in a serious affair, caused by certain members of the 1st Missouri
Regular Battery assailing the colored cooks as they were going after
water. After dinner as Anthony [the colored cook] was passing by, he was
assaulted and abused. He appealed to the boys, when a rush was made, and
in an instant a crowd was gathered consisting of the 6th and 12th
Wisconsin and 11th Ohio against the Regulars, armed with clubs,
revolvers, knives and axes. The officers interposed, which closed it
with but a few bloody noses and several knock downs. Warm and heavy.
Near Oxford, Monday, Dec. 15. It rained nearly all day, making it very
muddy, hard for our horses. No mail for two days.
Near Oxford, Tuesday, Dec. 16. Pleasant and sunny. Health never better.
Lost my needle book, very sorry. Received three days' mail; had two
papers and a letter from home.
Near Oxford, Wednesday, Dec. 17. The day was spent in the common routine
of camp duties; drill in the afternoon by infantry and artillery,
presenting a lively scene. Received a [Madison] _State Journal_ from T.
L. Jones.
Near Oxford, Thursday, Dec. 18. Warm and pleasant. Health excellent. Dr.
Miller returned from Wisconsin in the afternoon, much to the
satisfaction of all. After roll call in the evening, he appeared before
the Company and made a speech, after which three cheers were given to
him. Seventy-five loads of cotton brought into headquarters.
Near Oxford, Friday, Dec. 19. Bright and sunny. The delightful weather
succeeded in enticing most of the boys from their well worn decks and
cribbage boards, bringing them out in ball playing, pitching quoits,
etc. Tallied for an interesting game of base ball.
Near Oxford, Saturday, Dec. 20. Weather still warm. Several of the boys
went to Oxford in the afternoon with Captain. Returned with eight new
horses, also with the report that the Rebs were in possession of Holly
Springs with 5,000 cavalry. Had taken several prisoners, one of whom was
Colonel Murphy, 8th Wisconsin; fears also were entertained that the
paymasters had been captured with their capital.
Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 21. Reveille earlier than usual; orders to hold in
readiness to march, such orders being anticipated. 7 A. M. the whole
Division took up the line of march back toward Oxford. Hitched up. The
caisson fell in the train, but the pieces with the 59th Indiana, Colonel
Alexander, were left for a rear guard. The Division passed by 9 A. M.
but as the train could not take all of the commissary stores and cotton
at headquarters, we had to lay there all day hitched up, waiting for the
trains to return from Oxford. They arrived at 4 P. M., loaded, and
started back as soon as possible. We were ordered to hitch up, as we
could hear the drums beat for roll call on the right of us; supposed to
be Logan's Division. We fell in rear of 59th about 8 P. M., leaving the
place all quiet, the Rebs making slight demonstrations upon the infantry
during the day notwithstanding. Pushed silently along towards Oxford,
proceeded toward our old camping ground. Brought into line by Lieutenant
Clark on the right of the road in the flat. Captain Dillon went up to
the old camp. The caisson drivers being already on the start, after
pitching their tents and again striking, we passed up the hill again, on
the top of which, countermanded again, unhitched and left the horses at
the bottom. Laid down at 1 A. M.
Oxford, Monday, Dec. 22. Awakened by Sergeant Hamilton, while the stars
were yet bright, with orders to feed. I, unsatisfied with the short
sleep, again laid down till daylight, until the orders to water aroused
me. Hitched up, drank a cup of coffee, ate hard bread. The blankets were
ordered off the guns and put in the wagon. Expectations of a fight
somewhere, but I know not where. The troops were moving out all night.
Evening. At 9 A. M. the troops that had been called out in the night
returned to their old camp with the intelligence that it was a false
alarm of the enemy advancing upon Oxford. 12 M. we unhitched,
unharnessed and pitched our tents.
