Rienzi. There was
nothing to break the monotony of camp life. Wrote two letters. Washed clothes.
In the evening news of another battle at Iuka. They cleaned Price out and
chased him four miles; 400 killed on both sides.
SOURCE: Jenkin Lloyd
Jones, An Artilleryman's Diary, p. 6
Last Wednesday we
moved from our encampment at Mound Bluff Church, and after two days' marching,
came to this place, and we are now encamped on ——— Creek, between Canton and
Edwards' Depot, and twelve miles from the latter place. The enemy's out-posts
are only three miles off, beyond the Big Black, and a collision is expected at
any hour. The situation at Vicksburg is unchanged, as far as we know, but
General Price is in possession of Helena, Arkansas, which will create a
diversion in favor of the besieged, as he is in a position to cut off Grant's
supplies. The "Fourth" passed off very quietly with us, there being
an order against making any loud noise. A speech was made by some one in a
brigade just across the creek from us. Night.—We have just received orders to
march at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning with this additional injunction: "On
this march there is to be no loud hallooing, firing of guns, or cutting down of
large trees. The men are to march in their files, and company officers are to
see that this order is enforced or they will be cashiered. Penalty for the
disobedience of this order is death." This order, signed by the Commanding
General, together with the various reports of the enemy's movements, put us on
the tip-toe of expectation as to what was up. The very latest is to the effect
that General Pemberton has surrendered to General Grant. The news comes so
direct, and bears such a good face, that we all believe it. We are now
satisfied we are to begin a retreat in the morning; whither, we know not.
SOURCE: Edwin L.
Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western
History, Vol. 1, p. 216
Morning Drill. near
20 on the sick list this morning Bad news from Mo. Lexington has been taken by
Gen Price. Private Hobbs in Guard House at Cairo for sleeping on his Post, last
night while guarding prisoners. 4 prisoners brought in this evening—from near
Norfolk Mo. taken after a pretty hard fight—in which 12 of the Enemy were
killed—and a lot of arms taken, One of the prisoners has a pretty severe cut
across the shoulder.
SOURCE: Transactions
of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 227
Still at our camps near Jackson doing absolutely nothing, living on the shortest possible commons. Had dress-parade yesterday for the first time in four weeks, and on Sunday a sermon from the lips of the Reverend Colonel Fountain E. Pitts. The news from all quarters is cheering; the victory of our Vicksburg friends is complete, and the loss of the enemy is estimated at fifteen thousand (15.000); we hear of John Morgan's work on the Cumberland, Lee's victory over Hooker in Virginia, while “Old Pap" Price is said to be stirring the enemy up lively on the other side of the Mississippi. Kirby Smith, we also hear, has bagged a whole army of "blue coats" in Western Louisiana Altogether, we feel quite confident, and while the feeling lasts we will be able to endure all sorts of privations, short rations not excepted.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 214
Did not march today.
Got permission to go on to Sherman's army which was marching on our right flank
to get in Price's rear, and compel him to evacuate the fort he had thrown up on
the Tallahatchie and which was in Grant's front. Saw Will Stockton who was in
Battery "A" Chicago Light Artillery. Saw a number of my Chicago
acquaintances in batteries A and B. Took dinner with Will, spent an hour very
pleasantly. Started home in a rain storm, got lost and would have gone I don't
know where had I not met some of Sherman's bummers returning to camp with
spoils. Had a very disagreeable ride back—did not see a soul for five miles,
raining hard, got to be dark before I reached our camp. Very glad to get back
safe—rained hard all night.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 5
Left camp at 6
o'clock. Roads in a terrible condition, mud knee deep, marching almost
impossible; artillery stuck in the road, wagons in every conceivable condition.
Crossed the Tallahatchie on a pontoon bridge of a very primitive build, being
composed of trees cut down fastened together with ropes and tied to the shore
with the ropes, small trees were laid crosswise and on this we crossed. The
rebels had quite a strong fort here which would have given us a great deal of
trouble, but Sherman's march on our flank forced Price to abandon it. The roads
on the south side were much better and after a wearisome march of sixteen miles
reached Oxford, Mississippi, at 8 o'clock p. m. I never was so tired and never
saw the men so worn out and fatigued as they were on this day's march. We were
kept over an hour before our camp was located and it seemed as if all dropped
to sleep at once. I could not but think of those at home who are all the time
condemning our generals and armies for not moving with greater rapidity, for
not making forced marches and following up the enemy, when they know nothing
about it. We made quite a parade going through Oxford as it is a place of
considerable importance. Flags were unfurled, bands struck up, bugles sounded,
and men for the time being forgot their fatigue and marched in good order.
