Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, April 24, 1865

Night unpleasantly cool, do not move this morning, a. m. to the commissary for grub. after dinner Lt Sherman & I take a walk to the river, go in the garden attached to the house & enjoy a mess of fine ripe straw berries, rec orders late this evening for the left wing of the regt to be ready at 6. a. m. tomorrow to go on board the gunboat Octorara, all to take two days rations. I understand we are to be sent up this way to take possession of a mill so as not to allow it to be burned.

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. 595

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, April 25, 1865

By 6. a. m. all ready march to the river descend at a steep bluff. was possible to get down but impossible to get up if up was the word, were conveyed from the shore to the boat on a coal flat at 2 loads, & at 7.15, the boat started. the weather was fine & had a pleasant ride no accidents, the boat laid in too close in making one short turn & was some 10 minutes getting her clear. All the country until we reach Mc Intoshs Bluffs is over flowed we disembark at Mc Intoshs Bluffs at 11 a. m. Bluffs here are not more than 12 ft high, there are 4 dwellings, 3 families living here one story & a half dwelling house through which one of the gunboats fired a shell just a week ago at a Mr Vaugn who shot at a skiff load of negroes coming down to the Boat. is vacant the family having left soon after the gunboat left which stayed but a short time, a black smith shop with 6 forces [sic] & cranes built for heavy work, a large carpenter shop & piles of timber which were to have been a Gunboat had not the yankees come too quick a good saw & grist mill at work, the hull of an unfinished ram built 20 miles above & float here & burned lay at the landing. Several small flats of negros & some whites come down the river, all report the Reb fleet of 2 gunboats & 27 transports at Damopolus, found chickens & pigs plenty, no fat cattle. at 4, P. M. just as a transport was landing we were about to build breastworks, but being reinforced thus did not. & I took a cart & five men to the contry for some bacon. Capt Rankin took two others out to old Parson Rushs (an old nigger driver) for Sweet potatoes. I got back just at dusk. fond the Regt together & camping about ½ mile from the river. The whole Brigade had arrived on Transports. The Regt teams not coming we took the cars & were to 10. P. M. getting all our baggage up to the Regt. Quite a no of citizens come in amongst whom was the wife of Capt Jonston who surrendered the Tennesee. Capt Taylor & river Pilots, Mrs Bates & others. Any no of darkies, the balance of the Division is said to becoming by land.

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. 595

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, April 26, 1865

The Div gets in about 10, A. M. by land, our camp is made permanent & the officers of the Left wing quarter in a double log cabin near by busy all P. M fixing up. The news is officially announced once more that Genl Jo Jonston has surrendered 30,000 men to Genl Sherman.

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. 595

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, April 27, 1865

Genl Inspection at 9 A. M. co come in at 11, an extra Roll call was ordered by Genl Benton at 1. P. M all absentees to be reported to Div Head Quarter. Cos A. & B. were sent out to patrol & bring in soldiers found pillaging, several were sent in, A soldier from Forests army says that his men declare publicly if he does not disband them if Jonston surrenders they will kill him & go home, a slight shower at 1 P. M. and sprinkles semi occasionally during the afternoon after supper walk down to the river, call in to see Lt Cory, & after return to camp take a stroll with It Sharman. No boats in, no mail, no news!

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. 596

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, April 28, 1865

A. M. to commissary for stores. The fort is laid out today, & details made to work on it. At noon was detailed for picket to report immediately. The Off of Day did not know where the line of our Brigade was, took us out on the wrong road making a walk extra of about 3 miles, was 4 P. M. when we arrived on our own line, found there the detail of 33 had been sent away to a bayou 1½ miles below the bluffs. Which post was to be relieved, having no place on the line for me The Off of Day ordered me to march my detail to camp. Short picketing that soon after return to camp supper ready. After supper Lt Laughridge & myself go to the river for a bath. talk with a squad of a Sergt of 4 men bearers of dispatch from Mobile & just arrived say a flag of truce from Taylor had been at Whistler for 5 days & rumor said Taylor wished to surrender. Told us of a Reb gunboat running out of Red River past New Orleans & being too closely chased beeched & blew up, saw a little nig. who gathered a mess of ripe haws to make us a pie, we to give him his supper of which he had had none, when we return to camp Lt Sharman says "the dispatch is just reed from Genl Canby announcing the surrender of Genl Taylor & all his forces. & that our men should respect him & his officers enroute to Mobile" as this order is published cheer after cheer rends the air, Lt Stocker 29th Iowa stays with us tonight, he come up from the Arsenal with an escort of 10 men & says that his segt captured 2 men of the squad who captured the teamsters near Fish river & that all the teamsters were sent to Vicksburgh for exchange. The Lt says there is no doubt this is a correct statement, Fleas Fleas. Fleas

