Thursday morning still cloudy & cool Capt. Parke Officer of the day. Lt. Williams Comp. C. has been detailed by the Col. to act as Qr. M. until Qr. M. Sears arrives from Cairo. A regular mail & passenger packet runs the line between this & Cairo
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236
Friday morning weather more pleasant. Our Sutler arrived this morning from Cairo. Dress Parade this evening.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236
Saturday morning clear & pleasant The absentees are those left behind at Cairo arrived this evening Dress Parade at the customary hour.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237
Head Quarters, Camp Columbus Ky. . . . Sunday morning. Weather pleasant with some indications of rain. Co. inspection on the Co. Parade ground at 9.30 A. M. Boats are running quite freely between this point & Cairo. Dress Parade this evening.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237
Thursday weather very pleasant Very dull more so than at Cairo as there is no business going on and very few citizens are living here Dress Parade as usual.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237
William H. Ashley died this day at Cairo. The firing still continues. Lt. Allen left the Boat, on board the Steamer Rob Roy in a skiff with 3 citizens for the upper Ft. They approached within 200 y'ds of it could see One Gun Two empty carriages, and about 15 or 20 men apparently. Not doing any thing to them returned to the flag Boat Benton & reported to the Commodore.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 238
Tuesday weather still cloudy and cold—Well we do not get off till 12 O'clock and we are delayed at the landing sometime Arrive at Cairo about 4 O'clock where our Col. gives his "beloved Regt." a salute from the Fort and has the portion of the Regt. left behind drawn up in line on the levee to receive us which is done with all the usual formalities of the military school. Then marched to our qrs. where after being drawn up previous to dismissal the Col. made a few remarks—expressing himself a being highly honored by commanding such a Regt. for their good morals.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234
1 James M. Tuttle was born in Noble County,
Ohio, September 24, 1823, removed to Farmington, Iowa, in 1846, was a merchant,
was sheriff of Van Buren County 1856-57, and treasurer and recorder 1838-61. He
went out in May, 1861, as lieutenant colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry, was
promoted to colonel September 6, 1861, to brigadier general June 6, 1862, and
resigned June 14, 1864. He then removed to Des Mo'nes and engaged in real
estate business, and later in pork packing. He was the Democratic candidate for
governor in 1863, and for Congress in 1866. He was a representative in the
General Assembly in 1872 and again in 1881. He was department commander of the
Grand Army of Iowa in 1887. In 1886 Governor Larrabee appointed him a member of
the lowa Soldiers Home Commission, and he was chairman of the commission when
the home was built. His death occurred in Des Moines October 24, 1892.
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 99-100
Sunday morning pleasant but cloudy, George W. Clarks 24th Birth Day he is Corporal of the Guard to day. Lt. Allen has gone up to Cairo to day for Provisions. About 2 O'clock our Regt. moved from our original position to the foot of the hill for better protection from the cold north wind Allen returned late this evening Provisions for the Regt. for Five days.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233
Louisville, Ky.
Again in Louisville—eleven hundred miles nearer home than one week ago and yet
how far. Still, it is joy to feel I am comparatively near. We reached Cairo on
the evening of the seventh, took on fresh supplies, and left next day at noon
for Cincinnati, which place we expect to reach some time tomorrow. We are now—3
p. m. taking on coal, and will start in a few minutes.
The Ohio is very
low-in places not more than three feet deep. We have brought up against sand
bars and been forced to back off perhaps fifty times since leaving Cairo. From
this place to Cincinnati, I am told, there are no obstructions. The most
difficult part of our way was from New Albany to Louisville. We were six hours
in making three miles last night. It was nothing but "Back 'er and try
again" for about a mile, and then we had a canal with three locks to pass
through.
We have had no
deaths since the seventh, and our sick and wounded boys are doing nicely. These
fresh northern breezes are more exhilerating than wine, and the hope that they
may be sent to their homes to recruit their health is more healing than
medicine.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 75-6
No. 5.
Report of Col. Napoleon B.
Buford, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry.
