Here is a panorama taken by Asa Dow from the summit of L’úx or Mt. Edgecumbe. Are the labels correct? Let me know!
Also, Harbor Mountain is properly Taxgu, and Mount Verstovia is really Kanéisdi Shaa. Sugarloaf (not labeled here, left of center of second picture) is actually Tawool Shaa, and Gavan Hill (also not labeled, it is to the left of Kaasdaa Heen, or Indian River ) is properly Tsísk’u Goojí. Do you have more?
Posted in Sitka | Tagged 5390, Arrowhead, Bear Mountain, Clarence Kramer Peak, Cross Mountain, Eureka, Harbor Mountain, Indian River, Lucky Chance, Mt. Bassie, Sitka, Verstovia | Leave a Comment »
By Thom Montgomery
George Knapp’s diary was transcribed by my uncle Thom Montgomery. It is a remarkable document, by a teenager who was no saint. I gave this to my daughter and her friend for a home-school American history class, when they were about the same age as young George Knapp.
THE MISCHIEF AND MAYHEM OF WAR
The Diary of Private George Knapp of Illinois
By Thom Montgomery
Sixteen when he enlisted and seventeen when he re-enlisted, Private George Knapp was proud of his service in the 44th Illinois. From encampment near Rollo, Missouri in January, through the Battle of Pea Ridge and ending with the engagement at Perryville in October, 1862, his diary records the mischief and mayhem of war. A son of the Rev. Jacob Knapp, Baptist evangelist, a stem and highly moralistic man, his son’s service record and escapades did not meet with his father’s approval. The diary was allowed in the home only after several pages of gambling debts had been removed.
1
January Wednesday 1 1862
Commenced taking care of the Major’s Horses, like it first rate. Had rather a dull time after all. Went to Lee’s Bogardus tonight.
Thursday 2.
Went to town today, had the best dinner I ever ate. 25 cts. Jurked a pair of boots & shoes. sold the boots for Three dollars & the shoes for one.
Friday 3.
Had a letter from Sarah B. today. wish she would not write to me any~· I had to waste my time writing to her. I sware!.
1 Only days later he has his photograph taken to be sent to her in an exchange.
2
January Saturday 4, 1862
Went out to shoot at target this fore !1QQ!1. went a riding this evening & had a frrm ride.
Sunday 5.
Went to the fore mile cave today. got lost & was half scared to death. Got some curiositvs, saw a pretty Girl on my way home & got acquainted with her.
Monday 6.
Layed around the tent all day. Wrote a number of letters, & received one from A.K. 2 a friend of mine. got the horses in this old log stable.
January Tuesday 7, 1862
Went up to town & got a good Oyster dinner. Didn’t cost me anything. one of our mess hooked a ham of fresh pork.
Wednesday 8.
Got a letter from the Major. No news, concerning war. I wish that we could have a fight before long. It would be amusing.
Thursday 9.
Went up town and got my likeness taken, & sent it to Miss B. & expect to receive hers in return. got hold of a good story book this morning.
2 Unidentified at present, but most likely A. Kennedy.
3
January Friday 10, 1862
The Parson sent me up town for meet. I saw some new recruits. they were green enough. Jim the cook has gone home. I have to cook now until can get another.
Saturday 11.
Mary came to cook for us today. The Major sent us a Mess Chest. it arrived tonight. it’s a fine one.
Sunday 12.
Got a letter from mother tonight. intend to answer tomorrow. some talk of our Reg. being sent to Chicago for guards to the prisoners. went to meeting.
January Monday 13, 1862
The Major came back today & brought Vet & Hank 3 with him. I was very much surprised to see them.
Tuesday 14.
I went back to my Company not being wanted any more. went all over camp with the boys.
Wednesday 15.
Vet & Hank were both sworn in & drew their uniforms. I went out with the company on drill.
3 “Vet” is Sylvester Paine, “Hank” most likely Henry Colbey, private, who was to die at Keytesville,
4
January Thursday 16 1862
I was detailed to carry water for the Company today. its pretty hard work. answered a lot of letters this after noon.
Friday 17.
Vet & I went up to Rollo today to see John Akin 4• found him at the Hospital. pretty sick. was glad to see us. we got a good dinner & came back to camp.
Saturday 18.
Billy Johnson 5 Died last night. poor fellow. he was only sick a week. little did he think 10 days ago that he was so soon to die.
January Sunday 19 1862
I am on guard today & am hindered from attending Billy’s funeral. the Parson is preaching close to me so I don’t loose that.
Monday 20.
Jurked pie & cake enough to do the whole mess from a dutch poeddler. the old fool chased one of the Boys into his tent & lost everything he had.
Tuesday 21.
Hank hooked a Barrel of Cider out of a peddlers wagon & the Company had enough for two days. bully for the new recruits.
Mo.
4 John Aiken, Private. Enlisted August 1, 1861, re-enlisted as veteran January 1, 1864, mustered
out September 25, 1865.
5
January, Wednesday 22, 1863
Went out on a Batallion drill today & had a hard one of it. some talk of going to spring field.
Thursday 23.
Layed in the tent all day. I read a story. It was a good one, too. the teller of it was the Man 0 Wars, Mans Bridge.
Friday 24.
Slathers of mail tonight. I got 4 letters. one from em, 1 from Pa & Nellie & the other was from A. K.
January, Saturday 25, 1862
A whole platoon of us went out to the 12 milke caave & had a Jolly time. it was the grandest sight I ever saw. got to camp all safe.
Sunday 26.
Went to meeting all day. was a little unwell at evening. Bob Cordin 6 was Buried today. he died in Camp Hospital.
Monday 27.
Expect that we will have to go to Arkansas before long. strange reports in camp concerning Price.
5 Unidentified at this time. Does not seem to have been a member of George’s company.
6
January Tuesday 28, 1862
The report is that the Rebel force are all within 30 miles of us. an expedition was sent out to the Gasconade river. Came back & reported plenty of Game.
Wednesday 29.
Great excitement. orders to march, in the morning. orders countermanded. Jeff & Asbury 7 went to the Hospital.
Thursday 30.
Very cold today. snow hard. carried water for the mess today. got two letters from home today, & answered them this morning. Joe Champ 8 very sick.
January Friday 31, 1862
Went out on a Batalion drille this morning. very cold today. expect to march soon. Had a good game of Eucher in the evening, with Vet & Hank.
