Saturday, January 10, 2015
Friday, September 28, 2012
September, Sunday 28, 1862
Centerville.
In the meantime Sergeant Steckner has returned and is with me in my tent. Before I had the opportunity to report I am notified by Captain Theilkuhl, Assistant Adjutant General of the Division, that a forage party must leave for Manassas Gap to collect ordnance and other lost articles. I prepare myself to go along but first go over to the regiment to collect my salary from the paymaster $443.56 - for four months. When I returned the expedition already had left and I had to spur at full speed until I finally caught up with them.
Close by a farm near Manassas a great number of left and destroyed articles. Among other things nailed iron cannon whose gun carriage we destroyed. Many bayonets, limberboxes etc. etc. Here I find a beautiful colts revolver (navy) which I left with Assistant Adjutant General Theilkuhl, upon his request, with the understanding that he did not have one. Later I found out that he has a very beautiful one. - - "Oh how dirty."
The cannon was connected with a heavy cable (whch had been left there) To the front wagon of a guncarriage, attached to a freight wagon in the rear and so transported homewards. We had gone as far as the rail road of Manassas Gap where we found ruins of terrible destruction. About one hundred freight cars of the rail road with freight for delivery to the military. An endless row of iron implements, burned weapons, shot and burst bombs, chains, saws, vast stocks of horseshoes etc. axes, anvils. We loaded two wagons with horseshoes for the horses and mules. The fourth wagon pulled the cannon and had parts of weapons and accoutrements. Return arrival about three o'clock. Out there we met General Mc Leans brigade who were returning from an extended reconnaissance. They had been about eight miles beyond Manassas. Upon returning I find another wagonload of Infantry and Cavalry munitions in our camp which was found in a farmhouse in Centerville. (Northern Ammunition). Sergeant Steckner who went to Fairfax to obtain permission for disposal of the munitions which was given to us, for lack of transportation, by the Indiana battery, has returned and brings a letter from Captain Dessauer with $132 - which I am to pay out to the officers from the fortyfifth regiment for which purpose I go there and take care of several things. Bill from Pierz paid $17.97. - De Kalb and Blenker regiment are going as far as Stone Bridge. The horse which I borrowed from Fanninger (sentence not finished)
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Thus concludes the known existing diary of Friedrich Ludwig Bisky.
In the meantime Sergeant Steckner has returned and is with me in my tent. Before I had the opportunity to report I am notified by Captain Theilkuhl, Assistant Adjutant General of the Division, that a forage party must leave for Manassas Gap to collect ordnance and other lost articles. I prepare myself to go along but first go over to the regiment to collect my salary from the paymaster $443.56 - for four months. When I returned the expedition already had left and I had to spur at full speed until I finally caught up with them.
Close by a farm near Manassas a great number of left and destroyed articles. Among other things nailed iron cannon whose gun carriage we destroyed. Many bayonets, limberboxes etc. etc. Here I find a beautiful colts revolver (navy) which I left with Assistant Adjutant General Theilkuhl, upon his request, with the understanding that he did not have one. Later I found out that he has a very beautiful one. - - "Oh how dirty."
The cannon was connected with a heavy cable (whch had been left there) To the front wagon of a guncarriage, attached to a freight wagon in the rear and so transported homewards. We had gone as far as the rail road of Manassas Gap where we found ruins of terrible destruction. About one hundred freight cars of the rail road with freight for delivery to the military. An endless row of iron implements, burned weapons, shot and burst bombs, chains, saws, vast stocks of horseshoes etc. axes, anvils. We loaded two wagons with horseshoes for the horses and mules. The fourth wagon pulled the cannon and had parts of weapons and accoutrements. Return arrival about three o'clock. Out there we met General Mc Leans brigade who were returning from an extended reconnaissance. They had been about eight miles beyond Manassas. Upon returning I find another wagonload of Infantry and Cavalry munitions in our camp which was found in a farmhouse in Centerville. (Northern Ammunition). Sergeant Steckner who went to Fairfax to obtain permission for disposal of the munitions which was given to us, for lack of transportation, by the Indiana battery, has returned and brings a letter from Captain Dessauer with $132 - which I am to pay out to the officers from the fortyfifth regiment for which purpose I go there and take care of several things. Bill from Pierz paid $17.97. - De Kalb and Blenker regiment are going as far as Stone Bridge. The horse which I borrowed from Fanninger (sentence not finished)
*******************************************************
Thus concludes the known existing diary of Friedrich Ludwig Bisky.
18 Oct 1817 - 2 May 1863
Photographic copy, of a portrait of Friedrich Bisky, drawn by Salomon Levy in 1849. Bisky was born in Prussia in 1817 and died at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863. His military service file is available in NNMS. The photograph was donated by Dr. Kurt Wernicke of the Museum for German History in East Berlin*; the original drawing is in the Jagella University Library in Krakow, Poland. The location of the negative is unknown.
