Division train moved in the center and we were in the rear, we did not
get started till 1 P. M. The bottom on each side of Yellow River was
very wet, the bridges bad, so there was considerable delay in starting,
but after we started we marched very fast and had few halts. The soil
was a light sandy loam, poorly timbered, rather hilly. Halted at 4 P. M.
The big drum taken forward in the wagon, and we walked through Iuka with
the 1st Brigade Band playing lively airs. Found the 2nd Division posted
here, the 1st commanded by General Osterhaus, having left this morning.
Iuka is, or was, a very pleasant town, larger than Corinth, celebrated
for its medicinal springs, two of which are enclosed very tastefully in
a beautiful grove of young oaks. Went into camp south of town in a large
field with the whole Division quartered in their tents before us.
Osterhaus's Division having left in the morning leaving boards, bunks,
etc., we were soon in comfortable quarters. Retired early but were
awakened at 9 P. M. to report at roll call, an order having been sent to
report all absentees. The Division, as usual, pillaging down-town.
Nearly $3000 worth of goods having been stolen, the outlaws being in the
shape of a regiment led by a Major "straps and colors" etc. Luckily the
artillery boys were all in camp.
[Sidenote: 1863 Thoughtless Boys]
Iuka, Tuesday, Oct. 20. Cloudy and windy morning. Health very good.
Prepared to march in morning, but did not move. Cleared off very
pleasantly. Wrote a letter to Albion. Had beefsteak for dinner, having
paid 10 cents per pound. The water we got from a pearly spring but
heavily tainted with mineral so as to be very unpalatable. Much talk
about the disgraceful affair of last night. Happened to be done by
members of the 2nd Division mostly, and it is supposed that General
Smith will assess the damage from the pay of all absentees at last
night's roll call. It will be no more than just. I think that our
Division is getting to be the worst in the Department. Everything is
left unmolested by other troops, but when we come along, jayhawking and
pillaging is the order of the day. It is done by unscrupulous young men
or boys rather, having been removed from all restraint of society and
parents, led into extravagant use of money by the spendthrift, finding
$13 per month too short, they resort to this means to make "a raise". It
is certainly too bad to think that one would so far forget his home and
family as to shock them with their deportment, did they but know.
Lieutenant Simpson returned on 2 P. M. train with supply of nose bags,
halters, ammunition, etc. but no horses, which are the most needed.
Camp on Bear Creek, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 21. Rainy morning. Ready to
move at 10 A. M., but as large wagon train was to go ahead of us and the
roads were slippery, we did not start till noon, all this time being in
a turmoil. I sat in my saddle with my head protruding through the
rubber, moodily wondering if we would ever start. Marched in the center
of the Division about four miles from Iuka. Struck a range of hills, and
our road lay through narrow and crooked valleys, much of the way being
gravelly. Passed very pretty spring brooks, crossed the R. R. about the
state line. A squad of engineers stationed there. Struck Bear Creek 4 P.
M., which is a beautiful stream four rods wide and fordable where
crossed; runs swift over a pebbly bed. Came into camp on the east side
in a valley two miles wide, high ridges on either side, the Battery in a
cultivated field, the tents in a belt of timber. Cooked our supper,
which was of flour and fresh beef and pancakes. Heavy cannonading heard
in front, supposed to be ten miles distant. Cogswell's 1st Chicago
Independent Battery attached to our Division, four guns, James new
pattern, good looking lot of men and horses. Lay down in a damp bed to
take our first night's sleep in "Alabam."
Camp on Bear Creek, Thursday, Oct. 22. The 3rd Brigade came up this
morning bright and early. The train stuck in the mud, so they did not
come through last night. Did not move. Wrote a letter home this morning.
Washed a shirt and pair of socks in the P. M. Information received at
headquarters that a battery of six 12-pound light guns had been shipped
for us to Vicksburg, also one for the 12th Battery. Efforts are being
made to send an officer after them; hope they will succeed. I gather
news from the front that Osterhaus, who is in the advance, encountered
Roddey's command, they coming up in federal uniform, killing Colonel W.
M. Torrence, 30th Iowa and several others after which they skedaddled.
This was the firing heard last night. Batteries were opened on them.
