Report for June 21st, 2008
Latta Plantation
Members of C company of the 2nd United States Infantry, arrived, at Latta Plantation on or, about 9:15 in the morning of Saturday June 21st. Patrick and his family, Lee, Tom and Elaine, Sean and Peter, Chip and his parents, and myself all arrived in separate wagons.
We setup the company street next to the plantation house which is situated on nice high level ground. The company Colors were placed at the head of the street. The officers' tent fly was placed in a non-traditional location in the front of the Colors.
This set up was chosen because it gave the local residents in the area a greater opportunity to meet the Federal officers and privates.
We were all in good spirits. The local residents were kind and friendly. We broke camp at 4:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Cpl. Dan Fulton
Commanding Detachment
C company 2nd US Infantry
A June report
HQ C company 2nd Infantry near Petersburg Va.
13th June
The company has been ordered to reunite after a severe early year campaign. Cpl Fulton and Pvt. Madden have been assigned to guard the supply wagon and ensure its safe arrival at our destination in Virginia. Myself and the remaining men of the company are to go by an alternate route. In an attempt to confuse any jonnies that may be lying in ambuscade for us.
Late in the afternoon. We arrived at our destination just south of Petersburg to find Cpl. Fultons detachment and our wagon were encamped in a quite shady area next to a Mrs. Harts house.
It appears that the federal encampment here is to be quite lively for the next few days. As ALL the armies bands are converging here for a pre Independence day celebration. Along with the celebration there appears that there will also be number of schools for the men.
14th inst.
Strange to hear reveille at 6.15am by a full band once again after so many months of just a bugle. Well this means its time to put on the spit and polish and show these damned volunteers how to be real soldiers once more.
Day of drill and school. With little time for rest. Three full meals today. That we didn’t have to go and forage for. This kind of life will begin to spoil the men. What a shock it will be when we are once again on campaign and have to subsist on our foraging efforts once more.
Quite a pleasant evening with a musical serenade was provided for us in and around Mrs. Harts barn. That wasn’t even interrupted by a sudden violent outburst by mother nature.
15th inst.
Again the soothing sounds of reveille arouse us from our sleep. Cpl. Fulton informed me he had stood as Corporal. Of the guard last night with the remainder of our men on guard duty. as the volunteers were to tired. I sincerly hope they should be able to have a rest to day.
Amazing I did not realize that today was Sunday until our stolid commander Major Dobbs. A rabid religious zealot ordered that the WHOLE command were to attend Church services. The orders stated any Officers and enlisted mennot in attendance were to report to the adjutant and be read the articles of war.
Fortunately I only saw Cpl. Fulton from my command at the adjutants tent. I may have to I have a word with him about there being no atheists on the battle line!
Just prior to lunch I was ordered to report to the Major.
Shortly after arriving at Major Dobbs quarters I received the command to prepare my company, minus pvt. Coffman who had been sent on detached duty. With supplies and ammunition for a week long forage south into the Carolinas.
So much for a respite from the red flags of rebellion.
By late afternoon our supply wagon was straining at its joints. As I gave Cpl.Fulton the orders to fall the men in for our march southwestwards into the setting sun. . . . . . . . .
Lt Staniforth
Commanding detachment
C co. 2nd Inf.
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