On the Move

Thursday, October 30, 1862

Under pressure from President Abraham Lincoln, Union General George McClellan began a new campaign to pursue the Confederate Army. At 2:00 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts regiment, along with the entire Second Corps, broke camp at Bolivar Heights and began a southward march. Crossing the Shenandoah River on a pontoon bridge the Twentieth marched through the Pleasant Valley eight miles to Hillsborough.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179. Richard F. Miller, Harvard's Civil War: A History of the Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2005), 185.

New Regimental Colors

Thursday, October 30, 1862

As the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment prepared for a new campaign they carried a brand new set of state regimental colors, which they had received two days earlier. They returned to Boston the torn and shattered colors received in August 1861 and which they had carried in every fight except for Ball's Bluff.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179.

Preparing for a New Campaign

Wednesday, October 29, 1862

At 5:00 P.M. the Twentieth Massachusetts was ordered to perform picket duty. Later in the evening Quartermaster Folsom received orders to prepare three days worth of rations for the regiment. The Twentieth prepared for a new campaign.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179.

Colonel Lee Sent Home

Wednesday, October 29, 1862

Colonel William Lee's health stabilized, and he was sent home to Boston on leave of absence for recuperation.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179.

An Erroneous Report

Saturday, October 25, 1862

Concern for Colonel Lee's health was heightened today when an erroneous report circulated through the camp that he had passed away. In truth Colonel Lee had not died, but he remained gravely ill.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 179.

Colonel Lee Gravely Ill

Tuesday, October 21, 1862

Colonel William Lee became ill from exposure to rain during the recent reconnaissance in Charlestown. After returning to Bolivar Heights, his illness took a turn for the worse, and he required drier, warmer lodging in town for proper medical care.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 178-79.

Return to Bolivar Heights

Saturday, October 18, 1862

After leaving Charlestown on at noon on Friday the Twentieth Massachusetts arrived back at camp at Bolivar Heights at 8:00 this morning.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 178.

Reconnaissance to Charlestown

Thursday, October 16, 1862

The Twentieth Massachusetts left Bolivar Heights at 6:30 this morning on a reconnaissance to Charlestown. As the advance unit the Twentieth led the reconnaissance and pushed a small unit of Confederates from Charleston in the driving rain. Remaining on picket duty for the day, the Twentieth braced for an attack but no additional fighting ensued.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 178.

Returnees from Ball's Bluff and New Recruits

Saturday, October 11, 1862

During the week the Twentieth Massachusetts regained some strength in numbers. The regiment welcomed fifty of their men who returned after wounding or capture at Ball's Bluff in October 1861. Thirty new recruits arrived at camp and joined the regiment. Lieutenant William Milton returned after his wounding at Antietam, and Lieutenant Arthur Curtis returned to camp.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 178.

Sumner Granted Leave of Absence

Tuesday, October 7, 1862

General Edwin "Bull" Sumner was granted a leave of absence and relieved of command of the Second Corps. His replacement was General Darius Couch.¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 177.

Arrival of Supplies at Bolivar Heights

Sunday, October 5, 1862

Three army wagons loaded with supplies arrived for the regiment at Bolivar Heights today. Some of the boxes had been shipped to Harrison's Landing and had finally arrived after two months to the Union Army's latest camp. ¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 177.

Folsom Finishes Bakery Construction

Thursday, October 2, 1862

Quartermaster Charles Folsom completed the construction of brick ovens which immediately went into the production of soft bread loaves for the regiment. ¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 177.

President Lincoln visits Bolivar Heights

Wednesday, October 1, 1862

President Abraham Lincoln arrived for a visit with General George McClellan. President Lincoln, General McClellan, and General Edwin "Bull" Sumner reviewed the men of the Second Corps, including the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment. ¹

References:
¹George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 177.