Showing posts with label Drill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drill. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Saturday, August 17, 1861

Officers and Squad drill in the forenoon. In the afternoon no drill. Co. sworn into service at 12 M.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Monday, August 19, 1861

Roll call at 5 and ½ O'clock Officers at 7 A. M. Squad drill as usual. Lieut. L. F. Williams with a grant of 5 days absence left for Pike Co. on business concerning the Co.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, August 28, 1861

Drill this morning from 6 till 7 O'clock Orders to march tomorrow at 12 M. to Cairo. Some disappointment among the men but generally resigned to go where they are ordered. It was hoped that we would be ordered to Mo. but those hopes are now blighted and we will now go to one of the most unhealthy spots in the U. S. to stay we know not how long Well anything to save our Union Our beloved country let it be what it will.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, August 31, 1861

Camp Defiance Cairo Ills. Roll call, Squad drill this morning. after breakfast men set to work-cleaning up the groun[d.] Repeated firing of cannon in the artillery drill at Birds Point-One man nearly killed by the discharge of a cannon Morning report made out and handed in at Head Quarters 2 men in addition to last report—Aggregate No. of men in Parkes comp now 98. both sworn into the service by the Col. Rations of bread short this morning through the rascality or neglect of the Quartermaster—great dissatisfaction throughout the camp on account of it. Col. saw to the matter and bread here by half after 8 O'clock tonight.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, September 16, 1862

To-day, for a change, we had permission to drill outside the lines, and Orderly White, at the earnest solicitation of some of us, took the company to Dedham on a double quick, Dedham is about four miles from camp, and after the first hill, close to the old house where we used to run guard and get pies and cakes, it is a very level and easy run; we never stopped the steady jog till we reached the Phoenix House. Only one man fell out; but nothing but pride kept many of us in the line. It was the first attempt at such work, and came like drawing teeth. The orderly was level-headed enough not to let us drink anything for sometime, but after we had rested about fifteen minutes and cooled off, he obtained some lemonade, which was excellent.

We then formed line and started back to camp, returning by a different road, arriving there about four o'clock P.M., and then the orderly thought of the battalion drill, ordered at half-past three. As we looked down on the camp from the old railroad track, back of the barracks, we could see the regiment in line, and the grounds crowded with our friends. We had no conversation with the colonel on this subject, but soon found out he was mad, for we were put in the street next our barracks, and guards placed at each end, not even being allowed to go into the barrack to wash up, and our friends were denied us. We stood there in disgrace till dress parade. We were very much afraid the whole company would be discharged the service. There were some rumors of breaking the orderly, but they did not do so. We did not run away much after that.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 8-9

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, September 24, 1862

Our rifles have been delivered, and to-day we were in line two hours or more on the main street of the camp, ready to receive, with military honors, Col. Stevenson, of the 24th Regiment, but he did not come. The boys say he purposely delayed his visit, so as to avoid that ceremony. Many of our company drilled under him in the battalion and liked him very much.

We are mad with the Sutler. We think he charges too much for things which our friends would gladly bring us, so, many will not trade with him, and many things are still smuggled through the lines. If we could only get up our spunk to clean him out. Some one with malicious intent and forethought, did break into his domicile and start things, but were frightened, or, probably belonging to some other regiment, did not know how our account stood.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 9-10

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, September 27, 1862

On Thursday last, we performed our first public duty, after drilling in the loadings and firings, in which we excelled, after firing "higher" several times. Six companies, of which "E" was one, under command of Lieut.-Col. Cabot, started for Jamaica Plain, by the Providence Railroad, to attend the funeral of Lieut.-Col. Dwight, of the 2nd Mass Vols., who died of wounds on the 13th [sic] of September. We performed escort duty to the grave where we fired three very creditable volleys, considering our practice. When we arrived at camp that afternoon "E" was decidedly cross, and we well remember the sight, as we marched to our quarters, we could not imagine what could be the matter, great piles of what looked to us like rubbish in front and rear of the barracks, proved to be our all. In fact every blessed thing but our government clothes and blankets were to go by the board. All the extra comforts, the fancy signs on our bunks, even Miller lost his chicken, and accused one of the innocents, who was left at the camp to help to clean up, with taking it. The unfortunate man will be known always as Chicken Hayes among the few evil-minded men of the company, who really think Hayes fraudulently reached for that chicken. We were a sorry set, but wondered if the despoliation was as thorough in the officers' tents. We never found out, for we visited there very seldom, and were there only upon business of more importance. It was called a sanitary improvement to rob us of all these little things. The boys did not cater for such improvements at all.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 10

