Memphis, Tenn., October 10, 1863, 4 p.m. Have just got here; bored to death. Had to march around three sandbars between Helena and Memphis. Never want to see a steamboat again. Never want to journalize again. We started at 5 in the morning for Corinth and then, maybe, for Rosecrans. I’ll be furiously glad to [...]
October 4, 1863. Have been over to Worthington’s again to-day. Sam got out his hounds and started a deer for us. We stationed ourselves in the runway, but although the deer came near us two or three times in his circling, the dogs didn’t push him hard enough to make him break for distant cover. [...]
Griffin’s Landing, October 3, 1863. To-day one of the pilots and engineers induced the colonel and me go with them over to the Arkansas side. We went over in the yawl, and after a walk of three miles came to a most delightful place owned by Worthington. His son and daughter, bright quadroons, did the [...]
October 2, 1863. Our foraging party brought in forty mules, fifty cattle, beef, twenty-one hogs and thirty sheep. They report a beautiful, rich country, and abundance of eatables within five miles of the landing. Went with party of bee hunters in the p.m. They had found the tree in the forenoon. They took two bucketsful [...]
Griffin’s Landing, Miss., October 1, 1863. Clear as a bell this morning; about 8 a.m. we reached Griffin’s landing 125 miles above Vicksburg. Said Griffin has some 2,000 cords of wood ricked on his plantation, some 500 of which we propose to gobble for the use of our transportation. We found here a part of [...]
Steamboat Diana, 70 miles from Vicksburg, September 30, 1863. We left Vicksburg in advance of the rest of the fleet at 8 o’clock this a.m. I am officer of the day and have found a good deal to do. Our regiment and the 40th Illinois are both on board and we are somewhat crowded. Gen. [...]
Clear Creek, Miss., September 29, p.m. As we were studying tactics together, preparatory to a battalion drill, our brigade commander at precisely 2:15 p.m., came into the colonel’s tent where we were, asked the colonel if he was ready to move immediately. The colonel replied that he was, and he then told us to be [...]
September 28, 1863. By the exercise of a little strategy, this morning I caught a chameleon who had ventured out of a hollow tree to gobble some flies for his breakfast. I enveloped him or rather lassoed him with a pocket handkerchief and then slipped him into a bottle. He only showed two of his [...]
The following material contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context. September 27. We sent our sick, nearly 100 in number, by wagon to the Big Black railroad depot, six miles, where they took the cars for Vicksburg. They [...]
Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 26, 1863. When we assembled at regimental headquarters this p.m., the colonel informed us that our corps was ordered to report to Rosecrans, at Chattanooga, and that we should prepare to move at a moment’s notice.
Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 26, 1863. Pass in your congratulations. We are under marching orders for Chattanooga. Our whole corps is going. We steam o’er sand-bars to Memphis, and then will probably “foot it,” though may go by cars as far as Corinth. From Memphis the march will be some 450 miles. [...]
Camp at Messenger’s Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 22, 1863. I wrote you a few lines from Vicksburg on the 18th inst. to notify you that I had escaped the perils of navigation (sandbar and guerillas) and of my safe arrival. I had a delightful trip down the river. A splendid boat, gentlemanly officers, [...]
Vicksburg, September 18, 1863. Left Cairo last Sabbath and arrived here this (Friday) morning. Am feeling splendidly. Better than for three months. Intended visiting you before going to my regiment, but know you’ll excuse me. Address me 4th Division 15th Army Corps.
Decatur, Ill., September 6, 1863. Girls, fun, etc., have lost their charm, and I’ve made up my mind to go back to my regiment. Reasons, as follows: Firstly, the general’s health as affected by his wound is no better, and I think it doubtful whether he goes back. Second, if he does go to the [...]
Decatur, Ill., August 31, 1863. The general stopped me here and insists on keeping me for a time. Major Wait’s resignation, which was forwarded the same time the general sent his, has been accepted, and I now being the only member of the staff in the north, he wants me to stay with him, for [...]
Decatur, Ills., August 26, 1863. I write for the purpose of informing you that I am recovering from that miserable attack of the jaundice. You can imagine nothing more disagreeable than a visitation thereof. Am enjoying myself first rate. Am sure I will find a letter from you in the office. Haven’t been there for [...]
Lagrange, Tenn., July 1, 1863. Everything moves quietly here. No more alarms or anything else to “bust” the confounded monotony of garrison life. A guerrilla was brought in yesterday who has murdered at least one of our soldiers, and an unarmed one at that. He rests comfortably now with a nice lot of jewelry on [...]
Jackson, Tenn., June 26, 1863. Such splendid weather—nice, fresh breezes ruffling the leaves on the trees all the day long—and plenty of rain to keep the dust in order. I was up early this morning and the mocking birds were playing a reveille, from whose sweetness bees might make honey. There are hundreds of these [...]
Lagrange, Tenn., June 19, 1863. The general and Sam went to Memphis yesterday to visit General Hurlbut, and the major and I have charge of the machine. The cavalry under command of Colonel Mizner went south last Tuesday. They have a good sized object in view, and if they succeed will be gone some ten [...]
Headquarters, Left Wing 16th Army Corps, Lagrange, Tenn., June 7, 1863. We had occupied our very pleasant quarters but two days when an order came for us to pack up for Vicksburg. Received the order at dark and by daylight the next morning we were in Lagrange. General Oglesby had moved his headquarters here and [...]
Middleton, Tenn., June 4, 1863. We made another little change yesterday. The regiment is now guarding the M. C. & R. R. from Grand Junction to Pocahontas. We are in detachments of two companies each. H Company is with mine. We marched 23 miles to make this point yesterday, and arrived at 10 o’clock p.m. [...]
The following material contains wording that may be offensive to many in the world of today. However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context. Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., May 29, 1863. ‘Tis becoming fiendishly warm in this latitude again; but the delightfully cool nights of which I wrote you [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., May 21, 1863. I am still sitting on this Court Martial. We may finish up this week. Everything is quiet here. To-day three or four regiments have gone out with seven days’ rations. All mounted. Rumors reach us daily that Grant is in a critical situation; but I can’t [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., May 13, 1863. I have been on a General Court Martial for the last ten days, and we will not, in all probability, adjourn for some weeks yet. We tried Governor Yates’ brother. He is Adjutant of the 6th Illinois Cavalry. Another little reverse on the Rappahannock. All right! [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., May 7, 1863. Isn’t the Grierson “raid” glorious? Two other expeditions started from this point and were gone respectively five and ten days each. Although they made good long marches and took about 40 prisoners and 500 animals, still we forget them in looking after Grierson. We have the [...]