Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Monday, July 3, 1865

Run into Galveston at 8. A. M. lie all day with orders to proceed at high tide tomorrow, business part of town dead. Suburbs beautiful, fine residences, with shade trees & flowers in profusion. Citizens scarce. 29th Ill. Vets. just arrived this morning. 7th Mass. Bat arrives on the steamer U. P. Banks, at 6 P. M.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 607

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: October 16, 1864

It being Sunday, we had a sermon by the chaplain of the 161st New York. Passed Napoleon, Ark., and ran past the “shute,” landing at White river at 3 p. m. On the 18th went on board the “Bart Able” with the 161st New York and the 29th Illinois, bound for Memphis.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 135-6

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, 2. P. M. April 2. – Brig. Gen. John A. Logan has so far recovered from his wound received at Fort Donelson as to be able to rejoin his brigade, and to-day started for the seat of war on the Tennessee.  His wound is still very painful.

Lieut. Col. Ranford has been appointed Colonel of the 11th regiment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Col. Wallace to Brigadiership.

Lieut. Col. Dunlap of the 29th regiment has resigned and arrived [at] Cairo, as have also several other officers of a lesser grade.

Brig. Gen. John Cook, of the 7th regiment is here, in route, for the theater of operations in Tennessee.

It is a very singular fact that those who have resigned, are invariably those who have hitherto escaped unharmed, while the wounded ones are as invariably returning to their duties.  Comment is unnecessary.

Gen. Strong is absent to-day, at Island 10.

The Hospital boat, Louisiana, started for the Tennessee river with a full compliment of doctors and nurses on board.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Julius Raith

COL. RAITH.

Julius Raith was born in Germany in 1819, and came to this country with his father's family in 1836. They settled in St. Clair county, Illinois. When about 18 years of age, he went to Columbia, Monroe county, where he learned the trade of a millwright, and became an expert in that occupation. On the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted in Col. Bissell's regiment, and was commissioned as Captain, winning laurels at Buena Vista and in all the engagements of his regiment, which showed itself to be one of the most gallant and meritorious in that campaign. Soon after Captain Raith's return from Mexico, he married a daughter of Hon. John D. Hughes, of Belleville, taking up his residence in St. Louis, where he remained in the pursuit of his occupation as millwright, until 1860, when he removed to Illinois, and built a large flouring mill in O'Fallon, on the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, which is still operated in the name of Julius Raith & Co. He constructed some of the best and most noted mills in Missouri and Illinois, and was widely known to millowners and mechanics in the West.

During the summer of 1861, Capt. Raith raised the 43d Regiment, and entered the service as its Colonel in October. At the battle of Shiloh, Col. Raith was in command of the 3d brigade, composed of his own regiment, the 17th, 29th and 49th Illinois. Whilst leading his command, on the first day of the conflict, he was wounded by a minie ball in the leg above the knee. He lay on the battle-field for twenty-four hours, when he was picked up in a feeble and exhausted condition. He was placed on board the steamer Hannibal, and on the way to the Hospital at Mound City, Illinois, suffered the amputation of his leg. He died from tetanus, or lock-jaw, produced by his injuries.

Colonel Raith's wife died in the latter part of 1859, being survived by two sons, one of whom is now ten and the other seven years of age.

SOURCE: James Grant Wilson, Biographical Sketches Of Illinois Officers Engaged In The War Against The Rebellion Of 1861, p. 43

From Cairo

Special to Chicago Journal.

CAIRO, April 2.

The most terrible tornado that has visited this locality for several years, came upon us at 3 o’clock this morning.  The storm came up from the south, with rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Nearly all the transports, barges, steam tugs and floating property were torn from their moorings on the Ohio levee, and blown across the river.  The slate roof of the St. Charles Hotel lies scattered over the town.  Several rows of barracks were leveled with the ground, by happily they were untenanted, or the loss of life would have been terrible.

The Cairo and Columbus wharfboat lies high and dry on the Kentucky shore opposite here.  The steamer Illinois had both her chimneys and upper cabins torn away, in the falling of which four or five lives were lost.  Capt. Carroll, of the steamer Sallie Wood, had his leg broken, and several others were badly injured.

