force to get in the rear of the rebels, and they met at the Hatchie
river, where a severe engagement ensued, and our men were victorious,
drove them back, and we marched to intercept them. As we started in
pursuit on the 5th, they were turned back and had to retrace their
steps until they came to another crossing that was not occupied by
federals. The rout became general, and all along the whole road was
strewn guns, tents, &c. Caissons and cannon were captured, wagon loads
of ammunition and wagons of every description. Flour was scattered all
along the road, and cooking utensils of all kinds in their haste to
get away; our men were close upon them all the time. They would turn
and give battle, and then retreat, as our men would overtake them as
they would get a pretty good start of them again. Almost every house
contained either dead or sick soldiers. Stragglers became plenty, and
came in by dozens, as the woods were full of them. They were paroled.
The 2d brigade followed them to Ripley. The 11th went to within a
short distance of Ripley and came to a halt, and stacked arms in a
piece of timber, expecting to remain for some time. Some of the 11th
were detailed as grand guard, company B being part of the detail, we
went out in advance and deployed out the same as skirmishers, between
a cornfield and a swamp. We stood on guard about two hours when we
received orders to return to camp. On our return we were informed that
we would remain here until evening, when we would go out and establish
a grand guard line. At length we started through almost impassable
roads, sometimes nothing but a path to guide us. Where we established
our line was an old wheat field, and it was the intention of our
commanders to cover our whole line with a strong guard; and here we
supposed we would remain until next day. But no, there was no such
good fortune awaiting us, as the order came for us to return to the
regiment, as we were to march that night. We returned to camp again,
and were informed that we were to march at 2 o'clock that night. We
had sweet potatoes and fresh meat in great plenty, and after eating a
good meal we lay down, and were roused from our slumbers by hearing
the command to fall in. As we were rear guard to the wagon train, we
were the last to get started. Such a march as that was; it was enough
to wear out any man's patience. We had to stop every five minutes for
the train to proceed. Some of the teams would refuse to pull, and this
would stop the whole train. We lingered along this way all night; our
progress being very slow and tedious; so next day we went ahead of the
train, and did not stop much until we arrived at Corinth, where we
established a camp about one mile from the town, and here we remained
for some time, had our brigade and battalion drills under Colonel
Loomis, of the 26th Illinois, who was acting as brigadier at this time.
Every regiment was ordered to report with spade and shovel for fatigue
duty, and we had to work from day to day until we considered Corinth
impregnable, as there were strong earthworks all around the city. Most
of the inhabitants had left, and the town was occupied by soldiers.
After completing this work we received orders to prepare to march with
two day's rations in our haversacks, also knapsacks with blankets.
After every thing was got ready, the command was given along the whole
line, and off they moved, one regiment after another. At length came
a long line of wagons, extending as far as the eye could reach, and a
strong guard was left to guard these trains. So we moved on from day to
day, sometimes marching all night. We were not disturbed by an enemy,
but the advance skirmished almost every day with the rebels, and at
length the rebels were driven back to the Tallahatchie river, where
they were in strong position, and had thrown up strong earthworks,
and here they would have given us a warm reception if Sherman had not
marched with a strong force to get in their rear. We could hear the
heavy roar of artillery as our men advanced to the attack, as we had
just reached the place where the brigade was establishing camp. Being
rear guard we did not arrive at camp until 2 o'clock in the morning.
Rations were distributed to us, and we lay down on our blankets and
were soon fast asleep. We awoke much refreshed after our tedious march
of the day before. Next morning we went about a mile from here, and
pitched our tents, and remained several days. There was a grist mill
near here, and the soldiers used it and ground corn as long as we
remained. There was some ammunition captured here. A very good spring
of water was near our camp, which was a rare thing to us.
The rebels did not wait long enough to see what Sherman's intentions
were, but as soon as they got an intimation that there was a force to
get in their rear, they left their stronghold and fled, but Sherman
took a good many prisoners, and pursued them for some time. The rebels
did not halt until they reached Grenada. After remaining several days
here we moved to Cold Water, and remained a short time. There was a
small town on the railroad. The next place we went to was Oxford,
Mississippi, where we went into camp and remained for some time.
