VKISON LIFE AT JOHNSON’S
ISLAND.

1663--’64.

Diary sy R. F. WEBB, Cotonen SrxrH Reciment, N. C. T.

After General Lee’s short campaign in October, 1863, the
army fell back south of the Rappahannock. My regiment
occupied a piece of timber about equal distance between Cul-
pepper Court House and the river nearly opposite the resi-
dence of Mr, John M. Botts, whose property, notwithstanding
that he was known to be a strong Union man, was respected
and protected by our troops. We were ordered in general
orders to built huts and make ourselves comfortable generally.
The site for a camp was a beautiful one, and we soon had a
village of log huts very comfortably made, and we congratula-
ted ourselves upon finding such pleasant winter quarters, and
the opportunity, with furloughs, of a happy time with our
wives, sweethearts and friends. Through the kindness of
His Excellency, Governor Vance, I had received a lot of
clothing, blankets and shoes, and, altogether, the regiment
was in excellent condition. Many of these articles not being
immediately needed, were sent to Richmond for storage.
Forage being very scarce in the country surrounding our
camp, owing to the large cavalry force usually quartered in
the vicinity of Brandy Station, we were compelled to send all
of our wagons some distance to procure food for our teams,
reserving only one wagon which belonged to the field and
staff, which was our only dependence in case of need or an
advance of the enemy, which we did not for a moment dream

Norr.—Colonel R. F. Webb was a lieutenant in the Mexican
war. He entered the Civil War as Captain of the Flat River Guards
from Orange county, Company B, in Sixth North Carolina regiment,
was successively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, was Colo-
nel of the regiment when captured. He was not released from Johnson’s
Island, (near Sandusky, Ohio) till July, 1865. This narrative was writ-
ten by him while there confined.—Ep.

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