Several barges which had been covered broke loose and floated down the river.

The large piles of government lumber on the Ohio levee were blown into the river.  The wooden barracks at Bird’s Point caught the gale about midships and had to cave in largely.  So also Ft. Holt.  No loss of life at either of the last two points.

Much anxiety is felt for our fleet down at Island No. 10.  We have no news to-day from below, except that the gunboats and mortars are firing semi-occasionally, and the rebels reply just when they please.

Buford’s capture at Union City amounted to seven prisoners and about forty horses and mules, instead of 100 prisoners and 150 horses, as before telegraphed.

The water soaking through the levee in Cairo rose five inches last night, and is still rising.  Both steam pumps are working however.

The stench in Cairo is intolerable, and much sickness must follow this flood.  Medical gentlemen tell me that over two hundred distinct and separate odors were ascertained to exist yesterday, with several wards to hear from and classify.

The coal oil and turpentine leads on the Cumberland river, have nearly ceased, owing, of course to the high water.

Brig. Gen. Jno. A. Logan has so far recovered from his wounds received at Fort Donelson, as to be able to rejoin his brigade and to-day started for the seat of war on the Tennessee.  His wound is still very painful.

Lieut. Col. Ransom has been appointed Colonel of the 11^th regiment to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Col Wallace to a Brigadiership.

Lieut. Col. Dunlap of the 29^th regiment has resigned, and arrived at Cairo, as have also several other officers of a lesser grade.

Brig. Gen. John Cook, of the 7^th regiment, is here en route for the theater of operations in Tennessee.  It is a very singular fact that those who have resigned are invariably those who have escaped unharmed, while the wounded ones are invariably returning to their duties.  Comment is unnecessary.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 3, 1862, p. 1

Cairo Correspondence

CAIRO, Feb 28, 1862.

MR. EDITOR:– I presume the different members of your city relief committee now in this vicinity, have kept your readers fully posted in regard to what is to be done, and what is being done, by them and others to relieve the sufferings and wants of the brave defenders of our country. – Therefore I propose, briefly, to give you some special incidents and descriptions of cases; believing it will give your readers a more accurate knowledge of the late daily scenes in Cairo and its vicinity than can possibly be derived from reading general descriptions.  Steamboats have daily and sometimes hourly arrived from Fort Donelson, freighted with the sick and wounded, dirty and filthy, to an extent absolutely sickening.  In very many instances this cannot be avoided owing to the profuse suppurations of wounds and the bad odor caused.

As an example I propose to give you an outline of the nature of the wounds and diseases on board of the steamer “John H. Dickey.”  It had on board 125 persons, about half of which were wounded, the balance sick and with a very few exceptions very sick.  This boat was sent from Cairo to St. Louis, in charge of Dr. White of Iowa City, with whom you are acquainted – assisted by Dr. Johns, of Decatur, Illinois – (Ex-President of the Illinois State Agricultural Society.)  He is an active man, and judging from the dispatch and tenderness with which he dresses wounds, we think him a good Surgeon.  His kind and unceasing attentions called forth many an expression of gratitude from those upon whom he waited.  Dr. W. was also assisted by Dr. Bartlett of Marengo and Dr. A. B. Turner of Tipton – both attentive Physicians and good nurses – both have the kind remembrance of those upon whom they attended.

R. L. Powers, 21 years old, a member of Co. B, 18^th Ill. Regiment.  Shot through the left thigh, by a minie ball.  The wound large and suppurating profusely – at least a pint every 12 hours.  Properly attended, will recover.

J. G. Brill, Co. G, 29^th Ill. Regiment. – Shot under the left arm, ball passing through the heavy muscles of the chest and the external portion of the lungs and coming out near the spine; also shot through the lower portion of the fore-arm and one of the bones broken – both wounds suppurating profusely – recovery doubtful.

John Dickery, 22 years old, Co. D, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot ten times in as many different places through the fleshy portions of the legs, arms, sides of the body and head, not a bone broken.  Recovering rapidly, will undoubtedly be able for duty again soon.

