number, started on their long anticipated furlough. They were almost
beside themselves with pleasant anticipations, as they were greeted with
a good-bye that came from the hearts of the comrades they leave behind.
I could but think of the time when we should all be permitted to return,
with no compulsions to return. Oh, happy day! May it soon come! E. W. E.
returned this morning. Left me again alone in my tent. Much excitement
prevails as to what will be done with the superfluous men after being
reduced to four guns.
[Sidenote: 1864 Yankee Sermon]
Huntsville, Sunday, April 17. A beautiful and holy Sabbath morning.
Warmed even the coldest heart to softness and filled the thoughtful mind
with piety, though to many imperceptibly. Knapsack inspection at 8 A. M.
Afterwards D. J. D., Griff and myself attended Sabbath school taught by
a chaplain. The presiding elder of the Methodist church was sick, and to
my astonishment the Yankee chaplain was invited to preach, which he did
very fittingly, delivering an excellent sermon from Romans 8th chapter,
XV verse. Went down in the afternoon to witness the baptizing at the
Methodist church, but we were too late. Visited the new font that is
going up, and caught in heavy rain storm before we got back.
Huntsville, Monday, April 18. Rained very heavy all night. Dark heavy
clouds hung over us this morning which slowly dispersed as the day
advanced. Windy in the evening and chilly, uncommon in this country.
18th Wisconsin Infantry broke camp at the public square and came up on
our left. The 17th Iowa relieved them from provost duty. News reached us
of the horrible massacre of our troops at Fort Pillow, heart sickening.
How long will such things last? Preparations were made to turn the
fourth and first pieces over, but we have no horses to draw them.
Huntsville, Tuesday, April 19. Nice day. Very small mail this morning.
Anxiously waiting for my weekly letter from home. Three days behind.
Health is very good except my eyes bother me considerable. I am afraid
they will grow worse with the warm weather. Monthly inspection by
Captains ---- and ---- at 10 A. M. Inspected at our posts, after which
our quarters were examined. Every man was required to stand at attention
by his bunk and salute them as they came. 'Tis hard to pay respects to
unworthy beings, but we must if they have shoulder straps.
Huntsville, Wednesday, April 20. Cogswell's Battery turned their horses
over to us late last evening, and this morning broke camp, and go to
Nashville by rail to-night for the field. I was given a team once more,
a good large span of bays. Two guns, caisson, harness and all equipments
pertaining to them were turned over this afternoon. I drove my team down
with them leaving us but two guns in our park.
I was rendered half crazy all the forenoon by the greatest of plagues,
the toothache in back tooth. Could not lie, or sit, or talk, eat or
drink with it. After dinner Dr. Griswold laid siege to it. After taking
a hitch on it and pulling with all his might, showing me a beautiful
panorama of stars, it came out and bothered me no more. Heavy
cannonading could be heard from 2 to 4 P. M. in the direction of
Decatur.
Huntsville, Thursday, April 21. Awoke this morning with eyes heavily
sealed and jaw from which the tooth was taken swollen to a mouthful.
Felt very well otherwise. Pleasant ride to the spring in the morning.
Returned in time to fall in for policing, a big job, very dusty and wind
blowing. Did not get through till noon. Artillery firing heard this
afternoon, at times very rapidly. Gunboat on Tennessee River it is said.
Skirmish in vicinity of Decatur continues.
Huntsville, Friday, April 22. Health very good. Papers bring us very bad
news from sea, which had quite a depressing effect upon my spirits.
Every reverse retards that anxiously longed for moment when "peace
reigneth". The hottest day of the season by several degrees, an
impressive forerunner of the fire that will soon be upon us. Signed
receipt rolls, would rather it were pay rolls. Sanitary gave us a meal
of kraut and onions. Blessed be the donors.
Huntsville, Saturday, April 23. Worked hard all the forenoon hauling the
refuse from picket rope, but not to enrich the corn field as of old.
Drew twenty-five good new horses direct from Nashville, nearly enough
now. The weather was most disagreeable. Warm and sultry wind all day,
driving the dust in blinding clouds, finding its way through the many
cracks of my bachelor's hall, settling in thick layers of clean dust
upon bed, desk and everything, the dust filling my eyes, etc. Awful!