February Saturday 1
Fine day. Troops have been passing here all day today. we received orders tonight to march tomorrow. the mud is deep, & it is very bad marching. we are going to Springfield.
6 Unidentified. Does not seem to have been a member of George’s company.
7 Jeff and Asbury Abbott, privates from Winnebago, Ill.
8 Joel Champlin from Rockford.
7
Sunday 2
The UWRR station at 8 Ock marched to the Gasconade & camped. very stormy day. hard march. Pleasant eve. had a good supper.
February Monday 3, 1862
March 12 Mi. Crossed river. hilly country, poor place to camp. Vet shoot a deer. rode his pony in the river. he nearly went down stream. Big Pi1y.
Tuesday 4.
Went on a head of the Reg. camped early & in a good place. made a bridge over the rubido pass a small stream. marched 14 mi
Wednesday 5.
I marched in the ranks. we crossed the Gasconade today in a fury. camped at 1 Ock. had a pleasant game of Euchre.
February Thursday 6 1862
Here we are in Leebnon. we have seen some flne country. got a good camping place. Marched 14 mi. expect to stay on till Monday. Price within 20 mi.
Friday 7.
We are still at Leebnon. had a good rest today. I got a good dinner up today. The boys got a hog. wrote a letter to Ma tonight.
8
Saturday 8.
I was surprised this morning by the Major calling on me to take care of his Horse. he discharged Geo .9 & I went. fme weather. pay tomorrow.
February Sunday 9, 1862
Was payed $26 today. we march at six in the morning. expect a fight §QQJ;l. Cornol came back tonight. Horse sick.
Monday 10.
Started for Springfield at six this morning. Marched 18 mi. & camped on Segals farm. Walk all day. very good going.
Tuesday 11.
Started early & marched to Webster. I got a chance to ride & am now waiting for
my company in a town. 10 Ock & I have got to camp.
February Wednesday 12, 1862
Started early & marched within 10 mi. of Price. had a little fight with the enemy
pickets. one killed & 5 prisoners.
Thursday 13.
Marched at 5 in the morning. got to Springfield at 12. Price gone. we are boarding
at a wid dow ladies. 2 prisoners here. expect to fight tomorrow.
9 George Attwood from Burritt, Illinois. Actual discharge date was January 19, 1862.
9
Friday 14.
Started at 6 Ock. Mar 14 mi. Saw a dead reb bel. camped early. The cavehy made
a charge in the evening.
February, Saturday 15, 1862
Marched all day the same as ever. camped early. passed a small town Casville on
the 16 ofFeb.
Sunday 16.
Started at 12 ock tonight. Marched 25 mi. I had to stay behind with the Majors
Horse. caught up at night. camp at a small town. Caseville.
Monday 17.
Marched at 8 Ock. came 15 mi. & camp in Arkansas. A river close at hand.
expect to fight tomorrow. got lots of prisoners.
February Tuesday 18 1862
I went a head of the Reg. today. AllO & I went up to the Battle ground. saw a
great many dead Horses & some men. Mar. 8 mi got a good camping ground.
Wednesday 19.
We laid over today. A1 & myself went out scouting. got a hog 2 bbl of Molases
ham & pork. saw some pretty girls.
IO Probably Alman Gifford of Rockford.
10
Thursday 20.
Mar 10 mi the teems did not come up till 12 Ock. did not put up the tent.
scouted a little. got a good dinner.
February, Friday 21, 1862
Laid over today. A1 & I went out into the country. got a good dinner & some milk.
the quarter mess gave us a load of apples tonight.
Saturday 22.
No orders to Mar yet. It is 8 & no breakfast. the niggers overslept this morning.
this camp is called Osage creek camp. Went over to see the prisoners.
Sunday 23.
The same as usual. ve:ry warm. turned cold toward night. More prisoners. Wrote
home. went to meeting in the morning.
February, Monday 24, 1862
Fine weather. no orders to march yet. The parson discharged Geo. Fleming11
today. A1 has gone out scouting. expect him back soon. Vet learned to smoke
today to perfection.
11 Unidentified.
11
Tuesday 25.
Here I am 14 mi from camp on a reconniscence. this is the most beautiful
country I ever saw. 4 caves in sight of the door. I am waiting for dinner. soon will
be on the road.
Wednesday 26.
I got into camp just after sun down last night. had a pleasant time altogether.
There is a general Inspection this morning of everything.
February, Thursday 27, 1862
Well, I have had a hard ride today. I have been 8 miles beyond place I went day
before yesterday. got a good dinner. saw a wounded man. was shot by the Rebels.
Friday 28.
I received a number of letters today. nothing of interest. very warm. almost hot.
had a division drill.
March, Saturday 1, 1862
Was mustered in for pay. I bought 4 watches today. sold them & made 15
dollars. Marching orders.
Sunday 2.
Marched at 4 Ock. went 10 miles in the woods & camped in a very poor place. it
is awfull cold. 4 in. of snow … no orders to march.
12
Monday 3.
Mistake. left out a day. Stayed in camp all day.
No orders yet. A1 & I got to horses & went out into the woods. we rode 8 miles. got
our dinner and started back. I got a good lot of this. Much warmer. some
rain in the night.
Tuesday 4.
Went after forage in the forenoon. in the after noon A1 & I got our horses & rode it
4 mi. got acquainted with a Secesh woman. the Colonel arested A1 for going out.
March, Wednesday 5, 1862
(Editor’s Note: entries from March 5 through March 7 are in pencil and virtually
obliterated. Pages dealing with dates March 8 through March 19 are missing.
These dates cover the Battle of Pea Ridge, which George recaps at the end of his
journal. The daily diary resumes on March 20.)
March, Thursday 20, 1862
A1 & I went out into the country 10 miles. passed a number of Secesh hospitals.
came near being taken once. Gen. Black a Rebbel died today. was wounded in
Pea Ridge Battle.
Friday 21.
Stayed in camp today. it has suddenly turned cold & the snow fell last night 4
inches deep. read a lot of papers last night. no news from the Rebbels.
13
Saturday 22.
Layed in the tent with nothing to do. read some old papers. no news in them. The
report is that we have been reinforced by Cavalry & Infantry. looks suspicious.
March Sunday 23, 1862
Went over into Arkansas & down to the big Sugar. From there over to Fents creek
& from there home. Got a good diner. Saw some splendid cenery.
