Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, July 26, 1863

This morning we are aroused early by the shrill notes of the bugle. By day-light the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, Seventh Kansas, and a battallion of the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry report to Colonel Rowett, who assumes command and leads the column forth on the Purdy road. We pass through Purdy about 3 P. M., and proceeding about ten miles farther the command goes into camp for the night on the Lexington road.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 181

Colonel Florence M. Cornyn to Colonel Jacob B. Biffle, May 30, 1863

SAVANNAH, (TENN ) MAY 30, 1863

Colonel Biffle:  SIR:  Your pompous demand for the surrender of one squadron of cavalry (15th Illinois regiment) occupying this place, and your cowardly retreat before you received Capt. Carmichael’s intrepid reply, suggested to me the propriety of visiting upon the traitor citizens here (who tried to assist you in the capture of that gallant little band) a little of the legitimate vengeance of my Government.  Therefore, in the name of our glorious Republic, I hereby make good the great exordium of the Declaration of Independence, i. e. “That all men are created free and equal,” and to-day I free and take with me from this town every colored creature who inherits with the human race every where the image of his Maker and an immortal soul.

I am, sir, the willing and obedient servant of my country,

FLORENCE M. CORNYN,        

Colonel 10th Missouri cavalry, Com’g Cav. Brigade.

SOURCE: Weekly National Intelligencer, Washington, D. C., Thursday, June 25, 1863, p. 4

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, June 15, 1863

The late raid of the dashing Cornyn to Florence, Alabama, is attracting considerable attention. Though it may be diverging, we would ask the reader to indulge us in recording here Colonel Cornyn's laconic letter, written while at Florence to Colonel Biffle, commanding forces C. S. A., which is as follows:

COLONEL BIFFLE:

Sir—Your pompous demand for the surrender of one squadron of cavalry (Fifteenth Illinois), occupying this place, and your cowardly retreat before you received Captain Carmichael's reply, suggested the propriety of visiting upon the traitor citizens here who tried to assist you in the capture of those gallant Illinois boys, a little legitimate revenge of my government; therefore, in the name of our glorious Union, I hereby make good the grand exordium of the declaration of independence, i. e., “that all men are created free and equal," and to-day I free and take with me from this place, every colored creature who inherits with the human race everywhere the image of his Maker and an immortal soul.

FLORENCE M. CORNYN,        

Colonel Commanding Cavalry Brigade.

An officer accompanying the raid, rehearsed to us to-day the following conversation held between Colonel Cornyn and the Rev. R. A. Y., one of Alabama's D. Ds., formerly of St. Louis:

Y. Do you not think it horrible to shell a town occupied by women and children?

Cornyn. Do you not think it horrible for a rebel Colonel and a traitor to seek a town and its houses to make breastworks and cover for his cowardly traitors from which to shell and shoot the brave and generous patriots of this land of liberty, who are willing to meet their country's enemies in open fields every hour of the night and day?

Y. I don't.

Cornyn. You lie, d---n you! You, the offspring of some low white libertine and a debauched Indian squaw, are trying to establish a distinction in favor of yourself, a child of shame, and the negro, a race from the hand of God, bearing his image and ennobled by an immortal soul. The negro is your superior.

Y. Are my wife and children safe while your forces hold this town?

Cornyn. Yes; the brave are always generous, and my soldiers are among the brightest examples on this planet.

An order comes to the Seventh this evening, to the effect that they are to be mounted on “the meek and patient mules.” The guerrillas in West Tennessee will be hunted down now.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 172-3

Major-General Edward O. C. Ord to Lieutenant Colonel John A. Rawlins, July 1, 1863

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH A. C., Near Vicksburg, July 1, 1863.

Lieut. Col. JOHN A. RAWLINS, A. A. G., Dept. of the Tennessee:

COLONEL: I have the honor to send to headquarters two prisoners, with a black boy, captured near the mouth of Big Black by Maj. James Grant Wilson, Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, while attempting to cross the river in a canoe. Major Wilson found a few letters in the possession of the prisoners, which are inclosed for the information of the major-general commanding.* If the statements in the letters of the amount of rations (and the black boy says it has been but one-quarter pound of bacon and meal each for ten days past) can be relied on, the information is valuable. It is strongly corroborated by the statements of deserters for some days past.