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Diary of Private Bartlett Yancey Malone, February 10, 1862

clear but cool And we went out on drill today for the first time in severl weeks.

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 14

Diary of Private Bartlett Yancey Malone, February 13, 1862

a pritty warm sunshiney day And we went on drill twist that day.

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 14

Monday, February 26, 2024

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, September 4, 1861

After returning from a battery drill, orders awaited our section, in command of Lieut. J. A. Tompkins. We left Darnestown at five o'clock P. M., going at a fast rate towards Great Falls, a distance of ten miles. At our arrival we found the Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Col. Harvey. During the day the enemy had some pieces of artillery in position, to bear on the water-works at Great Falls, and on the Seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, firing a hundred rounds. Only one man was wounded. Col. Harvey guided our battery through the woods at midnight. Our section took position on the edge of a knoll, while the Seventh fortified our guns. It rained during the night.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 19

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Thursday, August 15, 1861

Camp Buter Sagamon co. Ills. Officers drill this morning at seven O'clock. Squad drill from half past 8 till 10 O'clock. Officers drill at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Dr. Alfred L. Castleman, July 31, 1861

On the 19th of June, 1861, the 5th Regiment of Wisconsin Vols., being partially organized, went into camp at Madison, Wis. Here it remained for a time, perfecting its organization, drilling and preparing itself for the hardships, the dangers, and the responsibilities to be encountered in the battle-field, against a people warlike and chivalric; a people who are taught to regard physical courage, and recklessness of physical danger, as the noblest qualities of the human race, and a people whose chief pride was to win in fight, whether with individuals or in masses; but a people, who, having entrusted their politics to professed politicians, were misled to believe that, by their brothers of the Northern States of this Union, their rights of property were invaded, and their homes were coveted as a prize for distribution amongst the overgrown population of the North. But to enter into a discussion of the merits of this rebellion, now devastating the most beautiful country known to man, carrying in its march a passover of beggary, of destitution, and of death, is not in accordance with the object of this little book. It is therefore passed over, that the reader may at once be permitted to enter into a detail of the subjects indicated in our preface.

From the time of the commencement of the rebellion, by actual war on Fort Sumter, in April of this year, its settlement by rapid and decisive victories over the rebels was subject of merriment, and looked on as matter of course. We were going to war with a people of not half our numbers, without money, without munitions of war, without navy, without anything in fine of those elements which go to make up the ensemble of a people powerful in war, and we were entering into the strife as a short interlude to the hum-drum vocations of life. "How could a people thus situated hope to compete with the parent Government, rich in every element which makes a great people?" This was the reasoning. In vain were our people told of the character of the Southerners. In vain were they referred to the results of our own rebellion and successful revolutionary war with England. "Oh!" was the reply, "Steamships were not known in those days, and England had to cross the ocean to fight us." "But Hungary, with its population of only 3,000,000, and without revenue, withstood the whole power of Austria, till the hordes of Russia had to be called in to aid in their subjugation." "But Austria had become a superannuated and feeble people." No reasoning would answer. The subjugation of the revolted States was to be a pastime, and could be nothing but a pastime. Thus went on matters, drilling as an amusement, preparatory to the enjoyment of a war, all the results of which were to be on our side, and obtained without sacrifice or suffering.

