Started at 5 a. m.
Marched to "Hard Times" landing, on the Mississippi, where we
immediately embarked on board a transport and were ferried across to Grand
Gulf. Visited the fortifications, which were most extensive and almost
impregnable; our forces coming up in the rear forced the Rebs to evacuate them.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 14
A day long to be
remembered by those who participated in the events I now write about. We all
knew we were to assault the rebel works, and that there would be bloody work.
The day was a beautiful one, but very warm. We got breakfast early, and shortly
word came that the assault would be made at two o'clock promptly, but that we
would move at ten o'clock to take our positions. The ground had been
reconnoitered as best it could by General Ransom and the field officers of the
brigade the night previous. Early in the morning General Ransom and staff took
seats near our quarters, where we had a good position, to see the rebel works.
We talked and chatted, and Colonel Wright had a splendid field glass, and
Ransom remarked jocosely: "Colonel, if you are killed I want you to leave
that glass to me." "All right," said he, but I remarked:
"Stop, Colonel, you forget you left that to your boy when you made your
will at Memphis." "That is so," replied Wright. Poor fellow, a
few hours afterwards he was carried off the field badly wounded. I climbed a
large tree to get as good a view as possible, and reported to Ransom that they
had no interior works but a single line of fortification. When 10 o'clock came
we fell into line and the regiment counted; we numbered four hundred men. At
the word "forward" we started in two ranks down the ravine and
commenced to climb up the ascent on the other side, Company A in the advance.
It was hard work climbing over and under the trees that the Rebs had cut down
to impede our advance. We got within thirty yards of their works, creeping on
our hands and knees, when four of Company Co A were shot, two killed in
instantly. Corporal Nelson and Private Harding, and Corporal Heberlin and
Private Kassill mortally wounded; both died at night—four as good men as ever
drew breath. We were ordered to change our position, and in doing so a
lieutenant left his sword near the spot where the men were killed. I climbed up
and got it for him and sent it to him with my compliments; got into our new
position and waited for the word. Generals Giles A Smith and Ransom and other
officers got together in the ravine and arranged their watches and how they
should start. At last, at two o'clock promptly, the word came to
"go." Up we started and rushed ahead with a yell, and were greeted
with a most wondrous volley. Our colors were planted about fifteen feet from
the ditch, but we could not go forward, the fire was too severe, men could not
live; we laid down and only the wounded fell back, while shot and shell from
the right and left and our own batteries in the rear, whose shell fell short,
did terrific work. Men fell "like leaves in wintry weather." Colonel
Wright was carried off the field terribly wounded, Colonel Starring
incapacitated by a sunstroke, when the command of the regiment fell upon
myself. General Ransom tried to have us go forward, but we could not do it. At
last he gave the word to get back into the ravine, which we did, marching off
as quietly as on dress parade, carrying the wounded with us, but leaving the
dead. We reformed and then waited for further command, as we expected to make
another charge, but thank heaven, orders came only to move up to our former position
and hold the ground, which we did, and remained until midnight, when we were
ordered back to our camp. What a night! Such a night I never spent before.
About dusk there was quite a panic, but fortunately it was checked. The stench
was horrible. Many of the men from being completely worn out fell asleep, but I
could not close my eyes. None knew but what the Rebs might sally out, but they
were only too glad, I guess, to stay where they were, having repulsed us. I
cannot go into the details of the charge, but it was horrible, bloody work. Our
loss in twenty minutes was one hundred and ten killed and wounded. Such was the
22d of May, 1863.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 16
Busy all day in
getting details of yesterday's work so as to report to brigade headquarters our
losses, etc. Part of the regiment was detailed to build fortifications.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 16
Worked all night on
a fort for Major Powell's Battery; as the position is too much exposed for work
in day time, it has to be done at night.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 17
. . . comfort ably cool Routine of Duties as usual. Capt. Parke Officer of the day at camp Cairo Every thing quiet in camp Weather very pleasant Battalion Drill this afternoon General Paine from Paducah and Ajt. Gen. M. Breyman of this place present. We drew 36 Overcoats to day for our Co. and the full complment of Haversacks.
8 men detailed from our Regt. as Extra Duty men to work on Fortifications. Joel
Knip detailed from our Comp. for Ten Days commencing tomorrow Dress Parade at
the usual hour.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 231
The news came in
this morning that Holly Springs was entered at daylight and captured. The
Rebels took over two hundred thousand dollars and burned the depot with all the stores
and the arsenal we had fitted up for a hospital. After dinner we were set to work
building breastworks of cotton, having captured one thousand bales from the C.
