January 4, 1863.
There I quit, for we received orders to get ready at once to
march to Jackson, Tenn. The colonel ordered me to take charge of the train
(wagons) and with my company guard it through by the wagon road, while the
other nine companies went through by railroad. The regiment got off that
evening, but I was delayed until the 31st, when just as I got my company into
line to start a couple of the finest houses in town took fire, and burned down.
The colonel commanding the 15th Illinois Infantry, which had just arrived, put
me under arrest and stationed a guard around my company, but after an hour's
detention, my strong protestations against arrest and my arguments in favor of
the honorable acquital of my men of the charges, induced him to allow us to
proceed on our way. By Lieutenant Mattison's personal smartness the train was
taken from the road in the p. m., while I was ahead selecting camping grounds
for the night, and I did not get with it for two days, which I traveled alone.
The distance is about 90 miles. The first night I stayed at Holly Springs and
slept in the bed which General Pemberton, Van Dorn and Lovell of the Rebel
Army, and Hamilton, of ours, in turn occupied. 'Twas in the room they occupied
for headquarters. Mrs. Stricklin, the lady of the house, was charming. Her
husband is a major in the Rebel Army. I ate my New Year's dinner at Dr. Ellis'.
He was not at home, but his lady treated me very politely, and I give her
credit for having the noblest face I ever saw on woman. She is a sister of
Rebel General Hindman. Stayed at a private house at Lagrange that night (Mrs.
Cockes) and heard some delightful music made by a daughter. Saw seven mounted
Rebels on the 2d, and felt uneasy traveling alone, but got through safe to
Bolivar. Here I caught up with my train which I thought was behind. When we
started my men were on foot, when I caught up with them at Bolivar, 38 of them
were mounted on horses or mules. Stayed at Medon Station last night, and
arrived here at 3 this p. m., all safe. I have to go back to Holly Springs
to-morrow to testify against the 109th for disloyalty.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 140
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