CIVIL WAR JOURNAL OF JAMES B. LOCKNEY
WIS. 28th REGMT., CO. G
June 1864
Copyright © 1986, 1997-2023 [James R. Shirey]. All rights reserved.
Diary for 1864
Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night Safford & I went out to the fish line. We found none
on the lines. Yesterday I penciled some rhymes in verse, but I was not
under the influence of a peculiar mental clearness & activity which I sometimes
have, so I did not satisfy myself with them. I often make verses in my
mind when at work in an abstracted state, or when alone on guard, or elsewhere.
Many a verse I thought have I thus well shaped in my mind in long years past,
but when I had means to write it. The thought & beauty of expression could
not be recalled, nor even initiated. I would not have one think those were
great thoughts or splendid forms of compositions, but only better than is usual
for me. How I wish I could have written those & preserved them. I
may complete those I began, though I do not expect to make them smooth &
pleasing. I can remember the time when I fancied the work of poets to be
the easy task of merely writing the inspiration with which I fancied they were
gifted or favored, somewhat as spiritualistic. Trance Writers act in
merely guiding the pen they insensibly hold. I have lived to know however,
that in this much as in all avocations, such as painters, inventors, &c. in
which great & good results are achieved, the long desired fruit & crowning
reward can only be secured by diligent & persevering effort & great labor.
It is strange what a great diversity of expression & meaning may be used or what
changes may result from the rise of one word in place of another. June 2d Thursday, 1864
Last night I lay down before 9 O'clock & slept well. We
fell out to roll call at 4 O'clock without arms, as the morning was rainy.
Some rain fell during the night, so water lay in the hollows of the ground.
I slept till 8 1/2 O'clock, so I ate no breakfast. I must try to sleep
more & to eat much less than hitherto. Thus there awaits a work of vast
importance & most vital interest to my lifelong & eternal future. This
task before me, & may God grant that I may not shrink from it during the
next--30 years--of my life. How much my health, length of life, strength
of mind, and all that is valuable & desirable in life depend on the manly, firm
& Christian performance of my whole duty. I feel that it is more important
that I succeed in this, than that I return home from the War flushed with
Victory & safely restored to friends & home at or before the end of my 30 year.
Oh, may the prayers of those at home be heard & that of all true friends who
desire & pray, that we be men & Christians, that we live to God however soon we
cease to live here.
Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night was rainy, as was the day till 4 P.M. We were
waked at 4 1/2 A.M. for roll call. Alas! how many during the last month
have answered to their last roll call among their comrades in the ranks of War.
Many wounded & more to hear no sound till the last Trumpet wakes the dead of all
ages. The saddest of it all is that soldiers do not live with any view to
the eternal future, but indulge in all vices as if we were sure of dying in the
War & knew there was no hereafter! But then the love of friends & the
desire for the respect of good people should restrain on & make one have some
regard for morality & virtue. Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Last night I had a good sleep, & waked refreshed at 4 1/2 this
morning. Capt was on picket & Gilbert did not have us to stack arms,
though some Co's did. The boys, Clark &c caught three fishes this morning
& Foster got one on a line he & Walton made. The morning was cloudy early,
but soon the sky got clear & the sun shone pleasantly. The day was clear
pleasantly warm. The detail from our Regt for picket is 18 privates, two
non-com & one commissioned officer. We hold but one Post, that on the
Little Rock Road. The guard is about 30 privates & for 10 Corps & one
Sergt. About 12 of those are for Camp guard. Reamer & I are from our
Co. Today Capt Stephens, Co C is officer of the Picket Post. The
Officer of the Day of the 7th Mo Cav was f[?]ce and sensible. This causes
pleasure to the boys as not everyone is so. I have read my Weekly all
through. The account of operations in Va. is satisfactory & minute.
This No. has a map of the county from the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg to S.
of Richmond, also one showing rivers, R.R., towns, &c from Chattanooga, S. &
S.E. to Charleston, S.C. Sherman advanced on Dalton & Resaca in Geo &
occupied those places on the ____ In one battle, his loss was
3000. The Rebels retreated to Kinston toward Atlanta. The way was
one of extreme difficulty so far, as the county is rough & mountainous. Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co
Last night was clear, calm & starry, air damp & dewy. I
came off post at 8 1/4 P.M. when I expected to lie down during the next 4 hours,
but the orders were for each relief to keep awake till the next came off, when
they might lie down for two hours. This was quite a disappointed
[disappointment]. So Reamer & I spread our blankets & I kept awake for a
short time, but I was soon asleep I slept about three hours. Capt.
Stephens was awake most of the night as this was his first time on picket in 5
1/2 months, he said. I was waked at midnight from a sound, sweet sleep &
in my regret at the stern necessities of War. I said 'how Dear our Union
is' for I felt we were paying a large price for it but not more than it is
worth. I watched again till 2 1/4 A.M. and watched the line as best I
could & wondered at the sublime silent & imperceptible movements of the stars ,
the Ursa Major. I also gazed at the North Star & thought of home & those
that I hope I were there, well & happy. I slept till 6 O'clock when I was
well satisfied with my rest. We reached camp at 8 1/2 when I had a
pleasant, full wash in cold water. At about 10 A.M. Hinkley & I went to
the Catholic church, but we were a little late as the services had begun, ere we
got there. The discourse was on the subject of Penance, but he spoke on
prayer to the Saints, Virgin Mother &c. The sermon, as usual, was
addressed to non-Catholics almost exclusively, of whom there were a few present.
He said all the literature of the day was filled with arguments against the
Catholic doctrine on this point, viz, Intercession of the Saints. I think
he said what is not true, for there are many modern books that do not even refer
to the subject. How heartily I joined in his wish that the world would be
soon united in the Way of Truth & God's Law. Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night I slept well till 4 1/2 this morning when we fell out
& stacked arms. A sprinkling fell soon after, so we soon took our guns in.
Last night about 8 O'clock, a furious thunder & lightning storm came on & rain
fell during the night. Four from our Co, of whom I was one, was on fatigue
duty. The detail from our Regt was about 50. We were to report at 6
A.M. so we got to work about 6 1/2. The party was divided into two reliefs,
each to work two hours each half day. We got to camp at 10 1/2 & had to go
again about two P.M.. About 5 P.M. a shower came on which continued 1/2 or
3/4 of an hour, so we came to camp. We were building stronger new works
than those first made for a distance of 10 to 15 rods on each side of the
Battery first made. It will take a week to finish that one, as our Regt
only works at it, but when done it will be much better than the old. Pine Bluff
Last night, Hinkley, Safford, Goelzer, & I wrote by one
light, till after 9 O'clock. M_ lay down soon after & I had good sleep
till 4 A.M. when we were waked for roll call. When that was over I lay
down & slept till 5 when I was waked for breakfast which was ready. After
that was over I read St Louis Democrat of 27 ult. & a N.Y. Independent of late
date. Among other news is that of the recent visit of Gen. Garibaldi to
England. It appears the enthusiasm of the people at his arrival & during
the short period he was a allowed to remain was almost without precedent.
