Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, May 21, 1862

This morning we are ordered into battle line; we thus advance about one mile, driving the rebel pickets before us, taking possession of a ridge which has been for the last few days contested by the pickets. On the brow of this ridge we plant our batteries in regular battle line. Soon they open, hurling grape and canister, shot and shell into the low woodland in front. The storm that rolled from these iron monsters was terrific. Simultaneous with the first direful echo, the hideous shot and shell leaped from the whole line, all the way from Sherman to Pope, and with a deadly power, plowing their hellish paths through the woods, making the earth tremble. The rebels went back.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 73

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, May 22, 1862

All day we lay behind our entrenchments; our works of defense seem impregnable. It is now quiet along our picket line. The rebels are drawing in their advance.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 73

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, May 23, 1862

To-day our regiment is detailed to advance with the picket line and protect a fatigue party while building roads and bridges for the advance of our division. We have a brisk skirmish with the heavy rebel pickets.

This evening the Paymaster visits the Seventh, and before it is midnight the Seventh is flush with the “bonus."

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 73

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, May 24, 1862

This morning the boys are busily engaged depositing their money for expressage home, not wishing to be encumbered with any extra cash, especially when a battle seems threatening. This evening we are ordered to fall in on the color line, which is repeated several times through the night by false alarms from the pickets on St. Philips' Creek.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 73-4

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, May 25, 1862

This morning everything seems quiet. It is God's holy day, and the army is resting. We anticipate no attack to-day, for the attack on Sunday at Shiloh taught the enemy a lesson.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 74

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, May 26, 1862

Nothing unusual occurred to-day: In the evening we hear a noise three rousing cheers go up from Company H's quarters for something or somebody. For what, or for who can it be? Strange to say none seem to know; but walking that way we discover that Lieutenant Ring has returned from his sick leave of absence, received at Shiloh, and is now among his men. These cheers speak for themselves; we will make no comments.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 74

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, May 27, 1862

This morning we can hear the beating of drums in the rebel camp. There is not a wide space between the two hostile armies. The Seventh rests quietly behind their works to-day.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 74

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, May 28, 1862

The weather is still very warm. To-day we hear heavy cannonading in the direction of Sherman's line. This evening we advance towards the rebel works; our batteries gaining a position, they throw some shells into their midst. We hold our position, and soon commence throwing up breastworks; the army keeps working on them nearly all night; the Seventh finish their space by two o'clock in the morning. We now have another strong line of defense. If Beauregard stands, we anticipate a general engagement soon. All day we hear heavy cannonading along Pope's line. Would that that restless spirit whose dogs of war are continually barking could be let loose at this very hour; we know he would go sweeping like an avalanche against the fortified walls of Corinth. But it is not deemed best, and for what reasons history will show; and if it be a mistake, the world will see it, and he who is responsible will receive the censure. To-night the Seventh is restless; the men are anxious to leap those works and carry the old flag on. Their hearts long to see it flying over yonder, but they are held in check. Somebody is cautious; perhaps somebody is fearful that his name, like the name of another, will be handled harshly in the northern hotels; perhaps fearful that somebody would say he was drunk.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 74-5