RECOLLECTIONS OF J. C. LEACH, PRIVATE CO. D.

THIRD IOWA CAVALRY.

1864

March 10^th         Left Home to join the U.S. Army, walked with George and Billie Guthrie to Stumptown. Took the cars for Keokuk, Iowa.  Went out to some barracks, got there about 11 o'clock P.M. and turned in.

March 11^th         Lay around Camp, visiting with acquaintances in the regiment.  (Doing my first soldiering.)

March 12^th         Was detailed to Camp Guard.  Billy Guthrie and I had some fun with a greeney next to our beat.  We would slip around and run across his beat to fool him, finally he got so excited that he called the Corporal of the guard.

March 13^th         Relieved from duty, nothing doing.

March 14^th         All quiet.

March 15^th         Were examined by the Surgeon and passed, being pronounced sound.

March 16^th         Went into town to be mustered in, but they were not ready.  Returned to Camp.

March 17^th         Went down again, and formed in the street and as the names were announced the boys would go into an office and be sworn in and sign the pay roll.  My name and a few others were not called and the Capt. Kirkendall made out new papers.  Returned to Camp.

March 18^th         Went down and were sworn in and mustered for pay.  Returned to Camp and drew one months pay and $60.00 bounty - $73.00.

March 19^th         Went to town and gave Mr. Earhart $50.00 to take home to Father and Mother.

March 20^th         Marched down to the wharf and went aboard the Lucy Bertram and started about 9 A.M. for Dixie.

March 21^st         Arrived at St. Louis about 10 A.M. landed and marched to Benton Barracks.  Drew tents and put them up N.E. of the barracks.

March 22^nd         Moved camp about 300 yards, and was brigaded with the 3^rd Mich. Cav. and the 3^rd reg. Cav. near Stink Pond.  From this date until the 30^th of April we remained in camp here drilling and doing camp duty.

April 30^th            Drew horses, saddles etc., and Co’s A and B started down the river.  Mustered for pay.

May 1^st              Co. “C” left for down the river.

May 2^nd             Co’s D, E, G and K started down the river aboard the Silver Lake, shoved out about 10 A.M.

May 3^rd             Arrived at Cairo about 3 P.M. left about dark.

May 4^th              Run all day down the river.

May 5^th              Arrived at Memphis, Tenn., about 3 P.M. went out to the old Fair Grounds and went into Camp.

May 6^th              Co’s F and H arrived.

May 7^th              The rest of the regiment got there.

May 8^th              Nothing of Importance occurring.

May 9^th              The same, except drilling etc.

May 10^th            “           “           “           “           “

May 11^th            Six Co’s of the 3^rd Cav. went out on a scout to Hernando, about noon.

May 12^th            Left Hernando at sun up Maj. Mudgett in command and cut across the country towards Collierville, and camped in 3 miles of the place.

May 13^th            Marched on.  Got to Collierville about 8 o’clock A.M. took the Memphis road.  Got there about 4 P.M.

May 14^th            Went down to the wharf to load hay from a barge into wagons.

May 15^th            On camp guard.  Not very well.

May 16^th            Relieved from guard duty.

May 17^th            Went to surgeons call, was put on sick list.

May 18^th            Went to surgeons call marked off duty.  I was continued on sick list until 31^st.  Moved camp over on Memphis and Charleston R.R. near Wolf River.  Another scout to Hernando which I missed being still on sick list.

June 1^st             The boys left on the Sturges raid to Guntown.

June 2^nd             Nothing doing, still tending sick call.

June 5^th             One of the men came in from the Sturges expedition, reporting all quiet.

June 8^th             Was returned to duty and sent to the house of Mr. Littlejohn as safe guard.  Remained ther the 9-10-11-12.

June 13^th           News of the defeat of Gen. Sturges’ forces at Guntown, some of the boys coming in.  I left the Littlejohn house and went to camp.

June 14^th           The boys still coming in.  The main body got in about midnight feeling very bitter against Gen. Sturges, claiming the battle was badly mismanaged.  That instead of forming his army as he should, he run his Artillery and train into a swamp and moved up small detachments and they were defeated in detail.  He finally ordered a general retreat and everything abandoned.  The Cav. had to fight like tigers to cover the retreat and save the army.  Lieut. Tom Miller was wounded and captured near Ripley, Miss.

June 15^th           All quiet except a few stragglers coming in.  16-17-18-19-20-21 passed and nothing occurring, except preparations for another expedition and general routine of camp life.

June 22^nd           Received marching orders.

June 23^rd           An expedition under Gen A.J. Smith left Memphis and marched to Germantown, went into camp Co. D. on picket nothing happened.

June 24^th           Marched on to Moscow, went into camp in the other side of Wolf river in the Brush.

June 25^th           Crossed back over Wolf river and camped in the bottom.  Gen Moore’s Division came out on the cars and joined us.

June 26^th           Drew $55.40 pay.  Lay in camp.  The Infantry had dress parade.

June 27^th           Lay at Moscow all day.  The 4^th Ia. moved on east.

June 28^th           Moved to Saulsberry. Got there after night.  Delayed by the train.

June 29^th           Lay at Saulsberry, went out foraging, got outside the pickets.  Dine by first foraging, took some meat from a farm house.

June 30^th           Went foraging again, got some hams etc.

July 1^st              Went out on patrol east, nothing occurring.

July 2^nd              Still laying at Saulsberry.

July 3^rd              Co’s D and E sent out on pickett.  The videt was attacked about 1 P.M.  The Reserve was taken out and skirmished awhile Then the Johnnies retired after which we were relieved.  (Dave Miliza wounded in arm.)

July 4^th              Capt. Kirkendall and 16 of Co. D came out and joined us.

July 5^th              Saddle up was blown at 5 P.M. Fell in and marched 8 or 10 miles south and went in camp about 1 or 2 A.M.

