Editor's Note: I have omitted the
days in the diary that contain no text.
Inside cover:
Written Jan 6th, 1864
Hiram W. Coppernall
Corporal Co H 24th NYV Cav
Home at Rochester NY
Tuesday January 5:
Enlisted in the 24th Cav
under Capt C.E. Martin
Wednesday January 6:
Went to Auburn was
examined and sworn
into state service
Thursday January 7:
Drew uniform and
was mustered into the
U.S. service
Friday January 8:
Got a furlough till
the 15th of Jan
and came home
Saturday January 9:
brought in George
Gatins & S. Dix
Sunday January 10:
went out to greece
Monday January 11:
brought in W. Butler
& R. Taylor
Friday January 15:
Got my furlough exten
ded till the 20th
and went out to Greece
Saturday January 16:
went to Mr. Rowes
Sunday January 17:
went back to Rochester [“to Rochester” crossed through]
to Mr. Colbys
Monday January 18:
went to Rochester
Tuesday January 19:
went to Mt. Morris
Wednesday January 20:
Stayed at Mt. Morris
Thursday January 21:
at M.M.
Friday January 22:
Came back to Rochester
How much I enjoy the visits
which the boys honor us
with.
Saturday January 23:
Went out to Greece and
back to Auburn
Sunday January 24:
Stayed at Auburn
went with G. G. To Mr Weeds
Monday January 25:
Went to Geneva called on
Mr. C. Powis & sister and
back to Auburn went
in Camp Seward
Tuesday January 26:
Stayed at Camp
was on guard
Wednesday January 27:
Camp
I shall be very glad to
hear from you, Hiram
and I will do my best
in answering them
Thursday January 28:
Went to Oswasco
Lake
Friday January 29:
Went down to
the City
Saturday January 30:
Camp
Sunday January 31:
Went to church
at Auburn
We are all sitting all together
once more . . Here I shall both
of the boys . . I wonder which
I like best, both I guess.
Monday February 1:
on police duty
Tuesday February 2:
Camp
Inspected by a regular
army officer
Wednesday February 3:
Camp
George says he thinks he
will have to read this, but
when he does he must
think of ? Here are you George
Thursday February 4:
Camp
Friday February 5:
Camp
Saturday February 6:
Camp
Sunday February 7:
Went to the lake
in the evening went
to church
Monday February 8:
Camp
Tuesday February 9:
On guard
got a letter from
father
The stove is cold,
The holder is hot
La La continued applause
Wednesday February 10:
Camp
had a letter from
mother and one from
Riley
Thursday February 11:
Camp
I will once more
resume my pencil, only
to bid you good night.
Friday February 12:
Camp
I presume I am wrong in
writing in this little book, but
Hiram, when you are sad
and lonely, only think of the
writer Eliza.
Saturday February 13:
Camp
George is sitting by my side
a smoking, how [?] much and
it seems to do him, I hope
he always will have the
chance to go so again.
Sunday February 14:
Went down to church
with George Gatins on our
way back were arrested by a
seargt of the patrol and sent
to the guard house
Monday February 15:
Camp
I write in this, so when
you chance to spy this, think
of your promise to write
& oblige your friend.
Tuesday February 16:
Camp
Wednesday February 17:
Camp
Thursday February 18:
Camp
When shall we all meet
again. Here often will we
think of one another.
Friday February 19:
Received $65 dollars
from the state pay
master the balance of
the state bounty
Saturday February 20:
Received 75 dollars
from the U.S.
Went down town on
a french, 9.20 pm
E.W. sitting by my
side with sweet words & looks
Sunday February 21:
Camp had a company
inspection
Monday February 22:
Went down with
a squad and had a good
time
Tuesday February 23:
Left Auburn for the
field left Auburn at 9 am
got Canandagua 2 pm
and stayed that day and
night
Wednesday February 24:
left Canandgua at 11 am
got to Elmira at 3 pm
stayed that night and
until the next morni
ng at 6 am
Thursday February 25:
at 6 pm left Elmira
for Washington spent
the day and night on
the road
Friday February 26:
On the road got to
Baltimore about noon
took dinner at the
soldiers relief had a good
dinner it is a clean place
got to Washington at 9 pm
Saturday February 27:
We stayed at the soldiers
rest Friday night - was around
the city all day went to camp
at 5 pm did not get there
till after dark slept - cool
half out-doors.
