CIVIL WAR JOURNAL OF JAMES B. LOCKNEY

WIS. 28th REGMT., CO. G

September 1865

Copyright © 1986, 1997-2018 [James R. Shirey]. All rights reserved.


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Homeward bound
Afloat on the Gulf of Mexico
September 1st Friday 1865

Last night I lay alongside of Capt. Murray, he having selected his place on the first deck beside me. No conversation passed between us.  Most of the boys slept on the upper deck.  Last night I saw the sun set clear & bright into the deep rolling waves of the dark blue sea.  During the evening S.R. Turner & I sat at the opening in the side of the ship & watched the phosphorescent light as it sparkled in the foam along the sides of the vessel.  I had read about this, but never before had I seen it.  It appeared as if sea were filled with floating diamonds, that only needed to be stirred to show their glistening sides.  Thus, we sat more than an hour fanned by the pleasant breeze.  The air between decks was hot & disagreeable, but I slept soundly till after sunrise.
James Smith of Co H died this morning at 1 1/2 o'clock.  He was one of the original members of the Regt & had been sick a great deal.  Anyone could see that he should have been discharged long ago.  Had this been done he could be expected to live many years.  This A.M. about 7 the body was served up in his blankets & the ship's flag. , our loved Starry Banner was folded & laid over all that was mortal of one of its devoted defenders.  Capt. Stevens read several verses from "The Sermon on the Mount", including the Beatitudes & ending with the Lord's Prayer.  After this the body was slid off a plank into the sea, a 30 lb shell being fastened to sink it.  The sky was partially clouded all day.  An observation was made at noon.  In 30 hours we made 193 miles.  The sun set clear.  Some of the officers have their hammocks swing.  Foster does not feel very well.  I ate breakfast about noon but vomited soon after.  I felt well afterward.  I read some in "Thaddeus".

 

Afloat on the Gulf of Mexico
September 2d Saturday 1865

Yesterday P.M. about 5 o'clock those on the upper deck were ordered down owing to the rolling of the boat. While all were below she ran much more steadily.  After this many again went up & after dark they were again ordered down.  All those below sweat, so hot was the air;  we had to lie crowded & wherever one touched another a blistering sensation was felt.  I slept soundly nearly all night.  The sky was cloudy all day, so that at noon no observation could be taken.  About 4 P.M. we saw & passed the lighthouse which we saw in the northern horizon.  The distance to the S.W. Pass is some 90 miles & it is expected we will reach the river about daylight or before.  The sails were used during the night & helped very materially to speed us on.  A few times--twice, light showers of rain fell.  The sea was as pleasant & favorable for running as could be desired.  Still our boat is so narrow as to roll considerable.  I feel like eating but very little.  Someone stole most of a loaf of bread out of my box the night before we started, leaving me four loaves.  Of those, I sold two this A.M. as I feared they would spoil ere I could eat them.  I counted my money yesterday & found I had 65 cts all told.  This will buy me bread most of the way home.  I ate nothing for breakfast but two Boston crackers & had nothing for drink but water.  I wished for some tea, but I have none, & some caned peaches but my money will not allow any such purchases.  The cook is so obliging as to allow the boys to cook on his stove.  There is no cabin fare for the officers.  Some think the 27th will be in N.O. about as soon as we.  I hope they will have a speedy trip.  We draw a plenty of water.  I read very little, but I feel very well.

 

Afloat on Gulf of Mexico & Mississippi River
September 3rd Sunday 1865

Now as our trip on the Gulf of Mexico is past it is very pleasant to record that we had all things as favorable could be expected, for God's mercy bore us on in safety & His strength with speed.  No strong wind delayed us, or rendered our passage dangerous, & no untoward event endangered our lives.  What great cause for thankfulness have we.  How our dear mothers long & pray for us & many fond wives await with anxiety our return.  The night was moonlit & very calm, the sea very smooth so that our boat rolled but seldom.  The place between decks was intensely hot.  I stood by one of the sick men & fanned him for an hour or more, as that was all I could do to comfort him.  I lay down & fell asleep about 9 P.M. & was waked before midnight by the dreadful heat.  I soon after went aloft & lay down on the poop deck where I was soon joined by Henry Draper.  We both lay down together where we were fanned by a pleasant & brisk breeze, there we slept till daylight.  We expected to enter the river before daylight but it was 9 o'clock ere we crossed the bar at the S.W. pass.  As soon as we entered the river sail was hoisted & this helped us along till near Fts. Jackson & St. Phillips where blank cartridge was fired to bring us to.  An officer came to the ship after we had run up the 'Stars & Stripes' & we were soon again on our way.  We saw many alligators as we passed along.  I saw none more than 5 or 6 feet long.  I heard one say he counted about 75 while on the trip.  Those disappear before reaching N.O.  A line of telegraph runs from the lighthouse, along the river to the city.  I heard some indignation expressed in regard to a run away from the draft, that Capt. Murray brought from Brazos free as his servant!  A light shower fell.  I am well.