Nothing like music to cheer up the men.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 5-6
Bright, clear, and
cold.
It is said the
government depot at Charlotte, N. C., has been burned (accidentally), consuming
a large amount of corn.
We have nothing
further of the movement of Grant's troops. We have Hood's acknowledgment of
defeat, and loss of 50 guns before Nashville.
The papers contain
the proceedings of a meeting in Savannah, over which the Mayor presided,
embracing the terms of submission offered in President Lincoln's message. They
have sent North for provisions—indicating that the city was in a famishing
condition. Our government is to blame for this! The proceedings will be used as
a "form," probably, by other cities—thanks to the press!
The Examiner is out
this morning for a convention of all the (Confederate) States, and denouncing
the President. I presume the object is to put Lee at the head of military
affairs.
The rumor of the
death of Gen. Price is not confirmed. Gen. Pemberton has been relieved here and
sent elsewhere. The Piedmont Railroad has been impressed. A secret act of
Congress authorizes it.
Miers W. Fisher
writes that if the cabinet indorses the newspaper suggestions of giving up
slavery and going under true monarchies, it is an invitation to refugees like
himself to return to their homes, and probably some of the States will elect to
return to the Union for the sake of being under a republican government, etc.
He says it is understood that the Assistant Secretary often answers letters
unseen by the Secretary; and if so, he can expect no answer from Mr. S., but
will put the proper construction on his silence, etc.
Flour is $700 per
barrel to-day; meal, $80 per bushel; coal and wood, $100 per load. Does the
government (alone to blame) mean to allow the rich speculators, the
quartermasters, etc. to starve honest men into the Union?
Called into service
September 25, 1864, to repel invasion of Missouri by Price. Relieved from
active service October 31, 1864.
Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1329
Bright and very
cold.
A storm has driven
off a portion of the enemy's fleet before Wilmington.
The raid toward
Gordonsville and Charlottesville is not progressing rapidly. We shall have a
force to meet it.
Besides the
demonstration against Savannah (from which place we have no recent tidings), it
appears that an attempt on Mobile is in progress. Too many attempts—some of
them must fail, I hope.
From the last
accounts, I doubted whether Hood's army has been so badly shattered as was
apprehended yesterday.
Gen. Price
(trans-Mississippi) has brought out a large number of recruits from Missouri.
I dined out
yesterday, and sumptuously; the first time for two years.
Congress has done
but little, so far. They are at work on the Currency bill!
Mr. Enders, broker,
and exempted as one of the Ambulance Committee, I am informed paid some $8000
yesterday to Mitchell & Tyler for a few articles of jewelry for his
daughter. And R. Hill, who has a provision shop near the President's office, I
understand expended some $30,000 on the wedding of his daughter. He was poor, I
believe, before the war.
I got an order from
Lieut. Parker, Confederate States Navy, for a load of coal to-day. Good! I hope
it will be received before the last on hand is gone.
The enemy's raiders
camped within seven miles of Gordonsville, last night; and it will be ten
o'clock to-day before our reinforcements can reach there. I hope our stores
(commissary) will not be lost as usual.
Mr. S. Norris,
Signal Bureau, has just (1 P.M.) sent the following:
"I
am just informed that Mr. Smithers, telegraph operator at Gordonsville, is
again in his office. He says fighting is going on in sight that troops from
Richmond have arrived, and arriving—and it is expected that Gen. Lomax will be
able to drive the enemy back."
Just before 3 P. M.
to-day a dispatch came from Mr. Smithers, telegraph operator at Gordonsville,
dated 1 o'clock, saying the enemy have been repulsed and severely punished, and
are retreating the way they came, toward Sperryville. He adds that many of the
enemy's dead now lie in sight of the town. So much for this gleam of good
fortune, for I believe the military authorities here were meditating an
evacuation of the city.
