Poor conditions for volunteer regiments motivate many in the 14th Indiana to join the regular army. Despite the conditions and lack of pay, Owen remains loyal to the 14th Indiana. The diminished regiment marches toward the sounds of cannon fire.
October 1, 1862
Started on a reconnaissance today in the direction of Leesburg arriving in a few miles that night. We were marched very hard and not one-fourth of the Brigade was with their commands being exhausted and scattered along the road. We took a half a dozen or so of prisoners at Waterford and Leesburg.
October 2, 1862
Returned to Harpers Ferry this day arriving there in the night. The President had visited the troops here(sic) while we were gone.
October 5, 1862
Sunday. Everything is quiet today and the boys are resting from the effects of the hard march to Leesburg which appeared to be uncalled for.
October 15, 1862
Things have been progressing finely the last week and tonight the boys are in fine spirits making the heights sing with joyful strains, singing and laughing. I never saw an army in so good spirits in my life and woe, to the Rebs who attempt to stand before us.
Our back mail has come up and a great many are engaged in writing to their sweethearts, and fathers, mothers, brothers & sisters.
This army cannot certainly remain here much longer till we will be marched forward to fight the great battles of the Union, under our Young Napoleon, as we call the Hero of western Virginia and Maryland. Didn’t he make them scud? Though! It is Reveille now and the band is playing our Yankee favorite: Yankee Doodle. Our snubbish(sic) brigade commissary refuses to give the 14th any light bread but furnishes it to the other regiments in the brigade.
Twelve men out of each company were detailed at midnight on the 13th from the brigade for Provost guards at the Ferry, at Sandy Nook and other points. During the night some of the boys made a decent(sic) upon several bakeries hard bye(?) and from accounts they pressed about half a thousand loaves into the service and probably into their stomachs.
The 14th loves soft bread especially when it is scarce. This accounts for Commissary Collin’s ingratitible(?) to us in not supplying us with good soft bread. It is a good joke and the boys appear to know how to appreciate it especially at mealtimes!
October 16, 1862
This morning Hancock’s division went out on the Charlestown road, and our Brigade stacked arms to follow if necessary. There was considerable artillery firing and our men occupied Charlestown during the evening. After dark, we got orders to branch and immediately started in a drenching rain. We got to Halltown and remained till morning and also till the morning of the 18th when we went back to camp.
October 2, 1862
There have been several recruiting officers for the regular service in the past few days and a great many have left the regiment and joined them. We have been served scandalous since we came here which is the cause of so many leaving the old 14th. It is a fact, and I blush to state it, that we have been fed on meat a great many times, that contained maggots. It appears incredible but it is nevertheless true. And while other regiments were feasted on soft bread, ours have been fed on crackers, full of bugs and worms!
There is to be a recruiting officer of cavalry here tomorrow I understand, and I fear that the 14th that has distinguished itself on many battlefields, will be greatly reduced.
By an order from the War Department, the boys can enlist for the balance of their term in the regular service, and our officers cannot stop them of course.
October 27, 1862
It is awful windy today and it is also very cold. The quarters appear entirely deserted for almost all of our company have enlisted and there is but six or eight privates for duty. All but two or three enlisted in the 6th Regular Cavalry. They think they will see a better time and I wish them God speed. The other Companies have lost in proportions which cuts down the old 14th to a mere Sergeants guard, literally speaking.
October 30, 1862
Marching orders this morning with wagons packed and everything ready for a forward movement. Started late in the evening in the direction of Leesburg.
October 3, 1862
Mustered this morning. Due to us $52.00. Moved to Gregory’s gap this morning and camped at night in the gap after driving a few rebels out.
November 1, 1862
All the troops moved off this morning leaving us in the Gap.
November 2, 1862
Sunday. Late this evening we were relieved by the 44th N.Y. and we moved foreword and joined our Brigade at Snickersville.
November 3, 1862
Considerable cannonading today at all points of the compass seemingly. Towards night we neared Upperville and camped. There was some artillery firing just ahead late this evening. There is but few rebels as General Pleasanton says they have but one piece of artillery.
November 4, 1862
We are waiting for orders and will probably move very soon we will (?) move towards Winchester and probably we will move towards Manassas Gap.
November 6, 1862
Moved to Rector town and from there to Piedmont near Manassas Gap. We are getting close to our old stomping ground having been all over this part of Virginia last spring under Genl. Shields the only man that has thoroughly whipped which he did at Winchester last spring. So much I have to say for Jimmy Shields the Irish patriot.
November 7, 1862
Remained at Piedmont. The first snow fell today for this season here.
November 8, 1862
Moved towards Warrenton. Camped three miles beyond Salem. We passed through that town last spring or summer towards Bristow Station.
November 9, 1862
Marched into Warrenton and camped in the woods north of town.
November 10, 1862
This morning our beloved commander G. B. McClellan took his leave of us for Washington for what purpose I cannot tell. There was some cannonading out southwest of town today apparently seven or eight miles distant.
