Camp 28th Wis. Vols. Inf
McIntosh's Bluff, Washington Co.
May 1st Monday 1865
How sweet, gentle & pleasant have been the first smiles of this Loveliest
of the months of the year. Nature, which is but the visible inhibition[?] of
the great Creator's power, wisdom, goodness & everlasting love of our
Father's mercy is too constant to be affected by the trivial sorrows that so
suddenly make us downcast, & so deeply wring our hearts with feelings of
sincerest regret. Thus though the best part of twenty millions of People
are in sorrow, still is May day as bright & sunny as any of its thousands of
predecessions[?]. The birds sing as sweetly, the waters flow as bright,
roses are as sweet & blooming & even the Moon's beams are as pure &
pleasing as ever in the past. And so it will be with all things a hundred
years hence when we are in at the abodes of Eternity completing the works which
our short time here allows us only to begin, but we may humbly hope & pray
at least with this difference---that the affairs of the world will be improved
somewhat for us having lived. Surely we have opportunities & means for
this equal to those of any of the generations that preceeded us. May
Heaven help us to fully improve the gifts given us & light to discern
clearly our duties.
I sit & write by a candle that I have just lit. I sit on a cracker box
& write on a table of frail make, one that E.H. Dougherty made today of
cracker box boards. Above me is a shade that Blum, Dougherty & Hinkley
made today. They are now busy getting logs for raising our tent
tomorrow. Tomorrow! Perhaps we may yet march at Daylight! Who
knows? Nearby one I hear one of B.[Company] playing 'The Hazel
Dell'. At a house outside the picket line H[inkley] got a canteen of milk
for me, a part of a loaf of very good wheat flour bread; that is good for
this sect! I attended sick call this A.M. & got three Diarreah Powders
& was excused from Duty. This P.M. I took some flour to have
some biscuit made, but the woman had no disposition to bake more for me.
Another one did it, but not so well. Some of our boys bought a bl. of
Irish Potatoes for $4.50. They were good & large. Goelzer gave
me two. Day was bright, cool, & breezy. I felt quite better..
Camp at McIntosh's Bluff
May 2d Tuesday 1865
I slept well & free from any disturbance last night.
This morning I heard drums beat very early, they were those of the 3d Brigade,
that had been ordered out on a foraging expedition.
We heard during the day that when they had got out a few miles they were met by
a party of rebels bearing a flag of truce. We know not what the mission of
the rebels was, but I heard said an orderly was dispatched after the Brig, &
it soon returned & we heard the foraging was given up on account of the near
prospect of an amicable adjustment of affairs. We hope this may be so but
we would like to have the meat even if it had to be paid for. There is a
rumor that 30 days have been granted to Dick Taylor, in which time he is to
gather together the scattered bands of his army at the end of which time he is
to surrender all into our hands. Of course we know not how much this is
worth. For some cause the gunboat that lay here in the river since we came
up went down the river, as some say to Mobile, & some think it may be for
orders &c. I have heard some of the crew of the boat suffer severely
from Scurvy, as they do have no vegetables & no supplies of fresh
meat. Heaton was here today, & his legs & feet are so swollen as
to show his case to be quite a sever one. The cause seems the same as in
the other case, viz no vegetables & a lack of sanitary supplies in
general. Last night I saw a glow-worm. This was the first one I ever
saw. I had often thought the lightning bug so numerous North & south
was the Glow-worm spoken of in the Books, but this was a worm 1 1/4 to 1 1/2
inches long, of an ash or yellow color, & encircled by some 8 or 9 rings or
joints, from between which the light was emitted. The light seemed to be
of the same nature as that from the wings of the bug, but its appearance is very
beautiful in the deep darkness. This P.M. I felt a little fever, so
I lay down & slept several hours. This A.M. we fixed our tent &
made two good bunks a foot from the ground.
McIntosh's Bluff
May 3d Wednesday 1865
Yesterday I read the Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph of Apr.__ which I was very
glad to find a truly Union Paper, whose influence is felt to be only on the side
of Freedom to All! It appears a little strange to find papers as so
diverse and opposite on Religious matters agree that the Negro must & of
right ought to be allowed to vote!! A few days ago I read a short article
or extract in N.Y. Independent from Methodist Quart. Review, which was animated
with low bitter spirit of Religious Psyndicate. In contrasting the fitness
of the foreign Romanist to the liberated Slave for the exercise of the Elective
Franchise, the preference in every sense is given to the latter. I &
many of our boys--not Catholics--read this extract & the feelings produced
were those of bitter indignation toward the writer & the Editor of the
latter paper for selecting such & its insertion with out comment. This
matter of the Negro voting, is a question against which the soldiers are almost
unanimous, I think fully 99 in a 100 would now & will when a chance is
afforded so vote. Many of those have no wish--nor will-- to do injustice
to those who have afforded us so very important aid & hearty help in the War
which without their aid--but have done so with so much greater suret,
ease & rapidity with it. In 1857 I would have voted in Wis. for the
enfranchisement of the people of Color then in the state. What all the
army desire is their Colonization in some distant part out of the U.S. where
they might be protected, goverrn themselves & be happy.
I was at sick call this A.M. & was excused from duty. Darling, who has the ague,
& Lieut. Gilbert were the only other names on the list. H. & I
picked whortle berries--green-- & stewed them for supper. I got some
biscuit baked for supper. Day was bright & pleasant. I have felt
quite well all day.
Camp at McIntosh's Bluff
Washington Co, Alabama
May 4th Thursday 1865
The weather still continued pleasant & bright. I sometimes see birds that
remind me of those so familiar at home, but some birds differ in some respects
from those of the kind in the North. The one that I notice most is the
Whippoowill, & as I have not seen the bird, I can only speak of his voice,
which is very defective in expressiveness as compared with the full & clear
& shrill notes of the Whippoowill as found North or notes of those we heard
in Arkansas. I think the bird is not so often met here as North for one
never hears that chorus of the weird strange voices & again one answering
others so pleasing to listen to. We sometimes see the meadow lark, but
they are scarce where meadows are so seldom found.
This P.M. I got some
biscuits baked by the late slave boy that cooks for Capt's mess. When I
compare his kind accommodating way with that of the two ladies who first baked a
very poor quality of cakes for me as compared with those he makes, I can
but think the odds greatly in his favor. There are several such in our
Regt. & they strive to learn to spell & read at a very great
disadvantage, for it seems none help them in the first start so difficult for
all to make alone. I told them I would help them some & I hope I will be
able to make good my promise.
This A.M. we were all gratified to hear the
three whistles from a boat & soon after a goodly mail was distributed,
in which some got 2-3 to 6 or 10 letters. I got four--three of which
were from Matt & Mother. The oldest of those was Mar. 26th & the
latest April 10 or 12th. All were well as usual--but Father & he was
getting better. He was able to sit up most of the time, but often during
the day was obliged to lie on the lounge to rest. Dr. Ellsworth said the
greatest danger was from loss of appetite! Mrs. Huggard was buried 5th
inst. She died in Anthony's. Several members of our Command & a few
from our Regt. came up on the boat. Among the latter is Lieut. Hartwell
from Pine Bluff. Paymasters came & some of the troops have been paid.
McIntosh's Bluff, Ala.
May 5th Friday 1865
Long as we have waited & often hoped for pay day. We hear that now our
Regt. will not be paid owing to some neglect of our Commanding Officer--E.B.
