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140th PA Vols The 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers fought in most of the major battles with the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War, including Gettysburg. You can read their story in their own words. You can also read the diary of my ancestor, Pvt. Philo Paul, who fought and died with them.
Xavier '66 Biographies and other lies submitted by the Sons of Xavier HS class of 1966.
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Pvt. Philo Paul 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers |
1824 - 1864 |
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Biography |
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A Short Biography Philo Paul was a farmer and operated a sawmill in the village of Amity, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was a community leader and was a founder and an original Trustee of the Pleasant Valley Academy, a community school sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Christian Church for all the children in the area. When President Lincoln called for 300,000 more volunteers to re-enforce the Union Army Philo joined 66 other men from Amity and the surrounding country to respond. In August, 1862, these 67 men joined 31 others from other parts of Washington and Greene Counties to form the Amity Company, which would soon become Company D of the 140th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He left behind his wife, Sarah, and their nine children: William Wallace, James Monroe, John Adams, Daniel Webster, Alexander Hamilton, David Clayton, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Laura Jewell. In his military career, Philo was recognized for both his bravery and soldierly appearance. On May 3, 1863 at Chancellorsville, Company D sent a small detachment of volunteers, including Philo, onto the field outside the Chancellorsville House to retrieve the four cannon of the 5th Main Battery (Lepine's) as the Confederates bombarded them from their position at "Fairview", only a few hundred yards away. A Company D comrade recounted that, "One day at Brandy Station, Va., when an officer was inspecting the Regiment, as he came to Philo Paul and saw how erect he stood and noticed his determined look, his clean gun, polished gun barrel and brass pieces, he stopped in front of him and said: 'There is a model soldier.'" Philo was killed on May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, when the 140th Regiment was among the first of 20,000 Union soldiers who assaulted an entrenched Confederate position. In order to maintain the element of surprise, the firing caps were removed from their rifles. General Nelson Miles, their brigade commander, later reported that they were ordered to "use nothing but their bayonets until they had gained the enemy's position." Rather than have a stray shot from an impatient Federal warn the Rebels of their approach, the Union attackers marched silently through the pre-dawn fog in a block 1/4 mile wide and swept over the Confederate defenders in what would become known as the Bloody Angle. A bullet passed through Philo's heart and he was buried on the field with his good friend Amos Swart and fellow church member Thomas Doty. They were buried by Thomas' brother William and another soldier, perhaps James Hathaway. Those buried on the battlefield were later re-interred in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, where Pvt. Paul presumably lies today among the "unknowns". After the war, upon the formation of the Grand Army of the Republic, the fraternal organization of Union veterans, his comrades named the Amity post in his honor - The Philo Paul Post 458 G. A. R. |
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The Diary The following diary was written by Philo Vance Paul, Company D, 140th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Private Paul was shot and killed in battle near Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 12, 1864, during the American Civil War. The bullet which killed him passed through the diary and through his heart. Words destroyed by the bullet can, in most places, be determined by the sentence and these are in parenthesis. The diary was kept in a commercial diary book which listed each day and left very little space for writing. The book is dated 1864, but Philo began entries on November 16, 1863, and made the earlier entries at that time. In a pocket in the back cover of the book Philo had three thirty-cent paper notes which were also shot through. July 18, 1863, Monday T. Paul left the reg – and proceed (ed to) wards Frederick Hospital (on) foot from Harpers (Ferry an)d arrived in two days (25 miles) August 14, 1863, Sunday Entered Chestnut H (ill) Hospital remained until (August) 24th I received a pa(ss for si)x days and went home (and) remained