Capt. Barrett starts to escort Capt. Painter and crew to Georgetown. Ferry broke, one mule lost, $300. Barrett gives $10 to get his sword from river. Second Lieutenant Beaulieu $5 to get his carpet bag. Raised the flagstaff in front of headquarters.
SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 15
We left Bacon creek at noon. There were ten thousand men in advance of us, with immense baggage trains. The roads bad, and our march slow, tedious, and disagreeable. Many of the officers imbibed freely, and the senior surgeon, an educated gentleman, and very popular with the boys, became gloriously elevated. He kept his eye pealed for secesh, and before reaching Munfordsville found a citizen twice as big as himself in possession of a doublebarreled shot-gun. Taking it for granted that he was an enemy, the Doctor drew a revolver and bade him surrender unconditionally. The boys said the Doctor was as tight as a little bull. What phase of inebriety this remark indicated I am unable to say; but certain it is that he did not for a moment lose sight of his gigantic prisoner, nor give him the slightest opportunity to escape. He was quite triumphant in his bearing; directed the movements of the captive in a loud and imperious tone, and favored him with much patriotic advice.
A wagon with six unbroken mules attached is an uncertain conveyance. If the mules are desired to stop suddenly, they are certain not to do so, and if commanded to start suddenly, they are just as sure not to obey. If, after an immense amount of whipping and many fervent asseverations on the part of the driver that all mules should be in Tophet, they conclude to start at all, they go as if determined to reach the place indicated without unnecessary delay. If a mudhole, ditch, tree, or any other obstacle lies in the way, and the driver cries whoa, the mules redouble their speed, and rush forward as if they did not in the slightest degree consider themselves responsible either for the driver's neck or the traps with which the wagon is laden.
It was about eight o'clock in the evening when we crossed the bridge over Green river. The moon had around it a halo, in which appeared very distinctly all the colors of the National flag-red, white, and blue-and the boys said it was a good omen; that they were Union people up there, and had hung out the Stars and Stripes.
SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 103-5
We had orders to draw and cook one day's rations early this morning. The water rose a good deal last night, and nothing but a small temporary levee keeps the camp from being inundated, and that is being washed away. The cattle and mules are all being driven higher up.
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, pp. 47-8
Near Memphis, Tenn. Slept out-doors. Awoke at 5 A. M. A beautiful
morning. Byhalia, unlike Tallaloosa, was a bright and lively little village, with
a large school house, church, lodge room, with a scientific laboratory, out of
which the boys jay-hawked numerous books, writing utensils, etc. etc. Picked up
two horses and two mules. The owner of the horses came and pleaded hard, but
could receive no other satisfaction than a receipt from Lieutenant Clark. He
was reported to be a rank Secesh, as well as everybody else.
We started with the
1st Brigade in rear of the train at 9 A. M. Twenty-eight miles from Memphis,
passed a house where a woman stood in the yard, bravely holding the Stars and
Stripes in her hand (to protect her chickens I suppose). Marched along quietly;
nothing of importance save the appropriation of considerable molasses along the
road until half an hour of sundown when a small party of guerrillas dashed up
in our rear, discharging some fifteen or twenty pieces, then legging it before
their fire could be returned. We halted, the cannoneers sprang to their posts,
got their equipments, when the 48th Indiana formed their line. But it was all
over with. They were gone, and we started on.
Two of the balls
took effect, wounding two boys of the 48th Indiana in the arms. An assistant
adjutant general and surgeon [who] had wandered a little from the train, were
taken also by a few of Jackson's cavalry, divested of their accoutrements and
horses, then paroled.
7 P. M. Drew up
three-fourths of an hour to feed our horses, then started on, travelled till 10
P. M. Came into camp seven miles from Memphis.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, pp. 22-3
Loudon. This has been a dismal day. It reminds me of
the day we crossed the Potomac last fall. It began to rain at 5 o'clock this
morning, and has rained all day, and there is every prospect of a wet night.
