| Linn Diary Index | 16th OVI Home Page | August, 1863 |
Moving again-- leave after dinner in light marching order and with five days' rations. Draw cannon across Black River Bridge with long ropes. Ike McCullough fell out of ranks, had a sunstroke. I remain with him and we come up with the regiment after dark. Great many men were overheated and had sunstrokes today. Day extremely hot. Camped about a mile from Edwards Station next to Black River. Marched about six miles.
Tuesday, July 7, 1863
Dr. Brashear told Ike to get along as best he could and ordered me to stay with him. Ike worse in the afternoon about the same time in the day he was taken sick yesterday. Passed Champion Hill and the numerous graves of our brave men. Came up with the regiment long after dark and lay out all night in the rain. Rained very hard. Came 15 miles.
Wednesday, July 8, 1863
Ike starts back to camp at Black River this morning. Regiment does not move until eight o'clock P.M.. Advance slowly our cavalry fighting the rebel rear guard. Advance until dark and camp in sod field near a cornfield. Something burning ahead of us. Our loss in todays skirmish, three wounded. Some say there were two killed.
Thursday, July 9, 1863
On the road by sun-up and advance to Clinton, a pleasant little village. Find Sherman's advance here. Commenced skirmishing with the rebels two miles further on. Now halted about six miles from Jackson. Rebels captured one of the 3d Kansas Cavalry and shot him. He had a commission in negro regiment. Moved into a field to the right and go into camp for the night.
Death of Jacob A. Cole.
Died, July 9, 1863, at Benton Barracks, Missouri, of wounds received at Thompson's Hill, Jacob A. Cole, aged 23 years, 11 months and 9 days. He had passed through several hard battles, was in the first charge on Vicksburg, and at Thompson's Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss., received a ball through his lungs, which resulted in death. His remains were brought home by his brother, and his funeral preached in Benton on Monday the 3d August. His body was borne into the church by returned soldiers, wrapped in the flag under which he so gallantly fought, and in defence of which he fell. The attendance was one of the largest ever known in that place.
"How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
With all their country's wishes blest.
When spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns, to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than fancy's feet have ever trod."
Friday, July 10, 1863
Lieut. Corn came up last night -- he looks first rate. Capt. VanDorn was with him. Cross the fields this morning to another road, advance within two miles of Jackson and commence skirmishing. Battle raging -- regiment forms line in reserve. Rebels throw shell over us and we move to the right. P.M. Regiment in same place, shell strikes a stack of guns and breaks four and injures one more. Better the guns than the men should be hit. Am with the Surgeons and with them move further back. A ball went through Freeman's drum.
Saturday, July 11, 1863
Cannonading and skirmishing this morning about as yesterday. Division moves to the right and Surgeons change quarters to a small stream of water on the road. Rebels make a charge on our first brigade this evening and are repulsed. Saw a man of the 7th Ky. mortally wounded in neck. Sargeant Ferrington of Co. F wounded, slight. Drew rations - 4 1/2 crackers to a man. Mail up - receive a Republican of 25th of June. Raining tonight.
Sunday, July 12, 1863
Fighting today appears to be brisker than yesterday. Capt. Richerson of Co. G. and Corp. Levi Feeman of Co. H. wounded. Great cheering along our lines this evening. Port Hudson reported to be in our hands.
Monday, July 13, 1863
Fourth day of the fight -- rages about as yesterday. A Captain and Lieutenant of the 42nd Ohio brought back wounded. Newt Gorsuch here in the evening.
Tuesday, July 14, 1863
Fifth day of fighting -- no one brought in today. Saw one of the 54th Indiana killed. Flag of truce from the rebels - firing to cease until four o'clock. Still hear firing going on, don't understand it. Wagon load of roasting ears come to the regiment -- I got six.
Wednesday, July 15, 1863
Large mail in. Received letters from Father, Lizzie, Cicero, and Billy Fleming and a Gazette. Sixth day of fighting - nothing new on the firing line today. Brigade ordered to move to the right tonight or early in the morning.
Thursday, July 16, 1863
Regiment moves to the right and rear about 1 1/2 miles. Newt Gorsuch and I put up a shanty. Roasting ears and beef brought to the regiment and issued to the men. Very heavy firing this afternoon. Rebels charging on our works. Seventh day of the fight.
Friday, July 17, 1863
Jackson is ours -- rebels evacuated the place last night. John Laylander and I went over to Jackson in the afternoon. The town is burning down. Saw the ashes of a human body which had burned. A shell in a burning building exploded and killed a couple of men.
Saturday, July 18, 1863
Jackson is still burning. Heavy rain came up this afternoon wetting everything. Go to woods and make a shed. No rain after dark.
Sunday, July 19, 1863
Expected to move this morning but did not. No rain but cloudy -- sun out but part of the time.
Monday, July 20, 1863
Ordered to be ready to move at a moments warning but do not do so.
Tuesday, July 21, 1863
Start this morning toward Raymond but go very slowly. Jon't Williams and I go two miles or more ahead of the regiment to find water. Marched some eight or nine miles and camp at the "Mississippi Springs," a summer resort. The springs are grand. Four springs under one roof, large stone like crockery ware placed in each, a large spring in the center and the other three equal distance around it.