 

Waiting Transportation in New Orleans
September 4th Monday 1865

Last night I was very wakeful till late in the night.  I & some of the New Berlin boys talked of home matters & when I lay down I could not keep fancy from ranging at her will from face to face & from place to place, all once so familiar.  Wearied at this I sat up & gazed on the beautiful moonlit scenery on both sides of the river as we sped steadily on , now on this & again on that side as the pilot guided her to avoid the force of the current & the length of the bends.  All nature slept in profoundest repose & the stately live oaks with their wide-spread heavy foliage seemed sleepy & but lazily nodded in the night wind as we steadily made our way, as if to say to most of us the last good Bye!!  At length, tired of this I slept, & was waked two times by the light showers that fell from passing clouds.  In the gray morning I waked & saw the lights on one hand of Algiers, & on the other those of the Crescent City.  We landed about 7 A.M. in the upper part of the city & moved into one of the many empty cotton store houses along the levee.  This afforded us shelter from the many showers that fell during the day, which was a fitful one now smiling & again trying to be morose & tearful.  Had each of us one or two month's pay we could make our stay a very pleasant one, as everything one really needs is cheap & plenty.  Peddlers come with apples &c & we buy messes of cooked potatoes, meat &c.  But few have any money, I less than a dollar & few with more than 4 or five.  I tried to borrow a dollar or two but in vain.  The rest of the Regt. Cos. A, F, D, I, & B were some 20 hours ahead of us.  We were delayed but a few minutes at quarantine.  This inspection is at the Marine Hospital some five miles above the forts.  This P.M. I wandered alone through town, went out Canal St. to the cemetery or cemeteries for there are several.  The distance was much more than I expected-- about three miles.  As it was late I rode back in the street cars.  This was my first ride & the fare was five cents.  I saw a lovely young girl of about 17 years.  Happy, pure, & true be all her years & many too.  I reached camp about sundown.  The 27th came up this A.M.

 

Waiting at New Orleans La
September 5thTuesday 1865

My thoughts wandered about that spectacle of beauty that yesterday so accidentally crossed in my path.  Why should it not when we so very seldom see a person whose expression combines the amiable & gentle, with dignity, serenity, sweetness & intellectuality.  It is many a day since I saw so noble a mien  so graceful a figure combined & years may pass ere I am again so favored.  How one wishes for the loving present of such a one all through life.  But what may be the temper & habits of such a person, is the next point presented.  How heartily is the prayer felt for her joy, peace, usefulness & virtue.
The night was bright, but the sky was cloudy & our sleep was interrupted sometimes by light showers, once by quarreling among some of the boys who had drink & by other strange noises.  The day was cloudy & showery, some of those were very heavy & altogether the day was a dreary one.  This was made still more disagreeable by the anxiety of all those who cannot help ourselves to be on our way.  We expected to go at noon & at 5 P.M. but we did not go at either time.  I went out A.M. bought bread & P.M. we drew rations for 10 days, this includes three days soft bread which was drawn & 7 hard bread. Had the Q.M. been diligent, he might have got but five days rations here, & drawn the rest at Memphis where at least three days soft bread could be drawn.  Affairs were jangling all day, by Maj. C.C. White who blamed the Q.M. as the cause of delay;  while the latter clamed our delay was caused by the continuous absence of the former at St. Charles Hotel &c.  During the P.M. Maj. W.-- sent round an insulting order to all the Co's informing us that we were not yet discharged & threatening stoppage of pay & dishonorable discharge to all guilty of misdemeanors &c, requiring none to leave camp without passes signed by him &c.  He is too late to play that game.  I got Harper's M. & a letter from Sey. Gilbert on Monday.

