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| David and Bethsheba after their reunion | Bethsheba Fuller McKinney |
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INTRODUCTION (written by Susan Hare):
David McKinney, who
was born October 1, 1823 in Ohio. As a young child, he and his family moved to
Timber Township and later Glasford, and the Peoria, Illinois area. David married
Bethsheba Fuller August 13, 1846. David worked as a cooper in the Peoria and
Henry areas before enlisting in the 47th Illinois Infantry-Co.A in 1861. He was
discharged, but unable to find work, so reenlisted and was discharged October
11, 1864. He and Bethsheba had seven children: William Henry, Abby Jane, Ruhamey,
John Charles E., Mary Ellen, Joseph and Elizabeth Amanda. While at home it is alleged that
he received several letters from a young woman he met in Columbus, Ohio while
guarding the property of the young woman’s mother who was a wealthy widow..
According to one of David’s brothers, David and the woman became intimately
acquainted and the mother suggested that they marry. He explained he was already
married and the mother said no one would have to know. In 1866, David went to
Henry, Illinois to work as a cooper and in 1867 to Fort Wayne looking for work.
During this time he continued to write letters to his family—the last letter
stated he would be returning home July 4, 1867. Shortly thereafter, two men
appeared at the home of Bethsheba telling her that David had gone to the Dakotas
on a cattle drive and had been killed by Indians near Yankton, South Dakota. In
some of David’s letters he talked about going on a cattle drive and also going
to the silver mines in Colorado. The two men returned a notebook that David kept
and also a picture of his daughter Rhuhamy. They said other things would be sent
later but they were never received. The above information is from the National
Archives records of David.
Bethsheba applied for widow’s benefits in 1890 believing her husband was dead.
In 1890, David applied for veteran’s benefits in Bartlett, Missouri. He is
listed on the Civil War Veteran’s of Shannon County, MO. Sometime after that,
David went to San Francisco and then to Grant’s Pass, Oregon where he was found
in 1894. Bethsheba’s benefits were denied as her husband was alive. My
great-grandmother, Elizabeth Amanda
McKinney Laughlin,
went to Oregon and brought David back to her home in Wisconsin where David and
Bethsheba were reunited. David died in 1904 at a Veteran’s Home where the two
lived together. Bethsheba returned to her daughter’s home and died a couple of
years later.
The census of 1890 was destroyed by fire and Bartlett, Mo is a small
unincorporated town with few records. Logging was big in that area. David was a
cook in the infantry—maybe he cooked for the camps. David was missing for thirty
years—from 1867 to 1897. We would love to know the rest of his story.
LETTERS OF DAVID TO HIS
WIFE, BETHSHEBA AND
A LETTER OF BETHSHEBA TO HER HUSBAND
Memphis Tenasee
March 15, ‘63
Deare Companion
I hav set Down to Direct A few Lines to you to Let you still no that I Am well &
harty & hope that you Are All injoying the same Blessing I wrote you A Letter A
few Days Ago & the next morning we Got marching orders & yesterday we Came
Aborde of the Bote Bound Down the River towards vicksburgh But the exact Plase
of our Destination I Cannot tell But I hav An Ida that we Are Going to make some
new Rode for the troops to Get Behinde the Rebbles while I Am wrighting I Am
setting in my Bunk & the Boys Are Loding on Cole for the trip But this will hav
to Bee A short Letter A I have to Get it to the offis Befour we Leve the Plase I
Got A Letter from Alfred this morning he was well & thay Are still At nashvill
he says that the Boys Are well All But will fry he is in the hospital But I
shall hav to Close I will wright soone & you must wright often & when you wright
tell me All that you Can think off Give my Love to the Children Kiss Josey &
sisey & Poor Little Marey for me for I wood not only Like to Kiss them But Also
one from you & not only that But I wood Giv Aney thing to hav if it was But one
week to spende with you I no that I wood injoy it I expect that Little siss is
Allmoste Big enough to wene it semes A Long time to me At Leste since she was
Born But if you shood weene hur Befour I get home I want to Get thare to fill
hur Plase By your side for thare is whare I Long to Bee wright to me All that
you Can think of But Adieu & may God Bless & Protect my swete ons
Your Husband D McKinney
Direct this Pioneere Corps 8 Divition Armey of weste tenasee
Care of Capt Young
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Camp Stoneman, D.C. June 16 [1865?]