Forrest is reported at Tuscumbia, strongly fortified, determined to
retard our progress. J. W. Jenawein was to-day made second lieutenant,
and Joseph Hood 6th sergeant orderly instead. Mail arrived 9 P. M.
[Sidenote: 1863 Cold in the South]
Dickson Station, Ala., Friday, Oct. 23. Reveille before daylight.
Raining very heavy. Orders to march at 7 A. M. We were on the advance of
the column, and an order came to hitch up and strike tents before the
cooks had breakfast started. The rain was very cold and my fingers were
numb before I got my team harnessed and hitched. It was very
disagreeable work. "Stand to Horse" was sounded before we were fairly
hitched up, and we started out on a trot to pass the regiments as we
were behindhand. The road was muddy and rough, the horses all trembling
from cold, and the drivers with wet clothes and cold hands, shivering
and wishing they could go to the stove and warm--(that is, in
Wisconsin). But we moved on lively passing over several ridges, then the
valley widened into a very pretty cultivated country. Our road lay along
the railroad, the track of which was badly destroyed. All the trestle
work burned, and a fire built at the end of each rail crooking it so as
to destroy it. The column halted at Dickson Station, a tiny depot
building with a fine farming country on each side and extensive
buildings. The fence was torn down, and we came into battery in a field
of clover. A large fire of rails was started, and we warmed while the
General looked for camping ground and water. In half an hour Dillon's
orderly came back and we moved to the right half a mile, and came into
camp nearly on the bluffs, unharnessed, tied our horses to the trees and
stuck up our tents in the mud, but found boards to floor it and plenty
of rye straw to lie on. We built a fire in front of it, and got partly
warmed by 1 P. M. I was soon called on guard and I suffered very much
from the cold.
Dickson Station, Saturday, Oct. 24. A clear but cold night, but with the
aid of a blazing fire I spent the hours quickly. To-day it is cloudy and
cold. A cold day South is far more disagreeable than in Wisconsin. It is
always accompanied with rain, consequently very damp, and the wind
pierces through the body although it does not freeze. Two teams with
Sergeant Hood started for Iuka early. We are about three miles from the
front. The smoke of Osterhaus's Division is clearly seen. Blair's on
this side of it. They have laid here several days, but we find plenty of
forage. Two beeves were brought in by our Platoon and Evans and Blake
went and dug out a sweet potato patch for the twenty-fourth time.
Succeeded in finding a fine mess. Corn is brought in by teams. Artillery
firing could be heard in front this morning; result I have not heard.
Four of the 4th Brigade captured by guile.
Dickson Station, Sunday, Oct. 25. A very pleasant day and quietly spent.
Firing heard in the front with artillery about noon. Enemy reported to
be fortifying and on the advance. Our Division ordered to be ready to
move to the front at any moment. Teams returned from Iuka at 9 A. M.,
Billy Hamilton having started at 2 A. M. this morning. Looks very badly
and discouraged. Drew clothing. I drew a pair of pants. Wrote to T. L.
None received. Two loads of corn brought in.
Dickson Station, Monday, Oct. 26. Long before reveille I was awake
listening to heavy roar of artillery in the front, which at times was
quite rapid. Can't be more than three miles away. The 56th Illinois and
18th Wisconsin went out at midnight with orders to report to Osterhaus
at 3 A. M. The firing gradually ceased but could be heard occasionally
during the day. General order No. 63 from W. T. Sherman was read to us
this morning at 9 A. M. A very able and just order for the government of
troops on the march and in camp. Four of the furloughed men returned.
Large forage trains sent out and returned plentifully laden with the
good things of the Confederacy. Health and spirits of the boys very good
and all is lively about camp.
Dickson Station, Tuesday, Oct. 27. A fine day. In good spirits. Drill
call sounded at 9 A. M. We hitched up and had battery drill for two
hours under Lieutenant Clark. The drilling was rather poor, many
blunders. Clark is not as good a drillmaster as Dillon, not enough
vivacity and life. 12th Battery was out also. All quiet in front, men
working on the R. R. opposite here. Expect the cars up soon. After
dinner E. W. E., B. F. Blake and myself went into the woods after
walnuts. Found them in plenty about a mile out, cracked all we could eat
and returned with two bags full, with blackened fingers and plenty of
fun. "Special Artillery Order No. 1" from Captain Dillon was read to us
at evening roll call by Orderly Sergeant Hood in regard to Confederate
clothing, none of which is allowed to be worn.
