Landed at Pittsburg Landing. Here I met many of my old schoolmates in the different reg’t here. There is a large force of our troops here. Its drill drill now. When off duty I write to my friends. I receive more letters now than any four others in the Com. We are not standing any picket guard.
3rd Apr 1862
Troops were reviewed by Gen’l Grant and staff.
5th Apr 1862 – Saturday
Our lines were attacked by a strong force of Rebs but they were driven back.
6th Apr 1862 – Sunday
When we first heard the firing Sunday morning we said the pickets are firing off their guns as they are relieved but pretty soon we hear the long roll of the drums. Some of the boys laugh and joke and say some of those Reg’t are scared sure enough. Hello, look yonder, what’s the excitement? See those men come running. Some in their shirtsleeves. There’s one man without his hat barefooted. Well, they must be scared we laugh. We are old vets. We think they are foolish but they come up out of breath. You had better get out of here boys, the wood are full of Rebel troops. Now we are not laughing but begin to get our saddles ready to put on our horses. The long roll get closer. The Inf. Begin to fall into line. We get our haversack put in hard bread.
Soon the bugle blows “Boots and Saddle”. We are in line. Now the firing is near and is one continual roar. Every man looks anxious. Men are now running through the camp without any arms. Some of them have but very little clothing on. Some are wounded. We notice that it takes 4 or 5 men to take one wounded man to the rear. Shame on them but they were surprised in camp while asleep. Mostly new men. [Brig. Gen. Benjamin Mayberry] Prentiss’s Division cut off and surrounded. Some Reg’t were completely demoralized. We are still in line waiting when Gen’l Grants headquarter boat came up the river. Pretty soon the silent man with his staff rode up on the hill above us. A staff officer came galloping down, spoke a few words to the Capt. Count off. 15 or 20 of us move out. We soon are following the Gen’l. The Gen’l looks gloomy and sad. Does he have a premonition that we will lose the day? We soon reach the battle line. The staff begin to go from one Brigade to another. The bullets begin to hum. I watch the face of the Gen’l. He seems not to care for the bullets and shells, his cigar between his teeth is not lighted. Reg’t after Reg’t come out and wheel into line. Some of them are as cool as though they were going ton dress parade or drill. Here comes the 2nd Iowa Inf. They have seen and smelt smoke at Donalson. They leave their camp in shirtsleeves. Fine healthy looking men. How many of them will be alive at night? We are formed across a ravine to stop the demoralized and broken fragment of Reg’t that are falling back. Some of them are nearly crazed and almost cry as
we order them to halt and fall into line. Some of them cursed us but seeing the Gen’l waiting they halt and half ashamed fall in. We soon have a reg’t or more gathered. The Gen’l moved along their front. He does not talk to them but look at them. That is enough. They cheer. He gives the command to some Col. and they move off to take a position once more. They were powder burnt, some were bloody but full of fight. Two Infantry officers attempt to go by. I halt them. They don’t seem to care for me. I drawed my Navy on them. “Good God” one of them says. “You would not shoot us for trying to escape. Our command has all been wiped out. We either had to be killed or run or taken prisoner”. “Take your place in that line. You’re not better than any of those. I will shoot if you attempted to run from your duty. This is my orders. There the Gen’l. Ask him if you will be excused.” Not much they know better. Bring them into line the boys shout. They step into line poor fellows. This was probably the first battle line they ever was in. Their faces were pale. I often wondered if they went through that battle alive. About 2 o’clock 15 or 20 of us were picked out from the Com and we moved off from the field. On the run down the river we went with one of Gen’l Grants staff officers. We stopped after we had gone 2 or 3 miles to communicate with a gun boat. Then I learned that we were going after Lew Wallace who had been encamped at Crumps Landing. He had about 5000 in his brigade.
He had been ordered to march for the battleground early in the morning but had not showed up yet and Gen’l Grant was getting very uneasy. We had a terrible ride. Two or three horses gave out. One mans carbine went off and shot him through the foot. We went to his camp of the morning and found he had been gone several hours. Took his trail. Met him coming back. We took him across to the river route we had coming down on. How his men did march. They came into line on the battle ground on the double quick just at dark. It was a terrible hot day and most of his brigade were new men. They had all their clothing packed on their backs. Soon they began to drop their knapsacks off leaving them by the side of the road. Two of his Reg’t had seen service at Belmont, Fort Henry and Donalson. They were in their shirt sleeves when we arrived near the battle ground. These two old Reg’t wanted to charge the Confederates but it was then nearly dark and they had been on the double quick for several miles. Their officers lead them into line on the extreme right of our army which was on an old road [rail?] road. They lay down on that road and that brigade lay there in battle line all that night. While we had been gone after Wallace, the Confederates had driven our army towards the river so that they were within about three quarters of a mile of our camp of our Com. The Rebel army was now occupying the main part of the camp of the Federal army. It looked pretty blue that night when
we ate our suppers but we all felt satisfied that the Confederate forces had played their last card and that in the morning it would be our time to drive. [Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell’s] Buealls [sic] army was now being brought over the river and Grants army was resting on their really first battle line. The Rebs had rec’d their knock out blow late in the afternoon although they were rejoicing and drinking up all the bad whiskey our sutlers had in their tents. They had failed to make their boast good of driving Grant into the Tennessee River that night. I guess very few of us slept except where they were completely exhausted and had to sleep. We thought on the morning we could hear the moan of the wounded and dying. Every few minutes the gun boats would send a shell into the Rebel camps on the right and left of our line to let them know that we were on the watch. Sometime in the night a transport boat came up the river with some new Reg’t on board and the boat had a calliope. It was playing some of those old songs such as Mary Blair and Girl I Left Behind Me, Mockingbird &c. I was so tired out and felt so bad about the terrible slaughter of the day that those sounds of sweet music brought up thoughts of home. I could not help doing what I presume thousands of other soldier done shedding hot scalding tears. That was one of the most trying nights for me I ever experienced in all my life up to that time. The day had seemed like a horrid nightmare to me.
In the morning as soon as we could see to do anything in our camp we were getting our horses and ourselves something to eat. The light hardly began to dawn when bullets and shell began to hum showing us only too well that we had a brave and determined foe in our front. Just at the break of day Gen’l Lew Wallace division commenced to move forward with a cheer. Then the battle commenced and the enemy had to give ground which they did very stubbornly contesting every foot had to do. I think they fully realized that the day was ours but at what a sacrifice. That once quiet peaceful settlement around the Shiloh Church where for many many years the neighborhood had met to worship God. How did it look today? The ground was covered with dead bodies of men and horses. Here the blue and gray lay close together some of them still moaning their life away. Now the struggle commenced over the same ground. Charge and counter charge. No falling back today in that line of blue. Soon we are ordered to fall into line and away we go. Soon we come to where there is more Cavelry. In a little while there is 500 or more Cav. We sweep over the battle ground of yesterday. We think now we will have some work to do. Our horses jump over the dead bodies and snort at the smell of blood. About noon the Confederate lines are falling back rapidly. We wonder when we will have to charge the fleeing column. Here is Gen’l Grand and Sherman and other small Gen’ls that we don’t know still they hold us back. We have no good
Cavalry leaders.
Apr 7th 1862 – Monday – Shiloh
While the South seems well supplied the Rebel Gen’ls Forrest and [then Capt. John]
Morgan were dashing between the two lines. We beg our commanders to lead us to the front but it seems the Gen’ls were afraid that the Rebs had an ambush prepared for us. I believe had we been allowed to charge the already demoralized Rebel army would have been completely routed. We saw signs enough that the Confederates were in a bad plight and only needed pushing to have caused them to throw down their arms and many of them to surrender. While we were following their retreating lines, I opened a large wall tent and there lay a tall handsome dead Rebel, a Gen’l I was satisfied. I asked a wounded Confederate who it was. He said “Maj. Gen’l Sidney Johnston”. I had heard he was in command of the Rebel army on Sunday. I called to the Lieut. in command of our skirmish line. He came up and soon placed a guard over the tent. Well we now had the saddest part of all to do. Look up friends and bury the dead. I went as soon as we got back to our camp that night to a different Reg’t that my old schoolmates belonged to 52nd Ill, 46th Ill, 12th Ill &c. Captain Guy Ward of the 12th was killed. Saw R.F. Chandler of 52nd. He was all right but found that John Baird had lost a leg but was still alive. Rained all night which made it terrible for the wounded.
Apr 8th 1862 – Tuesday
We went scouting on the road that Confederates retreated on. We were about 500 in all some infantry.
We had a fight with Texas Cav under Morgan and Forrest. Reported 10 or 12 Rebs killed. Now the Union troops are busy burying the dead and burning the dead horses.
Apr 9th 1862 – Shiloh Camp near Pittsburgh Landing
I was busy looking after old schoolmates and looking over the battleground. We hear all sorts of reports about Confeds coming back again. We all have a good many letter to write.
Apr 11th 1862
Commenced standing picket guard. Don’t think Gen’l Grant intends to let the army be taken by surprise any more. Roads are almost impassable so much rain.
Apr 15th [12th?] 1862
We went out some distance with Gen. Sherman. We had no provisions along so had to come back. Gen’l [Maj. General Henry Wager] Halleck came on the 12th.
Apr 13th 1862
I was detailed as Dispatch Orderly at Gen’l Halleck’s head quarters.
I have been on duty as Dispatch Orderly at Gen’l Hallecks headquarters from the 16th to the 20th Apr. Had to ride through the cold chilly rains sometimes until midnight. Finally I was taken down sick. I carried dispatches from Gen’l H. to Gen’l Grants headquarters. The country is almost a swamp. Roads are in a terrible fix. I did not get well enough to do much duty until about the 4th of May. We moved camp about 8 miles.
May 2nd 1862
Our troops are now advancing towards Corinth. Gen’l Grant seem to be under Gen’l Halleck. It is reported that Rebel troops are leaving Corinth.
May 3rd 1862
Moved camp to Monterey [TN]. Here our Com was detailed as Gen’l [Henry Eugene Davies, Jr.] Davies escort.
May 4th 1862
Out on a reconnoitering party toward Corinth.
May 8th 1862
We moved camp to within 7 miles of Corinth. We can hear the trains in Corinth. Hear the whistle of the engines. Here our army threw up breastworks expecting an attack from the Rebel army.
May 12th 1862
We moved about 3 miles closer to Corinth. No water fit to use. This is the worst country for an army to be in. Swamps all around. Water covered with a scum. Enough to breed a run of yellow fever.
May 12th – 18th 1862
Constant skirmishing all the time. We are out on picket most of the time.
May 20th 1862
We dismounted and skirmished with Rebel all day while our army threw up another line of breastworks.
May 23rd 1862
I am having some fever with a great deal of headache. Look like I was a going to be taken down sick.
May 23rd – 29th 1862
I was too unwell most of this time to do much duty. Last night was very sick all night. Some of my friends from their Reg’t called on me. Now I am out of my head most of the time. This is written when well enough.
Camp within 5 or 6 miles of Corinth
May 30th 1862
Boys are gone with troops to the front. I am alone and very sick. I can hear heavy cannonading an occasionally an explosion. Think Confederates are evacuating Corinth. I am so sorry I can’t be with the Com but here I am alone no friend to bathe my aching head. It is hard to be sick when kind friend are by your bed side to sooth and comfort you but how much harder to be alone. No loving hand to soothe your sorrows. Then if you have the knowledge in your heart that you have a Saviors love to help ou in your hour of trial and distress you can bear the trial alone but if you have not that hope how sad your lot. The boys were hurried out quick this morning but came back about one o’clock with the news that Corinth was evacuated. So Gen’l Halleck has let the Confederate army slip out. Boys went off again with three days rations.
