Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, September 14, 1863

To-day companies are sent in every direction, scouring the country for rebels. Company H to-day capture the noted rebel Ross, once a member of the State Legislature. Some one charges him as being one of the motley crew who made such an ignoble retreat when Nelson made his appearance in the vicinity of Nashville, but as it is to his credit, he denies the accusation. In the evening the different companies and scouting parties form a junction at Henderson Station, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 190

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Sunday, September [27], 1863*

Three o'clock this morning the shrill notes are heard; all are now in a bustle and uproar. By day-light the Kansas Seventh reports to Colonel Rowett, and by sun-rise his troopers are again moving on the old Purdy road towards West Tennessee. Nothing of note occurs through the day. We travel about thirty miles and go into camp at Fort Hooker, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

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* Misdated as Sunday, September 28, 1863. September 28th fell on a Monday.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 193

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: August 1, 1863

The advance is now passing our regiment. It falls to our lot to be in the rear to-day. Soon we are all in the saddle and on the road. At noon we halt on one of Tennessee's large plantations to feed and eat our dinners. The corn pens are now mounted, the garden fence is scaled, the smoke-house entered; the hams are going, the turkeys are running and chickens squalling. Passing through the yard, a fair one approaches us and enquires for the chief commander. Of course we didn't know, and no one could be found who did; but when she discovered the corn pen rapidly diminishing for the benefit of Rowett's two thousand mules, that the boys in blue were stern and determined, and that her artful persuasion proved of no avail, she seemed to resign calmly to the "fates," and commenced to talk quietly to the soldiers. She said she loved the South, her heart was with it in its struggle; that she had two brothers who were officers in the Confederate army, and that she was glad of it. But she could not bear to be called a rebel. Says she: “Call me not a rebel, but a confederate.” After dinner we proceed on our way, cross the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and camp on the road leading to Lexington.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 186

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, July 31, 1863

After traveling briskly all morning we arrive at Trenton on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. We notice that here too war's scourge has been felt. We press on through and take the road leading to Jackson; about three miles from Jackson we pass Hatch's command. We halt at Gibson, feed, and eat our dinner; we will remain here all day. Hatch is now moving on towards Humboldt. To-day the regiment forages extensively; horses and mules are eagerly sought after by the Seventh, and the consequence is that the regiment is becoming well mounted. Companies and squads are being sent out all day. It is impossible for us to narrate the experience of all these scouting parties, as we could only accompany one. We follow a detail of ten men this evening, traveling about six miles, and succeed in capturing two fine mules; one from a negro who was, by the direction of his master, making his way to the brush. Cuffee, “smiling approvingly," says “De massa Yankee who ride dat mule will be well fixed.” It is now near sun-down and we are six miles from camp; but some forage, chickens, &c., we must have. Stopping at a plantation, we make a draw and get a sack full of pullets, a few hams, &c. It is now dark and we must hasten; but going a short distance a sable friend informs us where we can get another mule. Two men are sent to obtain the mule, and the remainder push on towards camp. We are now on a strange road; the night is dark, but on we go, and after traveling about four miles through the dense woods, we strike the Jackson road at Gibson. “Halt! who comes ere?” breaks upon our ears. “Who challenges?” we reply. "Be it known that we are the invincibles, representatives from the Kansas Jayhawkers. Give us your character?” “We are raiders from Rowett's command.” “Roddy's command!” Click, click in quick succession the triggers go. “D--n you, not Roddy's, but Rowett's command," cried one of our men. “All right, brother crampers, pass on.” We soon arrive in camp. The boys now make preparations to skin some chickens; all anticipate a good supper, but when we come to look for the pullets they are not to be found. The truth soon flashes upon us that R. J. ——became frightened in the dense woods and threw them away. Dear reader, imagine our disappointment. It is useless to say that R. J. —— didn't rest much that night.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 184-6

