Major General George G. Meade to Margaretta Sergeant Meade, March 17, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 17, 1863.

I returned to-day from Washington. I went up day before yesterday, the 15th, arriving in Washington about 7 P. M. I went to Willard's, where, as usual, I saw a great many people. Finding Burnside was in the house, I sent up my name and was ushered into his room, where I found himself and Mrs. Burnside, the latter a very quiet, lady-like and exceedingly nice personage, quite pretty and rather younger than I expected to see. Burnside was very glad to see me, and we had a long talk. Among other things he read me a correspondence he had had with Franklin. Franklin had called his attention to the letter which appeared in the Times, said this was known to be written by Raymond, the editor, and it was generally believed his information was derived either from Burnside himself or some of his staff. Hence this letter was considered authority, and as it did him, Franklin, great injustice, he appealed to his, Burnside's, magnanimity to correct the errors and give publicity to his correction. Burnside replied that he had not read the article till Franklin called his attention to it; that he was not responsible for it, nor was he aware that any of his staff had had any part in its production. Still, he was bound to say that in its facts it was true; that as to the inferences drawn from these facts, he had nothing to say about them and must refer him to Raymond, the reputed author. Several letters had passed, Franklin trying to get Burnside to (as he, Burnside, expressed it) whitewash him. This Burnside said he was not going to do; that Franklin must stand on his own merits and the facts of the case; that he had never made any accusation against him, except to say that the crossing of the river, being against his, Franklin's, judgment, he thought Franklin had been wanting in a zealous and hearty co-operation with his plans. That about the time my attack failed, hearing from one of his, Burnside's, staff officers, just from the field, that Franklin was not attacking with the force and vigor he ought to, he immediately despatched him an order "directing him to attack with his whole force if necessary," which order he assumed the responsibility of not executing, and he must now take the consequences, if blame was attached to him for it.

The next morning I went up to the Capitol, to the committee room, and found only the clerk present. He said the committee had been awaiting me some days; that Senators Chandler and Wade were the only two members present, and now down town; that he would hunt them up, and have them at the room by three o'clock, if I would return at that hour. At three I again presented myself to the committee, and found old Ben Wade, Senator from Ohio, awaiting me. He said the committee wished to examine me in regard to my attack at Fredericksburg. I told him I presumed such was the object in summoning me, and with this in view I had brought my official report, which I would read to him, and if he wanted any more information, I was prepared to give it. After hearing my report, he said it covered the whole ground, and he would only ask me one or two questions. First, was I aware that General Burnside, about the time of my attack, had ordered General Franklin to attack with his whole force? I answered, "At the time of the battle, No; indeed, I only learned this fact yesterday evening, from General Burnside himself." Secondly, what, in my judgment, as a military man, would have been the effect if General Franklin had, when my attack was successful, advanced his whole line? I said I believed such a movement would have resulted in the driving back of the enemy's right wing; though it would, without doubt, have produced a desperate and hard-contested fight; but when I reflected on the success that attended my attack, which was made with less than ten thousand men (supports and all), I could not resist the belief that the attack of fifty thousand men would have been followed by success. This was all he asked, and except the last question, the answer to which was a mere matter of opinion, I don't think any one can take exception to my testimony. My conversations with Burnside and Wade satisfied me that Franklin was to be made responsible for the failure at Fredericksburg, and the committee is seeking all the testimony they can procure to substantiate this theory of theirs. Now, Franklin has, first, his orders, as received from Burnside, and then the fact that the execution of these orders was entrusted to Reynolds, for his defense. Before the committee, of course, he will not be heard, but after their report comes out, it will be incumbent on him to notice their statements and demand an investigation. I feel very sorry for Franklin, because I like him, and because he has always been consistently friendly to me.

After returning from the Capitol, I dined with General and Mrs. Burnside and Parke. Parke said he was about being left off the list of major generals, when Burnside's opportune arrival saved him, Halleck giving as a reason that he had exercised no command since his appointment. Burnside, however, had his name sent in, and now he is going to supersede Baldy Smith and take command of the Ninth Corps, which is to accompany Burnside in his new command, to which he, Burnside, expects to be ordered in a few days.

The best piece of news I learned when in Washington was that the President was about issuing his proclamation putting in force the conscription law, and ordering immediately a draft of five hundred thousand men. Only let him do this, and enforce it and get the men, and the North is bound to carry the day.