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. 596

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Saturday, April 29, 1865

Work on Muster & Pay rolls all day, boat cam up last night bringing Mobile papers of the 28th with information that at the Mouth of Red river The Rebs were communicating for flag of truce relative to a speedy surrender by Kirby Smith of all the army west of the Mississippi. Many Citizens came in today some from 20 & 25 miles back & all express themselves astonished at the good treatment they rec from our soldiers. We wait patiently for something official from high authority confirmatory of the surrender of Joe Jonston. There is a report that somewhere near there is a rebel force of 400 & that the 1st Brig are ordered out on a scout with 2 days rations, Dick Taylor has not surrendered but is reported with his staff in Mobile. Papers note the arrival at Mobile of a paymaster & rumor says he is paying there. Take a walk after supper with Sergt Miller.

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. 596

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, April 30, 1865

Inspection & Muster at 7. A. M. Major Boydston is appointed Provost Marshal on Genl Bentons staff, in place of Lt Col Smith 35" Wis returned to Regt for laying outside of the lines 3 nights handrunning The 1st Brig return to camp at 3 P. M. Capt Williams of 28th Wis up to see us today rec notice of the discharge of Stephanus De Kock, Citizens say that sharks come up this river from the Bay.

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. 597

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862

Left Cairo on the Steamer Illinois. The Gun Boats 5 in number and 4 mortars taking the lead for Columbus, at which place we arrived at about 11 O'clock. The Ills. 2nd cavalry had occupied the place & the Stars and Stripes were floating from the fortifications. After disembarking, the 27th headed by our noble Col. marched to the stirring notes of Yankee Doodle & Dixie, up the levee & the hill to the fortifications on the Bluffs. This place where nature & art had made the Gibraltar of America would have cost the Government an immense number of lives & treasure before succumbing to the American arms, after viewing the stupendous works and the different modes of destruction which the Rebels had invented to destroy the Northern Barbarian and Yankees as they term them, Such as torpedoes & infernal machines which they had burried in the earth promiscously as far back in the country and as far up & down the river as the fortifications extend Each one connecting by wire with a magnetic Battery by which they were to be exploded.¹ After seeing all there was to be seen we marched back down to town where we went into quarters Col. Buford taking his qrs. in town at the Columbus Bank a nice Brick Building. Our Col. commanding is Lieut Col. Harrington he has taken his qrs. near the Regt. in a large 2 story house formerly the Head Qrs of the Rebel Gen. Pope. There is quite a change with weather this afternoon turned colder Col. Buford has assumed command of the Post. A portion of our Regt have taken up their qrs. in the rebels barracks built of logs and a portion are encamped in tents.

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¹ See the report of Flag officer, A. H. Foote, Mar. 4, 1862. War Records, Series I., vol. VII., p. 436. In part he reports as follows: "Columbus is in our possession. My armed reconnaissance on the 2nd caused a hasty evacuation, the rebels leaving quite a number of guns and carriages, amunition and a large quanity of shot and shell, a considerable number of anchors, and the remnant of chain lately stretched across the river, with a large number of torpedoes. Most of the huts, tents, and quarters destroyed. The works are of very great strength, consisting of formidable teers of batteries on the water side and on the land side, surrounded by a ditch and abatis."

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 5, 1862

Wednesday morning cloudy & cold nothing of importance to day. Lt. Lytle of Co. B has been selected by Col. Harrington as acting adjt. A[.] adjt Rust is acting Brigade adjt for Col. Buford com'dg the Post. The 42d Regt. Ills. Vol. are encamped upon the bluffs. No Dress Parade this evening.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 6, 1862

Thursday morning still cloudy & cool Capt. Parke Officer of the day. Lt. Williams Comp. C. has been detailed by the Col. to act as Qr. M. until Qr. M. Sears arrives from Cairo. A regular mail & passenger packet runs the line between this & Cairo

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 7, 1862

Friday morning weather more pleasant. Our Sutler arrived this morning from Cairo. Dress Parade this evening.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 236