James M Wealthy, 21 years old, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot obliquely through the left thigh, carrying away a portion of the bone.  Suppurating profusely, doing well, but recovery doubtful.

George Harris, 21 years old, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through both ankles of the lower jaw and tongue, separating the anterior portion of the jaw from the posterior, complete loss of speech.  Will probably recover to a certain extent the use of jaw and speech.

Meady D. Dupont, Co. C, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through the external portion of the left knee; a bad wound.  Will probably lose the leg, perhaps his life.

Michael O’Connor, Co. E, 18^th Illinois regiment.  Shot through the left shoulder, passing through the shoulder blade and coming out near the spine.  Not suppurating much; after a long while may recover the use of the arm.

Talbot Horseley, a rebel prisoner from Sumner county, middle Tennessee, a member of the 30^th Tenn. Regt. Vol. under Col. Murphy, 63 years old.  Shot in the knee, breaking knee-cap; a dangerous wound.  Is a particularly good-hearted man and deeply regrets ever taking up arms against the Union; often speaks feelingly of the marked kindness he has uniformly received since he fell into our hands, and hopes to live to see the old flag floating over every court house in the Southern States; blames a few political leaders for grossly deceiving him and others as to the feeling and intentions of the Northern men.

Isaac W. Likens, 37 years old, 29^th Illinois regiment.  Shot about four inches below the knee, both bones broken, the larger badly split up, with a large external wound on both sides of leg.  On the appearance of mortification, Dr. White amputated the leg about three inches below the knee; patient comfortable and doing well.

John Madden, 17 years old, Co. E 29^th Illinois, shot in the left arm, ball passing in above the elbow up the arm and coming out near the spine.  He says he was in the act of shooting when he was shot, his arm being extended.  The ball passed about eighteen inches before coming out.  It is doing well.

One of the most remarkable cases on this boat was that of a boy who, like Geo. Harris, was shot through the lower jaw and tongue with like results, with the addition of being shot through the muscles on the side of the head, just above the ear.  Another ball entered the ankle and broke the small bone of the leg; another ball entered the other foot – the ball being still imbedded in the small bones of the foot, but not yet to be reached with a probe.  His case is a curious one.  His general health is good and his wounds are healthy.

The diseases were mostly pneumonia, (or lung diseases,) measles and typhoid fever.  There were at least thirty of the former.  Most of the patients’ expectoration was very excessive and of a bloody brick-dust character.  Each of these, as well as others requiring it, were supplied at Cairo with small tins to spit in.  These diseases were mostly caused by the great exposure while on the battle-field, and the continued changes they had to endure before reaching a hospital or permanent place to rest.

The patients were placed in the lower berths of the state rooms, while the cabin floor was covered from one end to the other, their heads toward the state rooms, leaving just room enough to pass the head of each patient and up and down through the boat.  All were mixed in together, rebels and Federals, just as they happened to be carried on to the boat.  As far as practicable, and as the good of the patient would permit, Dr. W. had those of the same disease placed together.

Two deaths occurred on the boat soon after landing – Sergeant Van Meter, so jusdged from the fact that there was found in his pocket a needle cushion with Van Meter marked on it, and because he had on the sleeves of his coat a Sergeant’s straps.  Died from inflammation of the brain.  Also John S. Short, of Co. C, 18^th Ill. Regiment.  Coffee was burnt and hourly carried through the cabin, to kill the bad odor, the stench being almost unbearable even to physicians.  Just such sights and just such disagreeable stench was noticeable on every boat.  It must be seen to be realized. Your friend, *

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 2

Additional from Fort Donelson

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

A dispatch from Gen. Grant says that the fort surrendered unconditionally on Sunday night.

Our cavalry are in hot pursuit of the great thief, Floyd, and hope to capture him and the rest of the flying rebels.

This great victory gives us Tennessee within a week, the old star-spangled banner will float over Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville.  The backbone of the rebellion is broken, the Union is saved, and the Illinois troops are entitled to the chief-share of the glory.

