Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 9, 1863

On board transport "Platte Valley." We left Memphis on the 3rd as we supposed for Lake Providence, but when we got within twenty-five miles of that place orders came for us to disembark at General Woodfall's plantation and march through the country to Red River. After we had disembarked and taken everything off the boats, General Quimby and staff, together with the brigade commander, went out to reconnoiter the country and found it all under water and overflowed; they tried several directions, and some of the staff rode some miles from the river, but found it impossible to march more than a mile or so. We are encamped in a graveyard and my bunk is a flat tombstone; the men sleep on top of the graves to keep them out of the water. The division is encamped along the levee, as it is the only place that is dry. The whole division remained in camp on the plantation while General Quimby went down to Lake Providence for further orders. He returned on the night of the 6th with orders to re-embark on board the same transport and steam up the river for Helena. I understand that our destination from Helena is to go through the Yazoo Pass from the Mississippi to the Yazoo River, then down the river to the rear of Vicksburg and try to cut the railroad leading from Jackson to Vicksburg. Our pilots say it is impossible and impracticable, but we are bound to try. The Yazoo is considered one of the most sickly regions in the South. Its name signifies "River of Death," but I trust the high state of water may relieve it of its unhealthy propensities and spare us our men. We were glad we had not to undertake our march, as it would have resulted in using our men for no purpose, as progress would have been next to impossible. I rode out myself to see what the country was like and got mired several times. Once I thought I should have to abandon my horse, but after hard work he succeeded in extricating himself. Had he not been so powerful I fear he would have had to succumb. On Sunday, the 8th, we had religious service on board the transport in the cabin; there was a general attendance. Captain Whittle of G Company is the leading spirit with the chaplain in all religious services. He is a brave, good man.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 9

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, July 5, 1863

Last Wednesday we moved from our encampment at Mound Bluff Church, and after two days' marching, came to this place, and we are now encamped on ——— Creek, between Canton and Edwards' Depot, and twelve miles from the latter place. The enemy's out-posts are only three miles off, beyond the Big Black, and a collision is expected at any hour. The situation at Vicksburg is unchanged, as far as we know, but General Price is in possession of Helena, Arkansas, which will create a diversion in favor of the besieged, as he is in a position to cut off Grant's supplies. The "Fourth" passed off very quietly with us, there being an order against making any loud noise. A speech was made by some one in a brigade just across the creek from us. Night.—We have just received orders to march at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning with this additional injunction: "On this march there is to be no loud hallooing, firing of guns, or cutting down of large trees. The men are to march in their files, and company officers are to see that this order is enforced or they will be cashiered. Penalty for the disobedience of this order is death." This order, signed by the Commanding General, together with the various reports of the enemy's movements, put us on the tip-toe of expectation as to what was up. The very latest is to the effect that General Pemberton has surrendered to General Grant. The news comes so direct, and bears such a good face, that we all believe it. We are now satisfied we are to begin a retreat in the morning; whither, we know not.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 216

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, July 12, 1863—12 m.

HEADQUARTERS,        

Before Jackson, Miss., July 12, 1863--12 m.

Port Hudson being ours, and Holmes repulsed at Helena, the Missouri forces should be pushed to Little Rock at once. Mobile should be attacked also, from the direction of New Orleans, and, when it is taken, we could move on Selma. I fear the weather is too hot for me to march to Grenada. Would it not be better to move on Grenada from Memphis, and on Columbus, Miss., from Corinth, leaving me to fight Johnston according to circumstances, and to destroy the Central road as far as Canton and Big Black River?

Harrisonburg, La., should be attacked by a brigade. It would paralyze the Washita country. Can't Grierson join me by land?

All is well with me now. I have ten days' supplies. Will send my supply train to Black River, under good escort, as soon as unloaded.

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major-General.

General GRANT,

        Vicksburg.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 2 (Serial No. 37), p. 523

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant: General Orders, No. 36, June 15, 1863

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 36.}

HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE,        

In Field, Near Vicksburg, Miss., June 15, 1863.

I. So much of General Orders, No. 5, of date Memphis, January 16, 1863, from these headquarters, as requires provost-marshals to collect, for the secret service and hospital fund, fees for permits to buy cotton at military posts, and for permits to trade at military posts where trade is not regulated by the civil authorities, and all existing orders within this department “conflicting or inconsistent with the orders in respect to the regulating of intercourse with the insurrectionary States, the collection of abandoned property, &c.,” published for the information and government of the army, and of all concerned, in General Orders, No. 88, of date April 3, 1863, Adjutant-General's Office, or which permit or prohibit, or in any way or manner interfere with any trade or transportation conducted under the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, prescribed March 31, 1863; and all permits heretofore granted to persons to trade or ship goods to this department, by the major-general commanding, or by his order, are hereby revoked.

II. The shipment of goods for sale south of Helena, in this department, by any persons other than sutlers regularly and duly appointed in pursuance of existing law, is positively prohibited. Upon the approval of army corps commanders, or the commanders of posts, or of forces detached from their respective army corps, and on compliance with the Treasury regulations and orders, regularly appointed sutlers may be permitted to ship to their regiments, for sale within their camp lines, such sutler goods as are specifically designated and permitted to be sold by them, under the act of March 19, 1862, published in General Orders, No. 27, Adjutant-General's Office, series 1862, and the articles added thereto, as published in General Orders, No. 35, of date February 7, 1863, Adjutant-General's Office, and they will be allowed to sell only the articles designated in said law and orders, and none others, and at such prices, and not exceeding such, as may be affixed to said articles by a board of officers, in pursuance of the provisions of said act. The board of officers upon whom the duty of establishing and fixing the prices, exceeding which the articles permitted to be sold by sutlers shall not be sold, is imposed by said act, will immediately proceed to establish and affix said prices in all cases where it has not already been done.