Gray, in not forwarding Muster or Pay rolls to Dept. Hdqurtes at
N.O. This makes it quite uncertain when we will get pay, though as some other
Regts. here will not be paid at present for some other causes it is hoped we
will get pay in a couple of weeks at most, but of this there is no
certainty. Some 300 lbs. of potatoes were brought up on the boat &
today some were issued to the Regts. so as to give each Co. a barrel. Some
of our boys joined & bought two barrels, but as I had but $1.00 left this
was not enough to buy 1/2 of a bbl. the piece being $4.40. Soon after I
went to 35th Wis. Co. A where I found a friend in Wm Jaecks or Yatis,
who very willingly lent me $10. When I got back to camp Capt. would not
issue another order. We may get one tomorrow. Early this morning I
& others went to post Commissary & paid .50 cts for 10 lbs. of
flour. This was the first 1/2 dollar that Matt sent me. The 35 Wis.
was paid for 6 months to 1st March. Many of those in our Co.
got money from home by yesterday's mail.
I did not attend sick call this A.M. but I was excused from duty by Dr.
Miller. I took a dose of Quinine this morning. Dr. M. told one of
the boys yesterday that to keep the agne off he should take 15 grains of Quinine
daily in one dose. I thought this was heavy. Rations were drawn
today as usual for five days. This A.M. McKee was appointed Co. Commissary
Sergt. & his way on the start gives more satisfaction than that lately
followed in the Co. Hinkley washed his clothes & mine this A.M. &
this P.M. all the Co. not on other duty is on fatigue at the fort. The
plan adopted is for each Regt. in turn 1/2 day. Alexander McNeill has been
detailed in Pioneer Corps to help build the Magazine in the Fort. Heaton
expected yesterday to go to Hosp, he being unfit for duty. Day was bright
& pleasant. Mailed a letter to Matt. I feel pretty well.
May 6th Saturday 1865
Impressions of the Hour, 9 A.M.
How filled with overpowering feelings of Joy was I when I could no longer doubt
the arrival at the landing of a steamer from Mobile on which were a part of
Lee's late army on their way up the river to their homes in this state. H.
& I were at breakfast at the time & as soon as that was over we
hastened to see for ourselves the sight so pleasant to us to behold.
Previous to this, others had returned so happy that going home was the only word
on every tongue. A detail at work on the fort was ordered to stop work
& we saw them pile spades & shovels, all joyous & happy. Some
said Gen. Benton told the boys to quit work & that the job on hand was to
chop wood enough to run the boats to Mobile that are hourly expected down the
River. Those are said to no. about 25. They are the boats the rebels
took from Mobile in their retreat from that place & are included in the
surrender of Dick Taylor's command to Camby. This joyous transaction, in
regard to which we were so long in doubt, is now confirmed & there seems to
be positive statements that all the troops here are to be sent to Mobile &
perhaps thence to N.O. as soon as the boats come down. This is truly good
news. Well our eyes beheld the sight as long desired. Some 100 or
more of our late enemies were indeed 'Homeward bound' & what greater
guaranty could we have that we too would soon be in the same happy
condition. At the Masthead waved a white flag in token of submission on
their part & Peace between us. Soon was heard the booming of our
cannons, glad sounds of joy, of Union, Liberty, Justice & Peace. I
spoke to one of those who approached as if willing to speak with us. They
left Madison Court House 11th ult. & came around by sea. He was in
5th
Ala. & went in the service some four years ago. He was like most of
the others a strong & tough looking man & had evidently seen severe
service in the works about Petersburg, for there he said they were
stationed. I said to him that I was glad they were going home, so that we
could soon go too & that I hoped we would have happier times than those of
the four years past. At this he smiled & assented. I scrutinized
the faces of those in view & saw but few grinning or smiling faces but most
looked thoughtful & perhaps a few felt sullen or ashamed. Surely I
felt no resentment or unkindness toward any of them, who had suffered so much
themselves & caused so much suffering & tears to others in every part of
our land. I thought how slight a change in their circumstances or in the
Education & influences that were thrown about them in years past would have
made of them as staunch & firm Defenders of our Flag, as any of those who
have followed it during the past four years. Truly they fought bravely
& what we & they may ever regret is that their cause for which they did
so much was not a good & right one. We know in years to come what
brave & determined assistants we will have in those men & their
descendants, who have so bravely fought us on so many fields & this gives us
the consciousness of our strength as a United people. Alas how changed
will they find those homes that they left from two to four years ago, how
scattered are old neighbors & friends, how destitute, how squalid are the
homes they left them in plenty affluence & in some cases in splendor.
How many of those have been given to the flames, thus in a moment consuming the
fruits of long years of labor, how many things of greatest utility &
grandest Beauty are lost to the possessions & world forever. We must
thank God that the day of Peace & Justice has dawned upon our Lord &
that the Labors & sacrifices of the past have advanced the cause of Humanity
Justice & Liberty..
Day was bright & pleasant
McIntosh's Bluff
May 7th Sunday 1865
I think how changed will all homes be when we are again allowed to visit
them. How many are there who have lost a Father or a fond Mother, others a
sister or brother & many a wife to be met in this life no more. Even
with myself how directly the matter comes whether I shall ever again in this
life see my Father, for his days have grown so manifold that decay seems fast
approaching so as to threaten the sudden end of his life. How glad to him
& to me would the favor be that we might meet again, that I might receive a
blessing at his hands, a kiss from his cold & trembling lips, all of which I
might treasure up as more precious than costliest gems or purest gold.
Should we meet how joyous for him to know that our Nation is safe against
treason & all the dangers that slavery threatened in the past. What
thanks I owe that he has been spared this favor denied so many of our truest
state[s]men as Owen Lovejoy, I.R. Giddings, W.S. Dayton, & our late loved
President, besides many others of our bravest & best who have fallen in
Battle. Should I not see him I will even lose that which I have so
much desired to have--a portrait of him & Mother, so that in years yet
to come I might behold the impress of the face & form that so long watched
with eagerness my progress from infancy to childhood & so on to
Manhood. And yet this they will not get this regarding it folly &
waste. Well I wonder then how they can value the several types of myself
that I paid money to obtain! Oh had the money better been saved for other
use!!!
Day was sunny & pleasant. There was no Inspection today. About 5 P.M. we
heard a a national salute fired toward Mobile. H. & I ate two meals
yesterday & today, late breakfast & late dinner.
McIntosh's Bluff
Washington Co. Alabama
May 8th Monday 1865
Last evening a shower came up & rain began to fall before dark &
continued late into the night. There was no wind & but little lightning
& thunder. Some leaked through our tent, but this caused us but little
trouble. I had my name taken off Sick List, & there was no sick
call. During the morning I went down to the landing to see the Steamer
'Jeff Davis' that had come down the river. She was the first of the fleet
of rebel boats that have been surrendered into our hands. During the P.M.
some 10 more came down, including the Gunboats Morgan & Nashville, & the
Ram Baltic. None of those is plated with iron, but the two first carry
some heavy guns. The Morgan mounts 3 to 5 guns & the Nashville 10
heavy cast guns & one 12 or 20 lb. brass howitzer. The word we hear is
that we are to go down the river to Mobile on those boats & more that are to
come to the No. of 20 or 25 in all.