SIR: I have the
honor to report the part which my regiment took in the battle of Belmont on the
7th instant. The regiment, numbering 720 rank and file, were on board the
steamer Montgomery at 4 o'clock p.m. of the 6th instant, which landed on the Kentucky
shore at foot of Island No. 1 to await the following daybreak, at which time we
steamed down the river to a point on the Missouri shore, in full view of the
batteries at Columbus, Ky., and at 7 o'clock a.m. I landed the regiment, and
took up the position assigned me by yourself on the right of the First Brigade,
which was parallel to a bayou, which was in some places dry and in others
impassable, and directly opposite one of the roads to Belmont, at the distance
of 1¼ miles from the enemy's camp. I immediately advanced the first platoon of
Company A, under the command of Captain Schmitt and Lieutenant Shipley, across
the bayou into the woods, to ascertain the nature of the ground and discover
the position of the enemy, whose drums were distinctly heard. The detachment
had advanced only 100 yards before they were fired upon by a body of cavalry,
which they repulsed. As soon as the firing was heard I advanced the remainder
of Schmitt's company, and supported them with the whole regiment, which I
caused to cross the bayou. Schmitt's company, having advanced about 200 yards
farther, were again fired upon by a larger body of cavalry, wounding one of his
men, which he gallantly repulsed a second time. At this time, by your orders,
Colonel Fouke brought up his regiment to my support, which he quickly formed on
my left, and sent out two of his companies as skirmishers. It was here that you
found me in advance of the place assigned me, and as the artillery and the
other regiments, not of your brigade, had not yet come up, by your orders I
moved back to the right of my first position, with Fouke's and Logan's
regiments all formed in line of battle.
While waiting for
the arrival of Taylor's battery, my regiment was advanced half a mile to the
right, and companies A and B sent forward under the command of Captain Schmitt,
with orders to feel the enemy and engage him if found in that direction.
Taylor's battery having arrived, the whole attacking force, with the exception
of my regiment, moved forward on the direct road to Belmont, and the
engagement became warm, you leading your
brigade. From the information I received I became assured that the road I was
on led to the rear of Belmont, and that by following it rapidly I would get
into action at the right time and in the right place.
Guided by the sound
of the fierce battle in which you were all the time engaged, I moved forward.
At my request you had detached Captain Bielaski, one of your aides, to attend
me, who rode with me at the head of the regiment. As we pressed forward in the
woods, Captain Dollins, with his cavalry, appeared on my left, and obeyed my
orders with alacrity to go forward and discover the enemy.
Our road soon led to
a full view of the river and Wolf's Island, below Belmont, where we met straggling
soldiers retreating, of whom we captured several, Captain Parke securing the
first one. The troops became animated and quickened their step, and came in
sight of the camp, which was defended with an almost impassable abatis of huge
sycamore trees.
I here formed our
line of battle, the right opposite the abatis, the left in the open space in
full view of Columbus, and under the fire of the field artillery in Belmont and
the enemy's guns on the opposite side of the river. As we approached by the right
flank, before the line could be formed at right angles we received a heavy fire
of muskery, which killed and wounded some of my men. While forming under fire
the gallant Captain Bielaski, on his charger, was seen animating the men and
assisting in forming the line. His heroic bearing was observed by us all. After
having his horse shot under him he seized a flag, and, advancing with shouts,
he fell mortally wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Harrington and Adjutant Rust were
near me on the right, leading bravely forward, while Major Wilson was doing the
same on the left. The nature of the ground, the obstacles, and the heavy
cannonading which was reaching us caused each company to take up the best
position it could, and all kept up a constant fire, which soon drove the enemy
from his camp. Here we lost about 9 killed and 30 wounded.
My next order was to
advance over the abatis on the right and across the plain on the left, and
occupy the camp over which the enemy's flag still waved. The order was obeyed
on the double-quick, and the camp entered simultaneously by companies A,
Captain Schmitt, and G, Captain Southward and others in such quick succession
that I could not distinguish which went forward with most alacrity. Captain
Schmitt, with part of his company, and Lieutenant Lytle, with part of
Southward's company, were the first to reach the flag, which was torn down by
their joint efforts, and it remained in the hands of Lieutenant Lytle, who
brought it away, a trophy well earned by the intrepidity he displayed during
the whole day. As we advanced to make this attack the "Star-Spangled
Banner," borne by Fouke's, Logan's, and other of the regiments engaged,
was seen steadily advancing on our left; Taylor's battery was brought forward
and opened fire, the enemy's artillery was captured, and we had possession of
Belmont.