Dear Companion I hav set Down to Let you no that I Am well & hope that you Are
All injoying the same Blessing I Doo not no that I hav Aney thing to wright this
morning that will Bee interesting to you But I hav thought I wood wright often &
short Letters we Are stilly Laying heare in Camp hav nothing to Doo But Bee
inspected or Reviewed & that is Allmoste evry Day But we Are Getting used to it
& it Donte go quite so harde As it Did At first But the worst trouble with us
now is we Donte Get enough to eate we never had so Little Rations All the time I
hav Beene in the servis we Donte Get As much Rations now As we used to Draw for
half Rations why it is so I Cannot tell unless it is to Get As maney to Disert
As tha Can to Get thare Bounteys & Back Pay & thare Guns whitch wood Amount to
About 200 Dollars & thar is Lots of them Diserting & Going home Just on account
of the way thare Are used it is a Disgrase to humanaty & if thare was no Boddy
Conserned But my self I wood not stay hear three Days But I Dare not Bring that
Disgrase on those that Cannot help them selvs it Begins to Look Doutfull to me
about Getting Pay soone for if we shood Get Pay now half of the Corps wood
Disert & Go home so I Believe tha will Keepe Back the Pay so
that tha may Keepe them together I Am the worst Beete now that I ever was in my
Life & if God forgives me for the Past I Believe that I hav Payed a Dear Prise
for my Lerning At Least I hav Got my Lesson not onely By heart But to my harts
Content I will tell you what we Get for A Day Rations Our Lovs of Bred for one
Days Rations way About one Pound About four Bits of meate twise A Day Coffee
twise A Day one mess of Beenes in five Days that Constituts our Rations that is
the sum & substance & if this Course is Persued A Grate while the whole Corps
will Brake up in A row for the men will not Put up with A Grate while Longer
without making A fuss Abut the wey tha hav Bin used But I hav sayed enough &
Perhaps too much Give my Love to All the Children & friends wright soone yours
truly Your Husband D McKinney
Adieu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 19
1866
Dere companion
I hav taken my Pen in hand to answer your letter we receive your letter of the 8
a few days ago an was glad to here that you was well an your time was so nere
out we hav nothing of importance to write times as hard as ever an very little
work going on in peorie we her had a dreadful cold spell a goin on thare is a
heep of snow on the ground yet Aby and Ru went up to John an it turned cold an
they had to stay 3 days it looks as tho it would thought now alfers folks are
all well an afared is holling coal an he has a job of halling till april I gess
we will make our litter a short one as I can think of nothing of importance take
good care of your self dave is on of the mischives little fellers that you ever
seen an sis says she wont cry ery more if you will come home & charles and Jo is
that is that bad that I can hardly live with them but they hav a good teacher
for will is lit for nothing else but to teach them devilment I gess we will hav
to close as to day is work day so good bye for the present for your wife
B McKinny
To D McKinny
You must excuse this durty envlope for it was little dave that dun it
DIARY TRANSCRIPT OF DAVID MCKINNEY
April 16
Today Continues Pleasant we are 18 miles Below New Madrid At Tiptonvill in
tenasee nothing has hapned to Dey Beond the Common Rotin of soldier Life
April 17
This morning we got orders to move Down the River we left our Landing At 1 A
Clock P.M. & Got to our Plase of Destination At 4 & was ordered Back to Cairo
April 18
We wheeled About & started for Cairo But had to ley up Part of the night But
this morning finds us on our wey Agane we Got to Cairo about mid night & This
morning still finds in Porte & it Raning & Colde the River verry high & still
Rasing the River Lacking only one foot of the top of the Levee I sent a Letter
home
April 20
This morning still finds us At Cairo it still Raning & Colde we Left this Plase
for the Tenasee River But had to Cole and mound sitty for to Doo the trip & that
took All Day & Night
April 21
This morning is still Raning. A young man By the name of Askey Killed A young…By
the name of fry…with his neese in…we Are now on a … (Corner of page torn.)
April 22
This morning finds us A Considerable weys up the tenasee River & After A weeke
of Cloudy & Raney weather with a Butifull Day & splendid River senery
April 23
This morning is Butifull we Landed At the olde Battle Ground of Shilo After
Being on the Bote 10 Days I Got A Letter from home & sent one Back with some
other things with Mr. Chapple
April 24
This morning finds us Camped a mile from the River…Companey Goes on…Guard too
miles from… (Corner of page torn.)
April 25
This morning is Raney we was Releived At eleven A Clock & Returned to Camp the
Rods from the Resent Ranes Being verry Bad
April 26
This Day is A Butifull one Nothing of importance except orderes to move out five
miles & start At 7 in the morning I wrote a Letter home
April 27
This morning we took Brecfast & fell into Ranks for Inspection then tha had to
make A Bridg Across A Sleio for the River had Backed up & that Kept us till Dark
April 28
This morning finds us At our Camp which we Reached At 12 A clock Last night the
Long Role Beete But it was A false Alarm I wrote A Letter home
April 29
This morning the Ground is verry wet As it Raned Allmoste All night & we was
without tents this morning our tents Came out too wet
April 30
This Day has Beene Cloudy & it sprinkled Rane All four noon I went on Guard At 9
A Clock
May 1
This morning I Came off Guard we was ordered to Advance five miles on thare
Lines we Done so & halted in Line of Battle
May 2
This has Beene A Butifull Day Nothing Acouring But An accasionell shot between
the Pickets
May 3
This has beene A Butifull Day we Drew our hats & I Drew A Pare of Pants I Got A
Letter from Martha J Turbet & Answered it
May 4
This morning we struck our tents & marched 5 miles on thare Lines & it Raned All
Day yesterday our Pickets had A fight with the Rebbles & Killed 15 & took 25
Prisners
May 5
This morning is Cloudy & it Rained All night we Are Cutting the timber of in
front of our Lines to Keepe from Being taken on surprise I Got a Letter from
home & Answered it
May 6
This Day has Beene A Butifull one our Pickets hav An ocasonel skirmish with the
Rebbles I went on Guard Round the Camp
May 7
This Day Continues to Bee fine Nothing verry Perticular Thre Day I sent a Letter
