03. Civil War Diary Part III (March 1862 - May 1862)



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Arrival at Pittsburg Landing March 22nd 1862


(Continued from previous page) some regimental stores were drawn from the army (Q.M.) here but there being no room to put them on the Lancaster No 4. a guard was detailed to stay at Savannah with them of which I was one. The steamer then went on with others up the river. We made ourselves comfortable on bales of hay for the night.


March 22, 1862, Saturday – We get our supplies loaded on a forage + provision boat + slowly wind our way up stream. Finally arrive at a place where there seems to be an innumerable number of boats tied to both sides of the river – all crowded with soldiers + away up stream there are two gunboats apparently. (in red ink) Sherman’s + Hurlbat’s Divs. Were here. Ours, the C.F. smith was not being bought here with McClenands. Prentiss’ came later.)


Our steamer gets a landing – we unload the supplies – one or two remain on guard. The others of us are dismissed to find our regt. Which we do in course of time. The regt. Is yet on its steamer a steam wheeler – the Lancaster No. 4. From her decks we can see that a large number of troops + batteries are already landed + encamped on the west or left-hand shore as one looks northward. The shore is muddy + there is a steep back with a road winding up + a sort of long log store about half way up the bank. A smaller log house is lower down on the flat place called the landing. On top the hill the ground seems to be level, wooded + pleasant. Troops are getting off the steamers as fast as their turns come, + are climbing the hill.


March 23rd Sunday – It pours rain almost continuously today + while these are spring showers – they cool one off so that we huddle around the steamers. Smoke stacks to get warm. There-


(In red ink) on the 23rd Gen. Shields whom when “Abe Lincoln” was a lawyer had challenged him to fight a duel defeated Gen. Stonewall Jackson in a sharp skirmish at Kernstown, VA.



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Soldier Drowned in Tenn Riv. March 23rd 1862, Sunday.


(Continued from page previous) was very little sleep during the night for us. My company had the hurricane deck + the showers were frequent during the night. Our woolen blankets were speedily soaked fix them as we wood. All ropes, guylines, railings, + anything + everything which could be connected into a ridge pole to stretch blankets over, so as to keep off rain was utilized. The slight ears like projection of the cabin roof above the hurricane deck was a prize for anyone who could crowd under far enough to escape the pour of water from the edge. Many put just their heads under the projection + then fixed clothes + blankets so as to catch the pour from the ears + run it off. But blankets very soon soaked through + did not shed the pour. One-fellow thought he had fixed himself up luxuriously, he got under quite a wide projection of the cabin roof near the rounding part in the side at the rear + went fast asleep. By + by a heavy shower came up, it thundered –lightning + the rain came in torrents. The fellow slept on, one by one we got up, turned our backs to the storm, grimly waited for it to be over, but this fellow slept on + we thought he had a nice thing of it. Presently he stirred + then gurgled + choked. Then over he went, next with a splash got up on his hands + knees well nigh drowned. He had not noticed a tin water discharge water pipe which came down there conducting much of the water from the cabin roof + emptying it right there. He had fixed himself this blanket so as to cover the mouth of the pipe + the entire column of water poured in around his neck + flowed through his clothes + out his trouser legs. Yet so tired was he that he never awakened until nearly drowned.



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Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee March 23rd Sunday


We therefore welcomed the morning light, hoping it would bring the order to go ashore where we could at least build fires + boil some coffee. No order came + we stayed on the vessel. The river is very high – swift, muddy + full of driftwood. The steamers whistles, bells, smoke + paddlewheels go around us all the time + the rain falls in 10 + 20 minute showers very heavy. All we have to eat is raw salt pork + our hardtack soaked in the rain in our wet haversacks.


A sad scene occurred today.


A soldier on a large side wheel steamer tied to the opposite bank of the river while dancing around with his back to the river on top the wheel house to get warm stepped a little to far backward + at once went overboard. I happened, as did hundreds of others to be looking directly at him + saw him throw up his hands – whirl over + disappear in the muddy + swirling water. At once a cry was raised of “Man overboard: + thousands rushed to see. Presently the man’s head appeared above the surface considerably below where he had fallen in + well out toward the middle of the river where the current was swiftest. A rush was made for the boats of the stern of the steamers. They were chained + tied + locked + some without oars so that it was a moment or two before one was lose. It seemed an hour. Meanwhile the man in the water seemed to be saving his strength. He did not cry out, but getting his face up stream seemed to be paddling quietly as if content to simply keep his mouth above water. 4 men succeeded in getting a boat loose with oars + started down toward the



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(Continued from page previous) man with a will. About the same time 10 or 15 more boats both sides the river got loose + on the way. The first boat out had good oarsmen + they beat their oars in a mighty effort. They dodged the floating logs + pulled on toward the man, who saw them coming. We on the steamers did all we could by shouts to encourage them all. A dozen boats were nearing the man, who at this time had been swept on some half –a mile- from where he fell in. It seemed as if the foremost boat could almost reach the man with an oar – when suddenly he disappeared from view. The boats rowed around + around above + below, but no trace of the drowned man was seen. (In red ink) During this Gen. Pope + Com. Foote are hard at work getting a passage through the swamps of wood around Island No. 10. In the miss.


Everyone felt depressed by this event + the day wore wearily away.


March 24th Monday - - remain on the steamer all this day. The cabin is used for officers + the sick + it is getting full.


March 25th Tues - - - - - today we receive the joyful orders to go ashore. We collect our wet traps + move off. The sick are taken back to St. Louis or put on hospital steamers. My health is now pretty good. We march up the hill + on over the plateau. There are camps on all sides of us. We proceed one mile from the landing. Almost directly west of our camp alongside a road which runs to Crump’s Landing + a few roads west of a road which runs to Corinth by Shiloh Church.


March 26th Wednesday – Get our tents + arrange a camp. The ground is very pleasant for this purpose. Hard + dry – timber heavy + water good. The woods are filling up with camps. It is evident that the further advance of the Federal forces south is to be by the Tennessee rather than the Cumberland.



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Camp At Pittsburg Landing


Supplies drawn from Cairo + St. Louis are collected at Savannah as the base of supplies. Gen Buell + army had hdqrs in Nashville 120 miles from Pittsburg Landing. Gen Grant’s army was chiefly of Ill. Iowa, + Ind. Men. While Buell’s were Ohio men. On the 11th of March Gen. Grant’s army + Gen Buell’s had been organized into the Dept. of the Miss. Gen Pope’s army in MO was also included with Gen. H.W. Hilleck commanding hdqrs at St. Louis.


Gen Grant’s army was in 5 divisions C.F. smith, W.H.L Wallace McClernand + two new ones one of Ills. Men under Hurlbat + one of Ohio men under W.T.S Sherman. Gen Lew. Wallace with a division of 500 strong was at Crumps Landing some 5 miles north or down the river. Afterward Gen. B. Prentiss came up + took positions with a div. of MO troops + C.F. Smith being laid up with sickness (???) Gen W.H.L. Wallace took command of his div.


March 27th Thursday – Our camp is very comfortable, the air is getting warm and spring like. Neat us the 9th + 12th Ill, the 81st Ohio + the 13th MO are encamped. We understand that we are now brigaded with these regiments + constitute the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division. This was C.F. Smith’s Div. now temporarily commanded by W.H.L. Wallace ( (???) Nicolay in his like of A. Lincoln calls this Div the 3rd + Prentiss the 61st)


Our Brigade seems to have been entirely changed since Donelson + we have lost the Iowa boys. Col McArthur (of the 12th Ills. I think) commands our Brigade. His hdqrs are up the road to our right. We hear that at the C.S. forces are collecting at Corinth 20 miles S.W.



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Hdqrs Little’s Divt 1st corps, Army of Miss.


Bethel Tenn. April 16, 1862, Monday


Letter


Major Geo Williamson

Asst. Adj. Gen.


Major: In obedience to the verbal instructions given to me by the Maj. Gen. commanding this corps, I have the honor to make the following report:

This morning I was called upon by Maj. John H Bills of Bolivan, Tenn. Who together with Dr. Jesse Barford & Thos. Boyle of Hardeman were arrested on Friday last by Federals & taken to the Hdqrs of Gen. Grant.


On yesterday they were sent by Gen. Grant with a note, which I saw, to Gen. Halleck who released them on parole, with a pass beyond their lines. Halleck’s release & pass were indorsed on Grant’s letter & dated yesterday.


Bills says he was kept in Grant’s quarters, furnished with food & lodgings by him; & that he rode all through their camp, which is on the same ground prior to the battle; that Halleck’s & Grant’s headquarters are at Pittsburg; that Grant moved on day before yesterday & Halleck yesterday from transports to mainland; that he was informed Buell was there also, but did not see him; that there are two gunboats at Pittsburg & about 30 transports; that the enemy is being constantly reinforced in transports & the men are moved to the mainland as fast as they arrive.


He says the officers had but little to say as their intentions, but the men were free & spoke freely of the intention to move on Corinth. He also says the men are thoroughly disciplined; that not half a dozen guns were fired while he was there, except the salute to Halleck upon his arrival. Maj. Bills estimated the force of the enemy at 160000. I give it for what it is worth.


He informs me that he is acquainted with Maj. Gen. Polk, commanding first corps.


Col. Dowd of this brigade is acquainted with him, & says he is quite wealthy & reliable & I think he is. I endeavored to induce him to visit Gen. Polk, but he informs me that his family know of his arrest & he is anxious to return & did so,


He was released yesterday evening, & left Pittsburg immediately, & was on his way home when I saw him this morning.


As he is on parole, he does not desire the fact of his communication with me to be known, save to Maj. Gen. Polk.


Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


B.S. Maxey


Brig. Gen. Commanding at Bethel,


(Note: Copied may 8, 1889, from Vol X series I, Part II Records of War + issued by government in 1885, 6, 7, 8, 9,



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Newspaper clipping

Obituary for Confederate Veteran, Col. John Daniel Bills, 1911.



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Newspaper clipping:

the 18th Wisconsin highlighting 35 years since 18th Wisconsin left Milwaukee and proceeded to Pittsburg. Written at the end of the first paragraph


…The Eighteenth reached Pittsburg landing April 5….the most advanced position of any troops in line. They put of their tents, but their rations having run out they went to bed hungry. (Bill writes: I saw them going into line for their equipment at Pitts. Ldg.)


