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Page 40 ends the book portion of the diary. However, neatly folded and tucked inside the back cover are 10 individual sheets of lined paper folded in half to produce 4 pages each measuring 4-1/2 inches by 7-1/2 inches and containing additional daily diary entries. The
fourth (last) page of each sheet is not written on. The initial sheet starts on May 26, 1862
some five months after the last book diary entry. The sheets will be designated Sheet 1,
Sheet 2, etc., to differentiate them from the book diary. The sheets are written in pencil as opposed to the diary, which is written in ink.
[Sheet 1 is not in Franklin Eldredge’s usual handwriting, as the cursive is slanted slightly to the left – unlike that in the diary]
Sheet 1, pg 1
Monday, May 26, 1862
Clear, pleasant morning; started early for Catletts Station; halted at noon; arrived at Catletts about sunset; mail arrived; rec’d. letters from Sister, Albert Carr and Cousin Adda; Dan found a box of Cavalry clothing, etc.; we put the contents in our knapsacks;
“turned in”; slept well; boys quite wearied with marching.
Tuesday, May 27, 1862
Pleasant morning; started early for Manassas Junction; we followed the railroad; the lame, halt and blind rode in the cars; marched slow; reached the far=famed Manassas
at four o’clock, P.M.; saw ninety graves of members of the Tenth Alabama regiment in
one place; a fort is built at the Junction; level, barren tract of land; many dead horses;
almost intolerable stench; bivouacked four miles north=west of Manassas, in a field that was fairly covered with the rebel dead and wounded, on the memorable 21st of July , 1861, brought away from the battle=field; marched 17 miles today, and 12 miles yesterday; boys tired out; very foot=sore; Gen. Banks has been driven out of the valley,
by an overwhelming force, under command of Gen. Jackson, (rebel.); Shields to the rescue.
Wednesday, May 28, 1862
Sultry morning; halted for water at Gainesville; commenced raining; went on through Hay Market, Thoroughfare Gap, and the quiet, pleasantly situated, little village of White Plains; honey=suckles abundant; bivouacked in a shady wood, two miles west of White Plains; very tired; we have marched eighteen miles to=day.
Sheet 1, pg 2
Thursday, May 29, 1862
Fine morning; started at eight; marched through fine chestnut and oak forests; halted
occasionally; arrived at Rectortown at noon; went into camp; shaved, washed and changed; we eat our “little John ration” of coffee and hard bread, when we were ordered
to be ready to march immediately; left Rectortown at sunset; went two miles with the regiment, and then went back to Rectortown; the regiment marched all night; rough, hilly road.
Friday, May 30, 1862
Left Rectortown at seven; sultry morning; passed through Markham and Linden; saw the residence of Col. Ashby and E. I. Marshall, Esq., at Markham; took dinner at Linden,
The Manassas Gap Station; bully one; terrible thunder storm; reached the regiment, at
Front Royal, about four o’clock, P.M. our cavalry had a skirmish with Ashby’s men; we had nine killed and seven wounded; took two hundred prisoners; several rebels killed and wounded; we bivouacked at River Station, 1-1/2 miles north of Front Royal; slept
On the damp ground; awoke at midnight to find several inches of water running under me; terrible thunder shower; wet, Oh! How wet! Wet no name for it; lay down again and “let her rip!”
Saturday, May 31, 1862
Arose early, as I was disgusted with my last night’s accommodations; still raining; rain
somewhat modified; Shields Division feasted on fritters and bacon; boys bought extra flour at Weston’s Mill, paying for it in imitation Confederate Notes; three sacks for ten
Dollars; Weston a rank secessionist; he was arrested; our pickets captured eleven army
wagons, one rifled twelve pounder, four mules, a large quantity of bacon, and other army stores; The Third Brigade went out four miles, on picket, to Happy Creek Station;
McDowell arrived; rained!
