Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, Tuesday, May 26, 1863

Still at our camps near Jackson doing absolutely nothing, living on the shortest possible commons. Had dress-parade yesterday for the first time in four weeks, and on Sunday a sermon from the lips of the Reverend Colonel Fountain E. Pitts. The news from all quarters is cheering; the victory of our Vicksburg friends is complete, and the loss of the enemy is estimated at fifteen thousand (15.000); we hear of John Morgan's work on the Cumberland, Lee's victory over Hooker in Virginia, while “Old Pap" Price is said to be stirring the enemy up lively on the other side of the Mississippi. Kirby Smith, we also hear, has bagged a whole army of "blue coats" in Western Louisiana Altogether, we feel quite confident, and while the feeling lasts we will be able to endure all sorts of privations, short rations not excepted.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 214

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, May 28, 1863

This morning at four o'clock we left our camp of the last four days, and came to our present abiding place, in a thick grove, about two miles east of Canton. We are well situated as far as shade and wood are concerned, but the water is very bad; in fact, all that we have had for the last four weeks was hardly fit for swine to wallow in. Yesterday our hearts were gladdened by the arrival in camp of some of our Tennessee friends who, hearing that we had been engaged at the battle of Raymond, and being ignorant of the casualties, had come on to render any needed assistance to their sons and friends. The party was composed of Messrs. Goodloe Woods, the father of "Our Jeems"; R. S. Woodard, the father of Galen and James (or "Daddy,” as we call him); W. H. Webb, James' father; D. P. Holman, "Bud's dad"; and R. P. Ferney, the father of our gallant Captain. Their presence seemed to have brought a new ray of sunshine into camp, and cheered the boys greatly.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 214

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, May 31, 1863—Noon

Yesterday morning the brigade left Canton, heading northwest. We made twenty miles and encamped for the night in a grove convenient to water, badly broken down by the march. Our division is now composed of five or six brigades of infantry and cavalry, under acting Major General Walker, and it is in fine fighting spirits. Nothing of interest on the route yesterday, except the crossing of the Big Black on a pontoon at 3 o'clock, P. M. To-day we have made about eight miles, and are now halted in a hot lane awaiting orders. The Forty-first Tennessee is the advance guard for the division. We have passed the little town of Benton, and are in eight miles of Yazoo City; by day after to-morrow we expect to meet the enemy. Besides our own, there are two other columns marching on the enemy, each said to be fourteen thousand strong, the whole under command of General Joseph E. Johnston. It is thought to be his intention to fall upon the enemy's rear at three points, while the Vicksburg garrison assails from the front. I expect some bloody work, but we are confident of the result.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 214-5

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, June 1, 1863

Camp near Yazoo City.—The division arrived here after dark last night. The troops suffered greatly from heat, thirst, and fatigue. Two of our brigade dropped dead, and some fainted, while more than half are straggling into camp this morning. We traveled all yesterday without water except what we could get through charity of the citizens on the route.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 215

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, June 6, 1863

Left our camp yesterday, and moved to our present stoping place, four miles southwest of Yazoo City. We are on half rations of corn bread and poor beef.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 215

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, June 9, 1863

Still at our camp of the 6th inst., with plenty of wood and abundance of good spring and lake water; no improvement in the rations. Yesterday I went to Yazoo and bought rice, sugar and molasses, upon which the mess is living high. No news of the enemy, but cannonading is heard every day in the direction of Vicksburg. Heavy bodies of troops are arriving every day at Jackson, and it is thought that we will make an advance before long. The health of our brigade is pretty good.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 215

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, June 14, 1863

Left camp in the vicinity of Yazoo yesterday morning at daylight, and after a hard day's march nearly due south, arrived at the Big Black, which we crossed on a pontoon bridge last night at eight o'clock. This march of twenty-eight miles was the hardest yet made. We bivouaced on the south bank, and spent the rest of the night cooking rations, against leaving at daylight.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 215

Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, June 16, 1863

On Sunday evening left Big Black and moved to Church, occupying our old camping ground of May 20th, where we are resting and waiting orders. Occasional cheering reports come in from our beseiged friends, one of which is to the effect that the enemy attacked Vicksburg again on Friday, and was repulsed and driven five miles from the field; our loss said to be seven hundred. From some causes we are placed under greater restrictions now than ever, and are not allowed to go outside of the guard line without a pass. Yesterday two men of Comb's Tennessee Battalion, who had fallen out of ranks at Yazoo, came up and were immediately arrested, tried, and had one side of their heads shaved, all in the space of a few hours. Rations still short, consisting of beef and meal.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 215-6

26th Missouri Infantry.

Organized in Missouri at large September to December, 1861. Attached to Dept. of Missouri to February, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Mississippi, to April, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of Mississippi, to November, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 7th Division, Left Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 7th Division, 16th Army Corps, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 7th Division, 17th Army Corps, to September, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 17th Army Corps, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to August, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corps, to April, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty in Missouri till February, 1862. Operations against New Madrid, Mo., February 28-March 15, and against Island No. 10, Mississippi River, March 15-April 8. Pursuit and capture at Tiptonville April 8. Expedition to Fort Pillow, Tenn., April 13-17. Moved to Hamburg Landing, Tenn., April 18-22. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. At Clear Creek till August, Moved to Jacinto August 5. March to Iuka, Miss., September 18-19. Battle of Iuka September 19. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit to Ripley October 5-12. Grant's Central Mississippi Campaign November, 1862, to January, 1863. At Memphis, Tenn., till March, 1863. Expedition to Yazoo Pass and operations against Fort Pemberton and Greenwood March 13-April 5. Moved to Milliken's Bend, La., April 13. Movement on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson, Miss., May 1 (Reserve). Raymond May 12. Near Raymond May 13. Jackson May 14. Champion's Hill May 16. Big Black Crossing May 17. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Surrender of Vicksburg July 4. Moved to Jackson July 13-15. Siege of Jackson July 15-17. At Vicksburg till September 12. Moved to Helena, Ark., September 12; to Memphis, Tenn., September 30, and march to Chattanooga, Tenn., October 3-November 19. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 20-29. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Tunnel Hill November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Pursuit to Graysville November 26-27. Moved to Bridgeport, Ala., December 3; to Larkinsville, Ala., December 22, and to Huntsville, Ala., January 17, 1864. Duty there till June, 1864. Demonstration on Dalton February 22-27. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Railroad guard duty between Chattanooga and Allatoona, Ga., till November. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Ogeechee River December 7-9. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Salkehatchie Swamps, S.C., February 2-5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 11-12. Columbia February 15-17. Cox's Bridge, Neuse River, N. C., March 19-20. Battle of Bentonville March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June. Duty there and at Little Rock, Ark., till August. Mustered out Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "F" and "G" November 4, 1864, to January 9, 1865. Regiment mustered out August 13, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 112 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 183 Enlisted men by disease. Total 303.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1332-3

26th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in District of Southwest Missouri; Operations against Marmaduke December 31, 1862, to January 25, 1863. Marmaduke's attack on Springfield, Mo., January 8, 1863. Skirmish at Stockton, Mo., July 11, 1863. Scout from Cassville to Huntsville and Berryville, Ark., July 18-26, 1863 (Detachment). Raid on Melville, Mo., June 14, 1864.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333