home & we Got orders to march in the morning father out on thare lines
May 8
This morning we was in Line & marching toward the Rebble Lines we Pased Thre
Farmington & formed A Line of Battle we stade in Line till Dark & Retreted 1 ½
mile & Camped for the night
May 9
This morning the enemy Came out & opned fire on us our Line was formed Down A
Ravine & tha shot over us Lost our Loutenant Colonen By having his Leg Broke &
he Dyed Abouth 9 Aclock that night & had too others missing & 18 woonded
May 10
This morning tha Are taking Care of the sick & woonded & Bering the Ded the
woonded Being taken of the field when ordered to Retrete Alltho under A heavy
fire of shot & shell
May 11
This morning I went on Picket Guard we formed our Lines But 4 hundred yards of
the Rebble Pickets when tha saw us that fell Back with tare Lines
May 12
This morning All is quiet except the Rebbles Keeping the Rail Rode hot for the
Run all night I Returned to Camp At noon & sent A Letter home
May 13
This Day has Beene A Butifull one our men took some Big Paret Guns out & Planted
them to Bee Reddy for the Rebbles & tha Drove in thare Pickets
*our Captain was Elected magor
**our first Loutenant Captain
(This entry written in the back of the diary:
The thirteenth of May our Captan was Promoted to Magor our first Loutenant to
Capain & second to first & our orderly sergant to second this was All occasioned
By Loosing our Loutenant Colonel who Got his Leg Broke with a Canon Ball & Dyed
At 9 A Clock that night)
May 14
This has Beene A Butiful Day Nothing of importance Accoured I went on Picket
Guard & we took a Negro Prisner & it is supposed he is A sesh spy
May 15
This Day has Beene A Butifull the whole regiment Came out & was stationed At our
Posts & our Line extended too miles & A half thare has some Canonading on the
Line
May 16
This Day has Beene a Butifull one the Regiment Came off Grand Guard this four
noone thare was heavy CanonAdeing on the right to Day I wrote A Letter home &
sent it
May 17
This morning we Are ordered three miles in the front But Did not start Till
After noon the wether is hot & the Rods verry Dusty I got A Letter from home &
sent one Back we Got out at Dark & Comensed to thro up Brest work
May 18
This morning finds in Farmington intrenching our selvs to Protect us forom thes
Canon Balls & shells it is A Butifull Day we finished our intrenshments By
eleven A Clock A.M.
May 19
This Day has Beene A Pleasant one thare has Beene A Constant firing Betwene our
Pickets & those of the Rebbels & heavy Canonading off to our Right
May 20
This Day is Pleasant owing to the Rane threw the night whitch Cooled the Are &
Layed the Dust the Pickets still Continus to fire on one Another I writ A Letter
home
May 21
This Day has Beene A Butifull one to Day there was ten thousand troops Gon out
too Reiconouter & thare has Benne heavy Canonading off to our Right
May 22
This has Been A fine Day Nothing of importance I wrote A Letter home our Boys
Planted some heavy siege Guns today
May 23
This morning we went on Picket Guard the Rebble Pickets Are shooting At our Boys
when ever tha happen to shew themsevs & it Raned All Day
May 24
This morning is Cloudy & Coole from the Rane threw the night our men with three
Canon & too Regiments Drove the Reblles Back I Got A Letter from home
May 25, Sunday
This has Beene A Pleasant Day Nothing of importance to Day I answered the Letter
I Got from home yesterday & tonight our Companey Guard the trenches
May 26
This has been a Butifull Day the orders is to Drill 3 hours & A half each Day &
we Commensed to Day this afternoon 6 of our Canon went out to Round for the
Rebble Camp By throwing Balls in the timber
May 27
This Day has Beene a verry warm one nothing of Importance today I wrote a Letter
home & washed A shurt & we got our Cartridgs exchanged for others
May 28
This Day has Beene extremely hot we Advansed on the Rebbles Lines one mile & A
half & had A sharp incounter with them Lost quite a Number of men & horses &
some of the men was sun stroke the heete was so excessive Last night we Dug
intrenchments & this morning we went on out Poste Guard our men planted too
heavy Guns on the hill above us that tore up the Rebbles Battery of 6 Guns
whitch played on us All Day yesterday But with Little Afect
May 30
This morning Corinth is evacuated & our troopes marched into the Plase and
Planted our Flag on thare Brest work & we started in hot Persuit at 6 A Clock
this evening
May 31
This morning finds us About 8 miles from our ould Camping Ground & About the
same from the town of Corinth we traveled Last night till About 9 A Clock & Came
to A halt & Layed Down on our Blankets for to get some rest whitch we needed
verry much for we slept But Little for too nights for one night we was digging &
throwing up Brest works & the next night we was sent out on Picket Guard But
Nothing of worthey of note took Plase
June 1
This morning we took up our Line of march after the Rebbles we traveled twenty
miles over Bad Rods we Traveled south tward Boone vill Passing thre too A Little
towns & stopped At Dusk this morning Befour we started I reisived A Letter from
home
June 2
This Day has Beene A Pleasant one Nothing of importance to Day All is quiet in
Camp I wrote A Letter home
June 3
This morning we Are ordered forward we started & marched 4 miles & went on
Picket Guard & was ordered back Immediately & General Pope whole Davition
Retreted Back to our ould Camping Ground
June 4
This Day has Beene fine Nothing of importance took Plase we Ley All Day in Camp
I Received A Letter from home & wrote one Back this evning All is quiet
June 5
This Day has Beene Pleasant nothing of intrest we Ley still All four noone in
Camp But At noone was ordered to Bee Ready to march At five in the evening But
the order was Countermanded
June 6
This Day is fine Nothing transpired worthey of Note But we moved our Camp one
mile west I wrote A Letter home
June 7
Today has Beene A Pleasant one nothing of importance Accoured During the Day we
Are still in our new Camp
June 8, Sunday
This has Beene a Butifull one nothing of importance we had A surmon from Elder
Hasen At three A Clock & we had orders to Coock three Day Rations
June 9
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance to Day I wrote A Letter
& started it for home
June 10
This Day has Beene A Pleasant one nothing took Plase worthey of note we Are
still in our ould Camp today I Got A Letter from home Dated the 3 of the month
June 11
This morning was fine was ordered to move Back 25 miles & the Rode was verry
Dusty & A Grate number of the men Gave out & I stoped About 2 miles Befour we
