Boone Co IAGenWeb

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September the 3rd, 1863 left home on return to the regt at Natches, at 5 o clock Am, Took the 8 o clock train at Belvidere, arrived at Chicago at 11 1/2 o clock Am, remained in Chicago until 10 o clock Pm stopped at the soldiers home found good entertainment would recommend it to traveling soldiers as the place to stop while in Chicago, left Chicago at 10 o clock Pm found the frost had been severe on the line of R.R. for near 200 miles, below that, corn is not much injured, saw some fields below Centralia quite killed by frost. Reached Centralia at 11 o clock Am, the 4th arrived at Cairo at 5 Pm

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went aboard the steamer Champion at 7 P. M. for Memphis. Could not procure free transportation, left Cairo about 10. P. M. went 20 miles below Columbus and laid to until morning, on the Kentucky shore, on account of low water 5th crafted over to the Mis. side unloaded the men and horses and traveled the [next?] 3 miles down the river lightening the boat to cross a sand bar, passed island No. 10 at 10 o,clock A.m. distance from Cairo 65 miles, stoped at Peir Madrid at 11 A.m. dist from Cairo 75 miles, laid to for the night on the deck 100 miles above Memphis. 6th in the evening were requested to go aboard, laid to at Island P. 25

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on returning on board, the fare for the trip was demanded & paid. made slow time stoped twice to wood, weather hot, arrived at Memphis at 10 P.m. went ashore; had divine service on board during the day. 7th monday morning clear & hot. Champion still at the landing, drew rations for 8 men informed ourselves concerning transportation, convinced we could do no better than pay our fare and go down on the Champion, went aboard the Champion at 11 A m. Saw C. Handy at Memphis, heard that Dr. Jones son in law was drowned at Cairo on the 4th, left Memphis at 12 m. fare from Cairo to Memphis 1.25 distance 250 fare from M. Vicksburg 1,75 dist 400 miles arrived at Helena

at 7 o clock P.m. laid to for the night about one mile above town on the Miss. side, remained at the landing until 10 A.M. the 8th Sept. was relieved of our passengers & horses by the steamer [Past?] [Brig?] (Post Barg) to enable us to cross the sand bar at Helena, the weather is hot & the river water warm, the Miss. side opposite Helena, thickly covered with willow timber, tall straght sapplings, from 5 to 8 inches in diameter. left Helena at 1 oclock Pm. Helena is 90 miles below Memphis, passed Napoleon at 9 Pm. 110 miles below Helena, boat run all night delayed som in crossing sand bars. 9th wednesday morning clear and hot, passed Lake Providence at 11 Am. 125 miles below Napoleon, Island P.96

is 3 miles above Lake Providence passed milikens bend at 5. P.m. arrived at Vicksburg at 7 Pm. saw Paul Hostrausser, heard of the death of Alpheus Hill, Story stopped at V, remained over night at the landing. thursday the 10th. left V. at 11 Am arrived at Natchez at 8 Pm, fare from V to N., 50 cts. found some of the boys at the landing expecting us, went up to camp, boys greeted us with a hearty welcome, found the boys in good health & spirits only 7 of the first lot of men furloughed returned on time, 4 boys of our co. died during our absence, Geo. Vandenken died Sept. 3d. Alpheus Hill died at Vicksburg Aug 30th, John Atkinson drowned Aug 24th

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Leland N.C.Green died at Memphis, the 11th wrote a letter home to Ellen, 12th wrote a letter to Rosalia, commenced doing orderlies duty, 13th sunday went to church, wrote a letter to Uncle John Vandewalker, co. detailed to report on board the Volunteer at 7. o.clock tomorrow morning, monday the 14th. at 7. A.m. it was observed the rebel cavalry had attacked our comp on the opposite side of the river, our regt. was sent over immediately the rebels retreated, they killed 2 of our men wounded 6 and took 3 prisoner & took off 30 mules, our regt. went our 4 miles the cavalry about 11 miles, came up with the enemy had a little skirmish, 1 man of the [12?] killed (Vertically, at top left:-) H Morgan [?] & Hill furloughed the 11th

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& 6 men of our force wounded, our regt, returned after dak to the river, & stacked arms & slept near the guns, till morning. the 15th, moved about 80 rods up the river to a shade, stacked arms, awaiting orders, at 3 Pm. received orders to return to camp, reported that the rebels lost 4 killed some wound and carried off, 1 Capt captured, & [2?] dwellings houses burned by our troops, crossed over on the Sciota, arrived in camp at Dusk, 16 we remained in camp, wrote a letter to Newell, Joslin, heard that an order was issued by Gen Crocker Comdg District, prohibiting furloughs, for the present, received an order on dress parade, from the Col. to move camp the next day, had rivillee at 4 o clock Am. 17th

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the regt. was in line at 6 Am. & on the move, went out 2 miles on the Woodville road, filed left about 80 rods & found as beautiful a camp, as a soldier could desire an excellent shade of grove timber mostly large & Noble oaks, some sweet gum black walnut & hickory, the ground entirely clear from underbrush, a large & splendid private residence within the encampment, with its surrounding, furnished us with plenty of good cistern water, status [is?] as convenient as need be for soldiers, we were supplied with plenty of tents, which gave us ample room for comfort, we built our bunks & got to living again in regular camp style our commissary arrangement was unexeceptionable, were well supplied with army rations, & liberally supplied with vegetables sweet potatoes, greens fruit & c

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18th, employed arranging camp 19th, ordinary duty, Col. Thom and Adjutant Keeler left the regt. for the north, wrote a letter to Ellen 20th, went to town, saw Charles Outcolt he told me Sam died the 6th of Sept 21st & 22nd, nothing special, 23rd, wrote home to Alice sent it by Capt. Bush. Capt. Schellenger & Cheeney went home on furlough, [Doet?] Jones returned & [we?] resumed co drill, commenced company morning reports. 25th & 26th, all quiet 27th, sunday fine weather preaching in camp by our chaplain, prayer meeting in the evening, received a large mail in the afternoon, no letters for me, monday 28th, fair wrote a letter home to the children, (Vertically, at left:-) sent 5$ 29th, rainy, 30th, cloudy & raining some, made out the monthly return for co., no drill to day.