Monday 24.
I was taken down with a hard chill this morning & I have had a high fever & a
severe headache all day. The Corlonl & Major were both arrested today. 12
Tuesday 25.
I have been very sick all day but feel a little better tonight. The camp report is
that our Suttler & the paymaster are on their way to us. No War news.
March, Wednesday 26, 1862
Steve13 & I went into the Country, we got our dinner. Two chickens & a goose. I
am still ailing. My neck is very stiff & sore.
Thursday 27.
Went up to the Company & eat breakfast with the Boys. First-rate soup. The
paymaster has come & we are to be payed off soon.
12 Unable to locate a record of this arrest, or of the court martial referred to in the April 3 entry,
but on August 20, 1862, Col. Charles Knobblesdorf of Chicago was dismissed for disability, and
on August 21, Maj. Thomas Hobart resigned.
13 Stephen B. Hicks, drummer, from Rockford. See photo.
14
Friday 28.
Still in camp. A1 & I went up to Keetsville in the morning. This afternoon we were
payed 26 dollars. I shall send home 40. Or SO. Dollars.
March Saturday 29 1862
I bought a watch of Floyd Babcock14 today for 10 dollars & sold it again for 15 to
a fellow in Co. H. pleasant weather.
Sunday 30.
There was a Division Inspection in the forenoon. I went up on the hill to see
it.They formed a good line, our Brigade being on the left flank.
Monday 31.
We are still in Camp Huffman & there is no telling when we will leave it. I bought
a bushel of Appels & made 1.00 dollar.
April Tuesday 1, 1862
It was a rainy dricely day although it is very warm. I received a letter from Pa
today. I answered it & sent home 40. Dollars. I also wrote to J. Akinsls. He is at
Leebanon. No War.
Wednesday 2.
Went up to Keitsville & back by way of Kings. Sold my watch.There is some
chance of my getting the Ambulance to drive. Rained very hard last night.
14 Of Rockford.
15
Thursday 3.
Very pleasant but warm. I bought Gusses16 watch today. The Court Martial17 is
to come. off tomorrow. No War news.
April, Friday 4, 1862
The Major went early to the Court Martial. AI & I were left alone all day. Our
Company & Co. B built a dam, & we have a flne baithing place. Oliver & Sels
went home yesterday. Took my pony.
Saturday 5.
The Western Army marched at 6 Ock & camped 18 miles from Rock springs, a
pleasant day: Our teems were all out after forage & the men had to carry their
knapsacks.
Sunday 6.
Off at 6 again, some of the teems came up in the night. We camped on flat creek.
Mar. 20 miles & carried Knapsacks. rainy.
April, Monday 7, 1862
Laid over because of the high water in the James river. I lost 14 dollars playing
Chuck Luck & Chuck luck it was, too. Very pleasant weather. got our tent pole
broken.
15 John Aikens of Rockford.
16 Sgt. Gustavus Freysleben from Pecatonica, Illinois.
17 Probably of the Colonel and the Major, whose arrests were mentioned earlier.
18 Privates Oliver and Charles Rogers from Pecatonica, Illinois.
16
Tuesday 8.
Marched at 8 & camped at Galena. was· crossing the river all night & two days. I
had my horse stolen, found the Horse, but lost the saddle & bridle.
Wednesday 9.
Left Galena at % 8 Ock. Marched 11 miles & camped in the handsomest valley I
ever saw. only 12 miles to for sidesl9. rained all night.
April, Thursday 10, 1862
Marched at 8 & camped at For-Syth on the White river, saw the most beautiful
cenery that ever was. we marched 14 miles & had Headquarters in an old house.
Friday 11.
Rained all day. We stopped in forsyth. expect to march in the morning. was
playing Chuck luck. just won my money back. have swore off. mighty cold.
Saturday 12.
The Army is building a raft across the river. I expect we will have to go to Little
rock. Our cook20 was taken sick & went to the Hosp.
April, Sunday 13, 1862
Fine weather. went to meeting in the afternoon. AI went a foraging & got a good
Horse for Boys. crossed the river & got some good things to eat.
19 Forsyth. See following entries.
20 Unidentified. It is noteworthy that the regiment’s food handlers had little luck: Commissa.cy
Sgt. Henry Adams of Rockton had died the previous October, January 10, “Jim the cook” had
17
Monday 14.
The Court Martial commenced this morning at 8. all the officers went. it is held
upon Bull Creek. 10 miles from ForSyth. got into the river & had to swim out.
got mail. 3 letters I got.
Tuesday 15.
The Court Martial is adjourned until tomorrow. I wrote letters all day. Our rations
are reduced to one half. nothing for supper. Rainy.
April, Wednesday 16, 1862
The officers are all gone to Court. expect to be gone all night. Nothing under the
sun to eat but parch Corn. all the troops are gone, except our division. fme
weather.
Thursday 17.
No breakfast. The folks all came back at noon. I kooked a sack of rice & we had
the best supper I ever ate. I went 10 miles for milk & Eggs to make a pudding.
Rainy.
Friday 18.
AI, Mike fulmer21 & myself went over the river to get a dinner & the pickets
arrested us. We was kept in the guard house. all had a cup of coffee & a piece of
bread for supper.
gone home ..
18
April, Saturday 19, 1862
The Regament had a regular drunk today in honor of Easter Sunday. Our
Suttler came in last Knight & they got plenty ofWhiskey. Only $2 ea. a Galon.
Sunday 20.
Rained all day. very cold. Stayed in camp & done nothing & a little of
everything. The river is up very high. plenty of provisions.
Monday 21.
The teems all went over the River after corn & they have got to stay all night as
the ferry is broke. pleasant day.
April, Tuesday 22, 1862
The Ferry sunk & one Capt. & 3 privates were droned & one Butternut. A wench
& Slittle Niggers were saved. We march tomorrow. pleasant.
Wednesday 23.
Marched at six. we started on the Springfield road but soon turned off among the
hills. Mar. 15 mi. & camped in a splendid place. I got me a butternut suit out of
secesh wagon in White river. Black Jim22 died last night.
21 Mike Fulmer of Durance, Illinois.
19
Thursday 24.
Marched at 5 in the morning & camped in an old camp called Camp Short of all
things. I got a good dinner & rode the Coronols horse. Our Reg. Mar. a head
tod.ay.