Gen. Custis Lee was
at the department to-day, after the clerks detailed from his command. All, all
are to be dragged out in this bitter cold weather for defense, except the
speculators, the extortioners, the land and slave owners, who really have
something tangible to defend, and these have exemptions or "soft
places."
SOURCE: John
Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate
States Capital, Volume 2, p. 362-3
A bright and
glorious day—above.
All was quiet
yesterday below, indicating that the enemy suffered severely in the last
assault on our lines.
But we have nothing
from Georgia. From the Valley, our cavalry had the misfortune to lose eleven
guns by indiscreetly venturing too far in pursuit.
And the news from
the United States indicates that Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have gone for
the Republican candidates. This foreshadows Lincoln's re-election, and
admonishes us to prepare for other campaigns, though languishing for peace.
The farmers are now
pouring in to replenish the armies, under the recent order revoking the details
of agriculturists; and these are fine-looking men, and there will soon be
successes in the field. Lately the indulgence of details to an immoderate
extent, and corruption in the business of conscription, had depleted the armies
extensively of men of substance and standing, and this may account for our
disasters. Men, to fight well, must have something to fight for.
Gen. Price, at the
head of 20,000 men, is in Missouri. To expel him, many troops will be required;
and this may relieve us a little in the East.
My wife lost her
purse in market this morning, before making any purchases; it contained $22 and
her eye-glasses. I don't think there are any pickpockets except the
extortioners.
SIR: In compliance with orders dated Headquarters Department of Tennessee, June 25, 1863, addressed to "commanding officer of expedition against Greenville," I have the honor to report the following:
I started from Snyder's Bluff, in the afternoon of June 25, 1863, with the following troops, to wit: Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, 600 strong, four pieces Fourth Ohio Battery, and three companies Fifth Illinois Cavalry, 200 strong, under Major Farnan, and proceeded to Young's Point. Here I was joined by three gunboats and the John Raines, of the marine fleet, having on board 50 infantry and 100 cavalry. The boats were detained till noon the 26th to coal, when I proceeded up the river. Arriving at the foot of Island No. 82, the cavalry disembarked and proceeded by land to Greenville. Here I disembarked, and proceeded with the cavalry to the foot of Island No. 84, distant 21 miles by land. Searching the country to find signs of the enemy, I arrived at Carter's plantation June 27, evening. The transports, with the infantry and artillery, came around by water. Not being able to find or hear of any enemy on this side the river, I am satisfied, from information received from reliable sources, that there has been no enemy near Greenville, on the Mississippi shore, for nearly four weeks; previously to that time there was a small force encamped on Deer Creek, distant 10 miles from Greenville. We found at the foot of Island No. 83 embrasures cut in the levee for three guns, and across the point—3 miles distant—for two guns; that a road had been cut across the point, connecting the two places; that they were in the habit of running the guns across the point while the boats were going round, and firing on the same boat at the two points.
I embarked with the cavalry June 28, and proceeded across the river to Spanish Moss Bend, on the Arkansas shore. Arriving there, all the troops were ordered to disembark, and did so, with the exception of those on board steamer John Raines. Major Hubbard, commanding the troops on the boat, did not obey the order. I proceeded at 1 p.m., 28th, for Gaines' Landing, with the infantry, artillery, and 200 cavalry. I had heard firing the night before at Gaines' Landing, and supposed there was a force on the bend between there and where we had landed. The distance between the point where we had landed and Gaines' Landing is 10 miles. My object was to capture the force between us and Gaines' Landing, on the bend. We had proceeded but 3 miles when we encountered their pickets. We followed them, skirmishing, to Gaines' Landing, where they changed their course, proceeding back from the river. It then being dark, and learning from various sources that their force was largely superior to mine, having no guide and being unable to obtain one, and there being several roads, cut through the woods from the river, in our rear, my force not being large enough to guard the roads and attack the enemy in front, I thought it prudent to retire to our transports.