July 6^th              Marched the rest of the day.  The advance saw 4 rebs running.  We found 40 and followed them aways but to no purpose, turned back and camped on a pine ridge.

July 7^th              Marched on.  Had a skirmish at a creek 3 miles west of Ripley, Miss.  Trove the Rebs. before us, killing several.  Went in Camp.  Co “D” picketed out on the Ripley road. Nothing further happened.

July 8^th              Moved on into Ripley, expecting a fight there, but not a Reb. was to be seen.  Took the Pontotoc road, the 1^st  Bat. left the colm. Got news that the enemy was in our rear, returned to road.

July 9^th              Marched on to the Hatchee. Camped. Drew rations from the supply train which camped close.

July 10^th            Marched on.  Had a skirmish at ____ Creek.  Co. D was put out on the left flank.  D is mounted.

July 11^th            Marched on into Pontotoc with little opposition, the infantry coming in on another road, throwing a few shell s into town.  Camped near town.

July 12^th            The Cav. went out to reconnoiter, fount the enemy in position on the Okalona road. Returned to camp.  The enemy made an advance on the infantry and was repulsed.

July 13^th            Marched in to Tupelo, skirmishing all the way.  The Rebs. attacked the infantry colm’ and train, but was repulsed.  The infantry took position at Harrisburg, one mile west of Tupelo.  Some picket firing all night.

July 13^th            The enemy advanced on the Infantry about daylight, and about 9 A.M. they charged the Infantry 3 times, but they found it wasn’t Sturges, but A.J. Smith they were butting up against and they were repulsed, leaving large numbers dead on the field.  The 1^st Bat. of the 3^rd Ia. under Maj. Duffield went to the front to reconnoiter, formed in line on a ridge sending out skirmishers.. I was standing in line on a grey horse and a Rebel sharpshooter sent a ball that struck my horse right behind the saddle skirt.  She staggered and I got off and the Capt. rode up, asked what the matter was.  I told him my horse was shot, and he said take back to camp.  I got her back, but she died before morning.

July 15^th            The col. Ordered me to take my saddle to the train and put it into the Co. wagon.  I found a horse that was to lame to stay in ranks, that I took to ride and lead along with the train.  The train began to move out at 3 P.M> north.  Marched to Old Town Creek and attacked the rear guard, but was driven off.

July 16^th            Marched on with the train, camped on ____Creek without further molestation.

July 17^th            Marched on.  Camped on a small stream, went to the Co. and staid the night.. Got rations and feed.

July 18^th            Marched on. The Cav. got ahead of the Inf. and train caught up with the Cav. and camped on Wolf River.

July 19^th            Marched on to Salem.  Met a supply train and got rations and lay at Salem till next morning.

July 20^th                         Marched to La Grange.  Camped.

July 21^st            Remained at La Grange.

July 22^nd            Marched to Colliersville, went down to hollow N.E. of town and went into camp.

July 23^rd            Marched out before day.  Got to Memphis about 2 P.M.  Found the Bobtails and such there from Little Rock.

July 24^th            Sunday, Inspection of Arms etc.

July 25^th            Got my money from local paymaster.  Went to town and to the theater, saw the play “Maggie Mitchell.”

July 26^th            Was on Fatigue duty.  Had gone to town without a pass.

July 27^th            Lay around camp.. Nothing worth noting until Aug 5.

Aug 5^th              The 2^nd Brigade 3^rd Ia., 4^th Ia. and 10^th Missouri left Memphis Tenn., and went out on the Pigeon Roost road.  Camped at the town of _______.

Aug 6^th              Marched across to Holly Springs road. Camped inside of a lot.  Had some horses taken that night.

Aug 7^th              Marched on to Holly Springs, camped.  Got my horse shod.

Aug 8^th              Marched out before day, took the road south.  Got to Tallahatchee, had a fight.  There found James McCollum wounded, shot through the arm.  Got him in the shade, carried water and poured on his arm. Camped in the Talahatchee bottom.

Aug 9^th              Crossed the river and drove the enemy from their breastworks on the hill.  Followed up.  They made a stand at Herrican Creek Co. D in advance found them posted on a hill south of the Creek with an open field on each side of the creek.  We came out of the brush on the north hill.  The opened up on us with shells.  Lieut. Morgan got excited, formed us in line, then run off and left us, going back for Orders.  The Orders he got was to dismount his men, and cross the Creek and charge the enemy at the top of the hill.  When we started down the hill across an old field, the Rebs. began shelling us, the shells bursting  overhead, but no one was hurt. There was a strip of brush and timber along the creek and we halted a re-formed in there, and the threw a load of cannister in the brush.  We somehow lost Lieut. Morgan in that brush and Sargeant Pickler took command of the Co. and led us up to the other hill, driving the Rebs from their rail breast works.  Captured one rebel.  After they retreated, Morgan came up as brave as you please.  We followed them into Oxford and went on picket.

Aug 10^th            Marched back to Abbyville and camped.

Aug 11^th            Went out under Maj. Jones to look for a confederate train, but it was gone.  Returned to camp.

Aug 12^th            Went out foraging under Capt. J.D. Brown, went to a mill. Returned and thought we would get a good nights rest, but to our great disappointment “boots and saddles” blew just after dark and we were marched to Waterford where we went into camp.

Aug 13^th            Marched to Holly Springs, bivouacked east of town.

Aug 14^th            Lay at Holly Springs all day.

Aug 15^th            Went patrolling up the Mobile and Ohio R.R. towards La Grange, got some very fine peaches.  Found no Rebs. and returned to Holly Springs.

Aug 16^th            Went on cattle detail, drove in a few beef.

Aug 17^th            “Saddle up” blew early, but we were not ordered out.  Was ordered to unsaddle about 10 A.M., went to an orchard and made some cider.

Aug 18^th            Co. “D” went on picket.  10 of them.  Was relieved at 3 P.M. and marched to within 2 miles of Talahatchee, camped in an old orchard, it raining all night.

