Dwight Henry Cory Letters and Diary

A very pleasant day but not very lively with me as all around me are almost entire strangers. Answer letters and read, make calls in the afternoon at the regiment, and dine with the boys at Head Quarters.

Life in the Office of 3rd. Brig. Commissary becomes rather more tolerable then when first commenced on the 25th of December \64. Answer a letter written in reply to an advertisement in the Waverly.

Monday, January 2, 1865

On the 18th of November 1864 I received a Commission as 1st Lt. Was very much surprised, as I had not been recommended by the officer then in command because I would not accept a 2nd Lieuts. Commission. And for this streak of good luck I have to feel thankful to Lt. Cap. William Stedman he having gone to Columbus and plead my cause for me. After considerable wire pulling am mustered as Commissary of the regiment on the 28th of November and commence my duty as per muster. On the 25th of Dec. following, am detailed as A.C.S. of the 3rd Brig., 2nd Co. Division in the place of Lt. B. J. Levy on leave of absence. This too was more than my most surprise hopes would have expected for my Commission bears the latest date of any in the Brigade and my pride goes up far above zero or any other marks ever reached by it before. During my day receive several compliments from Gen'l Smith commanding the Brigade.

Friday, January 20, 1865

B. J. Levy has not yet returned and he having been permanently relived by Cap. Richardson, I am ordered to turn over all property in my possession belonging to Lt. Levy and to take receipts for it in his name but find it not a very easy job as his papers are all with him, however we make a guess at it and do the best that the case will admit.

Saturday, January 21, 1865

Return to duty with the Regiment and it seems like going home after having been absent since the 25th of January last.

Saturday, February 4, 1865

Extensive preparations are going on for a move which seems to promise much for our arms. The Cavalry are all out together with the greater part of the company this side of the Appomatox river. The 3rd division of the 9th Corps. pass just at night on their way to the front. General Meade and staff are also en route for the scene of conflict but very little artillery is taken along on account of the bad roads. The weather promises to favor our move.

Sunday, February 5, 1865

Heavy Cannoning was hard last night in the direction of Hatcher's Run and rumors of the failure of the enterprise are flying through camp. We hear that two Companies of our Regiment are captured and fearing it may be so ride out to the front to hear the particulars and find that with the exception of 5 men wounded we sustain no loss and have driven the enemy about a mile and a half and taken about 40 prisoners. The weather still continues pleasant but is growing colder.

Monday, February 6, 1865

Slept out on the ground last night for the first time since the fall of \64. It seems rather hard but perfectly natural. It snows in the night and turns to sleet in the morning which makes the boys dread to stir away from their blazing log fires in the woods but they have just received a fresh supply of ammunition and are ordered onto the skirmish line. I return to camp and bring rations out in the night but am ordered not to issue for the Regiment is ordered into camp. The cold rain still continues to fall and the camp is entered with pleasure.

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