Enroute, Tuesday, Dec. 23. Struck our tents and took up the line of
march northwards at 8 A. M. Followed the same road as that which we came
in on, passed through Abbeville at noon, recrossed the Tallahatchie at
night, coming into camp on the same ground as on the 2nd inst. To-day we
passed the 23rd Wisconsin Regiment, many of the boys met old
acquaintances; reported occupation of Jackson, Tenn., by the enemy.
Lumpkin's Mill, Wednesday, Dec. 24. A day of fasting to Quinby's
Division, the rations having run out yesterday and none having arrived.
I ate parched corn and drank coffee. Marched to Lumpkin's Mill, went
into camp 1 P. M. Drew rations in the evening. A heifer found.
[Sidenote: 1862 Christmas]
Lumpkin's Mill, Thursday, Dec. 25. Christmas! Christmas! resounded
through the camp this morning; everyone turning the gay reminiscence of
the past in their minds and hoping again to enjoy. Laid quiet during the
day. Ate a Christmas dinner of dumplings and unleavened bread. The
howitzers ordered to prepare to march, going in charge of a provision
train to Memphis. Troubled with bad cold.
Tallaloosa, Miss., Friday, Dec. 26. Aroused early to prepare to march.
High wind, appearance of a storm. We were hitched up with the rest of
the Battery by 7 A. M., when it began to rain heavy. The howitzers,
under charge of Lieutenant Clark, with two Parrott guns of the
Regulars, two howitzers of the 11th Ohio, started out with four teams on
the guns, two on the limbers of the caissons, the hind wheels having
been sent to Holly Springs the night before. We passed on towards
Memphis with the infantry of Quinby's Division paddling on the best they
could; marched on through very rough country till 4 P. M. Came into park
at Tallaloosa, a God and man forsaken place. Rained nearly all day.
Supped on confiscated chickens, geese and fresh pork.
Byhalia, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 27. Rained nearly all day. Hitched up in
the morning. The other sections took the road, but as we were to be the
rear guard, and the roads were so bad that teams could not all come on
for some time, we again unharnessed, laid in a good supply of disloyal
pork and beef and a few rebel chickens. 3 P. M. again hitched up and
fell in the rear of the train. It had cleared up and the roads
considerably improved. We were enabled to travel at very good time.
Travelled till 10 P. M. Came into camp at Byhalia, Marshall County,
Miss., having travelled about ten miles on a most beautiful evening. A
woman drew a pistol on one of our boys, driving him from the yard.
Near Memphis, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 28. Slept out-doors. Awoke at 5 A. M.
A beautiful morning. Byhalia, unlike Tallaloosa, was a bright and lively
little village, with a large school house, church, lodge room, with a
scientific laboratory, out of which the boys jay-hawked numerous books,
writing utensils, etc. etc. Picked up two horses and two mules. The
owner of the horses came and pleaded hard, but could receive no other
satisfaction than a receipt from Lieutenant Clark. He was reported to be
a rank Secesh, as well as everybody else.
[Sidenote: 1862 Brush with Guerrillas]
We started with the 1st Brigade in rear of the train at 9 A. M.
Twenty-eight miles from Memphis, passed a house where a woman stood in
the yard, bravely holding the Stars and Stripes in her hand (to protect
her chickens I suppose). Marched along quietly; nothing of importance
save the appropriation of considerable molasses along the road until
half an hour of sundown when a small party of guerrillas dashed up in
our rear, discharging some fifteen or twenty pieces, then legging it
before their fire could be returned. We halted, the cannoneers sprang to
their posts, got their equipments, when the 48th Indiana formed their
line. But it was all over with. They were gone, and we started on. Two
of the balls took effect, wounding two boys of the 48th Indiana in the
arms. An assistant adjutant general and surgeon [who] had wandered a
little from the train, were taken also by a few of Jackson's cavalry,
divested of their accoutrements and horses, then paroled.
