On the march into Maryland, 5th day, 6th mo. 25th, 1863, were called in from picket about nine o'clock; went to the old camp, and joined, or followed the division, which has been on the march for some time. Should have remained on picket, as the column passed the right of the picket line. Followed the road to Edward's Ferry, where we crossed on one of the pontoons; went on, and passed through Poolsville, and then on to Barnesville, where we encamped in a clump of thick, low pines, on the north side of the town; had a difficult time getting into the woods. It had been raining all day, and still continued; Jos. and I put up Clay's tent, and took Chaplin in with us; we were almost "wringing wet" from perspiration and rain. Had a hard march, and were almost worn out.
6th day, 6th mo. 26th. Were called up at daylight by the Adjutant, but did not get out until all the other regiments were off. We got ready, and were off by five o'clock, and went on as fast as possible, but did not catch up to the brigade until we had gone several miles. All of our things were wet, which made our load heavy to carry. We crossed the Monocacy river, went through Adamstown, and came to Jeffersonville, where we took up our camp for the night. I gave out about the middle of the day, and fell down; got a pass from the Captain, signed by the Doctor, as I could not keep up, and took my time; got to within a mile of Jeffersonville by the time the division halted. Made some coffee, and went to a cherry tree and got some cherries, which was the most I had to eat to-day. We put up our tent, and went to a stack of straw and got an armful for our bed; took the sergeant in with us. It rained some all night; our clothes were very wet—could almost wring them.
7th day, 6th mo. 27th. The bugle sounded about four o'clock, we got up about five, and were packed up by eight. Went to a house near by to get water and wash; then went to a cherry tree and got some cherries. Made some tea for breakfast. By half past eight were in line, and started. Went through the town, and followed the road leading towards Middletown. We made an easy march of it, a distance of eight miles. The roads were hard, which made the marching good. We got to Middletown by one o'clock, passed on through towards the mountains, and encamped. We appear to be in a valley. All of the First and Twelfth Corps are encamped around here. The country we have passed through the last two days is of the best farming land.
1st day, 6th mo. 28th. Last night we got one day's rations of sugar, coffee, crackers, beef and pork. The Adjutant said we would be likely to move at three o'clock this morning. Had inspection of arms and accoutrements about twelve; at one I was out on guard; about two the bugle sounded to pack up, and at three the Corps was off. The guards acted as rear guards. Took the Frederick City pike, and got within a mile of the city by night, when the Corps encamped. The rear guard had to go on guard on arriving.
2d day, 6th mo. 29th. The bugles began to sound the reveille about three o'clock. The third relief went oh at four, when the bugle sounded "pack up;" by five the Corps was off. The sergeant of the third relief took charge of us, and we staid behind to get breakfast. I took three hard-tacks and a piece of pork and ate them on post for my breakfast. Our camp is in a meadow, with a fine run of water in it. We passed over a very mountainous country yesterday, but very beautiful. The marching was easy, on good pike; weather cloudy and misty. We soon started, in charge of the sergeant, who had a few lines from the officer of the day. When we came to the pike, we joined the middle of the First Division, which was in the rear. After going one-fourth of a mile, the road branched off, one leading towards Frederick City and the other to Pennsylvania. We followed on, and caught up to the Second Brigade by noon. Passed the Second and Fifth Maryland Battalions. Had very muddy roads, the mist turning into rain at times. Followed a pike leading towards Hagerstown; passed through as far as Cotocton Furnace, halted half an hour, after going three or four miles past the furnace, and ate our little dinner. After the half-hour was up the column started. I joined the regiment, and kept with it past Mechanicstown, when the roads were so muddy and wet I could no more than keep up. We followed the pike, passing through Emmettsburg, amid the waving of flags and handkerchiefs by the ladies. After going one-half a mile past the town, we encamped in a field.