 

Camp at New Orleans
Waiting for a boat
September 6th Wednesday 1865

Last night the floor was wet & the boys scattered some hay on which to lie down.  This was a part of the baled hay stored in the building, & as soon as this was discovered a man came on behalf of the Q.M.  By threats &c tried to prevent the further appropriation of the hay for bedding.  He might as well have preached to the winds, for after three years of training in so severe a school we are no longer green!!  As I could not sleep early, I went into the quarters of the other Co's  &such shouts of derision & jokes & jeers as went the rounds at the expense of the officers were seldom equaled.  After that I went out on the wharf & walked from 1/2 to an hour.  After this I lay down & slept, but was again waked & finding it raining I rose & went out & washed under a spout.  Again I lay down & slept till morning.  Yesterday our mess box was sold & the proceeds invested in apples, one to each man.  It was bought out of Co. fund.  This was the first place I ever saw mules hoisted into the hold of a vessel.  Steam power was used & it was very expeditiously done.  The ship Alliance was loaded and started for Brazos yesterday.  This A.M. was showery which delayed the unloading of the boat on which we go.  I have heard no soldiers are detailed at this place to unload boats, this being done by private firms.  This A.M. our Co drew the meat--bacon--& sold it at 15 cts a lb giving 60 cts to each man.  We have salt fish for three days.  We see many boats pass loaded with cotton, chiefly from Red River.  Yesterday I saw cotton pressed, the hands-- negroes-- get #1.50 a day.  I heard stevedores--hands that load & unload vessels--get $2.00 to $3.00 a day.  I think their time must be broken & unsteady.  Those here are mostly Irish, as are also the most of the women & girls that peddle articles.  We expected to start at 5 P.M. but no boat came.  P.M. was dry.

 

Homeward Bound,
Aboard Steamer Luna, on Miss.
September 7th Thursday 1865

As night passed on we all despaired of the steamer coming, so we lay down to sleep from which we were all aroused about 11 P.M. very  welcome to us were her loud & repeated whistles as she approached & glad were we all to find she was of the very largest class of boats--truly a floating palace.  Very soon was all baggage aboard & at 11 we bade Good Bye to New Orleans, & with glad hearts we started northward!  Co.s A, B, D, I, & F were stationed on the boiler deck & the other five on the upper or hurricane deck.  All agree she is as large as the old "Imperial" on which our Regt. & others went up White River in Jany '63' being nearly as long (300 ft) & much wider.  Her extreme width over her guards is about 70 feet length [blank] ft.  Her two smokestacks are 6 to 7 feet in diameter & nearly 50 feet above the upper deck.  The exhaust steam is turned into those & the power of the draft thus created is immense.  In all her parts she is the most complete river craft I ever saw.  Her capacity for freight is immense & she has state rooms for the accommodation of [blank] passengers.  Her cost is said to be $ [blank] & was built about a year ago at New Albany, Ind.  Lewis & I lay together on the deck;  the night was very bright & dry.  It may be the good providence of God that detained us during the late wet & tedious weather.  Very light showers fell twice during the day.   We heard 27th are to follow in a few days.  I read some in "Thaddeus of Warsaw".  I have rather hard fare.  I ate some bread with raw onions.  Our bread gets mouldy & is not very tempting to eat.  Some gunboat men & members of other Regts. are with us going home.  During the first 20 hours we ran 10 miles an hour.  We met many boats going down loaded with cotton.  Day was bright.

 

Aboard Steamer Luna, on Miss.
September 8th Friday 1865

We were again favored with a dry night, & good sleep. The night was clouded, but during the day the sky was clear most of the time & the heat of the sun was quite oppressive, but on the boiler deck there was shade & a pleasant breeze was felt.
About daylight we reached Natchez, where we stopped a short time.  There I bought 25 cts worth of apples to eat with my mouldy bread.  This was my first draft from my last dollar which I made up by sale of rations at N.O.  We passed Baton Rouge P.M. day before yesterday & we saw the ruins of the old State House, which appeared to have been burned, but all the outer walls were standing.  The college building I heard was since used instead.  It is a splendid edifice, parts of it being five stories high, & some of it three & four.  The site of the town is high, secure against any overflow.  While we lay at Natchez I thought the time was not far distant when the high bluff that divides the town below from that on the hill would be sloped down so as to allow direct access & make the town connected throughout.  If my hopes for the prosperity & growth of our land be realized I think this will be done ere the lapse of 25 years.
This A.M. there was a search made on the boat to separate some dead heads from the soldiers.  One was found who had come with us all the way from Texas.  He was a Frenchman, a soldier, & deserted from Mexico while we were at Clarksville.  He has not been a year yet from France, & he does not speak English.  As the sympathy is strong with him he has not been disturbed.  One of the Port Washington rioters who made his escape to Mexico at that time was cook for the non-com. staff at Clarksville & is now along with us.  I think he is a German & he is a mean, ill-looking person.  Brig. Gen. Brown from Texas, & late Maj. Gen. A.J. Smith now Brig. of Reg. army are aboard of this boat.  I read in Thaddeus.  We  stopped to wood once a day.  $4.00 a cord is the common price.  I write but little.  I am very well.

