Ephraim Shay Diary 1861-1862
Editor's Note: Amanda Galey has done a wonderful job of transcribing this diary. It is very difficult to read handwriting and punctuation style from the 1860s. This is a web site, so it is therefore a work-in-progress. We will continue to edit and improve this representation of Ephraim's diary, with notes and annotations where appropriate. Please come back and visit again.
You can find the original diary at the Bentley Historical Library at the University Of Michigan. - Ed.
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Tuesday, January 1st, 1861 - I had no school, staid with Uncle Rice the evening of December 31st, 1960. Jay Henderson, Zalmond and myself went on a hunt. did not find much game. I carelessly fired my rifle leaving the ramrod in. the consequence, I got pretty well kicked Stopped in Uncle Rices woods and fired at a mark. made excellent shots Williber Henderson had joined us, overtook us in Uncleís field opposite William Vanhornís.
Wednesday 2nd - Taught school as I did also on Thursday the 3rd
Friday 4th - taught school, a funeral in the church I let some of my scholars go Had school on Saturday the 5th
Sunday 6th - Staid to Uncle Rices went to meeting.
Monday 7th ñ Taught school as I did also the whole week.
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Sunday 13th ñ Staid to Uncles all day Taught school the following week Staid with Uncle on Sunday on Fryday 25th some of my schollars disobeyed a strict rule I had laid down concerning leaving school without leave to slide on the ice on Saturday I punished the ringleader a young man severely by twelve well put on strokes with a whip. Sunday staid with Uncle Rice Taught school until Fryday evening of the following week.
Saturday February 2nd had no school went to Havana bought some stationary & 1 pr. Ö..shoes.
Sunday 3rd ñ Went down in Sherman to Fatherís returned in the afternoon Taught school the following week Staid with Uncle Rice over sunday Taught school the following week and staid to Uncles over sunday Taught school the next and staid to Uncles over sunday Continued to teach untill Wednesday 27th when I closed my school being the last day of three months teaching the time for which I hired On Thursday 28th I collected $2-4 of my money Fryday 1st I packed my clothes and went down in Sherman to Fathers Saturday 2nd collected an order on David Weaver Treasures of 12.00 Went to Bellevue Bought a pair of boots then returned home and went to GÖ.. Temples Lodge in Norwich Staid with Uncle Rice
Sunday 3rd of March. Staid to Uncles until 3 oílock in the afternoon when Zalmond took me and my trunk down to Fathers. It rained quite hard , cold and uncomfortable. Monday March 4th left Fathers at 8 oclock in the morning Theodore took me to Bellevue left Bellevue 10.40 arrived in Toledo 12.30 left Toledo at 3.12 P.M. arrived in Detroit 6.20 went up in the city to ------ Hotel and put up for the night. Took a stroll through town during the evening. Wrote a letter to Priscilla. Took a walk before breakfast After breakfast took another Got on a ferry boat and went over into Canada examined some huge ferry boats Strolled through Windsor returned to Detroit. Watched a company of workmen driving tiles. At 10.12 took cars for Muir on the way broke Ö.engine. had to take a freight engine to get through with arrived at Muir 4.40 P.M. enquired for H. Probasco found him in his shop I went in and spoke to him enquired about his business also. priced his work and conversed on other topics. He thought queer of my being so familiar and finally suspected who I was He seemed pleased to see me.
Wednesday 6th ñ Brought my trunk up to Uncle Henryís Went with
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Aunt to church. saw three elders ordained had an excellent sermon Afternoon took a look through town was at the R.R. station when the eastern train came in when I saw Wesley & Helen Felton get off I was much surprised to see them as when I left they were single and Wesley was teaching school I supposed they would be married but did not expect it so soon and never supposed we would meet in Mich. if they did.
Thursday 7th ñ Ceeris in Jacob and myself up in Sebecca We crossed the Maple River at the R.R. Bridge Wesley & Helen passed us on our road They wanted me to get in and ride with them as they were going just below Sebecca but I would not ride unless I paid a phare of their carriage hire and that was $6.00 which I thought outrageous When we got to the saw mill at the junction of the Sebecca center road with the road from Lyons we heard of Aunt Delores death which occurred on Sunday morning 12.30 of March. On coming to Uncle Ephís I saw him with Uncle Ben at the Barn went up passed the usual salutations stopped with Uncle Eph for supper then went up to Uncle Bens and staid all night In the morning Uncle showed me his barn stock & after which he proposed to take a hunt but rain setting in we went (Jacob & myself) in Uncles cooker shed and shot at a mark Frank smith shot a few times I came out best. In afternoon went out a while as it had ceased raining. We shot an owl and tracked some turkeys too cold to hunt. Saturday 9th went to Uncle Ephs in morning He showed me his stock We went over to Mr. Shoriermans (his brother-in-law) In afternoon started towards Uncle Bens to go on a hunt when Benney overtook me and said their a flock of turkeys were in a field opposite their house I went back and Uncle Eph, Jacob and myself took after them. Uncle had a shot but missed I fired at what looked like a mink did not get it We then went over and viewed a farm which Father had an idea of buying then went to Uncle Ephís and shot at a mark Sunday 10 ñ No meeting near staid with Uncle Ben until noon then went down to Uncle Ephís, weather cold
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March
sun shining occasionally Monday 11th Went to Muir with Uncle..... Mother and Aunt Jane A cool clear day Went down and partly made arrangements to buy a sugar evaporator of Ceckís patent Tuesday morning (12) finished the bargain then went to Sebecca and made arrangements for making maple sugar Went in Uncle Benís cooker shop and commenced a cask to rise for a feeder to the evaporator Wednesday (13) Uncle Eph went with me by the way of Portland to get the evaporator Met the agent at the Hotel he said the evaporator had not come He sent to Ionia by telegraph for one he had there
Thursday (14) evaporator came in morning one of no.4 price $60.000 warranted to boil without burning from one to two and one half barrels of sap per hour paid $13.00 cash and telegraph and freight expenses from Ionia Fryday (15) Worked very hard to get ready to make sugar took the evaporator in the woods-finished my feeder-chopped some wood-carried in some buckets made a number of spills
Fryday (15) worked very hard to get ready to make sugar took my evaporator in the woods-finished my feeder. chopped some wood-carried in a number of buckets-made some spills Saturday (16th) drove the hooks of about 100 buckets Tapped about 65 trees Afternoon set my evaporator and set it in motion-it met my expectations Made about 12 lbs sugar of excellent quality rivaling loaf sugar in color Sunday 17th Staid with Uncle Eph-went no where all day Uncle Ben came down in afternoon
Monday (18th) Tapped about 80 trees after driving the hook on about 20 buckets Tuesday (19th) Cut down a large baswood and commenced making a sap trough did not get it finished Wednesday (20th) Went up to Uncle Benís shop and made a barrel to hold maple syrup-snowed all day nearly Thursday (21st) Finished my store trough nearly-cut some wood ready and drew it the arch Put a new sight on my gun and put it in order for shooting Fryday 22nd chopped some wood and boiled down (18) buckets of sap Saturday (23rd) Helped Henry in morning-he drew some boards for a roof to my sugar works-put up the cover-boiled 30 buckets of sap Sunday 24th staid to Uncle Ephs allday
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March-April
.....the advantages of being where meetings are common Monday (25th) Made sugar-a thunder shower came over the first of the season Tuesday (26) at work all day in sugar bush Wednesday (27th) Made some sugar-rainy Thursday (28th) at work in sugar bush-rainy. Fryday (29th) Snowy in morning-gathered some sap and made sugar Saturday (30) Worked in sugar bush Sunday (31) Staid with Uncle Eph all day Monday (1st) Making sugar Tuesday (2nd) making sugar Wednesday (3) making sugar Thursday (4) Making sugar Fryday (5th) Warm day but sap run but little I went over to Uncle Ben's bush and shot at a mark with him and Mr. Showerman I beat Saturday (6th) No sugar weather Forenoon went to the P.E. Afternoon with Uncle Ben went on a little scout through the north woods saw three deer but shot none Sunday (17th) staid with Uncle Eph all day Monday (18th) Father and family arrived in Sebecca I was very much pleased to see them Father seemed in good spirits Tuesday (9th) Visiting-no sap weather Wednesday (10th) killed a few squirrels and viewed some land Thursday (11th) viewed land Fryday 12th boiled some sap for vinegar-shot at a mark with Uncle Ben nearly tie little in my favor Saturday (13) Staid to Uncle Eph's to be present to the school teacher's examination Priscilla was examined and got a certificate No other certificate given Sunday (14) Father came in Sebecca with Grandma and Aunt Jane and George Mr. Cerledge fetched them up I had to deliver my sugar in the (15) and as Uncle Eph did not want to take it down I put it in with Mr. Cerledge and paid him for taking to Muir I went along Uncle Henry's folk were abed when I got there so I staid at the tavern Monday (15th) delivered my sugar neatly packed at the depot according to my agreement with Mr. Richards only had 240 lbs was to deliver 300 but did not have it made I then viewed some land N.E. of town in afternoon returned to Sebecca
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Tuesday (16) Staid with Uncle Eph in forenoon Afternoon went with Uncle Ben to see some men about building an addition to his house-on the way saw a fiew deer Wednes and Thursday made vinegar Thursday (18) viewed some land in the north woods Saturday 20th in forenoon made vinegar Afternoon went to help Mr. Stebbins raise a barn Sunday 21st Staid until nearly noon with Uncle Eph in afternoon staid with Uncle Ben (22) Made some vinegar-commenced to scald my buckets (23) Stored my buckets and ....packed my trunk and went to Muir with Uncle Ben (24) took a stroll and viewed some land N.E. of Muir thought the soil was too sandy-afternoon examined the steam saw mill (24) Went over in Lyons in forenoon at 4:20 P.M. took the cars for Grand Rapids to get a situation as a machinist-retired at 8 o'clock 25th applied for a situation all business too dull. exam all the shelfs of wood and iron in turn met a scrutiny officer wanted me to enlist-I saw his Co. drill (27) at 9:13-left for Muir arr. at 11:20 A.M. Afternoon attended a meeting to raise recruits-I enlisted for three months Sunday 28th attended church in Muir Staid with father (29) Met the Co. in Lyons endeavored to elect officers but failed then the Muir boys went home thinking to join the Ionia Co. but shortly the Lyons chap came over came to terms and we elected an excellent Capt. and 1st Lieut-not so good 30th at 9 o'clock met the Co. in Lyons Drilled until 10 at 2 met and drilled until half past four May Wednesday 1st drilled 2nd drilled 3rd drilled 4th drilled n forenoon Afternoon was presented with a flag then marched to Muir Elder Errett made a speech-then friends bade his adiew-much feeling exhibited-took cars for G.Rapids went to hall from there to a Hotel staid all night Sunday 5th marched up to Fair Grounds and went into quarters-it rained some in afternoon. I found a pile of straw which I made my bed Jacob was my bedfellow-it was my first experience as a soldier (6) awoke in good spirits-drilled in morning during the day wrote two letters one to Priscilla and one to Cousin Sarah (7th) drilled until 9 o'clock when I was
