Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, April 13, 1862

Governor Sprague, General Barry, and Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds in our camp to-day.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 39

Louisa May Alcott: With A Rose, published 1860

WITH A ROSE

That Bloomed on the Day of John Brown's Martyrdom.

In the long silence of the night,

    Nature's benignant power

Woke aspirations for the light

    Within the folded flower.

Its presence and the gracious day

    Made summer in the room,

But woman's eyes shed tender dew

    On the little rose in bloom.

Then blossomed forth a grander flower,

    In the wilderness of wrong,

Untouched by Slavery's bitter frost,

    A soul devout and strong.

God-watched, that century plant uprose,

    Far shining through the gloom,

Filling a nation with the breath

    Of a noble life in bloom.

A life so powerful in its truth,

    A nature so complete;

It conquered ruler, judge and priest,

    And held them at its feet.

Death seemed proud to take a soul

    So beautifully given,

And the gallows only proved to him

    A stepping-stone to heaven.

Each cheerful word, each valiant act,

    So simple, so sublime,

Spoke to us through the reverent hush

    Which sanctified that time.

That moment when the brave old man

    Went so serenely forth,

With footsteps whose unfaltering tread

    Reechoed through the North.

The sword he wielded for the right

    Turns to a victor's palm;

His memory Bounds forever more,

    A spirit-stirring psalm.

No breath of shame ran touch his shield,

    Nor ages dim its shine;

Living, he made life beautiful, -

    Dying, made death divine.

No monument of quarried stone,

    No eloquence of speech,

Can grave the lessons on the land

    His martyrdom will teach.

No eulogy like his own words,

    With hero-spirit rife,

"I truly serve the cause I love,

    By yielding up my life."

— L. M. Alcott.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, p. 98

39th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Hannibal, Mo., August 18 to September 30, 1864. Attached to District of St. Louis, Dept. of Missouri, to November, 1864. Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to December, 1864. District of Kentucky, Dept. Ohio, to January, 1865. District of Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, January, 1865. District of St. Louis, Mo., to July, 1865.

SERVICE.—Scout duty and operating against guerrillas in Macon, Ralls, Pike, Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, Howard and Chariton Counties, Mo., September. Actions about Sidney, Ralls County, September 11-16 (Co. "D"). Companies "A" and "G" ordered to Paris September 14. Company "E" to Ralls County September 20. Companies "C" and "H" to Paris September 22. Company "D" to Macon September 23. Companies "B" and "I" to Macon September 24, and Company "F" to Macon September 25, 1864. Action with Anderson's guerrillas and massacre on North Missouri Railroad near Centralia September 27 (Cos. "A," "G" and "H"). March from Macon to Jefferson City, Mo., October 1-7. Defence of Jefferson City October 7-8. Moved to LaMine Bridge October 19-20, thence to Glasgow November 1-3, and duty there till December 13. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., December 13, arriving there January 1, 1865. Return to St. Louis, Mo., January 4-9, 1865. Duty at Benton Barracks and in District of St. Louis, Mo., till July. Companies "A," "G" and "K" provost duty at Cape Girardeau, Mo., April 24 to July 6. Companies "D" and "E" at Glasgow and Company "B" at St. Genevieve. Scout from Glasgow to Perche Hills March 7-15, 1865 (Co. "D"). Company "H" provost duty at Benton Barracks. Companies "C," "E," "F" and "I" mustered out March 20, 1865. Regiment mustered out July 19, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 130 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 64 Enlisted men by disease. Total 196.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1336

39th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in Platte County, Mo.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1336

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 12. — Reports of Surg. J. Theodore Heard, Medical Director, Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 29-30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 12.

Reports of Surg. J. Theodore Heard, Medical Director, Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 29-30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,                

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,        

Nashville, Tenn., December 12, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the medical department of the Fourth Army Corps at the battles of Spring Hill and Franklin, November 29 and 30, respectively:

