I was on guard
supernumerary in the daytime and stood beyond Wolf Creek at night. instructions
to be ready at 6:30 o'clock in the Towards
night the sergeant-major came along with morning to go aboard the transports
for down the river.
SOURCE: Seth James
Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells,
Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, pp.
28-9
We started at
sunrise as on the preceding morning. The wind blew quite strong, making it
difficult for some of the smaller boats to keep up. When we were within a few
miles of the Yazoo, the flagship "Platte Valley" halted and gave us
the signal to close up. We closed up in regular order and about 3 o'clock came
in sight of a fleet of eighty transports and gunboats at the mouth of the
Yazoo. We halted about one mile above them, and twelve miles from Vicksburg by
water, or eighty by the short cut on the Louisiana side. The troops here tell
us our boys are working on the Farragut's canal and are to have it finished in
a few days. We slept in the boat last night, Abe and I in our old place. The
country for over a hundred miles above here is quite thickly settled by wealthy
planters. On some of the plantations the Negro quarters form quite a town. The
trees on the shore are covered with a long vine-like growth called Spanish
moss. It is light green in color, and gives an appearance of being dead and covered
with icycles.
SOURCE: Seth James
Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells,
Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 31
Received orders to
hold ourselves ready to strike tents and go on board transports. We are all
sadly disappointed at not having a chance at Fort Pemberton, but our generals
are much more sensible than we are. They know that we can't take the fort, as
it is impossible to bring a sufficient number of troops to operate at once as
the fort is almost entirely surrounded by water; the river is so narrow that
only one gunboat can operate at a time. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson of General
Grant's staff is here and sees for himself the impossibility of success and the
utter uselessness of shedding blood where it would avail nothing. Worked all
night.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 11
Four companies of
the 72d with the 4th Minnesota on board the steamer "Pringler"—the
balance of the regiment with an Ohio battery on board the "Empire
State." Started at nine o'clock on our return.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 11
The Yazoo Pass
expedition has ended and boats all back. Our return was monotonous, as we all
felt dispirited at our failure. There was great rejoicing as we once more
entered the Mississippi River, the men cheering, and a salute from the battery
on board our boat. There were splendid chances to bushwhack us, and I wonder
the Rebs didn't do it. There was a great deal of desolation caused by our trip,
as many plantations were destroyed. During the trip we buried two of our
regiment who died from sickness. Poor fellows, no headstones left to mark their
last resting place. The transports are complete wrecks and it is wonderful how
they got back. I learn one was burned, being unable to make her way back.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 11
Laid up last night
on account of a very heavy storm, the officers of the transport being afraid to
run in such a storm, being so deeply loaded.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 12
Went into camp, and
a hard place it is; wood scarce and "water, water everywhere but not a
drop to drink," except the Mississippi water, which is very trying on
one's constitution. Tonight I witnessed one of the grandest sights I was ever
permitted to witness. Through the kindness of some officers I got on board the
steamer "Quincy South" and went down again to see the running of the
batteries. The night was a pleasant one, stars shining brightly and not a cloud
in the heavens, and yet not too light. I went down to within two miles of
Vicksburg and could see the lights in the city and on the bluffs distinctly.
About half past nine I saw some dark objects floating down the river so
noiselessly that you could scarcely detect them; not a light was to be seen on
them. The transports, with barges of cotton and hay lashed to them on the
Vicksburg side, and cotton piled up around their boilers and engines to protect
them from the cannon shot. I fairly held my breath; not a sound was to be
heard; all was anxiety and suspense; my thoughts were with the brave men who
were to undertake such a perilous voyage. I waited for the first shot; after
about half an hour's suspense I saw all at once a brilliant light, which was
the signal for the rebels, and then it seemed as if a hundred guns opened at
once. The rebels built a large bonfire which lit up the river for miles. Oh,
what a sight it was the flash of the cannon, the bursting of shells, but above
all the deafening roar, which was like peal after peal of the loudest thunder.
How I trembled for the fate of those on board the transports, as they were not
near so well protected as those on the gunboats. I saw one of the steamers
which the officers on board said was the "Henry Clay" floating by the
city, burning. How I hope all the rest have gone safely through the fiery path.
I am to be envied, as I do not believe there is another officer in our brigade
that has had an opportunity to see this scene. I await the news with great
anxiety and refer those who read these pages to an abler pen than mine to do
this heroic act full justice.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 12
The River is full of
Steam Boats for transporting troops down the River, probably to “Old Point”. It
has rained incessantly and this evening it pours. Col D. is well (he
says). We went down to “Browns,” saw Maj Williams, Maj Fletcher & other
officers. Col Durkee came in about 8 o'clock and is to stay all night. Our
House for the time being seems to be the Head Quarters. Col Dutton
is acting Brigadier Genl.