Got into Camp this morning I Commensed A Letter home But had not time to finish
it
June 12
This morning I Got into Camp Befour Breckfast we Clened of our Camp & fixed our
tents & I sent A Letter hom with ten Dollars in it to my Wife
June 13
This Day has Beene A Butifull wone I washed A shurt Pare of Pants & some other
Little things & All is quiet in Camp
June 14
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing transpiring worthey of note I wrote A
Letter home All is quiet in & Around Camp
June 15, Sunday
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance we got our Pay for too
months for March & April today
June 16
This Day has Beene verry hot the four Part of the Day But this afternoone we had
A Good Rane we was on Grand Guard This morning all is quiet
June 17
This Day has Beene Pleasant cince the Rane we Came of Guard this morning All is
still in & Around Camp
June 18
This Day has Beene A Pleasant one we are still in our Camp I Got A Letter from
home Dated the 10 & I had a severe head Acke All Day & Night
June 19
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance today I wrote A Letter
home & to Day I Am Coock
June 20
This Day has Beene A Butifull one All is quiet in Camp I sent a Letter home
today with Mr. Chapple with ten Dollars in hit & I Got A Letter from W. J. Fry
June 21
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing Accouring worthey of note I wrote A
Letter to WJ Fry
June 22, Sunday
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance But All is quiet in
Camp. I commensed A Letter home
June 23
This Day has Beene A Butifull one we Are in our oulde Camp & All is quiet I
finished my Letter & sent it Captan Low
June 24
This Day has Beene A fine one All is quiet in Camp Today the news of the
evacuation of Richmond Came to Camp
June 25
This Day has Beene A Butifull All is quiet I Got A Letter from home Written on
the 16 & 17
June 26
This Day has Beene A Butifull one we had a Butifull show this Afternoon nothing
of importance to Day Al is quiet
June 27
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I wrote a Letter home
June 28
This Day we had a Butifull Rane & we neded one for the Rode has got verry Dusty
& the wether is verry hot All is quiet
June 29
This Day has Beene Pleasant I went on Guard At 8 A Clock Guard over A Prisner &
tonight our Regiment was ordered Away on too hours worning But I stopped in Camp
June 30
This Day has Been A fine one I was on Guard Last night today I went out &
gathered some Black bareys & mad 2 pyes for supper
July 1
This Day has Beene a Pleasant one Nothing worthey of note all is quiet our
Regiment is out 12 miles from Camp today H Shofe Got Back to Camp from home
July 2
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of Importance today I Got a Letter
from home written the 26 of Last month with 8 stamps in it & I sente one home in
Answer
July 3
This Day has Beene Pleasant Nothing Accouring But All is quiet I wrote A Letter
home & sent it By the magor
July 4
This Day has Beene verry hot one of our Canoniers Got Badly Burned while firing
A salute By the Axidental Discharge of his Gun I was out a Blackbering & we got
orders to go to the Regiment in the mount
July 5
This Day has Beene extremely hot we marched to the Regiment About ten miles &
took All the Camp Ecuifrage one of our men By the name of Aleck Speere was taken
Prisner on the 2 Day of this month I Got a Letter from home
July 6
This morning & All day has Beene verry hot A Dispatch Came that the Rebbles was
Advancing on us & we was ordered out to Receive them But it was A False Alarm
July 7
This Day has Beene verry hot we Came off Guard At 10 A Clock our schouts tell us
that the enemy is Advancing I wrote A Letter home & I Drew A Pare of Pants
July 8
This Day has Beene excessively hot nothing of importance worthey of not I Done
some washing to Day & Bathed in the Crick
July 9
This Day still Continues hot & Dry nothing of importance I Came off Guard At 9 A
Clock
July 10
Today we had a Butifull Rane & it is Pleasant Nothing worthey of note
July 11
This has Beene A Pleasant Day nothing of importance But All is quiet
July 12
This Day has Beene warm But Pleasant we went on Grand Guard A 5 Aclock in the
evening & I sent A Letter home with some verses
July 13, Sunday
This has Beene A Plesant Day nothing of importance All seemes to Bee quiet
July 14
This Day has Beene verry hot nothing worthey of note I went out A Black Bering &
I took A walk Down to the Depo
July 15
This Day has Beene A fine one we went out on Bitalion Drill this morning for 2
hours I Got A Letter from home & one from Alfred
July 16
This Day is some Cloudy But Pleasant we went on Guard At 9 A Clock But All is
quiet I sent A Letter home with ten Dollars in it was An Answer to one of the 5
of this month
July 17
This morning is wet & Raney it Raned All night Last night & it is Raning this
morning All is quiet
July 18
This has Beene A Pleasant Day we hav nothing to Disturb us All is quiet I went
on Guard this morning
July 19
This Day has Beene A fine one All is quiet I wrote A Letter home I Came off
Guard At 10 A Clock
July 20, Sunday
This Day has Been a Butifull one nothing of importance took Plase I Got A Letter
frome home written the 14 of this month
July 21
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I Got A Letter from home
& one from W J Fry
July 22
This Day has Beene verry hot nothing of importance Accouring I wrote too Letters
one home & one to Nancy Fry
July 23
This Day has Been A Butifull one nothing of importance All is quiet this morning
we Came away from the Pits it Raned all night
July 24
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I was Detaled As A
Beuriel escort to Day with 9 others
July 25, 26, 27---(erased)
July 28
This Day has Beene A fine This morning went out on Bregaid Drill for 2 hours All
is quiet
July 29
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance to Day I sent A Paper
home with A few Lines in it
July 30
This Day has Beene Cloudy & the Rane Pared Down for About 4 hours I was on Guard
All is quiet
July 31
This has Beene A Butifull Day Coole & Pleasant this four noone we Drilled in the
firings & this Afternoon on skirmish Drill nothing of importance took Plase All
is quiet
August 1
This has Beene A verry warm Day we had General inspection in the four noone &
Drill this Afternoon & I wrote A Letter home
August 2
This has Beene A Butifull Day nothing of importance But All is quiet I Got a
Letter from home Daited the 26 of July I went on Guard At 9 A.M.