[Sidenote: 1864 Southern Sermon]
Huntsville, Sunday, April 24. Awoke to hear the rain pattering thick and
fast on the pine boards overhead. At first I was dissatisfied with the
anticipation of a wet day with mud--very blue, but at the thought of
yesterday's dusty ordeal I could but say, "blessed be the rain that
clears the atmosphere and makes all nature look more pleasing when it
ceases." Cleared off into a most delightful day by 9 A. M., and I
listened to a thorough scientific sermon from Dr. Ross upon technical
points, existence of evil. His arguments were very concise and binding.
Although differing in opinion I received many new ideas. He is one of
the leading Southern clergy and formerly a rabid secessionist, and
to-day he touched upon the war, but so nicely that it could not
displease any of his audience which was composed of the two extremes,
viz: Yankee soldiers and secesh women. He sat way up, he said, upon his
faith in God, "looking down upon the struggle with as much composure as
though they were but the convulsions of so many pigmies--God would do it
right". Just found it out I suppose. Two regiments of Osterhaus's
Division marched by toward Decatur this morning with no wagons or
ambulances. Go to the front.
Huntsville, Monday, April 25. A pleasant growing day. Health very good
and "nary" bit discouraged. One year ago to-day we started on the ever
memorable campaign from Millikens Bend which resulted in the glorious
surrender of Vicksburg. Would to God that we could accomplish another
this spring. Willingly would I face the hardships, exposures and dangers
to accomplish it. But I try to school myself to patience. I know that
the same hero is now at the helm, and we are waiting with breathless
suspense to hear his movements, and in conjunction with it we are also
under marching orders. All the preliminaries are issued, baggage to be
cut down to two teams, everything to be in light trim for the field. Any
moment we may pack up, preparatory to which we spent most of the
forenoon in harnessing the teams and putting things together, etc. All
is new and mixed up.
Friend E. W. E. up from the Tennessee River after rations. Obtained
permission of Lieutenant Clark to return with him in the morning and
relieve D. Hayes. M. Hungerford takes my team. Heavy details of infantry
are continually kept at work at the fortification of Huntsville. It will
soon be that it can be held by a few men.
Fort Hall, Whitesburg, Ala., Tuesday, April 26. Busied myself this
morning to prepare, and after breakfast we started on horseback. The day
was delightful, and our road lay through one of the most enchanting
valleys I ever travelled through, skirted on each side by a low ridge of
the Cumberland Mountains which, dressed in the richest verdure of
spring, with the evergreens here and there raising their dark heads
among the new green leaves in beautiful contrast. The valley was about
five miles wide, all of which had been under long cultivation. Stumps
all out, large fields were plowed in the rude Southern style, and large
droves of negroes and mules at work planting cotton, a pleasing insight
to the domestic life of the South; but the driver's lash and hound were
not there. The same large landed estates were apparent here as
elsewhere, houses infrequent. I could but picture in my mind's eye the
industrious farmer of the North in his neat white house and 160 acres of
land scattered over it with school-houses on every corner. Liberal
institutions and improved cultivation would make this an earthly
paradise.
Reached Whitesburg by 12 M. after one of the pleasantest rides I ever
enjoyed. Found the boys all well and in good spirits, very neatly
quartered in Fort Hall with one company of infantry with them.
After supper Evie and I went fishing in Tennessee River, dropped our
lines and watched the rebels on the opposite side of the river on
picket. Breastworks are to be seen but apparently vacant.
[Sidenote: 1864 A Ruined Town]
Fort Hall, Wednesday, April 27. Very heavy rain last night. Bright
morning. The 56th Illinois stationed here. Were inspected by Colonel
Raum, commanding 2nd Brigade. Examined our quarters and fortifications,
after which he and the other officers turned in and had a game of wicket
ball. Spent most of the day in looking at the used-to-be town, etc. It
consists now of four or five churches and as many houses and chimneys;
was once a thriving steamboat landing. River here is narrow, running
through noiseless on either side. Four families live in one out-house,
with about forty wee children, half naked and half starved, all the men
in the Confederate army, being the most pitiful objects. Saw one woman
108 years old amongst them, an appalling sight. Two or three other
families staying here, seem to be very friendly to soldiers, especially
the young ladies.
Bathed in the waters of the Tennessee in the evening, 6 P. M. The
anticipated but welcome orders came for us to report to Huntsville in
the morning.