Aug 19^th            Marched on to Abbyville and went in camp.  Still raining.

Aug 20^th            Marched to Herican Creek.  Camped.

Aug 21^st            Took the left flank of the Infantry and marched into Oxford from the north, without any opposition, then returned to Herican creek, camped and on picket.

Aug 22^nd            A squad of Rebs. charged the videts who fell back on the reserve, which fell out and formed a skirmish line and the Johnnies retreated.  The skirmish line then fell back in regular order, every other man falling back so far, then the other men who had been left standing fell back, passing through the line of the first ones, then halting so far back and forming a new line, and so on until the main line moved off, thus always being ready to meet a charge of the enemy.  Marched to the Tallahatchee and camped.

Aug 23^rd            Lay in camp till afternoon, then crossed the river and camped on the hill.

Aug 24^th            Marched to Hollysprings.  Camped.

Aug 25^th            Lay in camp till 5 P.M. saddled up and went out to Salem and captured some mules etc. Marched all night.

Aug 26^th            Got in from Salem about 7 A.M.

Aug 27^th            Marched to La Grange, went to camp on south side of Wolf River.

Aug 28^th            Marched to Collersville and camped.

Aug 29^th            Marched into Memphis, finding that while we were gone Gen. N. B. Forrest had charged into the city one night and went about where we pleased.  Went to Gen. Washburn’s headquarters, but didn’t find the Gen. then got out without encountering much opposition.

Aug 30^th            Nothing doing.

Aug 31^st            Inspection of horses.  Mustered for pay.

Sept 1^st             Received orders at dark to get ready to march next morning at 4 A.M.

Sept 2^nd             Boots and Saddles blew at 4 A.M.  We marched down to the wharf, lay there till some other regiments crossed to the Arkansas side, then about half of each Co. except G of the 3^rd crossed over and marched 8 or 10 miles and camped.

Sept 3^rd             Marched to the Black Fish Lake, crossed it and marched till after dark, camped.

Sept 4^th             Marched on to the St. Francis River, crossed and wwent into camp back of a large plantation.

Sept 5^th             Marched all day in the rain and mud.  Corderoy road part of the way.

Sept 6^th             Got to Clarenden on White River about 11 A.M., lay in camp rest of day.

Sept 7^th             Went down about noon, crossed White River on a Gunboat, went in camp and drew 4 days rations.

Sept 8^th             Marched on, got out on a very large prairie, camped off to the right of the road.

Sept 9^th             Marched on to Brownsville Station, went in camp about 1 P.M., one half north of Station.

Sept 10^th           Still at Brownsville.

Sept 11^th           Drew 3 days rations.  News of the capture of Atlanta by Sherman.

Sept 12^th           Moved camp about 3 miles, was on picket out at the edge of the prairie.

Sept 13^th           Remained on picket till about dark, was relieved by 10^th Mo.

Sept 14^th           Laying in camp, shoeing horses, getting ready to march.

Sept 15^th           Laying in camp.. Jake Koons went foraging, got some meat, potatoes etc.

Sept 16^th           Lay quietly in camp.

Sept 17^th           The Infantry and train left, going north.  The Cav. received orders to march.

Sept 18^th           Saddled up and marched northward, passed through Brownsville, Searcy and Austin, and caught up with the Infantry, passed through their camp.

Sept 19^th           Marched on, camped near Red River.

Sept 20^th           Marched on, camped at West Point.

Sept 21^st           Co. D took the advance, made a raid on a house, and looted it. Was ordered under arrest.  Camped in White River bottom.  Captured a horse.

Sept 22^nd           Marched on to Black River, camped and commenced building a bridge.

Sept 23^rd           Finished the bridge, crossed and marched 8 or 10 miles and camped in a swamp.  Ordered to move out at Reveille.

Sept 24^th           Got out at Reveille, marched aways, stopped and fed and got breakfast, went on and camped at Lamaville.

Sept 25^th           Marched on, camped 3 miles above Pocahontas.

Sept 26^th           Marched on, went through the Infantry camp.

Sept 27^th           Marched on, crossed Black River again and camped in swamp.

Sept 29^th           Marched 15 or 20 miles.

Sept 30^th           Marched through Poplar Bluff, crossed Black River and camped.

Oct 1^st               Marched on, it raining on us all day, camped on a very high hill near a mill.

Oct 2^nd              Marched to Greenville on the St. Francis, went into camp.

Oct 3^rd              Was 19 years old on this day.  Marched to the forks of the Fredericktown and Jackson road above a house and carried corn 2 miles across a field, glad to get a bite for our horses.

Oct 4^th               Marched to Jackson, Mo., got there about sundown, went in camp 1 mile west.

Oct 5^th               Marched on into Cape Girardeau, went into camp west of town.

Oct 6^th               Had our horses inspected and 10 of them condemned.

Oct 7^th               Went down to the wharf and Co’s D and C went aboard the Steamboat Enterprise.  Lay at wharf all night.

Oct 8^th               Some Infantry came aboard and we started up the river about 9 A.M.

Oct 9^th               Landed at St. Louis at 9 P.M. got off and marched to Benton Barracks, went in got our horses shod.

Oct 10^th             Turned in our condemned horses and drew new ones, also some clothing –“gray backs.”  Those were the hungriest graybacks we ever had.  I think there hadn’t been any soldiers in that barracks for quite awhile, and they proceeded immediately to business.

Oct 11^th             Saddled up in the morning and marched about 30 miles, went in camp.

Oct 12^th             Marched to within 3 miles of Washington.

Oct 13^th             Marched through  Washington, went on and camped 18 miles from there.  Lieutenant Col. George Duffield Commanding the brigade received his discharge here and left us.  Lieut. Col. Benton of the 10^th Mo., taking command of the Brig.

Oct 14^th             Marched to within 38 miles of Jefferson City. Camped on a small stream.

Oct 15^th             Camped on the Osage River 8 miles from Jefferson City.

