Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 2, 1863

We struck tents yesterday morning and marched into Memphis, bivouacked on the wharf until dark and then embarked on board the steamer "Platte Valley." We will not leave until the whole division (Quimby's), has embarked. Our destination is Lake Providence. Fortunately we are the only regiment on board and are comfortably fixed. Was assigned to my duties as major. Our steamer went five miles below Memphis for wood. River very high and overflowing the country in many places. Raining hard every few days. Marching will be difficult.

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

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 Major Joseph Stockton, March 10, 1863

Disembarked on a sandy ridge and pitched our tents. River very high and swift. Miserable place for a camp, surrounded on all sides by water.

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

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 14, 1863

The past few days have been attended with some excitement in various ways. In the first place, there has been a "revival" among the division, the different regimental chaplains being interested in it, particularly an Indiana chaplain, who is a regular camp-meeting Methodist and understands his business. Quite number have participated and I sincerely trust with good results. The men had quite a hunt for a large eagle that flew over our camp, but it was soon lost to sight. We embarked on board the transport "Empire City," Captain Hazlitt. The boat is terribly crowded, our own regiment and part of the 11th Ohio Battery on board. There was a disturbance on board by the latter attempting to take possession of the boat, but it was soon quieted. Last night one of the battery was drowned by falling off the boat as he was carrying a bag of grain on board. Poor fellow, he could not be saved; the current of the river was too swift. We are now on our way for the Yazoo Pass and now as far as Moon Lake.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 9-10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 15, 1863

We have had a wearisome trip through the bayou, it being very narrow and almost at right angles the whole distance; the trees overhang the boat and limbs sweep the deck; the boat's guards are smashed, while the troops are constantly forced to lie down on the deck to keep from being swept off. All enjoy it and think it fun, but the novelty will soon wear off. Officers are comfortably quartered in the cabin; several Pittsburgh acquaintances are officers of the boat.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 17, 1863

Made one mile today; nothing of interest occurred.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 18, 1863

Reached the Coldwater River today and disembarked the troops for the purpose of cleaning the boat and giving the men an opportunity of cleaning themselves and washing their clothes. I had quite an adventure:—Got our horses off to exercise them a little, and while riding along the bank of the river I wanted to give my horse a drink; the water came over the banks, but I did not know it, and the horse having more sense than I had hesitated about going deeper in the water than he was, but I gave him the spur, and over he went into the river. We went down, but came up again, and I turned his head for the shore and tried to make him mount the bank, but it was too steep. I threw the reins over his head, threw myself off and swam ashore. I then tried to get him up on shore, but he could not get a foothold. I thought he would drown, when General Quimby came along in a yawl, and by his assistance and with ropes I got him out. It was a narrow escape for both, as the water was very swift and we were liable to get entangled in the brush.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 19, 1863

The regiment bivouacked on shore that night and the men all seem better for it this morning. As the river is much wider, we made about twenty miles today, which we considered good running. Passed several very fine plantations. Stopped at one last night, and the darkies told us where there was a lot of meat and sugar about two miles from the river, hid in the woods. Although it was raining I took about a hundred men, and guided by the darkies found, as they had said, lots of nice hams and shoulders. We helped ourselves to all we could and destroyed the rest. When we returned we passed the owner's house, and I never heard a man curse as he did at what were in the morning his slaves, but now free men. We took the darkies off with us, as the man would have killed them. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth when we left, and I feel assured that that man joined the rebel army, if he was not already in it, after we left. We passed today one of those scenes I dislike to see. A woman and children standing by the ruins of their burned home; one of the transports had been fired into from this place and the troops stopped and burned the house.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 20, 1863

Reached the Tallahatchie today; navigation much better.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 22, 1863

Still on board transport, which laid up at night, not knowing what we might run into.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 23, 1863

Reached as far as we can go today, our progress being stopped by a large rebel fortification called Fort Pemberton, which is about two miles off. We disembarked and were assigned camping ground by General Sanborn, our brigade commander. It is on a clearing—our tents are pitched among decayed pine trees, which have been girdled for the purpose of clearing the ground.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 24, 1863

Busy all day fixing our camp. Skirmishing going on all day. It is a busy day, as artillery, transportation and troops are arriving and disembarking.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 25, 1863

Went out today and visited the pickets. Riding through the woods is fearful on both man and beast, as the gnats and mosquitoes are terrible, particularly on the horse. Firing going on all day with the rebel pickets—could see them distinctly.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 27, 1863

72d Illinois and 48th Indiana went out on a reconnoitering expedition; found two rebel batteries on the bank of the river; exchanged a few rounds from our artillery with them and then withdrew.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 29, 1863

