Sunday, April 1, 2012

April, Tuesday 1, 1862

   Picket Camp by Warrenton Junction


In the morning the weather is very pleasant. Seven o'clock, I take a very refreshing sponge and footbath in the brook.


A strong patrol under Gronen and Basson with twentytwo men, are going on reconnaissance. After two hours Gronen returns with some of the men. At the precise moment we receive orders to march back into camp. We return and take our meal, then move back into our previous camp, about two to three gunshots from here.

Finally Basson arrives with the rest of the men, Forage wagon, I receive a beautiful Company axe, an indicator and a small hammer. From Basson a knife and a smelling bottle.

We arrive at our old camping grounds.

Officer's Call.  Report that we will get to General Fremont in West Virginia.

A shot just like a from canon is heard from the Garibaldi Camp next to us. A report that a Sergeant found a grenade and threw same into the bivouac fire. WITHOUT FOUNDATION.

The protection was strong. Infantry and Cavalry. Nevertheless about one hundred Enemy riders showed up and since no one knows if there were more riders hiding in the forest, we are sent into our Camp for security.

During noon General French's Brigade passes through.

One of the men who stood around the fire at the time of the explosion, had one of his legs shattered. The wounded man was taken into the hospital on a stretcher. This hospital is established on a neighboring farm.

Doctor Idler complains about the lamentable conditions in the Medical Department, for despite all efforts nothing has been done for same. There is a shortage of wagons, ambulances. Our Medical supplies are still in Hunter's Chapel.

The Director of the Division Hospital and another Doctor do not want to amputate the wounded man's leg, whereas all the other Doctors have voiced the opinion that this is the only way to save the man's life.

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