Civil War Diary of Charles Lepley
103rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company E
January 1, 1864 - September 2, 1864
January and February 1864
Friday, January 1, 1864
Wrote a letter to Sister. Otherwise passed the Day foolishly wearily away with hardly a good resolution for the New Year or a regret for the follies of the past.
Here am I at Plymouth, North Carolina This 1st day of 1864 and may well ask where may I be one year from now but must wait for Time to answer.
Saturday, January 2, 1864
Dull and drearily the day
Slowly and wearily wears away
And Surely
But I think I’d better wake up if I can and Time if it didn’t pass less surely. Would perhaps pass more gayly, pleasantly, profitably and speedily away. Yes I often think I must only be dreaming and not really living because I’m most always sad and I see others enjoy themselves.
Sunday, January 3, 1864
On Picket duty on Extreme right post on the line. Warm and pleasant day.
On post with Roscoe Warner of the 85th N.Y. A Regular Pennsylvania Yankee from Potter Co. Pa. An agreeable fellow too.
Monday, January 4, 1864
A little wet this morning and rather unfavorable for catching Squirrels But we made out to destroy The Head quarters of 4 or 5 of them. But they made their escape to our disappointment and cost as I tore my Sock.
Keountersign “Santafe
Tuesday, January 5, 1864
Monthly inspection at 11 oc Rather wet for good business
Came very near Enlisting in the “Veteran Corps to day
About 500 of them turned out this evening and paraded the muddy streets by order of “Genl Wessle.
Wednesday, January 6, 1864
Blowing and
Raining and
Sleeting all day.
Vaccinations examined.
Thursday, January 7, 1864
On Picket on Red Hill post. Plastered the shanty and kept up a big fire and kept pretty comfortable in spite of the wind snow and ice and rain.
Countersign Memphis
Friday, January 8, 1864
Came in off Picket and out of the rain to shake and freeze and things. With this ague and things its worse than mosquitoes.
Saturday, January 9, 1864
Ague and fever to day
Sunday, January 10, 1864
Cold clear and windy
Six Rebel deserters came in to day
Went to the Doctor this morning got 30 grains quinine Feel no better
Monday, January 11, 1864
Considerable better this morning but went to Doctor
Tuesday, January 12, 1864
Read a letter with a Ring in it. Mailed a letter.
Made a Requisition for pr pants 1 shirt 2 pr socks
Wednesday, January 13, 1864
Raining all day Slightly
Thursday, January 14, 1864
On Picket on Lees Mill Road
Friday, January 15, 1864
The Dixie gals the Southness Pride
Graceful, Lovely and gay
Saturday, January 16, 1864
[No entry]
Sunday, January 17. 1864
No entry
Monday, January 18, 1864
A Small expedition
Sailed This morning
at 4 oc on the
“Massasoit bound up
Chowan River for
Recruits to fill up
some North Carolina
Companys that are
forming here
Refugees and
Deserters are daily
comeing in and swelling
our Ranks here.
Tuesday, January 19, 1864
Felt like Shaking
this evening but prevented
it by taking a dose
of quinine which
made me Sicker.
The weather is clear
and windy and not
very warm.
Rebel “ Longstreet
reported advancing on
this place with 40
thousand men
I think he’ll stand a good
chance of getting his street
Shortened.
Wednesday, January 20, 1864
Detailed at 10 oc to relieve the Veterans that were on duty that they might be mustered
in
And on returning to camp at 4 oc was informed that I with 13 others were to get ready with 3 days rations to march at 7 oc It is now 6. At 8 oc 175 men Embarked on the Massasoit. At 12 oc 20 men of landed 7 miles below Harrellsville tried to Capture a picket post of guerrallas failedThursday, January 21, 1864
At 4 oc the Ballance landed 4 ½ miles from town. Marched up to town and Captured 6 mule teams, 8 horses, 5 hogheads of sugar salt pork in profusion. Were fired on by the Guerrillas had 1 man killed 1 wounded Captured 1 Rebel wounded
Returned to Plymouth at 7 oc.
Friday, January 22, 1864
Another expedition left to day at 12 oc
Sold a captured pipe for 25 cts
Rambling around through town inspecting the Captured Stock and waggons
There was on Beautifull 2 horse Carriage valued at $5000.
A grand Consort this evening 25 cts Brahms
Saturday, January 23, 1864
A Splendid day and night for picket. My turn for standing was from 2 till ½ past 4 as ever decided by casting lots.
It was a beautiful
Moonlight night and
Nothing to break the
quiet but stealthy
tread of Otter and
Mink and the plunging
of Muskrat in the sluggish
water of the stinking
Swamps Mixed with
the gentle splashing of the
Alligator.
Sunday, January 24, 1864
A lovely Sabbath
Morning without a
darkening cloud or
rude breath of wind.
Our new Chaplin preached to day
but I wasn’t here to hear him but understand
He did not make a favorable impression on the soldiers. He is of the Episcapalion Church
The 15th & 16th Connecticut landed here this Evening to Relieve our Veterans.
Monday, January 25, 1864
Myself had a Chill this morning and Racking fever all day.
Did nothing but lay in bed all day and bear it and such a beautiful day warm, sunny and airy
An Expedition went off to day and showed with one prisoner.
Tuesday, January 26, 1864
Fell a little better to day in spite of Dose the Doctor gave me yesterday But am sorry he had no Quinine to give me today.