But owing to a hatred, Louis Napoleon, Emperor of the French entertains toward
the Patriot of Italian Unity & Liberty, the Government of Great Britain gave the
world-famed Gen. to understand their wish or desire that he should leave the
country to appease the growing displeasure of the Peyured Despot that rules
France. This is considered a disgrace to the British Nation & people,
is severely commented on in this country. British Statesmen should be more
independent. June 8 Wednesday, 1864
Last evening a thunder shower came up about dark. It rained
quite heavy for a short time. I might have gone on reserve picket, but
chose to go on guard today. I would be better pleased had I gone on the
other duty, as the boys had a good place to sleep all night. Little if any
rain fell during the night. I slept well during the night . I am on
guard today with Layhee & Moore & Corp Peck at the corn cribs. Here we see
some of the careless management that so largely prevails in the Army. I
conversed with the Post Com Sergt who has charge of the forage business acting
under & by the orders of the Post Quarter Master. He says the corn is paid
for in vouchers from the U.S. Gov at 90 cts a bushel on the plantation, when the
owner has taken the oath & he then gets protection papers. This corn is
piled in open cribs 20 or 25 feet square. The rain falls on the corn which
soon heats & spoils. In this way 1000's of bushels of good feed is wasted.
He said they will soon put it in houses. I saw some buttenuts or Refugees
probably who live in houses nearby & they were as lazy a lot as I often saw.
They set in the shade nearly all day & played cards. The South must have a
different class of people to improve her waste fields & clear her heavy forests.
I played a short time with two little boys 5 or 6 yrs old. We were
pleasantly busy for an hour or more. One would shell corn & give me some &
keep some himself & then he & I would throw the grains & this pleased him much &
me a little. The poor little fellows excited my sympathy in their
ignorance of the vast changes going on & their childish simplicity, little
flaxen haired & blue eyed innocents. Day was warm. A.M. was showery.
I read & wrote some. All long for mail.
Pine Bluff, Ark
Last night I lay down to sleep at 9 O'clock I was waked at 2 A.M.
when I watched till 5 O'clock. Then I went to camp & my duty was done.
Our post was on the bank of the river & I had a quiet time for thought &
memories. The day broke with the sky partly covered with clouds. Cav.
bugle blew at 4 1/2 & at 1/4 to 5 drums sounded in our camp. We had a good
place to sleep, covering over us with our blankets. No rain fell during
the night. This P.M. was rainy. Mercury was up to 90 degrees in the
shade this A.M. I have got so I can row with two oars very well, so I have
learned faster than I hoped. We caught few fish for several days past.
The river still continues muddy & is quite low. I had two boat rides with
Clark, our iron line works very well. Yesterday I saw two small negro boys
of 14 to 16 years old, who were made to fight as if they were two dogs. I
was sorry to see this, for it was disgraceful to everyone concerned. They
were chiefly of Co B but any Co has a plenty that would do the same thing.
I spoke to some negroes in the Battery under Capt Driscol. He was one of a
party of 8 or 10 that came from Calhoun Co 4 or 5 months ago. They are now
all in the battery except one, his brother, who went in the 3d or 4 Ark Inf.
His brother & himself were raised in Tenn. They were used harshly by their
mistress' husband, but her brother was a kind man & offered $1700 apiece for
them. He said they would not have run away so soon had they been well
treated. Clothes for the present month for each Co was drawn & distributed
today. A party of the 5 Kansas some 20 or 30 went out 15 to 20 miles &
were surprised by a large No. of Rebels. ___ were killed & ___ wounded.
Today I finished reading 'A Mother's Trials'. It contains 400 pages & I
think is written by Mrs. Gaskill. I think it is very true to life & shows
some men's meanness.
Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night I slept well. Roll call was early as usual.
I & four or five others were to report for fatigue on the breastworks at 6
O'clock. There were 50 from the 3d Minnesota & 75 from 62 Ill. I
worked two hours in the A.M. & returned to camp at 8 O'clock. In the P.M.
a thunder storm came on at 3 1/2 P.M., so we did no more work after that time.
The storm gathered slow & heavy, the dark blue-black colored clouds swept up the
western sky in a majesty & splendor that made me think of the like gorgeousness
& natural glory that I saw in Wis before the storm of War wrapped our land in
his sulfurous, fiery mantle. A good shower fell which cooled & purified
the air. The storm soon passed off & sunshine was pleasant & bright.
Today I wore my old hat which I wore all the way from Camp Washburn to
Little Rock. I[t] was worn & had holes in it in many places long before we
got new caps or hats. Many of the boys got new hats for which they paid 3
to $5 & they often expressed their surprise that I should wear mine. Now
every time I expose it, it creates some comment & considerable merriments, all
of which of course affords me a sort of pleasure. I imagine all will think
I am no dandy. At that I am pleased. We had two deaths in our Reg
this week. A few days ago a member of Co F died in hospital. This
P.M. just after dinner a member of Co D fell off the river bank & he died from
the effects of the fall. I heard his neck was broken. It is supposed
he fainted & fell & thus met death. I read some in a story this P.M. I
finished a letter to Maria today. I cannot but feel surprised at length of
time elapsed since & got letters. I have written very regularly. I
bought Harper's Weekly of 4 inst for 15 cts. I feel very well.
June 11 1864, Saturday
After a refreshing sleep, we were waked at 4 1/4 O'clock this A.M.
I afterward slept till 6. I ate no breakfast, so I had a good appetite at noon.
I meant to have fasted yesterday but forgot it, so I do so today. I ate a hearty dinner
& ate no supper. I hope I shall fast at least one day each week during this
30th year of my age, should I live through it. We have but 14 months to
serve if we be discharged three years from the time of enlistment. If the
Government want our services & decide to keep us three yrs from date of muster
of Regt into U.S. Service we have yet 16 mo & two days to work [so,
enlistment vs muster]. Should the War end
soon, I hope, we shall not be long kept, or many will die of ennui or at least
suffer from inactivity in camp, for we will have but little active duty &
none of the excitements of expected Battle & the interest felt in movements elsewhere
will be no more. Should this be so I wish I could get a lazy man to take my
place. Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co
Today was rainy till 10 O'clock when it ceased. I went to the Catholic church
with Owen Findley. We were late, as we got there after the Gospel.
There were but few present & those nearly exclusively soldiers. Not a
woman was to be seen & not one was present. The Priest was indignant at
this & uttered bitter words against those who absented themselves. I could
not but think with regret that it proved the absence of all genuine devotion to
duty & the exercises of the Religion which they profess to believe in &
to practice. I do not like to see this utter heartlessness for it moves
all profession to be of the fair weather, kind & devoid of merit. I fear
the fashion of dress has much to do with many of the cases of guilt that takes
place. I can not but think there is sin in the extravagance of long dirty
sweeping skirts that are so common as fashion. I have said dirty, for this
they must be for they drag in the dust, now & again in the mud. It must be
that many women wear gaudy & costly array which is purchased by the wages of Sin
& Shame & used as means to inducing others to fall into the ways of sin & woe.