7 P. M. Drew up three-fourths of an hour to feed our horses, then
started on, travelled till 10 P. M. Came into camp seven miles from
Memphis.
Memphis, Monday, Dec. 29. We passed into Memphis as fast as the
necessary detentions would permit, through a very beautiful country and
handsome buildings. Passed through the town at about sundown, came into
park alongside of the other sections on the south of the town. Watered
our horses at the wharves about one and one half miles north, passing
through the town. Memphis presented a more lively appearance than I
expected under the present circumstances.
Memphis, Tuesday, Dec. 30. Awakened by the morning gun at the fort; fell
in for roll call, Sergeant Hamilton acting orderly. Saw a Memphis
_Bulletin_ of the 30th, the first newspaper since that bearing the date
of the 12th. Watered my horses, then rode into the fort with Colburn.
Met Milton Campbell of the 23rd Wisconsin Regiment. The Regiment had
gone down the river, leaving twenty-nine convalescents behind. The boys
were furnished with a pass to go to town, others taking leg bail, by
night. Several heavy heads. Drew six days' rations.
Germantown, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 31. The train took up the line of
march back. Our Section being in the center started at 9 A. M., passing
through town up Main Street. It was an amusing sight, nearly two-thirds
of the soldiers were drunk, having run Memphis as they pleased almost
for the last twenty-four hours. We followed the Memphis and Charleston
R. R. Came into park at Germantown at dark, having travelled fifteen
miles. Partook of a soldier's supper, made our bed neath the starry
canopy of heaven, and laid down, ending the year as we began it, by
sleeping. Thus endeth the year 1862.
La Fayette, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 1, 1863. New Year's morning truly, but
hard to realize. There was no cordial face of a sister or blooming face
of a brother to greet me with a "Happy New Year," no stocking ransacked
for a Santa Claus present. But I was soon aroused from my reverie by the
blunt order from Lieutenant Clark "Feed your horses and rub them off
well." So I returned to a soldier's duties. Took up the line of march
early, passed through Collierville 1 P. M. 4 P. M. met Captain Dillon
and Lieutenant Hood, who told us the Battery was waiting for us at
LaFayette, two miles ahead. We joined them by 5 P. M. leaving the train
of hard-tack to take care of itself. The train coming up to the station,
we watered our horses in the Wolf River.
Near Germantown, Friday, Jan. 2. To-day we expected to rest at least and
made arrangements accordingly, but as the Company were on their horses
to go to water, the orders came to march at 10 A. M., so we were obliged
to water our horses double quick, and hitched up in all haste. Retraced
our track the day before, arrived at Germantown by sundown, but pushed
on six.... Went to bed 11 P. M.
Buntyn Station, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 3. Awoke to find ourselves snugly
lying in from two to three inches of water, it having rained very hard,
the water coming in under the tent while most of the others lay out
doors completely soaked. Hitched and took to the road with the hope
that we were to go to Memphis, nine miles distant. As Quinby's Division
was detailed to guard the railroad, the troops were strung all along. We
went to within five miles of town, then taking a position on the track
with the 48th Indiana at a station called Buntyn Station, Colonel
Alexander as acting brigadier general. Received stringent orders not to
molest anything, rails included. Put up harness, racks, etc. preparatory
for a stay.
[Sidenote: 1863 In Winter Camp]
Buntyn Station, Sunday, Jan. 4. A busy day for the boys of the 6th
Battery, as they were in expectation of staying in the place for some
time. Harness racks, feed troughs, shebangs, tables, etc. were put up
from lumber carried some forty rods, where it had been stored with the
intention of building. The tents were floored mostly. S. E. Sweet,
Sampson Beaver, E. W. Evans and myself built a house 6 by 8, 2 ft. high
lower end, with a fireplace in the side. Stood guard. Very pleasant
evening.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Jan. 5. Sabres were brightened for inspection at
2 P. M. Order read from General Hamilton stating that Van Dorn was
concentrating at Pontotoc for another raid on this railroad, and ordered
that stockades be built along the road, and that we be on the alert. No
parole to be taken from any cavalry force. The raid to be resisted while
there was a musket and cartridge left. 4 P. M. mail came in, a sack
full, the first for nearly 20 days. Oh! the welcome it received. Heard
from father, brother and four sisters. Welcome! welcome! indeed. 1st
piece planted on the track pointing south.
