Diary of Musician David Lane, October 27, 1863

Loudon.  Everything remains precisely as it was three days ago. We are not allowed to leave camp, at least beyond bugle call. Our guns must be kept in perfect order, ready for instant use. Artillery horses wear their harness night and day. In fact, we are ready for attack, advance or retreat at a minute's notice. Each morning the cavalry goes to the front, skirmish with the enemy, watch their movements through the day and return to camp at night. Matters wear a strange aspect; the Rebels seem playing with us; now advancing, now retiring. I know not what to think of the way things are working.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 112-3

Diary of Private William S. White, September 6, 1862

Reached Leesburg, Loudon county, to-day and camped near the village; presume we will remain here a few days, in order that our broken down horses may recuperate. We have had only one feed of corn for our horses since we left Rapidan station.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, pp. 129-30

Diary of Private William S. White, September 7, 1862

Left Leesburg this evening at 5 o'clock, crossed the Potomac River and marched eight or ten miles into Frederick county, Maryland.

'Twas a beautiful night; the crystalline waters of the lovely Potomac danced and sparkled in the soft moonbeams of that autumn night, whilst the neighing of horses, the clanging of sabres, the gleaming of muskets, the artillery's rumble, and the merry jest of many a careless soldier, made it a scene ever to be remembered. The "die is cast," the Potomac is crossed, and Maryland is invaded or aided, just as she may see fit to call it. If she fails to join us now, let us hear no more about oppressed Maryland, but let the proud land of the Carrolls, the Howards and the Cecils be known to us of the sunny South no more forever.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 130

Diary of Private William S. White, September 8, 1862

Marched to within four miles of Frederick city; here we have an abundance of food for our half starved horses.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 130

Diary of Private William S. White, September 16, 1862

Moved on towards Shepherdstown. Having loaned my horse to a comrade to visit his home, I had a fine prospect of marching all day, but as good fortune willed it, I met a cavalryman with two horses. He loaned me one, and we started for Shepherdstown on our own hook. We reached that place about sundown, having had a splendid time on the way. We stopped at several farm-houses, and were most hospitably entertained, both in Berkeley and Jefferson counties.

SOURCE: William S. White, A Diary of the War; or What I Saw of It, p. 132

Private William O. Gulick to his sisters, September 29, 1861

Camp Warren, Ia. Sept. 29th/61

Ia Cavalry            

Dear Sisters¹

I received your kind letter yesterday morning but as I did not have time to answer it then I waited untill now. My time is limited, for I am standing guard and just came off, will have to go on again at one oclock, we stand two hours on, and about four off, for twenty-four hours. It commenced last night to rain and has continued to rain ever since and prospects for a wet time all through my time of Guard, But I am well provided for as we have our uniform the clothing for the whole Regiment came Sept. 20th. We have one heavy pair Pantaloons and the promise of another soon, a very heavy Overcoat with cape a Fighting Jacket trimmed with orange a blue sack coat for a fatigue dress a pair of Boots, pair of shoes, and a hat something like Isaac's We have three Blankets one for our horse. The Whole Regiment is Ordered to go to St. Louis and to go by Squadrons one each day commencing tomorrow (Monday) Our Squadron will be the last so we will remain here yet six days unless further orders We expect to get the remainder of our horses by Wednesday, We have now about 30 horses and saddles. I forgot to tell you all of our clothing we got Shirts two pair drawers, two pair Socks a canteen, and all the little necessaries we wanted. I cannot carry all my clothing so I will send my things that I need least, in a box with some others to Clinton I shall have them in a bundle directed to Low Moor, I shall write to the rest of the family in a few days I got a pass yesterday to go down town but as the Colonel² wanted all should appear on grond parad [sic] I could not go to have my likeness taken but as soon as I can get my pass I will have it taken and send it in my next letter. You will probably hear from Isaac soon for he will write as soon as he gets to St. Louis and he starts Tuesday

I was glad to hear that you were all geting along so well I am as well as can be and like soldiering better evry day I tell you it is fine cooking and eating out doors such days as this I have just pertaken of an apple dumpling I bought it for my dinner and thank fortune I have change but many have not, Peter Barr³ has lost his pocket Book with over Fifty dollars he says if Wagner⁴ has not payed that little sum he ows him to his brother he would like to have him send it to him, he says direct or send it in one of my letters The sum is $3.60 I believe. It is now time for me to go on guard and I have always been prompt excuse me from writing more this time and I will write soon and more give my love to all my friends tell them I like to get letters, direct care of Capt.⁵ to Camp Warren as you have heretofore and my letters will be forwarded on to me if I am gone

Your Brother

W. O. Gulick

_______________

¹ William Gulick had four sisters, all older than himself: Lorette Schuyler, Sarah Jane Wagner, Emma V. Harris, and Cynthia Jones.