There is quite as much truth as poetry in the reference to the past & present
extravagance of dress, in Nothing to Wear, where 'tis said 'Maidens beware! lest
in the other world. You've nothing to Wear!' for it does appear that
dressing has been overdone. I hope to see the time when women's dresses
will be so short as to keep out of the dust & mud without lifting them in the
street as is now so common. I rejoice at the new movement made by true &
loyal women at the North against the use of foreign fabrics & costly apparel
during the War. Much good may come of it.... Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Last evening, I was writing some when I was informed by Gilbert
that Lewis & I were detailed on Reserve Picket. This was more than I
expected, so I was very well pleased. Both of us took two blankets each &
an overcoat. We slept well together, from about 9 P.M. til 3 1/2 this A.M.
when I was waked to watch my share, viz 1/2 hour. We talked about the best
plan for a farm house & he told me of the arrangement of Bennet's house in New
Berlin on which he did a part of the work. We, of course, have hopes of
happy homes of our own in the hoped-for future. Lieut Chandler, H Co was
in command of the reserve. Our drums sounded Reveille at 4 1/4. We
got back to camp about 6 O'clock. After breakfast, I cleaned my gun &
about 8 I read some in my Testament, in Paul's Epistle to the Romans.
Afterward I wrote a page of large letter interlined & read some in 'The
Fawn of the Pale Faces'. Clark & I with some help from Turner &
Safford were busy all P.M. making lines to fasten hooks to the wire line.
We put on 22 new hooks which cost $1.00 a dozen & caught two small fishes, cats.
The water is so muddy that many do not bite, so little profits are made now.
Our little machine made to twist lines from thread, by means of a crank, pulleys
or wheels & a belt is much admired by southerners & is far better, easier &
faster to work than any they have. It is surprising what a poor way they
had. Last week we drew rations for 10 days, a part of which was pickled
cabbage, 1 1/2 bbl for our Regt. I heard some Regts drew cucumber pickles.
I also heard those were from Sanitary Stores & not regular Gov rations.
This I think is justifiable as it may help to prevent sickness and this is
better than Cu[??] One of Co B lately returned from Wis where he was on a
30 day furlough. He said men were comparatively scarce & women very
numerous. A few of our Co attend sick call. Walden is quite weak.
We all wish he could have a furlough home till he recovers. I often wonder
at my own good health.
Pine Bluff
Last night I did not get ready to lie down till 10 O'clock.
I slept well till 4 1/2 this A.M. when we had roll call & stacked arms. I
then went out to our lines with Clark. There was no fish on. As soon
as we came back, breakfast was ready & at 6 Lewis & I & 4 or 5 others went on
fatigue duty. About 50 from our Regt were at work on the wings or flanks
of one of the batteries. We did well today, more than we often did in two
days before when the weather was hot. Woodcock of the 11 Ohio Battery
(Ira's cousin) told me of the laziness of those in batteries, the following as a
sample. After the retreat of Beauregard from Corinth, Miss in 1861, the
force of 8 batteries, about 1,000 or 1,200 men were given for a task about 20
feet of line or front to each to fortify by erecting a strong earth work for
their own protection if attacked. After many days in which the work had
been scarcely touched a detail was made from Inf as the artillerists would not
do & I believe could not be compiled to according to the rule or custom
prevailing. A Battery carries 200 rounds of cartridges to each gun, that
is 50 rounds in each of the four caisons or cartridge boxes attached to each
gun. Those boxes are of wood about 3 1/2 or 4 ft long & 18 inches wide &
high. These are heavily ironed & covered with canvas or rubber to make it
water proof, as such stand out in all kinds of weather. I can see a family
resemblance between him & Ira's father's family, he being intelligent & much of
the same turn. I worked out my time all at once each 1/2 day, so I was
then free to return to camp at the end of my two hours. Day was cool,
breezy, & not very bright or clear. I wrote a part of a page, read some in
'The Fawn &c', some chapters to 8th Romans. Geo Kellogg of Co B of the
town of Vernon, Wis is believed or known to have deserted to the rebels from
this post. He is married at home to a ____ & is said to have formed the
acquaintance of a fast rebel wealthy female here. He & she have been
absent two weeks or more. I wish we could shoot him. Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night I lay down at about 9 O'clock. I slept
continuously till near daylight when I waked up, but soon slept again till roll
call. We stacked arms as usual. I & Clark went out to the lines, but
found no fish on. Again, we went out before dinner so I have a good share
of boating exercise. The day was cloudy & a sprinkling of rain fell in the
A.M. The air is cool & a gentle breeze blows. For
a few days past, Col E.B. Gray has been sick & some say our Post surgeon Dr.
Castleberry & our Regt Surgeon Smith have said he would not live through it.
The prevailing opinion is that constant & extravagant drinking of liquor & other
excesses are the cause. We heard a rumor this A.M. that he was some better
than yesterday. I know no one in our Regt-- Officer or soldier that will
regret his death but nearly all wish to be rid of him by some means. The
chief cause of all this is his intolerable conceit & self-importance, which of
all things is most disgusting to U.S. citizens & soldiers. Few have more
respect or esteem for his Adj A.S. Kendrick, whom many of the boys call Bubly,
for he makes himself disagreeable to the boys, by what the boys call his style &
fault much like that of his Colonel's. We often speak in praise of our
first Adj John A Savage, who left us at Helena last summer soon after the fight
of the 4 of July. We were glad to hear of his late promotion to the post
of Col of the 36 W. Vols. Inf. He was one of those noble Democrats who
were for the War for the Union & the destruction of all persons & causes who
were its foes & with Union he wanted true Northern Freedom.
Col Clayton went to Little Rock by escort yesterday or day before. We have
heard the chief of Gen Steele's staff was killed lately by falling off his
horse. Clayton may be put in the vacant place. Ten Co.s of 13 Ill
Cav numbering about 1000 came here today from Little Rock. Those are all
new recruits. The old members are consolidated in other Co's. Today
I finished reading 'Fawn of the White Faces'. River is high & rising.
Our Co got 14 galls of pickles at Com. We hear Steamer New Igo
[?]was burned below here by rebels.
Camp at Pine Bluff
Last evening, we had Dress Parade at 6 O'clock. Capt
Stephens had an order read dispensing with stacking arms at Reveille. For
this, he had many thanks & much good will from all the Regt. He now is in
command of our Regt. It is said Gray is no better. The day was
cloudy. A thunder shower came up & fell heavily while we ate dinner.
I slept soundly last night & for a few hours after noon. I was waked up by
the boys falling in or getting ready to do so as firing was heard on the
Monticello Road near our picket line. About 4 P.M. we fell into line &
marched out to our batteries on both sides of Little Rock Road. We took
our respective positions. After waiting about an hour we returned to Camp.
Many Co's of Cav went out before we did & we saw some empty saddles come in .
I have not heard about losses on either side. Capt Stephens in command of
our Regt was cool & collected, wearing a smile & making no show or parade.
We expected to have to stand or the line.) lie on our arms along the line & as
the clouds were heavy, the prospect was not pleasant, but we felt ready for
watching or battle. Pine Bluff, Ark
Last night the boat came down about 10 O'clock when we had all
laid down to sleep. We were waked at 3 1/2 this morning it being yet dark
as the sky was overcast with clouds. I sewed a patch on my pants by the
light of a candle which others used for card playing uses. We stacked arms
at roll call, but soon took them in to keep them from getting wet. The
mail was distributed about 7 O'clock. It was a large one, though I got but
one letter, a large sheet from Matt & a leaf of note from Mother. It was
written about the 4 inst which both remarked was my birthday. All were
well. The weather had been very dry & crops of all kinds were at a
stand-still for lack of rain. A sprinkling fell on the 5 so I hope ere
this they had a plenty of rain. They had washed 149 sheep at Hale's Mill.
