we drilled some the Capt & 1st Lieut absent the 1st Lieutenant has been sick for several days.
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 87
we drilled some the Capt & 1st Lieut absent the 1st Lieutenant has been sick for several days.
SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 87
I am still at
Barnum's, and having transferred my sick to the charge of Mr. S., I have a
little more time to think, and to journalize my thoughts. I have looked around
a little to-day, and my observations have almost made me wish I had no country.
When every right which freemen hold dear is at stake, to see men calculating
the pecuniary cost of preserving them, sickens the heart, and shakes our
confidence in human nature. When the poorer classes are laboring day and night,
and exposing their lives in the cause of that government on which the rich lean
for protection in the possession of their wealth, to see these loud mouthed
patriotic capitalists cheating them in the very clothes they wear to battle,
the soul revolts at the idea of human nature civilized into a great mass of
money-makers. May we not expect, ere long, that these same patriots will be
found opposing the war because it will require a tax on the riches which they
shall have amassed from it, to defray its expenses? We shall see.
* I assume that the
slave population are not of those against whom we fight.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 15-6
I was visited by my
Colonel to-day. He introduced the subject of reducing my hospital force. I was
extra-polite, and replied that I had not the slightest objection, provided it
was done with the understanding that it would shift the responsibility of the
care of the sick from my shoulders to those of others. The subject was dropped,
and will hardly be renewed. The jealousy existing in the military towards the
medical department of the army astounds me. The military commanders claiming
that the medical have no authority except through them, has driven the medical
officers to assume the other extreme, and claim that they are the only officers
in the army who are really independent of command. This quarrel is often
bitter, and makes not only themselves uncomfortably captious, but subjects the
sick and wounded to suffering whilst these settle their unnecessary quarrels.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of
Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B.
McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day
January, 1863, p. 19
Pleasant Valley, October 17th, 1862.
Being in a wakeful mood, I will try and compose my mind by writing a few lines in my diary, for we have become great friends—yes, confidantes—and tonight I need a confidante. Did I ever tell you, my silent friend, of my Northern home; of wife and children, loving and beloved? Then listen, while I whisper in your ear the sacred secret. I have a wife and four small children far off in Michigan. I love them with all the intensity and devotion of my nature. The thought of them is ever uppermost in my mind. In the daily, monotonous rounds of duty; in the long, dreary evenings, when folly reigns; in the stillness of the night; on the rugged, toilsome march, or in the tumult of battle, thoughts of the dear ones at home are ever present, inspiring me with hope, encouraging me to duty, a shield against temptation, a beacon light, shining out upon the stormy sea of strife on which my frail bark is launched, enabling me, thus far, to shun the rocks and quicksands that surround me.
Our regiment returned today from Frederic, where it has been guarding the railroad. We hear that General Wilcox, Colonel Fenton and Colonel Withington are to be promoted. We are heartily glad their eminent services are about to be rewarded by the Government. They are men of marked ability, and have well earned their honors. Although it will take from us our gallant Colonel, there is some compensation even in that. It will leave the regiment in command of Lieutenant Colonel Luce, who is beloved by all our men. We have heard heavy cannonading all day, but have not learned the result. It is rumored that we will move in a day or two-perhaps tomorrow. Where we go, even rumor sayeth not. Our men say it does not matter where, so they take us where work is to be done. Two men deserted from Co. G yesterday and two today. This splendid regiment that left Detroit two months ago nearly one thousand strong, mustered today, at inspection, two hundred and fifty-six men fit for duty. There are more sick than well, the result of insufficient supplies, and brutal, needless exposure of the men by officers high in rank.
The weather is delightful—cold and frosty nights, with warm sunshiny days and pure, fresh, mountain breezes that should strengthen and invigorate, and yet, of all who came from Blackman and Sandstone, I alone am well.
SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 19-20
Left Columbus this
morning about 4 o'clock on board the cars of the M. & O. Railroad. Men all
in good spirits. Left a number in the hospital. Was sick myself but the
prospect of getting into active duty soon cured me. Worked most of the night in
getting tents, etc. ready. Arrived at Grand Junction on Memphis &
Charleston Road on the morning of the 21st; ordered to LaGrange; arrived there
by 2 o'clock, camped at LaGrange that night. On the 22nd was ordered to Moscow,
a station twelve miles west of LaGrange. Owing to the roads being torn up we
marched there, where we arrived at noon. Soon 30,000 troops were encamped in
this vicinity and the rumors of an early advance are flying. Not yet brigaded.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 4
We have got the smallpox in prison, and from six to twelve are taken out dead daily. We can buy from prisoners rats, 25 cents each, killed and dressed. Quite a number of our boys have gone into the rat business. On the 11th of this month there were 800 sick prisoners sent South on parole.
SOURCE: Louis Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 68
On the 19th of June,
1861, the 5th Regiment of Wisconsin Vols., being partially organized, went into
camp at Madison, Wis. Here it remained for a time, perfecting its organization,
drilling and preparing itself for the hardships, the dangers, and the
responsibilities to be encountered in the battle-field, against a people
warlike and chivalric; a people who are taught to regard physical courage, and
recklessness of physical danger, as the noblest qualities of the human race,
and a people whose chief pride was to win in fight, whether with individuals or
in masses; but a people, who, having entrusted their politics to professed
politicians, were misled to believe that, by their brothers of the Northern
States of this Union, their rights of property were invaded, and their homes
were coveted as a prize for distribution amongst the overgrown population of
the North. But to enter into a discussion of the merits of this rebellion, now
devastating the most beautiful country known to man, carrying in its march a
passover of beggary, of destitution, and of death, is not in accordance with
the object of this little book. It is therefore passed over, that the reader
may at once be permitted to enter into a detail of the subjects indicated in
our preface.
From the time of the
commencement of the rebellion, by actual war on Fort Sumter, in April of this
year, its settlement by rapid and decisive victories over the rebels was
subject of merriment, and looked on as matter of course. We were going to war
with a people of not half our numbers, without money, without munitions of war,
without navy, without anything in fine of those elements which go to make up
the ensemble of a people powerful in war, and we were entering into the strife
as a short interlude to the hum-drum vocations of life. "How could a
people thus situated hope to compete with the parent Government, rich in every
element which makes a great people?" This was the reasoning. In vain were
our people told of the character of the Southerners. In vain were they referred
to the results of our own rebellion and successful revolutionary war with
England. "Oh!" was the reply, "Steamships were not known in
those days, and England had to cross the ocean to fight us." "But Hungary,
with its population of only 3,000,000, and without revenue, withstood the whole
power of Austria, till the hordes of Russia had to be called in to aid in their
subjugation." "But Austria had become a superannuated and feeble
people." No reasoning would answer. The subjugation of the revolted States
was to be a pastime, and could be nothing but a pastime. Thus went on matters,
drilling as an amusement, preparatory to the enjoyment of a war, all the
results of which were to be on our side, and obtained without sacrifice or suffering.
*
* * * * *
On the afternoon of
the 21st July, 1861, the electric wires brought us the intelligence from Bull
Run that our army was whipped, was routed, was scattered in flight. The heart
of the whole North received a shock of sadness and of disappointment. Soldiers
in camp began to realize that war meant work and danger, and the Regiment of
which I was a member at once received orders to be in readiness to march at the
earliest possible moment, to hurry to the aid of its companions
in arms. It was in
sad plight for the exposures of camp life. ’Twas in the heat of summer, when
fevers and diarrhoea prevail in their worst forms. The measles had broken out
in camp, and one-third of the soldiers were suffering from disease of some
kind. Nevertheless, active preparation went on, and on the fourth day after the
receipt of the sad news the Regiment was on its way to battle.
On the 27th of July
we reached Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and went into Camp Curtin. For months this
had been a rendezvous for regiment after regiment. The grounds had not been
cleaned—the weather was intensely hot, without a leaf to intercept the
scorching rays of the sun. The stench of the camp was intolerable, and the sickness
of the troops rapidly increased.1
On the 29th of July,
at night, we received orders to be ready to march at 3 o'clock next morning.