E. O. C. ORD.

_______________

* Not Found.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 457

Special to Evening Journal

CAIRO, April 10.

Your Chicago batteries have gained new laurels in the late struggle.  Taylor’s battery did fearful execution.  Their praise is in the mouth of every one.  Waterhouse’s battery was in the first attack, and was badly cut up, and its horses mostly killed.  Taylor is said to have protected his men by peculiar movements that dealt destruction to the enemy.  His batter followed the enemy within four miles of Corinth, and fought and performed wonders.  Their feats could not have been surpassed.

The 15^th Illinois regiment, under Colonel Ellis, was badly cut up, and most of its officers were killed.  Among them were Ellis, Maj. Godard, Capt. Wayne, and others.

Col. Davis, of Freeport, was shot through the lungs, but is still alive.  Gen. Wallace was shot through the head, the ball entering back of the left ear and coming out at the nose, taking out an eye, but he is not dead as reported.  The 20^th Ill. regiment is badly cut up.  Gen. Cullum arrived here to look after the defences of the river.  The list of prisoners captured at the Island foots up to 4,386 rank and file.

Transports have gone down to bring the prisoners to Cairo.  What disposal will be made of them is unknown.

The value of property captured at Island No. 10 amounts to over $2,000,000.

As the Continental rounded Ft. Cairo this morning Gen. Strong fired a salute of 13 guns in honor of Maj. Gen. Halleck.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 12, 1862, p. 2

Sherer's Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Aurora, Ill., as Company "B" Cavalry, 36th Illinois Infantry, and mustered in September 23, 1861. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Rolla, Mo., September 24-29 and duty there till January, 1862. Attached to Army of the West to January, 1862. 2nd Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, to February, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to June, 1862. Cavalry, Army of Mississippi, to September, 1862. 9th Division, Army Ohio, to October, 1862. 9th Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to November, 1862. Headquarters Right Wing 14th Army Corps to December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Expedition against Freeman's forces November 1-9, 1861. Curtis' Campaign against Price in Missouri and Arkansas February and March, 1862. Advance to Springfield, Mo., February 2-13. Pursuit of Price into Arkansas February 14-29. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., May 6-8. At Keytesville till April 5. March to Batesville April 5-May 3. Moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 11-22, thence to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., May 23-29. Occupation of Corinth, Miss., May 30. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 6. Duty at Rienzi till September 6. Moved to Covington, Ky., thence to Louisville, Ky., September 6-19. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-16. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. Lancaster, Ky., October 16. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7. Expedition from Edgefield to Harpeth Shoals and Clarksville November 25-December 1. Clarksville November 25. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 26-30. Nolinsville, Knob Gap, November 26. Battle of Stone River, Tenn., December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Company assigned to 15th Illinois Cavalry as Company K, December 25, 1862, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1034

Dodson's Kane County Independent Company Cavalry

Organized September 1, 1861. Attached to Dept. of Missouri to April, 1862. Steele's Command, District of Southeast Missouri, to May, 1862. 1st Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd (Cavalry) Division, District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. Tennessee, December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Duty in Missouri and guarding Iron Mountain R. R. till March, 1862. Ordered to Pilot Knob, Mo. Moved to Reeve's Station, Black River, March 23-27, thence to White River, Ark., April 19. March to Batesville, thence to Helena, Ark., May 25-July 13. Hill's Plantation, Cache River and Cotton Plant, July 7. Duty at Helena till December. Assigned to 15th Illinois Cavalry as Company "H," December 25, 1862, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1033

Jenks' Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Aurora, Ills., as Cavalry Company "A," 36th Illinois, and mustered in September 23, 1861. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., thence to Rolla, Mo., September 24-29, and duty there till January, 1862. Attached to 2nd Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, to June, 1862. Cavalry Army of Mississippi to October, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, Army Mississippi, to November, 1862. District of Corinth, Miss., 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Expedition against Freeman's Forces November 1-9, 1861. Curtis' Campaign in Missouri and Arkansas against Price, February and March, 1862. Advance on Springfield, Mo., February 2-13. Pursuit of Price into Arkansas February 14-29. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8. At Keytesville till April 5. March to Batesville April 5-May 3. Moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., May 11-22, thence to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., May 23-29. Occupation of Corinth, Miss., May 30, and pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 6. Duty at Rienzi till September. Battle of Iuka, Miss., September 10. Battle of Corinth, Miss., October 3-4. Pursuit to Hatchie River October 5-12. Grant's Mississippi Central Campaign November-December. Assigned to 15th Illinois Cavalry as Company "I," December 25, 1862. See 15th Cavalry.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1033