until Oct 19th (ret)urned to the hospital on the 20th remained two days and was sent to convallescent camp. October 22, 1863, Saurday Left the hospital at Chestnut Hill a(nd was) sent to the Convall(escent - ) inspected ---- (re)mained there the 15th of Nov(ember when) we left for the army got there on the 16th November 16, 1863, Monday Arrived at the reg – four miles south of the Rappahanock Station encampment in the timber and in the mud boys all well November 17, 1863, Tuesday All quiet no move and nothing of interest transpired then weather beautiful and fine wrote a letter home. November 18, 1863, Wednesday Moved our camp one half mile east near (moun)tains creek the Cor ----- ill the weather fi(ne) November 19, 1863, Thursday The paymaster here but I did not receive any pay the weather verry fine. November 20, 1863, Friday The weather fine and beautiful nothing of importance doing company drill November 21, 1863, Saturday Verry wet dull dreary and r(ainy) wrote to S L Hugh(es and) to T Jolley Received (lett)er from J (G) N Mo(ninger) dated Nov 15th November 22, 1863, Sunday Beautiful day Preaching by the reverend Milikin wrote to J (G) N Moninger orders to move. November 23, 1863, Monday Nothing of importance transpired John A. Wright and Harry Swart returns to the regiment our boys on picket. November 24, 1863, Thuesday Ordered to move at daylight the 2nd and 3rd (divis) ions of the 5th corpse i(------)n the 2nd did not sta(rt com)mences train and (the or)der is countermanded. November 25, 1863, Wednesday The sun rises beautiful and clear but nothing done all quiet on mountain creek November 26, 1863, Thursday Moved out at 7 o’clock crost and waded the Rapadan at Germania Ford no rebs discovered in force November 27, 1863, Friday The advance encounter to en(emy an)d sharp skirm(ish) ensues but no gen(eral eng)agament Co D out as (picket)s Vandike got sick Williams also. November 28, 1863, Saturday Hold our position verry wet rainy some skirmishing and canonading with but little loss lay in the brush all night November 29, 1863, Sunday The Second Corps changes its position to the left on the rail road back of Fredericksburg Encounter the Enemy brisk skirmishing by the 140th at rebs shelling us briskly without effect. November 30, 1863, Monday Change our position support the third corps (----)ts heavy canonading (-----) right The air clea(r and fr)osty A verry co(ld -- ), Williams comes up. December 1, 1863, Tuesday J.B. Vandike comes up early, all quiet in the morning Beautiful weather the 140th on picket clear and frosty December 2, 1863, Wednesday Laying in the brush all day verry quiet – go on picket at dark some fireing on the lines verry clear and frosty – alla mistake Leave the picket line at 3 o’clock and cross the Rapadan about 40 miles to our old camp again. December 3, 1863, Thursday A verry beautiful day myself on du(ty bui)lding a chimney at the (gener)als quarters for (----) December 4, 1863, Friday A fine day talk of moveing the rebs said to be on the Rapadan, recd a letter from Wm Baue one from Mr Jolley and three from home – wrote one home December 5, 1863, Saturday Moved to the neighborhood of Stephensburg about six miles from our old camp and two miles from the Rapadan and five from Brady Station and six from Rapahanoc Station. Six from Kelleys Ford December 6, 1863, Sunday Remained in camp over Sund(ay morni)ng – on picket clear (-- coo)l December 7, 1863, Monday Moved one mile north of Stephensburg with orders to build winter quarters in the brush a dismal looking light to begin on December 8, 1863, Tuesday We comence to cut timber the weather clear and frosty no tools much to work with December 9, 1863, Wednesday Got our timber cut and carried (the) weather fine and fro(sty) December 10, 1863, Thursday Raised our house and got the roof on getting along fine got a letter from Will dated Nov 22nd December 11, 1863, Friday got our bunk done and slept verry warm being verry tired nothing new on hand December 12, 1863, Saurday all day things (are) quiet December 13, 1863, Sunday Still wet in the morning B. Ernest died verry suddenly in Co K. Preaching by our chaplin afternoon clears and shines wrote home December 14, 1863, Monday A fine morning we police the street Inspection by Capt Keach, Regmental Fine afternoon December 15, 1863, Tuesday Beautiful morning our reg (on pic)ket cool and calm ( m)oveing December 16, 1863, Wednesday Some apearance of storm No move yet today Wrote a letter to Harrison December 17, 1863, Thursday Awful wet all day our reg – on picket read no mail Wrote to Mr Myers Swart wrote to J M Moninger December 18, 1863, Friday Verry dark and dreary and muddy (a sol)dier of the 57th N.