An Artilleryman's Diary Part 8

On the Yazoo, Wednesday, April 1. Made good headway to-day with but little stoppage. 12 M. landed to take on those left behind and some forage left by the fleet, which had left about two hours before. Buried the corpse and started on. Pa.s.sed some beautiful plantations with plenty of hogs and cattle, which naturally made our mouths water. Pa.s.sed the "Pike" at sundown, in a sinking condition. Foraging parties brought in fresh meat in plenty. After tying up, cannonading heard at night. Had a slight attack of ague.

[Sidenote: 1863 Burning Property]

On the Yazoo, Thursday, April 2. Very fine. Good country and fine sailing. 12 M. a miscreant fired into the boat and wounded a member of the 93rd severely, the ball entering his left breast. The boat rounded to and tied up, and in an instant the whole regiment was in confusion, running for their arms, etc., etc. Skirmishers were sent out, while Colonel Putnam went with a force in a yawl in search, but returned in an hour; failed to find him, but brought along the man of the house that harbored him as prisoner, after reducing his house to ashes. Nearly all the boats were fired into in a similar manner.

5 P. M. came up to the boats and tied up for the night, staging run out and the horses taken off and exercised. It was at a large plantation of several hundred acres. I rode the Lieutenant's horse. Foraging parties out in all directions, and chickens, hogs, beef, onions etc. poured in.

Several negro villages were set on fire, also the cotton gins, corn-cribs, within reach. The whole air was bright at night with the fire.

On the Yazoo, Friday, April 3. Fine day. Arrived at the headquarters by 11 A. M. Disembarked, came into camp by night in an open field. O.

Eillinstine drowned. Body not found. Two and one half miles from Fort Greenwood which is occupied by rebel forces.

On the Yazoo, Sat.u.r.day, April 4. Fine day. Boys busy bathing, was.h.i.+ng, changing etc. in general, which was very necessary after thirteen days confinement. 10 A. M. crossed the river to the 28th Wisconsin Regiment, Ross's Division. Found an old acquaintance John Williams of Ixonia.

First Section went to the front in view of the fort, threw in a few sh.e.l.ls and returned. 7 P. M. ordered to harness up as soon as possible with no unnecessary noise, which was soon done, and in half an hour the center Section, much to their dissatisfaction, were reloading on the "Jesse K. Bell." All loaded by midnight, and each one s.h.i.+fted the best he could for a short rest. Evie rather unwell.

On the Yazoo, Sunday, April 5. Although late, arose very sleepy to feed my team. 7 A. M. we started up stream with the rest of the fleet in their proper places. The day was beautiful and we travelled very fast, guns all ready for action. I enjoyed the scenery much, the air so soft and balmy, all nature seemed to be at rest. The darkies on sh.o.r.e in their Sunday suits met us with waving of rags and hats under their arms, and once in a while a timid woman also, more from policy than principle I suppose. 1 A. M. another shot was given us near the same place as before, which was promptly returned by half the regiment. Most shot at random to show their good-will. No one hurt on board. The ball pa.s.sed near the pilot house. 5 P. M. tied up to take on fuel from the fence.

Went ash.o.r.e to cook.

On the Yazoo, Monday, April 6. Started early and troubled with but little hindrance, made good headway. Tied up at night near a pretty mansion with an air of luxury. As the boat struck sh.o.r.e a rush was made for land, and they made for the door-yard, but they were halted by the Colonel who put a guard to prevent their coming in, and put the anxious ones to work carrying rails. Health good.

On the Coldwater, Tuesday, April 7. Warm and pleasant. Entered mouth of Coldwater 8 A. M. Travelled well till towards evening. The channel grew more crooked and difficult.

4 P. M. landed to take on rails, then went on. Tied up in a low swampy cane-brake. Water much lower than when descending. An occasional darky to be seen with mule and plow at work in the field, but in most cases the darky had "hung up the shovel and the hoe." Music and dancing in the evening. Washed.

P. S. I write this at the still hour of midnight, all is quiet and their minds far away from here in the happy land of dreams. No sound save the tiresome tramp of the poor pent-up brutes which have not laid down since we embarked. What a time for thought. Two hours yet of guard.

On Yazoo Pa.s.s, Wednesday, April 8. Entered the Pa.s.s 7 A. M. Pa.s.sed the wreck "Luella" 4 P. M., the "Jenny Lind" having been removed. Landed at 3 P. M. at Reb. General Elkhorn's for rails. Mosquitoes made their appearance in the evening.

[Sidenote: 1863 Cleaning Up]

On Moon Lake, Thursday, April 9. Warm day. Entered Moon Lake 7 A. M. and at 9 A. M. we were once more landed on the sand bar from whence we started 18 days ago. Accomplished nothing. What and where next? "Armada"

and "White Rose" are the only boats here beside our own. All the hors.e.m.e.n came ash.o.r.e in order to clean up.

Near Helena, Friday, April 10. Received a large mail. Boats all came from the Pa.s.s, the two iron-clads bringing up the rear. The boats went up to Helena to take on coal, nearly all of them. Health good. G. R.

Jones quite sick. Sat up with him part of the evening, an attack of pleurisy.