Written on the page:


Gen Beauregard was assigned Com’d of the C.S. Dept. of Miss. March 5th 1862 and began to concentrate troops at Corinth. Gen Bragg joined him with a C.S Div. from Pensacola. Gen Polk bought in his army from Mo. Gen A.S. Johnson com’d of the West was bringing the Nashville + Bowling Green troops in from Murfreesboro. Beauregard made 2nd in command after Johnston’s arrival, divided his army thus made into 3 corps, with Polk, Bragg, + Hardee in Com’d, his force available for attacking Grant at Pittsburg is 40,000.


Gen. Grant has about 38,000 men counting in Lew. Wallace. He has hdqrs at savannah 7 miles below on the river, on the Steamer Tigress


March 28th 1862, Friday. Buell’s army on way from Nashville to join us. He is at Duck River, Columbia



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(continued)


March 29 – Saturday – Troops landing + encamping


March 30th –Sunday – Saw the 16th Mis. Land + receive their guns.


March 31st Monday – Reports of skirmishing in front. No one apprehensive of attack.


April 1st Tues – Balmy + warm – on camp guard. (In red ink) The army of the Potomac, 120,000 men under McClelland removed to fortress Monroe as base of Operations against Richmond. Gen. Wadsworth + 20,000 men left to guard Washington. General Wool was post com’d at Monroe.


April 2 Wednesday, Dull. (In black ink) Copy of A.S. Johnson’s telegram to Jeff Davies, Apr. 3rd – 1862, “C.S. Force 40,000 ordered to battle at Pittsburg Landing. Div. from Bethel main body from Corinth. Reserve from Burnsville converge Apr. 5 at Monterey.(edited at bottom) on Pittsburg. Beauregard 2nd in Com’d. Polk left, Hardee center, Bragg right wing. Breckinridge reserve. Hope engagement before Buell can form junction – (With Grant)


April 3. Thursday, Hear distant firing. (April 4th – Major Crocket + picket post of the 70th Ohio captured by Rebel Calvalry)


April 4 Friday – Walk out over camps nearly to Sherman’s camp. (In red ink) Today Capt. Walke of gunboat Carondelet runs past the batteries of Island No. 10. It is the first attempt of its kind + resulted in causing the rebel to abandon the island after 7, losing 6,000 men as prisoners.


April 5th Saturday, Hear distant firing – dull (The C.S. army in camp 2 miles in front of Union picket line)


(In red ink) Mem. After “Donelson” A.S. Johnson, C.S. Dept com’d retreated with Nashville troops toward Chattanooga and Beauregard gathered whatever remnants he could from Columbus + camped at Corinth March 23rd.


Major Gen. Halleck Dept. Commander at St. Louis had Army of Tenn + Gen Grant at Donelson. Gen Curtis in MO + Gen Pope at Columbus, Brig Gen. Buell in com’d of army of Ohio was at Louisville independent of Halleck, but McClelland at Washington was in com’d of both Halleck + Buell. Gen. Buell had sent one of his Div. –Gen. Nelson to assist Brig. Gen. Grant at Donelson. It was too late + returned to Buell. Halleck wished supreme Com’d in west, but was rejected as yet.


April 6th at 5 A.M. C.S. advance began. They rapidly marched the 2 miles, met Col Peabody’s 3 Cos of 25th MO + had skirmish + pressed up to union lines of Sherman (Center) McClernand, (right) + Prentiss (left) – finding there divisions in line + ready to make a stubborn resistance.


Hardee goes by Ridge Road to Bark Road by Mickey’s house. 100 rounds of ammunition to each man. 200 rounds of ammunition to each gun.



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Shiloh


April 6th 1862 Sunday – 16yrs + 10 months old.


Awoke about the same time as usual this morning + at roll call found I was again on camp guard detail.


After roll call went to my tent to get out my rifle + clean it up. I had secured a very good rifle by this time of which I felt quite proud. Our company cooks were in a partially disorganized condition + we had been in the habit of looking out for ourselves somewhat. But the guard detail most always had the first that was prepared – coffee or bean soup – So I went to the end of the company row of tents where out cook was + got my cup of coffee + some beans on my tin plate. This with some hardtack was my breakfast + just then as I had taken my rifle and sat down to rub it up there came to our ears a faint murmur of distant musket shots. We all stated to a listening attitude. Those who were walking stopped short. Talking ceased. Everyone was listening – the faint popping –like popcorn under a heavy iron cover – continued – we said – That means a fight. This was about 6 AM I should judge. The day was very bright + beautiful – green leaves were coming softly out of the trees – grass was already green under foot. The frogs + insects had been making night musical for 2 weeks past. Birds were singing - all nature was smiling + even gay. Those ominous shots borne to our ears on the fragrant air, spoke of a discord, not now in nature’s heart, but in man’s.



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Map of the first skirmishing of Shiloh.


Commanded by Col Peabody. Sunday Morning about a quarter past five April 6th 1862.


Begun by a reconnoitering party of 3 companies from the 25th MO. Finding the pickets of the bivouacked Confederate army some 3 miles in front of the Federal Camps + firing on them.


(From left to right) (in purple ink): Main Confed. Army back about a mile + all advancing by half past five A.M.


Advance of Shaver’s Brig. To (???) picket line.


Maj Hardcastle’s Battalion of the 3rd Miss = ½ m in front of Woods Brigade, Hardee’s Corp.


100 yds. ahead Lt McNulty 200 yds. ahead of McNulty Lt. Hammock. The skirmish here located about an hour or until 6 A.M.


(In red ink) 3 companies of 25th MO, Col. Peabody’s Brig. Of Prentiss’ Div. encounter the C.S. pickets here at 14 (???) past 5 AM – Sunday Apr. 6th + drives them in to Lt. McNulty’s reserve line. Then they retreat until met ½ mile from camp by 5 co’s of the 21st MO under Col. (???) where they stay + the rest of the 21st comes up – advances 300 meters + meets (???) C.S. Brig + retreats back to camp.


Camp of 53d Ohio, Hildebrand’s Brigade of Sherman’s Div. advances to front beyond all other camps.


(In purple ink) Shaver’s Brig of Hindman’s Div of Hardee’s Corp advancing after the skirmish on picket line meets the advance of Col’s Peabody + Moore of Prentiss’ Div + compel it to fall back to camp.


The skirmish here lasted about half an hour or until 6:30 a.m.


(In red ink) J Cos. Of the 21st MO come up to support of the first 5.


(In purple ink) Shaver’s + Wood’s brigades then advance + striking the left of Sherman + right of Prentiss’ lines near their camp = the lines are developed + the battle fairly (???) The first C.S. Cannon fired at 7 a.m.


The ground is beautiful upland + covered with large oaks, black, white, + post with very little underbrush.



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Sketch of terrain: Captioned: Old house still standing – 1888 on the site of Monterey, Tenn. Used by various regiments for a hospital + by ours also. I think the road to the right is the main Corinth road to Pittsburg Landing + is the one on which Bragg’s Corps marched to Siloh.

The one to the left is the one followed by Hardee as he passed on to gain the Federal right wing. Drawing made May, 1888.



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Sketch of troop movements: captioned: April 6 Sunday Morning. Picket firing began early. Gen Sherman however ate breakfast then (wrote) out –lines forward 400 yds in front of (???) regt.

Sherman was fired on by rebels + his orderly killed. Artillery opened up + the whole battle (???)



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Photo of memorial for Louisianans killed at Siloh
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The road our camp was on was called River Road. It ran from the Landing to the left of our camp a road branched off from the river road, + went to Corinth by way of the Shiloh church. This road was called (I think) the Corinth road. It was the Western Corinth road. The River road also went to Hamburg Landing miles south of Pittsburg landing. A few rods on further to the left i.e. South of where the Corinth road crossed the River road another road also crossed the river road also going toward Corinth + coming in the angle formed by crossing McArthur our Brigade Comander had his hdqrs + near him the 9th Ill. Was camped.


Across the river road in front of our camp there was a light hollow with trees + across this a little way an open cotton field with peach trees all nicely blossomed + out into this many of us ran to listen. As we listened the fired seemed to be considerably to the left + on the extreme front, which was some 2 miles from our camp. Suddenly the firing seemed to come nearer + to sweep around to the right. We said – this is a battle + went back to camp. No one there seemed to know any more about it that we did. The drum beat for guard mount + we camp guards got our things + began to take our place in line – when suddenly the drum beat changed to the long roll + about the same time we heard the long roll in the camps around us – the men had already -



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Encampments of Shilo


Map captioned at bottom: Our encampment April 6th 1862


The situation when the attack was made: Heavy skirmishing began on the “Bark Road”



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(Continued from page previous) begun to put on their equipment + were ready. The colors came out + we began to form our line instantly. The camp guards who were already in line were ordered to take their places with their respective companies + in 5 minutes the Regt. Stood ready for action. We moved out of camp Under Col. B.S. Compton. To the left a little past the first road to Corinth + halted near McArthur’s hdqrs. The 9th Ill (Col. Aug. Mersey) stood there in line + soon the 12th came up. They had on gray uniform coats, short skirted + faced with light blue trimming – also gray caps. This color had caused them some trouble at Donelson + while waiting in line some wagons drove up with the regulation blue U.S. uniform coats + blouses which were distributed + as fast as possible the change was made from gray coats to blue. A good fit not always being possible in the haste – letters etc were hastily taken from the old coats + transferred to new + the old coats were left in a pile on the ground. Meanwhile the roar of the battle on the front was continuous. Artillery had joined in. We kept track of one particular gun which made a peculiar report when discharged + every time it went off we said – our boys are still there. By this time however, we were aware from the sounds that our lines were falling back. While waiting here a battery went galloping by turning up the road to Corinth + soon lost to view in the woods. Stragglers from the front, wounded men in wagons began to come in + all with a story of disaster. A man on horseback galloped wildly on toward the landing exclaiming that the front line was all gone. A battery lost. “Fall-in, fall-in”



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Heavily annotated map of battle lines and troop movement



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April 3,4,5


Federal Movements April 3rd


Buckland’s Brigade went out to “Mickey’s” about 5 miles from his camp + skirmished with the advance of Cleburn’s Brig.


Federal Movements Friday April 4th


The C.S. Cavalry clashed on Buckland’s picket line + captured 8 men. Sherman sent out 150 Cavalry. Maj. Crockett + a company of Infy scouting beyond Picket Line captured. Col Buckland took a Battalion of Infy + charged C.S. Cavalry – driving out a mile – where he met a line of battle with artillery which fired on him. This was Cleburn’s brigade at Mickley’s – Buckland fell back to camp with 10 prisoners.


