Monday, 8th–We left bivouac at 8 o’clock and covered seventeen miles today. There was some skirmishing in front. The roads were good and but few bridges to cross. All is quiet in the rear. This section of the country is heavily timbered, mostly pine, and the soil is quite sandy. It is thinly settled through [...]
Sunday, 7th–We started early this morning and after reaching Brandon, about thirteen miles east of Jackson, went into bivouac about a mile from the town. There was no skirmishing in the front today, the rebels rapidly falling back. Our men set fire to the town this evening and burned almost the whole town. Most of [...]
Saturday, 6th–Our army did not move until in the afternoon, because of having to lay the pontoons across the Pearl river. The rebels had burned the bridges, twenty-eight in all, after crossing. I was detailed this morning as special guard at the Seventeenth Corps headquarters while out on this expedition. Things are quiet in the [...]
Friday, 5th–We left our bivouac this morning at 8 o’clock and moved forward about fifteen miles. General Liggett’s Division was assigned the advance today, while our brigade was taken from the supply train and placed immediately in Liggett’s rear. General Hurlbut’s Division is on a road just off to our left. There was some skirmishing, [...]
Thursday, 4th–We started to move at 8 o’clock and by night reached Bolton Station, where we went into camp. Our brigade being in the rear did not get into camp until 11 p. m. There was some skirmishing by Crocker’s Division, which lost three men killed and several wounded. Two men were killed by a [...]
Wednesday, 3rd–We started this morning at 8 o’clock and marched to the Black river, where we bivouacked for the night. Our brigade was train guard for the provision train. Our entire expedition is supposed to have about twenty-five thousand men, composed of infantry, artillery and cavalry, with one engineers’ corps in charge of a pontoon [...]
Tuesday, 2d–Our pickets were relieved last night about 10 o’clock preparatory to going on the expedition, but we did not get off this morning because the quartermaster failed to get the rations loaded yesterday, so we have to remain in camp for another day. I went on camp guard this morning. Our orders are to [...]
Monday, 1st–The weather is nice and warm today, as it has been for several weeks. A part of General Tuttle’s Division arrived in camp from some point up the river. The Crocker Brigade (Third Brigade of the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Corps) received orders to prepare to go with the expedition, taking twenty days’ [...]
Sunday, 31st–Regimental inspection today and the usual dress parade. All things are quiet in camp and no news. I attended church services in the afternoon. Since the arrival here of the large number of reinforcements, the rebels have all left this vicinity, retiring beyond the Black river. In all probability they are informed as to [...]
Saturday, 30th–We cleaned up our camp for inspection. Troops are still landing here for the purpose of going out on the raid.
Friday, 29th–Everything is working fine here at present. We can hear nothing about the army in the East. Some of the brigades have moved out to Black river bridge, since there is a better camping ground at that place; they also have good water there and plenty of wood and provisions. But we are still [...]
Thursday, 28th–Some of the troops that are going out on an expedition to Meridian, started on their way this morning. It is rumored that the Seventeenth and Sixteenth Army Corps are to make a raid across the State of Mississippi for the purpose of destroying the railroad running from Vicksburg to Meridian, and that General [...]
Wednesday, 27th–We have battalion drill now every afternoon, and today our regiment was reviewed by General Chambers. A division of the Sixteenth Army Corps from Chattanooga landed here last night.
Tuesday, 26th–I went on picket today. The weather is quite warm. Vicksburg, on the east bank of the Mississippi, is built on very high ground. It is quite rough and rolling here. There are some nice buildings here—a very fine court house, six good church buildings and a number of very nice dwellings, besides some [...]
Monday, 25th–The Eleventh Iowa Regiment was today sworn into the United States service for three years or during the war, and now we are a veteran regiment. Our company had an election of officers, but it did not amount to anything, as it was vetoed by the colonel, and men of his own choice were [...]
Sunday, 24th–After company inspection this morning, I went to church down in the city; went again in the evening. They have regular church services and Sunday school every Sunday.
Saturday, 23d–Warm weather. Still lying in camp and all is quiet—no news.
Friday, 22d–The weather is quite warm and it looks almost like spring—grape vines are beginning to start.
Thursday, 21st–All things quiet in camp and no news. The weather is pleasant, though a little frosty every night. The army could stand a long siege, for we have plenty of wood and the quartermaster has in storage a large supply of provisions. This is fine soldiering.
Wednesday, 20th–The Thirteenth Iowa was today sworn into the service for three years as a veteran regiment.
Tuesday, 19th–The weather is quite pleasant. No news. On picket again and all is quiet. We see nothing of the rebels about here.
Monday, 18th–It cleared off and turned quite cool. Nothing—nothing new; still lying in camp. The men are becoming restless and anxious to move on to another place, and to accomplish something.
Sunday, 17th–We had an all day rain. Company inspection early this morning. The Eleventh Iowa received their muster rolls and the boys are anxious to be sworn into the service and start for home on their thirty-day furloughs.
Saturday, 16th–The weather has been warm and pleasant for a week. We have our regular daily drills and dress parade. It came my turn to go on the picket line again. The Thirteenth Iowa received their muster rolls, and when they are filled out, the regiment will be sworn into the United States service as [...]
Friday, 15th–Camp and picket duty are becoming very light as compared to one month ago. Some of the regiments sent to Minnesota and western Iowa to drive back the Indians, are returning to camp. It is reported that the Sixteenth Army Corps will soon return from Chattanooga. We hear also that General Sherman will command [...]