S. A... When we first came here the regiment was scattered along the railroad,
one company in a place extending nearly to Oxford. Companies G and K were kept
here, this being the headquarters of Regiment 1, Norton commanding the Post.
Two companies below were sent up, and by night we had a complete breastwork of
cotton bales, regular old hickory style.
SOURCE: Seth James
Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells,
Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 19-20
Corinth, Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. The troops were engaged in fortifying. All the
buildings on the outskirts were torn down regardless of worth and hauled away
by the troops to build stables, barracks, etc.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 11
Still cloudy no news
of importance Nothing to do in camp since our Regt. left. All quiet about the
Brigade camp. The other Regts. are constantly drilling. No Capt. Parke yet. He
ought to be made work on the fortifications ten days with a Ball & Chain to
his leg No tidings of Sullivan Hickman & Brown to day have kept up a
constant search for them. The day has closed without anything worthy of note.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 229
Major Wood, Fifteenth Indiana, thought he heard chopping last night, and imagined that the enemy was engaged in cutting a road to our rear.
Lieutenant Driscoll and party returned to-day. They slept on the mountains last night; were inside the enemy's picket lines; heard reveille sounded this morning, but could not obtain a view of the camp.
Have just returned from a sixteen-mile ride, visiting picket posts. The latter half of the ride was after nightfall. Found officers and men vigilant and ready to meet an attack.
Obtained some fine huckleberries and blackberries on the mountain to-day. Had a blackberry pie and pudding for dinner. Rather too much happiness for one day; but then the crust of the pudding was tolerably tough. The grass is a foot high in parts of my tent, where it has not been trodden down, and the gentle grasshopper makes music all the day, and likewise all the night.
Our fortifications are progressing slowly. If the enemy intends to attack at all, he will probably do so before they are complete; and if he does not, the fortifications will be of no use to us. But this is the philosophy of a lazy man, and very similar to that of the Irishman who did not put roof on his cabin: when it rained he could not, and in fair weather he did not need it.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 47-8
Great liveliness in
the rebel forts, bands playing and soldiers strengthening the fortifications.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 31
Reached the
"City of the Falls" in the night. Left the boat about six this
morning, took a hasty breakfast at the “National,” then a hack for the depot,
calling at the office of Provost Marshal to secure passes on train to
Nashville. Am pleasantly impressed with Louisville. A pretty green plot in
front of private residences, even if quite small, with linden, ailanthus and
magnolia trees, are peculiarities of the city. It is too early for the foliage
of the trees to be seen, but the deep green, thick grass and the blossoms of
the daffodil are in striking contrast to the snow I saw in the latitude of
Chicago and Buffalo only day before yesterday.
The cars are now so
crowded with soldiers en route for "the front," that it is quite
difficult for citizens to find passage. Some have to wait several days before
they can find an opportunity. Only one car is appropriated for this use, and
ladies with their escort always have the preference. Thus gentlemen who are
alone are liable to be left, As we were leaving the "National" this
morning a gentleman rushed out and inquired if we were going to take the
Southern train, and if there was only one gentleman to the two ladies. He
"begged pardon—knew he was a stranger—wished to go to Bowling Green his
wife was sick and he had written her he would be home to-day. If the ladies
would be so kind as to pass him along, and if the gentleman would step with him
into the office he could convince him, through the keeper of the
"National," that he was a man of honor,” Mr. R. referred the matter
to the ladies. They decided to take under their protecting wing the lone
gentleman and see him safe home if the interview with the landlord, with whom
Mr. R. was fortunately acquainted, should prove satisfactory. It was so, and
Mr. Moseby—not the guerilla as himself informed us—entered the hack. He had
"taken the oath of allegiance," he said, and "lived up to it,
but had a right to his own thoughts."
Upon arriving at the
depot found the ladies' car locked, and we were left standing by it while the
two gentleman looked after the baggage. Mr. R. was not to accompany us farther.
Soon an elderly, pale-looking man, with a white neck-tie, came up, who asked if
we each had a gentleman travelling with us. We hesitated and evaded the
question. This was being in too great demand altogether. It was not even
included in Mr. R.'s list of our duties. He "was really hoping we had not,
and that one of us would take pity on an old man and pass him along."