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Oct. 1st, still raining this morning, made out the qrterly return of deaths in the co. for the 3d. qr, ending Aug. 31st/63 2nd. morning fair and cool, wrote a letter to H. J. Coon, sent by Dr. Jones, co. drill & dress parade daily, 3rd, cool and fair in the morning, hot in the middle of the day recd mail, heard of the death of Charles [Risk?] also, Mrs. Richard, Dymond. coppied the morning report, for the month of Sept, Leach left the Regt. for home, discharged the 4th. Sunday had preaching in camp prayer meeting in the evening. the 5th, had review by Gen Smith, 6th, wrote a letter to Uncle Gaurth, was taken sick in the after noon, had battlion drill in the afternoon, 7th, drew & issued clothing wrote a letter to Ellen 8th, nothing of note, 9th, went to town, Brooks and Abbe returned, received a letter from Ellen by Abbe also one from Uncle John.

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10th, wrote a letter to Ellen, recd orders at 4 Pm to strike our tents & prepare to go aboard the boats, at 5 Pm ordered to not strike any more tents & wait until farther orders, 11th, Sunday morning to be ready to march at 12. M. left camp at 12 1/2 Pm, went aboard the steamer Thos. E. Tutt. left the landing at N sometime in the night, went up the about 15 miles & landed, monday morning the 12th, fair & cool, made very slow time, much crowded rather a disagreeable trip nothing of note occurred, arrived at Vicksburg. 11 oclock. Am. 13th, went ashore formed, in line & marched to court house & remained until 4 Pm. 120 men detailed for duty. saw Story, heard of the death of Gustavus Martin. brigade was marched 1 1/2 miles out of town & camped, went to bed supperless teams did not arrive. Lieut. Col. Blandon returned to the Regt. the morning 14th.

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sent a letter to Ellen, moved camp in the forenoon, found poor accomodations for comp, not room for convenience, & no water, water drawn from the river, camped about 1/2 mile inside the outer fortifications, 15th. nothing of note, 16th. heavy detail made to work on the fortifications, drew clothing. 17th. continued to work on fortifications. 18th. rained hard during the night. & all day. the 19th. cleared off at night. froze ice 1/4 inch thick 20th. cold & windy, Henry Morgan and party returned at night, read a letter from Ellen; wrote to Ellen the 21st.. 22nd & 3d. cool & cloudy 24th. moved camp about 1 1/2 miles, 1 mile from the river and 1 1/2 miles from town, 80 rods inside of outer works, better accommodations for room, but no water for drinking & cooking purposes, except what's drawn from the river, 25th. sunday fine morning

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weather warmer, Sergt. Lock of Co. B died this morning, wrote a letter to Newell Joslin, 26th. made estimate for clothing for Nov, Chapple, Stockwell, Ira Smith & C. Kirk returned this evening, Capt. Schellenger and the Col. this morning, 27th. worked in camp graded streets & c. Henry Hill & Geo. P. Hanson returned to co. in the evening also. Capt. Bush Loop, & many others to the Regt. 28th fine bright morning, heard that Gen. Rosecrans was superseeded by Gen. Thomas, very sorry to hear it, went to town to see H. Whelden, dress parade at 5 o'clock Pm. the first we ever had in Vicksburg. the 29th cloudy & windy in the morning not cold, men engaged making chimnies commenced raining at 6. Pm. rained most of the night, are furnished with better rations. 30th, rainy dismal.

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morning, no fatigue party to day, hard for the poor boys on picket, - night cool, 31st. clear & fair day, muster day & pay day. Cheeney and Bowman returned to the Co, Col Humphry takes command of our brigade. Sunday, Nov. 1st. cloudy morning, were mustered yesterday, had general inspection to day, preaching by the chaplain at 3. o clock Pm, dress parade at 4 1/2 Pm. no fatigue party to day. 2nd. fair day. furloughs granted to one each co. C. Bruce of our Co, goes home I sent 70,00 home by express in Capt Bushes package, 3d. fair & bright morning, very warm day, for the season, relieved of doing orderlies duty by Cheney, drew clothing to day, sent a letter to Sis by Bruce. 4th. one year to day since we left camp Fuller, beautiful bright

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morning, sincerely hope that before another year passes away, we shall be at home with our families, in the enjoyment of health, peace, & prosperity & our government permanently triumphant over rebelion, an order issued to send several officers & men north to recruit for the regt. our co. send Corp. Joseph R. Lilly. the 5th. rainy morning, rained half the night last night showery all day, quite warm, made a fire place and chimney to day, rained some in the night. 6th. bright & clear morning, warm & beautiful day, no duty, no work for me went to town in the afternoon, fleet of transports at the landing to take troops up to Memphis. 7th. fair & warm, Tuttles division embarked for Memphis, destination supposed to be Chattanooga, 8th. Sunday

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weather fair, company inspection at 9 A.m. preaching in camp by the chaplain at 3. o clock P.m, in town at 10 1/2 Am. & 3 Pm, also in the evening at 6 1/2 Pm. went to church in the evening, (Presbyterian) night cool, some frost, the recruiting officers started from the regt this evening. monday 9th. detailed this morning for picket, Abbe also as Lieut. of the guard, day cool but pleasant, passed time, in reading, & visiting the boys at the different posts, the night cool & airy, took my tour as sentinal, from 10 Pm. to 11 1/2 Pm, 1 1/2 hours, spread my blanket in one of the holes, dug by the rebel soldiers, in the banks of their rifle pitts slept some but lacked for covering, relieved in the morning at 9 A.m, the 10th. time passed as usual in camp morning drill at 9, fatigue duty