On the morning of the 29th of November the Fourth Corps (three divisions) and the Twenty-third Corps (two divisions) were in position on the north bank of Duck River, opposite Columbia, Tenn. The enemy, or the larger portion of the rebel army, was upon the south bank and confronting our lines. At 9 a.m. the Second Division, Fourth Corps, marched for Spring Hill, accompanied by and guarding all the trains of the army, with the exception of twenty ambulances left with the First and Third Divisions, Fourth Corps, which divisions were ordered to remain with the Twenty-third Corps until dark and then withdraw with the rest of the army. About 2 p.m., the head of column being within one mile of Spring Hill, the general commanding was informed that the cavalry of the enemy was pushing back our cavalry and rapidly approaching the town. The troops were at once pushed forward at double-quick, passed through the town, charged the enemy, checked him, and finally caused him to retire. The division was then placed in position to protect the pike on which the trains were moving. About 4 p.m. the right brigade (Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Bradley) was furiously attacked by what afterward proved to be two brigades of rebel infantry. The attack was continued until nearly dark, when our right gave way toward the pike, followed by the enemy. Fortunately, however, all trains had then passed and were parked north of the town, where also division hospitals were temporarily established and the wounded rapidly cared for. A few wounded were unavoidably lost when the right gave way. One hundred and fifteen wounded were brought to hospital. Shortly after dark orders were given to break up hospitals, load ambulances, and be ready to move with the other trains at a moment's notice. The rest of the army reached Spring Hill about 10 p.m., and continued their march through the town toward Franklin. The hospital and ambulance trains moved at the same time, reaching Franklin at 10 a.m. November 30, without loss, although several times attacked by the enemy's cavalry. The wounded and sick were shipped by rail to Nashville early in the afternoon. The two divisions of the Twenty-third Corps, with the First and Second Divisions of the Fourth Corps, remained south of Harpeth River and intrenched themselves; the Third Division, Fourth Corps, crossed to the north side of the river, and was not engaged in the battle of Franklin.

At about 1 p.m. November 30 the enemy appeared in force opposite our lines. At 3.30 p.m., as it was determined to withdraw at dark toward Nashville, orders were given to send all trains, except half the ambulances of each division, to Nashville. Soon after the trains were fairly on the road the enemy commenced a furious attack upon the entire lines. Six distinct assaults were made, and, by hard fighting, were repulsed, with great loss to the enemy. As soon as the firing commenced orders were sent for the hospital wagons to be parked in the nearest field, and the tents to be temporarily pitched, all ambulances to return and cross the river. Efforts were then made to obtain a train of cars for the wounded; the commanding general, however, did not deem it best that one should be telegraphed for. Owing to the intense darkness and imperfect provision for crossing and recrossing the river, the movements of ambulances were necessarily retarded. The wounded were collected at hospital as rapidly as possible. The town was thoroughly searched for wounded. Orders were issued for the withdrawal of troops at 12 o'clock. The ambulances worked constantly until 11 p.m., and were then loaded to their utmost with wounded collected at hospitals. Such slight cases of disease as remained were loaded upon army wagons. The hospitals and ambulance trains were the last to draw out, and were closely followed by the troops; 550 wounded were brought off. From all that can be ascertained it is probable that from 75 to 100 wounded of this corps were left in the hands of the enemy. Many rebel wounded fell into our hands, but were left for want of transportation. The ambulance train reached Nashville at 9 a.m. December 1, and the wounded were placed in general hospital. The following casualties occurred in the ambulance corps of Fourth Army Corps.*

Lists of wounded and tabular statements of wounded have already been forwarded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. THEO. HEARD,        

Surgeon, U. S. Volunteers.

Surg. GEORGE E. COOPER, U.S. Army,
        Medical Director, Department of the Cumberland.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,                

MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,        

Huntsville, Ala., January —, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the medical department of this corps during the battles of December 15 and 16, near Nashville, Tenn.:

On the morning of December 14 orders were received to be ready at 6 a.m. December 15 to move upon the enemy's position. The hospitals of this corps, which, since the 2d of the month, had been located near the city on the Franklin pike, were ordered to be broken up and the hospital train to be parked on the Hillsborough pike, there to remain until further developments; the sick were transferred to general hospital. At 7 a.m. December 15 the troops of this corps moved out by the Hillsborough pike in front of the line of works occupied by them during the two weeks previous, and formed as follows: First Division on the right, connecting with the left of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith's command; Second Division on the left of the First; and the Third Division on the left of the Second and somewhat retired. The hospitals of the corps were at once established directly on the Hillsborough pike, and about a quarter of a mile in rear of the line of works. The site selected was the lawn in front of a large brick house; water was abundant and good. Detachments from each division ambulance train were close in rear of the troops; the remaining ambulances were parked in rear of the works and ready to move out when required; the stretchermen were with their respective regiments. During the fighting of the 15th ultimo the line of this corps was advanced nearly two miles. The loss in wounded was not severe, being only 203 men. The wounded were promptly removed from the field and cared for at division hospitals. The majority of the wounds were caused by conoidal balls. After dark, the fighting having ceased and all operations and dressings having been attended to, the wounded were transferred to general hospital. As the position of the corps had now changed from the Hillsborough pike to the Franklin pike, the hospital train was ordered to be loaded and ready to move at daylight on the 16th ultimo.