His fatherly look
and manner banished selfishness, and he was told to wait until the gentlemen
returned, and we would see about it. As they did so Mr. Moseby stepped up and
cordially shook hands with the old man, calling him “Judge." But all
Southerners are styled judges, captains, colonels or generals, thought I, and
this one is an honest old farmer nevertheless. As Mr. M. assured us that he was
"all right," and a "man of honor," I told him he might
occupy half of my seat in the car. But it was not long before I found that my
poor old farmer was no less a personage than Judge Joseph R. Underwood, one of
the most noted men and pioneers of Kentucky. He has been Judge of the Supreme
Court of that State six years, a United States Representative for ten years and
a Senator for six.
A spruce little
Captain came through to examine military passes before the cars started. Quite
a number of citizens were left as usual, and as we were moving off I heard one
young man exclaim in desperation that he would "go right back to the city
and marry." The gentlemen congratulated themselves upon their good fortune,
and the subject elicited the following incidents:
A gentleman of Mr.
M.'s acquaintance could get no admission to the cars, no lady would take him
under her care, and he asked the baggage agent if he might get in the baggage
car. That functionary said he had orders to admit no one. "Then you'll not
give me permission, but if I get in will you put me out?"
No answer was made,
but the agent walked away, and the man, thinking like children, that
"silence gives consent," entered the baggage car and remained.
Another gentleman, a
merchant of Bowling Green, by name F—— C——, could get no chance to ride. But
fortunately having on a blue coat, in desperation he stepped up to a man with
the two bars on his shoulder who was putting his soldiers aboard, and said with
a pleading look and tone:
"Captain, can't
you lengthen out my furlough just two days longer?"
"No," said
the Captain, in a quick authoritative tone, "you've been loafing 'round
these streets long enough, in with you," and he made a motion as if he
would materially assist his entrance if he didn't hurry.
“Well, if I must I
must, but its hard, Captain."
"No more
words," was the short reply, "in with you.” Another was related by an
eye witness. A lady who was travelling alone was about stepping into the car,
when a gentleman, who was trembling with anxiety lest he should be left,
stepped up and offered to take her box. He did so, and stepping in behind was
allowed a seat by her side, cautiously retaining the box. He had two comrades
equally desirous of securing a passage, who had seen his success. One of them
stepped to the car window and whispered him to pass out the box. It was slyly
done, and the gentleman marched solemnly in with the weighty responsibility.
The box went through the window again, and again walked in at the door, until
it must have been thoroughly "taken in" as well as the guard.
Just out of the city
we passed a camp and saw soldiers lying under the little low "dog
tents" as they are called, and in the deep,
clay mud, while only a few rods distant was a plenty of green sward. Any
officer who would compel his men to pitch tents where those were ought to be
levelled to the ranks.
I saw for the first
time to-day, fortifications, stockades, riflepits, and mounted cannon at the
bridges. We passed over the battle-ground of Mumfordsville, and saw the burnt
fences and the levelled trees which were to obstruct the march of our troops,
and the building which was used by them as a hospital. In the deep cut passes
one sees suddenly the picturesque figure of a negro soldier, far above upon the
heights, who with shining uniform and glittering bayonet stands like a statue,
guarding the portals of liberty. At the fortifications are sign-boards upon
which are printed in large letters, "Please a drop a paper," while perhaps
half a dozen hands point to it as the train whirls past. Some papers were
thrown out. There were other things which had for our Northern eyes the charm
of novelty. A half respectable or squalid farm-house, with a huge chimney upon
the outside, and with a huddle of negro quarters. Also negro women with turbans
upon their heads, working out of doors, and driving teams—in one case on a load
of tobacco, while driving a yoke of oxen. The total absence of country
school-houses, and the squalid and shiftless appearance of the buildings and
people at the depots, are in striking contrast to the neat little towns of the
Northern and Eastern States. The scenery is fine, much of the soil good, and
the water-power extensive. Nature has dealt bountifully with Tennessee and
Kentucky, but the accursed system of slavery has blasted and desolated the
land, and both races, black and white, are reaping the mildewed harvest.
