Diary of Private Charles Wright Wills: June 23, 1861

Cairo. Camp is very dull now, and we are more closely confined in it than ever. Not a soldier goes out now except in company with a commissioned officer or on a pass from the general. The latter not one in a thousand can get and the former maybe one in five hundred.

We have no drilling now between 8 a. m. and 7 p. m. on account of the heat; so we have plenty of spare time. If I only had some good books! But I can't send for them now for our colonel keeps us about half excited all the time with a prospect of a move. He says we have two chances: First, if General McClellan suffers anything like a serious repulse in Western Virginia, our whole brigade will move out on two hours' notice. Second, if any reliable reports come of Arkansas troops moving into Missouri, we will double quick over the river and leave the Point to some other troops. The last is the most likely chance. A thousand of our boys went off on the “City of Alton” at dark last night. We don't know where to, but 'tis rumored that they went up the Mississippi 25 miles and then marched back into Missouri 30 miles to intercept a train of wagons loaded with provisions going south. The colonel made them a speech; told them they were sure to have a brush and asked them if they would sustain the credit of the 8th. You should have heard them shout! Only two companies went from our regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Rhoads. The Battallion was under Colonel Morgan. The three year question causes more excitement than every thing else now. Nearly our whole company will go. The most worthless fellows are the ones that will go home. I feel as if my place is here. I know I could not content myself at home, and if I could, every young man with no one depending upon him is needed in the army more than anywhere else. I know I have your approval in this resolve, but I would like to have you tell me so. The Americans in our company think some of seceding, filling up from home with American boys and letting the Dutch now in the company paddle their own canoe. I wonder if we could not get a dozen good strong fellows from Canton. We don't want any poorer men than I am, for we are going to make a crack company.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 19-20

Cairo, Ill., May 15, [1862].

CAIRO, Ill., May 15, [1862].

A. J. KYNETT AND E. RUSSELL, SEC’Y., &c.:

We just arrived at this place, and through the assistance of Gen. Strong, got passage on the steamer City of Alton, (hospital boat) for Hamburg.  We think it fortunate, as the next boat does not leave till Saturday.

I saw Rev. Folsom, he does not know what is most needed, but says that there is a great scarcity of thin drawers.  Would it not be best to suggest the same to our ladies, that they may make up some.

I purchased a dozen essence ginger and some ale, but have no time to look around here after the sick.  Gen. Strong tells me he has made arrangements to send them all home.  We met a very sick man at Centralia of the 14th Iowa, lives in Wisconsin, name H. J. Matthews, Co. H., and assisted him to food and some funds.  We are both well and confident of being able to do great good.  Thanks to Folsom and Gen. Strong.  Boat off – good bye.

Yours, &c.,

IRA M. GIFFORD

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, May 19, 1862, p. 1

From Corinth

CAIRO, May 8. – The roads near Corinth are in such a horrible condition as to stay all contemplated movements of the army. The headquarters of Gen. Halleck and Grant are not located at Monterey. There is a large number of hospital boats at Pittsburg landing, sent by Sanitary Commissions from Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville and Cincinnati. The Illinois sick and wounded on them are all taken care of by the State, besides the steamer Champion now coming down, enroute for Quincy, Illinois. Governor Yates yesterday charted the steamer City of Alton, to bring home sick Illinois soldiers. The river is still receding.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3

From The Second Iowa Cavalry [continued . . .]

CAIRO, April 20, 1862.

ED. GAZETTE:– From the midst of rain interminable, mud unfathomable and disagreeableness supremeable, I write this. The City of Alton arrived here on Thursday, and left on Saturday, as has most of the fleet for Tennessee river. I am detained in charge of stores in this, at present, most extensive mud hole.

Since last Wednesday there has been in this region one constant, incessant rain. The river is higher than ever known, and is only a foot below the top of the levee. This afternoon it commenced in places running over the embankment. During the day families are engaged in removing out of the city up on to the levee. The post office was removed this afternoon. War news is a secondary matter here at present. The first inquiry on the arrival of the papers is, What is the river news? And the columns are hastily [glanced] over to find the status of the river at St. Louis and Cincinnati. – Think of a city with the surging Ohio and Mississippi walled up fifteen feet higher than the levee of the town, only kept out by a frail earth embankment, and the water beginning to trickle over the bank, and you may have an idea of the interest the inhabitants have in river news from the up country.