3d day, 6th mo. 30th. Slept pretty well—it rained some in the night. Got up at five o'clock, and started at eight; went back through the town, then across the Pennsylvania line, and halted and encamped. We met the Eleventh Corps coming through Emmettsburg, going the road we came. Just before we started, an old gentleman and lady came into camp, bringing bread, butter, biscuits and doughnuts, and gave them to us, saying, "poor fellows, we'll give you all we have, if you will drive the rebels off, and hope you'll not get killed." As soon as we crossed the line, we gave nine cheers. After stopping, we were told to put up our tents. My feet are very sore and blistered.
4th day, 7th mo. 1st. Sergeant and I slept together, the other mate was on guard. Got up at five. Had fresh beef for breakfast. The bugle sounded "pack up," and about seven o'clock we started on the road towards Gettysburg; at nine were within three miles of Gettysburg; halted to rest; heard something like cannonading ahead. About the middle of the day got to Gettysburg, and halted. There was pretty sharp fighting to the left and ahead of us. We have halted in a piece of woods; can see the firing plainly, and may soon be in it. After stopping for half an hour, we advanced by the left of the town, and halted a few minutes, then went on and formed in line of battle. I threw away everything but a few envelopes and paper, which I put in my note book. We first threw out skirmishers, and after manœuvering around for some time, got into the thickest of the fight. I could not get my musket to work right, but fired something like twenty rounds. After near an hour's hard fighting, we were compelled to fall back; and, after manœuvering, our brigade went up to the top of a hill and supported a battery, which did good service. After near an hour, were compelled to fall back to the town. The rebels had flanked us. We lost a great many, the most when we fell back the first time. A bullet grazed the right side of my neck, and another my right hip. We retreated through the town in great confusion, and all the time the rebels were shelling it, and some shooting from the houses. We got into some kind of order after getting out of the town, and by sundown, what was left of us, are in line of battle. Sent out skirmishers. When we were first under fire, a piece of shell struck the ground between Captain and I, throwing the sand in our faces. The whole number of killed and wounded of the Ninetieth Regiment is near fifty—of our company four or five wounded.
5th day, 7th mo. 2d. Slept last night behind the stacks, on two rails, under my gum blanket. All was quiet. Captain gave me five crackers and some coffee for my breakfast. There is some firing out among the pickets, and skirmishing going on all the time. Several other Corps came up yesterday and last night; we are stronger now. The Eleventh, Twelfth and Third Corps are here, that I know of, besides our own. Ours and the Eleventh appear to be the only forces engaged. At twelve o'clock all was quiet. All the forenoon there was firing among the skirmishers, and some artillery firing, and a great deal of manœuvering in the different parts of the army. Large numbers of the enemy came over and gave themselves up, and we took some prisoners. The great mistake yesterday was in not having reinforcements near at hand. To-day we are very strong, but as yet nothing has been done. General Reynolds was killed yesterday. About three o'clock the cannonading opened on the left, and then all along the line. In less than an hour the musketry opened on the left, and kept up a continued fire until dark. We (the First Corps) were supporting batteries, in the centre, for the first hour or so; then we were taken more to the right, where most of the Corps seemed to be; here we were for more than an hour; we lay close to the ground to get out of the way of shells. About seven o'clock we were taken to near the extreme left, formed in line and advanced some distance, then halted and sent out skirmishers, (twenty from our Regiment.) By this time, except the artillery, all was quiet, but occasional firing among the skirmishers. While laying here, I went back with canteens to get water, and when I returned, found the Brigade moving towards the right. We held our ground all day, and on the left, where the fight was the hottest, we drove the enemy, taking a large number of prisoners. Large numbers of dead and wounded lay all over the field. One of our skirmishers came to a man with both legs shot off, who gave him his watch, and offered him five dollars to shoot him. Our Captain came across the rebel General Barksdale, who was mortally wounded. We were put into different positions during the night, and at last halted along a road running towards the south end of the town, behind a stone fence.