Fourteenth Iowa Infantry - Valentine Spawr Diary

Valentine L. Spawr's Civil War Diary

"A Record of Passing Events Kept By Me and
Recorded Each Day as They Transpired."

June 28th through September 15th, 1863

Company C, 14th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Born 1835 - Died 1882

Transcribed by great grandson Chad Spawr

Sunday, June 28th, 1863. -- But little of consequence occurred today except the calling to of a steamer that attempted to pass the port without calling, and they fired a shot across her bow which caused to haul to and retreat in double quick. It rained today as it has done every day for weeks, and it is very warm between showers. I will give a short description of our camp : it is situated a half mile up the river from the city of Columbus on a very high hill, said to be two hundred feet perpendicular from the water's edge. We are camped inside the fortifications that constitute Fort Hallack, and it is a good work, garrisoned with between 2,000 and 3,000 troops.

Monday, June 29th. -- Heavy rain this forenoon. Myself and F. S. Smith took a walk this morning and were caught outin the rain and got thoroughly wet. Another steamer attempted to pass port without stopping and our guns called her to in double quick.

Tuesday, June 30th. -- This is the day for grand review of all infantry troops at this port, consequently this forenoon was spent in preparation for the same. Formed battalion at 3 o'clock p. m., went one and one-half miles from the fort to form the brigade which was to be reviewed by Brigadier General Asboth, and about the time that the troops formed it commenced raining and blowing and of all the storms it beat all. Rain poured down in torrents on the unprotected soldier.

Wednesday, July 1st. -- It rained again today as usual and we had no battalion drill. The weather remains very warm between showers.

Thursday, July 2d. -- Today passed without anything of consequence. I sent to the cityof Columbus today to see the place. This afternoon we drilled two and a half hours on battalion drill. It has been reported for several days that Gen. Price is in force only 30 miles from here marching on us to give us battle, but is not credited by most of the soldiers here. Some wish he would come; I would rather fight him here than any other place.

Friday, July 3d. -- A day of no importance much. We had a good battalion drill of some two hours and omitted dress parade. Camp is all preparation for the Fourth tomorrow. There is to be a grand celebration one and one-half miles southeast of town which we soldiers will partake in. There is a heavy cloud rising in the west tonight and I think that we will get rain, our tents are not very good protection against rain. Tonight I received a letter from home and answered same.

Saturday, July 4th. -- A fourth of July on the sacred soil of Kentucky. Bills are out for a grand celebration. Soldiers were marched out. Oration by Judge Bullock an dothers, but no dinner appeared and the Colonel of the Wisconsin 31st Vol. told the boys that they were fooled and we will return to camp and make out a dinner of hard tack and sow belly and invite the poor critters to come and take dinner at camp, for we have plenty such as it is and good enough what there is of it. We started back to camp about two and one-half miles and it was the warmest day I ever saw, I think, and by the time we got to camp there was not half of the men in the ranks. It was so hot they could not stand it and had to lie down. Some got in at one o'clock and some not until four and five."

Sunday, July 5th. -- All quiet today. I went to town with Lieutenant Stoughter. There was a little excitement this morning. Our mail boat started off and there was a man on board whom the detective suspicioned and the cannon was fired which brought her back and we took the fellow off and he proved to be a rebel Colonel in disguise.

Monday, July 6th. -- All quiet today. Nothing of note occurred. Weather still warm and river rising very fast.

Tuesday, July 7th. -- Nothing today. All quiet until evening, then we had a light shower of rain.

Wednesday, July 8th. -- This morning all of the troops were called up in line and officially told that Vicksburg was taken on the Fourth of July. The Colonel commanding here told all hands that they might celebrate the occasion, that there were exempt from drill on this day and could all go to town without a pass and I am not well enough to go. The boys are pretty much all going and will have a great spree tonight. I see several men in camp and at any other time they would be incarcerated in the military prison. They boys went to town and nearly cleaned the town out, especially the saloons. They tore out everything and brought chairs and everything you could think of to camp with them.

Thursday, July 9th. -- All quiet todayl All feel hard after their spree.

Friday, July 10th. -- All quiet still today. Weather very warm. I have been very unwell for some days and feel worse today. I am at the hospital to stay, I don't know how long. I have got something like the bloody flux. About ten o'clock this morning the drum beat the long roll which calls every man to get ready for battle. It is now one o'clock and every officer and man is ready for duty at a moment's warning and ordered to remain so. The enemy is reported but a few miles off in considerable force. The report now is that the enemy have taken possession of Union City twenty miles back from this place and our men are still ready to go to attack them. The 32d regiment have gone on the cars and when the train returns our regiment expects to go out. If they go tonight or tomorrow I fear I will not be able to go. At ten o'clock p. m. the long roll is beating and the cry "fall in," "fall in," from all directions. I suppose it is another scare although there may be danger. I understood from an officer that those men were all to be thrown out on guard, that the rebel are marching on us. I can't believe it.

Saturday, July 11th. -- This morning at 1 a. m. camp all in arms coming in from guard and going out. There was an officer at the hospital stating that he wanted every man put on duty at such time as this. I see the scare has not subsided yet. I spoke to Lieut. Stoughten to ascertain the extent of the raid as near as possible and he informs me so I can make a note of it. However I was informed that the 4th Missouri cavalry was attacked, badly cut up and two companies taken prisoners. I just understood that the 32d Iowa infantry regiment got back last night bringing with them some twenty wounded soldiers that belong to the 4th Missouri cavalry. They were wounded in the skirmish and the rebels could not carry them and left them there. There were also some killed and they buried them.

At 12 o'clock noon things are rather quiet again, but we keep up very heavy guards yet. I heard a few minutes ago that company D. 14th was going out on a skirmish or reconnoiter and hunt up the enemy. It they should be found they must fight or climb, for the success that we have had is bound to clean them out if we can. Tomorrow is inspection and all hands are clearning up around their quarters. At 3 o'clock p. m. all quiet but on the lookout for the enemy, but I think that it will blow off by and by. I must say that I have transgressed my general rule of detesting ministers for our chaplain has visited me twice since I have been in the hospital and he seems very sociable and I think he is much of a gentleman and he is not always moralizing, but ever sociable and kind and interested in a man's welfare. His name I have not learned, but in my next interview I will and set him down as an exception to ministers. There are only about ten men in our hospital and I think all will get well. I have known of one soldier dying since we have been here.

All still yet at 5:30 p. m., some pitching horseshoes, others lying around, but no man,officer or private, allowed to leave the camp lines. They keep all hands ready for the contemplated battle which I fear will not come off at this time. If they must be fought I want them to come now while we are ready and looking for them for tomorrow I will be ready to take hold with the boys if I have no bad luck. At 10 p. m. the camp is all uproar. The loud shrill sound "fall in," "fall in" is heard all over camp. They are going out to double the picket guard. It has been very cool today and cloudy."

Sunday, July 12th. -- Very cool this morning and smoky. All quiet in camp this morning as though there an been no stir at all for the few days. We have not heard the whereabouts of the rebels yet. I think at examination this morning I will get out of the hospital. At 8:00 o'clock a. m. examination is over and I am not released from the hospital but have got to take three blue pills this morning at two tonight. At 10 o'clock a. m. the chaplain made us his regular visit and read a chapter and prayed with us. I suppose he thought that we would die and he would start a spirit of reformation in us, which, in a proper sense of the word, is very necessary. But men in the army seldom think of hereafter, I think, from appearances. There certainly is more demoralization in the army than I was willing to admit before I was a member of the same.