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to stand guard Wednesday 8th discharged from Guard Duty at 10-was just getting a .....to go in town when a Telegraph dispach came to hand that Father was dying. I hasted with speed to the Depot but the train had left. I telegraphed to know how he was at 12 o'clock-answer"The doctor says he cannot live" The news was so sudden. so unexpected. I felt as if dreaming I could not realize the awfull fact that my father was dying. I staid at the Depot all day waiting for some passing train. at 10 o'clock Thursday (9th) left for Muir Engine broke and had to return at 4 a.m. got started and arrived in Muir at 7 A.M. I got out the cars looked up the hill hardly dared to hear the result Met Delia She said Father was dead. I seemed as if dreaming so sudden was the news. I went to his room Met Aunt-I felt choked. could not speak. Aunt uncovered his face which looked as calm as if he was sleeping but taking the cloth from his forehead disclosed a frightfull wound Oh such feelings as I experienced Standing befor my fathers corps I had but a few days before left him in sorrow. he thinking that my return was doubtfull. I starting.....was with many chances of being killed. He staying at home in peace. but how widely different the result I am summoned beside his corpse instead of his being called to receive mine. While still looking at him little Arty and Velma came in too young to value thier loss they commenced to tell me how the "Mill hurt Pa" but seemed to think he would soon wake up Arty went to his feet and touched them exclaiming "Poor Pa" "Poor Pa" I then left the room and going in the bedroom I gave full vent to my feelings I began to realize my loss. In a land of strangers without a father to guide and counsel me My mother left with a large family Just having moved in Mich without a permanent home. The world before me looks dark Had Father died a natural death I could easier be reconciled but a death brought on by the carelessness of a hired man not really a hired man but a lounges of the town came in the mill and took without request or leave the place my brother was at work in then by the careless letting a bolt touch the saw my Fathers life was lost To think of what must have been Fathers feelings
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when the bolt struck him To hear of how he unable to stand sat down on the floor leaning against the side of the mill his head drooping down on his breast the blood streaming from the wound sitting helpless. the frame which held his spirit broken; it just to leave its former tenemant. What must have been his feelings if he was sensible of his situation. Those who first saw him think he never knew what it was that killed him. He that morning had left the house in excellent spirits. his business was paying well. he saw prospects ahead of happiness; at the usual hour he commenced his work and while he engaged in supporting his family at the very time he was making money to use when too old to work in an instant. quick as a flash of lightening he is summoned before his maker. What must have been his impression when so unexpectedly launched into the realities of his future home. Is there in that land of Glory a thought of the world left behind. could he look back and see us while performing the last ceremonies to the dead? Or was he occupied in greeting his old acquaintances who had preceeded him. His Father maybe was showing him the beauties of his new home. Oh there is more cause to shout for joy than weep when a good man dies. to be sure it is hard to part-but the joy of his meeting his friends in his future home a home where endless ages may pass and no change serve the continued advancement into the knowledge and goodness of God. Oh it must be the most satisfying change that man can ever experience to be brought face to face with him when the world seek to do .....; to be face to face with the star of perfection to see his hands scarred with the ragged spike thrust through by the envious Jews to see the savior of man the One through when and by whose continued exertions all one enabled to visit and remain is a land where there is no sorrow a land in which each moment (so to speek) bears with it more happiness than can be experienced in all ages on earth. to see all the old Patriarchs of whom it is so much pleasure to read to receive from thier lips the experience they passed through In this world it is a source of great pleasure to view natures works day by day to see a very trifle of magnitudeof the created world But when the thought of what will be seen at the last change of man comes one the mind the pleasure to be experienced just in the one
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channel of observing the magnitude of the works of an all powerful creator and the knowledge that the admission to this grandeur-view is gained by pursuing the very course that brings the most happiness and true enjoyment in this world. it seems madness yes insanity not to be a Christian. When I think of what the experience of my father must have been I feel that it is well. I feel as if to wish him again a mortal would be selfish I feel that he is gone on a journey on which all are traveling and that I will overtake him in a fiew day yes they may be fiew judging from the past instance although I am young though I am well and to all earthly knowledge destinee to live my "three score years and ten" before the morrows sun may rise It may be my lot to experience the foregoing scenes I so faintly pictured not those only not such as the most gifted could trace but scenes that "ever entered into the heart of man to describe" What meaning is there embody in that remark it is not possible for man to but once imagine the glory and happiness in store for the righteous The faculties of man cannot even imagine the most common the least of the numberless sources of happiness with such promises in view a man is denied of judgment of reason of all the qualities which claim respect if he does not make all possible haste to become an heir to such a life What is it that numbs the faculties of men that they are not more sensitive to the importance of the steps to secure such a inconcievably valuable prize. a never ending day of unalloyed happiness
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May
Fryday 10th attended the funeral at 10 a.m. Afternoon went to Lyons and bought some flour Saturday (11th) remained in Muir Sunday 12th went to meeting Monday (13th) I went up in Sebecca in forenoon Afternoon I commenced repairing a house of Uncle Ephs in which to move Mas 14th 15th 16th busy repairing the house 17th went after a load with Uncle Bens oxen 18th returned with a load bought sash and lights (cost 2.70) (19) Staid with Uncle Eph 20th 21st still busy at the house 22nd commenced to make garden. worked on the house some 23rd working in the garden 24th worked in the garden in forenoon Afternoon attended Mr Plerrts funeral After funeral I looked at Mr Greens farm 23rd I looked at some land in forenoon Afternoon worked for L Sherresman planting corn Sunday 26th at home mostly all day called to Uncle Bens & Eph's through the day (27th) made a lounge in forenoon Afternoon planted corn for Uncle Eph (28th) Went to Muir to get a letter found none went out 2 1/2 miles to view Mr Robinsons land it did not suit me to hilly 29th went to Ionia in the morning having staid all night with Mr Robinson I talked with Williams concerning al lot of land in Seberra that Mother wished to purchase he being the agent to sell it Went to Muir in morning train came home in afternoon after getting the letters I expected 30th prepared corn ground and planted some 31st planted corn Bargained with Uncle Ben for a lot of land but owing to second parties relinquished it 1st Planted potatoes in the morning it commenced to rain some Went to P. U in afternoon 2nd staid at home Monday 3rd prepared to leave home 4th Left home at 3:30 A.M. Arrived in Muir 1:23 cost me 97 cts. Uncle Eph brought me down at 4:20 P.M. Left for G.Rapids went up and eat supper with 1st sgt of E D 3rd Mich Regt I thought some of joining it but finally concluded to get farther west to look for a
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June
farm I staid at the Depot and took the train for G.Haven at 2:42 A.M. (expense .95) Left G.H. in boat at 4:20 arrived in Milwaukee (expense 2.30) about 10 A.M. had to stay there until next day as my trunk had by mistake been left at Grand Haven 6th Strolled through town all day 7th Left Milwaukee for Chicago at 2 A.M. arrived at 9 A.M. fare 2.30 Attended the funeral of Stephen A. Douglas I saw him last at Tiffin Ohio how little I thought that I next should see him on his very last resting place He was buried on the lot he was expected to build his Residence on it is a beautiful place overlooking the lake to Ill central railway passes under the bank between it and the Lake Left Chicago at 8:12 for Peoria fare 2.00 Staid all night at Chenoa hall to wait for Peoria train until 12:30 P.M. arr. 3:30 P.M. Made inquiries of many business men for the whereabouts of my connexion D. Shey & found a man at Virginia House who knew a man by the name of Shey Sunday 9th Staid at Virginia House Went to M.E. Sunday school and to meeting was introduced to my host-to the superintendent-a fine man from appearances
Monday 10th took packet for Pekin. Went out to Circleville from there to Dellion started for Pekin put up for the night with a farmer I found two men by the name Shey no relation of mine 11th returned to Pekin examined assessors books Went to Haines Machine Shop sent my trunk to Peoria by packet I went up on foot got a chance to ride most of the way with a farmer Staid all night in the suburbs 12th examined two assessors books for Elpase stopped at the hotel overheard conversation concerning a Regt forming at Lt. Louis made some inquiries found a Co. was forming at Bloomington concluded I would like to join it Made up my mind to go down at any rate took cars for Bloomington joined the Co. 13th Sent my trunk to Mich. addressed to Uncle Ben by express had a Co. drill Elected B A Smith Capt J.W. White.....Lieut Received some shirts and drawers donated by the ladies Took a walk after supper felt quite sober or rather throughout realized the fact that I was just about to enter in a service fraught with many dangers and hardships and perhap for the last time spending an evening of quiet and peace in Bloomington Fryday 14th left Bloomington at 1 oclock A.M.
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June July
arr in St Louis about 9oclock a.m. Went into camp at_____Park elected 2nd Lieut F. Blelapp appoin mon-amm issued Officers and then went down to the arsenal and were sworn into service by Mayer Schefield for three years or during the war of sooner ended Went through te usual drill Sunday 16th Went to arsenal and put up in a large brick buiding. Monday 17th while on drill today we received news of trouble in town as a segt of Arme Guard was marching through town they wer fired on by a.....near the Recorders Court which was then in session the H. P.....returned the fire with serious effect-rumors of an rumors of an attack 18th drilled as usual several recruits came in from Bloomington (19)(20) drill & c 21st was detached as clerk for Quarter 22nd still in Quartermasters office or rather in Quarter and .....both 23rd drilled some was in the office by Cobs request (24) (25) (26) (27) usual drill (28) (29) drill many times Sunday 30th meeting in the Grove an excentrick union sermon Text 1st Petes 13th chop and 13th-15th verses 1st an accident happened by which a man was killed last night the Lieut of the guard was showing a sentinel how to handle his peice when it accidentally went off killing him same evening as I was looking out the window of my quarters which were at the front gate of the arsenal in the large brick in the corner I saw the flash of a pistol heard the report and saw two men running on a Dutchman the one who shot and the other one of the soldiers of my Co. no harm was done but lots of keen running it originated about a ferry girl as soldiers term them 2nd drilled as usual 3rd did peliece duty cleaning up the grounds preparatory to celebrating the Anniversary of American Independence (4th) Attended celebration in Arsenal the day was ushered in by the usual National Salute Capt. Charles McDonald read the Declaration of Independence Col. Bland made a speech Lieut Col. Peckham also spoke and others made remarks In evening I went into the upper story of the brick (my quarters) and amused myself by watching the different fireworks in various parts of the city (5/6) Drilled as usual (7) attended meeting in Grove in the arsenal 8th 9th & 10th usual drill the Ill 20th left for Cape Derardeau on 10th 11th 12th 13th occupied in Drill 14th Col Smith left with 4 Co of 8th mo and 4 co. Home Guards for North .....
