CIVIL WAR JOURNAL OF JAMES B. LOCKNEY
WIS. 28th REGMT., CO. G
August 1865
Copyright © 1986, 1997-2018 [James R. Shirey]. All rights reserved.
Clarksville, Texas
August 1st Tuesday 1865
I saw men working on the R.R. now building from Brazos to Brownsville.
The rails are laid about 1 1/2 miles & ties a mile farther. The ties have
to be shipped; little grading or none is required, as the surface is
as level as it could well be made. I saw a detail of negro soldiers at
work & some white men, that I thought were hired laborers. A few new
buildings, most of them for U.S. are in process of erection. I had a very
pleasant walk back though all alone. I reached camp before roll call.
The evening was delightful & long may I remember my pleasant reveries of home &
the "Good time Coming" that is now not far distant. I thought of those who
were thinking of me as I roamed far away & whose prayer was poured forth for
blessings on me. Marching to Brownsville The curiosity last evening was that concentrated meat & concentrated bread
were drawn. Of the first one day's ration & of the latter a similar
portion. It appears the latter is of foreign manufacture, but where the
former originated I do not know. After dark I went into the negro camp & I
bought a Cav. Great Coat for $2.50 . While I was gone Hinkley left camp &
went to the hospital where he stoped all night. I had a full wash before
laying down & afterward had a sound good sleep till about 5 A.M. when we were
roused by the loud beating of the many drums, all calling the soldier from sweet
sleep to prepare for the long & weary march. Before lying down we carried
our knapsacks to a Lighter which was hired for $100 to carry them to
Brownsville. This was arranged by Capts. Cowing & Smith (I believe), each
of the Co's to pay $10. This will be from 25 to 33 cts to each of the
boys, if paid by them as was proposed. This is an excellent arrangment,
for our burthens are very large, many of the boys having from two to four lbs of
shell besides good supplies of clothing. Many of the boys are left for
discharge from our Regt & three from our Co., viz: Hinkley, Donaldson, &
Bowers. H-- returned to camp ere we started & we parted after a close &
friendly fellowship of some 18 months. Some of the boys were drunk last
night, but I heard nothing of the tumult they made till morning. A hideous
sight was presented by F-- Co I soon after we started which was about 5 1/2 or 6
O'clock A.M. Our course was along the river, cutting the bends. A
steamer & the lighter passed us. We camped on the Plain of Palo Alto, on
the bank of the river at 11 A.M. having made 11 miles. Day was bright &
clear & hot. Marching to Brownsville Where we camped yesterday no trees or bushes being near, we
fixed bayonets, stuck them in the ground & fastened our tents, rubbers, &c. to
the locks of the guns, thus forming a shade some 3 1/2 or 4 feet from the
ground. Both yesterday & today the heat was very great, though its force
was abated by a breeze that prevailed. About 1/2 the distance is low flat
prairie on which a coarse grass grows in bunches, interspersed with weeds of
various kinds & immense bunches of the cactus or prickly pear. On
this grows the fruit that some of the boys picked & sometimes cooked.
This is in every stage of growth on the same leaf may be found those ripe &
others green. The last 1/2 of the distance to Brownsville the surface is
covered with a low thick growth of chapperelle muskitto wood. One of
those resembles the locust having a pod full of seeds & leaves--but those are
smaller than on the locust. During the P.M. Co. B's dog Calamity caught a
large hare & chased a coyote, which some said was a specie of prairie wolf.
Many of the boys went in the river & one of Co. A. was very nearly drowned, but
Owen Findley saved him. We were waked about 3 this A.M. but did not start
till about daylight. Yesterday & today I had my great coat & rubber
carried on a wagon & though my burthen was light, it was all that I would like
to carry. It was often sad to see many in the other Regt. with feet
schafed & blistered hobbling along under their heavy knapsacks &c. I heard
some were sunstruck & very many suffered severely from the heat. The line
is not inhabited. A daily line of stages run to & from Clarksville.
We heard a rumor that orders to return to Brazos & homeward bound were received.
We hope it may prove true!! About 11 A.M. we camped on the bank of river
two miles below Brownsville. Day was bright.
Camp on Rio Grande Along the way I saw bunches of the prickley pear, some of which
were six feet high & many as far across. The leaves are from two to 8 or 9
inches in diameter. I never before saw so much growth of bushes varying to
10 feet high, in which it is so difficult to find a piece of a pole straight as
long as six feet. It is all prickly & full of crooks & limbs. It is
a poorly use for wood for fire & as such only for merely local use. Last
evening I heard a negro soldier tell of the large snakes here that he said were
quite dangerous, but I think his idea must have been a mistaken one, though I
saw one or two large ones that were dead as we came along.
Camp near Brownsville, Texas Yesterday P.M. while I was absent in town the Lighter brought
our knapsacks & the bunk boards that some of the boys put aboard before we
started from Clarksville. Daugherty & I proposed to put ours aboard, &
were quite anxious to do so , but Blum got the greater part of their bunk & as
he refused to lie on the sand one night as they had often done for weeks
ere they got a bunk--we let the chance pass unimproved. A bunk is
invaluable, affording a seat & lounge in the long tiresome days & I very much
regret that I did not mail those in our bunk together & I could have a good one.
Blum has this peculiarity to an unusual degree--great fixedness or stubbornness
of determination so that reasoning with him is usually lost, added to this is
little forecast & some carelessness of as to consequences. In this last
respect he is, I think the direct reverse, for I often resolve hastily to do
things, that upon reflection I dare not attempt as if conscience made me a
coward! This is the poorest place to gobble lumber that I ever saw, else
we would all soon have bunks. Many of the huts on the outskirts of the
town are made of poles set in the ground & plastered with mud, being thatched
with a coarse grass. The charge for carrying each knapsack in our Co. was
35 cts. No charge was made for the boards. Clothing was drawn today,
but I got nothing. Many wall tents are furnished to officers & many new
shelter tents to each Co. in place of old ones that were damaged. We got
two new ones. The steamer Tampico went down this A.M. at a very rapid rate
aided by the current. There was a shower this A.M. Milk was offered
at 50 cts a qut, few bought. Many goats are kept about here. I am
well.
near Brownsville, Texas I went into the yard surrounding the Catholic Church in town & there I saw
a beautiful & costly tomb in process of erection. All the outside is of
marble, some 8 or 10 feet long, six in breadth & the base or tomb proper some
six feet high. This is to surmounted by three statues in marble of life
size, the largest that of a female, & the others, two boys 8 to 10 years
old. A workman to whom I talked said the entire expense would be about
$15,000. The largest statue cost $1350 & the smaller ones $650 each.
The entire work was prepared in New York. Alas what a waste of money,
while ignorance & want & sin abound in the world.