Oct 16^th             Marched to Russellville, camped and drew rations.

Oct 17^th             Camped at Lynn. Lay in some old straw.

Oct 18^th             Marched all day, passed through California, Mo.

Oct 19^th             Marched to Sedalia, camped N.W. of town around a fine house, tied our horses to the yard fence.

Oct 20^th             Got some mail in the morning, marched out and road very hard until midnight.  Tied our horses to a hedge fence.

Oct 21^st             Marched on.  Left Lexington to the right and went into camp on a small stream.  Saddled up at Midnight.

Oct 22^nd            Marched on aways.  The Colm. halted until daylight, then advanced to _____ Creek.  Had some skirmishing on to Independence, charged them and took some guns from them.  Winslow’s Brigade drove them 3 or 4 miles after dark, stopped till morning, then advanced to the Big

Oct 23^rd             Blue, found them posted on the south side of the Creek behind some rail breastworks.  A Mo. Militia Brigade was put forward but refused to attack them.  Winslow’s Brigade was put forward and drove them back.  Col. Winslow was wounded and turned the command over to Col. Benton of the 10^th Mo. Cal., a very gallant and efficient officer.  We charged and drive them beyond a strip of brush onto the open fields.  They were in a pretty tight place.  Gen. Pleasenton on their rear with a large Cavalry force and General’s Curtis and Blunt coming out from Kansas City, so Old Pap found the best thing for him to do was to break for Dixie.  We mounted and followed them 5 or 6 miles, and went into camp, our horses almost done up.

Oct 24^th             We started out early  in pursuit of Price’s Army, rode in a trot all day and until 2 o’clock next morning.

Oct 25^th             The Mo. State Militia and some U.S. Regiments charged their camp and drove them from their breakfast, taking 2 cannon.  We then took across the open prairie after them, and pas pressing them so hard that they had to form a line of battle at Mine Creek, a tributary of the Osage River to protect their train and Benton and Phillips Brigade’s swung by Co’s into line and charged General Marmaduke’s Division, which had formed west of the creek to try to check our pursuit, but there was no check to us, we galloped right through their lines, capturing a battery of seven guns.  Bob Buzzard jumping off his horse and climbed up on one of the guns, but was shot and killed, and thus we lost a brave comrade.

                        In this charge James Dunlavy of Co. D had a shell burst near him which wounded him in the arm, and also wounded his horse, which became unmanageable and wheeled round and started to the rear, but he got control of it again and got it headed to the front and of course that put him behind his comrades, he saw a bunch of men he took to be Union soldiers and started to go to them.  Then he saw a Rebel Officer, who came riding toward him, calling him not to shoot those men, they were his own men.  Dunlavy shot at the officer as he came towards him but missed him, and the officer rode up to him and was very much surprised to find he was a Yank, saying that he thought he was one of his own men.  Dunlavy ordered him to surrender and hand over  his revolver, which he done.  He was then marched to the rear under Dunlavy’s gun.  They went back aways and met a Union officer dismounted, who told Dunlavy to dismount Marmaduke and let him have his horse, which he did then started him back on the double quick.  Marmaduke remonstrated with him saying he hadn’t slept for 2 or 3 nights and asked to go a little slower, which was granted.  Pretty soon along came one of Gen. Curtis’ Staff, when Marmaduke introduced himself.  They then turned him over to Gen. Curtis, who put him in charge of Provost Marshall.

                        Just before we reached the Rebel lines when we were charging onto them Jake Koons, my bunk mate and Colm mate on the march, was struck in the leg by a musket ball, told me his leg was mashed and asked me to stop and help him off his horse, which I did and staid with him till the ambulance came round, gathering up the wounded.  Got him in the ambulance, then took charge of his horse, went up to the battle ground where the prisoners were corralled and concluded to wait till the train came up, but after a while Com. A. M. Harris came along dismounted.  I got him onto Koon’s horse and we started on after the army, followed on till after dark, then tied our horses to a fence, which were few and far between in that country then.  The result of the battle was the capture of Marmaduke and Cabell and 7 or 8 cannon and 600 men with 5 or 5 Col.

                        I wish here to call attention to the claims of James Boyle of Co. B, 3^rd Ia. that he run onto Gen. Marmaduke in the timber on the opposite bank of Mine Creek.  He and his staff ordered him to surrender, they said for him to come over the Creek and they would, he told them to lay down their arms and they would.  They refused to do that, then Dunlavy came down the same path he had and he leveled his gun on them and Dunlavy went over and them and Marmaduke gave them his spur etc.

                        A pure fabrication as Dunlavy captured the Gen. out on an open prairie.  He was by himself and no James Boyle near, nor was any Staff officers with the Gen.

Oct 26^th             Harris and I got out and found our regiment, they informed us that the evening before Gen. Price had formed a line of battle 3 miles from Ft. Scott with his whole army to check our pursuit.  Or men were formed and were getting ready to charge them, when they drew off, and the men and horses were so near worn out that it was thought best to let them go.

                        We marched to Ft. Scott, where we drew rations and feed.

Oct 27^th             Marched to Lamar and camped.  Co. D on picket.  Someone fired the prairie to thy to burn the train.  Failed.

Oct 28^th             Marched to one and one half miles of Carthage, Mo., passing through Newtonia.

Oct 29^th             Marched on, camped neat a large orchard.

Oct 30^th             Marched on, camped by a Mill run by a Spring.  Some of the 10^th Mo., run it all night grinding corn.

Oct 31^st             Marched through Cassville, took the Ft. Smith road.  Camped the other side of Keetsville, to the left.  It raining in the night.  Nothing heard of Price.

Nov 1^st               Marched on, camped in 4 or 5 miles of Pea Ridge, went in camp about noon, went out and got a sheep.

Nov 2^nd              Lay in camp until about noon, raining most of the day, went foraging through the mud.

