Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 1, 1861

Sunday has just slipped away. Parson Strong attempted to get an audience; but a corporal's guard, for numbers, were all who desired to be ministered to in spiritual things.

The Colonel spends much of his time in Louisville. He complains bitterly because the company officers do not remain in camp, and yet fails to set them a good example in this regard. We have succeeded poorly in holding our men. Quite a number dodged off while the boat was lying at the landing in Cincinnati, and still more managed to get through the guard lines and have gone to Louisville. The invincible Corporal Casey has not yet put in an appearance.

The boys of the Sixth Ohio are exceedingly jubilant; the entire regiment has been allowed a furlough for six days. This was done to satisfy the men, who had become mutinous because they were not permitted to stop at Cincinnati on their way hither.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 85

Diary of 5th Sergeant Lawrence Van Alstyne, Sunday, January 4, 1863

Hip, Hip, Hurrah! The Laurel Hill, a steamer, has stopped at our camp and we have orders to pack up for a move. All that are able are to be taken to Chalmette, the old battle ground below New Orleans. Anywhere but this God-forsaken spot, say I. Chaplain Parker preached hot stuff at us to-day. Says we don't take proper care of ourselves, that we eat too often and too much. That made me laugh. Dominie, if you lived with us a while, ate at the same table and had the same bill of fare to choose from, I think you would tell another story. Poor man, it is getting on his nerves sure. But it sets me to wondering if our officers all think that way. If they blame us for the condition we are in, who brought these conditions about? Did we from choice herd in between decks like pigs, while the officers, chaplain and all had staterooms and a bed and good food to eat, well cooked and at regular hours? If they blame us for our condition to-day, I can only hope that at some time they may get just such treatment and fare and that I may be there to remind them it is their own fault. Chaplain Parker must do some tall preaching to make good what he has lost by that tongue lashing. It was uncalled for and a sad mistake.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 80

Diary of 5th Sergeant Lawrence Van Alstyne, January 11, 1863

Meeting to-day. Some way they have lost their force. We attend because we have to. The sermon at the quarantine is remembered. We seem to have lost faith, not in God, but in ministers. Colonel Smith with all his cursing has done more for our care and comfort than those that profess so much and do so little.

SOURCE:  Lawrence Van Alstyne, Diary of an Enlisted Man, p. 82

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, June 3, 1860

Very fine day. At Church A. M. & P. M. Just before night Mr & Mrs Goodrich, of Mass: Mr Goodrich being a member of the National Republican Committee called, and sat till near 10 O'clock. The moon is about full, and is as lovely a summer night as ever shone.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, June 10, 1860

Quincy.  Pleasant day. At church A. M. and P. M.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 413

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, March 12, 1865

A. M. Inspection & Reading Articles of War to the company P. M. reading Fabiola, N. O. papers of 10th no news, this morning all the Gunboats lay in the cove. the firing was on some of the forts in the vicinity of Mobile. Service at 3 P. M. weather cool Genl Canby on the Pout this P. M. artillery practice today

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 577

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 2, 1862

9 Oc we went on Battallion drill. after we dismissed I & A Mullen visited the hospital & afternoon he started for home we was on company drill & Dress perade after dismissing I again visited the hospital and endeavored to comfort the suffering. evening we had meeting at the Barracks of Co A. the Chaplain had me to open by prayer he spoke then called on me to exort after that we had a speaking meeting & the power of God was with us & many wept 1st Lieut not able for duty

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

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

In the morning I visited the sick in the hospital & at 9 Oc took the street cars and went into the citty to procure some things for the mess. I had an interview with Genls Curtis & Fisk. Called at Genl Fremonts residence he is absent. I saw the 118th Illinois Reg on their way to Memphis. evening I spoke in the Barracks of Co F text Matthew 11th 28th K. P. Morrison & our Chaplain followed me we had a good time I visited the 33 Reg Iowa Vol in their barracks to day.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 4, 1862

Forenoon we had a fine battalion drill afternoon the orderly & I drilled the company we ware on Dress perade Evening the Chaplain preached in barracks of Co C text prayer is as an anchor to the soul &c. after preaching we had an excellent speaking meeting.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 5, 1862

Forenoon we was on battallion drill after noon Co drill, no Dress perade about sunset just when the 23 Mo Inft dismissed their dress perade one of their boys snapped his gun at the croud not knowing it was loaded it went of killed one man dead dangerously wounded one & one slightly Evening I attended preaching by one of the 1st Iowa Cavalry to the paroled prisoners text to be spiritually minded is life & peace

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 7, 1862

In the morning I visited our sick in the hospital 10 Oc attended preaching by the Chaplain in the 4th ward hospital at the fair grounds, text eternity. 2 Oc our Chaplain preached in Barracks of Co, H evening Capt Mahan preached in our barracks Co G. text the Lord hath given his people a banner we had a good time. I am uneasy about me Dear Son Amandus

