Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 8, 1863

In the morning cloudy and cold; looks for rain; I am out on picket with the regiment on the Bradysville pike, station No. 1; reserve two miles off; a march of 2 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 34

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 9, 1863

Returned from picket, having been relieved. Two miles of a march back to camp, all safe and sound, and had dress-parade this same day in camp; a march of 2 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 34

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 20, 1863

A nice warm day, and am on water committee for cooking and detailed to help clean streets ; orders came to be ready to march at a moment's warning; took tea out to our men on picket on the Bradysville pike, making a march there and back again of 5 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 35

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 21, 1863

A warm, nice day; took coffee out to our men on picket on the Bradysville pike to No. 2 station: our videttes were fired on by the rebels in the night, who then skedaddled; all quiet in the morning ; so I returned again to camp, going and coming making a march of 5 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, pp. 35-6

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 26, 1863

A very fine day. On out-post picket on the Bradysville pike, No. 1 station, No. 1 post; all quiet at sundown; the Assistant Adjutant General from headquarters came out to inspect our line of pickets this evening; a march of 4 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 36

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 27, 1863

Returned off picket, being relieved, after being twenty-four hours on post. Presentation of a nice sword to' our Colonel, H. A. Hambright, by the members of the 79th regiment of Pa. Vol. Inf in the evening. Making a march of 4 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 36

Private William O. Gulick to Mary Parkes, October 19, 1861

Benton Barracks        

Co. M 1st Ia. Cav. Oct. 19

When I read over my letter this morning I found I had not written something I wanted to, because I did not have time, and finish my letter before tattoo

This small sheet was here so handy, and one that Isaac gave me, I thought I would direct it to you and write to all. I intend to write to Uncle Jacobs in a day or two and if I go any where near them I shall get a pass to go and see them There is quite a difference in the climate here from that of Low Moor. There has not been the least frost here yet, and the trees grass and all nature looks green and fresh By the way how does evry thing get along at home let me know all the little particulars Has Father & Mother got back from Wis. and how did they enjoy their visit. Is Kich Vleharts threshing yet, how does John and all of Peters folks together with Henries folks get along I do not know but I promised to write them a letter but I have not got time.

Tell Rich I have got a good tough horse, and well he might be for he has since I had him had the saddle on his back four days & nights with out changing Evrything has to get used to hardships When on Picket Guard a person is not allowed to unsaddle his horse

I have not got a name for my horse yet if you can think of a good one I want you to name him. I did not think about the picture of the Fare grounds on the first sheet when I was writing so poor, I am writing now in hast for the Bugle is sounding for drill excuse all errors, and write soon.

Your dear friend & Cousin

W. O. Gulick

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 213-4.

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, February 9, 1863

We drilled some in bayonet exersize. Our Capt went out on picket about 11 Oc[.] 1 Oc I took the Co on Dress perade I wrote some in a letter I had commenced to write to my Daughter on the 7th I also wrote her one today desiring her if she could to send me some honey & butter

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 109

Diary of Colonel John Beatty, February 28, 1862

Captain Wilson, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, was shot dead while on picket. One of his sergeants had eight balls put through him, but still lives.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 111

Diary of 2nd Sergeant Richard R. Hancock, August 4, 1862

I will here relate a little incident that occurred while we were picketing at Marietta. Captain McKnight was informed (August 4th) that a man who had belonged to the Confederate army, but had deserted and visited the Federals, was at home fixing to move his family inside the Federal lines. This man lived about ten miles north. Determined to make an effort to capture him, Captain McKnight, I and a few others left our schoolhouse a little after dark, and awhile before day we surrounded his house. We called at the door, as though we were some of his neighbors. His wife answered. We told her that we wanted to see her husband, calling him by name, as though we were well acquainted with him. She said he was not at home, but had gone to his father's. On being asked to open the door, she said she would as soon as she could get a light. We believed he was at home, because she was so much excited and so long getting a light. After so long a time she opened the door, and Captain McKnight searched the house while I guarded the door. We noticed three ladies lying on one bed, but did not find our man. searched other houses, and finally went to his father's, but still failed to find him. Our trip, however, was not altogether in vain, for one Mr. Malone gave us a splendid breakfast, his daughters made some sweet music for us, besides we had as many melons and peaches as we could eat. Who but a soldier, though, could appreciate such a treat as that! While at Mr. Malone's we learned, to our surprise and chagrin, that the object of our search was, at the time we were searching his house, between the straw and feather beds under those three ladies. After taking a real hearty laugh over the affair, we mounted and returned to our picket base.

