Friday, 16th–Nothing of importance has taken place today, but I think we will have a fight soon. We have plenty of rations, but the drinking water is very poor. The health of the men is better, however, since we have become more active, and the men are getting back their old-time vigor. Some of the [...]
Thursday, 15th–We were expecting to be attacked today by the rebels making a charge on our front line and were ordered to fall in with two days’ rations in our haversacks. We marched out about a mile, and forming a line of battle, remained there till dark—about six hours—when we moved toward the right wing [...]
Wednesday, 14th–We cleaned up our camp today and had company drill twice. There was some heavy musketry firing on the front lines, and the artillery was in action on both sides, but not much damage was done.
Tuesday, 13th–We received marching orders this forenoon, and striking our tents at noon, started off towards the right. We marched four miles and went into camp—camp number 7. There was some skirmishing with the pickets today.
Monday, 12th[1]–Batallion drill today. Sixteen of the boys of our regiment failed to appear for the drill and later they were put into a squad by themselves under an officer and put through the drill until dark—that was their punishment for disobeying orders. [1] On this day George T. Willcott of Company E died of [...]
Sunday, 11th–The Iowa Brigade moved two miles to the right, nearer to Corinth, and some of our boys came in upon the rebel pickets. We established another camp—camp number 6. The Eleventh Iowa was relieved from picket duty this evening.
Saturday, 10th–The Eleventh Iowa went out today to reinforce pickets again. Our cavalry had quite a skirmish with the rebel pickets out on the flanks while driving them in.
Friday, 9th–We heard some very heavy firing off to the left towards Farmington. General Pope was compelled to fall back from Farmington, but has again taken the town.
Thursday, 8th–It is very warm today. Our major drilled us–the regiment–in the manual of arms. Company E went out in the evening to reinforce the pickets.
Wednesday, 7th[1]–We struck tents this morning, and moving three miles around to the right, cleared away the heavy timber and brush for our camp number 5. Our camp is just at the edge of the vacated breastworks of the rebels, they having lost them by being outflanked by our forces. Lieutenant Anderson of Company A [...]
Tuesday, 6th–We had battalion drill this afternoon. News came that Yorktown has been taken. New troops are still arriving and our lines are being extended to the right and left. A second line is supporting the artillery in the front line and the second line’s flanks are supported by the cavalry.
Monday, 5th–Nothing of importance. We did not get orders to move, so we had our regular drills today.
Sunday, 4th–It rained nearly all day. We received orders to cook four days’ rations and be ready to march at a moment’s notice. Henry L. Sweet of our company died of fever this morning at the Division hospital.
Saturday, 3d–We struck our tents and at 7 a. m. started in the direction of Corinth. After marching eight miles we pitched our tents for camp number 4. All of the sick boys have been sent to the hospital set up at camp number 2, which we left a few days ago. General Pope has [...]
Friday, 2d–It is warm and pleasant. The water is very scarce at this camp and poor in quality. We hear the sound of cannon in the front every day. The Sixth Division is in the second line of battle, but we are building no fortifications, as we are moved from right to left, as the [...]
Thursday, 1st–We received marching orders, and striking our tents moved four miles further toward Corinth. All of the Sixth Division moved forward today. We went to work and cleaned up our camp in a heavy piece of timber. This is camp number 3.
Wednesday, 30th–We were routed from our beds of leaves at 4 o’clock and moved on two miles farther in the direction of Purdy, when we received word from General Wallace that we were not needed. We marched back to camp, arriving here about noon, in a heavy rainstorm, soaked to the skin and covered with [...]
Tuesday, 29th–We received orders this afternoon to march out towards Purdy, about twelve miles, to be in readiness as a supporting column to General Wallace in command of the right. He was expecting to be attacked by the rebels and sent for reinforcements. We went in light marching order without knapsacks, and we have to [...]
Monday, 28th–We had company drill at 9 a. m. The weather is getting very warm; the sun shines hot, and we are sweeping our camp with brush brooms. We are being kept quite active, the doctors, we hear, having told the officers that the men would have better health if kept at work.
Sunday, 27th–Today we had company inspection. We had to go to work and clean up our camp and parade ground. The camp is in the timber. The water is very scarce and poor at that.
Saturday, 26th–Our regiment is now brigaded with Iowa soldiers, the brigade being completed today. Our brigade is composed of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Infantries, with Colonel Crocker in command.[1] We were inspected today by the general inspector of the army, and had all our accouterments on. [1] The brigade dating from April [...]
Friday, 25th–We struck our tents early this morning and marched about three miles to the southwest, and went into camp again, camp No. 2. We were brigaded over again. It rained all day.
Thursday, 24th–No news of importance.
Wednesday, 23d–We have company drill twice a day and more of the boys are getting out again for drill. The artillery men are receiving fresh horses to replace those killed in the battle. The weather is beginning to get very warm.
Tuesday, 22d–It is quite pleasant again after some rain—thunder showers. The wheat fields are looking fine.