John Wesly Culpepper Diary (Cont.)

The next day, (Saturday the 8th) I wrote a letter to father and went to town, I went into a bakery to get my dinner. The proprietor was a Dutchman, the cleverest {sic} man I have ever seen. He was baking bread for the soldiers at Harper’s Ferry - baked from 500 to 800 loaves per day. His lady served me up a good dinner, and did not charge me anything.

At dress parade on Saturday evening a great many citizens of the town came out. The Adjutant read the orders for the day following. The order was that we be prepared to leave for Harper’s Ferry, at as early an hour as convenient.

At 8 o’clock the next morning, (Sunday) {the 10th} we were marched out in order, to our drill ground. When the Batallion {sic} was properly arranged Col. Bartow stated that he had assembled us for divine service. After making some very appropriate remarks he called upon a private, a minister of somekind, belonging to a company from Rome Ga., to go forward and offer up a petition in behalf of our regiment, our cause and our Country.

Our baggage all being at the depot, we marched from the camp to the depot to go directly to the Ferry. There were a great many spectators at the railroad to see us leave. At 10 o’clock a.m. we bid adieu to the excited crowd.

While at Winchester on Saturday {the 9th}, I was passing an artists door and saw a great many pictures. Among them were Bell’s²² , Douglas’s²³ , Breakinrage’s²⁴ {read: Breckinridge} and those of other distinguished men. In looking at them, I noticed one in a large frame to itself and some writing at the bottom of the easel. These were the words, "The Great Northern Ape. Abraham Lincoln." He could have applied no epithet more appropriate than, "Ape" For he looks more like that varment" {colloq.} , than a human being.

We had a very pleasant ______²⁵ to the Ferry. The scenery was particularly picturesque, to a Ga. boy’s eye. At 1 o’clock we passed Charlestown, the village where old John Brown and his crew were hung. The cars made a halt at that place, but passed swiftly on. At 2 o’clock, we were at Harper’s Ferry, surrounded by thousands of soldiers from all directions. The valleys, hills and mountains were totally covered with soldiers for about 2 miles, before we got to the Ferry. We remained in town over an hour, awaiting orders where to march. I looked across the river and saw a canal boat burning. I asked what it meant. A gentleman told me that, they had gone some distance up the river and had brought all the boats down, to keep the enemy from using them to cross the river. I don’t know why it was thought proper to burn them.

A gentleman showed me a pole on the Maryland side of the river which, I suppose, is 200 or 300 feet above the water. It was put there to designate the spot where Cook, and one of Brown’s men, made such a narrow escape, during the row at this place under the direction of the notorious John Brown. Cook was making his way up the rugged rock, by means of bushes and all other things which would facilitate his ascent up the almost perpendicular rock. He had gotten hold of a limb of a bush, and was pulling himself up, while several were shooting at him with Sharp’s rifles. Some one shot the limb off, to which he was holding; but he fell over on the opposite side from the river, thereby saving his life for the time being. It is said that it came very nearly killing him anyway, but he escaped. He was afterwards caught in Pennsylvania, brought back, and shared the fate of Brown and the rest of his murderous clan. He had been a school teacher in this immediate vicinity. That proves the loyalty of Yankee School Teachers.

A gentleman has just shown me one of Brown’s piker or spears which he had made for the use of negroes. The blade is 10 inches long, 2 wide, tapers, or is rounded off to a sharp point, and both edges made very sharp. It is precisely like a large bowie knife. This dangerous blade is fastened to a helve {sic} 6 or 7 feet long. It is fastened on like our briar hooks. The diagram below is a sort of model. (DIAGRAM MISSING -- editor)

Most of the citizens have moved out from the principal portion of town and given it up entirely to the soldiers. The best part of it looks like an old thrown away place; but every building is crowded with soldiers. I didn’t like that situation, for I thought it would be sickly. It is a very low, flat place, right on the bank of the Patomac {read Potomac} river, and surrounded by high mountains on every side. We received intelligence that we would be stationed 11/2 miles from that part of town. We marched a mile and a half, when we were ordered to rest; and I assure you every chap was glad to hear that, for it was very hot. No place was yet assigned us particularly, and we marched on.