8 P. M. when all was still, a sentinel fired his piece on outpost. The
reserve fired the alarm and instanter the long roll rattled the well
known story of "fall in" which was promptly obeyed. We were out and at
our posts. Moved our pieces so as to bear in the proper direction, when
the infantry came in on double quick and filed into the pits and
defenses. Not a word was spoken, and in less than ten minutes we were
all snugly inside waiting for them. Lay still thirty minutes when we
were dismissed, and all were as heedless and unconscious of danger as
before the alarm. Probably a mule, too obstinate to "halt" was the whole
cause. Such are the incidents of an outpost which the soldier soon gets
used to and conforms with them with as much complacency as though they
were to eat.
Huntsville, Thursday, April 28. Quietly we prepared and at 7 A. M. we
pulled out, much to the regret of the 56th Illinois. Artillery always
has a great encouragement to infantry. With its presence they feel safe
and strong in any emergency. The boys who had been here since the first,
and had worked hard to fortify and build, of course at first felt a
little dissatisfied to leave, but they were too good soldiers to allow
any such feelings to cloud upon their brows; but cheerfully submit "to
the powers that be".
A warm and quick march of twelve miles, brought us to Huntsville by 11
A. M. Found the old camp on Russell Hill much agitated from the numerous
and conflicting orders to march received yesterday, one of which was to
march at daylight this morning. All the baggage reduced as much as
possible, only two wagons allowed to a battery. Nearly everybody is busy
at work packing up boxes to be sent home, all containing superfluous
clothing. E. W. E., T. J. H., G. T. and myself packed one of a similar
nature. I sent my old friendly overcoat that has comforted me for nearly
twenty months, and a pair of rebel spurs bought at Vicksburg from a
prisoner, and worn all through last fall campaign, now worn out. Eyes
very sore to-night after marching, inflamed and red; bathed them
tenderly.
Huntsville, Friday, April 29. Hot and sultry day. Health very good with
exceptions. Took the box to the express office in the morning; had to
obtain a permit from Provost Marshal. The express office was crowded so
that I had to wait nearly two hours. Boxes, barrels and bundles--no end
to them! The four-gun organization was completed. Men distributed and
Sergeant Dixon has charge of second piece, hence I have 3rd Platoon.
Drilled Battery two hours in the afternoon on grass plat near depot,
pleasant if it was not so warm. Everybody is ready for the speediest
word, no more ever inquiring where we are to go, accepting the result as
immaterial.
Huntsville, Saturday, April 30. Probabilities of a march greatly
lessened. To-day 3rd Division assigned to guard the line of
communication from Stevenson to Decatur, nearly eighty miles of road.
The duty will be very heavy for infantry and active for all, if the
enemy assume the offensive. 3rd Brigade under General Matthies left this
morning on the railroad to Decatur where they will relieve General
Dodge's troops. Rainy forenoon. Went after rations to town. Sanitary
gave us a mess of vegetables, etc.
Huntsville, Sunday, May 1. On guard as supernumerary, and instead of
attending Sabbath school at 9 A. M. as I would wish, I underwent the
ceremony of brigade guard mounting, inspection of arms, drums and fifes,
etc. for nearly an hour. A very beautiful day. Two brigades of Dodge's
command came in this afternoon, one from Athens, the other from Pulaski.
They go to join in the forward movement. Gen. John A. Logan left to-day
with staff and escort for the front, a gay and dashing cavalcade. May
the rebels tremble when they hear his approach.
[Sidenote: 1864 Real Yankees]
Huntsville, Monday, May 2. A cold, windy day for this time of the year.
At night a fire was very comfortable. Expect to move camp nearer to town
soon so as to shorten the picket line. The left wing of the 16th Corps
under Dodge was moving in all day. Stood on the roadside most of the
afternoon, the first time we were ever permitted to see a moving column
without ourselves forming a part of it. 25th Wisconsin passed. Many of
our boys found acquaintances and friends. In the same Brigade was a
regiment of Yanks all the way from Jersey, regular blue-blood Yankees.
Made a strange appearance in their leggins and yellow tassels.
Physically made a poor comparison by the side of our sturdy Western
boys.
Huntsville, Tuesday, May 3. Infantry broke up camp early this morning
and went into camp nearer to town. After dinner we hitched up and packed
up leaving our old camp under guard, where we have spent nearly four
months. Came into battery near the depot on the race course, a large
open green, very pretty for summer quarters, but rather low for wet
weather. 48th and 59th Indiana camped on our right, 12th Battery on
left. Teams hauling down lumber, etc. for quarters.