I find my honorable
companion very entertaining and instructive. I am indebted to him for many
items of interest, both concerning the early settlers, and also the modern
history of the places we pass. His personal history is full of interest, and is
one more proof that early poverty is not necessarily a barrier to honor and
position. The Judge was given away by his parents to an uncle, who educated
him, gave him five dollars and told him he must then make his own way in the
world. Another uncle lent him a horse, and he set out to seek his fortune as
lawyer and politician. He has in trust the fortune of an eccentric old
bachelor, which is known in Warren County as the Craddock fund. Three-fourths
of this is used to educate charity children, while the other fourth pays the
Judge for his care of the fund. His friend Captain C., while upon his
death-bed, sent for the drummer and fifer to play tunes in the yard, and from
those selected such as he wished played at his funeral. He was buried with military
honors.
“Muldroughs-Hill"
which we saw, is a long ridge extending about one hundred miles from the mouth
of Salt-River to the head of Rolling-Fork. It was named from an early settler
who lived twenty miles from the others, and was farthest west. Rolling-Fork is
a tributary of Salt-River. The origin of the term "going up
Salt-River" originated at a little place we passed, now called
Shepherdsville. It has only four or five hundred inhabitants. But in its early
days its salt licks supplied all the Western country with salt, and was a
growing aspirant for popularity, as it invited so much trade. It was a rival of
Louisville, but unlike that, made no provision for its future well-being, but
depended on its present worth alone. "Thus," moralized the Judge, “do we often see two young
men start out with equal advantages, and find afterward that one became a
Shepherdsville, and the other a Louisville." Now there is a bridge at
Shepherdsville guarded by cannon, then there was no bridge and ferry-boats were
used. It was not a smooth stream, and to cross, one must row up the river some
one hundred rods before heading the boat to the opposite shore. Owing to the
rapidity of the current, it was hard rowing, and great strength was needed.
There were those engaged in the making of salt who were called kettle-tenders,
and who for the most part were a low, rough set, being often intoxicated and
quarrelsome. Two of these having a fight, the victor finished with the
triumphant exclamation of There, I've rowed you up Salt River!"
Lincoln's
birth-place is near this, in the adjoining County of Larue—although this was
not the name at the time of his birth. And how little did the mother of Lincoln
think, as she taught him the little she knew of books, that the people in the
vicinity would ever have cause to exclaim of him, in relation to his rival for
the Presidency, as they do of the successful politician—" he has rowed him
up Salt River !"
There is a little
river called "Nolin," which waters his birth-place. It was so named
from the fact that in the early settlement upon its banks a man named Linn was
lost in the woods, and never found. He was probably killed by the Indians. But
the neighbors searched for several days, and at night met at a place upon its
banks, calling to each other as they came in, "No Linn"—" No
Linn, yet."
The Judge has
carried lead in his body for over fifty years, received in the war of 1812. He
was in the battle on the Maumee river called Dudley's defeat. The regiment,
under Dudley, had crossed the river to take cannon of the enemy, which they
succeeded in doing, but instead of returning they pursued them two or three
miles, leaving a few behind to protect the captures. But a detachment of the
enemy passed around in their rear, retook the cannon, and when the regiment
returned, their retreat was cut off, and all were taken prisoners and obliged
to run the gauntlet. About forty were killed in running the gauntlet. The Judge
saw that the line of men which had formed at a little distance from, and
parallel with the river, had a bend in it, and that if he ran close to the guns
they would not dare fire for fear of hitting their own men. The Indians were
armed with guns, tomahawks, and war clubs. In that day the gun was accompanied
with what was called the "wiping-stick," which was a rod made of hickory
notched, and wound with tow, and used to clean the gun. He escaped by receiving
a whipping with some of those sticks. It was the last gauntlet ever run in the
United States. During the trip I had quite a spirited but good-natured
discussion upon the condition of the country, with Mr. M., who I found is
really a strong rebel sympathizer. He worships Morgan since his late raid into
Ohio, and secretly cherishes his picture in his vest pocket. Just before
reaching Bowling Green, where we were to separate, the fatherly old Judge took
a hand of each in his own, and with moisture in his eyes and a tremor in his
voice, said:
"My children,
you represent the two antagonistic positions of the country, and like those, do
not rightly understand each other, on account of sectional prejudices. And now
let an old man who has watched the growth of both sections, who has, as he
trusts, fought for their good in the field, the desk, and senate, join your
hands in the grasp of good fellowship, and oh, how sincerely I wish that I
could bring also together the North and South in one lasting peace!"
Soon after, he
pointed out his residence—the cars stopped, and we parted with our pleasant
friends.
