Civil War Journals of KIA 1st New York Ragoons Soldier
Set of two lively journals by Julius Fillmore of the 1st New York Dragoons, Co. C, who was KIA at the Third Battle of Winchester.
Fillmore keeps near daily entries in these journals spanning from April 1863 until January 1864, serving first in the 130th NY Infantry, and then in the 1st NY Dragoons, which the 130th converted into. Each diary contains over 100pp.
With Fillmore writing freely each day, not constrained by fitting his entries into pre-printed dates. Much of the first diary covers the Siege of Suffolk, when Fillmore successfully helped defend Fort Huger against Confederate takeover by General Longstreet's forces.
The second diary describes the Confederate retreat after Gettysburg during the Bristoe campaign. Siege of Suffolk content begins on 14 April 1863 when Fillmore writes, Considerable firing by the gunboats during the night. This morning there is firing in all quartersTwo hard skirmishes on the Somerston road, one at Fort Dix and one on the river. The rebs were repulsed each time and we took some prisoners. Corcesan is along the river to operate with the gunboats. Gen Dix has just been here to the fort. The enemy are throwing up breastworks in several places and planting batteries. " Content continues throughout April, in part, "Apr 152 p. Occasional shots in all directions. C Ordered into the rifle pits west of our campApr 16Some firing by the gunboats this morning. We have been shooting at some rebs across the riverthree from Co. C have gone across the river and set a small fire theresleep in our quarters with our clothes, boots, and accoutrements on ready to fall out at a moment's noticeApr 178 companies of the 130th, Co. Of the 99th New York and a Co. Of Sharpshooters were sent out across the river and engaged the rebs. The engagement lasted about an hour.C killed and three or four wounded. I don't know how many were left from the other companies. I came out all rightApr 20 - Last evening 89 NY and 13 Penn surprised and captured a rebel battery of six guns and 132 prisoners, 125 privates, and seven officers. There was some firing by the gunboats during the night, today considerable firing all around. I have just been out and had a twist with them.
It is fun for me to stand in the rifle pits and pepper away at them. We keep watch for the smoke from their guns and then dodge down our heads before the balls reach us. There has been a few shell thrown from the forests, but the rebs do not reply. We are still at the Fort.
We have been having fun today keeping the sharpshooters quiet while the teams come in with ammunition guns and provisions. There has been more laughing then at 4th of JulyApr 21 - Skirmishing today as usual. Just been out and had a twist with a greyback, but we come out even. The gunboats kept shelling the woods during the night. The gunners are throwing shell into some rifle pits across the river and we pop the rebs as they dig out. Some troops have gone out on the Somerton Road to recounter the enemy's position. We hear some firing, think they have found them in forceApr 23I was on picket last nightthe rain has seized and the rifles are cracking like firecrackers on a fourth of JulyApr 26 - Last night just at dark we had quite a chat with some of the reb pickets across the river. They said they belonged to the 6th Miss regt. That they fared first-rate on rations, but were sick of the war. Myself with six others were on picket close by the river bank, the rebel pickets just across in plain sight of each other, but is it by Mutual consent we did not molest each otherWith a report today is that Stonewall Jackson is in command of the rebs around here. It is not believed by many. The Gen'l opinion is that Longstreet is the manApr 27A report the rebs have given us till 4 this afternoon to surrender the place oh, no use they have got to fight for it if they want it. We have the Stars and Stripes flying over the fort and the rebs are shooting at themApr 28Some niggers are to come and take our places tonight to do the fatigue work.[Alfred] Gibbs says the 130th are not going to do the picket guard and fatigue. He says g-damn it let the niggers workApr 29today is the day that Longstreet said he was going to eat dinner in Suffolk. I'm afraid it will be the worst dinner to digest that he ever ate. No sign of his comingReport this afternoon there is heavy force of the enemy moving down the river to try and affect the crossing but they will meet their match.