(Y. -- ex)ecuted by being s(hot a)wful sight to (see) indeed. December 19, 1863, Saturday recd-our arms and accoutrements also two letters from my wife one dated Dec 11th the other the 13th December 20, 1863, Sunday A verry fine morning clear and cool company inspection at preaching at the 61st N. York wrote a letter home for a box all quiet December 21, 1863, Monday Appearance of snow Capt --- (----) Sharp and adjutant (----wen) to home our reg – (-----)et nothing new on (----) December 22, 1863, Tuesday On order on detail nothing of importance quite cool recd a letter from Esq Hughs December 23, 1863, Wednesday Remain in camp got some wood wrote to Esq Hughs snowing in the morning quite cool December 24, 1863, Thursday Again on the cordoroy fatigue all r(ight) nothing new on hai(---) December 25, 1863, Friday Verry frosty wrote home and recd a letter in the l evening from home dated the 20th December 26, 1863, Saturday Verry fine weather cool and frosty wrote a letter home doing nothing December 27, 1863, Sunday Pretty wet day our reg-on (picket) for three days an(d had ins)pection on in camp a letter f(rom -- ) art Lindley re(cd --) December 28, 1863, Monday Quite a wet day myself on detail choping wood at the (?) A Swart on guard, recd – the Reporter and Tribune the picket send for their mail December 29, 1863, Tuesday A nice day overhead but quite muddy A. Swart wash for McAfee, Recd bread and crackers both December 30, 1863, Wednesday On cordoroy detail our pickets (-----) all well December 31, 1863, Thursday On cordoroy detail again awful wet day worked till noon mustered by Capt Brady for pay Evening awful wet Prayor meeting at our bunk
January 1, 1864, Friday Prayor meeting at our bunk just after rool call, quite muddy and nasty getting about Prayor meeing in the evening again Turns in verry cold and frezes verry hard. January 2, 1864, Saturday Thirt(y men) of company D on pic(ket ex)tremely cold freezing des( ---) Entirely to cold to sleep at night myself on the extreme right post January 3, 1864, Sunday A verry bright morning cold and frosty Still on picket James B Vandike releaves Lieut – Graves on picket, Recd a letter from wife dated Dec 28th also one from James same date with a picture January 4, 1864, Monday Still on picket verry cold commences at ten A M to snow and continues all the afternoon rather more moderate in the evening up nearly all night – all quiet on picket January 5, 1864, Tuesday Relieved from pick(et) at ten and returned to camp (---) tolerable condition the air (warm) the snow going of verry fast H.L. Sward recd his box of provisions from home, verry fine January 6, 1864, Wednesday Quite cool all day, two Swarts on corderoy detail, wrote a letter home, Dr. Sharp returned to camp Prayor meeing in our bunk January 7, 1864, Thursday Verry cold morning, split up the big maple log. Dr. Sharp visits our bunk, A Vandike cuts his foot. Mended Amos’s boots S. Evans detailed but does not go Prayor meeting at our bunk January 8, 1864, Friday Again ( ---- )ree day picket verry cold about three inches of snow Placed on main reserve for 24 hours then on out post at tew a cold sharp wind all night January 9, 1864, Saturday Verry nice day quite cool. Put on out post at ten AM and remain until one next morning making fifteen hours when we repair to the support the night verry cold January 10, 1864, Sunday A beautiful day, snow still on We on right support, wind from the south Capts Campbell and Gansom in command, all quiet on mountain Creek, crows and buzzerds plenty January 11, 1864, Monday A beautiful morn(ing) bright clear and frosty The (pick)et returns to camp in good order. Wrote part of a letter home Recd Brownsons sermon and a letter from J. Frazee from mornings Moninger no other mail January 12, 1864, Tuesday Cloudy appearance of snow Nothing of importance doing in camp. Finished the letter spoken of yesterday for home and put a piece of telegraph wire in it Inspection by Capt Henry January 13, 1864, Wednesday All quiet in camp – got some wood – looks like rain quite cloudy snow going off the boys verry lively Snow baling briskly No letters for our bunk Prayor meeting at our bunk one January 14, 1864, Thursday The g( ------) ------ our pickets start (out) at six, Amos Sward on from our bunk The day turns out find and pleasant Wrote to Kit Paul. Dr. Sharp transferred to the 18th P.V. cavelry January 15, 1864, Friday The morning dull and cloudy Turns out pleasant and beautiful day. Nothing doing in camp. Wrote to Mr. Bane Received a letter from Mike dated 11th also three from home one 3rd one 8th one 9th of Jan with rect for box January 16, 1864, Saturday Verry pleasant bright day wrote a letter home all quiet in camp Jim Slusher visit us they are laying at Warren too Prayor meeting in out bunk January 17, 1864, Sunday Rather dull cloudy cool all day Preaching on (heaven) (-----) on the colour Line the pickets return at one o’clock Class meeting at 2 o’clock no mail for me January 18, 1864, Monday Awful wet all day Wash day at our bunk I detailed the Brigade Comisary for rations no mail