Camp on Rio Grande There is scarcely anything else so strange as the vast
multitudes of insects that swarm here everywhere, for the surface of the ground
seems covered with ants, as well as every crevice in bushes being crowded with
them. Some of those are very sharp in the bite or touch when they get onto
a person. Those are large & brown, being very active while a small ant of
a jetty black color is very numerous, but harmless. For the first time in
my life I lately noticed the dexterity with which toads--all I have seen here
are of a small size--bite or snatch at small insects, as flies &c. This
was done with such rapidity that the eye could scarcely follow the motion of the
toad as he seized his luckless victims. Had one told me of this I could
scarce have believed such a statement as literally correct.
Near Brownsville, Texas Nothing could exceed the beauty & grandeur of the full moon as
it rose night before last & also last evening. The figure of the boy & the
branch of the apple tree of which I had heard & so willingly believed in early
days was distinctly visible & over all was a delightful rose or golden flush
that rendered it still more charming. What a color of the moon as seen on
a sharp frosty night in Wis., but perhaps not greater than the camp scene that
the moon beheld here last night as compared with that at many a home in Wis.
Here one of the boys had a fiddle on which he played familiar loved old tunes,
heard so often by many in the ballrooms & elsewhere, while the boys whose minds
then wandered far away formed a ring about one or two negroes, who danced a
Juba. At home is the vacant chair kept for the return of the absent one.
Camp Misery & Idleness I had a very pleasant & refreshing sleep last night. It
was cool & breezy. The sun was up ere I awaked & then I arose & prepared
some breakfast. Since Hinkley left me I have done all my cooking alone, &
I think I shall continue alone till I am discharged. Thanks to God that
can be delayed only 64 days more!! Oh blissful day! when I & thousands
like me will be free from this hateful thralldom which we so heartily detest.
But how can our officers, who may justly be considered responsible for our
detention, or at least who cannot be innocent, having no sympathy with us, fully
understand our feelings, as most of them having no farms or business to attend
to, & many of them not wishing or likely to have no wives or family &
perhaps prefering the co. of strange women to better & more sacred ties, how can
such realize the condition of Men situated as we are!
Camp Exile, Brownsville Glory to God in the Highest!! Only 63 days more at most of this kind
of servitude & perhaps not more than ten. Last evening we had a Co. talk &
like other occasions when the subject is 'going home' every one was more or less
excited at the thought of the wrong done us by keeping us here. I
expressed the purpose that I felt viz--not to do any duty after the 20th of this
month. For this there seems a dozen reasons, as this-- The President never
called for troops for a period longer than three years--the time of a drafted
person begins either at the date of the drawing or else when he is notified, in
both cases before he takes the oath prescribed: our pay, allowance for
clothing & for board began with date of enlistment! not at time of muster.
We know we were ready any & every day to assemble as at the sound or blast of a
bugle even before we had guns or uniform to go anywhere & on any duty to which
we might be ordered. Do not all these things prove that our time began
at date of enlistment & consequently ends three years from that date.
We talked about the chance of a dishonorable discharge, but many expressed a
willingness to risk this or even to take such rather than to stop here longer.
I am confident that our case could be brought to the notice of the proper
authorities & speedily would the dishonor be erase from the books. Our QM.
Lt. Collier came on the boat last evening. I bought a N.O. Times of
3d inst for 15 cts. No news. I saw N.Y. Herald of 22d ult. very
little news of importance. British Parliament was dissolved by the Queen
on 6th ult & a new Parliament is to be formed. Gold continues about $1.44.
Internal revenue yields largely; to 9th July from 1st the amt. was 12 1/4
millions. The late insurrection in Hati was lately suppressed. Day
was bright. I am very well
Camp on the Rio Grande For some days past the river has risen very fast, so that day before
yesterday a detail dug a ditch from the river two or three rods to let the
waters flow into a small lake at our camp. First when we came here the
water was only waist high, but today it is about 6 feet in the deepest places.
Last evening a great number of the boys were in swimming & the scene presented
was very pleasing. It is a good place to learn to swim. I went in &
swam about for some time. The Rio is grander than I ever saw it before.
In many places it has over flowed its banks I think the low ground on the
Mexican side must be flooded.
Brownsville, Texas Mail came yesterday P.M. & was distributed after roll call last night.
I got one written by Matt & Mother on 16 & 18th ult. The latest of my
letters of June 22d they received on 15th. They are all well.
Weather had been cool for the season. They had finished hoeing & had done
but little at haying. This must make them very late about haying, as they
began harvest on 17th. They were to begin with a reaper--a new one I
suppose--on 19th. It was said the Chintz Bug was working in spring wheat &
had ruined that in prairie section, farther west. Potatoes, oats, corn,
rye &c were very promising. In the letter a sheet of note which Matt began
on 16 & Mother finished on 18th is the following happy sentence--"We are all
well. Your Fathers health is good. He is churning for me while I
finish this letter. Matt was so tired last night--& this mail day--that he
asked me to finish it!! Alas that they are so driven with work while I &
so many others just lie idle. Mother says she does all her work a usual!!
She seems to be very happy & contented, so good is Matt: my absence ,
being the only thing that renders her at all anxious. Anthony & family
were well & she had not seen Mary in seven weeks.
Camp near Brownsville, Texas Our lake is still the favorite resort of the boys every evening.
I was in practicing again this A.M. We had Co. inspection this A.M. for
the first time in two weeks. This was by Capt. Tichenor, & did not take
long. How much we wish this may be the last time for inspection. The
days now are very much I think like the weather at this season in Wis. The
A.M. is generally warm, but the P.M. is windy, & the nights breezy & cool.
This would be delightful harvest weather. It is strange to see so good
soil about this place & no gardens or fields cultivated, no vegetables of any
kind. One sometimes sees a few tomatoes for sale in some of the shops, but
they are of small size--a miserable excuse for the rich fruit so plenty at home.
I was in town this A.M. from about 8 1/2 to 12. I was a short time in the
Catholic Church before mass. The finish & furniture inside are very plain,
that of the ceiling being pleasing & tasty. I intended to attend the
service, but went through the town & was delayed till I was late. While in
the church I saw the priest performing the ceremony of Baptism on a Sergt. who I
think belongs in a negro Regt, he being colored. The priest spoke English
& was a very well appearing man. I saw the beautiful tomb & the three
statues, all being finished. The head of the largest statue is some 15 to
18 feet above the ground. The effect is very pleasing. I met the
people returning from the Catholic Church, & among them I noticed a few well
looking white women, but the great majority were of the Mexican brown. I
bought Harper's Weekly of 22 & 29th ult for .50 & The Ranchers printed in
Matamoras for 15 cts. I also got "Thaddeus of Warsaw" for 40 cts.
This with 25 cts for bananas made quite a bill. $1.30. I am well.
Day was bright & pleasant.
Camp near Brownsville, Texas At last came the glad day for which we have so longed so prayed.