This is very satisfactory to us all
& the general wish is that it may be soon proved true. What glad
thoughts this excites in all minds for the hope grows stronger daily that the
War is now happily ended & we may soon hope to meet our friends &
relatives in Peace & Joy & Freedom!!! What feelings that can find
no true expression in words will fill thousands of breasts & those so
happily the reverse of those that were so universal since the War
began. Now smiles will take the place of sighs & bitter regrets, &
tears of heartfelt Joy will fill the eyes & roll down the furrows in which
only those of bring bitterness were used to flow. We hear that Dick
Taylor's acceptance of terms of surrender was Telegraphed to Washington, all the
way but 8 miles & the President's approval was received at Mobile in 16
hours. I wrote much today, having felt better than for several days
past. Mail is carried to Div. H'dQrtrs every morning at 9 A.M.
Steaming down to Mobile
May 9th, Tuesday, 1865
Our Co. & three others from our Regt. were on fatigue. The work was digging down the bank
of the river so as to make a landing to facilitate loading stores & men on
the boats. Capt. Tickenor was in command of all, or a part of the detail
& the broken order in which the boys returned to camp showed no regard was
paid to regulation or to style. This was just what the boys liked &
for such an officer they will do twice as much work. Orders were passed
around during the P.M. to be ready to move at a moment's notice & it was
expected that we would go aboard at 6 O'Clock. Time passed on while a
shower fell & we did not know but that orders to move might come at any
time. I fell asleep early & was waked by Capt. Slawson, Co. B when
telling his Co. we would march at 5 this A.M. This was the last of my
sleep, for thoughts of returning home & various speculations about the
future
so filled my mind that I could not again compose myself to sleep. Thus I
lay awake from 11 1/2 P.M. to 3 O'Clock this A.M. when I rose & began to
cook some meat, in preperation for our early start. The Revelle was beat
at 3 1/4, & we fell in about 4 1/2 O'Clock. We marched to the landing &
rested on the bank till about 10 O'Clock when we went aboard the Sumpter, a
sidewheel boat of medium size. We dropped down stream a short distance
& tied up till about 1 1/2 P.M. When nearly all being ready the boats swung
out & we were on our way to Mobile once more. I did not expect ever
again to see the City while in the service. The day warm & bright
after 10 A.M. & before that it looked foggy & much like rain. I
felt dull & sleepy & was not in a right mood to enjoy the trip
fully. On the way down I slept some. The sun was disagreeably
warm. River was high & grand. No accident happened. We got
to Mobile at 8 1/2 or 9 P.M.
Camp 3 miles from Mobile
May 10th, Wednesday, 1865
Last evening the full moon rose clear & grand in the Eastern sky &
the shimmering light was reflected pleasantly from the surface of the broad
river as we sped hastily on our ways. The sight presented as we approached
the landing was a pleasing one for there was a large number of boats along the
wharf, while some sea vessels lay at anchor in mid river. How changed was
all in one short month, for now Union & Liberty, & their defenders held
the place then tremblingly occupied by Slavery, Ignorance, & their beaten
champions. It was not at all according to our feelings yesterday to see a
rebel rag of some kind--some said it was a state rebel flag, while others said
it was a navy flag--as it wave or hung from the masthead in the still morning
air. But some said the rebel gunboats had not yet formally surrendered to
our navy & so they exercised their privilege till 9 O'Clock this A.M., the
time appointed for the formal completion of the terms of surrender. On the
trip down each boat used several barrels of rosin, as the supply of wood was
short. We soon landed & marched out on the Whistler road 3 miles where
we found woods & dry ground, making a good campground. The ground was
low & wet all the way out, not fit to lie on. Some of the boys cooked
coffee & meat after we reached the place--10 P.M., but H. & I lay down
& we had a refreshing sleep.
This morning was a bright & the day warm. We moved camp a short
distance in A.M. Early I started off & got a part of a canteen of
sweet milk & some onions for coffee. Some picked ripe
blackberries. H- got some & I had for breakfast some ripe berries,
sweet milk & sugar. This was strange high living!!!! We made bunks in
our tents, so all are well fixed. I was on fatigue. Teams went to
town for rations. Mail came at N. I got one letter from Maria of
20th ult.
Camp near Mobile, Ala
May 11th, Thursday, 1865
Last night was warmer than any we had for several weeks. The grand full
Moon gave a pleasant soft light & not till after daylight had she set in the
west. I had a full wash last night, & slept well till reveille.
Today the 33d Iowa of our Brig. & 77 Ohio were paid off.
This was very tedius, as sutler
bills had to be settled at the time of payment. Some of the boys of our
Regt. owe more than $100 to our sutler, & few but owe from $15 to $40, most
of this for tobacco. Before leaving McIntosh's Bluff Sutler Tichenor came
on with a small supply of tobacco, which he distributed among the several Co.'s
& he was a Godsend to the gnawing appetites of many. All this he
trusted out to the boys, as more had money or but few.
Maita's letter recd yesterday was very interesting as it contained many items of
interest relating chiefly to her new home, which she seems to like very
well. Bt it has two sentences that show that all is not right among my
people--viz: "I was not over at Grandpa's in a long time. Uncle
Matt has not been here since we came over to this place to live."
Then as if she were determined to cast a ray of sunshine on the icy partition
that divides them, she says "I am going over to get that Scrap Book
some Sunday." How I hope she will be kindly received & that good
feeling & love will soon again rule supreme. Alas! Why will
people lose the joys & sweet pleasures of friendship, only for the sake of
satisfying a whim of ill temper that should not be cultivated. All this
too while our time here is so short & uncertain. She writes a piece in
verse containing seven stanzas; it is to me & so welcome while far
away.
Camp is flooded with rumors of an expedition to Texas of which we
may form a part. Orders are to draw a supply of clothing for two months
& boots or shoes.
Camp 3 miles from Mobile, Ala
May 12th, Friday, 1865
Last night was cool, so that many did not sleep very comfortably for lack of
blankets. I slept warm & well till about daylight, a short time before
roll call. The day was cool, though the sky was clear & the
sunshine was bright. Mail was taken away this A.M. I had none ready
to send. I wrote a part of a letter to Brogan. I think it was day
before yesterday that I mailed one to Matt & one to Anthony. Yesterday
I sent for four lbs. of desecated potatoes 50 cts 10 rations of soft
bread 60 cts. They did not get the bread. So I went to town this
P.M. to get it, but failed to do so. A team went for bread for our Regt.
but it was not obtained. I left camp about 1 1/2 O'Clock & was busy
travelling about the City till past 5 P.M. It was my first time to pass
about the City. I went along the landing, where many vessels of those
surrendered lie & many were at work unloading commissary stores, that
had come from N.O. I saw Spanish Fort across the bay. I conversed a
little with a rebel that belonged on one of the Ironclads Huntsville or
Tuscaloosa, both of which were heavily plated, but were sunk about the time of
the Surrender of Mobile. One was arrived with four 7-inch rifles. He
had been going about the world at sea since very young & for the last two
years was in the rebel navy having served two yrs. previously in rebel
army. He went from Mobile five years ago, in a slave ship, got 950 aboard,
& safely landed 900 alive in Mobile Bay, cut masts of the ship & sunk
her. He was glad the war is over, & is like most others, worn &
penniless. I saw the immense Irons used for post covers on Monitors.
This was the first time I saw such. I went out 1 1/2 miles (I think) on
Massachusetts St. passing a large building in which was a Catholic school
with a small church near it. This is probably a seminary. The shade
trees were beautiful & so large that they must have been planted long
ago. I saw the U.S. Custom House in which is the Post Office. I saw
many Ex-rebel soldiers.