I sometimes feel very nervous about my position, they are knocking over generals at such a rate. Among others, Wright, who was my beau ideal of a soldier, and whom I had picked out as the most rising man, has had his major-generalcy and his command both taken away from him, because he could not satisfy the extremists of Ohio (anti-slavery) and those of Kentucky (pro-slavery), but tried by a moderate course to steer between them.

Did I tell you the old Reserves had subscribed fifteen hundred dollars to present me with a sword, sash, belt, etc.? It is expected they will be ready about the close of the month, when I am to go, if possible, to their camp near Washington to receive them.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 358-61

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, December 17, 1864

December 17, 1864.

I received day before yesterday the box with hat, gloves, and socks; also the barrel of apples. You had better have kept the latter, as it would have been more useful to you than to me, and I should have enjoyed its consumption by yourself and the girls more than by me.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 348

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, May 31, 1863

We camped by the river last night, and early this morning started for Haines's Bluff. We marched along some fine cornfields. We reached Haines's Bluff in the afternoon, and went into bivouac to the south of that place. We were as far east as Mechanicsville, forty-two miles from Vicksburg. On this raid we burned some fine plantation houses and other improvements. I saw only one residence left standing, and that was where the family had the courage to remain at home. The weather has been hot and the roads dusty.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 119

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in April 18, 1861. Ordered to Washington, D.C., April 19, and duty in the defences of that city till July. Attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia, June-July. Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House July 17. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Mustered out July 31, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 17 to September 20, 1861. Left State for Kentucky September 4. Operations in vicinity of Olympian Springs, Ky., till November. Action at West Liberty October 23. Olympian Springs November 4. Ivy Mountain November 8. Piketown November 8-9. Moved to Louisville, Ky., thence to Bacon Creek, Ky., and duty there till February, 1862. Attached to 9th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, October to December, 1861. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Centre 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1864. Headquarters 14th Army Corps to August, 1864.

SERVICE – Advance on Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., February 10-25, 1862. Occupation of Nashville, Tenn., February 25 to March 17. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 17-19. Advance on Huntsville, Ala., April 4-11. Pittenger's Raid on Georgia State Railroad April 7-12 (Detachment). Capture of Huntsville, Ala., April 11. Action at West Bridge and occupation of Bridgeport, Ala., April 29. Near Pulaski May 1. Duty along Memphis & Charleston Railroad till August. Actions at Battle Creek June 21 and July 20. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 21-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky.. October 1-15. Battle of Perryville October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7 and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Hoover's Gap June 24-26. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 24. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Rossville Gap September 21. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Lookout Mountain November 24. Mission Ridge November 24-25. Pea Vine Valley November 26. Graysville, Ga., November 26. Ringgold, Ga.. November 27. Reconnoissance of Dalton, Ga., February 22-27, 1864. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to August 1, 1864. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas. New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Pickett's Mills May 27. Kingston June 1. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Buckhead, Nancy's Creek. July 18. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 1. Ordered to Chattanooga. Tenn., August 1. Mustered out October 10, 1864, expiration of term. Recruits transferred to 18th Ohio Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 96 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 138 Enlisted men by disease. Total 243.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496-7

Fatal Accident in Jefferson county --- Three Persons Drowned.

We are pined to hear of an accident in Jefferson county, Sunday evening last, by which three person lost their lives.  Mr. Ed. W. Culbertson, son of Col. Culbertson of Fairfield, Miss Maggie Nesbitt and Miss Hannier, in a carriage, while attempting to cross Cedar Creek, Sunday Evening, at 5 o’clock, were all drowned.  Young Mr. Culbertson could easily have saved his own life, but he undertook to rescue the young ladies and was drowned with them.  A large number of the citizens of Fairfield and Jefferson county were out yesterday and succeeded in finding the bodies. – Hawk-eye, 20th.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Review: The Battle of Stones River

Battle of Stones River:

The Forgotten Conflict Between

the Confederate Army of Tennessee

and the Union Army of the Cumberland

By Larry J. Daniel

The three day battle between the Union Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Major General William S. Rosecrans, and the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by General Braxton Bragg, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee between December 31, 1862 & January 2, 1863 was largely overshadowed by Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day, 1863.  Though the casualty figures equaled those at Shiloh in Western Tennessee nearly ten months earlier, it has since been largely overlooked and all but forgotten.

Larry J. Daniel, the author or coauthor of six books on the American Civil War, including Days of Glory: The Army of the Cumberland, 1861-1865 and Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War, has resurrected The Battle of Stones River from the shadows of the distant and murky past, and rightfully restored it to its place in the narrative of the American Civil War.