While McKnight's Company was picketing at Marietta our camps were moved from Fulton to within two miles of Guntown. The latter place is on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, some thirteen miles south-west from Marietta. The Federals were kind enough not to visit Marietta while we were there, though they came within about five miles, taking cotton, negroes, horses, etc.

I will here relate another little incident, which, I am sure, some of McKnight's Company will remember. A good lady who lived near Marietta had any amount of fine peaches, but neither she nor we had any flour. So we told her to use corn meal in making the crust, as we were bent on having a "peach cobbler." Novel as the idea was, she made the "cobbler." And right heartily did we eat of it. Well, it was a great deal better than no pie. We remained at Marietta until [August 14, 1862.]

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 204-5

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Monday, June 8, 1863

Came to McMinnville this morn. Ordered Regiment to Hoover's Gap to picket; wagons to Manchester. I went to the wagons to get a saddle, stopped with Dave Nunn, staid all Tuesday, 9th. Came to camp, rigged my tree and Wednesday, 10th, came to the command, camped near Beech. Grove on pike.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 18-9

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, June 11, 1863

Came on picket.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 19

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Friday, June 12, 1863

On picket duty; camped at our old stand.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 19

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, June 13, 1863

Company go on picket.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 19

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Sunday, June 21, 1863

Came over to Old Fosterville to picket.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 19

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Tuesday & Wednesday, June 23-24, 1863

Company on picket. came back to attend a court martial; staid all night in Camp.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 19

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, April 21, 1865

Has been an unlucky day. begins to rain at 3. A. M. Revelie at 3:30 & Genl sounded at 4. The rain pouring down & no one having breakfast, fortunately our cook had coffee. It rained hard while we loaded the wagons. The Regt moved out at 5. rain slackes up. & we cross a swamp of a mile which much rain would render impassible, it was half knee deep of water as it was. at 6.20. We march through the Arsenal at Mt Vernon no town ½ doz houses within a mile or so, some of them very fine and nice flower gardens. The Arsenal was deserted is a much finer gronds & buildings than the Little Rock Arsenal & all in good repair, is enclosed by a thick wall of Brick 10 ft high. begins to rain as hard as I ever experienced as we pass through this Arsenal, & keeps it up almost incessantly until 2. P. M. creeks & sloughs from 2 to 3 ft deep & all have to wade. No dry feet in this army. The pine flats are covered with water 6 inches deep. Camp at 12. at Monroe-hubbah bluffs, on the Tombigbee R. I am detailed for picket. & by the time I am on post is 2. P. M. & the rain ceases, build up large fires & dry off. The 29th Iowa send in for rations from the Arsenal where they are left with one section (2 pieces) of artilery. I send to camp for my supper, & as soon as it is night make arrangements with the non commissioned offs. to run the guard & lie down for a nap & sleep.

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, pp. 593-4

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, April 28, 1865

A. M. to commissary for stores. The fort is laid out today, & details made to work on it. At noon was detailed for picket to report immediately. The Off of Day did not know where the line of our Brigade was, took us out on the wrong road making a walk extra of about 3 miles, was 4 P. M. when we arrived on our own line, found there the detail of 33 had been sent away to a bayou 1½ miles below the bluffs. Which post was to be relieved, having no place on the line for me The Off of Day ordered me to march my detail to camp. Short picketing that soon after return to camp supper ready. After supper Lt Laughridge & myself go to the river for a bath. talk with a squad of a Sergt of 4 men bearers of dispatch from Mobile & just arrived say a flag of truce from Taylor had been at Whistler for 5 days & rumor said Taylor wished to surrender. Told us of a Reb gunboat running out of Red River past New Orleans & being too closely chased beeched & blew up, saw a little nig. who gathered a mess of ripe haws to make us a pie, we to give him his supper of which he had had none, when we return to camp Lt Sharman says "the dispatch is just reed from Genl Canby announcing the surrender of Genl Taylor & all his forces. & that our men should respect him & his officers enroute to Mobile" as this order is published cheer after cheer rends the air, Lt Stocker 29th Iowa stays with us tonight, he come up from the Arsenal with an escort of 10 men & says that his segt captured 2 men of the squad who captured the teamsters near Fish river & that all the teamsters were sent to Vicksburgh for exchange. The Lt says there is no doubt this is a correct statement, Fleas Fleas. Fleas

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. 596

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, March 2, 1863

On picket in the cotton field today until about 3 o'clock, when Capt. Wheeler, officer of the day, came around and relieved us. They have the steam tug on the lake bank nearly ready to launch.

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. 42

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, March 21, 1863

Rained all night; we were ordered out at half-past four this morning, and remained under arms till the pickets were changed. We are detailed for picket to-night, so about all we intend to do to-day is to sleep.

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. 43