There is a certain spirit of appropriating other person's things to their own use that is rather disgusting to a man that wants to do what is right. I understand the Gen. Grant paroled all of the prisoners at Vicksburg -- both officers and men -- and we will probably have to fight them at some other place. At 4 o'clock p. m. it is very cool today, a man wants a good thick coat to be comfortable. There was another man brought into the hospital today from our regiment who is very sick. I understand that we are to be paid off the first of the week. Our chaplain preaches this afternoon at headquarters, the first time that there has been preaching in the regiment since I have been with it. Some think that we have to fight the enemy yet, for they are gathering out here in the country, but I don't think so myself. Tonight I expect we will have another scare or alarm and our boys have to stand all night again. Last night the boys on picket had four shots fired at them.

Monday, July 13th. -- I am still detained in the hospital and three big doses of medicine to take today a good portion of which is quinine. I feel very unwell this morning owing probably to the effect of the calomel I have been taking for the past twenty-four hours. I have not heard any news of the anticipated attack on our fort this morning. I think there was no alarm given last night, at least I heard no long roll or command to "fall in." The battle is probably over for some days anyhow I see by the morning paper that supposition is that the backbone of the great rebellion is broken, but I fear that there is some fighting to do yet of come considerable consequence.

It is very cool and lovely this morning, and I think we will get rain soon. Four o'clock p.m. -- It is cool, dreary and lonesome today; no alarm or excitement so far. I was lying on y cot looking out just now and saw a half grown negro trotting, pacing and cantering around on his hands and feet and a man might have very easily mistaken him for a baboon, it was as natural a position as I ever saw one in and he travels as easy and natural as a dog. There is a rumor afloat now that there is probability of our regiment being sent to New Mexico on business but I put no confidence in the report. The scare at this place has had some effect on some of the commanding officers here for they have been getting reinforcements in the last few days.

I understand the drums are beating and the colors out for dress parade for the 31st Wisconsin regiment. Our regiment has not been out on dress parade for a week or more, nor theirs until tonight and this is grand weather for drilling -- so cool. The sick I think is on the increase if anything in our regiment. We have one man in our regiment at the hospital by the name of Graves, belonging to company B that has had the chronic diarrhoea for some time and I think that he is not long for this world any more, and some two or three more that are very sick. Just now I saw an ambulance come into camp with three or four ladies -- wives of soldiers, or rather officers, of the Wisconsin regiment, I see by their going to and among their tents. There are one or two of the Wisconsin drafted men in our hospital at this time.

Tuesday, July 14th. -- Six o'clock a.m. Last night at midnight the camp was all called out again, I don't know what the scare was bout but I understood that our company was ordered to report at quarters in the city for instructions or orders. A strange time of night to call troops that distance to receive orders. The rest of the company I presume was posted on guard outside the fort for I don't see but few men in camp this morning. The cavalry regiment about a mile from here keep their horses saddled all the time ready to either fight or run I don't know which, I think to run for I don't put but little confidence in their valor -- the 4th Missouri. I have just learned the cause of the afright last night. There was a negro came staving at the rate of ten knots per hour stating that there were 15,000 rebels only three miles from the fort and would be on us and we asleep, and such excitement, all hands in fort this morning ready to fight. I will try and leave the hospital this morning so that I can see the fun of some of their reverses and victories.

At 8:00 o'clock I have been examined. Doctor says that I may go to my quarters if I would prefer and I shall certainly go, but have got to take a pocket of quinine with me, but quinine is getting very scarce in this country and can hardly be procured, and so I shall not say anything, seeing that is so scarce. I am at myquarters now and have taken my first dose of medicine for today. I understand from scared men that they would be in to try us on. It was announced this forenoon that there would be an inspection today. We have fitted up and waited until three o'clock and no inspection yet. I hear great talk today about strengthening the fortifications at the city -- digging rifle pits, etc. At 7:00 o'clock p. m. all quiet but great expectation of an excitement tonight. We have just had our repast of bread, coffee and fat meat, generally called among soldiers sow-belly. I forgot to state this morning that we had a fine shower of rain and prospects look favorable this evening for more rain.

We have had no drill in our regiment for some time and now our Lieut.-Colonel being sick I don't know when we will drill again, and then we are harrassed so much on account of this scare that there is nothing else thought of by the officers and everything more thought of by the privates. I believe that a fight would be hailed by glad voices by the majority of the regiments at this place. This evening at roll call we, with the rest of the troops at this place, received orders to lay on our arms and not take off any of our clothes and be ready for any emergency at a moment's warning.

Wednesday, July 15th. -- The night passed off and no excitement, we were not called out for any duty. The weather is somewhat warmer but quite pleasant yet. Alexander March and Edward Glenn were over to see us this morning. They (or the 32nd) are camped outside the fort. They told us that Mr. Hayden, a son-in-law of Lieut. Converse, was buried yesterday and there was another many by the name of Smith from their company they thought would die before many days. Some of our boys were out through the lines today and got some blackberries which are just now in their prime. They also got a nice lot of apples which are getting nice now. This appears to be a fine country for fruit both wild and tame, for papaws and plentiful and they tell us that grapes, plums and persimmons are in abundance.

The word came today that Port Hudson was taken by our forces which if confirmed tomorrow will bring forth a thundering national salute from our battery of iron monsters and it will be given with a will, for that will give us possession of the whole Mississippi river and to be a death stroke to the rebellion. I heard a rumor today (and only a rumor) that three companies from our regiment, our company included, will be sent out to Clinton tomorrow which is some ten miles distant from this place. There was about ten or fifteen men detailed this morning to dig a sink on the river bank for private use of the soldiers and at about two o'clock this afternoon they came to some hard substance that proved to be the very chain that the rebels had used to blockade the river at this place which many will remember reading about.

For a short description of the same I would say that it is made of about three inch round iron links probably ten or twelve inches long. The length of the chain no person can tell anything about. It once reached across the river which is near a mile in width and it comes to the top of this hill two hundred feet about the level of the river and is buried in the bank but how far I cannot say. They dug down on it and it runs on through the sink. It was buried of course the purpose of making it fast at this end; it then run down the bank and across the river, being supported occasionally by laying across flat boats which supported it (for they were anchored in the stream and the current is tolerably swift at that place) finally wore through and cut boats in two and it was so heavy that its weight broke it. Also, I understand it was hung full of torpedoes and the chain would stop the fleet and the torpedoes would be exploded and destroy the whole thing. but it availed them nothing.

Some of our boys was over to see the battle ground of Belmont which is directly across the river from here and in plain view of this place. I want to go over and take a view of it, for I have never had the pleasure of being on a battle field. We expect to have to go out on duty for I see some of them think that there are rebels in the country and there may be some.

Thursday, July 16th. -- The night passed off without any alarm. We have just dispatched our very plain breakfast and received an order to detail eight men and one sergeant for guard. Prospects look favorable for a fine day. /It is quite cool this morning. I received a letter from my wife last night written at Hudson, Ill., stating she arrived at that place on the 14th inst. Some of the boys were out to an orchard today and got some apples and some blackberries.

I think the present excitement is about over for there is not much said about it today. I was over to the hospital today to see the sick boys there that I got acquainted with when I was there sick. There are no boys there from our company at this time. It has got quite warm today and the soldiers are mostly laying in their tents, some writing, some reading, some cleaning their guns, some few playing on their violins, at least one man that I was unlucky enough to get my tent in close proximity to that I could not get away from the squeak of that miserable instrument any length of time. He is a man that belongs to company K. I don't know his name nor do I wish to know it. Then there are some that I see playing on a more favorable soldier's instrument called euchre. You will once in a while see a negro strolling through our camp. We have negro cooks mostly. At 10:00 p.m. tonight all is excitement in the fort, the report is that there is a heavy force marching on us. Our teams are all under whip hauling our rations inside the fort from town. I go to bed expecting to be called out before morning.