Gilbert's Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Geneva, Ills., with 52nd Illinois Infantry, October 25, 1861. Attached to Dept. of Missouri to March, 1862. 2nd Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. District of Corinth, Miss., to December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Moved to St. Louis, Mo., December 8, 1861; thence to Cairo, Ills., January 16, 1862, and to Smithland, Ky., January 24. Moved to Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 10-17. Guard prisoners from Fort Donelson to Chicago. Ills., February 18-March 6. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., March 6-7, thence to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 20-30. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit to Booneville May 30-June 12. Duty in District of Corinth till December. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12. Assigned to 12th Illinois Cavalry as Company "H" August, 1862, but changed to 15th Illinois Cavalry as Company "G" December 25, 1862, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1033

Ford's Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Ottawa, Ills., with 53rd Illinois Infantry, January 1, 1862. Attached to District of Columbus, Ky., to November, 1862. District of Corinth, Miss., 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Duty in District of Columbus, Ky., till September, 1862, and in District of Corinth, Miss., till December. Action at Davis' Bridge, Hatchie River, September 25, 1862. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit to Hatchie River October 5-12. At Corinth till December. Raid from Corinth to Tupelo, on Mobile and Ohio R. R., December 13-19. Assigned to 15th Illinois Cavalry as Company "L." December 25, 1862, which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1033

Stewart’s Independent Cavalry Battalion.

Organized at Jackson, Tenn., by consolidation of Stewart's Independent Company Cavalry, organized at Cape Girardeau, Mo., August 10, 1861, as Company "A;" Carmichael's Independent Cavalry Company, organized at Cairo, IIl., August 19, 1861, as Company "B;" Dollins' Independent Cavalry Company, organized at Cairo, Ill., August 27, 1861, as Company "C;" O'Harnett's Independent Cavalry Company, organized at Springfield, Ill., September 16, 1861, as Company "D"; Hutchins' Independent Cavalry Company, organized June 26, 1861, as Company "E." Attached to Districts of Jackson, Tenn., and Corinth, Miss., to November, 1862. District of Corinth, 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862.

SERVICE.--Duty in the Districts of Jackson, Tenn., and Corinth, Miss., Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. Action at Toone's Station, on Lower Post Ferry, Tenn., July 27, 1862. Near Humboldt, Tenn., July 28. Hatchie Bottom, near Denmark, July 29. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign, November-December. Operations against Forrest in West Tennessee December 18, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Transferred to 15th Illinois Cavalry December 25, 1862, as Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E" and "F," which see.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1032

15th Illinois Cavalry

Organized December 25, 1862, in the field and at Camp Butler, Ill., by assignment of Stewart's Independent Cavalry Battalion, organized at Jackson, Tenn., July, 1862, as Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E" and "F." Gilbert's Independent Cavalry Company, 52nd Illinois, organized at Geneva October 25, 1861, as Company "G." Kane County Independent Cavalry Company, organized September 1, 1861, as Company "H." Jenks' Company Dragoons, 36th Illinois, organized at Camp Hammond, Ill., September 23, 1861, as Company "I." Sherer's Company Dragoons, 36th Illinois, organized at Camp Hamilton, Ills., September 23, 1861, as Company "K." Ford's Cavalry Company, 53rd Illinois, organized at Ottawa, Ills., January 1, 1862, as Company "L." Company "K," 1st Illinois Cavalry, assigned as Company "M," but mustered out December 27, 1862.

Regiment attached to District of Columbus, 16th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to March, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1863. Detached Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to December, 1863. Waring's Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1864. District of Eastern Arkansas, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Arkansas, to January, 1865.