Nov 3^rd              Marched at 8 A.M. Camped in 3 0r 4 miles of Mudtown.  Carried rails one fourth mile across a field.

Nov 4^th               Marched to Fayetteville. A salute of 20 guns was fired. Went into camp.

Nov 5^th               Marched out at 11 A. M. Camped at Prairie Grove, where we joined Curtis and Blunt’s commands.

Nov 6^th               Marched on through Cane Hill.  Co. D went ahead of the Colm. to hunt for corn.  Camped near an old mill.

Nov 7^th               Marched on.  The 1^st Batallion rear guard of the Pack train marched till 2 o’clock A.M.

Nov 8^th               Marched to Ark. River.  Threw a few shells across the river, turned back and camped on the hill, bidding Pap Price good bye.  Co. D gave a Maj. for McClellan.

Nov 9^th               The vote of the Iowa Soldiers was taken for President, we then started back.  Camped in a Valley and grazed our horses on young cane.

Nov 10^th             Marched on slowly.  Camped near a very high stable lot fence, got a little corn the first in 5 days.

Nov 11^th             Went out to look for corn.  Camped on a small stream, five miles from Cane Hill, got corn to the right.

Nov 12^th             Went out foraging.  Ground some corn on a hand mill.  Camped at Prairie Grove.  A wagon train met us with bread, which was very welcome.

Nov 13^th             Marched on and camped.  Was on picket duty.

Nov 14^th             Passed through Bentonville.  Camped on Valley west of Pea Ridge.

Nov 15^th             Marched on pretty briskly. Camped in 8 mile of Cassville.

Nov 16^th             Marched to Spring Creek.  Went in camp.

Nov 17^th             Marched to Little York, got there after night.  Col. Benten turned the command of the brigade over to Maj. Lusk and left us.

Nov 18^th             Marched to Springfield. Got there about noon.  Went to town to get our horses shod.

Nov 19^th             Lay in camp at Springfield.

Nov 20^th             Sunday.  Still at Springfield.  Went to church at night.

Nov 21^st             Went to town and loafed all day.

Nov 22^nd            Marched six miles past Sandsprings.  Camped.

Nov 23^rd             Marched to within 3 miles of Lebanon, drew rations.

Nov 24^th             Marched on to Waynesville, camped, drew corn from the Quartermaster.

Nov 25^th             Marched to Little Piney. Camped.

Nov 26^th             Marched to Raleigh.  Went into camp and turned over our condemned horses.  Pickler stole a demijohn of whiskey.

Nov 27^th             Boarded the cars in the evening, after having a row with the provost guard.  Some of the boys took on too much drink and the guards tried to arrest them.  Started about 9 P.M.

Nov 28^th             Rode on the cars till 2 A.M. when we arrived at St. Louis.  It wasn’t Pullman sleepers but common freight cars.  We laid on the floor with our saddles for pillows.  We got off the train and saddled up and marched to Benton Barracks, was put in #7.

Nov 29^th             Was moved from No. 7 to 29 then rested.

Nov 30^th             Still resting.

Dec 1^st-2-3-4-5-6-7  Taking it easy.

Dec 7^th              Took sore eyes.

Dec 8^th              Drew horses.  Eyes getting worse.

Dec 9^th              Eyes hurting so bad I could not bear the light.

Dec 10^th            Was sent to Benton Barracks Post Hospital.  The Regiment leaving for the boats.

Dec 11^th            Eyes some better.

Dec 12^th            The Regiment returned to camp, the river being frozen over and one boat Headquarters and Co. H on board blowing up.

Dec 14^th            News of Sherman’s reaching Savannah.  Remained in Hospital until the 26^th of Dec., when I was appointed nurse in ward one.

Dec 18^th            My right eye getting sore again, I quit nursing and went to doctoring again.  Remained in the Hospital until Jan 9^th, when I was returned to duty, went to Scofield Barracks to await transportation.

Jan 10^th             News of _______raid through Mississippi.

Jan 20^th             Remained at Scofield Barracks til Jan 20^th, when a squad of the 3^rd Ia. received orders to go to East St. Louis to take the cars for Louisville, Ky.  Left East St. Louis about 4 P.M. Arrived at Mitchell, Indiana at 3 P.M. the 22^nd. Lay there till 8 A.M. took cars for New Albany, Ind.  Arrived at 1:30 P.M., crossed the Ohio River at Portland, Ky., and went to the Regiment in camp at Louisville, Ky., greatly pleased to be with the comrades again.

Jan 24^th             Drew Spencer rifles, Sabers and belt and cartridge boxes.

Jan 25^th             Drew a revolver.

Jan 27^th             Drew $136 pay.  Saddled up an went down to Portland Wharf.  The detachment left at Memphis, Tenn. And the Missouri Price Detachment being united at Louisville, went aboard the St. Patrick. The river being so full of ice, boats could not run.  Remained waiting for the river to clear until Feb. 2, when we sailed down the river.

Feb 3^rd              Landed at Evansville, Ind.  Wrote a letter home and put $100.00 in it, which arrived safely.

Feb 4^th              Moved on down the Ohio river, landed a Paduka, Ky., took on coal.

Feb 5^th              Left Paduka at daylight, going up toe Ohio river.  The H. Raymond being lashed to the side of the St. Patrick, all the boats moving at once.  A gunboat in the lead.

Feb 6^th              Run all day up the Tennesse, landed at Savannah about dark.

Feb 7^th              Landed at Eastport about 1 o’clock on the 7^th.  Lay there 2 or 3 hours, then run up the river some 10 miles, landed and took off the forage and wagons etc.

Feb 8^th              Disembarked and marched about 15 miles and went in camp where some other Regiment had been quartered in split log huts at Gravely Springs, Ala.

Feb 9^th              Hauled brick on an old cart and built up out chimney and with clapboards stopped up the cracks.

Feb 10^th             On duty to carry forage one and one half miles.

Feb 11^th             Spent the day quietly.