Gen L. Wallace at Crump’s landing reconnoitered toward Purdy + saw Cheatham’s div. getting ready to move + had his Div. in line of battle, lest he be attacked by it.


Sat Apr. 5th


While the C.S. army was getting into line of battle. Sherman’s line of picket’s strengthened. In P.M. Prentiss sent out 3 cos of 21st MO with Col. Peabody –who went out (???) N.W. but found nothing + returned to camp + Gen. McClernand went with Col. McPherson out toward Hamburg, but saw only a few scouts.


No serious apprehensions of an attack in force was felt in the Federal army Sat. Night.


Positions of C.S. Forces


Thursday morning April 3rd – just before marching


By Saturday April 5th they were all in line just by or beyond Mickey’s – about 4 miles from Federal campts + from the landing. There was skirmishing on Thursday, Friday, + Saturday while the C.S. troops were getting into position, but not enough to alarm generally the Federal camp.


The C.S. Orders were to attack at 8 a.m. Saturday, but the formation was not completed until Saturday night – hence the attack was delayed until Sunday morning.



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C.S. Army in Corinth,


Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston commanding


Gen. B.C.J. Beauregard – second in command.


Gens Bragg, Hardee, + Polk – Corp Commanders


With Breckenridge com’d reserve.


(Ruggles, withers) (Hindman) Cleburn’s Bregade – Clark + Cheatham = Division Commandrs


Ruggles Division (Gibson, Anderson, Pond) Wither’s Div. (Gladden, Chalmers, Jackson) Hindman’s Div. (Shaver, Wood) Clark’s Div. (Russel, A.L. Stweart) Cheatham’s Div (B.R. Johnson, Stephans)


Trabue, Bowen, Statham, Brigade Comdrs, each Brigade had 4 Regiments + a battery, except cleburns which had 6 regts + 2 batteries + woods which had 5 ½ regts. There were 3 ½ regts of cavalry commanded by Forest.


= 2 Generals


4 Corps Commanders


5 Division Comdrs


15 Brig Comdrs


1 Cavalry General


63 Duty Regt Comdrs


16 Batteries with Infy.


In all about 40,000 men, 64 cannons


Battle formation – first Hardee’s Corp / Interval of 1000 yards/ second Bragg’s Corp /interval of 1000 yards/ Polk’s Corps + Breckenridge


The regts marched doubled at the center. This formation said to be faulty as the longest lines became confused & broken easily


Hardee’s orders were to attack at 8 A.M. Saturday Apr. 5. He deployed into line at 10 A.M. found he could not reach from Owl Creek to Sick Creek + bought up Gladdeus Brig from Braggs Corps + put it on his right next to Sick Creek.


Wither’s Div. Of Bragg’s Corp then moved up behind Gladden as support. Ruggles Div moved up as the right of Bragg’s line.


Cheatham’s Div. came in from Purdy + Polk’s the third line.


Breckenridge then got up in front of Monterey as Reserve + the line of battle was complete, but it was too late in the day to attack. The army bivouacked in their lines for the night.



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There appeared to be a lull in the firing. We had noticed these brief cessations in firing before. Soon after which each time the firing would break out nearer + more furiously – this it did whil we were waiting here. Presently the 9th + 12th Ill. Col Aug Mersy + Chetlain moved out to the west toward the firing + we saw them no more that day. Other troops were moving also. We were now marched back to camp+ there we lay listening to the fight until about 11 o’clock AM. – Then an orderly came galloping to our camp. At once we were ordered into line + moved to the right on the river road toward Crump’s Landing. We marched fully a mile I should judge – the sound of battle getting more to our left + rear until it seemed as if we must be going away from it entirely. The 81st Ohio – Col. Thos. Morton was with us, but whether ahead our regt. Or following us do not recollect. The advance was at a bridge over Snake Creek just where Owl Creek empties into Snake Creek. Here we halted strung out along the road for 1/4th of a mile. There was a level open meadow in front, rather wet + across it on the opposite side westward ½ mile, the timber + brush came down to the edge of the meadow. While lying here, we observed groups of men coming out of the woods + brush + advancing into the meadow. We were at once drawn up into line. To await their approach as they came nearer we saw that they were union soldiers. At first we thought they might be the enemy. They proved to be from the 72nd Ohio a part of which had been broken up and fled. Their Lieutenant Col (Cawfield) having been mortally wounded at the first opening of Confederate fire upon Sherman near the Shilo Church. We halted them until –


* Maj crockett having been captured in a skirmish April 4th, Col Ralph P. Buckland of the 72nd Com’d the 4th Brigade 5th Div.



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Map of Sunday Night position of Two Armies


Captioned at bottom as follows: As the two armies lay Sunday night the C.S. in the captured U.S. camps – both for shelter + to be out of the reach of gunboats.


The U.S. army (???) the landing + receiving reinforcements from Lew Wallace the right + Buell on the left.



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(Continued from previous page)


-Until all who were likely to come were collected when the reformed regt. Under one of its captains (I think) marched back on the river road towards the Landing – they said had been “All cut up” by the enemy.


After remaining an hour or so at the bridge, we were marched slowly back toward the landing on the River Road. We now realized that we were on the extreme right wing of the army. We saw now cavalry beyond us or near us anywhere + concluded that we must be doing the office of cavalry + were guarding the right flank.


(A newspaper clipping regarding the Shiloh chapter of Savanna and an attempt to retrace Confederate battle lines lies over part of the text, blocking it)


…to our camp again. Halting in the road a


…we moved directly to the front in the woods


…our left resting on the Western Corinth Road.


…orchard was to our right somewhat. Shut off a little by brush. Over the slight rise of ground + apparently a little beyond the field, there was heavy + continuous firing.


This firing was on the other side of Tillman’s Creek + I presume was by the right brigade, i.e. Oglesbys’ of McClernand Div. which was heavily assaulted by Confederates + forced back to somewhere near McArthur’s hdqrs. The bullets did not strike us, but the firing seemed very close. Stragglers + wounded men were coming out of the woods, continuously + moving off to the left + down the river road. Suddenly the firing in our front ceased + dripped away to the left. We did not see the backward move of our men as it was concealed by the trees, but it must have been across our front + to the left, very abruptly. This left our thin line of Sharpshooters + 81st Ohio open to the advance of the Confederates, but they did not come on. They must



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Map of army positions. Captioned below as follows: The advance of 4 of Buell’s Divisions – green color. Monday April 7th


Of Lew. Wallace + 1 Div.


+ Grant’s army –(???) McClernand, Sherman + W.H.L Wallace fragments Col (???)



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(Continued from previous page)


Have been used up + exhausted themselves, perhaps obliged to not replenish ammunition. We were not put into motion forward. We filed out into the Cornith Road, crossed the little ravine + began to ascend the hill. This was considerably to the left of the cotton field, looking N.W. to our right hand as we went up the road lay a wagon full of knapsacks, broken + overturned. The knapsacks spilled out in a pile on the ground. We saw a dismounted cannon + other evidence of hasty departure. Trees also, here + there, showed marks of shot as we gained the top of the hill. We went on I should say, (finally) a quarter of a mile + when fairly on the somewhat level ground, or plateau of the hill, we were deployed to the right + left of the road as skirmishers. The 81st Ohio were across the little ravine behind us, which we has just crossed + were in line on the hill there as our (???) While deploying a few shots whistled over us. After deploying we moved cautiously forward a couple of rods. The timber was large + fine, with not very much underbrush here. As we peered ahead we discovered 4 bright brass howitzers 12 pounders I should guess. I can distinctly see them yet. They shone in the sun + their muzzles were toward us. They were perhaps 15 yards away. We saw no men around them or near them. There was a disposition to rush forward + get these guns so that we might say we had captured a batteries, but the officers restrained the men saying, they, the guns might belong to our side – that we did not know just what was in our front. But were feeling out to see. So we left the guns alone, but we were not



Page 26

Map of the Camp at Owl Creek. The army slowly moving out toward Corinth.



Page 27

Newspaper clipping

Details a reunion of the soldiers at Shiloh/Pittsburg Landing, the raising of a monument and the turning of the area into a national park



Page 28

To remain in ignorance very long as to who were in our front. Bullets began whizzing over our heads + spattering the trees around us. The men on my right commenced firing. I could as yet see no one to shoot at. Our company began firing + some to (run) back down the hill. I heard Lieutenant Adams ordering them up to the line again. Still, I saw no one to shoot at – though firing + smoke around me was getting heavy. Suddenly however I saw enough. The woods in front of us + between us + 4 guns were full of (???) cavalrymen – there was said to be an entire brigade of these fellows upon us, + we thought so from their numbers. But it was 5 companies of an unattached cavalry (Under command of Captain Jno. A. Wharton, who had seen the exposed battery + came to its rescue. See Reports Vol. X, series I. (Ranger’s Regt.))


They were received with a deadly fire and many a saddle was emptied. (The Ranger’s remained on pickit near here all night. The rangers lost 66K + W + 56 horses in the two days.) But we cannot get our rifles loaded in a hurry. It takes time to pour out our powder + get into the rifle. Then to get a bullet; a patch + grease it. Cover the bullet + get it started into the muzzle of the rifle. Some have (???) balls + have to use a “starter” with their bullets. And there to drive the ball home with our wooden ramrods requires (earl) lest we get the ramrod stuck in the gun + so break + loose a ramrod. After loading we have to cap our rifles with small tight fitting caps: All this requires time + deliberation – but with a regiment of cavalry firing at you; with empty rifles around you + no bayonets there is not a feeling of deliberation in the average man’s breast. We were not armed, nor equipped to withstand cavalry charges + to stay there was to invite capture. The command was given to fall back down the hill. I made



Page 29

Map of the area, with a list of troop placement. Towards the bottom is inscribed.


“By torch and trumpet fast arrayed.


Each Horseman drew his battle blade


And furious, every charger neighed.


To “quit” the dreadful revelry”



Page 30

Letter to friend – Sheffield Ills. May 24 ‘88


Dear Comrade,

Your (???) – Good to hear from you. In answer would say, the (???) on April 6th ’62 – or Pittsburg Landing – our regt was (???) to the front on our right, we went west from our camp, and crossed a small creek. (Tillman’s creek). The name I never heard. We advanced part way up the (???) + then formed our lines. – (???) after the Reb. Cav. Attacked us. The (???) you know – two of the rebels went (???) over lines. Across the creek to our rear and were killed. After we were ordered back across the creek – (called scouts) to support a battery – over the (???) end of a (???) from the end we well stuck to the extreme right on Owl Creek – and (???) hundreds of stragglers. As to (???) I sent you by mail a map – if you could read it (???) can find out – and to our (???) we (???) to the



Page 31

2 (???) 2nd Div. army of the Tennessee, I also enclose a map as to the camp and positions of the army at P. Landing, you can return these when (???) with them. We (???) our regimental reunion (???) aug. 15 + 16, you (???) come and tied the (???) how things look (???) they will all be glad to see you (???) (???) (???) (???) to come without fail. (???) Family are all well.