Early this A.M. we heard the news whispered or spoken quite confidently but it
was so good, could it be true? It was first spread by one of Co. F who is
orderly on Gen. Steele's staff. Confidence in its truth gradually grew &
the order itself was received at Regt. Headquarters about 1 1/2 P.M. Who did not
feel glad, yet there was very little cheering or noise made about it in our
Regt. We heard the boys of the 26th N.Y. Battery cheer loudly. The
order includes 28th & 27th Wis. Regts. & 26th N.Y. Bat. that are here, besides
an Iowa & a Mo. Regt elsewhere in this Division. The order was issued by
the War Dept. at Washington 1st inst & from Headquarters of this military Div.
at N.O. on the 4th. Thanks to God, say I, that it came soon before the
21st, for had it been delayed after that time there might be disgrace & revolt
in our camp. Last evening Alexander McNeill & I had a long talk about this
matter after the boys lay down & all the camp was still. We agreed that by
refusing to do duty we could get ourselves deep into trouble & perhaps do no
good. We agreed that we would not be leaders, but if the others united &
refused to do duty we would join them. No question existed in our minds
but that it was right to refuse doing duty, but we were very doubtful about that
being the best or most prudent way. I think how much this was like many in
the Rebel states early in the War, who did not think it good policy to make war,
but if their State went out of the Union they would follow her. I wrote
some to Mother congratulating her on the happy event. All that choose are
allowed to take their guns & equipments for $6.00 Day was bright & warm.
I am very well
Camp 28th Wis. Inf Many of our boys went up to Brownsville this A.M. & then crossed to Matamoras.
I did some washing this A.M. including sheet, pants, great coat, &c.
Afternoon I too went in citizen dress across to Matamoras. The river makes
a great bend in front of Brownsville, so that Matamoras stands back on the main
line of the river. It is about 1/2 mile from the ferry to the front of the
town. I had to pay a dime in currency for crossing in a row boat & as much
for returning ; in silver the charge is a pycarine or 6 1/4 cts. Our
paper or greenbacks are taken in trade at very few shops in Mexico. The
site is a very low one. The streets very narrow & in many places the
middle of the street is two or three feet below the narrow side walk. Few
of the buildings are two stories high. On the outskirts the habitations
are only poor thatched huts with no floor but the ground. The great body
of the people are Mexicans, much the color of Indians. Next in no. are the
French with rather a brown tinge of complexion & broad very strongly marked
features. I saw but few genuine whites & their presence afforded a mixed
feeling of pain & pleasure, for their color & regularity of feature is a beauty
not met with elsewhere, but when I think of the base vile life of many of those
women I saw, this was sad sickening. There can be little doubt but
that licentiousness rules very extensively, but I saw nothing like what many of
our boys fancy. I found very few that spoke English. There is one
large Catholic brick church & I saw one small one. I saw Palmetto trees 20
or 25 feet high. I saw a specimen of the Mexican soldiery, the defenders
of Max's Throne. Thank God Liberty depends on none such. I was in
the cemetery, this is surrounded by a brick wall 8 or 10 feet high. After
a walk of some three or four hours, I got to camp about 5 P.M. Day was
bright & warm. I am well.
Camp near Brownsville, Texas Yesterday I saw for the first time an exhumed human body. It
ad been taken out but a short time before & it was in an open coffin in the
cemetery in the outskirts of Matamoras. Surely this was a spectacle to
make any person think of the empty pride & vanity of human life. There
remained no traces of wheat we term beauty & loveliness, or deformity;
nothing but bones & the outer tegument. Ah!! twas sad to think that the
loveliest we ever beheld must at last yield to this end of all that is mortal!
The grave yard is the most irregular that I have seen south in any city in which
we have been. The tombs are very numerous in many cases are
surmounted y statues in marble. The inscriptions are nearly all in some
foreign language. Of course this is chiefly or exclusively a Catholic
burial ground. At to opposite corners the French have small works erected
& the brick walls are perforated in many places for sharpshooters. I was
surprised to hear a man say that he paid $25--probably in specie--for the mere
woodwork of a buggy pole with evener & the two whiffletrees & bow. I saw
it & it was neither painted nor ironed. It was bought in Matamoras & I
helped him bear it in the boat in which we crossed. I tried hard to find
something to buy as a souvenir of the first & only time that I may ever stand on
Mexican soil. I first thought of a steel thimble for Mother or a little
knife with a small blade for her to use when sawing, but those were for sale
only for silver & as I had none of the metals I could not buy. I bought
nothing. Today many of our old tents were turned over to the post Q.M.
A General Inspection was ordered at 4 P.M. & though efforts were made to have
our Regt. exempted, it took place. In most of the Co's. there is great
activity making out the muster out papers. 'Tis said B. & H. are most
backward. We got through inspection safely. We gain some by
experiences. As I take my gun home--as we get it & accouterments for
$6.00, I took much pains with my gun after inspection. There being little
breeze in A.M., day was hotter than usual.
near Brownsville, Texas Work on Muster Out Papers was very active today, & in our Co.
all required--eight are finished. It is said B. has not one yet finished.
The Capt Slawson acts as having no interest in the work & he was so abusive that
Lt. Bennett left the tedious task to two or three of the Co. Such excuses
of men or officers as that should be sentence to the Dry Tortugas for from six
months to three years on such delicious condemned hard tack & delicate sow belly
as we have issued to us with multitudes of muskittoes to sting him to death & to
hold[?] him to a broken sleep & the parching sun to have its heat reflected on
him all day long. Such a person is better fit for a hangman than for the
command of three men. Yesterday I refused to lend my gold pen to Donaldson
as he was busy making out the individual discharge papers for our Co. I
was surprised how irritated he felt at this. I should not have refused him
perhaps, had I not heard some in our Co. say how he would spoil the best pen so
surely as he had done in so many cases & he also had two or three gold pens of
his own, but none of which was quite to his liking. I have but one pen &
have no liking to have that rendered unfit for use especially as I have little
money. I see that I am apt to be selfish & unreasonable, but alas others
are some so too!! I came very nigh losing my pen this A.M. & might never
have seen it had not __________ in Co B. picked it up & restored it to me.
Last night some one stole Lieut. Coats' valise containing some $200 worth of
clothing & valuables. I much regret this, for Lt. C-- is one of our best
officers--if not our best. I was in Brownsville early this A.M. as Capt
wanted Gillet's 303 steel pen, but I could not find any of that kind. I
finished reading " Too Strange" today. All detached men are returning to
their Co's. I have a cold & cough much. Day was bright & hot.
Brownsville, Texas Since we came here we have seen the result of one career of vice.
More than a year ago I had to record the desertion of Geo Kellogg of Co. B at
Pine Bluff, Ark. We heard he had formed strange intimacies with rebel
women of that place from whom he received considerable sums of money either by
theft or otherwise. We heard he worked into the hands of the rebel army in
the S. part of Ark. & northern La. But he passed out of mind, till the day
we came here, when some of our boys saw him in Post Hospital in Brownsville.