With only approximately 15% of the battlefield currently preserved within the boundaries of Stones River National Battlefield, nearly no monumentation, and large scale development encroaching over the ground on which the battle was fought, it is difficult to grasp the events that unfolded there during those three savage and bloody days when visiting the battlefield.  Matt and Lee Spruill’s guidebook, “Winter Lightning: A Guide to the Battle of Stones River,” can help guide you around Murfreesboro and the battlefield, and the military action that took place there, but it lacks a cohesive narrative that Daniel’s “Battle of Stones River: The Forgotten Conflict between the Confederate Army of the Tennessee and the Union Army of the Cumberland” possesses.

Drawing comparisons of the battle’s commanding generals, Rosecrans and Bragg, Daniel states they both made errors.  Both essentially had the same battle plan, to attack the other’s right wing. Bragg struck first and placed Rosecrans on the defensive.  While contrasting their leadership styles, he points out Rosecrans was personable and liked by the Union soldiers he commanded, whereas the cesspool of contempt against Bragg by the officers who served under him contributed to the dysfunction of the Confederate command structure and ultimately the loss of the battle.

Given Burnside’s bloody defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia and Sherman’s loss at Chickasaw Bayou, the tactical draw at Murfreesboro was turned into a strategic victory for the North once Bragg and his troops retreat from the field giving the Union and its cause a boost to its morale.

“Battle of Stones River” is written in an easily read linear narrative.  Daniel’s book is well researched and more than a handful of scholars who study the battle contributed to the book, including Gib Buckland, Jim Lewis and John George, staff members at the Stones River National Battlefield, Lanny K. Smith, author of a two volume micro-study of the battle, and Dan Masters, the latter of which scoured dozens of Illinois and Ohio newspapers for soldier’s letters of the battle.  Daniel’s only flaw is that he leans a little too heavily on Master’s research and thus his narrative tilts more favorably in coverage to the Union.

ISBN 978-0807145166, Louisiana State University Press, © 2012, Hardcover, 336 pages, Maps, Photographs, Illustrations, Appendices, End Notes, Bibliography & Index. $38.50.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Colonel Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, May 19, 1862

HEADQUARTERS 54TH REGT. O. V. INF.,

CAMP NO. 7 BEFORE CORINTH, May 19, 1862.

Yesterday we were in a sharp engagement. Had thirteen men killed and thirty-five wounded. We were victorious, and drew the enemy from position. My troops are now in battle array, waiting orders. We hear General Pope is hotly engaged on the left wing.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 204

From Cairo and Halleck’s Army

(Special to the Chicago Journal.)

CAIRO, May 20.

The steamer Platte Valley, from Pittsburg Landing Monday a. m., has just arrived, but brings nothing important.  Heavy cannonading was heard at the Landing on Sunday night, but no significance was attached to it.  The usual skirmishing occurs daily, but no general engagement is anticipated for some days.

Under the operation of Gen. Halleck’s recent order, an advance guard of Bohemians arrived this morning.  The remainder of the corps, numbering about twenty, is expected to-day, all correspondents having been excluded from within the lines.

The Commissioners to received the votes of Illinois troops on the new Constitution returned from below to-day.  They took the votes of the Illinois soldiers stationed at Columbus and Hickman.  Nearly twelve hundred votes were polled, of which over nine hundred were against its adoption.  It is significant that most of those voting against it are democrats.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Review: The Fiddler on Pantico Run

The Fiddler on Pantico Run:

An African Warrior, His White Descendants,
A Search for Family

By Joe Mozingo

Joe Mozingo knew himself as a white man with blue eyes.  The family lore was that the Mozingo surname was Italian, Spanish or Basque in its origins.  He had no reason to question it.  In his travels as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times he had a handful of chance encounters with people with the same name, some were black, and said their name was from Africa.  He also met with people from the African continent who told him his name was African.  Joe, a reporter with an eye for a good story, set about on a quest to discover the origins of his name that would take him on a personal journey crisscrossing the United States, and would spawn two trips to Africa.

What started out as a handful of newspaper stories grew into a book, “The Fiddler on Pantico Run: An African Warrior, His White Descendants, a Search for Family.”  His genealogical search led him to Edward Mozingo, the progenitor of the Mozingo name in the United States.  Edward, as it turns out, was black man, a slave brought from Africa to the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1644, a man whom after serving as a slave for 28 years sued for his freedom and won.  Edward Mozingo married a white woman who was the mother of his children

Through DNA testing, Joe learned that he was not a directly descended in an unbroken line of male Mozingos but was likely the a descendant of one of Edward Mozingo’s granddaughters.  Seeking out Edward Mozingo’s American descendants Joe travels across the United States and interviews a number of people who share his last name.  White and black, some know the secrets of the family’s past while others, notably the family’s white descendants, are either wholly ignorant of the family’s origins, or also share the family tradition that the name was Italian,  Other white family members were blatantly racist and could not come to terms that their ancestor was a black man.

