Diary of Private Charles Wright Wills: August 2, 1861

Cairo.  Hot! You don't know what that word means. I feel that I have always been ignorant of its true meaning till this week, but am posted now, sure. The (supposed-to-be) “never failing cool, delicious breeze” that I have talked about so much, seems to be at “parade rest” now and — I can't do justice to the subject. The health of the camp is much better now than at any time before, since we have been here. There is not a sick man in our company. My health remains gorgeous. We drill now five hours a day, under a sun that cooks eggs in 13 minutes, but we think we feel the heat no more walking than lying around the quarters.

The seceshers this morning took the packet that has been plying between here and Columbus, and have run her off down to Memphis. I thought that Prentiss stopped her sometime since, but this at last closes all communication between the North and South at this point. Our “ossifers” we think are really scared about an attack here, but you could not make the soldiers believe in the like till they see the fight begin. About a thousand of our men were rushed off to Bird's Point to-day to work on intrenchments, and won't they sweat?

My chum heard Colonel Oglesby tell an officer two hours ago that there were 17,000 Rebels within 15 miles of the Point. The scouts reported this body at New Madrid, 40 mile's down the Mississippi, two days since. Yesterday 12 men from the Pekin company and 12 from our's with some artillerymen went 30 miles up the Mississippi to collect all the boats we could find on the Missouri shore. We found three large flats tied up to trees along the shore which we confiscated. One of them wasn't very good so we sunk it. The object was to prevent marauders from visiting Illinois. I had charge of the men from our company.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 23-4

Diary of Private Charles Wright Wills: June 13, 1861

Cairo. I am converted to the belief that Cairo is not such a bad place after all. The record shows that less deaths have occurred here in seven weeks among 3,000 men, than in Villa Ridge (a higher, and much dryer place with abundant shade and spring water), in five weeks among 1,000. There has been but one death here by disease in that time, and that with miserable hospital accommodations. The soldiers lie like the d---1 about Cairo. The days are hot of course, but we do nothing now between 8 a. m. and 9 p. m. but cook and eat, so that amounts to not near as much as working all day at home. The mosquitoes and bugs are furious from 6 p. m. to 11, but we are drilling from 7 p. m. to nearly 9, and from that to 11 we save ourselves by smoking, which we all do pretty steadily. The nights after 11 are splendidly cool, so much so that we can cover ourselves entirely in our blankets, which is a block game on the mosquitoes, and sleep like logs. I believe those Camp Mather boys are hard sticks from the accounts we get of their fingers sticking to chickens, vegetables, etc. The citizens here say that the boys have not taken a thing without permission, or insulted a citizen. “Bully for us.”

We had a little fun yesterday. At 8 p. m. we (the Peoria and Pekin companies) were ordered to get ready for marching in ten minutes. So ready we got (but had to leave knapsacks, canteens and blankets) and were marched down to the “City of Alton,” which had on board a six pounder and one 12 pound howitzer. We cast off, fired a salute of two guns and steamed down the Mississippi. After five miles the colonel (Oglesby) called us together, told us that he was out on a reconoitering expedition, and his information led him to think we should be forced into a little fight before we got back. We were then ordered to load and keep in our places by our guns. At Columbus we saw a secesh flag waving but passed on a couple of miles farther where he expected to find a secesh force. Failed and turned back. At Columbus the flag was still waving and the stores all closed, and quite a crowd collected on the levee, but one gun though, that we could see. The colonel ordered the flag down. They said they wouldn't do it. He said he would do it himself then. They answered, “We'd like to see you try it.” We were drawn up then round the cabin deck guards next the shore in two ranks, with guns at “ready,” and the captain jumped ashore and hauled down the serpent. We were all sure of a skirmish but missed it. Flag was about 15x7, with eight stars and three stripes. I send you some scraps of it. They raised another flag one hour after we left and sent us word to “Come and take it.” The ride on the river was the best treat I've had for two years.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 17-9

Diary of Private Charles Wright Wills, April 28, 1861

Cairo. This is the twilight of our first day here. We started from Peoria last Wednesday at 11 a. m. amid such a scene as I never saw before. Shouting, crying, praying, and shaking hands were the exercises. Along the whole line from Peoria to Springfield, from every house we had cheers and waving of handkerchiefs. Got to Springfield at dark and marched out to Camp Brick (it is a brickkiln) by moonlight. Our beds were of hay, scattered on the earthen floor of the dry shed. We had to sleep very close together, being cramped for room. Our eatables are bread, bacon, beef, coffee, beans, rice, potatoes and sugar and molasses and pickles.

