December 3, 1862.
We received marching
orders at Lagrange, Tenn., at 9 o'clock p. m. on the 27th, and moved at 6 a. m.
on the 28th, on the Holly Springs road. We marched some five miles and then
waited four or five hours for the divisions of Ross and McArthur from Grand
Junction, and Quinby and Moscow to file into the road ahead of us. About 4 p.
m. we were again set in motion, and at 7 p. m. (moonlight) we turned into the
woods, about 10 miles from Lagrange, and bivouacked for the night. Fell in at 7
a. m., 29th, marched nine miles by 2:30 p. m. to Coldwater, a very nice little
stream, the water in which is as cold in July as in December. Here we rested
until 6:30 p. m. and then marched six miles by moonlight to Holly Springs,
Miss., where we camped for the night. At 8 a. m., 30th, moved out and arrived
at the present camp about 2 p. m. The last five miles we were cheered by the
enlivening music of artillery firing ahead, pretty lively at times and then
subsiding into an ocasional bellow, bringing the good old Madrid and Corinth
times very distinctly to my mind. It's astonishing what an amount of ignorance
I am guilty of in regard to the situation of affairs here, but I really haven't
inquired of or listened to any of the powers that be on the subject. I've had
my mind set on a fight in the neighborhood, and if we get that I don't care
about details, if not I'll find out what I can, though 'tis an awful sight of trouble
to sift sense and matter to be credited out of camp rumors, and that is about
the only source a line officer has for getting information. Believe I'll give
you a little list of rumors condensed. (1) Enemy 50,000 strong fortified on
this side of Tallahatchie. (2) Rebels driven across the river, only rifle pits
on this side. (3) Sherman has turned their right flank and we've got them sure.
(4) Enemy only 30,000 strong in tremendous fortifications opposite side of
river; bridge burned, will be rebuilt by midnight, when we'll pitch into them,
etc. (5) Pemberton wants to fight; Price opposes the idea. (6) Fortifications
evacuated night of 1st inst., and Sherman pushing the enemy's right as they
retreat (To back this No. 6 rumor, heavy columns were pushing past us all day
yesterday in a driving rain). (7) Steel and Curtis have pushed across from
Helena or Napoleon and taken possession of Grenada, cutting off the Rebel line
of retreat; Curtis' force 25,000. (8) Price has cut through Curtis' force and
escaped. (9) Price attacked Curtis, was repulsed and is now coming back this
way, etc.
There has been
cannonading the last three days some four or six miles ahead, but none to-day.
Squads of prisoners pass us going to the rear every day. The country from
Lagrange to this place is very good, clearings much more extensive and more
evidences of wealth than on the Mobile and Ohio road. We were on picket the 1st
inst. some two miles in advance of our camp and had a grand time. This 103d out
jayhawks old Jennison himself. The regiment went on picket the last time with
one day's rations, and I swear I believe they came in with six days'. My
company “found” 150 pounds of flour, a hog, a beef, two and one-half bushels of
sweet potatoes, chickens, ducks, milk, honey and apples. The night we stopped
at Holly Springs, Company G must have confiscated $300 (the way these people
figure) worth of eatables, among which were one barrel of molasses, 300 pounds
of sugar, one barrel of flour, four hogs, etc. But I don't allow them to take
anything but eatables. I think it right, and can find no arguments for any
other side of the question. Holly Springs is a beautiful little town, but not
so rich, I think, as Jackson, Tenn., which beats everything for its size, I
ever saw. Our army, trains and all, stretched out in marching shape, is, I
think, 30 miles long. Believe without Sherman it numbers from 40,000 to 45,000.
Anyway we have enough to skin Mississippi. Major General McPherson commands our
right wing of two divisions, Logan's and McKean's. Hamilton has the left wing
of three divisions, McArthur, Ross and Quinby. Don't know what Sherman has, but
he holds a good hand and has some trumps that we know of, particularly Hurlbut
and Lanman. I never saw men in as good spirits and so confident as this army
now appears. We are splendidly equipped and want nothing. The only drawback is
the men's having to carry their knapsacks, but if the fine weather will only
continue we'll stand that. We don't use any tents at night when marching, and
'tis no hardship to lie out at night yet. The boys strip to their
underclothing, with only two blankets, and never grumble. I can't see why
people will stay at home when they can get to soldiering. I think a year of it
is worth getting shot for to any man. I believe I used to get a little homesick
or girl sick, but my brief furloughs have taught me the vanity and vexation of
spirit folks are liable to in the States, and I think I'll hanker thereafter no
more. If I can get into the regular army, I'll do it sure.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 130-2
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