April, Friday 25, 1862
Off at 5 & % Ock. We marched behind. I walked all day. we made some 18 miles
& camped on a large creek, the name of which I do not know. Got into camp
early. Vets23 very sick.
Saturday 26.
Marched at 5 in the morning & passed threw splendid pine forrest all day. Mar.
23 miles, very warm. a great many horses & muels died on the road. No Forage of
any kind.
Sunday 27.
Oh! Will I ever forget this days march. No, never can describe the horrible feelings
I experienced while dangling over that precepis. We mar. 6 miles & oh! what
cenery & bad roads.
April, Monday 28, 1862
Marched at 4 & a %. A very pleasant day. the country is more thickly settled &
we have plenty of forrage. Marched 20 miles. we are going toard Kansas.
22 Unidentified.
..
20
Tuesday 29.
We marched 25 miles & camped in Pilot Knoll a town of 8 houses, 3 Barns &
some 40 pig pens. Sargent Hicks24 returned tonight. We lay over tomorrow to be
mustered for pay.
Wednesday 30.
We rested today & were mustered in for pay. there was a General Inspection & a
Dress parade. I went after Pork.
May, Thursday 1, 1862
Orders to be prepared to march at a moments notice, but no notice came, so we
have two days rest. the other Brigades marched at 3 Am. Mail came in at dusk.
Friday 2.
Marched at 4. We made 26 miles & camped on a large streem. We intend to go to
Batesville tomorrow. expect some fun. walked all day.
Saturday 3.
Started at 2 Ock in the morning. Marched 40 miles & camped in Batesville. got
stuck a number of times. rained all day.
May, Sunday 4, 1862
I went all over town today. we are a going to stay in this visinity a few days. this
is the prettiest place I ever saw. we are on white river.
23 Sylvester Paine, a cousin who lived well into the 1920s.
21
Monday 5.
We moved out of town 2 miles to a better camp. it is very pleasant weather &
Batesville is the handsomest place I ever saw so I am content. I received 3 letters.
Tuesday 6.
As flne a day as ever dawned. a man in Company A was accidentally shot. the
bail passed threw his Hart & killed him instantly.
May, Wednesday 7, 1862
We received the news of the Capture of Memphis & Corinth today & also that
Arkansas has come back into the Union. we are still in this camp.
Thursday 8.
We marched at six in the. morning. Our Brigade was all day crossing the river &
the last of us crossed the morning after.
Friday 9.
Marched at 8. went some 8 miles & received orders to go back to St. Louis. We
about faced & got all across the river by 10 Ock the same night.
May, Saturday 10, 1862
We w:ere off at 7 in the mom. marched 14 miles & caught up with Asboths
division. we are to be under his comand hereafter25. very Hot. Majors got a Nigger
to wait on him.
24 Sgt. Isaac Hicks of Rockford.
25 After Batesville and before May 26th, the company was placed in Col. Osterhaus’s Brigade. As
a general, As both had comanded one of the four divisions under Brigadier General Samuel Ryan
22
Sunday 11
Caught up to Asboths Brigade at 4 ock & camped. the Nigger left & went home.
we are to stay here a few days. Terrible hot.
Monday 12
No orders to march yet but expect to leave in the morning. it is almost rosting
hot. there is a division drille in the after noon.
May, Tuesday 13, 1862
Marched at 2 Ock this morning. went 15 miles & camped on Strawberry creek.
very hot & unpleasant marching. a splendid place to swim.
Wednesday 14
Marched at 12 in the night & camped at 2 P.M. I marched in the ranks all the
way. we crossed Sp.ring river & camped on Red point Branch. had a fme swim.
Thursday 15
Started at 5, marched 24 miles & crossed Black river. Expect a fight before
long. Camped in Vandorns old camp. we stood all day.
May, Friday 16, 1862
(Note: The entries from this date, the 16th, through Wednesday the 21st are too
faded for full decipherment)
Curtis at the Battle of Pea Ridge, the other three divisions being commanded by General Franz
23
_ & camped _ at 1 _ . Vet & _ went a mile
river to scout the ferry _ & 9 0 were drowned. Very _ .
Saturday 17 Marched at 5. Made 25 miles & crossed the St. Francis river. L. Ohalleran has come to cook for our mess. there is no forage for the Horses but plenty of grass &.
Sunday 18
Revile at 5 A.M. & on tneroad at 5 (sic). Marched 12 miles & crossed Black
river Branch. camped on the bank & we all had a good swim.
May~ Monday 19, 1862
Marched at 3 in the morning. C _ & forward to _ nsville. The s we crossed _ in a swamp. Marched 26 miles & camped in the wilderness. 50 mi. to the .
Tuesday 20 Started at 5 passed threw _ t_ville t_s. Hoget & R _ .
Marched 30 miles & _ about _ . rained all day long.
Wednesday 21 Marched at 2 A. M. Crossed White water & cmaped on its _ . Our Suttler
came up _ 28 Dollars. rainy & cold. Sigel and Colonels Jefferson C. Davis and Eugene A. Curtis.
24
May, Thursday 22, 1862 Marched 20 miles & reached Cape Girardu at 12 & was received with a salut of Canon. Expect to go down the river in the morning. Good .
Friday 23 Worked hard all day loading & left the Cape at night. Reached Carlo at 11 Ock & laid up untill morning. signed the payroll & drew pay this week.
Saturday 24 We left Cairo early this morning & are now steaming up the Ohio for the Tenesee river. Two men were drowned yesterday.
May, Sunday 25, 1862 Steamed up the Tenesse all day. no more accidents. passed a number of small towns. heard several canons during the day. Was payed two months pay. also.
Monday 26 Landed about the middle of the afternoon & by dark were comfortable. Camped on the banks of the Tenesse 25 miles from Corinth. very fine weather. 26
Tuesday 27 We were obliged to lay over today for the want of transportation but expect to leave in the morning. The Gun Boats went up river.
26 Between May 26th and 29th, the 44th was advancing toward Corinth and the Rebel position. On the 29th, the Rebels retreated. At the time, the 44th was assigned to Pope’s command. Their camp on the 26th was at Pittsburg Landing.
May, Wednesday 28, 1862 Started at 3 P. M .. & marched all night. had a very good road but hardly any water. I fell out & slept till morning & then caught up.