Sunday, June 1, 1862 Sheet 1, pg 3
Awoke early; went down to the station and washed; Gen. Duryea’s brigade passed through towards Front Royal; heavy cannonading in the direction of Winchester; fine
Bee=garden here – over six hundred bee=hives; orders were received to march immediately, at ten o’clock; very brisk cannonading in the direction of Strasburg; Gen
Banks probably driving Gen. Jackson; reached River Station about noon; we drew three
Days rations in a hurry; Shields Division ordered to Luray; large force in Front Royal;
Every road and field lined with teams, cannon and troops; started toward Luray at five,
P.M.; we marched five miles and bivouacked; terrible thunder storm; fairly soaked through.
Monday, June 2, 1862
Pleasant morning; started at eight; terrible heavy cannonading in the direction of Woodstock; halted at noon and made coffee; very warm; fairly sultry; Gen. Shields rode
along the line, encouraging the troops; went on; took our usual bath; most terrible
thunder=storm; got wet as usual – very; bivouacked five miles from Luray; my “old
coyderoys” “played out”; put on my Cavalry pants; our men found two old houses filled with rebel army stores – Clothing, Knapsacks, tobacco and salaratus, which, after appro-
priating a part, were burned; we got a bottle of salaratus; made some pan=cakes; pretty
good; put up our little canvas tent; rained all night; slept quite comfortable.
Tuesday, June 3, 1862
Awoke with a bad cold; left camp early; very sultry; water in good demand; passed through Luray at noon; bivouacked at Hamburg, two miles west of Luray; rebels had
burned the Long Bridge across the Shenandoah; heavy rain all night.
Wednesday, June 4, 1862 Sheet 2, pg 1
Very rainy morning; almost impossible to build fires; we learned a new plan of making coffee – steeped it, as we could not boil it – which tasted bully; very bad cold; wrote to my sister; the rain “dried up” in the afternoon; we had, for supper, boiled and fried beef,
Corn=pone, “bully soup”, fresh hog, and coffee; played dominoes in the evening; “retired to our virtuous couch”, for once, without hearing “the patter of the rain”.
Thursday, June 5, 1862
Cloudy, dull morning; received orders to get ready to march; packed our knapsacks,
haversacks, and rolled our blankets; left camp at eight o’clock, A.M.; marched down the east bank of the Shenandoah through Leatsville and Almond, to Columbia Bridge, which was burned by the rebels, also, where we encamped, upon a fine knoll; “pitched
our moving tent”, and sat down to a sumptuous repast of bread, butter, milk and boiled
Beef; Jno. Douthitt “scouted” and obtained the said luxuries; several “gay birds” at Almond; came five miles to=day; indications that the rebels were planting a masked battery on the opposite bank of the river, preparatory to shelling our camp; “pulled up
stakes”, and moved over a hill, back from the river; four masked batteries discovered by our General, brave old “Mickey” Shields; [here the cursive appears to revert to that of
Franklin Eldredge] pitched our tents; got supper of fresh beef; with out salt; pretty
hard up; nothing to be had; good time in the Evening Dave Ste---[?] visited us
bunked for the night
Friday June 6th 1862 Sheet 2, pg 2
Bright cloudy day; orders to get ready to march; drawed rations of flour, beans, Sugar
& coffee; J.H.Dtt on a “scout”. Returned with bread, leaving two canteens behind;
eat our “John rations” of coffee & pancakes, left Camp & moved down the river four
miles; very pleasant place; Orvis washed clothes; got supper: pancakes & coffee; orders to march; packed up, & started at 7 P.M. Arrived on own old camping ground
(that we occupied the day before) pitched tent & went to bed
Saturday June 7th 1862
Pleasant day; J H Douthitt went & got the canteens; took breakfast & orders to pack
our knapsacks & leave them “coming to regulations” I guess, left everything but our
tents & rubber blankets; Speech from Col Creighton; “bully for him”. Left camp
& marched 14 miles; went on picket Dan got warm bread; on the second relief took
our blankets & stayed the rest of the night.