Yours –(???)



Page 32

Haste to obey. My companion Marcus Wood however had not been able to shoot off his 2nd load at the enemy. The powder would not come into the nipple of his riffle. He snapped several caps, but the gun would not go off. He said he wanted to get it off anyway + if I would stay by he would. Looking up to where we were a moment ago on the level ground we saw it thronging with rebels + the white puffs of smoke from their guns spit out at us as we dodged along down the hill. I saw one of our men coming down holding his hand to his face + from between his fingers the blood was flowing. It was not a good place to stay, some of the men were firing back from behind trees + getting behind a good sized one I told Mark Wood to hurry up + I would stay with him. He saw down at the foot of a tree – poured out some of the powder in the palm of his left hand. Took a pin and began to push the powder into the nipple of his rifle. After what seemed an hour he got the nipple full, put on a cap, poked his head out + fired. Then we scud on down the hill. As I came on down to the bottom I met Jim Dutro. Who with empty rifle was running to get across + up the other side, when where we saw the 81st Ohio in line, ready to fire as soon as we, with others, were out of the way. We turned a moment to look back up the road to the hill where we had deployed + in that moment it seemed as if a dozen cavalrymen rode up, slung their carbines round, aimed + fired. How wickedly the flash from the muzzles of these carbines broke out toward us, + the balls went whipping by. We looked only a second + went on. Just then Jim bent double + groaned “I’m hit” he turned pale, but it was only a glancing bullet.



Page 33

Sketch of Hill east of Tillman’s creek. Captioned:


In which the 66th Ills or W.S.S. formed in line + met the Texas Cavalry – the Confederate battery was just to the…


The road not in sight here – the 81st Ohio Infy. Were formed along the hill to the right – by the road + in our rear. The creek did not have much water in it here.


Newspaper Clippings:

Battles on Sundays, talking about how a majority of important battles seem to fall on Sunday. The author writes Shilo, Sunday, Apr. 6.



Page 34

Newspaper clipping

Brave Man Honored – memorial to Edward Colman.



Page 35

Pictured, heavily annotated Map of Sherman’s Fight. April 6th 1862


Sherman’s Div. was the 5th. He had 4 brigades.


1st Col. McDowell. 3 rgts. 6 IA, 46 O, 40 Ill,+ Beters Btty.


2nd Col. Stuart, 3 rgts, 55 Ils,54 + 71 O.


3rd Col Hildebrand. 3 rgts. 53, 57, 77th O + Waterhouse’s Btty.


4th Col. Buckland. 3 rgts, 48, 70. 72 O + Taylor’s btty.



Page 36

News clipping

Obituary for Wm. Henry Sauders Born 1832 died 1903, fellow member of the W.S.S.



Page 37

Which had struck the limb of a tree + then whizzed down against the lower part of Jim’s stomach. I started toward him, but he said_ It’s nothing. + we ran for the top of the hill + got into line there behind trees with the 81st Ohio on our right. (In red ink) Col Hildebrand of Sherman’s Div. who had lost his brigade early in the morning is said to have assisted us in making this (???) with a regt. of stragglers he had picked up.


The rebels opened fire on us with their 4 guns + sent shell over to us lively, but did not come on further than to the hill where they had found us deployed. They seemed to be satisfied with holding that + shelling us. Two cannon were brought around from somewhere + placed behind us in the 81st Ohio Camp, which replied to the rebel guns/ (These came from Morton’s Indian Brigade under command of Lieutenant Bieler by order of Gen. Sherman to help hold the bridge. Morton’s Indian Brigade was commanded by Capt. Behr who was killed on the left flank of Buckland’s Brigade. The battery captured except the two guns with us.) We put out some pickets to watch for an advance + then broke ranks to get some water + eat a bite of hardtack. During the skirmish on the hill one man in my company was shot dead + others were wounded. In this Confederate report of the battle on Sunday, it is said that a considerable force was found in the camps on their extreme left. This force was our regt. + the 81st Ohio with the two cannons. We did not know of any force whatever on our right except for that Gen Lew. Wallace with a Div. of 5,000 men was said to be coming upon the river road from Crump’s Landing 5 miles below. On our immediate left we knew of no force at all. But I understand that late in the pm the 9th Ill. Which had been in the fight on the extreme left + lost 360 men out of 600 + got out of ammunition had retired to their camp + were there – considerably on our left until dark when we all went back to our camps. Between 4 + 5 P.M we were lying loosely in line behind trees + when the firing on the left



Page 38

Picture of a picket. Labeled and captioned as follows:


Concord Mass, April 19 1775


16 miles N.W. from Boston, this looks as realistic as any picket post attack or skirmishing paths or advance firing attack as I ever saw. One can almost hear the pop of the guns



Page 39

Breakdown of the Army of Tenn. Under Maj. Gen. Grant.


At the bottom it says: Total force: Officers 1,987


Men 42,908 } 44,895


Guns 62


Total: K 1513, W 6601


Officers: 18 Men 1426 Officers 336. Men 6265


Captured: Officers 115, Men 2,318 Total Loss: 10,944



Page 40

Heavily annotated map of McClerand’s fight, April 6th



Page 41

Continued from previous page.


From ½ to ¾ of a mile away seemed to blaze up into tremendous energy + fury. We never heard rapid musketry firing afterward surpass this. The air fairly vibrated + shook. It seemed as if the ground jarred. Artillery roar was continuous. A heavier roar broke in occasionally which we thought to be the gunboat cannon. The air was full of missiles, round shot cut off the branches of trees – cut small ones up + split large ones open. Shell burst on every hand. We were taking the overshot from the rebel side. (Ruggles had massed 11 batteries upon Prentiss + W.H.L Wallace,) The 4 guns in front of us put in their voices upon us + our two guns replied. Pattering shots from our told us the rebels had pickets + were watching us about as we were watching them. The air was full of smoke. To the left the smoke cloud rose above the trees. The firing seemed to sweep in. The musketry roll was incessant. We strained our eyes from every available point to see what was going on. The rebel pickets taunted ours with the cry “You fellers just catching hell over there” – And it seemed as if we were.


Through openings we could get glimpses of what seemed to be lines + masses of rebel troops pressing on weathered in smoke + soot in the brush. The advantages seemed certainly to be with the rebels + we began to talk about the chances of escape + to say we guessed the “Johnnies” were making up for Donelson. Still, we were in pretty good shape to give an assaulting column a warm welcome had they come on us – though how long we could have stood it is impossible to conjecture. We heard once that the rebels had gained the landing, but we did not believe it- Presently the firing lulled somewhat. This was doubtless the time of Prentiss’ surrender in the afternoon at the Hornet’s nest.



Page 42

A map of Federal movement.



Page 43

Break down of the Army of Ohio under Maj. Gen. D.C. Buell



Page 44

(Continued from Previous Page)


Presently the firing is renewed, but not with energy. It straggles here + there on the left + is feeble in our front. Toward sundown we hear cheering toward the landing + notes of a brass band. This is Nelson’s Div. of Buell’s army crossing the river. The soldiers are glad to see them. (???) Brig. Gets into line + moves out in front, where a few shots close the days fighting. At dusk Lew. Wallace’s Div. gets in from Crump’s landing. Our regt. has moved back on a line with the River Road + we greet Wallace’s men with a cheer as they tramp on (The 24th Ind. Col. Alvin P. Hovey was in advance + mentioned our cheer in his report). They form line in front of us + the 81st Ohio move out on the little hill we had been holding all afternoon. There are now 5,000 men where there had been about 1600 in the (p.m). We are relieved + go to our camp. What a sight: I limbs of trees shot off. Laying around in our Co. streets – trees split + cut – tents torn by shot + shell + general confusion. One man found a 61st solid shot which had rolled through the tent on one side + up against his knapsack on the other. Pushing a little ways into the knapsack + there stopping. We got our supper + a rainstorm coming up, made up shelter as we could + tried to sleep. But all night at intervals the roar of the gunboat 64 ponders filled the woods + reverberated along the valley. The swish of their terrible shell was heard awakening friend + foe, so we passed the night. There was very little firing all seemed to be glad enough to have it stop over night.


Drawing of a House in which Gen. A.S. Johnson’s Body Laid after Shiloh in North room. Geo. W. Bills, a sergeant in Batt. G 1st Ohio lt. artillery is honorably mentioned by his Capt. Joseph Bartlett as deserving particular praise in action at Shiloh. The battery fired 600 rounds.


Lieutenant Crable commanded right section


Lieutenant Osborne the center


Lieutenant Marshall the left.


This battery slew 59 men + 13 horses with its shot.



Page 45

Annotated Map of Wallace and Prentiss’ fight



Page 46

April 7th 1862 – Monday. (In red ink) Island No 10 surrendered to Pope. 7000 men, 125 cannon.


The morning broke dull, wet, cheerless. We made up little fires + got some coffee + hardtack to eat. By daylight the men of Lew. Wallace’s Div. were astir, swapping caps + getting ready for the advance which all understood to be the programme today. Sharpshooters, cleaned + dried their rifles + got ammunition ready – Artillery firing opened promptly + some shells + shot flow over our camp. About 7 o’clock Lew Wallace moved out, but found no enemy in front. I saw the 11th Indiana cross the cotton field in good style – reaching the other side safely, having met only a skirmish fire from the fence + brush. The advance seemed to be general from the river on west. Our regiment was order out + into line on the right of Lew. Wallace’s Div. Our Div. Commander, temporarily – W.H.L Wallace was mortally wounded yesterday P.M. about 5 o’clock. The guard detail was sent to bury our dead – as one of that detail I helped to bury the man from our company + one other man. I also dressed a wound in the foot of one of the 11th Ind. Who was shot while crossing the cotton field. There was some heavy artillery firing by one of Wallace’s batteries. I saw the battery as it came back to cool guns + get ammunition. The men were black with powder as negroes + so deaf with the concussions that they could hear only as one hollered loudly in their ears. About 11 A.M. the Confederates were giving sway at all points. By 2 P.M. all of Prentiss + Sherman’s camps were regained. I saw Cavalry moving through



Page 47

List of Confederate Army regiments, brigades, and divisions involved in battle at Shiloh. Infy. 53,334, artillery, 2,586, cavalry, 3,854


Losses – Killed 1,728, Wounded, 8,012, Captured - -, Missing 959, Total losses – 10,699.