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July
15th Drilled 16th 2 oclock A.M. an alarm beat and all fell in line-went in Arsenal-found alarm false .....ranks in forenoon drilled 2 P.M. a prisoner brot in charged with shooting in train of cars containing Col Smiths command 7:30 Jacksons Quarter Master arrived a prison 7:43 Seven.....prisoners came in guarded by H.G. as they came up the streets numbers of small boy surrounded them some fiew men all seemed anxious to see a live secesh they were charged with burning R.R. Bridge
Wedensday 17th My Birthday Drilled in forenoon at 1 P.M. received marching orders at 2 we left our Quarters for north Missouri R.R. Depot to join Col. Smith in North Missouri Quite a coincidence on the day I am 22 years old I start on my first expedition to defend my country's honor & flag reached St. Charles about 9 oclock sent a detachment up the R.R. to prevent any news of our approach from getting along the line (18) Early in the morning took a train after first putting all the selling stock of the road in possession of the H.Guards of....was not molested. At nearly all the stations Union sentiments were shown by waving of handkerchiefs & most probably owing to fear from our presence as when Col Smith passed along.....were plenty and he had to fight his way through killing many at about noon joined our comrads at Mexico 2-4 of my Co. stood guard at night I heard beating of drums about 9 in the evening sposed it was of the enemys camp who hearing of the reiniforcements sounded the alarm and left We kept up the utmost vigilance expecting an attack 19th about 9 oclock My Co started on a scouting expedition expecting some fun when about 3 miles from camp we saw some horsemen in the distance gave chase they eluded us skirmished through the woods, cornfields & came suddenly on a horse before which stood two horses in the house were three men looked little suspicious but we passed on just after leaving the horse we saw a secesh pass on horseback at fast speed tried to get a shot but failed about same time two of the boys found each a gun secreted in the brush near to the house Capt. then ordered the men and horses captured Corpl Stone and myself took the lead I came up first and took possession of one of the horses Stone the other Sgt Marsh went in with a file of men and took the men prisoners we then started towards camp examined all horses on the way one house had several men in it but as no arms were found did not make them prisoners although I think we had ought to have done it as undoubtedly they were secesh
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Saturday 20th about 11 A.M. an alarm was sounded and all fell in in a moment it proved to be a Regt of troops (21st Ill) coming down in a train from the west During afternoon a detachment of cavalry was needed to go to reinforce a Regt of H. Guards of H. Louis at Fulton The cavalry with us refused to go as their term of enlistment had expired so my capt volunteered with as many men as needed and at about 4 oclock we started saw a fiew straggling horsemen fired on one of them but missed did not follow as we feared an ambush Sunday 21st at 12:30 A.M. arrived in Fulton Rainy all day Col Hammans Regt came in town and stopt owing to the rain 22nd left at 8 a.m. for Mexico took a circuitous rout hoping to fall in with the Rebel Haris but failed saw several suspicious looking persons but none armed Arr in Mexico at 2 P.M. 23rd Left for St Louis Home Gun at MOntgomery and our men who had removed there accompanied us (Total Loss to secesh about 60 to 100 out Loss 2 killed 4 or five wounded) 24th arrived in Arsenal about 4 A.M. was up all night very tired and sleepy (My Co did not get in a fight being on other duty out to Fulton most of the fighting was done before we were ordered away from the arsenal) Left arsenal for camp at Fair grounds went to be 12.13 A.M. on Thursday 25th had company drill and Battalion in afternoon
Fryday 26th Drilled company drill 27th marched down to Genl. Fremonts Head Quarters and was inspected by him P.M recieved marching Orders-embarked on Desmoines and left for Cape Gerardeau about dusk
Sunday 28th arrived at Cape about 4 A.M. at 9 A.M. took up Quarters in a large Grist Mill on bank of the River 29th 30th and 31st the usual drill Aug 1st made a monthly return of Co. A rumor in camp that a part of our Regt had orders to leave for Cairo. not true however 2nd 3rd Drilled 4th A rumor that the enemy were approaching commenced throwing up fortifications continued on 5th 6th 7th working on entrenchments mounted some canon 24 lbs 8th working on entrenchments 9th Pickets gave the alarm about 4 A.M. fell in line supposed the enemy were upon us firing all around town expected enemy every moment Col went out with 4 Co's to meet them. Alarm proved to be false caused by a party of Pickets mistaking their comrads for the enemy resulting in the killing of one an seriously wounding two more
10th working in entrenchments Sunday 11th Attending the funeral of one of my comrads I acted as one of the guards Fired the usual salute (three rounds) over the grave 12th 13th working in entrenchments 14th I volunteered to go on mounted picke with Lieut ..... had no adventure
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August
Thursday 15 being hungry we concluded to have have breakfast so we went to an old secesh and Lieut ordered our breakfast and feed for horses. after breakfast scounted the country and returned to camp about 11 A.M. found my Co on board the S.B. Hannibal City ready to go on an expedition up the river I dismounted got my stationary box Gun & accouterments and arrived at the wharf just as the boat was starting the stern swinging near the wharf I gave my box to a soldier who threw it on board my gun to another and making a spring caught on the edge of the Wheel House and by exertion climbed on board Received three letters which one of the boys had got lost mail One from Priscilla. Catherine & John Richards Arrived at St Geneviev disembarked took double quick and suurounded the town I acted as sentinel I being up all night was very sleepy and got permission to sleep a short time 16th passed the day doing business for Maijor I being his clerk for the expedition In afternoon I copied a proclimation for the printing office to be published after its publication we embarked and left for st Louis after taking from the bank 58 thousand dollars or rather nearly 59 thousand 17th copied a report for Genl. Fremont giving particulars of our transactions I remained on board boat all day
18th Remained on board the boat at 6 P.M. left for Cape Gerardeau 19 arrived at Cape at 4am 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th spent at drill finishing fortifications & 26th had a heavy march went out 7 miles to rout the enemy which was reported there commenced to rain could go no further as orders were strict to go to a certain toll gate here to return in the rain mud got very deep had knapsack and accouterments besides wet clothes to carry which with the mud worried us very much I never was so neeer given out in my life. 26th 27th 28th 29th spent finishing fortifications 30th about dark marching orders arrived and at 9 we started Arrived and surrounded the town (of Jackson) before daylight. My Co took quarters in an old vacated house. had lots of fun. A regular dance in evening. about midnight the house sounded like a Managenee some one woked up and commenced to imitate a cat others as fast as they woke up commenced imitating other animals One a dog another a turkey some crowed like a rooster and such a mess of different imitations in the dead of the night-sounded laughable enough to make the most crusty crack a smile
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August September September October
31st Remaining in Jackson Boys had lots of adventure some wood they had sold themselves by a fair bargain to some hansome lady. Others had engaged to be married as soon as the war closed Some accused me of playing hero that is wanting to get acquainted with some fair I had seen and not knowing hardly how hit upon a pure yankee trick.....getting one of my comrads to play off tight and to go to the house and then just as he was going in I should come up and arrest him take him away and return to make an apology thereby gaining my .....of getting acquainted Sunday 1st at about noon Scouts reported troops approaching Ill fell in line Proved to be Genl Prentiss with his command He made us a speech told us to "let no secessionist insult us" that treason would soon be unknown 2nd Left for Cape Gerardeau made the march in 3 hr. 30 min. commenced making out Muster Rolls 3rd 4th 5th busy making muster rolls 6th not doing much of anything-a little drill 7th Rec'd marching orders and struck tents and embarked on S. P. ofr Paeucah Ky left at 12 A.M. arrived at 9:30 P.M. Sunday 8th cooked breakfast on the wharf then moved out and encamped just on the edge of town 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th occupied with usual business of camp life 17th Capt Smith arrived from Bloomington 18th was alarmed at 12 oclock had to sleep in arms till daylight out on color line many citizens leaving for the country 19th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th 30th
Tuesday 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th all spent with no occurrence of any note Principal doings Drill throwing up fortifications changed our camp from west to east side of town in the bank of the Tenissee 7th heard heavy canondering all day 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st all spent with usual routine of camp life on 21st received orders to march left a 8 P.M. marched to Viola 19 miles distant by 3 a.m. 22 left about 2 a.m. arrived in camp 1 a.m. on 23rd On this month for the first time except once in Ohio when washing sheep for Uncle John Drake I took a swallow of liquor I had got very tired and could hardly go any farther as the nineteen miles or rather eighteen as we were about 1 mile from viola had been marched with
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but one rest and that only of about 10 minutes My Capt. although a temperate mad had a flask of liquor and induced me to take some I did it because under the state I then was I thought it necessary 23rd in evening had toothach very bad went to hospital to have it extracted Doctor broke it off which increased the pain had to use chloriform to get any rest 24th wrote Priscilla a letter 25/26/27 spen with usual ocupations of camp 27 had a dress parade before Genl. Smiths Head Quarter returned to Genl.Wallaces Head Quarter and he made us a short speech told us that there was a regiment of secesh calling themselves the Missa 8th and that possibly we might meet them. The boys seemed crazy with delight when he told them if they said so he would get a meeting of the two regiments to a man the cried out do it do it Boys were all excitement thinking they had sport ahead 28th Col. Smith sent a challenge to Col ..... of the secesh 8th mo to meet him on equal footing anywhere between Mayfield & our camp 29 Mrs Fremont rode through camp. a rumor that we are to leave for Cairo
Wednesday Oct 30th till Monday Nov 18th Spent as usual in camp with drill inspections & on 18th fell in line with Brigade and marched out 4 or 5 miles in country then returned 19 company drill & 20th at 2 oclock fell in line and went down on the bank of the Ohio viewed the review of the 23rd Ill Chicago Artillery and .....loss of cavalry In evening All the boys of our camp got out and commenced to yell like crazy men. the yell was answered by all camp within hearing soldiers in all parts of town whereever they chanced to be answered and the secesh thinking something was just to happen were scared nearly to death 21st went through the form of a review 22nd company drill & 23 Capt Smith went to Bloomington 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th spent in company drill & when weather would permit it being quite.....part of the time 29th Hail & sleet very uncomfortable 30th Ground white with snow Lieut E. Peckham left with co. for an expedition up the river to caseyville Dec 1st to 14th occupied with Co drill Brigade drills & on 15th the whole Brigade (the 2nd, met on our Brigade
Page 18
December
drill ground to clear off the brush stumps and trees had lots of sport would take a large rope tie it to the top of a large tree and then all get hold of it and by digging a little around the roots pull it up and drew it off from the ground several times the rope broke then a string of perhap a hundred would be piled on the ground in a line I have seen about 1000 at hold at one time it was sport Sunday 15th Inspection in morning wrote letters to Priscilla Kals Grandma meeting at 2 oclock a union Preacher driven from the south addressed us Dress Parade at 4 then Col took us down on levee and drilled us in skirmish drill to see if we had forgotten it 16th 2 Co. Kentucky boys left for Smithland Brigade pulling stumps I did not go out 17th Battalion drill at 10 oclock 18th usual camp ocupations-I retired at 9 P.M. Order came to prepare for an expedition dress myself got ready fell in line with Co went to Genl Wallaces HdQtr joined a Co of Ill under Maijer Elstin 11th Ind and marched on boat Lake Erie No 2 at 10:30 whole number 1008th no 10023rd Ind 19th arrived at Eddysville about 4 a.m. surrounded a house this side of town (took one prisoner) Then went to town surrounded it Found no armed force Secesh Cavalry left in afternoon the day before Some of the boys get some secesh trophies one got a sash which had a secesh flag on it beautifuly finished worth at least $23:00 The way he found it was as he was passing a house a man standing in the yard asked what his business was he replied that he was in search of traitors the man said he would not find them but that before tomorrow night every union man in turn would be hung and he would help do it Frank .....no longer but gun in hand closed the fence to make him prisoner Secesh took to his heels and went in the house Frank in pursuit as frank was searching a room under the bed he saw the sash seeing the flag he kept it The secesh had got out of his sight and he could not find him. Had he thought of his getting away he would have shot him I had no particular adventure once the party I blonged to thought we had surprised a camp as we saw a fire resembling a camp fire and also heard a gun as if giving an alarm but on coming up it proved to be a man killing hogs although not yet light