SERVICE.--Bath Springs, Miss., January 1, 1863. Monterey, Tenn., January 4. Clifton January 10. Chambers' Creek, near Hamburg, January 13. Near Obion River April 9 (Co. "E'). Expedition from Corinth to Courtland, Ala., and North Alabama April 15-May 8.  Burnsville, Ala., April 14. Dickson's Station April 17. Great Bear Creek and Cherokee Station April 17. Dickson's Station April 19. Rock Cut, near Tuscumbia, April 22. Tuscumbia and Florence April 23. Town Creek April 28. Expedition from Burnsville to Tupelo, Miss., May 2-8. King's Creek, near Tupelo, May 5. Obion Plank Road Crossing May -- (Co. "E"). Greenville, Miss., May 18 (Detachment). Expedition from Corinth to Florence, Ala., May 26-31. Florence May 28. Hamburg Landing May 30. Smith's Bridge, near Corinth, June 11 (Detachment). Iuka July 7. Duty about Memphis, Tenn., and Columbus, Ky., till January, 1864. Ordered to Helena, Ark. Post and garrison duty at Helena till January, 1865. Expedition from Helena up White River February 4-8, 1864. (Detachment.) Expedition up St. Francis River February 13-14 (Co. "G"). Expedition up White River February 20-26. Wallace's Ferry, Big Creek, July 26. Lamb's Plantation, near Helena, August 12 (Detachment). Operations in Eastern Arkansas August 1-5 (Co. "E"). Scout to Mt. Vernon August 22-25. Expedition up White River August 29-September 3 (Detachment). Kendall's Grist Mill September 3 (Detachment). Non-Veterans mustered out August 25, 1864. Veterans and Recruits consolidated to a Battalion, and consolidated with 10th Illinois Cavalry January 26, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 12 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 122 Enlisted men by disease. Total 137.

Companies "F" and "I" detached and moved to Memphis, thence to Vicksburg, Miss., May 13-20, 1863. Attached to Herron's Division, 13th Army Corps, to July, 1863. Cavalry, 2nd Division, 13th Army Corps, to August, 1863. Cavalry Brigade, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to September, 1863. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Gulf, to November, 1863. 3rd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Gulf, to December, 1863. Unattached Cavalry, Dept. Gulf, to January, 1864. Participated in Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 20-July 4, 1863. Engaged in outpost duty on Big Black River. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Assault on Jackson July 12. Ordered to Dept. of the Gulf with 13th Corps August 17. Western Louisiana Campaign and operations in the Teche Country October 3-November 30. Reconnoissance toward Opelousas October 20. Opelousas and Barre Landing October 21 (Co. "F"). Company "I" at New Iberia till January 5, 1864, then reported to Gen. Lee as escort. Companies ordered to Illinois on Veteran furlough February 11, and rejoined Regiment at Helena, Ark.

Company "H"--formerly Kane County Cavalry Company (which see)--served detached. Attached to 1st Brigade, 3rd (Cavalry) Division, District Eastern Arkansas, Dept. Tennessee, December, 1862. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition to January, 1863. Headquarters Gen. Blair, 15th Army Corps, to August, 1863. Headquarters Arkansas Expedition to January, 1864. Participated in Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862-January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Fort Hindman January 10-11. Reconnoissance toward White River and St. Charles January 13. Moved to Young's Point, La. Duty there and at Milliken's Bend, operating against Vicksburg, Miss., till April. Expedition from Milliken's Bend to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek April 2-14. Deer Creek April 10. Battle of Jackson, Miss., May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to Helena, Ark., July 24. Steele's Expedition against Little Rock, Ark., August 1-September 10. Capture of Little Rock September 10, and duty there till January, 1864. Rejoined Regiment.

Company "K"--formerly Sherer's Independent Company (which see)--served detached at Headquarters, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. Headquarters 20th Army Corps, Army Cumberland, to October, 1863. Headquarters 11th and 12th Army Corps to April, 1864. Headquarters 20th Army Corps, Army Cumberland, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.--At Murfreesboro, Tenn., till June, 1863. Actions at Rover, Tenn., March 15. Salem March 21. Near Murfreesboro March 22. Middle Tennessee or Tullahoma Campaign June 22-July 7. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Battles of Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May to September, 1864. Battle of Resaca May 13-14. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Chattahoochie River July 3-17. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Operations at Chattahoochie River Bridge August 26-September 2. Occupation of Atlanta September 2-November 15. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Mount Elon, S.C., February 27. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro and Raleigh. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 19. Grand Review May 24.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1030-1