Friday, July 17th. -- Six o'clock a.m. -- Morning has come and no alarm given. We are all awaiting our humble repast and the teams are still at work and have been all night, hauling provisions inside the fortification. It is plainly to be seen that some of the head officers expect an attack but I am still of the impression that there will be no fight at present. I see by the morning paper that the rumor of the capture of Port Hudson is confirmed. It surrendered with 12,000 prisoners, they made an unconditional surrender on the 8th inst. at 10 o'clock p.m.

I took a prisoner today for the first time since I have been in the service. It was not a "cecesh" some call them body-guards but in the service they are generally known as gray backs. Anyhow I put him to death between by two thumb nails. The word just came that the rebels had taken Mound City, Ill., a small place seven miles above Cairo on the Ohio river. There were no troops there to speak of if any at all, but I presume that they got a pretty good haul of plunder with considerable ammunition, and I understand that there were some rebel prisoners quartered there but don't know the particulars yet. To judge from appearances I think we will get some rain tonight.

Saturday, July 18th. -- Seven o'clock a.m. -- All quiet this morning and the night passed off without any unusual excitement. I want to go out today and get some berries as I have not been outside of the breastworks for over a week. By some cause or another our mail boat did not come down last night. 5 o'clock p.m. -- I have taken a good tramp in the country
today -- I started at 8 a.m. and got to camp at 3:30 p.m. I got a nice lot of berries and apples. I probably walked fifteen miles and not being very strong after my spell of sickness I was quite weak, consequently I am very tired tonight.

The report of the capture of Charleston by our forces reached this place this afternoon, however it wants confirmation yet. It looks like rain this evening, it is cloudy, consequently all of the boys are out at the several amusements -- some pitching horseshoes, and some one thing and some another, and the squeak of that miserable old fiddle is yet free for all to hear, whether they want to or not. I can hear distant firing this evening from some place where they have artillery, either for a salute or something else. Sergeant Roberts was my companion in my rambles and I think he about as tired as myself.

Sunday, July 19th. — Today we have company inspection. It is now 8 o'clock a.m. The guards are falling in now before my tent and there are also a couple of regiments falling in a few rods from here for the purpose of going out on a scout. 10 o'clock a.m., inspection is over and we have got back to our respective tents and the officers are going around seeing how many rounds of cartridges each man has. It think they are preparing for another battle, probably the same as the one we just passed through. It is cloudy today but quite warm, occasionally sprinkling rain. All quiet today in regard to fighting.

5:00 o'clock p.m., I have just returned from hearing a sermon by our chaplin. He preached a very good sermon of about one hour. The text was as follows: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God." I have forgotten where you can find it. There was a death in our hospital today, the deceased was a German belonging to company H 14th regiment, his name I have forgotten. This evening is warm but cloudy and looks as though we would get rain before morning. We have one man in the hospital with a gathering on the side of his neck and it will go pretty hard with him I think. We have been to supper and a very plain one it was as usual. The mail has come and I had some hopes of getting a letter from my family — but only hoped — and was disappointed. I now stop writing today for the gun will fire in a minute or two and it is within a few rods of our tent and it deafens me every evening if I am standing stiff and careless. It just fired, clouding the air with smoke and sending its murderous echo for miles along the river and timber. I will state here for the edification of the reader that every morning at sunrise and every evening at sundown they fire a large sized gun that stands a few rods from my tent.

Monday, July 20th — All quiet this morning at 7 p.m. A good deal of quarreling about guard duty, all think that they are doing more than their share. I got a pass and went out to the teamster's quarters which are about a half mile outside the fortifications. Nine o'clock a.m., the procession has just started to bury the man that died yesterday, and the roll of the muffled drums as they beat the dead march sounds rather desolate, and the soldiers as they file pass at reverse arms all with their heads down marching to the slow time of the music. All in all it is a rather solemn sight.

12 o'clock m., all is quiet in camp at this hour. The ambulance and procession have returned from the funeral. There is a heavy detail for fatigue duty today. They are to work on our breastworks. Dress parade was ordered this evening for the first time for some two weeks, but was postponed on account of the Lieut.-Col., being ordered to move his headquarters away from the breastworks which are thought by the commanders would be an obstruction in time of an engagement. 6 o'clock p.m. — There is a very heavy cloud in the north this evening and it looks as though we would have a very heavy storm. It is the first time that we have had the appearance of a wind and rain storm. It thunders quite heavy. I will now close up my day's writing for it is getting quite dark and the storm will be on us in a short time. It is all preparation through camp, fixing their tents for the approaching storm.

Tuesday, July 21st. — Last night at dark it commenced raining quite slow and steady and kept it up for one-half or three-quarters of an hour, when the storm came and it blowed and rained in a most terrific manner for an hour and a half or two hours. I think I never saw it blow or rain harder. One company from our regiment and one or two companies from the 31st Wisconsin regiment went out on a scout this morning, how far or in what direction I don't know. I was over to headquarters and the field battery there was filling up their caisons with shell ready for an attack which I think they will wait for some time before they see, for I cannot fix it up in my mind that the enemy are in any force in this part of the country.

I went over to the chaplain's quarters by his request and he presented me with two nice little books and one paper. I saw two men swim across the river and back. It is said to be one mile in width at this place. It is now night — cool and pleasant — and the boys are enjoying a free wrestle three or four rods from my tent. I went over to the 31st Wisconsin Regiment this morning to make visit to Major Gibson, major of that regiment. I saw him on the Fourth of July and recognized him as an old acquaintance from Black River, Wisconsin.

Wednesday, July 22nd. — This day has passed quietly. Quite cool last night and this morning, but very warm later in the day. We had battalion drill this evening, rather short but spirited. Our company was ordered to town tonight as company guards, two companies go every night. The sun set beautiful and the weather was pleasant.

Thursday, July 23d. — 2:00 o'clock p.m. — It is very warm to-day. Last night after our boys went out on guard and the few of us that were left at camp had gone to bed, the tents and napsacks of those who were out on guard were nearly all overhauled by someone and a great many articles of clothing taken. I was over to the hospital today to see the sick and found them all in tolerable good fix except Graves, whom I have before spoken of as being very sick at the hospital. He, I think, has but a few hours or days at most to live. He is turning purple all over his stomach and bowels. Today the surgeon was called in to see him while I was there, but I did not hear what the doctor said of him. There was one man who went to the hospital from our company, L. H. Winchell, from Shellnock.

Things generally are rather quiet here to-day, no excitement at all for some days now. Our news from the war still remains flattering. I am sitting in what I call the sheol house, a large shade made of brush and poles for the purpose of we uncommissioned officers, reciting our less to the colonel every day. At 3:00 o'clock p.m., it is very cool under here, but our cloth tents are the warmest things when the sun shines that I ever saw for a man to stay in. It is now quite dark. We had battalion drill this evening after which I eat supper and came out to the same shade that I wrote in today and have been reading ever since until it got too dark to see. Some of the boys are pitching horse shoes, some playing cards, but I have not pitched a shoe or played a card since I have been at this place nor don't expect to. 12 o'clock p.m. — I resume my task of writing. I have been reading by a candle until my eyes ache and I will retire now for the night. Tomorrow we have got to go to studying and reciting tactics, that is we uncommissioned officers. I feel very unwell tonight and have felt so for several days, but am trying to wear it out without taking medication.

Friday, July 24th. — It is now morning and very nice and cool, although it is going to be very warm today. We had company drill before breakfast this morning of about an hour. At 9 o'clock I have repaired to my shade. It is quite warm already this morning, but has the appearance of clouding up. The white fleecy clouds are floating between us and the clear blue sky and makes a beautiful and picturesque scene such as we don't see every day. The air is sweet, soft and balmy. The adjutant was telling me this morning that the rebels were conscripting men only five miles from this place, and I see they are getting up another scare, for it is ordered that no man shall go outside the picket guard without a pass from the provost marshal and they have got a cavalry patrol out all of the time to pick up the boys that run the guard.