While these deeds
were being enacted you rode into our midst, and it was by your order that my
regiment fired the camp. We had taken about 70 prisoners and many muskets,
pistols, horses, and trophies. I placed the prisoners under charge of Captain
Schmitt, who was wounded in the enemy's camp, and he and Captain Miles, with
other prisoners he had captured, began to return to the boats. Shot and shell
from Columbus made it necessary that my regiment should now fall back behind
the abatis and into the woods. The victory appeared won. We commenced retiring
to our boats, but soon a new attack, made by fresh troops, who had been landed
from Columbus in the woods, intercepted our march. We returned their fire by a
part of our regiment, and sought to find a new route to return. Covered by the
woods, and guided by the descending sun, I led the regiment northward until I
reached the bayou we had marched around in the morning to outflank the enemy,
and recognizing the position, went confidently around it and got within 1 mile
of the starting-point of the morning, but was admonished to take a northerly
direction by the continued sound of musketry between us and where our boats
were left in the morning and by the heavy cannonading from our own gunboats. We
marched northward in rear of the farms on Lucas Bend, a distance of about 3
miles, before returning to the river near sunset, exposed during the whole
march to the shot and shell of our own gunboats, which happily did us no
injury.
On reaching the
river the fleet of gunboats and steamboats were all far in advance, steaming
towards Cairo. We marched forward, greatly fatigued, with the prospect of a
long night's march. Our wounded men were limping along, and all our horses were
surrendered to them. The sun was setting. I met a settler, who had a frank,
honest face, from whom I borrowed his horse, and mounted Adjutant Rust upon him
to gallop forward, and if possible reach the steamer which was nearest us. The steamer
was seen to be halting, floating back to Beckwith's Landing. The adjutant
reached the steamer Chancellor, hailed, and was answered by General McClernand
that he was halting with the steamer and the two gunboats to take all on board.
We soon met you on the shore, happy in knowing you had bravely led the brigade
and continued unwearied in securing its safety.
And now how shall I
distinguish those of my own command who did nobly? It was our first action. We
encountered great odds; the enemy in his fortified position, the thunder of the
heavy artillery from Columbus, the whizzing of rifled cannon; we had no guides.
How could soldiers who had only volunteered a few days ago be expected to brave
such odds! But they did brave them. My thanks are due to Lieutenant-Colonel
Harrington, to Major Wilson, and to Adjutant Rust, who nobly assisted in
forming the line under the fire and rallying the troops and in covering the
retreat; also to Captains Schmitt, Parke, Moore, Miles, Southward, Brooks,
Merrill, and Bozarth, and all the officers under their command; also to
Sergeant Jansen, of Company A, and Fourth Sergeant McCormick, of Company B,
whom I observed nobly doing their duty. Surg. E. H. Bowman was at his post,
dressed the first wounded man, and was the last to leave his post. Happy am I
that he is safe. Assistant Surgeon Barrell remained at home by my order to take
care of the sick, but obeyed reluctantly. Quartermaster Sears solicited me to
accompany the expedition, but as we took no train, I left him in command of the
camp at home. Chaplain Rev. Dr. S. Y. McMasters accompanied the expedition, and
was unwearied in consoling and dressing the wounded.
We lost 11 killed,
42 wounded, 28 missing, and 14 known to be prisoners. Among the mortally
wounded was Lieut. William Shipley, of Company A, from Quincy, a young man of
rare merits. He had for some time been unwell, and was by me directed to remain
in camp; but when the column marched he was at his post, radiant with smiles,
and was in the battle from first to last, receiving his wound on the retreat
within a mile of the boats.
All of which is
respectfully submitted.
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 3 (Serial No. 3), pp. 283-5
Our transports have
arrived, and we expect to leave this afternoon for Cairo. Some of our boys are
very sick, and urge me to go with them on the hospital boat. They have obtained
the consent of Colonel Luce, and I may be detailed for that purpose. Rumor says
the sick are to be sent to St. Louis. If so, I will go there with them and join
the regiment as soon as possible, wherever it may be. I do not like to leave
it, for I am lonely and discontented when out of sight of the Seventeenth.
Colonel Luce says we are going to Indiana, but there are so many contingencies,
we may be needed elsewhere.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 73
Late last night, Mr.
Newton4 came in to tell me that the Prest had just reed, a telegram
to the effect that Columbus was evacuated.5 This morning the story
is contradicted by another telegram. And now Gen McDowell6 tells me
that Com[modor]e. Foote7 has made a reconnoisance [sic] in one of his boats, and finds a
very strong fort there. Still, McDowell says that our affairs look bright and
well — No certain news today from Nashville8 or Savanna[h] .9
I am anxious about
Norfolk. The rumor is that we are about to attack Craney Island10 —
may be so, but I think if the attack is made at all, it will be a feint, to
draw attention while we assail Suffolk.11 Possibly it may be good
policy to risk something in assailing Norfolk before the Merrimack is ready to
make a desperate effort to escape.
This afternoon, tho'
very unwell, attended the funeral of Willie Lincoln — Note. The Depts. closed
today on a/c of the funeral.