Wednesday, July 22, 1863
Make better time today - marched through Raymond our old, tattered flag open to the breeze. Came on about six miles and stop for dinner. Sam Gault captured four mules, I got one no one could ride and road him to the teams, traded him for a riding mule. Came about fourteen miles today.
Thursday, July 23, 1863
Sam Gault and I came on ahead of the regiment this morning and reached Camp Alice about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Regiment came in before dark. Troops passing all day, going toward Vicksburg. Am stiff and sore -- older by twenty years than Grandfather, now.
Friday, July 24, 1863
Off for Vicksburg early this morning. Harry Myers and Sol Ross help carry my drum. Came within three miles of Vicksburg and turn to the right and go way down below our old camp while engaged in the Vicksurg siege. Boys swearing and cursing because we do not go straight through to town. Everybody very tired. Received socks, handkerchiefs, comb, etc. brought by Lieut. Corn from home.
Saturday, July 25, 1863
Reveillee at three and start at four and a half o'clock this morning, march to and through Vicksburg and the 42nd Ohio and our drum corps playing together. Came to the Mississippi river again and go into camp in a low place three-fourths of a mile from the river. Commenced a letter to Lizzie. Go swimming in the Mississippi. Received letter and paper from Lizzie.
letter from T.B.L. to L.S.
Vicksburg, Miss., July 25, 1863
Scarcely had the last long triumphant shout ceased to vibrate through the air among the hills and valleys of the Big Black over our success at Vicksburg until we were ordered to prepare for another long march and more new conquests.
The morning of the fourth was spent in exultation over our success, and then for Vicks-burg to fall on that day of all other days. What humiliation it must be to the Confederacy to be forced to surrender on the birthday of our beloved country. May we not hope that this may be its' reserection as well as birthday and that this when we again celebrate it, it will be with fuller hearts and more thankfullness than ever. The afternoon we were busied in preparing five days rations and our traps for a trip to Jackson although we did not get started until the sixth. We left everything we had, grub and rifles excepted, with a few convalescents and went in light marching order. This has been an extremely hard march on me as I had to make it barefooted. I never like to write complaining of grumbling letters but I guess I will have to come pretty near it this time. I was so unfortunate as to let a rail fall on my foot and hurt it so that I could not wear my boot and had to take it barefooted. I tell you it was hard work. The sun about noon would almost burn us up and the dust was so hot I could not stand in it at all. You can judge how I looked jumping along like a cat on a hot stove. Any amount of our men dropped over with sunstroke on the way. Once on our way back if we had gone a quarter or half a mile further, I believe I would have fallen right on the road, but we happened to rest just then and I got cooled off some and was then able to go on a couple of miles further where we rested until cooler. A fine shower of rain came up cooling the air and laying the dust; -- never was rain more welcome than this to the poor tired soldiers.
We were seven days beseiging Jackson before we got it. We were trying to get around them as we did here at Vicksburg, but old Johnston was too sharp to be caught in a trap of that kind and remained only till he saw a day or two more would catch him when he skedaddled. He diverted our attention by making one charge on our works after another while he was getting his teams across Pearl River. We passed over the Champion Hill battlefield as we went out. I tell you it was a sorrowful sight to see the numerous graves of the slain and to gaze on the piles of slain horses laying just as they fell by their batteries. We skirmished with the rebel rear guard from the hill onward. When within six miles of Jackson the rebels captured one of Gen. Osterhaus' orderlies belonging to the 3rd Kansas Cavalry and shot him down and left him lay; he was not yet dead when we came up with him. It is said they shot him because he had a permission to raise a negro company. We took two of the same regiment and sent in a flag of truce demanding the murderer or we would shoot the two we had and all others we caught from the same regiment. It was a Texas regiment.
Sunday 26th - I received another of your letters this morning, also a Gazette. I have two more from you that I have not answered; one received just before we started to, and the other while at Jackson. I also received the papers sent me, I am always glad to get them. I think that a real good song you sent me, "The Old Union Wagon." I have not received your next to the last letter, the one I know you have written by your referring to it -- about the man hunt at Liberty and the Sham fight. Did Morgan go close to College Corner in his trip through there? This is a horrible letter, please excuse it. I am completely worn out and my hand trembles so. I never was near gone up in my life than I am now. I really think I fell older now than Uncle Caleb. We all need rest the worst kind. I hope we will get it now. We are camped below town near the river. I will write again in a few days.
P.S. - I send you a ribbon torn from our banner, the one my bedfellow and almost brother Newt Gorsuch carries; also a song "Dear Voices of Home" which I think is real good, learn it I want to hear you sing and play it when I get back.
--end of letter--
Sunday, July 26, 1863
Finished my letter to Lizzie and sent my music off. Raining and blowing hard in the evening. Bought a satin vest from John G. Boling for $3.00.
Monday, July 27, 1863
Rained hard last night. Had a dress parade and order regarding furloughs read. Received letter from Rebecca Powers. Uptown nearly all day.
