Went into quarters
in the navy yard at Memphis. Quarters very good. Men under shelter. The machine
shop is used as barracks for the regiment. Officers use the offices around the
yard. Weather very cold and hard work to keep warm. I use a carpenter's bench
as my dining table and bed at night. Sheets are a luxury not to be thought of.
Regiment goes on provost duty. Mail communications, my regular letters and
papers are not following us around as on the march. We have not had any pay for
a long time and all are very hard up. I got a draft for $75 cashed and divided
it among my men. They were all very grateful for it. Memphis is at present a
hard place, filled with soldiers. I regret to say many drunken officers are to
be seen, while with the men it is almost too common to be mentioned. Orders
came to destroy liquor wherever found and our regiment has destroyed a great
many barrels. You might as well try to dam the Mississippi river as to keep the
men from getting liquor.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 7-8
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