On the morning of the 16th ultimo the position of the troops of this corps was as follows: The Third Division on the left of the Franklin pike, connecting with the right of Major-General Steedman's command; Second Division in center; and the First Division on the right, connecting with the command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith. The hospitals were located on the right and left of the Franklin pike at "The Springs," about two miles in advance of the old line of works; the ambulances were near the troops. The fighting of to-day was much more severe than that of yesterday, although the casualties were wonderfully slight. Four hundred and ninety-five men of this corps were wounded and taken to hospital. Shell wounds were of more frequent occurrence than on the previous day. At night the wounded, after being attended to, were ordered to be transferred to general hospital and the hospital trains to be loaded and ready to move at early day, either for the establishment of the hospitals near the troops in the event of another battle, or to be ready to follow the corps in case, as was probable, the enemy should retreat.

The medical and ambulance officers of the corps deserve great praise for the faithful and efficient manner in which they performed their arduous duties. With little or no rest for fifty hours, they yet cheerfully and fearlessly continued at their posts. I can truly say that I have never seen wounded more promptly removed from the field or better cared for in division hospitals. Medical and hospital supplies were abundant and rations plenty. There were no casualties in the ambulance corps or among medical officers.

The following number of wounded of other commands was received into hospitals of this corps, viz: Rebels, 15; Twelfth U.S. Colored Troops, 2; Thirteenth U.S. Colored Troops, 40; Fourteenth U.S. Colored Troops, 1; One hundredth U.S. Colored Troops, 3; total of other commands, 61.

Inclosed are lists of rebel wounded received into hospitals of this command.

The battle reports of division hospitals have been forwarded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. THEO. HEARD,        

Surgeon, U.S. Volunteers, Medical Director.

Surg. GEORGE E. COOPER, U.S. Army,
        Medical Director, Department of the Cumberland.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 1 killed, 3 wounded, and 1 missing.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 174-7

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, February 16, 1865

Revillie early, at 8. A. M. went on board the Ben Stickney, 50th on board Peytonia, both large boats were fired on above Helena. Peytonia had 4 men Killed 4 wounded. Stickny one wonded Genl Lu. Wallace & Luit on board the Ben Stickny. At 8:20 leave for below Meet the A with an Ill cav Regt on board meet several boats not loaded with soldiers. Officers on a gay. No enlisted men allowed in cabin this evening. going to dance. 2 recruits recd 13th assigned to co G. fills our co to the minmium. finest kind of weather

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, February 17, 1865

Boat landed at 12. O clock last night at Scippers landing to unload freight was up saw several hundred bales of cotton guarded by a gunboat. at 9. a. m. landed to ward 1 mile below Millikens bend got off and took a walk. At 12. M. landed at Vicksburg. walked over town was in some 20 of the celebrated holes, & on top of the Court house boat leaves at 7. P. M. Genl M. L. Smith commands here. Genl A. J. Smith will comd an expedition from here soon. his comd is here. Met & recognized Dr Huntsman [?] Beautiful weather.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Saturday, February 18, 1865

Had a good run during the night A. M. Passed Natchez but did not get to see any of the city except "Natchez under the hill." boat stopping but a few minutes. At 11.30 at the mouth of Red River where are stationed 8 gunboats & Monitors to guard the river. here had a sight of the formidable Rebel Ram Tenesee. She is a formidable looking vessel. at 1.45. landed at Murgauge. Saw Warren Alney, & took on board 1 battalion of 2 NY. Cav. Place defended by 7 negro Regts & battery. Rebs close. Start down at 6.30

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, February 19, 1865

Pass Port Hudson in the night also Battan Rouge. all day passing through the richest contry I ever saw. fine plantations splendid houses & villages of negro houses in regular order with streets; land at Carrolton at 3. P. M. go off & look around but few troops here. Saw flowers in bloom, & oranges on trees. town all the way from here to New Orleans which place we land at at 4 P. M. Gnl Reports. we then cross & disimbark at Algiers at 4.30. any amount of Black troops, & our Brigade which is again disorganized. Hear that Genl Steele is removed. Genl Veach assigned the comd of a Div, raining when we land and 10. P. M. before our things get to camp. no wood & no fire. More than 200 sailing vessels lieing in river here and about 50 to 100 steamboats some 20 gunboats, no end to small craft. Some troops leave on a steam sailing vessel for 3d time wrecked and loss 15 men