Our destination was supposed to be Harper's Ferry, where we were at once to
engage the enemy and to "wind up the war." So great was the
excitement (these things were all new then) that very few laid down for rest
during the night. At 3 A. M., of the 30th, all tents were struck and rolled up;
mess chests were packed, and everyone ready for the order to move. But sunrise came
and found us sitting on our packages. The day wore on, I think the hottest I
ever experienced. The troops remained exposed to the broiling sun till 2
o'clock P. M., when we embarked on open platform cars, without seats, and
without covering. We ran down through the city, crossed the Susquehannah
Bridge, halted, and remained sitting or standing in the sun till evening. The
heat of the day, determining the circulation to the skin, had brought out the
eruption in many cases of measles, and the poor fellows had to sit and suffer,
without a place to lie down, or even a back to lean against. At dusk we found
ourselves again under way; ran down to York, Pa., about forty miles. It had now
commenced raining, and the cars were run out from the depot, and the suffering
men who had been all day washed with their own perspiration, were compelled to
sit all night in the rain. Sick or well, 'twas all the same. None were permitted
to leave the open cars and go back into the depot. Towards morning the rain
stopped; the wind shifted suddenly to the Northwest, and it was cold as
November. After the long tedious night of suffering, the morning came, and we
ran down to Baltimore, arriving there at 8 o'clock on the morning of July 31st.
We had anticipated
trouble here. We disembarked, marched with muskets loaded, and bayonets fixed,
from north to south through the entire length of the city, without molestation,
except from the scowls of secessionists, and the welcoming hurrahs of friends.2
At the Camden Street depot we remained in the most uncomfortable condition which
it is possible to conceive till sunset, when we were ordered for the twentieth
time during the day to "fall in." We disembarked, marched about two
and a half miles, and camped on an elevated ground to the north of, and
overlooking a large part of the city and bay. The regiment did not get settled
till midnight, and many were so exhausted that they threw themselves on the
ground, with their clothes still wet from the previous night's rain. The
medical department, however, succeeded by 10 o'clock in getting up tents to
protect the sick, and they were made as comfortable as the circumstances would
permit.
Here the regiment
remained till the 8th of August, without any occurrences worthy of note, except
that sickness continued to increase, and the knowledge I gained as to how
little some military commanders cared for the comfort of their sick men. After
we had been here five or six days, the Colonel was positively ignorant of the
fact that we had a hospital on the ground, though there were three within fifty
feet of his quarters, filled to their utmost capacity with the sick and
suffering. I was now receiving but little support in my efforts for their
health and comfort.
1 I made it my business to visit every tent
twice a day, to see that they were thoroughly cleaned, and that the sides of
the tent were raised so as freely to admit a current of air. But here the air
without was so foul as to improve the condition inside but little. I will here
say, however, that the Surgeon of a Regiment who does not visit every tent in
his encampment at least once a day, to satisfy himself by personal inspection
that it is thoroughly cleaned and ventilated, and that at least once a week the
tents are all struck, and the sun admitted for several hours to the ground on
which they stand, is not deserving of the position which he holds.
2 Only two companies were armed. They were
placed one in front, the other in the rear of the Regiment, and so marched
through the city.
SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, p. 5-9
"I am monarch
of all I survey." Last night, intelligence being received that an attack
was expected on Washington; we were ordered to move there instanter, and at
once the regiment was in motion. It got off in the course of the night, leaving
me here in charge of about forty men who were too sick to be moved. I am left
without provisions or money, except a few pounds of flour with which to feed
and care for the sick, and the ten well ones left with me, to aid me and to
look up deserters who have been left here. How am I to do it? I find a strong
secession element here, and at times it is very bold. The hurrahs for Jeff.