Sunday February 28:
Changed our tents
to the other side of the
camp ground
Monday February 29:
Were inspected by
the Col. and staff
Tuesday March 1:
Stayed at camp
had a hard rain
storm
Wednesday March 2:
had our first drill
in this camp
was promoted from
7th to 5th corporal
Thursday March 3:
Went to the camp
of the 21st Cav couldn’t
find anyone I knew
Friday March 4:
had an inspection
Saturday March 5:
no drill rained
Sunday March 6:
at camp had a
Sunday morning inspect
ion
Monday March 7:
nothing unusual
happened fixed up our
tent
Tuesday March 8:
It rained nearly all day
went after my washing
made out a requisition
for a chicken got the
chick but the quartermaster
didn’t sign it
Wednesday March 9:
I took our first
bath this season
it is a very warm day
like June in the north
Thursday March 10:
Was on guard duty
at h’d quarters it
rained like the d-l [devil]
all day got a letter
from mother
Friday March 11:
was at camp it rained
most all day had
a letter from
Saturday March 12:
At camp a very fine
warm day Wm Welch
of our company died
to day the first death
in the company
[It appears that the page covering
Sunday March 13 through Friday
March 18 was torn out of the diary]
Saturday March 19:
had a regimental drill
out in the field two hours
had a complimentary order
from our Col. read to reg
got a letter from E.W.
Sunday March 20:
had inspection as
usual a very fine day
Monday March 21:
a fine day
Tuesday March 22:
the snow fell
about a foot deep
Wilson and I went
out a bit hunting
and were extremely
unsuccessful
Wednesday March 23:
fired our carbines
at mark for the first
time some within
two feet of the mark
Thursday March 24:
nothing particular
Friday March 25:
rained all day
cold as greenland
Saturday March 26:
had a regimental
drill
Sunday March 27:
Sunday morning
inspection drill all
day
Monday March 28:
had three drills
in the field nearly
all day
Tuesday March 29:
a good day furlough
got a box from
home got a letter
from AK Sellsville [?]
Wednesday March 30:
it rained nearly all
day Harrington has
got the mumps
Thursday March 31:
Was on guard at
Dst [?] qrs Lieutenant Smith was offi
cer of the guard got
a letter from home
with a picture M [or W]
Friday April 1:
Came off guard and went
on police duty
Saturday April 2:
It rained all day
Sunday April 3:
had an inspection
by the adjt [adjutant]
Monday April 4:
rained
Tuesday April 5:
rained
Harrington & Wilson
went to the Hospital
Wednesday April 6:
got a letter from
E.W.
Thursday April 7:
had a review
and drill by Col
Macintosh
Friday April 8:
had a sore throat
and was excused
by the doctor for the
first time
Saturday April 9:
excused by the Dr
went with W Taylor
out a walking and was
gone all day
Sunday April 10:
had a company
inspection rained
some
Monday April 11:
drill
Tuesday April 12:
Fine day
drilled on saber exer
cise lieut Randall
shot a man who resisted
him while he was taking
him to the guard house
Wednesday April 13:
drilled with carbines
famous Infantry sell [?]
$150 and 30 day furlough
had a drill and review
and drill by
Col Macintosh
Thursday April 14:
a fine day
a sergeant in co M
fell down an broke
his leg
Friday April 15:
Was on guard
at camp rained
in the night my first
experience with guard
rounds
Saturday April 16:
drill in the morning
rained in the
afternoon
Sunday April 17:
rained in the
morning did not
have inspection till
afternoon
Monday April 18:
a fine day drilled
by Col Macintosh
Tuesday April 19:
d good weather
Wednesday April 20:
had two regimental
drills
Thursday April 21:
were out drilling
and were ordered in
on the arrival of the
US ???? signed the pay
rolls Cos A B C + D were
paid
Friday April 22:
received our pay
mine was ???? Gave Capt
Martin $35 to get a
check the mos of two
?? Bills 88512 + 88756
Saturday April 23:
Sent my draft
home my mail went
over to headquarters and
had a good time
Sunday April 24:
Sunday was a fine
day had a good walk
with J.G. [?]
