Diary of Private Bartlett Yancey Malone, March 16, 1862

the Sabath was cloudy but no rain And our recruits got in today and the number of them was 45

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 16

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Saturday, August 24, 1861

Camp Butler, Sagamon co Ills. Morning quite cool. Williams returned last night with 3 recruits. Co. now consists of 82 men rank and file. Capt. Killpatrick's Comp. arrived from Milton Pike County Ills. last evening. Capt Hunts Comp. from Barry arrived today. A Comp. from Bellville St. Clair County also arrived to day, accompanied by a brass band Brown County Cavalry Comp. Came this morning.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Wednesday, August 14, 1861

Capt. Parkes arrived about 2 O'clock this morning with 18 men. 1861

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 223

Diary of Private William S. White, April 17, 1861

VIRGINIA HAS SECEDED FROM THE UNION!

Yes, to-day the Convention passed the Ordinance of Secession, though some of our best men signed it under protest, and some did not sign it at all. The excitement has quietly died away; other and weightier matters than parading the streets and burning tar-barrels now occupy the Southern people. Stern preparations for meeting the impending struggle are seen on every hand. Recruits are rapidly filling up our volunteer organizations, and soon old Virginia will be in condition to enter the arena of war. To-day I re-connected myself with the Richmond Howitzers, commanded by Captain George W. Randolph, having resigned my membership in that command soon after the "John Brown raid." Its Lieutenants are J. C. Shields, of the Richmond Whig, and John Thompson Brown, a prominent lawyer of this city. Captain Randolph bore an important part in the Convention, and always supported the Southern cause, though never an extremist in his views. Our numbers are rapidly increasing, and we expect soon to form a battalion with Captain Randolph as Major.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 91

Diary of Private John J. Wyeth, August 11, 1862

Mr. Richardson reported at a meeting held by the Association, that he had obtained fifty-six excellent recruits since Thursday, all of them as good men as are employed in the principal business streets of the city. Six more joined at this meeting. A resolution was adopted to make all recruits of this company members of the Association. Speeches were made by Hon. A. Rice, Ex-Gov. Washburne, Lt. W. E. Richardson, of the 33d M. V., and others.

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. 5

Diary of Corporal Lawrence Van Alstyne, August 19, 1862

HUDSON CAMP GROUNDS. I have enlisted! Joined the Army of Uncle Sam for three years, or the war, whichever may end first. Thirteen dollars per month, board, clothes and travelling expenses thrown in. That's on the part of my Uncle. For my part, I am to do, I hardly know what, but in a general way understand I am to kill or capture such part of the Rebel Army as comes in my way.

I wonder what sort of a soldier I will make; to be honest about it, I don't feel much of that eagerness for the fray I am hearing so much of about me.

It seems to me it is a serious sort of business I have engaged in. I was a long time making up my mind about it. This one could go, and that one, and they ought to, but with me, some way it was different. There was so much I had planned to do, and to be. I was needed at home, etc., etc. So I would settle the question for a time, only to have it come up to be reasoned away again, and each time my reasons for not taking my part in the job seemed less reasonable. Finally I did the only thing I could respect myself for doing, went to Millerton, the nearest recruiting station, and enlisted.

I then threw down my unfinished castles, went around and bid my friends good-bye, and had a general settling up of my affairs, which, by the way, took but little time. But I never before knew I had so many friends. Everyone seemed to be my friend. A few spoke encouragingly, but the most of them spoke and acted about as I would expect them to, if I were on my way to the gallows. Pity was so plainly shown that when I had gone the rounds, and reached home again, I felt as if I had been attending my own funeral. Poor old father and mother! They had expected it, but now that it had come they felt it, and though they tried hard, they could not hide from me that they felt it might be the last they would see of their baby.

Then came the leaving it all behind. I cannot describe that. The good-byes and the good wishes ring in my ears yet. I am not myself. I am some other person. My surroundings are new, the sights and sounds about me are new, my aims and ambitions are new;—that is if I have any. I seem to have reached the end. I can look backwards, but when I try to look ahead it is all a blank. Right here let me say, God bless the man who wrote "Robert Dawson," and God bless the man who gave me the book. "Only a few drops at a time, Robert." The days are made of minutes, and I am only sure of the one I am now living in. Take good care of that and cross no bridges until you come to them.

I have promised to keep a diary, and I am doing it. I have also promised that it should be a truthful account of what I saw and what I did. I have crawled off by myself and have been scribbling away for some time, and upon reading what I have written I find it reads as if I was the only one. But I am not. There are hundreds and perhaps thousands here, and I suppose all could, if they cared to, write just such an experience as I have. But no one else seems foolish enough to do it. I will let this stand as a preface to my diary, and go on to say that we, the first installment of recruits from our neighborhood, gathered at Amenia, where we had a farewell dinner, and a final handshake, after which we boarded the train and were soon at Ghent, where we changed from the Harlem to the Hudson & Berkshire R. R., which landed us opposite the gates of the Hudson Fair Grounds, about 4 P. M. on the 14th. We were made to form in line and were then marched inside, where we found a lot of rough board shanties, such as are usually seen on country fair grounds, and which are now used as offices, and are full of bustle and confusion. After a wash-up, we were taken to a building which proved to be a kitchen and dining room combined. Long pine tables, with benches on each side, filled the greater part of it, and at these we took seats and were served with good bread and fair coffee, our first meal at Uncle Sam's table, and at his expense. After supper we scattered, and the Amenia crowd brought up at the Miller House in Hudson. We took in some of the sights of the city and then put up for the night.

The next morning we had breakfast and then reported at the camp grounds ready for the next move, whatever that might be. We found crowds of people there, men, women and children, which were fathers and mothers, wives and sweethearts, brothers and sisters of the men who have enlisted from all over Dutchess and Columbia counties. Squads of men were marching on the race track, trying to keep step with an officer who kept calling out "Left, Left, Left," as his left foot hit the ground, from which I judged he meant everyone else should put his left foot down with his. We found these men had gone a step further than we. They had been examined and accepted, but just what that meant none of us exactly knew. We soon found out, however, Every few minutes a chap came out from a certain building and read from a book, in a loud voice, the names of two men. These would follow him in, be gone a little while and come out, when the same performance would be repeated. My name and that of Peter Carlo, of Poughkeepsie, were called together, and in we went. We found ourselves in a large room with the medical examiner and his clerks. His salutation, as we entered, consisted of the single word, "Strip." We stripped and were examined just as a horseman examines a horse he is buying. He looked at our teeth and felt all over us for any evidence of unsoundness there might be. Then we were put through a sort of gymnastic performance, and told to put on our clothes. We were then weighed and measured, the color of our eyes and hair noted, also our complexion, after which another man came and made us swear to a lot of things, most of which I have forgotten already. But as it was nothing more than I expected to do without swearing I suppose it makes no difference.