From what I deem reliable information, the enemy had at Cypress Bend and Gaines' Landing, and points in the vicinity, from 4,000 to 5,000 troops, with eight pieces of artillery, to wit, two pieces 9-pounder rifled Parrott guns, two 16-pounder rifled brass, two 12-pounder brass howitzers, one 6-pounder rifled brass, and one 6-pounder smooth-bore. They have no caissons with their cannon. They have two full regiments of infantry, and the balance of the force cavalry. Their main camp is back of Lake Chicot. Said lake, as nearly as I could ascertain, is 10 miles back and up the river from Gaines' Landing, and so situated that the forces at Cypress Bend or other point on the river can readily be re-enforced from this point. The distance from Gaines' Landing to Cypress Bend, by land, is variously estimated at from 15 to 30 miles; by water, it is 50 miles. I also learned from good authority that all the forces in Arkansas, under Generals Price, Marmaduke, and other commanders, are ordered to the vicinity of Milliken's Bend, and that on June 27 seven regiments passed through Monticello, Ark., about 40 miles from Gaines' Landing. The forces on the river in vicinity of Cypress Bend are under command of General Gorman [?] or Graham [?], and Colonels Clark and [George W.] Carter, of Cape Girardeau notoriety.
I caused to be destroyed on Spanish Moss Bend from 12,000 to 20,000 bushels of corn, one mill and cotton-gin, used by the rebels for grinding corn.
On the morning of the 30th, I proceeded down the river. Hearing in the afternoon that they were fighting at Lake Providence, and needed help, I reported myself to the general commanding, who wished me to lie over night, fearing another attack in the morning. In the morning the cavalry marched through to Goodrich's Landing, seeing no enemy, but noticing the effects of what had been done the day before, the enemy having gone.
Major Farnan, commanding the cavalry, reports that the scenes witnessed by him in marching from Lake Providence to Goodrich's Landing were of a character never before witnessed in a civilized country, and the rebel atrocities committed the day before were such as the pen fails to record in proper language. They spared neither age, sex, nor condition. In some instances the negroes were shut up in their quarters, and literally roasted alive. The charred remains found in numerous instances testified to a degree of fiendish atrocity such as has no parallel either in civilized or savage warfare. Young children, only five or six years of age, were found skulking in the canebreak pierced with wounds, while helpless women were found shot down in the most inhuman manner. The whole country was destroyed, and every sign of civilization was given to the flames.
The cavalry embarked at Goodrich's Landing, and the expedition, except the marine boat, came to Chickasaw Landing. The battery was debarked there and was ordered to join its command. The two boats, with cavalry and infantry, came to Snyder's Bluff, and to camp. The boats were ordered to report to master of transportation, at the landing.
Before closing this report, it is proper that I should say that the portion of the Marine Brigade which accompanied me proved to be entirely worthless. At no time were my orders obeyed willingly, and the officer in command was disposed to find fault and cavil when any real service was required of them. They failed me altogether when most wanted, and, instead of being any assistance to me, they were, to use no harsher language, a positive injury to the expedition.
Papers of 31st with much good news; small victories in West Virginia, east Tennessee, and over Price in Missouri. Early scolds his army.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 532
This morning our camp is staked off, and we take our position and stake our tents. Our brigade now consists of the Seventh, Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh Illinois, and the Twenty-second and Eighty-first Ohio, commanded by Colonel A. J. Babcock, of the Seventh. There is a commotion in the Second Division. The Cincinnati Commercial, with W. D. B.'s lying communication, villifying and basely misrepresenting the heroic Second Division, who so bravely stemmed the current of battle on Corinth's sanguinary field, has been circulated. The heroes of Belmont, Fort Donelson and Shiloh rage to-night, and adding still more to this correspondent's villification, comes the congratulatory address of General Rosecrans, with the following remarkable passage : "I desire especially to offer my thanks to General Davies and his Division, whose magnificent fighting on the third more than atones for all that was lacking on the fourth.” As a defense, we will simply transcribe the circular of “Justice," written by a soldier of the Second Division, which gives a clear exposition of facts relative to the history of the Second Division in the two day's battle at Corinth:
“They did fail to do what they should have done, namely: there were captured by the whole army of Rosecrans, two thousand two hundred and sixty-eight prisoners, and the Second Division (Davies'), captured only one thousand four hundred and sixty of that number, mostly on the fourth; they should have captured the whole. Then again the whole army captured fourteen stand of colors; Davies' Division captured ten of these on the fourth; they should have taken all! They fought Van Dorn and Price's army on the third, alone, and whipped them. This was right. On the fourth they fought with others and whipped the enemy; they should have done it alone and would have done so but for the giving may of troops on the right flank-names I will not mention. Now, the Second Division well know they should have done all these things alone, and they must throw themselves upon the clemency of a forgiving country. The throbbing patriot's heart will
have some sympathy, and the facts will atone for the short-comings of the Second Division when they are told that they went into action on the third with two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five officers and men, the balance of the Division being detailed in and about Corinth. Loss, seventy-five officers; total loss, one thousand and four. Forgive these “lacking and erring boys of the Northwest, for next time they will try and do better.”
