April fool's day; but we have had no time to celebrate, for early in the
day we were orderd to build a traverse. There has been cannonading all the
afternoon between the gunboats and the battery down the river.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 45
Companies "I" and "E" are to alternate in furnishing
what picket is needed across the river—about twenty men each day. Our party
went over this noon. We had been up since three o'clock this morning, and
manned the breastworks, but nothing came of it. The gunboats and Rodman's Point
had a duel, lasting till nearly five o'clock. As we went over the bridge at
noon we could see about two miles down the river, and all was peaceful—in
looks. The outposts being placed, the rest of us spent our time pitching quoits
with rings, which were found among the ruins of the old foundry (our camp), or
crawled into the ovens and slept till six o'clock in the evening. Then we left
camp: six on inside post, three on outside, and the balance at the breastwork.
We do not like being away from the company, but day after to-morrow others will
come over and we stay, changing work from picket to digging.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 45-6
There is very little doubt but that we are surrounded and besieged. We
have come down to very small rations (small enough before) of pork and bread,
and no beef; and limited to half a dipper of coffee at a meal, while the work
is increasing, and hard work, too. This afternoon two companies of the 27th
went down the river to occupy a battery which the boats had silenced, but when
they arrived there they found it not so silent, and came back with the loss of
two men. Capt. Richardson made us a present to-day of some good tobacco, which
came acceptable enough, as we were about out. This has been a quiet day till
about four o'clock this afternoon, when the gunboats and rebel batteries at
Rodman's Point commenced firing; but we feel none of it up here.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 46
Yesterday, the outpost of the picket across the river, from our company,
had an excitement of a new character. Our corporal (Cartwright), who was at the
outpost, leaving his rifle, advanced up the road toward the rebel picket,
waving a handkerchief. He was met by a squad of rebels under the command of a
captain. Corpl. Jim gave himself up for Salisbury; but with his accustomed
nerve, was bound to face the music. He halted; and the captain, halting his
men, came forward, and the two sat on a log at the side of the road, talked
over matters and things, and separated with mutual good feelings. Corpl.
Cartwright heard from Hobart, who is not expected to live. Leonard and Lawrence
will soon be well. After this affair was over (the officer of the guard coming up
and finding the corporal gone), Cartwright had to make a personal call on Gen.
Foster, who, after reprimanding him for holding communication with the enemy,
against special orders (a fact of which Cartwright pleaded ignorance), he was
allowed to return to the company, where he concluded to remain for the present.
A negro came in to-day reporting (so goes the story) that the enemy have
30,000 men and forty pieces of artillery, and propose attacking us to-night or
to-morrow morning. They have kept up a heavy fire most of the forenoon on the
gunboats and Blockhouse No. 4. If that force is outside, and they propose to
come in, they probably won't be disappointed, as we have only a force of 1200
men, counting the negroes, besides the four gunboats, which carry about twenty-five
guns all told, and we shall have to go to Salisbury if we do not have reinforcements
soon. The Rodman Point battery has been firing most of the day, and a new
battery has just been opened in the swamp nearly opposite where the
"Louisiana" lies, but it was soon silenced. The boys at Blockhouse 4
are using the unexploded rebel shells.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, pp. 46-7
We heard pleasant music last night, it being heavy firing in the
direction of New Berne. It must be our reinforcements, whom we heard had been
turned back from Swift's Creek. The battery at "Widow Blunt's" shot
away our flag-pole, yesterday, but it was immediately repaired. "E's"
men were on picket across the river, last night, and had a lively time, the
outposts consisting of Clough and Robbins. The rebels posted a gun to bear
either on the gunboat or bridge, taking, in its course, our picket; and as soon
as the "Louisiana" commenced shelling, the road was a sad place for a
man who wanted to save his head. They got out of it all right, no one being
hurt. One of the shots from the gunboat struck the old chimney, knocking bricks
and mortar all over the reserve. Meanwhile the "Widow Blunt"
batteries were raining shot and shell at the fort, making it lively for the
homeguard.
SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While
Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June
1863, p. 49
Battle of Glendale Farm. This battle is known by five different names: White Oak Swamp, Glendale Farm, Golding's Farm, Turkey Bend, and of Charles City Road. At daybreak we formed in line of battle. The enemy appeared shortly after. The battle opened at different points. (Every one recollects the delay of our retreat on that day, in covering our extensive trains, which occupied seventeen miles length of road.) At three o'clock P. M. the rear of the trains passed by, just in time, as we were attacked immediately after. The battle lasted until night. Sergeant Hammond, Seidlinger, and Slocum were wounded. Battery B, Pennsylvania Artillery, was taken by the rebels, right in our front. The gunboats participated in the battle. We fell back at midnight, leaving our dead and wounded on the field. Our battery carried their wounded off, but left one caisson behind, a lynchpin giving way. No other could be found during the excitement.
SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, pp. 50-1
The Rebs in front of us fired but little during the night, they shelled our working party at the 6 gun battery close by us from the mortar battery. In the Afternoon, I worked the men some. The Rebs were quieter than usual all day, our batteries give them a few rounds in the evening. After dark the mortar battery of the Rebs opens on our working party again. Several bombs are thrown at it by our mortar batteries. Some think by the signs of the times that the Jonnies are silently leaving the place, the news from Grant Sherman & Thomas is good, in honor of which successes by order of Genl Canby a salute of 100 guns is fired by the Gunboats & the land batteries. I am told by those who had an opportunity to know, that during the cannonading the evening of the 4th something blew up in Spanish fort throwing 5 men 10 or 15 ft above the work. Men on picket that night say they said 16 men carried out of the same fort & buried. The battery men say the cannonading killed & wounded 100 rebels. I dont know how they get their information. I am relieved at 8. P. M. by co "C" & march the co to camp, find supper ready. Temp & I put up our tent gather bedding and retire at 11. P. M. at which hour shells are flying freely on the right & centre.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 584-5
No marching orders yet this morning & as our teams had all been called for during the night & sent back to the landing for supplies did not think we would move today. took out the co Books & spent all the forenoon posting the books & making out returns. Some of the men who go to the forts today say the white flag is waving over Mobile. Mr Sperry says he saw it & as near as he could discover from this distance it was a white flag, but the firing in the Bay still continues At 1. P. M. rumors in camp are that Genl Lee has proposed to Genl Grant to surrender the whole so called Southern confederacy with but one condition which is a free pardon to all. Also rumor says Genl Canby has reed orders to make no forward movement until further orders, but the firing in the Bay still continues. A brigade of Steeles men move out at 2. P. M. going I dont know where or how far. The 1st Brig 3d Div 13th A. C. move to Spanish fort. Hear this evening that the Gunboats have advanced to mouth of Spanish river just opposite Spanish fort & are engaging the batteries in the Bay. All the teams are employed today hauling supplies from the landing, a report was arond that Thomas was in Mobile but contradicted as the best glasses show nothing waving above Mobile but the confed flag. Just before dusk without a moments warning the Genl call was blown. Could hear the call all over the corps, & before 15 minutes the 13th A. C. was in the road ready to move not having heard where we were to go I made inquiry & learned it was to Starks Landing below Spanish fort & by the new road across the pontoons 11 miles. At 7. P. M. the column moved & it soon became evident we were on a forced march, when we cross the pontoons at 9. P. M. could see a fire in Mobile which lighted the whole sky. Our Brigade took the wrong road & detained us besides giving us a march of 2 miles extra. men give out almost by companies, we were marched to the landing & there stocked arms at 2. o clock, there were not more than 15 men in my co when we halted remained here about an hour, during which time some of the boys come up. we were moved down on the beech to await transportation, could see the fire yet at Mobile. Regts going on board transports all the while, not certain yet where we are to land.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 588-9
