Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, February 28, 1863

At day break we losed cable & moved down in front of Reb Genl Alcorn's beautifull plantation, by 10 Oc AM & here we stoped a short time, Brig Genl Washburn was here with a small force of our boys, he was in fine spirits, Genl Alcorn is now a paroled prisoner, & refuses to be exchanged or take the oath of allegiance but claims to have repented & sais he is for the federal government, & by his acts gives evedance that he is sincear. his Residence is a one storey frame with an ell & poarch in front, the only evidence of enterprise is the front yard nicely set with evergreens & surrounded with pailing fence, the Negro cabbins 20 in number has a high paling fence in front, at the other & upper side of the planters house is a smal orchard of Peach & Apple trees, with hedge fence in front & above this is a cotton gin & press & an old horse mill which our boys are running with mules at present. the land is more elevated than any we have seen since we left the Mississippi but it overflows     The stream runs about a stone cast from the main bank, but the Hamilton which has thus far accompanied our fleete made her way among the trees & landed against the bank at the yard. She used to be the ferry boat at Keokuk. I believe she is to return from this to Helena with soldiers after an hours delay, we moved on winding & twisting & dashing among the timber until dark when we tied up for the night, Some distance from land on either side. We aranged our muster rolls & had our men & selves mustered this afternoon by Col Kittredge.¹⁴

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¹⁴ Charles Woodman Kittredge, a merchant of Ottumwa, Iowa, captain of Company F, Seventh Iowa Infantry 1861-62, and colonel of the Thirty sixth Iowa Infantry, 1862 65.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 113

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Saturday, April 11, 1863

We were mustered. I mailed $30 to John C. Haradon of Lake City to invest in sheep for me.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 15

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, April 30, 1863

We were mustered. Cronin hurt in playing wicket by being run against.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 16

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, April 30, 1865

Inspection & Muster at 7. A. M. Major Boydston is appointed Provost Marshal on Genl Bentons staff, in place of Lt Col Smith 35" Wis returned to Regt for laying outside of the lines 3 nights handrunning The 1st Brig return to camp at 3 P. M. Capt Williams of 28th Wis up to see us today rec notice of the discharge of Stephanus De Kock, Citizens say that sharks come up this river from the Bay.

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. 597

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, February 28, 1863

We mustered and had regiment inspection this afternoon. Major Peats of Co. K complimented the troops quite highly on their clean guns. The ground is drying off fast. The river is still rising. There is much sickness, and about two burials take place every day. The "Rocket" came up tonight, bringing Gen. McPherson. I heard an adjutant-general say that the Rebs had sunk the "Indianola.”

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. 41-2

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, February 28, 1863

For the last two days we have had no drill out of doors, and very little guard. It has rained steadily. The "Dudley Buck" arrived yesterday with a large mail, and a lot of boxes have also made their appearance. We were mustered for two months' pay this forenoon, and in the afternoon, between the showers, began one of a series of base-ball games between men of the 23d and ours; but the rain postponed it to the dim future. We find our barracks just the thing this weather, much better than tents, and thank our stars and the United States Government for them.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 40

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, March 1, 1865

Raining this morning. get a pass to go to Ft. Gains to Muster. So foggy boat does not run. continues to rain by spells all day—Discharge read

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. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, March 2, 1865

A. M. to Ft. Morgan. at 12 M. Steamer Tamanlapas crosses. to Ft Gaines, I succeed in being mustered to date from Feb 21st 1865. Judge Ft Gaines not so good a fort as Ft. Morgan. Return to camp at 5 P. M. Regt just from Parade listening to speech from Agent of Orphan Asylum, Regt Subscribed about $5000. a brig loaded with lumber & hay was wrecked on sand Island yesterday during the fog. Meet an old friend Joel Deweese of 23d Iowa

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. 576

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, July 1, 1863

Mustered for three months' pay. Started from Myersville at ten A.M. Marched to Hanover, and went into camp at half-past four, where we saw a lot of dead horses. There had been a cavalry fight. Marched ten miles. Started again at half-past seven, and marched to within three miles of Gettysburg, Penn., and went into camp at twelve o'clock at night. Heard cannonading all day.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 277

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, February 20, 1865

Cleared off at night. Any amount of huckster women in camp by day light. A. M. in New Orleans to muster, did not succeed. P. M. in N. O. for order of discharge failed on act of not finding Genl & staff. Regt inspected P. M. clothing cut down. 27th Wis 29th Iowa & 35 Wis leave on board W. Thomas this P. M. Algiers a small place & dirty. New Orleans a fine City streets clean all stone. was in the St Charles Hotel. Orders to start tomorrow

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

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, February 28, 1865

Rain during the night. this morning go up to Ft Morgan 5. Miles to try to be mustered. No mustering officer this side of the Bay. P. M. Regt mustered. Evening sets in raining again. News that Charleston is ours.