Feb 12^th             On detail.  Went to the landing to unload a barge.

Feb 14^th             Detailed as safeguard out in the country at the house of Mr. White, remained ther until the 27ty, when I was ordered to report to camp.

Feb 28^th             Mustered for pay.

March 1^st           Started on a scout.  The squad separated, marched around and went into Florence Ala., arresting every citizen seen.  Rained.

March 3^rd           Went out to big Cypress, couldn’t cross, returned to Florence.

March 4-5          Still water bound at Florence.

March 6^th           Marched from Florence to camp.

March 7-8          Drilled.

March 9^th           Rained all day.

March 10^th         Co. went on picket out on the Florence road.

March 11^th         Relieved from picket.

March 12^th         Sunday. Inspection.  Matlick and I made a visit out to Mr. White’s.

March 13^th         Regimental Inspection of arms, clothing and horses, general equipment and quarters.

March 14^th         On detail, went down to the river.

March 15^th         Getting ready to march drilled an received marching orders, was detailed to remain with camp equipment, protested and traded places with Z. D. Buckles.  Went out in the evening to see my friends at White’s. Came near being captured.  Was told by my friends out there, that the Rebs would try to capture, me so going back along a bridle path I heard horsemen coming.  I slipped out in the brush and let them pass, then got into the path and came on to camp.

March 16^th         Moved out, went down to the river at the Waterloo crossing, crossed and got to camp about 10 o’clock.

March 17^th         On detail. Went down to bring some wagons across the river.  They wasn’t there so returned to camp.

March 18^th         Drilling.

March 19^th         Sunday Inspection.  Received marching orders.

March 20^th         Marching orders revoked.

March 21^st         Marched at 2 o’clock, went out within 3 miles of the Memphis and Charleston, R.R.  Went in camp at 8 o’clock.

March 22^nd         Marched all day south in to Ala.

March 23^rd         Co. “D” advanced guard, marched to Newburg and Franklin.  Co. on picket.

March 24^th         Marched in rear of the train, camped by a large frame house near the Warrior river.

March 25^th         Crossed Warrior river by a mill and falls.  Camped on a creek.  Drew hardtack.

March 26^th         Marched on, halted in the afternoon and fed our horses 2 hours.  Marched on to the Black Warrior.

March 27^th         The 2^nd Brigade commenced crossing in the morning, we crossed about 3 o’clock, it being very rocky and rough many horses got down, went in camp on the other side, were turning in about 10 o’clock when bugles sounded “Boots & Saddles,” so we had to roll out and march to the crossing of the Locust Fork.  Camped.

March 28^th         Commenced crossing  about 9 or 10 A.M. and marched to within 1 mile of Elyton.  Camped on a large plantation, found some corn for horses.

March 29^th         Didn’t march until about 3 P.M.  Marched to the Catawbia river and camped, passing through Elyton and Blue Mt foundry, burning it.

March 30^th         Moved out about noon, crossed the Catawbia river on the railroad bridge.  Crossed Buck creek at a mill, burning a foundry.  Camped at Montevelle.

March 31^st         The 10^th Mo. went out on patrol.  The 3^rd Ia. moved out having some brisk skirmishing in the advance.  Went on to with in 3 miles of Randolph.

April 1^st             Moved out in rear of the 2^nd Brigade, the advance of which had some skirmishing at Randolph, and on to a creek, where the 3^rd Iowa took the advance, Co’s D. and H advance guard.  The Confederates made a stand at Plantersville.  Whe charged them and drove them before in confusion.  Was relieved and camped at Plantersville.

April 2^nd             Broke camp about 9 o’clock.  The 2^nd division taking the advance.  Got to the Rebel lines at Selma about 4 o’clock.  Soon the order came to prepare to fight on foot.  No 8 held horses and the dismounted men to the front.  The 4^th Division taking the center, the 2^nd the right, 1^st in reserve mounted.  The 2^nd Division charged and took the works on the right.  The 4^th drove them in the center, driving them out of town, taking possession.

April 3^rd             Was put on guard at the Arsenal, drove everyone away.  Was shortly relieved.  Marched at 10 A.M. out on the Summerville road passed through Summerville. Camped.

April 4^th             Started back, went 2 or 3 miles.  Got orders to go and reinforce Gen. McCook, turned to the left went through Perryville. Camped on the forks of the Randolph and Centerville roads.

April 5^th             Moved out of camp about sunup, on the Randolph road, camped at Plantersville.

April 6^th             Broke camp at sunup, marching to Selma via Summersville, where we stopped and fed then went on through Selma, turned and went out 4 miles on the Plantersville road went on camp.  It raining on us all the way from town.

April 7^th             Moved camp a little ways, remained there all day.

April 8^th             Had Co. Inspection.  Boots and saddles blew about 9 P.M.  Went down to the river, lay there till morning, the bridge having given away.

April 9^th             Sunday.  They got the bridge fixed about noon.  The 1^st Battalion crossed, one Co. of the 2^nd when the bridge gave way.  1^st Bat. went out and formed in line 1-2-3 were ordered to go repair the bridge.  Went into camp and went foraging.  1-2-3 were relieved about dark..

April 10^th            Moved out about 8 A.M. on the Montgomery road, went on seven miles past Benton, the advance having some fighting there.  Camped at the forks of the Montgomery and Haynesville road.

April 11^th            Moved out about 8 o’clock on the Haynesville road, was delayed crossing the Big Swamp Creek, got across about dark.  Marched on through Thomasburg, on to a mill and camped.

April 12^th            Moved out about sunup, crossed Matumas Creek.  McCooks Division in advance.  Marched on into Montgomery, the Mayor surrendering the city.  The 4^th Division marching through at “Carry Sabers” went on 3 miles and went in camp.

April 13^th            Went out to forage meat under Capt. Brown.