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: May 13, 1863

To-day the regiment is ordered to prepare to move from Corinth with camp and garrison equipage. In the afternoon Companies E, B and C, proceed by rail to Henderson, Tennessee, a station on the Mobile and Ohio railroad. In the evening the remaining companies load their camp and garrison equipage on the cars, ready to start in the morning for Bethel, Tennesssee, on the same road, four miles above Henderson towards Corinth. The news comes to-night that Hooker has re-crossed the Rappahannock; that Stoneman has been driven back, and that yet the rebel government holds sway in Richmond. So much for rumor. Hooker is dropped now and the acclamations of the Seventh are confined to “Burnside and No. 38," and for the arrest of Vallandigham.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 169-70

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: June 7, 1863

The work of evacuating the Mobile and Ohio Railroad is now going on. Having been ordered to move again with camp and garrison equipage, we this morning long before it is light, take the train for Corinth. The Twelfth Illinois having been ordered to Pocahontas, Tennessee, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, our regiment is quartered in their barracks. The Twelfth had things arranged in style, so that everything presents a good appearance; the locality is fine, having a beautiful view of the romantic looking Corinth, and the battle field of October 4th, 1862.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 171

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: June 29, 1863

This morning the command proceeds on to Cotton Ridge, where it is joined by Captains Clark and Aldridge, who were sent out last night on the hunt of guerrillas. From this ridge we move in the direction of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. In the evening we strike the railroad at Henderson, but no guerrillas are found, all having fled to the woods. The command goes into camp on a plantation near Henderson. We fare sumptuously to-night; hen-roosts and potato patches at our disposal. We sleep in an old cotton gin; the cotton is strewn everywhere to make beds.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 176

Corinth, Mississippi

As this place is probably destined to become the theater of great events, we lay before our readers all the information as regards its situation, etc., we possess.  The village of Corinth was formerly called Farmington, and is so mentioned in the Gazetteers.  It is a post-village of Tishemingo county, distant 262 miles northeast from Jackson, the capital of the State.  There are about three or four stores in the village, and of course its population must be relatively small.

Tishemingo county forms the northeastern extremity of Mississippi, bordering on Tennessee and Alabama, and has an area of about fourteen hundred square miles.  The Tombigbee river rises in the county; the Tennessee flows along the northeastern border, and it is trained by Tuscumbia creek.

The surface is diversified by small hills; the soil is fertile, especially in the valleys and generally has a substratum of sand.  A large part of the county is covered with forests of oak, hickory, walnut and pine.  The head streams of the Tombigbee furnish valuable motive power.  The route of the Mobile and Ohio railroad intersects the Memphis and Charleston railroad at Jacinto, the capital.  The county was organized in 1836.  The population in 1850 amounted to 15,490, of which 13, 529 were free, and 1,961 slaves.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

PITTSBURG LANDING, April 14.

A force of 4,000 men on five transports left the Landing on Saturday night, accompanied by the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, proceeded up the Tennessee to a point near Eastport, Miss., where they landed and proceeded inland to Bear Creek bridge and destroyed the two bridges, on the Mobile & Ohio RR. One measured 121, the other 216 feet in length. A Cavalry force of 150 men was found there, who, after having four killed, skedaddled in the most approved southern style. The expedition returned Tuesday night without the loss of a man. This was one of the most successful operations of it’s kind during the war, completely cutting off communications of the main rebel body at Corinth, and the rest of the confederacy, except at New Orleans.

A flag of truce arrived at our outposts yesterday with Gov. Johnson’s son of Ky., asking the fate of his father.

– Published in the Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 16, 1862, p. 1

A Successful Expedition – Two Rebel Bridges Destroyed

PITTSBURGH LANDING, Tenn., April 14. – A force of 4,000, on five transports, left the Landing on Saturday night, accompanied by the gunboats Tyler & Lexington, proceeded up the Tennessee to a point near Eastport, Miss., landed and proceeded inland to Bear Creek Bridge and destroyed the two bridges on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, one measuring 121 feet, and the other 210 feet in length. A cavalry force of 150 men was found there, who, after having 4 killed, skedaddled in the most approved Southern style. The expedition returned Sunday night, without having lost a man. This is one of the most successful operations of its kind during the war – completely cutting off communication of the main rebel body at Corinth and the rest of the Confederate army, except New [Orleans].

A flag of truce arrived at our out post yesterday with Gov. Johnson’s son, of Kentucky, asking the fate of his father.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862