Thursday 29 We marched onto the field of action at 11 A. M. But did not have a chance to shoot a gun. within 3 miles of Corinth. can hear the rebels laugh & talk.
Friday 30 Comenced Bombardjng the Rebels early & at 10 A.M. they comenced retreating. we are now on the road after them. allmost into Corinth now.
May, Saturday 31, 1862 25 Advanced within a few miles of the enemy lines & lay consealed in the bush all day. I went into one of their old camps & saw a number of dead men & got a sack of Sugar.
June, Sunday 1 We fell back a mile & camped. there was a false alarm this morning. rained all day. some pretty heavy Canoading early in the day but none in the afternoon.
Monday 2 Morning dawned clear & pleasant. Marched at 3. Made 15 miles & camped without water. I rode in Tim Collins waggon.27
27 Listed as Theo Collins. With the 44th from August 1, 1861 to mustering out of 1865.
26
June, Tuesday 3, 1862 Marched at 7 in the morning & camped on the South side of riam.28 Came threw all the Reb bel Camps. Mudhole water. Major officer of day.
Wednesday 4 Marched at 4 P. M. had nothing to eat since we started. had to leave the Baggage. Rained hard enough to wet all the Boys threw. Mar. half the Night.
Thursday 5 Came back to town & camped. part of our things came up & we rode out to get a little to eat. very warm. some mail.
June, Friday 6, 1862 Laid in camp all day. expecting to March or fight every moment. the men were all put to building breast works. the day passed and nothing exciting.
Saturday 7 We marched last night at dark & camped this morning within 5 miles of the Secesh camp on the railroad. some light Scurmishing. poor water & hard crackers. 28
Sunday 8 No news. a slight scurmish With the Pickets. very warm weather. No flour to eat & we are all half starved. wrote letters all day & got a few in return.
28 Possibly Rienze, Miss. See below.
27
June, Monday 9, 1862 It is a very pleasant day. Jeff is cooking beans for dinner. Bean soup I mean, excuse me. I reckon I made a mistake. 29
Tuesday 10 The Rebbels have run off again & I expect that we will have to leave here soon if not before. had a division drille in the morning.
Wednesday 11 Jeff cooked beans for dinner. it is evening & I have [been] examining a large boil that has been: bothering me for two days. Marching orders.
June, Thursday 12, 1862 Marched at 7 in the morning & camped in Rianze30
Friday 13 I was up early to roll call. The Boys pulled up our tent stakes & the tent fell over last night at 12. I have been all day cleaning my gun.
Saturday 14 We put up our tent this morning. went out on Company drille in the fore noon & in swimming after dinner.
29 This sounds as though Jeff Abbott had read this entry and made complaint. 30 Rie nz1., M1′ ss.
June, Sunday 15, 1862 We changed our old camp for a new & a great deal worse one today. our Company was detailed to guard the Battery today. received old mail.
Monday 16 28 It is very hot. Came off guard at 12 A.M. I bought a cheese for 12% dollars & sold it for 15 today. expect a fight soon.
Sunday 17 The Army are building breast works & have got a good share already finished. Went to drille in the morning. a slight rain.
June, Wednesday 18, 1862 Went out on drille in the morning & at 4 P.M. was detailed for Picket-Guard. had to stand on the railroad. heavy rain.
Thursday 19· Came off of guard at 9 A. M. the Regament went out on Brigade drille in the morning & had a Regamental inspection, at night.
Friday 20 I went over to the 36th today & had a _ stamped on my arm. our boys went out & got two pails of Black bercys.
29
June, Saturday 21, 1862 Had a Brigade drille in the forenoon. Our Company was detailed to guard the Battery. I got all the ripe Black bercys I could eat.
Sunday 22 Went down to Swim in the morning. AI & Ste31 got tight & we had a great time. I went on Picket at 4 Ock. had a lonly time.
Monday 23 Was relieved from guard at 4 P.M. Capt. Saben32 came back today. We expect an attack every hour. the Rebels are advancing. ~warm. poor grub. June,
Tuesday 24, 1862 Worked. all night & all day on the breast works. The Rebels have halted some 8 miles from here. we expect them on every day.
Wednesday 25 Morning dawned bright & clear, but we had a splendid shower before night. I received a letter tonight from my friend33 & it was truly cheering to read.
Thursday 26 Our Company was detailed to Guard the Battery today. There was considerable firing on picket last night. very warm. 31 “Ste” Stephen Hicks, drummer, from Rockford.
32 Captain Luther M. Sabine.
30 June, Friday 27, 1862 The most of our troops have made a forward moove today. our Battery went & we were relieved. our Regament mooved to a new camp.
Saturday 28 The morning dawned cloudy. after drille I went after Black berrys & got 12 quarts. it rained all the time I was gone. troops have been passing all day.
Sunday 29 I was detailed for Police Guarde at 9 A. M. · & the Company went on Picket in the afternoon. received news that Richmond was taken by the Rebels. June,
Monday 30, 1862 Was relieved at 8 A.M. had a very lonesom time. nothing to do, the Company came in from picket at 6 Ock P. M. & we had a good supper.
July, Tuesday 1 The first day of July dawned bright & cleare. we were mustered in for lll!Y· we received a large mail last night after dark. I got three letters.
Wednesday 2 Troops have been passing here all day under the command of Gen. Jeff Davis. Jeff Abbott came back to the company, cooked all night. on an allarm. a scurmish at Boonsville.
33 May have been a letter from Asbury Abbott, who had remained behind at Lebanon, or from
31
July, Thursday 3, 1862 Thursday I went on guard at 9 A. M. & was lucky enough to get out of picket, as The Company went on picket, at the same time. No news from the Rebels.
Friday 4 I was awakened, by the roar of Canon, as a Salute. We had a review in the morning, & was entertained in the after noon by speeches from different officers.
Saturday 5 I was reported sick today. I am bothered with a large Bile, on the jaw. Our Company went to Guard the Battery received letters from home.
July, Sunday 6, 1862 The Company came in at 9. & at 3 p. m. had to go out again. there was a false alarm & we had to keep our cloths on all knight.
Monday 7 Was reported again. Bile worse & a high feaver. we had three hundred men detailed for fatigue today. they built a long line of breastworks.
Tuesday 8 I played poker all day. at night all of us boys went down to the creek & had a swim. one of our men shot his hand on guard. A.K. or Sarah B. previously mentioned.