 

Table of Distances on Miss. River from St Louis to New Orleans
St Genevieve 60- Lake Providence 74-759
Chester 20-80 Milliken's Bend 45-804
Cape Girardeau 70-150 Mouth Yazoo River 16-820
Cairo 50-200 Vicksburg 12-832
Columbus 20-220 Big Black Rio 53-885
New Madrid 55-275 Grand Gulf 3-888
Isl. No. 3-278 Rodney 20-908
Hale's Point 56-334 Natchez 31-939
Ashport 8-342 Ellis' Cliffs 36-975
Plumb Pt 12-354 Ft Adams 18-993
Mouth Hatchie River 16-370 Red River 11-1004
Randolph 5-375 Tunica Bend 3-1007
Memphis 67-442 Bayon Sara 57-1014
Commerce 27-469 Port Hudson 11-1075
Helena 55-524 Port Hickory 2-1077
Delta 10-534 Baton Roue 23-1100
White River mouth 70-604 Placquemine 23-1123
Arkansas River 16-620 Donaldsonville 35-1158
Napoleon  "    " Carrolton 72-1230
Columbia 65-685 New Orleans 10-1240

 

Aboard Steamer Luna, Miss. Riv.
September 9th Saturday 1865

It was about 7 P.M. yesterday when we reached Vicksburg. I had a wish to see the world-renowned fortress again by daylight, but this could not be as after taking on bales of cotton & discharging some freight, the boat started away about midnight.  As nearly all were out of the supply of bread we had when starting, very many of the boys were determined to go ashore to buy some & for this purpose a large number crowded on the bow of the boat as she drew near the wharf boat & when the gang plank was run out I went ashore with many others.  Lt. Bingham Co. E was officer of the guard, but though he was on hand with a guard few if any were detered from going as the boys are too ripe to do much to stop each other.  O. Findley & I went together & in the dark he fell in where the water was 6 to 8 feet deep & a rod wide.  This caused but a short delay.  We got bread & returned unmolested aboard.  After this, Daugherty, not feeling well, asked me to get him some cheese & as I was going, Draper & Moore wanted me to get them some bread.  Bingham called to me as I was going, but I did not know whom he meant as he called no name.  So I went on & soon, as I was returning, he had an extra guard to tell him when I cam aboard.  I had almost reached the stairway when B. caught me by the blouse I wore & said I must go with him.   I said to him to let go of me & I said to him I hated to be in such Co. as he.  As he led the way into the cabin I followed him, when he asked Maj. C. C. White about the case who ordered him to put me under guard.  I slept near my usual place & quite as well as usual, feeling very little the force of the situation-so new--which I then occupied for the first time.  This morning Lt. Foster told me--from the Capt. that I was released.  I spoke to Capt. about having me released last night.  The day was some cloudy in A.M. but clear & hot in P.M.  We stopped to wood in A.M.  We passed Lake Providence in P.M.  I am well.

 

Aboard Steamer Luna,
On Mississippi River
September 10th Sunday 1865

The anniversary of the victory on Lake Erie finds us homeward bound. Two years ago we were well in the advance of the Inf. in the capture of Little Rock & in the haze of the sunset we pitched our tents on the north side opposite the city.  There we saw the wreck of R.R. stock & steamboats which the all-destroying spirit of treason & slavery doomed to ruin.  Thanks to God! for we have lived to see the end of slavery's struggle & the accursed Rage of treason trailing in the dust & the day when no one dares to fling it to the sunlight.  Not so with our Idolized Emblem of Freedom, bright Gift from Heaven, for now none disputes its sway.  Thanks to God! we have lived to bear it to the Rio Grande & there plant it, to awe with its unsullied brightness the foul type of oppression that floats across the border.
Last evening I was informed that I was released only from guard, being still considered in arrest.  Capt said no charges have been made out & if this continues the case will drop.  I think much cannot be made against a soldier liking bread better than hard tack.  In any case I can fearlessly abide the result.  I have as full freedom as ever so the case gives me no trouble.  Every effort is made to keep the boys aboard, but without success, for they get off every time we stop to wood.  Today one of them brought some wild grapes aboard & I ate some of them.  Many tell me of the strong sympathy of the boys with me & that very little more would have caused them to lay violent hands on Bingham.  I am glad no trouble occurred.  There is some doubt & anxiety as to whether we will go to Madison or Milwaukee, the great majority preferring the latter place.  A few wish to be paid off so they can dress up to go home in style.  I am only anxious to get home to see the loved faces & clasp the hands of welcome.  Sometimes the boys go ashore & take melons &c acting in a really shameful manner.  I read Harper's Mag. for Aug.  We were short of bread.  Day was hot & bright.