June 1st 1862 – Sunday
I was visited by one of our surgeons. He ordered me moved to a hospital. The country is full of hospitals and it is no wonder. We have the worst water to use I ever saw not fit for hogs to drink, covered with a scum. Well the Dr. sent an ambulance and moved me to a hospital about 5 miles from where we were encamped. Some of the boys came to see me. Charles Curry came here with me. He is not as bad as I am he can wait on me some. He gets water. This is a miserable
place for a hospital. There was a good well to get water from but a careless heedless nurse dropped a bottle of strong medicine in the well so it was ruined for our use and being one of those drilled wells there was no way to clean it out. The only chance for water then was to bring it from a spring about 2 or 2 ½ miles from the camp so they had it hauled in barrels and it would soon get warm not fit for a sick man to drink. So Charlie used to get as many canteens as he could carry and go to the spring. He could not make more than one trip a day. I drank a great deal of water. I guess that was all that saved me. The most of the sick laid on the floor in the plantation house but the boys put up a tent for Charlie and me. Charlie was very patient and kind. I don’t think I could have made it through if it had not been for his care. There was 4 or 5 doctors. I don’t know how many patients. There was presume at least 100 of them. There was only one Dr. that seemed to care whether he done anything or not. He said that there was wine and canned fruits sent there for the sick but that the doctors were using up everything of that kind on themselves. It was a distressing sight to look into that house and see the poor fellows setting up on the floor. That is those that could and trying to clean the vermin off their poor wasted bodies. I never want to see such a sight again. Wagon loads of the dead would be taken out every morning. Halleck was killing more by his slow moving along over
that swampy sickly country than any battles that have been fought. We were running short of provisions. I could not eat anything they brought to me. Soon the Dr. talked of deserting the camp but the one Dr. said he would stay by us.
13th June 1862
The Dr. stopped a supply train going from Corinth to Pittsburg Landing after supplies and made them load as many on their wagon as were able to ride and take them to the Landing. Charlie begged them to take us along so they laid me in the bottom of the wagon on one blanket. Some of the boys died before the train started. Don’t know how many died on the way. Each wagon was drawn by 6 mules. The roads were just as the army left them. Were what some call cordroy [sic] roads. That is where ever there had been mud holes, the Army had laid down rails, poles anything so that the Artillery could be hauled over. The teamster were in a very bad temper because they had been stopped so long and they had but little time to spare. They had to make the Landing before night as there was no escort along and the guerrillas were thick and they were liable to be attacked any time. They didn’t not want to be out in the wood after dark so they could not pay much attention to us that were sick. They drove over those rough roads whipping and cursing their mules almost incessantly. Such a ride I hope no one that knows me will ever have to endure what I did that day.
I often wonder how I stood that ride. One place at a small stream the train stopped a few minutes to water their mules. I begged them to lay me out on the ground and go on but they would not. I was blood from head to foot. My clothes were soaked with blood. They got to the Landing along towards night. They laid us sick that were still alive on the ground in front of a boat that was fixing to load up with the sick and wounded. I don’t know much about what happened about that time think I was unconscious most of the time. Think that I had be laying there sometime when an ambulance backed up and somebody laid me in it and drove off. Pretty soon they stopped and laid me out on the ground again in front of another boat that was getting ready for the sick. Then some one came and examined me and gave me some medicine. Heard them talking as in a dream. Think on of them said he won’t live until morning. Though how foolish that ride was to suffer so much just to die right off. Soon Charlie came to me and roused me up to eat something. Could not eat but water and washed some of the blood off and put on some clean underclothes. And then I fell asleep. Woke up after awhile. They were carrying me on to the boat. We laid on the deck of the boat that night. In the morning I was covered with blood again.
Jun 14th 1862
Today we were furnished bunks or sleeping births on the steamboat. Seemed so comfortable that tears would come in spite of me. I was so weak and tired.
15th June 1862 – Sunday
We are steaming down the Tennessee River going toward home. How nice I felf for awhile the motion of the boat seemed just like a cradle but after awhile my feeling began to change. Soon it seemed to me as though I could not live. Every motion gave me the most intense agony. How I did suffer. No on can tell that has not been though the same trouble. How I would have enjoyed that ride if I had been well but oh how sick I was. By the time we reached the Ohio River I had improved some but not enough to be landed at Cairo as a good many of the boys were. If I had landed there I would have been sent home.
20th June 1862
Landed at Keokuk, Iowa. Was taken to a large brick hospital. Now I have regular attendance of physicians. Think there surely will be some chance for me to get well. [C.R. Allen’s words added to the upper portion of the line] Post Hospital. Now some days I would be well enough to write a letter but had to keep pretty still most of the time. We had a good many visitors from the city. Very nice people.
4th Jul 1862
My brother Platt came here to visit me. We had a good visit. Got permission to go down town. Went to the barbers shop. When he came to shampoon [sic] me my hair all slipped off.
7th Jul 1862
My brother went home. He was very much disappointed. He expected he could get permission for me to go home with him but could not. The Dr. had very strict orders no to let any of the boys go home.
[Added to left page margin with an indication it is to start under the 15th June 1862 – Sunday heading:] Started down the Tenn. River June 16th 1862. Hospital Boat City of Memphis arrived at Keokuk, Iowa June 21st 1862.
It seemed rather hard as we were within about 150 miles of home. I believe I would have improved faster if I had been home. Now Charlie and me would wander around town when we were able to get out of the hospital or answer letters from friends. Along about Aug. 1st Rebel Gen’l [Sterling] Price came up through MO threatening St. Louis and other large towns. One of his companies had the audacity to come up not far from Keokuk and run into a town below in Mo. There was a small Com. of Inf. Cadets in k. They had a small military band. The people were considerably scared up. Finally they sent their band around to the two big hospitals for volunteers to go down and drive the Johnies out. Well all of us that could carry a gun began to roll out and to fall into line. The first thing they knew they had nearly a Reg’t of men. Men that smell powder. The Keokuk Com/ had a small armory with a lot of old muskets. We was soon armed and marched down to the stream ferry boat which took us down to Alexandria [Iowa] but by the time we got there the Confederates had skedaddled and gone. They had sacked one or two stores. We marched around some and by that time we were all pretty weak and hungry. Just about noon here came a boat load of the good women of K. with boiled ham, bread and butter and such. Maybe we did not but I think we did. In our line we had Col - an Brigadier Gen’l & Cap. & Lieut. All the same as high privates in the rear rank. We went back to Keokuk in the afternoon and then went down to Alexandria again about 8 o’clock in the evening. Stood guard
until 1 o’clock in the morning and then took care for Sand Prairie [Iowa] about 20 miles from K. and left the train. Marched across the prairie about 7 miles to the Des Moines River arriving at a little town on the river about daylight. We was hopes that we could head off the Com. of Rebs but they had an hour and a half the start. If ever there was a played out crowd that army of invalids were one. I could hardly stand up. We arrested 7 or 8 persons and took about 100 head of horses. We stared back to K. arriving there about 6 o’clock in the evening. We took in all about 30 prisoners.
Aug 8th 1862
We commenced our journey back to the Reg’t.
Aug 12th 1862
We stopped at St. Louis ate breakfast at the hospital and went from there to Schofield Barracks. Stood guard at McDowell’s College.
Aug 13th 1862
Started again for Dixie Land on the steamer Rowena.
Aug 15th 1862
Landed at Columbus, Ken. Found Com. B of the 2nd here.
Aug 16th 1862
Left Columbus on the Cincinnati & Ohio RR for Corinth. Found Com. C at Union City and Col. Hogg & Com. D at Trenton, Com. M at Humbolt. Arrived at Corinth about 10 o’clock in the eve. Found the boys alright. Now most of our time is taken up with guard and drill. I have not got well enough to do very hard service. Have very sore eyes caused by the dust.
Sep 29th 1862
I was detailed as Orderly for Gen’l [Alexander McDowell] McCook who was left in command of Corinth while Gen’l Grant was at the Battle of Iuka. My eyes were to bad to go with the Com. When Grant came back I had charge of his head quarter
tent and he came walking up. I did not know him and stopped him until I caught sight of his shoulder straps and then I knew him. I begged his pardon. He says that’s all right and asked me about my eyes. He remembered me carrying orders for him and Halleck after the Battle of Shiloh. Asked me where I had been. Talked with quite a little bit. He then excused me from any more guard that day.
Sep 27th 1862
27 of us left Corinth on the RR with Gen’l Grant and [Edward Otho Cresap] Ord’s Head Quarters for Jackson. While loading our horses on the cars I was kicked very bad by one of the horses. Wonder it did not kill me. I did not know much for awhile. The boys picked me up and carried me to the cars. We rode all night. I suffered terribly doubtful whether I ever get over it. I doctored myself about two weeks when a Surgeon came here. Went to him for medicine. He ordered me discharged but the Captain said he would put me on light service if possible so I concluded to stay in the Com. About the 27th of Oct. I commenced to go on picket and do guard duty.
Nov 2nd 1862
We went out with a foraging train. We went to Boliver [possibly Bolivar, Tennessee] 2 days trip. The ride was pretty hard on me. We met our Reg’t here at Boliver.
Nov 3rd 1862
Got back. Troops are leaving Corinth, Bolivar and Jackson. Supposed to go to Holly Springs. We left camp at daylight.
and arrived at Jackson about 10 o’clock at our old camp.
Nov 12th 1862
We left camp early this morning supposed for the Reg’t camped near Bolivar.
Nov 13th 1862
We pass through Bolivar on the 13th. We passed the battle ground where Col. Hogg [Lt. Col. Harvey Hogg, F & S companies] of our Reg’t was killed. We camped near Grand Junction, Tenn.
Nov 14th 1862
We are encamped at Lewanee [location unknown] body guard to Gen’l John A. Logan. Passed through Grand Junction [Tennessee] this morning.
Nov 18th 1862
I went down to 46 Ill. Inf. Saw some of my old schoolmates.
Nov 19th 1862
Out foraging and hunting mules. Pretty cold and chilly. Now we are drilling foraging and standing picket.
Nov 23rd 1862
Visited the 46th Ill.
Nov 24th 1862
Out foraging. We lived pretty well now. We managed to do the chicken business and a porker once in awhile. I was receiving an average of five letters a day. Rec’d a needle case from O.J.S. [Olive J. Sprague].
Nov 28th 1862
Marched this morning. We took the advance of our division. Went into camp after dark.
Nov 29th 1862
Camped at Cold Water [Mississippi].
Nov 30th 1862 – Sunday
We camped with our division at Holly Springs [Mississippi] today. A beautiful little town mostly all aristocratic people lives here. The wealthy planters who have retired from their plantations. There is a female seminary here. Our troops have made this place head quarters for supplies for Grant’s army and hospitals also. We got in here about 10 o’clock in the forenoon so we had pretty good chance to look around the town. There is about six companies of our Reg’t here
under the command of Col. McNeal, Lieut. Col. Mudd, Majors Marsh and Bush. There will be several Reg’t of Inf. left here also. We are now with Gen’l Logan’s head quarters. We have to go out with a train of wagons nearly everyday and gather up corn and fodder for the army as we march along. We left Holly Springs about noon today. We hear firing at a distance all day. Don’t know where it is. Marched only about 8 miles today.
Dec 2nd 1862
It rained most of the day which makes the roads bad so that the trains of team move very slow. The army reached and camped on the Tallahatchie River. We had a cold wet camp. Here we had to wait for a bridge to be built.
Dec 3rd 1862
Bridge built so that Logan’s Division crossed about noon and moved on and went into camp about five miles from the river at a town called Abeville [Abbeville, Mississippi] on an old Rebel army camp ground.