² Colonel Fitz Henry Warren, of the First Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, rose to the rank of brevet major general before the close of the war. A native of Massachusetts, he had moved to Burlington, Iowa, in 1844. In 1849 President Taylor appointed him Assistant Postmaster General. He made an excellent record in this position, but resigned it in indignation when Millard Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Law. In the campaign of 1860 he employed his eloquent oratorical powers in behalf of Abraham Lincoln. When war broke out he left the associate editorship of the New York Tribune, where he had made a reputation as one of the ablest journalists in the United States, to serve his country in the field. In later years he was frequently active in Iowa politics.

³ Peter Barr, of Company M, came (like Gulick) from the Low Moor neighborhood and seems to have been a close friend of Gulick's, as he is mentioned a number of times in these letters. At the time of his discharge for disability at Clinton, Missouri, on June 24, 1862, he held the rank of corporal.

⁴ Richard Wagner, of Low Moor, married Sarah Jane Gulick.

⁵ By the "Capt." is meant William H. Ankeny, Captain of Company M.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 204-6.

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 30, 1863

I am suffering with pains in all my bones & am indifference to moving when seated We drilled some in bayonet exersize, the volts; passades &c Our Major Woodward was unfortunate his servent Frank a white man road his fine horse to town & in jumping a ditch the horse broke his leg & they had to shoot him, the Major is quite sick & they have not yet let him know it

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 107

Diary of Major Joseph Stockton, July 14, 1863

This has certainly been one of the most exciting days I have spent in the service. We crossed the river on a transport to the Louisana shore and commenced our march at 4 a. m. My orders were to capture all the horses, mules and cattle I could, together with all arms and amunition. The country is a beautiful one, splendid plantations just blooming with cotton, the first I have ever seen in such an early stage. I mounted my men as fast as I could. The march was a perfect ovation from the darkies who first time in their lives saw Yankee soldiers and knew they were free; they rushed to the road, fell on their knees praying with all the fervor and feeling of their race. "Glory be to God, freedom's come at last," etc., etc. They brought us fruits of the finest kind, butter, milk, eggs, chickens, in fact all they could get so happy to know they were now free. Captain Whittle with a few men pushed in advance of the main body and captured a large lot of guns and ammunition, pressed a number of teams into service, brought back what he could and destroyed the balance. Lieutenant Mason was sent off on another road and captured an old planter who was just starting for Texas with all his slaves, mules, horses and wagons; in fact would have gone in five minutes more but those five minutes were fatal to him. He had to turn his face the other way; his negroes were nearly crazy, so glad were they to escape. We marched about fifteen miles into the country and then, as ordered, started back on our march toward the river. Such a sight as met my gaze. All along the road were the negroes with their families, household goods, everything they could gather in the short time, piled up in their immense cotton wagons as high as they could get them. There must have been thousands, no end to the children; such a happy set of beings I never saw before. They were to use their own words, "Going to freedom." They knew nothing else, cared for nothing else, they were now free, what they had looked forward for, for years, had come upon them in a moment, nothing could induce them to stay on their plantations. I told them our provisions were short; they cared not, they could find something to eat, they cared not if they died, they were now free; they sang and danced, kissed each other and all the extravagant demonstrations of joy you can imagine were carried on. We marched to within five miles of the river at dusk when we encamped for the night. We took supper in the house of an overseer of Colonel Davis' plantation, who was boasting that his darkies would not leave him, when all at once one of the men came and whispered something; he jumped out of his chair and exclaimed "Good God, you don't say so, are they all going?" "Yes," says the darky "All going, Massa, and so is I," and he darted out of the room. Our officers could not but help laughing, and the oaths of the overseer were frightful. At night all was quiet but the singing of the darkies, which music was certainly remarkable for the joyous tunes and remarkable words.