at all continues to rain through the night January 19, 1864, Tuesday Three months since I left home clears and changes cooler desperate muddy in morning Received a box from home with a good pair of Boots and butter and berries all in good order, also a letter by mail. Freezes solid at night January 20, 1864, Wednesday Our reg (AGA) in on Picket Seven of Co. D n (---) along a nice pleasant day. One year since J. Mannon left us at Falmouth put out on post in the morning. January 21, 1864, Thursday Fine pleasant weather rather muddy, Returned to the reserve at two o’clock and remained all night pretty cold but comefortable a letter come to camp from home one from Mr. Myers. January 22, 1864, Friday Still on picket fine pleasant day The Sentinal neglects to warn us of the approach of the Corps Officer of the day remain on reserve all night January 23, 1864, Saturday The most beautiful win(ter) weather immaginable Rel(ieved) at ten and got to camp at noon quite muddy and warm January 24, 1864, Sunday Warm and balmy Preaching on color line by Mr Milikin wrote a letter home Dress parade in the evening January 25, 1864, Monday The weather remain verry fine and order to ditch and throw up the streets and remove the wood piles to the north end of the street my self on quarter guard. January 26, 1864, Thuesday The w(eather) remains beautiful as ever (th)e swarts on picket fixing from inspection Removed our wood to the other end of the street. Recd a letter from Will-W January 27, 1864, Wednesday We fixed up for inspection but it did not amount to much The day beautiful beyond description wrote a letter to W.W Prayor meeting in the evening 14 present January 28, 1864, Thursday The weather splendid as May. We all work a spell at our street walk – take a trip up to our Signal Post – Dress parade Received a letter from home Wrote to A. Walton January 29, 1864, Friday The warmest day (I ever) saw in January – the (pickets) return to camp about one o’clock Wrote a letter home on account of Vester January 30, 1864, Saturday Rather smokey and dark We do our washing at the run could not dry the clothes the line A drunken man walks up the colordress parade at five. Prayor meeting at our bunk January 31, 1864, Sunday The weather a little cloudy and dull. Reg – inspection at ten By Capt McCullough, no preaching Dress parade at five o’clock Serg – Swart and Wright goes to hear Mr Wilson preach got a letter from D Bane February 1, 1864, Monday Capt A(-----) son goes home on Furlough Rain(ing ) pretty wet forenoon our Reg (-----) in on Picket myself not on Wrote to J K Paul quite raining and clears at two o’clock I on camp guard at five o’clock Noble & Dave at Sugar. dress parade February 2, 1864, Tuesday Feb Verry Foggy morning ground hog day on duty at comisary quite an amount of rations drew by the Co – commisarys Noble and Pollock at sugar barrel Sargent Bell goes home to recruit Dress Parade Quite a thundergust in the evening February 3, 1864, Wednesday Quite blustry and cold a verry sudden change in the weather continues cool all day – wrote a letter to J.J.A.P. dress parade Prayor meeting in our bunk in the Evening February 4, 1864, Thursday J.A. Wright receives (his bo)x Quite cool but cl(ear an)d reasonaly pleasant (wrote) part of a letter to Mr Band – Jacob and Peter visit us Amos on Brigade guard. Dress Parade Recd a letter from home four children sick catarrh Fever also a handkerchief February 5, 1864, Friday Fine weather like spring Finished the letter to Mr Bane wrote one home to my wife Received on from the Esq. --- February 6, 1864, Saturday Marching orders every thing ready to march at six o’clock Proceeded to Mortons ford the third division wade the River and engage the rebs considerable loss February 7, 1864, Sunday A pret(ty -- ) day – the 140 lay in old str(---) fellows orchard all day the pickets fireing considerable fall back at dark towards camp arrive about ten awful muddy and tired J.W. Lewis arrived in camp February 8, 1864, Monday Nothing of importance the weather fine resting in camp cleaning our clothes and guns for dress parade. R. Hatfield arrived in camp wrote to J M Moninger February 9, 1864, Tuesday On picket 8 privates one corperel one Sargent the day quite cool and bright we lay all day on reserve and all night the night being quite frosty February 10, 1864, Wednesday Still on reserves unti(l ---- ) quite clear and frost(y recd) two letters one from wife (one f)rom Will dated Feb 3rd and 4th respectively, our children all better James Plowing repair to the support at 4 PM February 11, 1864, Thursday Clear and quite frosty put on outpost at 2 PM all quiet on the line Remain all night pretty cold wind blows the whole night February 12, 1864, Friday Arrive in camp from Picket at noon all in good order appearance of rain. Dress Parade Recd a letter from Jim wrote on last Sunday February 13, 1864, Saturday