The rest of the day we visited around, getting acquainted and meeting many I had long been acquainted with. In the afternoon the camp ground was full of people, and as night began to come, and they began to go, the good-byes were many and sad enough. I am glad my folks know enough to stay away. That was our first night in camp. After we came from the medical man, we were no longer citizens, but just soldiers. We could not go down town as we did the night before. This was Saturday night, August 17th. We slept but little, at least I did not. A dozen of us had a small room, a box stall, in one of the stables, just big enough to lie down in. The floor looked like pine, but it was hard, and I shall never again call pine a soft wood, at least to lie on. If one did fall asleep he was promptly awakened by some one who had not, and by passing this around, such a racket was kept up that sleep was out of the question. I for one was glad the drummer made a mistake and routed us out at five o'clock instead of six, as his orders were. We shivered around until roll-call and then had breakfast. We visited together until dinner. Beef and potatoes, bread and coffee, and plenty of it. Some find fault and some say nothing, but I notice that each gets away with all that's set before him. In the afternoon we had preaching out of doors, for no building on the grounds would hold us. A Rev. Mr. Parker preached, a good straight talk, no big words or bluster, but a plain man-to-man talk on a subject that should concern us now, if it never did before. I for one made some mighty good resolutions, then and there. Every regiment has a chaplain, I am told, and I wish ours could be this same Mr. Parker. The meeting had a quieting effect on all hands. There was less swearing and less noise and confusion that afternoon than at any time before. After supper the question of bettering our sleeping accommodations came up, and in spite of the good resolutions above recorded I helped steal some hay to sleep on. We made up our minds that if our judge was as sore as we were he would not be hard on us. We spread the hay evenly over the floor and lay snug and warm, sleeping sound until Monday morning, the 18th.

The mill of the medical man kept on grinding and batches of men were sworn in every little while. Guards were placed at the gates, to keep us from going down town. I was one of the guards, but was called off to sign a paper and did not go back. Towards night we had to mount guard over our hay. Talk about "honor among thieves," what was not stolen before we found it out, was taken from under us while we were asleep, and after twisting and turning on the bare floor until my aching bones woke me, I got up and helped the others express themselves, for there was need of all the cuss words we could muster to do the subject justice. But that was our last night in those quarters.

The next day the new barracks were finished and we took possession. They are long narrow buildings, about 100 feet by 16, with three tiers of bunks on each side, leaving an alley through the middle, and open at each end. The bunks are long enough for a tall man and wide enough for two men provided they lie straight, with a board in front to keep the front man from rolling out of bed. There are three buildings finished, and each accommodates 204 men. We were not allowed either hay or straw for fear of fire. As we only had our bodies to move, it did not take long to move in. Those from one neighborhood chose bunks near together, and there was little quarrelling over choice. In fact one is just like another in all except location. Walter Loucks and I got a top berth at one end, so we have no trouble in finding it, as some do who are located near the middle. These barracks, as they are here called, are built close together, and ordinary conversation in one can be plainly heard in the others. Such a night as we had, story-telling, song-singing, telling what we would do if the Rebs attacked us in the night, with now and then a quarrel thrown in, kept us all awake until long after midnight. There was no getting lonesome, or homesick. No matter what direction one's thought might take, they were bound to be changed in a little while, and so the time went on. Perhaps some one would start a hymn and others would join in, and just as everything was going nicely, a block of wood, of which there were plenty lying around, would come from no one knew where, and perhaps hit a man who was half asleep. Then the psalm singing would end up in something quite different, and for awhile one could almost taste brimstone. I heard more original sayings that night than in all my life before, and only that the boards were so hard, and my bones ached so badly, I would have enjoyed every minute of it.

But we survived the night, and were able to eat everything set before us, when morning and breakfast time came. After breakfast we had our first lesson in soldiering, that is, the men of what will be Captain Bostwick's company, if he succeeds in filling it, and getting his commission, did. A West Point man put us through our paces. We formed in line on the race track, and after several false starts got going, bringing our left feet down as our instructor called out, "Left, Left," etc. A shower in the night had left some puddles on the track, and the first one we came to some went around and some jumped across, breaking the time and step and mixing up things generally. We were halted, and as soon as the captain could speak without laughing, he told us what a ridiculous thing it was for soldiers to dodge at a mud puddle. After a turn at marching, or keeping step with each other, he explained very carefully to us the "position of a soldier," telling how necessary it was that we learn the lesson well, for it would be of great use to us hereafter. He repeated it, until every word had time to sink in. "Heels on the same line, and as near together as the conformation of the man will permit. Knees straight, without stiffness. Body erect on the hips, and inclining a little forward. Arms hanging naturally at the sides, the little finger behind the seam of the pantaloons. Shoulders square to the front. Head erect, with the eyes striking the ground at the distance of fifteen paces." Every bone in my body ached after a little of this, and yet our instructor told us this is the position in which a well-drilled soldier can stand for the longest time and with the greatest ease. This brings my diary up to this date and I must not let it get behind again. There is so much to write about, it takes all my spare time; but now I am caught up, I will try and keep so.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 1-7

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: January 11, 1865

Clear and pleasant. Cannon heard down the river.

Mr. E. A. Pollard, taken by the Federals in an attempt to run the blockade last spring, has returned, and reports that Gen. Butler has been relieved of his command—probably for his failure to capture Wilmington. Mr. Pollard says that during his captivity he was permitted, on parole, to visit the Northern cities, and he thinks the Northern conscription will ruin the war party.

But, alas! the lax policy inaugurated by Mr. Benjamin, and continued by every succeeding Secretary of War, enables the enemy to obtain information of all our troubles and all our vulnerable points. The United States can get recruits under the conviction that there will be little or no more fighting.

Some $40,000 worth of provisions, belonging to speculators, but marked for a naval bureau and the Mining and Niter Bureau, have been seized at Danville. This is well-if it be not too late.

A letter from Mr. Trenholm, Secretary of the Treasury, to Mr. Wagner, Charleston, S. C. (sent over for approval), appoints him agent to proceed to Augusta, etc., with authority to buy all the cotton for the government, at $1 to $1.25 per pound; and then sell it for sterling bills of exchange to certain parties, giving them permission to remove it within the enemy's lines; or "better still," to have it shipped abroad on government account by reliable parties. This indicates a purpose to die "full-handed," if the government must die, and to defeat the plans of the enemy to get the cotton. Is the Federal Government a party to this arrangement? Gold was $60 for one yesterday. I suppose there is no change to-day.

Judge Campbell, Assistant Secretary, returned to his room today, mine not suiting him.

Col. Sale, Gen. Bragg's military secretary, told me to-day that the general would probably return from Wilmington soon. His plan for filling the ranks by renovating the whole conscription system, will, he fears, slumber until it is too late, when ruin will overtake us! If the President would only put Bragg at the head of the conscription business—and in time—we might be saved.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 382-3

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, August 16, 1861

Return of Capt. Reynolds, with the Third Battery, afterwards Battery B, Rhode Island Light Artillery, and some recruits for ours. The newly raised battery should have relieved us, and taken our pieces, as we had the promise of entirely new ones. We all expected to return to Washington; but Col. Geary, being in the immediate neighborhood of rebel troops, remonstrated against our departure, saying he would not rely on a new battery at such a critical moment. Owing to this, the Third Battery returned to Washington the same evening, in command of Lieut. Vaughan, he being promoted to Captain. Sergeant-Major Randolph was promoted to Lieutenant. All quiet up to [Wednesday, August 21, 1861.]