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 8, 1862

Saturday morning clear & pleasant The absentees are those left behind at Cairo arrived this evening Dress Parade at the customary hour.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 9, 1862

Head Quarters, Camp Columbus Ky. . . . Sunday morning. Weather pleasant with some indications of rain. Co. inspection on the Co. Parade ground at 9.30 A. M. Boats are running quite freely between this point & Cairo. Dress Parade this evening.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 10, 1862

Monday morning. had quite a rain storm last night—but has the appearance of clearing off this morning Qr. Master Sears arrived last evening. Every thing quite in town, Lt. Williams relieved from Duties as Qr. M.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 11, 1862

Tuesday morning clear and pleasant. Lt. Williams officer of the Guard to day. To news of the evacuation of Manasses reached us to day much rejoicing over it & the forward advance of the armies of the Potomac.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 12, 1862

Wednesday weather still pleasant. Lt. Allen & a squad of men from our Co. after great exertions have succeeded in drawing from the river a Sixty Four Pdr. which the rebels had dismounted & rolled into the river, which he has mounted and now every morning and evening at the rising and setting of the sun he and his squad cause it to thunder forth the announcement of arrival or departure of that glorious Orb of Day.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 13, 1862

Thursday weather very pleasant Very dull more so than at Cairo as there is no business going on and very few citizens are living here Dress Parade as usual.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 14, 1862

Friday, it rained very hard last night, & is still raining this morning. We are under marching orders, Tis said we are to accompany the fleet down the river True enough about 11 O'clock A. M. the flotilla of Gun Boats hove in sight followed by the transports & mortars.

We embarked on board the Steamer Silver Wave. By and by they began to shove out the Gun Boats taking the lead.

Head Quarters Silver Wave     Nothing of interest transpired until we arrived at Hickman, where we all landed, a Battalion of the 27th only disembarking headed by our Col. and Lt. Col. displaying our glorious old Banner & keeping step to the soul stirring notes Yankee Doodle & Dixies land. Col. Buford first proceeded to the telegraph office where he destroyed their means of communication & also tearing up their Rail Road track for a short distance. The locomotive having skeddadled as soon as our Boats hove in sight. We lay here until Saturday morning

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 15, 1862

Saturday morning cold drissling rain. The fleet gently get under way this morning at day break, we proceeded on our way to Island No. 10. Our Col. this morning imparted to us the glad tidings of the evacuation of New Madrid & the possession of it by Gen. Pope with a number of peices of heavy cannon About 9 A. M. we came very unexpectedly upon a Rebel Gun Boat the Grampies which was wooding about a 9 miles above the Island. She very hastily left her moorings, not giving some of her hands time to get aboard. The Benton which was in advance sent a few shots after her—but without reaching her. She set up a scream with her whistle—which she did not abate until she reached the Island. Arriving in the neighborhood of the Island—the Gun Boats dropped very cautiously down to within 3½ miles of their upper Battery on the main shore & near the same distance from the Island. Two of the mortars were towed into position. The Gun Boats then opened upon the Island—firing several rounds during the afternoon The two mortars also fired several rounds each but no response was elicited from either Battery Nothing of importance has transpired to day.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 237

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, March 16, 1862

Head Quarters Silver Wave. . . . Sunday morning Still cloudy. A 10 A. M. Capt Mores Co. to which was added Lt. Williams by order Lt. Col. Harrington to go over on the Mo. shore for the purpose of reconnoitering & supporting if necessary a fatigue party under the command of capt Southward which was detailed to build a bridge over a slough for crossing artillery, we were landed about 11 A. M. the fatigue set to work bridging the slough while we went down the river about one mile took possession of a deserted farmers house had a first rate dinner & marched back to our Boat about 5 O'clock P. M. The mortars 4 in number kept up a constant fire from 10 A. M. till night. Col. Buford landed one Battery of artillery, about 5 P. M. & the 27th Regt. to support it. 4 rounds from one Gun were fired at a battery on the Island before the enemy deigned to reply—when they did the first shot passed within about Five feet of Lt. Allen & Williams who were standing on the fence at the time. They did not stand for another shot—but got down out of view from the enemy. The Third or Fourth shot from the enemy took off a leg from one of our artillerist—finding our Guns ineffective we ordered back to the Boats and steamed back to our landing place.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 238