Dec 4th 1862
Troops remain in camp today. Our com out foraging. We will have some fried chicken and fresh pork for supper. Rainy at night.
Dec 5th 1862
We marched to Oxford, Mississippi and went into camp. 11 miles march. We are out foraging today.
Dec 6th 1862 – Sat
Out foraging.
Dec 7th 1862 – Sunday
Foraging. Chased a com of Rebel Cav about six miles. Lost them in a piece of timber. It was a very hard ride. We were very close to them when they struck the timber. If we could have had a couple of miles more we would have overhauled them.
Dec 8th 1862 – Monday
The boys are out today. I did not go out as I was on guard at head quarters.
Dec 9th 1862 – Tuesday
Foraging today.
Dec 10th 1862
In camp. Horse shod.
Dec 11th 1862 – Thursday
Our division left Oxford early. Camped about 11 miles from Oxford on the Grenada road.
Dec 12th 1862
I was on provo guard today. The army is waiting for a bridge to be built.
Dec 13th 1862 – Saturday
On guard at Logan’s head quarters.
Dec 15th 1862 – Monday
Foraging in a rain storm. Quite pleasant biz
Dec 16th 1862 – Tuesday
Rumors of peace overtures.
Dec 17th – Dec 21st 1862
Foraging nearly all the time. Then on the 21st we heard that our communications were cut off by R.R. Jackson, Tennessee was taken also Holly Springs. Had orders to march in the morning.
Dec 22nd 1862
Early this morning our army took up a retrograde movement the way we came. Entered Oxford at noon. Heard that some of our Reg’t had been taken prisoners at Holly Springs.
Dec 23rd 1862
All the army gone but our division. We are foraging and living off the country.
Dec 24th 1862
Left Oxford this morning. Encamped at night on the north side of the Tallahatchie River.
Dec 25th 1862
Saw some of the boys of the 46th Ill. They had seen my brother Henry who was in the 93 Ill. Inf. They were in Holly Springs.
Dec 26th 1862 – Friday
We drove in about 60 head of cattle today. Rained all day.
Dec 27th 1862 – Saturday
I was orderly for a court martial. Boys went out foraging. Drove in about 400 head of cattle. They came in after dark.
Dec 29th 1862 – Monday
Danvers division moved towards Holly Springs. I attended court today.
Dec 30th 1862
Rebel Cav. fired on our pickets last night. We had to go after them but we did not see any of them.
Dec 31st 1862
I carried a dispatch to the 68th Ohio at Abbeville. Got back quite late. Run into a spy. Do not know whether he was Rebel or a Union. We were close together before we knew it and both ready to fire but waited for each other. Soon as he saw my uniform he threw down the point of his revolver, said all right and rode by. I concluded I was not hunting trouble, had orders to only fire in self defense if I met up with an ememy.
Jan 5th 1863
We camped at Holly Springs. Here we found out the Rebel Gen’l Van Dorn [General Earl Van Dorn] had captured the place. Our 6 companies of the 2nd Reg’t had quite a battle with the Rebels. Our Col. McNeal surrendered but Major Marsh and Bush did not surrender so they only got the Col. of or Reg’t but the inf. surrendered and acted very cowardly. The Confederates burned all of our supplies that were here. That was the reason Grant retreated from the Tallahatchie River.
Jan 6th 1863
Camped at Coal [Cold?] Water.
Jan 7th 1863
Arrived at Lagrange. One brigade went to Davis Mills, one to Grand Junction.
Jan 10th 1863
We left Lagrange this morning going towards Memphis, Tenn. Camped at Moscow [Tennessee].
Jan 11th 1863
Camped at Lafayette [Mississippi?] a small miserable town. Head quarters are in a house.
Jan 12th 1863
Foraging today.
Jan 14th 1863
Pickets attacked. We went out but Rebels had left. Very bad roads. About 10 of us crossed Wolf River in a snow and rain storm over a bottoms that the bridges were all afloat and water deep. We were soaking wet and miserable cold. One horse fell down between the floating logs and like to have drowned Charlie Hodson before we could get him out. We crossed over to a saw mill found a com. of Inf. had been standing picket here and had been attacked by a Com of Rebel Cav. but time we got across the Rebel Cav had gone.
Jan 15th 1863 – Thursday
On guard over some camp equipage. Rain and snow 2 inches deep. I was carrying a dispatch came to where the Rebs had sacked a country store. Found that they had scattered the goods all around. Picked up some handkerchiefs and saw a big double Bay Slate Shawl. I pulled it up in front and tied it on my saddle thinking I would send it home. I was on my way back to the camp, had to go through a division of Inf. marching along in the cold muddy roads. When some of them laid their hands on my horse and says “Hello Charley. How do you do?” Looked
down at the boys and saw about a dozen old schoolmates. One of the boys hollered “Oh Henry here’s Charlie your brother.” Sure enough it was my brother’s com. First time I had seen him since I left home and while I was talking with him he said that they had left most of their blankets at one of their old camps to be sent home and now the weather was so cold they pretty near froze for want of them. I took the Bay Slate Shawl and handed that to him. He said that was just what he wanted.
Jan 17th 1863
4th division came into town today. Very cold terrible time for infantry to march. The roads are so muddy and it rains or snows continually. Everybody gets wet and not much chance to dry their clothes at night. It will be a wonder if there is not an immense sight of sickness amongst the troops this spring. There is a great deal of complaining amongst the boys. Everything looks dark. Our army has suffered defeat in the East and West. There are a great many desertions. Times look very dark for the Union.
Jan 18th 1863 – Sunday
Division moved to Colliersville [Tennessee] and went into camp.
Jan 19th 1863 – Monday
Division moved this morning. Marched to within 8 miles of Memphis. I saw Henry today between Germantown and Memphis his division came in on the Pigeon Roost Road. They are enroute for Memphis. I was carrying a dispatch when I run into his Reg’t. Boys were all glad to see me.
Jan 20th 1863 – Tuesday
We moved into the suburbs of the city of Memphis, Tenn. We expect to get 2 months pay today.
Jan 21st 1863
Rec’d our pay. I got $96. I went to town and bought a pair of $7 boots and $3 hat. Everything pretty high. Our Reg’t does not wear the regulation hat. That is the com. don’t. We wear a soft felt hat with a large black plume.
Jan 23rd 1863
I got a pass and went out to Henry’s Reg’t on a visit. Stayed all night. Had a very pleasant visit with the boys. Most of Henry’s company were from Albany, Ill. Nearly all of them had formally been my schoolmates.
Jan 24th 1863
Came back to camp this am. Went to town with some of the boys in the eve to attend a theater. I did not have a pass. The other boys had on civilian clothes. I did not know that a pass was necessary. Consequences were I was arrested and taken before the Provo Marshall who finally gave me a pass back to camp. So I lost my .75 I paid for my ticket and had a lonely walk back to camp but learned a lesson not to depend on comrades for knowledge about such things. After this I think I will have a pass when I go anywhere.
Jan 27th 1863 – Tuesday
Very cold. I wrote letters in camp all day and went to the theatre in the eve. Heard Mrs. Tannehill sing some of her favorite songs. One of them I liked so much it was “Trust to Luck” and Irish song. Now our work is mostly camp guard. We write letters or that is
what I do. The boys are having a great time gambling. Some of them lose all their money in a few days after they are paid off and then borrow all they can and generally lose that.
Jan 30th 1863
I went to the city. Had my likeness taken and sent it to O.J.S. I sent home some of my money.
Feb 5th 1863 – Thursday
Brother Henry here today.
Feb 12th 1863
Henry and I went down town had our pictures taken and sent them to mother.
Feb 15th 1863
We went out on a scout today with the Reg’t also 2 Reg’t of Inf. 2 pieces of artillery. We only saw 5 or 6 Rebels. We had to leave them and came back to camp.
Feb 20th 1863 – Thursday
We started to load our Com. and head quarters on a transport. We rec’d our pay today $50.40
Feb 21st 1863 – Saturday
All loaded on the transport Marie Denning. [see reference notes for USS Maria Denning]
Feb 22nd 1863 – Sunday
The fleet started down the river this morning. Bands playing sounds like we were off on a picnic. Don’t think there will be much picnic about it.
Feb 23rd 1863 – Monday
Landed at Lake Providence [Louisiana]. McArthur’s [General John McArthur] division is here.
Feb 24th 1863
Unloaded and went into camp near the lake. Half of the town is burned up. Now the weather seems to set in for better weather. Quite balmy.
Feb 27th 1863
My birthday today. We have a beautiful camp here close to the lake. Some of us went out to serenade some young ladies near the lake this eve.
Mar 5th 1863 – Tuesday
Out scouting. Went out 12 to 15 miles. Saw Old River. Very rich country. Plenty of corn. The planters are raising corn in place of cotton. They raise the corn especially for the Rebel army. Guess the Johnies will not get all of it. We were out scouting doday. Went 15 miles down the river. We gathered up and drove in camp 50 head of cattle. Got in at midnight tired and worn our.
Mar 7th 1863
Went about 40 miles today. Got 25 head of cattle. Came back in a very hard rain storm. We found some fine hams here. The nicest sugar cured hams I ever saw. They were in a rail pen out in an open cotton field covered over with charcoal. The think the old planter thought he had them hid. We stopped at his place for dinner. The old fellow was terrible strong Rebel. He said his corn was for the Rebel army. We found his hams and if we had only had one of our wagons along would have brought them all into camp. We brought in 2 and 3 and some of the boys as much as four apiece. They was a treat for the com. also for Gen’l Logan’s head quarters.
Mar 8th 1863 – Monday
Heavy cannonading down the river towards Vicksburg.
Mar 11th 1863
Out foraging today.
Mar 14th 1863 – Sunday
Loaded on a boat. Suppose we are to go up the river. I am on guard.
Mar 15th 1863 – Monday
They opened up the canal that they have been digging and let the Miss River pout into Lake Providence. It floated off most all the town. The camp where we were camped so long the water was 5 or 6 feet deep.
Mar 19th 1863
We moved up the river four or five miles and unloaded from the boat and went into camp.
Mar 22nd 1863 – Sunday
Went aboard of the Superior with Com and head quarters camp equipage.
Mar 23rd 1863 – Monday
Went down the river to within 10 miles of Vicksburg but came back to where the other troops were landed. I have been very sick for several days.
Mar 26th 1863
The company went off on a scout today. I was too sick to go.
Mar 30th 1863 – Sunday
Terrible wind last night. Very cold today.
Apr 7th 1863
Out foraging.
Apr 8th 1863
Boys out hunting Negroes to work for U.S. We had to go down to the landing to escort Ajut Gen Thomas of the U.S. Army. He made a speech to our division. Gen’ls McPherson, Logan, McArthur, Cole, Stevens and Legget were here. I am guard tonight.
Apr 14th 1863
We rec’d our pay today $100. Orders to be ready to move at moments notice.
Apr 15th 1863
Transports are coming up the river. I sent home $85. Heavy firing down the river.
Apr 17th 1863 – Saturday
On board of the Platt Valley transport.
Apr 18th 1863
Landed at Milliken’s Bend [Louisiana].
Apr 19th 1863 – Monday
Worked hard all day making a shanty to live in instead of tent.
Apr 20th 1863 – Tuesday
Went down to Quimby’s Division to see Henry. Found he had gone up to our camp. Hurried back found him and Ed Pease over there. They stayed nearly all day. We had a very good visit. Some of the boys are volunteering to go on the transports and gun boats to run the blockade at Vicksburg tonight. Good night for it as it is dark and rainy.
Apr 21st 1863
Foraging today.