Camp 3 miles from Mobile
May 13th, Saturday, 1865
Last night was quite cold, but I slept warm though alone, as H. was on guard at
the house of an old negro that is near our camp. There I go for sweet milk
at least once a day for which I exchange coffee that we draw. It is very
pleasant that Hinkley & I so well agree, for neither of us uses coffee, both
preferring milk. I was ashamed & sorry to hear the old man tell about
one of our soldiers taking his two razors & an old looking glass, all he had
for shaving. He felt the loss severely. He is about 60 yrs. old
& lived more than 50 yrs. in the Atlantic Slave States. About 5 yrs.
ago he paid $405 for himself & for 12 acres of land here $500 more. I
remarked that if he waited till now he might be free & save his money, he
answered he preferred his freedom during the time to all the money he had to
pay. His wife is younger & they have two or three children. I
noticed how severe he is toward his little boy of 8or 10 yrs, just as most
ignorant people are.
Those are long tedious days for all seems
uncertainty, & we float about upon a sea of rumors. The conviction
appears to settle in many minds that our Corps--13th -- is destined to form a
part of the Expedition to Texas, if Kirby Smith still continues to refuse to
surrender. I have a hope that he will flee to Mexico or else where ere we
can get ready to start, for I feel after all the expense & labor of the
Campaign or Expedition, that no fighting would take place, & he would not be
captured. There is a rumor that Jeff. Davis & other leaders are trying
to make their way into Mexico, & that he offers resistance to allow them
time to do so. I earnestly hope no advance will be required, for much
damage will be done if we advance into the country & many poor &
innocent ones will suffer. By what Pres. Johnson has recently said, he
will be much more severe toward the leaders than our Loved Lincoln would
be. Rumor says Lee has gone to advise R. Smith to surrender. I think
this doubtful.
We got one ration of bread today. Yesterday I got
"Poets & Poetry of America" so long desired. It is in good
order. Our Regt. draws for about 520 men, our Co. 55 all told--enlisted.
Day was bright.
Camp near Mobile
May 14th, Sunday, 1865
There was inspection this morning by orderly Sergt. Foster. Day was bright
& warm. If my pantaloons
were in decent order I would have tried to go to the city to attend church, but
this I could not do. There is a prospect of us getting clothes soon as
lists have been made out for that purpose. For some days past Gilbert's
health has been poor & seeming to fail. He asked me not to write home
about this, as it would startle his people. This I agreed to comply with
& insert it here only as a part of my usual record. Soon after we came
here the boys began to be worried by Giggers [chiggers], the same as those that
troubled us when stopping 10 or 12 miles from Little Rock in Sept. 1863. I
am but little troubled by them. They penetrate the skin & make an
itching & when the place is rubbed a little red pimple is made. This
annoys one three or four days, when relief comes if the vermin do not continue
to make new ravages. They infest timber, & as we live in the woods
& lie on sticks & leaves & moss we are much exposed to them.
The insect of the Lizard King called
Swift, is quite numerous here in the woods
& among the bushes. I think those are more nimble in their movements
than those found North. They skip from one limb to another at short
distances & hold onto leaves or limbs with great agility. Those may be
poisonous, for they look like the Asp of which saw pictures.
I read the addresses of Gen's Lee, Johnson, & Forrest, to their respective
commands. Lee states the cause of his surrender to be the hopelessness of
contending longer against numbers & resources so vastly greater than those
at the command of the Rebels. Johnson's farewell is short & has little worthy
of note. That of N.B. Forrest is quite long and is all that anyone could
wish. He says as they have been good soldiers, he hopes they will now be
good citizens, &c.
Camp 3 miles from Mobile
May 15th, Monday, 1865
Last evening was pleasant & calm. Gilbert & I took a walk to the
landing on the west bank of the river above the City & about 1/2 mile from
camp. He told me of the disorder in his mind from which he suffered, but
he was unable to give anyone more than a vague description of his
condition. It is probably chiefly owing to bodily disease from which he
has been long suffering & perhaps he has been a continual sufferer since the
time he felt sunstroke in July, 1863. This P.M. he sent for me &
talked to me as if giving me his last words, which he wished me to bear to his
people when I would reach home. He seemed perfectly resigned for the last
call that would introduce him to an eternal & unknown World of which he
spoke. I tried to persuade him not to entertain such thoughts, but for a
time he persisted, saying this was surely his last day on Earth. He felt
& knew it to be, so I was grieved at this, for with all his imperfections
still he is better than the many you meet in Life's pathway. His ways are
better, his Life purer than that of many I know, his influence & example
were good, always for truth, Temperance, & Liberty. About 4 1/2 some
of the boys got talking to him & he became more lively & soon walked
about camp. The heat is distressing to him. In the evening I wrote a
letter to Myron to come & help S--- home. How much I wish he was there
now.
I was waked at 4 A.M & I went to town with our team for
bread. We got for Regt. 521 rations & I got 30 for our Co, 10 of them
for me. I went about town till 10 O'Clock, was in the Market where I
bought $1.00 worth of sweet potatoes for F---. I got to camp before
noon. Day was bright. I am well
Camp near Mobile
May 16th, Tuesday, 1865
Last evening the boys in Co. B put 10 or 11 candles among the branches of an oak
tree & called it a Christmas tree. The air was calm & the sight
afforded was pleasing, but I had to consider it a useless waste of a very good
& useful article.
One cause of this waste was that Orders were received about 3 P.M. to be ready
to march after an hour. It was expected we would march during the P.M. and
as we did not move till night, we thought we might start this A.M. & as
rations were drawn yesterday P.M. for five days, the boys did not think of
having use for candles & they --though of excellent quality--are very often
wasted & thrown away! I thought of "A willful waste makes a
woeful want!" We were ready all day to move on short notice, though
many washed clothes. I washed a few things for Gilbert, some for H---
& some for myself. G-- was about all day & he felt lively &
pretty well. The letter I wrote to Myron about him & mail last
evening. I took the from the mail bag this morning, as it was said
G-- would go with the Regt. instead of going into Hospital in Mobile there being
no officers Hospital there, & Com. Officers not being allowed General
Hospitals. His discharge is expected daily. Some clothing was drawn
last night, but the supply was very small. Sewed shoes are in plenty, but
everything else is short. I need a pants badly, but none were drawn in our
Co. I got a pair of shoes--27th Wis. was paid Sunday. Col. Gray went
with our payrolls to N.O. & is soon expected back. Sunday, Canteens,
Haversacks, &c were examined & condemned by Lt. Col. Patterson of 29
Iowa, chief on Benton's staff. Our Regt. got 5 bls. Irish potatoes from
U.S. Sanitary Commission. We had Regt. Inspection at 3 P.M. At 4
O'Clock a light shower fell. I am well.