I never think of
that fearful night without a thrill of horror. I marched all that day in the
pelting rain, soaked to the skin, and when night came, weary as I was, I faced
the fierce northern blasts until morning. I date all my suffering from that
dreadful night.
Although this storm
reminds me of that day, and, under similar circumstances would have been quite
as unpleasant, yet I have passed it quite comfortably. My comrade and I have a
good tent, each of us a blanket and rubber ponchos, which enables us to keep
dry and warm. These rubbers are very useful. If overtaken by a storm while on
the march, not only is the person kept dry, but his blankets and haversack. At
night we spread it on the ground, and no moisture can reach the person.
But this storm; what
will be its effect on military operations here? I confess to a feeling of
anxiety; 1 fear we are to be again "stuck in the mud," as at
Fredericksburg. If this is really the beginning of the rainy season, we can do
but little more. And so much remains to be done. We must occupy and hold this
railroad, or evacuate East Tennessee, and that right speedily. We can get
supplies in no other way. There are not mules enough in the United States to
haul our supplies over the mountains in the winter. In fact, now, when the
roads, are comparatively good, it cannot be done. We have been on half rations
ever since we crossed the mountains.
But away with such
gloomy thoughts, and let faith and hope prevail. Tomorrow may bring forth light
from this pall of darkness.
SOURCE: David
Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer,
1862-1865, pp. 110-1
This has certainly
been one of the most exciting days I have spent in the service. We crossed the
river on a transport to the Louisana shore and commenced our march at 4 a. m.
My orders were to capture all the horses, mules and cattle I could, together
with all arms and amunition. The country is a beautiful one, splendid
plantations just blooming with cotton, the first I have ever seen in such an
early stage. I mounted my men as fast as I could. The march was a perfect
ovation from the darkies who first time in their lives saw Yankee soldiers and
knew they were free; they rushed to the road, fell on their knees praying with
all the fervor and feeling of their race. "Glory be to God, freedom's come
at last," etc., etc. They brought us fruits of the finest kind, butter,
milk, eggs, chickens, in fact all they could get so happy to know they were now
free. Captain Whittle with a few men pushed in advance of the main body and
captured a large lot of guns and ammunition, pressed a number of teams into
service, brought back what he could and destroyed the balance. Lieutenant Mason
was sent off on another road and captured an old planter who was just starting
for Texas with all his slaves, mules, horses and wagons; in fact would have
gone in five minutes more but those five minutes were fatal to him. He had to
turn his face the other way; his negroes were nearly crazy, so glad were they
to escape. We marched about fifteen miles into the country and then, as
ordered, started back on our march toward the river. Such a sight as met my
gaze. All along the road were the negroes with their families, household goods,
everything they could gather in the short time, piled up in their immense cotton
wagons as high as they could get them. There must have been thousands, no end
to the children; such a happy set of beings I never saw before. They were to
use their own words, "Going to freedom." They knew nothing else,
cared for nothing else, they were now free, what they had looked forward for,
for years, had come upon them in a moment, nothing could induce them to stay on
their plantations. I told them our provisions were short; they cared not, they
could find something to eat, they cared not if they died, they were now free;
they sang and danced, kissed each other and all the extravagant demonstrations
of joy you can imagine were carried on. We marched to within five miles of the
river at dusk when we encamped for the night. We took supper in the house of an
overseer of Colonel Davis' plantation, who was boasting that his darkies would
not leave him, when all at once one of the men came and whispered something; he
jumped out of his chair and exclaimed "Good God, you don't say so, are
they all going?" "Yes," says the darky "All going, Massa,
