The Civil War Diary of Sergeant Henry W.

Tisdale July 30, 1862 The past 22 days have been busy and eventful ones to me. Thursday, July 10th, enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the U.S. Soon after the Presidents call for the 300,000 volunteers felt it my duty to be one of them, feel it as much a Christian as a political duty, and feel that every citizen ought to feel it so. And certainly have never felt more peace of mind as flowing from a sense of duty done, as in this matter of enlistment into the service of our country. In most of the towns of our state volunteering goes on rapidly. In others, however, there seems to be but little true patriotism. All towns are offering liberal bounties, varying from one to three hundred dollars. I fear that some of our volunteers go more from motives founded in dollars and cents than from those drawn from true patriotism. May God bless our land and help us as a people to have that true patriotism which is founded in true Christian and political principles. I have been at home all day or nearly so, having left Mr. Boydens Monday night. I have been busy packing my effects and preparing my camp equipage. Tomorrow go to camp at Lynnfield. May Thy blessing, My Heavenly father, be with me, and aid me to have thy love and service first and foremost upon the affections of my heart, and be the foundation motives of each thought, word and act, for Christs sake. August 1,1862.Camp Stanton, Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Came into camp yesterday. Found things pleasanter than I had expected. Everything new and novel and affording much amusement. Towards night was examined by the surgeon, pronounced fit for and sworn into U.S. Service for the term of three years or sooner discharge. Wrote letter to folks at home. Had a very heavy thundershower in afternoon. We enjoyed it much, snugly ensconced in our tents, a new and novel shelter to us. Had fish chowder for dinner. August 2nd. Had our first season of battalion drill. Enjoyed it much, though quite a severe tax to me physically. Already feel that my daily drill in the open air is improving me in my mental and physical health, and that if watchful against needless exposure need have no fears but that I can endure the hardships of soldier life. September 14th. On the march since the 10th off and on and are now camped near Middletown, MD. According to reports we are attached to General Jesse Renos Division of Gen. Burnsides 9th Corps. Was some little fighting yesterday between our advanced parts of the army and the rebels under Stonewall Jackson near Frederick, MD. The country through which we have passed is a very fine in natural scenery, interspersed with fine farms and woodland, the latter more of a true forest style than our Northern woods, having much less underbrush and rocks, and the wood much larger. Passed through two or three small villages; these and the farm dwellings and buildings we have passed are far from equaling in style or taste those of the North, showing many of them in a dilapidated appearance, and far more whitewash than paint. One feels already the taint of slavery upon the land in the somehow thriftless and want of enterprising look of the country. Our march through Frederick, MD yesterday and by moonlight, over the hills and beyond it was very fine. The scenery from these hills delightful. This morning was opened with the booming of cannon and during the day thus far troops have been passing by our camp in one continued stream. It is hard to feel it the Sabbath. Prospects of our getting into action before night multiply causing a sort of feverish excitement to come over me. Help me my heavenly Father to do my duty in thy fear and for glory for Christs sake, Amen. In one of the churches of the town is some of the rebel wounded from the action of yesterday or skirmishing. Tears come into my eyes as I think of home and of the peaceful Sabbath there enjoyed.

October 29th. Some six weeks have passed away since writing. They have been eventful ones to me, full of Gods providential goodness and mercy. A good deal of the time I have been unable to write and the remaining time I have been indisposed to it. At near 4 PM September 14th our brigade was ordered to the front, a rough march of some 4 miles brought us to the scene of conflict, climbing steep hills, some almost mountains crossing rough fields through corn fields and some of the way at double quick. On our way meeting many wounded being carried to the rear and as we neared the battleground here and there a dead body was to be seen. At little after 5 PM were upon the ground where the booming of artillery the screaming of shot and shell and rattling of musketry told us we were mid the stern realities of actual battle. The sight of the wounded sent a kind of chill over me but in the main feelings of curiosity and wonder at the scene about me took hold of my mind. Were drawn up in the line of battle in a cornfield and then advanced through a sort of wooden field to a thick wood where we met the rebels or a few scattering ones for their main body was on the retreat. In entering the wood came upon a large number of rebel dead lying in a ravine, presenting a sad and sickening sight. They were making an advance upon our lines, but when crossing the ravine, were met by a volley from the 17th Michigan which so thinned their ranks that on that part of their line they made a precipitate retreat. Just after we entered the wood was wounded by a rifle ball passing through my left leg just opposite the thighbone. As the ball struck me it gave me a shock which led me to feel at first that the bone must have been struck and shattered and for a moment did not dare to move for fear it was so. Found on moving that the bone was not injured and that I had only a flesh wound, which relieved my mind and thankfulness to God that I was not maimed or dangerously hurt came. I think that the shot must have been fired by some straggling rebel or sharpshooter in a tree, as we had not yet got up to within reach of the rebel lines. Found myself in a few moments growing weak and tying my towel above the wound to stop its bleeding tried to make for the rear where the surgeons were. As I was limping off a wounded rebel who was sitting against a tree called me and asked me if I did not have something to eat. Exhibiting a loaf and going to him I opened my knife to cut off a slice when he placed his hands before his face exclaiming Dont kill me and begging me to put up the knife and not to hurt him. Assuring him I had no intention of hurting him I spoke with him a little. Found he had a family in Georgia, that he was badly wounded and was anxious to have me remain with him and help him off. But found I was growing weaker from loss of blood and that the surging to and fro the troops about us made it a dangerous place so limping and crawling was obliged to leave him and move for the rear. Soon came across some men detailed to look out for the wounded who placed me in a blanket and took me to the rear to the surgeon. The place where the wounded were brought was near a cottage, near which had been the battle- ground of the forenoon. Was fortunate enough to be placed upon a straw bed in the garden just outside the house and had my wound promptly dressed. The cottage had a memento of the fight in the shape of a hole through its roof made by a cannon ball. The fighting continued till late in the evening, our regiment losing but a few wounded among them our colonel lost his left arm and George E. Whiting of our company one of his feet. He bore the amputation manfully. The house and outbuildings and the ground adjoining them were filled and covered with wounded rebel and union mingled, all being cared for as best they could be, many moaning piteously throughout the night or until death put an end to their sufferings. Friend Sabin R. Baker of our company took care of us of the regiment doing what he could and adding much to our comfort amid the confusion and suffering existing about. On the afternoon of Tuesday Sept. 16th a train of ambulances came and all of us able to be moved were taken to Middletown and placed in the churches vacant dwelling etc. in town. Endeavored to get into the same building with Whiting but in vain. Was saddened to hear while at Frederick, MD of his death, from dysentery and weakness from his wound. Remained at Middletown until the next afternoon; the citizens generously supplying us with food and other needs; when we were moved to Frederick, and were placed in the Lutheran Church, which was turned into a hospital. A rough board floor was laid over the tops of the pews. Folding iron bedsteads with mattresses, clean white sheets, pillows, blankets, and clean underclothing, hospital dressing gowns, slippers, etc. were furnished us freely. The citizens came in twice a day with a host of luxuries, cordials, etc. for our comfort. The church finely finished off within, well