Davis are frequent, and all day the children are flaunting secession flags in
our faces, and flying secession kites in our camp ground
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 10
What a wonderful
effect the hardships of camp life, with the troubles and cares which they
entail on a surgeon, have had on my health. For many years I have been
dyspeptic. Now I can eat what I please, and go without sleep almost entirely,
and suffer no inconvenience. Last night, at 11 o'clock, after having ate a
piece of hard salt beef for my supper, I "cared for" a pint of rich
ice cream, and feel no inconvenience from it to-day. This would kill an
ordinary civil man. I have to work very hard, but feel it a great comfort to
work amongst the sick without suffering from fatigue, as I have been accustomed
to.
Having received an
order this morning from Gen. Dix to put all my sick into general hospital, and
finding them bitterly opposed, I visited Fort McHenry, saw Gen. D., and
prevailed on him to rescind the order.
I was highly
gratified with what I saw at Fort McHenry. It, being the first equipped fort I
ever saw, was an object of much interest; its numerous cannon, large enough for
a small soldier to sleep in, pointing in all directions overlooking Baltimore
and guarding all the approaches to it. No matter from what direction you come,
you find these monster guns looking right in your face. Low down behind the
walls lie almost innumerable ugly bull-dog-looking mortars, not over two and a
half feet long, loaded with a 20 to 40-pound shells filling them to the very
muzzle, and ready to be vomited forth at the first approach of trouble. There,
too, is the great Dahlgren, stretching its long black neck away beyond the
embrasures, as if looking for an object into which to pour its monster shot and
shell, or its shower of grape and cannister. Its howitzers are there, and its
great Columbiads, into some of which I was strongly tempted to crawl and take a
nap, but a sudden recollection of the history of Jonah reminded me that its
stomach, too, might sicken, and that I might awake in a trip across the mighty
deep on the wings of the wind. I didn't go in. The bright little brass 6, 8,
and 10pounders, on the greater number of which Napoleon said God always smiled
in battles, were conspicuous amongst these great leviathans, and above all, the
newly invented rifle cannon, ready to demolish ships or houses at two to five
miles distance.
Have lost no man yet
from sickness, but I have one who, I fear, will not recover. He is supposed to
be poisoned by a glass of lemonade, bought of a man suspected of being a rebel.
I have succeeded, by
selling a half barrel of flour, and by the approval of a small requisition made
on the commissary, in getting provisions of all kinds to make my little
detachment comfortable.
The poisoned soldier
is very sick to-day, but I have hopes of his recovery. In a city where we have
received so much kindness and attention as in Baltimore, it is painful to have
to suspect anyone of so devilish an act as that of poisoning a man.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 12
I was sick
yesterday. Last night took an opiate. This morning, when I awoke, I turned over
and looked upon a dirty tin cup, and a greasy tin plate, sitting on a chair
beside my bed. It required quite a rubbing of the eyes to recall my faculties,
so as to realize where, and what I was. But at last I awoke fairly to the
contrast between what I looked on, and the little waiter with its spotless
napkin, its cup of beautiful drab-colored coffee, and its nicely browned toast,
presented to me by loving ones who had sometimes watched over my restless
slumbers in sickness, and waited at early morn with these delicious antidotes
to the prostrating effects of opiates. Had there have been "music in my
soul" I should have sung, "Carry me back, oh! carry me back.” But I
arose, went to work, and am better to-night. I think, however, that it will be
some time before I hunger for another meal from a tin cup and tin plate.
Received to-day,
from Miss M. H. C., a draft on New York for fifty dollars, to be used for the
relief of the sick under my care. This is a bright spot in the darkness around
me.
“How far that little
candle throws its beams!”
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 12-13
Sixteen of my sick
have so far recovered that I sent them to-day to join their regiment at Kalorama
Heights, near Washington. I have quite recovered from my attack, which was
rubeolous fever. I had been so much mixed up with measles that, notwithstanding
I had passed through the disease in childhood, the system in some degree
yielded to its contagious influence, and I have had all the symptoms of
measles, except the eruption. I have termed this rubeoloid, or rubeolous fever.