Friedrich Ludwig Bisky
Birth Record copy
*Copy accessed 1986.
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I will periodically post further information about Louis Bisky and members of the 45th NY who were mentioned in the diary.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
September, Saturday 27, 1862.
Washington.
Morning: I am riding to the transportation office in order to obtain from Captain Dana the wagons for for our weapons. Thereafter to General Quartermaster Colonel Rocke who tells me that the arsenal must send the goods by ship through Alexandria and then by railroad to us, as far as the railroad is going. - -
I ride to the arsenal and I am satisfied so that after dinner I am finished with my business in Washington.
Sergeant Heiland who promised the munitions for the Chief of Ordnance in Fairfax C.H. assumes the responsibility of taking my black mare along.
I am riding on quite pleasant roads with good weather, and, after an eight hour ride, arrive in Centerville.
Morning: I am riding to the transportation office in order to obtain from Captain Dana the wagons for for our weapons. Thereafter to General Quartermaster Colonel Rocke who tells me that the arsenal must send the goods by ship through Alexandria and then by railroad to us, as far as the railroad is going. - -
I ride to the arsenal and I am satisfied so that after dinner I am finished with my business in Washington.
Sergeant Heiland who promised the munitions for the Chief of Ordnance in Fairfax C.H. assumes the responsibility of taking my black mare along.
I am riding on quite pleasant roads with good weather, and, after an eight hour ride, arrive in Centerville.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
September, Friday 26, 1862.
Washington.
In the morning I ride to Georgetown (by car) in order to receive a horse which quartermaster Rocke promised me (including trappings). There I find the last two wagons of the brigade with the camp utensils which are to be delivered to the government.
The horse which is determined for me is a black mare, a strong animal, a little neglected in cleanliness, which can perhaps be improved in appearance.
At the same time while in Georgetown I find Assistant Chief Officer of Ordnance Leibrand with my requisitions from the twentieth of September and General Ripley for signatures. I immediately requisition our quartermaster wagons in order to get the things out. Endless obstacles and running around. The business of turning over the wagons takes up my entire day, meantime I received the signed requisitions by Captain Schirmer Chief of Ordnance and General Ripley Chief of Ordnance of the whole. The result was that the wagons had to be delivered to the Government and I had to requisition new ones the following morning. I also was in the Ordnance Department (No. 42) in the morning where I asked for and received an ordnance manual and formula.
*******************************************************
One hundred fifty years later, government red tape and running around chasing your tail, things never change.
In the morning I ride to Georgetown (by car) in order to receive a horse which quartermaster Rocke promised me (including trappings). There I find the last two wagons of the brigade with the camp utensils which are to be delivered to the government.
The horse which is determined for me is a black mare, a strong animal, a little neglected in cleanliness, which can perhaps be improved in appearance.
At the same time while in Georgetown I find Assistant Chief Officer of Ordnance Leibrand with my requisitions from the twentieth of September and General Ripley for signatures. I immediately requisition our quartermaster wagons in order to get the things out. Endless obstacles and running around. The business of turning over the wagons takes up my entire day, meantime I received the signed requisitions by Captain Schirmer Chief of Ordnance and General Ripley Chief of Ordnance of the whole. The result was that the wagons had to be delivered to the Government and I had to requisition new ones the following morning. I also was in the Ordnance Department (No. 42) in the morning where I asked for and received an ordnance manual and formula.
*******************************************************
One hundred fifty years later, government red tape and running around chasing your tail, things never change.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
September, Thursday 25, 1862
Washington.
Morning: Delivery of articles to the arsenal. The quartermaster again cannot be located to deliver the wagons, finally about three-four o'clock he is found by the wagonmaster.
In the evening I meet friend Kallenberg from the fiftysecond regiment whose wife and children are now with him. By Engelhard and Unger interesting acquaintance of a former Prussian soldier who also was in the service (Austria) and participated in the Beleaguering of Vienna.
Endless hardships of the regiments under General Sumner and General Mac Clellan by Richmond. Lack of transportation. Just like us. For all privations. The fiftysecond regiment counts hardly one hundred and fifty men.
Morning: Delivery of articles to the arsenal. The quartermaster again cannot be located to deliver the wagons, finally about three-four o'clock he is found by the wagonmaster.
In the evening I meet friend Kallenberg from the fiftysecond regiment whose wife and children are now with him. By Engelhard and Unger interesting acquaintance of a former Prussian soldier who also was in the service (Austria) and participated in the Beleaguering of Vienna.
Endless hardships of the regiments under General Sumner and General Mac Clellan by Richmond. Lack of transportation. Just like us. For all privations. The fiftysecond regiment counts hardly one hundred and fifty men.
Monday, September 24, 2012
September, Wednesday 24, 1862
Centerville to Washington.
