Thursday, February 5, 2026

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 6, 1862

Capt Fee & Orderly Spooner spent the day in the Citty we had a general cleaning up in the barracks, afternoon I took 3 of the boys & went out & got a fine lot of Sasafrass & we had some pistol target shooting I stood No one. 4 Oc we ware on dress perade I received a letter stating Amandus is verry sick

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 97

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 7, 1862

In the morning I visited our sick in the hospital 10 Oc attended preaching by the Chaplain in the 4th ward hospital at the fair grounds, text eternity. 2 Oc our Chaplain preached in Barracks of Co, H evening Capt Mahan preached in our barracks Co G. text the Lord hath given his people a banner we had a good time. I am uneasy about me Dear Son Amandus

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 8, 1862

Forenoon we had battalion drill afternoon Capt & Orderly went out to try their pistols I visited the hospitals & the Seargents drilled the Co. 4 Oc we ware on dress perade evening Capt Fee & I spent at head quarters of post with Leroy Mayne & Adgatent Horine

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 9, 1862

9 Oc Mr. R Murdock & I started to the citty was at the gun boats & Arsenal seen one horse get drouned, took our dinner at the Mt Vernon hotell, kept by Bolander Spent an hour with Dr Elliott Editor of the Central advocate. Evening I spoke to the paroled prisoners text now commandeth all men everywhere to repent Butler D Bailey a stout young man of our company died, the first we have lost

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 10, 1862

8 Oc I went down into the citty to the government undertaker & made arrangements & arranged to have him burry Corporal Butler D Bailey at 2 Oc. I got the Col to releave our Company from duty that all mite escorte the corps to the graveyard. evening our Chaplain preached to the paroled prisoners. I exorted, text, thou shalt not go with the multitude to do evil we had a good time it turned it into a speaking meeting & there was great liberty

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 11, 1862

Forenoon we had a good battallion drill afternoon I Drilled the Co 4 Oc we was on Dress perade evening I was at meeting a short time in Co D at 7½ Oc I met with the commissioned officers at head quarters we held an election for Sutler & a Mr Wolf of Albia, Monroe Co Iowa was elected

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 12, 1862

Forenoon we had a fine battallion drill afternoon we ware in Co drill & dress perade evening I spoke to the paroled prisners in their barracks text Son give me thy heart Our Chaplain was present we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 13, 1862

Forenoon we had a fine battallion, no drill afternoon or dress perade, afternoon I was sent for to go to the hospital & talk & pray for a Mr Jewell he had lost his evidence, he was enabled to lay hold on the promises & was made verry happy. Evening Hare preached & I exorted. text almost thou persuadest me to be a christian we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 14, 1862

4 Oc we ware on dress parade in the mud & rain 2½ Oc Brother Oiler Chaplain of the 21st Mo Inft preached to us text 1st psalm Capt Morton exorted he is of the Mo Inft night H D Morrison preached text take the whole armour Hare exorted & we had a speaking & it was a glorious time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 98

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 15, 1862

9 Oc I went on duty as officer of the Guard had some rough costomers to tend to in the guard house in the Western division Benton Barracks I got along verry well

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 98-9

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 16, 1862

10 Oc I got of duty was up near all night last. this day I spent mostly visiting the sick in hospitals 4 Oc was on dress perade evening attended preaching in Co K Capt Noble Barracks. Dr Ball preached text we love him because he first loved us &c we had a good time.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 17, 1862

Beautifull & pleasant. we ware on battallion by light in the morning, afternoon we had Skirmish drill & dress perade 11 Oc Lieut J. K. Morey of the 18th Iowa Vol called to see us. 3 Oc H C Caldwells1 Lieut Col of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry came out to pay me a visit evening I went with him into the citty we attended the ladies aid society or fair in the Mercantile Colledge there was a house full of the grandees. Brig Genl McKean2 of Iowa was there at the sale tables they represented the costume of 15 different nations it was grand. I staid the night at the Mt Vernon hotell kept by Bolander
_______________

1 Henry Clay Caldwell of Keosauqua, afterward United States district judge for the Arkansas District from 1861 to 1890, and United States circuit judge for the Eighth Circuit from 1890 to 1903, when he resigned. He died February 15, 1915.