We first heard he was wounded in a skirmish with some force of Rebels along the
river. He was a member of the 2d Texas Cav & told another member of the
same Regt of his R's--success in seducing the wife of the other & what he could
do again. On this account the husband shot two balls into him. I
have seen him several times & he presents a sad appearance.
Camp near Brownsville Co, Texas Last Evening marked one of my little triumphs, viz that of swimming across the lake
near our camp. The evening before I tried it, but the distance proved too
great. It is about 25 rods in width, so that the distance I swam was about
20 rods. This I swim going & returning. What I most need is
confidence. This I think I have now to such a degree that I would be
little afraid in any water. This I think quite a victory!!
Camp on the Rio Grande, How disagreeable it is, how shocking to be waked up in the night-when
all is so silent by the sound of a fellow soldier uttering blasphemies on
account of the annoyances of muskittoes. Thus was I waked a few nights ago
by one of the boys uttering--"G-d d--n, the G-d d--d muskittoes! I
often say I would swear 'if it would do any good', but it is disgusting to hear
the frequent blasphemies uttered by the boys. The glad day draws nigh when
this must cease or at least when I shall not hear it. Lately some of the
boys came to the Regt. from Little Rock. We heard Maj. C.C. White who was
on detached service at L.Rock nearly all the time since we first went there.
We heard he was now on his way to join the Regt. We also heard lately that
Lt. Col. E.B.Gray had started to meet us at N.O. This looks much as if we
could not find the way without his guidance.
Sobriquets used in Co. G.
I will here try to collect the sobriquets used in Co. G. & by which several of the boys
were at times referred to , & to which they sometimes answered.
Thoughts of a Private Soldier
Today ends three long years passed in the service of the U.S. of America!! This is the first day of the fourth year of soldier life with me.
Those who have never been bound to public service by a solemn oath may wonder
how a soldier feels when so bound, for one naturally expects the state of mind
is quite different from that felt at other times. Well, so a person thinks
about the state of mind experienced when a person has been newly married or
elected or appointed to some high offices but in all these a person without
experience thinks the change is much greater than it really is. Three
years ago last night at a late hour I took the oath to serve faithfully the U.S.
for three years. I then had very little expectation of so safely seeing
the end of that time if indeed I should live in any way. Still has hope
never for a moment failed me. I left Muskego about 4 P.M. where I had been
working with my two brothers Matt & Anthony & ere sundown I parted my Mother &
Father with my intention well known to all of them, for this had been settled
for several days before & however against my parent's wishes, still their
judgment approved my act, for too plainly they saw the need of help, to oppose
my purpose. When I returned it was long past midnight, so I lay down alone on
the mow of new mown hay in the barn & could not help thinking of the new
condition I occupied, & at last I slept & next morning awoke feeling myself a
soldier for Union & Liberty. Thank God I never once regreted it.
Near Brownsville, Texas Last night was one of the most sleepless nights that I passed in three years.
I read at the same candle with Dan'l McNeill till near 10 O'clock & after that,
wandering thoughts so filled my mind as to prevent sleep till past 11 P.M.
The Dipper had gone so low in its diurnal round as hide all but the three stars
in the handle & then in that silent hour I raised my thoughts to Him from whom
came life & health & reason & all that is good. Most of the others were
very restless & some of the boys went in the lake so weried were they by
muskittoes &c. They often express surprise at the soundness of sleep.
I was up early this A.M. The day was not so warm as usual. For
breakfast i had a genuine compound viz 'tack' cut up fine, desicated potatoes,
boiled fish, beef cut into a hash & boiled beans, bruised to a pulp. In
the P.M. for supper I had a part of this mixed with flour porridge & onions, of
which we drew some this P.M. from commissary. With such as this, which is
rather a concentrated food, little bread is eaten. The papers of B. & H.
were examined this A.M. & were required but little correction. It is
expected the muster out will take place tomorrow A.M. I heard the 27th are
not so advanced with their documents. History of Co. G. 28th Regt. Wis. Inf. Vols
The Co was enlisted during the month of Aug. 1862. Met at
Waukesha & by a unanimous vote elected Elihu Enos Capt. Subsequently David
Turner was Commissioned 1st Lieut. & Willis V. Tichenor was elected 2d Lieut,
for this there were several competitors. The Co. started from Waukesha
Sept 13th A.M.--having been previously mustered on 12th, & went into Camp
Washburn at Milwaukee. Were inspected by Capt. Trowbridge of U.S. Army Oct
13th. Left the state Dec. 20th 1863 & reached Columbus, Ky 23d. Sent
on scout to Union City & Hickman; started for Helena, Ark. Jany 5th.
Accompanied Gen. Gorman's expedition up White River & stationed at St. Charles
till Jany 20th '63. Took part in Yazoo Pass Expe. from Feb. 24th to Apr.
9th. May 6 took part in 8-day scout to Cofton Plant, Ark.
Participate in Battle of Helena July 4th 1863. Accom. expedition against
Little Rock Ark & took part in its capture Sept. 10th. Stationed at Pine
Bluff from Nov 10 '63 to Nov 30 '64 during which time we took part in various
scouts, & took part in the fight at Mt. Elba, March 30, '64. Accom. Gen.
Carr's scouting expedition to the Saline River & Monticello in Jany 1865.
Transferred to 3d Div. 13th Army Corps & reached Mobile Point, Ala Feb 25th,
1865. Acc. expedition against Mobile, marching from Mobile Point to Ft.
Blakely & taking part in the capture of Fort Spanish & Blakely, & City of
Mobile.
Camp 28th, Wis. Inf. It was news to me to read yesterday that my people kept last year's clip of wool,
amounting to some 40 or 500 lbs & have it still on hand. This is surely
one of the last things that I expected, for I thought in the need they had of
money, at least when Matt was drafted last fall, & the enormous price paid a
year ago for wool--from .80 to 1$1.00 a lb well I thought that price was
enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The man is lucky this season who gets 50 cts a
lb for his wool. Should I wonder that some who would squeeze a quarter till
it had almost expanded to a 50 ct piece, should tug & toil as hard to reduce the
1/2 dollar to a 1/4 or a dime again. Thus has it always been, & thus will
it always be with some!!! Another instance of economy (?) was executed at
home during the last year viz to keep wheat-raised 1860 or before, when it was
worth $2.25 till it had fallen to $1.25 & to 1.40. I can only think this
is the admirable (?) management of---well let us call it Blank. He is not
a speculator! Oh no. Perhaps he think that by taking only 1/2 price
for wheat & wool & c this is a good way to afford cheap food & clothing to the
poor--widows orphans of our broad land!! Well this will not last
forever!! Thus has been lost more than I have been able to save out of my
wages the last year or 18 months!! Well what ma[?]it! are not we rich?!!