Here the report came into camp that the rebels had made a raid on
Holly Springs, and taken all the soldiers stationed there prisoners
and paroled them, also the commander of the post. Three weeks'
provisions for Grant's whole army and an immense quantity of army
clothing, several thousand pairs of cavalry boots were also captured,
and an immense amount of cotton was burned, together with a train of
cars just ready to start out. The raid was made by Van Dorn and about
7,000 mounted infantry, at the break of day. Report says that Murphy
had knowledge of the intended raid on Holly Springs, but of that we
have no certain information, but he did not prove himself true to
the Government at first, as he was entrusted with removing all the
commissary stores along the railroad from Corinth to Tuscumbia, as the
rebels were said to be advancing in force. Tuscumbia valley is a very
fine country, with an abundance of corn for forage for their cavalry.
Their advance soon arrived at Tuscumbia and took possession. Everything
was removed to Corinth, and their cavalry followed the valley right
up to Iuka, surrounded the pickets and took them prisoners. The 8th
Wisconsin was scattered all over town, and there were few to resist
the attack of the rebels. They returned to camp as soon as possible,
but a large number were taken prisoners. Everything that could not be
removed was ordered to be destroyed, and it was entrusted to an officer
in the 7th Illinois cavalry to do the burning, but for some reason it
was neglected, and an immense quantity of flour and commissary stores,
which came very acceptable to them, fell into their hands. There were
several sutler stores there, and the cavalry took almost everything,
clothing, tobacco, and some good liquors. You may ask, where was Murphy
all this time? He was retreating with his regiment towards Burnville.
The rebels pursued them several miles, as there were a great many
negroes following the regiment, the rebels would come up and shoot them
down without mercy. After traveling several miles the rebels gave up
the pursuit. Murphy was put under arrest for this and tried by court
martial, but for some reason got clear, and was restored to confidence
again, and entrusted with the post at Holly Springs, but abusing the
confidence reposed in him, he was arrested, tried again, cashiered, and
dishonorably discharged the service without any pay.
That stopped our forward movement, and we were ordered back to Corinth.
We returned to Davis' Mills, where part of the 25th Indiana had a
desperate engagement with the raiders, as it was their intention to
surprise the guard and take them prisoners, but in this they failed
in every attempt. A great many of them were killed and wounded. Their
intention was to burn the mills and tear up the railroad here, and stop
the cars from running, but Col. Morgan with his little band resisted
all their attacks, as he was in a strong position near the mill.
Earthworks were thrown up and our men were on the inside; some cotton
bales were placed around the top as a protection to sharpshooters. Some
of the men defended themselves from the mill, several were shot and
fell in the water as they were attempting to cross over. After trying
in vain to dislodge the federals, they gave it up and left without
doing the Indiana boys any damage. But this was not the only place
they visited. They went to Bolivar, Tennessee, and there met with as
warm a reception as they got at the mills, and they very soon left,
leaving some of their number either killed, wounded or prisoners, in
the hands of our men. They tried several places along the railroad
from Holly Springs, but met with no better success, as the guards
were on the alert. They attacked a small force belonging to the 12th
Michigan, numbering 115 men, in a small fort, and Van Dorn demanded
their surrender, they refused, and informed him if he wanted them he
must take them, while we were getting a warm meal they would get a
cold bite. Alter receiving this answer to his demand, he made ready
for the attack; 500 of the men dismounted and advanced from all sides
to surround this little band of brave men; on they came, expecting an
easy prize, they approached to within a short distance of the fort
when the order was given to fire, and the rebels were met by a shower
of bullets, and after trying in vain to get inside of the fort, they
left and took their wounded with them, leaving about 30 dead around the
fort. There was no artillery used on either side.
Such was the success of Van Dorn's raid along the railroad, they cut
a few telegraph poles, and the wire in one or two places, and had to
leave suddenly as our cavalry had got on their track and were but a
short distance behind them, when they left the 12th Michigan infantry.
Only one man of the brave little garrison lost his life, and that was
by the accidental discharge of his gun. Our cavalry soon drove them
inside of their lines, and here we will leave them for awhile.
You will return with me to camp again and leave the pursuit of the
rebels. Our camp is situated on a rise of ground 100 yards from water,
either way, and we did not suffer for that article while we remained
there, which was several weeks. Grant's army had to subsist on the
citizens of the country; army stores were quite scarce, and it became
the duty of our Generals to look out for the welfare of their men, and
long trains of wagons were sent with orders to take a certain amount of
forage, when it arrived in camp it was distributed to each regiment.