The order came to camp
to turn in our sabers and
carbines and serve as infantry
Monday April 25:
turned in our sabers
there was great excitement
in camp about the infantry
D business
Tuesday April 26:
turned in our carbines
and cap boxes and cartridge boxes
the excitement has going
down was promoted t
comisary sergeant to date the 21
Wednesday April 27:
had orders to start out
could not get ready drew three
days rations of coffee sugar
beef [?] and bread
Thursday April 28:
did not start turned
in our shelter tents
Friday April 29:
friday started about 11
o clock stayed with the
trains did not start till
four PM drew one days
coffee sugar + H.T. [hardtack?] stayed at
arlington heights at night
Saturday April 30:
Started early stopped at Baileys Cross
roads for Breakfast - an hour for
dinner went through fairfax
at 5 PM stayed over night 1
miles past it.
Sunday May 1:
in the morning drew 3 days ration
of coffee sugar 1 days Beef just
1 days hard tack stopped for
dinner at the Chancellorsville Battle
ground crossed Bull Run at
Blackmans ford camped Manassas junction
Monday May 2:
Left Manassas early stopped
near Bristow station for the
night just got in camp
and pitched tents when we
had orders to march went
two miles and camped
Tuesday May 3:
marched to Warrenton
junction and camped for
the night we passed the
old camping ground ??
The 24th [?] saw the 14th HA [?] [possibly the 24th NY Cav saw
the 14th Heavy artillery]
Col Marshall acting Brigder
Wednesday May 4:
crossed the Rappahanock
on pontoon Bridge went
almost to the Rapidan went
Back two miles + camped
got the news that the Rebels
had fallen back from the Rapidan
Thursday May 5:
went up the railroad to the station and
Laid there till noon drew 4 days rations
at two PM commenced marching made
quick time crossed the rapidan at
12 oclock at night and slept in the woods
a mile from the river, heard heavy firing
Friday May 6:
I left the wagons and came to the Co
we advanced two miles into the
woods did not get in a fight at two
P.M. marched about nine miles
to the left and formed a line
of battle laid all night big fighting to our right
Saturday May 7:
we threw up a breastwork and laid
in line behind it all day toward
night I went up the line to the 14th
and saw all my old friends father
was not there. After I came back
the rebs cheered and our men fired a volley by mistake
Sunday May 8:
the co drew three days rations HCS [hardtack, coffee, sugar?]
started at midnight left our entrenchment
and marched down the Fredricks turn
pike [?] 3 miles left it and went east
7 miles went with the wagons in
camp at Kilpatricks hd. Qrs with [?]
largest part of wagons in the wagons [?]
Monday May 9:
drew one days B [beef?]
marched all day and drew up
2 miles from the place we started
went in camp a splendid place
for wood and water there was
big fighting in front all day
Tuesday May 10:
drew one days Beef
lay in camp all day resting
had a good wash all my clothes
clean ready for any thing.
They have been fighting all day
in front an now 6 P.M. there is
a battle going on the firing is awful
Wednesday May 11:
We moved two miles to the front
and lay still nearly all day there
was little fighting to day in
the afternoon it rained hard
we fell back two miles and camped
Thursday May 12:
we fell with the wagons
back a mile [?] did not see the
regt to day tried to go with
provisions and got shelled back
at two P.M. for fredricksburg
stopped two miles this side
Friday May 13:
lay in camp all day all day
wounded men passed on
their way to the hospital 12000
rebel prisoners passed us
captured yesterday
Saturday May 14:
drew five days rations
went to the regt with Beef
drew five days rations and
issued them to the Co was at
work till two o clock the regt
went out on picket
Sunday May 15:
Stayed up at the front went
over to the 140th saw father
went over nearly the whole
got nearly captured by rebel pickets
Monday May 16:
Stayed with the regt
our forces shelled the
rebels and got no reply rumor
says the rebs have skedidled
this is the 11 day of the fight
Tuesday May 17:
the wagons came up to the regt
the forces were quiet all day
Wednesday May 18:
there was fighting in the forenoon
the Rebs were driven back two
three miles and Spottsylvania CH [courthouse]
taken from them the news came
that Petersburg and fort darling
were taken
Thursday May 19:
5 [?] days rations
moved to one mile of
Spottsylvania CH it is not taken
our regt is on the third line
they threw up Breast-work
a fight this afternoon the Rebs
tried to capture a train got beat
Friday May 20:
Lay quietly in our camp there
was fighting on the left
it looks like a change of
base our troops are moving
on the right and leaving [?]