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to work on fortifications, to repor at 6 1/2 Am, 5 roll calls per day & dress parade, Whelden returned to the co. from McArthurs Hd. Qrs, 11th fair & cold, froze last night an order issued to have brigade inspection at 9 o clock Am, also Brigade dress parade at 4 Pm, Gen. McArthur was present at dress parade, recd two letters, 1 from Ellen & 1 from Uncle Gaurth, C. Bruce & other furloughed men left the Regt for home this morning. 12th. visited the old battle ground in co with Lieut. Brooks, L. Scougal, G. J. Cornwell, traced out the different points & places of interest, on takeing a view at our leasure, I was surprised to find distance so much less than I had conceived them at the time of the siege

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we went to Capt. Cornwells grave found the exact places where each of us had laid during the terific storm of lead & iron hail on the 22nd May, the point we reached on the 22nd was within 10 rods of the rebels works, we went to the best spring on the ground eat our lunch, & made our way back to camp, 13th. beautiful day no detail for fatigue to day, other duties as usual, wrote a letter to Alice in the evening. 14th. reported that our late furlough men were taken prisoners at Providence & boat burned small pox reported in the 11 regt. Ill our regt. all vaccinated. 15th. Sabbath quiet. 16th, wrote a letter to Ellen Col. Humpery took command of the regt, 17th had battalion drill at preaching by the chaplain, went to Church in the evening

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2 o,clock Pm. 18th signed pay rolls to day, fair & warm, duties as usual. co, drill at 9 Am. battalion at 2 P.m. dress parade at 4 1/2 Pm. 19. warm & cloudy in the morning but no rain to day, rumored that our division was to go & join the army of the Cumberland. 20.th, received two months pay, received letter from Sis, day cloudy, & threatening rain but no rain, 21st fair & warm, Whelden on Picket, sent 26,00 money home by express. 22nd cool bright morning, was detailed for Picket, was stationed at the post on the extreme right occupied by our Regt., was in Co. with G. & B boys, passed the day in reading, it being Sunday & so the testament, fine day & comfortable night, had brigade dress parade in camp. Monday 23d rainy day and night, wrote a letter to Sis, [?

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fair & warm in the middle of the day, Herren came to the Regt. an excellent order read on dress parade issued by Gen. Sherman, the object is I think, to keep citizens and Northern skirks from takeing refuge in this department to escape the draft, 26th Thanksgiving day, went to town heard an excellent discourse by an army chaplain at the presbyterian church; no drill today. Joseph Sewell returned to day, in much better condition of health than we expected, from latest accounts from home, he reports all well. 27th fair & warm, duty as usual received papers, of the 20th report that Burnside is hard pressed by Longstreet, trust all is for the best, recd mail in the evening, 1 letter from Ellen, 1 do Rosalia, 1 from Newell, rained steady most of the night, 28th cloudy, wet & slippery, on extra detail made of 5 men for

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patrol guard. 29th sunday wrote to Ellen, fair day volunteered to go after wood 30th was detailed to go with a party after wood, received letters from home, Dec. 1st beautiful weather, rumored that Grant had achieved a great victory over Bragg 2ond this morning, more news corroborating the report, 3d weather fine duty as usual received mail, report read on dress parade that Gen Grant had defeated and routed bragg, 4th beautiful weather, very warm on camp guard to day, 5th no drill to day excused, to prepare for inspection & review 6th Sunday fair & warm, regt. inspection at. 9. Am. preaching at 2 1/2 o clock P.M. by the chaplain., reported that Grant takes the command of the Potomac army, also that Charleston had surrendered & was burned, 7th fair & warm as usual

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Whelden detailed for provo guard, went to concert at presbyterian church in the evening, the concert was got up by the soldiers literary society, it was a success, & proved a good treat to the audience, and a credit to the society the entertainment consisted in music by the military Brass bands & church Choir, and essays in prose & poetry read or delivered by members of the society, & several articles read from the magazine edited by the society, & some volunteer contributions in vocal music. The seats were all filled. Gen McArthur was present, the exercises commenced with prayer, & closed with singing a doxology & benediction, rained hard during the evening & most of the night had an interesting time getting to camp, dark as Egypt & rained like fury 8th [loury?] & very slippery, revillee

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defered until good weather, B. drill in the after noon, 9th cool & cloudy all as usual, wrote a letter to N. Joslin 10th on picket, cloudy & threatning rain in the morning, faired off about 1 o,clock Pm, night comfortable relieved at 9 Am the 11th had brigade inspection at 9 Am, Whelden taken sick, 12th warm and cloudy threatning rain, 13th sunday warm and fair, very quiet day. 14th as usual; Jim Vincent went to the hospital 15. wrote a letter to Schuylor Wakefield, rained hard in the night very heavy thunder the dam broke & drained our pond. 16th J. P. Smith returned to the Regt, very hard storm of rain & wind, recd a letter from Sis, [Esqe.?] O.H. Wright and Hildrup of Belvidere came to the regt. 17th cold & windy, was on Picket. 18th cold. 19th Bruce returned to the Regt brought

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letters & things from home for the boys. sunday the 20th preaching by the Chaplain, wrote a letter to Sis. 21st fair bright morning, James Vincent died this morning at 4 o.clock, buried at 3, P.m. done my own washing to day, 22ond warm & comfortable, looks like rain saw Wm Sawyer from Belvidere, drew clothing to day prayer meeting at night 23d on patrol duty in the city, all quiet, went to hear an old missionary, (Dr. Warner) lecture on India, lost my pocket Book, 24th pleasant christmas eve, went to the presbyterian church to meeting, Dr. Warner delivered the discourse 25th Christmas, no drill, merry day for the most of the boys. three men killed last night in the city, raised a flag staff