Near Helena, Sat.u.r.day, April 11. All busy in writing home and to those left behind. Although we may be tanned and roughened by hards.h.i.+ps and exposures, the memories of those behind are still uppermost, and although otherwise hardened, that is untarnished. Reloaded all the horses, etc. Rainy.

Near Helena, Sunday, April 12. A fine day. Expected to leave, but instead we took our horses off. Troops going down the river nearly all day, about twenty transports loaded. Took a ride in the afternoon, enjoyed it much, though all alone. On guard in the night. Quite cold.

On the Mississippi, Monday, April 13. Got all on board once more and at 12 A. M. started up to Helena, unloaded the cotton taken in the Pa.s.s, and returned to find the boats all gone except the "Tempest" (commissary boat) and at about 3 P. M., we started down the river. Detained most of the night in extricating the "Duke of Argyle."

Providence, La., Tuesday, April 14. Cold and rainy all day, making it rather disagreeable. Spent the day in our quarters over the horses. Read the _Covenant_, mused and slept most of the day. At about 9 P. M. we neared what appeared like a city with its hundreds of lamps, but proved to be Providence with the lighted steamboats tied close.

Millikens Bend, La., Wednesday, April 15. A warm pleasant day. Awoke to get hay from a barge, then strolled around to see Providence, which was a neat village with several fine buildings, but most of the main part of the town is inundated by the pa.s.s cut through the levee, connecting the river to Lake Providence, about 80 rods long. And where used to be the street, now is the bed of a rus.h.i.+ng torrent. Found the 6th Division (McArthur's) encamped here. McPherson's headquarters also here. Took on 600 boxes of coal and at 2:30 P. M. started on our way down the river, being the last of the fleet. Wrote a hurried letter home. 5 P. M. we arrived at Millikens Bend, the sh.o.r.e lined with steamboats, the troops embarking as fast as possible. Got a part of our battery off.

Millikens Bend, Thursday, April 16. As soon as practical brought into park behind the levee in an open field; very pretty grounds but no trees, and before noon the field was covered with the tents of Quinby's Division. Signed the payroll in the afternoon. Met Charley Finn and Wm.

Jones of the 23rd. who were left in the convalescent camp; the Regiment gone to Richmond, La., three days. All the mule teams of the Division ordered to take provisions and ammunition to them. Weather very fine.

Troubled with toothache very much. Health otherwise good.

[Sidenote: 1863 Contrabands]

Millikens Bend, Friday, April 17. Were ordered to prepare for general inspection at 9 A. M. Got off from guard in time to mount my team.

Formed three lines on the plain in front, viz: 1st line, 3rd Brigade; 2nd line, 3 batteries of artillery; 3rd line, 1st Brigade. (2nd Brigade not yet arrived from above). Were inspected by Adjutant General Thomas of Was.h.i.+ngton and Colonel Sanborn (commanding Division in sickness of Quinby) and staff. After inspection the troops were brought in a solid square when General Thomas was introduced by General Grant, and spoke of the policy of the administration in regard to the contrabands, which was received with cheers; followed by Colonel Sanborn and lieutenant colonel of the 72nd Volunteers.

Went to the convalescent camp of the 23rd, found Hugh Hughes very low in body and mind. Returned just in time to receive my pay up to the first of March, $13.00 here, $40.00 per allotment. Heard soon the tremendous roar of artillery. Heard last night seven gunboats and two or three transports run the blockade at Vicksburg, burning one transport.

Hospital cleared off as fast as possible, expecting to get some wounded in soon. Great activity all around. 2nd Brigade arrived at night.

Millikens Bend, Sat.u.r.day, April 18. Cloudy--indications of rain. Boys busy expressing their money home, paying debts and some investing in chuck-luck. Had battery drill in the afternoon of two hours.

Millikens Bend, Sunday, April 19. Had severe storm of wind and rain last night, which gave us a wet bed. Had special muster at 9 A. M. Detailed to go after rations in the tempest. Exercised horses in the afternoon.

Millikens Bend, Monday, April 20. Drill two hours in the forenoon. Got sick and went to the tent before finis.h.i.+ng. Nausea and vomiting. Very warm.

Millikens Bend, Tuesday, April 21. Fine day. Six transports preparing to run the blockade at Vicksburg. Volunteers called for from this Division to move them. Many anxious to go. Quite an excitement. Received mail.

Millikens Bend, Wednesday, April 22. Heavy rain all night, making it very muddy to drill. Standing gun drill in the afternoon. 4th Brigade of 3rd Division inspected on the drill ground and addressed by Governor Yates of Illinois, inspiring and encouraging.

Millikens Bend, Thursday, April 23. Very warm. Ordered to prepare for park inspection at 8 A. M. Stood waiting until 9, when we went out to drill. No inspection. Standing gun drill P. M. 11th Ohio Battery and 1st Missouri left to-day. Boats ran the blockade last night.

Millikens Bend, Friday, April 24. Very warm. Drill in morning and afternoon. Sergt. J. B. Jackson and P. Walport, heroes of Corinth, returned to the Battery. Preparations to leave to-morrow.