Sunday June 8th 1862
Pleasant day; returned to Camp; went on with out breakfast, halted five miles & took
breakfast & went on to within 6 miles of Fort Republic & heard the news of of [sic] the
4th Brigade’s having a skirmish one man badly wounded in the side by a shell; 7th Ind-
boys took one gun & lost two, pretty tight times; orders to burn the Bridge; was not
burned. Marched 25 miles; took our posish about ½ mile from the bridge; Scouted
till night . Fremonts fight over the mountains fell back two miles heavy cannonading;
stopped for the night
Monday June 9th 1862 Sheet 2, pg 3
Very pleasant morning; arose early got breakfast & was ordered into line the “Rebels”
opened fire on our battery; we (the 3 Brigade) took our posish in a corn field on the road
side ½ mile from Port Republic; Rebels open fire with “muskets” at 8-1/2 A.M. lasting
about 4 hours; the third Brigade make a charge; Rebels run every way; they are reinforced and beat our men; I got a bullet through my right thigh; we have to fall back;
Rebel Cavalry swim the river & charge our rear they get drove into the river again; we retreat 9 miles; loose 7 cannon; great loss on both sides; 7th Ohio 8 killed & wounded 85; Co G’s loss killed two; wounded 13 & Prisoners 5; met the first Brigade; they cover our retreat “Old Shields” comes up; heavy cannonading heard; had my leg dressed at barn we go 6 miles in ambulances; Regt comes up; I stayed with the boys
Tuesday June 10th 1862
Wet morning; leave the boys & go to Luray in the ambulance; Morse gets bread on the way; arrive at Luray at 3 P.M. 3 of the 7th Ind. & 4 of the 7th Ohio in our room
Co D man & I bunked together; Barnard our nurse; Saw Sargt Lazarus from Ohio; good
many of the boys visit me; Bill Horner made me a crutch & cane; Cronk makes some for the Oberlin boys; boys have their wounds dressed; they feel pretty well; full of fun;
my leg feels pretty well; we go to bed early
Wednesday June 11th 1862 Sheet 3, pg 1
Fine morning; feel quite smart; Battery boy had his leg taken off just above the Knee; the 4 & 1st Brigades pass through town; they put on style; band played; 50 “Sesesh” Prisioners are marched toard Front Royal; one man buried; We have a great deal of fun;
We are to be ready to go to Front Royal at nine A.M. tomorrow; Sent my tent & rubber to Dan’l by one of the Band boys; Clark goes on a “scout” to “buy’ honey. A.C.Flanigan
has a ball taken out of his foot & we retire early feeling well
Thursday June 12th 1862
Very fine morning; feel quite smart got breakfast & packed up for the move; got loaded
about noon; got my Descriptive list of G.I.- Recd; got letter from Bro.H.; went 13 miles toward Ft. Royal & Camped; pretty song riding in the “Government S”; slept in the wagon with Corporal Fry W Atwater; & one of the 66th Ohio
Friday June 13th 1862
Pleasant morning; Started at 5 AM & arrived at F.t. Royal at 9 ½; took quarters in the tavern; Wrote to Sister & Bro; quite a heavy shower in the afternoon; Drew new pants
from Brigade Q.M. Clark shaved me; gave my leg a bath; feels quite well read the
battle of Monday in the Phila-Enquirer; music on the Piano by a gay “Sesesh”, Dan
going home on furlough
Saturday June 14th 1862 Sheet 3, pg 2
Pleasant day; got breakfast & packed up; the 1st M.E.Cavalry passed through town
band on horse back; “gay music”, loaded on the wounded & Started for Washington,
Saw Tom Doneks at White Plains; gave me 6 papers of tobacco for the boys; passed
by the “Bull run” battle field; large rifle pits; passed through Alexandria, “gay” place;
nurses made coffee; stayed about an hour; passed over the “grand’ bridge of the
“Potomac” arrived in the Su---------- of the city at nine P.M. Citizens very kind; fed all
the sick & wounded; carried things to us till one oclock; laid on the track in the cars;
wound was not dressed at all; went to sleep. Fire bells rang very low in the night
Sunday June 15th 1862
Pleasant morning; leg pretty sore; dressed it myself; Citizens fed us again “gay”
Washington girls; saw the “temple” that “honest Abe” stayes in; called the “white
house” very nice; one of the 29th O.V. died in the car; from wound in the Knee Went
over into Dr Donaldsons yard; had wine, cigars, & milk; many Representatives came to see us. “bully” times; moved up to Cliffburn Hospital; Saw our Capitol, very nice place
good deal of “style” in the hospitals; “red tape” played out in Shields Division; boys
don’t like it; pretty good beds, & very good “grub”; “Sisters of charity” nurses had my
wound dressed.