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On the afternoon of the 21st July, 1861, the electric wires brought us the intelligence from Bull Run that our army was whipped, was routed, was scattered in flight. The heart of the whole North received a shock of sadness and of disappointment. Soldiers in camp began to realize that war meant work and danger, and the Regiment of which I was a member at once received orders to be in readiness to march at the earliest possible moment, to hurry to the aid of its companions

in arms. It was in sad plight for the exposures of camp life. ’Twas in the heat of summer, when fevers and diarrhoea prevail in their worst forms. The measles had broken out in camp, and one-third of the soldiers were suffering from disease of some kind. Nevertheless, active preparation went on, and on the fourth day after the receipt of the sad news the Regiment was on its way to battle.

On the 27th of July we reached Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and went into Camp Curtin. For months this had been a rendezvous for regiment after regiment. The grounds had not been cleaned—the weather was intensely hot, without a leaf to intercept the scorching rays of the sun. The stench of the camp was intolerable, and the sickness of the troops rapidly increased.1

On the 29th of July, at night, we received orders to be ready to march at 3 o'clock next morning. Our destination was supposed to be Harper's Ferry, where we were at once to engage the enemy and to "wind up the war." So great was the excitement (these things were all new then) that very few laid down for rest during the night. At 3 A. M., of the 30th, all tents were struck and rolled up; mess chests were packed, and everyone ready for the order to move. But sunrise came and found us sitting on our packages. The day wore on, I think the hottest I ever experienced. The troops remained exposed to the broiling sun till 2 o'clock P. M., when we embarked on open platform cars, without seats, and without covering. We ran down through the city, crossed the Susquehannah Bridge, halted, and remained sitting or standing in the sun till evening. The heat of the day, determining the circulation to the skin, had brought out the eruption in many cases of measles, and the poor fellows had to sit and suffer, without a place to lie down, or even a back to lean against. At dusk we found ourselves again under way; ran down to York, Pa., about forty miles. It had now commenced raining, and the cars were run out from the depot, and the suffering men who had been all day washed with their own perspiration, were compelled to sit all night in the rain. Sick or well, 'twas all the same. None were permitted to leave the open cars and go back into the depot. Towards morning the rain stopped; the wind shifted suddenly to the Northwest, and it was cold as November. After the long tedious night of suffering, the morning came, and we ran down to Baltimore, arriving there at 8 o'clock on the morning of July 31st.

We had anticipated trouble here. We disembarked, marched with muskets loaded, and bayonets fixed, from north to south through the entire length of the city, without molestation, except from the scowls of secessionists, and the welcoming hurrahs of friends.2 At the Camden Street depot we remained in the most uncomfortable condition which it is possible to conceive till sunset, when we were ordered for the twentieth time during the day to "fall in." We disembarked, marched about two and a half miles, and camped on an elevated ground to the north of, and overlooking a large part of the city and bay. The regiment did not get settled till midnight, and many were so exhausted that they threw themselves on the ground, with their clothes still wet from the previous night's rain. The medical department, however, succeeded by 10 o'clock in getting up tents to protect the sick, and they were made as comfortable as the circumstances would permit.

Here the regiment remained till the 8th of August, without any occurrences worthy of note, except that sickness continued to increase, and the knowledge I gained as to how little some military commanders cared for the comfort of their sick men. After we had been here five or six days, the Colonel was positively ignorant of the fact that we had a hospital on the ground, though there were three within fifty feet of his quarters, filled to their utmost capacity with the sick and suffering. I was now receiving but little support in my efforts for their health and comfort.

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1 I made it my business to visit every tent twice a day, to see that they were thoroughly cleaned, and that the sides of the tent were raised so as freely to admit a current of air. But here the air without was so foul as to improve the condition inside but little. I will here say, however, that the Surgeon of a Regiment who does not visit every tent in his encampment at least once a day, to satisfy himself by personal inspection that it is thoroughly cleaned and ventilated, and that at least once a week the tents are all struck, and the sun admitted for several hours to the ground on which they stand, is not deserving of the position which he holds.

2 Only two companies were armed. They were placed one in front, the other in the rear of the Regiment, and so marched through the city.

SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, p. 5-9

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Diary of Musician David Lane, September 4, 1862

We have been three days in camp, and have fully recovered from the fatigues of our long journey. Drill is the order of the day, as it is the necessity of the hour. Officers and men have yet to learn the rudiments of military maneuvering. There is not a company officer who can put his men through company drill without making one—or more—ludicrous blunders. Yesterday our First Lieutenant was drilling a squad of men. He was giving all his attention to "time," and did not notice a fence had planted itself directly across our path. Suddenly he shouted: "Who—who—who! Come this way, you fellows in front—don't you see you are running into that fence?"

On Monday morning one of the men had been cleaning his gun, and, wishing to know if it would burn a cap, laid it down for the purpose of getting one. When he returned, instead of picking up his own gun, he took a loaded one that belonged to a guard. As a result of his stupidity, the ball passed through two tents, entered a young man's heel and passed through his foot lengthwise, rendering him a cripple for life. Rumors were in circulation all day Tuesday of Rebel movements. At dusk twenty rounds of ammunition were distributed.

We were then sent to our quarters to await orders. A spirit of unrest pervaded the camp. Men gathered in groups and whispered their conviction of a night attack.

At nine o'clock a picket fired an alarm. The bugle sounded "To arms." Orderlies ran up and down the line of tents shouting. "Fall in! Fall in with your arms; the Rebels are upon us!"

For a moment there was some confusion, but in less than five minutes we were in line, eager to meet the foe. But no enemy appeared. It was a ruse gotten up by the officers as an emergency drill, and, as such, it was a decided success. There were some ludicrous incidents, but, as a rule, the men buckled on their arms with promptness and appeared as cool as on dress parade.

Yesterday morning, as we were forming for company drill, a courier rode into camp with dispatches from headquarters. Five companies from our regiment were ordered to repair at once to Fort Gaines, eight miles distant, on the Virginia side of the Potomac. We started off briskly, but before we had gone a mile the order was countermanded, and we returned to camp.

The news this morning is not encouraging. General Pope has been defeated and driven back upon the fortifications around Washington, and the Rebels are trying to force their way across the Potomac. We are under marching orders. Rumor says we are to join Burnside's forces at Frederic City.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 8-9

Diary of Private William S. White, April 30, 1861

On or about April 25th, we were ordered to the Baptist College, a large brick building at the west end of the city, where we were put through a regular course of instruction. Having had many accessions to our number, now some three hundred, we formed a Battalion of Artillery, and unanimously elected our Captain, Geo. W. Randolph, as its Major. Three companies comprised this Battalion, known as the First, Second, and Third Companies of Richmond Howitzers.

Of the First Company, we elected our former First Lieutenant, John C. Shields, one of the proprietors of "The Richmond Whig," Captain, and Edward S. McCarthy, a bold and fearless gentleman, Lieutenant.

Of the Second Company, we elected our former Second Lieutenant, John Thompson Brown, a lawyer of high standing and great personal worth, Captain. As he was then at Gloucester Point, near Yorktown, with two of our guns and about forty men, we elected no other officers for that company, leaving them to supply the deficiency themselves. Here it will not be amiss to state that this detachment of men fired the first shot in Virginia, driving back the Federal Tug “Yankee," at Gloucester Point.

Of the Third Company, we elected Robert C. Stanard Captain, Edgar F. Moseley, First Lieutenant, and John M. West, Second Lieutenant.

Being a member of the Third Company, this "Diary" will, of course, refer more especially to that company and its members. We remained at the Baptist College for a few weeks under the command of Colonel J. Bankhead Magruder, then moved our camp to Howard's Grove, on the Mechanicsville Turnpike, and finally moved to Chimborazo Hill, east end of the city, where we remained until we left Richmond for the field. About the middle of May our First Company, Captain J. C. Shields, was ordered to Manassas, much to our regret, whilst we were left in camp to become more perfect in the Battery Drill. We were under the instruction of a late U. S. Army officer, Lieutenant Smeed, and he evidently understood what he was about. Our officers and men, as yet, know but little about the "Battery Drill,” but are rapidly improving.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 93-4

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, August 30, 1862

Our first morning in camp. We were rudely awakened and dragged from our bunks at six o’clock, very few being used to such early hours, except perhaps on 4th of July, and were expected to be on the parade ground before our eyes were fairly open.