Another Expedition to day
Wednesday, January 27, 1864
Expedition of 22nd Returned this evening by land with about 100 head of sheep and poultry in proportion Captured near lake “Phelps.
Connecticut troops Relieve our Picket this morning
Thursday, January 28, 1864
“Camp Guard to day. Verry warm
“Countersign “Vicksburgh
.Friday, January 29, 1864
Good Music I hear just now by the Brass Brigade Band of the Connecticut troops here.
Grand Consort at the M.E. Church this Evening
At 9 0c got orders to get ready immediately with 2 days rations. 10 oc found 60 of Regt on Massasoit. Sailed at 11 up the Roanoke
Saturday, January 30, 1864
We land at 4 oc 6 miles above Hamilton 500 strong and 1 piece Marine artillary
Marched 8 miles and come upon 300 Rebs at Windsor and Route them completely taking 3 prisoners and Instruments of a Brass Band. Burn their Barracks and return to the Boat at 5 oc. Arrive at Plymouth at 9
Sunday, January 31, 1864
At Church this Evening Preaching by the Chaplin of the 101st
Monday, February 1, 1864
Down at the market post this morning. An Expedition at 2 oc
Amador County
Fiddletown PO
California.
Fayette PO
Fayette County
Iowa
[Charles had a brother Isaac Lepley who moved from Fayette Co, Iowa to Amador Co, California; perhaps about this time]
Tuesday, February 2, 1864
Expedition of 70 men to Edenton
Start from here at 11 oc Return at 9
While there an Old woman told me to be carefull of my gun and not let her children get Shot with it as she did not want her children shot by a Yanke or a Yankees gun ugh
Wednesday, February 3, 1864
Monthly inspection
The 15th Connecticut leaves for Newbern Had a chill to day
Thursday, February 4, 1864
Another shake
18 Transports with Reenforcments for Newbern passed Roanoke Island today
Friday, February 5, 1864
Still another shake was at the Doctor
Fighting reported continueing at Newbern
One Battery Captured by the Rebs and gunboat under water
Genrl Pickett in command of the Rebls forces
Saturday, February 6, 1864
At the doctors this morning
The troops at this place were all called out at 3 oc to watch the moon rising
Paid $15.00 to Harrison Pugh for a watch
Sunday, February 7, 1864
Was at the Doctor
Rec’d 2 letters from home Answer the same
Sent a Blue Back 5 dollar bill captured at Harrellsville Jan 21st `64
Monday, February 8, 1864
Clear windy and rather cool
Rebels Raise the siege at Newbern and Retreat towards Goldsboro. Reported to have been 15 thousand strong under General Pickett and Ransom
Tuesday, February 9, 1864
On Provost Guard Clear and cool
two Rebel deserters came in to day. One from Stewarts Cavalry the other from the 11th NC
One man named Hughs in prison was conscripted paid 16.00 dollars for a substitute
Wednesday, February 10, 1864
Relieved of guard
Warm and pleasant weather
Dress parade evry evening
No drill
Thursday, February 11, 1864
At Church this evening
Cooked a Chicken for supper
Friday, February 12, 1864
Sent for a pair of pant and a shirt
Saturday, February 13, 1864
Two companies of second Massachusetts heavy artillery landed here to Day to garrison the fort and let Veterans go home.
Sunday, February 14, 1864
At Church to day Preaching by Chaplain of 16th Connecticut
Again by Chaplain Billingly of 101st
Monday, February 15, 1864
Mailed a letter to SCR
[presumed to be SC Roth]Raining and cold and windy
Tuesday, February 16, 1864
On Camp guard post no 2.
Clear Cold and Windy
Wednesday, February 17, 1864
Relieved of guard
twas verry windy and verry cold last night
Countersign Lodi
Drawed clothing viz
1 pr Trowers 2.50
1 shirt 1.53
2 pr socks 32 per pr…64cts
Thursday, February 18, 1864
Pretty cold and windy
Commenced snowing finely about 9 oclock this evening
Friday, February 19, 1864
Sacra Mondue
Snow and freeze unto death. 2 inches deep and windy quantum sufficit
The sun shining Nevertheless
Saturday, February 20, 1864
28 Guerrillas were brought in this morning from Hyde County
41 negroes and 38 white Refugees came yesterday
Rect a package of papers from HWR
[presumed to be his cousin Henry Warren Roth] Snow not going Detailed for carrying wood for kitchenSunday, February 21, 1864
Preaching to day by Rev Rowlings
Warm and snow disappearing
Detailed
Monday, February 22, 1864
Washingtons
Birthday Celebrated by an address by Chap Billingsly of 101st
Music by the Band
Hail Columbia
Star Spangled Banner and the Doxology
Address at 6oc by the Rev Dickinson Chaplin 16 Conn Subject American Republic
Tuesday, February 23, 1864
Blank
Wednesday, February 24, 1864
Expedition up the Chowan of 30 men on Genl Foster
Thursday, February 25, 1864
Expedition returned after capturing 1500 lbs tobacco and 2 negros
Shingles in the country are made of cyprus and juniper principally
Friday, February 26, 1864
Have a little Chill to day
A little chill is not such a little thing, either
Saturday, February 27, 1864
More Ague to day Received a letter from home. Tomorrow
Sunday, February 27, 1864
Inspection and whole regiment on picket with knapsacks included
Monday, February 28, 1864
Relieved of picket. Inspection and Mustered for 2 months pay and a miserabe shake.
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