Fine w(ea)ther we go to the run to was(h our) clothes a fine day nothing much doing in camp Dress parade in the evening Prayor meeting at our bunk February 14, 1864, Sunday Nice morning as usual Sunday morning inspection wrote a long letter home to my wife Preaching on the color line Dress Parade February 15, 1864, Monday Sixteen of Co. D on picket – a regular guard mounting at Division Head qr – arrive on the Picket line at noon quite a snow storm in the afternoon and evening – the 140th on reserve – Build a brush house – Tore down our shanties February 16, 1864, Tuesday Clears and shines quite (fros)ty still on reserve, awful w(in)dy at noon snow about gone (mo(ve dow)n on the south side of the creek on outpost at dark awful cold remain all night and until noon next day F.F.Jiams – arrive in camp February 17, 1864, Wednesday Lay on support all night, awful cold froze the creek over solid verry tedious pass time. Inspection in camp by Capt Henry. Dress Parade Prayor meeting at our bunk February 18, 1864, Thursday Relieved of of Picket at ten and arrived in camp at noon verry cold all day. Received two letters one from Will Dated Feb 12th one from J.J.A.P dated the 11th coldest night this winter Dress Parade February 19, 1864, Friday Clear (and) bright but desperate cold and (fr)osty Nothing of importance going on (in c)amp Dress Parade in the evening February 20, 1864, Saturday The weather moderate again and verry fine. Dress Parade Prayor meeting in our bunk about 20 present. Received a letter from my wife dated 14th February 21, 1864, Sunday Our reg – again on picket Amos out. Inspection in the street at ten. Preaching at 11 by the rev – Mr Baine of Canonsburg. Also Inspection by Capt Henry at one Dress Parade February 22, 1864, Monday Washingtons Birth(day) a pretty nice day (wrote) a letter to the Esq and one to my wife, Prayor meeting in our bunk. Vice President Hamlin amongst us February 23, 1864, Tuesday The weather verry fine, Great and grand review on the plains beyond Stephensburg of the Second Corps by Gen Mead in presence of Vice President Hamlin and a great concorse of Ladies February 24, 1864, Wednesday The finest weather imaginable Betokens Spring altogether I not so verry well myself our Pickets return at one oclock all in good conditions Prayor meeting in our bunk 22 present February 25, 1864, Thursday The wea(ther) still fine, I went to the (doctor)s my throad verry sore and head out of order Laid about all day. Haine got his box Fifty of our men on corderoy February 26, 1864, Friday Clear and cool pleasant I feel a considerable better near one hundred of our men on corderoy. Dr. Wishut calls in Received a letter from Harrison and one from Kit Paul. Subscribed to the payrole February 27, 1864, Saturday Verry fine weather clear and bright our reg – again on picket Lieut Van one Serg – Two corprels and 13 privates. The day pass away quietly, Dress Parade No mail for me. Prayor meeting in our bunk. Orders in the night to be ready to march at sunrise. February 28, 1864, Sunday A little appearance of – (------) pleasant Regmental Inspection at (-) oclock by Capt McCullough. Pa(yrole) having arrived we received out pay at eleven o’clock. I for four months 52 dollars the cavelry moving, I get no mail Prayor meeting in our bunk February 29, 1864, Monday Comences to rain at about 9 oclock mustered for Pay by Major Johnson the day turns out favorable Mr. Sprowls not gone yet, all quiet in camp no mail for me yet. I mail a memorial (company) to W.W. Paul March 1, 1864, Tuesday March Raining Mr Sprowls not gone yet – quite wet. The pickets return to camp at two o’clock. L.S. Miller a recruit for Co. D, arrives in camp wet all day. No Dress parade. No mail for me snowing some March 2, 1864, Wednesday Clear (and) beautiful Shugarmaking wa( ---) day. Brannon and Sibert (-----) – Dress Parade Prayor meeting in our bunk. No mail for me, frosty night Patroleing the streets no gambling alowed in the Co. March 3, 1864, Thursday Beautiful morning Mr Sprowls leaves for home takes a letter for me with forty dollars and 50 cents in it Wrote a letter to Harrison also one for Mr Myers, Recd one from W.W. dated Feb 27 March 4, 1864, Friday Myself and 14 others of Co. D on Picket – the morning cool. the day fine. Our reg- on reserve and remain all day one year of Mr Lincolns unexpired term from this date The loyal people almost unanimous in favor of his reelection March 5, 1864, Saturday Two prisoners brough(t in) Go on outpost at six (in ) the evening J. Swart a(nd) Arnold a musket fired at midnight on the next post to me. The weather clear and cool. Recd a letter from home dated Feb 28th March 6, 1864, Sunday Bright and cool. Two prisoners brought in at four AM and taken to headquarters. We was relieved at 4 P.M. and went to the support and slept soundly all night March 7, 1864, Monday Bright and beautiful Spring like Relieved at ten o’clock and arrived in camp at 11/2 o,clock P.M. all quiet. Dress Parade by Jibner. Mr Miller all night with us from the sixteenth cavelry. Recd a lettter from Mr Miers, Date March 2nd March 8, 1864, Thusday Rain(ing) Lieut Minton Mr (Miller) goes to the Sixteenth Cavelry (myself) and Evans and Jim Hathaway on guard quite wet. I wrote a letter home two sheets Dress Parade at five. A number of recruits for the 61st March 9, 1864, Wednesday Clear and bright. Sugar making. All quiet in camp. Drill by Co at ten. Also at two. Dress Parade at 5 P.M. Prayor meeting at the Chapel. No mail. Beautiful evening J. Kelly arrive in camp March 10, 1864, Thursday Pickets go out again. 