They pay a man .62 1/2 cts a day. He will help Matt to shear. Mother
said A's family were all well. The P.M. was bright & warm. I wrote
some of a letter to Mother & read Wis of 4 inst. The latest paper I
saw was Chicago Tribune of 11 inst. I had no time to read it before coming
off picket. The report from Grant & Sherman is good, both making steady
progress by hard work & heavy fighting. Papers contain reports of
preliminaries of the National Union Convention, which convened at Baltimore on 7
inst. I could not get a Harpers' "Weekly as none came down. Col.
Clayton came down on the boat, also Capt Williams of Co A, 28 Wis Vol. I
heard this A.M. that none of our men were hurt yesterday. One or two
rebels were taken & as many wounded. Capt W. -- was sitting on a court
Marshall in Wis & I heard must return next fall. He left articles sent to
our Regt from home at Little Rock. Two funerals passed out today.
One I think was a soldier. Lt. Heartwell is with us on picket.
June 18th Saturday 1864
Last night I was on post from 8 to 9 & from 11 to 12, sleeping
nearly two hours each time. Again I was on from 2 to 4 & then I slept till
about 6 1/2 this A.M. when the heat of the sun waked me up. How severe I
felt it to be waked when I had sunk to the sweetest, gentlest & most dreamless
sleep! I suppose others felt it as sever as I for none of us said much or
anything about this slight discomfort. What easy times we have compared
with the dreadful labors & hardships of our Brothers in their advance on
Richmond! What sleepless nights they have what dreadful & fierce death
conflicts & hand to hand encounters & hunger thirst & long wakeful nights
of labor. Oh! may they live so that Heaven shall be their home.
Today I think was the warmest day of the season. The night is so clear,
calm, & so beautiful. The moon is full & what can add to the charms of
nature. (But alas! all this beauty is wasting & not appreciated for as I
write by a candle in our mess room, two or three girls, poor, lost & perhaps
friendless outcasts are on the opposite side of the wide & rapid river, asking
the boys to bring them across in the boat. Some of the boys are talking to
them & asking them indecent questions. How much I had rather to help bury
a sister or any female than that she should be thus.) Some of the boys are
indignant not being wholly debased, others are cursing and swearing: Alas!
Alas! I hear this female voice! & there are hundreds of thousands such in
the World.) I ate little breakfast but had a hearty dinner & supper.
I read some in Chicago Times of 11 inst & also Memphis Bulletin of 12 inst.
In the latter I read of the nomination of J.C. Fremont for Pres. & John Cochrane
of N.Y. for V. Pres at the Cleveland Convention & I saw their letters of
acceptance. Fremont says he will resign if the Baltimore Con. would chose
an acceptable Candidate which Lincoln would not be. It appears Old Abe for
Pres. & And. Johnson of Tenn for V.Pres are the nominees of the National Union
Con. at Balt. Yesterday I conversed with many of 13 Ill. Cav. 9 Co's
of recruits are chiefly boys 16 to 20 yrs old. I fear they will not stand
service well. Pine Bluff, Ark
Last night while I wrote, some of the boys wanted to get our
boats to cross the river and many wished to bring those lost females to this
side. To prevent this, Safford, Hinkley & I took the boats down to the
landing where the guard would prevent others from using them for any wrong use.
Moore was there on guard & he told us they were sent across the river & so
outside our lines, as they had become a nuisance in town. This was often
done with others before since we came here. Those two were taken across in
a boat, but refused to go out of the boat, so they were carried back.
Again the Provost Marshal (he has charge of town affairs) ordered them taken
across, but one threw herself on the ground declaring she would die or be
drowned ere she would be put across, but a second attempt was successful.
The night was bright & beautiful. We lay down about 9 1/2 O'clock but
Gilbert & I passed an hour at least talking about many things & persons ere we
slept. "We began [talking] about the death of Mrs. Edwin Johnson of the
town of Greenfield, Milwaukee Co, Wis. We agreed in a high opinion of her
great worth of character, extensive cultivation of mind & unusual ability &
purity of life. She in part examined me when her husband was Supt. (&
sick) of schools in the fall of 1855. We agreed that persons of equal
worth & abilities are very few & far between in our land. Alas that she
should die so early in life for her husband can never find her like again & how
their young & mimuons[?] family will miss so kind & good a mother's care.
Matt wrote she & her husband were thrown from a wagon while going to the city.
She must have been a strong friend of temperance. Day was clear & hot.
Therm showed 106 to 110 degrees in the shade. I was at Presbyterian & Catholic
churches. I read the first Book of Homer's Iliad today, also 8 & 9th
chapters of Romans. I had a good full wash this A.M. as also had R.D.
Lewis. He in well now. Walden continues to grow lean & weak.
King, for some days past, was & is yet in Post Hospital. He gets some[what]
better. His daughter 14 yrs old his only child was lately married. I
am well. Dress Parade was at 6 P.M. Col Gray was present.
Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co
Last night was clear & beautifully calm & lit by the clear full
moon. I did not write much during the last few days for the heat is so
great & flies so troublesome at to make it difficult to do much. The
papers bring the news of the death of
Nathaniel
Hawthorn. He died May 19, 1864 at Plymouth at the foot of Franconia
Mts. in his 60th year. I never knew before that he was a Democrat in his
political opinions & that he held a post in Government service in the consular
or custom house Dept during Pierce's Administration. He will long be
remembered as the author of the
'Town Pump'. He was the author of several works of fiction. At
supper I had a little dispute or disagreement with nearly all our mess in regard
to the comparative merit & permanent future popularity of the 'Battle Cry of
Freedom & Star Spangled Banner'. They all thought the latter would keep
its past hold on the public mind. I think the Battle Cry is a more truly
noble expression of the high spirit of nationality & liberty & union than the
other, which contains the ideas of National Independence & Union, but not so
clearly of Freedom. The chief objection they urged against the Battle Cry
was the tripling character of the tune as compared with that of the other I
think when our nation will be all safely united & free. The Start Spangled
Banner will seldom be sung without the Battle Cry as a fitting companion piece.
I however, may be much mistaken. Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night I slept well & we were waked early this morning.
The A.M. was hot & sunny. In the P.M. a thunderstorm with a high wind came
on scattering dust & but little rain fell. I was down in town in the
post office where I heard a citizen say a man-a deserter I think- came from
Price's army which he said was at Warren on the Saline River about 60 miles from
this place & about 30 below Mt. Elba. It is reasonable to suppose the
enemy intend to attack us here or to harass & try to interrupt the navigation of
the Miss. River. One or two months will hardly pass without some fighting
on this side of the river. I believe a move was intended to be made from
this place against the rebels at Monticello, but if Prices army be at Warren he
is within supporting distance & the project is likely to be abandoned.
Last night my mind was filled with thoughts on the condition of society even in
Wis & all parts of the Free North. While on fatigue I heard some of the
boys boast & joke at acts of deep & dark licentiousness in which they were the
chief actors. In fact it is shocking how general is the state of
immorality between the two sexes, especially the young & those grown up in towns
& villages throughout the length & breadth of our land. I think the
attendance of such persons at balls & parties is very pernicious in its effects
on the virtue & purity of females as well as males. I certainly think no
girl or young woman should go to an entertainment with any other person than a
brother or uncle or someone that was well known to be above treachery. But
alas, young women go with almost any person that will take them to places often
of questionable repute. I think the popular way so common among
Protestants of having no religion till middle or old age is reached in most
perpricious [?] to early virtue & purity. The Principle of early piety is
better among Catholics, but the practice is sadly neglected. Steamer
Miller went up river & took the mail. I sent a letter to Maria & one & a
book to Matt. I am well.