[Sidenote: 1863 Camp Amusements]
Dickson Station, Wednesday, Oct. 28. A beautiful day. Three teams sent
out after forage. E. W. E. went on detail. Our camp was lively during
the day, the boys having bought a pair of boxing gloves, and they were
continuously in use. After retreat squads were gathered around the camp
fire telling tales of the past and talking of pleasant anticipations to
come. It was a beautiful balmy evening and the night was far spent
before I betook myself to sleep, but to-morrow we march.
Chickasaw, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 29. We were called up long before
daylight, the stars brightly shining, and all was indicative of an early
move, camp fires blazing brightly in all directions, baggage wagons
a-moving and orderlies flying back and forth, but our place was in the
rear to-day, so we took our time. Piled all the corn my horses could eat
before them, cleaned them, then shelled my nose-bags full for the march.
By that time--had a splendid breakfast ready of fresh meat, sweet
potatoes and fried crackers. Harnessed and hitched up by seven; was on
the road by 7 A. M., but as the Division train was to go ahead of us, we
were delayed considerable before we got under way. Frequent and heavy
booms of cannonading could be plainly heard to the east, with a distant
roll of musketry, and we knew not but we were going into a fight. But we
took a road leading directly north, crossing the railroad. We marched
slow, frequent halts in the fore part of the day. Our course was
northwest through poor country, hilly, timbered with scrub oak and pine,
the road crooked and very stony. Passed but few houses and these of the
poor rickety-log kind such as a well to do farmer would not put his
horse in. Clearings small, filled with stones and stumps, but generally
very good corn growing, and occasionally a patch of sweet potatoes
which suffered from the hands of thoughtless soldiers; but I could not
think of laying hands on the small stock of the poor half-clad old women
and children we saw. Halted at noon and fed, putting on our nose-bags
without unhitching. The water along the road was beautiful pearly
springs and pebbly brooks on every side, which was enticing to look at.
(Who would ask for better beverage than this?) Reached Chickasaw--a
small deserted place on the Tennessee River, by 5 P. M.; found the other
brigades here. The advance arrived a little after noon, but have not yet
unharnessed as they expect to cross the river. We unharnessed and fed.
Stuck up our tents as it looked like rain, but we were told we would
have to cross to-night. A mile below is Eastport, Miss., where a good
boat is busy at work crossing over the 4th Division. Health and spirit
good, but would like to get mail.
Chickasaw, Friday, Oct. 30. Were not called out last night as expected,
and this morning it is raining very heavy and the day was spent very
disagreeably; cold, wet and muddy. The gunboats did not cross all of the
4th Division till 9 A. M., when it ran up here from Eastport and
commenced putting the 2nd Brigade over, the teams and wagons on a barge,
and men on board the boat. Cogswell's Battery moved out at dusk, but did
not get across until late in the night. The troops on the other side
were in a pitiful condition, no tents or shelter and apparently but few
rails. The 2nd Division in command of Morgan L. Smith came in late in
the afternoon. I rode out about a mile and a half after feed for horses.
Brought back a bunch of fodder and a pumpkin. Mail arrived. Rec'd a
letter from John written the 21st. Mother gaining. Six cases of smallpox
in the Division.
Waterloo, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 31. The rain has cleared off and it is a
fine and clear morning but rather cold. Mustered by Lieutenant S. F.
Clark for pay for the months of September and October, after which we
marched up to go across on the transports (stern wheels). Came up the
river three miles under escort of the gunboats, loaded with commissary
stores. Did not get to the ferry till 4 P. M. The guns and wagons were
loaded on a barge and sent across by the "Anglo Saxon." The horses sent
down stream to be taken across by the "Masonic Gem", but it was so small
that it took three trips to get across. I got over on the second trip.
We were landed half a mile above the guns and we galloped across the
other bank. It was dark before I got to the Battery (it was in a large
field of corn). Fed my horses all they could eat, having had nothing
since morning, and filled their nosebags. Mail arrived. By that time I
found Evie with a fine supper of coffee, sweet potatoes and raw ham
(which we bought of the commissary, 3 cts. per lb.) with hard crackers
for dessert. Obliged to wait for the other horses until 9 P. M. After
awhile we moved out three miles to camp, came into camp and got into bed
by 11:30 P. M. in a negro shanty. Two companies of 4th U. S. Cavalry
arrived from Huntsville, Ala. with dispatches to Sherman.
