After remaining in Camp at Mound City, Illinois, a few days,
we proceeded down the Ohio as far as Cairo, where again the regiment goes into
Camp Defiance. And whilst here, from morning until night, the officers’ voices
are heard in command on the drill ground, bringing the regiment up to a high standard,
preparing them that they may play well their part in the coming drama.
Remaining in Camp Defiance two weeks, we take passage on
board the steamer “New Uncle Sam,” and are soon passing up the Mississippi river,
accompanied by other steamers, loaded with troops from Bird's Point and Cairo.
It is rumored that we will land at some point and enter Missouri. The Seventh
are now standing on the deck of the steamer as she moves proudly up the river,
and as we look over into Missouri, where wicked men have assailed the flag and
freedom, our hearts beat high, and we long to be there, that we may unfurl our
flag and give it freedom to wave on that side the river as well as on this.
After a pleasant trip the regiment lands at Sulphur Springs,
Missouri, and in a measure the wishes of the men are gratified, for they are
now on rebel soil. From this point we proceed by rail to Ironton, and upon our
arrival there, we are met by General Prentiss, who makes the regiment a speech,
telling them that they have been ordered there to help him drive Jeff. Thompson
from Missouri. We go into camp in the vicinity of Ironton. The scenery around
here is grand. Pilot Knob looms up peerlessly, close to where we are camped.
The Seventh boys are often seen on its summits (standing as it were amid the
clouds) looking down in the valley. While here the regiment is uniformed—and
the Seventh's boys will remember those striped uniforms which made them look
like convicts late from Jefferson City.
SOURCES: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh
Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 12-4
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