Col. C. C. Marsh, of the 20th Ills., formerly of the Chicago Light Guard, was made a Brigadier on the field for his exhibition of desperate valor.

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 18.

The Republican’s Fort Donelson correspondent gives the following account of the fighting on Saturday:

Yesterday morning, just at daylight, a heavy sortie was made by the garrison from the left portion of their works.

This attack was made upon the extreme right wing of the Union army where it was weakest.  During the night the enemy could be heard busily at work, but what at, it was impossible to tell as thicket woods encompassed the union troops on every side, rendering the view in any direction almost impossible.  At daylight a large body of the enemy suddenly appeared on the extreme right wing of Col. Oglelsby’s command and opened a terrible fire with cannon from their redoubts, firing at the same time upon our forces from guns placed in position on the night previous.

The camp of the 29th and 31st Ill. Was most exposed, and the whole brigade was at once formed into line as follows: The 18th Ill. Held the extreme right; the 8th Ill. Next; the 30th Ill. next; then the 29th Ill. Supporting on the right of Capt. Schwartz’s battery; the 31st Ill. defending the artillery on the left.  From the firing of the first gun until 9 o’clock, the battle raged unremittingly and with fearful loss on both side[s].  Again and again our troops drove the enemy back, but they were afterwards reinforced, while our troops had, owing to the extended lines of the army and also their position on the extreme right, to fight unassisted.  More gallant fighting never took place than that of the union troops exposed to the terrible firing of treble their number.  They stood their ground until in some regiments every officer was killed or wounded.

At last, and reluctantly, regiment by regiment, they slowly fell back, leaving Schwartz’s battery and 3 of McAllister’s guns in the rebels’ hands.  Retiring a few hundred yards, they again made a stand, and Gen. Smith arrived with reinforcements, and at once drove the enemy again into their works.  In the first of the battle was also Gen. Wallace’s brigade, the 12th, 17th and 18th; also Col. McArthur’s brigade, all of which troops suffered severely.  Opposed to them were 12,000 rebels supported by guns carefully in position.

Gen. Grant, having command of a division, drove the enemy back with reinforcements, and gained the lost ground.  He at once ordered an advance by Gen. Smith on the left, charging under a hot fire up the steep hill on which was the out redoubt. – Our troops gained the high breastworks, and with hardly a pause, went over them, planting the Stars and Stripes over the walls. – Under a most galling fire they formed and charged, and drove the rebels back, until they fell into a new position behind some batteries.  When evening came the Union troops had been victorious at every point, having gained back the ground lost in the morning; and got within part of the enemy’s works.  Our troops held their position during the night, repelling the repeated assaults.

The scene within the captured fort, after the surrender, showed how terribly the rebel garrison had suffered.  Everywhere were lying fragments of shells, and round shot half buried in the earth.  Tents were torn to pieces, gun carriages broken, and blood scattered around.

In the left redoubt, where the assault had taken place, the dead bodies lay thickly.  Abundant evidence of the stern resistance and gallant attack was visible.

On the extreme right, half a mile distant, where the desperate sorties were made by the garrison, similar scenes were visible.

The gallantry of the Union troops has been well and severely tested, and they have proved more than equal to the task before them.

As the fleet approached the fort this morning a salute was fired, and loud cheers went up when the American flags were visible.  No officer in the army had an idea of Fort Donelson’s defences [sic] until they had been gained and examined.

Several regiments when out of ammunition rushed forward, and although exposed to the full fire of the rebel artillery, gallantly drove their foes back with the bayonet and captured their guns.  The following are the names of some of the rebel officers captured: Col. Garset, Col. Voorhees, Col. Forrest, Col. Brown and Col. Abernathy.

CAIRO, Feb. 17.

The steamer Memphis arrived from Fort Donelson this evening, bringing a Miss. Regiment prisoners, and 50 or 60 wounded soldiers, who were left at Mound City.  Eight or more other boats are on their way with rebel prisoners.