Page 48

Map of Hurlbut’s fight and troop movements – April 6 1862


12 regt


3 batteries, 6 Ills, 1 IA, 3 Ind, 2 KY


Hurlbut’s Div was the 4th. He had 3 brigades:


Col Williams, 4 regts (3rd IA, 28, 32, 41st Ills) Col Veatch, 4 regts (25th Ind, 14, 15, 46th Ills) Brig Gen. Lauman, 4 regtsm (31, 44th Ind, 17, 25, KY)

Mans Batty. 4 guns


Ross 2nd Mich – lost


Myers 13th Ohio: Deserted by (???)



Page 49

Shiloh April 7th 1862, Monday


(Continued from previous page) the woods on our right as if going out in pursuit. In a valley like a sort of a place we saw where a regiment had been surrounded + captured the guns with bayonets fixed were stuck in the ground in two long parallel rows. The men had been sent to the rear + the guns left where put + there they stayed + came back into Uncle Sam’s hands again. We saw where Sherman’s men obliged to leave their camps – had broken open boxes of musket cartridges + filled the boxes with bean soup. The cooks had been boiling for breakfast so the johnnies got neither soup nor cartridges. The poor tents stood in the long rows as left, but were full of shot holes. The sutlers + Q.M. tents + officers tents were thoroughly riddled by plunderers. Dead men of both sides were scattered about. I saw some dead in bunks, evidently wounded men who had been picked up + laid there to die. Some were yet breathing.


Between 3 + 4 p.m. we returned to our camp. Behind us later in the day we heard their mournful roll call. Both regiments suffered heavily.


Picture of battle captioned as follows: Scene of the surrender of one of the regiments on the right, April 6th in the forenoon.


Muskets stacked + cartridge boxes scattered around.


Company tents in the rear as I saw April 7th about 4 p.m. on way to Corinth. The camp was well to front on the right, looking N.W.



Page 50

April, 8th, 1862, Tuesday


This morning a cold rain set in + the roads now full of wagons + ambulances rapidly became almost impassable. They were very nearly so from Sunday nights rain. Today I went over the battle ground. Everywhere the fury of the fight was manifest. I first took the Corinth road out to the Shiloh meeting house. The little log house stood there on the slope of a slight hill near the top – at the foot of the hill there was a fine spring, the waters now bubbling up + running off clear as crystal toward a little creek – Oak Creek which ran west about half a mile + emptied into Shiloh Creek, which ran N.W. almost a mile + emptied into Owl Creek near the Purdy road bridge. Owl creek ran on N.E. 2 ½ miles + emptied into Snake Creek near the road to Crump’s Landing + Snake Creek went N.E. then E + then south some 2 ¼ miles + emptied into the Tennessee of to the left or S.E. of the road a rod or two I should say. Long trees white oak, black oak, Birch, were around it, around in the woods here the men of both sides lay dead in profusion. Battery horses, mangled dreadfully were very thick. I saw one force struck by the tail + the entire back bone ploughed out by a cannon shot. Men lay dead in every shape, some grasping their guns tightly, some with ramrods in their hand, some with cartridges between the teeth, some lay across each other. In one case, one with a ramrod in his head. Ramrods sticking into trees could be seen occasionally.



Page 51

(Continued from page previous) Trees, solid white oaks, 50, 60 inches in circumference were cut clean off by shot. Many men were yet breathing, but unconscious. The rain had beaten into their bloodless faces + made them shrunken + white like cloth. It was common to see men shot in the head lying unconscious, but breathing for many hours. And frequently the hand would be at the hole in the skull, With the fingers in the wound working there while the brain was oozing out. No assistance could be given these men. If one gently removed the hand, it would work back up to the wound + scratch as if the wound itched + it would do this until strength was exhausted + death came.


There was blood on the trees – on the branch + leaves, where the rain had not washed it away + in clotted pools on the ground. Burial parties were already out collecting + identifying our men. The confederates were also collected + buried, but not identified – long shallow trenches were dug + from 50 to 100 bodies put in each – covered with brush or blankets, + the dirt filled in on top, a barrel stave or board there marked the spot. From Shiloh Creek, I went on around toward the river. Do not remember identifying the place where Prentiss + W.H.L Wallaces Divisions fought so long at the “Hornet’s Nest” but recollect the woods + ravines, in One place I saw 7 dead men, all killed by one ricochet shot from the gunboats – They were standing behind each other partly behind a large oak tree – evidently watching in the direction of the river. The shot struck near the foot of the tree some 8 feet from the nearest man, ploughing up the earth + striking the first man just above the knees, cut off both his legs, he probably died from shock + bleeding. The next man’s thighs were cut out



Page 52

(Continued from page previous) the third man’s bowels were completely torn away, the 4th man’s stomach + surroundings – the 5th man had a hole as large as a stove pipe squarely though his chest, the 6th + 7th had their heads taken off. The 7th man’s skull was cleft into as squarely as a cocoa nut shell is cut + the face of the 6th man, cut off precisely like a mask, lay over the 7th man’s half skull. The fragments of the bodies lay around under that tree. I never saw such mutilation from one shot before or afterward. I went around to the spot where it was said the body of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson lay. There was a body there in a clump of oak bushes, it was an officer of some kind. The gold lace had been stripped from his sleeves. It was not Gen. Johnson of course, who it was I never knew. Having seen all I cared to I returned to camp. Some of our stragglers came in. during the battle we heard much of the straggling at the landing. It was said men took wagon boxes + tried to paddle across the river in them – I saw none of this + I think few of our regt. saw anything of it. Yet some of our men straggled. I remember when on the hill where we met the Texas Cavalry one quite old, gray haired man of my company had somehow got to the foot of the hill + was ensconced behind a big log there, before there were any orders to fall back. Lieutenant Adams saw him + ordered him up the hill. He did not come + Adams shook his sword at him, ordering him roughly back to his place. Says the old man to Adams. “Lieut. You just tend to your own business now + I’ll tend to mine.”



Page 53

Camp at Owl Creek


April 9th 1862 – Wednesday


Our roll call shows several missing yet. The losses on the U.S. side are 1754 killed, 8408 wounded, 2,885, mostly Prentiss’s men taken prisoner. The C.S. losses were fully 11,000. The rain continues + the roads are almost impassable. Troops are already moving.


The wounded + sick are taken on steamers down the river to Cairo + St. Louis we have orders to move our camp out at the Purdy road, some two miles near Owl Creek. Today we struggle wearily out, through the mud + pitch our old shot torn + leaky tents on a ridge of ground near an old mill. We are in timber + brush with a large open field to our left if we stand looking south. The creek is to our right in low, overflowed ground. The road runs down the hill in front of us – i.e. south. Crossing first Shilo creek + about 500 yards on Owl Creek, the bridge yet remains.


April 10th Thursday


Rain still falling. It seems that we are out here to guard the bridge + road coming in from Purdy. A company of cavalry are nearby + excepting these we see no troops.


April 11th Friday – (In red ink) Gen Mitchel cavalry raid in Tenn + Miss.


Gen. Halleck arrives at Pittsburg Landing + takes command. April 21st Pope comes in from Island No. 10


Rain pouring night + day. Our picket stations are flooded + many times the men stand knee deep in water.


April 12th, Saturday. Still pouring. (in red ink) Gen Halleck arrives + takes personal command. Nicolay says it was on the 11th.Dana + Wilson in Life of Grant say it was the 19th when Halleck arrived.


April 13th Sunday – Rain. Everything soaking wet.


April 14th Monday – Rain showers. Rations getting poor + scanty. (In red ink) Pope’s army + footes flotilla arrive before Ft. Pillow, which defends Memphis.


April 15th Tuesday. Some rifts of sky + sunshine. (In purple ink) Bureaugard reports his force, now at Corinth as 63, 286, of all arms. (In red ink) Halleck ordered Pope + army to join him at Pittsburg Landing, leaving Foote with gunboats + 3,000 men at Pillow. Van Dorn from Arkansas joins Bureaugard at Corinth.


April 16th. Wednesday – Rain. Men are getting sick. (In red ink) War declared upon Mexico by France.



Page 54

April 17th 1862 Thursday – Heavy Showers.


April 18th Friday – moved camp into open field. –See Wilson’s Letter


April 19th Saturday. Everything overflowed. (In red ink) Battle of South Mills, S.C. Gen Reno + Burnside occupy the coasts.


April 20th Sunday – We are about used up with this picket duty in swamps.


April 21st Monday – No alleviation of distress.


April 22nd Feel pretty sick. About a third the men are in Hospital. (In red ink) Pope with 20,000 men arrives at Pittsburg Landing to join Halleck. He disembarked at Hamburg Landing 4 miles above Pittsburg.


April 23rd Wednesday – Today I give up.


A distressing bilious diarrhea has reduced me so that I cannot walk – the Dr., a civilian on duty from St. Louis for a month or so has given me medicine, Opiom, Potash + Mercury chiefly, but it does no good. He orders me into Hospital. I turn over the rifle, I think so much of + never see it again. Also all my accoutrements + am taken to the regimental hospital.


This is formed of two large wall tents placed end to end with a space between over which a fly is stretched. The tents are old, mouldy, and leak badly. The accommodate 22 men each. There are no cots – only brush + leaves on the ground + a few blankets to each man. Everything is wet, steaming, and forlorn. The tents are full to their utmost capacity. Most of the men have diarrhea or dysentery + some have typhoid + Bilious fever. As one goes in the smell is sickening. The men lay in rows, 11 on a side with a path in between in the middle. This path is muddy.


Picture of hospital tent, and the inside rows of cots, captioned: Tent open to show beds – 22 of them.