August 3, Sunday
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance we had A sermon from
Elder Hasen At 7 A Clock
August 4
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance All is quiet I Got A
Letter from home Daited 28 of July
August 5
This Day has extremily hot we went out on General inspection At 12 A Clock & I
wrote A Letter home All is quiet
August 6
This Day has Beene A verry hot nothing of importance All is quiet
August 7
This Day has Beene A pleasan one Nothing of intrest All is still quiet in Camp
August 8
This Day has Beene verry hot I Got 2 Letters from home All is quiet I was
Apointed to go home to Recruit for the Companey
August 9
This Day has Beene verry hot nothing of importance I Got a Pare of Pants & sined
the Pay Roles
August 10, Sunday
This Day has Beene verry hot Nothing worthey of not But All is quiet we had
Preeching A 7 A.M. & I Got a Letter from home
August 11
This Day Continues verry hot Nothing of importance has Acoured But All Continues
to Bee quiet
August 12
This Day has Beene verry hot All is quiet I Got A Letter from W J Fry while on
Guard As Picket
August 13
This Day has verry hot All is quiet I Got a Letter from Alfred & I wrote too
home & sent A Paper to Abby Jane
August 14
This Day has Beene verry hot A Reporte is Going that the sesesh is Cllecting 25
miles south of us nothing further
August 15
This Day has Beene Pleasant Nothing of importance All is quiet I wrote A Letter
to Alfred
August 16
This Day has Beene Pleasant we Got marching orders I Got A Letter home Dated the
1 of July with 8 stamps
August 17, Sunday
This Day is fine I Received A Letter from home Dated 10 & I sent one home with A
Paper we hav orders to march At 5 in the morning
August 18
This morning we Left Camp At 7 A Clock Passing threw Jacinty the County of
Sand—(unclear) we travled 18 miles it raned heavy
August 19
This Day has Beene Butifull we struck tents At 5 P.M. & travled 9 miles to the
iuka springs A Butifull town & thare Camped for the night here we met our olde
Brigade
August 20
This Day has Beene Pleasant we Left iuka At An early hour & marched 12 miles
Crosing the Tuscumbia R & Camped on mie olde Camp whare he Burnt the Ralerode
Bridge
August 21
This Day has Beene fine we sarted At 5 this morning & travled An esterly Corse
About 12 miles & Camped Dane Crick one mile from the tenasee River
August 22
This Day has Beene hot & the Rode verry Dusty we Left our Camp At An erly hour &
marched 9 miles & Camped South of Tuscumbia & Just as we Got our tents Piched it
came A Drenching Rane
August 23
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I went Down on Detale
with A Comasary teame & I Commensed A Letter home But Did not finish it
August 24
This Day has Beene fine Nothing of importance we had A sermon from the Champlain
At 4 P.M. All is quiet
August 25
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I finished A Letter &
sent it home This morning & this evening I Got one from home written on the 19 I
Am on Grand Guard
August 26
This Day has Beene verry hot nothing of importance All is quiet the Boys Are
Getting there Pay today After moving to Gane A Better Position for our Camp
August 27
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing worthey of note
August 28
This Day has Beene hot I wrote A Letter home & sent ten Dollars in it & I wrote
one to John Lattershall[Tattershall]
August 29
This Day has Beene A Butifull one nothing of importance I sent A Letter to
Martha Jane turbet
August 30
This Day has Beene verry hot I sent A Letter to John Lattershall & went on
Picket Guard
August 31, Sundy
This Day the fore Part of it was verry hot this After noone it Raned Extremely
hard I Gt A Letter from home & one from Alfred & Will Wilson from Camp Lyon I
Came off Guard At 10 A Clock
September 1
The Day has Beene A fine one nothing of importance we had Dress Perade this
evening I sent A Letter to Alfred & Wilson & one home
September 2
This Day has Beene hot nothing worthey note I went on Guard At 8 A Clock At the
Battery on the mound By the Camp
September 3
This Day is fare the Regiment All went Down town to Lode our Comisary Stors
to take them Back to Luka so that tha will Bee safe
September 4
This Day has Beene fine the Regiment is still Assisting to Get Away our stors so
that we may Bee Prepared for Aney Amergancy I wen on Gard At 9
September 5
This Day has Been fare Nothing of importance the Regiment went out on A schout
the stors hav Beene All taken to Corinth I Am still on Guard
September 6
This Day is Pleasant I Came of Guard At 9 & went Down town on a Pass with some
Letters for the Post ofis & Returned At 5 P.M.