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pole 45 feet high, 26th weather fair & duty as usual, 4 men of co. B were put into the guard house, for fighting the effects of their christmas treat a very hard storm of wind and rain in the night, Hiram and Jo moved into a tent by them selves. 27th cloudy & windy, with some rain no inspection. Sunday but no preaching 28th & 29th weather moderate duties as usual, 30th rainy morning, was on patrol duty a rainy day & night. the day given to clean up for inspection & muster to morrow. 31st some rain in the morning, weather changing colder muster in the morning but no inspection Col. Humphrey started north to day for Springfield; object, a query, night very cold for this latitude, some citizens say it is

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than they ever experienced here Jan. 1st A.D. 1864. I am well, the men are well, received a letter to day from home that my dear family was well, I feel grateful to Almighty God for his mercies during the past eventful year, and sincerely thankful for present blessings, the day cold & windy, the day passed quiet & agreeable. no work except ordinary guard duty pray meeting in Cheeney,s tent as usual. 2ond still cold, no drill to day, went to town, got pay for rations while on furlough 3,80 wrote a letter to H. Coon and to Newell. 3d Sunday weather moderate cloudy looks like rain, preaching at 3 Pm by the chaplain in the open air, commened raining at 4 Pm. rained the most of the night 4th, rainy

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dismal morning. Whelden on picket Perkins. complains of being sick rainy day, changed colder during the night 5th cold, freezing some, sent a letter home to Clare, furloug granted to each man from each co. A Perkins goes from our co, 6th weather cold. 7th on picket reced mail from Philadelphia, Mr Bennet of Belvidere came here, 8th reviewed by Major Gen. D.S. Hunter 9th sent a letter to Ellen with a locket enclosed for Inez, was to town got a picture taken in locket, saw George Gile, he was in jail was at the soldiers home, took supper with Reeser 10th Sunday inspection by Capt Doean, camp & quarters inspected, Daniel Wakefield arrived prayer meeting at night, weather moderate, rainy night, 11th wet

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& gloomy morning. Whelden & me washed our clothes this morning, wet drizzly day, 12th still Lowry & threatning rain 13, weather unchanged, on camp guard wrote a letter to Ellen, 14th fair & clear warm as spring 15th weather pleasant, no drill during the late cold bad weather, & no duties but necessary guard duties, dress parade occasionally received letter from Ellen, & Uncle Gaurth, 16th fair but some colder Whelden on picket. 17th Sunday cloudy & threatning rain, had inspection, some rain throug the day, no preaching in camp, bible class organized, meet at one o clock Am, rained very hard during the night, 18 cool & gloomy morning, faired off during the day, received a letter

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from Schuyler Wakefield. the 19th a bright warm spring morning duties as usual, wrote a letter to Mrs Cornmwell, had battalion drill, 20th another beautiful spring morning, wrote a letter to Rosalia, went to town in the evening, to hear Dr Warren lecture on India, subject, the Himalayah mountains, the Dr. has been a resident missionary, 15 years in the country, was well qualified to interest hearers & did so, 21st weather fine, co. & battalion drill to day. Maj Avery in command of the Regt; 22nd on picket, also Lieut Abbe, all quiet, countersign Stony Point 23d no drill to day, officers & men went to see a prize drill, 24th Sunday weather fine Mr. McEwen from Belvidere came here, had preaching in the Regt

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by Chaplain of the 13 Iowa, 25th [Post?] review & inspection, were inspected for the prizes offered by Col. Humprey 26th capt. Schellenger detailed for Brigade officer of the picket, 27th on detail for picket with Leut. Ronsom, some alteration made in the disposition of the pickets, only about half as many are detailed for picket weather fair & warm, countersign: Pulaski: a fleet of transports load with troops came down, said to be the 15th A:C: it is supposed that a raid is to be made back in the country; perhaps an advance on Mobile also reported that the rebels are in [force?] & fortifying at Champion hill; the prizes awarded as follows: Co. G. the first 25,00, Co K. the 2nd 15,00 Co B. the 3d of 10,00. 28th went to town got a crystal in my watch

29 December saw George Gile, yet in jail also John Coffin, 29th cloudy in the morning and threatning rain,wrote a letter to Sis received an order allowing us to reenlist as veterans, 30th cloudy & foggy, Lieut. Abbe detailed to do guard duty in the ordnance department also 3 men Company G. commenced re-enlisting as veterans, 12 signed the pledge & 9 of Co. B, I was detailed for police duty. in camp, also rained some in the evening, 31st sunday, the 11th Ill. Regt left camp, gone on an expedition up the yazo river preaching in camp at 2 o clock Pm by Elder Ronsom, Chaplain of the 30th Ill. heavy shower in the evening at 9 o clock Feb. 1st weather fair A Wakefield detailed to go with 16th A C. train, wrote a letter to his wife, 2ond was relieved from police duty, the 17th Wis. and the 95th Ill. Regt

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have all the picket duty to do, on account of sending so many troops out on the late expedition Jackson-way received pay up to Jan. 1st/64 the 3d. sent 30,00 dollars home to wife by express with Capt Bushes package also 30,00 to Mrs. Emily Wakefield, from A. Wakefield same way, wrote a letter to Uncle Ralph 4th on picket, on the Jackson Road busy time during the day on account of so many passing, quiet at night, countersign was Hungary, parole was Kossuth, Reports from the front that the fighting had commenced near Black River, also reported by deserters, that the rebs had fifty thousand men between here & Jackson, also reported that the 11th Ill had been engaged on Yazo River & lost some men were relieved at 9 1/2 o clock Am the 5th about 2 1/2 miles from camp