skirmish lines out
Saturday May 21:
two day R
Our Bat [“regt” crossed through] went out on the
rest of the regt started at 4 pm
on the Richmond road the 2nd
+ 5th corps started in the morning
I stayed on picket with our co
Sunday May 22:
Started early in the and
marched 20 miles Bowling
Green we passed through
a tract of country never
occupied by our troops at 8 PM
crossed the Mattiponi
Monday May 23:
marched all day and most
all night on the Richmond
road there was a big fight
near the north anna the
Rebs got between the 2 + 6 corps
and got cut
Tuesday May 24:
we lay in camp nearly all
day toward night we commen
ced marching crossed the north
anna river at 5 PM it was from three
to four feet deep I lost my tent + blanket
we built breastworks all night
Wednesday May 25:
rations ??? the 18th June
lay quietly behind the intrench
ments there was artillery firing
and heavy picket fighting but
no general engagement there was
a brige built and some of our
artillery got across
Thursday May 26:
we lay in the breastworks till 10 pm
when we fell back across the river
the bridge was destroyed after
we lay in line on the river bank
till morning it was a mean
place the bank perpendicular
Friday May 27:
at 11 am we started on the
march went three miles to the
rear and took the white house road
marched till 12 at night camped
for th night 4 miles from suders [?]
church an order came to join Sheridan revoked ???
Saturday May 28:
the order to join Sheridan was
countermanded we marched
till 1 am and brought up 27
miles from the place we started
a very heavy march
Sunday May 29:
marched three miles and lay
still all day and night
and got rested
Monday May 30:
marched back to the front
three or four miles and threw
up breast works considerable
fighting in front
Tuesday May 31:
got up at two and went
two miles after rations
at 10 am the regt moved to an
other line of breastworks
we got all our back mail
I got 10 letters
Wednesday June 1:
lay quietly on the breast
works drew 2 days rations
Doyle of Co M got shot
through the head wrote
a letter to mother and one
to Eliz
Thursday June 2:
marched in the afternoon to
I don’t know the place the rebels
attacked our rear our regt fell
in line behind some old earthwork
and fought 4 hours our 1st sergt fell [?]
2 corps + one man wounded
Friday June 3:
fell back and threw up a new
breast work there was heavy fight
all day a great battle the bullets
flew over our heads all day of over
40 pieces cannon were in on our side
got a letter from mother and one from sist [?]
Saturday June 4:
moved out to the picket line
then fell back and went front
a couple of miles it rained
encamped for the night
Sunday June 5:
lay still part of the day
drew four days rations toward
night moved forward and
threw up a breast work
there was a night attack on the
6 corps
Monday June 6:
lay in our works till night
the rebs shelled us through the
day at night we went out on
picket to the edge of a swamp
through the night the Rebs fell back
Tuesday June 7:
Our co. stayed out on picket all
day there was constant firing
they were relieved at 7 PM
drew three days rations
Wednesday June 8:
lay in the breastworks quietly
having good times
Thursday June 9:
the same moved down
and occupied the work
left by the mounted
rifles
Friday June 10:
lay in the works through the day
at night we moved a mile
to a new line of works
Saturday June 11:
lay in the breastworks
Sunday June 12:
at night commenced the
marched to near white house
Monday June 13:
passed white house 4
miles and camped for the
night
Tuesday June 14:
marched to within one mile
of the james river and
camped they are laying a
pontoon bridge across the
james
Wednesday June 15:
lay quietly in camp all day
resting
Thursday June 16:
lay in camp till drew
four days rations and started
on the march crossed the james
at midnight marched all night
Friday June 17:
kept on the march till we
came 35 miles in 16 hours
at dark we moved up to a line of
breast works
Saturday June 18:
moved forward at ten am
charged the works got
repulsed and cut badly
16 killed and wounded in our
Co
Sunday June 19:
Our regt charged across
the railroad and were
again repulsed for want
of support lost heavily