Tuesday, July 28, 1863
Wrote to Father, signed payrolls.
letter from T.B.L. to Father
Your letter, also one from Cicero received while we were at Jackson this last time. We were scarcely through sending up our long, loud and exulting shout over the capture of Vicksburg until we were ordered to prepare for a march although we did not start until the morning of the Sixth, when we started off with five days' rations in our haversacks and in light marching order taking only our gum-blankets. We were seven days besiegeing Jackson before we could prevail on Gen. Joe Johnston to permit us to go into town. There was no rash charging done at Jackson by our General and but one along the line made by General Loman's Division. He was put under arrest and sent back. It was a nice fight. We passed the battlefield of Champion Hill on our way out. I tell you it was a meloncholly sight to see the numerous graves of our fallen comrades and the carcasses of many artillery horses lying in piles just as they fell. Skirmishing with the enemy's rear guard commenced the other side of the hill. We had frequent meetings with them all the way through to Jackson. About six miles this side of Jackson the rebels caught one of Gen. Osterhaus' orderlies and shot him down like a dog. He belonged to the 3d Kansas Cavalry, had a commis- sion to raise a negro company with him, said to be why he was shot. He was not yet dead when our troops got to him and said that a sergeant in the 3d Texas shot him.
I was all through Jackson after it was taken. It was a most beautiful town, but is nearly burned to ashes now. I saw the ashes of a human body that was burned in the street, when there. Returning we passed the great Mississippi. I think it must be a beautiful place in peaceful times, there are four springs under one roof, but so many troops were stopping there that they had the springs dipped dry before we came up. This was a very hard march. Dr. Brashear says the hardest on the men we ever made, it was so hot and we marched so fast. Men would march until they would litterally drop down with sunstroke. The fence corners and shades all along the road was filled with worn out men. Ike McCullough dropped down marching along the first day with sunstroke. I remained back with him and kept wetting his head with water until he got so he could get along. I staid with him the next day too and we made it along as best we could getting up with the regiment long after night. The third day he came back to camp. Newt stood it first rate. Jon't Williams got along pretty well. I had a very hard through of it. I let a rail fall on my foot a day or two before we left the Black river and hurt my toe so that I cannot wear my shoe and had to make the whole trip in my bare feet; sometime the dust was so hot that I could scarcely stand it. It was amusing to see me jumping along like a kitten on a hot stove. The day after we left Jackson on our return we marched very fast and it was burning hot - at one time I thought I would surely fall over. I think yet if we had not rested when we did but have gone a quarter of a mile further I would have been sunstruck. My head began to whirl and feel hot and burning. But we are in camp again and I will soon get rested up. I think we will be paid off in a short time again; they are working on the payrolls now.
The army here are all being furloughed. Five out of every hundred get to go now, in ten days as many more and ten days later another lot, and so on till all go. The furloughs are for thirty days and we have to pay our own way. Newt Gorsuch, Jake Shank and Billy Koms get them this time out of our company. I don't know who comes in next. I bought a nice black satin vest from John G. Boling for $3.00. I will send it home with Newt and then if I do not get to go it will be there.
Lieut. Corn came to us while on the march to Jackson. I got the things sent me when we came back, suspenders, handkerchief, socks, comb, buttons, thread, needles, etc. We were real glad to see him. He looks natural. I will answer Cicero's letter in a day or two. I have a letter from Billy Fleming to answer - will soon. I believe I get all my papers, have not missed more than two or three for a long time. I sometimes get a U.P. from you and sometimes a Gazette from College Corner.
Did Uncle Frey ever send me that gold pen? If not and Newt Gorsuch gets home tell Uncle to send it with Newt.
I think the names you have given the little twins very pretty. I like them. I would like to see little Albert and Allie.
--end of letter--
Wednesday, July 29, 1863
Had darkies wash my shirts. Swimming in the Mississippi. Dress parade this evening.
Thursday, July 30, 1863
Move camp one mile up on the bank below the Vicksburg landing. Received letter from Lizzie.
Friday, July 31, 1863
Fixing up our tent, made a bed. Newt Gorsuch starts home on furlough. Write short letter to Mother and send it with Newt.
Vicksburg, Miss., July 31, 1863
Newt Gorsuch starts home on furlough in a few minutes have time to write but a few words. If the order is not countermanded I will get a furlough in a short time probably though not until Newt comes back again. He is furloughed for thirty days time to commence from Cairo. I bought a black satin vest from John G. Boling for $3.00 which I will send with Newt for fear I do not get to go. Take care of it for me. I got it because it was so cheap and I will need vests before long I hope. John G. captured it coming round in rear of Vicksburg. I wrote to Uncle Frey to send me a gold pen -- if he has not sent it by mail, give it to Newt to bring to me. My name is on the roll of merit for furlough but it may not be my turn for some time, I was home while we were at Camp Tiffen. Furloughs are only give to those who always did their duty and never played off. There are some 25 or 26 of our company on the list of merit. No time to write more -- well and hope soon to see you all.
We look to be paid for two more months in a day or two. Don't be disappointed if I do not get to go home, only three can go at once. I send a lot of pieces for my scrap book.
--end of letter--
| Linn Diary Index | 16th OVI Home Page | August, 1863 |