1    Bucks County Intelligencer, JOURNAL OF THE 104th REGIMENT.  April 29, 1862  Page 1  Col. 3    1

 

JOURNAL OF THE 104th REGIMENT.

From Washington to Fortress Monroe.

Special correspondence of the Bucks County Intelligencer.

March 28th, 1862—Received marching orders ; left

Carver Barracks at 4 o’clock, P. M. for Dixie ; arrived

within one mile of Alexandria at 8 o’clock in the evening ;

bivouacked out on a large plain pretty cool night for the

first.

March 29th.—Moved one camp three-fourths of a mile

south, to a better location and nearer water.  We are

near the Pennsylvania Reserves.  Many of them visited

our camp and met their friends—some they had not seen

for months.  Commenced to snow at 11 o’clock ; the boys

constructed tents with their gum-blankets—most of them

very comfortable and perfectly water-proof ; the snow

turned to rain very disagreeable indeed ; presume the

boys will dream of barracks.  At 10 received marching or-

ders for the morning.  Many of the officers went to Alex-

andria to purchase provisions for their companies, as they

are short.

March 30th.—Up early, but not bright, by any means ;

raining hard.  Regiment in column, ready for orders. 

Started at 6 o’clock for supposed boat; reached the out-

skirts of Alexandria, and halted three long hours—rain

still falling.  Started again for the boat—the “ Constitu-

tion ”—a large Pacific mail-steamer, and a beautiful

vessel, but not designed for river service.  Our brigade

embarked—five regiments.  The 104th occupied the upper

deck; the rest of the troops envied us our position, which

they had no reason to do.  At dark it commenced blowing

hard, and the ship became top-heavy—keel rested on the

bottom, and the Captain of the steamer got on the ram-

page.  This raised an excitement among the boys on deck. 

Quiet again restored, they slept on deck—pretty happy

party.

March 31st.—The Captain is on the wheelhouse as

well as on the rampage, ordering the 104th ashore.  The

boys didn’t seem to the point.  Col. Davis is on deck. 

He gives orders for landing again, which are obeyed

cheerfully.  The ship rights up, loosens her moorings, and

is steaming down the river.  Success to her and her noble

freight !  May she never want depth of water to float her

while engaged in such patriotic employment!  We lay on

the wharf until 12 o’clock, when the “State of Maine”

an old steamer, but a very comfortable one—was brought

to the wharf.  She formerly belonged to the Boston and

Portland Steamboat Company, and plied between those

cities.  We embarked in good spirits.  At a quarter past

1 o’clock, P. M., we left the wharf for we knew not where,

and further than curiosity, many cared not.  Many points

of interest on the river banks were discussed.  The boys

were highly gratified with the prospects of the future.—

Many of them were now enjoying their first ride on a

steamer.  We passed Fort Washington and Mount Vernon. 

The latter is poorly represented by engravings, none of

which are reliable, so far as we have seen; and no one

would recognize the home of Washington in them.  It is

probably half a mile from the bank of the river, and is

beautifully located.  We can see his tomb, the graves of

his slaves, his tool houses, and all his other buildings,

plainly from the deck.  Near Mount Vernon, on the same

bank, stands the White House, noted for being a rebel

rendezvous, but now in possession of the Union forces.  It

was erected for a summer boarding-house and watering

place.  Fort Washington has an ancient appearance, but

is in good repair.  We were saluted as we passed it by an

excellent band, playing national airs, which we answered

with hearty cheers.  We now approach the Acquia Creek

batteries.  Something appears down the river, resembling

our old friend, the “Constitution.”  The Ship’s glasses

are brought into requisition, and it is ascertained to be

her—fast on a bar.  Some say she was run aground pur-

posely by her pilot—a man from Baltimore.  We approach

them ; they have a signal of distress (flag at half-mast) ;

a boat is lowered and sent to us for assistance, which we

readily grant; a heavy hawser is attached, and we pull

a long, strong pull, but it can’t be done until the tide

rises again, which will be early in the morning—we must

anchor by her for the night.  Our commander has sent up

for the gunboat Freeborn to be on hand, for we are oppo-

site the rebel batteries, and if they were manned we

would be at their mercy.  Slept on deck with the boys—

beautiful opportunity to study astronomy.  The boys were

around the deck in every direction.  Although exciting

scenes were transpiring around us, the boys soon fell

asleep, and quiet reigned on the hurricane deck.