32
July, Wednesday 9, 1862 Nathan Randle came up to the Regament.34 The first time he has been with us since we left camp Elsworth. J. Akin won a watch on a Raffle.
Thursday 10 Have had a change & have got our old mess back together. played considerable poker & slept for the rest of the time. opened the Bile & it run a pint.
Friday 11 Went to work on the entrenchments & T.A. Collins stuck a pick axe through the back of my hand. the doctor done it up.
July, Saturday 12, 1862 My hand is very sore, still. I think it will be well in a few days. Co. C buried a man today. he killed himself eating new potatoes.
Sunday 13 Otir mess killed a pig this morning. We had Rost Beef for dinner & Rost Pig for supper. Jabe35 & I went & got some milk.
Monday 14 My hand is better. JS36 got some Turkeys yesterday & we had Rost Turkey for Breakfast. The Company went to guard the Battery.
34 Nathan Randle could be either Nathan Rundell, Corporal, from Rockford, or Nathaniel Ramsdell, private, also from Rockford. 35 Colonel Jabez B. Jennings of Winnebago.
33
July, Tuesday 15, 1862 I stayed in camp all day. received two dollars from A. Hart for watch. all I expect to get. N.J. Wilson is voted cook for Mess 3, Co. G.37
Wednesday 16 I went out into the Country 5 miles today. got some berries & ripe Apples. a good dinner & half a bushel of Potatoes & rode to camp on a Cavelry Horse.
Thursday 17 It rained all Night & all the morning. our tent blew over in the middle of the night & we had every rag soaking wet.
July, Friday 18, 1862 I went over to the picket post & Washed my clothes in the forenoon & answered letters in the afternoon. Got a canteen full of Milk.
Saturday 19 Took Steves38 Breakfast over to him on picket & got a pail of Black Berrieys. Went to the creek in the afternoon & got two Canteens of Milk.
Sunday 20 I stayed in camp all day & read 14 Chapters in the book of Mathew 39•
we had a heavy rain. all night last night & the day is very cloudy.
36 Likely·James Sherman ofBurritt. 37 Adam Hart, mustered out in 1865 as a Sergeant, and Nathan Wilson, private.
34
July, Monday 21, 1862 Stayed in camp untill noon & then went out & got some Milk & Blackberries. The weather is warm & clear. No news from the Rebbels.
Tuesday 22 I stayed in my tent & read & wrote all day. There was a divison drille today. My hand is most well & I shall soon do duty.
Wednesday 23 I went on guard with the Company at nine Ock. Battery Guard. I received two letters from Home .. No news.
July, Thursday 24, 1862 Came off of guard at 9 & a % this rooming & occupied the rest of the day in answering letters. A Capt. was thrown from his horse & mortily hurt yesterday.
Friday 25 Went on police guard this rooming. a rumor in Camp that we are ordered back to Arkansas but I don’t believe it4o. a little rain.
Saturday 26 Came off of guard at 9 A.M. & went out of camp with Vet & Ames D41, got a basket of Appels, tomatoes & Peaches. Went on dress parade at 6 P.M.
38 Stephen B. Hicks of Rockford, drummer. 39 14 chapters represents half of the book of Matthew.
35 July, Sunday 27, 1862 Stayed in my tent nearly all day. received a letter from S. B. we drew 6 days rations. S. P. Searls42 got a pail of milk. very warm.
Monday 28 I mounted the Picket G. this morning & got post 5 on New Station. I feel a little unwell. Oruy two Bugalers to mount the guard this morning. H’s43 has gone to the river.
Tuesday 29 Came off of guard at 9 A. M. & stayed in camp all day. we had a fme Dress parade at night. now news.
July, Wednesday 30, 1862 I went out into the country a few miles & got a Basket of fme peaches & Appels. Cleaned my gun in the afternoon.
Thursday 31 The teams came back from the river & Hicks brought back two cheeses. We draw new clothes tomorrow. 4 0 He was right. The next march was to Cincinnati.
41 Sylvester Paine and Amos C. Delaney, musician, from Lynnville. 42 Stephen P. Searls, private, from Winnebago. 43 Stephen B. Hicks, above mentioned.
36
August, Friday 1 I went on picket guard today. got post No. 1. Had a good Book to read. pleasant Weather & no rain.
August, Saturday 2, 1862 Came off of guard at 9. drew new Clothes today & expect to be payed off soon. there was a Brigade inspection today.
Sunday 3 The General Inspection came off at 7 & % Ock. & we had a general cleaning out of the camp. Collins sentenced to a Court Martial. 44
Monday 4 Had a Batalion drille in the morning & Dress parade in the aftemoon. General Asboth45 has resigned.
August, Tuesday 5, 1862 Went out on a general review & came very near being sunstruck. was inspected by our new General Rosincratz46. Most dead with the heat.
Wednesday 6 On police guard. Company A have got a vaulting bar & are having great fun. I received a letter from home. very warm.
44 Collins’ court martial must have gone well for him, as he remained with the regiment until its muster out in 1865. 45 One of the four commanders at Pea Ridge. A second commander, Colonel Jefferson C. Davis was involved in. a rather strange episode. See entry for September 29th. 46 General Rosecrans officially assumed command in October 1862.
37
Thursday 7 Came off of guard at 9 A.M. & stayed in camp untill night. The Battery officers tied one of their men up & gaged him & we cut him down.
August, Friday 8, 1862 There was a Brigade Drill today & our officers showed their ignorance. I went to the creek & had a good swim in the evening.
Saturday 9 I missed drille this morning & was put ori extra duty for it. S.I.S. 47 got caught & put in the guard house. the weather is hot. Sunday 10 I was detailed for police guard. We had a Man to gard from Co. A. I had a
good time & got a bushel _ _
August, Monday 11, 1862 Came off of guard at 9 A.M. A.A. 48 & -. _ went into the country & got a lot of peaches & Appels. Jeff49 & I have built us a little house for ourselves.
Tuesday 12 Stayed in camp all day excepting to drill in the morning, was detailed to guard the river tomorrow. start at 5 A.M. Austin R. is not expected to liveso.
47 Stephen Searls. 48 Asbury Abbott. 4 9 Jeff Abbott
38
Wednesday 13 Started for the landing early this morning & camped at the place I slept in going out & the Regament _ left on _ .