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 17

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, September 1, 1861

Col. Geary received three hundred additional men for his regiment.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 18

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, January 20, 1863

Yesterday my brother-in-law, Jack Smith, came in as a recruit, and, to my great disappointment, brought me no letters. I am certainly the most unfortunate man in the regiment in that respect. I have numerous friends and relatives at home, besides a wife, whom I love better than myself, and yet I never get a letter or a message, while others who are considered as being friendless get long epistles by every one who comes. Ab. Snell, another of the men who came down with me from Tennessee, died yesterday of small-pox. He was full of life and spirits during the entire trip. God save me from such a fate! Fowler, another of my compagnons du voyage, is reported to be dying of the same vile disease. Colonel Farquharson arrived yesterday, and will take command of the regiment immediately. He is beloved by the entire command.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 21

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: December 23, 1864

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

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: between January 19 & February 28, 1864

"Southward, ho! How the grand old war-cry
Thunders over the land to-day,
Rolling down from the eastern mountains,
Dying in the west away.
Southward, ho! Bear on the watchword,
Onward march as in other days,
Till over the traitors' fallen fortress
The stripes shall stream and the stars shall blaze,
And the darkness fly from their radiant van,
And a mightier empire rise in grandeur
For freedom, truth, and the rights of man.”

After mingling for a while so pleasantly with the good people of Illinois, enjoying their hospitality and receiving from them many words of cheer, we rendezvous at Camp Butler, February 18th. While here we add to our rolls a large number of recruits. Noble men they are who have been waiting patiently to arrive at the necessary age for a soldier. That period having arrived, they now seem to feel proud in their uniforms of blue. Colonel Rowett having been by special order, (contrary to his wishes,) assigned to the command of Camp Butler, on the twenty-second of February the regiment, under the command of Major Estabrook, takes the cars for Dixie. Arriving at Louisville, Kentucky, we receive transportation for Nashville. On arriving there, we are furnished lodgings in the Zollicoffer House. The regiment will long remember the accommodations received there at the hands of the government contractors. How the bristling bayonets clashed together at the entrance, and how they practiced their expert chicanery to work their egress therefrom.

Remaining here until transportation is furnished, on the twenty-eighth we proceed on our way to Pulaski, Tennessee. The trains running all the way through, we arrive in our old camp at five P. M.; all seem glad to get back; the non-veterans are glad to see us, and hear from their friends at home; and even the mules send forth their welcome.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 225-6

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: March 8, 1864

This morning everything is wet, for it rained hard all night. A fine introduction to the new recruits, though all seem cheerful. We soon move from camp; marching on the military road leading to Florence, Alabama. We arrive at Florence in the afternoon, capture one rebel, and one seeking to make his escape gets killed. We go into camp close to Florence to await for transports that are expected up the Tennessee.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 227

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: October 13, 1864

Rained all night; clear and cool this morning.

The government publishes nothing from Georgia yet; but it is supposed there is intelligence of an important character in the city, which it would be impolitic to communicate to the enemy. .

All still remains quiet below the city. But the curtain is expected to rise on the next act of the tragedy every moment. Gen. Grant probably furloughed many of his men to vote in Pennsylvania and Ohio, on Tuesday last—elections preliminary to the Presidential election—and they have had time to return to their regiments.

If this pause should continue a week or two longer, Gen. Lee would be much strengthened. Every day the farmers, whose details have been revoked, are coming in from the counties; and many of these were in the war in '61 and '62—being experienced veterans. Whereas Grant's recruits, though greater in number, are raw and unskilled.

The Medical Boards have been instructed to put in all men that come before them, capable of bearing arms ten days. One died in the trenches, on the eleventh day, of consumption!

There is a rumor of a fight on our extreme left. It is said Field's division (C. S.) repulsed three assaults of the enemy. If the battle be still continued (4 P.M —the wind from the west prevents us from hearing guns), no doubt it is the beginning of a general engagement-decisive, perhaps, of the fate of Richmond.

We have many accounts of evasions of military service, occasioned by the alleged bad faith of the government, and the despotic orders from the Adjutant-General's office.

And yet Gov. Smith's certificates for exemption of rich young Justices of the Peace, Commissioners of the county) Revenue, Deputy Sheriffs, clerks, constables, officers and clerks of banks, still come in daily; and they are “allowed” by the Assistant Secretary of War. Will the poor and friendless fight their battles, and win their independence for them? It may be so; but let not rulers in future wars follow the example! Nothing but the conviction that they are fighting for their families, their sacred altars, and their little property induces thousands of brave Southerners to remain in arms against such fearful odds as are now arrayed against them.

Mr. Kean, the young Chief of the Bureau of War, has come in from “the front," with a boil on his thigh. He missed the sport of the battle to-day.

Mr. Peck, the agent to purchase supplies for his starving fellow clerks, confesses that he bought 10 barrels of flour and 400 pounds of bacon for himself; 4 barrels of flour for Judge Campbell, Asassistant Secretary of War; 4 barrels for Mr. Kean, 1 for Mr. Cohen, and 1 for Mr. Shepherd. This has produced great indignation among the 200 clerks who sent him, and who got but 73 pounds each, and they got 13 pounds of bacon each; while Mr. P. bought for himself 400 pounds.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 304-6

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: September 14, 1864

Bright and cold.

Gen. Lee is in the city, looking after recruits, details, etc.

Mr. Secretary Seddon appears to be in very high spirits to-day, and says our affairs are by no means so desperate as they seem on the surface. I hope the good coming will come soon.

Gen. Beauregard has been sent to North Carolina on a tour of inspection.

No news of our wheat and molasses yet; and we have hardly money enough to live until the next pay-day. We have no coal yet.

Four o'clock P.M. A brisk cannonade down the river is distinctly heard. It is not supposed to be a serious matter, perhaps we are shelling Gen. Butler's observatory, erected within his lines to overlook ours.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 282-3

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: July 29, 1864

Clear and warm.

The local troops did not march until this morning, and no one supposes Richmond is seriously menaced by Grant. I believe the object of the demonstration on the part of the enemy is to draw our forces away from the vicinity of Washington.

The Chief of the Signal Corps reports, on information supposed by him to be reliable, that Gen. Early's captures in Maryland were worth $12,000,000—consisting of some 10,000 horses, 10,000 cattle, 7000 hogs, 4000 sheep, 20,000 barrels of flour, and a large amount of bacon, etc. Also, that he got between 2000 and 3000 recruits. All this doubtful.

Mr. G. W. Lamar, Augusta, Ga., writes the Secretary of War that he knows, personally, over one hundred men who have bought exemptions, and that they are bought and sold every day at a certain price. Now will the Secretary order an investigation? Mr. L. has, or had, nine sons in the army, and he says he could have bought exemptions for all, as he is rich. And yet a poor ensigncy is refused one of his sons.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 256-7

Diary of Richard R. Hancock: Friday, June 28, 1861

As Tennesseans were then offering their services faster than the state was prepared to arm and equip them, it was after hard begging that Governor Isham G. Harris gave his consent to have our company mustered into service; and as he would not receive more than seventy-six men, including the officers, eight of our company had to return home.