Searching for Edward Mozingo’s African origins lead Joe to research the history and intricacies of the Atlantic Slave Trade.  Two trips to Africa did little to fill in any facts that are actually known about Edward Mozingo himself, but did help Joe place Edward within the context of the time and place from which he likely came.

“The Fiddler on Pantico Run” is an absorbing look not only at Joe Mozingo’s paternal genealogy, but also the evolving definitions of race and racism in the United States.  Mr. Mozingo deftly demonstrates the color of one’s skin, even within the same family, can influence the destinies of people for generations.

ISBN 978-1451627480, Free Press, © 2012, Hardcover, 320 pages & Index. $32.00.  To purchase this book click HERE.

Major General George G. Meade to John Sergeant Mead, March 15, 1863

CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., March 15, 1863.

I am obliged to go up to Washington to-day, to appear before the “Committee on the Conduct of the War.” I have no idea what they want me for, but presume it is in relation to the Fredericksburg battle, and that my being called is due to the testimony of General Burnside, who has perhaps referred to me in his statement. I am very sorry I have been called, because my relations and feelings towards all parties are and have been of the most friendly character, and I shall be sorry to become involved in any way in the controversies growing out of this affair.

I have only seen George¹ once since my return; the weather and roads have been so bad that neither of us could get to the camp of the other. The regiment has been very highly complimented by General Stoneman. One squadron has been armed with carbines, and it is expected that in a short time the whole regiment will be thus equipped and the turkey-driving implement² abandoned.

I am completely fuddled about politics, and am afraid the people are very much demoralized. I trust one thing or another will be done. Either carry on the war as it ought to be, with overwhelming means, both material and personal, or else give it up altogether. I am tired of half-way measures and efforts, and of the indecisive character of operations up to this time. I don't know whether these sentiments will be considered disloyal, but they are certainly mine; with the understanding, however, that I am in favor of the first, namely, a vigorous prosecution of the war with all the means in our power.

__________

¹ Son of General Meade.

² Lance carried by some cavalry regiments.

SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 357-8

General Robert E. Lee to Mary Custis Lee, February 21, 1865

February 21, 1865

After sending my note this morning I received from the express office a bag of socks. You will have to send down your offerings as soon as you can and bring your work to a close, for I think General Grant will move against us soon — within a week if nothing prevents — and no man can tell what may be the result; but, trusting to a merciful God, who does not always give the battle to the strong, I pray we may not be overwhelmed. I shall, however, endeavor to do my duty and fight to the last. Should it be necessary to abandon our position to prevent being surrounded, what will you do? Will you remain, or leave the city? You must consider the question and make up your mind. It is a fearful condition, and we must rely for guidance and protection upon a kind Providence.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 347-8

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, May 30, 1863

Our expedition started back this morning for Vicksburg. We received orders to burn the buildings along the way and drive in all the cattle we could find. Our road ran along the south side of the Yazoo river, through rich bottom land planted to corn and cotton. The plantations are well improved with fine buildings. This bottom land is from one and one-half to two miles wide and springs in the bluffs pour out excellent water which runs in streams to the river. We got our fill of good water. When we halted at noon for lunch Company E, on rear guard, stopped in the sheds of a cotton gin in order to escape the hot sun. We had been there but a few minutes when some straggler set fire to the cotton, which being very dry and scattered about soon made a big fire, driving us out. The fire burned some sheep, a yoke of oxen and a wagon, besides other articles which we had taken en route.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118-9

1st Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at large April 14 to April 29, 1861. Mustered in April 17, 1861. Moved to Washington, D.C., April 19, and duty in the Defences of that city till July. Attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia. Actions at Vienna, Va., June 17 and July 9. McDowell's advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House, Va., July 17. Battle of Bull Run, Va., July 21. Cover retreat to Washington. Ordered to Ohio and mustered out August 2, 1861, expiration of term.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

1st Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Corwin, Dayton, Ohio, August 5 to October 30, 1861. Moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31; thence to Louisville, Ky., November 5, and to West Point, Ky., November 8. Moved to Elizabethtown and Camp Nevin, Ky., November 15-16. Camp at Bacon Creek and Green River, Ky., till February, 1862. Attached to 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Ohio, to September, 1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of Ohio, to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to September, 1864.