again
Monday June 20:
lay in the woods resting
at night we moved down
a mile to the extreme
front - a heavy line of works
the rebel line is not over 80 rods
Tuesday June 21:
stayed in the works
drew cabbage bacon +
whisky
Wednesday June 22:
still in the breastwork
a man has to keep low the
Rebs pick a fellow when
he shows his head
Thursday June 23:
Lay in the works till night
about five oclock orders came
to draw rations were
waiting till nearly daylight
when we had orders to
move
Friday June 24:
had to carry rations 8 [ or 3 ?] miles
most of the Co were
detailed for picket we
lay in a warm exposed
place all day
Saturday June 25:
lay on the same line
it is extremely warm
Sunday June 26:
breast works
Monday June 27:
the same
Tuesday June 28:
the same only more so
Wednesday June 29:
the co went on picket
at night
Thursday June 30:
the co came in off picket
after this a detail goes
instead of a whole co
Monday July 4:
it was a much more
cooler day than we have had in
some time nothing unusual
occurred we are still the front
line
Tuesday July 5:
went with sergt Bill [or Bell?] to the
140th [or 190th?] and found many of my
old friends gone prisoners +
wounded fathers detailed
driving
Thursday July 7:
the night of the 7th we
left the works and went
in camp a mile in the
rear
Friday July 8:
at 5 PM we were
falling in for dress parade [?]
when a shell killed 1st sergt
Martin, and took off Lieut
Bannisters arm
Wednesday July 13:
capt martin came to
see us
Saturday July 16:
I went over to the 5th
corps train and found
father
Sunday July 17:
father made us a short
call. At night we moved
to the front where we were
and occupied our old breast
work
Monday July 18:
lay in the work got a letter
from home
Tuesday July 19:
was out on picket
Wednesday July 20:
went over and saw
father passed a pleasant
afternoon
Thursday July 21:
had our first drill
since leaving stoneman
[Note: this is a reference to
Camp Stoneman outside Washington,
DC, where they were camped
in the late winter and early spring]
Sunday July 24:
went over to see father
Monday July 25:
at night we moved our
H quarters to the hillside
Tuesday July 26:
moved half a mile to
where the rest of the
brigade lay
Wednesday July 27:
remained in camp
Thursday July 28:
moved two miles
and held a line
left by the 22 corps who
are fighting across the
james
Friday July 29:
moved at night to our old
position to take part in the
coming fight
I got a hat from home
Saturday July 30:
The fort blew up at 430 am
and the fight lasted half
the day ending in a repulse
of our troops
Sunday July 31:
all is again quiet
our rgt holds part of the
first line
saw father
Thursday Aug 4:
drew clothing
Saturday August 6:
got a sun stroke and
went to the hospital
Sunday August 7 - Tuesday August 9:
during this time I was at the division hospital
Thursday August 11:
went to the City Point
Hospital
Friday August 12:
the weather is very
warm I am getting better
Saturday August 13:
started on the government
boat for some more
northern Hospital, changed
boats at fort Monroe
got on the Atlantic
Monday August 14:
got to Philadelphia
changed boats for Beverly
got to the beverly Hosp at
5 P.M. accomadations
poor
Tuesday August 15 - Thursday August 18:
Nothing particular
Sunday August 21:
drew clothing
I drew a pair of pants and
a Blouse
Monday August 22:
nothing going on
it is awful dull here
Tuesday August 23:
got a letter from
home
Wednesday August 24:
was detailed as nurse by Dr. Van Dyke [?]
and got excused
Thursday August 25 - Saturday August 27:
nothing at all
Sunday August 28:
took a good long walk
out into the country
Wednesday August 31:
Was detailed for
guard duty by Dr.
Van Dyke
Thursday September 1:
was on guard
Wednesday September 7:
Was on guard
Tuesday September 13:
The Board of examiners
came here to
Wednesday September 14:
still examining
the wards
Friday September 16:
was on guard
was examined and
marked for the front
Sunday September 18 - Monday September 19:
Having good times
Tuesday September 20:
drew clothing ready to leave
Wednesday September 21:
Left Beverly on our
way to Washington stayed
all day at Fifth + Fultonwood [?]
Left at 6 PM and got to Baltimore at 2 AM [?]