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6th fair, some cooler, on picket the 7th Sunday, fair & pleasant with George Stockwell and Stall, countersign was Bunker Hill, received a letter from Ellen, also a package from Philadelphia, the Col returned to the Regt. Dr. Greens wife came. 8th Whelden on picket, John Vanantwerp has the ague, wrote a letter to Ellen, prayer meeting this evening. 9th. 81 recruits came to the regt., 7 to our co. Alex Clumph, A. Salsbury, E. Slater, J. McCarty S.N. Brown A. Peck H. Vandewalker. 10th went to town with the boys to see George Gile, 11th on camp guard, Chas. Booth Co. D. tried by Regt. ct. mtl, & sentenced to 20 days confinement in the guard house 14 days to diet on bread and water for being absent from Roll call, also Charley

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Anson Perkins returned to the Co. Chilson Co. C: to 5 days on bread and water., 12th weather fair no co. drill, are drilling recruits battalion drill and order issued for 4 enlisted men a&a commissioned officer to go North Clark Rogers, of D. David Wilke of G, & Curtis of co. B., Sergt of A. and Major Avery, an order read on Dress Parade, that S.A. Rollins had been tried by Regt. ct. mtl. & sentenced to forfeit to government one months pay, prayer meeting to night, well attended, and adition to the association, from the new recruits. 13th fair morning, John Van, on picket, received a letter from Coon. 14th Sunday, weather fair, But some indications of rain, dry & very dusty, went to town, to church in the forenoon, heard Dr Porter, a presbyterian who gave us an excellent & comforting

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discourse from the text; God is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God; and God in him, Johns First Epistle. 4 chapter; part of the 16 verse, service in the Regt. at 2 1/2 o clock Pm. by the chaplain, some rain at night. 15th heavy rain at daylight, went to town went to the arsenal, no drill to day, guns & accouterments were inspected, preparatory to turning them over, prayer meeting this evening, 16th clear morning & some cooler, the Regt drilled by Capt. Eddy, John Boroughs, S. H. Hill & J. H. Bowman appointed corporals, 17th on picket weather cool night cold & windy, no tent, no sleep, - countersign, Roanoke, Parole: Burnside, Whelden, detailed for H.D. Qrs. Guard, 18th cold squally morning, snowed hard for a short time, relieved at 8 1/2 Am,

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George Stockwell, went to the hospital, sick with the mumps, cold day, some snow during the day, 19th nearly as cold as in Jan, Hiram Barnes went to the hospital sick with the measles 20th weather moderating, no drill, drew new guns, reced letter from Alice, the Springfield Rifle musk[ets] turned over the old ones, 21st sunday fine day, preaching in the Regt. by Elder Peats chaplain of the 12th Louisanna Regt. (colored) preaching in the evening at the negro quarters by a colored preacher by name he is engaged organizing & establishing churches among the colored people, he preached sound practical & consistent gospel, he was an able reasoner & a good orator, & knew well by practical and theoretical knowledge of what he talked. 22ond, review, and military display to celebrate

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the birth-day of our great and good Washington, were in line at 8 o clock Am joined by the ballance of our brigade & marched to the city, Col. Humphrey in command of the brigade, after the preliminaries, of forming the troops we were marched in review, we were marched to the court house, white & colored troops, formed in mass & listened to the reading of Gen. Washingtons farewell address, & some good pertinent speaking & the barking of a pair of Gen. Logans Bull-dogs (30.lb parrott rifled guns) which discoursed soul stiring & exciting music to the soldier who heard them in a less quiet time we got back to camp about 2 o,clock Pm, tired & hungry but well satisfied with the days business, had

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dress parade, were thanked & commended by our Col, for good behavior & military deportment on review, Prayer meeting in the evening, 23 weather warm & threatning rain, reported that Gen. Sherman & troops were at Selma Al, detailed at night for special duty, 24th an order issued to turn over all old tents draw & set up new ones drew the wedge tent, a busy day for all hands, weather fine, wrote a letter to Alice in the evening, 25th engaged in removing rubbish clearing up camp & fixing quarters comfortable drill & dress parade as usual. 26th Bowman went to the hospital sick several complaining to day, prayer meeting in Capt. Bush,s tent this evening 27th on picket on Hobb Ferry road, warm, windy & very dusty, road thronged with travel

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Prayer meeting in Capt. Schellenger,s tent from 10 Am to 5 Pm, 28th Sunday relieved at 9 Am, inspection at 9 Am, preaching at 3. Pm, a beautiful day, 29th inspection review and muster day, cool, cloudy, misty disagreeable day, no drill to day. March 1st cold rainy morning rained a good share of last night, no Breakfast this morning, stoped raining about ten o clock Am, cold disagreeable day. Perkins and I got up a kind of stove or heater for our tent that answered the purpose well, no drill to day, went to the Lyceum in the evening with Al Rollins, the manner & order of conducting the exercises as follows: President and secretary Protem, elected, house called to order by the President, exercises commenced with prayer by President, & singing of a hymn, next in order, reading a paper edited by one of the members of the society, next an essay on morality and christianity; the subject,

Christ in every thing: next in order, was the question for discussion, Resolved that a representative ought to represent the will of his constituents; briefly argued on both sides, decided in favor of the negative next in order, an Essay on Poland, Noble, Patriotic, but unfortunate people, brief, 5 minutes allowed to deliver or read in, next an impromptu speech by a member, next reading magazine edited by one of the members, different articles both prose and verse, concluded by singing the Doxology, 2ond weather fair, detailed to guard prisoners in Regtal guard house, men of co. E. confined for violation of orders, sentenced by court martial to 14 days in the G.H. on bread & water & wear a 24 lb. ball & chain 4 foot long, attatched to the leg, commenced building the dam of the pond 3d on duty from 12 M

until 7 AM. the 3d. saw Lionel Lockey, he had been out with the Sherman expedition, went as far as the east line of the State of Miss, Abner Wakefield returned on duty at night, 4th duty as usual weather fine rumored that Grant had a fight at Tunnel Hill, was victorious & following the enemy, the Sherman expedition has returned, it is represented that it accomplished all it anticipated, cavalry went as far as the Alabama line, infantry to Meridian & scoured the country above & below destroyed a large amount of public property burned the town of Meridian captured some prisoners, received some refugees, confiscated lots of contrabands and mules 5th duty as usual, the ball & chains put on to the boys in the guard house. 6th 14th Wis. regt.