Huntsville, Wednesday, May 4. All hands worked nimbly and willingly
to-day to make themselves comfortable. Tents raised one foot from ground
with ample means for ventilation. Fixed ours up in the forenoon. Made
four single bunks occupied by Sergeant Dixon, Corporals Beaver and
Evans, and myself. Detailed to help move the hospital in the afternoon.
Contains five patients, two convalescing, one a recruit very low. At
night I sought my cot quite tired, the weather being exceedingly warm.
Huntsville, Thursday, May 5. On guard, second relief. Our camp is very
nicely located. A pretty brook runs in front of the Battery which the
boys have dammed up to make deep enough for a pleasant bath. Water to
cook and drink is hauled from the "big spring". The almost ceaseless
rattle of trains keeps us wide awake as yet. Upwards of forty trains
passed to-day, the whistle disturbing our slumbers at every hour of the
night. 4th Minnesota Veteran Volunteers returned from home. Health very
good.
Huntsville, Friday, May 6. A warm and active day for all. Guard house
put up. Harness racks, a shade over the horses of brush and evergreens,
oven, cook house, and mess tables to be built, bringing all on duty. Was
put on duty with but four hours of rest from guard. Have been on detail
for five days in rotation, but it is not hard work that we have to do,
and many hands make light work. 4th Minnesota returned from home on
evening train, relieves 17th Iowa. Too busy to be lonesome.
Huntsville, Saturday, May 7. A warm day but not oppressive. Sent on
detail with Corporal Knapp outside picket lines after poles and brush
to protect horses from the sun. Passed the infantry picket and cavalry
videttes three miles from camp. While out on the hills, in the thicket,
a party of guerrillas fired into our cavalry, wounding a captain about
half a mile from here. Two were taken in citizen's clothes. The
prevailing idea is that they will be shot. I cannot hope so, although it
would be but just retribution for the massacre of Fort Pillow.
[Sidenote: 1864 Negro Religion]
Huntsville, Sunday, May 8. On guard detail again. Would rather it was on
some other day, as I wished to attend meeting. Was orderly of the day,
easier than on post. Had to stay round headquarters during the day.
Grazed horses in the afternoon near a negro meeting, which I attended.
After an earnest discourse from an old gray-haired negro, and a prayer
which would compare favorably with many a white man's, several of the
sisters "got happy", which was truly amusing, and I could but laugh,
although I should not have. Their exercise was composed mostly of
chanting scraps of every hymn they ever heard, in a gay, dancing tune
style, with all jerks and hops for variations. Poor ignorant souls. They
greedily grasp at the most mysterious dogmas, as their judgment and
reasoning faculties have never been developed or cultivated.
Huntsville, Monday, May 9. Went early in quest of mail but did not get
any. Relieved at 8 A. M. Off duty till 12 M. when the assembly sounded
and a detail of forty-two men, two corporals and one sergeant under
Lieutenant Hood were sent to Captain McBride's to work on the fort.
Heavy details were there from all the batteries, cavalry and infantry.
There is much work yet to be done on it. The hill being so rocky, very
tedious work. Worked half the time, the 12th Battery relieving us every
thirty minutes. Forrest reported moving on this place, hence the haste
to complete the works.
Huntsville, Tuesday, May 10. 6 A. M. detail of fifty men to report at
the fort, taking all the men in camp except the guards, leaving the
non-commissioned officers to groom the horses. Marched up through a
heavy rain which continued all day. Laid idle till 10 A. M. for want of
tools. All the negroes in town pressed in and put to work. Twenty of us
detailed with Corporal Ferris to load a train with 3 by 8 stuff for gun
platforms, to obtain which we had to tear down an old machine shop.
Returned and unloaded by noon.
