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During all this magnificent autumn, from Antietam. Sept 17-18 through Oct + up to Nov 5^th McClellan remained on the north bank of the Potomac river, watching Lee who was at Winchester continuously working his way back to Richmond. Finally President Lincoln’s patience was exhausted + he removed McClellan. Nov. 5^th + put Burnside in command.

Image of Stockade Camp, captioned below as follows: The Camp Davies Stockade Camp as seen in 1888, when I visited the ground with my wife

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During Nov 1862 Gen Grant was occupied with the enemy in Miss, now commanded by Gen. J.C. Pemberton + began his moves upon Vicksburg. Pemberton had 40,000 men on the Tallahatchie. Grant’s Army was the 13^th Corps – Its right wing was composed of 3 divisions.

1^st Division A.J. Smith 2 Brigades (Burbridge + Landrum)

2^nd Division Morgan L. Smith 2 brigades (C.H. Smiths + D Stuarts)

3^rd Division G.W. Morgan 3 Brigades (Osterhaus, Lindsay, DeCourcey)

Grant’s Hdqrs. at Jackson, Tenn. Sherman’s at Memphis, the Cavalry was at Helena Ark. Under C.C. Washburn

Grant moved as far south as Oxford, Miss. When Van Dorn’s Cavalry burned Holly Springs Dec 20 + Grant returned to Grand Junction + Holly Springs.

Dec. 28^th 1862 to Jan 2. 1863 was occupied by Sherman in an unsuccessful attempt upon Vicksburg by way of Yazoo river + Chickasaw Bayou.

Jan 2^nd Gen McClernand superseded by Sherman in command of the right wing of Grant’s army + Gen Morgan took command of the 13^th Corp.

Jan 11^th Gen McClernand with the 13^th + 15^th A.C. captured Arkansas Post with 5,000 prisoners, 17 guns, 3000 muskets.

Grant met McClernand Jan 18^th, 1863 near the mouth of white river + took the force to young’s point to operate against Vicksburg. From this time on until July 4^th 1863 when Vicksburg surrendered the Army of the Tennessee under grant was engaged at Vicksburg + in holding the line of Corinth + Eastward.

Dec 18^th 1862

The Army of the Tennessee was divided into 4 corps. 13, 15, 16, 17

McClernand - 13^th

Sherman – 15^th

Hurlbut – 16^th

MacPherson - 17^th

General Grant Com’d.

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December 1862 – (In red ink) Dec 13 Battle of Fredericksburgh, Burnside in com’d of Army of Potomac attacks Lee who after Antietam fell back to south bank of Rappahannock River + is thoroughly beaten.

The hillon which the Regt. is to encamp is a very pleasant spot + the highest ground around except on the east where about ¾ of a mile away there is a thickly wooded hill which overlooks ours. Our hill appears to have been cleared for a pasture. There are perhaps 20 acres in all of cleared, grassy land sloping down from the hill into a plain on the E, S. + N with a little creek on the east + just beyond that the track of the M + D R.R. now lying unused + silent. (in red ink) Dec 28 – 1862, Sherman with 30,000 + Porters fleet – all of Grants army of Tenn. Attack Chickasaw Bluffs + are driven back.

Orders are given to construct a permanent camp for winter. Tents were put up at first- then log houses were built by the man + fitted up with bunks; the boards were made by splitting out 6x24 shakes from white oak logs sawn into blocks about 4 ft long. These also made good shingles – some of the men constructed fire-places + chimneys out of sticks + mud. “a la ‘poor white’”- A fine large hospital was erected from an old store in Rienzi – It had wards, kitchens + medicine room, but this came later. The men also built kitchens for each company. Quartermasters depots, guardhouse, a bookstore, a masonic lodge, officer quarters, stables, a fort + surrounded the whole with a palisade of huge split logs. There is a magnificent spring not far away so that we have the best of water. Rations are abundant + of good quality. The first thing done in all this work was to build the palisade – great white oak logs from the adjacent forest were cut into 12 ft lengths + split

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Sketches of various parts of Camp Davies, including Stockade wall, section of fort, Hospital

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Camp Davies Dec 1862

The halves were pointed at one End + a notch was cut in each side or edge. The half log was then set into a narrow ditch 4 feet deep, so as to bring the edges, which were heaved away some so as to cut the thin edge away and fit the logs together. The notches meeting formed a loop hole about 6 feet from the ground through which to fire a rifle. The palisade thus formed was 8 ft high from the ground + solidly held by the 4 ft. in the ground. There were 3 gates one N, one E, + one S. They were formed of massive logs bolted with great irons. Requiring three where to open + shut the valves with ease. These were closed at night + opened in the morning + two men at each gate stood guard night + day.