12 Privates 2 Corprels one Sargent. An awful wet day. J.M. Hughes & J. Clopers Boxes come. Also one for J.M. Miller All in good order. I received a letter from wife dated the 5th all well. March 11, 1864, Friday Cloudy and foggy ni(ght) Myself and Montgomery (and Mi)ller on guard I at comisary (----)ble gets a pair of pants. Quite a thunder storm in the afternoon. No mail for me. Wrote a letter to my wife Clear night, 25 cent note in letter March 12, 1864, Saturday Beautiful clear morning. We was relieved from Guard at 9 the Co. drill at ten warm day Dress Parade at 5. No mail for me. D. Hart returns to G. Lost my badge silver one March 13, 1864, Sunday Most beautiful morning Inspection at 9. By McCalister Preaching at 10 o,clock at the chapel by Mr Milikin. The pickets get in at one. Wrote a letter brother Will Dress Parade at 5. Prayor meeting at the chapel. Recd a letter from wife dated (--) March 14, 1864, Monday The (morni)ng beautiful. A Swart on gu(ard) Large police squads out (drill) at ten by serg – Co drill at two by Lieut Vandike no mail for me but the papers. Blacking ishued March 15, 1864, Tuesday Verry fine morning. Brigade Drill By Col. McKane. Turns quite cold Co. Drill at two. Dress Parade, no mail for me March 16, 1864, Wednesday Quite cool. Two corprels and 15 privates on picket. Myself on outpost on right center Lieut Kerr with us also. Sargt. Alexander March 17, 1864, Thursday Cold morning went (to sup)port at six and remained (unti)l five went to the reserve (and) slept all night. Joe Hooker took an old Reb to Corps Headquarters and brought him back St. Patricks Day March 18, 1864, Friday Clear and cool and windy on the reserve. Cavelry crosing at Kellys Ford brought in 14 Prisners all quiet on our lines. An alarm in camp. Our boys under arms March 19, 1864, Saturday Beautiful morning. Our Pioneers comes out to build shanties. We are relieved at 12. And arrive in camp at 2. The Division meet and drum out a soldier for theft & c(----) Dress Parade. Get a letter from Jim dated Mar 13 and one from Harrison same date March 20, 1864, Sunday Verry (-----) and cool. Regimental inspec(tion) at 9 o,clock by Gibner Preaching (at) ten in the Chapel Jacob & Peter & Jim Carter here also Dr. Sharp Dress Parade wrote a letter to J.M. Paul but did not mail it March 21, 1864, Monday Verry cold wind. I on guard at comisary S.B. Evans Corprel Philips tied up for treason breaks loose Brigade Drill in the afternoon Capt McCullough returns to camp Dress Parade no mail for D. March 22, 1864, Tuesday Verry cold appearance of snow dark and cloudy – comences to snow at 2 o’clock and continues until late at night rapidly snow very deep No Dress Parade. No mail for me and no rool call. A verry cold blustry night. Irish on picket March 23, 1864, Wednesday The sun rose beautiful(ly brig)ht and clear with at least fifte(en) inches of snow. The snow t(----- ta)ken out of the streets. Drill in street Dress Parade. Prayor meeting in our bunk.. Chaplin here. No mail for the reg–wrote to my wife. Sent book March 24, 1864, Thursday Clear and pleasant. Drill at ten snow going of rapidly. Drill at two quite warm. Dress Parade. No mail for me. Swarts furlough Returned disaproved. A. Birch returns to camp without arms March 25, 1864, Friday Cloudy appearance of storm our pickets go out one sargent two corprels & ten men I not one Drill at ten also at two commences to rain at about three no dress Parade. No role call. No mail for me Swart gets one from Esq. – March 26, 1864, Saturday Pretty (-----)w air dark windy and cl(oudy) day. No drill John K(ell)y on the color line for reading on guard at comisary. No Dress Parade. My Birthday Recd. Two letters from home 1 from wife dated 19-20 one from Jim with a rect’ for box one from Mr Bane dated 22 March 27, 1864, Sunday Clear and bright and cool and windy. Inspection at ten Preaching at 11 by Chap – of 148. J. Swart & E. Martin comes to Co. D wrote to my wife put in 50 cents. Dress Parade no mail for me March 28, 1864, Monday Beautiful and bright spring like Amos on guard Drill at ten Drill at two. Our recruits Swart and Martin bunk with us – Dress Parade at five no mail for our bunk. The evening warm March 29, 