Apr 22nd 1863
Transports run by Vicksburg last night. I went down to the 93rd Ill.
Apr 25th 1863 – Saturday
Boats are coming down the river loaded with troops. We marched about 10 miles. Stopped at a place called Richmond.
Apr 26th 1863 – Sunday
We marched about 9 miles. Saw Henry, he was sick.
Apr 27th 1863 – Monday
We passed Henry’s division. Not very far from McClernand’s corps. Rainy roads very bad.
Apr 30th 1863
Camped near Grand Gulf [Mississippi]. Heavy firing between the gun boats and batteries. We can see the Rebel batteries. Transports are taking our troops across the river. I am detailed as dispatch orderly for Gen’l John D. Stevenson commanding 3rd brigade of John A Logan’s division. We expect heavy fighting now. Charlie Curry was detailed with me. Gen’l McClernand army corp crossing the Miss River. What rush now. Wagon trains in the way. All sorts of orders. Seem more like a mob everything mixed
up. Some of the boys of our com. don’t like orderly duty but I like it about as well as any other duty we have to do. I can be more at the front and don’t have picket or camp guard to stand. Of course we get out early in the morning to carry the orders for the days march and have sometimes to be up late at night but we are more independent. Don’t have to be in com. ranks on the march.
May 1st 1863
Our brigade was hurried forward today to reinforce Gen’l McClernand’s division which was heavily engaged by a large force of Confederates. And during the battle I was sent with dispatch to one of our Reg’t left in the rear and was returning to our main line of Inf. and was about to go over a small hill in an open field when I saw some of our men in front motion to go around. Without knowing just why I should do so I went around the hill. Just then I noticed a Sergeant of our Com. by the name of McCorkill coming on a gallop over the hill I had been warned not to come over although several motioned to him not to do so. When just on the top of the rise he was shot and fell backwards off from his horse mortally wounded. It seems the Confederates had sharp shooter in the edge of the timber and they could have a good sight on anyone that passed over that hill. Our Inf. were laying near the edge of the timber. One of them asked permission of the Gen’l to take the dying mans Sharps carbine
and see if he could not kill the sharp shooter. He was granted permission. He took the gun and crawled through the brush until he was out of sight when we heard the sharp report of the carbine. Pretty soon he came back saying that we would find the man at the foot of a large oak tree with a hole between his eyes. Soon the army moved forward. The Confederates were in retreat. Sure enough at the foot of the tree was the dead Confederate that killed the Sergeant. The Com. will miss our comrade very much. He was a good soldier. Gen’l Grant goes by every once in awhile. He keeps track of all of the marching columns night and day. What an amount of pluck and endurance there is in that man. His escort have a hard time to keep up with. They have to have a change of horse to do it. Not many men in the army can ride as he can. He looks as though he had grown on the horse. The Confederates made a stand near Port Gibson [Mississippi] but soon had to fall back.
May 1st to May 5th 1863
We advance slowly. The enemy are falling back but contest the ground very sullen. At Raymond [Mississippi] we had quite a sharp fight. I was with Gen’l Stevenson on the battle near Raymond just as the Rebs commenced their retreat, heard a wounded Confed groan. Road out to him raised his head up and gave him a drink. He asked me for a chew of tobacco. Told him
I would get him one. Just then another called to me. I gave him a drink he also wanted tobacco. Rode back to the Gen’l told him I wanted tobacco for those poor dying men. Some of his staff gave me a good piece to divide with them. The poor fellows seemed to be very grateful. I think they had but very short time to live. I visited my brother who is in the 93 Ill. Inf. in Quinby’s [Isaac Ferdinand Quinby ?] division.
May 3rd 1863
We skirmished nearly all day. Finally took the main road to Vicksburg pressing the Confederates very closely.
May 4th 1863
We lay in camp all day. I visited the 93rd, answered several letters.
May 5th 1863
Rained all night last.
May 6th 1863
Still in camp waiting for pontoon bridge to come up.
May 7th 1863
Went about 6 or 7 miles on the Jackson Road.
May 10th 1863 - Sunday
Camped near Utica [Mississippi].
May 11th 1863 – Monday
Our brigade in advance. Had to wait for Cav. to move out. Had a skirmish.
May 12th 1863 – Tuesday
Today was fought the Battle of Raymond. Our brigade let into town. We camped near the town. Here the young ladies came to our head quarters. Seemed to think that we would take them to Vicksburg. I told them I thought we would spend 4th of July in Vicksburg.
May 13th 1863
We camped near the town of Clinton.
May 14th 1863 – Thursday
Our forces attacked the Confederates near Jackson and defeated them. Quinby’s Division done most of the fighting our brigade looked
May 14th 1863
We camped near Jackson today.
May 15th 1863
Camped on the Jackson & Vicksburg R.R.
May 16th 1863
We met the Confederate forces under Pemberton near Edwards Station [name changed back to Edwards shortly after war] and completely defeated them fighting the Battle of Champion Hill. Gen’l Stevenson’s brigade was on the right of the battle line. When Gen’l J.A. Logan came up and gave Gen. S. the orders to charge the battery on the hill. I was the only mounted man besides himself in the brigade. I don’t know where the staff was or where Charlie Currie was. I had been off duty for several days on account of getting my eye hurt but had got up to the front. The Gen’l rode up and said to me “Keep close, I may need you”. “All right” I says. The Inf. Col. asked me to help keep his men to the line. Our boys of the brigade went up the hill with a rush and cheer. They dropped around me pretty fast but I did not get hurt. The ground around the battery was covered with dead men and horses. When we reached the top of the hill our men lay down to get their breath and to get out of the way of canister and grape and shell from a Rebel battery in our front. The Gen’l gave me an order to take to the Col. of the 81st Ill. to charge across an open field in front of him and take a battery that was playing on him. I rode down along the hill as fast as my horse could run. Came to a deep and wide ditch that my horse failed to jump over and consequently I went over his
head but struck on my feet. The Gen’l saw me go down. He thought I was shot. He came riding up and enquired if I was hurt. I told him no but my horse was. He said take one out of the battery we had just taken. What a time I had taking that horse out and transferring my equipments to the artillery horse. I think I got the only horse in the battery that was not wounded or killed. He was covered with blood and most scared to death by the noise and smell of blood. The Serg’t in charge of the battery tried to help me some but the shells dropped around so close he gave it up and laid down with the Inf. the horse on the string behind of us was wounded and was surging and jumping to get loose. There were six horses on each gun. 3 of them on this gun were dead, 2 wounded. A shell dropped within about 10 feet of me and exploded. Don’t know whether it killed anyone or not but is scared the Serg’t so he would not help me. Well I finally got my horse saddled and mounted him and now the fun commenced. He was afraid of everything especially dead bodies. Sometimes he would hit the high places on the ground bus most generally he was in the air. About this time Hovey’s Division [Brig. Gen. Alvin P. Hovey’s 12th Division, XIII Corps] came up on our left drove the Confeds off the ridge so that we commenced to move down off the ridge. C. Currie came up and Gen’l Stevenson put him and I in the advance to draw the first fire.
The Battle of Champion Hill was over. Just ahead of us about 2 miles we could see the Confederate Army on the retreat. There was a R.R. station with 2 or 3 long trains on the tracks on fire. One train was ammunition. The shells were bursting and ammunition flying every which way. The fleeing Confeds seemed to give that train a wide berth. We took about 5000 prisoners, 36 pieces of artillery. That is the report. We do not know of course the exact figures. Rebels burnt the bridges across Black River so we will have to wait for pontoons when we get to the river. Our forces are now throwing bridges across Black River. Gen’l Sherman’s army corp. drove the Rebels across the river yesterday.
May 18th 1863 – Monday
We crossed the river this morning. Are now enroute for Vicksburg. The evenings are very pleasant, such beautiful moon light nights. We march sometimes nearly all night. When we do the band nearly always plays and we boys sing songs. Sometimes the whole brigade joins in with the Chorus accompanied by the bands. One night when the division was marching down a long hill, Gen’l Stevenson and his staff and clerks and orderlies were in front of the division when up came Gen’l Grant, Gen’l Sherman and Rosecrans. I don’t know how many other Gen’ls. but there was quite a crowd of officers. Gen’l Stevenson got the band to lead off with the song “Who Struck Bill Patterson?”. The whole brigade joined in.
It sounded fine. The Gen’ls were very much pleased with the music.
May 19th 1863 – Tuesday
We are within sight of the enemies breastworks. We camped last night within 6 miles of Vicksburg. Now the division is skirmishing with the enemy. I never saw such rough country. We go down into a gulch and ban bang goes guns overhead. Look up there are the Rebs shooting down at us. They hide in the brush so that all we can see is smoke from their guns. Gen’l Stevenson found the country was so rough it was impossible for horsemen to get along. Pretty soon he dismounted near an old stable and told his staff to dismount and asked me to take charge of the horses. I hated to do it, don’[t like this being hostler for officers but I don’t want to raise a row. I had the old stable full of horses. No feed for them within 8 or 10 miles that I know of. Every few minutes a shell would come sailing over my head. Believe me, the Johnnies have seen us around the stable and they are trying to hit it. When that one came close that’s just what they are doing. Will have to evacuate that stable pretty quick I guess.
May 20th 1863
We drove the enemy into their fortifications finally just before dark. I had to take the horses out of the stable and got them out none to soon for the Rebs sent a shell through the stable. Would have killed all of the horses I guess in the stable.
May 20th 1863 – Monday
Artillery and sharp shooting all day. Our troops are gradually drawing the lines closer every day. Haines Bluff was evacuated by the enemy today.
May 21st 1863 – Tuesday
Our troops are getting into line now. The Confederates are pretty well surrounded that is by our land forces and the fleet. Gun boats and mortar boats are getting into position. Don’t think the fleet can do much good except mortar fleet which may do some good.
May 22nd 1863
Our forces made an attempt to drive the Confederates from their position but were repulsed. The position was too strong. We have suffered a heavy loss. McClearnand’s division was inside of their lines once or twice but was forced back losing heavily.
May 23rd 1863 – Saturday
Enemy are strengthening their position so are our troops. Digging rifle pts and working on the breast works.
May 24th 1863
Hulbert’s Division came in today. Saw E. Pollard 46th Ill. Charlie Curry and myself have now pretty big job on our hands carrying dispatches over these hills to the brigade which are encamped in a gulch not far from the Confederate breast work. How they do like to shoot at me. I guess it is because my horse is near the color of Gen’l Grants favorite horse. Well if they don’t come any nearer hitting him than they do me, he is all right for a little while but some of their bullets sing pretty close.
May 30th 1863
Went down to brother Henry’s camp. Stayed nearly all day. The boys
of Henry’s com. all seem to think a great deal of him. He is Quarter Master Sergeant of the com. Has a good deal of work to do. Henry and I are together now quite often. We go blackberrying everyday or so. There are some of the finest wild blackberries and the biggest snakes around here I ever saw.
June 9th 1863 – Tuesday
A 94lb gun was put in position close to our head quarter tents this eve. I took nearly a reg’t of men to haul it on trucks after they had unhitched the horses from the truck. I think they had about 40 head of horses on the string when they came from the river with it. It will soon begin to make music for the Confederates. We can see the court house and most of the city from out camp.