Reached the
"City of the Rocks" about five, this P. M. Shall wait to see more of
it, before making note of impressions.
SOURCE: Elvira J.
Powers, Hospital Pencillings: Being a
Diary While in Jefferson General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Others at
Nashville, Tennessee, as Matron and Visitor, p. 5-12
On the high land
overlooking the Potomac, about six or seven miles above the Navy Yard at
Washington, we have, since our arrival here, thrown up a small fort, formed
extensive abattis, and made redoubts and fortifications to command the turnpike
leading down the river, and the bridge over which any enemy must pass from any
direction above here to reach Washington. This looks like business. The
earthwork fort is small, but very strong, and its large siege guns, from twelve
to eighteen feet long, with their sullen faces watching up and down the road in
every direction, give it a most formidable appearance. A brigade (I have not
learned what one) has just advanced beyond us to commence another fort, about
two miles to the southwest of us. Neither fort has yet been officially named,
but the one just finished is called by the soldiers Fort Mott; the one about to
be built they will for the present distinguish by the name of Fort Ethan Allen.
In this manner we are closing on the enemy by slow approaches, or parallels.
Let Dupont and Butler, from North Carolina, advance to meet us, whilst Fremont
takes care of the Mississippi, and we shall have an early closing up of the
war. Every day's observation more and more satisfies me that the enemy will not
fight us here.
9 P. M.—Our fort is
completed, and we have just received orders to cook three days rations, and be
ready to move at a moment's notice.
I will here note,
once for all, the manner of the soldiers taking care of themselves in a storm,
when they have no tents. They all have "rubber blankets." Two forks
are set, and a pole laid from one to the other, some four or five feet from the
ground. A kind of lean-to roof is made by placing brush or poles against this,
one end resting on the ground, the other end resting on the pole. To make this
roof water-proof, the rubber blankets are stretched, like tiles on a roof, and
no water gets through. In moderate weather the men cuddle together under this,
and are reasonably comfortable. In cold weather they make large log fires in
front of these "bivouacs," and pass the nights without freezing.
An order was
received to-day from the War Department, that in future no labor shall be
required of soldiers on the Sabbath, except what is absolutely necessary for
our defence.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 25-6
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
Cloudy; rained last
night. 2 P.M.—Cold, and prospects of snow.
The news of Early's
disaster, and loss of artillery at Strasburg, is confirmed, and casts a new
vexation over the country.
Mr. M. Byrd, Selma,
Ala., is addressing some bold letters to the President on the blunders of the
administration.
Gen. Longstreet has
resumed command of the first army corps.
G. W. Custis Lee
(son of the general) has been made a major-general.
There was no
fighting below yesterday, that I have heard of.
Gold, which was $1
for $30 in Confederate States notes, commands $35 for $1 to-day, under the news
from the Valley. Yet our sagacious statesmen regard the re-election of Lincoln
(likely to follow our reverses) as favorable to independence, though it may
prolong the war. It is thought there will certainly be revolution or civil war
in the North, if the Democrats be beaten; and that will relieve us of the vast
armies precipitated on our soil. Many of the faint-hearted croakers are anxious
for peace and reconstruction.
Gen. Butler, called
“the Beast” by the press, has certainly performed a generous action. Messrs.
McRae and Henley, two government clerks in the local battalion, wandered into
the enemy's lines, and were put to work in the canal by Gen. Butler, who had
been informed that we made some prisoners taken from him work on the
fortifications. This was done but a short time, when they were relieved; and
Mr. McRae was permitted to return to the city, to learn whether the Federal
prisoners were really required to perform the labor named. No restrictions were
imposed on him, no parole required. He came with Gen. B.'s passport, but felt
in honor bound to communicate no intelligence, and voluntarily returned to
captivity. We had Federal prisoners at work, but they were
remanded to prison.
Slightly hazy and
sunshine.
Quiet, save aimless
and bootless shelling and picket firing along the lines on the south side of
the river.
Hon. Geo. Davis,
Attorney-General, to whom was referred the question of the constitutionality of
the purposed removal from office of clerks appointed to fill places
specifically created by act of Congress previous to the enactment of the
Conscript law, without there being alleged against them any misconduct,
inefficiency, dishonesty, etc., has reported that as several subsequent acts of
Congress already indicate an intention to put all capable of bearing arms in
the army, it is the duty of the President and the Secretary of War to carry out the intentions of Congress,
leaving the constitutional question to the decision of the courts! The
Constitution they swore upon the holy, etc. to support! Thus, & refugee
must either starve his wife and children by relinquishing office, or be disgraced
by appealing to the courts!