When the palisade was complete the men built their log house quarters, kitchens, Q.M. storehouse, +c +c. The officers had negro servants who built their quarters for the officers + did other work. In fact, the camp had a great many negroes in it. After this the hospital was built + we pulled down our old + worn tents + went into our houses. After all this was done, the fort was built + 8 guns placed upon it. And when this was finished the Gen. Store was built, then the Masonic Hall + the theater or Amusement Hall wherein were such shows as men could contrive, debates +c +c.

And when these things were done other improvements came on. A large target + firing range was built for target practice + so all were busy as bees the winter through + the health of the men was unsurpassed. The one sickness being a damp ague + biliousness bought on by picket duty in the Tuscumbia lowlands south + west of camp where the men had to go out a considerable distance + often in the fogs + rain. The winter was mild.

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Cavalry Raid to Tuscumbia Feb 1863

(in red ink) Jan 1 1863, Emancipation Proclamation.

+ there was considerable rain. To obviate the effects of exposure to the malaria each picket guard as he comes in from his post in the morning is given a gill of whiskey containing ½ a grain of Luinine + 2 grains of Capsicuns. I mixed + dispensed in the way during the winter 3 bbles. Of whiskey (in red ink) Jan 1, 2, 1863 – Battle of Murfreesboro- Rosecrans army of Cumberland met + defeated Bragg. This ended Braggs Invasion

During the month of February I went on detail as Hospital Steward with a columb of cavalry about 14 (???) + a battery of 4 Mountain Howitzers under command of Col. Cornine – on a raid to Tuscumbia + Florence Ala. About 58 m. S.E. of Corinth on the M+C R.R. I was mounted as a cavalry man and saw genuine cavalry service. We left Corinth the . . . of feb 1863 – In a magnificent long line. The Cavalry moving out in column of fours, sabers + spurs rattling + (???) + ringing – Dr. Pogue went as the Surgeon of the expedition. We had 6 ambulances. On over the hills we trotted, through the woods, out into the wide country past farms, places of which seem never to have felt the war. Rain came on + continued day after day for several days. The roads became very muddy + the splash from the horses hoofs covered us with mud. I had often wondered why cavalry were furnished boots + infantry shoes. It seems as if the infantry being on foot would need the shoes most. But on this trip I learned why- (in red ink) Jan 11 1863 McClernand cooperating with army of Tenn in advance on Vickburg captured Arkansas Post + 500...+ Banks led an expedition into Louisiana.

An Infantryman gets his feet wet indeed, but will keep them warm walking. His shoes also are lighter to carry + easier to walk in, giving the angles more freedom

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Personal Letter to Sister. First Page is several images ahead. For convenience, the entirety of the letter will be transcribed there.

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(Continued from Previous Page)

(In red Ink) Jan 26 1863. Hooker superseded Burnside in command of army of patonac which was at Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock confronted by Lee, Hooker organized a strong cavalry corps.

But a Cavalryman’s feet become quite numb. They are also liable to get wet from the splash of mud + water from the horses hoofs. The leg of the boot needs to be high to prevent spash from getting into the feet. A cavalryman’s boots are as muddy as if he walked, but the leather, well-greased sheds the water. Also a Cavalry has now + then to dismount to arrange saddle, bridle +c. And he may have to step into a puddle of water. He needs boots for if he mounts with wet feet, cavalry ranks might soon be thin from sickness.