The rebels who escaped are supposed to have gone to Nashville, where or at Clarksville it is supposed the rebels will attempt to make another stand.  This evening a great light was seen for several hours in the direction of Clarksville.  It is supposed the rebels either burned the town or their steamboats in the river to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Federals.  Rebel officers admit that if we take Nashville, the rebellion in Tennessee is gone up.

The prisoners will probably be brought to camp Douglas, Chicago.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1

29th Illinois Infantry

Organized at Camp Butler, Ill., and mustered in August 19, 1861. Ordered to Cairo, Ill., September 4, 1861. Attached to District of Cairo to October, 1861. 1st Brigade, District of Cairo, to February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, District of West Tennessee, to March, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Tennessee, to July, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Jackson, Tenn., to September, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, District of Jackson, to November, 1862. District of Jackson, 13th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, District of Jackson, 16th Army Corps, December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, July to December, 1863.  Post of Natchez, Miss., District of Vicksburg, Miss., to October, 1864, Paducah, Ky., to November, 1864. Memphis, Tenn., District of West Tennessee, to January, 1865. 1st Brigade, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, February, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 13th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865. Department of Texas to November, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty at Cairo, Ill., September, 1861, to February, 1862. Expedition to Bloomfield, Mo., October 22-24, 1861. Expedition against Thompson's Forces, November 2-12. Reconnoissance of Columbus, Ky., January 16-22, 1862. Operations against Fort Henry, Tenn., February 2-6. Capture of Fort Henry February 6. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Moved to Savannah, thence to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 5-25. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. March to Jackson, Tenn., June 5-8, and duty there till November. Expedition to Bolivar and Brownsville July 27-August 13. March to relief of Corinth and pursuit to Ripley, Miss., October 3-12. Actions at Chewalla and Big Hill October 5. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November 2 to December 20. Surrendered at Holly Springs, Miss., December 20, 1862. Paroled and sent to Benton Barracks, Mo. Duty there till July, 1863 (Cos. "D" and "K" escaped capture, having been sent to Jackson December 18, 1862. Attached to gunboats Tuscumbia, Tyler and Petrel, Mississippi Squadron, February, 1863. Passage of Grand Gulf batteries April 29, 1863. Regiment moved to Vicksburg, Miss., July, 1863, and duty there till December. Moved to Natchez, Miss., December 1, and duty there till October, 1864. Operations about Natchez December 2-10, 1863. Expedition to Gillespie's Plantation, Black Bayou, August 4-6, 1864. Expedition to Buck's Ferry and skirmishes September 19-22. Expedition to Fort Adams October 5-8. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., thence to Paducah, Ky., October 10-12, and duty there till November 26. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., November 26-29. Expedition from Memphis to Moscow December 21-31. Moved to Kennersville, La., January 1-5, 1865; thence to New Orleans, La., February 12-15. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences February 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12, and duty there till June. Moved to Galveston, Texas, June 26-July 1. Duty at Millican, Hempstead, Brenham and Beaumont, on Texas Central R. R. till November. Mustered out November 6 and discharged from service November 28, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 70 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 222 Enlisted men by disease. Total 300.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1057-8

Carmichael's Independent Cavalry Company

Organized at Camp Butler, Ills., as Cavalry Company "B," 29th Illinois Infantry, and mustered in August 19, 1861. Attached to District of Cairo to February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Army Tennessee, to July, 1862.

SERVICE.--Duty in Military District of Cairo, Ills., till February, 1862. Expedition from Cairo into Kentucky January 16-21, 1862. Operations against Fort Henry, Tenn., February 2-6. Investment and capture of Fort Donelson, Tenn., February 12-16. Moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., March 6-13. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Raid on Mobile and Ohio R. R. and skirmish at Purdy May 4. March to Bethel and Jackson, Tenn., June 4-7, and duty there till July. Assigned to Stewart's Independent Cavalry Battalion as Company "B," July, 1862, which see.

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

Deaths of Soldiers

Noah J. Cummings, Company E, 61st Illinois, and John C. Bush, Company H. 29th Illinois, died in the Keokuk Post Hospital, on Tuesday, April 22d.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 26, 1862, p. 2