My advice is if you ever enlist again, start with buckle or congress boots, or none at all, don’t wear laced ones. Why Thereby hangs a tale. One man who wore laced boots was late, consequently had to fall in at the foot of the column. In a minute or two, around came the adjutant and some other officer, who wanted a man for guard. The man who was late at roll-call, was detailed of course. He went without a word was posted on the edge of a pond his orders being “Keep this water from being defiled, allow no privates to bathe here, let only the officers bathe and the cooks draw water to cook with.” The orders were fulfilled, but the poor guard was forgotten, and paced up and mostly down (as it was a pleasant grassy sward,) till eleven o clock. That was his first experience of guard duty, and he always owed a grudge to the sergeant of that guard and his laced boots.

Meanwhile, the company, left standing in the street, with their towels, combs, &c., proceeded to the water, where the pride of many a family got down on his knees, and went through the farce of a toilet, and then back to breakfast.

To-day we have been busy cleaning up and getting ready for our friends from home. It has been as novel a day as last night was new, it is a great change, but we will conquer this, and probably worse.

Our friends began to arrive about three o clock, and by supper-time the barracks were well filled, many remaining to supper so shawls and blankets were spread upon the ground, and we gave them a sample of our food. The coffee was good but so hot, and having no saucer with which to cool the beverage, we had to leave it till the last course. Our plates were plated with tin, but very shallow, and as bean soup was our principal course we had some little trouble in engineering it from the cook s quarters to our tables. We must not forget the bread, it was made by the State, and by the looks, had been owned by the State since the Mexican war. We had never seen the like, and begged to be excused from enduring much of it at a time. (We afterwards found no occasion to grumble at our food, for as you may remember, we were looked after well during our whole service. We had as good rations as any one could wish, but here, within ten miles of home, we felt that this was rough on the boys.)

For a week, little was done but feed and drill us, to toughen us for the dim future, and the furloughs were granted very freely. We were soon astonished to find that we had for a surgeon, a man who meant business. Among other things, he thought government clothes were all that we needed, so spring and fall overcoats and fancy dry goods had to be bundled up and sent home. All our good things were cleaned out, everything was contraband excepting what the government

allowed. We had always thought it a free country, but this broke in on our individual ideas of personal freedom, and we began to think we were fast losing all trace of civil rights, and becoming soldiers pure and simple. Nothing could be brought into camp by our friends unless we could eat it before the next morning but goodies would come, and as we had to eat them, of course we were sick.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 6-7

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, September 10, 1862

Our barracks look finely now, and we are getting much more accustomed to soldiers' life. We have had continuous drilling, our officers taking turns drilling us, but here is where the difference comes in between officers and men; they take turns tramping us up and down that old field, while we take turns every time. It is hardly six of one and half-dozen of the other.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 8

Monday, February 19, 2024

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, September 17, 1861

Left Pittsburgh and got to Lancaster on the night of the 18th, about 4 o'clock in the morning; slept in the Rankin House till morning, took breakfast and then were marched up near the Pennsylvania rail road and quartered in a hook and ladder house for sixteen days, and drilled and put through the manual of arms about four hours per day during those sixteen days, being our first alphabetical lessons of military tactics. Making a march of 339 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 8

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop, May 3, 1864

In camp near Culpepper, Va.—Weather delightful. Rumors of marching tomorrow morning. Marching orders we have been expecting several days, but this is the first rumor for some time. It has been mysteriously quiet. If, instead of May and fine weather, we had had dead of winter, storm and mud, we would have been provoked with five or six rumors daily. So that's nothing; but we shall march soon. Usual drill forenoon and afternoon; march an hour under knapsack. Go to Culpepper with several for examination for commissions in negro regiments. At 5:30 o'clock drew one day's rations. This task is assigned me this week, for my company. At dark, orders for three days' more rations. Had a tedious task lasting until 9 p. m. Quartermaster is getting everything ready to leave and hinted we should move at 12 midnight. Got orders at 8 o'clock to strike tents, pack nothing unnecessary; build no fires. Everything soon ready; we are waiting, the boys are jolly, full of spirit. At 11 o'clock we marched—winter quarters again broken.