On the way out I became acquainted with an English soldier who had served in the Crimea, where he was a member of Lord Cardigan’s Light Horse Squadrons + took part in the famous charge of the 600 upon Russian Batteries in the valley. He was wounded by a pistol shot through the wrist + a bayonet thrust in the thigh + bore a silver medal given him by the Eng. Govt. He says he kept his horse + was unhurt until they nearly reached the Russian guns. Then the pistol shot struck him + he could not guide his horse. He had his saber drawn + his horse rushed on with others. He became (???) in the smoke + Russian infantry. There he said, it was hack + cut anywhere + everywhere. He could not tell friend from foe. Horses were frantic + presently his horse fell + he received a bayonet in his thigh. He thought he was on beyond the guns + then fell to the ground. There he lay crawling up under a gun for protection from feet. During the night he evacuated out to where he was picked up. He got well + came to America + joined the cavalry in the federal service. On this trip he was afflicted with boils so that he could not ride his horse, but was obliged to lay in one of the ambulances; but he did not want to turn his horse over, which was a very fine bay + asked me to take his.

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Personal letter afore mentioned with front and back pages transcribed

Camp Davies Miss, March 23^rd 1863

Dear Sister,

A few days since I received your letter and was very glad to hear from you and to know you were well and getting along so finely. If you are contented with your place you had best stay there by all means strive to earn the love and good will of all around you. A week or two ago I was out on a cavalry expedition or raid as some call it. We were 1,400 strong and had 4 pieces of light artillery with us. (12 pounders) We traveled about 150 miles, took the town of Tuscumbia in Alabama. We had a little skirmish there and had one man killed and one man wounded. We killed 3 of the rebels. We stayed there three days and then started back to Corinth, but had several little skirmishes along the road but no one killed. But were 14 days out. We had no tents along so we had to take it on the ground and it rained part of the time, so we had a pretty rough march.

Such is the life of a soldier. We have a very beautiful camp here. We keep it clean and nice + have planted pine trees all along in rows. We are going to have a large hospital built of plank and then we can move our sick out of the tents. You asked me why I don’t get married. I am much too young to think of marriage yet, must earn more money. So I will have a nice home to go in. I will be 18 years old the of next june. I got a letter from cousin Oscar once in a while. He is living (???) Erastus in Sheffield, Ills. His sisters you know I suppose are living with their father + mother (???) they are all well. You said you (???) you never could pay me for that little money. Sister I never want any pay but your love. …are alone as far as earthly relations go and we…share together. (???) have both got to make over…in the world and putting our trust in God. Can do it sister. In the army, I only get a soldiers wages, but when I get out I can get in a drug store and make a great-deal more, but my term of enlistment will not be out in less than a year and I will not write to Uncle Erastus…you coming to live with him. I am very….are where you can get your board and earn little besides Perservere in your study and…writing while you can. In this letter I will (send) you two dollars and I wish you would get a Daguerreotype taken and send to me and I (will) send you mine. Give my best respects….Hand and give my love to all my family around there. Write soon, direct your letter as before.

From your affectionate Brother, A.W.Bill

(Write soon sister)

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(Continued from previous page) horse + ride him saying that he would groom + feed (???) me. Accordingly I turned over my horse, which was a very good one + took the old soldiers. It was a (???) + perfectly trained hourse + was well kept with no trouble. I was as well off as the Colonel himself.

The rains had swollen the creeks so that several had to….by swimming + often in the swift current men would be thrown from their forces + feeble horses would give up and float off + have to be pulled back. But my horse saw me across the worst places with perfect ease. Drawn…feet up on his back + keeping well to the neck I some….kept quite dry. Though for most of the time during the (???) we were so soaked that we did not mind the rivers.

On this trip out we stopped over right at a plantation evidently not been visited by either army. There a large barn full of corn leaf fodder in bundles + several corn ricks full of husked corn. The entire (???) fed + bedded itself lavishly out of the forage. Men also for found some sweet hams cured in wood ashes + packed away…the kitchen floor. They helped themselves of course. Several rifles + shot guns were taken + some guerilla prisoners (???) in the woods. Next morning we went on.