All the details marched up in line to McBride's headquarters, where
whiskey rations were freely issued to all that wanted, many of the most
greedy drinking in several different details. After this issue the
Captain mounted a table and read a dispatch from Sherman by telegraph,
of glorious news from Grant. Whips Lee and in full pursuit. Butler in
Petersburg within ten miles of Richmond. The news and whiskey brought
forth thundering acclamations from the soldiers. After stating the
importance of the immediate completion of the works, we were dismissed
for dinner and started home. Deplorable sight. The intemperate
indulgence by those but little used to the poison, caused a large
portion of them to be beastly drunk, and our march through town was
filled with demoniac yells, tumbling in the mud and mire. I felt ashamed
to be seen in the crowd. Such mistaken kindness tends to demoralize the
army as well as to increase the hatred of our enemy. Many of the boys
had to be carried to their tents, and were unable to return to their
work in the afternoon. Rained heavy all the afternoon. Worked hard. At
night a terrible thunder storm deluged our camp, water standing in one
of the tents eighteen inches deep. Our floor was all afloat, and we had
to climb into our bunks to keep dry. Dry land could not be seen. Much
noise and fun in order to forget the disagreeable in the humorous.
Huntsville, Wednesday, May 11. Exceedingly cold morning, more like March
than May. Started early to the fort, worked hard in the forenoon loading
wagons with dirt to be hauled on to the wall. After dinner helped lay
foundation for heavy guns. Much anxiety prevails in regard to Grant. In
the East it is confidently hoped by some that he will capture Richmond,
but I dare not hope, it is too big a job to be accomplished so soon.
Sherman is at work, but no news. Forrest does not seem to come.
[Sidenote: 1864 All at Work]
Huntsville, Thursday, May 12. All army followers, sutlers,
correspondents, etc. were ordered out this morning to work on
fortifications by Colonel Alexander, a tough pull for them, but
justifiable and highly acceptable to the soldiers. They left their homes
to avoid conscription and rob the soldier of his hard-earned money. Let
them dig alongside the but slightly darker complected baker and hotel
waiter. I was on guard, which this time, is a day of rest, very
acceptable. I was quite tired, almost sick. An exciting report arrived
that Butler was in Richmond, received 11 A. M. But little credence
placed on it, though.
Huntsville, Friday, May 13. A cold, chilly night. On guard. The hours
passed tedious to me, as I felt quite unwell. Did not go to work on the
fort to-day. In the afternoon, ditched around the stable. 14th Illinois
Regiment, the advance of the 17th Corps, arrived this morning from
Athens. Report the whole Corps falling under General Blair. General
Crocker in town. Three trains of wounded passed North last night and
this morning. Good news from Sherman. McPherson in their rear. Reports
dubious from Grant. Forrest accidentally ran against the 17th Corps on
his way here, and lost all his artillery. Guess he won't bother us any
more.
Huntsville, Saturday, May 14. Worked hard on fort all day, it fast
approaching completion. Rifle pits are being dug completely around it,
enfilading all the principal streets of the town. All the contrabands
out. One volunteer citizen has been at work three days, honorable
exception. Another sprig of chivalry working with the negroes under
guard for saying that no "d----n Yankee could make him work". Yankee
bayonet did it though. Reports of struggle fierce and wild still reach
us from Grant. Highly successful but the slaughter is terrible. One year
ago to-day we entered the haughty capital of Mississippi after deadly
fight.
Huntsville, Sunday, May 15. Quiet, tranquil Sabbath day. For once I was
not on guard Sunday, so I attended Sabbath school at 9 A. M. A very
interesting class, with the soldiers taught by an intelligent Northern
man connected with the quartermaster's department. Waited till sermon,
10:30 A. M. Listened to a miserable, inconsistent discourse from an
itinerant Methodist preacher, a violent rebel apparently at that. In the
evening took a stroll through the town to admire the beautiful blooming
grounds and yards. Visited the Calhoun yard, where the pest house is now
kept. Saw specimens of that vegetable curiosity called the "century
plant", about four feet high, with large fluffy leaves like petals, with
little sign of life.
Huntsville, Monday, May 16. On guard, first relief. All very quiet. No
detail sent to the fort to-day. Nearly done except inside blasting
rocks, etc. A band of twenty men arrived from Brodhead, Wisconsin, last
evening to be assigned to 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps.
Early in the evening they opened in front of 12th Battery headquarters,
formed in a circle, and in the gentle twilight played numerous airs,
patriotic and melancholy; the sweetest of all, "Home Sweet Home". The
green was covered with soldiers, lying at full length, dreamily enjoying
the sweet music, forgetful of all the past, in blissful forgetfulness of
all things real. The instruments were of German silver, making a very
good appearance. May they serve us with such a treat often.
[Sidenote: 1864 Expecting Forrest]