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The report of the gun was caused by shooting hogs we embarked on a boat at 11 a.m. arrived at Paducah at 4 am. 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th nothing but usual drills & 25th no drill or fatigue duty all down town boys had lots of sport Capt. Smith treated his Co with a keg of Lager Beer 26th usual drill in evening heard a scuffle out in camp saw a sgt taking a man to the guard house prisoner attempted to run Sgt fired at him with his revolver but missed a wonder that the ball could go through camp without hitting some one it passed over the head of two boy in one tent passing through the tent near them I was a careless piece of work proper enough to shoot the prisoner for trying to get away but dangerous among so many 27th commenced to boot up clothing account make out receipt bill & 28th making out muster Roll to muster in for payment 29th busy on clothing account muster rolls & Brg Genl. Wallace went in a scout with 200 cavalry 30th This morning at 1 oclock Genl Wallace was near Camp Beauregard Returned to Viola Secesh came up on train and fired on him at Viola He.....his command was principal mark often the first fire he turned to them told them if they wanted to kill him they must make better shots then that then put spurs to his horse and got out the way chose a position out in a field to await the attack but enemy enemy fled after first fire there being 4 times his number of enemy he sent for reinforcement Genl Smith sent out the 11th Ind 9th Ill and orders positive to return immediately without fail Wallace bit his lip at such orders but need to obey he with his reinforcements could easily whipped the secesh but if they should also be reinforced it might lead to a premature battle which would spoil the plan of taking Columbus perhaps so he did well in obeying had he been the victor he would have been courtmartialed two Co's of the 8th now went out to sustain the pickets if necessary night passed quietly 31st usual drill I worked on Muster Rolls in afternoon In forenoon was mustered for pay
Jan 1st no drill or fatigue duty Boys had lots of sport I was in town twice during the day I saw the Corpl. (Hayes) (now a 1st Lieut. in Ind 11th) who was so conspicuous in a skirmish a party of 13
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December January 1862
against about 73 of the enemy they killed 42 and lost but one man and he was killed after they left being wounded he was left at a private house when the secesh found and killed him Hayes was wounded also but got back to camp He is a large man about 40 years old Pretty tight when I saw him About noon a number of boys mounted on mules armed with everything imaginable from a clip to a pair of revolvers wooden swords included no two dressed alike not any two with the same kind of weapon they called themselves the scesh cabalry made lots of sport in afternoon a lot of secesh Infantry as they called themselves visited our camp clad similar to the cavalry if possible more comical Some of our boys got a pair of wheels of different sizes mounted a log on it and went down town performing all the drill of a light battery some of them had a fire engine running it. The whole town was all excitement sports of all kinds tricks without number helped to make a Merry New Year January 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th spent making quarterly returns finishing muster rolls and squaring clothing account 7th Drill & making out reuqisitions. drew my quarterly amount of stationary to night as I sit writing a band is serenading one of our officers not 20 feet from me the music is excellent Wednesday 8th a very rainy day I have been principally engaged in writing this diary or rather copying it Thursday 9th warm damp foggy day roads very muddy day spent in getting ready to march orders about nine a.m. to be ready a three P.M. but it was postponed until tomorrow morning. I can get no clue as to our destination but guess we are going to prevent reinfrocements from going from Bowling Green to Columbus I guess an attack on columbus is meditated have heard heavy guns firing occasionally through the day
Fryday morning 10th 23 mi past 5 I have had my breakfast and only wait the order to march It is a pleasant morning warm but very muddy I expect that it will be the last morning spent by many in Paducah appearances look as if a formidal blow was about to be made which will make secession tremble I hope so
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Preperations have been going on long enough to be ready although I fear we are not I may be mistaken but from the best information I have our force is too small to make short battle that it will be long and bloody One thing I am sure of though and that is as right is on our side we must surely conquer The boys are all excitement getting ready the wagen is here and I must soon go to help load it each Co take 4 tents and about 6 or eight days provision Yesterday provision was being loaded all day at the Post Comissaries nearly all the S.B. have left no mail came up last night but I must stop writing It is now evening and I am no nearer Camp Beauregard or Columbus than I was this morning although our wagen was loaded our knapsacks packed haversack with 48 hours provision in them still all our preparation was useless as the march was contramanded We fell in line at 8 a.m. went down to headquarters got all in readiness waiting for the command Forward when we were ordered back to quarters with instructions to be ready at a moments notice On Dress Parade the evening an order was read countermanding the order to march at 8 a.m. tomorrow what all this means I cannot tell the roads were very bad to day being extrememly muddy from recent rains and about noon the weather looked threatening in fact it did rain some I was much disappointed thinking this morning the time for an advance had come perhap this is but a delay we are still ordered to be ready at any moment Each man must have two days prevision in haversack all the while 8:30a.m. it is bedtime
Saturday 11th 12:30 P.M. had Co. drill and dress parade this forenoon no order to march yet expceting it hourly The reason we did not go yesterday as near as I can learn is that 17000 troops to have arrived at Cairo from up the river yesterday did not come consequently the delay Gen Wallace was ordered to Cairo day be fore yesterday (19th) and he received orders to have the forces at Paducah in marching order at 4 a.m. he returned and did so but before 4 oclock received a despatch to defer marching until 8 a.m. 10th he did so and at 8 we were in line no order arriving to advance we came back to camp for dinner when a boat brought orders to be ready to march as soon as the 17000 from up the river reach cairo and now we are momentarily expecting
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January
the command the telegraph line did not work yesterday owing to the .....being blown down it is now all night 8:30 P.M. news came up by the boat their 13,000 Federal troop are within 3 hours march of Columbus and their troops are crossing at Cairo all the while about 18000 are expected at Cairo from up the river at every moment at noon to day in all probability we will leave this place to night or to morrow This evening about 2 P.M. on of the Ill 11 boys was killed by a clerk in a grocery store a fiew steps from our camp from what I hear the soldier was tight and asked for some liquor while the clerk was getting it he took a bottle which was near and poured the whiskey out of it in his canteen and then started to go out the clerk saw him and threw a weight at him knocking him down and as he was getting up again threw another striking him near the right temple which caused his death in a short time I hear that they have caught the murderer and that he will be hung tomorrow morning this fellow is known by all to be a strong secessionist and killing the soldier as he did was prompted by his thinking that if he escaped the secesh would make a hero of him for his daring & c at least I think so Sunday 12th Morning warm and comfortable to go around in short sleeves evening uncomfortably cold with overcoat on have heard nothing of the fellow who killed one of the Indiana boys last evening expect that he is in the Provost Marshall's Guard House No move has been made yet, hourly expecting orders to fall in line and take up the line of march. the papers brought by todays mail say that the movement now on foot is destined up the Tenissee River I think not though it may be so The plan is a favorable one but I guess the movement will go straight down to Missippi to Columbus I saw in yesterdays paper that Jim Lane has a command given him if 30000 picked troops he will give a good account of them I think All he asks is the first outfit and then they will support themselves at the seceshes experience I have had quite a lot of writing to do to day making out clothing receipts to send to Adjatant Generals office
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also a report of deceased soldier to send to same office The wind is blowing very hard as I now write making the tent shake I will have to fix up warm to sleep well to night (9:30) Monday 13th morning very cold ground frozen very hard in afternoon commenced snowing tonight wind N.E. very strong dress Parade in morning I was busied making out a clothing account to send to Genl's. also an account to keep Bought a pair of boots as I expect to start to move although the march has been delayed so often there is no certainty when we will go. Tuesday 14th Muster rolls came back to day I have been busy helping to consolidate them so as to be paid for four months they are nearly finished An order to march at 8am tomorrow was read at Dress Parade this evening I fear we wont go as the weather looks like thawing and in case of a thaw the roads will be impossible however unless contramanded we will go I guess our advance if we do start is only a faint time will demonstrate that though I see by to days paper that Jim Lane has made a speech in the senate he strongly advocates a forward movement and gives substantial reasons I believe in his policy he is the man for the time success to him 15th about 8 oclock we started in our long expected march went about 12 miles and encamped on the top of knoll a cold frosty night
16th left camp at sunrise and encamped one mile from Mayfield was turned from out rout by a bridge being burnt 17th went through Mayfield took two prisoners let one go the other took along let him go with a neighbor of his who came after us to prove his innocence Our kentucky scouts knew them both to be secesh and followed them shot them fatally so reported encamped about 15 miles from Mayfield in the road leading from Mayfield to Murray the day was very rainy road nearly impossible did not stop until about 10 oclock at night 1st Brigade took the lead to day 2nd did yesterday Mayfield was nearly deserted when we passed through it the country near Mayfield is fine good farms & c nearer Paducah farms porer small log houses & land resembles the Michigan Openings land in line of our march from mayfield resembles Ohio timber bottoms some
Went on Picket rany in the night left Picket line for camp at .....stoped at the secesh house(in which was a regular secesh comissary to feed secesh bands which are prowling through this section) which was burned last night then went in camp very tired
18th rainy morning road perfectly awfull teames mining all along I went with wagen train to help our team through had to wade through a creek which was raising very fast I pulled off my boots and socks to wade in When the
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that band of the 11th Ind waded it on while wading they played yankee doodle just after crossing the creek I went to near a fire and burnt the legs of my boots. encamped on a hill only making 2 miles today plenty of woods & water near also good .....for bedding A tobacco barn ner with plenty of tobacco in it which the boys used plentifully to make cigars with 19th I never saw as bad roads traveled as we have traveled yesterday and today we have worked hard both days and gained only about 2 miles its discouraging to night we encamp in a pleasant place in the openings we are now in a secesh neighborhood the headquarters of Clay King and his band two wealthy secesh only a few roads ahead from our camp have left with all thier movable effects such as could be got away with haste thier meat groceries beds & c were left behind which the boys used also much of their stock al the sheep hogs & were killed such is the effects of civil war it looks sickening I hope it will soon cease
20th today by cutting our roads through the woods we succeeded in making a good days march passed several secesh houses which were known by the owners leaving them the union men staid at home glad to see us. passed through nursery and encamped nine miles from Tenissee river 21st reached the river found the gun boat Lexington and the transport_____Wilson awaiting us commenced unloading commissary & finished unloading on 22nd the Gun boat went up to Fort Henry once or twice through out the day examining the fort.....& c of the the enemy (threw a few shots at a rebel boat (Dunbar) which they met coming down the river (last evening) to reconoiter) also at some pickets on shore some at the fort 23rd left camp for a march to Paducah (by Gun boat Conestoga last night) Orders came from Genl. Grant to return that the battle which our march effected was passed that we (the Federals) whipped the boys all wanted to take Fort Henry but we could not disobey orders so we returned reached Paducah on Saturday about 3 oclock P.M. Sunday 26th resting from our march the late rains have raised the river very high I feel rather dull today a long march has quite an effect on ones feelings. a rumor that we (8th) are to join Jim Lanes command the 55th Ill came here while we were away and they say they are to take our place things look a little as though we are going to leave the paymaster in here and I guess we will get
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January February
our pay soon I received five letters last night one from Priscilla one from Jane one from Kate one from Zella and one from Jay 27th writing letters went to levee a short time concluded to get a transfer to Gun Boat if possible wrote a letter to Commodore Foote Mansk Milo & Frank are going with me if we can get the transfer 28th to day have been busy getting the pay rolls signed and clothing accounts signed Recd our money up to Dec 31st boys having boistrous times their money is being spent very freely. I can hardly believe my eyes when I see boys who have worked hard & undergone hardship to get their money then spend it as freely as if it cost nothing. I believe many a boy will contract habits while soldiering which he never will entirely overcome what an account the causes of this war will have to face at the final day 29th Rany day did nothing but a little writing 30th Capt Smith being Quartermaster for 2nd Brigade detached me to act as Forage Master issued Hay Drain & c 31st issuing Hay Drain & c quite busy Feb 1st busy issuing and receiving Hay Drain &
2nd issued but little it being Sunday all issuing was delayed to Monday excep urgent cases went up to Co D 8th mo a short time was at Hospital to supper wrote letter to Jay Hendersen rumors that we march to morrow no orders received here yet to that effect 3rd Issuing forage 4th Issuing forage and packing QuarterMaster stores to move 5th started for boat at 8 oclock A.M. Left leave at one and now at 8 P.M. are near our stopping place as lights are seen ahead 6th boys are all excitement getting 2 days nations and preparing to leave the boat rumor that the enemy have evacuated the Fort after burning everything inside it also that a secesh General is 10 miles out in the country stuck in the mud I do not credit them 11 oclock A.M 11th Indiana takes the lead next Chicago artillery then 8th mo the ballance of the Regts I cannot tell the names of from here 11:45 A.M. the signal to prepare to go to the first is run up