Page 55

Wilson’s letter


(First page to letter located several pages down) My old comrade, (???) (???) (???) sorry to hear of (???) severe (???) E.D. was telling me that you (???) unwell, but I did not suppose that you were so poorly as to your being in Hospital at Owl Creek. I remember that I called in to see you several times and that you were in a bad condition. You came laying on the ground with a blanket under you. On Sunday, April 19th, I was detailed as (???) of the (???) guard, down along Owl Creek. It rained hard all day and night and I think that it was on the 20th after coming from off guard, I went into The old tent to (???) your (and you told men of getting your leg) (???) of this tent. I know that you told me of it, and I think that it was the night of the 19th that you got your (???) I remember when you (???) as if it were yesterday, and we of the C.S. thought you would never recover, I do not remember how long you had there in the tent. As we moved our camps to that (???) on April 17th, I think you were in Hospital before that, you send (???) are (???) and I will fill it out hoping it will help you. (On top of page) (???) here all as usual. A good many are complaining of colds.
Page 57

April 24th Thursday


With all the rain the weather has been growing warmer. The trees are in full leaf. The wet + spongy ground covered with grass + flowers + all through the camp where mules + artillery + cavalry horses have been fed the growth of oats is abundant. The showers are shorter + interspersed with sunshine. The birds frightened away by the battle are returning + making the woods ring with their songs. Today the regt. Rec;d orders to abandon camp + old tents and move on toward Corinth. The hospital is to remain where it is until the sick can be transported to the landing + thence on steamers North. The men move our leisurely + many leaving old clothes + blankets which are sadly infected with camp lice + take up their march toward Corinth. It is the first time I have been left behind because unable to move. My wet + foul bed in the hospital was the corner bed next to the canvas. I had propped up a few inches of the canvas with a stick so as to let fresh air in to breathe + shut away the horrible smells. Through this little opening I lay + looked out at the ground + as much of the woods as I could see, except when it rained when I had to let down the (???) to prevent the spatter from coming in. As the rgts marched out I laid + looked out at it through my opening + when the last man was out of sight, I turned over on my back + cried. I felt abandoned – deserted to die here like a dog + none could help it. There was great mortality in these tents. Three men in the tent I am in died today + were carried out pale + stiff. Others come from somewhere + are assigned their places in the tent.



Page 58

April 25th 1862, Friday (in red ink) Gen. Butler captures New Orleans.


It rains again today. This morning I awake from a feverish sleep + find that my left knee being bent had projected out under the canvass + had been soaking for I knew not how long. On the under + left side it was numb. I rubbed + pinched + tried to get the circulation back. This leg never recovered its right feeling + now, 23 yrs afterward when I am copying this diary into this book the left side of knee + left side of thigh is still numb + useless. I was unfortunate in being in a corner where I was like by to get wet. But more fortunate in being there from the fact that I could look out, could get fresh air + had a sick + dying man on one side of me only. (Lt. Wilson says it was on the 20th I had this experience)


The man lying by my side on the right is an old man + he seems to lie asleep + unconscious most of the time. Occasionally he rouses up + with a groan turns himself. The evacuations from his bowels are uncontrolled + his clothing +blankets are in horrible shape. The stench is almost unendurable. The nurses are simply soldiers who have been in the tent sick + who are recovering, but are not well + strong enough to return to duty in the regt. They try to wash + dry blankets – but with only a few blankets to make changes + with a leaky tent + much rain + 44 sick men, the blankets are very foul.



Page 59

Layout of the town of New Orleans



Page 60

Map of the layout of New Orleans (Business portion)



Page 61

Breakdown of the army of Tennessee



Page 62

April 26 1862 Saturday – (In red ink) Burnside captures Fort Macon N.C.


It rains today again. The man beside me still lives. I looked at him first thing in the morning expecting to see him dead. A candle burns in the tent at night for nurses to see to give medicine + water by. Al we have to eat is a little boiled rice. My stomach turns against it. During the night a poor fellow from my own company Henry Staunard, a man I believe from Iowa, about 23 – stout + health + a good soldier died in a raving fever. It took two men to hold + pacify him. His shrieks were dismal + it was a great relief to all when death released him from his sufferings. He was immediately carried out – toward morning another man not far from me died in a fever stupor + was carried our + what a stench arose from the damp straw + blankets.


April 27th Sunday


Today the sun came out bright + beautiful + the clouds roll up + flee away. The man by my side died today. I turned over + reached my arm out closed the poor old eyes, which were staring so stonily up toward the blackened + mouldy tent. He is carried out. More men in the other tent die + there now being no new ones bought in to take their places. We who are left have more room + air + can be made more comfortable. It seems too that the worst cases have met the inevitable end _ that there is hope for us who have survived so far. (In red ink) Special Field Orders from Halleck April 28th constitute the army of Tenn, the 1st Corps, right wing, Grant Commander, Army of Ohio, the 2nd army Corp, Center, Buell commander, Army of Miss the 3rd Army Corps, left wing, Pope Commander, reserves McClernand. April 30th The Div. of Gen. Thomas was taken from army of Ohio added to A.J. Thomas given command of (???) + grant made 2nd to Halleck.


April 28th Monday –


The sun is out today. Warm + bright + the ground dries off some. I roll out under the tent at my corner + take a few steps in the open air. How good it is, but my kegs tremble + I sit down



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April 29th1862, Tuesday


Shine + warmth today – ground rapidly drying – try my walk again + find myself able to go further.


April 30, Wednesday-


Today all nurses able to travel are dismissed from the hospital + sent forward to join the regiment. They express no regrets at going and my myself + others who can walk take their places + become nurses to those yet sick + unable to move. We none of us can do much at a time. We have to sit down + rest. Then we carry a cup of water or a spoonful of medicine. The strongest have to bring the water from the creek, take out old blankets + help the sick to sit up. While beds are fixed. We have some fresh beef soup with our rice occasionally. The old citizen Dr. whom no one seems to know or care much for does not seem on his part to know or care for anyone. He spends most of his time in his tent, a very good one, some little way off + visits the hospital tents night + morning to prescribe. Sometimes when a man gets very bad + the alarmed nurse goes to the Dr. he will come in a moment + see him, but not often.


May 1st Thursday –


Seeral men have died recently + today we bury them. A pit about 4 feet deep is dug near the tents, a few green leaves + bushes are put in. The bodies wrapped in blankets are let down as best we can. Some…



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Letter to author’s uncle


I don’t know how long it will be before I can send this letter. I will sent it soon as I can. –A.W.B. Please put in a stamp when you write as I paid last one for this letter. The cost about 10 cts a piece.

Pitsburg Landing, Tenn, Apr. 30th


Dear Uncle,


I believe you owe me one letter, but having nothing else to do I thought I would write. I have been in the hospital of our regiment for a little over a week, but I am getting better. The hospital is nothing better than an old, leaky (???) capable of holding 17 or 18 men. There are two tents + (???) full. (8) men have died since I have been in here. It is a very bad place for sick men. There are no cots, nothing but some mattresses filled with musty straw. It (rains?) almost every day. Most of the cases are of scurvey + (???) is what ails me (With diarrhea) what did you sailors do for it (when) you were out at sea. I suppose it is brought on by continual diet of hard bread + salt pork + (???) coffee. When I went in the hospital I got some (rice) + fresh beef soup + that I guess Does more towards curing me than all the medicine I took. It is impossible to get a furlough as anything else here. Some who were wounded have got furlough for 30 days generally. There are a good many (???) that will never get well. There is a general (???) (tation) of another hard fight here, but this (???) I guess the attack will be (???) by our (???) Joseph McDowell is very sick with the scurvy too. Bloody (???) or dysentery there are 8 of our company (???)



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(2nd Page) Henry Guilbert who has been here over a month is recovering very fast. I shall join my regiment in a few days. The regiment has been on the outside for over two weeks. I’ve had to do picket duty every other day + in picket duty we have to Stay out both day + night as it seems worse every day. It is very hard we take our grub along with us. Yesterday the regiment moved on forward 4 or 5 miles + left the hospital + all I it behind. I hope to be able to join them + return to duty in a few days. I’ve have to do duty as take medicine no matter how one feels in the morning. If he is detailed + does not feel quite able to go he is marched off to the Doctor + has to take a big dose of (Specac) or some other medicine that will make him twice as sick as he was before. A good many rather than take the medicine go on duty till they get down sick + have to be carried to the hospital + very often from there to their grave. Tomorrow being the 1st of May will be our pay day + we will have 4 months’ pay due us, but there is no chance to get any money yet nor do I expect we will get any till 2 months more + maybe not then. If I could get a furlough I would get it but it’s no use thinking such things so I shall try + content myself hoping for better times. I hope the war will close before
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(Third page, found a couple pages down) long. Meanwhile I shall try + do my duty to my country + keep my health the best I can, asking your advice in everything + hope you will write very often for I do so love to hear from home + from Aunt Adah + Grandmother + hear of Emma + Hatty. I read your letters very often, tell grandmother she don’t write half as much as I wish she would. I love to read her little letters. Tell her to write a long one next time, no matter much what she writes so it is a good lot. I suppose she reads all my letters, I want all to read thatwants to + tell everyone that reads to answer one to me. Last night I was out for the first twice in a week + walked over the ground where our tents had stood + it was awful lonesome, everybody gone. It is the first time I have been away from the regiment + not able to follow them right along. I went into the thick woods + brush + sad down on a log + thoughts of home came to me stronger than ever before since I have been in service. seemed so lonely + sad, everybody being gone. When the camp was there everything was lively, but now all were gone a sad kind of feeling came over me + for the first time I felt sorry I had enlisted, but that soon passed away ++ then I almost felt ashamed of myself, The woods + bush are out as green as they will get. The weather is warm + pleasant. The trees + brush are very thick + one can easy hide himself among
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(4th Page)…the green leaves. It seems as if the leaves of the trees are a great deal larger than they are north, but I suppose it is only fancy. I do not know how many more there are here at present, we have been on the outside advance + front + we cannot get a chance to see anything. It is reported there are 120,00 here + uncertainty. It is also reported that the enemy are leaving Corinth + that they have 150,00 men. Do not know they are all effective men or not. We cannot get any newspapers here. The woods are very bad. It is almost impossible to move artillery + the regiment with their baggage trains cannot go over 8 miles a day. I received a letter from Ledyard Bill of Norwich quite a while ago + have answered it + am expecting a letter from him again before long, but I am getting very (tired) of sitting up. I sit on the ground + have got an old magazine on my knee (That I have read…40 times) + I put my paper on that + write the best I can, please excuse mistakes + blunders + please write soon + tell grandmother + auntie to put in a sheetful a piece + I will read it over 10 times. I miss grandmother’s kind care very much. Our regiment has been named the 14th (MO) Volunteers. S.S. Our Lieutenant Colonel is now Charles Smith, was formerly major. Our company letter has been changed to Co C. in care of Capt. Conklin. Western Sharpshooters by way of Cairo. Please write soon. Much love to all from your affectionate nephew – A.W.Bill.
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(Continued from previous page) leaves + bushes are put over them. The soil thrown in – a barrel head put up + name marked on in lead pencil, or cut with a jackknife + the dead left there.