April 1st.—The troops are leaving the “ Constitution,”

and embarking on the “ Georgia “ and two transports she

has in tow.  About sunrise the C. floated of the bar.  We

bade her adieu, and steamed on.  She had to wait to re-

ceive the men that had been put on the “ Georgia.”  As

we glide on the river increases in width; we are nearing

the Bay.  The “ Constitution ” again comes in sight, and

is rapidly gaining on us.  She is now getting in her

element—deep water and no shoals.  She has passed us,

and will soon be out of sight—she crosses our bows, steer-

ing to the right for the Fortress.  A storm is coming up

from the east.  Night approaches and the storm increases

—rough weather on the hurricane deck.  Slept on deck—

not such a good opportunity to study astronomy to night

—difficult to get the range of the planets—our heads are

highest sometimes, and other times our feet.  The vessel

rolls heavily.  At 11 o’clock we anchor near the Fortress,

midway between it and the Rip-Raps.  Innumerable

lights twinkle around us on different vessels in the Roads.

April 2d.—Quite a surprise is in store for us.  The Mon-

itor lies near us !  But who would believe that to be the

Monitor ?  It must be though there is the raft and the

cheese-box ;—no wonder the rebels were surprised at its ap-

pearance !  Our friends are on their vessel, near us.  At

9 o’clock we land and march about a mile from the beach

—stack arms, rest, and await orders.  Some of our officers

are on board, the “Constitution,” and cannot land now.—

At 1 o’clock, we receive orders to march for Newport

News.  We soon pass through the ruins of Hampton, which

was burned by the rebels.  Some fortifications here—one

work thrown across the road, on the outskirts of the town

—the road turned aside and passed around it.  The village

had been a pleasant place—as large as Doylestown, from

appearance—and contained some ancient and important

buildings.  We met Captain Tomlinson and other Bucks

countians connected with the California Regiment—all

well, and happy to see us, the 104th, on the advance.—

Marched 7 miles from the Fortress, and reached a point

near James river, 11 miles from Newport News, and en-

camped in a peach orchard.  Splendid land and fruit—the

peach trees in full boom.  The land was owned by a

rebel, formerly in the employ of the United States Govern-

ment.  He became rich, and when the rebellion broke

out, he took the rebel side.  When their army retired, he

burned all his buildings, which were very comfortable,

and fled to Yorktown, where he is now engaged in the

rebel service.  Water plenty can be obtained by digging

3 feet deep.  Slept under our gum-blankets.  Heavy

shower at 4 o’clock in the morning.

April 3d.—Nothing done to-day.  The boys rested.

April 4th.—Tents arrived from Newport News.  Moved

our camp a short distance and put them up.

April 5th.—Busy getting provision from Newport News

—baggage and tents arrived.

April 6th.—Company drill.

April 7th.—Rainy and cold.  Received first mail from

Bucks county since we moved—a very large mail—the

boys very happy to get their letters.

April 8th.—Rainy and cold again.  Awaiting transpor-

tation and provision from Fortress Monroe.

April 9th.—Rainy and cold ; rained hard.

April 10th & 11th.—Repairing roads between camp and

Newport News.

April 12th.—Repairing roads again.  Started for Young’s

Mills, 15 miles distant, with 300 men, roads in a terrible

state from recent rains, which have been very heavy here. 

Splendid farms along James River ; most of the buildings

burned, and those not burned destroyed.  Splendid farm

owned by Captain Smith, four miles from camp—the only

nice buildings on the route spared.  Arrived at Young’s

Mills at 1 ½ o’clock, P. M.  Maine Eleventh, one of the

regiments of our brigade, was here on picket duty.  Al-

though much account is made of these Mills in this sec-

tion, they are a small affair ; but the farm is splendid—a

fine residence on James river, heavy tract of land; good

brick buildings for slave-quarters (he had 150 slaves), and

four fine barns.  The farm was in fine condition and had

been well taken care of.  One week before the Maine 11th

arrived here, Young left his residence for Yorktown, and

took all his slaves but four, who were too old for active

service.  There are fortifications near here, built by his

slaves and paid for by the Rebel Government.  We re-

turned ? miles towards camp to-day, and encamped for the

night at the house of a secessionist, who had left his home

and gone in the rebel army.  Four children were under

the care of an old slave, who had exclusive charge of the

the farm, being the only one near.  We took supper and

breakfast with her, for which we paid her.  While at the

camp of the Maine 11th, a great excitement prevailed, on

account of rumors that the rebels were attempting to land

on the bank of the river, one mile distant.  One company

was sent at double-quick to meet them, but it was found

to be a false alarm.  In consequence of these rumors we

threw out picket guards on either side of our encamp-

ment.  After supper, as we sat comfortably fixed in front

of a large fire, we were surprised by the reports of two

rifles, and hurried out to ascertain what was the cause. 

Something had been seen in the woods, and was challenged

—it did not halt, and the pickets had fired.  Most of our

men were not armed, but were carrying spades and axes,

and we were in poor condition to resist an attack.

April 13th.—Started for camp, repairing roads as we

went.  Arrived in camp at half-past one, P.M., satisfied

to take rest.

April 14th.—Visited by Captain Craven and others,

from his company.  Brigade drill.