Camp near Brownsville, Texas Last evening came the welcome news that we would go aboard the steamer Tampico, bound for Brazos
at & this A.M. When this was known many of the boys went to town to get a
supply of soft bread &c for the trip. Many others, of whom I was one, were
busy fixing boxes &c in which to pack supplies for the trip across the Gulf, as
we feared Brazos was still a poor place to obtain supplies. The night that
so many expected to be our last in Texas was a restless one with many, but I
slept well. Not a little was the surprise, nor less the indignation felt &
expressed this A.M. when we did not start, but received the mortifying
intelligence that we were to be delayed 24 hours longer, & all this for no
satisfactory reason, or cause. The only reasons given were that a
Brigadier Gen. wished to attend a Ball at Matamoras tonight & the Tampico must
be detained to take him down the river tomorrow. We heard the Chief Q.M.
felt indignant at delaying us for so trifling an excuse & many, deep, high, &
but not loud were the many curses poured out against Old Steele! Many a
time was he wished in the Land of Despair--that climate too hot for any human
constitution to withstand. What increased the indignation was that a
steamer passed down early without load of any kind, so she might have taken us &
she too was bound for Brazos. Before the delay was known--since daylight
soldiers from the other Regt's crowded our camp--some for the boards in a bunk
or for a box that was spoken for a week before. The day was cloudy & about
noon quite a shower fell. After this Donaldson & I went to Brownsville, as
much to pass the P.M. pleasantly, as for any other cause. While there
another shower fell. We took quite a walk--our last-- about town, seeing
little to please, much in the condition of the people that was unpleasant.
I asked the price of shelled corn & was surprised to hear $7.60 answered.
We saw a detail of Negroes loading 150 bbls of whiskey on the Tampico, to be
sent East. I feel very well & hopeful.
Homeward Bound Last evening J.H.Gelzer & myself had a long walk & a very pleasant chat as we went arm in arm back
& fourth in one of the streets less frequented then the others. He told me
of the pleasant days he had for a short time that he attended the college at
Appleton Wis & the merry good influences & pleasant associations that he there
enjoyed. The most interesting part of our converse was that of an early
strong attachment that existed between himself & a girl he loved about the time
he was 20 & the manner in which it was broken off--by her hasty marriage to
another. He also referred to the marriage of his sister--since he came
away--to a man that he did not like--or that he did not deem good enough to be
her husband. Alas that so many early loves, true, constant, pure, & such
as Heaven may approve, are never fulfilled--so many rudely broken off. My
own only love was too reticent--too diffident to be crowned with full fruition,
but as it was not blasted may I not hope that its days of bloom are yet to
come!! Surely I shall cherish this sweet hope!! The clouds overcast
the night & I was waked by a light sprinkling of rain on my face, but I kept on
sleeping & was not disturbed again till morning. We heard the boat whistle
early, & all were hopeful that now at last the day had come. Breakfast was
over early, & we were all ready in good time. We saw the boat coming & the
joyful roll call was gone through. How scattered, how reduced each Co.
[was]. How glad that that I yet remain & as well as ever!! Good for
three years, more[?] if needed Capt. Williams in Com of the Regt. we fell into
line but not without curses & ill will. When the line was
complete--Present Arms! was ordered by Adj. but such an exhibition of dis-respect-
as that 1/4 or 1/2 Present was, has been seldom seen. The band of 34th
Ind. was present, & pleasant was their music. We started about 8 1/2 & got
to Clarksville about [blank] P.M. There I & many got off, bought bread &c
& then started out onto the Gulf. We had a pleasant run of about an hour
to Brazos. Day was cloudy & misty.
Camp 28th Wis It was very pleasant to hear yesterday just as we started, the tune "Home again" played by the band of the 34th
Ind. There was some cheering, but I did not help to swell the shouts.
This was not the lack of good will toward the tried & true that we were leaving
but my thoughts were more solemn, being far away & turning homeward. The
certainty that our work was done & that now we had fairly started for home, this
was too absorbing to allow levity to rule. The 77th Ohio were on hand to
escort us to the boat, they being the Regt with which we had been longest
associated of all those in camp here. Our passage down the river was very
rapid, we stopped at two or three places on the Mexican side for wood, but the
owners refused to sell, so at last a supply was obtained on the Texas side.
Volunteers were called for to load the wood, & those were som[?] at work with a
will. Many were surprised at the wretched huts in which the people on both
sides of the river live. We saw very many male children running about
naked, & in a few cases men & women were seen very nearly or quite naked.
All the way one side or the other is a low bank & this is overflowed much of the
way, for the water was not so high in 15 to 20 years. Perhaps nowhere else
in the world is there so tortuous a river so large as the Rio. We were
very fortunate last evening in finding good frame barracks empty & fit to keep
us. As soon as we landed rain began to fall & we were glad to go in out of
the wet. This continued all night & part of today, so our temporary island
home is nearly submerged. We drew water this P.M. I was on duty as
guard for a few hours. It is very uncertain when we may get away from this
place. Two steamers lie outside at anchor & the Alliance at the wharf
unloading. She is a Propeller, very high & narrow. Some are very
impatient to start. I read & wrote some during the day. I am very
well.
Camp 28th Wis Inf I think I never passed the Holy Sabbath day when it looked so little like a day of rest as today.
It was strange to see the fires burning while the rain fell teeming in floods,
but pine shingles & boards that lay about in plenty were burned freely to cook
our meals. Soft bread was drawn for our Regt & some of this was soaked
delightfully in the rain. Added to all this the boys began early whitling
finger rings from the black ebony that was so plenty about Brownsville & cutting
what they call the Badge of the 13th Army Corps--a crescent with a star in
its concave-from silver coins-half dimes, dimes, quarters &c. One bestowed
much labor & great pains on what he called Bibles in miniature of which he made
two. This continued all day & I must say I like it much better than
gambling. Except a few high banks along the shore the whole island is
under water. The sun did not show his face at all during the day. I
read very continuously in "Emma" & very nearly finished it. I find it very
tame & commonplace, but all the characters are very natural & the incidents &
conversations such as might occur. Several of the boys began it, but only
one has so far read it through, the others grew tired of it. It is a story
of English life among the gentle or wealthy class, written by Miss Jane Austin,
containing 55 chap. & 320 pages. It is not at all equal I think to "Too
Strange" which contains 276 pages 8 vo. "Emma" is small 12 mo.
Brazos Santiago, Texas I entertain the hope that we may have fine pleasant weather when we cross the Gulf owing to the length & severity of the storm
which now seems to be past. It is very probable that it was a very general
one and was felt perhaps as far north as Wis. Today was cloudy till the
middle of the P.M. when the sun was seen for the first time in many days.
Some of the boys express the foolish fear that the 27th Regt. may get home about
the same time that we do & so strong is this prejudice that many say they would
prefer being one or more days after them rather than to reach Milwaukee the same
day with them. I certainly have no wish for their delay, nor any
willingness to be delayed for so trifling a cause as this. I think there
are R.R. & all other accommodations for us all, even if together.
Camp 28th Wis. Vols. The weather seems settled for the present, but none can guess how long this may last.
