Originally published under the title My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, with Burnside’s Coast Division; 18th Army Corps, and Army of the James by King and Billings, Printers, in 1884. This edition contains an additional editor’s preface and editorial comments.

Although David L. Day was a “common” soldier he was without a doubt a highly individual member of the Union Army. His diary reflects this. He makes little mention of grand battles, great commanders, or political schemes. He wrote instead of his own experiences, observing his surroundings, his comrades and enemies, his emotions. Everything about the South fascinated him, from the way Southerners persisted in burning their own property whenever his regiment approached, to their farming practices and even their unique way of giving directions. He saw his service in the Army as not only a duty to the Union he loved but an opportunity to learn how the other half of America lived. His years in the South might as well have been an extended tour in a foreign country. And every moment of it held his interest.

Milford, Mass., Sept. 6, 1861

THE BEGINNING.

Pursuant to a call from President Lincoln for more troops in suppression of the great rebellion, a regiment is now being recruited in the city of Worcester for that service, and a company is being recruited here for that regiment. Believing that it is too soon to divide the estate, and that too many different administrations running at the same time might run amuck, and believing I should never feel quite satisfied with myself if I do not go, and believing with President Jackson, that the Union must and shall be preserved, I have this day enlisted in the company now being raised here.1 It would be useless for me to claim that I have enlisted from purely patriotic motives, as no one would believe it; and surely none would believe that I would enlist for the plain thirteen dollars a month. So I may as well call it that I have enlisted partly from a love of adventure; for the other part, people are at liberty to draw their own inferences.

The formation of this company was suggested by Mr. George Draper, a patriotic and public spirited citizen of the town, who has given liberally of his means for its success; his son also enlisting in the company. It has also received the aid and patronage of several other patriotic citizens of the town.

SEPT. 24. Captain Clark has received orders to report with his company at Worcester tomorrow. The thing seems to be becoming a reality.

SEPT. 25. Under escort of the Milford Brass Band, we marched through a few of the principal streets to the depot. Here a large concourse of citizens had collected to give us their best wishes, and see us off. We now began to realize some of the discomforts of a soldier's life. There not being passenger cars enough to accommodate us, we were crowded into two box freight cars for South Framingham, where we changed to passenger cars for Worcester. Arriving there, we marched to the city hall, where we took dinner. From there we marched to the agricultural grounds west of the city, where we are to encamp. This camp is named Camp Lincoln, in honor of Ex-Governor Lincoln of Worcester.

SEPT. 26. Being the first company on the ground, and not having tents, we bivouacked last night in Agricultural Hall. Sleeping on a hard pine board was new business to most of us, and Morpheus was courted in vain. The boys, however, made a frolic of the night, and more unearthly noises and sounds never greeted my ears. I think the rebels would never need hear the sound of our guns to frighten them, if they could hear sounds like those. Several other companies arrived on the ground this morning, and this afternoon all hands are busy pitching tents.

SEPT. 27. Ten companies are now on the ground. Colonel Upton made us a visit today. He is to be our commander.2 I have known the colonel for several years past at our militia musters. He commanded the old 9th regiment, one which stood second to none in the state. I regard the colonel as a very fine man, and an able military commander. Under his command I have no fears but that our regiment will make a record that not only themselves, but the state will be proud of.

EDITOR'S NOTES: In his first order for the new regiment, Colonel Upton established the following schedule of duties:

Reveille 6:00 a.m.
Squad Drill 6:30
Recall 7:00
Breakfast 7:15
Surgeon's Call 8:00
Guard Mounting 9:00
Company & Squad Drill 10:00
Recall 11:30
Dinner 12:00
Company Drill 2:00 p.m.
Recall 4:00
Retreat, Dress Parade 5:30
Supper 6:00
Tattoo 9:00
Taps 9:30
All lights extinguished except at headquarters and guard tents.

The regiment received Enfield rifles on October 2nd and held their first dress parade the following day.

OCT. 7. We were today mustered into the service of the United States, by Captain John M. Goodhue, U. S. A. The company is designated Company B, and the regiment as the 25th Massachusetts volunteers. I suppose we are now stuck for three years unless sooner shot.

COL. UPTON TAKES COMMAND.

OCT. 8. Col. Upton assumed command of the regiment today, and will at once set about perfecting the organization and discipline. The officers are:

FIELD AND STAFF.

Colonel–Edwin Upton, Fitchburg.
Lieutenant Colonel–Augustus B. R.
Sprague, Worcester.
Major–Matthew J. McCafferty, Worcester.

Copyright © 2003 by Pamela Cummings