1864, Tuesday Appearance of storm (ord)er for a general review (-----) commences to ra(in) no review verry wet Our box comes from home at two o’clock pretty badly used up bursted and split No mail for our bunk. Still raining March 30, 1864, Wednesday Awful wet and mixed with snow. Frazer here for breakfast at ten clears and shines no drill Dress Parade at five Prayor meeting in our bunk No mail for me – Wrote to my wife March 31, 1864, Thursday Pretty pleasant, cool wind by clears and shines, considerable detail. Drill at two Dress Parade by Atchison. No mail for me. C.C. Welsh arrives in camp Prayor meeting at the Chapel April 1, 1864, Friday April All (-----) day Fine an(d) bright morning Drill at (--) o’clock to eleven comences to rain at about noon continues all day and night quite blustry. No mail for me April 2, 1864, Saturday Snowing rapidly verry stormy J. Swart sick. Rainy wet dull day. No mail for me April 3, 1864, Sunday Dark and cloudy and cool one Serg – two corprels and ten privets on picket. Mounted at Division Head quarters and reviewed by Gen. Barlow got to the picket line half past twelve our selves on reserve April 4, 1864, Monday Cool and cloudy but (---)nd put on support at six (in the) morning on outpost at twelve (ba)ck on support at six in the evening remain until midnight Commences to snow at noon turns to rain and continues to storm all day and night. April 5, 1864, Tuesday At the reserve; continues to storm the most disagreeable day I ever saw, remain at the Reserve until evening then at outpost, no fire at 9 p.m. order to have fire, it continues to storm all night. April 6, 1864, Wednesday Morning ceases to storm and some appearance of clear. Noon clear and pleasant, on out post. Relieved at one P.M. and returned to camp awful tired. A letter from home dated 27 March one from W. Paul the same date April 7, 1864, Thursday Verry (beaut)iful morning clear and bri(ght ha)d regular guard mount. Drill at (----) The 182nd move on the hill. Drill at two. Dress Parade. Sat a letter from Will W.P. Dated March 30th – one from Jim – same date also one from J. Frazee April 5 April 8, 1864, Friday Beautiful morning. Drill at ten. Review and Inspection by General Barlow and Col Miles Dress Parade – Prayor meeting at the Chapel. No mail for me. Fine evening warm and pleasant April 9, 1864, Saturday Wet morning. We are taken on the Color line for Rool Call under arms. Continues wet all day I was taken with chills at about four o,clock, verry sick – no mail for me Wrote a letter to my wife April 10, 1864, Sunday I verry sick anoth(er) chill Reg-Inspection (---) McCullough Preaching by our Chaplin at 2 – no mail for me April 11, 1864, Monday Still quite poorly. Bad cough Pretty wet day again April 12, 1864, Tuesday Pretty fine weather. I quite sick yet. H.L. Swart leaves for home on Furlough Henry Clays Birth Day I recd a letter from home two in one Will & Wife – dated April 2nd April 13, 1864, Wednesday The w(eath)er fine. I a little better – C(ompan)y Drill at ten Batalion drill at two by McCollough, Dress Parade – Recd a letter from Jake Frazee April 14, 1864, Thursday Verry fine morning. Our Reg- go on picket. ten in all our co Sign the Pay Rool Drill at ten clean up for Review tomorrow Dress Parade No mail for me April 15, 1864, Friday Fine morning no drill – ordered to box our overcoats and extra clothing Preparatory to moveing – Drill at two – appearance of rain Dress Parade. Capt Campbell returns to camp no mail for me April 16, 1864, Saturday Verry wet forenoon (ord)er for Review but did not (co)me off Recd our pay for two (mon)ths. 26 dol sent 20 home in a letter to my wife also Roberts picture – also 5.50 to Jac Frazee Paid by Swihart. No mail for me. No Dress Parade April 17, 1864, Sunday Still dark and disagreeable Reg – Inspection at ten o’clock Preaching at two by our Chaplin Dress Parade. Pickets come in Recd two letters from home. One from wife one from Will dated 8th and ten April 18, 1864, Monday Fine morning – Box our extra clothing. Inspection by Capt McCullough, arrangements to move. Every thing to be clean and in good order. Dress Parade at five. Petition for Lieut Vandike No mail for me Weather fine Sent a paper to J.M. Paul April 19, 1864, Tuesday Morn(ing be)autiful – order for review Inspection at eight – by the Bri(gade) Inspector. Review at ten by (Ge)n Hancock our Division only – weather verry fine. Dress Parade No mail for me. Our extra clothing removed April 20, 1864, Wednesday Cloudy but fine and cool Drill at ten. Every thing verry quiet in camp. Removeing the sick – no drill after noon Dress parade. No mail for me April 21, 1864, Thursday Verry fine morning. I on duty again. Target practice at ten by the Reg – Brigade drill at two commanded by Col- Miles- No Dress parade No mail for me. Weather fine April 22, 1864, Friday All quiet t(he we)ather fine. Grand review (by) Gen Grant