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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.

Acknowledges receipt of his father's letter; relates campaigns since Union army enlistment on 23 November 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 W[illia]msburg [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 Mech[an]icsville [Virginia]; charges three times in battle at Mech[an]icsville; 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.

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 [Fredericksburgh] [sic]; claims his health is good, and current weight is 180 lbs.

Begins 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 [Virginia], Bealton [Virginia], 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 [Virginia] to Manassas Junction [Virginia] with stops at Hartwood Church [Virginia] and Brentville [Virginia]; continues march to Gum Springs [Virginia], Centerville [Virginia], Aldie [Virginia], Leesburgh [Virginia], 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.

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.

Relates campaigns from 3 July 1862 to 31 October 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 W[illia]msburg, Big Bethel, Newport News, Fortress Monroe, and Fredericksburgh [sic] 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.

At present camps west of the Weldon [&Petersburg] Rail Road after a month near the Weldon [&Petersburg] Rail Road; and three weeks on the east side of the Weldon [&Petersburg] 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 &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.

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