I received a visit this morning from Jacob Hickle, Austin Wilcox and George Sonash, and they have just left me and gone back to their regiment. Our boys are getting very impatient about their money which they should have had on July 1st. I still feel quite unwell and as though I would be sick if I would give up. It is now 3 o'clock p.m. I see a group of men starting from the 31st Wisconsin regiment hospital at a reverse arms marching to the slow time of the dead march, which too plainly tells a sad story, for they were accompanied by an ambulance with the American flag thrown over a box that says: "In here is the remains of a poor soldier that could not even have the pleasure of expiring on the field of battle mid the din and roar of cannon and small arms."

It was announced this morning that this afternoon we would have inspection which done away with battalion drill and all hands have been cleaning up their clothes and guns and quarters for this event. At this time it looks as though we would have rain tonight. From the tent where I now sit I can see some six or eight miles down the river and can see a steamer coming up that I hope may have some news from the South. Boats are very plentiful here and some very large ones. We have expectations of peace now quite soon. God send it. It is now dark and I have lighted the candle. We had inspection this evening and everything passed off satisfactory I think.

Saturday, July25. — Eight o'clock a.m. — Quite cool this morning, but muddy on account of a heavy rain we had last night. It came up about ten or twelve o'clock with a vengeance and oh, horrors! but it did blow and rain. I got wet which left me with a very sore throat and am feeling very uncomfortable on account of the same. I think I will confine myself principally to writing today. I would say I went over to the hospital this morning as usual to see how the sick are getting along for our company has but two men in the hospital — neither one dangerous though, I think. I found them all in tolerable good fix except poor Graves, of whom I have before spoken as being incurable, I thought, and sure enough there lay his inanimate clay, as he departed this life last night. Today he will be buried. Deaths are becoming more frequent here now. Two o'clock p.m. — Graves was buried this afternoon. I was out reading under my regular shade that I have spoken of and heard the dead march played on a band, and I went to the breastworks which are close by and looked over to the grave yard which is in plain view and only about a half mile distant. There I see them consigning another soldier to the tomb according to order by the honors of war. It must be quite a help to a man's feelings to know that if he dies in the army that he will be escorted to the grave by a martial band and sixteen soldiers at reverse arms — which is not used on any other occasion — and then have thirty-two guns fired over his grave. The funeral that is just going out, I suppose to belong to the 32d regiment, as it did not go out of the fort.

Things are generally pretty quiet today about camp. I have just got word that our quarters will be inspected this evening. Four o'clock p. m. — For want of pastime I will take my pencil and write a few words again. At about this time in the evening if there is any time when the mind of a man will soar back to its native home and there greet and converse with those loved ones that are far far away, it is in the evening, especially in camp where he will hear and see all kinds of foolery, and I must say hear all kinds of wickedness and vulgar language. But I do believe that it will be a school of moralization to me or almost any other man that ever calculates to be anything after they leave the service, for they will become disgusted with wickedness, blasphemy and vulgarity. It looks as though it would rain again tonight but I hope it may not.

Sunday July 26th. — Ten o'clock a.m. — This is another beautiful Sabbath morning although quite warm in the sun. I have retreated to my regular shade and feel quite comfortable so far as heat is concerned. I went over to the hospital and saw the sick and found them all on the mend. I then gave the chaplain a call and found him as sociable and clever as usual. He informs me that there will be preaching at 4:00 o'clock this p.m., under the shade I am now writing under. We are getting no news of any consequence from below now from some cause. I feel some better this morning in body than I have for a week or more, but I have a gloomy, moody feeling that has been hanging around me from some cause for weeks past. They say that the reason that I don't partake in their gambols and sports is because the chaplain and me are so familiar, and I am under conviction, but I know better for I know that any man of a meditative mind separated from family and home will have gloomy spells attack him. I will lay down my pencil and read in a book I have been reading for some time entitled "Life and Death of David Copperfield," until dinner is called and will probably write some ore after dinner. It is 4 o'clock p.m.

Our mail boat just passed camp and all are waiting for our chaplain to bring up the mail. I have hopes that I will get a letter tonight for I have not had one for some time. I just went over the chaplain's but got no mail and we will have no more mail until Tuesday. This is another one of those calm, serene evenings that will bring all of the old and pleasant associations back to a man's mind that ever attended his life and then as to taunt him will harrow up all of the missteps and blunders of his life, all rushing with an overwhelming mass on his mind to make him upbraid himself. Our chaplain has made a grand disappointment this evening, it is now six o'clock and he has not preached which proposed to do at four. I don't know whether he lied or not; I think he did.

Monday, July 27th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — We have just came out of company drill and waiting for breakfast. I will write for a few moments again. I had an invitation by our chaplain last night to go to darky church. We got there and the black women come in such a rush that we thought we would be under-trodden. We kept giving up our seats and finally I concluded to leave the house, so out we went. By the way, the man that was in the pulpit requested the chaplain to stop with him and chaplain requested me to stop also, but I refused and went out to get fresh air and stopped at the window.

The man in the pulpit was a captain in the 32d Iowa regiment quartered at this place. He delivered a sermon or something of the kind from Second Corinthians 21st chapter, 1st verse, and after the sermon commenced I heard some one reading a text around the door of the house and it attracted my attention for it read as follows (although at a suppressed tone) "you d—n black s-n of a b—h." I thought I would step around the corner and them comment on it which was soon done by cuffy No. 2 bringing a stunning blow down on top of his head that sounded like striking a rock with a club, and it was briskly returned by cuffy No. 1 and so on until No. 2 thought he had argued long enough in that way and would try some other and said: "John don't you strike me again" and so on and were finally parted by other darkies after a good deal of disturbance out doors and but little inside. Finally the sermon was over and a spirited exortation from our chaplain, Mr. Kiner. He finally got out and we came back to camp all right except a cold I took by going to sleep naked after going to bed very warm, and I have a bad headache this morning and think that I am satisfied with darky meetings.

I understand from our chaplain that there is a probability of us getting our pay in a few days. I trust this may be true. By the way it is a very pleasant day, beautiful and clear and not so warm as usual. I think that this afternoon I will take a stroll out of the fort for the purpose of getting some brush to put on my bedstead, which would be quite a curiosity to some old fogy that never slept without his feather-bed. It is constructed by driving four forks in the ground and putting two poles on them, answering to the side rails of your bedstead. You then take short poles and lay them across close together. If you don't push them too close together at the end of a week you will wish you had done so. You then take one blanket, lay it on the poles, lay yourself on the blanket and take your other blanket and lay over you.

Eight o'clock p.m. — The day is past and gone. The evening shades appear, and they appear most beautifully calm and lovely. We had nice dress parade this evening. The brass band belonging to the 31st regiment Wisconsin volunteers was reduced to the ranks this evening for refusing to play at the funeral of one of their regiment that was buried today. There was young man recovered this morning that was drowned day before yesterday; he raised when the morning gun fired. There is one commanding officer and ten men to be detailed out of our regiment to guard a company of deserters that is in the prison of this place. The deserters belong to an Illinois regiment. They are to start them down to Island No. 10 sometime tonight, the guards are to take four days rations with them.

Tuesday, July 28th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — This is a beautiful morning, cool and pleasant. There were seven companies detailed from this post last night to start this morning to different points in the country for some purpose, I don't know what nor don't know how long they will remain. The lieutenant of the picket was shot through the arm last night when on duty by some one in ambush, but his wound is not dangerous I think. The dastardly act was committed about midnight. Just now as I was writing I heard the boys hallowing like made saying: "It is coming right here." I looked out of my tent and saw a furious whirlwind, it was right above my tent some three rods (that is the height of it). The second tent above me was stripped of papers, loose clothes and everything almost, late newspapers and all. They sent some men out to pick up papers, letters, etc. There was a funeral this evening. He was a member of the 31st regiment Wisconsin volunteers and five minutes before his death got up, ate and thought he was better.

