CAIRO, ILL. Since the last date I have been to busy to
attempt anything in the way of writing. The Board of Trade Regiment was
mustered into service as the 72d Regiment of Ill. Vol. on the 21st day of
August, 1862, Fred A. Starring as colonel, Joseph C. Wright as lieutenant
colonel, and H. W. Chester as major, the latter being captain of Co. A., to
which company I belonged as first lieutenant. I was by reason of his promotion as
major, made captain. Not being able to leave the camp my brother John and my
sister came to the camp to bid me goodbye. I had no opportunity of seeing my
friends who were kind enough to present me with a full uniform, sword, sash and
belt. There was no opportunity for speech making, but I inwardly resolved I
would not disgrace this friendship or dishonor the sword they were so kind to
present me with. Marching orders came upon us suddenly, only two days after we
were mustered in we received marching orders and on the 23rd of August embarked
on board the Illinois Central train for Cairo, which we reached on the
afternoon of the 24th. Everything is in confusion and we will from this time
commence to realize a soldier's life, try to do a soldier's duty. God alone
knows who will return, but I must not commence thinking of that, as it is a
soldier's duty to die if need be. Our regiment is composed of fine material,
five companies being composed of men raised under the auspices of the Young
Men's Christian Association together with the Board of Trade. The commanding
officers of the companies are as follows: "A"-Stockton;
"B"Curtis; "C"-James; "D"-Sexton;
"E"-Holbrook; "F"-Williams; "G"-French;
"H"-Prior; "I"-Barnes; "K"-Reid. Our Adjutant,
Bacon, is a good soldier and well liked. Starring, a fine disciplinarian;
Wright, a Christian gentleman who will make a fine soldier; Chester, who claims
Mexican War experience. Quartermaster Thomas is a hard worker and Sutler Jake
Hayward, a whole souled, clever fellow. His delicacies, such as ginger bread,
canned peaches, cheese, etc., are relished by the men who still have some money
in their pockets. This Cairo is a miserable hole, the barracks are in a
terrible state, filled with rats and mice and other creeping things. I prefer
to sleep outdoors to sleeping in my quarters. Our time is taken up with company
and regimental drill, weather very hot, no excitement except the passing
through of regiments. We were ordered here to relieve the 11th Ill.. who go to
Paducah. Men are getting sick and I am anxious for marching orders.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 1-2