This forage consisted of fresh pork, newly packed coffee, sugar,
molasses, cattle and hogs were also drove into camp, and we fared
pretty well, as there were plenty of provisions in the country. We
had plenty of everything but bread. One cracker was allowed us a day.
Several thousand army overcoats were discovered concealed in a cellar,
and the coffee we got belonged to us. It was stolen at the time of the
raid, as the citizens participated in it.
They said they had just received it from Memphis, but our men were not
to be deceived by such stories, and would take most all of it from
them. Some of them had protection papers but this did not save them, as
the soldiers had got tired of listening to such professions of Unionism
and loyalty as these men made, which was only in vain, as there was
but little friendship for the Yankees existing amongst them at this
time. We lived on the country for more than two weeks. Everything
was taken for miles from camp, and on New-Year's day we were ordered
to prepare for marching, taking nothing but two day's rations in our
haversacks, and blankets and arms, with forty rounds of ammunition in
our cartridge boxes. We ascertained our destination was La Grange. The
rebels were expected to make a dash on that place. We arrived in sight
of the town about the middle of the afternoon, came to a halt, and
remained until nearly evening, when we received orders to return to
camp, and were soon treading our way back, as there was no use for us
here. We arrived at camp early in the evening, broke ranks and went to
our respective tents. As they were made to hold four men each, we lay
down and soon were fast asleep. So passed the first day of 1863. But we
were not destined to remain here much longer, as we received marching
orders to return to Corinth, as a brigade came to take our place from
Holly Springs, and they informed us that Oxford was destroyed by fire,
also Holly Springs, in retaliation for shooting of our soldiers by the
citizens of the town at the time of the raid. It was here that Col.
Mowers returned to the regiment, having recovered from the wound which
he received before being taken a prisoner by the rebels. He was taken
back to their lines, and as he had nothing on him to denote his rank,
dressed in a common blouse without any shoulder straps, he was not very
closely guarded, and he managed to escape the same day by mounting one
of the rebels horses and riding it into camp, or into the lines, as we
had no camp at this time. He was cheered by the whole brigade as he
rode through the lines without any hat. His wound was quite severe and
he had to go to the hospital to receive proper attendance and care,
and there he remained until he came here ready to take command of his
regiment. General call was sounded and we were ordered to prepare for
marching. The tents were soon struck and rolled up and loaded on the
wagons, everything being ready we strapped on our knapsacks, fell into
line waiting for the command forward, which at last we received, and
are again on the tramp.
On our march to Corinth, by the way of Bolivar, we passed through
several towns, La Grange and Grand Junction, near where the 11th was
a guard for ten days, as they were moving towards Holly Springs. Our
rations were scarce here as we drew nothing but flour, and as we had
no means of cooking it we might as well have had none. We were well
supplied with fresh meat as we found plenty of fat hogs in the country
which we killed. We managed to get some of the flour baked by the
negroes.
At length the order came for us to move, and we were glad to leave
here, and then we went to Oxford from there. Grand Junction was a
railroad station where two roads crossed, between Holly Springs and
Corinth. We left it to our right and took the road to Bolivar, where we
halted for the night, and the next morning was pleasant, and remained
so until we arrived at Bolivar, when the rain commenced falling in
torrents upon us, and it became very difficult to march. It rained
without intermission most all night, and the brigade was urged forward
until at length the men refused to proceed any farther, and fell out of
ranks and commenced building fires.
There we remained until morning. The roads had become almost
impassable. Teams had as much as they wanted to do to haul their loads.
The rain ceased towards morning and the sun came out and the roads
commenced drying as we proceeded.
After days of wearied marching we arrived at Corinth. That evening rain
commenced falling, from rain it turned to snow, and after freezing the
ground was covered with a crust of ice. After remaining here a few days
when we had received our two months' pay, the regiment was ordered to
strike tents and get ready for marching. Everything being packed the
regiment was ordered to fall in, the rain was coming quite steady, and
we arrived at Corinth wet through.--After waiting a short time the snow
and ice was fast disappearing from the ground, it had all left the
hills. When part of the 11th Missouri went on board, the iron horse
began to puff and blow her steam from her pipes, the cars were soon in
motion, and Corinth was soon left far behind. We passed through several
small towns on our way, stopped at Jackson, Tennessee, for a short
time, and was soon on our way again until we arrived at what was once a
small town called Germantown, where we remained all night. Some of the
boys found quarters in some old deserted buildings, but I chose to stay
on the cars as the night was very dark and muddy. I slept soundly until
morning. I arose, got off the cars and made me some coffee, and after
eating my breakfast took a stroll through the town. It is not much of a
town, about fifteen miles from Memphis, on the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad.