We soon left the main road and took a new one through the woods, and persued {sic} it nearly a mile, when came to a halt again. We concluded to go no farther till Col. Bartow selected us a location. He and some officers from town were riding. They were gone some time. When they returned, we were ordered to march back. We went back about a mile and camped in a high hill (or mountain) in a beautiful pine grove.

All those who had tents camped in a wheat field. It seemed like a great pity to destroy such fine wheat, they marched into it like horses and cows.

We were near the river, but the mountain was so steep, that it was very hard work to go down and up with the aid of thick bushes. We could start a rock from our camp, and it would go into the river. I didn’t feel like pulling up consequently I didn’t go down.

We were compelled to sleep on the ground in the open air. But we all enjoyed finely, I think it the most healthy way of living, provided it doesn’t rain. The thick pines were proof against dew, consequently we fared sumptiously {sic}, after eating a hearty supper served up with our own hands.

At noon, on Monday the 10th {11th}, the Capt. informed us, that Col. Bartow had given the Echols Guards the Post of Honor, a position 1/2 mile up the river, and immediately on the bank. We are the only point where the enemy can enter from the West and Northwest. We are the Picket Guards, and in our hands rests the safety and security of this flank of the army. It is a very important position. Capt. Howard says, it is the greatest honor which could have been conferred upon the Company.

We came here soon after dinner. All well pleased. We have nothing to do, but to guard this point. Each member of the company stands 2 hours during every 16. Col. Gartrel’s²⁶ regiment came on Monday evening the 9th {Saturday the 9th or Monday the 11th?} and camped near our regiment, about 1/2 mile from this place. As soon as I heard they had come, I went over too see Noah²⁷

It was late and I had but a short time to stay. I saw John Hopson and a great many other old friends and school mates. Noah, John and several of the boys came over on Wednesday, about 10 o’clock, the 12th {13th}. They stayed till after dinner. They are all well and seem to be in fine spirits. I went in to the river {cave? - ed.}. It is the greatest wonder I have ever seen. Some of the boys went into it a considerable distance They say it is as dark as midnight and very cold and damp. They had to take a lamp to see their way. I think I will prepare myself with a good light and explore it thoroughly before we leave here. When I was there I only walked in a few steps, as I had no light. There is also a railroad tunnel, but a few paces from the same place. It is through a solid rock.

Thursday 7 o’clock a.m. June 15th {14th}.

Last night the company agreed to ask the Capt. to hold prayer in the Camp this morning and he promised to do so. We thought, if we did not "Fast" we ought at least to have prayer on fast day. At 7, this morning he called us together, made a few remarks, read the 14th chapter of John, and called on Mr. Dunlap to pray; who prayed a very devoted prayer. He prayed earnestly, for the Capt. the whole company, our distant relatives and families, and for our common country, That we might be successful in future battles as we have been in past ones, believing our cause to be a just, holy and righteous one.

We took a prisoner yesterday for trying to pass our sentinals {sic} with a spurious document, he was want to call a pass. He was suspicious character any how, had spoken favorably of the Union. He came to my post, and I looked at his ticket. I told him it had signs of a parmit {sic} , and that I had no use for him about my post, I also stated to him, if he attempted to cross the line, I would give him the contents of my musket. He said he would not try to cross as he knew my orders were positive. In a few minutes after that the Capt. sent to his house and him arrested {sic} . He was kept a while and released, on the condition to sing low hereafter. We got another today of the same sort, who is now in the guard house of the regiment.

Friday the 14th {15th}. We received orders yesterday, from Gen. Johnson²⁸ Commander of this place, to pack up everything which we could not carry in our napsacks {sic} , and be ready to march at a moments {sic} warning. We did so immediately, and sent all our baggage to the depot. We expected every hour to be ordered off. The day passed on, and we still remained. We thought sure that we would start at dark, and march all night. To what point we had no idea. But dark came and found us with our harness all on, our guns in our hands and sitting on our napsacks, ready to gather them and start. We had been thus prepared from 12 in the day, and remained so till 9 at night, when we became weary and sleepy. We had sent off most of our things, consequently we were badly prepared for sleeping. We all had a blanket or two, however and we managed to fix ourselves very comfortably.

