5th. Tuesday. In the morning did little of everything. Wrote to Fannies A. and H. in answer to letter received almost three months since. In the afternoon the service for the burial of three men was performed. Lt. Pike drilled the escort. It seemed his whole ambition to get the men well drilled. He had [...]
4th. Monday. “General” blew at 7 A. M. Struck tents and moved to our first camping ground when we entered Fort Scott from Kansas City. I went ahead with Major Miner to lay out camp. Q. M. issued clothing. Drew boots and shirt. Helped get things ready for supper. In the evening Major P., Major [...]
3rd. Sunday. Started again at 4 A. M. Marched 14 miles in sight of Fort Scott. Then turned back two miles on account of the scarcity of water. Encamped along a little vale where were little puddles of water. Got into camp a little after noon. Slept some. Got wood for a fire. Helped eat [...]
2nd. Saturday. In camp on Drywood, sixteen miles from Fort Scott. Marched today 22 miles over a barren prairie. Rested for two or three hours in the heat of the day. Mail came in the evening. Received another letter from Fannie. It seemed so good to hear from her two days in succession. Got to [...]
1st. Friday. In camp on Cow Creek, 40 miles south of Fort Scott. Two men were killed here by Standwaite some time ago. Poor water. The big twenty-five miles prairie just beyond. Rode with the Sergeant Major. Fooled with him considerably. Good time. Capt. Smith played fool, infringing on the Second Battalion. Major Purington gave [...]
July 31st. Thursday. Finished a letter to Fred Allen. The Court Martial meetings still continue, Major Purington presiding. The officers are beginning to be more strict and exacting. The discipline cannot but be improved. Went to the river and bathed. Washed a pair of pants and handkerchief and towel. Went up on a high bluff [...]
30th. Wednesday. In camp on Rocky Creek, Spring River. Issued five days’ rations, preparatory to marching northward. Boys in good spirits. Wrote to Fred Allen. Saw Charlie in the morning. Read Will’s last journal, much better than his late ones. His discouragement about the late reverses. To be sure the present hour looks dark but [...]
29th. Wrote to Uncle Albert Harris.
28th. Mail came. Letter from home. Rather discouraging news. Adjutant Weeks slept with the Major. Such a time talking and carrying on.
27th. Sunday. Wrote home and read some in “Nathalie,” by Julia Kavanagh. Very good story.
26th. Wrote a letter to Fannie. Played chess with Sergeant Spencer.
25th. Started at 4 A. M. Marched 7 miles beyond Hudson’s Crossing. Met the third battalion.
24th. Marched at 3 A. M. Reveille at 2 A. M. Marched 12 miles. Encamped.
23rd. Visited the rich mansion of Louis Ross, brother of John. Splendid place. The destruction seemed terrible. Owned 160 slaves. Good piano. Marched 12 miles and camped at 11.
22nd. Read in “Guy Mannering.” Issued rations for eleven days. Horses got away. Looked all over the country until the next day at 4 P. M., when we marched.
21st. Rested and wrote some.
20th. Reveille at 2 A. M. Marched at 4 A. M. Left Co. “A” to keep up communications. Encamped after 12 miles march. Major Burnett left with an escort for Leavenworth with orders and papers about Wier’s arrest.
19th. Kept up after eleven and packed up. The circumstances of the trouble with Wier are these: On account of drunkenness and his seeming determination to starve us out, Col. S., all the officers in his brigade and most of the others approving, concluded to arrest him; sent the adjutant with a detail of 100 [...]
18th. Ordered to commence on half rations. Visited Capt. Nettleton. Sick since going to Fort Gibson, weak. At 11 P. M. orders came to march at 2 A. M. Second Battalion in advance. Colonel Wier under arrest and a prisoner, Colonel Salomon commanding.
17th. Played a little chess. Wrote to Aunt Luna. Slept on the prairie. All the horses of the regiment were out.
16th. Wednesday. Boys returned from Fort Gibson, no enemy there. Enemy four miles below on the south side of the Arkansas, at Fort Davis. Expecting artillery. Boys rested.
15th. Stayed in camp and read “Guy Mannering,” good story. Pastured my horse and Brownell’s.
14th. Monday. Read in “Guy Mannering.” Rained very heavily most all day. Thunder. Got wet in tent. An alarm. Large detachment sent out. 1st and 2nd Battalions went, Archie and Thayer too. Major was angry that they went. Major, field officer of the day.
13th. Awoke early and found my horse. Took him out to graze. Issued rations to the whole command. Tired at night. Slept out with the pickets, with Charlie Fairchild.
12th. Saturday. Wrote a letter to Uncle and Aunt Branch. My horse got away suddenly and I did not find him until morning.