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I consists of 4 flags the uppermost 2 blue stripes one white one next flag all white next white with a small square of blue next to the line that last 2 red and one white stripe At this signal all the boats commenced to fire up and at 12 started at 12:30 the gun boats all under way the 5 iron clad boats ahead the 3 wood gun boats behind Tyler in the center conestoga on west side of Lexington on the other .....witch just to the right and behind the Tyler 1:30 P.M. The ball has commenced The gun Boats have opened fire on the fort 1:50 commanding grows heavier There goes a broadside I can see the smoke as the breeze blows it eastward and I hear nothing of the Infantry watching the fight 2 P.M. There goes the 128 pound gun at the fort now the firing is not so heavy now it increases-The troops from the east side are only half of them gone from appearances one Regt is yet on the west side Now they have orders to fall in they do it with a yell of delight
The regt is now in motion it is 2.16 p.m. The firing still continues The WHB is coming down the river. The capt is waving his hat news are good I guess The firing has nearly ceased The WHB is now going back A gun boat is floating down it is the essex The WHB goes up to the G.B. and seems to speak to her 2:50 The firing has ceased The fight has lasted about 80 minutes It does not seem possible that the fort is taken so soon. staid on board the boat 7th early the Farry Bullitt crossed the river coaled up and went to the fort I got off and examined the fort saw the effects of cannon balls saw the rifled cannon the only one in the fort bursted also saw the men which it killed one had his head and arms blown off another his skull mashed another his throat nearly cut off and all were burned black by the powder their clothes entirely off around their breasts. saw the prisoners about 80 got a complete idea of the fort the power of balls the strength of the gun boats as I saw one which was struck 35 times once or twice by
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128 pounder it only half buried itself then glanced off saw many shot guns knives a secesh col's uniform & c in about an hour after landing at the fort crossed the river and lashed fast opposite our camps or rather Fort Heiman I believe that is the name of it 8th remained on the boat 9 remained on boat going back and forth to camp occasionaly.....on west 11 removed to camp on hill just below the unfinished fort 12th straightening up tent drawing some forage & wrote a letter to Jim Lieut White gave me a letter which came from Jim 13th busy in tent afternoon running balls for revolver Our boys here a little skirmish with the enemy today from what I hear it appears that 12 men sent in ward that they were union men and wanted to take the oath of alegiance and would meet at a certain school house 3 miles distant from camp accordingly by the Col. of the 28th Ill with a guard of Co armed men went out there they had hardly got to the place mentioned when some 4 or 5 hundred secesh cavalry surrounded or attempted to surround them but our boys soon cleared them out and fetched the 12 men prisoners in camp. some boys of my Co were out on a Foraging Excursion to day and were fired on by 11 mounted men they returned the fire with but little damage apparently one horse seemed wounded
The forces which went to attack Fort Donaldson today are having hot work from report I learn that our Gun boats shelled them out of the Fort and that our infantry had them surrounded about 17000 on each side are engaged we have 10000 on the opposite side of the river Lieut White was within 4 miles of the fort today he told me what I have written he says our loss most probably will be heavy 14th This morning about 4 oclock our Regt and Ind 11th left camp for Fort Donaldson the fight continues there with much spirit They only took their blankets haversack & c The winter snow evens the ground and melts but little towards noon very heavy firing which continued for several hours was heard. occasional heavy guns are heard till late in the night I today bought a stove
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it is a regular cooking stove with oven & it cost $10.00 I am so situated I cannot hire my cooking and unless I have things convenient cannot do it myself my partners will bear half the expense 15th snowed little more last night heavy firing heard all night which continues to day Our troops are now doing the heaviest fighting ever done in the United States I wish I only could be present with my comrads but some one must attend to things in absence of the Regt and I do not know as I am any better to do it than any one else I hear various rumors but cannot credit any it is a cold day melting only a little in the east side of the hill can hear heavy guns yet at 10 oclock P.M. 16th heard firing this morning a rumor came in camp that our boys were hotly engaging the enemy yet Another rumor came in camp tonight that the fort is ours that the enemy surrendered at 10 A.M. today also that Capt Swartout was killed later rumors state that Col. Smith is killed I do not credit the report although it may be true 8 oclock P.M. a very bright and large illumination visible in the direction of Fort Henry Drums or rather martial music and Bands are heard over near Fort Henry I think it is a jubille over the Fall of Fort Donaldson I think the illumination is also an exultation over the fall of a secesh stronghold 17th news of Fort Donaldson still arrives I can hardly credit all I hear My Regt got back to camp tonight I had a splendid supper for some of my Co officers I have not time to write particulars of the fight 18th busy turning over horses and moving 2 A.M. stores down near the river My Capt is now ZM if all forces this side of the river at Fort Heimen 19th busy issuing forage and opening books for opening forage accounts 20 issuing forage &21 22nd issuing as usual 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th spent at usual work of issuing forage & c March 1st 2nd 3rd 4th issuing forage 5th Capt Smith Transferred all 2.....& Commissary Stores to F Bllapp formerly ZM of 8th mo 6th commenced packing
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up all stores preparatory to embarking on S.B. to go on an expedition up the Tenissee River Got everything which we rushed to take with us on SB Telegraph No 3 by dark ballance of ZM and Comissary stores turned over to ZM of 2nd Ill 7th Reed some Forage of Lyman then went up the river a fiew miles and took up to await further orders on the 23 Ind from the west shore then crossed the river and took on the 24th Ind from the east bank 8th Returned to Fort Henry coaled up then went about 4 miles up the river and tied up alongside the SB J.J. Roe which had in the 8th mo & 11th Ind the ballance of the 1st Brigade 3rd Division 9th remained at the landing 10th about 10 A.M. started for Secessia J.J. Roe & Telegraph No3 ..... together Arrived at Savanna about 6 oclock on the 11th 12th in the evening went about 4 miles up the river to Crumps landing and there the 1st Brigade disembarked and went out 4 miles in the country laying in wait for the enemy cavalry in the meantime had been sent out to the R.R. Bridges to destroy them Rained hard all the later part of the night very wet and muddy boys came on board again on the evening of the 13th 14th remained on boat 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22nd spent in getting off the goods from the Boats ZM Stores did not come off until 18th 22nd we are now getting ready for a march and from what I can hear I judge Memphis is our destination 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th attendin to ZM business but little work Forage for the different Regts is now drawn from lyman he being division ZM and it is useless trouble to handle it over so many times To day I not having anything else to do went out to see a horse race An unlucky accident happened by which a horse was killed and a man bruised considerably
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April
One parties of the race could not find any ground inside the picket-line to race on and while waiting at the line for the proper authority to pass us out Dr Peterson and one of the parties of the race concluded to try the speed of the horses They went off a reasonable distance and came up in googd style but as they arrived at the line the Dr P horse being headstrong would not stop and bolted on the sentinel A Lieut of the picket grasped the gun and in stopping the horse ran the .....in him which caused the horse to throw the Dr bruising him considerably The horse will die most probably Genl Wallace soon came up and went out with us to view the sport Everything passed off very well I saw the ruins of a cotton press & Gin which was burnt by the rebels I beleive 28th 29th 30th at usual work today 63 fugitives were provided for they either had to join secesh or leave which they did coming to our lines claiming to protection The 2nd Brigade left camp for a march in the country their destination is to me unknown 31st Issued Drain & Hay to all the Regts & c of out Brigade April 1st Cannonading heard up the river considerable talk of a fight soon yesterday 100 deserters from the enemy came in pittsburgh a small town about 4 miles above here they report 80000 secesh marching to meet us Very warm pleasant weather this morning the sky is little smoky and resembles Indian Summer in the Eastern States 2nd 3rd very warm and pleasant on the 2nd I went from the ZM Dept back to my Co The ZM had acted as A.C.S. and needed several clerks but now is merely ZM consequently some have to return to thier Co's I hear cannon in the direction of Pittsburgh I think it is firing at a review or possibly the Gunn boats practicing to a certain the distance to some given points answered a letter of Kates & Ophelia yesterday answered one from Priscilla and one from Jane
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5th 12 A.M. Recd orders to be ready to march in one hour very dark commenced to rain hard accompanied with heavy thunder marched through mud and rain until day light when we arrived at Adamsville rain ceased and wind turned to n.w. blowing cold About 4 P.M. returned to Crumps Landing 5th about 2 P.M. Enemy attacted our forces at Pittsburgh at 8 P.M. cannonading commenced about noon orders came to be ready to march in 20 mi Left at 12 marched by a circuitous rout in the near of the enemy. When we received orders to retrace our steps and came in by the river which we did arriving at the scene of action at dusk but not in time to participate formed in line of battle and slept on arms all night A drenching rain wet us thoroughly The Gun Boat kept up a continued firing all night doing much damage to the enemy At daylight the 7th we were in line of battle and as soon as out Skirmishers acertained thier position we opened fire on them Our battery (9th Ind) soon drove them from thier position dismounting one of their guns when our line adavanced over the ravine and up a hill taking position where they had just left but the skirmishers acertained they had took a position about half a mile farther in we then advanced and getting our batteries (9th Ind & Buels) in position gave them a heavy fire. they returned it with vigor and as our infantry and battery were in an open field while thiers were sheltered by a ravine they gave us a galling fire As we were supporting our batteries the cannon balls shell & c could easily be seen by flying among our men and bursting over us Every moment some person could be seen writhing with pain as the shell would strike them After lying in this position for half an hour my Regt were ordered in a ravine close to the enemy In going there we were exposed to a raking fire but the enemy did not get our range acurately enough to do us much damage only one rifled cannon ball passed through our ranks It passed a fiew feet to the left of where I was and struck in a Co (R) on the left The Battallion at this time marching
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left in front After reaching the ravine we were comparitivly safe from the enemys shot One of our batteries (Buels) kept firing over us on once or twice thier shell burst so close to us as to wound some of our men A Regt of cavalry seeing our battery somewhat exposed thought to charge & take it but on coming to the ravine my Regt delivered such a gulling fire as to send them back without firing a shot hardly They left thier Col and 15 in 20 men dead. After about an hour's hard fighting the enemy again commenced to retreat but disputing every inch of the ground We followed them up closely They making a retreating fight for over a mile When their batteries commenced to play on us which halted us Here we had a desperate encounter The Division on our left falling luck gave the enemy a flank movement on us but we merely changed our front and held our ground Here Col Smith our Acting Brigaier General showed Generalship Genl Lewis Wallace gave him orders to fall back but Col Smith knowing it would give the enemy confidence requested him to let him have 20 mi to fulfill his order which Genl Wallace granted Col Smith then sent word to Col .....of the 11th Ind to hold his ground and he would send him another Regt if necessary which he did He then told us to raise a yell and give three cheers as if we were giving reinforcements which we did And it had the desired effect the enemy commenced to fall back and in less than half an houre we completely routed them We followed them for over a mile when finding them n full retreat gave up the chase to the cavalry and returned to good camping ground formed a line of battle and rested from the fatigue of the day From 5 A.M. until 4 P.M. was one incessant fire at times the rattle of musketry and booming of canon seemed to jar the earth or rather the heavens & earth seemed coming together The heaviest peals of thunder
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I ever heard were slight sounds compared with what I heard during the fight
Tuesday 8th rained all night This morning some Regts commenced to fire off thier guns to put them in order when the alarm of the enemy are coming created quite a panic among some green Ohio Regts in the near many breaking ranks and running as if for life a very disgraceful act I blame thier officers more than the men as no well disciplined Regt would run before seeing the enemy at any rate I went over the battlefield to day or a part of it I never imagined how horrible it is to see men killed by shot and shell All the corpses were bloody many so disfigured as to look little like a man some were burnt horribly by the leaves near them getting set a fire by shell This is the second battle field I have viewed and I hope it may be the last When I stood looking at old and young men laying cold in death by violent means I could not but try to answer the questions of who is the cause of this wholesale murder certain it is there must be a cause for where any effect ever was produced there always has been one and an effect so awfull as this one must be caused by some great reason I think and know that mankind can exist without war and since its effect is so terrible and linked with so much misery I cannot tell why do they not do it Here are thousands & tons of thousands of human beings men in the prime of life posessed if they ever can be with good judgment Enduring all the hardships of a soldiers life causing unknown anxiety among friends & connexion at home and what for To cause still greater misery by killing each other leaving friends wives & children at home without anyone to protect them I wonder I ever joined the army The mass call it brave and patriotic to go to war I begin to think it foolish and unwise