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Last evening McKown & I were on reserve. Capt Williams was
in command of the party; as usual 18 privates & two non Com officers
composed the party. We both slept together having a gate to lie on which
kept us off the ground. I did M's & my own share of duty, viz 1/2 hour
apiece as watch over our guys. I was on from 11 to 12 P.M. Before I
lay down, I was pleased to hear a female voice sing a part of the Battle Cry.
I perceived she did not know all the words. During the night I was in Wis.
in dreams. I had an interview with Maria, who welcomed me with a kiss &
demonstrations of joy. It is strange no one else was apparent, not even my
mother! Not many scenes appeared & the meeting was a short one. I
slept till about 5 O'clock & we got back to camp about 6 six A.M.
The morning was cloudy & misty & the whole day was dark except a short time at
noon when the heat poured down intensely, which was soon after followed by a
heavy shower of rain which continued an hour or more. The River for
several days past has risen steadily & is now higher than we ever saw it.
The high bank along our barracks & a short distance behind them has fallen off
several feet so that all the ground our mess room occupied & is gone. We
moved it yesterday P.M. Our stove fell down but we recovered all the iron
parts & we have bricks for the new work. Another of the messes lost
several things as a frying pans & some rations &c. We have now a larger &
better room than before. Hinkley & Safford, Clark & all our mess but
Walden & Walton helped some. There was not much done on the breastworks
today as the P.M. was broken & wet. Yesterday I read 3d & today a part of
4th book of Iliad. I cut many scraps from newspapers today in prose &
verse. I heard Clayton has surveyors or engineers out to ascertain if the
rebels could cross the lake or Bayou in the rear of the town or front of a part
of our line of works. It would appear from this as if he thought an attack
likely to be made. June 23 Thursday 1864
Last night I wrote till about 9 1/2 O'clock. I slept well
till roll call & I lay down afterward till breakfast. The day was
changeful, now sunny & hot, again cloudy & cool. I helped to get some
bricks & made some mud for our new stove which the boys built today. I was
on fatigue duty about 2 1/2 hours before noon. I then felt the heat more
than at any other time since I came south. My head felt confused & dizzy,
in a way new to me. I took three pills last night & the effect was not so
marked as often before. The
Leonora came down from Little Rock & got here at noon with a small mail.
It is strange that so few letters come to us lately. I got a letter dated
10 inst from Miss ______. She wishes to be informed in regard to any &
everything of interest relating to the army &c. She still uses J. in place
of G. as I first noticed. The latest papers are to the 17 of Memphis
& 16 of St. Louis, Cincinnati, & Chicago. I bought a copy of Harper's
Weekly of 18 inst. We read in some of the papers that Grant moved his army
to the south side of James River & combined his force with that of Butler.
I think this is the best position our army could occupy. It is probable
that the operation north of Richmond rendered all ways of communication so
utterly broken as to make it impracticable for Lee to detach a part of his force
to threaten Washington as he did in '62. The sagacity & penetration of
Grant is shown by his reliance of James River as a sure line of communication
which our gunboats can certainly hold to City Point, thus certainly sparing so
many more men for field service. He can extend his line westward from Fort
Darling against which his right can operate & there he can fortify his whole
line thus cutting off his communication with N.C., Geo., S.C., & other parts of
the South. Thus I hope to see him starve Lee out in Richmond or else force
him to fight us in front of our works. The rebels are said to have vast
numbers of torpedoes, some of which contain 1000 to 1800 lbs of powder in James
River to destroy our boats. They also have from 3 to 5 Ironclad Rams at
Richmond. The work before Grant is a vast one requiring great force &
perseverance. According to dates of the 12 to 15 Sherman was near Marietta
some 20 or 25 miles from Atlanta still advancing successfully. Gen Hunter
who lately superseded Gen Siegel in the Dept of the Shenendoah, W.Va defeated
the rebel Gen Jones, who was killed in the action. Our force was slightly
superior & we took 20 cannons, many wagons &c.
C. Valandigham
the traitor M.C. of Ohio & lately an exile in Canada has recently crossed into
Ohio & defies the power of the Government as before. I shall not be
surprised if some large & widespread troubles result from his action & that of
his friends. Joshua R. Giddings formerly M.C. from Ohio & more
recently Consul General for the U.S. in Canada died on the ____ inst at
Montreal. Mrs. ___ Kirkland the authoress died while busily engaged during
the Great Sanitary fair in New York in which she took a very great interest.
She was a very pure writer & a person of great worth of character & varied
amiabilities. She compiled two vols of poetry & wrote some books.
She was (I think) in her 63d year.... Affairs are still
unsettled between Denmark & Germany & was still goes on to the diadvantage of
the Danes. The result of the Baltimere Convention was that Abraham Lincoln
is unominated for Pres & Andrew Johnson of Tenn for Vice Pres. The noted
guerilla John
Morgan has been operating in Ky with a considerable force. I am well.
June 24 Friday 1864
Last night I slept well & soundly till roll call this
morning. I was busy all the morning for we were to have review &
inspection at 8 O'clock A.M. The morning as all the day was hot &
the sun glared with intense heat. The three Infantry Regts. 62 Ill., 3d
Minnesota, & 28 Wis were the only troops out. Ours was the first Regt on
the ground below town in a wide field covered with a thick growth of weeds.
The Regt's were placed according to the rank, or rather Seigniority [seniority] of the
Officer in command of the several Regts & by this the 3 was first on the Right.
28 next, & 62 came on the left. Col. Clayton, after riding past in Review,
next proceeded to inspect the arms beginning on the right. I judge the 3d
passed very well. Co. A of our Regt he examined pretty closely, but not so
with the other Co's seizing a gun here & there & finding all clean & in good
order. He spoke familiarly as he passed through our Regt. Soon he
came to the 62d Ill & was very severe & scathing in his expressions, words &
tone, all of which he directed to the officers for their carelessness & neglect
of the condition of the men's arms & apparel as well as in regard to the
clothes themselves worn & what he considered their slovenly & uncouth
appearance. One Capt, who wore his full beard & whose uniform was worn &
somewhat faded, but who looked to me as if he were a plain honest & sensible &
worthy man, was what I call severely abused, chiefly on account of his own
appearance as was also the Lieut. of the same Co who wore a hat such I think as
is drawn & worn by the privates in our & other Regts. Now I would chose
any of those two men for genuine Worth of character rather than one half or 3/4
of the foppish Co or line officers of our Regt. We went out at 8 A.M. &
returned at about 110 O'clock. A boat came down with a small mail at noon.
I got one letter of three sheets of notes from Maria, from May 27 to 7 inst.
On one sheet were many verses. She had got my book & many letters.
She likes her school well. Pine Bluff, Ark
Yesterday, Col Clayton awarded the highest praise to our Regt for
proficiency in drill & the general cleanliness & good appearance to the men &
our arms. Before dismissing the Regt., Lt Col Gray said we would soon
have a drill. We had it this morning from 8 A.M. to 10 1/2 O'clock.