Camp near Mobile
May 17th, Wednesday, 1865
Last evening we had orders to be ready to march in an hour. We did all
necessary to march, but no further orders came, so we slept in our tents as
usual. Today we heard Gen. Benton was in arrest, & it was said he had
no authority for resuing the above orders--- We heard during last evening
of the capture of the fugitive rebel Pres. Jeff Davis by the 4th Michigan Cav.
about [blank]
This news was received by the troops everywhere with cheers, long, loud &
often repeated. We could trace the progress of the news all along the
lines. Some of the boys in our Regt. made loud noise ere they knew what
was the cause of exultation, & after the receipt of the news no such
expression of joy was heard as in other Regt's. Most of the officers in
our Regt. had a celebration over the news in the shape of a grand old
drunk. Capt. Cowing of [Co] K [or R] was recently mustered in as Capt
& he got pay for 8 or 10 months, the amt being more than $1,000. The
possession of so much money made him quite free in its use, so I suppose he paid
the bill for ---? galls. of liquor. It is not pleasant to see men descend in
virtue & morality as the advance in official station, but so it is too
often. Last evening I lay down after Roll Call, but was waked from a
sound sleep about 11 P.M. by Gilbert, he being troubled by strange fancies
& wanderings of his mind which he could not control. He said he had an
inclination to run off in the woods out of bed as he was. He disturbed
Capt. T--. who arose in a hurry. G-- wanted I would lie with him,
but Capt. soon returned & as he did not wish to be disturbed by G-- the
latter came with me & lay the rest of the night in our tent. A part of
the time he slept well but he had bad turns. He wants sympathy, but Capt.
has little if any for him. I passed nearly all the day beside him.
He eats but little. A shower fell P.M. I have a slight cold.
Mail came at N.
Camp near Mobile, Ala
May 18th, Thursday, 1865
Mail brought me a good letter from Matt written 27 & 29th ult. & mailed
1st inst. All were in good health. Father has recovered his former
good health & felt very well. Mother is not so troubled by headache as
she used to be & does as much work as ever. John's health is middling,
but he is troubled some by Ague. The spring was very favorable for getting
crops in the ground, but one time snow fell & hard frost came on. They
were nearly through sowing oats. Matt says Apr 30th was cold &
stormy.
Last evening I went to see Dr. Miller about Lt. Gilbert, as Dr.Smith has no
sympathy with G--'s case & treated him harshly lately. Miller
understands his case & expressed his wonder that G--'s discharge papers were
so long delayed. I also conversed with Capt. Murray about G-- & I
found he was willing to take a lively interest in G--'s welfare. During
the A.M. Gilbert decided to try the effects of water as an emetic, for he felt
his stomach sick & food rather distasteful. I helped Sergt. Griffing
& Hinkley at Pine Bluff & the effects of the vomiting was good in their
case. H-- & I prepared the water & he drank about 2 or 2 1/2 pails
of water. This was more than I ever saw one drink before. At the end
he was weak & exhausted, felt sleepy & lay down awhile, after a while he
felt better. During the P.M. he looked for a time on the boys while they
played checkers & he told me how his natural state of mind returned & he
was filled with unspeakable joy. But soon he felt the cloud closing over
him & he ran to me to have water poured on his head to try to avoid the
depression that he felt was coming on & to prevent which he strove so hard
to avoid. He grew cold & sweaty, but this after a time passed away.
Last night there was thunder & lightning & about 10 O'Clock A.M. a
shower fell. It was quite heavy & lasted for an hour or more.
Day was changeful from sunshine to shade. I was on camp guard from 2 to 5
A.M. I am very well
Camp near Mobile
May 19th, Friday, 1865
Last evening thundered & threatened rain so we prepared for a rainy
night. It was pleasant this morning to wake for roll call soon after
daylight & find all our work in vain, for no rain fell in the night.
Today was clear, cool & very pleasant, a breeze blew all day which greatly
increased its pleasantness.
Lieut. Col. Gray got back from N.O. last evening. I believe he went for
the purpose of having our Muster Pay Rolls audited & in this I believe he
succeeded. There is a hope--or rumor that our Regt. will be paid within a
few days--perhaps three at longest. This is very welcome news to nearly
all. Still more pleasing was it to hear that Muster Out Rolls had come to
Div. Adj. & he distributed them to the several Brigades & thence to the
different Regiments. This is considered as looking a little like going
home, & truly this is considered the best news of all. Now all are
anxious to return, since the work for which we came is done. There is
cause to hope that hostilities will cease west of the Miss. as Davis is a
prisoner & on his way to Washington, D.C. Still we see in the papers
that some of the people have lately met in Texas & resolve to adhere to
Davis in any case!!! I hope for their sake & ours they will
surrender, ere an army is sent against them. We read in a N.O. paper of a
late date of the assassination of L. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, lately chief in Com.
of rebel force W. of Miss. River. This was semi official from Gen. Herron
to Maj. Gen. Banks. Some thought the cause was his inclination to
surrender the Army to U.S. This seems doubtful.
Gilbert felt well most of the day, but had a bit of flighty fancies & mental
depression this P.M. I got some flour yesterday & some biscuits baked
this A.M.
Thanks to God I feel well.
Camp near Mobile, Ala
May 20th, Saturday, 1865
Each day I see some new phase of human character, and not always are those
exhibitions at all pleasing. Yesterday I sent for a copy of Harper's Weekly
& got one, that of 13th inst. It contains a portrait
of Pres. Johnson & other things of interest. The thought comes to my
mind that thanks to God the double page pictures of battle scenes are seen no
more, & how glad it is to know the times to such such sights belong have
passed away. Henceforth less excitement will prevail, but there will be
more health & strength & utility in people's minds & sweet gentle
Peace will rapidly heal the wounds of the dreadful struggle past. How glad
it will be to have people united in Love & unity, agreeing in things about
which we so lately differed & all harmoniously working for the best interests
of all.
But I was thinking of character when I began, but have been digressing. I
had sent every day for nearly a week for the Weekly ere got one. I sent
once by Wells French, but instead of it he got a N.Y. Tribune which I did not
take. I afterward heard of his dissatisfaction at my refusal to take the
paper-or rather at his mistake in buying that which I did not want--for I did
not refuse to take it. It so happened that Hinkley borrowed the paper
& brought it to our tent where I found it & read it some. It
appears he heard of me reading it & in a talk that I had with him about it
in which I tried to explain the matter so as to avoid hard feeling, he referred
to me taking that way to get the reading of the paper without paying anything
for it!!! This charge of so mean & base a motive was anything rather
than pleasant to me, but it shows what judgments men will form of one's motives
& of his character.
Last night was cool & today warm, breezy, & pleasant. I was on
camp fatigue this A.M. with 6 or 8 others from each Co. Another
detail took our place this P.M. Rations were drawn for 5 days.
Gilbert felt well all day.
Camp near Mobile
May 21st, Sunday, 1865
Last evening clothing was drawn & I got a pantaloons. I had not so
great need of one since I enlisted. A few days ago I got a pair of shoes,
though it was boots that I preferred. The weather continues clear &
bright & pretty warm. Yesterday Gilbert wrote two short letters to his
people, the first he wrote in many days. Lt. Col. told him this A.M. that
his discharge papers will be along tomorrow & this made him feel pretty well
all day. For several days past he felt such a repugnance to appearing
before people even those with whom he was on most intimate relations, that I
carried his meals from his mess to our tent where he ate. He did not like
to hear anyone ask about his health, nor did he like strangers to speak about
where he was. I went to get milk this morning but heard the cows
were sick, so I got none. I heard since that one died. The poor
negro people that own them will feel the loss severely & many soldiers will
fail to get their usual supply of milk. Chas. Wiegert has been unwell
during the last 24 hours. He & Gilbert & I took a walk this
evening to an old saw mill along the river at which I had not been before.
We saw several splendid live oaks, the grandest & largest I ever saw.