Wednesday, July 29th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — This morning is quite cool. We have had very cool nights here for sometime past. There was another death in the 31st Wisconsin hospital, they seem to be unlucky. We have but few men in our hospital and they are apparently all on the mend, but a poor fellow that get into their hospital (which is always full) if he get out he most generally goes in a box, feet first.

Teamster F. Smith was over to my quarters this morning and I went over with him to his quarters a half mile outside the fort and took dinner, had a good time singing and came back see a mammoth pole raised. The post cost $150, that is, the work. They got it nearly up and the rope broke and down went the pole and mashed all to pieces, for it was very heavy. It was two and one-half feet at the butt and worked out to eight inches square at the top and eighty feet long, being only one section or one half as they were raising it in two pieces. They are going to work in the morning to get another one. This evening there was another death in the 31st hospital.

Thursday, July 30th. — This forenoon was a little cloudy, but quite warm. It is now 10 o'clock and we are signing the pay roll and this evening or tomorrow we will get our money, than I will feel better about my family when they get the money. It is now five o'clock p.m. we had a very heavy shower of rain this evening and it has just stopped raining, but still thunders heavy and I think we may get some more rain tonight.

We got some pay today for the first time as a regular pay day since we have been in the service. I see a good many soldiers have obtained passes and others have went without them and gone to town.

We had a very disagreeable sight this evening, the troops of this place were all called out in three battalions forming two long lines of two ranks each at about thirty paces from each other and there was man by the name of Raney from some Indiana regiment marched through that was apprehended as a deserted down in Arkansas. He had a large placard fastened on his back with "Deserter" printed on it. He had to march to the tune of the "Rogue's March" played by our regimental band. He was quite lame having been shot through the leg before they captured him. He also was sentenced to forfeit all pay due or hereafter due and put in prison at Alton during war.

Friday, July 31st. — This has been a very warm day. This morning I went to town and expressed $60 home to my wife, this afternoon I got my likeness taken and sent it to my wife, also this afternoon there was two companies from our regiment, ours included, and two companies from the 31st Wisconsin regiment ordered to go out to Union City with one day's rations, distance twenty-five or thirty miles. They got about half way and heard there was a considerable force of rebels at Union City and they turned around and came back it two or three hours for they went on the cars. I could not get to go seeing the regimental colors did not go, for I am a member of the color guards.

Saturday, August 1st. — This morning I took a trip to town to see what might be seen. There was a boat loaded with soldiers that were mustered out of the service and they fired a blank cartridge to call her to. She refused to come, or at least went ahead, and we fired again and brought her to and in a short time there was a gun boat came towing a wreck that had been riddled all to pieces and probably taken from the rebels. They say they are fighting down at Hickman, fifteen miles from here. There had been some fighting in that direction and this morning at two o'clock there were some infantry and some cavalry started down there, we will probably get word from there tonight. I understand that our colors have got back, they have been off to St. Louis for the purpose of having painted on them the names of the State, regiment and battles they have been through which are Donaldson and Shiloh."

Sunday, August 2d. — Seven o'clock a.m. — This is Sabbath again, the regular day for inspection and all hands are at work cleaning up brass guns, clothes, buttons and shoes and I suppose we will have preaching this afternoon.

I guess that the Hickman battle of yesterday was more imagination than real for I could hear no firing that sounded like an engagement nor can hear nothing from it, consequently I don't think there was anything of it. Five o'clock p.m., there was a lot of men detailed today to be ready at a moment's warning with two days' rations to go off some place not known of course by themselves or anyone else, nor won't be known until they get to their destination. It is no part of a soldier's business where he is going, so he is ready when called for and finds out where he is going after he gets there. I took a walk outside the fort probobly half a mile, got under the shade of a tree and took a rest and returned by way of the 32d regiment and got in about 4:00 o'clock.

Monday, August 3d. — Seven o'clock a.m. — It is quite pleasant this morning, somewhat cloudy and looks as though we would get rain. The detailed men have left camp, part of them left yesterday in the fore part of the evening and the remainder started at ten o'clock last night. I understand that they went to guard the loyal citizens at the state election which is today and they fear the guerillas which are scattered over this country to a considerable extent.

Of all swearing and fussing it is in camp this morning, men that came off guard this morning have got to on picket guard at eight o'clock this morning and stand thirty hours more. It don't seem that men can stand it. It is rather a lucky occurrence for me that I am exempt from duty and I don't know but that I will have to go and help them for I don't think they can stand the duty. There are two or three of them that are running down and apparently without cause or disease but will blow away beyond a doubt. The doctor says they are as able for duty as they will ever be. Our company was not able to fill their call for guards for there was not enough able for duty to fill the detail. The fort looks as though deserted today for the guards have just started out to their posts.

Sundown — the evening gun has just fired and I will close up my day's writing. I wrote a letter and sent it home today containing a picture of myself. Our regiment has got so low that we can't raise enough men for dress parade. Health is not very good at this place at present although there is not much fatality now.

Tuesday, August 4th. — Pleasant and cool this morning. I paid twenty-five cents for a half month's cooking this morning. Six o'clock p.m. — It has been very warm today. We still omit dress parade. There was a soldier drowned in the river at this place, he belonged to the 4th Missouri cavalry and was under the influence of drink and got off and went down to rise no more. The mail boat just passed the fort, in an hour we will get our mail brought up by our chaplain.

Wednesday, August 5th. — Today has been very warm. Last night about ten o'clock the steamer Ruth, a very fine large boat, took fire about six miles above this place and was consumed in a short time and a great deal of baggage and property lost with upwards of 400 head of government cattle which were enroute for some point below, I have forgotten the name of the place. They were all lost I understand. No human lives lost that I have heard of. Today about ten o'clock a.m. the rubbish from the wreck was in a gorge at this place and skiffs were thick in the river propelled by men who were picking up things from the fated boat. There was a great deal of baggage and things obtaining floating that had probably been thrown overboard, and they say that there was an army paymaster with two million dollars which was all lost.

Thursday, August 6th. — It is now five o'clock p.m. and has been a very warm day. There was a detail of men went from this place this morning, according to the best information that I can get about three hundred in number, under command of Lieut-Col. Newbold of our regiment. The report came in about noon that they got out to Union City and there engaged the enemy and sent back for reinforcements which were sent as follows: First Kansas battery and all troops belonging to the regular army probably about one hundred in number. There is a heavy cloud raising very fast which is about over us, I think there is a pretty heavy wind with it.

The word just came to me as I was writing that there were two of our men killed at Union City and more wounded when the word left there. I don'' believe anything about it yet. Large drops of rain begin to fall rather slow yet, but I think we will get a good shower.

About an hour ago we were notified to fit up for inspection, that the troops of this place would be inspected by Major-General Hurlbut, who was passing this place, but the rain begins now to fall in torrents and it is late in the afternoon and I think that we will have to omit inspection for we are going to have a very heavy rain. There comes the general for we hear a government dispatch boat whistle, and boom, boom, boom, goes the cannon for thirteen shots in quick succession as a salute for the worthy General Hurlbut.

Friday, August 7th. — It is now evening and it has been pretty warm. There has been nothing of consequence today except a little occurrence which was a heart rending sight for me. It was a man — and a young man too — belonging to an Indiana regiment was tried and convicted of mutiny before a court martial and sentenced to be ignominiously discharged from the service and imprisoned three years at hard labor at Alton, Ill., prison, also to be drummed out of camp and through the camp, the facings to be cut off his clothes in public by an uncommissioned officer and step to the tune "Rogue's March" at the point of the bayonets of a strong guard that escorted him; also two large and rather handsome cards placed one on his back and one on his breast with the word "Mutiny" nicely printed on it so all could read it. All the troops in this vicinity were assembled and arranged according to the order at a charge bayonet.