The day was hot but we did not feel the heat so severely as yesterday. I
think Clayton would have dismissed us an hour earlier had it not been for Gray's
wish to show him some of our movements which all of us wished him to omit.
The drill was on the same ground on which we were reviewed yesterday. Some
of the boys fell out & lay in the shade of trees near by. Early in the
morning, I began to heat some water in which to wash my clothes. I had all
my shirts wet except the two sent from home. I had a wish to wear my
blouse or fatigue coat, but the order was to wear dress coats which are much
heavier & warmer. So I wore my dress coat without any shirt.
I took my 40 cartridges out of my box which was quite a relief. It is much
against the will & wish of many of the Co officers that we are so severely taxed
as we have so much work to do, as to bring us on duty nearly every day. I
heard today Clayton said our Regt was best in field movement & the 3d Minn. best
in the Manuel of arms.. One of the other Regts was out before us & left
the field soon. The Leonora went up the river yesterday & took the mail
up. I sent one letter to Matt & one to Maria, both large ones. The
Miller that took our mail down yesterday also brought the barrels & boyes [boxes?]from
Little Rock that were left there for our Regt. Some of the boys found only
the letter in their box which the fond ones at home put in with the other
things. Most of our mess got some dried fruit, some potatoes, cans of
butter, horse radish, cucumber pickles, &c. At a reasonable price it all
amounts to $39. This is $3 each as there are now 13 in our mess. S. Foster
of Co B having joined us. Sergt W.T. Donaldson of our Co has furlough for 30 days
from Cairo. The things the boys got will help us greatly. King is
well & is now in the Co. I am glad of this, we have no sick there.
Oh what a treasure Maria's letter was to me.
Pine Bluff
Last night I wrote some after tattoo[?]. I had a good sleep
last night. We were waked at 4 O'clock this A.M. & I slept no more after
that time. I was busy nearly all morning cleaning my gun & equipments for
the rust had begun to set on my gun, as our hands were so sweaty yesterday as to
rust them at every place where we touched them. We had Inspection at 8 1/2
or 9 A.M. Some of the guns were not clean as they should have been.
Capt was quite exact. He found my gun so clean as to satisfy him. I
am always glad to please him for he is as lenient as he f [can?] be & familiar
and kind as a brother. He often converses with any & all of the boys, as
freely as one any of us & often talks to me telling about what kind of a boy he
was in Waukesha & of his experiences at Carroll College, his early associates
&c. Camp at Pine Bluff
Last night I wrote some along with Moore & Gelzer. G-- was
lately unfit for duty, but is now getting better. He is one of our best
behaved and gentle, quiet, unassuming boys. Some of the boys were
contending about the way soldiers were regarded by the people in the North.
Some said soldiers were despised & considered worthy of very little respect.
Others said all that behaved themselves decently were treated with great respect
& considered more worthy because they had volunteered to serve in the Union
armies. These I think were correct in their views & as I said to David
McNeill today, I regretted soldiers here behaved themselves in such a way as
merit so little respect & confidence of the good & loyal women of the North.
I often regret this for it must affect the state of society in all parts of the
Nation for many years to come. Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co
Last evening I read by the last rays of day the 1/2 8 chaps of
1st Cor. I then lit my candle & sheltered it in a feed box, while I sat
alone & wrote about 1/2 page in a letter to Maria. The air was hot &
close,. The insects that fluttered about annoyed me so much that I had to
stop. Soon, the rest of the boys came from camp & as Dan'l said, he would
watch during the first part of the night. I laid my blankets on some
boards & lay down to sleep. I soon was unconscious, forgetting the toils
of War & the chances of battle which many supposed imminent & slept till 1
O'clock A.M. when Mucky waked at 2, saying he could not sleep, so I again lay
down & slept till after sunrise when Dan'l came wake me as it was time for some
of us to go to breakfast. They had agreed to draw cuts to see who should
stop on post. It fell to McKown, but as I had a wish to write in the cool
of the morning I stopped in his place. They soon returned & I then went to
camp. I had a pleasant full wash before breakfast, which the rest had eaten.
The day was hot, severely so . Last night there was a detail of 11 from
our Co, probably 11 from our 9 Co's to work on the breastworks. A new
battery for 2 to 4 guns is about to be built on the bank of the river above our
camp--a detail was out yesterday clearing the range by felling trees so as to
prevent the enemy from coming near with artillery. The 11 to 12 from our
Co & proportional from others was on last night & worked till about 2 A.M.
A similar No today & the same No is ordered tonight. This brings us all on
duty at least once every 24 hours & some are on two times in succession. I
wrote some today & cut many scraps from papers. --- The Cav are kept busy on
outpost & scouting to find the whereabouts of the enemy. I do not know if
the other Regts of Inf. be so heavily taxed as ours on fatigues. We hear a
force of rebels--probably a small one--attacked our picket line at Little Rock
but did not succeed in driving them in. River continues to fall. I
have seen corn as high as 10 r 12 feet, not yet tassaled out, other not so tall
is tassaled. Our food is very good. I cough some.
June 29 Wednesday 1864
Last evening there was a detail of about 110 from our Regt, 11
from our Co. of which I was one. When we reached the works on the Little
Rock road, a tall stranger with sandy whiskers in Cav. uniform came alont [?] up to
me & he & I began to converse in the usual familiar manner of sensible fellow
soldiers that are free from conceit & ignorance. After a few remarks, he
asked me what Inf. Regts were here & when I told him of our Regt, he asked me
where our Regt was raised. When I told him near Milwaukee, he was glad.
I soon found that one of my old & early school mates stood before me. What
was my pleasure & surprise to find it was Jas. Teel [James E Teal 13th
Illinois Cavalry eventually elevated to 1st Lieutenant] who with his brother
Frederick went to school in our district the winter that Preston taught our
school & when the old school room was burned after which the school was kept in
Mr. Geo. Gamble's house. That I think was the winter of 1846-7, some 18 yrs
ago. He said his five brothers are in the Union army, himself being the
sixth. He is a well looking, able man of considerable ability &
intelligence. He is Commissary Sergt of the 13 Ill Cav in which he had
served nearly three yrs. I understood he was also in the 3 month service.
All his brothers were wounded, but he escaped so far unhurt. June 30 Thursday 1864
Last night I wrote some along with three others till about 5 A.M. when one of the boys
waked me up as the call for the fatigue party had been beaten. After a long time waiting for all to fall in,
I came on the chopping party 2d relief. The first relief went out & we waited till after breakfast.
I failed to get to my relief till late in the A.M. I finished reading Paul's 1st Epistle to Cor.
We--some 50 of us, chopped trees nearly 1/2 mile outside the Picket so as to expose the enemy to fire
should be approach... Last night there was a call for 6 men from our Co to work on the fortifications.
As the men have been so heavily taxed lately, I must accord to their honor that so many of the non-com
officers of our Co, viz, Sergts Gilbert, Griffing, & Foster & Corps McNeill, Church & Peck volunteered
their services & so relieved the others. They worked till past midnight. This was as it should be for
such always as a rule have the easiest duty to perform. Today the Senora went up & took the mail off. Sergt W.T.
Donaldson went on her homeward bound, also many citizens, including a large No
of women. This is caused by the dread of an attack on this place.
