1st District of Columbia Cavalry – Co. “K” Morning Report Book captured by Confederates.

1st District of Columbia Cavalry – Co. “K” Morning Report Book captured by Confederate Cavalry.

This book for Co. K, was begun in March of 1864, commanded by Captain John W. Freese.  It entries made include inspections, arrest of soldiers for various misdeeds, guard postings, sick calls, camps, and movements, & more.  The pages give the entire spectrum of the status of the company with signatures of both first sergeants and officers.  The book was used very little, March to August ’64.

In May the company leaves Camp Baker in D.C. and marches to Camp Conger, Portsmouth, Va.  June finds them at Bermuda Hundred, Va., then a march south of the Appomattox (River), and return to camp. June and July mentions more pertinent details including lists of men taken prisoner, other details.  July and August show status listed on morning report, (very little for August).

I have included some data sheets, on Freese, and history of the Regiment in general. Using the recorded reports listed on Civil Data , I highlighted where Co. K was engaged or part of in the months recorded in this book.

• “Regiment was engaged in important service and about Washington until May, 1864, when half of the regiment was ordered to Portsmouth –  In July  it participated in the engagement at Malvern Hill and on Aug. 2 crossed the Appomattox River.   In the report of Lt.Col. Everton J. Conger, Received instruction in person from the general commanding division to be in readiness to march at 12 midnight, June 8, 1864. Crossed the Appomattox on pontoon brigade and joined the rear of the column, as per march, “
• Recorded in Book- June 21, “CoK started on a raid with 70 enlisted men and 2 com. officers…..24th Privates Stanhope and wagoner Rollston carried to Hospital.  25th Privates Stewart and wells taken prisoner, Privates Crombs, Douglas, Gumley & Hussy, North, Pendleton, and Edward C. Proctor wounded at Roanoke Bridge ,,Sergt Webb corporals Howard, Starbird, Staples, Privates Brewster,Crombs, Drinkwater, Fuller, Gumley, Hussy, Jackson, Guliferm, Seans, Melvin, North, Pendleton, Proctor, Ed. E. S……, Veazie, Viles, Whitney, Stockham, prisoners.    The next page continues to record more remarks concerning other members of the company….hospital, missing in action.” 

Taken from Civil War data –  On the 10th of Augustt, 1864, Major Baker makes a report  of operations from August 9 and September 3.  He stated in a report to HQ on the 10th, the confederates captured men and the quartermaster’s stores…. This is likely to be the time that this morning report fell into the hands of a Virginia citizen by the name of Jepther Halsey, a young man who with his sister and other friends begin to write in the book, and later use the book to practice penmanship throughout. The most interesting entry is made by him in June,  He boldly writes, “Lieut General K.S. Ewell, Chief of Infantry / Major General F. Lee Chief of Cavalry Division / Capt Rouch, Capt of Artillery  Capt Cox  Commendant of Battery A   /Robert E. Lee Chief of All.”  Another entry by Joseph L. Wetzsel, In Old Shenandoah, Liberty Cross.”

Condition is rough on the covers, and some of the pages are loose.  The look of the covers suggest this book was discarded by the captors, and left on the ground where captured.  Young Halsey claimed it on his own, and used it to about 1875.

A really neat find!