I never saw such grand shades in Wis., though there are many towering oaks of
huge dimensions in the cold northland. We had the usual supply of rumors
today, some of which were not at all pleasing. One was that all Regt's.
mustered before the 1st Oct are to be mustered out while those mustered in later
are to be retained till date of muster in. This is quite unwelcome news to
us & I offered $200 for a substitute rather than to stop nearly 5 months
longer. Some of the boys offered to take it & work out the time after
their term is out. Doctor Smith says we will leave here soon. All
are anxious to move toward home. I had biscuits made yesterday &
today. I felt dull & lazy.
Camp near Mobile
May 22d, Monday, 1865
Today we lived much in anxiety about the Paymaster, for we expected him with
funds at 10 A.M. After all had despaired of him coming, Adj. went to town
& did not return till about 4 P.M. The Paymaster came with him &
began paying our Regt. about 5 O'Clock P.M. Ours, G Co was the first to be
paid. This was the first time this ever happened. The time paid for
was 8 months, each receiving $128, lacking his excess above $42 for
clothing. I exceeded this 99cts so I got 127. I paid by sutler bill
of $3.00 & paid the $10 I borrowed in 35th Wis. I got all that was due
us. H-- & I for pens, some for paper &c. Some even paid me
old Washing bills that I little expected.
After each Co. got pay the camp afforded a busy scene, each first paying the
sutler, who had a table near by, & after that the settlement of small bills
among the boys, not a little of which was for gambling debts. About those
there was some hard feeling in some cases. In regard to all other debts
the best of feeling prevailed so far as I know. This is a day for which we
have wished for 6 months, & many hearts are glad to have means to pay debts
& purchase needed articles, as well as to be able to cheer the loved ones at
home with help.
The day was bright & pleasant, & a light shower fell late in P.M.
Gilbert passed the day pleasantly till late when the undue excitement prostrated
him. He & I took a walk of 2 miles about sundown, & he then went
to see Col. about having me detailed to attend him home. This is his
choice not mine, though I think it very dangerous for him to start alone.
Chas. Wiegert is some better today. Thanks to God I am well.
Camp near Mobile
May 23d, Tuesday, 1865
After a long absence from the time we returned from our walk during which he
[Gilbert] had a talk with Gray, Capt. Murray & Dr. Smith, Gilbert returned
all fatigued & wholly exhausted. I never saw him so completely
prostrated & such was his weakness that he crawled a part of the way on his
hands & knees. How much did I regret that I did not accompany him so
that I could have helped him, but I had no thought that such a reaction would
follow. He soon fell into a sound & quiet sleep, from which I waked
him about 10 P.M. so that he might undress for the night. He did not
like that I disturbed him & I regretted my thoughtlessness in doing
so. Soon after he slept & rested well all night. I got a qut. of
milk this morning & he ate a little breakfast with H-- & I , all he did
eat. I went to town soon after breakfast, as he said he would not start
today, but when I returned in the evening great was my sorrow & surprise to
hear that he started at 4 or 5 P.M. being told that no one would be allowed to
attend him home, as Dr. Smith did not think him at all unable to care for
himself!!! This so far as I can learn was the only hindrence to having one
detailed to go home with him & this would not be the first instance of the
kind in our Regt. He was delirious when he started & just before
having asked Dougherty, Blum, &c in our tent to get his revolver so he could
shoot himself if they would not do so. It is true that I indulged some
hopes of getting home with him, but how heartily I wish he could have anyone
along that would care for him. Jas. H. Lahee was spoken of. A.
McNeill went with him to town & was allowed to stop with him till he got on
a boat for N.O.
By the closing circumstances of this strange real drama, so truly affecting, so
[? totally] sad, I was much oppressed & had to express my fears that I would
never see him again & that he should never see home or friends again.
I have very strong fears that he will destroy himself in some way, that he may
jump off the boat or meet with some of the many accidents to which his wandering
mind so much exposes him. Alas how cruel, how unfeeling are many
men! How little does our Surgeon regard this necessity of the care
that may save his mind for himself & his life for the sake of his fond
& devoted wife & their helpless little innocent of two years. Most
certainly would I have Dr. Smith tried for murder should Gilbert be lost on the
way home. But I hope this will not be.
The day was bright & warm. I went about town much of the day. I
saw much business going on that looked like the busy times past & those
better that are to come. Boats were taking on loads of cotton while stores
were being filled with goods, & various articles of Northern
manufacture. Old places of business are opening & signs of activity
are everywhere visible. I went out to the cemetery about 1/2 mile from
town. Others had been there first when we came to the city, but this was
the first time I visited the place. It covers several acres & is all
divided & the lots are nearly all enclosed & planted with shade
trees. Many lots have iron railing around them & some of those are of
very beautiful patterns. I think in the City I saw the prettiest patterns
of iron railing that I ever saw. Near the chief entrance is a well, with
pump & drinking cup. In the grounds are many tombs, chiefly of
brick. Elsewhere I never saw so high shafts as many graves are.
Evidences of the heartfelt loss & lasting devotion of the survivors for
chaplets of flowers scarcely faded were often seen. Those too were seen on
some of the graves of rebel soldiers buried in a place apart. There are
about 1000 of those.
Camp near Mobile, Ala
May 24th, Wednesday, 1865
Last night Gilbert stopped in town & A. McNeill stopped with him till 1 P.M. when
he went aboard of a boat bound for New Orleans via Lake Ponchertrain. The
boat was so crowded that he could not have a state room, all those being
retained for women [?], with whom the boat was literally crowded. His mind
often wandered & he wanted McNeill to shoot him as he did the boys before
leaving camp, saying he was of no account & would be better dead than in
such a way. Surely he is in a very pitiable condition.
Yesterday I saw one of the Literary Ladies of Mobile, Mrs. M J Canedo. She
came in the store of Mrs. Garrity where I bought "Burn's Contennary
Poems". She looked as if she might be a person of considerable
talent, but of a fiery true Southern temperament. She lost a brother in
Lee's Army & seemed to regret his loss bitterly & to feel a strong
antipathy toward Yankees. She was going to Texas, as if the presence of
the old Flag & its defenders were intolerable to her. Mrs. G-- said to
me that she was a genuine rebel & that they had often had disputes about the
rebellion, War, &c. She was & perhaps yet is
wealthy.
Last evening in my absence the boys fixed up
shades on our side of the street & all through the Co. this was finished
this A.M. This makes camp cooler & pleasanter. Today there was a
heavy fatigue detail cleaning up camp. Bread is now brought up to our camp
every day & sold at 10 or 12-1/2 cts a loaf. Many peddle cakes &
pies, all high 30 to 35 cts apiece. Also cigars at 10 or 12-1/2 cts
each. Layhee did a good thing in buying 1000 envelopes & one ream of
paper to sell cheaper to the boys than they can buy them in town. I heard
a rumor that all '62 troops will be on the way Home ere 30 days pass. I
hope this will be so. I got milk for C. Wiegert this A.M., he feels pretty
bad. I read some today & wrote some. Day is warm &
bright. I am well.
3 miles from Mobile
May 25th, Thursday, 1865
Some of our boys that went to town day before yesterday made preperations for
having a spree, as some of them left their money with those in camp. Four [?] went
in one party. W. T. H. Mc.-- P-- D-- H-- W-- & --- some of them lost
their hats, and all had a wild time. They got back sometime in the night
looking tired & dissipated next morning. Last evening I was a short
time at our Regt.al Headquarters, where gambling had been going on all
day. Capt. Montieth Co F & St. Watts Co. D were then playing.