Buntyn Station, Tuesday, Jan. 6. Rained in the night. Rec'd some more
mail. Horses inspected by Lieutenants Clark, Hood and Simpson. Weather
fine. Health not quite as good. Troubled with dumb ague.
Buntyn Station, Wednesday, Jan. 7. A pleasant day but cold. All of our
sabres were turned over, Lieutenant Simpson taking them to Memphis,
also all the worthless horses. Our former orderly, J. G. S. Hayward,
bade us good-bye in the morning; left for the North with G. W. Giles and
John Campbell, all of which had been discharged. Infantry building
breastworks. Van Dorn reported to be at Byhalia. Pickets doubled.
Anticipation of an attack. Slept with our clothes on. E. P. Dixon, T. J.
Hungerford and Mikolay Dziewanowski sent out as scouts in the night.
Buntyn Station, Thursday, Jan. 8. News reached us of a glorious victory
at Murfreesboro by General Rosecrans. Rec'd hay for horses. E. Morrill
formerly of Sauk City, now of 23rd Wisconsin Regiment stayed with us.
Buntyn Station, Friday, Jan. 9. Rather damp and cold. Infantry still
felling trees and fortifying. Paymaster on the line paying off the
troops, giving them two months' wages. Scouts sent out several times a
day. Weather damp. Health impaired somewhat. Troubled with diarrhea. No
news from Vicksburg.
Buntyn Station, Saturday, Jan. 10. Warm and pleasant. Orders to hold
ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Went out with
Evans to forage. Got some sweet potatoes from a citizen. Drew soft bread
at the quartermaster's taken from Memphis. Sad news from Vicksburg.
Sherman's forces withdrawn to Napoleon. Health better. Drilled on the
piece.
Buntyn Station, Sunday, Jan. 11. Warm and rainy. Received a letter from
home dated the 2nd. Went out to exercise the horses in the morning. Went
on the once famous Memphis race course, passed twice around and
returned. Several races. Those who were present at the August muster,
signed the payroll to be paid to-morrow, two months' wages.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Jan. 12. The scouts Sunday were driven back, or
rather, hearing the noise of advancing troopers, they withdrew, and
this morning, 3:30 A. M. sixteen men, were mounted and sent out under
charge of Sergeant Hauxhurst. They scoured the country for nine miles
south and returned without seeing any armed person, but reported that
they had been seen. They returned at about 11 A. M. Men were detailed to
fell trees on the right to protect our flank. Rec'd four papers from
home.
Buntyn Station, Tuesday, Jan. 13. Cloudy and appearance of rain. The
health in general is not very well, several troubled with ague, etc.,
supposed to be owing to the water which is very bad, being taken out of
an artificial pond. Stood guard. Rained very heavy in the night.
Buntyn Station, Wednesday, Jan 14. This morning, while it was yet dark,
Sergeant Hamilton came to our door, calling upon Evans to harness and
hitch up team. I being on guard, coupled the horses, stood until 8
o'clock, when they were unhitched and unharnessed. Marched from 2
o'clock. Roll call. After [marched] to the headquarters of the 48th
Indiana to be paid off, the boys having two months' pay. I received
none. Raining heavy all day. Five months in the service of Uncle Sam.