SOURCE: Joseph Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph Stockton, pp. 20-1

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, January 11, 1862

The General summoned the officers of his division about him and went through the form of sending out advanced guard, posting picket, grand guards, outposts, and sentinels. During these exercises we rode fifteen or twenty miles, and listened to at least twenty speeches. My horse was very gay, and I had the pleasure of running many races. I learned something, and am learning a little each day. Had the lieutenants in my school again tonight. Lesson: detachments, reconnoissances, partisans, and flankers.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, pp. 95-6

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, May 2, 1863

Went to Granville. I rode Jimmy's gray horse and left my mule with his boy. Staid all night with Capt. Trousdale; had to paddle over the river in a canoe and swim our horses.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 15

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Tuesday, May 5, 1863

Came to Gifford's blacksmith shop. Albright had swapped horses, had two shoes put on, got dinner and came on to Joe Carter's. A. had two more shoes put on, went on to Griggs and got supper. A. and Maze of Petticord's Company came on. We came four miles to Joe Sullivan's; left A. there. I and Maze went over to Jordan Carr's. Yanks all through here yesterday.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 15

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Wednesday, May 6, 1863

Left Carr's and came up to John Mitchell's. Came out to Stinson's on to Giles Harris. From there to Scottsville and Gallatin. Crossed at Coatstown, went on to John Rippy's, got supper and fed horses. Went on in rain to the Webb's, Maze's uncle, found the Yanks so close by that we turned and went back to the hills.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 15

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, May 9, 1863

Start this evening, six of us, to Allen County, Ky. Went up in eight miles of Scottsville; stay all night or day in woods. To-night go by Ayres, Will Span's and old man Span's. At the latter place we got into hot water. Bushwhackers attacked us, killed my horse, stampeded all. I got separated from the rest, went one mile, got two horses, came on through to New Row Monday, 11th, and on across to Coatstown. Find Will at Mrs. Huffey's, shot. Miss Sallie Key there on visit. I stay all night.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 16

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, May 14, 1863

This evening we all went in and got supper then down to Mr. Wickwire's and got supper and the supper is a mistake; danced until 12 o'clock. I and Miss Jimmy danced two sets. I enjoyed it finely, then bid them adieu and came out to Pete Laurence's by daylight. Birch swapped horses on the way. Pete's sister brought us provisions.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 16

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Friday, May 15, 1863

To-night stopped to see two Lincolnites; got six shooter from one, single barrel from the other; stopped at Squire Henry's; got some cherry bounce; played off Yankee on him; got all the information we wanted and went on to Wickwire's; fed at Mr. Simpson's; girls got up, chatted them awhile. I, Harper and Gibson then left the crowd, crossed the railroad and bought two horses and came on to Bracken's and got breakfast. From there to Ashlock's and got dinner. Came cross the pike and I left them, went by Bass's and on to Crews and staid all night.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 16

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Wednesday, May 20, 1863

Down to Hughes, got my horse shod, came back, and nine of us started. Came up near Epperson Springs, found the Yanks were there and at Scottsville too strong for us. Got supper at Stinson's, a regular tory. Lamb swapped horses with him. Then started for New Row. Came across to Bracken's, got breakfast, three of the boys had left us.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 17

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Friday, May 22, 1863

Came cross the pike to Meadows, fed our horses. I, Jim and Lamb started back to Kentucky. We came cross pike to Mr. Hodges and got supper, then cross railroad and out through Mitchellville to Norris ten miles from railroad; staid all day and to-night.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 17

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, May 23, 1863

Went down to Finche's and got a horse. Mr. Finch came out with us some distance. Came back to Norris; staid all night; nothing to eat.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 17

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Sunday, May 31, 1863

Met up with Parker as Lieut. Brown. I got a horse for Mason Rector. Came on to Granville, found Company D there, and that we were published as deserters. Came out near Cookville to-night.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 18

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, May 10, 1862

West Point. The horses were landed to-day. By five o'clock P. M., we marched two miles, and camped at Elkhorn, on the Pamunkey.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42