4 See supra, Jan. 5, 1862, note 12.
5 Columbus, Kentucky, was a Confederate
stronghold and railroad terminus on the Mississippi, twelve miles below Cairo.
The capture of Fort Henry on February 6 and of Fort Donelson on February 16
forced the evacuation of Columbus.
6 Supra, Nov. 16, 1861, note 53.
7 Supra, Feb. 17, 1862, note 77.
8 Nashville fell February 26, 1862.
9 Supra, Feb. 17, 1862, note 83.
10 Near the mouth of the James River.
11 A town «about eighteen miles southwest of
Norfolk on the Nansemond River. It controlled Norfolk's rail connections with
the Confederacy.
12 Henry A. Klopfer, head messenger in the
Attorney-General's Office.
13 Tom Hare who had come from Missouri with Mr.
Bates.
SOURCE: Howard K.
Beale, Editor, Annual Report of The American Historical Association For
The Year 1930, Vol. 4, The Diary Of Edward Bates, p. 236
Still dark and
gloomy with a drissling rain. Our Regt.
returned about 8½ O'clock had no brush with the Enemy took 600 or 700 bushels
wheat & 4 secesh prisoners. Battalion Drill this afternoon
Camp McClernand Cairo Ills.
Nothing of an
exciting character has transpired to day O & Co. of Light Artillery left
camp cairo this afternoon where bound tis not known with us. Hickman &
Brown were with the Regt. found Wm Sullivan today.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 229
Camp McClernand
Cairo Illinois. Very cool—quite a change since yesterday. No rain last,
night Sad news this morning another good man gone the way of all the Earth—Col.
Ed. D. Barker (Baker) One of the best of Orators and the boast of our nation
fell while gallantly leading his Regt. at the Battle near Leesburg Virginia
Another sacrifice to the glorius cause of liberty. Ten men detailed out of each
comp. armed with brooms & shovels for the purpose of cleaning up the
barracks, and preparing quarters for our Regt. down in Camp Cairo.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 229
Quite cool but not
so unpleasant as yesterday.—A very heavy frost during the night the first we
have had here this season. Capt. Parke is on duty at Cairo to day Officer of
the day—Orders from the Col. to move into the Barracks to-morrow.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 229
Camp McClernand, Cairo Ills. Sun rose clear and bright Duties as usual performed. unusually quiet and dull about camp Nothing of importance transpiring. Duties of the day closed as usual with Dress Parade
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 227
Camp McClernand Cairo Ills. Morning clear and pleasant. Every thing passing off nicely and smoothly in camp.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 228
Camp McClernand Cairo. usual routine of camp duties Our Regt. has rec'd marching orders this evening a 6 O'clock it marched to the landing the men armed and equipped and supplied with 2 Days rations Shipped on the Alec Scott and company with the Iron Gun Boat went up the Mississippi destination unknown but generally believed to be Cape Girardeau Two of our Co. slipped through the guard to day—Wm Sullivan and Robt. Felan. Three more rec'd passes all of whom were not here when the Regt. started. The 2nd Lieut of each co. have been to take care of the camp & those that are on the sick list. Lieut Allen the only com. Officer who accompanied our Co, Capt. Parke has not yet returned. One of the men Joel Knip who was granted a pass to town to day-was found on the levy at one of the Groggerys pretty well set up about 9 O'clock this evening and brought into camp no tidings of the others.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 228
A letter from home—the
first since April 25th, and written by my beloved wife. On receiving it I
sought my tent with eager haste and perused its welcome pages over and over
again. Well may my darling say, "God has been better to me than my
fears," for we have been spared to each other, and our children to us
both.
I do not believe my
darling's dream was all a dream. On that same day, the 9th of June, I was on my
way from Louisville to Cairo. We went directly north to Seymour, Indiana.
Almost home, it seemed to me, where we changed cars for the southwest. I was
cast down, discouraged, more so than at any other period of my life. My
thoughts and affections were drawn out to my sorrowing wife with an intensity
that was agonizing. I had given up hope of her ever becoming reconciled to our
fate, and believed she would mourn her life away for him who would gladly have
given his own to save his wife. I felt I could do no more. Under the
circumstances was I not permitted to visit her, that my spiritual presence
might cheer, comfort and encourage her by the assurance that she was not
forsaken; that, though far away, her husband was still present, even to her
outward senses.
I believe my darling
has often visited me, and I love to cherish the fond thought. Every nerve and
fiber of my soul has thrilled with joy unspeakable at the familiar touch of her
dear hand upon my brow.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 61-2