Owen Finley, D. McNeill & myself went early to the Gulf shore intending to have
a wash & swim, but a shower suddenly came on, which made me seek shelter in a
tent of a colored soldier where I chatted with him till it was passed & then I
had my wash in the blue, salty brine. There was a detail for 100 men from
our Regt. made about 9 A.M. to work unloading the Frances. About noon
another similar detail was made to relieve the others & this was continuous till
late in the night. The freight consisted of Quarter Master goods--army
supplies viz clothing, haversacks, canteens &c. As some of the boxes were
broken open, some of the boys got pantaloons & I saw some get canteens &
liquors-Highwines. I could have got a new canteen, but acted that "honest
was the best policy". The rumor now is that we will get away tomorrow for
this reason the great hurry in unloading the boat. It is intended that 5
Co's will go on the Frances, & as many on the Exact, which is afloat
today.
Brazos Santiago, Texas Last night the order was passed around to be ready to go aboard at 8 this A.M.
I had a good sleep & waked soon after 5 o'clock. After the usual hurry &
bustle, everything was packed up & boxes &c were carried off so as to be near
the landing to avoid delay when ordered aboard. The steamers Exact &
Frances lay alongside, the latter being inside. Such was the tardiness in
every movement that the Exact did not start out till the tide had fallen much
lower than when at it height, about 9 A.M. When the pilot returned, the
depth of water on the bar was not enough to take the other over, so after
waiting a long time between hope, doubt, & fear, at last it was decided we would
have to wait till tomorrow morning. I do not know who is to blame for this
delay to 1/2 the Regt. but nearly all officers as well as men speak & think of
Capt. Williams as the cause--he being in command of the Regt. We could
have been aboard at 6 as at 8 A.M. & if we were there can not be a doubt but
that we would all have got away. Many think it a preconcuted plan to get
the start of the rest of the Regt. I saw Williams, Montieth others
drinking in a sutter shop before we went aboard. No one can tell how many
days delay this may cause us. It is all the more to be deplored as the day
was very bright & pleasant, a gentle breeze blowing all day. The Tampico
arrived today with five Cos of the 27th Wis from Brownsville, the others are to
follow tomorrow. This P.M. about 4 o'clock Brig. Gen. Draper was shot by
someone unknown. The ball entered near his spine & may prove mortal.
This P.M. we bought 8 lbs Boston Crackers at 35 cts a lb. I got one pound.
Homeward Bound Last evening I took my trappings aboard & lay down on the poop deck, all alone.
The evening was a beautiful one, air mild, Moon & stars bright. I walked
about a short time all alone, & that was my last walk in Texas. It is just
three months since we broke camp at Mobile, & we might have done much better for
every human interest if we were then mustered out, & sent home. I was
waked before daylight by the boys coming aboard. We started out at 6 1/2
A.M. We were towed across the bar by the new Gov vessel Eliz Handcox.
Some said our boat struck once with great force on the sand, but I being on the
deck over the cabin I did not feel it. Some feared it would damaged the
vessel but this is not likely as we have kept steadily on our course all day.
The day was bright & calm, a really beautiful day. Our boat makes about
six miles an hour. It is said the distance to the mouth of the Miss. is
480 miles & it is expected to make it in three days. It will take another
day to climb the river to N.O. This is what may occur in the very best
case & with fair weather. There is a long heavy roll on the sea which
makes the ship roll some. Sails were not used as there is but little wind
& that all ahead. I stopped all day on the first deck & the air is so hot
as to make my stomach feel some sick. We take three or four sick men with
us. I heard the Gen. who was shot was mortally wounded & may not recover.
I have read some in Thaddeus of Warsaw. Some saw a shark following the
ship. Our ship is a poor one if a storm overtake us.
I was detailed for patrol guard today & we reported at 7
A.M. I was no. 6, first relief, on a boat loaded with Gov. stores.
One of the men aboard was a man who told me he had been through the Florida &
Mexican Wars & had a narrow escape from being forced into the Rebel service.
I stood only the first & 2d reliefs. Mail was distributed about sunrise,
but more than 1/2 of it was for 3 or four of the Co. I got none, though I
expected two or three!! I made a package in my rubbers of three overcoats
& one wool blanket, weighing about 25 lbs. I sent it by one of [Co.] K who
brought back my receipt. The glad news came to Hinkley that he would not
go to Brownsville, but would got to hospital to be mustered out & sent home
immediately. How I wished we could all hear those words. The day was
bright & warm & was quite a bus one in camp. I am well.
August 2d Wednesday 1865
August 3d Thursday 1865
two miles below Brownsville
August 4th Friday 1865
Last evening I
spread my rubber on the open ground &before lying down I had a long & pleasant
talk with a member of the 7th Vermont Regt. He was raised 30 miles from
Atlanta, Geo. & was I judge some 20 to 25 years old. He never entered the
rebel army, but in 1862 or 3--he & his brother left home & went to Ft. Pickens &
enlisted in our service; his brother, he told me, was lost on the steamer
N. America near Cape Hatteras. We freely expressed our views as to the
war, slavery & the future of our country & we agreed perfectly. He is a
person of good manners, I think, uses no profane or obscure language. Like
all the soldiers he is very anxious to get home, & well he may for terrible War
thundered not far from his home. Every time I talk with residents of the
South, I hear new proofs of the truth of what Democrats called --"D__d Abolition
lies" I had an excellent sleep under the bright moon. We moved about
8 A.M. to a permanent campground 1 1/2 miles below town. In the P.M. I
went to town & traveled about for two or three hours, seeing the strange town &
the still stranger looking dark people. In the camp here I saw two strange
little animals, armadilloes, I think, & a horned frog that the boys found here.
A shower fell about M. At intervals the heat was very great.
August 5th Saturday 1865
August 6th Sunday 1865
Some of our teams
started to Clarksville yesterday A.M. at 4 O'clock. Got back about 9 this A.M.
with loads of regimental stuff: boxes, boards &c. They said Hinkley &
others of our boys started on the boat going to Brazos Santiago last evening.
Donaldson & others were left, & these may yet be required to come up here
instead of being discharged. The day was quite showery & quite hot,
yet
others seem to suffer more from the heat than I do. I hear that one of Co
A. a Corp--brought his gun to the Lieut. in command of the Co & 'turned his gun
over, 'as he enlisted three years ago yesterday. I appears however that he
is still willing to continue to do duty if required. There was no
inspection this A.M. nor parade in the P.M. I & four others were on
fatigue 1 1/2 or two hours this A.M. cutting brush about Capts tent & again this
P.M. to burn it. Not far distant is the Sabbath Day when I will not be
detailed for duty by Capt. or Col. I wrote some & began the story "Too
strange not to be true." The river rises very fast. Still the use of
obscene books continues.
near Brownsville, Texas
August 7th Monday 1865
Great Happiness! What a waste of life, of precious time do I see about me every
day. How many there are who only eat, drink & sleep, play cards, or read
vile books & meaningless novels & complete the waste with blasphemy & a
corresponding share of vulgarity of talk. Today I went by Brigade Hd.