and so is I," and he darted out of the room. Our officers could not but
help laughing, and the oaths of the overseer were frightful. At night all was
quiet but the singing of the darkies, which music was certainly remarkable for
the joyous tunes and remarkable words.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, pp. 20-1
Went to Granville. I
rode Jimmy's gray horse and left my mule with his boy. Staid all night with
Capt. Trousdale; had to paddle over the river in a canoe and swim our horses.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 15
Messrs. Underwood
and Seeley of the Chicago Board of Trade and Y. M. C. A., arrived from Chicago
today. Visited the rifle pits with them. Battery A, Chicago Light Artillery,
did some firing for them, throwing shells with great precision at the rebel
works. A poor mule was killed at the distance of a mile by a shell.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 17
I leave Mr. Davis
this morning for Camp. Go out by Rainey's. I got my cartridge mended and came
up to Mrs. Grandstaff's and got my dinner. Came on to A.; met the Regiment just
at Camp, on their way to Lebanon. Our Squadron on picket. Sent after them. As
soon as they came Regiment started. Got to Lebanon about 11 o'clock. 'Twas two
before the last of the column passed. A train of wagons was along after the
Com's. We stopped on street and the train passed on. We picketed all the roads
and remained. I slept on street, my head resting on curbstone for a pillow, but
one blanket and got very cold before day. At daylight I went down and washed my
mule off and warmed in blacksmith shop. Started back and Ferrill being drunk
had me arrested. Kyle had me lay off my arms, but soon after Regiment all went
to water and I was released. I eat breakfast and went over to Mr. Davis. Cousin
Mec and Miss Fannie were at home. Mr. Davis down in town.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 13
I remained in town
some two hours. Went over to Camp, moved my mule to where 'twould be safe in
case of a move and went down to Mrs. Jordon Stokes. I had a good long
conversation with her. Got a paper from her and just as I was leaving Kyle came
in. I loaned him the paper and went over to Cousin Mec's to take dinner. Hank
Sullivan came in after dinner. Fox Trammel and Jim Davis came for dinner. The
Miss Thompsons, sisters, came in. I went into the parlor with Hank and was
introduced to them. We then had some music. An hour or two passed rapidly. We
took leave. I promised to call again in the evening. I went over to Mrs. Stokes
and after making addition left a letter which she kindly promised to send to
Nashville and mail for my Father. I got some more papers. She and Mrs.
Muirhead, her mother, tried to make a proselyte of me to Lincolnism or
Unionism, as they would term it. Commenced raining. We left soon after I got
back; came out near Cherry Valley and camped. I was on picket; the Reserve in a
barn; the Videttes in a blacksmith shop; a good time of it.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 13
Rain ceased; bright
and clear this morning. We came on to Alexandria. I spent the evening working
with my mule's feet. After supper I went over to Lodge to assist in conferring
some side degrees. I took 1001; staid till 11 o'clock. Came back and went to
bed. In a few minutes ordered to saddle up. Yanks coming down on us like
thousand of brick from Liberty, Snow Hill and all around. We marched all night.
I and Jack and Bill Kyle got together. Couldn't keep up with Regiment. Stopped
at daylight, got breakfast, fed horses and traveled on. Crossed river—nearly
swimming. Came out three miles and camped.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 14
This is a beautiful
day. I am quite stiff and sore from the effects of my walk. There was a detail
from the sixth division this morning, mounted on mules and sent out in the
northwestern direction upon a scout. Corp. Si. Livingston and Privates Briton
and Schultz represented Co. K, 17th Ill. They went about sixteen miles to a little
town called Richmond, where they found a detachment of the enemy, but owing to
a large bayou, our boys could not get at them, and had to leave them in
possession of the place. We heard heavy cannonading this morning. The Rebs had
undertaken to cross with about five hundred head of cattle, but slipped up on
it, and they fell into our hands.
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, pp.