June 12th 1863 – Friday
Rebels opened a mortar on us this morning. Gen’l John D.S. wanted to visit his brigade today. Wanted me to lead the way I had been taking dispatches to the Reg’t. I told him that Rebs would open up on us when we went over the ridge. He made light of it. Said he was not afraid to go where I had been going. I said all right, follow me and I will take you over the shortest route the way I have been carrying the orders. So him and his staff followed me and as we passed over the ridge between our big siege guns I guess the Confederates thought we were agoing to make a Cav. charge on their fort so they opened a heavy musketry fire all along the line in front of us and would undoubtedly have opened with artillery if the Gen’l and his staff had not made a run down the steep hill to the Reg’t who
were shouting all manners of things at the Gen’l such as grab a root, jump off and so on. It was a pretty close call for some of us. Don’t see how they could miss hitting some of us. Several of the staff lost their hats off from their heads I stopped and dismounted and picked up their hats which tickled the Johnnies more than anything else. They cheered me and stopped firing at me. The Gen’l was very much provoked at the style of his entry to his brigade and his old reg’t. The 6th Mo like nothing better than to get a joke on him. they yelled at him and laughed. I don’t know but what they would have done the same if he had been killed right there. They were the hardest set of uniforms we had in the army unless it was some of the drafted men from NY. The Gen’l wanted to lay the blame on me but the other officers of his staff said I was not to blame as I had warned him to look out. He told me not to go over the hill any more but to go around.
June 14th 1863 – Sunday
Was taken very sick last night with cramp colic. Came pretty near dying.
June 15th 1863 – Monday
Boys came after me and took me to camp so that they could take care of me. I was sick nearly 2 weeks. Came near having the old fever that I had in the hospital.
June 25th 1863
Our men blowed up the Rebs largest fort that they had undermined and when the explosion took place it was a signal for a
general attack all along the line. Our brigade charged into the open that was made but the Confeds had made preparations for just such a move and had another line of breast works back of the one blown up and enfilading fire on our boys in the crater. Our troops were repulsed with a great loss. I don’t think that Grant will try that again. He had better take more time and starve them out. I watched the dead and wounded as they were brought off. I was very anxious to hear from my brother. His reg’t was in the fight. It was a fearful sight to stand by one of the tables and see the wounded come in and see the surgeons cut off their limbs. They kept two men busy carrying off basket fulls of amputated limbs.
June 26th 1863 – Friday
I went down to Henrys camp. I found him sick in the reg’t hospital. He had carried off from the battlefield (after the reg’t had withdrawn from the field) one of his wounded men who would weigh about 175 lbs and he had got wet through as it had rained an cold chilly rain and the boys were in the shirt sleeves. Henry had taken a severe chill. He was very sick. I was setting on his bunk talking to him I heard some of boys outside yell look out. I raised the tent and looked and saw a solid cannon ball came bounding down the hill. Rolled into the tent. I put my foot down to stop it. I thought it had lost all it’s force but found it was pretty lively yet for it hurt my foot.
June 30th 1863 – Tuesday
Henry is no better. He is in the division hospital. I am afraid he is worse than the Dr imagine. Wish he were home. I went out a gathered him some black berries. He relished them very much. We were mustered in for pay. We rec’d $50.00
July 1st 1863 – Wednesday
I went out with the com. to escort a paymaster out to the troops in the rear. We rode about 30 miles. While we were going down a long hill my horse fell down with me and rolled on to my left leg. The boys said they heard my leg crack. They were sure that it was broke. There I was 30 miles from our camp. Guerillas said to be thick all around. Well there was no other way but ride back to our camp so the boys took turns holding me on the horse. I suffered awfully all the way back to camp. When I got back there I could not stand up alone.
July 2nd 1863
Bro Henry was sent to the river to the hospital boat Crescent City to be sent home. I lent him $10. I hope he will get home all right for he is a very sick boy. I am miserable lame can hardly walk. Would have gone back to Stevenson’s head quarters if I had not got this hurt.
July 3rd 1863
Flag of truce came over the lines today. Wonder if they are thinking about surrendering. I heard Gen’l Grant say that we would have a big 4th of July celebration if they did wo[unintelligible] the breast works were soon covered with both the blue and the Rebs. The Rebs wanted tobacco and anything
they could. I think from their looks they are pretty hungry. My impression is that there are agoing to surrender. Well almost about 5 o’clock in the eve some of the guns from both sides began to talk again. You ought to see how we all crawl off. The [unintelligible] every body hunt their holes.
July 4th 1863
Everything still. Orders to clean up and put a days ration in haversacks. No firing on the line. This morning about 8 o’clock we get the news that Vicksburg has surrendered. Gen’l Logan’s division is to take possession. We look off to the city. We see the Stars and Stripes go up on the court and then hear the salute from the fleet. Gen’l Grant and McPherson and staff and body guard, Logan and his division and then Com. A. the Confederates march out and stack their arms. Then we all go in. What a 4th. We are put on Provo Guard as soon as we came into the city. We have to hustle some of the Confederates out to their cam as they had commenced to pillage the houses. We gave away about all of our provision when we came into the city to the half starved sick. We had orders to take possession of the big livery and stable but found it was stinking of dead bodies that ought to have been buried 5 or 6 days ago so we camp in the streets. Our teams with camp stuff has not come in. will not get in before tomorrow and I’ve nothing to eat, ourselves or horses.
July 5th 1863
We are on Provo patrolling the city. Our teams came in this morning. We are camped in a nice lawn to a buck house which we are using for a hospital.
July 5th 1863 – Vicksburg
Confederates are to be paroled as fast as their officers can make out the papers. Confederate officers are on the drunk most of the time. We had to talk pretty loud to some of them.
July 6th 1863
On patrol guard all night.
July 7th 1863
Dispatch Orderly to Gen’l Logan at the court house. The Rebel women coming in from all quarters to draw rations. Comes kid hard on them to ask help from the [unintelligible]
of the North.
July 13th – July 28th 1863
Camp duties details &c. Rcv’d a letter from my brother Platt giving me the first news of my brother Henry’s death a Memphis on July 13th 1863. It seemed that the boat that Henry was put on did not leave until after Vicksburg had surrendered. The boat came down the Vicksburg and loaded up the sick and unloaded at Memphis. Henry’s com. had rec’d the official notice of Henry’s death. Ed Pease of his com. come over to see me today.
July 28th 1863
Orderly to Dr. Keto office Post Surgeon Vicksburg. Lieut. Cummins resigned.
Aug 3rd 1863 - Monday
Dr. Keto moved today.
Aug 4th 1863 – Tuesday
Charlie Curry came down to see me. He had a furlough and wanted me to get one. The Com. had given all the furloughs they were entitled so Charlie said the Gen’l would give me one. Went up to the Gen’l head quarters asked him for one. He told his clerk to make out one for me and send it up for Logan to sign it.
Aug 6th 1863
Orderly at the Provo Marshall’s office.
Aug 7th 1863 – Friday
Rec’d our furloughs. Have to wait for boat.
Aug 8th 1863 – Saturday – Vicksburg
C. Curry and me started for home on board the Continent [possibly Continental] about 10 o’clock am. Two of three Reg’t of 9 month men on board going home. There ware a very quarrelsome and ugly set of men. Hey had not been in the army long enough to get used to any discipline and just long enough to learn all of the vices and manners of camp life. I think there must have been 3 or 4 expert pickpockets on board who were plying their trade in good earnest. My companion C.C. was very careless in dress and in fact in everything he done. He had quite a roll of greenbacks with him and notwithstanding my remonstrance’s he would carry his money in his pants watch pocket and shove his watch down on top of the roll so that the bunch would show plainly. Everytime he too out his watch, his money would be in sight. I noticed a hard looking case come up to him and ask him what time of day it was. Charlie pulled out his watch and told him. I saw the fellow look at C’s pocket and when the man turned around and noticed me looking as this watch he muttered something about his watch was not wound up and had stopped. I told C. that he had better change his money to another pocket if he did not want it stole from him but he said I was too suspicious. Well I says it’s your money but I don’t know how long it will be. Before night he came to me looking pretty blue saying he was busted up. I supposed he had been foolish to take a hand at cards and had lost
it as that was one of his faults. He would gamble and generally lose. Now I had to lend him money but would not let him have only a small amount at a time gear he would louse that. I did not have but a small amount not half he had lost. Now I looked around for the man that was so anxious to know what time of day it was. He was out of sight. Guess he was satisfied he knew all about the time.
Aug 10th 1863 – Monday
Landed at Memphis. That was a far as the boat was agoing so we had to wait for another boat. We stopped at the Nashman hotel. If we had been all of the occupants that room we took that night we could have probably slept very well that night but we had more bed fellows than we counted for and the night was very warm. We were glad enough when the morning light peeped in through the one little window of our room. We left the hotel as soon as we could breakfast.
Aug 11th 1863 – Tuesday
Went aboard about noon. We are now passing some of the places that are war memorials for all time. Island No. 10, Columbus, Belmont and C forth.
Aug 12th 1863 – Wednesday
We arrived at Cairo about noon. Cairo is on a boom. There is so much business done here on account of the [missing word]
Aug 13th 1863 – Thursday
Left Cairo about 3 pm. Arrived at Dixon 2 o’clock in the morning. Put up at the Nachusa House.
Aug 14th 1863 – Friday
Left Dixon at 1 pm. Arrived at Morrison 2 pm. Frank Clendenin met me at the train and took me out to the farm.
]
Now I spent the time visiting and being visited and entertained. I would have enjoyed myself very much if my brother Henry had been alive and with us but it did not see like home without him. I have seen so much sickness and had so many disappointments and trial. Have seen so much misery and horrors of war. It seemed as though I was almost an old man. The fields that once looked so green with summer covering. The wood that moved in the breeze with the deep green foliage that once looked so beautiful to my youthful eyes now seem to have a sad and colorless cast. All things seemed changed to me. Even the friends had changed. No longer the prank and joyous schoolmate met me at the church and S.G. all seemed sad and their minds preoccupied with business cares and worries of another life. I know the change was mostly within my own self. I was restless and unsatisfied something seemed lacking. I missed the compassion of my youth. What a fearful price . We as a family had already paid for the country’s cause. No one can begin to appreciate what it is to give up a brother or son unless they have been over the same rocky road. My mother watched me with a sad longing look I could hardly stand. I knew she was thinking now he will soon have to go back. Will he ever return again to this home? Was it much satisfaction to us for me to come home and stir up
old memories and then have to go back again into what almost seemed the very jaws of Hell. Well I can hardly stay around the old home. To think what might have been if this war had not come up. I had to put on a careless reckless air to cover my real feeling. I don’t know but I think my mother could see through the disguise I tried to put on. I think perhaps that worried her more than anything else. I think she saw that I was acting a part I did not feel. If I had only been a good Christian boy at that I would had a friend ever near me. One I could lean upon, one that would have always helped me to bear [sic] my burdens. One to whom I could always have called upon im my hours of [unintelligible] and distresses.
Aug 30th 1863 – Sunday
Henry’s funeral sermon was preached at the school house today. The school house was filled. I could not put my mind on the sermon. Could only think of Henry at the hospital dying among strangers. While I was thinking and hoping he was nearing his earthly home. Yes he was going home but not an earthly home. Will I ever reach that home?
Aug 31st 1863 – Monday
Spent the day at Albany. Was initiated into the IOGT [International Organization of Good Templars ?]. Had considerable fun with the girls. I suppose they thought that I was now very safe from ever becoming an Inebriate. Well I did not need the pledges I took for whiskey is no temptation for me.
I spent a few days in Albany. In some respects I enjoyed the visit there more but very few of the boys that I used to go with at Albany at home. Most of them were in the army.
Sept 1st 1863 – Tuesday
Ed Buck took me home in the morning. Went over to Morrison in the afternoon.