I was not strong enough to do this, so I wrote the memorandum of death + burial – Co + regt – to hand in to the surgeon. My stomach craves something sour. So I gathered some (???) which gre plentifully there + some tops of blackberry bushes + with a little brown sugar stewed these in an old time + made a kind of sauce or greens which helped me.


May 2nd 1862 Friday –


Still pleasant + sunny. Only about 20 men are left in our Hospital + these are recovering. We hear distant cannonading toward Corinth today. A company of Calry forms a camp near us today.


May 3rd 1862 Saturday – (In red ink) McClelland Advances on Richmond, Occupies Yorktown.


Today the Dr. appoints me Ward Master for the regimental hospital. This is what is called a detached service. The appointment has to be permitted by the company captain + confirmed verbally by the commander of the regiment. I then receive a descriptive list from the Orderly (???) of the Company signed by the captain + am entitled to $7 pr month extra pay in addition to pay as a private – making my pay $20 per month. My duty is to make a record of patients coming into the hospital, death or discharge + return to regt. Or transference to General Hospital or North, also to receive the Drs. Instructions through the hospital steward + to see that the medicines are properly administered – to take charge of the blankets, belonging to the hospital – see that they are washed, aired, + properly packed.



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For transportation – I also have to oversee the nurses + report any cases of delinquency-


May 4th 1862 Sunday


Some sick men are brought to us today from the regiment, which is encamped near Monterey, on the way to Corinth. They have fever + diarrhea + are generally very much run down + weak. There is room in the tents now + our blankets are washed. Sun dried so as to be clean- Among these men is Mr. Joseph McDowell of Sheffield, Ills. Whom I had known there as a bookkeeper + salesman in a store. He had worked for my uncle + was in the same co. with myself. He had dysentery + was passing blood in both urine + feces. His was a desperate case. He seemed to feel it + to have no hope of recovery – he had been mayed off near Monterey + handing me considerable wanted me to take it for him + if he died, I might keep it. I knew he would be sent to the landing + put on a steamer there for the North. So I would not take his money for it might be a help to him to have it on the steamer, but took $3.00 which I said I would return to him when I saw him again - - We did what we could for him + the others. In the afternoon several ambulances came to us from the river + took away all our sickest men – among them McDowell. We were afraid he would not live to reach the river 3 miles away. So he disappeared + I never saw him again. I heard that he died on the boat going to Cairo.



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May 5th 1862 (In red ink) McCllen+ Lee fight battle of Williamsburg


We have orders today to send all our sick men to the river. Retaining only convalescents able to walk to the regiment.


May 6 Tuesday –


Today we take down our hospital tents + ship everything off to the Landing except one tent + fly + one wagonload of blankets. My clothes being ragged + disagreeable from my sickness I have after much search succeeded in picking up a very good suit from our old camp. I have two pairs of pants – one pair almost new – two good shirts – several pairs of stockings – a blouse + a uniform coat. These articles had been thrown away in good condition by some of the men when the Regt. Marched, Chiefly because of the lice in them. But the rain + sun had weakened the lice + by diet of boiling + the use of blue mercurial ointment which the “boys” called “Bumsquirtum” because the Dr. called it (???) I killed the lice + put the clothing in first rate condition considering how men + clothing generally looked then. I also got me a cap + a good pair of shoes so that I was very presentable as the regimental hospital Wardmaster.


May 7th Wednesday – Bright + cheerful. With 2 wagons containing our tent cooking utensils, Hosp. Blankets + knapsacks + some 15 men + our ambulance – all under my charge we set out to rejoin our regiment. There is no Dr. for the old citizen Dr. went to the landing with our turned over stuff + from there North + home I suppose. There is no Hospital Steward for



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(Continued from page previous) The one that was – Mr. Jason Dorwart an Iowa man, + a number of the same company with myself + to whom perhaps my appointment as Wardmaster was due- had given some offence to the Dr. who had caused Mr. Dorwart to be returned to duty in the Regt + Co. Thus I was in charge, + with my little command marched peacefully + slowly toward Corinth. The road is full of teams + our progress is very slow. Corinth is about 20 miles away + Monterey where we learn that our Regt. Is encamped is 10 miles from Corinth. We are obliged to halt for the night. None of us is strong, but we make a merry little camp.


May 8th 1862 Thursday –


Feed our teams, boil some coffee + get breakfast + start our way bright + early. It is a lovely day + so warm we are glad to lay off coats + sit down to rest quite often. We see that many troops are camped alongside the road + hear now + then the heavy report of cannon toward Corinth. The road is full of teams + men now all picking their way on. The roads are very much cut up + in some places muddy – though drying up + dusty in others. And here we see a siege gun toiling on with 12 yoke of oxen attached.


(In red ink) McClellan’s advance on Richmond causes great panic in the south, the positions are shown here.


May 8th Milroy + Jackson have a sharp fight. McDowell + 30,000 men report to McClellan.


(In purple ink beneath) Preventing McDowell from joining McClellan (Jackson).


Ewell watching Banks + threatening Washington.



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Arrival of Hosp. Dep. At Monterey, 15 miles S.E. of Corinth on the Hamburg + Corinth Rd. May 8, 1862, Thursday.


Along in the afternoon some time we arrived at Monterey. The regiment had gone on the day before, but here was a house which had been taken by the regt. For a temporary hospital to which we were directed. At this house we found our new regimental surgeon in full uniform. He was a Doctor Jno. W. Young from St. Louis + a member of the eclectic school of practice + the new Hospital Steward Mr. James S. Roseberry an Iowa man detached from one of the companies of the regiment. There were two or three sick men in the house – made comfortable with their own blankets + with them Mr. Bob Powders as nurse. This man had had small pox in a St. Louis hospital, had been a sailor I understood + he made a capital nurse. There was also a boy with a stiff knee who could not go into the ranks as a soldier, but had enlisted + been accepted as a cook. Dr. Young also had drawn a medicine wagon from the Div. Q.M. for our Regt + we now began to take shape as a hospital. Dr. Young retained me as wardmaster.


May 9. Friday – We receive orders to fix up a hospital at Monterey some 18 or 20 men have been sent back to us to be taken care of. My little squad from Owl Creek hospital have gone to their respective companies “Bob” and myself overhaul the hospital property in blankets + give them a thorough shaking + sunning. The new cook puts the kitchen utensils in order + Mr. Roseberry takes charge of the medicine wagon+ the filling of prescriptions + the new dr. seems to be a wide awake + competent man.


May 10th Saturday – Bright + pleasant. Feel tolerable strong again + am wholly engrossed in my new duties. (In red ink) Norfolk Va. Captured by Gen Wool from Fortress Monroe.


May 10. Battle at fort Pillow on the Miss. Between Federal gunboats” Foote’s Flotilla”


+ C.S. Gunboats under Hollin’s C.S. Worsted



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May 11th 1862 Sunday – Bright, warm, pleasant, constant movement of troops.


May 12, Monday – More sick men arrive from the regiment which is moving on slowly toward Corinth. None of these men are very sick – there is some diarrhea + Bilious movement, which a few days of rest + exemption from duty cures. We have good + abundant rations + with a competent cook can put our sick men on their feet in a few days. “Bob” is head nurse – convalescents are made to help around as nurses for a day or two before being returned o regiment + as there are men getting better all the time, we have all the help we want. We get some large canvass cases to pack blankets in also new camp kettles, plates, cups, knives, + forks, Frying pans


Our hospital force is now Dr. Jno Young –surgeion


Mr. Jas. S. Roseberry – Hospital Stewart (27 yrs Old)


Mr. A.W. Bill – Wardmaster – 16 yrs old


Mr. Charley – Cook


Mr. Robert Powders – Head Nurse


There is also an ambulance driver, a driver for the medicine wagon, + a teamster for the hospital wagon 8 of us in all.


We draw daily rations for about 25 + 30 men + forage for 7 horses + 6 mules. Artillery firing is quite common.


May 13 Tuesday –


Have orders to report all our sick for transportation to the river. We fix up a number of the worst cases + as ambulances come they are taken back to the Landing. The army is reorganized under Halleck.


(Also on this page, sketch of Dr. Jno W. Young.)



Page 74

Breakdown of the U.S. army in front of Corinth, May 13, 1862



Page 75

Newspaper Clipping


Detailing battle of Shiloh, clarifying misconceptions, written by a participant in the battle.
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Move Up to Regt. Besieging Corinth May 15, 1662, Thursday


May 14th 1862 Wednesday


Our Hospital is comparatively diserted. Our sick men at the landing are placed on Steamers + Conveyed North, + some are furloughed. Steamers are regularly fitted up as Hospitals + do a vast service to our army of sick + wounded.


May 15 Thursday (In red ink) Com. John Rodgers wuth 5 vessels chase the C.S. Commodore up the James river to Drewry’s Bluff + was driven from there by a C.S. fort.


Today we pack up our hospital + move up to the regiment. We find it on the right wing of the army, which was commanded by Gen. Grant + soon after, when Grant was made 2nd in command to Halleck – by Gen. Thomas. Our Division commander, Gen. C.F. Smith, not being able to be with us. He died soon after Ft. Donelson assault + our temporary Gen. W.H.L. Wallace dead from his wounds at Shiloh, Gen. W.S. Rosecrans took temporary com’d of the old 2nd Division. (But having been compelled to apologize for his slander on us at (???) Oct 4. He never liked us very well)


General Henry Hallack was in Com’d of the army advancing upon Corinth + this army was divided into left, center, + right – General Pope, who with 25,000 men left Island No. 10 April 17 had joined Halleck in front of Corinth + commanded on the left – advancing via Hamburg. Gen Buell – who with 35,000 men came in from Nashville to Pittsburg Landing on the 6th of Apr. Commanded the Center. One of Buell’s Div. Gen O.M. Mitchells was not with Buell having gone to Hunterville, Ala.) Geo. H. Thomas. Grant was made 2nd in Command of all after Halleck, a polite way of retiring Grant.


And Gen. Grant, with his Donelson + Shiloh men commanded on the right (Only nominally however as he was 2nd in general Command. Gen. Thomas com’d. (periodically). Gen. Halleck had fully 100,000 men (Some say 130,00).