About eleven o'clock A. M., the Auburn Company (known afterward as the "Sangs") was sworn into service by J. G. Picket.

The following roll will be found to contain the names of the seventy-six men who were mustered into the service of the State of Tennessee for twelve months, with the present (1886) address opposite the name of each one living, so far as known. I have not been able to learn whether those whose names are followed by an asterisk (*) are dead or living; therefore, in our calculations hereafter, we will call this class the unaccounted for.

COMPANY ROLL.

Allison, T. M., Captain. Killed at home in 1862.
Summar, N. W., First Lieutenant, Auburn, Tennessee.
Alexander, George, Second Lieutenant, Cedar Creek, Texas.
Wilson, M. V., Third Lieutenant.*
ODOM, J. J.,1 First Sergeant. Died in West Tennessee in 1885.
WIDLARD, D. B., Second Sergeant, Auburn, Tennessee.
McLin, J. D., Third Sergeant, Nashville, Tenn.
Odom, John H., Fourth Sergeant, Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Harrisburg.
Summar, J. N., First Corporal, Auburn, Tennessee.
Davenport, George, Second Corporal, Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Bear Creek Bridge.
WALKER, SAM, Third Corporal, Smithville, Tennessee.
Lanear, Dick, Fourth Corporal.*
Adamson, Presley, Smallman, Tennessee.
Adamson, W. A., Smallman, Tennessee.
Ashford, Cahal. Died at home in June, 1862.
Barrett, Eli, Auburn, Tennessee. Captured in September, 1863, and taken to Camp Morton, Indiana.
BOGLE, J. M., Avoca, Benton County, Arkansas.
Cooper, A. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Cooper, J. M. Died in 1883.
Cooper, Jim, Gallatin, Tenn.
DAVENPORT, R. Died in West Tennessee, April 7, 1885. Wounded October 26, 1863.
DOUGHERTY, J. R., Auburn, Tennessee.
Dennis, Sam,* Arkansas. Made Second Lieutenant in 1862, and wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
Dougherty, C., Columbia, Texas.
Ewing, A. G. Committed suicide since the war.
Ewing, B. D., Lane, Hunt County, Texas.
Ewing, E. L., Lane, Hunt County. Texas. Wounded at Columbia, Tenn.
Francis, A. H., Calf Creek, Searcy County, Arkansas.
Gan, Jim. Killed by the Federals in Wilson County, Tennessee.
Hale, Josiah.* Captured at Booneville, Mississippi, May 30, 1862.
Hancock, B. A.,2 Auburn, Tennessee. Discharged in 1862.
Hancock, C. E. Died in Franklin County, Alabama, June 4, 1864.
Hancock, R. R., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded October 30, 1864.
Hancock, W.C.2 Killed at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
Hannaphin, Tim.*
HARRISON, DR. J. S., McMinnville, Tennessee. Elected Third Lieutenant in 1862, and wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
Harrison, W. W. Killed at Memphis, August 21, 1864.
Hawkins, J. E. J. Killed near Auburn, in 1864, by Federals.
Hawkins, W. W. Died since the war. Wounded at Okalona, and again at Fort Pillow, which was, perhaps, the cause of his death.
Hays, J. T. Died at home in 1861.
Hearmon, John. Died at Mill Springs, Kentucky,Jan. 6, 1862.
JETTON, Josh. Died in 1885.
Jones, Jesse, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Keaton, Coon. Died in prison, on Rock Island.
Keaton, G. C., Smallman, Tennessee.
KENNEDY, J. W. Died in Auburn, July 26, 1873.
Kennedy, L. V. Died in Texas, April 23, 1885.
Kennedy, W. C., Auburn, Tennessee.
Knight, Monroe, Huntsville, Arkanas. Discharged in 1861.
Markham, A., Smallman, Tennessee.
McAdoo, J. C., Auburn, Tennessee.
McKnight, A. B., Porterfield, Tennessee. Lost one leg in 1865.
McKnight, D. C. Drowned since the war.
McKnight, L. W. Mortally wounded at Paducah, Kentucky, March 25, 1864.
McKnight, M. W., Waxahachie, Texas.3
MILLIGAN, W. H., Auburn, Tennessee.
Mullinax, J. B., Smallman, DeKalb County, Tennessee. Discharged in November, 1861.
Nelson, P.,* Arkansas.
O'Conner, Tom, * Corinth, Mississippi.
Odom, B. F. Killed at Paducah, March 25, 1864.
ODOM, B. F. S., Hall's Hill, Tennessee.
Purnell, L. T. Died since the war.
Rich, W. E., Round Top, Wilson County, Tennessee. Wounded two miles west of Harrisburg, Mississippi, July 13, 1864.
Richardson, M. Died at home in 1861 or '62.
Smith, Bob, Liberty, DeKalb County, Tennessee. Discharged in November, 1861.
Stanly, John. Captured near home, and died in prison at Fort Delaware.
Stevens, J. W., Temperance Hall, DeKalb County, Tennessee. Captured and paroled at Okalona, Mississippi, and wounded at Paducah.
STEVENS, W. C., West Tennessee.
Summar, T. D. Died in 1871.
Talley, Dick. Died since the war.
THOMAS, C. F., Farrier, Cleburne, Texas. Wounded at Fort Pillow in 1864.
Thomas, Jim L., Greenvale, Wilson County, Tennessee
Turney, H, L. W.3 Wounded at Fort Pillow and at Memphis, August 21, 1864, and died in West Tennessee, February 16, 1880.
Willard, F. M., Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Willard, W. B., Waxahachie, Texas.
Womack, D., * Missouri.

To recapitulate, seven were killed, twenty have died, forty-one are living, and eight unaccounted for— total, seventy-six.

The following is as complete a list of the names of those who joined the Auburn Company from time to time during the war as I can now make out, after diligent inquiry among my comrades:

RECRUITS.