SOURCE: Horatio Nelson
Taft, The Diary of
Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862,
Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.
Vicksburg is ours;
Johnson defeated and his forces scattered; our work in Mississippi is
performed, and we have taken up the line of march for some other distant field.
We left Jackson at 3
a. m. today for Haines Bluff, where we take transports for some point north or
east. I think I will be glad to put in the balance of my work a little farther
north, although I would not hesitate to go anywhere, so I might contribute my
mite toward putting down this rebellion. But, other things being equal, I would
choose to be where we could get pure water, and, what I prize more than all
else, hear from my loved family with some degree of regularity. It has been a
sore trial, and hard to bear, to be compelled to wait for days and weeks for
tidings from a sick and suffering wife.
We marched twelve
miles this forenoon, and have halted for dinner. Fifteen miles must be made
this afternoon to obtain water. It is a tough march, but necessity compels. It
would seem that, in an emergency like this, when our lives depend upon our
"staying power," some unseen hand sustains us. As for myself, I have
never borne hard marches so well as in Mississippi.
I see by the papers
there is much talk of the Rebels carrying the war into the North. Well, let
them go. "Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad." I am not
sure but it is the only thing that can unite the North; certainly it will
hasten the downfall of the Confederacy.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 69-70
Our transports have
arrived, and we expect to leave this afternoon for Cairo. Some of our boys are
very sick, and urge me to go with them on the hospital boat. They have obtained
the consent of Colonel Luce, and I may be detailed for that purpose. Rumor says
the sick are to be sent to St. Louis. If so, I will go there with them and join
the regiment as soon as possible, wherever it may be. I do not like to leave
it, for I am lonely and discontented when out of sight of the Seventeenth.
Colonel Luce says we are going to Indiana, but there are so many contingencies,
we may be needed elsewhere.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 73
We struck tents yesterday morning and marched into Memphis, bivouacked on the wharf until dark and then embarked on board the steamer "Platte Valley." We will not leave until the whole division (Quimby's), has embarked. Our destination is Lake Providence. Fortunately we are the only regiment on board and are comfortably fixed. Was assigned to my duties as major. Our steamer went five miles below Memphis for wood. River very high and overflowing the country in many places. Raining hard every few days. Marching will be difficult.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 9
On board transport "Platte Valley." We left Memphis on the 3rd as we supposed for Lake Providence, but when we got within twenty-five miles of that place orders came for us to disembark at General Woodfall's plantation and march through the country to Red River. After we had disembarked and taken everything off the boats, General Quimby and staff, together with the brigade commander, went out to reconnoiter the country and found it all under water and overflowed; they tried several directions, and some of the staff rode some miles from the river, but found it impossible to march more than a mile or so. We are encamped in a graveyard and my bunk is a flat tombstone; the men sleep on top of the graves to keep them out of the water. The division is encamped along the levee, as it is the only place that is dry. The whole division remained in camp on the plantation while General Quimby went down to Lake Providence for further orders. He returned on the night of the 6th with orders to re-embark on board the same transport and steam up the river for Helena. I understand that our destination from Helena is to go through the Yazoo Pass from the Mississippi to the Yazoo River, then down the river to the rear of Vicksburg and try to cut the railroad leading from Jackson to Vicksburg. Our pilots say it is impossible and impracticable, but we are bound to try. The Yazoo is considered one of the most sickly regions in the South. Its name signifies "River of Death," but I trust the high state of water may relieve it of its unhealthy propensities and spare us our men. We were glad we had not to undertake our march, as it would have resulted in using our men for no purpose, as progress would have been next to impossible. I rode out myself to see what the country was like and got mired several times. Once I thought I should have to abandon my horse, but after hard work he succeeded in extricating himself. Had he not been so powerful I fear he would have had to succumb. On Sunday, the 8th, we had religious service on board the transport in the cabin; there was a general attendance. Captain Whittle of G Company is the leading spirit with the chaplain in all religious services. He is a brave, good man.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 9
The past few days have been attended with some excitement in various ways. In the first place, there has been a "revival" among the division, the different regimental chaplains being interested in it, particularly an Indiana chaplain, who is a regular camp-meeting Methodist and understands his business. Quite number have participated and I sincerely trust with good results. The men had quite a hunt for a large eagle that flew over our camp, but it was soon lost to sight. We embarked on board the transport "Empire City," Captain Hazlitt. The boat is terribly crowded, our own regiment and part of the 11th Ohio Battery on board. There was a disturbance on board by the latter attempting to take possession of the boat, but it was soon quieted. Last night one of the battery was drowned by falling off the boat as he was carrying a bag of grain on board. Poor fellow, he could not be saved; the current of the river was too swift. We are now on our way for the Yazoo Pass and now as far as Moon Lake.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 9-10
The regiment bivouacked on shore that night and the men all seem better for it this morning. As the river is much wider, we made about twenty miles today, which we considered good running. Passed several very fine plantations. Stopped at one last night, and the darkies told us where there was a lot of meat and sugar about two miles from the river, hid in the woods. Although it was raining I took about a hundred men, and guided by the darkies found, as they had said, lots of nice hams and shoulders. We helped ourselves to all we could and destroyed the rest. When we returned we passed the owner's house, and I never heard a man curse as he did at what were in the morning his slaves, but now free men. We took the darkies off with us, as the man would have killed them. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth when we left, and I feel assured that that man joined the rebel army, if he was not already in it, after we left. We passed today one of those scenes I dislike to see. A woman and children standing by the ruins of their burned home; one of the transports had been fired into from this place and the troops stopped and burned the house.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10
Still on board transport, which laid up at night, not knowing what we might run into.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, p. 10
Cairo, Ill., June 10th, 1863.
