What kind of daily notes does a Colonel write about?

Civil War letter Col John T. Lockman 119th N.Y. Letter was originally addressed to Edward Dewitt.

June 6, 1864

8pm all quiet

Hdqtrs 2nd brigade near ackworth 6 am

Nothing new this am, no marching orders received

11 am Col p.h. Jones having reported for duty and being the senoir officer was assigned command of the brigade--and i assumed charge of my regiment--after an absence of nearly three weeks during which we were in action nine days

9pm bands are playing men are in excellent spirits--two corps passed through ackworth in persuit of the rebels yesterday-- no further news from general grant--having made Gen. Lee sick he will have an easy time--with the other rebel General--The rebel Army here is in very low spirits--they dont understand how it isthat after we are so soundly thrashed they retreat--to get up just where Jo-wants us and then they are heartily opposed to meeting "Hooker's" men-as prisioners and deserters may--we are resting at present and will resume our march in a day or two--

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Hdqtrs 119 near Ackworth Ga

June 8, 1864

An order read from Hdqtrs. Will our troops direct a movement to begin at daylight to-morrow. Orders supplies for ten days to be kept in wagons state that Commanding Gen. believes the enemy is across the river (chattahoochee) but desires everything in readiness for battle. My regiment number 1 filed 1 staff and 2 line officers--139 enlisted met

8pm

All in readiness for the move. Our picket line was advanced on the right and a few rebel cavalry found and driven in. Nothing new has transpired today--

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June 9, 1864

6 am an order read postponing the movement of our corps until 6 am tomorrow-We are pleasantly situated so we dont object to another days grace-

5 pm There has been a little artillery in action today with our rebellious friends our cavalry driving in their on our extreme right--news is dull no one seems to have any to retail- and all seem to think that we will have to make some before the week closes

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June 10 1864

7am 4th corps is now moving out and along the road leading to Marietta--10 miles distant It is presumed there will be some fighting

1 pm the 4th corps has not passed yet and from the picket halts and now and then a dis--charge of artillery we think they have met-- the enemy and are skirmishing. The day is warm but tis cooler now and then thunder showers, one is raging at present and while I write the rain descends upon us and the troops en--route busy themselves with their "Ponchos" and make themselves as comfortable as possible

6 pm the 4th corps has passed at last and now the long trains of ambulances and wagons are slowly following--it has been a lone way and the troops are almost as much fatigued-- as if they had been marching--There has been some Artillery firing at intervals this afternoon--and I think the rebels have gone back-- The rain must have inconveniced our movement some. As the roads soon become bad under the heavy wheels of artillery and army wagons.

9pm All quiet along the lines

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June 11, 1864

5am orders read to be ready at 8am--Morning cloudly--heavy mist--no sign of the 14 corps which was to precede us

7am no firing in front 14th corps not up yet they may have taken another road--they have gone in position

6pm we have had a succession of heavy thunder storms. we still occupy our old camp grounds. The movements in front are slow and sure the rain has delayed the movements condiderably to--morrow morning may bring on a gereral engagement or a persuit--we trust the latter-- the rebels have a storng position in our front they occupy a range of hills and have fortified them to get them out we will have to flank them or drive them out the latter preferred to letting them remain any longer-- a few days delay will not make a great difference in the final result--perhaps it has been thought advisable not to force Johnston back too fast as he may give up altanta and join his army with Lee's 60,000 men would makes Lee's army somewhat formidable and as sure as we press Johnson from Atlanta--so sure he to go to Lee unless we prevent it

11 a.m. Our line opened with quite a fire but the enemy does not respond--tis raining fast--and everything seems tame and watery

2pm desultory firing still continued tis probable it is to attract attention to us and to divert it from Mcpherson who is reported has crossed the river and is in the rebel rear--hope its true--raining hard

7pm All quiet no movement of our cop will take place as tistoo late--We get no rumors or reports of what is going on. But all have an idea that Genl. Shermans is about to develope something that will surprise Jo Johnston--

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June 12, 1864

6am Rainy morning--no orders to move the prospect of a stormy day may have had something to do with it--Trains and artillery cannot be moved without great trouble over the roads during heavy storms--a short distance would not prevent a move--but to make a march during a continuous storm is out of the question, we have r.r. communication rations plenty and only lack forage.

4pm

Genl. Stanley commanding one of the division of the 4th corps reports that the rebels are massing in his front-- It appears that a portion of the rebel army had crossed the river--and yesterday and today recrossed and now the whole rebel force are in our front-- the picket keep up a fire but as yet there has been no attack on our lines-- which have been strengthened by the addition of a division of two of troops and Hookers occupys the right of Stanley--all have breastworks and if the 4th corps men stand Jo may hurl his whole force against that left flank and see how it stands his assault--Tis rumored that Genl. Blair occupies Marietta No one seems to know where Mcpherson is-- still raining road awlful--our 1st and 3rd division are position ours in reserve

8pm

rumor of the massing of rebels confirm no attack as yet--dont think they will attack--tis not their mode of fighting

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June 13 1864

7am No attack last night a desultory fire was indulged in by the picket. storm continues it has rained incessantly since daylight--it must by the eqinox--

121/2 pm orders ow to move and orders countermoved

9pm storm clear off about 5pm heavy skirmishes firing all day. rumors of a general advance tomorrow by the whole army

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John Thomas Lockman was 26 years old when he enlisted in May 1861 at New York City as a a 1st Lieut. He was commissioned into Co. H., of the 83rd New York Infantry, discharged September 22, 1862, whereupon he was comissioned into Field and Staff in the New York 199th Infantry on August 8, 1862. He survived the war and mustered out at Bladensburg, MD.

Lockman saw several promotions in his military career. Captain (11/25/61), Lt. Col. (8/13/82), Colonel (5/2/63) and eventually Brig-Gen (3/13/65 by Brevet).

He was born in NY City in 1834 and died there in 1912.