Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Sunday, September 7, 1862

We attended service, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation." Sergt. S. V. Carr and I took a moonlight walk.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, September 8, 1862

We received our guns, which were mostly Harper's Ferry barrel repaired with Springfield lock. I fired 11 shots. Subscribed toward a drum, 10c.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Wednesday, September 10, 1862

Alarm of Indians—hoax. Our first battle, we went to Mendota, 20 of us, at 11 p. m. Came back at 3 a. m. Pressing teams for Abercrombie followed.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, September 11, 1862

I was detailed sergeant major for this expedition to Abercrombie. Rainy. Rainy. We left Fort Snelling, Company G of the Seventh and some of the Third. Took dinner at St. Anthony. Put up for the night at Coon's Creek. Rainy and variable. The Second Winona came up during the night. Went 21 miles today. Van Amens of Anoka treated us to cheese and crackers.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Friday, September 12, 1862

The Winona boys lying around with one blanket white with frost. Very fine morning. Marched 19 miles to Orino and put up for the night. Very kindly treated, poor woman, corn and potatoes. A good stockade around the church. Many unused to walking are complaining of sore feet.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Saturday, September 13, 1862

A stockade around church at Monticello. We took dinner at Monticello. A messenger arrived from Sauk Center, two companies awaiting us. Put up for the night at Green Lake within two miles of Clear Water. Very rainy. I slept in barn. Twenty-six miles today, marched 10 miles, 2 1-2 hours. Ten eggs, 5c.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Sunday, September 14, 1862

Started in rain, 14 miles to St. Cloud and put up for the night. Trouble with Third about relieving guards. Gov. Ramsey here. Cannon arrived—9-pounder. Spent the evening at Ball's. Fort built in five days to hold 500 men, 100 feet in diameter.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, September 15, 1862

We marched out across prairie two miles and distributed 40 rounds of cartridges to each man, and took dinner. Marched on 3 miles beyond St. Joseph and encamped—11 miles. I carried Capt. Emil A. Burger's sword. Stamps, 25c.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 5

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, August 21, 1862

I settled with Sterrett for board, $40. Sterrett paid me for vegetables, etc. War meeting.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Friday, August 22, 1862

John Beard paid me $4. I sold my garden for $250. Report of Indian outbreak. Great excitement. We elected our commissioned officers-Geo. Atkinson, captain; Westley Kinney, first lieutenant; N. F. Randolph, second lieutenant. We left Lake City in War Eagle.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Saturday, August 23, 1862

Arrived at St. Paul, visited high bridge, state house, etc. Arrived at Fort Snelling and examined by military board.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Sunday, August 24, 1862

I visited Minnehaha.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, August 25, 1862

Rainy. We elected non-commissioned officers.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Tuesday, August 26, 1862

We received $63 bounty fee, $50 cash and $12.50 in bills, which I sent to Lake City for collection by Judge Ottman. We received our coats and blankets.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Wednesday, August 27, 1862

We received our socks, pants, drawers and shoes. Did not get our guns. We encamped in tents, ate our supper just at dark.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, August 28, 1862

We went in Mississippi swimming. I wrote to father. Snake in first lieutenant's blanket.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Friday, August 29, 1862

I did police duty.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Saturday, August 30, 1862

Visited St. Paul, at cave, St. Anthony, Minneapolis, etc. Hardees tactics, $1.50. Ferry, 10c. Stamps, 25c. Toll, $1. Luncheon fare 40c. I wrote to father.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 3

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Sunday, August 31, 1862

Ordered to prepare to receive our arms. Company received a furlough of six days. Remained at Fort Snelling. Henderson's company armed with Austrian guns.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 4

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 216. — Report of Lieut. Col. John O'Dowd, One hundred and eighty-first Ohio Infantry, of operations December 7, 1864.

No. 216.

Report of Lieut. Col. John O'Dowd, One hundred and eighty-first Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 7, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS 181ST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,        

Fortress Rosecrans, Tenn., December 8, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the engagement of the 7th.

My regiment was formed west of the Wilkinson pike, with the Eighth Minnesota on my right and the One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio on my left. I advanced my command on the double-quick about 300 yards, driving the enemy's skirmishers in confusion, and capturing three prisoners. I halted my command for a few moments to form and send forward my skirmishers, encountering the enemy in heavy force in my front. I reported the same to General Milroy. I was immediately ordered to advance through the cornfield. I drove the enemy from the edge of the woods. I halted to form, and found the enemy in my front: occupying a hastily constructed rifle-pit. I charged these works and captured them, killing Colonel Weaver and capturing 2 commissioned officers and 33 men. I formed my command immediately, executing in a northwesterly direction with the intention of capturing a section of artillery that was to my right and rear. The enemy, seeing this movement, commenced falling back as I advanced. My men shot the artillery horses and captured two guns. The enemy's loss in my front will not exceed 25 or 30 killed and wounded.

The following are the number of killed, wounded, and missing in my command: I commissioned officer wounded, 1 enlisted man killed and 33 wounded; aggregate, 35; number of men engaged, 540.

JOHN O'DOWD,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 181st Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

[Col. M. T. THOMAS.]

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 627