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8th Rained nearly all night Our Regt not having tents with us got wet thoroughly A rumor that the enemy are approaching but is not credited I was sergeant of the picket last night 10th Sgt Peaslee & myself walked over the battlefield Saw many places where some of our comrads fell Details of men were busy burying dead this is the third day ocupide in burying and still many are yet unburied We saw many places where the trees and brush were nearly all torn to pieces I counted 110 balls in one tree put there by the union troops did not count the opposite sidw where secesh were firing 11th Rainy I went to the 65 Ohio found one man from .....Co where my friends live heard of more acquaintances in the 3rd cavalry 12th A national salute was fired at the levee this morning Also a salute of 15 guns for Major Genl. Halleck 13th The excitement of the past week and early in the morning I went out & shot a beef which my comrads helped to fetch in for the Co at 12 all Regts of our Brigade fell in line and ..... and Col Smith.....read an order from .....Steinten to the effect that a prayer of thanksgiving should be given for the many recent victories of the union army Our Chaplin performed the services 14th Went through the usual routine of camp equipage from river 16 moved our camp out to the Picket line 17 washed some clothes & c 18th for the past two mornings formed line of battle at 4 A.M. to prevent being surprised by secesh Different Brigades and Divisions keep moving out towards the enemy taking positions in line of battle within supporting distance of troops in the near many rumors in camp One that the left ring of McClellands Army is at Memphis another that Genl Mitchell is at Huntsville in posession of the Memphis and Charleston R.R. also that he has captured several locomotives and many carrs he has destroyed the RR Bridge at Decatur for we saw pieces of it floating down the river some of them on fire I don't credit all of them but I think
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the probability that there is some reason to blieve some of them 19th In camp all day very rany 20th In camp Rainy A detail went out to a swamp in our front to build a bridge across it 21st Rainy I went over to Secesh Hospital 22nd clear day sun very warm made out Schleigh's Samuels & Spainheurs Descriptive lists They being sick and circumstances render it necessary for them to be sent where they may receive proper medical treatment 22nd In afternoon had a grand review of our Brigade before Genl. 23rd very pleasant I made out description roll for Sgt. Marsh Wrote a letter to Priscilla ruled a clothing account for Co 24th orders came last night for to be ready to march at 6 A.M. to day At 4 A.M. fell in line of battle stacked arms and cooked our nations At 6 we left camp for the place of meeting to start when all four Regts were ready we started to reconciter the position of the Enemy Took with us two pieces of artillery Went on the Corinth road Found the enemys advance picket only about one mile from ours drove them in for four miles when we met a reserve picket numbering about 4000 They fired a few rounds at us when we opened on them with artillery driving them from thier camps with no loss on our side The enemys loss was not ascertained as we did not follow them We burnt their tents Commissary Stores & c took ten prisoners We could see their camps in the distance Returned to our camp at 5:30 P.M. Other Regts went out to hold the position we gained To night Our whole Brigade have orders to be ready to march at 6 P.M. tomorrow with two days provision in haversacks I guess an advance is to be made having in view the taking or dispensing of the rebels at Corinth It is now about 18 hours since I got up this morning and I have been at work all the while getting thing prepared for marching or actualy marching and doing the part allotted me in driving the rebels I am very tired and should retire immediately It is a warm .....Evening A Shower seems passing in the north west I hope it will not rain her as the roads are now good
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All along the line of march today were seen the clothing cooking utensils, wagens, amunition, caissens & c of the rebels thrown away ni thier retreat from the recent battle here at Pittsburgh Landing Had we only a fiew fresh troops to have followed them at the close of the fight on Monday the 7th thier retreat would have been a perfect rout and many prisoners would have been taken Genl Smith of Genl Halleck staff conducted our reconicance today I judge the information gained is very satisfactory from out being ordered to advance so soon It is now 10 P.M. 25th Rainy in morning Started about 7 A.M. marched out within short distance of Perdy Act Brig Gel Wood was at Perdy and news came to us that he needed reinforcements It rained all the way out making the roads very muddy It was a tiersome march 26th Busy all day getting Gun Pistol & c in order 27th Pleasant day Inspection in morning Meeting in afternoon 28th left camp with three days rations took road for Perdy went out six miles and encamped for night A large force of cavalry (Perhaps 2000) left our camp about 1 A.M. 29th and went to the R.R. beyond Perdy and destroyed two R.R. Bridges captured a Locomotive which had left its train a few miles back to see if the bridges were safe tore up the track for a long distance run the locomotive off and brought in engineer firemen & horsemen prisoners Also a Lieut found in Perdy 30 returned to camp and mustered for pay I recd two letters one from Jay and one from Kate Grandma's dead She died on Fryday night April 18th at 10 P.M. Funeral at Hainsville Church on Sunday Text Revelation 14th chapt 13th verse was confined to her bed but one week How I wish I might have seen her once more It will seem so lonesome not to see her when I go back if I ever do My best friend One who has done more to mould my character then anyone else not excepting my parents is no more to mourn for her would be wrong She is now in a land of happiness What a pleasant meeting must her and Grandfather have had I can almost see them together again and then the thought that they never will part fully repays all sorrow at her loss from our view
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May 1st making out muster rolls did not work at them very hard but took my time 2nd still at work leisurly on muster rolls can finish them in a fiew minutes when once at them Weather is very pleasant woods are thick with leaves Roaches as large as almonds cherries like peas Other vegitationin proportion 3rd Did some company writing had Brigade Drill Recd Orders to be ready to march at 8 oclock tomorrow 4th marched according to orders commenced raining about noon Wet us completely and made the roads mearly impossible I think this country can furnish as much upon as short notice as any I ever saw but it does not last long 5th rained all night and only stoped by noon today 6 Busy with camp duties 7th made out descriptive roll for AL B.....did other company writing I have felt quite under the weather but continue to do duty 8th did some company writing A rumor in camp that the enemy were apparantly about making.....stacked our arms in the color line but no order came to move and we gave up all hopes of an engagement today
9th did no duty today quite unwell Papers state that the rebels have evacuated Yorktown and that McClelland is in hot pursuit 10 Still unfit for duty 11th Papers of to day confirm the evacuation of Yorktown and give details 12 Feel much better will return to duty soon News came in camp a short time ago that Norfolk is taken and the Merimac blown up. the news is well authenticated Success is crowning our arms even beyond expectations hardly time elapses to get fairly Exulting over one victory when another is published Surely secesh must be at a discount A rumor is in camp that Gen' Halleck received orders from the war Dept. that he should not bring in an engagement unless attacted until further orders Such news has a color of peace Possibly an armistice I do not hardly credit it however but expect a battle here just as soon as Genl Halleck deems it advisable 13th at about 10 AM Received orders to be ready to move camp in front as our Regt was tranferred to Genl Shermans Division Marched as ordered at 2 P.M. burriacked on the front line
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May
14th awoke early and had breakfast to be ready in case of an attack at daylight skirmishing going on all the while Secesh tried to destroy a bridge on the Picketline when we opened on them with two pieces of canon driving them back At dusk Genl Smith came Brig (our dd Col) took us out with him to ascertain the result of the firing returned at 9 P.M. while out could hear drums beating in Corinth 13-15 In fighting order bright and early Picket still keep up skirmishing 16th Yesterday & today building rifle pits in front of camp 17th Since coming to the front we go on Picket Company at a time Co D's turn this morning Pickets still skirmishing Genl Smith took out our Regt to drive the secesh back the ballance of the Brig supporting it On coming to the bridge Secesh opened fire on us when four Co's were deployed making a line of half a mile in length against which was a while Brig of secesh Against such odds but slow progress was made but in a little while we drove them from the hill and chased them to thier rifle pits Our loss was heavy being one man of every ten of the Regt and one of every six actually engaged in firing either killed or wounded (41 wounded & (9 killed)
18th Co D still on picket Enemy have fired but little today Firing down among the other Divisions 19th relieved from picket this morning Orders to be ready to march with nations at a moments notice & answered a letter from Jim and one from Priscilla today 20th Heavy Thundershower last night Orders again this morning to be ready to march at a moments notice with nations for two days Pickets still skirmishing A report in camp that the heavy firing & c heard in the enemys camp yesterday was caused by four Louisiana Regts trying to break through thier line to give themselves up but were fired upon by their own men and overpowered The same thing occurred a few days ago Two Regts I do not remember thier names tried to escape to our lines but were fired upon by thier Pickets Our advance hearing the firing interferred bringing back Sixty prisoners most of them from the Regts trying to excape Thier dissatisfaction is caused principally by Genl Lovels cowardly act of deserting New Orleans on the approach of the Federal fleet Deserters say that if we begin the fight now we will have a hard time but give them a little more time and they will whip themselves
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May
21st Our division advanced and very silently got our canon in position we then commenced to throw up fortifications and by night had the principal parts done 22nd Finished out line of defences Pickets exchanging shots at intervals all day 23rd was called in line several times our pickets advancing drove the enemys some thought an engagement was about to be had but the enemy fell back and all remained quiet serve the occassional shot from Zella answered it everything quiet but little firing among the Pickets Some preparation clearly indicate the near approach of a battle I went out on Picket line had a view of secesh heard bullets whistle to near for comfort 25th Pickets gave an alarm at daybreak did not amount to anything serious Regt rec'd new guns today the minnie rifle Recd and answered a letter from Kate today 26th Usual camp duties Pickets firing continually 27th picket firing continues brisk 28th Recd orders to be ready to make an advance on the enemy at about 10 am commenced skirmishing. planted three batteries and shelled the woods and a house heretofore ocupied by secesh Sern drove them then advanced to a ridge and took position shelling the retreating rebels They returned the fire of our canon by an occasional shot from what sounded to be a single gun One shell came close to my Co a piece falling within a fiew feet we held the ground gained without much opposition until about 4 P.M. when a Brig made a charge on our advance through an open field our batteries opened a cross fire on them which sent them back in a hurry; at dark commenced to throw up fortifications and worked all night finishing them by daylight The morning of the 29th found a formidable breastwork where not Eighteen hours before rebel Pickets were exchanging shots with our men day spent in watching the enemy at dark fell back to a small ridge and put pitched tents 30th Carrs were heard very busy all night in fact there seemed to be many trains continually leaving shortly after daylight we heard a succession of explosions for which no reason could be assigned except that the rebels
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had evacuated and blown up thier magazines Genl M.L.Smith accordingly took my Regt and the 34th Ohio out to ascertain We were off in a twinkling and soon reached the rebel outposts ocupied by them yesterday now vacated. a little farther brought us in full view of the rebel embankment now apparently deserted Trees had been fallen for half a mile to the front making a network of brush which would make it an impossibility to march through On nearer approach we saw thier guns had been taken away on coming up to the fortification they appeared very slight in comparison with ours a man could scale them at abound the ditch being on the inside Thier camps appeared as camps usually do when left in a hurry Cooking utensils & food scattered in all directions On coming to the Depot we found both Depot buildings and several store houses in flames also a quantity of cotton was burning We passed on taking the track of the retreating enemy capturing 40 prisoners By this time orders for artillery and infantry to follow had been given and commenced to arrive taking a good position about three miles from the Depot we sent cavalry ahead to ascertain the position of the enemy They reported them ahead some three miles ocupying a commanding position on the back of a deep creek the bridge they had burnt They opened on our cavalry with artillery wounding one man and injuring three horses Returned to our camp by dark other Regts & commands took our place 31st Busy with usual routine of camp duties heard canonading n direction of corinth also about same time heard a locomotive whistle have not heard the cause Gave to Capt Kirby $35.00 raised by Co D to be used in purchasing a sword sash & saddle for M L Smith 1st usual camp duties 2nd left camp about 1 P.M. with two days nations (Shermans Division) marched through corinth and down the R.R. 3rd My Regt went four miles beyond chawalla to repair the road and clear the track of rubbish to get some seven locomotives from among the wreck of as many burnt trains ballance of Division remained at Chawalla 4th Barracked at .....