of the se(cond) Corps Magnificent appearance of the Troops. T. Doty arrives in camp Dress Parade. No mail for me Wrote a letter to Wife April 23, 1864, Saturday Beautiful morning quite spring like Phillips of G. shot his foot. Target shooting at ten. Dress Parade. H.L. Swart arrives in camp. Recd a letter from wife and Will dated 11th 18 April 24, 1864, Sunday Fine pleasant morning. Knap sack inspection at nine Preaching at 11 o’clock – Lieut Vance to comman Co D Dress Parade. No mail for me April 25, 1864, Monday Wet mo(rni)ng clears and dries off nice Drill at ten Division Drill at two. No Dress Parade. Recd a letter from J. Frazee, all quiet April 26, 1864, Tuesday Cloudy but turns out very fine Co drill at ten Division drill at two by Gen Barlow – verry Satisfactorily a grand charge No mail for me the evening beautiful April 27, 1864, Wednesday Lieut Vandike leaves us I on guard at Comisary the Reg – on drill skirmish. The day fine The Mitchigan mail robers arrested – Co drill at two Capt Henry shoots himself in the leg – Rains a little – Dress Parade. Pickets arrive, no mail for me April 28, 1864, Thursday Quite cool morning (arri)ved from guard at 9. Co. Drill (at t)en. Rather cloudy – Dr. Sharp (visi)ts us division drill at two by Barlow with knapsacks on. Dress Parade – no mail for me. The air cool Adjutant Shelenberger returns April 29, 1864, Friday Verry fine morning clear & cool Reg – drill at ten. Division drill at two by Gen Barlow, wrote to my wife, Col Frazee returns to camp. J.M. Hughes recd a box from home. No mail for me April 30, 1864, Saturday Fine weather No drill in the forenoon. Mustered for pay Co. F presents a sword to Lieut Purdy – appearance of rain Dress Parade at five. Recd a letter from my wife dated April 22 May 1, 1864, Sunday May 140(th on pi)cket. Myself on the right of (the) creek. The weather verry fi(ne an)d warm. We go on support (at) midnight and out post at 6 in the morning May 2, 1864, Monday On out post until noon and then return to the reserve and remain until midnight quite cloudy Quite a thunder storm at five P.M. Rains for several hours May 3, 1864, Tuesday Clears up quite cool. Still on picket in the same posish Relieved at five P.M. by our own men and proceeded to camp and found the huts all torn down – we had marching orders and left at 11 P.M. got a letter from wife and one from J.M. Moninger dated April 27 May 4, 1864, Wednesday We traveled from (mid)night until noon today (and) found ourselves occupy(ing th)e ond Chancellorvill Bat(tle gr)ound – we are halted and remain over night all quiet. The night cool May 5, 1864, Thursday Clear and fine. The troops moveing early. Encounter with the Rebs – at noon and fought them briskly until eight o’clock. The 140 engaged one hour closely. E. Smally killed and Scherick wounded May 6, 1864, Friday The weather fine. The fight commences early and continues brisk until nearly noon. Desperate warm. The rebs grieveing back – the fight continues all day our gains some ground. A big loss to the Rebs – May 7, 1864, Saturday Wea(ther) warm and cloudy Eight A.(M.) all pretty quiet. Report that the Bucktails took Bob R( -----) sword. The sun Extremely hot. The rebs retreating towards Richmond our forces in persutt May 8, 1864, Sunday Verry warm morning the troops moveing to our left in great numbers. A part of the 140th out as skirmishers the rebs shell our line. A brisk musket fight in the evening May 9, 1864, Monday We intrench ourselves and expect a fight – but move about noon and Encounter the rebs four miles southeast and brisk skirmishing ensues weather warm The 140th on the skirmish line all night. But little sleep May 10, 1864, Tuesday We spend the night (sho)rt distance and brisk (skir)mish ensues we lay (-----) river until about (--- o’cl)ock when desperate fight ensues without much loss on our side Sargent Henderson of F. killed May 11, 1864, Wednesday Desperate warm appearance of rain the pickets still fireing (Last Entry) Pvt. Philo V. Paul shot and killed on Thursday 12 May 1864 |
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Sources The Bicentennial Committee of Amwell Township |
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Special Thanks Extra special thanks to Bev Matern who meticulously transcribed the hand written diary transcription from the United States Army Military History Institute into electronic format. |
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Special Message The Central Virginia Battlefields Trust does very important work to save the battlefields where Philo fought. The CVBT raises money to buy battlefields which are endangered by commercial development, and turns them over to the National Park Service for posterity. Visit their web site (www.cvbt.org), and give them your support.
When it comes to battlefield preservation ... |
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