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 574

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, February 20, 1865

Cleared off at night. Any amount of huckster women in camp by day light. A. M. in New Orleans to muster, did not succeed. P. M. in N. O. for order of discharge failed on act of not finding Genl & staff. Regt inspected P. M. clothing cut down. 27th Wis 29th Iowa & 35 Wis leave on board W. Thomas this P. M. Algiers a small place & dirty. New Orleans a fine City streets clean all stone. was in the St Charles Hotel. Orders to start tomorrow

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, February 21, 1865

Was over in town A. M. Regt. expected to leave P. M & Genl V—— would not forward application for discharge. P. M. Regt drew twins, "Belle ve Dere" our ship, come but the Capt would not take on more than two Regts. The 77th Ohio embarked Storm comes up about 5 P. M. Men all get wet, but make merry. Go to bed about 8, the storm still raging. Seagulls plenty

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, February 22, 1865

The 28th Wis embark on the Belle ve Dere. Raining still. Our wagons loaded on Bell ve & detail sent arond with them, the Regt to go by car to lake Ponchertrain Genl A. J. Smiths Corps landing 4 miles below on the east side continues to rain & blow. Washingtons Birthday hundreds of flags & a national salute.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, February 23, 1865

Very little mail Belle Ve Dere starts A. М. at 2 P. M. our Regt on board the Izetta to cross to depot. drop 4 miles below, & return to depot. unload at 4 P. M. raining hard. move up to depot. an Irish girl brings out hot coffee for some of the boys. at 7. load on the cars & have a 20 minutes run to Lake city, on Lake Pontchastran where at 8. P. M. cos B. G. & K embark on board steam ship Alabama. find it full of mules & about 300 men of some 7 regts. 35 Wis, 7th Vermont, 27 & 28th Wis 1st La. &c. at 10 weigh anchor and are off.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, February 24, 1865

Rained all night Boys all wet. offs of 33d. no blankets & lay on cabin floor. rains all day and heavy wind, at 12. see no land. at 5 P. M. at Grants Pass. an draw eats. have to give up some to our officers. I am ordered on duty. wind up so that the gulf is not safe boat draws too much water to go through the pass. quite a no sea sick today. rations running low.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Saturday, February 25, 1865

Slept well, rained all night. At 10. a. m. start through pass. aground at 11. Brown with 4 co of our Regt passes us here. Men runing short of rations & begin to complain at 2 P. M. Small steamer Mustang comes to our relief. transfer men and baggage. Ship floats fast an hour again right in the pass abreast of Ft Powell, when she gets off Mustang runs alongside and transfers back. 3 reb deserters from Mobile come to us on Mustang. about 5.30 Ship touches at Ft. Gaines. thence to 4 mile above Ft. Morgan, at 7. P. M. disembark, march through sand ¾ of mile to camp. on the beach of Gulf. sleep within 200 yds of Gulf. breakers Ligh & night clear. a Grand sight. 30 000 men here now.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 575

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, February 26, 1865

Fine day. hunt shells on the beach, see the porpoises, &c camp on banks of white sand covered with scrub oaks plenty of fresh water by digging in the sand. boys wade in the bay & gather oysters Plenty of them. troops landing nearly all the time, can send no mail

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, pp. 575-6

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, February 27, 1865

Make out Muster Rolls. Co draws shoes & dog tents. Raining this evening. The balance of Regt get in a little before dark

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, February 28, 1865

Rain during the night. this morning go up to Ft Morgan 5. Miles to try to be mustered. No mustering officer this side of the Bay. P. M. Regt mustered. Evening sets in raining again. News that Charleston is ours.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 1, 1862

Camp Cairo Ills. Wednesday morning clear and pleasant. Routine of the morning as usual. No drilling to day. The Col. for the diversion of his Officers obtained the use of one of the Steam Tugs which are daily running to & fro in the harbor—for a pleasure excursion    A portion of the command for the morning voyage—another portion for the evening. Capt. Parke & Lieut. Williams were among the passengers in the forenoon Lieut Allen remained in camp intending to go in the afternoon but did not We had a very pleasant trip of it first visiting Birds Point paying our compliments to Gen Paine—the new commander The performances of the day ended with Dress Parade.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 232

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, January 2, 1862

Thursday morning     Cloudy air heavy and damp. Drill by Cos. in the forenoon Set in raining in the afternoon—preventing Battalion Drill. Raining ceased towards evening Dress Parade—finis—

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 232