The Virginia Campaign: The Diary of Lewis Byram Hull, 1861-1862 -- Page 1 of 3

The Virginia Campaign:
The Diary of Lewis Byram Hull, 1861-1862

This is a copy of the diary of Lewis Byram Hull of Greenfield, Ohio transcribed by his daughter, Myra E. Hull. His daughter was a member of the department of English at the University of Kansas, Lawrence.

The introductory page to Lewis Byram Hull's diary, presumably written by Myra E. Hull, contains his biography. This biographical information has been moved to the 60th Ohio Biographies section of this website. It has been combined with additional biographical information mentioned in Soldiering on the High Plains: The Diary of Lewis Byram Hull, 1864-1866.

October 31, 1861	Enlisted and was sworn in for a year. (Camp near Petersburg, Ohio.)
November 1, 1861	Stood guard for the first time.
November 5, 1861	Examined by the surgeon, Dr. Noble, and passed easily. Vaccinated. Received a musket.
November 8, 1861	Marched from camp to Petersburg.
November 10, 1861	Sunday. Dress parade. The adjutant is coming down on us very hard. We are all required to attend religious services this afternoon, the first in camp.
November 14, 1861	In Petersburg on a recruiting trip.
November 18, 1861	My 20th birthday finds me in camp at Petersburg. I have now been in camp three weeks. I may never see another birthday, for their is no certainty in war. I may fall.
November 19, 1861	Leesburg, Ohio. I have just arrived at this place from Petersburg, having walked all the way, carrying my gun and knapsack.
November 22, 1861	We had a great hunt last nights.
November 23, 1861	Went to Greenfield. Stayed at home all night.
November 30, 1861	Walked from Petersburg last night. Heard a sermon by Mr. Williams. Heard a speech in the evening by a Mr. Smith, the best speech I ever heard.
December 2, 1861	I had dinner at Mr. Burnett's yesterday and stayed there all night. I am now visiting the school in Marshall.
December 3, 1861	Boston, Ohio. I was at a concert at Marshall last night, a concert and exhibition in one. We left Marshall this morning for here and I had the best dinner I ever saw got up.
December 4, 1861	Camp Mitchell. Attended a party last night at Mr. Vanpelt's. Came to camp this morning.
December 6, 1861	Was a guard last night.
December 7, 1861	Assistant cook to-day.
December 8, 1861	Religious services, Rev. Mr. Steele officiating. Music by the band. Dress parade.
December 9, 1861	At work putting floor in our tent.
December 14, 1861	Held election of officers by moonlight last night. Great apparent dissatisfaction this morning.
December 16, 1861	Went to Hillsboro this evening for the purpose of meeting Capt. Gardner's company, and receive overcoats. After receiving overcoats we marched through the town and then returned to camp.
December 17, 1861	Battalion drill. Did well for the first time.
December 18, 1861	Messing off to-day.
December 19, 1861	Picket guards sent out last night for the first time for this regiment. Acted as corporal today for Mr. Jarvis. Visitors at our quarters. Col. Trimble made a speech.
December 20, 1861	I am cook for the mess.
December 23, 1861	Building a kitchen this evening.
December 24, 1861	Christmas eve; the pleasantest weather I ever saw for Christmas. Dress parade this evening; also skirmish drill by the company. The citizens prepared the greatest dinner that has yet been prepared for us. Capt. Silvane delivered a speech after dinner which was full of fun and patriotism.
December 25, 1861	This is the first Christmas that I ever spent away from home; but I enjoyed myself as well as could have been expected, considering all things.
December 27, 1861	Will (Odell) went home sick this afternoon.
December 29, 1861	Preaching in camp by Rev. J. McD. Matthews. The last sabbath of the old year. A sad thought. Where will we who are here as brothers be at the end of the coming year? Perhaps a number of us will find soldiers' graves ere another year rolls around. It makes me feel sad when I look around and see my comrades, some of whom without doubt will never see the close of another year, but still I hope for the best.
January 1, 1862	The New Year. I have not felt well for several days. Camp Mitchell, near Hillsboro, Ohio. The beginning of the year should be a time of friendly greeting and general good feeling toward everybody. But now, O how many brothers and friends are separated from those friends and the fireside of home by the sad condition of our country! And how many of them will never again visit the home or friends they love so dearly! No doubt many thousand of them will never see the beginning of another year. They will fall on the field of battle, but they will live in the memory of future generations.
