The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-10-09
AT SP0TTSYLVANIA.
INTERESTING EXTRACTS FROM THE
DIARY OF GEN. BUTTERFlELD.

DIARY OF GEN. BUTTERFlELD.
A Quiet March In tho Night-A Single
Shot From tho Enemy-The Long
Roii"-A Surprise and Capturc-The
losses of One Brigade.
Gen. +. W. Butter1eld had a very COM
plete and interesting diary of the operations
of q portion of Con Ilancocls's corps tho
Second in that memorable campaign under
Gen Grant toward Richmond. Il is faith-
full record, written down every day-some-
times after desperate battle, while yet on
the bloody field; sometimes after long and
weary marches Il is record of almost one
continuous, bloody battle of fifty-one days
duration. the corps being under the enemys
fire every day of the fifty-one excepting two.
Following we give extracts which are of
thrilling interest,";
May ll.-The two armies have lecn growl-
ing at each other all day, the lines being only
sevcnty-ilyo or eighty yards apart, Int con
cealed in thick, second growth timber. re-
ccived orders from Gen. Hancock TO place a
six-gun battery in position, on the front line
of battle. l selected dense growth of small
pines where we could work without being
observed by the enemy. Got the battery in
trenched and dragged tho guns in by hand
SharpshooteTs busy all along the line, with
heavy cannonading on our right.
May 19.-At IL o'clock last night we left
our position and marched around to the ex-
treme left After dumping our knapsacks
and everything that would make the least
noise, we quietly and slowly marched through
thick woods, brush and weeds until an order
camc along the line in low tone to "halt;
make no noise; be as quiet as possible The
corps numbered then nearly, if not quite,
10000 men, and so quiet were they during the
march that one would scarcely have thought
that there was more than ono regiment In
motion. Every soldier knew that there was
fun ahead for the morning, and that to make
the fun more interesting it was absolutely
necessary to keep perfectly still, in order to
give us the advantage, and we always liked
to have the advantage in fight where our
lives were ut stake, and we all knew they
would be in a few hours.
Gen. Carroll commanded the First brigade
of the Third division of the Second corps. As
soon Gs our men were brought to a halt, and
just us Gen. Carroll and staff hud dismounted.
Gen. Hancock and staff rode up, and they,
too, dismounted. Our men were all in posi-
ton. The moon had gone down and the stars
were shining brightly. All put in the time us
best they could waiting for the signal at break
of day. Some tried to sleep, some were crack
ing jokes, and others discussing the situation;
but all spoke in voice scarcely above n
whisper.
AT THE DAWN OF DAY.
When the first streak of light appeared in
the eastern horizon Gen. Hancock, who was
wide awake as to what was about to trans
pire asked one of his staff officers for the
time On being told that it was 3;lj. he told
Gen. Carroll that he better have his men fall
in and at the same time sent word to other
commanders to do the same. Our horses
stood ready, having stood saddled all night
We mounted and Gen. Carroll, in rather u
stentorian voice, forgetting himself for the
moment, called out to his men: Fall inr
Gen. Hancocl; spoke up quickly and said;
"Plcase don't inform the enemy that we are
coming, Gen Carroll Soon the men ware
in line, and the order was given To move for
ward Us slowly and silently as possible
The lines Of skirnishcrs were fifteen PAGES
in front Of us Slowly, steadily, but firmly.
we moved on, each soldier carrying eighty
! rounds Of ammunition. Occasionally an otfi-
Ger could bc heard to calculate in II low but
emphatic voice; STEADY there, boys; not 50
fast; keep quiet" Finally the Suspense is
/ t,..t.,. . AL L.. D. n, ~,
ol4Ae.' 4. ~ ai'oV D AleH me enemy
1870 '.''1 oiio " our skliInlsneis
siiiouii 'i,' s.u5 l.1ii'b ilgt' ana mas ilied
AZ I'm ''ii,' Al no. H'Se' our skir
iif'Sl ny 'i''i's i,i moment our INST Inc
y. Da'ais So,iieS ul M'1n any JOINS theih An
- '''1' - npu' UNI 'lieh the
i l"'', - u'''sie n lHcie' 10 move forward
o.'o'e IN n IN 'eN'ruI VI the enemy
, u.i''.s ny so'''',9' III, sro"u coniuslon T.
ii',i'i III our .iii'i'e''N'' lrOil' inc long roll
uViis uva''ii' tlic pusie Is sounding nc
"'''''' III 'u' e'ie'i'S V"i'ip'
OVER THE LINE OF pREAsrwoRHs.
But II Is too late. The boys in blue have
been ordered 10 charge with fixed bayonets
over the inst line Of breastworks they scram-
bled' and arc IN the midst of the enemy's
camp; they arc right among their tents The
surprise is most complete. Some Of the enemy
are only half dressed; some not that, but the
whole camp, some 1000 in all, are prisoners
OF war; including Gen. Johnston. one of Gen
Early division commanders. Many resisted
capture, only to be bayoneted or shot Sew