ALEXANDER, G. B., Oak Point, Wilson County, Tennessee.
Armstrong, Tom.*
BAXTER, H. A. Died since the war.
Baxter, J. H. Died since the war.
BLACK, W. A., Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
BLACK, J. F. Died since the war.
BARRETT, A., Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee.
Barlow, Jack, Lascassas, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
BARKER, S. (“ BABE"), Milton, Tennessee.
BRADBERRY, J. Died since the war.
BARKLEY, T. C.,* Texas.
Barkley, John T., Yorkville, Gibson County, Tennessee.
Bryson, R. Captured near home, and died in prison at Fort Delaware.
Bryson, E. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
CRANOR, Mose, Milton, Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Cavender, J. H., Dixon, Webster County, Kentucky. Lost one leg at “Tory Fight,” October 26, 1863.
Cummings, Tip, Woodbury, Cannon County, Tennessee.
Champion, J. H., Auburn, Tennessee.
Cooper, M. D. L., * Missouri.
DAVENPORT, William, Auburn, Tennessee.
DOUGHERTY, J. M., Statesville, Wilson County, Tennessee.
Duggin, P. L. Died August 29, 1867.
EWING, R. B. Died in Texas in 1876.
Elkins, T. D. (“Coon”), Woodbury, Tennessee. Wounded at Paducah, Kentucky, March 25, 1864.
Ellidge, J. B., Woodbury, Tennessee.
Francis, M. H., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
Francis, J. J., Wounded at Tupelo, Mississippi, May 5, 1863, and at Harrisburg.
Flowers, A. W., Ray, Texas.
Francis, M. C., Milton, Tennessee.
Francis, C. C., Auburn, Tennessee. Captured on Hood's raid.
Francis, J. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Garrison, C., Milton, Tennessee.
GOARD, J. W. Died in 1884.
Grisham, O. N. Killed at Harrisburg, Mississippi, July 14, 1864.
GRISHAM, Ben, Russellville, Franklin County, Alabama.
Greer, John J.. Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee. Hars, John W., Auburn, Cannon County, Tennessee.
HERNDON, JOE W.* Wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
HERNDON, John L., Mississippi.
Hurt, T. M.*
HANCOCK, R. M. Died since the war.
Jetton, A. J., Auburn, Tennessee.
Jetton, E., Smallman, DeKalb County, Tennessee.
Knox, B. F., Milton, Tennessee.
Knight, Horace, Smallman, Tennessee.
Keaton, H., Smallman, Tennessee.
Keaton, William, Smallman, Tennessee.
LORANCE, MIKE, Porterfield, Rutherford County, Tennessee. Wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
McKNIGHT, Jim NUTE, Milton, Tennessee.
McKnight, A. G., Porterfield, Tennessee.
McAdoo, J. N. Died January 16, 1882.
McKnight, John N., Porterfield, Tennessee. Wounded at Paducah, Kentucky.
McWhirter, Dr. W. H., Webber's Falls, Indian Territory.
McWhirter, S. A., Milton, Tennessee.
Milligan, J. A. Died since the war.
MATHES, J. R., Cainsville, Wilson County, Tennessee.
Newman, *
ODOM, JAMES H., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Harrisburg: July 14, 1864.
ODOM, J. W., Auburn, Tennessee.
Opom, W. F., Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Odom, H. C. (Red), Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Memphis, August 21, 1864.
Odom, J. M. A., Auburn, Tennessee.
Owen, J. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Owen, Nelse, Osage, Caryell County, Texas.
Odom, S. C., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded at Mud Creek, and again at Paducah, Kentucky.
Odom, F. B., Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.
Parris, Joe, McMinnville, Tennessee.
Parris, J. (Sweet), Missouri.
STEVENS, H. G., Bear Branch, DeKalb County, Tennessee. Wounded near Cherokee. Alabama, October 21, 1863
SNEED, J. H., Auburn, Tennessee. Captured and paroled at Okalona, Mississippi, in December, 1862.
Stone, J. R. Died in August, 1885.
Stone, J., Woodbury, Tenn.
Stone, William. Died since the war.
Stone, J. G. Died since the war.
Summar, J. D., Auburn, Tennessee.
Spurlock, J. M., Smallman, Tennessee.
Spicer, Sol.* Captured September, 1863, and sent to Camp Morton, Indiana.
Summar, M. P., Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas.
Thomas, J. H. Died since the war.
THOMAS, A. J., Honey Grove, Texas. Wounded at Harrisburg, July 14, 1864.
Thomas, E. D., Auburn, Tennessee. Wounded near Cherokee, Alabama, October 21, 1863.
THOMPSON, J. B., * Texas.
Tittle, Sam, Woodbury, Tennessee. Captured in September, 1863, and sent to Camp Morton, Indiana.
Tittle, Adam, McMinnville, Tennessee.
Tedder. Frank. Died since the war.
WARREN, O. J., * Mississippi.
Webb, W. J., Aberdeen, Mississippi.
Willard, N., Fairfield, Texas. Wounded at Corinth, October 5, 1862.
Walker, Tom.*
Wamack, Anderson. Captured near home, and died in prison at Fort Delaware.
Wamack, W. L.,* Missouri. Wounded at Fort Pillow.
Willard, J. A., Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas.

Of the Recruits, one was killed, seventeen have died, sixty-two living, and twelve unaccounted for—total, ninety-two.

Add the recruits to the original company, and the result will be as follows: Eight killed, thirty-seven died, one hundred and three living, and twenty unaccounted for—total, one hundred and sixty-eight.

As several were wounded more than once, some thirty-two of the company received between thirty-five and forty wounds.

The above list speaks well for the industry and perseverance of Captain M. W. McKnight in keeping his company well recruited, as well as for the popularity of the company

The “Sangs”⁴ generally outnumbered any other company in the regiment, and yet they were never consolidated with any other company.

I learn from an old muster-roll, which has been preserved by Lieutenant J. S. Harrison, that sixteen⁵ of the original company and thirty-five⁵ of the recruits—total, fifty-one-were present at the surrender of Forrest's Cavalry, May 10, 1865. The muster-roll referred to above is dated thus: "Near Sumterville, Alabama, May 1, 1865." And upon said roll I find the names of nineteen others, who are accounted for as follows: Three (J. W. Webb, W. E. Rich,⁶ and T. D. Summer⁶) are reported “Detached by order of Lieutenant-General Forrest;" two (A. G. McKnight and B. D. Ewing⁶) are reported “Absent, waiting on wounded ;” three (A. B. McKnight,⁶ W.W. Hawkins,⁶ and R. R. Hancock^*) are reported “Absent, wounded;” six (Captain M. W. McKnight,⁶ Lieutenant H. L. W. Turney,⁶ Privates E. L. Ewing,⁶ J. H. Cavender, Mat Francis and H. C. Odam) are reported “Retired by order of Medical Board;" three (A. G. Ewing,⁶ J. H. Baxter, and John N. McKnight) are reported “Absent, sick," and two (E. D. Thomas and J. H. Thomas) are reported “Absent on parole."

Though I do not find upon said roll the names of any of the Auburn Company (J. D. McLin,⁶ C. C. Francis, Eli Barrett,⁶ and perhaps some others) who were in prison when this muster-roll was made out, I suppose they were omitted from the fact that our officers did not expect to get paroles for those in prison. But, omitting those in prison and the two already on parole, there were sixty-eight of the Auburn Company paroled at Gainesville, Sumter County, Alabama, May 10, 1865. (Gainesville is situated in the center of the western border of Alabama, on the west bank of the Tombigbee River, about forty-five miles southeast of Columbus, Mississippi.) Besides the eight killed, only about nine company died during the war. Alfred Hancock, Dr. G. C. Flowers, William A. Groom, John Overall, George Owen, George Turney, and Captain Sam Y. Barkley were with the Auburn Company from time to time during the war, and did more or less service, though they were not really members of the company. S. Y. Barkley, the last named above, was Captain of a company in Colonel E. S. Smith's regiment; and after that regiment disbanded Captain Barkley, though remaining independent, did service with the Auburn Company a good portion of the time from the fall of 1862 to the close of the war.