Thursday September 22:
left Baltimore at AM
got tp Washington at 3 PM
the men were marched to
the guard house
Friday September 23:
left for Camp Stoneman
got there at noon went
into camp miscellany
Saturday September 24:
drew equipment and
had orders to be ready to
march homeward bound
Sunday September 25:
was examined and pronoun
ced unfit [?] for duty by the
surgeon
Tuesday September 27 - Thursday September 29:
nothing important
Friday September 30:
Perry Ashton came
here today
Sunday October 2:
Timothy Keefe
came here today
Wednesday October 5:
went to washington
to get by but could
not get u [?]
Saturday October 8:
Sergt Skelly of my
co came to camp to
day
Monday October 10:
Skelly Keefe +
Ashton left for the
regt
Wednesday October 12:
got news that my
Col was captured and
about 50 men from
the regt
Thursday October 13:
got a letter from
Harrington
Saturday October 15:
got a letter from
home the first in
a long time
Tuesday October 18:
Was sent from
camp to the Giesboro
Genl Hosp
Friday October 21 - Sunday October 23:
Was at the Hospital
Monday October 24 - Tuesday October 25:
Still at the Hosp
Wednesday October 26:
received a letter from
mother with ten
dollars
Friday October 28:
Went up to camp
Sunday October 30:
My description was
taken for a furlough
to vote
Monday October 31:
went up to camp
Tuesday November 1:
went up to camp an
????? overcoat
all the mich pa ohio mass
and ???? troops got their
furloughs
Wednesday November 2:
Got my furlough
and went to Washington
to get transportation found
a crowd a the 2 PM dept
got my furlough a 6 PM
waited till two but it did
not come
Thursday November 3:
Got my papers at noon
and my tickets in time
to start at 630 for Baltim
ore got in the Harrisburg
train at 9 PM
traveled all night slow train
Friday November 4:
arrived at Elmira at 3 PM
got on the train for Rochester
a 6 PM got in Rochester at
midnight
Saturday November 5:
Got on the cars for Albion
at 2:30 am got off 5 am
got out to Mr Lacys
a 10 O clock mother
was much surprised to
see me
Sunday November 6:
found my self sick
a bed
Monday November 7:
ditto
Tuesday November 8:
Dr. Frost of Waterford
came to see me
prescribed and took my
furlough to get it extended
Wednesday November 9:
About the same
Thursday November 10:
Dr. Frost came again
Friday November 11 - Saturday November 12:
Still a bed
Sunday November 13:
the Dr came
Monday November 14:
rode over to Waterford
at night to see about
the furlough
The papers had not come
back
Tuesday November 15:
the Dr came said
that my papers were
all right
Thursday November 17 - Friday November 18:
Stayed at Carleton
Tuesday November 22:
went to Rochester
called on Pretos [?] and Alem [?]
went back to Greece
Wednesday November 23:
Saw Riley
Thursday November 24:
was at Mr Detys
Friday November 25:
went to Rochester
Saturday November 26:
Still at R
Sunday November 27:
At Mrs. Cunningtons
Monday November 28:
went to Greece at
Mr Colbys
Tuesday November 29:
went to Mr Galentines
Wednesday November 30:
at Mr Garbutts [?]
Thursday December 1:
went to Rochester again
Saw Capt Martin
Friday December 2:
started back
Saturday December 3:
Got to Giesboro found
the hospital being broken
up
Sunday December 4:
Stayed at the hospital
Monday December 5 - Tuesday December 6:
Still at Giesboro
Wednesday December 7:
Went to Washington
stayed all night in the
soldiers rest
Thursday December 8:
went to camp Distribution
Friday December 9:
left for City Point
Saturday December 10:
Was on the boat came
near being wrecked in
the bay
Sunday December 11:
Arrived at City Point
and went to the Bull
ring
Monday December 12:
Went to Dismounted
Camp one mile from
the point
Thursday December 15:
was on guard
Saturday December 17:
went to the 5 corps
on a pass saw father
Monday December 19:
was to the Point
Wednesday December 21:
was at the point
Saturday December 24:
went to the rgt on
a pass saw all the
boys had a good time
Sunday December 25:
Not a very merry
Christmas
was on guard
Editor's Note: the “memoranda” section of the diary contains
various lists of (1) amounts received and owed, (2) food and clothing
received, and (3) men from the unit.
Home