Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, January 4, 1863

We had inspection at 1 o'clock. Col. Norton's tent burned today.

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. 25

Diary of Musician David Lane, August 30, 1863

Crab Orchard, Ky. We arrived at 10 a. m., making ten miles from Lancaster this morning. Crab Orchard is a lovely town of about one thousand inhabitants. We are encamped about one mile south of the village, in a lovely spot, shut in on all sides by high hills and forests. To the south, far in the distance, the Cumberland Mountains raise their blue peaks as landmarks to guide us on our course when next we move.

From what I see and hear of the surrounding country, the boys will have to depend on their rations for food.

Soldiers are strange beings. No sooner were our knapsacks unslung than every man of us went to work as though his very life depended on present exertions. We staked out streets, gathered stakes and poles with which to erect our tents, and now, at 3 p. m., behold! a city has arisen, like a mushroom, from the ground. Everything is done as though it were to be permanent, when no man knows how long we may remain or how soon we may move on.

Part of our route from Camp Parks lay through a country made historic by the chivalric deeds of Daniel Boone. We passed his old log fort, and the high bluff from which he hurled an Indian and dashed him in pieces on the rocks below. At the foot of the bluff is the cave in which he secreted himself when hard pressed by savages. His name is chiseled in the rock above the entrance. The place is now being strongly fortified.

We had a lively skirmish in Company G this morning. About a week ago the Brigade Surgeon ordered quinine and whiskey to be issued to every man in the brigade, twice daily. During our march the quinine had been omitted, but whiskey was dealt out freely.

Solon Crandall—the boy who picked the peaches while under fire at South Mountain—is naturally pugnacious, and whiskey makes him more so. This morning, while under the influence of his "ration," he undertook the difficult task of "running" Company G.

Captain Tyler, hearing the "racket," emerged from his tent and inquired the cause. At this Solon, being a firm believer in "non-intervention," waxed wroth. In reply he told the Captain, "It's none of your business. Understand, I am running this company, and if you don't go back to your tent and mind your own business, I'll have you arrested and sent to the bull pen. At this the Captain "closed" with his rival in a rough-and-tumble fight, in which the Captain, supported by a Sergeant, gained the day.

I have the most comfortable quarters now I have ever had. Our tent is composed of five pieces of canvas, each piece the size of our small tents—two for the top, or roof, the eaves three feet from the ground. The sides and ends are made to open one at a time or all at once, according to the weather. Three of us tent together, and we have plenty of room. We have bunks made of boards, raised two feet from the ground. This, with plenty of straw, makes a voluptuous bed. I received a letter from home last evening, dated August 13th. Oh, these vexatious postal delays; they are the bane of my life. I wonder if postmasters are human beings, with live hearts inside their jackets, beating in sympathetic unison with other hearts. I wonder did they ever watch and wait, day after day, until hope was well-nigh dead, conscious that love had sped its message and was anxiously awaiting a return. A letter from home! What thrilling emotions of pleasure; what unfathomable depths of joy it brings the recipient. It is not altogether the words, be they many or few, but the remembrances they call forth; the recognition of the well-known handwriting; old associations and past scenes are brought forth from the storehouse of the memory and held up to view. The joy of meeting—the agony of parting—all are lived over again.

We are having brigade inspection today, which is suggestive of a move, but our artillery has not turned up yet, and we will not take the field without it.

The health of our men has improved wonderfully since we reached Kentucky. A more rugged, hearty set of men I never saw than the few who are left. But, as I look around upon the noble fellows, now drawn up in line for inspection, a feeling of sadness steals over me. One short year ago nine hundred ninety-eight as brave, true men as ever shouldered gun marched forth to battle in their country's cause. Of all that noble band, only two hundred in line today. Where are the absent ones? Some, it is true, are home on furlough, but not all. They have left a bloody track from South Mountain's gory height through Antietam, Fredericksburg and Vicksburg to Jackson, Mississippi.

Oh, how I miss familiar faces!

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 86-89

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 11, 1863

Drill, drill, all day, for a change. Our band has received the new pieces from Boston, and is now expected to shine. Among our many visitors from home is ex-Sergeant Wheelwright who came out on the schooner "Fry." He went on the Plymouth or "Ham Fat" tramp, and took to foraging naturally. He stole a mule the first thing, but had to give it up to an officer. Next we saw him on a horse, which he managed to keep. He does not take kindly to quinine or hard-tack; he likes the colonel's fare better. It is a mere matter of taste, though! There is not much doing, except drilling and trying each day to be the cleanest company, as then we get off guard for twenty-four hours, the greatest inducement that could be offered us. We have succeeded in being both the dirtiest and cleanest. At the first inspection we thought we were clean, but a mouldy milk-can condemned us, and we had to furnish double guard, but since then have carried off the honors once or twice.

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. 39

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Wednesday, March 25, 1863

Roll call five times a day, arms and horses inspected in the morning and dress parade in the evening is the order of the day.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 10

Diary of 4th Corporal Bartlett Yancey Malone: December 31, 1862

last day of 1862 was cool and cloudy and our Regiment had muster inspection in the day and at nite our Company had to go on picket gard down the bank of the Rapahanok River whar we was in about a hundred yards of the Yankees pickets they was on one side of the river and we was on the other we was in talken distence but our officer would not alow ous to talk they would cum down on the bank and hollow to ous and say if we would bring the boat over that they would come over on our side and have a talk. So that was the last of our works for the year 1862.