We are now three
hundred and sixty-six miles from Lebanon, which place we left at 3 p. m. of
Sunday, and reached Louisville about seven. The ladies had prepared supper and
we partook of it with many thanks to the generous doners. After supper we
crossed over to Jefferson and took cars for this place. Here we missed the
executive ability of General Poe. In all our journeying from Newport News
everything was arranged with care and precision. Here all was disorder and
confusion. The cars assigned to our regiment were partly filled with men and
baggage of other regiments. Colonel Luce requested the officer who seemed to be
in charge to remove them. This he refused to do, swearing they would have a
fight first. The Colonel looked in vain for someone to bring order out of this
chaos. Finally he assumed the responsibility himself; told the officer in
charge if a fight was what he wanted, a fight he should have; ordered us to
throw them out, and we did it with a will. About daylight we took possession
and were soon under way.
Our trip through
Indiana and Illinois caused an ovation. It seemed that the entire population
turned out to encourage and cheer us on our way. Women and children, with
bright smiles and waving handkerchiefs, thronged the way, and at every station
fruit, cakes, bread and butter, newspapers, and, better than all, warm,
friendly greetings, were literally showered upon us.
At Washington,
Indiana, we halted for supper. It was midnight, but, as usual, the station was
thronged with people of both sexes and all ages. Some ladies came to our car—food
was served in the cars—and · requested that all who were asleep might be
awakened, for, as they had been cooking until that time of night, and had then
walked nearly a mile to see us, they would like to see us all. So we aroused
the sleepers, and had a lively time during our short stay.
They presented us
with bouquets, cards, mottoes, etc., and took their leave with many kind wishes
for our success and safe return to our families and friends. God bless the
loyal people of America, is the soldier's prayer.
We reached Cairo
about twelve o'clock last night, and immediately went on board of transports.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 45-7
We are fairly packed
on board a small transport; so thickly are we crowded in, it is almost
impossible to stir; yet all will stir. Every man seems to think his very
existence depends on movement. As I sit here on my knapsack, my back against
the railing, inkstand between my feet to prevent it being kicked over, a
continuous stream of restless, uneasy men is pouring around, on and over me,
which, added to the motion of the vessel, makes writing difficult. We left
Cairo yesterday at five o'clock in the afternoon, and steamed down the river a
few miles below Cumberland, Kentucky, and anchored for the night.
The captain dare not
run his vessel in the night, it being dark and cloudy, and the Mississippi being
the most dangerous river in the world to navigate. We expect to reach Memphis
early in the morning, and will then learn our final destination.
Having crossed the
Mississippi at Dubuque, some three hundred miles above Cairo, I was somewhat
disappointed, as it did not appear to be any wider at Cairo than at Dubuque,
but, by close observation, I discovered that what it lacked in width was made
up in velocity and depth.
At Dubuque, too, the
water is clear as crystal; from St. Louis down it is the color of chocolate.
The banks of the river are uninhabited and uninhabitable most of the way. Every
spring and fall they overflow from ten to thirty miles, and then this mighty
mass of water will not be confined. The river channel is constantly changing.
The light, loose soil of the valley cannot withstand the tremendous power of
the resistless floods that are hurled from the north upon its yielding bosom.
This is one cause of disaster. The sand bars change so often it is impossible
to keep track of them.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 47-8
We are under
marching orders again—ready to move at a minute's notice. The Ninth Army Corps
is detached from the Army of the Potomac and is ordered to report to General
Dix, at Fortress Monroe. The supposition is we go on an expedition somewhere—rumor
says Vicksburg. The first detachment has gone, and we are awaiting the return
of the transports. The men are well pleased with the idea of going farther
south. For myself, I say any place but this. When we came here the country was
a wilderness, covered with a heavy growth of scrub pine. Now it is a desert
with scarcely a tree, and not a fence rail for miles in any direction.