I only had 2 hours to sleep, when I had to stand guard till 2. After standing my time, I rested well till some time after sun up.

We were left in suspense till we got to believe it was all a fudge {colloq.} about our leaving. We were satisfied, however, that there was something in the wind. After breakfast, intelligence came that the enemy were approaching, and that we would be sure to have a fight during the day. But the day passed off and that report was found false also.

Late in the evening {Friday, June 15th} it was discovered that a boat which lay some distance above our camp had been moved. Suspicions were immediately entertained, and we continued our watchfulness with greater diligence. After sundown, one of our officers discovered 3 Federal officers on horse back, across the river, with a spy glass or telescop.{sic} They were some distance, but it seems they had ridden out into the edge of an old field or clear place in the woods. The Capt. immediately dispatched a man to Col. Bartow, who came down and ordered 20 men to go and bring the boat down to the camp, and he said he would burn it. Both Simeon and I were among the company who went. I think every member of our company wanted to go, but those who got into line first, had the preference.

We went up, but were not able to get the boat off as it had been drawn out upon the mud. The Col. then sent others with orders to burn the boat where it stood. In a few moments it was in flames. We remained long enough to see the fire fully under way, then marched back to the camp. It was then 10 or 11 o’clock at night. I was very sleepy, not having slept much the night before. I soon fell asleep and knew nothing till 4 in the morning, when I was aroused to stand guard till 6.

Saturday Morning June 15th {16th}.

We received orders this morning to get breakfast and pack up our things as soon as possible; as we would leave this morning. At 7 or 8 o’clock our company marched to the regiment camp. At nine the regiment took a line of march, as we supposed, for Winchester. It was very warm and we had to carry napsacks on our backs. We marched about 2 miles when the Capt. told us to put our napsacks in the baggage wagon. After resting, we started again. We got along very well. The heat was very oppressive, while marching through those long lanes, between Harper’s Ferry and Charlestown Our company was placed about the middle of the regiment, next to, and on the left of the Colors. The dust with the excessive heat of the sun, was almost insufferable.

Not being accustomed to the heat of the sun, walking etc. I took the headache {colloq.}, and commenced bleeding at the nose. When with in {sic} about a mile of Charlestown, we came to a halt, and I told the Capt. that I was compelled to fall out of ranks. I did so and walked out where I could get the fresh air. We only marched about a quarter, when we stopped to eat a snack. We rested about an hour during which time I took a good nap which refreshed me very much. We then marched on to Charlestown. I did not get in ranks, but took the side walks where I could get the breezes and see the pretty girls who were waving their handkerchiefs as we passed. At almost every gate we passed, whole families stood with buckets, pitchers, large tubs, barrels and every sort of vessels full of the best water I ever drank. I took particular notice of one place where the old gentleman had tubs sitting on the sidewalk, and the negroes all toating {colloq.} water as fast as they could run to the well. All his daughters were at the gate with pitchers and cups, where I made it convenient to halt and partake of their hospitality.

They learned I was complaining and sent for something to eat, but they had given out everything that was cooked. Having nothing else, they put loaf sugar into my haversack as long as I would suffer it. I have never witnessed greater demonstrations of kindness than was shown all the soldiers at that pleasant little place. They are all perfectly alive in the cause.

I walked down into town, went into a store, washing my face, and bathed my head with good cold water; after which I felt much better. We remained in town some time. When we left I got upon our baggage wagon to ride.

We passed near enough where Brown was hung to see the place. We went 3 miles and struck camp in a very pretty grove. A day or two before we left Harper’s Ferry, Gen. John. had the railroad bridge blown up and some buildings set on fire and continued the burning till we left. I don’t know what buildings were destroyed as I did not visit the town at all. I learned however, after removing all the machinery and other property from the public buildings, that they were fired, and all other buildings of any consequence. The Gen. with the whole army left on Friday and Saturday. The forces have been estimated variously at from 15 to 22 thousand, by Cols. Capts. & Privates. But no one knows, I think except the Gen. or his Aids.

It is stated by some that the batteries and some of the hights {sic} were left with a sufficient number of men to defend the place. I hear so many false reports I don’t know what to believe. It is a sight indeed, to see 15 or 20 troops, with their banners unfurled and bayonets fixed, ready for battle.

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