We remained at Nashville about five or six days. As they wanted our boots made by the penitentiary hands, we went there and had our measures taken. We moved from Nashville to Thorn Hill, near Goodlettsville, some ten or twelve miles north-east of Nashville, where we found the four following cavalry companies encamped:

The following is the muster-roll of Captain Frank N. McNairy's Company (A):

McNairy, F. N., Captain, d.
Harris, W. H., First Lieutenant, 1.
Brown, C. W., Second Lieutenant, 1.
Hicks, E. D., Third Lieutenant, 1.
Morton, G. H., First Sergeant, 1.
Roberts, William, Second Sergeant, 1.
Maxey, William O., Third Sergeant, d.
Britton, William, Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Drane, J. R , First Corporal, d.
Miliron, A. A., Second Corporal, killed at Milton.
Shute, J. M., Third Corporal, 1.
Craighead, W. J., Fourth Corporal, d.
Bender, John, Bugler, 1.
Winfrey, Andrew, Bugler, 1.
Drane, Tom, 1.
Abbay, R. H., d.
Abbay, R. H., d.
Adams, R. H., d.
Aiken, George, d.
Anderson, J. S., d.
Anderson, J. S., d.
Atkinson, T. C., d.
Bennington, Thomas, 1.
Blackman, Hays, 1.
Bolton, Alex., 1.
Brien, W. A., 1.
Buchanan, J. R., d.
Bush, G. W., d.
Campbell, Joe, d.
Clark, Charles, 1.
Crawford, Scott, 1.
Curran, J. M., d.
Curran, Pat, d.
Dashiells, G. W., d.
Dodd, B. P., 1.
Edmondson, Henry, 1.
Edmondson, W. A., d.
Ferguson, Tom, d.
French, A. H., 1.
Graves, W. H., I.
Griffin, Blank.
Grisham, W. J., 1.
Guinn, W. J.
Guthrie, W.*
Haile, G. E.*
Hallowell, B. F., 1.
Hamill, A. C.; d,
Hamill, M.*
Hancock, G. D.*
Hendricks, A. P., 1.
Hope, R. K., d.
Jackson, Andrew.*
Joplin, Thomas, 1.
Kimbro, Thomas, 1.
Marchbank, Chase, 1.
Marshall, E. S., 1.
Martin, C. C.7
Mathews, S. G., 1.
Morris, R. E. K.8
Natcher, W. K., k.
Nolan, M. D. A., d.
Paul, J. A., 1.
Payne, A. B., d.
Porch, W. A., 1.
Puckett, James.
Ridley, G. C., 1.
Ridley, J. L., 1.
Safforans, T. M., d.
Shields, John, 1.
Shilcut, T. H., 1.
Smith, E. M., d.
Smith, J. M.
Smith, Nat., 1.
Smith, P. A., 1.
Smithwick, George, d.
Steele, J. W., 1.
Steele, William.
Sykes, J. W., d.
Tate, Zack, d.
Thomas, George, 1.
Treanor, J. D.
Tucker. *
Vaughn, J. H., 1.
Vaughn, J. T., 1.
Williams, N. B.*

The following is the muster-roll of the company (B) commanded by Captain W. L. Horn:

Horn, W. L., Captain, I.
Gasby, L. L., First Lieutenant, d.
Calvert, W. W., Second Lieutenant, d.
Craft, W. H., Third Lieutenant, d.
Horn, F. W., First Sergeant, 1.
Oswell, Nick, Second Sergeant.
Pickett, J. C., Third Sergeant, d.
Horn, E. H.,* Fourth Sergeant, 1.
Frankland, J., First Corporal, p.
Rhodes, William, Second Corporal, 1.
Singleton, H. E., Third Corporal, d.
Polk, Richard, Fourth Corporal, 1.
Tate, James, Ensign, k.
Johnson, E. C., Bugler, 1.
Atilla, Frank, Drill Master, 1.
Figg, R. M., 1.
Brooks, E., d.
Armstrong, Eli, d.
Bowles, Thomas, 1.
Bowles, W. E., d.
Bowman, James, 1.
Breedlove, Stanford, 1.
Cantrell, W. H., d.
Carpenter, William, d.
Cash, Jeff, d.
Cooke, J. E., d.
Franklin, J., d.
Graves, John, 1.
Green, J.*
Hager, B. D., 1.
Hays, Mike P,, 1.
Henry, J. P.*
Hook, I. N., d.
Hunley, Ben, d.
Jackson, J. P., 1.
Johnson, Lafayette, d.
Johnson, W. D.. 1.
Kelly, Pat.*
Kenner, John, k.
Kittle, Richard, 1.
Little, David. *
Mahan, Mike. *
Mahoney, John.*
Mann, G. W., l.
McKnight, W. G., d.
Mehrenstein, M., 1.
Meyer, John, 1.
Miller, Aug., d.
Morton, S. W.*
Nellan, M.* Ford, T.*
Newbern, Thomas, 1.
Nicholson, M. R., 1.
O'Brien, John, 1.
O'Donnell, John.*
O'Hara, Roderick, d.
Overbee, Coleman,*
Overstreet, J. L., 1.
Patton, F., 1.
Powers, Pat. *
Rhodes, D. C., 1.
Rhodes, M., d.
Runnells, Sam.*
Searls, Charles, 1.
Singleton, A. J., d.
Spillers, L., 1.
Squares, Charles, d.
Stevenson, J. F., 1.
Stull, J., l.
Sullivan, Pat.*
Sutton, J. J., 1.
Tarpley, Robert, k.
Thompson, S., d.
Webb, J. B., k.
Wilson, Wallace, 1.
Wittey, Horatio, d.
Woodruff, John, 1.
Wright, H.*
Wyatt, Thomas, d.
Yates, Thomas, d.
Zachary, Wash, 1.

The following is the roll⁹ of Company C,¹⁰ & First  Battalion Tennessee Cavalry:

Ewing, William, Captain, d.¹¹
Bond, Burk, First Lieutenant, d.
House, Isaac, Second Lieutenant, d.
Wyatt, Joe, Third Lieutenant, d.
Parrish, William, First Sergeant, d.
Allen, John, Jr.
Allen, John, Sr.
Andrews, William.
Bailey, Pat.
Beech, David.
Blythe, James.
Bostick, Jonn, 1.
Boyd, D. J.
Boyd, Thad.
Brown, John.
Cathrenn, H.
Childress, George.
Childress, William.
Clouston, W. G.
Core, J. G.
Cowles, James.
Crite, J. M.
Crow, J. M.
Crump, G. R.
Crump, Marcus.
Davis, James, d.
Denton, James.
Dodson, Andrew.
Dodson, Byrd.
Dodson, Tim.
Duff, William, d.
Elliott, Joe.
Ellis, John.
Fleming, Lem.
Franklin, James.
House, Mann, d.
Hughes, Brice.
Hughes, Henry.
Hughes, James.
Hughes, Lee.
Hunt, Turner.
Jordan, G. M.
Mallory, Clem.
Mallory, John.
Malone, Hiram.
Maney, H. J., d.
Marshall, William.
McCallister, Joe.
McCrea, ——
McDowell, Sam.
McGan, J- L., 1.
McLane, Ben.
Mebane, Alex.
Merrett, David.
Merrett, J. H.
Mosley, Robert
Mosley, Sam.
Mullins, Doge.
North, J. A., 1.
Oden, Thomas.
Orum, James.
Pollard, N. N.
Reid, W. W.
Smithson, G. W.
Smithson, James.
Sounders, Mark;
Spivy, R.
Tichnenar, G. W.
Tull, Dudle.
Tullan, James.
Underwood, T. B., 1.
Williams, N. C.
Williams, Wm.
Weli, Sam.
Wray, J.