I had to quit last night because the light wouldn't wait for me. Well, we stayed at Camp Brick until Thursday 25th in the p. m., when we were marched over to Camp Yates to form a regiment. Ten companies of us, numbering from 93 to 125 men in each, were trimmed down to 77rank and file, each. This created considerable dissatisfaction and made a deal of very wicked swearing. Some of the men who were turned out of our company threatened to shoot our captain, but he is still living. After we were trimmed to the required number we were sworn in by company and then quartered in Camp Yates, though we elected our officers first. You will see by the papers who they are. To be certain I will put them down: Colonel, Oglesby; Lieutenant Colonel, Rhoads; Major, Post; Captain, Denison; First Lieutenant, Wetzel; Second Lieutenant, Probstein. Our quarters are the old cattle stalls. Eight men are allowed the same room that one cow or jackass had. I heard Douglas Thursday night and cheered him for the first time in my life. Saturday night at 9 we started for this place. Flags were displayed from houses the whole distance, and the feeling seems as good here as at home. Sixty miles above here, at the Big Muddy bridge, occurred the only trouble the boys have had here. A lot of traitors from over the Ohio river tried to burn the bridge and are still trying to do it. A company of Chicago Zouaves are posted there with a 6:25 field piece. They shot at fellows spying around four times Saturday night. We are more afraid of ague here than of the enemy. We drink no liquors and keep ourselves as cleanly as possible. There are 3,000 of us here and we think we can hold it against 15,000. If they cut the levee the river is so low that we will not be flooded. We have 15 cannons now and will have 15 more to-day. We stop every boat that passes and take off all provisions and ammunition and clothing. The boys are allowed to appropriate what clothing they need from that which is seized. There are now 5,000 men twenty miles below here, at Columbus, Ky., who intended trying to take this spot, but the arrival of our regiment will, it is thought, stop that movement. It is well worth their trouble to take us for we have thousands of dollars worth of their goods here which are seized. You cannot conceive anything like the feeling that possesses our troops here. Although about half of us are green, raw militia, and will need discipline to make us what we should be, yet to a man they all pray for an assault. Kentucky, right across the river, is as strongly for secession as Mississippi can be, and I have no doubt but that we will be attacked the latter part of this week if no more troops come.

Our quarters here are much the same as at Camp Yates. The shed in which our company sleep is entirely open to the south, and very well ventilated otherwise. It is quite warm here though, and we all go in our shirt sleeves even when off duty. The trees are nearly in full leaf and grain is up eight or nine inches.

If any boys go from Canton, they should have a pair of woolen undershirts, ditto drawers, and two flannel overshirts, woolen stockings (feet don't blister as quick in them) and a heavy blanket or pair of light ones. Our company all have a revolver (Colt) and knife each. Mine were given to me by friends in Peoria.

This is a lovely place — a gorgeous hole! It smells just like that bottom below Dorrance's mill, and will breed fever and ague enough to disable all the men in this state. I just now hear the boys saying that we move to-morrow up the river to form a battery to stop a move expected from the Rebels. We can't rely on any of these rumors, though. The boys are shooting at marks all round us with their revolvers. I shoot about as well as any of them.

George Bestor, Jr., sits near me and just now said that he saw a man from Memphis this morning, who said that they were making preparation to come up here and take this Point, relying partly on the disloyal citizens for help. They will have a good time of it.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 7-10

A Skirmish In Tennessee

ANOTHER GUNBOAT RUNS THE BLOCKADE.

__________

CHICAGO, April 6. – The Tribune’s Cairo special says:  A gentleman who left Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Saturday evening, confirms the rumor of a skirmish with the enemy on Friday evening.  He made a reconnoissance in force on Sherman’s Division.  The party consisted of two regiments of infantry, two pieces of artillery and 500 cavalry.  Our force lost one man killed and some half dozen were wounded.  The loss of the enemy is not known, further than that Gen. Sherman took 10 prisoners.  After a short skirmish the enemy retired.

Gen. Oglesby arrived from Tennessee this morning on a short furlough.

The officers in command up the Tennessee are actively engaged in brigading the troops.  The opposing armies are within twenty miles of each other and one may attack the other at any time.

Very heavy firing was heard here last night.

Arrivals this morning report that the Carondelet came up from New Madrid and attacked the floating battery of the rebels on Island No. 10.  The gunboats at the same time commenced firing.  The result had not transpired when the messenger left.

It is reported that Gen. Halleck is to be here to-day en route for Tennessee.

10 P. M. – We have glorious news to-night from New Madrid.  Last night the gunboat Pittsburgh ran the blockade in safety, under a terrible fire from the rebel batteries.  Four steam transports and five barges were also got through the slough from Phillips’ Landing above Island No. 10, by Col. Bissell.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Col. Abraham M. Hare Headquarters Monument: Jones Field, Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

* * *

HEADQUARTERS, 1ST BRIGADE,

1ST DIVISION,

ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE.

COL. A. M. HARE, 11TH IOWA,

COMMANDING.

* * * * *

ESTABLISHED BY GEN. OGLESBY,

MARCH 21, 1862.