An empty wagontrain which is to obtain forage for the brigade is leaving for Washington. I receive my pass and leave towards noon on horseback comfortably trotting and at times galloping. The road is good and an occasional light rain is keeping the dust down. This time our road leads through Fairfax C.H., Anandale and Hunters Chapel. Interesting memories, looking back on to all the different places where in the past we did picket duty. Customhouse, the old customcollector a year older. Anandale schoolhouse etc. My munition wagon remains about one half hour behind the empty wagons.
In Fairfax we meet paymaster Johnson who at this moment is about to leave with heavy guard for Centerville, in order to pay the regiments after five months of duty. This time they are paid for four months. In the evening about eight-thirty o'clock arrival in Washington. Great difficulty finding the other wagons. Carelessness on part of the quartermaster who is sitting in the prescothouse. I lodge in the Union Hotel, fifty cents per night, noon - meal thirty cents evening meal and breakfast twentyfive cents. The price for horse is seventyfive cents per day.
The wagonmaster during the time of the battle by Bull Run was taking care of General Sigel's horses. He related very interesting reports about the General whom he adores.
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The Union Hotel, a three story structure, was in Georgetown. During the Civil War it was turned into a hospital as were many other buildings in Washington. Louisa May Alcott served there as a nurse for two months during the Civil War, she wrote a partially fictionalized book about her experience, Hospital Sketches. In her book she notes it had poor ventilation, damp cellars and no provision for bathing.
To see a photograph of the hotel and read a bit about Louisa May Alcott's experience go to:
<blog.americanhistory.si.edu/osaycanyousee/2011/07/scenes-from-the-hurly-burly-hotel-louisa-may-alcotts-civil-war.html>
See also:
<xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/hospital/whitman.htm>
for further information about Civil War Hospitals in Washington, DC and Walt Whitman's experience there.
An empty wagontrain which is to obtain forage for the brigade is leaving for Washington. I receive my pass and leave towards noon on horseback comfortably trotting and at times galloping. The road is good and an occasional light rain is keeping the dust down. This time our road leads through Fairfax C.H., Anandale and Hunters Chapel. Interesting memories, looking back on to all the different places where in the past we did picket duty. Customhouse, the old customcollector a year older. Anandale schoolhouse etc. My munition wagon remains about one half hour behind the empty wagons.
In Fairfax we meet paymaster Johnson who at this moment is about to leave with heavy guard for Centerville, in order to pay the regiments after five months of duty. This time they are paid for four months. In the evening about eight-thirty o'clock arrival in Washington. Great difficulty finding the other wagons. Carelessness on part of the quartermaster who is sitting in the prescothouse. I lodge in the Union Hotel, fifty cents per night, noon - meal thirty cents evening meal and breakfast twentyfive cents. The price for horse is seventyfive cents per day.
The wagonmaster during the time of the battle by Bull Run was taking care of General Sigel's horses. He related very interesting reports about the General whom he adores.
*******************************************************
The Union Hotel, a three story structure, was in Georgetown. During the Civil War it was turned into a hospital as were many other buildings in Washington. Louisa May Alcott served there as a nurse for two months during the Civil War, she wrote a partially fictionalized book about her experience, Hospital Sketches. In her book she notes it had poor ventilation, damp cellars and no provision for bathing.
To see a photograph of the hotel and read a bit about Louisa May Alcott's experience go to:
<blog.americanhistory.si.edu/osaycanyousee/2011/07/scenes-from-the-hurly-burly-hotel-louisa-may-alcotts-civil-war.html>
See also:
<xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/hospital/whitman.htm>
for further information about Civil War Hospitals in Washington, DC and Walt Whitman's experience there.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
September, Tuesday 23, 1862
Centerville.
I don't feel quite as exhausted after this horseback ride as I did after my first one in Sperryville. Today I am again doing quite a lot of riding.
A number of twelve pound howitzer (?) cartridges and canister shells, fissured, were found hidden close by the headquarters of the regiment, in a blockbarrack (sic) covered with an old shingle roof. Great stocks of weapons, munition, quartermaster articles and medical supplies have been found in many places all over the entire neighborhood. During our return march we burned some of it and left the rest. I have been instructed to collect the munitions etc. and gather a wagonload full, which I deliver to Washington the following day.
I don't feel quite as exhausted after this horseback ride as I did after my first one in Sperryville. Today I am again doing quite a lot of riding.
A number of twelve pound howitzer (?) cartridges and canister shells, fissured, were found hidden close by the headquarters of the regiment, in a blockbarrack (sic) covered with an old shingle roof. Great stocks of weapons, munition, quartermaster articles and medical supplies have been found in many places all over the entire neighborhood. During our return march we burned some of it and left the rest. I have been instructed to collect the munitions etc. and gather a wagonload full, which I deliver to Washington the following day.
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