January 5, 1862	Went to Boston to church. Came back to camp and got dinner.
January 6, 1862	Went to Hillsboro with John in a sleigh. He is staying the night with us.
January 8, 1862	John M. Newby died last night at his residence in Boston, the first of our regiment to die. I am cook today.
January 9, 1862	On guard today
January 11, 1862	Went to Mr. Simpson's this evening. Went to a part at Leaverton's. Just came back to camp.
January 12, 1862	Rumor in camp that the regiment is going to be disbanded.
January 18, 1862	A squad of 100 went to church in Hillsboro. Last night there was a man found on a flatboat which was floating down the river. He was badly wounded. It was unknown how it happened.
[Several pages of the diary missing. Evidently a move had been made from Camp Mitchell to a camp near Gallipolis, four miles from Mt. Pleasant.]
February 17, 1862	Good news this morning from Kentucky. Fort Donelson reported taken. 13 rounds fired from a 12 pounder inside our camp, in honor of the victory. A rumor that the news of victory was false. Later the news of the certain fall of Ft. Donelson was confirmed. A very large flag was raised in our camp and 35 rounds fired. The town is illuminated tonight, making quite an imposing and beautiful spectacle.
February 18, 1862	Took a ride in a skiff (on the Ohio) for the first time today.
February 19, 1862	There were nine rebel prisoners passed up on a boat.
February 20, 1862	Bought a dollar's worth of postage stamps. The boats used in the transportation of the troops are going down the river.
February 22, 1862	Gun firing in honor of Washington's birthday. After dinner the regiment marched to the M. E. Church. The order of service was: Music by the band -- Hail, Columbia Prayer Reading of Farewell Address Music by the choir -- "A Shout for Our Banner." Speech by Col. Trimble Band -- Star Spangled Banner Choir -- "The Union and the Constitution." Band -- "American Boys' Quickstep." Benediction
February 23, 1862	River high and still raining. Joseph Maddox and I took a walk. We went west of town and climbed the high rocks, where we obtained a very fine view of the city of Gallipolis and the surrounding country. We could distinctly see Mt. Pleasant, which is four miles distant. The rocks were high and precipitous. Some of them were seamed with very deep fissures. They looked old and time-worn, being covered with moss.
February 24, 1862	The boys have arrived from Camp Mitchel, 24 of them. There are yet about 8 of our company out. Albert Smith is missing, supposed to have fallen overboard.
February 25, 1862	Dress parade for the first time since the regiment organized (the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.)
March 1, 1862	Out on squad drill for the first time since leaving Camp Mitchel.
March 2, 1862	Yesterday evening a man was drawn up on dress parade and a court martial held, which sentenced him to be marched in front of the regiment and back again to the music of the Rogue's March. (His name was Simpson.) Then he was to be escorted to the guard house and there turned loose. His offense was drunkenness and insulting a lady.
March 3, 1862	Went to the doctor for medicine for a cold and cough.
March 6, 1862	One of Capt. Irwin's men by the name of Hunter was buried at the graveyard this evening. His death was caused by intemperance. Was at a concert and exhibition last night at the court house. It was given by the ladies of the Soldiers' Aid Society. It was well attended and was a good, interesting entertainment.
March 7, 1862	Drew dress coats and pants this morning; very nice coats, but the pants are rather coarse. They will wear well. Addresses: Kittie Morgan, Lettas, Ohio; Bell Anderson, Frankfort; Maggie D. Irion, Greenfield, Ohio; Dora Watts, New Petersburg; Lidie Sincliar; Ellie A. Buckner.
April 1, 1862	Drilled by battalions.
April 2, 1862	Will went to the hospital this morning with the mumps. Ed Trimble started to Wheeling this evening for the purpose of meeting General Fremont.
April 4, 1862	Was at the hospital this morning to see the sick for the first time. Saw a man in a fit.
April 5, 1862	Cooper died this morning in a fit. I attended the funeral. He was buried with military honors.