See Also:

• Official Report of Col. Abraham M. Hare
• Supplemental Report of Col. A. M. Hare
• Official Report of Marcellus M. Crocker
• Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Abraham M. Hare
• Iowa Colonels and Regiments: Marcellus M. Crocker

Specials to New York Papers

(Special to Tribune.)

WASHINGTON, March 3. – The following nominations were made to the Senate to-day as Major Generals: McDowell, Burnside, Buell, Pope, Lewis and Wallace.  As Brigadier Generals, Cols. Oglesby, W. H. Luella, Cook, McArthur and J. G. Lauman, who commanded brigades at Donelson.  Col. Berry of Maine and Fry of Connecticut, are to rank in the order named – Gen. McDowell thus out ranks the rest  and out ranks Sigel.

In Answer to a requisition of the Senate, the Secretary of War incloses [sic] the instructions of the Adjutant General to Gen. Hunter touching the Hunter Lane expedition, dated Jan. 20.

The order to Gen. Hunter says the General in Chief, in giving you this information, desires it to be understood that a command independent of you is not given to Gen. Lane, but he is to operate to all proper extent, under your supervision and control and if you deem propert, you may yourself, command the expedition which may be undertaken.

Under these circumstances the General in Chief will not give you a formal leave according to your instructions, but he authorizes you to absent yourself from your command for 30 days at your discretion.

The Herald’s Washington dispatch says it is understood that arrangements have been made for release from their parole of all the officers of our army, regulars and volunteers, who have been out on parole by the enemy.  We have such a host of rebel prisoners that there is no longer need that a single officer or private shall be any longer on parole.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

The President takes Another Step.

Our excellent President has taken another step in the right direction; he has given his unqualified approval to an additional article of war, which goes into operation immediately, discharging from service any officer, military or naval, who shall be found guilty of employing any of the force under his command for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves.  That is good, “firm as rock he stands on the Constitution.”  As the Tammany men say, “he will prove himself a good democrat before the expiration of his present term.”  If this be democracy, commend us to it.  It is a bitter pill to the pro-slavery press, but it is used to such doses – it can sugar coat and swallow it without a wry face.  The ambidextrous prestidigitator who presides over the Democrat of this city, can convert it into a sweet morsel and roll it under his tongue, all the time disguising his groans with shouts for the man who “stands like a rock on the Constitution.”

Good again, say we; but where are the defenders of Gen. Stone, the admirers of Col. Oglesby, and the worshippers of “Order No. 3” of Gen. Halleck?  Gen. Fremont’s policy was right, so said the President, but the time he thought had not arrived to adopt it, the hold of slavery was yet too strong on the country, the pro-slavery press of the North would rebel, the Border States might forget their allegiance – but the time has now come, there stands the article approved by the President and who dares say nay?

Standing firm as a rock on the Constitution, and taking one more step and the policy of Gen. Lane will be that of the Government, and the death-knell of slavery and the rebellion will resound throughout ever swamp and bayou of the South.

The telegraph informed us, a few days since, that “large gangs of negroes have been set to work on Forts Randolph and Pillow.”  Previous to the approval of the above order if any of those negroes had escaped from either of those forts, and sought the Federal army from protection, it was the policy of the Government to send them back to work to strengthen those fortifications!  That this was done is an absolute fact.  Early in September last, about four hundred slaves were set to work in erecting the fortifications at New Madrid.  Three of these slaves deserted, bearing with them important intelligence, and made their appearance at Bird’s Point, and offered their services to our Government.  Col. Oglesby, then commanding, ordered their return to their disloyal masters, and they were driven back to assist in building the breast works and fortifications, to rebel the Federal army, when it should make its attack on that point.

Slaves were used in building the fortifications at Columbus.  Seven of them, mounted on horses, escaped to our ranks one at a time.  The horses were retained and the slaves driven back!

Is it not time, full time that an order was promulged throughout the country, prohibiting such inconsistency in future?  It is, and the man who would oppose the adoption of such an order is a sympathizer with the rebels.  The Government has already sacrificed enough at the shrine of slavery; and while the people of the North are willing to give their service, their money, and their lives for the preservation of the Union, they are unwilling to prolong the war a single hour to preserve slavery.  They would rather see it sink, and all cause for future hostility removed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

New York, March 4 [1862]

A special to the Tribune says that the following nominations were made in the Senate to-day as Major Generals: McDowell, Burnside, Buell, Pope, Curtis, McClernand, C. T. Smith and Lewis W. Williams, acting Major Generals at Fort Donelson.  As Brigadier Generals: Colonels Oglesby, W. H. L. Wallace, Cook, McArthur, Lauman, who commanded brigades at Donelson.

Cols. Berry, of Maine, and Ferry, of Ct., are to rank in the order named, General McDowell thus outranking the rest and Curtis outranking Sigel.