[Sidenote: 1863 A Friendly Country]
Waterloo, Sunday, Nov. 1. I was called on guard at 3 A. M. and reveille
was sounded at 5, so I got but little sleep. We expected to move, and
prepared after breakfast, but as we did not go, I got my portfolio and
wrote two letters. The citizens were quite communicative, squads of
young ladies and old men walking through the camp. It is a small,
insignificant looking place, country stores, houses, etc. known as
Waterloo. Foragers doing a good business. The 3rd Brigade came down and
went into camp 11 A. M. 3 P. M. while we were all taking it easy, "Boots
and Saddles" was sounded, and we were told to hitch up as quickly as
possible. In fifteen minutes we were on the road, tents in the wagons
and everything ready. Double quicked it for nearly a mile, to get into
our proper place. Marched very fast with no stoppages except rests given
two or three times, thirty minutes in length. Marched through bluffy
and steep country, the road winding. Did not come into camp until 9 P.
M. Our road lay for the last three miles through a deep gorge with very
high hills on both sides. Fires were built to guard us from the ditches.
After we stopped I was obliged to sit up an hour waiting for the wagons,
so as to feed my horses. Very sleepy and tired. Went to bed in open air
and slept sound till reveille.
[Sidenote: 1863 Capture and Parole]
Florence, Ala., Monday, Nov. 2. Reveille sounded at 5 A. M. this
morning, and at 6 we were on the road. We marched by brigades. The 2nd
is a day's march ahead and the 3rd behind. In this way all the necessary
delays in marching along are avoided. The Division train generally moves
with us. The first five miles was rocky and stony with plenty of
beautiful springs, but after that the country was more level, of red
clayey soil. We passed some fine fields but a large portion of it is in
its wild state waiting for the hand of enterprise and industry to
convert it into productive fields of wealth. Halted at Cypress Mills
half an hour at 3 o'clock. Watered our horses in creek of same mill. A
good water power here which used to move a large cotton factory owned by
the furious rebel John Morgan. The factories were burned last May by
Colonel ---- as they were manufacturing for the C. S. A. The people here
were represented to be all Union people. Squads of factory girls were
strung along the road, some of them good looking, others passable. An
old woman did good business selling milk at 5 cts. a drink. Many of them
wore Union badges and inquired for the Alabama Cavalry. This was three
miles from Florence and we reached it by 4 P. M. Went into camp on the
outskirts of the town. A beautiful college located here, three stories
high, of brick, and built after the manner of ancient castles. Tuscumbia
is on the other side of the Tennessee River. A branch R. R. five miles
long formerly connected the two places. Rebs represented to be at
Tuscumbia in force and to shoot every blue "breech" they see on this
side. R. Randolph captured by rebs and paroled. He was detailed to go
with forage train in the evening, strayed off, and was gobbled up by a
couple of cavalry. Paroled and sent back. He arrived in camp after night
completely worn out. His parole was not properly drawn, and will not be
respected by our authorities. 2nd Brigade moved out at 5, after drawing
five days' rations from Division teams. We have forty-seven miles to go
in the next two days.
En route, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Called out at 3 A. M., and I thought it was
no more than ten as I was very sleepy. At 5 A. M. we moved out, marched
through the sleeping town with drum and fife playing, colors flying.
Florence like most southern towns, is built with due regard to elegance
and comfort, roomy sidewalks with spacious door yards filled with fine
shrubbery and trees. Took a northerly course and marched twenty miles
with no unnecessary delays and very fast. The infantry many of them
falling back long before night; frequent rests were given of about
twenty minutes in length. Crossed Shoal Creek at 10 A. M. A fine bridge
over it built on stone piers and carefully enclosed, the stream about
100 yards wide, shallow but very swift, over a rocky bed. Passed some
very fine country, but mostly inhabited by the poorer class and
cultivated by white labor. Saw but very little cotton growing, and that
of an inferior quality. Foraging done on a large scale by our boys.