April 6, 1862	Battalion review and inspection of men and arms this morning. I went to services at the Presbyterian church.
April 8, 1862	The steamer, "Rose Hamilton," came up the river this morning with a calliope on board playing several airs. It was the first steam music I had ever heard, but I had heard of the like before. It made very good music.
April 9, 1862	A great battle in Tennessee at Pittsburg. Our men victorious, but victory was dearly purchased. Island No. 10 evacuated. Our troops have possession. Took a large amount of ammunition, guns, and stores of all kinds, besides 6000 prisoners. Cannon firing in honor of the victories.
April 10, 1862	Went to surgeon's call this morning and was ordered to the hospital with the mumps. The paymaster has at last come. He is now in camp paying off the companies.
April 11, 1862	I received $50 as my first payment. Will received $55 for his share. The companies are drawing rifles this morning.
April 12, 1862	A report that Wise has been taken has reached camp. Six rounds fired from the old cannon.
April 14, 1862	News to the effect that Beauregard is dead has been received.
April 16, 1862	An alarm was raised in camp to see how long it would take to get the regiment in line ready for battle.
April 18, 1862	A telegraph dispatch was received this morning that we are to leave here for Parkersburg tomorrow evening. The boys are having great times in camp, building great fires.
April 21, 1862	Left Gallipolis in the evening for Parkersburg, Virginia on the boats Mary Cook and Eunice. The Eunice passed the Mary Cook at one o'clock and Rose Hambleton after two, leaving them both behind. Passed Pomeroy just at dark. Saw coal pits and salt works for the first time. Passed Biannerhasset's Island about sunup. Opposite the island is the most beautiful place I ever saw.
April 22, 1862	Arrived at Parkersburg. We are now on the boat waiting for the other boat to come up. We are anchored in the mouth of the Little Kanawha. We are now with Co. D occupying the barrack houses at Parkersburg. Some of the boys are very noisy, dancing and tearing round generally. Went out in town and expressed $40 home. Bought some papers and 100 postage stamps.
April 23, 1862	Slept in Virginia last night for the first time. [Feel] very well. Packing up to take the cars to New Creek.
April 24, 1862	Was taken very sick last evening. Doctor Dwyer came in to see me and said I had been poisoned or something of that kind. I lay in bed all day today.
April 26, 1862	Packed a box with our old comforts and clothes and sent it home. Getting ready to start easy again. We now are aboard the cars ready to start. I am now sitting by the side of the tracks waiting for the cry, "All aboard."
April 27, 1862	Passed through a tunnel just after daylight. Slept on bench last night. Bridgeport, Fleming, Simpson, and Webster. Arrived at Grafton. Passed through Newburg, Tunnelton, Cheat River, Cranberry, Summit, and Oakland. Arrived at the Maryland line between one and two. Passed through Altamont, Bloomington, and Piedmont. Arrived at New Creek and camped on the banks of the Potomac.
April 28, 1862	Target practice.
April 30, 1862	I have now been in the service six months and have not seen any active service.
May 1, 1862	Drilling of some battalions. Drill and dress parade in the evening.
May 2, 1862	Went out for cedars and pines to plant around our tent. Battalion drill, or rather pretense of a drill.
May 3, 1862	Washing this morning. Company drill and practice at firing. Marched out to the depot with the other regiments for the purpose of welcoming General Fremont. The general with his staff reviewed all the men. Mrs. Fremont did not make her appearance.
May 4, 1862	Inspection and preaching in the morning.
May 5, 1862	We left New Creek depot at 2:30 and marched up the creek, carrying our knapsacks, guns, and cartridges, and are now encamped in a bottom 6-1/2 miles above New Creek. Camp on Patterson's Creek.
May 7, 1862	Left New Creek yesterday about 10 o'clock and marched 15 miles. Are now packed up and ready to start to Petersburg.
May 8, 1862	Petersburg, Virginia. Left Patterson's Creek yesterday morning and reached here about sundown, having marched about 22 miles, and are now camped on the south branch of the Potomac, doing nothing of importance today. General inspection this evening.

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