April 14^th            Marched out about sunup, Co’s C and D in the rear of the train.  The 3^rd and 4^th Battalions were left under Maj. Kirkendall at Montgomery.  Passed through Mt Meigs and crossed lime creek, got in camp at 12:30 P.M.

April 15^th            Moved out about daylight, passed through Tuskeegee, since noted as the home of the Booker Washington Negro College.

April 16^th            Moved out on the Columbus road, going through Crawford, arrived on the hill in sight of Columbus.  About 3 o’clock there was Artillery firing.  The order came to prepare to fight on foot.  No’s 1-2-3 dismounted and fell into line.  I being No. 4 took charge of the horses, then the order was countermanded and the men mounted again (we were then southwest of town) and moved around to the northwest and the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions of the 3^rd Iowa were again ordered to prepare to fight on foot.  One of the members of my four said he was sick and asked me if I would take his place and let him stay with the horses, “yes” I told him I would if he was sick.  So we fell into line, by then it was dark.  We had strict orders not to fire until we got the order to do so.  We were standing in line and there was a rebel battery off and seemed to be directly to out left.  The Confederate skirmishers in out front began firing and at that a few of our men forgetting their orders also began firing.  Capt. Miller started along the front of the Co. and gave the order to cease firing.  Just then this battery to our left opened on us, sending a cannon ball right down the line, passing just in front of the line striking Capt. Miller, tearing away one side of hid body, and just then we were ordered forward, and only a few of the Co. knew that the Capt. was hit and no under officer took command of the Co., but we went on just the same in our place in line, crossed over an old field.  I remember stumbling into a ditch filled with blackberry briers, going on till we came to a lot fence, climbed over it into the lot, then we didn’t know which way to go next, and everyone began calling for Co. D and no one rallied us.

                        I and Comrade Matlick got together and hearing most of the firing off to the left, we concluded the Co. had gone that way, so we climbed out of the lot on that side, crossed the road and went into the brush, crossed a slight swag in the ground and started up a gradual raise, taking our directions by the firing and flash of guns.

                        I discovered that my gun was empty, coming to a large stump, I dropped down behind it while I filled the magazine of my gun, the bullets were striking the stump, whack, whack, and clipping the brush overhead.  I could have lain behind that stump and been safe, but that was not what I was there for.  I had started in the fight and was going to do my part.  So when I got my gun loaded I started on.  My comrade had gone on so I thought I must catch up with the line, supposing of course it was ahead.  Presently I came to where the brush and young trees had been cut down and lapped across each other in a way to make it as difficult as possible for a man to get through, but I worked my way through, and a little farther on came to a line of sharpened stakes set in the ground, the sharp ends pointing towards me, leaning at an angle of about 45 degrees.  I worked between two stakes then soon reached a breastworks, and heard men talking.  Then I was sure I had caught up with the line.  I heard a man rail out “Where are you going? No you get back into that ditch or I will box your jaws.”  Well I thought that was curious language for any of our officers to use, but yet I didn’t suspect it not being our line, because I had reached there without finding our line, so I climbed upon the loose dirt and then saw a rifle pit full of men.  I stooped down to slip into the ditch among them, and that brought my eyes closet to the men and I saw that they had grey hats and coats.  I was just on the point of saying “well you drove them out did you boys,” but when I saw where I was I didn’t say it.  They didn’t say anything to me, they hadn’t noticed me.  In fact I saw their heads were tuned and they were all looking at the tussle of the officer and the soldier who started to run.  After realizing what I had run into my next thought was Andersonville.  The next was to make my getaway.  I realized that it was a desperate chance, but I determined to chance it, so I raised up, turned around, stepped down off of the breastwork, started slowly and cautiously back, till I thought I was out of sight, then I started to run, run into those down brush, would fall down, get up and try it again, and down I would go again.  I realized how soldiers feel when they stampeded, only I didn’t throw away my gun, clothes or anything else, that I had about me, but when I got clear of the down brush, you had better bet I tried by speed.  I don’t think there was a horse in the Regiment that could have kept up with me, I was scared and whipped because I had discovered there was no Union line in front of those fellows, and I wanted to inform our commander of the fact.  But over 300 men of the 3^rd IA had captured their right wing including a small fort, was in danger of being gobbled up if those men came out and charged us, but mounted men had charged in and captured the bridge, which gave us free passage into the town defeated by about 3000 men behind breastworks, whom, what were not captured left precipitately.

                        The Confederates had stuffed every crack and crevice (it being a covered bridge with cotton saturated with coal oil and planted a battery at the east end of the bridge to rake it and set it afire, but our horsemen charged across, they thinking is was some of their own men coming over, and didn’t know any better until our men drove them from their guns, and captured them.  We mounted and crossed over into town and were then told to scatter out and find supper and lodging among the citizens and see that no harm came to civilians or their property, which was done.

April 17^th            We remained in Columbus the 17^th on Provost duty and staid at private residences at night again and was treated nicely.  The next morning the 18^th we went over to the battle ground and took Capt. Miller’s body and took him back over to the river to a cemetery in Columbus and buried him, then moved out on the Macon road and camped on a creek.

April 19^th            Marched on passing Waverly Hall and Bellview.  Camped near Flint River.

April 20^th            Marched on across Potato River at Thomas’ Foundry went into camp after dark, passing through Thomastown.

April 21^st            Marched out about sunup on the Macon road.  Got news of an armistice between Sherman and Johnston.  Macon surrendered with 1500 Confederates.  Marched through Macon, crossed over Okemulgee River on the R.R. Bridge and went into camp.

April 22^nd           Lay in camp all day.  Rumors still prevalent of Peace.

April 23^rd           Sunday. Lay in camp.

April 24^th            The Regiment went in regular camp.

April 25^th            Nothing doing.  Everybody anxious.

April 26^th            Official news of the assassination of Pres. Lincoln.

April 27^th            All quiet.

April 28^th            Particulars of Gen. R.E. Lee’s surrender.