Friday 15
A. Hart & myself are cooks for the whole. Nothing. Jean tierilus 51transferred
today. I have caught a bad cold & this evening I have a considerable feaver. No
hay yet.
Saturday 16
Have felt very bad all day & tonight I have got a high Feaver. I think that I shall
go to the post doctor tomorrow. No Boat has arrived yet & we are to remain here
one day more.
August, Sunday 17, 1862
No Hay has come yet. I felt some better this morning & so did not go to the
doctor, but I am worse tonight & think I shall just step over & get some
medicon. We had all kinds of fruit for dinner.
50 Austfu Rising. He survived, but was discharged in October 1862, probably as the result of
wounds received in October.
51 These two words are almost indecipherable and may or may not represent a name.
Monday 18
I feel considerable better. we went in swimming to get a barel of rum that a
Suttler throwed overboard but did not get it. The weather is quite cool.
Tuesday 19
The teamsters all went down to the creek & got hay off of a sinking barge. It
rained some here last night & has been quite chilly all day.
August, Wednesday 20, 1862
We was ordered to hitch up & start for camp but the orders were soon
countermanded & we are to remain here longer. The Hay was taken by the
Rebels coming up the river.
Thursday 21
39
An expedition has gone down the river to try & get the Hay the Rebels captured.
The weather is very warm & I have got a high feaver. Ed Bristol52 went to camp
for the letters.
Friday 22
The Boat- City came down the river. The 14th Wis. Reg. leave this place for
Corinth & the 81 Ohio take their place. There was a little man come in here last
night.
52 No Ed Bristol appears on the official company rostor, but an Ide bristol, age 39 in 1860, lived in Aona Township, Winnebago County, Illinois. He was a farmer born in New York.
August, Saturday 23, 1862
I have not seen the little man yet, but the boys say he is smaller than Tom
Thumb. I feel very bad today. received a letter from home & one from Sarah.
Sunday 24
40
Chub53 got kicked by a mule. It did not hurt him much. We started for camp in
the· afternoon. intend to camp in the old place.
Monday 25
Started early & got into Rienzia at 4 Ock. The Regament had been payed up &
the Capt. had our money for us.
August, Tuesday 26, 1862
I felt very bad this morning & was reported. got some pills & think they done
me good. the weather is very warm. I got two letters from home.
Wednesday 27
The Captain payed me this morning. My head is very bad but I managed to
write one letter. I had to take a large dose of quinine.
Thursday 28
I was reported sick this morning but think I feel some better tonight. The
Regament went out on drill at 5 A.M.
41
August, Friday 29, 1862
There was a Brigade drille. I was not able to go out. the Rebels drove in our
pickets & killed two men. I had to take a great dose of quinine & I can taste it
yet.
Saturday 30
I received a letter from home today. no news. I was vecy lonesom in the tent all
day & nothing to read. there was no Company drill. the weather is vecy damp.
Sunday 31
There was a Regamental inspection at 7 A.M. & after that we was mustered in
for pay. Company drill in the afternoon & Dress parade.
September, Monday 1, 1862
There was a Brigad drill & a hard one it was too. I got two letters from home &
one from Charley Babcock. The cavelcy pickets had a little scurmish at
Boonsville.
Tuesday 2
I was on fatigue duty all day. was haukling dirt out of camp. There was
Company & Dress parade in the afternoon & in the evening we all went to a
Nigger dance.
53 C. C. Coons, who transferred to Veterans’ Reserve Corps 4-30-64.
42
Wednesday 3
There was quite an excitement in camp. There was considerable frreing on the
left. I am on picket today & post no. 7 was frred into.
September, Thursday 4, 1862
I was relieved from guard at 9 A. M. Came to camp & had to drill the rest of the
day. We had no moor alarms. We got news that we was whipped at richmond. 54
Friday 5
We had Company drill in the morning & Dress parade at night. I ironed a shirt
today for the washing price. the weather is very warm.
Saturday 6
We got marching orders late last night & marched at 2 A.M. we camped at
Corinth & expect to go to Cincinnati. pretty hard days march. 20 miles.
September, Sunday 7, 1862
We took the cars at 7 & reached Columbus on the ‘Mississippi just at dark.
stayed in an old shed until morning. rained all night.
Monday 8
We took the boat this morning & reached Cairo at night. We camped once &
then was routed up & had to go aboard the cars where we stayed till morning.
54 The word “off’ is written above Richmond, with no apparent connection or context.
43
Tuesday 9
Left Cairo early & road all day. reached the Ohio & Miss. R.R. where we
changed cars & rode all night. I was taken very sick & continued so all night.
September, Wednesday 10, 1862
We passed through a number of pleasant towns & the Ladies treated us to
everything we wanted. We reached Cincinnati at 12 in the night & crossed the
river. camped in an orchard.
Thursday 11
Garretf~und me out & I went down with him. It was quite a surprise to Gabe55.
I stayed there all night & had a very pleasant time.
Friday 12
I went up to the Regament & they was all ready to march but the orders were
countermanded & they stayed in the same place.
September, Saturday 13, 1862
The Regament mooved a mile out of town & camped. I done my fatigue duty &
went to town with Get56 & stayed all night.
55 Apparently civilian friends of George’s. Not on the official company roster
56 Garret, mentioned above.
Sunday 14
Our Regament moved again three miles further. Chub & Get & I went to the
Theatre at night & had a pleasant time. The Rebels have Skedadled.
Monday 15
44
The Capt. gave me a pass for six days & I am going to stay with Get & Ta. Went
over to Cincinnati today.
September, Tuesday 16, 1862
We got a pass & went over the river & had quite a time. I think Gerret will inlist
in our Company. Chub went back to the Company.
Wednesday 17
We was surprised today with the news that the Regament was all ready on the
march & I have only a few moments to find them in.
Thursday 18
I went over to the depot & saw Major Hobart57, got to late for the cars. went to
the Theater in the evening & then back to Gerits.
September, Friday 19, 1862
Went down to the river & went down on the boat. we had a good ride & a
pleasant time. saw a good many troops scattered along.
57 Thomas J. Hobart, resigned August 31, 1862.
45
Saturday 20
Arrived at Louisville about 4 Ock. & at 8 I reported to fmd the Regament. found
it about 12 & was glad to get back. went to town in the evening.