Were waked up at daylight & most of the men had made coffee when the Regt. was ordered on board the Gulf Steamer. Genl Banks, Genl Granger & suit embark on the same boat, as we are about the last Regt to embark the fleet set sail immediately, the fleet consisted of 6 musketo gunboats & about as many transports, two men of war, these boats carried the 13th A. C. the gunboat Cincinatti took the lead across the Bay arond with a torpedo rake. I was surprised that the Land batteries in the Bay did not open on us as we were in good range of it, crossed over to cat fish landing. A man of war run up close & lifted a shell over which called no reply but caused a display of white rags at every house along the landing. A boat was sent ashore which brought back word that there was no enemy in Mobile & the Mayor would surrender the city at the approach of our army. Genl Grangers orders were to beach the boats & men to wade on shore, but these orders were not carried out where it was certain there was no enemy, the boats run up to an old pier hardly stout enough to hold itself up. & the men disembarked. slowly, our boat was not light enough draft to move up to the pier & we were transferred to another boat and landed at 11. o clock. Admiral Thatcher was on board our boat before we disembarked. I hear the navy feel very soar about the little work they have done to reduce Mobile. When the sand forts were fond to be evacuated Genl Granger determined to run the Genl Banks to the city although the Admiral was afraid to run his musketo boat with a torpedo rake to the city. Col. Mackey wanted to have the regt remain on the boat & go in with the Genl but he would not allow it saying "I dont want to loose the men but if they blow me up with a torpedo they may blow & be D----d" his boat went in without running on any torpedo although the pilot was unacquainted with the channel & run by guess we lay arond on the banks after disembarking until 1. P. M. when we started for Mobile but from some cause we moved slow moving about 200 yds & then rest an hour so it took until dusk to get us in camp between the 1st & 2d lines of fortification about the city & about 1 mile from the city, I take a look at some of the forts an the line of forts which are the best earth works I ever saw & cannot understand how Genl Maury got the consent of his mind to leave such works without firing a gun. The forts mounted large Siege guns of heavy calibre many of them marked "Selma Mch 1865." the guns were all well spiked & carriages mostly destroyed most of the magazines were open & much of the ammunition destroyed although there was a great amont left, the citizens close by tell me that not much of the cotton was burned for Genl Canby sent in word if the cotton was burned he would burn the city. The big fire we noticed last night was the burning of the navy yard. Say when the Rebs left the commissaries with 6 months rations for the men were thrown open & citizens helped themselves, in the rush several citizens were hurt. a Co of Reb cavalry did not leave until our army was disembarkng & a small squad remained in town until the straglers who run ahead of the command were entering the city they snatched up one of these straglers & made off with him. The 1st Brig marched into town & 8th Ill was put on provost duty.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 589-90
Revelie at 4. a. m. Div on the road at 6. Lt Cooper tells us our destination is the mouth of the Tombigbee distant about 30 miles. We leave the R. R. at Whistler. Find the marching hard although the Regt was in the advance. We travel about 11. miles & camp near a large & deep creek. Lt Loughridge & I go down to fish but after 3 hours faithful fishing returned to camp with nothing, just after dark hear one report of a cannon. See today the best looking rebel I ever, saw. he was a deserter & was marched by our Regt while we rested. a large close built & splendid looking man. Reported that 8 miles from this camp is a Reb force of 8000. & 12 miles is a U. S. Arsenal at Mt Vernon. The clk of Div Com. says that yesterday a fleet of Gun boats & Transports went up to the mouth of the Tombigby carrying 400.000 rations It is the talk that we will establish a base there & move next to Lt. Stephens, has been a very warm day.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 593