ventilated and our situation as pleasant and comfortable as could be made. A few rebel wounded were in the building. Some of the citizens showed them special attention bringing them articles of food, etc. and giving none to the others. The surgeons put a stop to this however by telling them that they must distribute to all alike or they would not be allowed to visit the hospital at all, this was much to our satisfaction. Remained in Frederick until Sept. 30th, getting on slowly, having my wound dressed twice a day. A liberal supply of reading material and other comforts furnished by the citizens,-when able to go about on crutches was sent off for Philadelphia. Had a rough ride thither, were placed in box freight cars with but a thin layer of straw upon the floor to lie upon. Owing to delays were 27 hours on the trip. Were kindly cared for on arrival at Philadelphia at the Citizens Volunteer Hospital and from thence was transferred to a regular government hospital at the corner of 5th and Burtonwood Streets. Here I found every appliance that humanity could suggest for our comfort. Was placed in the 4th story of the building. Wound continued to heal nicely giving me but little pain and in about a fortnight was able to hobble about the room and dress myself and by the 20th of October to walk out doors. Found many sad cases of wounds and sickness in the hospital, many from shattered limbs had been lying for many months slowly recovering and waiting to be able to be sent home. Felt that I had great need for thankfulness that mine was only a flesh wound. On October 27th through error and carelessness of the surgeon, my name was placed upon the list of those to be sent off to join their regiments and though protesting against being sent away until my wound was fully healed, was sent off to the Convalescent Camp at Alexandria. My wound was not healed either where the ball had entered or passed out and was obliged to have it have it dressed that morning. But the surgeon rather than take the trouble to alter the papers he had made out told me I must go. Regretted this very much for I had hoped to stay until fully well, and while convalescent visit about the city. Have had many pleasant calls upon me from friends in the city have brought me many delicacies especially fruit. Most of them are former residents of MA. Among them Misses Clarke and Harding, friends of sister Carrie two very pleasant girls and who I visited at their workshop a day before I left, Mrs. Boynton of Beverly, NJ, a school mate of fathers and Mrs. J. L. Frost formerly of Boston. Made many pleasant friendships in the hospital of brother soldiers among them H. Vantassie of NY, Walter E. Swan of Mass., and James Mack of PA. How many pleasant friendships are but for little time here on earth ere time of parting comes, and we go away to meet no more perhaps forever,-how should this admonish us to have our affections on things above where naught can separate us from the love of Him who hath redeemed us and who ever is near all that love him. Felt sort of home sick thus suddenly to bid goodbye to friends and seemed like leaving home a second time for the untried scenes of war. Had a pleasant journey to Washington and from thence on the 29th was transferred today to the convalescent camp or post hospital near Alexandria. On arrival was examined and pronounced unfit to go to my regiment and sent to a portion of the camp set apart for convalescents. Found here my quarters were to be in a crowded tent and obliged to lie upon the ground. Went to the surgeon and showing him my wound asked if I could not have some quarters where I could have something or other for bedding and was transferred to the half sick quarters and placed in tent with four others with straw ticks to lie upon. Felt quite comfortable and hopeful that my wound would soon heal and my lameness pass away. Before leaving Philadelphia was told by the surgeon to exercise as much as possible for some of the cords were partially cut.

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