Another funeral in the Wisconsin regiment today.

Saturday, August 8th. — It is now evening again and has been very warm today, although there has been some considerable wind astir. I went to town this morning to get some tape to have some chivalets put on according to a special order or request made by the Colonel commanding.

While I was at town there were four dead men came floating down the river. Some men got skiffs and went out and were getting them when I left. They were some of the crew of the Ruth that burned the other night. They caught three yesterday and three early this morning which makes ten got out at this place. It was ascertained that there were about fifty persons lost altogether by that fatal accident.

Our battalion was called out this morning and had a short drill in the manual of arms instead of dress parade. The evening is very fine and pleasant as the sun gets low for there is a pleasant breeze stirring."

Sunday, August 9th. — Things have been quiet today, no inspection as usual on Sunday, preaching at four o'clock p.m. by Chaplain Kiner of our regiment, and a good practical sermon it was, warning the soldier to beware and shun the snares that are continually set for them by both men and women.

I volunteered to go and post guard at the railroad tonight and we will soon start. There are twenty-one men in the squad to guard the depot and I went to sleep and would have slept all night had it not been for the mosquitos, for I was not needed nor called all night. It will be remembered that I am exempt from duty and it was a volunteer act going on guard.

Monday, August 10th. — Five o'clock p.m. — The day passed so far with no excitement at all. The soldiers' duty at this place is very heavy in our regiment. Our regiment is on duty every other day, both privates and uncommissioned officers, which is wearing very fast on the men and the reader may rest assured that there is quarreling and grumbling enough too. I wrote and sent two letters to my wife today, one of which contained a picture of the author of these lines. I rather presume that we will have dress parade this evening and it is near time now. Tonight will be a dull night for me for we get no mail on Monday and I will have nothing to look for, but probably it will save one being disappointed as I have been for some evenings past. * * * The day is past and gone, the evening shades appear, dress parade is over and I am again in my tent pencil and book in hand. The 32d regiment is on dress parade at this moment for I hear their band playing.

Tuesday, August 11th. — Nine o'clock a.m. — It is very warm already and will be nearly unendurable by two o'clock. One man, a member of our company, Liford Winchel, starts home this morning on sick furlough for thirty days.

Five o'clock p.m. — I went this morning and got F. S. Smith, a teamster detailed from our company (and who is an especial friend of mine since he has been a member of our company) and got permission to go out in the country with four men (as I pretended to get some brush to make sheds) but the business was to get apples. We came to the orchard and there the guard (for there is a picket post in the orchard) told me that they had orders to let no man get apples more than he wanted to eat. I told him that I wanted to out on the other road to go back to camp. He said : "You have a permit, I suppose, to bring your squad out." I told him I had and he let us pass without showing my permit, which I did not have. I had a permit from our regiment officers but had to have a written permit from the provost marshal to pass the picket line, but once outside I did not care, for none of them has any right to stop a soldier from coming in, and we drove around the other side of the orchard which is very large — it must a half-mile square and arithmetic cannot begin to calculate the amount of fruit that there is in that orchard and beautiful fruit too — we then filled our wagon box half-full of apples, cut a few brush and threw on top and started home and crossed the picket line at another place. For fear some one will accuse me of jayhawking — a thing that I detest — I will say that the man what owns this plantation and orchard went south and joined the rebel army and his property was confiscated and there is no one living at or near the place.

We then came by a large rebel magazine that the rebels had in the bluff and when this fortification fell into the hands of our men were, and to this day are, afraid to open the door for fear there is a private torpedo or match that will by the opening of the door, ignite the powder in the magazine, and they think that it communicates with torpedoes buried all over the fort and town which undoubtedly are buried here, but where they communicate I could not tell. Today they raised their mammoth flag pole, got it up without accident, got the flag run up to the top and it looks very nice. Its height I don't know, but I think it is as high a one as I ever saw any place.

Wednesday, August 12th. — Twelve o'clock M. — All quiet today. I have slept most of the forenoon and after waking feel rather lonesome and dull. It is cloudy and cooler than usual today. I have looked for a letter until I am discouraged and have no heart to look any more.

There was a lake steamer passed up by this place today. Boats are running very thick at this place at the present time. Six o'clock p.m. — We just came off dress parade, had a good time. I bore out the glorious old stars and stripes while the band played "Dixie" in their best time. "Thursday, August 13th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — It is very warm indeed today. There is nothing of any consequence going on at this time, things are very dull for some days past. I think that we are going to have some very warm weather from appearance of things. The day passed off quiet but very warm. I went down to town to see if I could see anything new but there was nothing going on. I came back very much fatigued and we had a very good parade in a short time after I got to camp. This evening is very fair and pleasant.

Friday, August 14th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — Quite pleasant this morning, has some appearance of clouding up; if it does not it will be another warm day.

Our 2d Lieutenant is under arrest and confined to his quarters and has been for some days. He probably will be court-martialed for this is the second time he has been under arrest for the same offense — absenting himself from camp without permission and drinking and behaving unbecoming. There will be one of our provosts arrested this morning for being absent or going to town without leave and staying away from dress parade. Our 1st Lieutenant tells me he thinks he will be court-martialed for he has committed like offense frequently since he has been in our company. Ten o'clock a.m. — The man that we thought would be court-martialed was sentenced by the Colonel to go on knapsack drill, but don't know how long he is to drill, but he is out drilling with knapsack and blanket on and the sun shining as hot as it is possible, I can hardly live in the shade it is so hot.

Seven o'clock p.m. — We just came off dress parade and there was a cloud raising very fast when parade broke and it has just commenced raining, and I think we will have a wet night. I am sick tonight with a pain in my bowels and stomach but hope to be better tomorrow.

Nine o'clock p.m. — The mail boat just came in and brought a letter for me from my wife which I was glad to get, for I had never hear from the money I sent nor heard from my family for some time. I will now go to bed.

Saturday, August 15th. — Seven o'clock a.m. — They are mounting guard at the present time and it is a continual roar of drums and fifes, I will stop writing now and go and answer the letter I received last night. It is going to be very warm today. I feel some better this morning but not well by any means. Two o'clock p.m. — It has been one of the warmest days I think I ever witnessed until about an hour ago there was a cloud got up high enough to cover the sun and it was but a short time until it went to raining. I thought when it came up that we would have a heavy rain and wind, but it rains very moderate yet and the wind does not blow, but it has got nice and cool. I wrote my letter today and sent it out.

Seven o'clock p.m. — We had a good but mild shower which cleared away in time for dress parade on which occasion we were visited by our new commander, Brigadier-General Smith, who takes command of this division instead of Brigadier-General Asboth, who is ordered to take another command at Pensacola, Florida."

Sunday, August 16th. — Nine o'clock a.m. — At this time in the morning it is so warm that a man can hardly get his breath. I fear that sickness is going to commit heavy ravages among our soldiers for there are new cases every day but few deaths, but the warm weather, in appearance is just commencing here.

I think I am better this morning than I was yesterday, although I took a small dose of castor oil last night. Guard duty is on heavy so few men left in camp when the guard is mounted that regular weekly inspection is again deferred as it was last Sunday. Teamster Smith came up to the fort this morning to get me to take one of his mules and go out in the country, but I was not able to do so. I will stay in my tent and suffer on with the heat, for there is not a breath of air stirring and the rays of an August sun in Southern Kentucky seems to go right through one of these cloth tents. Six o'clock p.m. — We had a good little shower of rain this afternoon that makes it quite pleasant and cool.

We have no dress parade this evening. I fear that I am going to have the bloody flux again but then I will get along without taking medicine as long as possible. Our chaplain preached this forenoon in town and this afternoon in camp, but I didn't feel well enough to go. It is almost night and a little cloudy, but I don't hardly think that it will rain tonight. I think that sickness is on the increase in camp now — diarrhea mostly.