I have failed to get a full report of the living and dead of Ewing's Company.

The following is the muster-roll of Captain E. D. Payne's Company (D):

Payne, E. D., Captain, d.
Petway, R. G., First Lieutenant, l.
Ryan, J. B., Second Lieutenant, l.
Birdwell, J. W., Third Lieutenant.*
Dawson, W. R., First Sergeant.*
Smith, W. H., Second Sergeant, d.
Bevill, J. M., Third Sergeant.*
Hickman, J. A., Fourth Sergeant.*
Knote, T. L., Fifth Sergeant, d.
Walker, E. R., First Corporal.*
Petty, S. H., Second Corporal.*
Sales, W. J., Third Corporal.*
Buckner, J. H., Fourth Corporal.*
Adams, G. W.*
Alexander, J. D.*
Anderson, Alex.*
Armstrong, H. C., 1.
Blackwell, J. W.*
Blair, S. S., 1.
Bledsoe, C. P., d.
Bradley, H. C.*
Bradley, William, d.
Brien, W. A., I.
Caldwell, J. R.*
Camperry, R. J.*
Carler, William.*
Carlisle, W. G., d.
Cavender, J. C., l.
Cayee, F. J.*
Cozatt, G. W., Bugler, d.
Dobbs, J. R., I.
Drane, Thomas. *
Duncan, J. H., d.12
Forehand, Thomas. *
Fox, Thomas.
Glasco, C. L., d.
Good, G. H.*
Handy, D. S.*
Handy, G. M.*
Harbring, J.*
Haynes, J. C.*
Hays, E. C.*
Head, Robert.*
Heiss, Henry, d.
Hester, J. W., d.
Hickle, G. R. H.*
Hill, J. B.*
Houston, J. D., 1.
Hunter, William, I.
Hutchinson, W. B., 1.
Johnson, C., Farrier, 1.
Jones, J. M.*
Jones, Joseph, d.
Kirkpatrick, J. W.
Knott, R. S., 1.
Maratta, S., Bugler, d.
Marks, W. P., k.
Mayfield, W.*
McCartney, L. W., d.
Nelson, N. R., d.
Pendergras, James. *
Petty, J. M.*
Polk, J. A., 1.
Rhodes, J. B., d.
Richardson, J. R.*
Ring, A. N.*
Robertson, J. A.*
Skeggs, C. H., 1.
Smith, W. B.*
Steele, E. F.*
Underwood, F. J.*
Washburn, J. M., d.
West, E. M.*
White, Edward. *
Whittey, D. J.*
Williams, A. J.*
Woods, N.*

At Thorn Hill, during the first week of July, the five companies previously mentioned were organized into a battallion, known as the,

FIRST BATTALION OF TENNESSEE CAVALRY,

by electing the following field and staff officers :

Frank N. McNairy, Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Malcomb, Major.
E. D. Hicks, Lieutenant and Adjutant.
M. W. McKnight, Sergeant-Major.
Dr. Isaac House, Surgeon.
G. M. Fogg, Acting Quartermaster.
William Britton, Assistant Quartermaster.
Ramsey, Commissary
John Bender, Bugler.

As the Captain of Company A was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and the Third Lieutenant of the same company was made Adjutant, therefore, by election, W. Hooper Harris became Captain, and Hays Blackman First Lieutenant, and George H. Morton was made Third Lieutenant of Company A in December, 1861.

A few days after the First Battalion had been organized at Thorn Hill, it moved from there to Camp Jackson, near Hendersonville, some five or six miles east of the former camp.

News having reached Auburn, Cannon County, that the First Battalion would start to East Tennessee in a few days, quite a number of the friends and relatives of our company (Allison's) paid us a visit, about the 24th of July, at Camp Jackson. They brought trunks and boxes filled with “good things” to eat. How, for the next three or four days, we did enjoy the company of our friends and relatives, as well as eating the good things they brought for us! Had I an eloquent pen I would here use it in describing those few but bright days. They were, in comparison with the rest of our soldier life, like an oasis in a great desert.

On the morning of the 28th most of our friends set out on their return home, and the three companies enlisted at Nashville (Harris's, Horn's, and Payne's) had previously gone to that place to visit relatives and friends before starting eastward. Allison's and Ewing's Companies were still at Camp Jackson.

_______________

¹ Those whose names are in small capitals [in this listing all capitals] were present at the surrender.

² B. A. and W. C. are brothers of the writer.

³ See Appendix A.

⁴ The above name (or rather as at first, “Sang Diggers”) was given to the Auburn Company rather as a term of derision; though, in the language of an ancient general (Epaminondas), “they did not derive any honor from the name, but they made the name honorable.”

⁵ By reference to the preceding rolls their names will be found printed in small [all] capitals.

⁶ These twelve were members of the original company.

⁷ Killed at Milton, Tennessee.

⁸ Killed at Winchester, Kentucky.

⁹ I am under obligations to J. L. McGann for this roll.

¹⁰ This company was from Williamson County, the other three from Nashville, except a few Kentuckians in Company D.

¹¹ Resigned at Cumberland Ford.

¹² Made Captain at Cumberland Ford.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 18-35

Diary of Sergeant David L. Day: July 20, 1864

HOSPITAL LIFE.

Thus far I have been unable to discover any charms in hospital life. With fair health the active camp is far preferable. This hospital is divided into three departments. The first is the officers' ward, the second is the hospital for the wounded and very sick, and the third is the convalescent camp. The first two are in large hospital tents and are furnished with cots, mattresses and other necessary conveniences. In the third are more than 600 men, quartered under shelter tents. I am in this department. It is not supposed that there are any sick men here. They are all either dead beats or afflicted with laziness, and a draft is made from among them twice a week for the front. I had been here only four days when I was drawn, but Garland of company C, who is an attache at Doctor Sadler's office, saw my name on the roll and scratched it off. Although there are none here supposed to be sick, there seems to be a singular fatality among them as we furnish about as large a quota every day for the little cemetery out here as they do from the sick hospital. But then in a population of 600 or more, three or four deaths a day is not surprising. I have been here three weeks and have been drafted four times, but with my friend Garland's help I have escaped. I should be pleased to be back with the boys if I was only half well, but I reckon I shall not be troubled with any more drafts.

Doctor Hoyt sent a man back the other day. The next morning he was sent up with a sharp note to Doctor Sadler, saying that he didn't send men to the hospital that were fit for duty and didn't want them sent back until they were. That roused Doctor Sadler's ire, and he says when Hoyt wants his men he can send for them.

