Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 10, 1862

Left Camp General Moorhead and came to Columbia, and got to the town of Pulaski on the same day, and encamped for the night, making a march of 11 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 12

Diary of Private Adam S. Johnston, May 13, 1862

Left Pulaski and got to Sugar creek on the same day, remaining three days in the above mentioned camp, and encamped for the night, making a march of 18 miles.

SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 12

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: April 7, 1864

Still at Jackson's plantation; duty heavy; daily patroling and scouting continued along the river. This evening a detachment is sent to Pulaski with dispatches; return to the detachment with a large mail, which seems to instil new life into the men. The little “billets" bring sunshine to the soldiers.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 231

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: between January 7 & 15, 1864

Corraling our horses and mules and leaving them in charge of the non-veterans, the regiment on the 8th of January, with drums beating, colors flying, and hopes beating high, march from Pulaski, Tennessee. Arriving at Columbia we take the cars for Nashville, where we remain in the Soldier's Home until transportation is furnished. Transportation being furnished we proceed by rail to Louisville, Kentucky, where we remain until we receive our pay and bounty-after which we cross the Ohio and take the cars for Springfield, Illinois.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 221

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: between January 19 & February 28, 1864

"Southward, ho! How the grand old war-cry
Thunders over the land to-day,
Rolling down from the eastern mountains,
Dying in the west away.
Southward, ho! Bear on the watchword,
Onward march as in other days,
Till over the traitors' fallen fortress
The stripes shall stream and the stars shall blaze,
And the darkness fly from their radiant van,
And a mightier empire rise in grandeur
For freedom, truth, and the rights of man.”

After mingling for a while so pleasantly with the good people of Illinois, enjoying their hospitality and receiving from them many words of cheer, we rendezvous at Camp Butler, February 18th. While here we add to our rolls a large number of recruits. Noble men they are who have been waiting patiently to arrive at the necessary age for a soldier. That period having arrived, they now seem to feel proud in their uniforms of blue. Colonel Rowett having been by special order, (contrary to his wishes,) assigned to the command of Camp Butler, on the twenty-second of February the regiment, under the command of Major Estabrook, takes the cars for Dixie. Arriving at Louisville, Kentucky, we receive transportation for Nashville. On arriving there, we are furnished lodgings in the Zollicoffer House. The regiment will long remember the accommodations received there at the hands of the government contractors. How the bristling bayonets clashed together at the entrance, and how they practiced their expert chicanery to work their egress therefrom.

Remaining here until transportation is furnished, on the twenty-eighth we proceed on our way to Pulaski, Tennessee. The trains running all the way through, we arrive in our old camp at five P. M.; all seem glad to get back; the non-veterans are glad to see us, and hear from their friends at home; and even the mules send forth their welcome.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 225-6

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: March 16, 1864

This morning we proceed on our way to Pulaski; arrive in camp in the evening, very much worn by hard riding.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 228

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, December 2, 1863

Early this morning we are on the road leading towards Pulaski, Tennessee. When within twelve miles of Pulaski we go into camp; we have honey, chickens and hams in abundance to-night. The boys are cheerful.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 211

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, December 3, 1863

We arrive in Pulaski by noon to-day, and find all quiet in camp; receive a large mail, which the boys are now reading.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 211

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, December 4, 1863

All still to-day; a dull monotony in camp. The Seventh are now making shelter out of rails and their oil cloths, and what few boards they can gather up; no tents; on duty every day, scouting and running everywhere. This evening a call is made upon the different companies for twenty volunteers to carry dispatches one hundred miles across the country to Eastport, Tennessee River. To be relieved from the camp's dull life, we conclude to be one of the number. The remaining nineteen soon report. About nine o'clock p, M., we leave Pulaski under the command of Lieutenant Roberts, of Company C. We travel until four o'clock in the morning, when we halt at a plantation, feed and get our breakfast, prepared by the negroes. At daylight we move on, pass through Waynesboro, and go as far as Pin Hook, where we go into camp for the night.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 212

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, December 7, 1863

This morning the transports and gun-boats all move down the river, leaving us isolated and alone, and in consequence we are soon on our way back towards Pulaski. Thinking it policy, we move on a different road. We travel briskly; capture three guerrillas during the morning; run one about three miles and capture him in a brush pile. When about thirty miles from Eastport, inland from the river, and while moving on a quick pace, we suddenly come upon a battallion of rebels numbering about two hundred. “Lieutenant, no time to be lost now! back we must get or be captured!” says Lowery, the scout. So from the road over the hills and through the woods we plunge, and getting on the Waynesboro road, we make good our escape.

We travel until about eleven o'clock and go into camp on a plantation seven miles from Waynesboro, making a distance since morning of eighty miles. It is now raining; the winds howl fiercely; the boys seek shelter in stables and sheds. We now think of those who are on picket to-night, after riding so hard all day. Stern necessity demands it, and no one complains. What noble types of untiring fortitude!

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 213-4

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, December 9, 1863

This morning we start on our way for Pulaski, with a squad of guerrillas given into our charge before leaving Waynesboro, to take through to the Provost Marshal at Pulaski. A detail of the Fifth Tennessee accompany us. We go into camp for the night near Lawrenceburg. This evening a plot for the prisoners to break guard to-night is overheard by one of our men, and in consequence we are all compelled to be on guard, but no such attempt was made.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 214

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, December 10, 1863

We arrive in Pulaski at noon to-day, and turn over our prisoners to the Provost Marshal and report to camp, having performed the journey without the loss of a man. All express themselves surprised to see us in Pulaski this evening, having given Lieutenant Roberts and squad up as captured, and candidates for some southern prison hell.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 214-5

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, December 11, 1863

This morning the regiment leaves Pulaski with three days' rations; Lieutenant Roberts and squad are ordered to remain in camp. Oh! how lonely here since the regiment has been out on the war line making inroads in West Tennessee and North Alabama.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 215

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, November 30, 1863

This morning the regiment starts over the hills towards Pulaski, Tennessee; and moves on the Waynesboro road. Night coming on we go into camp at Pin Hook.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 210-1

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Thursday, November 12, 1863

It appears that our Division has come to a stand; that Sherman and his corps have gone on unchecked to join Rosecrans. In the afternoon we move across Richland Creek; pass through Pulaski, and go into camp. All quiet this evening.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 206

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, November 16, 1863

This morning the train arrives at Davis' Station, from Nashville, with supplies. The wagons are now being loaded up; this evening all being loaded, we receive orders to be ready in the morning to return to Pulaski, Tennessee.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 206

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, November 17, 1863

We move early this morning; it takes some time to cross Duck River, the river having risen considerably. We go into camp for the night, half way between Columbia and Pulaski.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 207

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Wednesday, November 18, 1863

By day-light the train is moving; we arrive in camp at Pulaski by sun-down, and find it deserted, the regiment having gone on a scout.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 207

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, November 20, 1863

The companies are busy to-day getting their foot-sore mules shod, preparatory to another expedition, for rumor already has it that the regiment will leave Pulaski to-morrow morning on some mission.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 207

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, November 21, 1863

Again rumors are verified. Pursuant to order, the regiment moves from Pulaski this morning with three days' rations. It is said we are bound for Corinth, Mississippi, to look after the camp and garrison equipage belonging to the Second Division. After travelling thirty miles, we go into camp at Lexington, Alabama. As usual the regiment forages, and chickens still continue to fall victims to the Seventh. We have a good supper to-night; such as soldiers enjoy.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 207-8