BARTLETT Y. MALONE Co. H. 6th N. C. Regiment

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 27

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, February 6, 1865

Cool damp ugly day. busy all A. M. collecting unserviceable property, for the action of an inspector who inspected at our co at 2. P. M. until night busy about Dingemans watch, A. N. Corrin spends the evening.  the 77th O left today on 6. a. m. train. 77th Ohio, 27th Wis. 28th Wis 50th Ind. 29th Ia. & 33d Ia in a detachd Brig. under comdg of Gen Car.

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. 573

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, February 12, 1865

Genl. Inspection at 10. A. M.     P. M. with Sergt Killenbarger to see Lieut Sharman, who is improving daily, then to river. 50th rec orders to move tomorrow morning. Evening at Mr Goins, pleasant time. Day beautiful.

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. 573

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Sunday Morning, November 3, 1861

Inspection of arms and quarters at 9 O'clock. Religious services at the regular hour, by the Chaplain Rev. McMasters It has claered [sic] off and the day is quite pleasant. During this afternoon Those Officers who were placed under arrest have affected a compromise the full particulars of which I am not now able to state but the substance of which is that the Petition shall be destroyed by them and he withdraws all charges. Lieut. Allen returned from home to day The 18th Regt. and the 29th Col. Reardon have both been ordered away this afternoon Destination not known yet Dress Parade this evening as usual.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, pp. 230

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Wednesday, November 6, 1861

No Drill this morning. We have rec'd marching Orders, also the 30th 31st & 7th Iowa 22 Ills. and 2 Co's Cavalry and one Battery of Artillery. At 10 O'clock we had Gen. Inspection by the Field Officers for ascertaining the condition of the men their accoutrements Guns &c. The balance of the day until 4 O'clock was occupied in preparing for a march. At 3 O'clock the 30th, 31st & one Co. of Cavalry, (Capt. Noleman) embarked on board the Steamer Key Stone. Alec Scott & Chancelor, at 4 O'clock our Regt. 27th embarked on Board the Steamer Montgomery¹ The Memphis at the same time was laying at Birds Point taking on the 22nd Ills. at about 6 O'clock Alec Scott with the 30th and 31st Regts and Gen. McClernand on board the Balance following suit. Stopping at Birds Point and Fort Holt for the Iowa 7th & Capt Delano's cavalry Co. The fleet then dropped down the river a few miles to Island No. 1 Where we lay till the next morning.

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¹ Compare with the report of General U. S. Grant, Nov. 17, 1861. War of the Rebellion, Official Records Series I., vol.III., p. 269. In all 3,114 men were sent "to make a demonstration against Columbus. I proceeded down the river to a point about 9 miles below here [Cairo], where we lay until next morning, on the Kentucky shore, which served to distract the enemy and led him to suppose that he was to be attacked in his strongly fortified position at Columbus."

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 231

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, April 12, 1863

Had an inspection in the forenoon by Lieut. Walcott. The Third and Fifth Massachusetts, the Fourth Rhode Island Battery, and Battery D, Fifth United States Artillery, were reviewed by a Swiss major-general in the afternoon.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, pp. 273-4

Diary Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, April 26, 1863

Inspection of battery in the forenoon. Edward Cutter came back from Massachusetts, where he had been since his release from Libby Prison.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 274

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones: Sunday, October 19, 1862

Corinth. To-day we were told the sad news of the death of one of our number, John Haskins, who died during the night of chronic diarrhea. We had an inspection at 9 A. M. and in the afternoon we paid the last tribute of respect which one man can pay to another, to the remains of our comrade, Haskins. He was buried by the side of the brave five that fell in the battle of Corinth.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 10

Diary of Private Jenkin Lloyd Jones: Monday, October 20, 1862

Corinth. To-day we had to police the entire camp ground as it was reported that General Rosecrans was going to inspect camp. The ground was shoveled and swept over, but no Rosecrans came.

SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 10

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, January 17, 1865

Warm & pleasant. Genl Inspection by Capt Barnes A. A. I. G. 1st Div at 2 P. M. Sharman removed to Officers Hospital

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. 571

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Sunday, October 20, 1861

Inspection as usual. Services at 11 O'clock by our Chaplain, weather very pleasant has the appearance of Indian summer No news of importance today Dress Parade as usual this evening.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 229

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Saturday Morning, October 26, 1861

Camp Cairo, Illinois. Fogy and damp Drill as usual before breakfast no Drill this forenoon. Regt. was called out this forenoon for inspection that is the inspecting of men. The no. of men out on drill—the sick list & those absent from Camp not agreeing with the morning report, consequently there is a number that undoubtedly shirk from duty. This afternoon the review before Gen. McClernand came off.—Tomorrow we have a Grand Review.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Sunday, October 27, 1861

Regimental inspection this morning.—Religious services by our Chaplain. Grand Review commenced this evening at 2½ O'clock continued till 5, before Gen. McClernand and Staff. The forces which passed Camp Cairo, Illinois. Under review were Five Regts. of Infantry One of cavalry and one Battery of flying Artillery. The review has been pronounced a splendid affair Every thing passed off in fine style

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, February 5, 1863

Battery "hitched up” in the forenoon, and went out to be inspected by Capt. Weed of Battery D, Fifth United States Artillery. He did not come, consequently it was postponed. Owen McManus went home on a furlough.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 272

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, February 10, 1863

Battery was inspected in the morning by Capt. Weed, and had a piece-drill in the afternoon. The Ninth Army Corps left the Army of the Potomac.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 272

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, October 30, 1862

Forenoon I drilled the Co in the manual of arms afternoon we ware on battallion drill & dress perade & ware down on main street & had our arms inspected I visited our boys in the hospital morning & night some of them are verry sick one of Co [F] Capt Vermilion died he is a brother to one that was sent up yesterday

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 94