Sept 3rd 1863 – Thursday
Let home this morning for the army again. When I came to step onto the train found Miss Mary E. Pease on the train. She was going to Sterling to visit with Mollie Myers an old school mate. Mary tried pretty hard to coax me to stop at Sterling and visit with her but to stop at Sterling and visit with her but I had promised to stop at DuQuoin and visit a few days with Mr. Sprague’s folks and with Jane Chandler. Mary seemed disappointed and I think perhaps if my promise had not already been given but I had to do some fibbing to get off. I think Mary mush have seen though it. One thing I did not like Mollie Myers one bit. Mary would have gone part way to the army if I had coaxed her one half as much as she coaxed me to stop at Sterling.
Sept 4th 1863 – at DuQuoin Illinois
Arrived at DuQuoin today. Had a very pleasant time.
Sept 5th 1863
C.C. [Charlie Curry] came down on the noon train. Capt. Hotaling and Gen’l Logan were on the same train. Mr. C. and I concluded to stay over Sunday. Capt. Told us that the com. was at Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans.
Sept 6th 1863 – Sunday
We spent the day at Mr. Sprague’s. Went to church and S.S. [Sunday School?]. The weather was miserable warm.
Sept. 6th 1863 – Monday
We bid goodbye to Ill. Left DuQuoin 2 o’clock in the PM. Arrive at Cairo in the eve. Went on board of City of Perking down the river.
Sept 9th 1863 – Wednesday
Saw L. Powell at Fort Pillow,
Sept 10th 1863 – Thursday
Arrived at Memphis. Went out to the cemetery. Saw Henry’s grave. It is about 80 rod below Fort Pickering.
Sept 11th 1863 – Friday
We are at Helena unloading some freight.
Sept 12th 1863
At the mouth of the White River.
Sept 13th 1863
Vicksburg. We found [initial unintelligible] Hotaling here waiting to go down the river. I went out to the 93rd Ill. They were out on a scout. Saw Ed Pease.
Sept 14th 1863
Went aboard the S. [Sam] Gaty. Arrived at Natchez at 4 pm. Stayed with E. Pollard all night. Was around the city with him.
Sept 16th 1863
Gen’l Grant and Adj. Gen’l Thomas came up the river from N Orleans. That stayed here last night. Gen’l U.S.G. is quite sick. The [sic] passed on up the river this morning.
Sept 17th 1863
On board the Atlantic. Passed Baton Rouge and Port Hudson in the night.
Sept 18th 1863 – Friday
New Orleans quite cold. Boys camped near Carrollton
Sept 19th 1863
Went down to the city.
Sept 20th 1863
Went to Lake Providence bathing.
Sept 22nd 1863 – At Carrollton
One of our boys died – Geo. Winters.
Sept 23rd 1863
I am quite sick.
Sept 24th 1863
On guard last night. Went to the city. I am better today.
Sept 25th 1863
I saw E. Pollard and all of the [unintelligible] boys. Rec’d three or four letters.
Oct. 1st 1863
On duty at Gen’l Ords head quarters, 18th army corps.
Oct 3rd 1863
With Lieut. McHenry drawing clothing for com. Expect to leave tomorrow for Brashear City.
Oct 4th 1863
Moved across the river to Algiers [Louisiana\. I am orderly. We are on the cars started for Brashere City about 4 pm. Landed Brashere City 12:00. Crossed the bay.
Oct 7th 1863
Move this morning Burbridges Division in advance. Encamped at a place where the Rebel gus boat Cotton was burned. We went on with headquarters to Franklin, 28 miles from Berrwicks City. We expected an attack during the night but did not see any Rebels.
Oct 8th 1863 – Thursday
Left Franklin soon after daylight. I am on advance guard. A boat just passed up the bayou with Gen’l Ord on it. Went into camp near New Iberia [Louisiana].
Oct 10th 1863
Marched early. I am on picket. Camp near Vermillion [possibly Vermillionville, LA].
Oct 11th 1863
On patrol guard. We have stinking meat and wormy biscuits.
Oct 12th 1863
Rained at night. Drove us out of our beds. We got wet. Stayed in an old corn crib part the night.
Oct 13th 1863 – Head Quarters 13th Army Corps
On Provo Guard
Oct 14th 1863
Went out on a scout with Col. Mudd [Lt. Col. John J. Mudd]. Went 12 or 14 miles but did not see any Rebs. Drove in some ponies. Com. I of our Reg’t, some of the 3rd Ill, Cav., some of the 6th MO, 5 com 10 Ind. Mounted Inf. We got back to camp sometime after dark. Heard considerable cannonading supposed to be the 19th army [unintelligible].
Oct 15th 1863
Am orderly today. Hear cannonading in front. Our force was attacked by a force of Inf. and Cav. I guess we will move up tomorrow. Quite a number of Texans are coming in to join the army. Gen’l McGuiness Division. Our Cav [sic]. Our Cav. charged and drove them.
Oct 16th 1863 – Friday
Still and pleasant. Had strange dreams of home, of my brother Henry. What can it mean?
Oct 17th 1863
Escort for Gen Washburn [Cadwallader C. Washburn] to Gen Franklin’s head quarters. Rode about 40 miles. Very tired and lame. Gen’l W. commands the Division and Gen’l Ord the expedition.
Oct 20th 1863
Went to New Iberia. Escort to Gen’l Ord who is going to N. Orleans. Sick hard ride. Camped in a field.
Oct 23rd 1863
Rained hard last night. Had a very cold ride. I am an orderly. Rained all day. Troops have all left except two or three reg’t. Gen Banks has gone back to New Orleans sick leaving the command to Gen’l Ord and then Gen’l Ord was taken sick so Gen’l Franklin [William B. Franklin] was the next in command.
Oct 24th 1863 – Saturday
We are out with forage train. We have some very nice camps. Heavy timber, trees full of moss hanging down low but we have some hard riding to do. We heard from three of our boys that we’re carrying a dispatch. They were cut off by a squad of Rebs. C. Curry, C. Hodson, J. Parsons. [further reading indicates these three were captured]
Oct 25th 1863 – Monday
Boys went to New Iberia. Done some writing. Went out to arrest some men in the country.
Oct 29th 1863 – Thursday
Rainy. Com. out foraging. I am still on orderly duty. The 1st Division have come back to their old camp. N. Hotaling came back to the com. Antisdale died at N.O. on the 12th.
Oct 30th 1863 – At Camp Vermillion
I wrote to Mrs. Lindsey Antistale’s sister.
Nov 1st 1863
Broke camp and went to camp near New Iberia.
Nov 2nd 1863
Camped at Franklin
Nov 3rd 1863
Orderly today. Camped at Berwick.
Nov 4th 1863 – Berwicks Bay
Ordered back to New Iberia to report to A.J. Lee, commanding Cav. Started back this morning. Camped at old camp at Franklin.
Nov 5th 1863
On picket last night.
Nov 6th 1863
Moved into town of Iberia. Read letter from one of ur boys who was taken prisoner, Jim Parson.
Nov 7th 1863
Arrived at Vermillion today. The army has all fallen back to this place.
Nov 8th 1863 – Sunday
Wrote to C. Hodson’s sister & J. Parsons father. I am on picket.
Nov 9th 1863
Rebs tried to run in our picket. Rec’d ambrotype from a friend JUP.
Nov 10th 1863
Very cool and pleasant. We have cool pleasant nights. We enjoy the climate while the inhabitants seem to suffer with the cold. We have not suffered with the heat or cold very much except when we have to do hard riding. We can’t get acquainted with the people here. They are about half French. This country was the last country on earth for the Negro. He never expected to ling long after being sent to the country. He ended his days here no more to tote a weary load. No matter it will never be light. No more to totter on the road. My old Kentucky home good night.
Nov 11th 1863
Went out this morning with a brigade of cavalry and mounted infantry also a section of light artillery a reconnoitering. Went to Carrion Bayou when the Rebs came out in too large force for us. We commenced to retreat. They pursued us to close we had to fight them all the time. Some of the time our com. was all on a skirmish line. Here one of our boys William Crossley or Crosby was killed. He was riding by my side. He fell against my horse. I got the Lieut. To rally the men so that two of the boys dismounted and laid him over his horse and one of them held him on and so we took him into our cam that night. We had a pretty tough little fight. The Reg’t had 3 killed and 11 wounded and taken prisoner. I think I killed the man who killed Crosby. He was shouting and crowing because he saw Crosby go off his horse and I got good aim on him and he went off
his horse. The Confeds chased us until we got with 4 or 5 miles of our camp when reinforcements came to us and they had to take back track for their camp. We buried Crosby that night in the woods near a big oak tree. I think he was scared to deathly nearly before he was shot. It was the first battle he had ever been. He had somehow shirked out of every fight until that day. He pleaded sickness but the Orderly Serg’t would not let him off. I noticed how pale he was and how excited he became when the fight opened and had just been scolding him for the way he was shooting. He seemed to fire up in the air the most of the time. I see that he tried to keep so that I would be between him and the enemy. The bullet that killed him came very near hitting me first. He had but very few friends in the com. Most everyone in the com. looked on him as a shirk when it came to going on picket or on a scout. I think he had a premonition that he would be killed.
Nov 13th 1863 – Friday
On picket today. The forage train is out and the force guarding the train is having a lively time guarding it. Quite a large force of Confeds are in sight circling around but don’t seem to want to bring on an engagement. We can see the maneuvers from our post. Our cook brought me letters out from camp. There is a Confed now reconnoitering our lines out of range of our rifles. They have proper respect for our guns.
Nov 14th 1863 – Saturday
We were relieved from picket about 8 o’clock. I was detailed as orderly for Col. Bush. Don’t like this being orderly for a Colonel. Bad enough to be one for a Gen’l.
Nov 15th 1863 – Sunday
Quite warm today. We expect to move tomorrow.
Nov 16th 1863
Broke camp at 5 o’clock in the morning. 3rd and 2nd Ill Cav in the advance. Went into camp at New Iberia at 5 pm. The Inf. seven miles back.
Nov 17th 1863
Pleasant. Com. out foraging. I had a chance to write some letters today.
Nov 18th 1863
Moved camp three miles out of town.
Nov 19th 1863
Boys out on picket. I wrote some letters today.
Nov 20th 1863 – New Iberia
Our Cav. captured about 100 Rebs and broke up their camp. I being an orderly did not get a chance to go along on the scout. Col. Bush is not well. I was up town with the Col. when the prisoners came in. Rained some today.
Nov 21st 1863 – Saturday
The boys came in this morning.
Nov 22nd 1863 – Sunday
Went to the Catholic church with Col. Bush. Rec’d letters one from E. Pollard [Elliot E. Pollard] 46 Ill Inf. Com. went out in the eve about 9 o’clock on some expedition or other.
Nov 23rd 1863 – New Iberia
Boys returned in the afternoon with 22 prisoners. Surprised a picket camp so this orderly business looses me many chances for fight. Don’t like to be an orderly.
Nov 25th 1863 – Wednesday
Cold and windy. Reg’t out on a scout. Came in in the evening with 72 prisoners. 13 were taken with the forage train. Our cav. charged the Confeds 9 miles.
Nov 26th 1863
Thanksgiving today. Did not have any turkey. This country no good for Thanksgiving.
Nov 27th 1863
Twenty of the com. out on a scout.
Nov 28th 1863
Rain Rain. Boys came in, saw nothing.
Nov 30th 1863 – Monday
Com. went out. 20 of them to stand picket at a bridge. While some cav. drove in some cattle came across 16 Rebs. Took them in of course.
Dec 2nd 1863
Boys out. Took 5 prisoners. One may die.
Dec 3rd 1863
Near New Iberia steeple chase race. Some eastern officers think their English bred horses can do wonders on a run.
Dec 4th 1863
Boys out today. Signed pay rolls.