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 9, 1862

9 Oc Mr. R Murdock & I started to the citty was at the gun boats & Arsenal seen one horse get drouned, took our dinner at the Mt Vernon hotell, kept by Bolander Spent an hour with Dr Elliott Editor of the Central advocate. Evening I spoke to the paroled prisoners text now commandeth all men everywhere to repent Butler D Bailey a stout young man of our company died, the first we have lost

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 10, 1862

8 Oc I went down into the citty to the government undertaker & made arrangements & arranged to have him burry Corporal Butler D Bailey at 2 Oc. I got the Col to releave our Company from duty that all mite escorte the corps to the graveyard. evening our Chaplain preached to the paroled prisoners. I exorted, text, thou shalt not go with the multitude to do evil we had a good time it turned it into a speaking meeting & there was great liberty

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 12, 1862

Forenoon we had a fine battallion drill afternoon we ware in Co drill & dress perade evening I spoke to the paroled prisners in their barracks text Son give me thy heart Our Chaplain was present we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 13, 1862

Forenoon we had a fine battallion, no drill afternoon or dress perade, afternoon I was sent for to go to the hospital & talk & pray for a Mr Jewell he had lost his evidence, he was enabled to lay hold on the promises & was made verry happy. Evening Hare preached & I exorted. text almost thou persuadest me to be a christian we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 14, 1862

4 Oc we ware on dress parade in the mud & rain 2½ Oc Brother Oiler Chaplain of the 21st Mo Inft preached to us text 1st psalm Capt Morton exorted he is of the Mo Inft night H D Morrison preached text take the whole armour Hare exorted & we had a speaking & it was a glorious time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 16, 1862

10 Oc I got of duty was up near all night last. this day I spent mostly visiting the sick in hospitals 4 Oc was on dress perade evening attended preaching in Co K Capt Noble Barracks. Dr Ball preached text we love him because he first loved us &c we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 20, 1862

6 Oc we let loose & started on our way rejoiceing 2½ Oc Wm Perkins preached to us text get wisdom &c he is a prisbeterian & Chaplain of the 7 Illinos Inft on the way to his Reg Walker Chaplain of the 118 Ill Inft opened servises by prayer. on his way to the Reg. we laid by for the night at Saml Vancils. Cape Girardeau County & 15 miles above the town of that name I went on shore & to the house & spent part of the evening with them

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 21, 1862

At day break we loosed cable & started. 1½ Oc we got to Cairo reported & I had a good chat with my old neighbours Genl Tuttle¹ & Capt James Sample. 3 Oc left & 5½ we landed at Columbus. Capt Fee & Orderly Spooner & I got the countersign & visited the batterys & Brestworks &c, had an Introduction by our Col to Genl Davies commanding them, they are expecting an attact tomorrow at 11 Oc night we called our regiment up formed them in line and gave them each 40 rounds of catrages, they laid on their arms till morning 11 AM Wm Pearkins preached for us and at 3PM Walker preached for us

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¹ James M. Tuttle was born in Noble County, Ohio, September 24, 1823, removed to Farmington, Iowa, in 1846, was a merchant, was sheriff of Van Buren County 1856-57, and treasurer and recorder 1838-61. He went out in May, 1861, as lieutenant colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry, was promoted to colonel September 6, 1861, to brigadier general June 6, 1862, and resigned June 14, 1864. He then removed to Des Mo'nes and engaged in real estate business, and later in pork packing. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1863, and for Congress in 1866. He was a representative in the General Assembly in 1872 and again in 1881. He was department commander of the Grand Army of Iowa in 1887. In 1886 Governor Larrabee appointed him a member of the lowa Soldiers Home Commission, and he was chairman of the commission when the home was built. His death occurred in Des Moines October 24, 1892.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 99-100

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop, Sunday, July 26, 1864

Attended meeting this morning near the big pine trees in the southeast part of the pen, preaching by Sergeant B. N. Waddle, of 126th Ohio. Some of those active in carrying on the meetings are Rev. T. J. Sheppard, B. N. Waddle, M. H. Miller, 22nd Mich. Cavalry, and Robert H. Kellogg, of 16th Connecticut Regt., Thomas A. Cord, U. S. Infantry, also Boston Corbett. Some who show extraordinary talent as singers, are J. O. Turner, David Atherton, 65th N. Y., John W. Kerr, L. H. Cummings, Massachusetts; G. W. Pomeroy and others. There is often a chorus of nearly a hundred voices, some evenings, of fine singers.

Called on W. H. Harriman in the afternoon. He is so affected with scurvy that he cannot stand. The doctor tells him that they have no medicine that will cure; he is expecting to go to the hospital tomorrow; bade us good-bye, grasping our hands, in tears. He said: "Ever hoping for the best I shall not forget you and Thompson. We shall not meet again; I hope I shall have better treatment, at least better fare. If I am exchanged I will write your people, you do the same." (I heard nothing definite from Harriman until July, 1865, when his sister, Anna E. Harriman, wrote me from Zanesville, Ohio, that he died in October, 1864).

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 93