It seems that
Richmond has lost its strategic importance, and the "decisive blow"
which was to have fallen there has been transferred to five other points, viz:
Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Rosa's and Foster's expeditions, and Charleston.
"If these prove successful," say the Washington papers, "the
rebellion will end in thirty days." God grant them all success. When I
survey the past history of the war I can see but little in the immediate future
to encourage hope. The conviction is forced upon me that if the North subdue
the South, the war has but just begun. It can and will be done, but time and
persevering effort only will accomplish it. The people are too impatient. They
demand important victories now, while fortified some place—Vicksburg, for
instance—can only be taken by siege, and siege means weeks and months of
waiting.
Government, urged on
by the people, acts as if the salvation of the country depends on all this
being accomplished before the fourth of March. But I see nothing but failure in
haste.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 28-9
Louisville, Ky. We
did not go to Suffolk as I anticipated. Third Division went in our stead, while
we took another direction, and in eight days, by water and rail, landed in
Louisville. We broke camp at Newport News on the 19th inst., marched on board a
fleet of transports, went to Norfolk, where we took in coal. While lying there
a heavy storm of snow set in, which lasted several hours. It was bitterly cold,
or so it seemed to us, and we suffered severely. Toward night the storm abated
and we sailed for Baltimore. There we were transferred to cars and came by the
way of the B. & O. R. R. to Parkersburg, W. Va. From Harper's Ferry our
route followed the course of the Potomac River to Columbia, a lovely city far
up among the mountains, and near the head of that river. The country from
Harper's Ferry is mountainous, and Columbia is near the dividing line, from
which point the water flows in opposite directions. We were three days and
three nights on the cars, winding around or darting through the rocky barriers
that opposed us. For, where they could not be evaded, the energy and power of
man pierced their huge forms and ran his fiery engines beneath their towering
summits. There are twenty-seven tunnels on this road, twenty-five of which we
passed through in the daytime. Some of the shorter ones are arched with brick,
others with heavy timbers, while some are cut through solid rock and need no
support. At Parkersburg our three regiments were crowded into one vessel, and
away we went "down the Ohio." We made a short stop at Cincinnati,
where we received orders to report at once to Louisville, as an attack at that
place was apprehended. We halted on our way through Louisville and partook of a
free dinner, prepared for us by the loyal ladies of that city. Soft bread,
potatoes, boiled ham, cakes and hot coffee were served us till all were filled
(and many a haversack was also filled), when we gave three cheers and a tiger
for the generous donors.
We found much
excitement, as bands of guerillas came within six miles of the city the night
before, conscripting men and confiscating horses and other supplies.
We stole a march on
the Johnnies in coming here, they having notified the citizens that they would
breakfast with them on the morning of our arrival, and when they—the citizens—saw
their streets filled with soldiers, they thought the promise about to be
fulfilled, but the Stars and Stripes soon undeceived them. Here our brigade was
divided, the Eighth Michigan and Seventy-ninth New York going to Lebanon, the
Seventeenth and Twentieth Michigan remaining at this place.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 35-7
We started early
this morning, steadily tramping till a little after noon, when we entered the
town of Hamilton, the rebs leaving as our advance went in.
Here we made a long
halt, as the men were sore, sick, and lame, as well as tired and hungry.
Surgeon Ware made an examination here, and as it was as far as the transports could
be with us, he decided to send back what men had succumbed. Our company had
two. The unfortunates were put aboard a miserable tub of a boat, with about two
hundred sick men on her, and sleeping room for about fifty; but after nearly
five days on the crowded, ill-ventilated, poorly provisioned craft, we arrived
at New Berne on Sunday morning, Nov. 9th, marched to the old camp-ground, and
were received by the guard whom we left there. They washed us, and put us to
bed, and then took care of us till we were on our feet again. We had good
quarters in the surgeon's tent, and only worried for fear the regiment would
come home in the dark, and catch us napping in the officers' quarters.
Rumors are abundant
to the effect that the regiment is cut to pieces, but no work for the sick
ones, so we write letters by the dozen, smoke, and tell stories of our campaign
to the camp-guard. But the company must be looked up.
They started from
Hamilton about seven P.M., of the 4th, marching through town with fireworks.
Many of the buildings were in flames, having been fired in retaliation, our men
being shot at from the houses. Others say the town was burned because a rebel
picket shot one of our soldiers on the outskirts of the town. If that was so,
it was a wrong done to private property.
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. 19-20
