Crittenden's
Division, to which McNairy's Battalion still belonged, took up the line of
march again for Corinth Mississippi. Passing on through Murfreesboro, we went
into camps about ten miles beyond, on the Shelbyville pike. Johnston also put
the rest of his command in motion southward.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 135
The regiment will not go to Corinth as intended; only two companies will be sent. This evening they are taken across on a steamer. All quiet this evening. It rains all night.
This morning three companies are detailed to escort back to Corinth the teams that hauled the Division's camp and garrison equipage to the river. All quiet this evening, and it is still muddy and wet.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 210
The three companies sent with the teams to Corinth return to-day. The order this evening is to be ready to move in the morning.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 210
Again rumors are verified. Pursuant to order, the regiment moves from Pulaski this morning with three days' rations. It is said we are bound for Corinth, Mississippi, to look after the camp and garrison equipage belonging to the Second Division. After travelling thirty miles, we go into camp at Lexington, Alabama. As usual the regiment forages, and chickens still continue to fall victims to the Seventh. We have a good supper to-night; such as soldiers enjoy.
Last night some guerrillas made a demonstration on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, burning a bridge between Chewalla, Tenn., and Corinth. In the evening we receive marching orders with camp and garrison equipage, destination Chewalla, to relieve the Eighteenth Missouri, now stationed there guarding the railroad.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 198
This morning at seven A. M., we leave our old camp at Corinth, with all our camp and garrison equipage. The Seventh, as they move through Corinth with their knapsacks strapped to their mules, and with their long train of pack mules, look very much like an immense caravan starting on a pilgrimage. After about three hours ride we arrive at Chewalla, finding fine quarters and fine grounds, &c. The Eighteenth Missouri are now leaving, and as fast as they vacate we take possession. This evening the men are busy cleaning up and arranging their quarters.
A brigade of infantry pass through Chewalla on their way from Vicksburg to Corinth. They look as though they had seen hard service down on the Yazoo. This evening the order comes for five companies to report back to Corinth.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 198-9
This morning companies A, B, C, D and E, proceed on their way to Corinth, companies F, G, H, I and K, remaining at Chewalla. Troops from Vicksburg keep passing through Chewalla all day on their way to Corinth.
This morning our detachment leaves Chewalla with their camp and garrison equipage for Corinth. We again go into our old quarters, which we now denominate our "old homestead." The arrival and moving of troops seem to instil new life into Corinth. The indications are that some aggressive movement is contemplated.
* Possibly Sunday, October 25th. This is an undated paragraph at the beginning of a new chapter, previous to this was the entry for Saturday, October 24th, and the next entry is for Monday, October 26th. So this is either a continuation of the entry for the 24th, a new entry for the 26th, or a remembrance placed at the head of the chapter to keep the reader up to day of the movements of the 7th Illinois Infantry. — Your Blog Editor
Early this morning we are off for Corinth, moving over the old familiar highway. Oh! how dusty; the rising clouds almost hide the sun. We arrive at Corinth about noon, hungry, tired, sleepy and miserably dirty. The soldiers are soon perusing the papers, which seem to tell us that the long dark night of war is waning. The shouts from the soldiers that roll from the camp to-night are: “Hurrah for Gilmore!” and “More Greek fire for Charleston!”
It is still raining this morning and in lieu of dust we have mud. We are now fifty miles from Corinth, whither the advance is headed. We arrive at Purdy at 2 P. M., where we find Captain Clark with Company “D” barricaded in the old court house, where they had been sent yesterday with an ambulance and some sick soldiers. Captain Clark informs us that he was attacked by the guerrillas, but by determined resistance stood the ground against twice his number. Being well protected no casualties occurred. We halt in the outskirts of the town and feed, after which we proceed on our way towards Corinth. Arrive in camp 10 P. M., very much worn by the hard day's ride.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 197
This morning we are ordered to remain here and keep the mill running until we have enough ground to do us until we get back to Corinth. Foraging parties are being sent out in every direction. We are now compelled to subsist wholly upon the country.
Early this morning we are off for Corinth. We go into camp twelve miles from Purdy. Our comrades and we now sally forth to get our supper; we soon draw up at a plantation, The lord of the manor espying our uniforms, welcomes us and extends to us his hospitality, i. e. a good supper, and while partaking of his bounty, the old lady stood picket for us, and when leaving, the old man, with tears in his eyes, says, “You are welcome to my house. The boys in blue are men after my own heart. I have lived too long under the protection of the old flag to now rebel against it.” Returning to camp, a comrade rehearses to us his adventure; that he came across some Union ladies this evening, who cheered them as they rode up, told them of secesh neighbors, and proffered to carry up feed for their mules if they would go and take their neighbors' horses. The horses were captured. This we call true Union. God bless the loyal ladies of the South! God bless the loyal ladies throughout America for the part they are playing in the great drama! Their prayers and tears are to-day doing more to save the Union than the armies and navies can do.
This morning we are thirty miles from Corinth. We pass Purdy about noon, halt and feed close by, after which we move on and arrive in camp at seven P. M. All seem glad to get back to Corinth. This morning we interest ourselves in reading the letters that have accumulated during our absence. These do the soldiers good, and in consequence they are cheerful to-night.
This morning we receive orders to get ready for a scout; to start at four, P. M. At the appointed time our regiment, a detachment of the Third Tennessee Cavalry, and one company of the Tenth Missouri Cavalry, under the command of Major Estabrook, move from Corinth in the direction of Adamsville. It is soon dark; we travel all night; at midnight our advance is halted by a squad of rebel soldiers. Their character is demanded; they reply, “A detachment from Forrest's command.” “All right, advance one." The one is captured, the remainder make their escape. About three o'clock A. M., we halt and lie down to rest, weary and sleepy.
This morning orders are issued for all the troops in and around Corinth to be paraded on the review ground by eight o'clock, A. M., to witness the execution of one Johnson, a deserter from Company A, First Alabama Union Cavalry. At the appointed time all the troops are on the ground and in position. The sun shines intensely hot, and the tramp of infantry and the galloping of horsemen keeps in the wind one dense cloud of smoke. Soon the procession with the unfortunate man appears upon the ground. They march slowly along the division line, the doomed man walking, supported by the Chaplain of the Sixty-sixth Indiana. He has the appearance of a guilty man—guilty of deserting the flag and his comrades. After the procession has passed the line, they march to the place of execution; the deserter is placed upon his coffin in a sitting position. A solemn and impressive prayer is offered by the Chaplain after which he is blindfolded. The executioners take their position, the Provost Marshal gives the command, and the man who so unhappily erred from the path of duty is launched into eternity. May his ignominious death prove a warning to all who might peradventure be tempted to do likewise.
Early this morning,
we move on the Purdy road. A great many citizens are now following the command,
who have been compelled to leave their homes to seek protection within the
Union lines; all because of their adherence to the old Union. About dark we arrive
in camp at Corinth. All agree that the mule is a good institution, for there is
no complaining of feet being sore to-night. All are cheerful, and eagerly do
the boys read the news from Vicksburg, which is indeed cheering.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib
Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
p. 177
Last night about
four hundred of Roddy's command ventured to the government corral, two miles
from Corinth, capturing a company of the Thirty-ninth Iowa, and drove off about
six hundred mules. Cornyn, with his cavalry, is now in hot pursuit. In the
evening the Seventh's bugle blows, and we are soon in the saddle. We travel
nearly all night on the road leading towards Iuka. The boys become very sleepy,
and it is with difficulty that they remain on their mules.