III. All traders not regularly authorized sutlers, with their stocks in trade, will be required to remove at once to Helena, or north of that place.

IV. No spirituous, vinous, or malt liquors will be permitted to pass south of Cairo, Ill., except such as belong to the commissary and medical departments.

V. Any violation of, or non-compliance with, this order, directly or indirectly, will work a forfeiture of all the goods the person or persons guilty of such violation or non compliance may have in his or their possession, and subject such offenders to imprisonment in the military prison at Memphis, Tenn., at the discretion of the general commanding the department.

VI. The enforcement of General Orders, No. 88, current series, Adjutant-General's Office, of the Treasury regulations herein referred to, and of this order, is especially enjoined upon all military commanders and the respective provost-marshals in this department.

VII. All property seized for violations of this order will be disposed of and accounted for in accordance with existing orders.

VIII. No applications for the shipment of goods, or for permits to trade, within this department, will be entertained at department headquarters.

By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant:

JNO. A. RAWLINS,        

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 412-3

Captain Charles Wright Wills: October 10, 1863 – 4 p.m.

Memphis, Tenn., October 10, 1863, 4 p. m.

Have just got here; bored to death. Had to march around three sandbars between Helena and Memphis. Never want to see a steamboat again. Never want to journalize again. We started at 5 in the morning for Corinth and then, maybe, for Rosecrans. I'll be furiously glad to get ashore once more.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 196

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Sunday, July 23, 1865

touch & wood at mouth of White river. 1 co. of Whipples Rcgt there as guards. See them on inspection, touch at Helena at 7. P. M. Had a sermon by our Chaplain at 2 P. M. Evening cool & pleasant

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 608

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: October 19, 1864

Passed Helena, Ark., and reached Memphis at 8 p. m. Staid all night on board the steamboat. Next day we went ashore and camped two miles in rear of the city, but at 5 p. m. took the steamer “Belle Memphis” with the 161st New York, and moved on up the river.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 136

Diary of Gideon Welles: Wednesday, February 18, 1863

Have a long dispatch from Admiral Porter relative to operations on the Mississippi, a cut at the Delta between Helena and the Yazoo on the east, and at Lake Providence into Tensas on the west.

SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30, 1864, p. 238

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Thursday, February 16, 1865

Revillie early, at 8. A. M. went on board the Ben Stickney, 50th on board Peytonia, both large boats were fired on above Helena. Peytonia had 4 men Killed 4 wounded. Stickny one wonded Genl Lu. Wallace & Luit on board the Ben Stickny. At 8:20 leave for below Meet the A—— with an Ill cav Regt on board meet several boats not loaded with soldiers. Officers on a gay. No enlisted men allowed in cabin this evening. going to dance. 2 recruits reed 13th assigned to co G. fills our co to the minmium. finest kind of weather

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, October 6, 1863

A. M. Rainy. Camp equipage and clothing left at Helena arrive—

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 498

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Saturday, September 26, 1863

Rec visit from Mr. Randel of K co 3d Iowa cav. the 6 co's of which regt. have just come through from Helena to join other part of the regt which has been with Gen Davidson. In health improved—.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 498

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, September 16, 1863

Town full of deserters coming in all the while. Military College full of reb sick and wounded 400 wounded at Helena, there Citizens verry kind, a nice place, much scattered reached regt 3 P. M.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 497

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Monday, August 10, 1863

Not well Gen Review at 10. A. M. Packed up all surplus. clothing Mail robbery in town last night 8th Mich, go up in the evening.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 494

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, August 11, 1863

Packing tents hauling boxes to 2 P. M. line formed. 3. P. M. left town with train, cloudy rain a little. 7. P. M. camped 5 mile from Helena vivid lighting, rained considerable

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 494

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Wednesday, August 12, 1863

Not well. Rained all night, reveliu 3. A. M. line of march, daylight 12. M. _______ 2¼ hours. 5. P. M. camp 22 miles from Helena on big creek Man wounded in leg by accident.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 494

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday May 26, 1863

Some better, Nothing of importance but drill, and men falling timber around Helena. Very hard wind after dark

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 490

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Saturday May 30, 1863

Not quite so well. News Grant Whip Johnston in his rear, false news Memphis Bullitin Helena taken. Adj detailed post inspection gen. The 1st Indiana and 5th Kansas cavalry regiments and Dubuque battery, go down the river today

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 490

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Wednesday May 13, 1863

News that Richmond had fallen Cannon heard on the lower road cav. engaged with Dobbin again Noon, no dinner. 2. P. M. ordered to Helena, arrived 7.30. P. M. tired and sore. Loss while out of reg. 1 man missing Rained Road bad.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 489

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Sunday May 10, 1863

15 rebs showed themselves to the pickets this morning. took up our march at 6.30, stopped — hours 4 mile of cotton plant to bridge creek, cav. reported bayou de View, impossible, turned the head of column toward Helena.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 489

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Saturday May 2, 1863

Started for Helena at 7. A. M. arrived at Helena at 11 A. M. tired but no one hurt.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 488