April 29^th            Saddled up and went out on the Clinton road six miles, formed in an old field and was searched for stolen or jahawked property.  None found that I heard of.

April 30^th            Sunday.  Inspection and mustered for pay.  Received news of Joe Johnson’s surrender.

May 1-2-3          Nothing of importance going on.

May 4^th              On chain guard.  Got orders to march.

May 5^th              Relieved about 3 AM.  Marched out about sunup, crossed the river on the pontoon bridge and took the road for Atlanta.  Camped at Forsythe.

May 6^th              Moved out at 4 AM.  Camped in 2 miles of Griffin.

May 7^th              Marched on through Jonesborough.  Camped at Morrow Station.

May 8^th              Lay in camp all day, the led horses going on into town.

May 9^th              Moved out early in the morning towards Atlanta, passed through Rough and Ready, got to Atlanta about 1 o’clock and went in camp out in the timber, left of Peachtree road.

May 10-11-12    Lay in camp.  No news.

May 13^th            Received news of the capture of Jeff Davis.

May 14^th            Inspection.

May 15^th            Jones buried.

May 16^th            All quiet.

May 20^th            Went out on inspection.

May 21^st            Sunday inspection.  On guard.

May 22^nd           Relieved from guard.

May 23-27         Routine of camp.

May 28^th            Sunday inspection, dress parade at 6:30 PM.

May 29^th            Drilled from 5-9 PM.

May 30^th            On water guard.

May 31^st            Dress parade.

June 1^st             A day of humiliation and prayer.  Fell into line at 2 o’clock and marched to the city to the Presbyterian church, where Chaplain Lathram preached a funeral sermon for Pres. Lincoln.

June 2^nd             Drilled one hour in the evening.

June 3^rd             News of Kirby Smith’s surrender.

June 4^th             Inspection of arms and clothing.

June 5-6            Nothing doing.

June 7^th             Received a letter from home.

June 8-10          All quiet. Drilled.

June 11^th           Sunday.  Inspection.  Detailed to go out and work on the bridge over the Chatahootcha river.  Traded with Lem Baker, who had been working and returned to camp on the train.

June 12^th           An invoice of Co. property was taken.  Went to graze the horses, and got a fine mess of Dewberries.

June 13^th           The 4^th Ia. went out on inspection.

June 14^th           The 3^rd Ia. went out on inspection, had inspection of horses.

June 15^th           Nothing doing.  All anxious to go home.

June 16^th           Was detailed to go to town on Quartermaster guard.

June 17^th           On Quartermaster guard.

June 18^th           Relieved from guard, rested and slept.

June 19^th           Nothing doing.

June 20^th           On guard again.

June 21^st           Relieved from guard.  The 1^st Ohio left for S. Carolina.

June 22^nd           All quiet.  Went to camp in the evening.

June 23^rd           On duty.

June 24^th           Relieved.  All quiet.

June 25-31        On guard every third day.

July 1-2-3          All quiet.  Having a good time.

July 4^th              The troops had a general review.  The 4^th U.S. Battery fired a salute of 36 guns.  Stayed in town at Quartermasters until July 24, when we were sent out to a corral to guard a lot of mules.

July 25^th            Moved to another corral and remained there until the 6^th of August.

Aug 6^th              Was relieved and went to camp, the mules being turned over on the 5^th.

Aug 7^th              Some indication of going north.

Aug 8^th              Some more indications.  Secured a carbine and saber to take home.

Aug 9^th              Mustered out of U.S. service at 10 A.M. and went down to the depot and got on the cars, and left at 2 o’clock for Chatanooga, Tenn.  Got to Chatanooga, Tenn. about 4 A.M. the 10^th, pulled on for Nashville, got there about dark the 11^th, about 4 P.M.  Remained on the cars all night.

Aug 12^th            Got off the cars and went to the Louisville depot, got aboard at 1 P.M., left at 5 P.M., got to Louisville at 11 A.M.  Crossed the Ohio, got on the cars and left about 6 P.M.

Aug 13^th            Run all day and night.

Aug 14^th            Fog to Michigan City , Ind. at 8 A.M., run on and got to Chicago about noon, took dinner at the Soldiers Rest, started for Rock Island about 6 P.M., run all night, arrived at Rock Island about 1 P.M. the 15^th.  Crossed over to Davenport and went to Camp McClellan.

Aug 16^th            Helped to carry up the arms.

Aug 17^th            Signed the pay roll.

Aug 18^th            No pay yet.

Aug 19^th            Payed off and discharged about 4 P.M.  Went tot the Wharf and got on the Packet Savannah.

Aug 20^th            Tun past Burlington and Ft. Madison, laid over at Montrols on account of rapids.

Aug 21^st            Arrived at Keokuk about 7 A.M.  Went up in town and bought a suit of clothes.  Boarded  the cars for home, sweet home, all danger, privations and hardships of a soldiers life forgotten and feeling sure of a cordial welcome by my Father and Mother and friends, and feeling proud of the fact that I had done a little towards the preservation of the glorious Union of these States.  Our trains arrived at Stumptown, now Selma, Ia., about 8 P.M.  Some friends from Troy met us there.

                        Samuel Guthrie was there with his farm wagon and hauled his boys, George and Billy and I home, arriving about 10 A.M. Aug 22, 1865, thus ending my Military experience.

                        I then entered civil life and tried to be of some assistance to my parents.

                        On Oct 27, 1870 I married Sarah C. Carroll and we remained on the old farm until July 4^th 1886 when she passed away.

                        October 16, 1892 I married Lizzie M. Darnell and remained on the farm until 1900, when we moved to Bloomfield, Ia.

                        In 1900 I was elected County Clerk in which I served four years.

                        July 1905 I entered the Mercantile business in West Grove in which I continued till May 1910, when I sold out to Jesse B. Day and moved to Bloomfield, buying out Chas. Bullock’s grocery in which I continued until Jan 1, 1912 when I sold out to J. A. Owens and retired from business.

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