Monday, August 17th. — The day passed off very still for it was awful hot — as warm a day as I ever witnessed, however it is a little cooler this evening. We just got off dress parade. I am very unwell this evening.

Tuesday, August 18th. — It was very warm today, so warm that a man could not see any satisfaction in any place. I feel very unwell tonight, so much so that I can't write, so I will stop.

Wednesday, August 19th. — Very warm today. Omitted dress parade this evening. I feel a little better tonight. Nothing transpired today of note. I hear the mail boat whistling and I look for a letter tonight. It looks something like rain tonight. Two or three of our boys have got the ague. Health I think is better than it was some time ago, at least in our company. The army it appears has taken up summer quarters generally and movements will lay still generally until cool weather.

Thursday, August 20th. — Today is quite warm, but cloudy. Nothing occurred of consequence. We had inspection this afternoon.

Friday, August 21st. — All quiet. Weather very warm. Had inspection tonight. Got no mail last night, all anxious this afternoon.

Saturday, August 22d. — The day commenced with a damp, heavy fog. About eight o'clock the fog raised and the sun came out with awful power, it will nearly wilt a man down under its scorching rays. There is nothing transpiring nowadays at all. Seven o'clock p.m. — It has been very warm today. Lieutenant Mills, Sergeant Fisher and myself went to town and stayed a short time, but saw nothing worthy of note.

We had good dress parade this evening. I see a band of contraband came into camp this evening. I suppose that they will be put right in the negro regiment that is camped some distance outside the fort, it is a new regiment just raising and drilling and they do well — drilling better than I was willing to give them credit for. There were fifty rebel soldiers got to our lines today, took the oath and a majority of them are going to enlist in the Union army at this place.

Sunday, August 23d. — Teamster Smith and myself got a pass this morning from the provost marshal to pass us out of the picket lines, took two of his mules, saddled them, got on and started for the country in the direction of Clinton which is ten miles from this place. We went two and one-half miles and stopped at Judge Bullock's for water. We got a drink and had an invitation to eat some pears which we accepted for they were very ripe and nice.

The Judge is a rather portly man of good and almost commanding appearance, his hair is quite gray and he has a pleasant disposition in all, and people say that until this portion of the country fell into Union hands that he was rabid secessionist, but he has now taken the oath of allegiance. Mrs. Bullock, his wife, is a very fine looking and sociable woman and I think that they both would make good neighbors, and I call them good union people; we stopped probably an hour and left after receiving a very courteous good bye and a strong invitation to call again.

We went on toward Clinton one mile to another farm, stopped and got what peaches we wanted to eat and offered to pay for them which was refused. He also is a good Union man. We went on to the next house and got what cider we could drink for which they refused to take pay, all of them saying that if all soldiers would behave as we did they would like to receive visits from them, but it pains my heart that there is a great many men in the army that think they have liens to commit all kinds of depredations and even think it smart. We then went on further and got some melons and peaches from a negro and he was the only man during the day that would take pay for anything. He charged twenty-five cents for a small melon and probably three dozen peaches. We finally started back and got to camp just in time for dress parade which is at six o'clock, and I am very tired for it has been very warm today.

Monday, August 24th. — About ten o'clock this a.m. we got a regular dry storm that beat anything I ever saw. I was laying in my tent and there was a regular tornado came up from the north and, the ground being very dry, of all dusts I ever saw it beat all. It lasted about two hours and then calmed down a little, but there is still a stiff gale blowing. After the heft of it was over so a man could navigate I went out in camp to see the effect, and it was a hard looking sight. A great many streets in camp that I could not walk through for brush and tents for they had shades fixed all over camp pretty much and most of them were blown down and a great many tents also, and the air at this time feels almost like snow and getting colder all the time.

Seven o'clock p.m. — It is yet blowing hard and the dust flying and it has got very cold for August. You will see men going around with vest, dress coat and overcoat on all buttoned up to the chin and then complain of the cold. For my part I have dresscoat and vest on and would wear an overcoat if I had one here, but last spring when we left Iowa for this country I thought probably we would go into the field and I sent my overcoat home. It is so windy this evening that we have to omit dress parade. This is another class of weather that will make a man's thoughts run back to loved ones at home where he could sit down among the innocent sports of his children in preference to the vulgar, profane sports of the soldirs in camp.

Tuesday, August 25th. — It has been very cool today and is going to be a cool night. I walked to town this morning but saw nothing but a town full of soldiers — mostly on guard — for there are a great many guards kept there. This afternoon there were about fifty contrabands came in and were examined by the sergeant. A great many of them did not want to be accepted and made all kinds of excuses, claiming to be unhealthy. One said he had had congestive chills for nine months at a stretch.

Wednesday, August 26th — The day has passed off rather quiet. Lieutenant Stoughton's trial by court-martial commenced today in Columbus. Dress parade is just over ad our work is done for today. I took a walk out of the fort today. It has been very pleasant today, cold enough for frost this morning, quite warm at noon, and cool enough to be pleasant tonight.

Thursday, August 27th. — It was quite warm today from ten o'clock until evening, but was cold enough this morning and tonight there is a heavy cloud rising in the west and distant thunder is quite frequent. I fear that we will get rain tonight. I feel lonesome and desolate this evening. I have looked for a letter every night for a week and got none and am about discouraged looking for one.

The trial of Lieutenant Stoughton is still progressing slowly. I think that it will take a week for them to get through. There was a dispatch today, said to be official, that stated that Fort Sumpter had surrendered to Gen. Gilmore. I hope it may be true. We had dress parade this evening which was good and spirited.

Friday, August 28th. — It has been warm enough to be pleasant and not too warm. I went to town to visit the military prison today. There are about 150 rebel prisoners in there — some eight or ten captains, about the same number of lieutenants, and two or three colonels. There are 150 of them taken up the river early this morning, destination Chicago.

We just came off dress parade and it is a beautiful, pleasant evening. It seems as though nature was smiling on us through the evening twilight and the moon's broad smiling face is just appearing above the eastern horizon. The trial of our lieutenant is still in progress. By some cause we did not get our mail last night. I have some hopes that I will get a letter tonight, I have not had one from my wife for two weeks.

Saturday, August 29th. — Quite cool today. Last night about half past nine o'clock we were all at once visited by one more of those dry tornadoes — a terrific wind — and the air filled with dust. It blowed for one hour and filled everything with dust. This morning I saw at sunrise that there were several tents down yet. I received a letter today from my wife stating that her and my oldest children were well, but the two youngest were very sick, the babe she fears will not get well. This is beautiful weather today, clear and nice, the air feels like autumn.

The trial of Lieutenant Stoughton is still in progress, I have not been to town today and have heard nothing from the trial only that they were still in progress. I wrote a letter to my wife today. As we came in off dress parade there were about thirty more negroes came into the hospital headquarters for examination. Some come in every few days in squads of thirty to fifty. They are conscripted, mind they are not volunteers; however some of them are willing to go into the army but according to my knowledge the majority of them play off or try to. The blacks that they are taking in this place are for heavy artillery service — very good service I think for them. The evening gun has just fired which says plainly it is night.

Sunday, August 30th. — This day has been pleasant. Very cool in the morning and quite warm in the middle of the day. I have spent the day so far laying around camp although I don't know but I may take a stroll this evening late. I went over to see the chaplain and got a book out of our library entitled, "The Effects of Kindness," a very fit subject for camp reading. I went over to the hospital and found the sick mostly on the mend. We have three men in there now, one of which is very sick and he asked me to take his pocket book and keep it for him until he gets well or starts home on sick furlough which he expects to do next week if he is able to travel. I don't think he will ever get strong again. The chaplain tells me he will preach for us this evening at four o'clock.

