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 However, the work is provided unedited for its historical content and context.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 [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., April 24, ’63. We have just returned from the hardest and yet by far the most pleasant scout in which I have up to this time participated. We started from here one week ago to-day, Friday, and my birthday (how old I am getting) on the cars. We were [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., April 14, 1863. I am brigadier officer of the day again, and of course it is a rainy, muddy, disagreeable day. Visiting the pickets occupied my whole forenoon and I rode through a constant rain. You may consider it an evidence of perverted taste, or maybe demoralization, or possibly [...]
Board of Survey Office, Lagrange, Tenn., April 6, 1863. I was in Memphis a few days since. It is quite a lovely town and quite Northern-like in its general appearance. Many of the blocks would pass muster creditably in Chicago, though the numerous fires it has furnished for the edification of the “Vandal Yankees” have [...]
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., March 31, 1863. I have lost my negro, Bob. The cavalry have been indulging in a pretty rough fight near here, [...]
Camp at Lagrange, Tenn., March 29, 1863. All perfectly quiet except the regular picket firing every night which here exceeds anything I ever before met in my experience. ‘Tis singular, too, for we have a large force of cavalry here and I should think the rascals would hardly dare to venture so near them. A [...]
Camp 103d Illinois Infantry, Lagrange, Tenn., March 19, 1863. Nine whole days of the most beautiful sunshiny weather imaginable. Warm as our home June, almost. The boys bathe in the river that runs near our camp. The little birds warble in the trees, the beautiful young ladies walk out to enjoy the gentle spring breezes. [...]