Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-01-22
DIARY OF A SOLDIER OF The
STONEMALL BRIGADE.
CONTINUED from January s, '09.)

awoke. | found the frost thick upon
my bed and pillow except the place
upon which nv head was laying. How
ever, we slept very comfortably. We
marched back to the place which We
occupied yesterday to cook breakfast.
The report that one OF the 9TH was
shot Yesterday proves to he untrue.
but one OF that regiment was shot and
killed this morning. | am informed
that the firing We saw yesterday was
the Yankees firing into an old camp,
in which our forces had built fires be-
fore they moved away. This evening
our artillery opened upon a barn on
the other side of the river where the
Yankees had congregated They struck
it several times but did not burn it
This evening our company was de-
tached for picket duty. Immediately
after dark, | reported TO Gen. Garnett
and we were stationed within seventy
wards of the Potomac. l stationed the
out-posts and then returned to the po-
sition of the reserve.
Dec. 10Th. This morning about =
O'Clock | visited the out-posts, and
found everything quiet. After day
light, we retired with the reserve about
100 yards, On account of the position
we held being much exposed, it having
been shelled yesterday by the enemy.
About a. m. we noticed number Of
Yankees within gun shot OF our out
posts, and fearing that they might not
be seen by our men, We fired several
rounds from the reserve, though it
was at too great q distance 10 have
any effect. They returned the fire and
soon our out-posts discovered their
position and pretty sharp firing was
kept up for several hours. None of
our men was hurt 1t was thought
that four Yankees were shot, two OF
I whom they were seen to carry away.
We have fine view OF a portion OF
Maryland from our position. One
ball from a rifled cannon passed very
near us but no one was hurt. l MOTTO
ed some good firing by the enemy this
evening About o'clock We we're re-
lieved and We returned to the regiment
and again repaired to the woods. The
night is very cold.
Dec. Dist. Started back 10 our camp
at a. M, passed through Martins
bnrg at IL a. IN. Met Mrs. Eakin
again, bivouacked about 2l miles
south OF Martinsburg.
CAMP STEVENSON.
Sunday, Dec. 22n1. Started at !
a. M. Marched to Camp Stevenson,
where we pitched our tents on the same
ground which we used before. Much
pleased at the opportunity of enjoying
oar old fire-places.
Dec. 23rd. Rain and very cold. We
we're glad to keep In our tents.
Dec. oath. Still unpleasant weather.
Today we received our muster andpay
rolls, with the promise OF pay tomor-
row. On duty as Officer of the Day.
Dec. 18th. Started to Winchester
this morning to collect the pay of the
company. Met Father and Uncle
Trout on their way to our camp. Did
not succeed in collecting the pay. Re-
turned to camp about l o'clock and
| found that friends at home had not
been unmindful of us: For they had
sent cakes, pies, chickens, pickle, but
ter, &C. l enjoyed the company OF
Father and Uncle vely much.
Dec. 2Q.h. Went to Winchester THE
morning. Met with ]. Lester Shirley,
an old classmate | attended prayer
meeting with him this evening and
heard him deliver a lecture on the
"arms of the Israelites." Afterwards
returned to his room at the Taylor
Hotel and had a good chat concerning
our college days. Father went home
,day. Spent the night with Shipley.
Dec 9th. Drew pay for the COM
pauy to day, returned to camp and
paid off company.
Dec. 18th. Found 1t necessary TO
move our tent on account of chimney
smoking. We found better location
and built new chimney which an
swers very good purpose. The day
was spen. chopping wood.
Sunday, Dec. 10Th. Remained in
tent nearly all day. Mr.. Philip
Pitnan called TO see us today. Had
O fine feast of cake sent us from home.
Dec. Both. Was busy all day making
out muster rolls for the last two
months.
Dec. 3lst. Spent great part OF the
J day working on muster rolls. The
company was mustered this morning
We had foe stew of oysters this
evening. Received orders to draw
five days rations and to cook on'
days this evening. Received othel
orders indicating something NOR,
than a march.
AsI sit la my tent this evening
everything seems quiet. The old yea
is gradually dying As take retro
spectiye view OF the past, the grea
thought of my mind seems to find ex
pres sion In the exclamation, "Wha
, an eyentful year,"
: Last year Peace reigned Throughout
| our undivided country. We we're tbel
uader the government OF our fathers
and the Union, though lettering, wa
still standing a. . monument 10 tn