27th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at St. Louis, Mo., September 2, 1862, to January 8, 1863. On duty at Chillicothe, Mo., and as Provost Guard at St. Louis during organization of Regiment. Ordered to Rolla, Mo., January 10, 1863. Attached to District of Rolla, Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Rolla, Mo., till March 1, 1863. Ordered to Join Army of the Tennessee before Vicksburg, Miss., arriving there March 20. At Milliken's Bend, La, till April. Expedition to Greenville. Black Bayou and Deer Creek April 2-14. Deer Creek April 8 and 12. Demonstration on Haines and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Moved to join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf May 2-14. Jackson, Miss., May 14. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. At Big Black till September 27. Moved to Memphis, thence march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27-November 21. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad in Alabama October 20-29. Cherokee Station October 21 and 29. Cane Creek October 26. Tuscumbia October 26-27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. March to relief of Knoxville, Tenn., November 28-December 8. Garrison duty at Woodville and Scottsboro, Ala., till May, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstration on Resaca May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 13-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Brush Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel, Hood's 2nd Sortie, July 28. Movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama September 29-November 3. Ship's Gap, Taylor's Ridge, October 16. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Clinton November 22. Statesboro December 4. Ogeechee River December 7-9, Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Fort McAllister December 13. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Reconnoissance to Salkehatchie River, S. C., January 25. Hickory Hill, S.C., February 1. Salkehatchie Swamps February 2-5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 11-12. Columbia February 15-17. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro. March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June. Mustered out June 13, 1865. Companies "F," "G" and "I" transferred to Consolidated Battalion, 31st and 32nd Missouri Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 35 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 139 Enlisted men by disease. Total 176.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333

27th Missouri Mounted Infantry.

Organized in Missouri at large May to November, 1861. Companies "G," "H" and "I" organized for three months. Lookout Station, Mo., August 20, 1861. Siege and surrender of Lexington, Mo., September 11-20. Recapture of Lexington October 16. Duty in Missouri till February, 1862, Mustered out January 27 to February 28, 1862.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and a Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 34 Enlisted men by disease. Total 38.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 133

27th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in North Missouri guarding bridges on North Missouri Railroad.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333

28th Missouri Infantry.

Failed to complete organization.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333

28th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Called into active service September 25, 1864, to repel Price's invasion of Missouri. Skirmishes on Osage River October 5-6. Jefferson City October 7. Relieved from active service October 31, 1864.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333

29th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Benton Barracks, Mo., and St. Louis, Mo., July to October, 1862. Moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo. Companies "A," "B," "C," "D" and "E" September 12; Companies "F," "G" and "H" September 22; Company "I" September 25, and Company "K" October 22, 1862. Attached to Cape Girardeau, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 11th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, December 22, 1862, to January 3, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to December, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, to November, 1864. Unattached, 15th Army Corps, to June, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Cape Girardeau, Mo., till November 10, 1862. Moved to Patterson, Mo., November 10-17. Return to Cape Girardeau November 25-29. Moved to Helena, Ark., December 8-16. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29, Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-22, and duty there till March. At Milliken's Bend till April. Expedition to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek April 2-14. Demonstration on Haines and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Moved to Join army in rear of Vicksburg via Richmond and Grand Gulf May 2-14. Jackson, Miss., May 14. Siege of Vicksburg May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17 Bolton's Depot July 16. Briar Creek, near Clinton, July 17. Clinton July 18. At Big Black till September 27. Moved to Memphis, thence march to Chattanooga, Tenn., September 27-November 21. Operations on Memphis & Charleston Railroad October 20-29. Cherokee Station October 21 and 29. Cane Creek October 26. Tuscumbia October 26-27. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. Moved to Bridgeport, Ala.. December 2; thence to Woodville, Ala., December 23, and duty there till March 20, 1864. At Cottonville till April 30. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstration on Resaca May 8-13. Battle of Resaca May 13-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Brush Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Ezra Chapel, Hood's 2nd Sortie, July 28. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations In North Georgia and North Alabama against Hood September 29-November 3. Ship's Gap, Taylor's Ridge, October 16. Regiment led advance of the 15th Army Corps on march to the sea November 15-December 10. Near Stockbridge November 15. Clinton November 22. Station 5, Georgia Central Railroad, December 4. Little Ogeechee River December 5. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Hickory Hill, S. C., February 1. Angley's Post-office and Buford's Bridge February 4. Duncanville February 5. Fishburn's Plantation, near Lane's Bridge, Salkehatchie River, February 6. Cowpen's Ford, Little Salkehatchie River, February 6. Binnaker's Bridge, South Edisto River, February 9. Orangeburg February 11-12. Wolf's Plantation February 14. Congaree Creek February 15. Columbia February 16-17. Lynch's Creek February 26. Expedition to Florence and skirmishes March 4-6. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Near Nahunta Station April 10. Beulah April 11. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June. Mustered out June 12, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 68 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 291 Enlisted men by disease. Total 369.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1333-4