We remain in this camp, uninterrupted until November the 2d, when we are ordered inside the fortifications, the greater portion of the troops having left on an expedition southward. It is said our Division will remain and garrison Corinth for awhile. Our regiment is now camped close to Corinth, on the old battle field of October the 4th, and the probability is that we will remain here for some time, and in view of these indications, the Seventh is soon at work fixing up its quarters, building chimneys and fire places; and making general preparations for the approaching cold weather. The Seventh having its complement of mechanics, it is not long until the quarters are made quite comfortable, and as we look along the officers’ line this evening we behold a neat row of chimneys, the work of the genial and accommodating “General Grant” of Company K. Of course the officers will all vote the General their hearty thanks.
This morning we receive marching orders; about noon we strike tents and move out, all in a glee, as it is rumored that we are going to have a fight ere long with Price and his boasted legions. We march as far as our old camp in the Second Division, near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, (this being the third time we have pitched our tents here since the evacuation of Corinth).
This morning ere it is light, the drums are heard, which tell us that something is demanded of the Seventh—a march and a fight forsooth. Orders for a march we have already received, but orders for a battle may be forthcoming, for these come unexpected sometimes. Rumor, which is ever busy, is circulating many things; one is that Price and Van Dorn, being dissatisfied with Iuka, are now threatening Corinth. But every one seems to be ignorant of anything hostile any where in Northern Mississippi. The Seventh is soon ordered into line, and with everything buckled and in trim, we take up the line of march towards Corinth. After going a short distance, we are ordered to move in double-quick time. This leads us to think that there is something coming this way; that will give us battle music, but who will play it, we know not. We are soon in Corinth; everything is in commotion; troops are moving, and aids and orderlies dashing everywhere. Soon we are informed that Colonel Olive, with the Fifteenth Michigan, has been driven in from Chewalla, an out-post on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, nine miles south of Corinth. An orderly is now seen dashing up the Chewalla road. He comes from Colonel Olive, and informs the General that the Fifteenth Michigan is pressed, and if not reinforced, will be unable to maintain its position now on the hill, on the line of the old rebel works, crossing the Chewalla road, two and a half miles from Corinth. Colonel Babcock is ordered forward on double-quick time with the Seventh, to reinforce him. Arriving at the scene of action, we find McArthur in command on the hill. Reporting to him, Colonel Babcock is ordered to take his position in the rebel works, forty rods to the right of the Fifteenth Michigan; the artillery being immediately to our left. Colonel Babcock now sends forward Company H, deployed on a skirmish line along a ravine beyond the abattis. Soon we hear sharp firing down there; with a sweeping power the rebels are hurled against them, compelling them to fall back, and as they come over the works, they carry with them Lieutenant Ring, wounded and bleeding, which is a serious loss to the company. It is sad to think that after he had obtained permission from the General in the morning to return to his company, that he should thus fall in the commencement of the battle; that the company should thus be deprived of its brave leader, But such are the fortunes of war; the brave spirited heroes are generally the first to go down. Before Lieutenant Ring is carried from the field, he says to his men, “I may never be with you any more," and exhorts them to stand firm for the old flag and do it and their homes honor, as they had always done on every battle-field. How sad it makes us feel to see our brave ones fall; to see our leading spirits leave us when we can illy spare them. The brave Ring is now borne back in his glory.