It is common in camp.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 13
H. S. S. arrived at
my hospital to-day, with orders, as I was sick, to take charge of and bring
forward all the men left here. From the tenor of our Colonel's letter of
instructions to his messenger, I should take him to be a little
"miffed" at the men's not being sent forward earlier. What in the name
of heaven can he wish to do with sick men in camp? However, I have no
discretion, but shall turn over the men to S., and see how he will carry out
instructions. I had already sent forward to-day, before his arrival, quite a
number, leaving me only ten here.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 13
I wish to record,
what I have omitted, an acknowledgment to many of the people of Baltimore
during our stay here, for such kindness as I never expected to meet with
amongst strangers. On the morning of our arrival, at the depot, in this city, I
was detained some time in looking after the sick who were brought forward, and in
getting them into conveyances to the depot where we were to re-embark. The
regiment marched forward and left me, so that I must pass through the city
alone. I armed myself well, expecting to be insulted at every corner, and,
perhaps, to meet with personal violence. My dress showed me to be a member of
the regiment which had just passed. Scarcely a rod did I walk without being
accosted with kind greetings and "Godspeeds;" scarcely a corner did I
pass without being stopped by gentlemen, inviting me to their houses to partake
of their hospitality, in the shape of a cup of coffee, a breakfast, a little
rest. Ladies, as I passed, would come to the door, or send out their servants
to know if they could do anything for the comfort of myself or regiment.
Since I have been
left here with the sick of the regiment, their kindness and attention have, if
possible, been even more marked. The house which I use for both hospital and
headquarters, is constantly crowded by ladies, gentlemen, children, pressing in
to see what they can do for the relief of the sufferers. The tables groan under
the delicacies brought in, and citizens beg for permission to take my sick and
care for them at their houses. Nor is this done from the novelty of seeing a
regiment pass through. There are always from ten to twenty thousand volunteer
troops here, and from one to twenty new regiments pass through daily.
I confess to myself
that this is a discouraging feature in the war. This is a Southern city, and
this is a type of Southern character. They become interested, and their whole
heart is wrapped up in the subject. It is a representation of the character of
the people against whom we fight, and on this earnestness for what they believe
to be right, is based much of their opinion that the Southerner will prove
himself so far superior to the Northern man in battle. I fear there is more
truth in it than we of the North are willing to admit. Whatever may be the
result of the struggle now going on, to the people of Baltimore I shall ever
remember that I am under deep obligations for their kindness to me personally,
as well as to the sufferers under my care, and for their interest in the cause
which I believe to be not only right, but sacred. I leave Baltimore with much
regret, and beg its kind citizens to remember that at least one soldier, a
recipient of their kindness, will ever treasure in his heart a grateful
remembrance of them.
SOURCE: Alfred L.
Castleman, The Army of the Potomac.
Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the
Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia
about the First Day January, 1863, p. 13-5
COLUMBUS, KENTUCKY. Last Tuesday we received marching orders from
Paducah. Wednesday morning about 4 o'clock Co. A with some fifty sick men were
placed on board the steamer "Rob Roy," the balance of the regiment
being on the steamer "Diamond." Rained hard; of course, we were all
soaked. Fifteen miles below Paducah we got aground and stuck there until the
steamer "May Duke" came along and took us off. I pitied the poor sick
soldiers but could do nothing for them but let them see I was willing if I had
the power. We arrived at Cairo and were transferred again to the steamer
"Eugene," left Cairo about 9 o'clock and got here at 12. Left three
of Co. A in the hospital at Paducah. We are encamped on a bluff some two
hundred and fifty feet above the Mississippi river and overlooking the battle
ground of Belmont, General Grant's first battle. We are encamped on what was
the rebel drill grounds and right below us is the water battery. They have a
steam engine to pump water up on the bluff. Nelson Towner is stationed here, on
General Quimby's [sic] staff, which
makes it pleasant for me.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 2
Yesterday we had a
very large fire here. About 9 o'clock a fire broke out on the commissary boat
"Admiral." I was "officer of the day" and was just about to
be relieved by Captain Prior. I hastened to the boat but found her so enveloped
in smoke that it would be useless to attempt to save her. The fire soon
communicated to the store ship "Philadelphia" which had on board a
large lot of loaded shell and cartridges. They soon commenced to explode.
