Sun [November] 2d [1862]

Officers nearly all bot. some fine tent huts & moved
them fr camp of 2d NH gone forward -- I wanted one but
wouldn't buy it on Sunday -- a great deal of work fixing
up Camp all day -- At Eveg. parade I held short religious
services -- & talked with soldiers in my tent. A magnificent
Sunset, no service in morning, Visited a hospital -- talked with a young
woman -- Capt wife fr. Concord -- Ec.--

Sat 1st Nov. [1862]

a warm calm, lovely day. the regt. is ordered to
be vaccinated -- & today Gen [Silas] Casey reviews 3 Brigades
ours -- The 5 Vt. & the Me. Regts. I had just mounted to go on
review when back came the Reg -- we break camp soon as can
get dinner & march to Fairfax Sem. to relieve [Gen Daniel] Sickles Brigade
All is stir & bustle now -- Mr Campbell called & dined with
us -- Struck tents after dinner. I stayed to see part of camp
equipage packed & then rode after regt. a pleasant rolling
country. boys in good spirits. fine day -- found camp of
Gen [Joseph] Hookers Division just vacated, a dirty looking place
but Col. D[errom]'s tact soon put a new face on affairs --
pitched as we could for the night -- on summit - a
hill -- overlooking valley of Potomac on east & a narrow valley
on west

Friday [October] 31 [1862]

A fair lively day. The regt. inspected & mustered
for paying off. a hot tiresome job -- Lt. Penrose who
inspected us - dined with us also Capt. Champion &
his Lieuts -- Called meetg. of Ch. committee in mess
Tent -- tonight every man but one present -- he was on
guard -- very harmonious -- resolved on communion
once a month, an[d] prayer meetg; by co. once a week
Sunday Schools -- form of Ch adminis. &c &c
After meetg. a soldier came to show me his pastors
letter & then his sweetheart's & her likeness --
As I was shutting my tent for night a soldier
seemed lingering outside -- I asked him in -- found
him seeking Christ counseled & prayed with him
he appeared earnest -- solemn & tender. May he find
the Lamb of God -- is sweet moonlight night.
Such cases as this are the most important & delightful I have.

Lt. George or James W. Penrose of the 15th New Jersey?
Capt. Somers T. Champion of the 25th New Jersey

Thurs [October] 30 [1862]

Lovely day -- reveille ow at 6 instead of 5.
rode into Washington took a hot bath -- felt better -- on way met a
Vert. brigade coming over bridge -- & Chapl. Brastow, coming back
Met Capt. Wheeler 15th Con -- a car had run into the
draw -- & obstructed travel, by throwing three planks
across, I passed -- found a sick Capt. going home in ambulance
with a lady attending him.

Lewis A. Brastow from St. Johnsbury, chaplain of the 12th Vermont.
Captain John E. Wheeler, 15th Connecticut

Wed [October] 29 [1862]

Fine day, little unwell -- wrote -- fixed up, camp, tents &c
returned early. stove draws well. how much depends on little
circumstances -- have reduced P. office business to more system --

Tues [October] 28 [1862]

Fine, sweet day -- Struck tents, packed up -- & marched across
long bridge -- & so n.w. up Potomac & encamped just under Arlington
heigths -- within quarter of a mile ? of Gen Lee's famous house.
Almost exactly west of the capitol -- & not over two & half miles distant
I judge -- I lead way to bridge & then after crossing -- while crossing
the men fired at a duck -- perhaps a hundred shots -- & didn't hit it,
We saw Gen [Silas] Casey drilling some ten regts. on a field to the left --
we halted by roadside -- while whole division marched past --
reached camp ground at 3 -- at 5 had tents up & supper over --
Men caught some twenty rabbits, chasing them in the woods
back of our camp -- We are on ground of Gen Lee's Estate, rebel
Comd. in chief I suppose.

Mon [October] 27 [1862]

Still stormy -- stove smokes -- took it out & am
writing in mess hall -- visited sick -- appeared better --
Cleared up -- windy & cold -- Selected a new camp ground
near Spring -- & then at eveg. recd. orders to organize
a new Brigade 25 & 27 N.J. Rhode Island --
New Hampshire & 15th Conn -- Col Wright of latter com
manding -- & to march tomorrow to Camp Chase
near Arlington heights -- we believe -- Held pry. meetgs.
Have now held a meetg in ea. (men's) tent in Regt,
except in Co. a. where majority are Cath; & in one
tent there. Notifying all others if wished to attend.
Tattoo is beating when shall I hear it again in our
Camp North of the Potomac!

Colonel Dexter R. Wright

Sun [October] 26 [1862]

Heavy rain & blow -- Camp a piece of mud --
Held service in Hos. Barracks -- only a few present -- but spoke
with fluency & freedom -- visited sick -- & held six eveg tent
prayer meetgs -- Postponed Service in P.M. Stormed too hard.
Established S. Schools -- four in one Company --
Talked with Peter W. & prayed -- he hopes he had become a
Christian --

There were two Peter W's in the 25th New Jersey, Private Peter Warren of Co. A. and Private Peter Westervelt of Co. H.