The brigade remained several weeks here to guard the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad. After we established camp the rest of the regiment
came, and guards were stationed all around the camp as protection, and
there was another line out near a mile. In time of peace this place was
a great resort for sporting men from Memphis, but there was nothing
but a few old houses now, and most of them deserted. Some people were
living there then, but most of the men were in the rebel army, and
most all of the corn was taken for forage, and there was very little
of anything left for the people to subsist on. Hogs were killed until
there were scarcely any left, all the fences were burned for fuel,
every board that could be found was used to make bunks. Water was
plenty and of good quality. The weather became quite pleasant and the
roads soon dried up, and we had our daily battalion drill, and spade
and shovel came again into requisition, and men were detailed to go and
build a fort, as it was considered necessary. After working from day
to day with the assistance of the 8th Wisconsin regiment, there was a
fort built and a battery planted on the inside. The battery was manned
by the 2d Iowa artillerists. After finishing this fort we were ordered
to prepare for marching. It was shortly after moving our camp. We had
the tent called the Cybley tent, and we could put fire in them and
make them quite comfortable, as there was an aperture for the smoke to
go out.--There was room enough for fifteen men in one of these tents.
They were placed up about three feet from the ground and banked up with
earth all around, and a door was made for an entrance.
At last our brigade was ordered to move, and we had to pull down our
tents and leave our comfortable quarters and try the field again. The
brigade moved to within two miles of Memphis, and there they encamped
for the night, and men were detailed to go and load the boats, and
passed one day loading the boats. The brigade marched down to the
landing and were soon on board, as most everything was on board. Each
regiment loaded their own things and it was done in short order, and
the 11th Missouri was soon ready to go down the river. At last the boat
got under way and stopped at Helena for a short time. General Prentiss
was commander of this post at this time. Several of the boys got off
the boat and got a little the worse of liquor and became quite noisy,
and General Prentiss ordered his men to arrest them, but they were
unable to do so, owing to the resistence made. Revolvers were drawn and
missiles were thrown, and the guard was driven from the ground, and
they soon returned with reinforcements, and Mowers went on shore to
get the men to go on board their boats, and they soon went on board.
The guards formed in line in front of the boats and loaded their guns.
Chunks of coal were showered upon them and several of the officers
and men were hit. General Prentiss came to give some orders to his men
when he was struck in the head, and this so enraged him that he sent
for a brigade of infantry and a battery of artillery, and they were
coming on double-quick when the boats moved out for fear of a general
outbreak, as there was one of the 47th Illinois shot through his leg,
and when the sergeant shot he ran, pursued by several of the 47th, but
I never learned the particulars as the pursuers had not returned when
the boat left. We crossed the river and the boat was tied up to the
shore and the regiment got off and then commenced the work of preparing
our meals. We landed on a small island, there was plenty of wood for
fuel and soon numerous fires were kindled and the work of cooking was
soon over, and our meal was ready for eating, which was coffee, fried
bacon and crackers, that constituted our bill-of-fare, also sugar to
sweeten our coffee. After remaining here several hours the bell rang,
and we were ordered on board, the boat was loosed from her mooring
and we left this place and went down the river about six miles, and
stopped and remained all night on the boats, and in the morning the
brigade went on shore. Then commenced the work of clearing ground for a
camp. The cane stood thick on the ground and all this was cut down and
carried into piles to be burned. Here we got new tents, and there was a
place soon cleared off to put them up. The tents were made to hold four
men, and there was but little room, as the water was all around us;
there was nothing but sand after the cane was carried off. The division
was all camped here commanded by General Tuttle, and Joseph A. Mowers
commanded the brigade. He received his promotion a short time before.
