3rd Sergeant Charles Wright Wills: November 20, 1861

Bird's Point, November 20, 1861

Part of Pitt's (Col. W. Pitt Kellogg's) cavalry are here. We are glad to see them as it will relieve us of considerable picket duty. But otherwise cavalry are of not much service in this brushy, swampy country. That fox of a Jeff Thompson that we chased down to New Madrid last week, had the impudence to follow us right back and we had hardly got our tents pitched here at the Point before he passed within 12 miles of us to the river above, and captured a steamboat. Report says that there were nearly a dozen officers on the boat, and a paymaster, with money to pay off the Cape Girardeau troops. Jeff is a shrewd one, and the man that captures him will do a big thing. Back in the country where we were, he made the natives believe that he whipped Ross and company at Fredericktown, and killed 400 federals with a loss of only ten of his men. Don't it almost make you sick the way that 17th brag and blow about themselves? That affair at Fredericktown didn't amount to a thing. From the best information I can get, there was not to exceed 50 Rebels killed, and I'm sure not that many. Thompson is stronger to-day than ever. This thing of sending infantry after him is all bosh, although we tried it again yesterday. It failed of course. The boys came back through the rain last night about 10, tired and mad as the deuce. A thousand cavalry may possibly get him some day, but they will be sharp ones, sure. In this fight at Belmont 1,200 of our men at first completely whipped 2,400 of theirs, four regiments, then the whole of ours, 2,600 ran like the devil before and through 5,600 of theirs. These are the true figures.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 43-4

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, September 26, 1864

Tonight finds me in the hotel at Harper's Ferry waiting for my leave of absence which I expect tomorrow; arrived last night at 10 o'clock tired and lame, but not discouraged although my mouth was sore and painful. The swelling has largely gone, and I can eat a little quite comfortably if the food is soft, but I couldn't if I wasn't nearly famished. Major Goddard — our paymaster — paid me today. I expected to have to go to Washington.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 213-4

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, August 8, 1865

Col. makes a short Speech at 8. A. M. Paymasters arrive at 9. a. m. G. co. paid off at 10. at 11. Capt busy & I go over to Davenport put up at the B house, take the train at 6.30. At Rond creek station at 10. get over to Wyanet, at 12. No beds

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 610

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Friday, May 5, 1865

Night quiet. Relieved at 7.30 at camp at 8. find the whole Regt at work on the fort. I go down to look on, large fort, visit the paymaster on board the boat to try to get pay, he puts me off until tomorrow Mr. Vaugn at the landing drunk. P. M. spent reading. Evening call on the P-M- as boat starts tonight, he refuses to pay me, has been a very warm & sultry day & dust almost unbearable.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 598

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Thursday, May 4, 1865

Was detailed for Picket & attended Guard mounting at 7. A. M. just at which time the welcome whistle of a boat was heard was 7.30 when I arrived on the Picket line. Sent to Miss Vaugns for a book to read she sends me Capt Bounevilles Adventures, very interesting, send in for the mail, which comes out at about 11 News of Sherman rather bad, 4 Paymasters arrive on the boat but none to pay our Brigade Our Pay Rolls to be sent to Mobile. At 4.30 return my Books & have the pleasure of seeing Miss Vaugn. also her Bro who is on parole borrow another book, evening Genl Benton passes out to Miss V—s Maj Boydston & Lt Sharman ride out to the post. Maj says that the no. of Rebs from Lees army in Mobile out number the yankees, the day passes very pleasantly indeed.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 598

Diary of 1st Lieutenant John S. Morgan: Saturday, April 29, 1865

Work on Muster & Pay rolls all day, boat cam up last night bringing Mobile papers of the 28th with information that at the Mouth of Red river The Rebs were communicating for flag of truce relative to a speedy surrender by Kirby Smith of all the army west of the Mississippi. Many Citizens came in today some from 20 & 25 miles back & all express themselves astonished at the good treatment they rec from our soldiers. We wait patiently for something official from high authority confirmatory of the surrender of Joe Jonston. There is a report that somewhere near there is a rebel force of 400 & that the 1st Brig are ordered out on a scout with 2 days rations, Dick Taylor has not surrendered but is reported with his staff in Mobile. Papers note the arrival at Mobile of a paymaster & rumor says he is paying there. Take a walk after supper with Sergt Miller.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 8, April 1923, p. 596

