Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 16, 1862

Our march is resumed again this morning—but not in the direction of Columbus. Our course is now towards Milburn a little town 7 miles distant from our last encampment, Which we reached about 3 O'clock P. M. On the account of water we had to march 4 or 5 miles farther taking the direction of Paducah after leaving Milburn we encamped for the night about 9 O'clock. Lieut Allen was left behind at Milburn not being able to proceed any farther, Lt, Brock also staid with him.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 17, 1862

Saturday morning rained like the mischief last night, Our camp flooded with water. The 10th Ills. have no tents and they are in an awful fix. Our men have not a full ration this morning—a little grumbling consequently—traveling is awful—roads are very mudy     Branches are high and it rains almost continually     The coat tail of the writer get very mudy and is consequently very heavy. WE travel to within one mile of Blanville and encamp for the night. The boys have one dram of whisky to night issued by the Qr. Master     Lieut Allen has been with the teams to day not able to walk, He caught up with us at Lovelaceville.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 18, 1862

Sunday morning     Roll Call absentees Privates John Hannant, Isaac Lawson who fell behind yesterday we will lay here to day as it is the Sabbath, the boys are all tired and are glad to get a rest.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 19, 1862

Camp Cairo Illinois      January     Monday morning Rall [sic] Call as usual And preparations for an early march to the river from where we started last Tuesday a distance of about 9 miles. It is our desire when we get to the river to embark and get to our old qrs to night. But after a hard days march Gen. McClernand sees proper to send other Regts in advance of ours consequently we are left to encamp on the same old ground Lt. Allen has permission to go to Cairo to night as he is unwell.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 20, 1862

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

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 1, 1862

Camp Cairo Ills. Wednesday morning clear and pleasant. Routine of the morning as usual. No drilling to day. The Col. for the diversion of his Officers obtained the use of one of the Steam Tugs which are daily running to & fro in the harbor—for a pleasure excursion    A portion of the command for the morning voyage—another portion for the evening. Capt. Parke & Lieut. Williams were among the passengers in the forenoon Lieut Allen remained in camp intending to go in the afternoon but did not We had a very pleasant trip of it first visiting Birds Point paying our compliments to Gen Paine—the new commander The performances of the day ended with Dress Parade.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 232

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 2, 1862

Thursday morning     Cloudy air heavy and damp. Drill by Cos. in the forenoon Set in raining in the afternoon—preventing Battalion Drill. Raining ceased towards evening Dress Parade—finis—

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 232

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 3, 1862

Friday morning cloudy & misting rain. Weather prohibiting the usual duties. Our pleasant weather which has continued ever since the first of September has now taken its final leave we all think    Dress Parade again this evening—Notwithstanding the mud

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 4, 1862

Saturday morning     Cold & gloomy as usual misting rain Co. on police Duty to day the inclemency of the weather prohibits Drilling     Dress Parade as usual.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 5, 1862

Sunday morning Still cloudy & cool Inspection of Barracks at 9 O'clock, Call for church at 11 am where the men are permitted to go to which church they please Lieut. Allen Officer of the Guard. No Dress Parade this evening but Roll Call or Co. Report

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 6, 1862

Camp Cairo, Illinois. Monday morning cool. Lt. Williams with 7 men were ordered in to the Fort to Drill on the artillery. Battalion Drill at 3 O'clock P. M. Very short Dress Parade. The Col. & lady gave a party to a few selected friends this evening

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 7, 1862

Tuesday morning cloudy & misting rain, too mudy to drill nothing doing to day.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 8, 1862

Wednesday morning cloudy and damp Raining the most of the day. Rec'd marching orders this evening Have orders to march on board the Boat at 12 O'clock to-morrow No Dress Parade this evening on a/c of the inclemency of the Weather, The Col. gave a dinner to the Officers to day

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 9, 1862

Thursday morning cloudy     Preparations making early this morning for our march Marched to the landing at 2 O'clock. The Brigade is all ready for embarkation but there is such a fog on the river that the expedition is postponed until the fog clears away The troops are marched back to their quarters with the expectation of leaving to-morrow morning any how. Too muddy for Dress Parade this evening.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 10, 1862

Friday morning still cloudy But the fog has cleared off somewhat, and we have marching Orders for Ten O'clock,—At 10 O'clock we marched aboard the Memphis to gether with the 18th Regt. at about One O'clock we pushed out into the stream. The boat headed towards Secessia. After 3 hours ride we landed at Camp Jefferson Six miles below this place & there went into camp By night Seven Regts of Infantry—about 10 Cos. of Cavalry and Two Batteries of artillery had landed and encamped The embarkation and debarkation was accomplished without much¹ difficulty

_______________

¹ Report of General J. A. McClernand, Jan. 24, 1862. War Records, Series I., vol. VII., p. 68.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 11, 1862

Camp Cairo, Ills. Saturday morning cloudy. From present appearances one would think our stay here would be for several days—as there is no stir in camp, probably waiting for the other forces to come up before we take up our line of march Our present camp is near the ruins of Fort Jefferson. A Fort erected in Jeffersons time—during the Indian war upon the frontier & was at one time a stronghold of Daniel Boone     Dress Parade this evening. 

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 233

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 12, 1862

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

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 13, 1862

Monday morning. It snowed a little during last night, tis very cold this morning Lt Williams Officer of the Guard, nothing has occurred since our arrival to disturb the quiet of our camp.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 14, 1862

Weather still very cold, marching orders have been issued and at 10 O'clock we leave this place for a different locality. The 10th & 18th Regts. and one Battery of artillery in front—our Regt. next the 29th 30th 31st & 48th the train of wagons &c. Bal of artillery & cavalry bringing up the rear     Near sundown we encamped near a place called Blamville having marched a distance of 9 miles for the first day.

Firing has been heard all this afternoon in the direction of Columbus One or Two of our Gun Boats have dropped down and are answering them by throwing a few shot and shell into their intrenchments

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 15, 1862

Camp Cairo, January 15th still cloudy but warmer. We march at 8 O'clock our route is in the direction of Columbus, at 3 O'clock we come to a halt and prepare for encamping for the night, on the farm of an old secessionist, to night we hear that forces from Birds Point & Fort Holt have encamped on our old Ground Camp Jefferson.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 234