Revelie at 3. Genl. at 4. column moves at 5. 33d in the rear. co. G. in the wagon train. very warm roads tolerably good. At 2½ P. M. leave the road & turn to the left to strike Cedar creek at a point above narrow enough to bridge easily as the bridge on the main road was burned & the stream too wide to be bridged easily. reach the creek at 3. & are ordered to make coffee while the Pioneer Corps build a bridge. a small scout of cavalry ride to the river about 3 miles from the road & bring in 5 deserters & report that our gunboat captured a transport & barge loaded with cotton The deserters say all the Rebes have gone to Meridian The bridge is completed just at dark & the column begins to move over, is 8:30 when the 33d crossed & 10. before we are ready to lie down. The prospect for rain made it necessary to cross the creek as a hard rain would render it impassible. It is reported that Thomas has whipped Dick Taylor
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 593
Inspection at 9. A. M. Lt Hook comes to the Regt with the sad intiligence of the Assassination of President Lincoln & Sec Seward which is published in the Mobile paper. The news quickly spreads & groups of men can be seen all arond talking in low tones with a look of sadness never worn by them before, at 10, a. m the Div Brass Band plays the "dead march" & is followed by the bands of Regts in order. It is truly a solemn day & the boys one & all vow to take vengance in Southern blood, many who favored peace this morning now favor utter extermination; about noon we are greeted with the arrival of Luit Sharman looking like altogether a different man from the Luit Sharman we left at Little Rock the 14 of Feb he brings an extra which states that it is thought Seward is not mortally wounded & hopes of his recovery is enertained, he spent the night last night with Capt Lacy & reports that Genl Steeles Corps proceeded up the Alabama river this morning, embarked on 15 transports escorted by a fleet of gun boats, says a very fine Gulf steamer was blown up in the channel in the Bay by a torpedo of which there remain some yet. Luit Seevers s detailed to proceed to New Orleans to bring up our Books & Records. Weather cool.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 594-5
By 6. a. m. all ready march to the river descend at a steep bluff. was possible to get down but impossible to get up if up was the word, were conveyed from the shore to the boat on a coal flat at 2 loads, & at 7.15, the boat started. the weather was fine & had a pleasant ride no accidents, the boat laid in too close in making one short turn & was some 10 minutes getting her clear. All the country until we reach Mc Intoshs Bluffs is over flowed we disembark at Mc Intoshs Bluffs at 11 a. m. Bluffs here are not more than 12 ft high, there are 4 dwellings, 3 families living here one story & a half dwelling house through which one of the gunboats fired a shell just a week ago at a Mr Vaugn who shot at a skiff load of negroes coming down to the Boat. is vacant the family having left soon after the gunboat left which stayed but a short time, a black smith shop with 6 forces [sic] & cranes built for heavy work, a large carpenter shop & piles of timber which were to have been a Gunboat had not the yankees come too quick a good saw & grist mill at work, the hull of an unfinished ram built 20 miles above & float here & burned lay at the landing. Several small flats of negros & some whites come down the river, all report the Reb fleet of 2 gunboats & 27 transports at Damopolus, found chickens & pigs plenty, no fat cattle. at 4, P. M. just as a transport was landing we were about to build breastworks, but being reinforced thus did not. & I took a cart & five men to the contry for some bacon. Capt Rankin took two others out to old Parson Rushs (an old nigger driver) for Sweet potatoes. I got back just at dusk. fond the Regt together & camping about ½ mile from the river. The whole Brigade had arrived on Transports. The Regt teams not coming we took the cars & were to 10. P. M. getting all our baggage up to the Regt. Quite a no of citizens come in amongst whom was the wife of Capt Jonston who surrendered the Tennesee. Capt Taylor & river Pilots, Mrs Bates & others. Any no of darkies, the balance of the Division is said to becoming by land.