Well, I am glad to know there are those here who would not go if they could till
the storm or its probabilities will have passed away. This morning McKee
again gave expression to his dislike of performing a Private's duty..& his
willingness to let the Country 'Go to Hell' rather than help defend our Nation's
Life & Liberties, declaring he would live under another government rather than
do more. I hope he will live to be ashamed of his words. He is now
showing his Loyalty. I see by the death of
Col. Haskell of 36 Wis in the Va Battles, our Adj. of old
John A Savage comes to the command of the Regt. May God preserve him
through the battles. What a contrast between him & the present incumbent!
The 41 Wis Inf left the state for Memphis. Capt Tichenor is on Picket
today. Clear skies, roads dirty. We had a hash of fresh beef &
potatoes, also pies & sauce. My cold & cough are both gone. Thanks
to God. Matt sent me by the last mail, over $3.00 in Postage stamps
How rapidly time flies, for New Years seems but as yesterday and already
has the first part of the year rolled softly & swiftly away like the rapid
current of a mighty stream. How many causes I have for deep & sincere
gratitude to God for the past six months were to many a soldier, a season of
pain & suffering on a comfortless couch, dark, dreary, & perhaps hopeless, while
I have been favored with good robust health, cheerful & hopeful spirits & by the
great Mercy of God. Often have I had good news from home of the continued
life & health of my aged Father & also of my fondest & most devoted of all
Mothers. Also the constant health of Brothers & Sisters & their promising
families from some of whom I have rec'd words of cheer & love & encouragement
that helped me on my way. Others have had news of Death or disgrace among
their minds with deep gloom & weakened their purpose to keep the pure &
peaceful Path of Duty while to me only good & cheering news has come.
Sometimes during the year past I feared that death would have called for my
Father ere this but on the contrary he stamps about the barn & stable though
certainly some of Death's Warnings have been sent to him, now in or past his 80
year & soon will come (__th of next Sept) the 53d Wedding day of my parents.
June 1st Wednesday, 1864
We stacked arms at 1/4 to 4 this morning. I slept 1 1/2 hours afterward,
ate breakfast & went on fatigue duty at 6 O'clock. There were about 50
from our Regt. besides details from other Regt. McKee did his first day's
work along with us on the breastworks. We worked 3 1/2 hours. Day
was hot, with lightning & heavy clouds, a sprinkling fell. I read some.
Yesterday we drew rations, & some potatoes we ate of them today. No dress
parade. I am very well [but] I have a slight cold which does not annoy me.
We longed & hoped for the mail, but none came so
we hope for it tomorrow. The day was pleasantly cool & cloudy all day.
I read some & cut some scraps from papers. I read during the last month of
the death of William Ticknor, the associate of Fields of Boston both
publishers of Atlantic Monthly & many valuable works. His son takes his
place. Bishop McCluskey succeeds Arch Bishop Hughs deceased to the place of chief
ruler of the Catholic Church in the U.S. of A.
This P.M. I took a walk
about town to relieve the heaviness of spirits that oppressed me. I met
Ira Woodcock on my way. We went into the book store & read the preface to
the Planters Bride, as
story of Southern Life by Mrs Caroline Lee Hentz.
She lauds & admires slavery! though of Northern Birth!! Ira
introduced me to a cousin of his in 11 Ohio Battery. He never knew him
before. Yesterday the new Lieut Chandler of Co H was placed in arrest by
Col. Clayton for ignorance & misconduct on picket. It was his first time
on duty. I had a full wash this A.M.
June 3d Friday, 1864
The day was dreary & cheerless, as the
aspect of nature was tearful & mourning & all were anxious for the long expected
mail, which would bring good news from Home & from the distant Battlefields in
Va. & Geo. The boat came down at 4 P.M. having left Little Rock this
morning. She brought letters to the 23 inst. & Chicago Papers of 27 & N.Y. to 28.
(Harper's Weekly). I got no letters, though I hoped for several.
Some got 2 to 4. I read some & wrote a little. Yesterday, new guns
of the Springfield Pattern were furnished
[to] the other 8 Cos. of our Regt.
They differ slightly from ours in some of the trimmings as the shape of the
hammer, rammer, & bands. I read in
Greely's History of the American
Conflict that Gin in the word Cotton Gin, is a comiption of the word engine.
It is surprising what difficulties the inventor
Eli Whitney & his business
partner had in the way of securing the benefits which should come to them from
so useful an invention, but reward came at last to the persevering toil of the
ingenious Yankee.
Today is the last day of my 29th year.
It is surprising how fast the past 7-10 yrs, yes 15 years have passed. Next
fall it will be 20 years since Matt & I first went to school in Wis. How
many faults & sins have I fallen into, in that time. The view of this make
me sad, while I rejoice & feel humbly thankful that I have been saved from so
many dangers to soul & body, that others fell into. To God is due all the
praise & Glory.
June 4 Saturday, 1864
This morning I ate some bread, biscuit & flour gravy for breakfast. I
took out a box of sugar, six biscuits, & a canteen full of cooked coffee, that
was left after breakfast. I ate two biscuits for each meal. This is
my first day of my 30 year. It was a pleasant one & innocently & usefully
passed. I was on the 3d relief & was on post in the decline & end of the
beautiful day. As I stood by & leaned on a pine stump with my loaded gun
lying on it & bearing out on Dixie, I had sweet thoughts of the past times &
distant ones. I had my testament & soldier's Hymn Book along & I sung one
or two sweet Hymns of love, grace, & pardon to Jesus. I cough some &
sneeze often. River falls fast & continues red & muddy.
June 5 Sunday, 1864
Hinkley
read a few passages from his sister's letter. She spoke of her sister's
recent marriage & said she would not like to marry till the War is over, as that
might be the cause of keeping one man at home from the field where she wished
every man to be. The true loyal girl said she would give the preference
in her choice to a brave soldier. May she be happy & all like her.
June 6th Monday, 1864
The day
was quite hot. Some of our boys say the mercury rose to 93 degrees
yesterday. The night is calm, cool & pleasant. The New Moon is seen
for the first time this evening. I have felt dull & lazy nearly all day.
Leon King had a severe attack of ______ last night. Heaton made a mustard
plaster & put it on him. He was some better today. Last week an
order was read from Capt Tichenor that no games with cards or of chance should
be played by or in our Co on the Sabbath Day. So far as I heard it was
well received by all & many were so pleased as to shout & cheer. Today I
read St Louis Democrat
of 27 ult. with War news from Washington to 25 or 6.
Grant, by moving on Lee's left flank, gained advantages & compelled Lee to retreat
across the South Ann River.
Orders read on Dress Parade last evening stated we
are now in the first Brigade of 1st Division. Our Brig is
composed of 5 Regts: 9 & 28 Wis Inf, 29 & 33 Iowa, &50 Ind & is commanded by
Col. Solomon of 9 Wis. Our Div. is commanded by Gen F Salomon.
We hear our Red River Army has reached the Miss. & most or all the fleet.
I ate three ordinary meals today & in other ways have not done so well as I
should have done. I mailed a letter to Matt. I am well.
June 7 Tuesday, 1864
Recently a resolution was passed in the U.S.
