The 14th Indiana rushes and skirmishes toward Gettysburg. Reconnaissance balloons receive sniper fire. Many die from dysentery in the forced march. Owen camps near Bloody Lane, the scene of their engagement during the battle of Antietam. Owen walks across a field of skulls and bones.
May 28, 1863
We got orders this evening to pack up extra baggage and be ready to move at a half hours’ notice.
A Cavalry raid but more probably a whiskey raid.
June 4, 1863
Capt B. B. Tremdin arrived on yesterday with a fine $325 sword, which was purchased for the purpose of presenting to Maj. General Wm H. French, as a testimonial of our appreciation for his gallantry and merit.
Our regiment was marched up to his Head Quarters this evening and the presentation speech was made by Co. E. H. C. Cavins in a very appropriate and unique style. General French responded and in his remarks complimented us very much for our in dominatable courage in the various battles in which we have been engaged while in his command.
It was indeed a very nice affair and reflected much credit as Col. Cavins for the appropriate manner in which he presented the Sword on behalf of the officers and Soldiers in the 14th Indiana Regiment. After the presentation was over Gen’l French came to Frenches Hd Qrs and said he wished he had a 14th Indiana Regiment in his Division. Very significant that.
June 5, 1863
Today we again got orders to be ready to move with three days cooked rations, on the shortest possible notice.
June 12, 1863
The balloon went up today in the vicinity of banks ford and the Rebs fired several shells at it some of them coming in close proximity to it which had a tendency on the part of the man in it to yell out “pull me down.”
We could see the shells burst from our camp. Our brigade had pickets up there and they with the Rebs pickets who were on the opposite side, scampered from the river to the woods, nearly expecting on each side to see the other open active hostility.
June 14, 1863
At dark we struck tents and shortly after was in motion, taking the road towards Aquia Creek and after marching three or four miles camped.
June 15, 1863
In motion before daylight. The company reached Stafford’s Const House in the foreman(?) where we halted and formed a line of battle. The 6th Corps under Sedgewick were ahead of ours the 2nd being the last to consummate the evacuation of our camps on the Rappahannock. Our infantry pickets were withdrawn before daylight on the river. The Cavalry having concealed their horses and picketing as we head, so as to not let the enemy suspicion that we had entirely left.
All the other Corps except the 6th & 2nd are somewhere in the vicinity of Warrenton and the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
It is reported that Lee’s forces are also in the vicinity.
In the latter part of the evening we crossed Aquia Creek and camped. The boys went into the stream and bathed, the weather being hot. It went very hard with us to march for we have not done any hard marching for so long.
June 16, 1863
In motion at daylight. Reached Dumfries about ten o’clock where we halted and prepared dinner, after which we again marched in direction of Fairfax. It was not as hot as the 15th but the troops suffered severely, many fainting by the roadside and there were several died from the effects of coup de solid. On the 15th or 16th, five or six of the 8th Ohio were effected with it, one or two dying. It is reported that Lee is massing his troops near Perryville, and it is actually reported that part of his army are in Maryland, but I suppose it is nothing but Cavalry.
We crossed the Acaquan [Occoquan] River and camped. There are a great many fortyfications on each side of the river and are more than a year old from their looks.
June 17, 1863
Marched across the Alexandria & Orange Railroad near Fairfax Station and camped and rested till the 19th when we packed up and marched to Centerville.
June 20, 1863
Took a stroll along the fortyfication which are very numerous. Our whole Corps is here and nothing new from the front. It is said that dense clouds of dust were seen two days ago beyond the Bull Run Mountains
----------Steady Men!----------
About noon we took the road towards Gainesville which place we reached before dark. After crossing Bull Run we passed the scene of conflict of last August under Pope.
There were human skulls and bones lying around in profusion, and great many graves. I saw one grave with two soldiers laying side by side above the ground. Their heads were uncovered revealing the most of their skulls and faces. One man’s hand was sticking out the ground as if reaching for something.
June 2, 1863
Sunday. The 3d Division was left at Gainesville while the 2nd and 1st marched off in the direction of Thoroughfare Gap. There has been cannonading all day beyond the Gap in the Louden Valley and is supposed to be a cavalry fight. In the evening a brigade of two of Cavalry passed here taking the road towards New Baltimore. They were with Michigan Cavalry with some Virginia.
June 22, 1863
Our Cavalry removed today from Warrenton. A little after noon the first train of cars came up from Manassas Junction since our arrival here, bringing with it papers, grub etc. etc.
It is said that Lee’s intentions are to make an attack upon Washington from the Maryland side. Just let him flicker! We will find Old Abe ready to salute him with a few hundred-pound shells and a few monitor cheese boxes.
June 25, 1863
Marched from Gainesville to Gum Springs arriving there about 11 o’clock. The roads were very muddy and slippery.
June 26, 1863
Marched to Edwards Ferry where we crossed about midnight and camped in Maryland about 2 o’clock. Most all of the Army crossed here.
June 27, 1863
Today we marched about fifteen miles and camped into the night near Sugarloaf Mountain.
June 28, 1863
In motion tolerable early which is an uncommon occurrence for we have heretofore started at noon and marched till midnight. The people of Maryland greet us on every hand. We arrived at Monvecory(?) Bridge and camped neared where we did in September last, when we whipped the Rebs at Antietam.
June 29, 1863
This day will ever be remembered, for we done about the farthest marching ever we done previous, or I expect we ever will do.
The 2nd Corps started in the morning and the 1st Brigade 3d Division had to wait till all the teams were in motion. At 1 o'clock we were in motion. By some negligence or something else part of the 5th Corps wagons got ahead of us and caused us great inconvenience in getting past them. We marched to Middleburg which is a distance of over 30 miles.
Our brigade came up where the advance was camped about 3 o’clock when we sunk down upon our blankets to catch a few moments repose.
It is Union Town I am informed instead of Middleburg.
June 30, 1863
Marched from Union Town out to Fancy Town and camped.
