Towards Uptonshill.
Morning: Report of Lieutenant Dietz arrival from New York with recruits and of his wishing for immediate departure. -
Marching orders for one-half-hour to outpostduty of the brigade to Uptonshill, a fort about eight miles west from Washington. I remain behind in order to go with the wagons. Great shortage of capable direction in packing of the wagons. After a delay of several hours these too depart. I travel on one of them.
Arrival in Uptonshill towards noon.
Uptonshill is a highly situated fort or rather entrenchment and has in its center a deep well. Our brigade is being divided in the neighbohood. Schirmers battery and six cannons into the fort. A short time ago General Mac Griffin with his brigade camped in the fields close by the fort. Among others the Sixty-second Pennsylvania and Thirty-second Massachusetts. The old camps apparently were left in a hurry which arouses suspicion of a sudden flight rather than a departure. The fields are covered with all kinds of objects: weapons, discarded accoutrements, munition, clothing, some new, packs, blankets etc. etc. Ambulance wagons only partly damaged with five thousands cartridges sixty-nine cal. etc. etc. A great supply of hospital equipment. During last night we had a thunderstorm with rain and many of these things were soaked. I report about the ordnance objects to Chief Von Gilsa, who in the beginning instructed me to write to General Griffin about it, if he wants to enact or dispose of these objects. However since we were notified that we will be relieved by the second brigade the following morning, we shall notify the commander of the relieveing outposts, Colonel Smith, so he can take care and rescue the ordnance objects. Since it has started to rain again in the evening, I put covers over munitions etc.
For the night I sleep with all the writings of the brigade under the veranda of the farmhouse where the headquarters telegraph office ect. are located. -
Haughty, silly lady with strong secessionist coating. (sic)
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