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant George G. Smith: June 4, 1864

Paymaster came round and paid off the First Louisiana. Sent letters home and money to have children's pictures taken. Nothing of importance occurred until June 19, except two reviews: One by General Canby on the eleventh and one by General Sickles on the thirteenth. Thirty-five regiments and seven batteries passed the reviewing officer. On the fifteenth accompanied Lieutenant James M. Gardner on board the boat. He had got his discharge. I felt very much depressed for in him I had a good friend.

SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from a Soldier's Diary, p. 123

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Wednesday, October 15, 1862

Paymaster started for the fort — 9th Kansas and 3rd Wis. Escort — made the picket detail. Man wanted to buy salt at most any price — the article is very scarce.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 37

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Sabbath, October 11, 1863

Paymasters and commissioners to rec votes of regts in town.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 498

Diary of 4th Sergeant John S. Morgan: Tuesday, September 29, 1863

Raining all day Pay master reported in town health improving—

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, 33rd Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 13, No. 7, January 1923, p. 498

Carson Dobbins Hay to Simon Cameron, September 16, 1861

Washington City

Sept. 16^th 1861

To the

            Hon S. Cameron

                        Sec. of War

The undersigned a citizen of Southern Illinois respectfully solicits the appointment of Pay master of volunteers in the Army of the U. States, for the Western Division.

As one basis for the appointment I would beg to suggest, that while Southern Illinois is furnishing more troops for the War, than any other Section of the Union, She has less of the places of honor and  profit in the Army.

I have the honor to be

Very respectfully

Your obt Servt.

Carson D. Hay

SOURCE: The Papers of Abraham Lincoln, Series III (Presidential Papers), RG 99, Entry 7: Correspondence, Letters Received, 1799-1894, NAB, where you will find a full color pdf. of this letter.

Captain William Thompson Lusk to Elizabeth Adams Lusk, January 26, 1862

Beaufort, S. C. Jan. 26th, 1862.

My dear Mother:

Another Sunday has come around, time slips quietly by — still nothing striking has taken place. We are all impatiently awaiting the advent of some steamer, bringing us news from the Burnside Expedition. Is our country really so prolific in great Commanders? Is there a Napoleon for each one of the dozen armies that compose the anaconda fold? Ay, ay, it would be a sad disappointment if the fold should happen to snap somewhere! Things look like action down here, and that not long hence. We have been gathering our troops gradually on the islands about the mouth of the Savannah river. Thither have gone our Connecticut friends, and yesterday three more steamers, loaded, took the remainder of Gen. Wright's Brigade with them. We are left here quite unnoticed on Port Royal Island, in seeming safety, though there are many troops around us. An army, boasting much, awaits us on the mainland, but an army having still a wholesome dread of Yankees. I made them a sort of visit the other night (25th), passing up Hospa Creek in a light canoe, hidden by the darkness and the long grass of the marshes. A negro guide paddled so lightly that, as we glided along, one might have heard the dropping of a pin. It was fine sport and as we passed close by the enemy's pickets we would place our thumbs to our noses, and gracefully wave our fingers toward the unsuspecting souls. This was by no means vulgarly intended, but as we could not speak, we thus symbolically expressed the thoughts that rose in our bosoms. We pushed on until coming to a point where a stream like a mere thread lay before us. Here we paused, for this was a stream we wished to examine. At the mouth of the stream stood the sentries of the enemy. We could hear their voices talking. We lay under the river grass, watching. Soon a boat pushed across the little stream to the opposite shore. We shoved our canoe far into the marsh, and lay there concealed. Then all was still and we thought it time to return, so back we went, and returned home unnoticed and in safety. Such little excursions give a zest to the dulness of camp. I have not yet been able to give Miss Mintzing's letter to any one who could send it to her friends, yet I hope such an opportunity will speedily come. What is Tom Reynolds now doing?