Gen. Beauregard com’d the C.S. forces in Corinth. Gen Van Dorn + Price with what was left of their Pea Ridge army joined Beauregard at Corinth. Also, Gen. Lovell + forces from New Orleans. Beauregard had some over 100,000 men, but his army was inferior to Halleck’s in equipment.


Nicolay says Beauregard did not have over 50,000 men.



Page 77

Map of area surrounding Corinth and troop movements


May 27th Sherman’s fight for a longhouse.


May 3rd Pope had quite a fight to get possession of Farmington.


(In red ink, above Tishomingo, CO.)


* The 1st + 2nd Divs. Constituted the Reserve under Gen. McClernan to which was added the 1st Div. Army of Ohio


(Below Tishomingo CO)


Brig Gen. Jno A. Logan, Col. Of 31st Ill. Was wounded at Ft. Donelson, was prom. Brig Gen + Com’d the 1st Brig. Of 2nd Div. The 1st Brig was composed of 8th, 18th, 30th, 31st Ills, + 13th Mich.



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May 16th 1862 Friday –


The weather is now positively lovely. A strange incident occurred in the Gen. Hospital at Monterey. A man had been captured on the picket line + taken inside the rebel lines, where he was released on parole, but he was not very well + was sent to the General Field Hospital just being established in tents there. He was better in a day or two + was able to be around nicely. The tents were being put up, the ground marked off + the surgeon directed this man to help around. The man explained that he was under parole + did not think he ought to work. The surgeon insisted + the man brushed up leaves + sticks awhile, but the next morning he was found a little way down a path in the woods hanging by a rope around his neck to the short limb of a tree. His toes just barely touching the ground. He was cut down + the body was warm when I saw it, but life was extinct. It was supposed that he commited suicide rather than work + break his parole, as he called it.


Here also I saw some cases of poisoning by Ivy or Oak, touched by skirmishers as they crept through the woods + along, or by fences.


We put up our regimental Hospital Tent in a very pleasant + shady spot about ½ mile in the rear of our Regt. At the regiment there are the first field works or breastworks we have ever seen constructed by our own men. The look very nice, + behind them the men have their tents in the most comfortable fashion. In front, all the skirmishers + pickets + they keep up a constant fusillade. Rations



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List of the Regimental Com’d. of 14th MO, W.S.S. 66th Ills. Infy


Col. Henry Birge of St. Louis, MO –who never took the field. Lt. Col. B.F. Compton – an imbecile at Ft. Donelson. Lt. Col Smith – sick most of time, siege of Corinth Major George Pipe – a coarse, inferior man, camps at Corinth Col. Patrick E. Burke – a capable man, killed (???) Cross rds. Lt. Col. A.K. Campbell Capt. W.S. Boyd, Capt. Co. A.

Commanders of 2nd Div. Army


C.F. Smith at Ft. Henry + Donelson – W.H.L. Wallace. Shiloh – killed Col. Tuttle Shiloh – (???) death T.A. Davies. Siege of Corinth – R. wing.

Brigade Commandrs


Col. Jacob Lauman at Ft. Donelson, Feb. Brig. Gen. Jno. W.McArthur at Shiloh, Apr. 6, 7, 1862 . at Siege of Corinth may 1 to 30th 1862 Unattatched – city provost guard at Battle of Corinth Oct 3 + 4, 1862 –Col. P.E. Burke

Picture captioned: getting a sup to eat behind Breastworks – a copy.



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(Continued from previous page) are plentiful + of the best quality. Flour is issued + the men take an empty barrel + placing it up a platform made of 4 strong crutches + poles – cover the platform + barrel with clay from the ground. Then after the clay has settled + drained they burn the barrel out + have a good oven. In these ovens, is baked some of the finest bread I ever ate. A good deal is said about Pope’s siege guns over on the left + of Halleck’s “Gradual approaches” digging out the Johnnies” We are “(???) the rebs”. The lieutenant Col. Of the regiment a Mr. Charles Smith whom I have never seen before, but who is said to have reviewed the regiment once when it was in Benton Barracks, is now with the Regt. He is quite a small man, very good natured, + today – comes into the hospital for treatment.


May 17th 1862, Saturday –


The regiment does some good work on the skirmish line today.


May 18th Sunday – Today skirmishing is very brisk. One man in the regiment is killed + one severely wounded.


May 19th Monday – The lines were advanced considerably today. We did not move the hospital however. New breastworks are built on the new line. Our men pronounce this fine breastwork building at every move to be all nonsense. I have considerable diarrhea.


May 20th Tuesday – More men killed + wounded today. The hospital is filling up. One man came in with a “spider bite” on his foot. He trembled like a man with (???) but was alright in a day or two. Today I assisted for the first time at a “Capital Operation” as the Dr. called it.



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(Continued from page previous) The man’s thigh bone was broken into 14 pieces by a bullet. He was a very large + strong man too. The leg had to be taken off just above the knee in the lower third of the thigh. Our medicine wagon had a portable amputating table with it. This was taken out + fixed up. The man was laid flat on his back upon it. An assistant surgeon from a neighboring regiment gave him chloroform. + went the man was so asleep that his hand would fall if lifted up. I was bidden to take hold of the wounded leg + stretch it out. I did so. The Drs., there were several of them, removed the bandages + exposed the bleeding wound. It was a very large hole it seemed to me. Then he pinched the leg + one could here the broken bones grate together. They outlined the “flaps” + everything being ready one Dr. took a knife, some 18 inches long from its case – very bright + with a heavy back. Then, pinching up the flesh of the leg he inserted the point of the knife a little above the wound + ran the knife entirely through. Then he cut his way out by a sort of half circle cut, so as to leave a large rounded mass of flesh on the leg above the wound. Then he cut in a similar manner the flesh below. The blood spirted nearly to me, + for a moment I felt dizzy, sick + faint. But I had to hold on. The leg seemed to twitch + draw in my hands at the first cut, but after that it was still. An assistant now placed a large



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(Continued from page previous) spong on the bleeding flesh + sopped up two or three sponge fulls of blood. Rinsing it out in a bason of water + presently the blood seemed to stop flowing. Then, a Dr. with a pair of nippers pinched in to get hold of the arteries. A turn on the tourniquet let out a spit of blood come + in an instant, the Dr. had caught the artery + then and other was caught + then one more. After this the bone was sawed off + I stood holding the severed leg in my hands – It was much heavier than I supposed it would be. I laid it down on the grass. The Dr.s then rounded the edges of the bone in the stump – washed out the blood – fixed the strings which tied the arteries so as to hang out. Drew the flaps together + sewed them up. The leg was washed + looked clean + white as if it might get well right away. The man was then allowed to recover from the chloroform. The whole operation I judge did not take over 10 mts. Perhaps 15. After the man was fully recovered he looked as his severed leg, lying out there on the grass + bade it farewell. He said “You have been a good leg to me + have carried one safely many miles, but now goodbye. He went to sleep after the operation + we took his leg away + buried it. For many days after this, we washed + dressed this man’s stump using (???) + water + he got along very nicely, so as finally to be able to be transported to the landing + go thence North on a Steamer. I hope he is now living + wearing a serviceable leg from Uncle Sam, in the place of the one he lost.



Page 83

May 21st 1862 Wednesday –(In red ink) the Army Medical Museum established in Fords Theatre Building in Washington.


More wounded came in today + our tent is pretty full. The skirmishing is very brisk + extends particularly to the left as far as we can hear. Pope’s big guns thunder away at intervals. We hear amazing reports of the fortifications around Corinth. The size of the cannon there + the army. Our siege is like one of the “olden time”


May 22 Thursday – 23, 24, 25, 26, 27th – Skirmishing (In red ink) May 25. Battle of Winchester, VA, between Jackson’s + McDowell’s forces in Shenandoah Valley.


May 28th – skirmishing – send some of our worst wounded back to the river for transportation North.


May 29th Thursday – There is talk of a grand assault to be made all along the line tomorrow. Our works are now well up to the enemy. There is very little artillery firing however on our front. 6 or 7 men have been killed out of our regiment on the skirmish line, + quite a large number wounded. Our squirrel tail cap hats are all worn out + our men have drawn the stiff, high crowned black felt regulation army hats. The first thing the men do is take off the brass ornaments. They then break the crown down to the height of an ordinary felt hat – or punch the top in thus (Pictured) – and then the hat looks sufficiently unmilitary – then + there only are the men happy.


(In red ink) 27th Sunday – Today Battle of Hanover C.H. between the right wing of McClellan’s army + the left wing of Lees + drove confederate’s back to within 7 miles of Richmond.


29th Tuesday


Beauregard evacuated Corinth tonight – taking his army south on M.O R.R. 50 miles to Baldwin + Okalona. He was pursued by Pope who captured some stragglers, but did not pursue south of Baldwin.
Page 84

Occupation of Corinth May 31st 1862 – Saturday.


May 30th 1862 – Friday


Pope’s siege guns have thrown shell into Corinth it appears to be time to move + accordingly a general forward movement is made early this morning. No enemy is found – no pickets – no skirmish firing. All that we have to do is push on. The C.S. works are entered + presently the town itself where the regt. Camps. At the hospital we send our sick and wounded to the General Hosp. at Monterey + prepare to follow the regt.


May 31st Saturday – (In red ink) +June 1st Lees attack upon McClellan’s Right Wing at Fairoaks throwing it into confusion


We get into Corinth today with our Hospital teams. The regiment has moved on this AM to a point 3 miles south of town near the Mobile + Ohio R.R. We leisurely follow. I take the opportunity to look the town over. It is a small town, perhaps 2000 inhabitants, the county seat of Tishomingo CO. There are no large buildings of any kind. The Corinth House which faces a kind of square is one of the largest. It is a France building 2 ½ stories high with a balcony in front. The Tishomingo Hotel is a 2 ½ story brick house situated at the crossing of the Mobile + Ohio + the Charleston + Memphis R.Rs. where the Union depots + passenger station are. The Depots + some warehouses + a large number of loaded freight cars were burned. But the passenger platform + a shed on the M+O were left. The cars appear to have been loaded with household stuff mostly.


On the Square + near the depot great piles of beans, flour, meal commissary + Q.M. stores of the C.S. army were burning – also sugar + molasses, but most valuables were removed.



Page 85

Map of the Siege at Corinth.


Heavily annotated with troop placement. Of Monterey it is commented that only one house is left as of 1888. Of Farmington it is commented that the town is now extinct as of 1888.


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