Dec 5th 1863
Rec’d our pay $98.20. Settled up our clothing after settling up my acc’t caused by my visit home. Find I have $39.70. Rcv’d 6 letters today.
Dec 6th 1863
Boys out on picket. I don’t have much to do as Col. Bush is not very well and I expect somewhat lazy. Wish some other boy would have suited him better as orderly.
Dec 8th 1863 – Tuesday – Near New Iberia
Rained last night. I went out with the com. today. We had a very hard ride. We got back about dark. Drove in 1000 head cattle.
Dec 13th 1863 – New Iberia
Com. all out on a scout.
Dec 14th 1863
Inspection by a Maj. On Gen’l Banks staff.
Dec 15th 1863
Ben Boyce went home today to recruit. Got out tents from N. Orleans and set them up. Commenced blowing and raining.
Dec 16th 1863
Boys went on picket. Cold and windy. Went up to town. This is a slow buss. Being orderly for Col. Bush.
Dec 17th 1863
Part of our brigade goes off this morning up the river. Very cold.
Dec 19th 1863
3rd Division, 13 Army Corps moved towards Brashere City.
Dec 20th 1863
Very warm.
Dec 24th 1863
On Picket.
Dec 25th 1863
Christmas on picket. Orders for enlisting in veteran corps. Don’t think the boys will go in very heavy.
Dec 26th 1863 – Camp near New Iberia, LA
C. Hodgson & C. Curry & J. Parsons are here visitiong. They are paroled prisoners. They are going to N. Orleans soon.
Dec 28th 1863
Com. went to Abeville. Hard ride.
Dec 30th 1863
Horse sick.
Jan 1st 1864 – Camp near New Iberia, LA
Very cold for this country. Com. went on Picket. I had a dish of oysters for dinner.
Jan 2nd 1864 – Saturday
Rcv’d 5 letters. 87 Ill went to Franklin today.
Jan 3rd 1864
Com. out with forage train. I wrote some letters.
Jan 5th 1864
40 of the com. put their names down on the veteran list.
Jan 6th 1864
Sleeted and snowed last night. We went on picket today.
Jan 7th 1864
Came off picket at noon. Orders to be ready to move.
Jan 8th 1864
Broke camp this morning. Very cold and bad roads. We are in the advance. Those enlisted in the Veteran’s Corp expect to turn in the camp equipage at Franklin. We are bout half way to Franklin. I traded my Clay Bank horse to Sgt. Butterfield for his grey mare. She is the easiest horse I ever rode. On guard tonight.
Jan 9th 1864
Broke camp early. Arrived at Franklin in the PM. Camped near town.
Jan 10th 1864
All quiet in camp all day.
Jan 11th 1864 – Monday
Started early. Arrived at Berwick Bay. Very rainy. We took possession of a barn late at night. This is the rainy season here.
Jan 12th 1864
Rained all day. Camp near Berwick. Still in the barn. Expect to leave tomorrow.
Jan 14th 1864 – Thursday
Loaded on boat to cross Berwick Bay. To late for cars.
Jan 15th 1864 - Friday
Loaded on cars this morning for Algiers, LA. Left Berwick at 7am. Arrived at Algiers 3 pm. We crossed the Miss. River in the afternoon. Went into camp in the Picayune
We crossed the Miss. River in the afternoon. Went into camp in the Picayune cotton [unintelligible] where some of the reg’t has been in camp a long time. I stayed with James Parsons and Charlie Hogsdon overnight at Parole Camp.
Jan 17th 1864 – New Orleans
Inspection on foot. Expect to move to Gen’l Ord’s head quarters. Very pleasant and warm.
Jan 20th 1864
I rec’d six letters today.
Jan 21st 1864
Went out with the com. on drill up at Gen’l Ord’s head quarters. Expect to move tomorrow.
Jan 23rd 1864
Gov/t inspected and appraised our horses. My horse appraised at $125. The gov’t might as well have disbanded the Reg’t. That is our opinion now. We think we will get justice for this insult but don’t lay the blame on the administration. We believe it is all the fault of Gen’l Banks. He wants some of our fine horses for some of his pets to ride. Much good they will do him. it will cost the gov’t twice as much to keep us in horses with a US branded on them as it would have cost to let us still ride our own horses.
Jan 25th 1864 – Monday
Relieved from a 5 days guard today. I am rambling around the city going to the opera and theatres whenever I feel like it. A person sees some strange sight in this old town. We go out to Lake Pontchartrain to bath and then
hire a rig and ride out on the shell road or go out on the train which goes out to the lake every hour.
Jan 29th 1864 – Sunday
I went to church but it as so crowded that I came away. The whole city turns out on the streets Sunday. Some very fine looking and aristocratic people. Gen’l Ord is trying to get us back to his head quarters but Gen’l Banks don’t like western reg’t and will likely bother Ord from getting us back. I am on detached service so much that I do not have as much guard and drill duty to do as the rest of the com. do. Charlie Curry is at one of the hospitals here. He comes over to see me quite often.
Feb 1st 1864 – Monday
I rec’d 4 or 5 letters this morning. Had my pho [sic] taken. I write a good many letters. Spend most all of my wages on something fit to eat and attending the theater. The woman huxters or peddlers come into camp about meal time with steak and mashed potatoes and it tastes more like home than greasy bacon and hard tack.
Feb 2nd 1864 – New Orleans
I am detailed as orderly to an ordinance officer who is on Col. Dudley’s staff acting Gen’l 3rd Brigade, Gen’l Lee’s Division of Cav. Now I will have to keep my shoes or boots blacked up, horse clean and put on style till I can’t rest. I suppose well Capt. Granger is not a very bad officer. Don’t think he belongs to any of these Eastern Reg’ts. There is 3 or 4 Eastern Reg’t camped here in the press. We don’t like them on bit, especially their officers.
Feb 3rd 1864 – New Orleans
The veterans moved to another camp today. I am kept pretty busy carrying dispatches for the ordinance office. Gen’l Banks is fitting up this army for some move. That is one thing he seems to know how to do but I have no faith in his leadership. Believe he is a failure. At least that is his record in the East before he was sent to this department.
Feb 6th 1864 – Saturday
I was out the morning early on my round carrying dispatches and as I came back to camp, met the division of Cav. going out on drill and review. Lieut. McHenry wanted me to join as color guard but one of Dudley little dud officers saw some dirt on my horse and came riding up. Asked me what reg’t I belonged to. Told him 2nd Ill Cav. Said for me to go back to camp under arrest because my horse was not clean. I tried to explain. Told me not to talk back to him. told him to go to the devil or some other place. He started to draw his saber. I bulled my revolver and he he put up his saber. I told him I just as soon put a hole in him as not. I think he thought so by the way he rode off. The brigade was presented with a flag by Miss Minnie Banks, Gen’l Banks daughter. The poor people here call Gen’l Banks the rich mans friend and Gen’l Butler, the poor mans friend.
Feb 7th 1864 – Sunday
Cool and pleasant sitting on a bench in Jackson Square.
Feb 11th 1864 – New Orleans
Boys out to Carrollton on drill. I was not on review Tuesday. Tuesday was a gay day in the city. It was Mcgrando [Mardi Gras] day. Everybody out, large crowds in masks. They keep up the fun until 12 o’clock at night.
Feb 12th to 15th 1864
I did not do much duty. I got the Lieut. To excuse me from duty at head quarters. Did not like to have anything to do with Dudley’s officers.
Feb 15th 1864
We escorted the veterans to their boot. Maj. Marsh made them a speech at the foot of Clay monument. Gilmore’s Band was in attendance when we arrived. Gen’l McClenard was at the wharf and made a speech. It commenced raining jus as we started back to camp so we got soaking wet. Boat life in the evening.
Feb 20th 1864
Rcv’d my pay for horse $120 in vouchers discount five dollars. Paid up some of my debts borrowed money.
Feb 22nd 1864 – Monday
New Orleans big celebration today. I set on the unfinished walls of the Custom House and looked down on the crowd. Gilmore Band of 100 men played on the steps of Clay’s monument. We had all the army bands out and the street was full of people as far as we could see. St. Charles and Canal Street looked gay. Commodore Farragut’s fleet and part of Porter’s fleet were in sight and fired a salute.
Feb 27th 1864 –New Orleans
From the 23rd to 27th I did not go on duty. Much attended the theatres and amused myself much as possible. This is my 25th anniversary of my birth. Grand review today. I am off duty today. I rec’d letters and wrote letter.
Feb 28th 1864 – New Orleans
Inspection this morning. We have to keep our arms looking bright also our clothing and horses clean. I went to the varieties theatre in the eve.
Feb 29th 1864 – Monday
Mustered in for pay. Expect to cross the river at 6pm. I gave Lieut. McHenry seventy dollars to express home for me. Crossed the river about dusk. Went about six miles above Algiers. Boys nearly all drunk.
Mar 2nd 1864 – Wednesday
Cold last night but pleasant today. We are still waiting order to move. Marched in the pm. Went about 12 miles and went into camp. The two other Regt’s came up in the night.
Mar 3rd 1864 – Thursday
Started about 10 o’clock. Camped 4 o’clock in an open field.
Mar 4th 1864 – Friday
Started early and rode hard until about 4pm. Camped in a field.
Mar 5th 1864 – Saturday
Started early. Camped at Donaldsonville [LA] on the river.
Mar 6th 1864 – Sunday
Left the river this morning. Marched on the road beside Bayou Lafourche our con. In the advance on picket.
Mar 7th 1864
Cross Bayou Lafourche at Tiptonville. Camped near the RR. About 1 o’clock a large train of artillery is passing.
Mar 8th 1864
We left camp early. We passed the other troops and hurried on to Brashere. We arrived there about 12 o’clock at night very tired.
Mar 9th 1864 – Brashere City, LA
Raining. We are waiting to cross the bay. Crossed the bay about 12 o’clock, camped on the other side. Raining quite hard. The rest of our brigade is here. We expect to march for New Iberia.
Mar 10th 1864
Marched early. Camped with 4 miles of Franklin. Expect to remain here until Mon. Once more we are back among the half French and Mexican or Spaniels [sic] here. On our patrols we cross swamps and some heavy timber. Great country this for the horned owl. While we are on picket we hear them talking. Some of the boys get nervous when they hear the owls talk. What beautiful moon lights we have. Seem to me the moon can shine brighter down here than any county I have been in.
Mar 12th 1864
Am on guard. Inspection by Col. Dudley. Sent home by express $70.50. Boys don’t like the Col. a little bit. He had better not get in front of the 2nd in a fight or he might accidentally get shot. Some of the boys are very careless how they shoot.
Mar 13th 1864 – Sunday
We broke camp at 7 o’clock in the eve. On the road all night. Got to Franklin at daylight.
Mar 14th 1864 – Monday
March through to Iberia. Camped on our old camp ground. We have 4 reg’t in the brigade, 1st NH, 3rd and 6th Mass and 2nd Ill, all Cav. 2nd Brigade in advance.
Mar 15th 1864 – Tuesday
3rd Brigade in advance. Marched through St. Martins. Some Rebs in advance on horse of 6th MO shot. We make quite a show on our march. One whole division of Cav, 4 brigades, 4 Reg’t at each Brigade.
Mar 16th 1864
4th Brigade in the advance. Our com. and [unintelligible] in extreme advance. We saw some Rebs camped at Opelousas, very pleasant.
Mar 17th 1864
3rd Brigade in the advance. We are waiting to the rear this morning. Don’t like the rear. Have to be bothered so much by the long train of wagons. What a sight of trouble it is to move an army even if only 10 or 15 thousand men. The inhabitants gaze at our troops as we bo by. Some of them can’t imagine where so many people come from. Left camp about 2 pm passed through Washington at which place we crossed Bayou Contalon. Marched about 10 miles. Went into camp, report that Alexandria on Red River taken by our fleet.