September 7 Sunday
This Day has Beene fine Nothing of moment we had A surmon At 4 A Clock & Prayer
meeting At night All is quiet we hav orders to march At 7 in the morning
September 8
This Day has Beene Pleasant we Left our Camp At 7 & started west 9 miles &
Campped for the night the Rods is verry Dusty & the heate oppresive
September 9
This Day we was in Line of march At 7 for iuca we had A Good Rane Last night &
it is more Plasant travling we hav a trane of nigroes Allmoste As Longe as thare
is of troops
September 10
This Day has Beene Plesant we marched 23 miles yesterday & Got to iuca At 10
P.M. & thare we Lay All Day to Day But to night we hav orders to march in the
morning At 5
September 11
This Day has Beene Pleasant we Left our encampmen this morning at 5 & started
for Burnsvill About 9 miles Distant At whitch Plase we Arived About 12 N All is
quiet
September 12
This Day was fine Last night we expected to Remane here for too or three night
But At 12 A Clock At night we was ordered out we marched 25 miles & Camped At
noone At Clere Crick
September 13
This Day has Beene A Butifull one the Reporte Came to us today that the Rebbles
ha taken Luca and Burnt the Bridg I Got A Letter & one from Martha J Turbet
September 14 Sunday
This Day was Pleasant we went out on A forigen Party About 9 miles nothing of
importance All is quiet in this camp
September 15
This Day has Beene Pleasant nothing of importance I sent A Letter home & ten
Dollars in it one to matha J Turbet All is quiet
September 16
This Day has Beene verry hot nothing of importance I went on Grand Guard At 5
P.M. All is quiet
September 17
This Day we had A fine Rane & the are is Cool we went of Guard At 5 P.M. & in
About twenty minuts After we reached Camp we was ordered to Pack up & move in A
few minuts we were in Line we moved out on the Rode to form & then marched About
half a mile & it Being so Dark that we was ordered Back to Camp till the moone
shood Rase
September 18
This morning we was in Line At 1 A.M. we forme our 4 Line & march out to Get the
Bregade in order to march that Being Done it Cmmensed to Rane & it was so Dark
that we was ordered to halt till Daylight it Continued to Rane till About 10 A
Clock & Clered off But it was verry slippery walking But we marched At A Brisk
Rate till one A Clok with out Aney Breckfast But A hard Cracker whitch we eat As
we marched Along At 2 we halted made some Coffee to Drink to our hard Crackers
After Resting we moved Abot 7 or 8 miles & Camped for the night After traveling
27 or 28 miles
September 19
This morning the Drums Beete At 3 ½ A clock we Got Breckfast & started At 5 &
this mornigs the news of the Distruction of the whole of the Rebble Armey in
Verginia Reached us & the schouts are on the lookout for the say that we Are
Close on the Rebble Prise At 10 A Clock we stopped to Rest & Get watter & Got
Dinner the we moved on for A Bout 2 hours & Came to A nise frame house whare too
of our men was shot this morning & General Rosecrans Gave orderes to Burn All to
the Ground in a few minuts after we Left the house tha opened fire in our front
we was marched up too the Right to supporte those Regiments that ware ingaged &
whitch suffered verry much we Lost one killed & 5 woonded
September 20
All night we slept on our Arms All night & we Lay within 20 yds of some of the
Rebbles But About 12 in the night tha Commensed to Retrete from iucah at shitch
we found that thare Commensed to move out of the Plase About Midnight this
morning we Are in Persuite of them we followed them till sundown & Camped for
the night our Loss in All Killed 63 But I Believe it much Grater
September 21 Sunday
This morning we Got up & was in Line At An erly house & this morning we Changed
our Corse from south to west Leving Prises trale & striking for Corinth we
travled About 10 miles & Camped for the night
September 22
This morning we started for Yasinto on our Reut for Corinth we marched 7 miles
to An olde Camp & stoped About 12 A Clock I wrote A Letter home
September 23
This Day has Beene fine But inclined to Rane I went out a foragin & I Got A
Letter from home & one from Martha J Turbet to night we have ordered to march At
5 in the morning
September 24
This morning we started At 5 A Clock & marched west to Rienza 7 miles the same
Plase we Left 5 weks Ago the Reported Loss of the Last Battle 225 Killed & 475
woonded
September 25
This Day has Beene Coole we Are still in Camp yet nothing of importance I
wrote A Letter to Martha J & one to Alfred
September 26
This Day has Beene fine the whole Regiment went on Guard this After noon we had
A fine Rane All is quiet
September 27
This Day has Beene Pleasant we Came off Guard & Are moving our Camp A few feete
to the Rear of whare we first formed our Line All is quiet
September 28
This Day has Beene Cloudy & Rained some I Got A Letter from home & sent one Back
All is quiet
September 29
This Day has Beene fine we went out on A forgen Party it is Reported that
our Pickets was Atcted today By the Rebbles to Killed & severall woonded I
Received A Letter from John Lattershall & sent one Back
September 30
This Day has Beene fine nothing of importance this evening we have orders to
march At 5 in the morning with 2 Days Rations I Got A Letter from home & A
Sunday School Paper
October 1
This morning we started At 5 & travled west for About 12 miles west & thare we
Rested till 5 in the evening then we Abouted fase & marched 6 miles Back & then
took A north west Corse to a Little town Called Kossuth we travled from 5 in the
morning till 12 N & from 5 in the eveing till 12 At night Laying over from 12
till 5 we travled About 30 miles the weather fine