Gray & a lot of other officers & many sutlers &c. were about
& they were evidently bent on a short life & a merry one. There is
talk of the formation of an Engineer Corps to be 1800 strong & to be
composed of men yet having 10 months or more to serve. It is said Capt.
Reddington Co. D 28 is to be Maj.
I sent a letter to M. Gilbert this morning
& one to Matt. I also returned two letters by this morning's mail that
came in last evenings' mail to Gilbert. Some got two or 3 letters, but I
got 000.
A dreadful explosion happened in Mobile at 3 O'Clock P.M. It was the only great noise I ever heard. It was like the
discharge of 100 one thousand
pounders. For more than an hour shells were bursting as if fired from 20 or
30 well worked heavy guns. After that explosions were less frequent &
were heard every 10 to 20 minutes till 8 or 9 P.M. It is said it was
caused by a shell dropping from a man at work in the building. One or two
steamers took fire & burned. Buildings were leveled all around.
The loss of life is great, chiefly our soldiers. Then was Co drill this
A.M. Ours by Capt. T-- was for 10 or 15 minutes! We had dress parade at 6
P.M. Day was breezy & bright. I felt lazy.
Camp near Mobile
May 26th, Friday, 1865
As gambling in various ways has raged since the first payment of troops took place
here some two or three weeks ago, it began to show itself in our Co.
Orders were
given at roll call for all that wished to play poker to go to Lt. Col. Gray's
headquarters, as none would be allowed in the Co. This was good news, I
thought.
Day before yesterday I saw a game, Lotts played for the first time. I hate
all this gaming, for it takes the money from the owner without any equivalent
& this very often, not in a fair game, as this is spoken. Day before
yesterday H-- & I got 3 lbs Des. potatoes & 2 lbs. dried apples, those
cost 15 cts a lb. We ate two meals today & we had some nice hash for breakfast. I ate some bread & milk for supper. Bread & some
vegetables are brought for sale near our camp, every day, but those are
generally sold at a rather high price. Still it is very convenient to get
them so near. Papers are brought up mornings & are bought readily by
the boys.
There is little new known about the causes of the tremendous explosion that took
place yesterday. It is supposed the no. killed & wounded will exceed
300. It is supposed the cause was the dropping on the floor of a
percussion shell, from the hands of one of the workmen. Several squares
are blown down & doors, windows &c. are broken in a large part of the
city. Today I got a Harper's Weekly dated 20 inst. Price here is 20
cts. I read considerable & wrote some today. I felt much more
lively than yesterday. Day was bright & breezy. We had dress
parade at 6 P.M. & short drill at 6 A.M. At 7 P.M. we got orders to
move.
Camp near Mobile
May 27th, Saturday, 1865
The nights continue cool & the days breezy. Sky is generally clear
& cloudless & the air is free from fog & mist, except very
seldom. A person would think this should be a healthy place, but the wide
flat of wet ground that lies on the north side of the town must have a bad
effect. This is some 2 miles wide & more than that in length, west
from the River. Last evening I took a walk to the river bank where the pier
is & there I had a good view of the flames that rose from the burning
ruins. It was grand, though gloomy & appeared like the burning that I
saw about midnight or 1 O'Clock A.M. of April 12th just before we crossed Mobil
Bay to take possession of the City. The flash of bursting shells was
sometimes seen & soon after followed the roar resembling that of
Battle. Last evening I wrote part of a letter. I wrote more this
evening.
One lot of six from our Co. went to town this A.M. & seven--of whom I was
one--went this P.M. We met no Pickets or guards, so really there was no
need of a pass. I gained Capt's assent easily as perhaps he thought the
exercise would be beneficial. I saw the ruined district, but did not go
through it, as shells burst sometimes & I thought the danger too great for
the reward. Truly the ruin is great, but does not extend to the best &
chief business parts of the City. Windows, blinds, doors, &c are
broken or damaged to a great distance from the place of the explosion. I
saw many prisoners, late members of Gen. Johnson's Army in N.C. I spoke to
one of those whose home is in N.O. He declared his purpose to feel no
further interest or take no further part in the U.S. Government & though he
intended to live here, he would not consider himself a citizen.
I bought a $100 U.S. 7-30 note made payable to Matt. I think this the cheapest &
safest way to send this amount home. I am well.
Camp near Mobile
May 28th, Sunday, 1865
Last evening a very disagreeable affair disturbed the left flank our Regt.
It appears that some of the boys in Co. B got a requisition from their Capt. for
some whiskey & as usual those who drank of it most freely, soon became
noisy. This was a private K--who was noisy & annoying. Soon the
Capt came to tie his hands if he would not keep still. Private H--
another-- swore the Capt should not do the tying & this one in his turn was
tied, it taking Capt. Slawson, Lieut. Bennet, & the Orderly Tuller.
Soon another showed insubordination--J. C-- & he was tied also--so that in
about 1/2 hour four had their hands tied behind their backs. This was a
very disagreeable transaction to behold & many of the boys in B favored open
& united resistance to the Capt. of B & they very plainly had the
sympathy of many of those in our Co.--the bravos!! Of course the latter
would get drunk if a good chance offered & this excited their sympathy for
those of like tastes. For a time I feared the boys would unite in their
resistance & then none can tell what the consequences might be , for at the
time the whole Division might be called on to suppress the mutinous
opposition. Soon another--from sympathy rather I think than from drink
made himself to be added to the list of Martyrs! & he was tied. Soon
the first three were released & the two last were sent under guard to
town. A guard was stationed near those whose hands were tied to prevent
others from cutting their tyings. For more than an hour the very air
seemed filled without the last chance of doing the least good for themselves or
others. Many thought Capt. Slawson should not have been so severe as he
drinks so freely & others blamed him as it was himself that allowed them to
get it, but they would have found fault if he refused them, & one would
think they should behave in an orderly manner for having received the
favor!! But it is plainly in vain to expect reason or good conduct from
those that erse strong drink as a beverage. Alas, that now as we are rid
of slavery & its varied curses, when may we hope to be free from drink &
the numerous woes that it brings on our people. Surely I can see no rift in
that dark cloud, for it would seem to gain strength year after year. But a
"good God reigns over all" & He sees behind the curtains that hide
the future from our gaze, & we can trust that all things will come right in
His good time. This morning some of the boys said untrue things of me
& felt bitter toward me because I did not join them in their execrations of
Capt. Slawson. But we must expect persecution & be ready to bear
wrongs & misrepresentation for those are what none can hope to escape,
unless he acts according to the popular whim however it may change.
Yesterday I had a short chat with the clerk in the office of J.M.G. Parker,
agent for the sale of US 7-30 bonds. His name is John A. Jacquess.
He told me he had been Col. in 1st La. Rebel Regular Inf or Cav. (I forget
which). He thought by my name that I was Irish, though he would not think
so from my dialect. His Regt. was chiefly composed of Irish & he
thought his Regt a very good one. He was glad the war was over & hoped
there would be no more causes of disturbance as slavery was gone. I saw
many of Johnson's troops returning home. Some lived in N.O. I spoke
to one who had his left hand shot off. Some of those were Irish & one
spoke to me in an offensive way about the Negroes, saying "we had the
negroes now, & he wished we would take them to the Devil with
us!!" Day was bright & breezy. I was on fatigue during
inspection for 1/2 hour. I read some & wrote. All well.