Gen'l Peck has had heavy batteries planted at every available pointApr 30A man has just been wounded at Fort Corcosan in sight of us. The ball struck near the corner of his eye, breaking the bone. Confederates attacked Fort Huger in early May, resulting in the Battle of Fort Huger which ended the Siege. On 1 May 1863, Fillmore reports, The rebs hold their fire until our men were within a few rods of them and then open the most destructive fire. Our men soon fell back.This called a force of the devils out of the woods. The shells from our forts still thick and fast among them, all this time making sad havoc among them.
We were in the fort and rifle pits and kept up a sharp fire all the time. The union loss is 10 killed and 30 or 40 wounded. They were brought in from the fieldGen'l Dix has been here today.Colonel Thorpe has command here at the fort in time of a fightMay 3about 8 this morning. A large force of our troops crossed the drawbridge and soon engaged the enemy. The fight is now going on the 130 is not yet engaged. There's some shell being thrown from our forts. We had quite a talk with the rebs in our front this morning.
They showed a flag of truce and we agreed not to fire upon each other from the rifle pits today. The fight is still going on. The rebels are being driven back midnight by morning all quiet except now and then a shell. Our troops are going out after them. We are to go in a few minutes.We are at the fort, yet the rebs have played it too smart for our gents this time and left too soon for their plans. Getty is in hot pursuit of the rebels, prisoners and deserters are coming in in squadsOne of Co.
G shot several days ago, was found brought in and buried. C was buried where he fell, so much decayed that he could not be movedMay 5 - Co. C still at the fortThere's been a number of prisoners and deserters brought in today. Some of them were Negroes in uniform.
Some of the dead have been buried todayMay 9 - Lymon Meade Killed on April 17th was brought in and buried in the burial ground of the 130th. Wet and muddyNo definite news from Hooker as we get no paper tonight. Was out on the ground where the 130th had a skirmish April 17th, picked up some grapeshot. Throughout the summer of 1863, the 130th New York is involved in a number of skirmishes before converting to the Dragoons. Three prisoners have just been taken past the 11 RI regt is near here leveling down fortifications thrown up by the rebsMay 12Rebels reported in our front 8 miles from here. Number not knownMay 15Some dead and wounded have just been brought inMay 16Heavy firing heard in the direction of Franklinthe rebels made a charge on follett's battery last night, but were repulsed with considerable lossMajor Scott of the 130th has just been here. He says more dead and wounded are being brought in from FranklinAnother greyback just passed by here. He is a prisoner from Franklin. May 18 - Came in from Pickett, was detailed to go and help take charge of some contrabands to work on fortificationsMay 22three of [General Michael] Corcoran's men were hung today for committing a rapeMay 2620 of the 170th New York are under arrest for throwing away their guns and skedaddling in a skirmish near WindsorJune 3Report that Gen'l Lee has crossed the RappahannockJune 5 - Reported their that the rebels are coming this way again. Let them come we are readyJune 11 - Cavalry picket shot last night, two rebs brought in this morning. Receiving orders to March at 1 p. With three days rations and 100 cartridges. Four rebs brought in, one dead one wounded and two unhurtA negro came in today said to bring valuable information concerning a gang of guerillas near here. Those brought in today belong to the gangJune 18 - We have been on a 7 Days raid, had a hard March.Are ordered to March tomorrow morning think for Penn. We visited Franklin, Windsor South, Quay Blackwater, Cassville, and various other places had four skirmishes, two killed and several wounded of the 130thJune 25 - Gen'l Grant is still pounding at Vicksburg. Bragg & Rosecrans are still watching each other. Gen'l Lee is trying his hand again in Penn & MD.
Gen'l Carter is after the rebels in Tennessee. Marmaduke & Price are moving on our forces at Helena. Our ironclads are closing in on Charleston. Gen'l Pleasanton with his Cavalry is making sad Havoc with the rebel Cavalry under Stewart. In Fillmore's next diary, which runs from 19 August 1863 until 15 January 1864, he reports on the Bristoe Campaign, and the Battle of Mine Run.