Qrtrs. & there I saw a busy crowd of men, some building shades, others making
brick walks that may be abandoned ere a week or a month. Surely this is
saddening to one, when he thinks of the useful work that is undone at home.
It seems a very near approach this American Military rule to that which prevails
at large in Europe. Another strange sight was to see: oxen yoked for
work by having the yoke fastened to the horns with straps of leather the yoke
resting on the neck close to the horns!! Day was bright & warm.
River rose 5 feet in last two days.
August 8th Tuesday 1865
After roll call & the juba are over, we form another group of which Capt is one
& talk over the causes of our detention. Capt. says that no three or four
officers of our Regt. will act together to bring the matter to the notice of
Gen. Steel . He thinks Capt. Stevens--who commands the Regt.--is not
persevering or bold enough & that if too strongly urged, he would feel angry,
swear &fret. Capt. Williams if in favor of going home, would do much
more than Capt. S. but W-- has strong hope of being confirmed Judge Advocate
with rank of Maj. on Steele's staff, having already secured the appointment.
Thus are our interests neglected, time most precious wasted. I did
quite a days work today having made a good bunk out of poles without even a
strip of lumber. Those I covered with a sort of willow tops so it is quite
soft. But I paid for it in sweat. It also makes a good seat.
Last night a steamer came up & some officers left back on duty & otherwise, &
some of the sick, that were left there came up. Donaldson, Bowers, Reamer
of our Co. Bricks for a bakery were brought by the 28th Ill's. Those
are of good quality. Day was bright & hot. I am very well.
near Brownsville, Texas
August 9th Wednesday 1865
This A.M. there was
an order by officer of the day, I believe, to move some of our tents for the
sublime object of a making the street straight. Cos. B G, & K
resolved they would not comply with the orders & so far have kept their word!
I made my bunk yesterday & woe betide the wretch that lays violnt hands on it.
One good thing is that the utmost unanimity exists among the men, so that not a
dozen could be mustered from 6 Regts. to execute an order by any officer in
Texas against other privates & those would not dare to fire a gun. Steamer
Rio Grande came up this P.M. Capt. Williams was aboard & abused some sick
men, for which some of the boys handled him roughly & tore his coat & came night
putting him in the river. Like many others, he deserves it.
August 10th Thursday 1865
Near Brownsville, Texas
August 11th Friday 1865
A few days ago when I bought my paper,
Capt.
Murray passed by me & made a remark as to the lateness of the papers of the 3d,
but to this I disdained to make any reply or to take any notice of him.
Let this page bear evidence of my utter contempt for him & all like him.
There has been war between us a dozen years & I say let it continue. He
has never been but a vile servant of the slave power, one of its defenders & appologists[sic]. We hear rumors of a special order from War Dept. for the
discharge of the 7th Vermont Inf. It is said this was obtained by the
state Governor. The question is, why has not our State Gov. done something
for our two Regts. here. Rumor also says orders are to transfer no more
recruits. This if true is good news for many. Yesterday the order to make
the Co. streets straight was enforced with little opposition. The
supercilious Capt. Cowing was officer of the day. We only extended our
tents about two feet. I was very glad it was not necessary to disturb our
bunks for to do so would have been very much against my grain. I read
three chapters in 'Too Strange &c'. Day was pleasant. I wrote some &
am very well.
August 12th Saturday 1865
I had a pleasant swim
last evening & also about sunrise this A.M. I read some in "Too Strange"
I taught three negro boys--officers' cooks--in the alphabet & words of two
letters this A.M. for 1/2 or 3/4 of an hour. To one this is pleasant work.
The 28 Ill bakery is about complete. We drew soft bread today. The home fever is still growing. This P.M. we read Gen. Order No. 75 issued
July 8th, 1862 directing the manner of mustering in troops. This in every
instance is to date from time of enlistment. Thus everything goes to prove
our term of service expires on 20th inst. It would appear Capt. Stevens is
very busy nowadays about something. There is a rumor of moving on still
farther. I hope it will not be attempted. Day was cool.
August 13th Sunday 1865
August 14th Monday 1865
near Brownsville, Texas
August 15th Tuesday 1865
August 16th Wednesday 1865
August 17th Thursday 1865
August 18th Friday 1865
I heard today
that a member of 27th Wis, a brother of Ellis White of B. 28th was sentenced to
serve the remainder of his time--18 months--on Dry Tortugas Island. This
is said to be for various transgressions--Another end of crime is that noticed
in the papers of late date, viz The Suicide of
Edmund Ruffin of Virginia.
He was so prominent a rebel & so old a man as to be honored by firing the first
Gannon shot against Ft. Sumpter Apr 12th 1861. He lived to see the Stars &
Stripes triumphant, but he said he preferred death to life in the land of the
Free. He blew his life out by holding the muzzle of a loaded shot gun in
his mouth & his second effort to discharge it was successful. "Surely the
way of the Transgressor is hard!" Today our muster out papers were
finished. Ours is the first Co. I copied lists of deaths &
discharges in our Co. The former is 22 & the latter 31. Day was hot.
I read some in 'Emnia' by Miss ____ All's well.
August 19th Saturday 1865
Yesterday
I cast up the total amt of my clothing drawn during the three years that I have
been a soldier. For the first year $40.92 1/2. Second $42.99 & 10
months of third year $22.20. Total $106.11 1/2. Of this amt I bought
a rubber blanket during the 2d year that I sent home with other things that were
lost. The highest amt. drawn by anyone that I saw by casually looking over
the list in clothing book was the account of Owen Finley--$146.96. The
lowest that of R.D.Lewis $71.02 1/2 & L.K. Moore $72.15 1/2. Both of those
were absent six months or more up the Miss in hospital. The amount drawn
by others in the 60 varied every where between those two sums, which I think are
the extremes. This A.M. I went to Brownsville to sell some pork that we
had drawn the last time for five days. Blum & Daugherty wished it sold,
but they said it would waste before they would dispose of it. There were 8
lbs & I got 10 cts a lb. for it; when I gave them 25 cts apiece they were
well pleased. Both are rather improvident. I found that but very
little pork is used here & one time I thought I could not sell it. The
commissary price is 17 cts. I bought two books both second hand.
"Notes on Duels & Dueling" & "Prismatics" for 50 cts each; both are in
good ord. A.M. was hot. P.M. thundering & dark clouds passed around
usl no rain fell near us. I am very well
near Brownsville, Texas
August 20th Sunday 1865
Last evening we heard much
shouting among the boys of the 34th Ind. Veteran Inf. so we thought they had
recd. orders to be discharged. We heard the cause of the joy was that they
now form a part of our late old Brig.--the 3d of 3d Div. 13th Army Corps.