General Dodge, Post Commander, soon came along and ordered all hands to
commence moving boxes of shells and cartridges that were on shore. Soon the
shells on the boat commenced to burst and fly all about; several of the men were
knocked down. The danger was very great but most of the men stood it well. Both
boats were a total loss. The other day when I was "officer of the
day" I had charge of the prison in which were a number of rebel prisoners.
No one had a right to enter without a permit from the Provost Marshal, the
commanding officer of the post or myself. A sickly looking woman with a baby in
her arms, a little girl about five years old beside her, came to me and said
she had walked thirty miles to see her husband who had been confined two months
on charge of being a guerilla. Her wan and dejected appearance confirmed her
story and I escorted her to the sick ward where her husband was lying. The
moment she saw him she rushed to his cot, threw her arms around him, the little
thing climbed up on his bed, and such tears and exclamations of affection I
have never heard before. At the same time another prisoner who was confined for
the same offence and who was lying directly opposite, died. His friends crowded
around his cot and they gave way to their tears and sobs. I could not but turn
away and feel the hot tears trickling down my own cheek; there was not a dry
eye in that room. I was the only Union soldier present and the wife turned on
her knees toward me and begged that I would let her husband go home with her,
that he was dying then, as he certainly was. He, too, begged me for his life,
but I, of course, was powerless to act in the matter. The friends of the dead
man crowded around and begged that they might be permitted to send his body
home, which was granted. I was only too glad to get away from such a scene. I
have more than my share of such duty as there are only four captains able for
duty, all the rest being sick. Making the grand rounds at night, with an
orderly for a companion, is not so pleasant when you have to ride through a
dense wood for ten or twelve miles. It would be an easy thing for the Rebs to
pick me off and I wonder they don't do it. I had a present from home of a box
containing cake, preserves, etc., from several of my young lady friends. It was
most acceptable.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 3
Still in camp.
Battallion drill and guard duty the order of the day. Quite a number of men
sick in hospital. We are, as all new soldiers, anxious for active service. Men
want to be tried to see what they are made of.
SOURCE: Joseph Stockton,
War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier
General Joseph Stockton, p. 4
One of our company, A. G. Ewing, was very sick, and had to be brought off in one of our company wagons, driven by Jesse Jones. The team, being very thin in order and almost broken down, stalled at the bank of Wolf River. Ben and I, being mounted on good wagon horses, took out the jaded team, put in ours and brought Ewing on to Jamestown.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 128
Colonel McNairy
started home on a furlough on account of ill health, leaving Captain Allison in
command of the battalion.
Allison received
orders to cross the river and report to Zollicoffer's headquarters as soon as
his men could cook three days' rations. We did not have three days’ rations,
but we cooked what we had, went to the river and commenced crossing, when, on
learning that we did not have the requisite amount of rations, Zollicoffer
ordered Allison to go back to camps and cook the rations, which he ordered the
brigade commissary to furnish. As soon as we had cooked our rations Allison
crossed the river and reported to our General that the First Battalion was
ready to move. Our Captain soon after returned and reported that the order to
cross the river was countermanded.
Mr. Andy Bogle, from
Cannon County, Tennessee, came in a carriage after Clabe Francis, a member of
Allison's Company, who was sick.
Two companies of
Brazelton's Battalion, fifty men from McNairy's, and about five companies of
infantry went about ten miles up the south side of the river to guard and load
a forage train. While the wagons were being loaded our infantry exchanged a few
shots with some Federals who were on the opposite bank of the river, without
any damage on our side.
All returned to camp
a little after dark with thirty-four wagons loaded with corn and oats.
W. C. Hancock,
brother to the writer, and four others from Company E started home on “sick
furlough.”