SERVICE. – March to Nashville, Tenn., February 14-25, 1862. Occupation of Nashville February 25 to March 16. March to Duck River March 16-21, and to Savannah, Tenn., March 31-April 6. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss.. April 29-May 30. Duty at Corinth till June 10. Moved to Iuka, Miss., thence to Tuscumbia, Florence and Huntsville, Ala., June 10-July 5. Duty at Boulay Fork till August 30. Expedition to Tullahoma July 14-18. March to Pelham August 24, thence to Altamont August 28. Reconnoissance toward Sequatchie Valley August 29-30. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 30-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-17. Lawrenceburg October 8. Dog Walk, Perryville, October 9. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 17-November 7, and duty there till December 26. Kimbrough's Mills, Mill Creek, December 6. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Liberty Gap June 24-27. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-October 27. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Brown's Ferry October 27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Mission Ridge November 24-25. March to relief of Knoxville November 28-December 8. East Tennessee Campaign December, 1863-January, 1864. Operations about Dandridge January 16-17, 1864. Operations in East Tennessee till April. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to July 25. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Adairsville May 17. Near Kingston May 18-19. Near Cassville May 19. Advance on Dallas May 22-25. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-26. Ordered to the reach for muster out. Scout from Whitesides, Tenn., to Sulphur Springs September 2-5 (Detachment). Mustered out September 24 to October 14, 1864. Recruits transferred to 18th Ohio Volunteers Infantry October 31, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 116 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 130 Enlisted men by disease. Total 251.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

Who Killed Sterling Price?

Francis Munson, Esq., who went to Pittsburg Landing a short time ago to present a stand of colors to the 51st Illinois Infantry, Col. Cummings, returned this morning.  He says there is no doubt that the rebel General Sterling Price, of Missouri, was killed as rumored a day or two ago.  He fell into an ambuscade of the 51st Illinois, who fired upon him, and he fell pierced by forty balls.  He was brought into the federal camp, and identified by parties who knew him. – Chicago Journal.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Special to the Chicago Journal

ST. LOUIS, May 20.

The following dispatch has been received at Head Quarters in this city.  The letter spoken of is evidently one that has been intercepted:

“A letter from a regimental Quartermaster at Corinth to his wife, says, they (the rebels) are gone up.  They have scant ten days’ rations, and can get no more.  Thinks there can be no fighting, as Halleck has cut off their supplies.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 22, 1862, p. 1

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, May 29, 1863

We started on the move early this morning and after marching about ten miles came upon the rebel pickets. We drove them in and forming a line of battle advanced towards them about two miles, our batteries throwing a few shells. But the rebels refused to take a stand and finally withdrew altogether. It was a small detachment of Johnston's army. We lost one killed and two wounded. Our regiment went out on picket.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 118

Sturgis' Rifles

Organized at Chicago, Ill., April –, and mustered in May 6, 1861. Ordered to West Virginia June 15 and reported at Parkersburg, W. Va. Assigned to duty as Body Guard to Gen. George B. McClellan, Commanding Army of West Virginia. West Virginia Campaign July 6-17. Battle of Rich Mountain July 10-11. Moved with Gen. McClellan to Washington, D.C., July 25 and guard duty at Headquarters Army of the Potomac till November, 1862. Participating in the Virginia Peninsula Campaign March to August, 1862. Siege of Yorktown. Battles of the seven days before Richmond. Maryland Campaign, Battle of Antietam, Md., and movement to Falmouth, Va. Mustered out November 25, 1862.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103

First Illinois Troops In Service – On Expedition To Cairo.

CHICAGO LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 21. Discharged May 2, 1861.

LOCKPORT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 22. Discharged July 31, 1861.

CHICAGO ZOUAVES, COMPANY "A." – Organized April 19. Discharged May 3, 1861.

CHICAGO ZOUAVES, COMPANY "B." – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

CHICAGO LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY.--Organized April 19. Discharged May 3, 1861.

TURNER UNION CADETS. – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

LINCOLN RIFLES. – Organized April 15. Discharged April 29, 1861.

LIGHT ARTILLERY COMPANY. – Organized April 21. Discharged April 29, 1861.

HOUGHTAILING'S OTTAWA COMPANY. – Organized April 18, (Co, "F," 110th Illinois Infantry. 3 Mos.)

CAIRO SANDWICH COMPANY. – Organized April 19. (Co. "C," 10th Illinois Infantry. 3 Mos.) Participating in Swift's Cairo Expedition, April 21-29, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1103