At Tuscumbia a small revel force was stationed. About 5 miles out the picket guard was encountered + driven in in about a half mile further. The charge into the town began. The ambulances had to take the rear with

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Part of a letter to uncle (the first page of which is several pages down. For the sake of convenience, the entire letter is transcribed several pages down)

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Continuation of letter, transcribed a few pages down

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End of letter, transcribed a couple pages down

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At Tuscumbia, Ala, Feb 1863

(Continued from previous page) small guard of partially sick men on lane or sick horses to them from a surprise in the rear. There was quite a sharp skirmish in front, but our men pouring on over-ran the small rebel force + chased them to the river, while they got across to Florence. My horse being pretty good + sure footed carried me past many of the cavalry men in the charge as all galloped pell-mell up the road in to town. A few companies were on other roads. But I saw none of the fighting. One man, the Cols. Orderly was killed + a few men wounded (3 rebels were killed). I rode up to the little battery + saw the mountain howitzers throw some shell at a house about 500yrds. Away. It was about all the little big-mouthed guns could do to get the shell over there, but the shell burst admirably.

We remained in Tuscumbia a couple or three days + the pleasant little town itself was pretty thoroughly ransacked. Private houses occupied were not disturbed, but all stores suffered. I went into a large + well stocked drug-store. Cavalrymen were smashing the battles with the backs of their sabres + down cellar the oils + varnishes + paints were flowing from a dozen barrels + the mixture was 4 inches deep over the floor. Upstairs we found the proprietors apartment. He was a bachelor, we judged from the appearances + pictures on the walls. He had fled (???). The bedding + clothing +c was rapidly appropriated by Cavalrymen. A trunk in one corner was closed, locked + strapped + had probably been left by over-sight. A couple of sabres pried it open + the batchelor’s shirts, collars +c went like magic. The trunk was overturned + a roll of something in paper went across the floor. A cavalrymen picked it up, broke it + found his hands…

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Letter to Uncle (Other pages found earlier. The entirety of the letter is transcribed below)

Camp Davies Miss

Wednesday, March 25^th 1865

Dear Uncle,

Today I received your kind letter having an opportunity I thought I might as well answer it immediately, for there may not be another chance soon. We do not hear much news here + the paper till about the same story over and over again. A few weeks ago I was out on a cavalry expedition on raids as some call them. We were gone 14 days and traveled every day excepting two. We started from Corinth our force numbered almost 1400 men, all mounted, consisting of the 3^rd Batt 5^th Ohio Cavalry. Fords independent Cavalry (3 company) Stewards battalion, the 10^th Missouri Cavalry, 5 company of Alabama + Mississippi scouts + 4 pieces of light artillery. We traveled an average of 20 miles per day. The country through which we passed the 1^st, 2^nd, +3^rd days was very poor. Most all the farms + houses were either deserted or the houses burned. There were some places where the nice large mansion had been burned + the folks were living in their negro quarters, but most all were deserted entirely. When we got into Alabama, it was more hilly and rocky, with numerous large creeks over which nice substantial bridges had been built, and in all the valleys and grounds were farms, all occupied and the inhabitants far from being starved out. There was plenty of chickens, turkeys, geese, sheep, hogs, cattle, salt, and sweet potatoes. I did not see one fresh potatoes on the march, having taken scarcely any provisions with us we of course had to forage off of the people for food for ourselves + horses. We could get plenty of cornbread + milk; flour was a very scarce article and none but the wealthiest families had it. The poorer classes which seem almost a distinct tribe from the rice lived on

Corn meal + pork. They all claimed to be poor. They saw us they closed their doors and not could be got without going and taking it. Every-thing away from us, yet when the (rebels) came past they would throw open their doors. Welcome them in and they made no (???) telling us so, we found plenty of the best four our horses. You can form some idea stock some of these poor farmers as they called themselves had when I tell you that at some (places) where we fed over 1,500 head of horses at in the morning and yet left plenty to same number again and it is spring as I have seen larger corn cribs in Ala. than ever in Ills. The 5^th day we reached the city of (???) 3 or 4 miles above Florence. It has been before a handsome place. Some inhabitants there yet, but mostly old men and (women) we had a light skirmish when we entered in killing 3 rebels, and killing one + wounding (???) our men. While there, I became acquainted a hospital steward in the rebel army and long conversation with him. He was from…honest in his opinions. He was proven (George). Said he thought the south had been too in their decision, that he had rather be in the…as it was years ago. I asked him the difference between the union years ago and the union….he replied that years ago the wish of the south be respected, but that lately the wishes of and southern rights had been totally disregarded that the abolitionists were trying to steal slaves +c +c. He said he thought it was near so bad as some of their leading…