Monday June 16th 1862
Pleasant cool day; washed & felt pretty smart; went & saw the boys at the other wards;
Boys feel pretty well; had my leg dressed; one of the 5th O.V. had a ball taken from his leg; citizens visited us; good many warm friends in Washington
Tuesday June 17th 1862 Sheet 3, pg 3
Pleasant cool morning; leg pretty sore; washed & felt better; slop for coffee; boys
mad about it; Representatives visit us; Mr Stepans brought things with him gave me Socks, Slips, Envelopes & a book great many ladies from the City; one of them gave me a Boquett; had Strawberries for Supper; nurse went down town, did not have very good care while he was gone; 5th boys out late, they get reported; felt better went to bed very early; to have “bully” sleep
Wednesday June 18th 1862
Cool morning; rested well last night; bread meat & slop for breakfast; visits from 4 Ohio ladies; one Mrs E Steats of Cleveland; cousin to Prentiss of Ravenna; she drew up an article on the dismissal of Gen Hayes; I signed it. Short visit from Salmon P. Chase;
Pelton & I traded bunks & came up with Ed Atwater & Hawkins Wrote letter to Capt. Seymour; visit from Wm Goddard of the 5th OV how he got his furlough; bully
Thursday June 19th 1862
Very warm day; feel “bully”; washed and eat breakfast & had my leg done up by the nurse; was shaved; Representative Blake came & brought papers for us; names of the killed & wounded in the Philadelphia Enquirer; wrote to Albert Carr; Wrote to Sister Mary & Bro Oliver, had a slight shower this afternoon; report of the rebel Jackson being dead; false rumor; my leg does not pain me at all to day
Friday June 20th 1862 Sheet 4, pg 1
Pleasant Morning; My leg doing well; one of the 5th OV died of lockjaw; Pelton, Decker, Wood & Burt started home on furlough; Mr Hamilton of Oberlin Came to see Ed Atwater, brought yesterdays Clev papers; part of the boys paid off; Pelton came back; could not go home owing to an order issued by the Secretary; no more furloughs;
Went up to see Fry.
Saturday June 21st 1862
Fine Morning; rested well last night; had “gallupsious” breakfast bread & milk; beef
Steak; had my leg dressed; “bully” good well started for the bath house, saw some
“sesesh” prisioners & stopped & talked with them about the war; 6th S Carolina
One of Gen’l Shields aids visited us; also the Major Pay master Said we would be payed
Monday; Wm Goddard took supper with me; Shields Division ordered to Richmond;
7th & 5th Stacked arms would not go till they had some rest; had my leg dressed;
Sunday June 22nd 1862
Cloudy warm day; leg dressed & feel pretty smart; read most of the for noon; walked out for health; A.G.Riddle M.C. from Granger Co brought papers & Envelopes for us;
Short sermon & prayer by the Rev’d Mr Butler; wrote letters to Garrisons & Brother H;
part of the boys have to leave the Hospital & go some where else; feel well.
Monday June 23rd 1862 Sheet 4, pg 2
Warm morning; did not rest very well last night; most of the boys was moved to Fairfax
C.H.; wrote letter to Mother Cope; Pay master came & payed all of the 7th O.V. I recd
22 dollars; My Clothing bill was taken out; Orderly Barrett came from Ohio; great times about the Port Republic fight. Sent line to J.H.Douthitt & word to Billie C.
Orderly going to the Regt. Tomorrow; Several balls taken out of the boys legs, heads, arms, & quite a shower toards night pretty hard sights; one of the 5th OV to have his leg amputated; ladies with oranges & cakes came in to the wards & distributed them; 5th O.V. had his leg amputated in the Evening; he bore it well; pretty hard rain storm; leg good.