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June July
5th awaiting orders 6th went into camp on the hill near the station 7th in camp I am busy fixing up the co account as my former Capt (Ga Smith) is now act Col of Regt 8th 9th 10th usual routine of duties in camp 11th left Chawalla marched 18 mi stopt long enough to fix up one bridge 30 feet long 12th marched twelve miles rested in the middle of the day 13th marched to G Junction barracked one mile north of town 14th marched to LaGrange and barracked SW of turn on the bank of a large creek 15th changed to camp on hill west of town 16th spent the day fixing up company papers and at 4 P.M. left for Holly Springs 17th Barracked at a Plantation 11 miles from H Sp last night arr in town at 10 A.M. Staked arms on the commons East of the Depot 18th in barrack left turn at 4 P.M. barracked at a creek six miles from town
19th came in camp marching 26 miles we took several prisoners one major several Lieutenants Ten of our cavalry were wounded 20th Recd letters from Kate Ophelia and Miss Brokam answered them also wrote on to Eph 21st The usual duties of camp 22nd left LaGrange at sunrise marched 18 miles to Lafayette barracked for the night 1/2 mile from the Depot 23rd This morning one of my comrads died of Typhoid Fever. He was sick but five days the second day a congestion chill took him down from which no relief could given Myself with two conrads made his coffin and at 3 P.M. we buried him Went in camp on a grove on the top of a small knoll 24th Went bathing this morning spent most of the day strolling about the camp and Depot 25th doing camp duties 26th left for Moscow arriving at noon 27th quite unwell but doing duty 28th quite unwell 29th Went on sick report this morning marked quarters but worked all day on muster rolls 30 was mustered for pay Regt ordered to march en rout for Holly Springs I have the muster rolls to finish also monthly report to make so I remain in camp July 1st Finished writing muster Rolls-getting better 2nd usual camp duties 3rd camp duties 4th Regt has not returned Very lonesome in camp Nothing going on makes me think of old times when fourth of July passed
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July August
more pleasantly A salute of 34 guns was fired at the Depot at midday the only demonstration made 5th usual camp duties Received a letter from Kate and Ophelia answered them 6th usual camp duties 7th Regt returned to camp had a hard march 8th usual camp duties 9th usual routine of camp life 10th 11th quite unwell in fact since we came to Moscow I have felt unfit for duty 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th quite unwell 17th my birthday sick in quarters 18 Left camp at Moscow at daylight I had to be carried in an ambulance barracked about 7 miles west of Lafayette 19th came to a small station west of Germantown where we pitched tents and staid over Sunday 20th 21st Marched in Memphis and went into camp in the S.W. of town I am still in hospital 22nd Recd letters from Kate Ophelia Jim Priscilla Zella and RAB I remain about the same mending if anything answered all the letters except Jims & RAB I received one from Jane to day 23rd better to day moved camp out on the road we came in town on about three miles a very pleasant place 24 not so well to day answered Jims and RAB letters Jim in his letter made me a proposition to go into partnership with him
25th feel quite good Had a great dinner today we presented Genl Smith with a full uniform a splendid saddle a fine sword and an elegant pain of pistols Sgt Jackson made the presentation speech After dinner many extempore speeches were made Tailens Battery and Willards Old Battery boys were present and others The while passed off very pleasantly 26th answered a letter from Priscilla Recd the 24th I am getting better quite fast 27th Do not feel so well today as usual nothing going on in camp 28th Some better 29th about the same my medicine is changed from a perscription of brandy & Quinine to Sulphuric Acid 29th perscription changed now taking two gr. Quinine three times a day the aim is to stop my night sweats also I am using an ointment of Iodine for the Goitre or swelled neck I feel somewhat stronger have a fair appetite rainy afternoon 30th cloudy morning feel quite well this morning 31st cloudly forenoon feel about as well as I did yesterday Diarhea commenced again
Aug 1st pleasant day about the same as yesterday A quarrel in Co F went off this morning one man was stabed with a .....in the Bowells wound considered dangerous 2 changed hospital from tents to a house feel quite well 3rd feel abuot as usual no change A swelling of the Thyroid Gland
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4th no change 5 do not feel as well as I did yesterday much weaker 6th feel weak no apparent change 7th Diarhea has returned and assumed a violent nature I have a good appetite which serves to keep me around 8th am getting weak have pains through my bowells Received a detail by Genl Shermans order to report myself as clerk for D.W Hartsham Division Surgeon Regt received thier long expected uniform this afternoon 9th I rode down to Genl Shermans Hd Qrs. in an ambulance and reported as ordered feel weak but am gaining 10th making out a weekly sick report of Division very unwell to day 11th busy all day in office feel better again 12th feel quite well Diarhea is less violent-busy in office-very warm 13th am much better busy making out Consolidated monthly reports of sick wounded & 14th busy in office 15th 16th 17th 18th all pleasant days busy at usual office business I am getting stout and healthy again and if marching don't start my old complaint I will be as well as I ever have been 19th pleasant day have been writing for A A Gen to day besides doing my usual work 20th Pleasant day doing the usual business of the office 21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th at work attending to usual business was up to the Co this afternoon nothing new transpiring of much consequence A Brigade was sent out in a reconoisance towards Holly Springs Merely as a .....on the enemy 29th 30th 31st ocupied in marking weekly reports and attending to other business of the Office 1st usual office duties 3rd 4th 5th ordinary routine of business a command of 179 cavalry of 6th Ill Commanded by..... Grierson went on a reconoisance 6th busy making out monthly report Quite a sensation created by a report brought n by a sergeant of the command which went out yesterday that it had all been captured Just now a detachment of it came in with a number of prisoners and report all night a detachment was sent in yesterday commanded by Lieut who was killed by Guerillas firing from ambush part of the prisoners escaped the ballance were brought in two prisoners were killed by the fire and one private and the Lieut A small command went out last evening and laid the whole country waste around where the attack was made burning severe fire duellings and killing two men who were of the
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September October
party of Guerillas Genl Hulberts Division left with all thier camp equipage for a point unknown The command has just past 1 oclock P.M. 7th 8th 9th usual office duties 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th busy at the duties of the office 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th nothing unusual ordinary routine of work 21st warm day remained in camp do not feel very well have been to the Theatre 4 mights in succession The plays were good 1st one Honey Moon & a farce 2nd All is not good that glitters 3rd Michale Erin as the Maniac Lover 4th The serious family 22nd usual business of office 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th usual routine of office duties A fiew Guerillas have been firing on our boat for the past fiew days Randolph has been burned on account of an attempt at that place to capture the S.B. Eugene one building only left that was a church The Gun boat Essex had an engagement silencing a battery of 34 guns without any damage to herself she also bombarded .....for harboring citizens or Guerillas who fired on a boat load of men going from the gunboat to get Ice The presidents proclimation has reached us freeing all slaves in the states or sections in Rebellion at on 1863 .....is going to work now with gloves off For the past week we have had Artillery practice nearly every day it is very beneficial to the Artillerists 29th 30th usual duties nothing very unusual Oct 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Office duties quite busy 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Nothing exciting at this place Pickets bring in the usual number of persons trying to smuggle goods & c other departments of the military succeed as usual
11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th nothing stirring except news of a fight at corinth also news of a fight in Kentucky and a raid into Pennysylvania by secesh cavalry 17 18 19th weather getting cooler but is dry and healthy usual office duties Surg Genl has sent for all the specimens of morbid Anatomy now in this division today (Sunday) is very quiet Genl Sherman has gone to review the 1st Brigade of late he has reviewed his whole Division once a week Generally the 1st Brig on Sunday
20th 21st 22nd 23rd 24th very busy in office have been copying a very lengthy courtmartial proceedings of 25 cases for Genl Grant have made out a report for Medical Inspector G.T. Allen have much work
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received a letter from Priscilla all well although Ma and Theodore are complaining some 25 26 27 28th 29th 30 & 31st busy with office duties making monthly reports & c 1st 2 3rd 4th usual duties 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12th usual routine of duties The new regiments are now coming in here one or two each day a new or rather a medical officer ranking May Hartshorn has reported for duty the Genl Sherman reported Nov 10th 11 12 13 14 last night three regts arrived I have been quite unwell feel better this morning 15 16 17 usual duties nothing new several fires in town They seem so regular that the supposition is they were set no fire and that there is a gang of .....at work Recieved letter from Kate all well answered it 18th 19 20 21st usual office duties 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 usual duty in office 23rd Recd orders to march on the 26th column did so early in the morning we left a 2 P.M. crossed the Hatcher and encamped about one mile beyond 27th column moved at sunrise and as it passed the road.....which Genl Lauman was to join our colum he reported promptly at the moment .....on about 1/2 mi to the state line where Genl M.L. Smith was to meet us he reported also making an exact meeting of the three Divisions at the appointed place Genl Lauman left Memphis by the Hernando Road Genl Denver by the Pigeon Roost Road and Genl M.L.Smith by the Germantown Road encamped at Coldwater Creek 27 miles from Memphis 28th column marched at sunrise Genl Sherman and staff stoped at Byhalia Villiage until Genl Denver's and Lauman's Divisions passed and the column of Genl Smiths was in sight When we left at dusk on the direct road to Pigeon Roost creek where we encamped (arr at 9 P.M.) Genl Lauman's Division took the Chulahoma Road at Byhalia and joined Denvers column which passed on the direct road to Pigeon Roost where the Holly Spring Road to join us 29th Remained in camp at Pigeon Roost 30th column moved at sunrise we left soon after Stoped at a farmers until by brisk riding we just had time to reach the head of the column as it arrived in Chulahoma went in camp Denver in the center the others on the right and left on the principal roads leading from town
Page 46
December
1st remained in camp at Chulahoma. cold damp day. had our office in the Parlor of the mansion in the yard where our tents were pitched I was very busy making out a consolidated monthly report of all the sick and wounded of the Dist of Memphis Went out a reconoitering party of two Regts of infantry (815 mo was one) and a force of cavalry to ascertain the enemies position on the ..... Hatchee where He is fortified. Discovered them in full retreat burning everything he could not take along 2nd column moved at 4 A.M. we left at 7 a.m. arrived at Wyatt at 12 took quarters in a house near the River very rany and muddy Building a bridge across the ..... Hatchee 3 mo Genl Sherman and staff went to afford 4th marched to college Hill 5, 6, 7, 8 in camp at College Hill Genl Sherman went to Oxford to consult with Genl Grant and others the 815 9th orders from Genl Sherman arrived to prepare to march to memphis in company with Genl M.L. Smiths Division left at noon and Genl Sherman rode along the lines of Genl Laumans and Denvers commands making a short speech to cach Regiment camped at Wyatt 10th marched to Pigeon Roost creek and encampment 11th marched to cold water creek where Genl M.L. Smith Division encamped We with 7 companies of the 13 Regt ..... as a body guard camped 20 1/2 miles from memphis this side of coldwater creek several miles 12th left camp at 4 a.m. rode in advance of the Infantry and arrived in memphis at noon. took quarters in the fort in a house ocupied b y Col McDowell formerly My office is in the basement of the Brick House now used by Genl Hurlbent as Head Quarters formerly Genl Shermans 13th busy issuing orders and getting every ready to move down the river as soon as boats arrive to transport us 14 15 16 17 18 19th very busy making the needfall preparations for the important movement down the Missippi 20th at 10 a.m. The Forrest Queen upon whom Gen Sherman has his Quarters left the Landing at Memphis for Heelena in order to arrive in time to perfect necessary arrangements for the embarkation of the troops at that point. The transports bring down the forces at memphis to follow We arrived at Heelena at dark and dropped us at the wharf boat Genl M.L. Smith Division passed us early in the morning of the 21st We staid at Heelena until 3 P.M. when we left for a landing (old town point) 10 or 15 miles down the river where we found Gen M.L. Smiths
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Dec.