34-5
Moscow. Weather cold
and frosty. 2 Р. М. bugle sounded the assembly, "Fall in", when we
were given orders to prepare to march immediately. The horses were harnessed,
everything packed ready for further orders which after an hour waiting, came,
to unharness. It proved to be an alarm caused by a party of guerillas making a
dash upon our foraging train, capturing some seventy mules, then skedaddling
before the escort could come up.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 14
London, Ky. We
broke camp last Thursday morning, the tenth of September, bound for Cumberland
Gap, ninety miles distant. The first day we marched eleven miles over a rough,
broken country, and encamped for the night. The next morning we started at 5
o'clock and made eighteen miles; yesterday, nine miles — thirty-eight miles in
three days, with eight days' rations and our accoutrements. The second day we
marched rapidly, making few halts, our business being urgent, for Burnside's
left was threatened, and we were hastening to the rescue. But, thanks to a kind
Providence, a messenger met us at this place with the intelligence that the
Rebels had suddenly left East Tennessee to join Bragg's army at Lafayette, and
the Gap was already in possession of our forces. There being no cause for
haste, our commander decided to spend the Sabbath here, and give the poor,
tired mules a chance to rest. We will probably resume our march in the morning
and proceed leisurely to the Gap—perhaps to Knoxville. We have borne the
fatigue thus far better than I expected.
It is a long time
since I carried a knapsack, but the more I have to do, the more strength I have
to do it with.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of
a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 90-1
My mule taken scratches or something else badly, cannot ride her. Pretty day to-day. Aunt Nancy came over this evening.
SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 12
All the provisions and forage has to be brought on the backs of mules and horses from Shipping Point and Cheeseman's Creek, the roads being impassable for wagons.
SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 39
Very little mail Belle Ve Dere starts A. М. at 2 P. M. our Regt on board the Izetta to cross to depot. drop 4 miles below, & return to depot. unload at 4 P. M. raining hard. move up to depot. an Irish girl brings out hot coffee for some of the boys. at 7. load on the cars & have a 20 minutes run to Lake city, on Lake Pontchastran where at 8. P. M. cos B. G. & K embark on board steam ship Alabama. find it full of mules & about 300 men of some 7 regts. 35 Wis, 7th Vermont, 27 & 28th Wis 1st La. &c. at 10 weigh anchor and are off.
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. 575
While I was looking
out of the window this morning at some recruits for the 48th Indiana, whom
should I see but John Metternich of our old company. (Co. E, 12th Ind.) He was
as much surprised as I; the last time I saw him, his head was bruised and
bleeding as the result of a spree. This morning a band of guerillas came up
within about two miles of this place, captured a number of mules and burned the
cotton they were hauling.
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. 14
We marched about
fifteen miles today and arrived at La Grange, three miles west of Grand
Junction. It is dry and very dusty. Sometimes the dust was so thick we could
not see the ground. That and the smoke and heat from the burning fences was
almost intolerable. We passed miles and miles of burnt and burning fences,
fired by troops in advance. Large and fine farms and plantations were laid
waste. We met fully forty teams of four and six mules each, loaded with wenches
and young woolly heads, and all their personal effects, and in fact all they
could smuggle from their masters. Ask them where they are going and they will
tell you, "You folks sent's to Bolivar, don't know where wes goin' from
thar." I blistered my feet badly on the march. We hear that Hollow Springs
is evacuated. We have very stringent orders in regard to stealing. Everything
has to be paid for by the division when it cannot be traced to the company,
regiment or brigade of the persons committing the theft. I hope they will be
enforced.
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. 12
Rienzi. Arose to the sound of the bugle at 3 A. M.
Prepared for a general inspection, but Captain, apprehending a move, did not
call us out. Drew good bunks from the old camp of 2nd Missouri. After roll call
at 9 P. M. I went to bed hoping to have a good night's rest, but I was doomed
to disappointment, for ere two hours had elapsed, we were awakened by Corporal
Dixon telling us to pack up all our clothing and be in readiness to march. We
of course obeyed and waited for further orders, when about midnight,
"Strike your tents" was given. This done, the mules began driving in,
loading was commenced, the horses harnessed, and by one o'clock all was ready
to march. That which could not be taken was piled up ready for the march, but
the order did not come, so we were obliged to pick our place and lay down for a
short and uneasy sleep.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 4