2 Thomas Jefferson McKean, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from West Point in 1831, resigned from the army in 1838, followed civil engineering and located at Marion, Linn County, Iowa, in 1840. Became county surveyor of Linn County and in 1844 was a member of the first Constitutional Convention. Was in the Mexican War as a sergeant-major in 1817-48, was sheriff of Linn County in 1861, but resigned to enter the army, was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers November 21, 1861, and was breveted major-general in 1865. Died at Marion April 18, 1870.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 18, 1862

I visited the Rever Vernon Dr Elliott Hiram Fate & saw Mrs Wm Thompson of Keosauqua Iowa I promenaded the citty & visited the Batterries. 4 Oc I was on battallion drill, Noon we had orders to be ready to march by 8 Oc morning with 4 days rations all seem keen to be off, we will have to leave 150 of the Reg in hospital of our company we will leave 7 men

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 19, 1862

At daylight I visited our sick in the hospitals talked & consoled them all I could bid them good bye at 7½ Oc we took leave of Benton Barracks marched to the packet landing & took passage on the packets Warsaw & Jenny Dean for Helena Arkansaw & at 3¼ Oc we started from the levve at St. Louis, our Co is on the Warsaw we laid up for the night 20 miles below St Louis near the Sulphor Springs

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 20, 1862

6 Oc we let loose & started on our way rejoiceing 2½ Oc Wm Perkins preached to us text get wisdom &c he is a prisbeterian & Chaplain of the 7 Illinos Inft on the way to his Reg Walker Chaplain of the 118 Ill Inft opened servises by prayer. on his way to the Reg. we laid by for the night at Saml Vancils. Cape Girardeau County & 15 miles above the town of that name I went on shore & to the house & spent part of the evening with them

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 99

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 21, 1862

At day break we loosed cable & started. 1½ Oc we got to Cairo reported & I had a good chat with my old neighbours Genl Tuttle1 & Capt James Sample. 3 Oc left & 5½ we landed at Columbus. Capt Fee & Orderly Spooner & I got the countersign & visited the batterys & Brestworks &c, had an Introduction by our Col to Genl Davies commanding them, they are expecting an attact tomorrow at 11 Oc night we called our regiment up formed them in line and gave them each 40 rounds of catrages, they laid on their arms till morning 11 AM Wm Pearkins preached for us and at 3PM Walker preached for us
_______________

1 James M. Tuttle was born in Noble County, Ohio, September 24, 1823, removed to Farmington, Iowa, in 1846, was a merchant, was sheriff of Van Buren County 1856-57, and treasurer and recorder 1838-61. He went out in May, 1861, as lieutenant colonel of the Second Iowa Infantry, was promoted to colonel September 6, 1861, to brigadier general June 6, 1862, and resigned June 14, 1864. He then removed to Des Mo'nes and engaged in real estate business, and later in pork packing. He was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1863, and for Congress in 1866. He was a representative in the General Assembly in 1872 and again in 1881. He was department commander of the Grand Army of Iowa in 1887. In 1886 Governor Larrabee appointed him a member of the lowa Soldiers Home Commission, and he was chairman of the commission when the home was built. His death occurred in Des Moines October 24, 1892.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 99-100

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 22, 1862

All seemed quiet in the morning & we started on our way. 12 noon we passed the Noted Island No 10 viewed as we passed the squads of soldiers & their trusty cannon commanding the Mississippi each way. at dark we landed at Mitchaels wood yard and tied up for the night. I being officer of the Guard had the pleasure of placing out the first picket guard of our Regiment in an enemys country Tennisee & releeving it & passing around to see that all was wright

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 100

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 23, 1862

5 Oc morning I went out and brought in the picket guard and we loosed cable & started, we landed on Island No. 36 Arkansas & wooded Mississippi County, 45 miles above Memphis. 5 Oc we landed at Memphis and at 7 Oc we was called of the boat & formed in line marched into Court Square & formed in columns by companies ordered to load & lay down in line on our arms. it is a beautifull place with new trees & blue grass, so we all laid on the grass and had a good sleep. I wrote a letter in there by the gass light to my children. the people are much excited & are expecting an attact on the citty & are rejoicing at our arivel.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 100

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 24, 1862

At 6 Oc [A] M we were called out of Court Square & formed in line marched to the boats & took our breakfast then formed in line & marched into the navy yard, at 5 Oc we formed again in line & ware marched inside of the fort, it is a strong fort & well arranged for the defence of the citty. I took dinner with Mr. Place & Geo Black of the 6th Iowa they are here convelesant George Black took me all over the grounds & explained as best he could the many new things about war to me & my curiosity was much gratified & amused.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 100

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, December 25, 1862

We have been fixing up for convenience as well as we can our quarters is a long open stable close on the bluff bank of the river almost perpendicular & from 40 to 80 ft high & close to the shore is to be seen the bottom of skifts sticking out of watter they are fastened to 2 Rebel gun boats that our guns sunk in the navel fight & their crews are in them

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 100-1