Camp near Mobile
May 29th, Monday, 1865
Last night was cold, so that the boys talked of buying blankets this
morning. The day was bright & pleasant till about middle of PM when a
sprinkling of rain fell. Surely none could desire weather more
delightful. Still some of the boys have ague & others have
fever. Yesterday or day before Ellis Reamer had a shake of ague.
Ellis White, Co B is sick & he suffered much last night. It was
painful to hear his moans, far away as we all are from the tender hands
warm hearts of home. I wonder that the boys buy such trash of books as the
novels of Charles Levin [?] &c, some of those most read being of a low vile
character such as few dare read in the presence of their relatives or
friends. N.Y. papers are bought to a considerable extent & are read
many times over & I think often how much preferable a Harper's , Atlantic,
or some other magazine with its varied entertaining reading would be rather than
the senseless, over-strained & unhealthy exciting fictions that misrepresent
life & afford food only for vile appetites already too strong. And
thus is has been in the army few choose the sober, sensible, & instructive
book or mag. & alike with officers of all rank as well as with the private
soldiers. Lately the game of checkers is a great favorite & I am
pleased at this, it being so much more honest than cards, so much quieter &
requiring so much more mental labor, on both sides. I am glad to say of
both D. & A. McNeill that they never bet play games for money or card games
of any kind. Clark has several boxes of cigars for sale, from which he
realizes some profit. This is very convenient for the large number of our
boys who will have such, and are willing to waste thus daily from 25 cts to
$1.00. The price is about 10 cts apiece. Diarreah troubles me
some...During many days past, noises resembling that of a blank cartridge from a
12 pound gun were heard from time to time about some of our camps. When
one of those was heard we expected to hear a salute fired in celebration of some
good news that might have been received. At length this became annoying,
so not a few were taken by surprise this morning by a detail of some 60 men from
our Regt for camp guard. The orders are to allow no soldier outside of the
Regt-al camp without a pass from the commander of the Regt. This is quite
change since last Saturday when one could go to the city with being stopped by a
guard or asked from a pass., but it is only the consequence of abusing
privileges. Alas, when will men be wise! Perhaps the powder was sometimes got in town, while others took that in their cartridges, this put in
an old canteen & perhaps buried in the ground to which a fuse was fastened
& fired, did the mischief. A few days or a week's guard will punish all so
fully, that the few offenders will behave themselves properly. I am glad
to say that I think none of this was done in our Brig.
From this a joke followed that was not all fun.. Stutsman in our Co & one
in H. bet $5 that he, S-- could go to the sutler of 27th Wis--only a few rods
divides this from our Regt., & buy some tobacco & return without being
caught by the guard. The money was put up & S-- started & soon
returned all right. Still he gave the other his money, not wishing to keep
it. Soon after this the boys got talking about the safe trip made by S--,
while some say the other told of him running the guard. The consequence
was that the officer of the guard soon sent for S-- & he had to work all PM
chopping an old log. One guard placed over those at work was not severe
enough, so some officer thought, so he too was set chopping, & another put on
in his place. This evening many of the boys talked of Gilbert in way that
showed how few friends he left here. Save me from my friends, thought I.
Camp near Mobile
May 30th, Tuesday, 1865
There is good news today. We have yet read no official intelligence of the
surrender of the rebel forces on the west side of the Miss. Riv., but extracts
that we read from N.O. papers leave no doubts but that this took place there on
the P.M. of 26th inst. This ends== 7 1/2 O'Clock P.M.==
Glory to God. I have just heard the terms of surrender read in N.O. Times
29th inst. The war is ended & ended in favor of Truth,
Justice, & Liberty. Thanks be to God that I am allowed to see
this sunset to hear this glad good news, these glorious tidings of complete
victory. Thank God I am one of those that rallied 'round the Flag in the
dark days when the hosts of slavery had driven back in defeat those who strove
to bear our flag to its old places. But what weak talk is all this on such
a subject so full of the greatest interest of the here & the
Hereafter. We may rejoice that the terms are so liberal for do we not
desire those people to prosper & to be happy & to be evermore part with
us, & one & the same with us. Officers are allowed to retain
sidearms & their horses, & soldiers all those horses that really they
own, one to each. This is good for such will be needed to help cultivate a
crop this present year. How glad is it for us that have been so favored as
to be free from all wounds or disabilities incurred in the service. But
Oh! how different the condition of the disabled foes of the nation from that of
its friends wounded in service. The latter will have pensions from U.S.
Gov. but not so the former. The latter will ever more & more rejoice
for the part they took, while the former will regret their part as they see how
little provocation they had & how bad their cause. Day was bright
& pleasant.
On the move at Mobile
May 31st, Wednesday, 1865
At last the monotony of our lazy life has been broken & we are on the
ever-welcome move again for some other place. This was welcome news to me
at least, & I felt gleesome when the word came to "Sticke
tents". During the A.M. word was given by Adj. to be ready to move at
once. It was amusing & instructive too to hear how differently this
was understood by many who heard him speak. Thus, while I understood him
as above one thought he said 'to be ready to more immediately' another 'at a
moments notice' & others still in a different way from those three. This
made me think how easy it is for witnesses differ in their several statements of
what they see & hear, for in this case the misunderstanding was real &
sincerely entertained by the four parties, & that too when all were
interested in the statement. Great was the speculation in regard to our
destination, some betting it was N.O. & others, Texas. The column
'fell in' about 2 O'Clock P.M. & marched to the wharf, where about 6 [PM]
they went aboard the River Steamer Pearless, which conveyed them to the Gulf or
Ocean Steamer Continental which lay in the bay about 15 miles below the
city. I was one of some 20 detailed to guard the wagons & as it was
sundown when we got to town with the last load, & the Regt. had gone, we
were left till the boat should return. This was the day for drawing
rations & I had an opportunity to see how carelessly such matters are
sometimes managed. 350 lbs. of hard tack worth 8 or 9 cts a lb was left
untouched for lack of transportation to take it to the boat or rather for lack
of someone to see that teams were used for that purpose. Vast quantities
of meat bacon was left by the boys. Day was bright & pleasant.
E. White of B. went to Hos[pital].
General Remarks for May 1865
This month will be long remembered as that in which the last
rebel army surrendered to the authority of the U.S. This was the trans-
Miss. army Com. by Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith. The articles were agreed
upon at New Orleans on 26th inst. PM. The terms were as favorable as any
overpowered foe could desire or expect & were such as we may think of in years
to come with satisfaction & deep pleasure. This virtually ends the War &
henceforth our work is to let sweet Peace, in conjunction with her sister lovely
industry to perform her perfect & happy work by which all will be united in
harmonious effort from which will follow Plenty & Prosperity to every part of
our Land. Already the work of peace is felt for Gold about 25 inst. had
fallen to 25 per cent premium. All articles have a downward tendency &
pieces fall steadily in all the northern markets... Cotton has fallen to
about 50 cts. a lb. Both our friends & our foes in Europe are surprised at
the splendid achievements of the northern or Union Armies while due credit is
given to the Southern troops for their desperate valor & persistent efforts to
support a failing cause. Thank God!! when did ever a May bring so
many loved ones to those left so long alone at home. North as well as
south. Grand reviews of the eastern army took peace at Washington & they
passed through Richmond on their way home. It is to regretted that serious
misunderstanding exists between Gen. Sherman & Gen. Harlack & Sec. Stanton.
The trial of Jeff Davis for treason, & complicity in the murder of Pres. Lincoln
has been begun & his conviction is very probable. Our faithful & able
friend Richard Cobden died in England lately.
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