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 595
A. M. to commissary for stores. The fort is laid out today, & details made to work on it. At noon was detailed for picket to report immediately. The Off of Day did not know where the line of our Brigade was, took us out on the wrong road making a walk extra of about 3 miles, was 4 P. M. when we arrived on our own line, found there the detail of 33 had been sent away to a bayou 1½ miles below the bluffs. Which post was to be relieved, having no place on the line for me The Off of Day ordered me to march my detail to camp. Short picketing that soon after return to camp supper ready. After supper Lt Laughridge & myself go to the river for a bath. talk with a squad of a Sergt of 4 men bearers of dispatch from Mobile & just arrived say a flag of truce from Taylor had been at Whistler for 5 days & rumor said Taylor wished to surrender. Told us of a Reb gunboat running out of Red River past New Orleans & being too closely chased beeched & blew up, saw a little nig. who gathered a mess of ripe haws to make us a pie, we to give him his supper of which he had had none, when we return to camp Lt Sharman says "the dispatch is just reed from Genl Canby announcing the surrender of Genl Taylor & all his forces. & that our men should respect him & his officers enroute to Mobile" as this order is published cheer after cheer rends the air, Lt Stocker 29th Iowa stays with us tonight, he come up from the Arsenal with an escort of 10 men & says that his segt captured 2 men of the squad who captured the teamsters near Fish river & that all the teamsters were sent to Vicksburgh for exchange. The Lt says there is no doubt this is a correct statement, Fleas Fleas. Fleas
SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 596
1 See the report of Flag officer, A. H. Foote, Mar. 4, 1862. War Records, Series I., vol. VII., p. 436. In part he reports as follows: "Columbus is in our possession. My armed reconnaissance on the 2nd caused a hasty evacuation, the rebels leaving quite a number of guns and carriages, amunition and a large quanity of shot and shell, a considerable number of anchors, and the remnant of chain lately stretched across the river, with a large number of torpedoes. Most of the huts, tents, and quarters destroyed. The works are of very great strength, consisting of formidable teers of batteries on the water side and on the land side, surrounded by a ditch and abatis."
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236
Friday, it rained very hard last night, & is still raining this morning. We are under marching orders, Tis said we are to accompany the fleet down the river True enough about 11 O'clock A. M. the flotilla of Gun Boats hove in sight followed by the transports & mortars.
We embarked on board the Steamer Silver Wave. By and by they began to shove out the Gun Boats taking the lead.
Head Quarters Silver Wave Nothing of interest transpired until we arrived at Hickman, where we all landed, a Battalion of the 27th only disembarking headed by our Col. and Lt. Col. displaying our glorious old Banner & keeping step to the soul stirring notes Yankee Doodle & Dixies land. Col. Buford first proceeded to the telegraph office where he destroyed their means of communication & also tearing up their Rail Road track for a short distance. The locomotive having skeddadled as soon as our Boats hove in sight. We lay here until Saturday morning
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237
Saturday morning cold drissling rain. The fleet gently get under way this morning at day break, we proceeded on our way to Island No. 10. Our Col. this morning imparted to us the glad tidings of the evacuation of New Madrid & the possession of it by Gen. Pope with a number of peices of heavy cannon About 9 A. M. we came very unexpectedly upon a Rebel Gun Boat the Grampies which was wooding about a 9 miles above the Island. She very hastily left her moorings, not giving some of her hands time to get aboard. The Benton which was in advance sent a few shots after her—but without reaching her. She set up a scream with her whistle—which she did not abate until she reached the Island. Arriving in the neighborhood of the Island—the Gun Boats dropped very cautiously down to within 3½ miles of their upper Battery on the main shore & near the same distance from the Island. Two of the mortars were towed into position. The Gun Boats then opened upon the Island—firing several rounds during the afternoon The two mortars also fired several rounds each but no response was elicited from either Battery Nothing of importance has transpired to day.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237
1 For these movements see War Records, Series I., vol. VIII., pp. 115-117.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 238
Tuesday morning, heard heavy firing at New Madrid. Our Boat moved up the river. The Gun Boats and mortars opened fire in the evening. At 9½ A. M. Our Boat went up the river to Mr. Phillips and killed 4 beeves, After that we dropped down the river to our camping place. Our mortars and & Gun Boats keep up a fire on the enemy all night at intervals of ½ hour.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 238
Friday cloudy & smoky The 27th Regt. of Ills. Vol. was transferred from the Steamer Silver Wave to the Steamer T. L. McGill One Steamer with One Regt. left here for Hickman Ky. to protect the citizens. Our Gun Boats continue to fire on the enemy.
SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 238