29th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty at Lancaster, Mo. Skirmishes in Scotland and Boone Counties September, 1862. Skirmish near Uniontown October 18, 1862.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1334

30th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at St. Louis, Mo., September and October, 1862. Attached to Cape Girardeau, Me., Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 11th Division, Right Wing 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, Sherman's Yazoo Expedition, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 15th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, to August, 1863. Post of Vidalia, District of Natchez, Miss., Dept. of Tennessee, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 17th Army Corps, Dept. of Tennessee, to August, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Dept. of the Gulf, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Reserve Division, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Military Division West Mississippi, to February, 1865. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. 13th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to July, 1865. Dept. of Texas to August, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Cape Girardeau, Mo., till November 10, 1862. Moved to Patterson, Mo., November 10-17, and return to Cape Girardeau November 25-29. Moved to Helena, Ark., December 8-16. Sherman's Yazoo Expedition December 22, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Chickasaw Bayou December 26-28. Chickasaw Bluff December 29. Expedition to Arkansas Post, Ark., January 3-10, 1863. Assault and capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, January 10-11. Moved to Young's Point, La., January 17-23, and duty there till March. At Milliken's Bend, La., till April. Expedition to Greenville, Black Bayou and Deer Creek April 2-14. Demonstration on Haines' and Drumgould's Bluffs April 29-May 2. Moved to Join army in rear of Vicksburg, Miss., via Richmond and Grand Gulf, May 2-14. Jackson, Miss., May 14. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 4-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. Ordered to District of Natchez, Miss., August 15. Assigned to garrison duty at post of Vidalia till April, 1864. Action at Vidalia September 14, 1863. Expedition to Trinity November 15-16. Expedition to Tensas River February 2-3, 1864. Repulse of Gen. Polignac's threatened attack on Vidalia February 17, 1864. Expedition to Tensas River March 10-11. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., April 3-5, and duty there till May 9. Expedition to Big Black River Bridge May 9-16. Camp at Vicksburg till July 1. Pearl River Expedition July 1-10. Guard pontoon train at Big Black River July 3-9. Moved to Morganza July 28-30, thence to Port Hudson, La., August 23-24. Expedition to Clinton August 24-27. Moved to Morganza August 28, and to mouth of White River, Ark., September 3-8. Duty there till October 18. Moved to Memphis, Tenn., October 18-19. At Fort Pickering, Memphis, till October 28. Moved to mouth of White River, Ark., October 28-29, thence to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., November 7-10, and to Memphis, Tenn., November 27-December 1. Consolidated to a Battalion of 4 Companies November 30. Moved to Kenner, La., January 2-8, 1865; thence to Dauphin Island February 11-18. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its Defences March 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12, and camp there till May 10, and at Fort Blakely and Fort Tracy till June 8. At Mobile till June 28. Moved to Galveston, Texas, June 28-July 1, thence to Columbus July 9-11. Post duty at Allayton till August 21. Mustered out at Columbus, Texas, August 31, and discharged at St. Louis, Mo., September 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 10 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 280 Enlisted men by disease. Total 293.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1334

30th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

30th Missouri Provisional Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in 7th Military District, North Missouri.

Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1334