The division remained here for nearly a month awaiting a boat to carry
us away. At length the boats arrived, and we were glad to see the tall
smoke stacks appear in sight, as we knew that we would soon leave this
dull place. We were ordered on board the boats, and under a heavy fall
of rain we struck our tents and stayed all night and next day until
about four o'clock. The wind was blowing a very strong breeze, the rain
had ceased and the weather became cool enough for overcoats. At length,
after many hours impatient waiting, the boats got under way, and
nothing occurred worthy of notice until we arrived at a place called
Duckport, and there the division landed, and then commenced the work of
unloading the boats. Provisions and army stores were soon carried from
the boat on shore, and our camping ground was soon staked out. Tents
were soon pitched and the soldiers were soon enjoying themselves. The
division encamped near the Vicksburg canal, it had just been commenced
and some soldiers and negroes were at work with spades and shovels, and
some were using wheel-barrows to remove the earth from the middle of
the ditch, as it was forty feet wide. The object was to turn the course
of the father of waters into this canal. There were dredge boats at
work at the mouth of it. Each regiment had to take their turn working
on this great ditch, and some days there were over two thousand men
engaged at once, as they came from Young's Point to assist in carrying
on this great work. After three week's hard labor the water was let
into it, and some barges and one small steamboat went down through to
New Carthage, and then the water commenced falling and the dredge boats
had to stop digging. There were three of them in operation deepening
the canal at this time.
About the middle of April several transports and gunboats ran the
blockade, passed all the batteries, and the rebels tried in vain to
stop their progress, but still they kept on until they got out of reach
of the enemy's guns. There was but few of the boats damaged and they
ran the gauntlet several times. Orders came for the division to move
camp, and General Mowers' brigade moved their camp about a mile and
then commenced the work of leveling off the ground, which was once a
cotton field, and a few days after moving camp, orders came to prepare
for marching, take nothing but our haversacks and canteens, two days
rations, one blanket, forty rounds of cartridges in our boxes and our
guns in perfect order.
On the 2d day of May we left the mouth of this canal as it had proved
of but little use and all our work was to no purpose, and we gave up
the project as no use. The division left their camps, and owing to
delays, the roads being bad, they had to stop to repair them, so teams
could pass as we had to transport our provisions on wagons. They did
not get but a short distance from camp the first day and the next day
they marched about fifteen miles. They followed the course of the
canal all the next day, and at last we arrived at Richmond, Louisiana,
where we encamped for one night, and next morning resumed our march
and camped as before, and the division kept marching from day to day
until they arrived at Hard Times Landing. The water was getting low in
the canal and a number of barges could be seen all along the route.
Our forces followed the course of the canal until they came to a lake
or bayou, and they followed this thirty miles below Vicksburg. A
bridge had to be constructed for our forces to cross, and here we were
delayed part of a day, and we remained all night waiting to cross a
bayou that ran into Black Bayou. At length we arrived at Grand Gulf, on
the opposite side of the river, where we were delayed in crossing for
several hours. Several boats were busily engaged in transporting troops
across the river, landing them on the shore. Our turn came at last, and
the 11th Missouri soon got on board and were landed on the opposite
shore, and here they remained over night, the weather being pleasant we
enjoyed a good night's sleep, and awoke quite refreshed from our weary
marches.
On the march from Duckport through the State of Louisiana, there were
several fine plantations passed, and corn was growing finely, and
indications of a good crop. Some splendid dwellings and gardens, and
every convenience to make a person comfortable. Before this war broke
out the owners of these plantations were living in luxurious ease,
nothing to do, slaves to do their bidding and obey their commands,
and they became so wealthy that they did not know what to do with
their gold, they hardly knew the value of money, they had nothing to
do but to get rich, and when this rebellion broke out they were ripe
for anything that tended to mischief. They had all left their homes
and engaged with their hearts and hands carrying on this unjust war,
the almighty negro was the cause. Many valuable lives are lost on both
sides, and many more will be lost before this unholy rebellion is
crushed. All of these splendid dwellings were destroyed with fire by
the soldiers. I will fail in describing the splendor of these dwellings
and gardens. All were destroyed, costly furniture and pianos shared the
same fate of the other things, nothing was left but smouldering ruins.
Many thousand dollars worth of valuable property was destroyed, every
deserted dwelling of any value was destroyed on this march, but we
were not destined to remain at this place long. There was once a town
here but there was nothing but the brick chimneys standing to mark the
place, as it had been destroyed by a force of our men before the rebels
were driven from this stronghold, as it was a very strong natural
position, but a force of our men got in the rear of them and they left
everything and fled. Tuttle's division did not arrive in time to take
any part. A small force of our men were there to hold this position, as
it was situated on a very high bluff it did not require a strong force
to hold it.