Diary of Edward A. Raymor

Selected Entries from the Diary of Edward A. Raymor

Courtesy of his Descendant: Gregory Maier

The entries below come from the buckskin-bound 1863-1864 diary of Edward Aldrich Raymor. The diary is in very fragile condition, the pages brittle and yellow. Many pages are missing, either they have fallen out over the years or were torn out.

January 2, 1863

Ate my salt pork for New Year. Whiskey in the coffee took away the cold some. Gave a show to some of the boys the other night. I took my pipe and put it in the fire. They called me a fool. Next day I took the pipe from the ash and the clay was white as new bone and clean.

I learned that from my father.

January 13, 1863

Endless marching. Picket. Little sleep. That is how the days go. Lucas

and Maloney keep a smile on my face.

May 6, 1863

Dreams of Fredericksburg continue to haunt me and I can not sleep. Dead men parade before my eyes. Cannonading rings in my ears. Always there is the dead Reb. I took his tobacco. It was shameful to do but he did not need it. I have killed men.

July 3, 1863

Gettysburg terrible. Advanced double quick on the 1st and did not have time to load guns. Fighting in the woods lasted over 1 hour. Standing 20 paces from the Rebs we fired continuous volleys. Lost Price and Cline. Lost my way in confusion when I heard Carroll cry out. Heard he is dead now. I killed 14 Rebs. Shot the one who killed John Pardington. Lieutenant Buell [Buhl] rebuked me for drinking after. Said I would not be promoted. I do not care.

July 6, 1863

Hear Maloney was taken by Rebs on the 1st. I have not seen him yet as I

have been on picket for two days now. Some are saying he is not the same

man. Who could be the same after all that? I am on picket so much because I have been rebuked again for drunkenness. I do not care. I am still the best shooter in the company.

July 8, 1863

How good it is to sit. I think young Roe must be sitting some place agreeable now. He got orders to Washington. Roe is a fine young man. He can fight. He is no coward but I have done much to keep him out of trouble. He does not recollect it I expect but Fate has thrown us together twice now. I looked after him the day we crossed Rappahannock in April. The cannonading and shot made him afraid. I think we all were afraid that day but gave a good account. We took Rebs, horses and mules. If I had not come across him at the cemetery on the 1st he might still be there instead of Washington. Why he was not with the rest of C I do not know. He is young for his stripes. About the same age as Lieutenant. I am enjoying a cigar now. Offered some to Smith and [looks like the name could be "Wey" or "Way" or even a badly-scrawled "Day"] and the boys. The rest I meant to keep. A man must know where to look for tobacco, cigarrs and whiskey I tell them. One of the boys must have heard and told because my cigarrs have been taken away from me now and given to the officers. I think an officer's revolver will be fair exchange if I can get one for my self. A man can not have too many survival tools.

January 3, 1864

We are near Culpepper. West of town. Came in wet and cold last night. I

could not sleep. I have seen officers come and go to Culpepper. I do not

like this place. If we are here when the snow melts there will be nothing

but mud.

January 4, 1864

Picket again. Very cold today. Some officers went off near Lookout

Mountain for the view. Wonder if there is one for the privates.

January 5, 1864

Still snow on the ground. A stupid man from K offered me a Reb sword for my whiskey and tobacco. Told him no.

February 1, 1864

A new month and we are still here. Waiting. Picket. Waiting. I think we shall be moving soon. We will move to new fighting. My father told me to go fight the Mexicans in '47 if I wanted to fight. The war with Mexico was unjust. I could not abide President Polk's movement West. Father agreed.

March 1, 1864

Today is raining and lonesome. Little Edward is 10 today.

March 10, 1864

Rain all day. Had fine weather for a few days before but today is carved out of grey and mud. Some of the boys came down with the screamers. Others content visiting and drinking with friends. They are only boys and have not lived before now with continued sameliness, disgust and violence. Those in government make war, officers plan it and we must fight. God help us and protect us from more violence before this is over.

May 7, 1864

Fighting all over for two days. Fought in the woods until dark on 5th.

Much fighting yesterday. Down to about 125 men I think. Today everything is on fire. There is smoke everywhere [unintelligible

-might be "difficult"] to breath. 8 holes in my coat.

Transcription of the diary, as well photographs of the diary and Raymor's Pipe are courtesy of Greg Maier. Used with permission.