The paymaster has not visited us this long time, and I have but fifty cents in my pocket. However, when one has nothing to spend, he feels quite as happy down here, as money can buy but few luxuries in camp. We don't starve though. Secession cows give us milk, speculators bring us butter, and the negroes sell us chickens.

SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters of William Thompson Lusk, p. 118-9

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Wednesday, June 18, 1862

Grazed my horse. Did little more. Read some. Paymaster came from Leavenworth.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 18

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Saturday, February 20, 1864

A very pleasant day but not warm. The men have been playing ball this afternoon; very dull otherwise; paymaster has come; have been very busy having men sign pay rolls. There is a detail for picket tomorrow, but I am not going.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 20

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Monday, February 22, 1864

Cloudy and warm. The Second Brigade was out drilling this forenoon as well as a battery; very busy this afternoon; paymaster paying off the regiment; rained a little this evening; got a paper from Vermont but don't know who sent it. There is a ball at First Corps headquarters to-night.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 21

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: September 2, 1864

A very pleasant morning. Now wondering why we still remain in the woods. Believe the enemy must be in this vicinity in a strong force. Wrote several letters to friends at home. Later a surprise came when orders came to fall in for pay, the Paymaster having shown up in our camp. Too much money for a fellow to carry while in front of the enemy. The Confeds liked to get hold of greenbacks. We usually sent money home by the Adams Express Company. The men with families were very anxious to send money home. All I send home is banked for me. Men of families often worry and wonder how they are getting along at home, as they must wait for the money, which comes very slow and not very much of it for men with families.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 119

Diary of Corporal Charles H. Lynch: Thursday, September 1, 1864

A very hot morning. Our regiment relieved from picket. Marched back to our camping place in the woods. A good bath in cold spring water coming out of the ground clear as crystal. There are many fine springs in the Shenandoah Valley. After my bath had a good sleep. Ready to eat and sleep at most any time. All sorts of rumors are passed along the lines. One report comes that we are to receive a visit from the paymaster. A poor place for us to receive six months' pay, which is more than due. The families at home are in need of the money.

SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary, 1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 119

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 25, 1865

Rain this afternoon. We had company inspection this morning and dress parade at 5 o'clock this afternoon. The paymaster finished paying the Fifteenth Iowa and then paid part of the Sixteenth Iowa.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 284

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 17, 1865

Still pleasant. We have not yet received our pay. A part of the Fifteenth Corps has been paid, and the paymaster is paying the men of the First Brigade.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 283

Major Wilder Dwight to Elizabeth White Dwight, October 13, 1861

pleasant Hill, Maryland, October 13, 1861.

Dear Mother, — Opie mixed his colors “with brains, sir,” and with brains we have just done a clever thing near Hatteras. Let us keep the brains at work. As for our own thoughts, they were excited this morning by an order for “two days” cooked rations in the haversack, and to [“]hold ourselves in readiness to march.” So we hold ourselves serenely and with content, but I do not fear any immediate action. At last, however, with all this cry, the wolf must come.

The paymaster has been here, and went off yesterday, leaving Uncle Sam's paper money behind, instead of gold as before. . . . .

It is a bright and gusty day, and our hillside exposure gives us the full front to the wind. I sit in my tent, this Sunday morning, and keep warm over a pan of coals.

I was amused, the other day, at an incident of my drive with Colonel Batchelder. We came across a bright-eyed little boy on the road, his pockets bursting with chestnuts, and stopped and took him in, levying on his chestnuts. I asked him if he was for the Union. “Yes,” said he, with a bright twinkle, “that I am.” “Why?” said I. “O,” said he, “that old flag has stood too long to be pulled down now.” I thought that, for a Maryland boy's reason, was a pretty good one I am quite anxious to get my buffalo-robe, which Spiegel was obliged to leave in Washington, as the coach would not bring it. The weather is growing colder every day, as it seems. But then we have the cheerful confidence that we are serving our country, you know, which takes the chill off.

SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 115-6