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 22

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Joseph Stockton, August 25, 1862

CAIRO, ILL.  Since the last date I have been to busy to attempt anything in the way of writing. The Board of Trade Regiment was mustered into service as the 72d Regiment of Ill. Vol. on the 21st day of August, 1862, Fred A. Starring as colonel, Joseph C. Wright as lieutenant colonel, and H. W. Chester as major, the latter being captain of Co. A., to which company I belonged as first lieutenant. I was by reason of his promotion as major, made captain. Not being able to leave the camp my brother John and my sister came to the camp to bid me goodbye. I had no opportunity of seeing my friends who were kind enough to present me with a full uniform, sword, sash and belt. There was no opportunity for speech making, but I inwardly resolved I would not disgrace this friendship or dishonor the sword they were so kind to present me with. Marching orders came upon us suddenly, only two days after we were mustered in we received marching orders and on the 23rd of August embarked on board the Illinois Central train for Cairo, which we reached on the afternoon of the 24th. Everything is in confusion and we will from this time commence to realize a soldier's life, try to do a soldier's duty. God alone knows who will return, but I must not commence thinking of that, as it is a soldier's duty to die if need be. Our regiment is composed of fine material, five companies being composed of men raised under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association together with the Board of Trade. The commanding officers of the companies are as follows: "A"-Stockton; "B"Curtis; "C"-James; "D"-Sexton; "E"-Holbrook; "F"-Williams; "G"-French; "H"-Prior; "I"-Barnes; "K"-Reid. Our Adjutant, Bacon, is a good soldier and well liked. Starring, a fine disciplinarian; Wright, a Christian gentleman who will make a fine soldier; Chester, who claims Mexican War experience. Quartermaster Thomas is a hard worker and Sutler Jake Hayward, a whole souled, clever fellow. His delicacies, such as ginger bread, canned peaches, cheese, etc., are relished by the men who still have some money in their pockets. This Cairo is a miserable hole, the barracks are in a terrible state, filled with rats and mice and other creeping things. I prefer to sleep outdoors to sleeping in my quarters. Our time is taken up with company and regimental drill, weather very hot, no excitement except the passing through of regiments. We were ordered here to relieve the 11th Ill.. who go to Paducah. Men are getting sick and I am anxious for marching orders.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 1-2

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Joseph Stockton, September 11, 1862

PADUCAH, KY.  On Saturday morning about five o'clock we were ordered to be ready to march in twenty-five minutes. We soon learned our destination was Paducah. We embarked at Cairo on board the "Fair Play." This boat had been captured from the rebels. We arrived here in the night time and on Sunday morning disembarked. This is a beautiful place and much preferable to Cairo. We are encamped on the banks of the Tennessee river on a bluff about fifty feet above the river and on a sandy soil which soon dries after a rain. On our arrival I was appointed "officer of the day" and had to make the grand rounds, which means to visit all the pickets. I had to ride about fifteen miles in a drenching rain at 12 o'clock at night but I did not mind it as I was only too glad to have something to do. Men are all better satisfied at getting south of the Ohio River as they feel they are now in the enemy's country. We are kept busy drilling in battalion drill which to me is preferable to company drill. There are a great many secessionists in this place and no doubt but what our movements are made known to the rebel officers daily. I forgot to say that our surgeon, Dr. E. Powell, is one of the best in the service. 1st Assistant Surgeon Dr. Durham is only a beginner.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 2