October 2
This Day the the morning is fine we Left Kossuth & marched About 4 miles &
Camped we had A fine shour this morning the enemey is Reported At Bolivar About
40 miles from heare today we moved A Northe East Corse to the Tuscumbia River &
tonight finds Camped on its Bank
October 3
This morning we was Called up At 4 A clock & marched About 4 miles & halted At
An olde Camp we Layed in this Camp About 3 hours & then was ordered to Renforse
General McKean we then marched 3 or 4 miles we then was ordered into Line &
forward with fixed Bayonets & we forwarded thre A hot fire from the Rebble Line
our Cornel fell shot threw the heart then Captan Adnrews of Co G took Command of
the Regiment & in A few minuts he fill mortaley woonded & the Captan of Co K was
shot Ded on the fielde we suffered Considerable to what extent I Cannot tell we
had to Retreate for the Rebbles had A Cross fire on us while Retreting I picked
up one of our men & in taking Care of him I Lost my Gun we Came one the Ground
Later in the Day & was ingaged 2 ½ hours & with Darkness onley the firing cesed
October 4
This Day the firing Commensed At 4 A clock and Continued with out sesation till
About 12 N sometimes our men falling Back & then the Rebbles wood Giv Away But
At 2 A clock tha fled in Disorder Leving thare Ded & woonded on the field & At 6
A Clock Camps A & F went on Grand Guard But was ordered Back to the Regiment
October 5, Sunday
This morning the order is forward After the Rebbles for tha Are All Running As
fast As thare Leggs will Carrey them we started About 9 A Clock & followed them
About 10 miles on the Rode we took whitch was west Along the memphis & Charlston
Rail Rode & the Reporte is that our men is After them on evry Rode Runing south
& south west when we stopped for the night the Reporte was that Prise was 6 or 8
miles Ahead & that thare flight has Beene intersepted By one Divition of our
Armey
October 6
This morning the fine we took up our Line of march After Prise After we travled
About 4 miles we Began to see the effects of the Retreting Rebbles tents &
Bagage of All description Amunition wagons Artillery Cariges & Casings we
followed them to the hatche River thare the Burned the Bridg here we stoped for
to Rest & water our selvs & horses & take some Rest (15 miles)
October 7
This morning At three Aclock we was Called up & started After Prise we marched
till 8 A Clock & stoped for Breckfast we started on in Persuite the Day verry
hot & the Rode extremely Dusty in the middle of the Rode in maney Places 4
inches Deepe About 2 A Clock our Advanse Guard Came on the Rebbles Rere Guard &
our men took a number of them Prisner At 3 we stopped to Rest & take Dinner our
Corse today is Due south the Country All the way verry Broken & But few farms or
Bildings on the Rode we Rested from 3 till 7 & then we marched till 11 At night
when we was Brought to A halt for our Advanse Came to the Rebble Line of Pickets
October 8
This morning is fine the Reporte is that the Rebbles hav stopped & Are A
waighting for us Down Below But I Doo not Believe it for we hav orders to Lay
here today to Awate further orders
October 9
This morning is Butifull But verry Dry & the Dust verry Bad we was ordered to
march About 4 miles to A Crick Called owl Crick we started the Roade was hilley
But a fine Country & we found a Butifull Camp
October 10
This morning At 9 A Clock we was stopped At our old Campe where we Camped one
weeke Ago Day Befour yesterday when on our wey to Corinth After Running Prise &
his Armey 50 miles & scattered them All over the Countrey & taking A Grate maney
of them Prisners this Afternon it Rained verry hard & the Rode was very slippery
After travling 20 miles we went into Camp for the night
October 11
This morning we was on our Rout for Corinth By the way of Kossuth thre whitch
Plase we Passed About 10 A Clock we travled 15 miles & Camped for the night on
the Tuscumbia River five Companeys of our Regiment went on Grand Guard
October 12
This morning we started for Corinth 4 miles Distant we marched to within one
mile of town & thare halted After travling About 90 miles After the fight Befour
Corinth hear we Got the first male that we hav had for too weeks I Got too
Letters from home on with a Picture of my wife & Childe & one from Martha Jane
here we went into Camp to Rest for A while & Recriute up & Companey A Got 11 new
Recruits
October 13
This Day has Beene A Pleasant one nothing of importance took Plase thre the Day
I wrote A Letter home
October 14
This Day has Beene fine I Got A Pass to town & to viset the 5 Iowa Reg. But Did
not Get to see Joseph Miskimons As he was Detailed in the hospitall I wrote A
Letter to Martha J turbet
October 15
This Day is still fine the nights Coole nothing of importance All is quiet
October 16
This Day was fine nothing of importance All is quiet
October 17
This Day has Ben a Butifull one we had Batalian Drill A 2 Aclck P.M. All is
quiet
October 18
This Day has Beene A fine one The Regiment went out foragin & I wrote a Letter
home & sent A Paper & I Got one from home Dated the 13
October 19, Sunday
This Day has Beene A Butifull one we had Colonel thrushs funerall Preached today
All is quiet
October 20
This Day has Beene fine Last night was verry Coole & this morning a heavy frost
we went on Grand Guard A 8 this morning All is quiet
October 21
This Day has Beene A Butifull one we Came off Guard At 9 A Clock
October 22
This Day Continues nise I went with 3 others of Co. A out A Foragin All
Continues quiet
October 23
This Day has Beene A Butifull one we went out on Companey Drill this morning
& this Afternoon on Batalion Drill All is quiet I wrote A Letter home