Sweet potatoes and chickens in plenty. Division commissary getting up
beef cattle as we march. Came into camp near a very pretty creek with
high rocky banks, the name of which I did not learn, at 1 P. M. As soon
as we came in sight of camp, the infantry went out in squads in search
of meat, with guns. The woods were full of hogs, and it soon sounded
like heavy skirmishing, General Smith riding in great fury back and
forth, endeavoring to punish the guilty parties and put a stop to it. He
tied up several men by the limbs all night, but the boys got their
hogs. He is getting unpopular very fast with his men. J. Wolf, S. Beaver
and M. Dziewanowski detailed in the morning to go with E. W. E. in
search of horses. They returned late, having found forty mules in all
but no horses. We got twenty of them for the Battery and they will be
put in the teams instead of the broken down horses.
This was election day for Wisconsin. The polls were opened by a
commissioned officer about half an hour of sundown, and the electors
soon deposited their votes with no fuss or talk as is usual on such
occasions, more weighty matters being on hand. Lewis led Palmer (for
governor).
[Sidenote: 1863 A Poor Country]
En route, Wednesday, Nov. 4. Reveille sounded at 3 A. M. and the sleepy
camp was soon ready to march. Started at 5. It was a dense, foggy
morning and the red glare of innumerable camp fires lit up the infantry
in heavy columns, giving the surroundings of the camp a wild and
terrible aspect. We moved out moodily, the stars lighting us on our way
for nearly three miles and a half before daylight appeared. The road was
rough and covered with pebbles which made it very bad for the horses.
One of mine being barefooted is somewhat lame. 10 A. M. We came up on to
the camp of the 2nd Brigade at Rogersville, the town half a mile to the
left of us. The 4th Division had just returned, having found the bridge
over Elk River destroyed. Then it moved out on another road leading
north, which gives twenty miles more travel I understand. We halted for
three hours, unhitched and unharnessed, cleaned off our horses and fed
them. The 2nd Brigade moved out soon after we came in. The 3rd Brigade
came up at 12 M. At 1 P. M. we again took the road and an easy march of
six miles took us to camp on a good creek, an old fashioned breast-wheel
grist mill close by, the name I did not learn. The first five miles was
a flat timbered country, uncultivated, but when we came towards the
creek it broke up in hills and rocks where poor folks lived and picked
up a scanty living. As soon as we approached camp, guns were heard in
every direction, more than last night. Several bullets flew directly
over camp, but fortunately nobody was hurt. Officers of the day and
staff officers galloped in every direction endeavoring to stop it. A
camp guard was thrown around the infantry with orders to keep all men
from going in who had guns. But General Smith had commenced too late to
stop this Division from foraging. The guards sat down and always looked
the wrong way, and meat in plenty was brought. Our mess had laid in a
supply early in the morning: six chickens, a beef and a goose was our
stock for eight men. Mail received late in the evening but I received
"nary" one.
Gilbertsboro, Ala., Thursday, Nov. 5. Thanks to the corporal of the
guard we did not get up till nearly 4 A. M. this morning, as he slept
and did not wake the orderly at the proper time. But we had to hurry up
to start at 5 A. M. which was a good while before daylight. Left the 3rd
Brigade behind. They were just having reveille. A cloudy morning.
Marched six miles through a flat country heavily timbered, with
excellent soil, but entirely uncultivated. It lies in the hands of
speculators. When we neared Sugar Creek it became bluffy and rocky,
which was all fenced and cultivated by poor folks. Came up to the 2nd
Brigade here and we halted three hours to allow them to get out of the
way. We went to a neighboring corn crib, and shelled nose bags full of
corn. Commenced raining very heavily. At 1 P. M. we hitched and started
out. The rain fell in torrents but the boys were as merry as ever and
forgot the wet in singing. Halting, the infantry built a bridge across
the stream with rails. Marched very lively over a hilly road but rich
valley. The clay, which in dry weather made good roads, was soon
converted into bottomless mud. Came into camp at sundown at
Gilbertsboro, Limestone County, Alabama. A very rich plantation here
surrounded by very high hills. A large amount of fodder and hay was
stored away in the surrounding houses which were soon emptied by the
boys and fed to the horses or made for beds. Hungarian grass and millet
was the most of it. Division commissary issued out plenty of fresh meat
for the boys and there was not much shooting. This evening thirty
barrels of whiskey was found buried by the 48th Indiana close to camp,
so there were several drunken men in camp.