It appears that while under the Com. of Gen. Brown, they had to come out to roll
call in full dress & with arms, but now all this useless ceremony is
dispensed
with much to their great joy. Their brass band serenaded Gen. Slack last
night. We heard G. Brown went down yesterday homeward bound, also the men
of the 26th N.Y. Bat. going home.
Last evening was so calm that we had a
candle lit & read by it. Dan'l McNeill & I had a long talk about the old
times gone & the happy new times coming. Since orders came, we have had
few roll calls & for some days none. Oh this is joyful. Yesterday &
today Donaldson helped Capt. Murray on his rolls. This P.M. the papers of
G. & K. were examined by muster out officer & few slight mistakes found.
Those are the first examined. I was not out of camp all day. I read
some. Yesterday we got a small contribution of onions from San. Com. &
today three days rations were drawn including a few dish potatoes.
At Helena, Capt. T.--then 2d Lieut. often called Herman Butkins by the name of Colonel.
I don't know why.
Christopher Jacobi has been long known by the name
Major. As he is a tough & very determined person the name has some significance.
At Pine Bluff, John Thornton acquired the name of "General" I often regret
John's sudden death.
Owen Finley for a long time past has been called "The
Capt.". He answers to this with singular promptness.
When at Pine Bluff, Wm. Young was called Brigham Young & ever since has promptly ans. to the name.
At Helena, some of the boys called Edw. H. Daugherty, "The 14th
Corp" but this he always disliked. It had been used some time before the
lot of contributions from the people had been brought down to us by M. Sellers
in May or June '63. One of the boys wrote this on the card on a box his
people sent him & this made him think it was put on at home. Lately the
boys call him "Admiral", this much better pleases him.
John Cullen is now often called "Dad" by his mess-mates & he smiles at the oddity.
Reamer is often called "Siegel" after the popular Gen. of that name. He bears
this with quiet indifference.
In regard to myself, I may not speak with
equal fairness as of others. When preparing for a movement, even no more
than going on picket I was often delayed by the many extras-as reading &
writing material--that I carried with me for I was as sure to have those as
others were to have a novel., pipe, & tobacco & cards. For this reason the
others of the party often complained sometimes with reason & often without.
Even Capt. T.- has found fault for little or no cause. I was often
ready & had to wait for those who were the loudest in their complaint against
me. At last myself or others invented the name "Always behind" which I
have very good naturedly have adopted as my own & this I repeat when others not.
I are the cause of delay. Sunday P.M. Aug. 20th 1865
What thanks to Heaven to God fill my heart for the never-ceasing care that He
has extended to me, all of which was so much more needed than when at home with
its varied blessings. How His hand was ever present to bear me on when so
many others fainted by the way, or fell a prey to lingering disease & death.
But
I am spared to see the ignominious overthrow of the Rebellion & of all its
leaders. Our Union purified & the Nation stronger than ever before.
Now indeed may we ask Heaven to smile on our land & now we take our true place
among the nations of the world, the first truly Free land, the refuge of the
poor & worthy oppressed of every clime.
Brownsville, Texas
August 21st Monday 1865
Today was very sultry in A.M. but cool & cloudy in the P.M. The papers for
8 Co's have been examined today & approved. H. & B. yet remain. I read
some in "Emma" by Miss Austin. All's Well.
August 22nd Tuesday 1865
While speaking of food, I should
refer to the great maggot that I found in a cracker on Pilot or Army bread when
cutting it up to cook. It was nearly a 1/4 of an inch long. We also
drew one day's ration of shoulder & I cut it up to cook, but so inhabited was it
that I got no more for us three-Bloum, Daugherty & myself. than I could have
eaten at one meal. Some of our boys bought sweet crackers at 25 cts a lb.
but those were so wormy as to be unfit to eat. Mail came this P.M. on the
Steamer U.S. Q.M. Dept. Col. Holcomb. I got two letters & one from Matt &
mother to Aug 4th & one from Anthony of July 16th & 20th. Both brought
first rate news. All were well. Weather was dry to about 16th & then
very rainy. Today was bright & warm. I am well.
Near Brownsville, Texas
August 23rd Wednesday 1865
We were mustered out this P.M. An order was sent around this evening to be
ready to march at 7 A.M. tomorrow. Everyone is glad & rejoicing--except
perhaps a few Straps!! I heard Revolver expressed his regret that he could
not remain a year longer in the army. Well I wish he might, & be a
prisoner at work on Dry Tortugas! Day was hot & bright. Rations were
drawn for three days. I read a letter to Capt. from S.G.
August 24th Thursday 1865
Steaming down the Rio Grande
August 25th Friday 1865
Brazos Santiago, Texas
August 26th Saturday 1865
Brazos Santiago, Texas
August 27th Sunday 1865
The
building in which we are quartered is some 200 or 250 feet long & is about 36
wide & is divided into 20 rooms each about 18 feet square. A hall 10 or 12
feet wide separates every two of those . The building in which we are
quartered is intended for 5 Co's & may be made very commodious for regulars.
Much complaining is made of the delay here. I am very well.
August 28th Monday 1865
There
seems much difficulty for our officers to get their requisitions filled, most of
which are for soft bread &c for the boys. There are some 30 or 40 white
men in Gov. employ laying the R.R. track, those get $46 a month & a ration.
They are mostly or exclusively Irish, wandering ramblers who travel all through
the country & seldom make a home permanently anywhere. The Propeller Exact
has been undergoing repairs several days past, & was finished this P.M. & is
expected to sail day after tomorrow. She will probably take some of our
Regt. as she is too small to take all aboard. This P.M. the Propeller
Frances came tin to the wharf, she lay out at anchor since the day we came here.
It is distressing to see the waste of large & small ammunition that is now going
on here. There are dozens of cords of boxes of rifle & cannon cartridges
piled up here with the water standing around them & falling on them every rain.
Each box contains 1000 rounds & is worth $15 to $20. All this while lumber
is plenty & help idle. This is the result of Q.M. neglect of duty or
his liking for liquors, women & frolic. He thinks Uncle Sam is rich!!
I am well.
Brazos Santiago, Texas
August 29th Tuesday 1865
As it is difficult to get bread here, I went to Clarksville to get
some starting at noon & I got back about 7 P.M. I rode a part of the way
with a government wagon driven by a black soldier. He told me of his two
first years of service with the rebels in Va, of his narrow escape during one of
the 7 days fight in 1862 when his load of ammunition was exploded by one of our
shells that burst in it, & how he afterward took his wagon & team of four mules
to our lines & his enlistment afterward as a soldier. Like us they are
tired of so lazy a life, but would not complain if the Ware were going on.
I got 10 loaves of bread--6 for myself--at a dime a loaf. A colored soldier
brought them for me. I also got 3 lbs of crackers-soda- for 30 cts.
The Alliance started at 9 this A.M. Day was bright & pleasant. I am
well
August 30th Wednesday 1865
On Steamer Frances
August 31st Thursday 1865
last modified: 4/21/2018