Had tried to make them believe that the greater mass of the people had been deceived. Said he thought the nother was wrong ans the south was wrong, but that the south had more of right + justice on their side; that the thing had progressed too far to ever return + that they today were stronger than they were a year ago. I told him that their cause was utterly hopeless and would end in their total ruin sooner or later. The people around our camp are of course good union men as long as our army stays here but none are very (anxious) to “flock to our standard” or materially to aid us in any other way. Well we staid in Tuscumbia two days when we heard of the approach of Van Dorn with 8,000 cavalry and so we “Kinder skedaddled”. We went back to Corinth on the same road we came burning all the bridges behind us. We had a little skirmishing for two days, but no one hurt. We arrived all safe in Corinth with a train 4 miles long, consisting of confiscated wagons loaded with confiscated cotton + driven by confiscated “niggers” I was ordered to go with our regimental surgeon and was appointed Hosp. Steward for the trip. Uncle, I have become a ‘democrat’ but not one of the copper-head kind which we soldiers hate worse than rebels themselves and which they will find out to their sorrow some day if they don’t snip their croaking. Our regiment is very healthy there being, but two or three sick in it all the Sheffield boys are well. I sincerely hope you will escape the conscription bill, but there are some in that town whom I wish could be brought in the field + men who could leave as well + better some who have already gone.

I am very glad to hear Aunt Adah is getting well fast. I wrote yesterday to Sister Mary. I had a letter from her not long ago. She said she was content with her place + was earning her board and making 50 cents a week beside. I sent her money in a letter. I do hope she will grow good and industrious for she + I have…earn our way in this world + I will help how I can, God helping us. She was at Mrs. Handle….say (???): do you know her whether she is a good woman. We were payed off a few weeks ago, but I am afraid to trust money in a letter and (???) of the married men think they can get a furlough…home (Hank Andrews + Dave Aleck) in a short time…they do, I will send some by them. Wish I could (get) a furlough home, but have given up all thought…if I get home when my term of enlistment expires I will be glad. Give my compliments + good…to the newly married couple if they have not….But I must bring my lengthy letter to a (finale) it become tiresome. I was very glad Aunt wrote…little hadent heard from her in a long time. (???)…make this long letter do for answer to both…write some every-time. Should like to see my…cousin first rate: little cousin Charlee….a first rate name. Tell Oscar to write and mother too. Give my love + respects to all my friends + please excuse mistakes

Please write soon. Love to you all.

Your affect nephew

A.W.Bill

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Return from Tuscumbia

(continued from previous page) full of silver halves + quarter dollars. The rest rolling over the floor + quickly grabbed up by Cavalry men. I stood in the doorway + saw this plunder. It was considered perfectly lawful + right as much as to take corn and forage. When most had gone I went in to look + see + in poking the rubbish over with a stick saw another roll which I picked up + opened. It was a roll of confederate bank notes $500.00. I stuffed it in my pocket, selling part of it afterward for $50 in green books. But using most of it to buy pies + dinners from citizens often paying $5.00 “confed” for a dinner.

The surrounding farms were thoroughly cleared at horses, mules, wagons, negroes, livestock. Cotton + c +c. when we left to return to Corinth we had a train of plunder 4 miles long + our $40,000 worth of cotton in bales. Our departure from Tuscumbia was precipitous owing to the approach of Van Dorn with 8.000 C.S. cavalry.

A great many wagons had to be abandoned on the muddy + bad roads returning - + these, with a many bales of cotton were burned. We finally arrived in Corinth + reported our plunder. The 6 ambulances were full of sick + wounded men. These were sent to the general Hospital.

My friend, the Eng. Cavalry man was now well able for service + to him I returned my horse – reporting myself back to our own Sharpshooters camp. We were out some 14 or more days – away from all communications whatever

The spring of 1863- came on a pace + found us all domiciled luxuriously in our camp. Which had been christened Camp Davies.