House of Representatives by a vote nearly unanimous expressing severe
condemnation or disapproval of the course pursued by the French in Mexico & to
the effect that the U.S. could not be disinterested spectators of the changes
making in that country by invaders. The Senate refused to pass this
resolution & the Pres. & his cabinet were prompt in making explanations to
prevent any ill will or misunderstanding between us & France. Some approve
& others condemn the action of the Gov. in this case. We made some wire
line to put hooks on. It promises to work well. This is the first we
tried this kind of line. I ate three meals today. I was so busy that
I read & wrote but little. The day was warm, but cloudy. 150 to 200
veterans of 5 Kansas & 1st Ind went up on the boat homeward bound. May
they be happy. I cut my whiskers off today. I am well.
June 9 Thursday, 1864
June 10 Friday, 1864
Today I read St Louis Democrat of 3 inst. Capt
saw a paper of the 5th. Sherman's army is in front of Atlanta, Geo at the
crossing of Chattahoochee River within four miles of the place.
Correspondents estimate Rebel army at 360,000 all told. Grant's at from
190 to 215,000 clear of all loss to 15 ult. I do not think such estimates
worth much for I think those that know will not tell. Grant has moved his
army to the E & NE of Richmond to within 4 or 5 miles of that city..... Boat
came down the river this A.M. She brought no mail. I hoped for some.
A mail is said to be at Little Rock. I wrote one page & read some. I
fell asleep for 2 1/2 or 3 hours this P.M. I had a full wash this A.M.
Day was cloudy most of the day & a shower fell P.M. Lt Alvord, Co C came
down on the boat. He was on furlough to Canada where his family is.
Boys play cards by the days work. Some of them played old familiar tunes.
Miss McLeod's
Real, Rosalie or Prairie Flower &c. A am very well.
June 12, 1864 Sunday
The P.M. was dry & cool.
I made some dough balls for fish bait. River is rising & still red &
roiled looking. Boys fixed up our stairway which fell. I am well.
June 13, 1864 Monday
June 14th, Tuesday 1864
We long for the
mail boat & expect her soon.
June 15th, Wednesday 1864
June 16th, Thursday 1864
I read several articles in a No. of the _____Review. Jany No. ______. They were chiefly on national & financial matters.
One was about the Cache Valley in Utah. Another was on the antiquity of
fairs, or public assemblages for the sale & exchange of various commodities.
A boat was expected as usual but did not come. .McKown was taken suddenly today
much as King was taken a few days ago. It seems to be a lung or stomach
affection. Safford is also ailing from Ague. I had a full wash this
A.M. I found some Graybacks on my pants, today. Last night McKee was
speaking in favor of the superiority of Mercantile & nearly all pursuits over the
Farmers' vocation! He was quite alone in this for all maintained the
greater Independence of agricultural pursuits. We had a high debate long
after retreat on this subject. It was all kindly said.
I began a letter to Mother.
June 17 Friday 1864
Today I mailed a double 6 cts letter to Matt.
June 19 Sunday 1864
June 20th, Monday 1864
The water in the river is red
& falling. The boys often go in to swim. Saturday one of Co C was
buried. Those who died lately were almost wholly new recruits that came down in
the spring & winter. The day was warm. A thunder storm & high wind
came on about 10 A.M. but little rain fell 10 or 12 from each of the Co's was at
work on fortifications. We reported that is fell in at 4-45 A.M. & stopped
at 10 1/4 & again from 4 to 7 1/2 P.M. Before the storm, the thermometer
stood as high as ___ & soon fell to 58. The river rose from 3 to 5 feet from
last sunset till sunset today. The force& rapidity of the current are very
great. I read 2d book of the
Iliad. I am very well.
June 21 Tuesday 1864
June 22 Wednesday 1864
A few days ago I bought $1.00 worth of stamps & have 10
cts left.
Today I finished the 4th Book of Iliad.
June 25 Saturday 1864
June 26 Sunday 1864
There was a detail of two men & one Sergt for fatigue duty
this A.M. There was a detail of 11 made for fatigue today, but it was
countermanded. I did not go to any church today for I wanted to write.
I read to 7th Chap of 1st Cor. today. I wrote a full sheet of large letter
paper interlined to Maria. How great a treasure & pleasure to me is her
correspondence to me for it does me good to read her words of Love & trusting
regard.
Last Friday being St. John's Day, the Masons had a celebration
here. They marched to a house of one of their number where they had
dinner. I saw many of our officers & a few soldiers, chiefly Cav.
One of the Inf. Regt. bands played for them. This was the first time I
ever saw a procession of Free Masons with their little white aprons. I
think I shall never belong to any such order.
About 2 or 3 P.M. mercury
rose to 102 degrees in the shade. This A.M. I had a clean shave the first
since I left Wis. I think. Dress Parade was at 7 P.M. I ate a plenty
of potatoes for breakfast & supper, we had a cold luncheon at M. I am
well.
June 27 Monday 1864
Today we were the 2d Co & were
on guard at one of the ____ . Corp Dan'l McNeill was on, besides McKown &
Muckey[?]. Dan'l, now for a long long time past, has behaved himself toward
me & I think toward others much better than he did a year ago or during last
winter. I am glad of this for his sake as well as mine, for I wish to
avoid all cause of trouble with everyone.
When we went to
dinner, we found much excitement & converse in camp produced by reports of the
advance of Price on this place with an army of about 15,000. He is said to
have crossed the Saline River at Longview or Warren, some 60 miles to the S of
S.E. The feeling was that all would do the best we could & none
felt fear or alarm. We hear of the destruction on White Riv. of one of our
tin clad gunboats & the loss of two transports at the same time. I hope
this last is untrue as it would probably involve the loss of one of our Mails.
It is said that Shelby's Rebel force has been operating against Duvalls Bluff &
along the R.R. to Little Rock and a part of our Cav had a fight with them
yesterday. The day is hot sunny & calm. I find Mr Mocket--one of our
fifers-- teaches a school for white children in Methodist Churches. I am
very well.
June 28 Tuesday 1864
I worked about 3 hours last night. Many did very little work. Lieut.
Alword had charge of the party & he soon lay down from sleepiness or drink, so
all soon came to a deadlock. I came away about midnight & soon was asleep
& so I continued till 5 1/2 or 6 this A.M. The day was clear & very hot.
The usual details were at work digging & chopping the woods down. Boat
came down the river with mail last night. Mail was distributed about 6 1/2 A.M.
I got two from Matt of 11 & 17 inst. The drought was very great, pastures
were red, not green. Spring wheat did not cover the ground & much of the
seed corn had not sprouted. They had sheared 150 sheep. Fleeces
average 4 lbs. Wheat brings #1.35 to $1.50.
I mailed three letters
today & three large vols, a letter to Matt, one to Maria & one to ___ .
We hear rumors of the Capture of Petersburg, Va. No reliable details yet.
Our forces in Tenn-Cav met lately a superior No. of the Enemy and after a short
fight we were wor[?]ted with considerable loss. Rebel Gen. J. Morgan was
lately beaten in ____ & his force broken. During the month a sort of
meeting or convention met at Cleveland, O & nominated J.C. Fremont for Pres. &
John Cochrane of N.Y. for V.Pres. Alas! how all who confided & so
loved &
trusted Fremont in 1856 feel pained at his defection from the true Union ranks.
Pres. Lincoln & Andrew Johnson of Tenn. were unanimously nominated Pres &
V.Pres at the Baltimore Union convention on 8 inst. War still goes on
between Denmark & Germany in favor of latter.
last modified: 31 March 2023