The Illinois Central RR is submerged. Passengers and mails take a ferry boat from here up the river eight miles to Mound City, and then take a skiff a mile to the railroad.

Most of the boats with troops have gone from here. Col. Hatch and four companies of the 2d Cavalry are yet here, but will get off to-day. This is hard weather on soldiers. One battalion of the 2d Cavalry has been with their horses, for nearly a week in open barges. With water pouring down on them, wet clothes, wet above, below and around them, you can imagine what soldiers have to endure. And unless it accidentally clears off, this state of affairs must be endured at least three more long days and nights.

Chaplain Truesdell expressed home for the regiment fifteen thousand dollars. – Such an army flocking past and through Cairo the past week has eaten up all the substance of “Egypt,” but have left in lieu thereof full payment at fabulous prices.

In haste,
DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 26, 1862, p. 2

From The 2d Iowa Cavalry

ABOARD STEAMER CITY OF ALTON
ABOVE FORT WRIGHT (OR PILLOW.)
Wednesday April 16, 1862

FRIEND SANDERS:– The army under Gen. Pope, yet remains aboard the fleet at this place, some reconnoitering is being done. Some of our mortar boats have taken a position on the upper side of the bend and throw shell into the fort. Yesterday the rebels replied, their shell reaching over the point and striking in the river in the vicinity of the gunboats. The weather is very warm, too much so for pure comfort. Yesterday on of the little tugs having been left alone a few minutes took fire and was soon burned to the water’s edge. This evening clouds began to gather and as night closed in the wind, lightning, and roar of heaven’s artillery, betoken an approaching storm, about dark signs were made throughout the fleet for a move. Steamers brightened up their fires, and all preparations were made for casting loose, but as yet, 9 p.m., no move has been made. The night is very dark, and the rain comes down in torrents. This boat is so crowded that every space, including hurricane deck and texas, is crowded with sleepers, but to-night on account of the storm all are crowded below leaving scarcely standing room.

Gen. Schuyler is aboard this boat. He is a strait well built man, about five feet ten inches, spare features, black hair, and whiskers, dark complexion, and from all appearances, one entirely fitted for a commanding officer. Pleasant, affable, industrious energetic, attentive to the various trusts committed to his care, he is constantly found personally superintending the execution of business and seeing that the interests of those under his command are properly cared for.

April 17th, P. M. – It stormed all last night and to-day until noon, now clearing off,. Amid the storm all the command of Gen. Pope, except one division cast loose from the landing and at daylight this morning headed up stream. We are perhaps bound for a trip up another river and to be in at Corinth. More anon.

April 18th, P. M. – We landed at New Madrid last evening. It rained hard all last night and most of the day. The river had fallen some the first of the week, but it is now rising fast, being three feet higher than when we left New Madrid.

We were detained at New Madrid until near evening, awaiting the arrival of the Choteau, having on board a portion of Gen. Hamilton’s division. She is an old boat and becoming disabled. The Alton, as good a boat as floats, now has her in tow.

This river is fast making history, and places heretofore unnoticed and unknown have suddenly assumed a prominent place on the page of history, and acquired a significance that will invite the traveler’s attention for generations to come. Among them is Island No. 10. As we neared the Island the thousands of troops flocked to the hurricane deck, texas and every available position to get a fair sight of the famed spot. It has most truly a formidable position. The Island is high and well fortified. Approaching from above, a continuous line of fire from at least a mile of batteries on the Island, and for two miles on the main land, could be concentrated at any given object on the river. To Commodore Foote and Gen. Pope is due the credit of jointly wresting from the rebels their strongest foothold, and capturing an army without the loss of a single life. They were not caught napping and surprised.

We will take on at Cairo ten days forage and provisions. I will mail this at Cairo and the next from – well, I’ll let you know in time.

Yours, &c..
DIFF.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport Iowa, Friday Morning, April 25, 1862, p. 2