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returned, 7th received orders at noon to prepare for a tramp, with blankets and accouterments destination supposed, up Red river, the 17th Wis leaves for home to night on furlough our regt escorted them to boat after 9, o,clock Pm, 8th yet in camp relieved from guard duty, prisoners released, sent home overcoat & blanket by express, 11th Ill regt returned report of their capture false, and a fight the 6th nobly sustained their well earned reputation, wrote a letter yesterday to Sis, are expecting to leave camp at 7, Am to morrow, 9th revillee at 4 Am, order issued to start at 6 Am, rained hard in the forenoon, left camp at 3 Pm, went aboard the John Raines, a marine boat, Cheney Bowman & others unwell left in camp, Lieut Brooks detailed to act as Qr. M. for

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the Regt. Night fair & warm, our Co. on hurricane deck, 10th boat yet at the landing, misty disagreeable morning, fairer at 10, Am, received mail in the after noon, 2 letters from Ellen, 1 from Schuyler W, fleet left the landing at 6 Pm fleet consists of 19 boats 3 marine, 1 hospital boat, rest transports, ran all night, passed Natchez at 7, Am the 11, morning cool & windy, passed Ellis's Cliff at 9. Am, about 15 miles below N. which is is a high bluff about a mile in extent, at a bend in the river, on the Miss. side, here the rebs, had quite an extensive camp & some heavy artillery planted, it is a good commanding position, passed Port Adams at 2. Pm. it is about 5 miles above the La. line in miss, arrived att the mouth of Red river at 3 o clock Pm, landed opposite a plantation own by J.W. Carr a rebel officer, his house was burned, & stock

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of horses, mules, poultry, potatoes, & c. confiscated, a large fleet concentrated here, 2 turreted gunboats, of the monitor style & river gunboats, evening pleasant 13 men detailed for guard, slept on the hurricane deck. 12th beautiful sunny morning orders are to leave the landing at 9 Am, expect to go up Red river, fleet entered the Red river at PM: 1 olock, ascended the river 5 or 6 miles, & left Red river & went down the Atchafolayah about 10 miles, & halted the gunboats tied up on the left or East side of the stream, the transports opposite side the country low & level, resembling the country above, on the river in La., the first few miles quite low, no improvements, thickly covered with 2ond growth cottonwood timber, as we advanced country grew better, more improved, some large plantations & fine buildings, no work being done not a move observable towards raising a crop 13th were ordered to disembark at 9. Am, were the place was Sims port, Ft Seurry near

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formed on the levee were reviewed by Gen Smith who is in command of the expedition had a short battalion drill, stacked arms near the boat, broke ranks & had dinner are yet ignorant of our destination, lounged on the bank until 4. Pm, were called into line to drill, had barely reached the drill ground when an order came to march, remained in readiness to march, until 9, o'clock Pm, then moved, marched about 6 miles & camped at 2 1/2 O clock Am. The 14th were delayed by bad roads & teams, 7 wagons turned over, camped on the bank of Bayan Glaze, which is a fine a strip of country as I have seen in the south ascended this stream in a northerly direction about 9 miles than filed left to the west went a mile and stoped as have to make a bridge at 10 Am started at 11 o clock Am went 2 miles left the bottom land, ascended

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the name of the Ft. was Ft. De Russy, 70 miles from the mouth of R.R. a hill found an elevated level place that resembled the parries of Ill. full 12 in extent the direction we wer marching it is and settled country used mostly for grazing well stocked with cattle & sheep, some farming done saw corn up, passed some large cane fields & sugar manufacturies burned a large cotton gin house storoed full of C. S. cotton passed a little village called Mensura inhabitants mostly French, the French flag was frequently exhibited, claiming neutraility, passed a town called Mensura about half way across the plain 6 miles farther came to Marksville, the county town of Parish Avayello, here we heard firing ahead, our advance had attacked the enemy at the Ft, on the R.R. went within 2 miles of the R. and were halted loaded & stacked arms at 5. Pm. & listened to the fray, the firing was brisk both artillery & musketry, the artillery ceased, & the musketry increased, we soon heard a yell which we believed to be a charge upon the Ft,

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a short interval of silence then a long & loud shout, that gave us hope that our forces had possession of the works, a courrier soon arrived & confirmed our hopes the Ft was captured by assault at sundown, the gunboats did not participate in the action, the regs. were 14 Iowa, 7 & 24th Mo, the No of prisoners taken were about 300, reported that 11 regts. of rebels left the Ft. the day before, the night cold & windy, had a poor nights rest had plenty of rebel beef and mutton, the 15th resumed our march at 9 Am, arrived at the Ft at 10. Am stacked arms, & looke at the works found then the most extensive, & considered the best planned, & when finished whould have been the most efficient, formidable works we have yet seen in the south there was a Ft on a bend on the S.W. side of the river 20 rods from the bank, had 6 heavy guns mounted said to be the ones taken from the Ram, the Queen of the West was captured, just below this point