We will now turn to the situation. By this time it is discovered that Price and Van Dorn are in our immediate front with their entire commands, numbering about twenty-five thousand men, which tells us plainly that there will be a work of blood to-day in these woods. We now look across the abattis and behold the angry legions of the south moving towards our front in terrible array. The battery on our left, the Fifteenth Michigan, and the Fifty-seventh on the left of the Fifteenth, now open a terrific fire. At this juncture we discover a large body of rebels emerging from the timber in solid column, about forty rods to our right, moving directly across the unprotected works. The Seventh turns its fire towards them and checks them for a few minutes. This column's fire soon turns the Seventh's right flank. The enemy in our front having been repulsed by the Seventh, soon rally and are on to the breach again, receiving our fire. with a remarkable indifference. Up to this time the battery and the force on our left have been making the woods ring with their terrible thunder, but they are silent now; their cannons are still; their musketry is hushed. What means it all? Owing to the dense undergrowth in the woods we are hid from them. Colonel Babcock has not received any word from McArthur since taking his position here. The battle still rages in our immediate front. Colonel Babcock casts his eye to the rear; he looks down a ravine and beholds the Chewalla road swarming with rebels. The fact soon flashes upon his mind that McArthur, with his force, has been driven from the hill, leaving the Seventh isolated and alone. The rebels are now pressing us in the front, a column moving past us to our right, another rebel force on the Chewalla road to our left and rear, pressing McArthur hard. This is our position; rebels in our front, rebels on our right and rear, rebels on our left and rear; soon their right and left columns will meet; soon we will be surrounded if we remain here. Colonel Babcock's observing eye sees the situation of the regiment in an instant. The command is given, ‘By the right of companies to the rear.” Will we get back? Will we save ourselves by moving direct to the rear? We may; this is our only hope. The regiment moves steadily; no confusion, no panic; how like clock-work they move. We succeed in getting back ere the rebel columns meet. We find Colonel Olive's command and the regiments composing the Third Brigade, in line of battle one-half mile from the hill, where they had been driven. The Third Brigade is now formed on the Chewalla road; the Seventh on the right, with the left resting on the road, and in their order the Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh on the left of the road; and as soon as the Seventh is formed, Colonel Babcock reports to General McArthur, who had assumed command of that part of the line. By his direction we move by the left flank east of the Chewalla road, forming a new line of battle facing north. Companies I and C, under the command of the gallant Captain Johnson are now deployed forward on a skirmish line covering the front of the Third Brigade. The positions of the regiments in the Third Brigade are as follows: The Fifty-seventh on the right, and in their order the Seventh and the Fftieth. Thus is the position of the Second Division, commanded by General Davies: The First Brigade, commanded by General Hackleman, in the center; the Second Brigade, commanded by General Oglesby, on the right; and the Third Brigade, commanded Colonel Baldwin, on the left.
There is a lull now; the rebels seem hesitating. The heat is intense; no water; the men are famishing; some of the Seventh fall in their tracks, fainting and exhausted under the scorching sun.
While the men are thus suffering, we advance; the Fifty-seventh takes the lead, the Seventh follows, then the Fiftieth. Through the woods they swept with the power of a terrible whirlwind. For one-half mile they surge with a relentless force, making a fearful inroad among the rebels, but at this juncture fresh rebel troops are hurled against our flanks, compelling us to give way. That was a try. ing hour; the storm raged furiously; the woods were wrapped in smoke and flame. We fall back to our former position, and crossing the railroad, move back a short distance, where we find the Sixth Division drawn up in line of battle. General McArthur now directs Colonel Babcock to take his regiment to the rear of the Division and let it rest.
The Sixth Division advances and engages the enemy and for fifteen minutes the storm rages wildly. Generals Hackleman and Oglesby charge from the white house, near Corinth. General Hackleman falls a martyr—goes down in the sweeping tempest, and at the same time General Oglesby is badly wounded; thus we lose from the Union army two brave and noble men.
Night now lets fall her dark mantle, and the great storm is hushed. General Davies’ Division made a fearful swing to-day. During the long weary hours while his men were famishing and dying, he fought the whole rebel army and held it in cheek. Where was Rosecrans, with Hamilton and Stanly, when the Second Division was struggling as warriors have but few times struggled on this continent? They may have been where duty called. We trust they were. It may have been necessary for the Second Division to alone stem the angry current, and to-night we feel glad that we never let the old flag go down, but kept her up to gladden the hearts of many brave men as their life blood ebbed away on this field of fearful carnage.