October 24
This Day has Beene A Butifull one this evening has turned quite Coole All is
quiet
October 25
This Day has Beene Colde & Disagreable & this evening it is snowing All is quiet
October 26
This Day has Beene Chilley & Cololde the snow that fell Last night melted
off I wrote A Letter home
October 27
This Day has Beene Pleasant nothing of importance I went out on A forigen
expadition All is quiet
October 28
This Day has Beene Pleasant nothing of much importance I Got A Letter from
Alfred stating that he was woonded in the Ankel But that morning he was Able to
walk A Little without A Crutch that was on the morning of the 22 & I wrote Back
to him All is quiet heare
October 29
This Day has Beene Pleasant we went out on Grand Guard this morning & today
I witnessed the Beuriel of too negrows As I was Permitted to viset the negro
Camp some of them seme to Bee verry Devoted while the Grate magority of them Are
Deeply Depraved All is still quiet But our men Are still fortafiing tha hav 3
forts now under wey whitch I Believe will prove A formadeble Barier to prise &
his forse
October 30
This Day has Beene fine we Came off Picquet Gard this morning our Regiment
when not on Guard or other Duty is Detailed to Cut timber for the forts & Also
to Get A Longer Range with our Guns nothing of importance All is quiet
October 31
This Day has Beene fine we was mustered for Pay & At 1 A Clock the Regiment
went to work on forte Madison intrenching Around it & the town of Corinth will
soone Bee A Belt of works I Got A Letter from martha Jane & I wrote one home All
is quiet
November 1
This Day has Beene fine 30 of our Companey was working on forte Madison &
this evning we hav marching orders to start At 6 in the morning
November 2
This morning we started At An erly hour & took the Riply Rode we travled to
the tuscumbia River About 15 miles & Camped for the night this morning I Got A
Letter from home
November 3
This morning After A Good nights Rest we started on our to Bolive Passing
the olde Battle Ground on the hatch River & About 12 N we Came to whare the
Rebbles stood Piquet Last night we travled 15 miles & Camped for the night our
Regiment standing Piquet Guard
November 4
This morning was verry Coole we started for Grand Junction At An erly hour
some 12 miles At whitch Plase we Reached About 4 A Clock P.M. & it a Butifull
situation At the Crossing of the memphis & Charlston & A Rail Rode Running north
& south After Passing threw the town we marched 4 miles & Camped for the night
After travling About 20 miles our Advance Drove the Rebble Picquets
November 5
This morning is Butifull we Ley hear All Day But sente out a Recorniter
Partey Consenting of one Battery of 6 Guns & too Regiments of infantry & some
Cavelry & the Reporte the Rebbles Leving holley springs & the Boys Got 2
Beehives today & we had A feaste of hunney At 5 P.M. & theis evening loocks Like
Rane & it is verry windy
November 6
This morning is Pleasant no Rane yet this morning tha hav sent Back to
Corinth for All our Bagage & from All Appearance thare is A forward movement
Generalley on hande & the news this evning Are that the Rebbles Are Leving
holley springs & moving farther south for what Point is yet unknown the Boys
were thare hocking evry thing tha Can ley thare hands on the Beehives & fresh
meete of All Kinds sweete Potatoes for thare is no such thing As Irish Potatoes
in this Country tha Call it Gray hocking for tha Donte think it is steeling we
Are still in Camp without order to march forward
November 7
This Day has Beene fine nothing of importance At one time we was ordered to
march in one hour & then the order was Countermanded I commensed write A Letter
home & tha tolde me thare was no Chance for to send male & I stopped we had A
viset today from John fuller & henry Couser for the first time although we hav
Beene maney times Close togather All is quiet
November 9
This Day has Beene Butifull we Are still in Camp Grand Junction I wrote A
Letter to John Lattershall All is quiet
November 10
This Day has Beene fine nothing of importance no more than some skirmishing
in front
November 11
This Day has Beene fine I Pade A viset to the 32 Ills Reg & saw the fuller
Boys henry Cusier & Dave & A Number of the Boys that I was Accuainted with this
evening Looks Like Rane
November 12
This morning is verry Cloudy & some Rain fell threw the night & the Dust
whitch was suffocating is Layed & the weather is more Pleasant this evning our
trane Came up with A number of our Convelasent whitch was Left Back At Crinth &
this Afternoon I wrote A Letter home & had it posted
November 13-20 (missing)
November 21
This Day has fine I went on Guard this morning nothing of importance has Passed
through the Day
November 22
This Day has Beene fine nothing of importance I sent A Letter home
(The diary at this point is hard to read since the pages are all but erased. The
text is as complete as possible with ellipses indicating undecipherable
passages.)
November 23, Sunday
This Day has Beene Pleasant…I Drew A Pare of Pants…this evening I Got A letter
from home & one from John Lattershall
November 24
This Day has Beene A Butfull Day nothing of importance I was Detaled to Go After
Beefe All semes quiet in front
November 25
This Day has Beene Coole we Came out on Regimentall Drill At 10 A Clock & …Drawd
some Clothing this Afternoon
November 26
This Day has Beene fine nothing of importance
November 27
…Grand Guard this evening & I had a Letter from home
November 28
This morning we took up our Line of march At 8 for holley springs we marched 15
miles & Camped for the night
(The diary ends here when it runs out of space.)