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Queen of the West, & the gun-boat, Indianola the Ft was built of hewn timber 1 foot square, casemated with 2 thicknesses of R R iron, was bomb proof from the river way, but open & exposed from the rear, was evacuated when our force commenced shelling from the rear, the principal works are 80 rods to the rear of this, & connected by a good line of rifle pitts, the river at this pt bends at right angl[es] running from the N. turning East, put out pickets & remained by our guns some engaged removing the best guns from the Ft. 16th the Regt. on duty destroying the Ft, tearing out the timber & piling up to burn, an order issued that the magazine & bombproof would be blown up at 8, Pm. did not get them off until 10 1/2, P.m. several men injured, by

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the dirt thrown, striking them (Added note at head of page:-) our Regt. was within 60 rods of the magazine. a cannon destroyed by bursting, done by order from H.D. Qrs. some killed & others injured by falling pieces, one man of our regt, Co. C. Samuel Jackson, also Lieut. of the 86, Ill of our brigade, considered a reckless, unwarrantable transaction, an& our Co. detailed at 11 1/2 Pm. to fire the timber in the Ft, weather quite cool. 17th moved on board the boat in the morning, remained during the day, several men complaing of being sick, 9 answered to the sick call, reported that Alexandria was evacuated by the rebs, left the landing for up river at 9 Am, of the 18th, the magazine at the Ft on the river was blown up as. soon as the boats were out of danger, the gun-boats Benton & Essex were left at the landing,

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the country much the same as below level on both sides, but more elevated, the soil is a red sandy loam, considered good strong soil, where not to old & exhausted, arrived at Alexandria at sundown, found the whole fleet, there; landed on the S.W. side; at 8. Pm, crossed over & landed, stacked arms & slept by our guns; the man of Co. A that had his leg bruised by the explosion of the Ft; the 16th, 19th were called into line at 10.Am to take a tramp back into the country, went about 5 miles a half mile from the river came to pine timber found a beautiful pine forest, of Norway pine, mostly sizable for hewing timber, said by many to excell any thing of the kind they ever saw, understand from citizens, there is a large tract of pine country, extending back to the Washita river, very little cultivation on this side, ie., N.W. the other side extensively cultivated, no pine, on S. side, the river is about 80 rods wide at this place, the country on the S side is directly the opposite of the N. in its soil fertility & productions

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the country is level of a rich alluvial soil, will produce 2 bales of cotton per acre or 12 hhds of sugar, is all under cultivation, and much of it highly improved, with good buildings, fences, & ornamental shade trees, sugar is quite extensively cultivated, and manufactured. Alexandria is on the S.W. side of the river, contained about 2,000 inhabitants wen the war commenced, it is laid out parallel with the river which runs nearly 60. from W. of this place, the buildings are plain, quite ordinary, the court house is the largest & most imposing structure, it is built of brick about 40.ft by 60, 2 stories, Alexandria is the county seat of Parish Rapides, considerable business done as the river is Navigable here at all times, there is a rail road running saout, 18 miles to Bayou Bluff for the transportation of cotton sugar [ & c?] it is 130, miles from the mouth of R R 60 miles above Ft De.Russy & 350 miles from Shreveport, 20th cold dismal march day, (Sunday) remained in camp, sent a letter home to Ellen 21st cold & stormy

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put up tent of Capt,s several went in with him, built a chimney of sods, got a good supply of dry wood, fodder in abundance, for bedding the men had all made themselves shelters from rain & were quite comfortable, I certainly count on a good nights rest; at 4. Pm, we were ordered to fall in with all orur trops, go aboard the boat, cross over the river, march out & chase or, meet the rebs, we were 1 hour getting ready, & waiting for the boat, exposed to a pitiless storm of rain & hail, were put upon the hurricane deck without cover, only as we could crawl in, encroaching on others Qrs, we crossed over at dark. were kept in readiness, with haversacks filled for a 2 days march ,until 8. Pm. then were allowed, to get rest if we could find it, subject to a call at any time, I think it was the most inclement march storm I was ever exposed to, some crawled in with the marines, under the bunks, in the alleys, some on the coal bunks, some with the mules & c. 22nd cold & cloudy, faired off at 10 Am, were

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ordered ashore in the afternoon, went 1/2 mile down the river & bivouaced for the night reported that 400 prisoners & 4 pieces of artillery were captured & just brought in, made ourselves comfortable for the night found plenty corn husks & unginned cotton for dedding, the steamer Luminary came up from N.O. this evening bringing subsistence stores for Gen banks force, 23rd clear bright morning white frost this morning, had revillee at sun-rise, several men complaining, to transports arrived from Baton Rouge with [C O?] brigades of black troops, about 300, prisoners brought in, the same force that is reported above, which was to high an estimate on the men, it was a cavalry force, horses & guns complete, were captured, without loss, were taken by surprise, countersign & pickets captured, force surrounded, wrote a letter to Father Hawley, no picket detail from our Regt since we last landed, 24th cold, cloudy,windy disagreeable morning, 13 reports to the Drs for prescriptions, & Lieut Brooks

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sick with the mumps, Capt. detailed for foraging co. drill at 9.Am, boys engaged building cabins & chimneys rained hard, the most of the afternoon Co,s D & G detailed to go to N. O. with prisoners, co. F. detailed in the night to go aboard a transport to guard 25th clear morning but cold and windy, reports that Gen Banks had arrived with a part of his force, cleared up the camp ground in the forenoon, short drill in the Afternoon, several transports went down in the morning, to wood up, which indicates an advance, 1 of the men in the 14th Regt. stabed by a cowrad with a bayonet; notified by the Sergt. Major at 10. Pm, that revillee would be beat at 4 1/2 Am, and the regt, ready with three days rations, in haversacks to start at 6 AM; 26th started, at 6 per. orders, left 17 men on board of boat, complaining, not able to march mostly recruits, moved in a N.W. direction, weather fine quite warm, was surprised to see so large a force concentrated here, found them encamped closely for two miles from

