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Copy of diary from June 25, 1862 to July 27, 1862; describes an armed reconnaissance to ascertain whether Gen. Jackson's army was approaching.

Golding is at Warrenton, Virginia. Gen. Butterfield replaces Gen. Fitz John Porter as commander of the 5th corps; the 5th corps is a part of the centre grand division under Major General Joseph Hooker; camps at Warrenton Junction and Hartwood Church, Virginia, en route to Fredericksburg; Hooker passes in an ambulance; camps at Gen. Hooker's headquarters at the Henry House [near Potomac Creek]; marches past Falmouth, Virginia; on front line in attempt to capture Confederate batteries South of Fredericksburg; evacuates the city; investigation ensues over heavy losses; critical of Union commanders and outcome of investigation; chats with Connecticut friends; returns to Hartwood Church, Virginia; Gen Hooker takes over Gen. Burnside's command; describes furlough and desertion rates; takes a furlough to New York; President Lincoln reviews the troops near Falmouth, Virginia; another review for Maj. Gen. Fogliardi; local artists produce ambrotypes; Lt. Col. Paul takes command of brigade for a week before his promotion to Brig. General; Gen. R. B. Ayres takes command; crosses Kelly's Ford and the Rapidan River to reach U.S. Ford; enemy shells U.S. Ford but fell upon Confederate prisoners; corps covers retreat across river; heavy losses; term of service expires for 20-30 thousand men; camps at Banks Ford where finishes this letter.

Golding acknowledges receipt of his father's letter; relates campaigns since Union army enlistment on November 23, 1861 under H.B. Clitz; immediate promotion to sergeant; spends months at Fort Hamilton; departs for Virginia with a stop in Washington D.C.; camps near Fairfax Court House, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia; rides a steamer to Fortress Monroe, Virginia; camps near Hampton, Virginia, Big Bethel, camp Winfield Scott; in charge of supply wagons left between Yorktown, Virginia, and Williamsburg, Virginia; joins regiment in Cumberland one week later; marched to White House, Cold Harbor, Camp Lovell near New Bridge, Virginia; builds roads during Battle of Gaines Mill, Virginia; at site of battle of Hanover Court House, but does not fight; pickets the bridges over the Chickahominy River; describes tents; marches toward Mechanicsville, Virginia; charges three times in battle at Mechanicsville; falls back when flanked at Savage's Station, Virginia; marches through White Oak Swamp; attack by Confederates; resumes march toward the James River; sees Gen. McClellan; Confederate attack; repels attack and remains as the last brigade on the field; then falls back to a location that is not healthy; receives letters from Caroline and Sarah; acts as Commissary Sergeant; will write to NY for a commission; Major wounded.

Golding acknowledges receipt of father's letter; describes route taken from Harrison Landing to Sharpsburg; arrives a few days after Battle of Antietam; describes dead strewn in streets and heaped on battlefield; rides Manassas railroad from Harpers Ferry to Warrenton, Virginia; marches to Stafford Court House, Virginia - eight miles from Aquia Creek; Gen. Butterfield in command of his corps, replacing Gen. Porter; Gen. Hooker commanding divisions; expects an attack on Fredericksburg; claims his health is good, and current weight is 180 lbs.

Golding begins the letter when furlough in Fairfield, Connecticut expires; leaves Fairfield, Connecticut, and rests in convalescent camp; joins regiment near Fairfax, Culpepper County, Virginia; camps in Brandy Station, Bealton, and Fairfax Courthouse; describes wagon trains and supplies; marches to battlefield of 2nd Bull Run; describes remains from earlier battle; marches to Gainesville, Virginia, New Baltimore, Virginia, Catlett's Station, Virginia; then camps two miles from Warrenton Junction and one mile from Three Mile Station at time of the letter; describes expeditions prior to his furlough in Fairfield [Connecticut], but after his last letter written in June 1863, marches 31 miles from Bank's Ford to Manassas Junction with stops at Hartwood Church and Brentville; continues march to Gum Springs, Centerville, Aldie, Leesburgh, Edwards Ferry and White Oak Springs; Gen. Meade takes command of Army; marches into Union territory through Frederick City, Maryland, Hanover, Pennsylvania, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; enters hospital; reports good weather lately.

Golding relates campaigns from July 3, 1862 to October 31, 1862; describes duties as acting and full commissary sergeant; President Lincoln reviews division; receives six months pay long due; orders to reduce officers' baggage; pillage of the Charles City Court House records; views remains of slave shot for attempting an escape to Confederate lines; Camps at Williamsburg, Big Bethel, Newport News, Fortress Monroe, and Fredericksburg on the way to Manassas Junction; fights at second Bull Run; retreats to Centerville, Virginia; marches to Frederick [sic] City, Maryland; hears the battle on South Mountain and Antietam, Maryland; describes dead on battlefield; President Lincoln reviews division; marches to White Plains.

Golding describes route taken from Fort Hamilton, New York to Fortress Monroe, Virginia with stops at Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C.; regiment under Gen. Sykes' brigade; camps near Hampton, Virginia; drills often, and out of money; moves camp to Big Bethel, Virginia, and then to Camp Marion, Virginia; describes vigilant atmosphere in camps; marches to Camp Winfield Scott, Virginia; strict orders for silence; feels slighted when regiment did not receive four months pay; Confederate shell almost hit him; marches toward Richmond; in charge of guarding wagons; joins regiment a week later at Cumberland Landing; takes over Hanover Courthouse; engages Confederates in battle on road to Mechanicsville; retreats three miles; attests to Zouaves' skill; retreats to Savages Station; marches through White Oak Swamp, Virginia; needs water and sleep; marches across Malvern Hills; retreats from battle; next day advances in battle; writes letter home but can not send it until he arrives at Harrison's Landing.

Golding is at present camps west of the Weldon Rail Road after a month near the Weldon Rail Road; and three weeks on the east side of the Weldon Rail Road; relates adventures from last May to the present date; crosses the Rapidan River under fire; presents statistics on losses, discharges and new recruits; does not want to winter at this camp; claims only a minority of the army supports Lincoln as a candidate; gives opinions on new regiments; time in the army will expire in one month.

Marches from Three Mile Station, Virginia, along the Orange and Alexandria railroad toward the Rappahannock River; Confederates open fire to prevent crossing; marches through woods to join right flank after Confederates driven across the Rappahannock River; crosses river at Kelly's Ford, Virginia; dispatch from Gen. Grant announces capture of Lookout Mt., Tenn.; crosses the Rapidan River at Culpepper Mine Ford; Confederates capture ammunition and ambulance train during march to Gordonsville, Virginia; fighting ensues and powder in wagons explodes; retreats to Roberson's Tavern, Virginia; crosses back over the Rapidan River at Germania Ford, Virginia; also crosses back over the Rappahannock River; camps at Bealton, Virginia and then at Kettle Run, Virginia]; expresses concern over possible capture by the Confederates; receives pay.