[Sidenote: 1863 A Cold Night]
Buntyn Station, Thursday, Jan. 15. The rain of the day before has turned
into snow during the night, and I awoke to find the ground all white, my
head imbedded in a snow drift. Looked out to see the 4th Platoon boys
crawling out from under the snow, their tent having given way under the
weight and rolled aside. It was a little the hardest sight seen during
my campaign, but there was no murmur, all were jovial and contented. We
had to take the horses, who were trembling at the rack, out to exercise
to the race course, against a blinding storm of snow from the west. In
the afternoon it stopped snowing, leaving about a foot deep on the
ground. Many of the boys gone to Memphis.
Buntyn Station, Friday, Jan. 16. Clear though cold morning. S. Beaver,
S. E. Sweet, E. W. Evans, T. J. Hungerford and myself, having a permit
from Captain, started for Memphis at 8 in the morning, going afoot on
the railroad. Travelled briskly until within two miles of town, when we
were halted by a guard, with orders not to pass any officer or private
of Quinby's Division without a pass signed by officer commanding, but
suggested that we had been in the service long enough to know how to
pass a guard. Taking the hint we turned back about fifteen rods, then
going through the snow around a field, passed in to town undisturbed.
Stayed in town some four hours, went to the gallery, had my likeness
taken. Spent money. Returned by the evening roll call better off than
most of the boys, as we were able to walk straight as we had taken no
liquor. Considerable tired nevertheless.
Buntyn Station, Saturday, Jan. 17. Was spent in resting from the tramp
to town. Sunny but raw, did not take much of the snow off. Rebuilt our
chimney.
Buntyn Station, Sunday, Jan. 18. Most of the snow made its disappearance
to-day. Cloudy in the afternoon. Health very good. Anxious for mail.
Rec'd none since the 13th.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Jan. 19. Rainy and disagreeable. Logan's
Division passed on the R. R. going towards Memphis. Rec'd three letters,
four newspapers.
Buntyn Station, Tuesday, Jan. 20. Still rainy and muddy. Orderly
Jenawein gone to town. Sergeant Hauxhurst acting. Health good.
Buntyn Station, Wednesday, Jan. 21. One day without any rain, which
dried up underfoot somewhat. Health excellent. On guard. No news from
below.
Buntyn Station, Thursday, Jan. 22. Sunny and warm. All quiet in camp.
Exercised the horses on the course. Weighed 140 pounds. Read Parson
Brownlow's book in the evening.
Buntyn Station, Friday, Jan. 23. Spent the day in darning stockings.
Listened to Brownlow read in tent. But when night came there was a scene
at once ludicrous and deplorable. Music was started in the 4th Platoon
tent; Parker with his fiddle, Bill Bailey with the banjo, Day's
tambourine. Byness with the bones, and Goodman's clarinet. But
Quartermaster had brought some bottled whiskey into camp and it broke up
in a drunken row. * * * Deplorable, deplorable sight. Rec'd a letter
from Thomas and a Milwaukee _Sentinel_ of the 18th, mailed on the 20th
inst.
Buntyn Station, Saturday, Jan. 24. Rainy and dark all day. Health good.
Battery in general dull from the effects of last night's carousal.
_Price of army clothing, Oct. 1862._
Hats, naked $1.68
Cord and tassel .15
Eagle .14
Cross Cannons .03
Jacket 5.55
Trousers 4.60
Woolen shirts 1.46
Woolen drawers .95
Stockings .32
Sewed boots 3.25
Pegged boots 2.87
Overcoat 11.50
Woolen Blanket 3.60
Lined sack coats 3.14
Canteen .44
Knapsack 2.14
Haversack, glazed .56
Rubber pouch 2.90
[Sidenote: 1863 Home Letters]
Buntyn Station, Sunday, Jan. 25. Sunny in the morning, but clouded over
by afternoon and rained heavy while out on exercise; got beautifully
wet. Received the N. Y. _Tribune_ from John, mailed 18th. Letter from
Mary, Jen and James (his first letter). May he be permitted to live a
useful and intelligent life to comfort my aged parents. Prospect of
their once more finding a home in Dodge Hollow, Iowa County. May they
live to see their children once more gathered in the old homestead.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Jan. 26. Rain, rain, rain. Turned cold towards
night. Health not very good on account of the damp. Ague and rheumatism.