It is reported that
30,000 of the enemy crossed to this side of the river last night, and that
fighting has began at 10 A.M.; but I hear nothing save an occasional report of
cannon.
It is said brisk
skirmishing is now (12 m.) going on along the lines.
Gen. Cooper and Mr.
Secretary Seddon wants Brig.-Gen. R. (Charleston) relieved, for insulting a lady in one of his fits
of drunkenness. The President is reluctant to consent.
We have intelligence
to-day of gun-boats and transports ascending the Rappahannock River. Another
squall from that quarter!
Three P.M. The
cannonading has grown quick and terrific along the lines, below the city (north
side), with occasional discharges nearer, and farther to the left (north), as
if the enemy were attempting to flank our army.
The sounds are very
distinctly heard, the weather being damp and the wind from the southeast. We
can distinguish the bursting of the shell quickly after the discharge of the
cannon.
The firing ceased at
dark. It rains hard and steadily, now. What a life! what suffering; in mud and
water, without tents (in the trenches), burdened with wet blankets, and perhaps
without food! To-morrow, in all probability, a battle will be fought.
Gen. Lee, for
several weeks, as if aware of the impending operations in this vicinity, has
been on this side of the river, superintending in person the fortifications
multiplied everywhere for the defense of the city, while reinforcements have
been pouring in by thousands. It must be a fearful struggle, if Gen. Grant
really intends to make another effort to capture Richmond by assault! Our
works, mostly made by the negroes, under the direction of skillful engineers,
must be nearly impregnable, and the attempt to take them will involve a
prodigious expenditure of blood.
As Zollicoffer had by that afternoon thrown a good portion of his command to the north side of the river, he moved his headquarters from Mr. West's to Mill Springs.
General Shoepf became so alarmed at the movements of Zollicoffer on yesterday, that he fell back with his entire company last night to a position three miles north of Somerset.1
Fishing Creek runs south into the Cumberland five miles above Mill Springs, and lies between that place and Somerset. One road to the latter place crossed
Fishing Creek seven miles from Mill Springs, and the other
eleven. The enemy had thrown up fortifications at the more distant crossing.
1 Rebellion Records, Vol. VII., p. 476.
SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 90-1
Our men were still very busily engaged crossing the river and intrenching (at “Beech Grove ”) on the north bank.
A cavalry scout crossed Fishing Creek at the upper crossing, passed through the fortifications on the east bank and returned without meeting any, not even a picket, of the enemy.
Bright, and very warm.
There is a report that Gen. Hood's army is at Marietta, in Sherman's rear, and it may so.
One of the clerks (Mr. Bechtel) was killed yesterday by one of the enemy's sharpshooters at Chaffin's Farm. He was standing on the parapet, looking in the direction of the enemy's pickets. He had been warned to no purpose. He leaves a wife and nine children. A subscription is handed round, and several thousand dollars will be raised. Gen. R. E. Lee was standing near when he fell.
All is quiet to-day. But they are impressing the negro men found in the streets to-day to work on the fortifications. It is again rumored that Petersburg is to be given up. I don't believe it.
Sept. 21st.
Our Reg. is still working on the
fortifications, and the work goes on well.
The Gen. is building five forts at this place, when finished they will be
impregnable The troops are coming in very
fast—we have from 10,000 to 15,000 now, and when they all get here we shall
have from 25,000 to 30,000. They we
expect to go to Arkansas and Texas where there are a few jobs to be done in the
way of fighting. Hindman is said to have
a large force somewhere south of us, and if he does not attack us soon we will
attend to him. I am anxious for this war
to close; not that I regret having enlisted to serve my country, but because I
would like to be at home with my friends.
– Published in The Union Sentinel,
Osceola, Iowa, Saturday, October 18, 1862, p. 2
To build the detached works spoken of in your note of last
evening I see no way but to divide the work between the l5th and 17th Army
Corps All other troops are too far off A heavy detail can be got to do the work
by collecting Stragglers and working them constantly under guard, and without
reference to the Corps they may belong to. I will have the ground examined with
reference to locating these works, and will be glad to have the ground
all the information you can gather by having the ground further reconnoitered