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town, we passed over a beautiful & rich section of country, as I have yet seen in the south, as level as the prairies of Ill, sufficiently dry for cultivation conveniently drained if necessary, all under cultivation & highly improved with good buildings (many splendid dwellings) excellent fences, a good portion of efficient hedge fence, of the osage orange also the white thorn, some which was really ornamental, passed several sugar manufactories, our march the most of day. was on the banks of bayou Rapides, on the S.W. side, the land is 80 or. 90 feet elevated above the water of the bayou saw Gen. Ronsan, understand his division is with the expedition bivouaced, near the head of the bayau, distance marched 20 miles, & still five miles to to the river, men were tired, plenty of sheep slaughtered for supper, laid down early near our guns, called up at 9. Am the morning of the 27th resumed our march at 9 Am: we were now on the opposite side of the bayau N.W. traveled about 2 miles, came to another bayau which seemed a continuation

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(Added note at head of page:-) distance marched the 27th 6 miles Cotil Landing is 20 miles by river above Alexandria of the first, but running the opposite direction, not half as large, called bayau Cotil, the landing at the river is called the same name, we arrived at the landing after frequent halts at 11: Am, no gun.boats or transports, arrived yet, reported by citizens, that rebel gunboats left here & went up river yesterday evening; rebs, destroying cotton on the opposite side of river; weather warm, rained in the night; 28th faired up in the morning, heavy detail for foraging; gun boat & saw Eastport, come up at 2 Pm, one monitor, & commissary boat, J.H. Lacey arrived in the evening, meeting in the 14th in the evening, exhortation by a private soldier, weather cooler. 29th cool with a strong N.W. wind, the most of the fleet at the landing this morning, saw our convalescent boys, all doing well except Lieut Brooks, thinks he has the fever found them on board, the Wm. L. Ewing. the marine boats ordered back to. Vicksburg, stated the detention of the fleet caused by the gun boat Eastport getting fast passing the rapids, which were 4 miles

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above Alexandria, 95th moved camp at 1.Pm 1 mile up the river, on a sandy ridge, in the edge of the timber, found fine shade, & wood, & water, convenient, reported that the hospital boat Woodford sunk in 8 feet of water; cause [spun?] on a snag, heavy detail made at 12 o clock at night, to move our regt stores, from boat to camp, 30th weather fair & warm, Co. drill this morning at 9 Am, reported that Banks,s force was passing on up river to the west of us, inspection at 3 Pm, 5 roll calls per day & strict attendence required, weather warm & threatning rain, 31st battalion drill in the afternoon, Apr 1st weather fair ,but cool with high wind Capt Schellenger with party went foraging Co. drill at 9 Am, battalion at 2 Pm, wrote a letter to Ellen, Co,s D & G returned from N.O. the rebs captured & burned the steamer La.Crop below Alexandria, received orders at 12 at night, to have revillee at 4.Am, & break up camp at 5; the 2nd, got into line at 6 Am marched to the bank

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above Alexandria, 95th moved camp at 1.Pm 1 mile up the river, on a sandy ridge, in the edge of the timber, found fine shade, & wood, & water, convenient, reported that the hospital boat Woodford sunk in 8 feet of water; cause [spun?] on a snag, heavy detail made at 12 o clock at night, to move our regt stores, from boat to camp, 30th weather fair & warm, Co. drill this morning at 9 Am, reported that Banks,s force was passing on up river to the west of us, inspection at 3 Pm, 5 roll calls per day & strict attendence required, weather warm & threatning rain, 31st battalion drill in the afternoon, Apr 1st weather fair ,but cool with high wind Capt Schellenger with party went foraging Co. drill at 9 Am, battalion at 2 Pm, wrote a letter to Ellen, Co,s D & G returned from N.O. the rebs captured & burned the steamer La.Crop below Alexandria, received orders at 12 at night, to have revillee at 4.Am, & break up camp at 5; the 2nd, got into line at 6 Am marched to the bank

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we started out & ran until 1,Am, the [I 'C?] tied up on the N. side of the river at Buxons Landing in Parish ---- 60 miles above Alexandria the country is much the same as previously passed over but not so much cultivated or highly improved distance made 40. miles, the 3d started at 8.Am the weather cool & windy, stoped several hours in the forenoon to wood, which was plenty & convenient in rail fences, were ashore on the N. side the banks were from 40 to 50 feet above the water which is about the general elevation of the country so far, Levees, seem unnecessary, at this point the soil is sandy, of the varieties of timber observed were cypress, elm, iron wood, some beech, sycamore, & few stunted pines, higher land with pine trees is seen at a distance of a mile or so, which indicates a pine country made very slow time to day, Jennie Rogers got fast on a sand bar, remained 3 hours, was passed, & left by the fleet, the [Heavey?] Black Hawk, Gen Banks Hd.Qr. boat passed us

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arrived at a little town & landing called Grand Le.Core at 9.P.m, where the fleet had tied up on both sides of the river, the town of Natchitoches is 4 miles S of this pt, on what is called Old, or Cane, river, which was once the channel of Red river, we remained aboard until about 11.Am. the 4th, were ordered ashore. went 60 rods from shore stacked arms had dinner, awaiting orders blissfully ignorant of the future, the prospect seems fair to march from here to shrevePort, distance from here by river is 260 miles, by land 90 miles some of Banks troops here, several colored regts, at sundown were ordered aboard the boat, hands were engaged the most of the night unloading stores were ordered ashore the morning of the 5th at 4,Am, went aboard the transport Universe, some gunboats & several transports loaded with troops, started out early our brigade took but a days rations, reported, that we were going to attack a fortified force of rebels about 40 miles