 

Steaming up the Miss. River
September 11th Monday 1865

Last night was a beautiful one, the stars being as numerous & bright as ever at this season. The air was a little chill & very comfortable for sleep.  Unlike many others I sleep soundly & have not felt tired, nor suffered from ennui as many others do. A special guard of 10 men & a sergt. was made yesterday to prevent the boys from going ashore, but it only resulted in complete failure, as the boys go off as much as they please.  We passed Helena about 10 O'clock last night & reached Memphis about 10 this A.M.  Though the guard was on hand as usual the boys went off in crowds.  As a sort of compromise, passes were made out for three from each Co. to get bread for the others, but the first shot on Sumpter caused Compromises to be "played out".  As a last resort I sold some postage stamps for a dollar.  This is so much more than I knew or thought I had & will afford much relief.  We--Lewis & I had no breakfast till about 11 when we got bread to eat with salt mackerel that we drew from Commissary.  We also had coffee--he & I now form a squad, Coons & the McNeill's having rejected him.  It is happy we are so near the end of this way of living.  I heard Maj. White telegraphed from Memphis to Cairo for transportation to Madison.  We left Memphis at 11 A.M. & it is expected to be in Cairo tomorrow P.M.  A good supply of late papers--Chicago & St. Louis to 8 inst were bought on the boat.  I read Chicago Tribune of 8.  I read in N.O. of the breaking of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable, thus causing its entire loss for the present.  The news of a rebellion in Hati was recd. some time ago, it appears to be projected by the blacks against the rule of the Mulattoes.  Reports are very general of the ill usage of the late slaves in most parts of the south.  In many cases they are refused wages & are murdered because they claim freedom.  Someone refused to the possibility of a repetition of the horrors of St. Domingo, should such abuses continue.  Gov. Brough of Ohio & three ex-Gov. of other states died about the first of this month.  Many Regts are getting home.  Many rebels are getting pardons from Pres.  Day was bright & hot.  I am well.

 

Homeward Bound on Miss.
September 12th Tuesday 1865

Owing to the low stage of water we made but little gain last night. I was unable to sleep early so after lying awhile & gazing on the clear starry sky, I went to the front on the hurricane deck & while the cool northern wind was pleasantly felt, I heard the boat hands call out to the pilot the depth of water as the line was thrown from time to time.  After that I slept soundly till morning.  The old Post of Island No. 10 was passed this A.M. but few traces of the important scenes that once were transacted there were visible.  The channel of the river runs between it & the Tenn. shore & both banks are much worn by the attrition of the strong current in high water.  The east bank is high & looks as if it were many feet above highest water.  I think it must be a delightful place to live--the only need being the proper kind of people to form a proper state of society.  The Island is high & may cover from 60 to 80 acres.  But few trees are standing & on parts of it a rich growth of corn is seen.  The looks of the country on both sides is more improved than farther down, & some farms are seen cultivated.  About 4 P.M. we passed Hickman, Ky.  The town is scattered a short distance along the river & on three high & abrupt hills.  It would be a romantic looking place if improved & beautified as might easily be done.  We passed Columbus about 5 1/2 P.M.  The P.M. was cloudy & rain began to fall about 6 O'Clock.  Juhre is sick of intermittent fever.  I finished reading "Thaddeus of Warsaw".  About 150 of the 3d Maryland Cav that came aboard at Vicksburg still continue with us.  We reached Cairo at 8 P.M. & immediately landed while yet it rained.  The night was dark & dreary.  It is difficult to write on the boat, owing to the tremble from the machinery.

 

Homeward Bound
Waiting at Cairo, Illinois
September 13th Wednesday 1865

We were glad to get ashore on old Free State Soil once more & very glad was I that the State of Ky is so much better & freer than when I first saw here shore in Jany 1863.  As soon as we reached the sidewalk on the front street we were started off into the dark where the streets were low from the board sidewalks, & these so slippery that it was very difficult for a person to walk on them in the dark.  We were all in a profuse perspiration when we reached the spacious buildings covering three sides of a square, called the Soldier's Home.  Those are two stories high & in each story are two tiers of boards reaching the whole length of the building, thus forming continuous bunks.  We were all in a great joy to find a dry place, though in this we were much crowded.  We slept well, but I waked early & went to the levee to see if our boat had gone.  In my haste

[the journal ends here, just short of his arrival home in Wisconsin and in the middle of his daily entry, in the middle of a sentence.  Unknown why]

 

 

 


last modified: 4/21/2018