Mar 18th 1864 – Friday
Brigade in advance. Buglers blowing Boots and Saddle. We will soon have to crawl out. Camped about 10pm.
Mar 19th 1864 – Near Red River
Started early. Expect to go through to Alexandria by night. Two boys have not come up yet. Think they have deserted. Names are [unintelligible] and Sanford. They are recruits from New Orleans. Camped with a mile of Alexandria in the evening. This country is or was the Negro’s last place of slavery. When he was sent to the cotton and sugar fields of Red River country, he expected that he would end his days here as this country has always been a sickly place. All infectious diseases such as small pox, yellow fever and sometimes cholera. Were sure to strike this country such diseases as measles were here all the time.
March 20th 1864
About 8000 Rebs came out to this place to meet us but hearing we had to large force for them and that Alexandria was in our possession they fell back towards Shreveport. The day before we came, we marched through Alexandria. Our Reg’t in advance. Camped about 2 miles from town. There was 10 or 12 gun boats laying in front of town. Rained some in the night. We expect to go to Shreveport soon. 185 miles, cool and pleasant today.
Mar 21st 1864
Raining. Wrote home. A large scouting party went out today. Some fighting going on about 15 miles out. 5 of our Reg’t were out foraging. They took 4 prisoners who were on picket. Rained all day. On guard at a house. Gloomy time.
Mar 22nd 1864 – Alexandria
Boys are out on a scout. I am not going. My horse is sick. They returned at night.
Mar 23rd 1864 – Wednesday
Wrote to C. Curry at New Orleans. Rec’d letters and papers from home.
Mar 24th 1864 – Thursday
200 Rebel prisoners passed here that our men took the other day. Also 5 pieces of cannon. They are about all there is left of the 2nd LA. Went out to a false alarm on the picket. The 14th New York or as they called themselves the Blood 14th were nearly always in trouble. When they were out on picket, they don the most of their fighting in camp. If they could get whiskey then they were a very brave set that is if there was no enemy in sight. I think they were the most disagreeable lot of men there was in the army. I think they were about all bounty jumpers or drafted men. Fight and quarrel all day when in camp and no good in the field.
Mar 25th 1864 – Friday
Pleasant. Inspection and signing pay rolls. Orders to be ready to march in an hours notice after 4 o’clock in the morning.
Mar 26th 1864 – Saturday
On the move today in the rear of army train. Warm. On picket at night we were. Report that our fleet has taken Shreveport. Camped on banks of Red River an on old Rebel encampment.
Mar 30th 1864 – Camp on Red River
Reg’t went out on a scout last night, 400 of them. We are on guard. Broke camp about 10 o’clock. Crossed the bridge in advance. Our com advance guard. Skirmished all day. A squad of Rebs who seemed to in the rear of Rebel army were shooting at us all day. Lieut. Mc Henry had Bellows and Smith dismount and try them. Smith and B fired without taking much sight. I got down on one knee and elevated over them some. Did not fire until after S&B had fired. The Rebs had jeered at them but after they shot, I fired at them. They didn’t not holler any more but one of them fell off his horse, the rest of them rode away. We mounted and rode up to the place where they was standing. There lay a large young man across the road dead with a bullet hole through his breast. He was a your fair complexioned fellow. I was sorry if I killed which the boys said I did but that was my business and his. He had a large ring on one of his fingers. Some of the boys pulled him out of the road and we left alone in his glory. Pretty soon we approached Kane River. We could see the smoke rolling up ahead of us and we were certain that the Rebs were trying to burn up the bridge so we moved up pretty lively when all at once the Rebs opened up on us from the banks of the river with a big volley. We dismounted and run along the fence and in a few minutes we had a lively fight on our hand.
I got inside of a Negro shanty and knocked out a window and commenced shooting out the window but I soon found the cabin walls were only dobe [sic] walls. Bullets came through like so much paper. I had to get out of the but in a few moments I saw the Rebs beginning to get out so I crawled over the fence and made tracks for the burning bridge which I found was a wooden pontoon made with scow boats fastened together with planks on top of them. I jumped on to the nearest and from that o another until I got to the bank on the other side. One of the other boys followed me and by the time I got to the bank, the bridge broke up and floated away so we were alone. The com. on one side and we on the other. We went on into town which seemed to be deserted except an old priest. We went to the church thinking of going up into the belfry so as to look over and see if we could see which way the Confeds had gone. Priest did not want to open up but after I stared for a rail, he concluded to open the doors but we found there was no way to get into the Belfry so we had to give that up. The pontoon soon came up and the troops commenced crossing the river. We went into camp close to the town. The boys seemed to think we ought to have a good deal of credit for crossing the river on the burning bridge but I guess any of them would have done the same thing if they had got at the bridge in time. The priest talked like we had killed a good many in the fight.
Mar 31st 1864 – Kane River, LA
Skirmishing all day. We were not in advance in the morning. It was the place of the 14th New York to be in the advance. Well, the Bloody 14th took the advance in the morning. They were very blood thirsty and to listen to them and to hear them talk a person would naturally feel sorry for the poor Confederates that would have the [unintelligible] to stand in the way of such a crowd. How they did blow but what was the matter? Surely the whole Confederate army must be out in our front, such a racket. We began to think now the big battle was on. Of course nothing but a large force would check the bloody 14th. Pop Bang, such hoping and howling. Here come men limping and running to the rear. Sure the woods is full of the damn Johnnies. Boys look out for your scalps now. The Bloody 14th is slaughtered this day. Yes but where’s your wounded. Theirs just a coming. [Unintelligible] see them directly [unintelligible]. Gen’l Dudley and staff goes by to the front. Now something will be done. This is his own favorite Reg’t. He will lead them on to glory or the grave. We get down and tighten our saddle girth. We expect to be called to follow what is left of the Bloody 14th. We know the ground must be covered by the dean bodies of the Confederates and of the gallant and blood thirsty N. Yorkers. Yes, here come the Adjutant Gen’l
of the brigade. We first see his bright spurs and then his saber and then his horse comes to our dazzled eyes. We expect soon to see his face covered with blood but no. When his little peaked cap comes to our vision we see a pale face and hear his trembling two year old voice in squeaking tones say Col Marsh, Gen’l Dudley send his respects and requests that you rush your Reg’t to the front as the enemy is in our front in to great force for the 14th New York to dislodge them. We had been setting on our horses for about two hours waiting for orders. Some of the men had dismounted and were laying on the ground fast asleep. Col. Marsh when he rec’d the order merely looked around at some of the officers who were sitting around him on the ground and says with yawn, “Oh Hell” and then mounting his horse calls attention 2nd Ill, forward march and as the boys who were asleep on the ground woke up from the kicks given them by their comrades and mounted. The bugles could be heard down the line blowing forward and in a few moments they blew trot and the gallop. We moved up about a half a mile. Here was the 14th on each side of the road dismounted. They gave us a cheer. Com. A was in the advance. We began to examine our carbines and revolvers expecting to have to use them in a few minutes but we looked in vain for the enemy if they
were anywheres around. I never saw more than a dozen or so of them. We rode perhaps two miles or more on a gallop and then slowed down to a walk. We drove a few Rebs out of watchitories [sic]. One Reb was killed and two or three taken prisoners. Lieut. Irvin wounded Com B. in the afternoon.
Apr 1st 1864 – Friday
Sill camped near Natchioes [sic Natchitoches?] waiting for the Inf. Moved camp three times. Our reg’t all came in. this is nice looking country. Looks some like eastern Kansas. I am on Provo Guard.
Apr 2nd 1864 – Saturday
Our Cav. all out on a scout. Went about 25 miles. Our com. was sent off on another road. While we were gone the other part of the Reg’t had quite a fight. Took 25 prisoners, killed 8 or 10. Drove the Rebs 8 or 10 miles. We camped that the front.
Apr 3rd 1864 – Sunday
All saddled and waiting to return to town as soon as day breaks. We expect some fighting on our way back. Arrived at the cross roads awaiting for orders. Part of the Cav. have gone back to Pleasant Hill.
Apr 4th 1864 – Monday
We are still encamped in the woods. One team came from Natchitoches last night with one days rations. Teams are all coming up with camp equipage today. Gen’l Banks will soon send the train ahead as advance guard. Well, they would undoubtedly
move faster than the 14th N. York Cav. Trains of teams came up with all of our camp outfit. Fleet all gone up the river. Fleet had quite a fight. Results not known.
Apr 5th 1864 – Tuesday
On guard today.
Apr 6th 1864 – Wednesday
We moved camp about ten miles. Camped in the wood.
Apr 7th 1864 – Thursday
Move this morning. Had quite a fight. 3rd Brigade lost very heavy. On picket tonight. Now we have Texans to deal with. They are brave and stubborn men.
Apr 8th 1864 – Friday
Gen’l Banks came up. We are having quite a hard fight in the wood. The enemy seem to be in heavy force. One brigade of our Inf. now going in. About 3 o’clock in the pm the Rebs massed their forces on our center and right and drove our Inf. across the field in confusion also the mass cav. Our reg’t checked them and held for a long time until fresh Inf. came up when we were ordered to fall back into the timber but the enemy again drove the Inf. back very much demoralized. Out long train had been coming up, never stopped but came up to where our Reg’t stood in battle line. I don’t know whose fault it was but it seemed like it was done on purpose to give the Rebs a chance to capture the train with all of our camp supplies. There the train
in the woods, no chance to turn around and as we had to fall back and cover the retreat of our flaying infantry. We could do nothing to save the train which was a very fine one. Nearly 200 new ambulances and all of the ammunition and supplies for out brigade. We checked the Rebs in the edge of the wood and stood there in battle lines expecting to have to charge the Rebel column over a cotton field. If Gen’l Banks had had any sense about him and had sent a division of Inf. up to reinforce us, we could have saved the train and the battle but no, he was whipped and of course he thought the army was. While we were standing there in battle line a Major of Artillery came up to us and was watching the fight a cannon ball struck him passing through the horse and breaking both of the Maj. Legs. Some of the boys got him out from under the horse and put him in an ambulance and ordered the driver to go back with him to the 19th Army Corps but it seems the driver got entangled with some of the other teams and got scared and unhitched his horses and mounted one of them and rode off. We were ordered to fall back but try to hold the Rebs back so as to give the Inf. a change to get off the field. Our Reg’t moved off by com. in different lines so as to cover as much ground as possible. Com. A fell back on the main
road where our brigade train was. We tried to get the teamsters to drive their teams out of the wood telling them we would cover their retreat but no, they were too cowardly to try. The mixed up and stalled their teams and unhitched an drove their mules and horses out except one of Com. A boys who happened to have ammunition. He drove out and he had no better chance to get out than any of the other boys. It made me so mad. I hardly knew what I was doing. To think Gen’l Banks would do as he was doing. Let an army be whipped by detail of a brigade to a [unintelligible]. Neal Bellows and me kept falling back and firing whenever we could get a good shot on and Johnnie and sometimes the com. would get pretty near out of sight of us before we would gallop up. But the Rebel Cav. got on our flank so for one while we came near being surrounded. We rode on that way about two or three miles when the Lieut. rec’d an order for the com. to come on out with a run so we had to leave the Johnnies. They whooped thinking now we were whipped bad and came after us on the run until we came to the 19th Army Corps who were prepared to receive them and gave them such a warm welcome that Mr. Johnnie Reb fell back. Now if Gen’l Banks had any sense left he would have charged them with the cavalry and retaken the train
[End of actual diary Page 92]
[Actual diary Page 93]