Diary reads in part, Aug 20th - Go on dress parade with our cavalry uniform on for the first time at 6 1/2 PMAug 27th - Mosby made another raid upon a sutler train yesterday and captured 41 wagons, some government horses, and some of the teamstersAug 30thour pickets attacked last night by bushwhackers, but the men held their post & drove Mr. 1stWe captured a rebel this morning, he was trying to dig through our lines. He is to be sent to headquarters as a spy, but was not smart enough to play out the gameSept 22ndCapt. Godfrey and 8 men have just come in, they have been attacked by the rebs, 11 are missingSept 24th - We marched all day through woods and across the fields and camped at sundown in a fine grove 3 miles from Aldie.
Found no force of rebs, picked up a few stragglersWe think that 6 of our boys and 10 horses are missing. We drew carbines & revolvers this morningSept. 28thOur loss at Chattanooga under Rosecrans reported 1,700 killed, 8000 wounded, and 50 guns lost. The rebels burnt a bridge at Fairfax on the 25th. 10thOur reg't is now titled the 1st NY Dragoons.
The Bristoe campaign content begins on 14 October 1863, We have been marching since daylight, are now on the Bull Run battleground. There has been fighting nearby all day. Meade is still falling back. We have stopped in the woods near the old Bull Run field, have had two days rations for us and horses dealt out to us. The firing has nearly ceasedStuart's Cavalry were badly cut up by our men todayOct.15th1200 Rebel Cavalry were taken last nightOct. 16thThere is troops in all directions. One can have no idea of the magnitude of the Potomac Army unless they can see it. Yesterday at 1 we had orders to fall in to go out on a reconnaissance. Our regiment, one other, and a battery of light artillery.
17thLeft camp at 1 p. And crossed the bull run at Mitchell's Ford, a half mile further on came on the enemy's pickets, made a charge and drove the enemy about 1 mile past Manassas Junction. We had three men killed and several wounded. We have found six dead rebs and got one prisoner. The rest of our brigade came out and we formed a line of battle and halted for the night without supper or feed for our horsesOct. We drove the rebs about 2 milesThere is a large force of the enemy in sightNov. 2ndMosby captured two of our ambulances and five men day before yesterday near Catlett station. 5thWe can see the enemy moving about on the opposite side of the river (Rappahannock) from appearances they are retreating. We shall probably follow someWe are the extreme left of the Potomac Army" He mentions the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station on 9 November, "there was a hard fight here at the Ford on the 7th.2000 Rebels were taken prisoners. Our troops crossed at two or three different Fords and the whole army is in motion driving Lee at all points. Good news from all points.
A heavy force going up the peninsula. Burnside & Hooker making Bragg sufferNov 25thA lieut and two men were shot last night on picket a little to our right.
They belonged to the 6th NY cav'ly. I get no sleep this night as we have to be wide awake and look out for Bushwackers. The Battle of Mine Run takes place on 28 November, hard fighting all day yesterday and the rebels were driven back. A report that Mosby took 70 of our wagons yesterday near Rappahannock station.
There is heavy cannonading going on at the front40 wounded from the fight of yesterday just passed to the rear. Considerable loss reported on both sides. Some fighting todayIt is reported that our Cavalry lost in the fight of yesterday was five or six hundredNov. 29thThere has been heavy firing in the front all this forenoon.
The rebs advanced on Gregg's division on Cav'ly and captured nearly a regt of them and driving in the rest" Two leather journals with flaps each measure approximately 3" x 6, with entries in both pen and pencil. Legible writing, in very good condition. The item "Civil War Journals of KIA 1st New York Ragoons Soldier" is in sale since Saturday, March 7, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Correspondence, Mail". The seller is "n8sautographs" and is located in Los Angeles, California.This item can be shipped worldwide.