I spent yesterday morning writing to my precious wife. I wrote two letters; one to take the chances and uncertainties of the mails; the othe...

Received orders to hold ourselves ready to strike tents and go on board transports. We are all sadly disappointed at not having a chance at ...

The Yazoo Pass expedition has ended and boats all back. Our return was monotonous, as we all felt dispirited at our failure. There was great...

Started again down the Mississippi, our destination being Milliken's Bend. SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,  War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brig...

Arrived at Lake Providence and left for Milliken's Bend. River still very high. SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,  War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet...

Went into camp, and a hard place it is; wood scarce and "water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink," except the Mississippi ...

Yet in the Gulf of Mexico. Company C lost a man last night. Company G has been turned out of their quarters and a hospital made of it. That ...

Went on up the river until hard ground appeared. Passed two forts, Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip they call them, and say Butler's men...

Heard last night that Dr Robertson & sister Ann were at Hannibal on their way to Ky, and at 10 A. M. Mrs B. Emma and I went down on Stea...

On board transport "Platte Valley." We left Memphis on the 3rd as we supposed for Lake Providence, but when we got within twenty-f...

Private. JACKSON, TENN.,  March  16th, 1862. My dear Colonel,—Can you not wake up the authorities to the great danger of our army here, an...

Left Natchitoches at 9 o'clock p. m. on Tuesday and had a very disagreeable ride, taking all night to get to Dutchman Cumberlando to bre...

We are fairly packed on board a small transport; so thickly are we crowded in, it is almost impossible to stir; yet all will stir. Every man...

Orders have come at last. "Forward to Vicksburg!" is the cry. We are steaming down the grand old river once again, ready to face d...

Weather fine & pleasant,—with indications of rain Duties of the morning as usual—much rejoicing through out the camp—though no open demo...

On the high land overlooking the Potomac, about six or seven miles above the Navy Yard at Washington, we have, since our arrival here, throw...

“Let the levees on the Mississippi be at once prostrated in a hundred places, while the water is high, and let the Traitors and Rebels livin...

RICHMOND, May 2, 1861. MY DEAR MRS GARDINER: I have but a moment ago received your letter from the hands of Mrs. Pegram, and regret to per...

PORT HUDSON, LA. We arrived at this port yesterday at noon, having made a quick run from the scene of our late action, coming through withou...

We went in Mississippi swimming. I wrote to father. Snake in first lieutenant's blanket. SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Pa...