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. 576

Diary of 4th Corporal Bartlett Yancey Malone: December 31, 1862

last day of 1862 was cool and cloudy and our Regiment had muster inspection in the day and at nite our Company had to go on picket gard down the bank of the Rapahanok River whar we was in about a hundred yards of the Yankees pickets they was on one side of the river and we was on the other we was in talken distence but our officer would not alow ous to talk they would cum down on the bank and hollow to ous and say if we would bring the boat over that they would come over on our side and have a talk. So that was the last of our works for the year 1862.

BARTLETT Y. MALONE Co. H. 6th N. C. Regiment

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 27

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, April 30, 1863

Mustered for two months' pay. Started from Potomac Creek at half-past one P.M., with eight days' rations. Each off-horse had a bag of grain on his back. We marched to Hartwood Church, and went into camp at six P.M., having marched eight miles.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 274

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, December 31, 1862

Last night was very cold. It snowed quite hard. The regiment formed this morning and guns were fired off. We were formed for muster at 2 o'clock yesterday. Abe left our mess, also Geo. Scott, both were ill.

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. 24

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Thursday Morning, October 31, 1861

Still cool Regimental muster for Pay. The forces now stationed here are all mustered to day—on the Brigade parade ground—An Order placing Capt. Hart under arrest by Col. Buford¹—was read this evening on Dress Parade.

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¹ Napoleon B. Buford was a graduate of West Point, law student, assistant professor at West Point, 1833 to 1835, civil engineer, Illinois merchant, banker and railroad builder. At the outbreak of the Civil War, his banking business was ruined due to large investments in Southern State bonds. He gave up all his property to satisfy his obligations and was commissioned Colonel of the 27th Illinois Volunteers by Governor Yates. For his gallant conduct at the battles of Belmont, Island No. 10, and Union City he was commissioned Brigadier-General by the President. When he left the service, he held the commission of Major-General. Eddy, Patriotism of Illinois, II., pp. 56-57.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, February 28, 1863

Battery mustered for four months' pay. Sergt. Brown returned from furlough. Capt. Martin went to Washington.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 272

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, January 1, 1863

To-day we were mustered for two months' pay, and of course we were happy till our ardor was cooled by our captain, who told us it might be three months before we received our money. All the consolation to us is, our names are on the list. Our barracks are up in arms, as we are getting ready for the entertainment this evening. Those who are not practising or ordering round are working like beavers putting things to rights.

SOURCE: John Jasper Wyeth, Leaves from a Diary Written While Serving in Co. E, 44 Mass. Dep’t of North Carolina from September 1862 to June 1863, p. 31

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, October 3, 1862

We had a verry heavy rain before day wett us in our tents I mustered the company & took them out on Dress perade evening I took I. Spooner went to Coz Kelleys then to the Demming house then to an Oyster shop & had a fine dish of Oysters returned to Camp & at 11 Oc nite the rain commenced to pour down & we took it in our tent.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 91

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: October 31, 1863

Immediately after breakfast commenced muster. Co. “C” was first on hand. Teams and 9th Mich. went for forage. Considerable trouble drawing enough. At 2:30 P. M. companies went out and fired revolvers and rifles. I made several good shots with the carbine. Good many boys under the influence of liquor. Helped some about ordnance papers.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 95

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: October 21, 1863

A rainy unpleasant day. Col. saw Burnside and got order (?) for us to be mustered. Sergt. Munson did the business. All right. Saw Pike and Co. D boys. Wrote a letter to Fannie. How anxious I am to know the future. It looks dark enough to me now. C. G. and other boys doing well — 100 and 125 dollars per month. Tully and Allie home on furlough.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 94