Wednesday, 23d–I left all my accouterments and clothing at the hotel. Before starting for home, I purchased some clothing and other articles, all amounting to $46.50. Among other things, I bought a blouse and vest, a hat, shirts, boots, pen, and my first watch, for which I paid $17.00. I started for home at 10 [...]
Tuesday, 22d–We reached La Salle at 2 o’clock this afternoon and changed cars for Davenport, arriving at our destination at dark. I took lodging at the Davis House. The taverns are all crowded, because of so many soldiers coming home on their furloughs.
Monday, 21st–We reached Cairo at 4 o’clock this morning and I went ashore with my comrades to the Soldiers’ Home for breakfast. We then went to the provost marshal’s office for our railroad transportation from Cairo to Davenport. We boarded the train at noon and arrived at Centralia at 5 o’clock. We had to lie [...]
Sunday, 20th–It is quite cool today. We ran all day, but we have a big load, crowding every nook and corner of the boat; we are more crowded than before reaching Memphis. The sergeant in charge of us six guards had our haversacks replenished at Memphis.
Saturday, 19th–It is quite cool. We reached Memphis at 4 o’clock this morning and remained all day, not starting on our trip till late this evening. The supply train of the Sixteenth Army Corps was unloaded here from our boat, and we took on the Thirty-fifth New York Infantry.
Friday, 18th–It is quite cool today with a rather sharp wind blowing, which with our crowded condition makes it very uncomfortable. The Thirty-second Illinois received their pay on board today, and no doubt the gamblers will get their hands in before we land.
Thursday, 17th–Our boat has been running steadily since starting, it having stopped but once, and that was to take on wood for the boilers of the engine. The time has passed without incident.
Wednesday, 16th–This is a beautiful day. I left for home on my thirty-day furlough. I embarked with the Fifteenth Iowa and the Thirty-second Illinois, on board the “Olive Branch.” We left for Cairo, Illinois, at 3 p. m. We say adieu to thee, Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of the West! We leave thee with some pleasant [...]
Tuesday, 15th–We were relieved from guard at the roundhouse, and I received my transportation papers from the provost marshal. I was promoted today from “high private in the rear rank” to sixth corporal in the front rank, my commission to date from March 1, 1864.[1] [1] This was indeed a surprise to me, as I [...]
Monday, 14th–It is quite cool today, after three days of warm weather. We are still on guard at the roundhouse. The contrabands are all being put to some kind of work, or enrolled in the army. As the Government has to feed them, they will partially pay their way by working.
Sunday, 13th–The Eleventh and the Fifteenth Iowa, together with the Twelfth Wisconsin, all veterans, went aboard the “Continental” this afternoon and about dark left for the North. I could not go with my regiment, as I have not yet been relieved from guard duty at the roundhouse.
Saturday, 12th–All the men of the Iowa Brigade who did not re-enlist have been formed into a battalion until the veterans return. Major Pomutz of the Fifteenth Iowa is in command. All the non-veterans of the old regiments are to remain at Cairo, Illinois, until the veterans return from their furloughs.
Friday, 11th–The Iowa Brigade turned over their tents and camp equippage to the general quartermaster, preparatory to going up the river. General Grant is now at the head of all the armies of the United States, just where we have wanted him ever since the surrender of Vicksburg.[1] [1] After Vicksburg, General Grant was sent [...]
Thursday, 10th–It rained all day yesterday, and today it is quite cool. The expedition that is going up the Red river left this afternoon. Regiments are leaving every day for the North, going home on their veterans’ furloughs. We are still on guard at the roundhouse.
Wednesday, 9th–It rained all day. We are still on guard at the roundhouse. Troops are on the move, both up and down the river as fast as the transports can carry them. New troops are to garrison Vicksburg from now on. We are glad to leave the place, for we have been in and around [...]
Tuesday, 8th–I was detailed with six men from the Eleventh under me, as special guard at the roundhouse. We were detailed about midnight to relieve the Ninety-fifth Illinois, which will accompany a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps down the river, and then on an expedition up the Red river. The Seventeenth Army Corps is [...]
Monday, 7th–The Thirteenth Regiment started for Iowa today on their thirty-day furlough. Our regiment received three months’ pay, and all who re-enlisted were given a part of their bounty money, $160.00 each. The bounty, with my regular pay, after settling for six months’ clothing, $8.00, gave me $207.00.
Sunday, 6th–The weather is quite pleasant today, and has been for several days. We had company inspection early this morning, and in the afternoon we had preaching in camp, followed by dress parade at 5 o’clock.
Saturday, 5th–We are all glad to get back in camp again and to sleep in the bunks instead of lying on the ground in open bivouac. The boys spent the day in washing clothes and cleaning guns and accouterments.
Friday, 4th–The army left bivouac at daylight this morning and the vanguard reached Vicksburg at 2 o’clock, while our rear did not get in till dark. We found our camps, clothing and all in good shape. The Sixteenth Army Corps went into camp out east of Vicksburg. We were relieved from the duty of headquarters’ [...]
Thursday, 3d–We got into motion early this morning and marched twenty miles. We bivouacked for the night within twenty-six miles of Vicksburg and not far from our forces at Big Black river bridge. The rebels ceased following us today. The weather and roads were fine for marching.
Wednesday, 2d–Orders were issued this morning for the army not to destroy any more property while on the march. We just learned that while we were in Canton, General Hurlbut levied a tax on the citizens, compelling them to furnish corn meal and other articles of food for the army. Today we marched fifteen miles, [...]
Tuesday, 1st–We left Canton at 8 o’clock this morning, our brigade taking up the rear. There was some skirmishing with the rebels’ cavalry, which began early in the morning before we got started. Bullets commenced to fly and the guards formed a line to protect the headquarters’ baggage. Finally, however, the rear guard opened a [...]
Sunday, 28th–The supply trains started on ahead for Vicksburg, taking with them about six thousand contrabands and refugees–men, women and children, both white and black, of all sorts and sizes. The rebels drove in our pickets today, but did not come any closer. The report is that it is Wheeler and his cavalry.
Saturday, 27th–We remained here in camp all day. A number of foraging parties were sent out and some of them were captured by the rebels, and so did not have the privilege of enjoying their booty with their comrades. Canton is a very nice little place, and our army did not destroy the town because [...]