Tuesday June 24th 1862
Cool day; rainy morning; Doctor says my leg is doing well; went up & talked with the
“Sesesh” prisioners, “they have got enough of it; went to ward no 5 to see Fry; he was doing well; wants a furlough; Peltons brother in law came from Ohio to get him; he brought “Maple” Sugar; Stayed all night with us; did not feel very well; went to bed very early;
Wednesday June 25th 1862
Cool nice day; went up to the ward masters office, for letters; went around several wards
Fry came down to see us; Mrs Staats gave us a call with her “nicnacks”. Also Chaplain
Wright & wife; feel quite well; living great deal better; furloughs not played out; wrote
Letter to Mellie; one of the Treasury department going to try & get furloughs for us.”bully”
Thursday June 26th 1862 Sheet 4, pg 3
Cool Morning; leg doing well; dress it my self; “bully” breakfast, milk & C.
read most of the forenoon; wrote letter for B.J.Hawkins; recd letter from Sister Mary;
Wrote letter for David Sirks; Pelton went home on furlough; he left Lemons, White Sugar, Maple Sugar, Can of Peaches & c; for met boys; Atwater made “bully” lemonade; Mr Hamilton of Oberlin was here; Splendid music in the Evening.
Friday June 27th 1862
Warm day; did not feel very well all day; wrote to Hon A.G.Riddle for for[sic] a furlough; had a can of peaches that Pelton left; very good; bought a new pocket book;
Mr Stephens & Miss Reese visited us bringing with them a bottle of wine. 23 “Sesesh”
Prisioners marched off to the jail; Fry made us a visit, is going home; had my lungs
Sounded, right one affected a little; lots of Sport at night.
Sat June 28th 1862
Very warm day; rested poorly last night; Not very well; no apetite; Behrings bled badly; artery got untied; Fry gave us a call; he got his furlough; bought part of a box of cigars; went to bed early
Sunday June 29th 1862
Nice cool day; feel well; leg doing first rate. Wm. W Rogers died this morning; Hon A.G. Riddle gave us a call. Going to try & get furlough for us; Hon Mr Hutchins took our names; Wrote letter to Sister Mary; 2 Slight showers; Some of McClellans sick from “white house landing” arrived here to day Services at half past four; text 36th Psalm.
30th June 1862 Sheet 5, pg 1
Warm & pleasant; leg pretty sore traded beds with Sirks; working for a furlough;
Representatives visit us; received letter from ____[his dash] Fry visited us; in a phiz for home
Tuesday July 1st 1862
Cool & pleasant; feel pretty well; Atwater not able to be out; Mrs. Staats & Wheeler
(both of Clevd.) visited & brought things to us; “Battle at Richmond” great excitement;
Washington all astir;
Wednesday July 2nd 1862
Rainy day; leg doing well; feel pretty well; very dull lonsome day; wrote to _____[his
dash] , & some letters; went to see Fry; doing well; read a great deal; Berhems of the
5th Ohio Reg pretty low; rained all day
Thursday July 3rd 1862 Sheet 5, pg 2
Dull & cloudy; feel first rate; Behrens died at 11 A.M. Atwater & Fry recd their furloughs; & started home in the afternoon Wrote a letter to Sister Mary & sent $20 with
Atwater. Leg doing well; did not rain
Friday July 4th 1862
Warm & pleasant; got a pass & went to town; Hawkins with me; had a good time went to the Capitol; Went to Mr Stevens’s & stayed all night; fire works in the Eve; Some
“band boys” there in Eve
Saturday July 5th 1862
Very pleasant; “all right” leg doing well good breakfast; had a good visit; left for camp & arrived at 12.N. boys moved to ward 17 & filled up with McClellans men, some
pretty bad cases; did not move to ward 17; “bully”
Sunday July 6th 1862 Sheet 5, pg 3
Pleasant day; doing well; went to ward 17; Preaching at 3 ½ P.M. More wounded from “McLellan army” Wrote several letters; went over to the Sutlers & got some nuts & c
Monday July 7th 1862
Warm very warm; leg first rate; more wounded from McLellans Army; Several Surgical opperations performed; rained & hailed very hard in the afternoon; blowed the beds over in the tents; leg doing well
Tuesday 8 day of July 1862
Warm______day
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