In answer to a resolution of the Senate, the Secretary of War encloses the instructions of the Adjutant General Touching the Hunter-Lane expedition, dated January 3d.

The order to Hunter says:  The general-in-Chief, in giving you this information, desires it to be understood that a command independent of you is not given to General Lane, but he is to operate to all proper extent under your supervision and control. – If you deem it proper, you may yourself command the expedition which may be undertaken.  Under these circumstances the General-in-Chief will not give you a formal leave according to your application, but he authorizes you to absent yourself from your command for 30 days at your discretion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1

The Latest from Fort Donelson

A TERRIBLE BATTLE PROGRESSING.

The Loss Sever on both Sides.

Our men Fight like Tigers.

THE REBELS HOIST THE BLACK FLAG.

CUMBERLAND RIVER,

NEAR FORT DONALSON [sic], Feb. 15.

The Chicago Tribune, to relieve the anxiety of the people, presents the following special to be sent in advance of publication:

Our firing commenced again at daybreak and continued at intervals all day long up to 4 o’clock.  No Movement or assault by the land force had been made.  Night before last an attempt was made by the rebels to take Taylor’s battery of light artillery, but they were repulsed by two regiments and driven back beyond their entrenchments.  Our loss in wounded is considerable but not more than 3 or 4 are dangerously wounded.

Six gunboats arrived yesterday and commenced an attack on the fort at 2 p.m.  The firing was very rapid and severe, and lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, when our gun boats fell back.

The four iron clad boats went within 300 yards of the Fort.

All of the river guns except six were either dismounted or silenced.  The first shot fired from the Louisville dismounted the rebels’ 128 pounder.  The Louisville received fifty-seven shots, two of which took effect, on striking the starboard side of her deck and passing through the length of the boat, and broke her tiller rope a short distance from the pilot house.  The rope was then managed by some of the hands, when a shell from the Taylor [sic], which lay some distance astern, burst over the Louisville, scattering the men at the tiller rope and so much disabled the steering tackle that the boat was compelled to drop astern.

One shot struck the Pittsburg in the bow and stove an immense hole in her, which caused her to withdraw out of action.  The leak however, has been stopped.

One shot struck the pilot house of the St. Louis, passing through it between the pilot’s legs without injuring him.  All of the boats were more or less injured, but none but the Louisville seriously.  There were 5 killed and two wounded on the Louisville.

The gunboats will not be in condition to renew their attack before to-morrow morning.  In consequence of the [height] of the bluffs on which their fortifications are built, our shot cannot have as much effect on them as those of Fort Henry; therefore it will require a much longer time to reduce this fort.

The rebels have raised the black flag.  It can be seen flying from the bank, a short distance above here.

CAMP IN THE FIELD, near Ft. Donelson,

Feb 15th, p.m.

The right wing of our forces commenced the storming of the right wing of Fort Donelson about noon, and have taken the right wing of the enemy’s fortification, over which the stars and stripes are now floating in triumph.  The opposing forces are now almost breast to breast, ready to open the work of death on each other almost at any moment.

We have lost two Lieut. Cols. Killed, one of whom is Lieut. Col. Smith, of the 48th Illinois and two Cols. Wounded.  The 18th regiment fought like tigers, and are [badly] cut up.  The loss on both sides is pretty severe.  More particulars soon.

Schwartz’s battery captured by the rebels this morning has been retaken.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Feb. 15.

Assistant Secretary of War Thomas A. Scott arrived here to-night from Cairo.  He reports that the fighting at Fort Donelson was suspended on both sides yesterday. – Our troops are suffering considerable from exposure, being unprovided with tents. – They are in excellent spirits, however, and are eager to resume the battle.

Dispatches to Gov. Yates, from the commanding officer at Cairo, state that the fort is completely invested, the enemy driven in from their outworks, and all chances for retreat or reinforcements cut off.

Col. Morrison is said to be severely, but not mortally wounded.

The success of the army is considered beyond the possibility of doubt.

The supposition at Cairo is, that Columbus will be attacked at once by land forces from below and by the river from above.

Gen. Grant is said to have at least 50,000 men under his command.

Several mortar boats are leaving Cairo daily.

Gen. Halleck telegraphs Gen. McClellan that the fort is completely invested – retreat form it and reinforcements to it being cut off.

Surrender or extermination appear to be the alternative.

Pillow, Floyd, Buckner and other noted rebels are in the fort.

Four Brigadier Generals are reported now in the Fort.  Gens. Pillow, Buckner, Floyd and Johnston [sic].

Altogether out loss to-day is about 250 in killed and wounded.  Capt. Mitchell of the 7th Ills. Was killed early in the morning.

Col. Ogelsby says, we came here to take that fort, and we do not intend to leave until we do it.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 2