We are ordered into camp one-half mile southeast of Corinth, near the college, but we do not remain here long until Colonel Babcock receives orders to report with the regiment to Corinth. Though the men are weary, they are soon in line. On arriving near the town, we are ordered to halt, and as soon as done the battle worn men drop down upon the ground to rest themselves; but their eyes are scarcely closed, when again the command "all in" is given, and we move to another position, and thus during the long weary night we are kept moving from one place to another; and, in consequence, there is no sleep for the tired and almost exhausted Seventh.
[W]e have a soldier's celebration, a
barbacue and a grand dinner furnished by the officers of the regiment; we are
also favored on the occasion with a good, whole souled speech from General
Oglesby, and all this on the ground where but a short time before Van Dorn's
and Sterling Price's battle flags stood. But they stand a little farther south
now, and in their stead stands another flag, and around it stand soldiers who
wear a uniform different from the uniform worn by those who stood around the
other flag; the former battles for slavery, the latter for freedom; the former for
the annihilation of the first independence, the latter for its maintainance. On
this annual anniversary, beneath the heat of a Mississippi sun, these boys
renew their allegiance, and swear by the memory of the loved and lost to bear
their bristling steel for the first independence that spoke into existence are
public, which in its infancy seemed a paragon let down from heaven to inspire
the pilgrims of freedom.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 82
[W]e receive dispatches informing us that Rosecrans is engaged in battle with Price at Iuka. We are expecting every minute to move. It is now towards evening; we know that our men are struggling to-day; we know not the result; we fear that the battle has been desperate, but we hope that the old flag has not been caused to droop.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 85-6
It is reported to-day that Price has been beaten, and is now making a flank movement towards Corinth. Soon we are ordered to Corinth, and there we lay in line of battle all day; but no Price comes, and we return to camp in the evening. Dispatches from Rosecrans inform us this evening that he has routed Price. Praises for Rosecrans and the noble Fifth Iowa come from every one. The Illinois soldiers can ever find it in their hearts to speak words of praise about their brothers from Iowa, especially when like the Fifth who maintained such a desperate bayonet charge to save their colors from falling into the hands of the rebels. Right here we would say that the Seventh Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry will not soon forget the Seventh and Second Iowa, starting in the service together, fighting side by side in the assault on Fort Donelson, together carrying their flag in the thickest of the battle, camping side by side on the weary march. They seemed to each other as brothers, for brothers they were, fighting in one common cause to keep the old flag on its staff, and to-day there are men in the Seventh that would fling their coats for a fight, should they hear any one speak disparagingly of the Seventh and Second Iowa infantry. They are camped now some where around Corinth, but we do not know exactly where; however, we remember them, and we imagine when the war is over, and when peace comes back to her people, should a soldier from the Seventh Illinois Infantry meet one from the Seventh or Second Iowa Infantry, who fought with him at Donelson, it will be a congenial meeting, and if he does not treat him as a gentleman it may be marked down as a fact that he does not understand the business.
There was ice last night. Cold all day. Gen. Maury writes that no immediate attack on Mobile need be apprehended now. He goes next to Savannah to look after the defenses of that city.
The Examiner to-day publishes Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's report of his operations in Mississippi last summer. He says the disaster at Vicksburg was owing to Gen. Pemberton's disobedience of orders. He was ordered to concentrate his army and give battle before the place was invested, and under no circumstances to allow himself to be besieged, which must of course result in disaster. He says, also, that he was about to manoeuvre in such manner as would have probably resulted in the saving a large proportion of his men, when, to his astonishment, he learned that Gen. P. had capitulated.
Willoughby Newton reports that the enemy are building a number of light boats, to be worked with muffled oars, at Point Lookout, Md., and suggests that they may be designed to pass the obstructions in the James River, in another attempt to capture Richmond.
It is said Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, trans-Mississippi, has been made a full general, and that Major-Gen. Sterling Price relieves Lieut.-Gen. Holmes, who is to report at Richmond. If this be so, it is very good policy.
Gen. Lee is still here, but will leave very soon.
Gen. Bragg has taken measures to insure the transportation of meat and grain from the South. Much food for Lee's army has arrived during the last two days.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 172-3