The mornings are lovely here. When it is cool and pleasant hundreds of birds are singing in every direction; mocking birds seem to be in great number, while once in a while you will see a bald-headed eagle soaring aloft and sailing beautifully through the clear air; but there is enough that is disagreeable to offset the beauties of the morning; the mosquitoes, gnats, flies, insects and reptiles are in abundance; snakes a common thing. At night it is almost impossible to sleep; we have had to grease our horses to keep them from being stung to death. Colonel Wright lost his beautiful horse, one he was very much attached to, by that cause. Last night we had a fearful storm of wind, which played havoc with the old trees and branches. They were blown about in every direction and our lives were in constant danger from falling branches and trunks of trees. In Ross's Division, just adjoining ours, there were five men killed by trees falling on them. I have never passed through a more trying or frightful scene. There was no chance of getting away, for one place was as bad as another. The rain poured in torrents, so we were in a bad plight.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, March 30 and 31, 1863

Weather cold and wet.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 11

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, February 9, 1863

Thank Heaven, we can soon move out of the city, having received orders to go into camp near division headquarters, Weather very bad, rain and snow mixed. Roads on the way to camp in a terrible condition.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 8

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, February 12, 1863

We have a splendid camping ground, plenty of wood and water, Made ourselves very comfortable. I feel so much better here where we can have batallion drills and dress parade.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 8

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, February 19, 1863

Left camp on the 16th on a scout to hunt up Blythe's forces. Orders came upon us suddenly to prepare two days rations and go in light marching order. Men strapped a rubber and one common blanket across their shoulders and were soon ready, all glad of the change as camp life had become very monotonous. Our force consisted of some 500 cavalry, 800 infantry (our regiment and part of the 11th) and two pieces of artillery. It had been raining for some time and the roads were horrible. Marched about twenty-one miles the first day. The rebels had burned all the bridges and we had to cut down trees to cross over the streams. Rained the first day. About 6 o'clock in the evening we went into camp, without any tents. Sleep was almost impossible. Reached Blythe's camp on the morning of the 17th, but the bird had flown. Company A were thrown out as skirmishers and moving forward in that way came upon Blythe's camp. They had been forced to retreat so fast that they had left all their camp utensils and provisions covered up with leaves and hid under branches of trees cut down. We destroyed everything we could find and commenced our march homeward, Co. A as rear guard. We kept skirmishing with the Rebs who would come just near enough to get a shot at us. Raining hard all the time. Marching terrible through a swamp when it was so dark you could not distinguish the men in front, we waded through water for an hour; when we came to Horn Lake river it was so swollen and deep from the rain that we could not ford it and as all the bridges have been burned down we cut down two large trees which fell across the stream and by the light of a single lamp crossed on these. We went into camp about four miles from the river but sleep was impossible owing to the rain. I sat on a log most of the night and tumbled off once in the mud from being asleep. I was a tough looking picture. Next morning we reached camp and all glad to get back. It was on this march that an incident occurred which was very amusing. We had halted and stacked arms at noon near a farm house where the men went for chickens, geese, pigs and everything eatable they could get, when all at once a lot of the men came rushing out of the yard yelling what was thought to be "Rebs." Men rushed for their arms-officers mounted, when it was discovered instead of Rebs it was bees. A lot of men in search of provisions had come upon a number of bee-hives and in trying to get the honey upset the hives and the whole swarm of bees set upon them. They were routed and fled, the bees attacked the horses and men so vigorously that we had to move the regiment.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 8

Diary of Captain Joseph Stockton, February 24, 1863

Received two months' pay on the 22nd. I may repeat here a little incident that occurred which was very pleasant to me. Through some accident for which I was not responsible, the first enlistment roll was lost and in making out a duplicate I had to guess at the time the men were enlisted (this was for my company.) As they got pay from the date of enlistment it made a difference of a few days with a number of men, so I refunded out of my own money all that they lost taking their own word for it. Last night I was surprised by having it all returned with the following note:

Captain Stockton,

 

Sir:—As a slight expression of our esteem, and a debt of gratitude we hereby acknowledge for the fatherly care you have extended us since the organization of the company, caring for our interests individually and collectively, and for this last act of generosity arising from that innate sense of justice dwelling in the human heart, sacrificing self for the good of others and believing in the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would have that they should do unto you, we tender you the enclosed by the hand of our representative, Oliver Rice, Orderly Sergeant, and ask your acceptance of the same.

It was signed by all I had paid the money to and was a most agreeable and happy surprise to myself. Colonel Starring said it was the best thing he had seen in the service.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 8-9