Division Remained here until 22nd. All the troops on about 70 transports are now here or near. It is very pleasant weather A rumor arrived yesterday that the Rebels had made a raid on Holly Springs and cut off communication with Genl Grants command I have a Memphis paper of yesterday mornings issue which does not confirm it but mentions a raid was expected at Jackson Tenn and states that a train of cans was fired in between Humbold and Carroll station. Passed White River at dark and boarded for the night just below its mouth 23rd Left early in the morning passed Arkansas River about 8:30 A.M. Napolien the small town at its mouth is but a small village composed of very ordinary house Saw what appeared to be two churches and one shool house no business house of any size A Marina Hospital is situated at the mouth of the Arkansas quite a respectable building but reported to be in a very unhealthy situation. There is no leeve nor streets paved at Napoleon. All the towns along the River bank present a naked poor appearance Small poorly built house no pavements & and the farm houses near the banks look more like a back woodsmans hut in Mich. than a Southern Planters mansion I have not so far seen one respectable looking house since leaving memphis 24th usual routine of camp life got under way at about 11 A.M. and went untill about 10 P.M. 25th This morning a lot of soldiers unworthy of the name fired some barns huts or negro quarters & c burning 12 or more. Gen Sherman ordered out a squad of armed men with orders to fire on all 40 yards outside the leeve I guess he told them to aim high as but one or two slight casualties occured Although several were reported Several prisoners were taken and 28 more are being court martialed for stealing pigs chicken & c Arrived at mouth of the Yazoo River at about 12.30 26th preparing to move up the Yazoo at 8 a.m. left the landing and the fleet excep Gen A.J. Smith's Division tied up at thier respective landings Gen M.L. Smiths at Johnsons House Gen Morgan about on mi aboe Gen steel above chickasaw B. took necessary precautions to prevent the enemy's making a rush on us. 27th Gen M.L. smith marched to the front had quite a skirmish Gen Morgan also moved beyond had a severe skirmish towards evening Gen Steel (Gen A.J. Smith landed near Blacks Mill and moved his line forward) also moved forward and much commanding was heard in that direction supposed to be the Gun Boats shelling the woods I have not heard anything from the command yet whether they find the enemy in force to the front or no I saw a signal flag on the hill near Thompsons Lake but could not ascertain whose it was whether ours or the enemys. The Chuckasaw B. prevents our communication with him except by water. Tonight our line meets in the chickasaw B. Bridges are being thrown across and will be completed by morning
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28th Skirmishing commenced about 4 a.m. and at daylight cannonading at 7 a.m. brisk commanding at 8 a.m. quite heavy principally in the front of the center Divisions. Gen McClemand has not arrived yet and unless he comes Gen Sherman will have Vicksburg before he gets here and the honor he expects will be given to the man who deserves it. We have a very hard tack before us and with anyone but Gen Sherman to lead would be defeated at least that is my opinion now. at 7a.m. Gen M L Smith was wounded in the side he was in front with a capt. of one of his Batt examining or choosing a position for the Batt when a rebel sharpshooter arose from the grass and shot him some sharp skirmishing recurred during the day 29th Infantry skirmishing commenced early in the day at 10 a.m. the Batteries opened very heavily and continued for one hour firing more slowly all day Infantry commenced a vigorous attack at 12 a.m. and the firing continued without intermission until after dark and during the night our canon shelled our Bridge built by Col..... all night at intervals of about 3 mi 30th no firing of much account Enemy strengthening thier position We all are strengthening ours building roads to the rear & c 31st no action of any account time ocupied as yesterday
a gun appeared today on the hill commanding the Bayou and from appearances capable of shelling Head Quarters no firing from it An expedition was prepared consisting of 12000 picked men and a .....of iron clads two mortars and three wooden Gun Boats with Steamers enough to transport the Infantry under commands of Gen Steele and Admiral Porter respectively but owing to a slight fog hanging on the surface of the water it was not thought advisable to attempt the storming of Haines'es Bluff as much difficulty would be experienced in getting the transports near enough to effect a landing
Jan 1st 1863
At 3:30 a.m. a dispatch arrived on board Steamer Forest Queen on which Boat the office of the Adjt. Gen remained for Gen Sherman. The orderlies being all cut in the field to Gen Shermans Hd Qtrs. I saddled my horse and with much difficulty got him ashore by crossing another boat and leashing him going down a single staging and rode as fast as possible to Gen Sherman's Hd Qtrs. I found the Genl standing outside his tent by the fire apparently listening for Genl Steel to open on the Batteries at Haines Bluff At which time an attack was to be made along our whole front The dispatch contained the notice of the failure
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of the expedition giving the reasons. He seemed disappointed but without saying a word wrote an answer and gave it to me which I delivered to Gen Steele on Board Steamer Continental He recieved it in his bed and merely raised up to read it. All farther attempts to take Vicksburg with the present force without the cooperation of Gen Grant as Gen Steele appear useless and the attack was abandoned by under cover of the darkness of the night of Jan 1st withdrawing the troops to the transport and leaving for the Willikens land The enemy appeared not to anticipate the movement as no demonstration was made while all the transports did not get out the Yazoo river until late in the day of hte 2nd Jan 3rd Laying at Willikens Bend Gen McClelland reported officially and with Gen Sherman went down to the mouth of the Yazoo to confer with the admiral leaving about 8 P.M. and returning about 12 a.m. The rain which has been pouring down for two days past has ceased. I have been very busy making out reports of the killed wounded &c
January 1st 1863 came in from Battle Field and staid on board S.B. Forest Queen Gen Shermans HdQtr Boat. Preperations had been made and every thing ready for to attack Haines and Durals Bluff by a land force of 12000 picked men and a naval force At 3 a.m. William Taylor came to my room (F) and awoke me saying an important despatch ahd arrive for Gen Sherman. And as he had no horse & no orderly being aboard the boat I saddled mine and after much difficulty getting him ashore (as several lay between the F. Queen and bank) I rode out to "HdQts in the Field" On going up to the Generals tent I found he was not in and was about to enquire of Surg. W. Millers who staid with him where he was when I heard him out by the fire and carried the dispatch to him It was a report that to storm the Bluffs was unpracticable on account of fog and the expedition consequently was abandoned He immediately despatched orderlies to the different divisions commander telling them that they would act on the defensive and not attack the enemy as Gen Steele's expedition had failed. He was awaiting the sound of the artillery giving notice of an attack by Gen Steele to give orders to attack all along the line at dark commenced to embark and after waiting until 4 P.M. (the 2nd) for the enemy to cross the Bayou and attempt to follow us we left for the Miss.River as by this time from the reinforcements constantly arriving it became evident neither Gen Grant or
Gen Bark's forces
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helped us in any way by helping reinforcements from arriving. A slight commenced at 4 P.M. increasing to a storm by evening 3rd Staid at Milliken Bend laying there all day at 8 P.M. the Forest Queen with Gen McClelland and Gen Sherman went to the mouth of the Yazoo and had a conference with Admiral Porter Returned at midnight Rain ceased fair weather promised had we remained in Yazoo we never could have moved our artillery
4th Started up the river
5th on our way up Arkansas River to a fort there
6th on our way. working at report of killed and wounded
7th Finished report Arrived at White River 2 PM
8th Very busy making the necessary arrangements for the Expedition in contemplation
9th Left landing at 8 A.M. and proceeded up White River to the cut off thence into the Arkansas and up to .....landing three mile from Post Arkansas preparing to disembark early tomorrow
10 disembarked and advanced on the enemy taking his rifle pits in advance driving them to the Fort
11th Formed our line if attact getting batteries in position enemy in the mean time throwing shell among us occasionly at 15 minute of one PM Battle opened with our artillery and Gun Boats advancing to 400 yards of fort and by rpaid & correct firing silenced it at 2 P.M. At 4 surrendered unconditionally passed the night within the rifle kits 12th Passed the day conversing with the prisoners & c at night went down to the Gen Hosp of the place and took charge of the medicines then Prisoners embarked on Boats for the north
13th came up to landing after loading medicines & c Gen Sherman moved his quarters on SB Forest Queen at 4 P.M. I am now and have been for 3 days past at Gen McClellands HdQts in S.B. Tigress
14th commenced to rain at daylight disagreeable day I moved my clothing & c for F. Queen to Tigress took everything aboard in afternoon
15th rain changed to snow 3 in deep this morning a snowy wintry day. Z.M. (as also yesterday) getting stock on board.
16th Snowing still melts some Went down to .....to pass the night burnt everything we could not get on board Blew up the fort & c & c
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All the boats nearly have gone down to the .....Gen Morgans Divis us here yet
17th After giving up to the Fort we started down the river firing the gun at sunrise as at about that time we reached the lowest boat of the fleet Arrived at Napoleon at noon. cool day snow melting very little
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The Soldier's Complaint
By J.E. Richardson Co F Infantry
Tune
Hard Times
Come listen kinds friends awhile to my song.
And I will unfold a tale of my wrongs.
Of labor's sever and likewise the.....
Endured by the soldiers on old Muldrough Hill.
Chorus-It's hard times on Muldrough Hill
It's hard times I say
We rise in the morning at five of the clock
And make our hard bed of the butts of cornstalks
Then down in the valley we all trudge amain
To wash off the filth that in camp we have gained
Chorus-Its hard times & c
Then when we have washed we climb up the Hill
And every man carries his legs at his will
But once at the summit our strength is all gone
And go fast or slow we are fain to sit down
Chorus-Its hard times & c
We rest half an hour then our labor begins
And the first we commence at is working our chins
Or in terms more explicit that you'll understand
We partake of a breakfast the cream of the land
Chorus-It's hard times & c
And now give redoubled attention awhile
And I'll dish up the breakfast in excellent style
So strengthen your courage and stomache also
For the sumptuous repast you're about to review
Chorus-Its hard times & c
The first on the hill in age and in strength
Is a side of fat bacon full three feet in length
With a crust on the surface to keep in the oil
A plump inch in thickness of Kentucky soil
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Then as to it's age we are all in the dark
But suppose it was smoked in the flues of the Ark
And I think 'tis the case but dont recollect
Each man as he eats doffs his hat in respect
Chorus-Its hard &
The next thing in order are crackers so hard
Cut out with a chisel in shape like a card
Punched full of small holes to make them more brittle
To crumb in the coffee thats stewed in the ektle
Chorus-Its hard
The ketle so rusty and dirty to match
Not fit to make slop for the very old scratch
But that which a digger or dog wouldn't eag
Is thought by the soldier a deuce of a treat
Chorus-Its hard times &
But kind friends have patience don't think I have done
The' I've dealt out the nations I've only begun
For when we've ate breakfast we trudge off to work
To stand upon guard or to dig in the dirt
Chorus-Its hard times
On guard we must go every third day or less
Where all sorts of men are mixed up in a mess
And when off of our posts we endeavor to sleep
And get ourselves curles all up in a heap
Chorus-Its hard times & c
Just as we get into a comfortable snoose
Along comes the Sergeant and raises the deuce
And every poor fellow from yonder to here
He pulls them and shakes them and yells in thier ear
Chorus-It's hard times &
He man sayes the Sergeant what is your relief
First Second or Third? Ah! man are you deaf?
And when the man grumbles about his hard fare
The officers tell him this hard it is fair
Chorus-Its hard times &
Full twenty-four hours we've expelled from the camps
To sit around the fire or lie down in the damp
And when we're released from our labor severe
We don't feel like stirring again in a year
Chorus-Its hard times &
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Yet when we get home in our tents at length
And lay ourselves down to recruit our lost strength
As we shut up our eyes and get ready to snow
Along comes the Corporal and peeps in the door
Chorus-Its hard times & c
"Say boys I want four men to go for some water
Come! get up and go with me-hurrah don't loiter"
And then from our couches still rubbing our eyes
We have to fall our and fall in at our size
Chorus-Its hard times & c
Aned when we get back and begin to feel good
Again comes the Corporal with "Hurrah for wood"
And we find the relief which has been our desire
Is like jumping from frying pan into the fire
Chorus-Its hard times & c
Altho were worn out by hard work and no sleep
We're obliged when on guard awake to keep
For if the Grand Rounds comes round to our post
And catches us napping our honor is lost
Chorus-Its hard times
For when he has gone his way on the rounds
As soon as he gets to the guards camping grounds
He sends out a Sergeant and two ugly mugs
And clap the poor Sentinel straight into the jug
Chorus-Its hard times & c
There are two or three items I would not forget
And ere closing story I'll mention them yet
A likeness from life I'll endeavor to draw
Of evils arising from under the law
Chorus-Its hard times & c
The first is the Suttler who keeps in his shop
A choice lot of dainties to mix with our slop
Cakes, candies and pies, nuts, sugars, and trees
Eggs, butter, and spices, with crackers and cheese
Chorus-Its hard times & c
In short on his shelves as you run you may read
He keep for the boys everything they don't need
But for ought that is nee off all through humbly you pray
He replies we don't keep it because it don't pay
Chorus-Its hard times & c
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Then to crown the whole matter our officers scold
Because we take tickets instead of the gold
The gold Uncle Sam keep locked in his chest
And we ca'ant get a quarter by trying our best
Chorus-Its hard times & c
And then there's another sublime institution
For testing the strength of a mans constitution
I allude to the hospital over the way
Where sickness and death are supreme in thier sway
Chorus-Its hard times & c
If I were a sarvant instead of a soldier
I'd sift the whole matter before a day older
For there's one thing I've learned among nature's laws
Tis that every effect has a definite cause
Chorus-Its hard times & c
And were I permitted an inference to draw
According to natures immutable law
I'd over full in view of the hospital walls
That the slops and Sutter have peopled its walls
Chorus-Its hard times & c
Were it not my kind friends that would tire your patience
I'd open it's walls for you all to admire
But fearing already I've kept you too long
I'll not try you farther by lengthening my song
Chorus-Its hard times & c
I'll say nought of the nursing or medical skill
Which the boys must receive with or without will
How long since the mansion's been graced by a boom
Nor of twenty poor fellows crammed into a room
Chorus-Its hard times &
And now my dear friends let me say in conclusion
That soldiering is a most fatal illusion
And if you'd be happy contented and rich
Just take my advice and keep out of the ditch
Chorus-Its hard times
Waitten at Paducah Dec 16th/61 While I now
write a number of boys are just outside my tent enjoying
a cotillion. The music is excellent. About an hour
ago all the camps within hearing were hurrahing with all
thier might just for fun. Sounded funny. Pleasant evening
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Giles A. Smith
John W. White
Fredric B. Clapp
Samuel W. Schleigh
John B. Coles
George E. Ostrom
Morgan Potts
Henry P. Marsh
John F. Peaslee
Ephraim Shay
Milo Rowell
Geroge A Shaw
Alexander Latter
Amos E. Hilton
William D Stone
James R Burg
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