Doctor Sadler has the whole charge of the convalescent camp, and has several young fellows, assistant surgeons so called, on his staff. Some of these fellows I should think had been nothing more than druggists' clerks at home, but by some hook or crook have been commissioned assistant surgeons and sent out. here. Every morning all who are able in all the ten wards go up to be examined and prescribed for by these new fledged doctors, and those not able to go seldom receive any medical attendance, but it is just as well and perhaps better that they do not go, as the skill of these young doctors is exceedingly limited. Doctor Sadler is a fine man and a skilful surgeon. He comes around occasionally, visiting those who are not able to go out and prescribes for them, and for a day or two afterwards the assistants will attend to those cases. These assistants make the examinations and draft the men for the front, after which they are again examined by Doctor Sadler and frequently a number of them will not be accepted, and the assistants oftentimes need not feel very much flattered by some remarks of the doctor.

This convalescent camp holds its own in spite of all the drafts made on it. Recruits arrive daily and the drafts are made twice a week, sending back 50 or 100 at each draft.

When a draft is made one of the assistants comes into a ward and orders it turned out, and every man not down sick abed turns out. The ward-master forms them in single rank and the inspection begins. They commence on the right and go through the ward, making the same examinations and asking the same questions of every man in the ward. They feel the pulse and look at the tongue, and if those are right they are booked for the front. They remind me of horse jockeys at Brighton, examining horses. Some of the boys who are well enough but are in no hurry to go back, chew wild cherry or oak bark to fur their tongues and are thus exempted until Doctor Sadler gets hold of them, when they have to go. We get some recruits from the other hospital, for as soon as a sick or wounded man there is declared convalescent he is sent here.

A good joke occurred one morning when one of them was drafted for the front. He had been slightly wounded in the leg and was getting around with a crutch. When his ward was ordered out for draft he fell in with the rest, and the doctor, not noticing the crutch, but finding his pulse and tongue all right, marked him as able-bodied. When Sadler inspected them, he said to this fellow: “What are you here for?” “Going to the front, I suppose; there is where I am ticketed for.” Sadler laughed, and said: “I'll excuse you.” Then turning to his assistant, remarked: “We are not yet so hard up for men as to want three-legged ones." That assistant looked as though he wished he was at home under his mother's best bed.

This whole hospital is under the management of a Doctor Fowler, and as far as I am able to judge is well and skilfully managed. The cuisine is excellent and far better than could be expected in a place like this. The hospital fund as fast as it accrues is expended for vegetables, fruits, milk, butter, cheese, preserves and many other things which the government is not supposed to furnish. The kitchen is in two departments, one where are cooked and served out the meats, soups, vegetables and other food for the convalescent. In the other are cooked the roasts, steaks, broths, beef tea and all kinds of light diet for the officers' ward and the sick and wounded department. The light diet is presided over by an angel of mercy in the person of a Miss Dame who is the hospital matron.

SOURCE: David L. Day, My Diary of Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, p. 140-2

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Abraham Lincoln, June 19, 1863

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,        

Near Vicksburg, June 19, 1863.

Hon. A. LINCOLN,
        President of the United States:

SIR: I beg leave very respectfully to call your particular attention to the inclosed letter from Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman to me on the subject of filling the old regiments of the Army from the contemplated draft. I would add that our old regiments, all that remains of them, are veterans equaling regulars in discipline, and far superior to them in the material of which they are composed. A recruit added to them would become an old soldier, from the very contact, before he was aware of it.

Company and regimental officers, camp and garrison equipage, transportation and everything are already provided. He would cost Government nothing but his pay and allowances, and would render efficient services from the start. Placed in a new organization all these things are to be provided. Officers and men have to go through months of schooling, and, from ignorance of how to cook and provide for themselves, the ranks become depleted one-third before valuable services can be expected.

Taken in an economic point of view, one drafted man in an old regiment is worth three in a new one.

I am, sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,        

Major-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 386

Major-General William T. Sherman to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, June 2, 1863

HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,        

Walnut Hill, June 2, 1863.

Major-General GRANT,
        Present:

DEAR GENERAL: I would most respectfully suggest that you use your personal influence with President Lincoln to accomplish a result on which it may be the ultimate peace and security of our country depends. I mean to his use of the draft to fill up our old regiments.

I see by the public journals that a draft is to be made, and that 100,000 men are to be assigned to fill up the old regiments, and 200,000 to be organized as new troops. I do not believe that Mr. Lincoln, or any man, would at this critical period of our history repeat the fatal mistakes of last year. Taking this army as a fair sample of the whole, what is the case? The regiments do not average 300 men, nor did they exceed that strength last fall when the new regiments joined us in November and December. Their rolls contained about 900 names, whereas now their ranks are even thinner than the older organizations. All who deal with troops in fact instead of theory know that the knowledge of the little details of camp life is absolutely necessary to keep men alive. New regiments for want of this knowledge have measles, mumps, diarrhea, and the whole catalogue of infantile diseases, whereas the same number of men distributed among the older regiments would learn from the sergeants and corporals and privates the art of taking care of themselves, which would actually save their lives and preserve their health against the host of diseases that invariably attack the new regiments. Also, recruits distributed among older companies catch up, from close and intimate contact, a knowledge of drill, the care and use of arms, and all the instruction which otherwise it would take months to impart. The economy, too, should recommend the course of distributing all the recruits as privates to the old regiments, but these reasons appear to me so plain that it is ridiculous for me to point them out to you, or even to suggest them to an intelligent civilian.

I am assured by many that the President does actually desire to support and sustain the Army, and that he desires to know the wishes and opinions of the officers who serve in the wood instead of the "salon." If so, you would be listened to.

It will take at least 600 good recruits per regiment to fill up the present army to the proper standard. Taking 1,000 as the number of regiments in actual existence, this would require 600,000 recruits. It may be the industrial interests of the country will not authorize such a call, but how much greater the economy to make an army and fight out this war at once. See how your success is checked by the want of prompt and adequate enforcement to guard against a new enemy gathering to the rear. Could your regiments be filled up to even the standard of 700 men for duty, you would be content to finish quick and well the work so well begun. If a draft be made, and the men be organized into new regiments instead of filling up the old, the President may satisfy a few aspiring men, but will prolong the war for years and allow the old regiments to die of natural exhaustion. I have several regiments which have lost honestly in battle and by disease more than half their original men, and the wreck or remainder, with colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, ten captains, lieutenants, &c., and a mere squad of men, remind us of the army of Mexico—all officers and no men. It would be an outrage to consolidate these old, tried, and veteran regiments and bring in the new and comparatively worthless bodies. But fill up our present ranks, and there is not an officer or man of this army but would feel renewed hope and courage to meet the struggles before us.

I regard this matter as more important than any other that could possibly arrest the attention of President Lincoln, and it is for this reason that I ask you to urge it upon him at this auspicious time. If adopted, it would be more important than the conquest of Vicksburg and Richmond together, as it would be a victory of common sense over the popular fallacies that have ruled and almost ruined our country.

With great respect, your friend and servant,

W. T. SHERMAN,        

Major-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series III, Volume 3 (Serial No. 124), p. 386-8