Seven o'clock p.m. — We had a good sermon at four o'clock and dress parade at six and there was a man in company H fainted in ranks, fell and was helped off parade grounds; I have not heard from him since. This evening is quite cool, the sun just set and looked as red as a ball of fire and it set in a bright golden horizen which is very frequently seen in this country on summer evenings.

The trial of Lieutenant Stoughton will resume again at eight o'clock a.m. tomorrow. Last night I had to get up in the night and put on my clothes to help keep me warm and had two thick woolen blankets over me and tonight is going to be the same. I have got a coat and blouse on to go to bed. There was another squad of negroes came in today and were examined and sent to the negro regiment.

Monday, August 31st. — Today being the last day of the month we will have general or grand review, which will be composed of all troops at this post, which are: our regiment or the 14th Iowa, the 32d Iowa, 31st Wisconsin, 4th Missouri cavalry, a negro regiment and part of the 16th U.S. regiment all on review at once — a very nice sight. Sundown. — We mustered for pay this evening. It is fair and beautiful this evening. I think that it will not be so cold tonight as usual. I would say that tomorrow is pay day, but we don't expect our money for some days.

Tuesday, September 1st. — All quiet today at this place. It has been quite warm although very pleasant today. I took a general stroll today, was walking pretty much all day, got in at four o'clock p.m., had good dress parade which is just over and I have returned to my tent. It is not about sundown, the gun will fire in a few minutes.

The trial of Lieutenant Stoughton is over but the decision or verdict is not rendered to the parties or public. There was a regiment passed down on board a pass-port this evening said to be the 3d Arkansas Infantry Volunteers. This is the day that the government proposed to pay, but the money is not here yet. This evening is one of those that are scarcely ever found except in the sunny South, a little smoky, looks like Indian summer and is pleasant and cool. Guard duty is not to heavy now as it was some time since.

Wednesday, September 2d. — It has been quite warm today — uncomfortably so, feels as though summer had returned in its vigor after our little spell of cold weather and I think, judging from present appearances, that we are going to have some warm weather again which will be very unwelcome to the army at this place.

Thursday, September 3d. — Quite warm today, although very comfortable. I have just been changing tents and have got my furniture fixed up after some working. I have got split boards to lay on now in place of poles, that I have before spoken of, which I think will go some better.

There were about fifty persons — ladies and gentlemen — come today to visit Fort Hallock. They came on an excursion from Northern Illinois. They stopped inside the fort for some time and sang several very appropriate ballads which were very nice for which they received uproarious cheers from the soldiers of this place. They went from the fort down town again. I don't know when they think of returning home as I was busy and did not converse with any of them.

There was a sergeant belonging to the 31st Wisconsin Volunteers consigned to the tomb this evening, the funeral escort passed our regiment when on dress parade a few minutes ago to the tune of the dead march. There are three negroes to be hung tomorrow at this place for the slaughter of a family of whites at Island No. 10 some months ago and I suppose that the spirit of John Brown will be there ready to take them immediately after death and muster them into the army of the Lord as he goes marching along, and I wish them a happy voyage over the river of Jordan after we take from them their lives and the wreath of glory they expected to wear around their necks and substitute for it a wreath of hemp, for that is all we can do as they have but one life. If they had more I would say take more from them.

Friday, September 4th. — This morning opened up very pleasant but I think that it will be quite warm today. At nine o'clock a.m. I started for the execution of the three negroes I spoke of yesterday. I arrived there and they were just erecting the gallows. They got it ready and sent for the criminals which arrived in about an hour and by this time the crowd was dense. I took my position about thirty rods from the gallows and finally thought that I would close up to it and done so by crowding my way through and got to a wagon and asked leave to stand on the wheel and they made room for me and Lieut. Miles in the wagon and then we had a good view at a short distance from the scene. Finally we heard the drum beating the dead march and looked with anxious eyes until the procession came to the top of the hill so we could see in what way they brought the criminals. They were in a common lumber wagon sitting on their coffins with their hands tied, two guards in the wagon with them and a file of soldiers in front and a file in rear of the wagon. The negroes looked very penitent and when they went on the scaffold accompanied by two negro preachers they looked still more sorry than ever. The preachers sung and prayed and the provost marshal proceeded to do his work, fastening the rope upon their necks and the white sack over their heads, then he went down and moved the ladder. Now he is nerved up for he has taken out his knife to cut the cord that supports the scaffold. He cuts it, they take their last fall, you hear a dull sound caused by the tension of the rope and one of them scarcely struggles at all, the other two struggle violently for a few minutes then all is over and I got down and started to camp, leaving them hanging, at which place I arrived at two o'clock and lay down to rest for a couple of hours.

We had a good dress parade at the usual time — half past five o'clock. There was one man detailed out of our company this evening to attend a funeral escort. I don't know who deceased was, but I presume he died at the post or general hospital.

Saturday, September 5th. — Tolerable, pleasant today, though quite warm in the middle of the day, but cool and pleasant this evening. I received a letter this morning which contained a picture of my wife and youngest child which I answered, sending a picture of myself in return, also a little book to my daughter Clara. I went to the hospital this evening to see the sick as I do frequently. I found them all on the mend except one, Christain Davidson, a member of our company. I think he will not live many days."

Sunday, September 6th. — All still today -- quite warm and very lonesome. We had a good dress parade which is just over and the evening gun has just fired.

Monday, September 7th. — Last night our company lost its first man by death. Davidson, that I spoke of being sick some days ago, died last night about midnight. This morning was quite cool but warmer in the middle of the day. There is a great deal of ague in camp and seems to be on the increase very fast. This afternoon at three o'clock the procession started with the remains of poor Davidson. We got to the graveyard (I say we for I was along and all of the company that were not on duty or sick went as mourners), we found a hold dug not long enough to let the coffin in and no vault. They cut it over at the end so as to let the coffin in, fired three volleys over the grave and proceeded to fill it up, which I did not stop to see for it was getting along toward dress parade time. But it was a very large graveyard.

Tuesday, September 8th. — It has been very warm today. I think almost as warm as any day we have had since we have been at this place. There has nothing of note occurred today. I hear today from official source the expectation is that we will go to Cairo in a few days and probably spend the week there, which news will be very thankfully received by the regiment, for there we will get good barracks which is much better than tents.

Wednesday, September 9th. — This is another very warm day, however about noon a gale came up from the north that cooled things off some but it is hot yet although the wind blows hard and the whole air is full of dust. There is a circus in Columbus today and will show tonight I understand, and some of the boys are going down to see it. One more of our company got a furlough today and intends starting home tomorrow morning. His name is H. W. Beckwith, 2d sergeant of our company. Ague still gets worse all the time I believe, eleven men from our company are sick.

Thursday, September 10th. — The announcement was made that we would move out of the fort, which we did in due form. We moved about one mile and a half and camped on the ground or near the ground where the negroes were hanged last Friday and tomorrow I understand that there will be three more swung on the gallows which are still standing as a warning to all men.

Friday, September 11th. — It is very warm today. We have been fixing up all day in our new camp. The three negroes were not hung today from some cause. We still get a great many rumors about moving from Columbus, some say up and some say down the river.

Saturday, September 12th. — Twelve o'clock M. — Quite warm this forenoon, although there is a cloud rising in the west and it is thundering very steady and I think that it will rain very heavy and be cooler. A member of company A in our regiment died last night in the hospital. Two men were buried today. I think I will like our camp very well, we are situated in an orchard. There has been a good farm at this place, although nothing is left to tell except apple trees and weeds, and there is a good spring about one-fourth of a mile from the camp.

Sunday, September 13th. — Quite cool and pleasant today owing to a light shower we had last night.

Monday, September 14th. — All quiet today, cool in the morning and warm in the middle of the day.

Tuesday, September 15th. — Quite cool this morning, but very warm at noon.