav on the 14th Nov 1863 Brother Daniel left the Regt for the Hospital
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On the night of the 26th Nov we left Roberson [Robertson or Robinson – same river] River for Morton's Ford in Orange Co - We march all night & had a very hard time that night
On the 27th Nov we commence fighting the Yanks at Morton's Ford & drove them back across the river
On the 28th Nov we had a Sharp fight. Infantry & Cav & Artilery [sic]
On the 29th Nov All quiet
30th Nov I have heard heavy artilery [sic] in the direction of Chancellorsville all the morning. I think they are [illegible] carry on hot works down there, I have not heard the result yet our men has been in line of battle for three days. I think there is a general engagement on hand
On the 28th Nov I went up to Orange Springs after a lode of ammunition had a hot (?) time of it
Christmas has come again & here I am in my lonely tent, would that I could be with my lover or at home with my parents.