Buntyn Station, Tuesday, Jan. 27. Cold this morning. Came out sunny.
Buntyn Station, Wednesday, Jan. 28. Cold and clear. Froze hard in the
night. Went down to the 59th Indiana where there was a gallery. Took my
likeness for $1.00. Carriages washed clean for painting.
Buntyn Station, Thursday, Jan. 29. Warm and pleasant. Stood guard.
Health good. No mail.
Buntyn Station, Friday, Jan. 30. 4th Brigade of this Division passed
toward Memphis. Harnessed up in the afternoon in order to see if the
harnesses were in marching order. Indication of rain.
Buntyn Station, Saturday, Jan. 31. Sunny in the A. M. but clouded over
and there came a heavy spring shower. Rained nearly all night. Health
good.
[Sidenote: 1863 Sunday in Camp]
Buntyn Station, Sunday, Feb. 1. It is Sunday, but hard to realize it.
The same routine is gone through as upon the other days, the cards
shuffled with equal liveliness, the game of ball with the same noise.
And I lay in my tent never realizing that this is the Sunday that I used
to spend at home with such stillness, when the horses stayed in the
stable unhitched, all work laid aside. Ah, well I remember the first
Sunday spent in the army, how I used to recoil as I heard the boisterous
oaths and reckless sport of the soldiers as they were returning to their
comrades on that clear Sunday morning from Columbus to Corinth. It was
just five months ago to-day, and am I really so much changed? Can it be
that I am so much more vicious and wicked than then, that I heed not the
Sabbath? God forbid. But what does company have to do? Almost
everything. I flatter myself that it is not so very wicked. It cannot
be.
In the evening I went to Griffith's "shebang" and listened to sacred
music. It sounded as of old. "I'm a Pilgrim", "There is a Happy Land"
etc. But a soldier is a soldier, and the "Dixie" and "Gay and Happy"
were promiscuously mixed. Weather warm and sunny. Heard that the 2nd
Wisconsin Cavalry were at Memphis.
Buntyn Station, Monday, Feb. 2. Cold, and toward the evening windy. S.
Beaver went down town in search of his brother wounded at Arkansas Post,
but returned without finding him. Gone up the river.
Buntyn Station, Tuesday, Feb. 3. Very cold for this latitude, having
frozen water one-quarter of an inch in thickness. Detailed to go with
the teams down town. Got there by 10 A. M. Loaded four teams with hay,
having to take it out of a barge. Heavy work. After they were loaded,
Griffith and myself went around to do a little business. Meantime, the
teams started, thus obliging us to walk home. Came into camp by 6 P. M.
The 93rd Indiana Volunteers came to the station by rail and pitched
their tents alongside of the 48th.
Buntyn Station, Wednesday, Feb. 4. Cold and clear as a bell. Exercised
our horses for two hours under Sergeant Runyan. A. Goodman with two
others of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry made us a visit, they being encamped
within the limits of the town. Turned warm in the afternoon, and turned
into snow which fell heavy till dark.
Buntyn Station, Thursday, Feb. 5. About three inches of snow. Quite cold
all day. E. W. E. went to town; was called on to guard S. Sanger for
discharging a revolver. Very cold.
Buntyn Station, Friday, Feb. 6. Temperature what they would call quite
sharp, but indicative of a fine day. Most of the snow disappeared
during the day. Health excellent. Spelling school in the evening at G.
Thomas's shanty.
Buntyn Station, Saturday, Feb. 7. Quite cold in the morning. The frosty
air rather keen in our well ventilated house, but a brisk fire soon made
us comfortable. 4th Minnesota Infantry and the 12th Wisconsin Battery
passed by toward Memphis. We are to go in the morning.