Sunday 21
There was inspection the forenoon & preaching at 4. the flrst time in 5 month.
Dress parade at night.
September, Monday 22, 1862
We moved our camp on the south side of town this afternoon. our Company
Worked all night on the itrenchments. expect a flght soon.
Tuesday 23
I went to town this morning & had a hard time to Slip the guards. The Major
came back & the Boys gave him three harty cheers.
Wednesday 24
Buell58 came in here last night & the City is out of all further danger. the rebels
have left- we have got a flne Camp.
September, Thursday 25, 1862
I am on guard today. We went out on Brigade drille at 4 A.M. & drilled two
hours & came in with a good apitite for Breakfast.
58 Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell, a close friend of General McClellan.
Friday 26
Our Regament went on Picket guard. I got out of it. We got orders to march &
we had to moove through town. went 6 mi. & camped. the boys all of guard.
Saturday 27
It rained all day. the Reg. came in about 12. & we had to moove our cainp
again. we got settled by night. I got a good supper.
September, Sunday 28, 1862
46
I went down to the river & washed all day. a great many new troops came in to
town today. we are looking for the 74th Ill. every day.
Monday 29
Stayed in camp all day. strickt orders to let no one up town. Gen. Davis shot
Gen. Nelson59 & killed him instantly. we have got to go on picket in the
morning.
Tuesday 30
Our Regament went on picket guard at 6 A. M. Our Company had to stand on
posts. Jeff A. & myself was on one post.
October, Wednesday 1, 1862
We was ordered in at day break. we are going to march. Found the 74th in
camp. saw lots of old friends. marched 10 miles & camped without tents.
59 More about this remarkable incident cannot be located at this time. Davis had served at the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Thursday 2
Marched at 7 & went 10 mi. found the road blockaded & had to go back. it
rained very hard. our things were all left behind except our blankets.
Friday 3
Our Cavelry had a scurmish with the Rebels picket & we expect a fight. Our
Regament go on guard tonight. Mar. 18 miles.
October, Saturday 4, 1862
47
The Army came along about 8 & we fell into our place & marched 12 miles. we
formed a line of battle at 4 but the Rebels run & we had no fun.
Sunday 5
Marched at 7 & passed through Bargtown6o, a fine little town. marched 16 mi.
our teams did not come up unti113A. M. we are close on to the Rebs.
Monday 6
Marched early & passed through Springfield. There was some hard fighting
done on the advance today. I saw a number of prisoners.
October, Tuesday 7, 1862
We marched at 8 A.M. & went 9 mi. where the Rebs made a stand. we expect
they are going to fight us. very short of water.
48
Wednesday .8
We formed a line of battle at 6 & marched 2 mi. where the Rebels opened frre on
us & wounded 3 of our Co. the frrst frre. fit hard all day untill after dark.61
Thursday 9
Morning came & we opened frre but received no ans. the Rebels had retreated
10 mi. we took posson of the mill & camped. it rained all day very hard.
October, Friday 10, 1862
I was on guard. Jeff & I got a pair of Blankets apiece. raining still. the Business
of the day was to burry the Dead & tend to the wounded.
Saturday 11
We formed a line of Battle early in the day & lay so untill 4 P.M. when we left &
marched 5 miles. passed Gen. Michels62 Div. & went out on the advance.
Sun:day 12
We marched passed two Divisions & took the lead. Marched 14 mi. & camped
just out of Danville. the Rebels close ahead.
60 Likely Bardstown, Kentucky.
61 The Battle of Perryville, being in the Division commanded by General P. H. Sheridan. After the
battle, the enemy was pursued to Crab Orchard. The discharges of Austin Rising (October 18)
and Thomas Don of Burritt, Ill., (October 9, 1862) may be related to the “3 of our Co,” wounded in
the first fire.
49
October, Monday 13, 1862
Marched 4 miles & formed a line of Battle. Waited all for the Rebels to make the
attack but they chose to leave & so they went on. We came through Danville at
night.
Tuesday 14
We came through Danvill & marched 14 mi. The Rebels close ahead. our men
took two canons from them. they burnt all the bridges on the road. my
birthday.63
Wednesday 15
We formed a line of Battle at 7 A.M. & advanced to Lankaster. There is
considerable flring ahead. The Rebels run & we marched 15 miles & camped at
Crab Orchard.
October, Thursday 16, 1862
We lade over today. I suppose to give the Rebs a chance to get away. I went out
into the country, & got a good diriner. No news of any kind.
Friday 17
No orders yet. laid in camp all’ day. some of the 74th boys came over to our
camp. they are pretty near played out. Wrote home & sowed all day.
62 Not identified. May be General Mitchell or General Michael.
50
Saturday 18
We mooved our camp today some 100 roods & Jeff & I built us a nice little
house. we had a fine fat pig for supper.
8 Oct/62
The Battle commenced early. the Reb fiting to maintain the Spring & we to take
it. We got position at 9 A.M. at % 3. the Rebels made a charge on our center but
gained nothing. We took several prisoners.
[This is the final daily entry in the diary. Remaining entries consist of the
description of the Battle of Pea Ridge, a list of names with money due (from
gambling?) and two miscellaneous notes.]
Memoranda of the Battle of Pea Ridge commencing on the 6th Day of Mar.
& ending on the 9th. 1862.
We were ordered to march at 2 in the morning. there was a great deal of
grumbling among the men because of such an eariy start but they found out
before night the whys & wherefores. My Company & two others had been
ordered out to the Indian Nation the day before & they had to march all night.
When the Companys with the stragglers were within a few miles of camp, they
were cut off by the rebels whome they expected was a hundred miles off.
The rebel Cavelry charged & took one wagon of ammunition, but our Cavelry
coming’ back at this moment ingaged them & drove them back after fighting a
63 He turned age 17.
51
few moments. there was 2 of our men lost & ten secest killed. This was on
Thursday. This was the frrst news we haci of a Battle & we did not even then
know but it was a scouting party so still had it been kept. A. Hobart & I was off
of the road at the time some 6 miles. after the Battle we learnt to our
astonishment that we had not been gone 10 minuets from the place, we ate our
dinner when 400 hundred Rebbel Cavehy came up to the same house & fed
their Horses. a pretty close rub.
The whole Infantry force came out to meet & escorted the victourious companys
into camp. Our men were frrst to work & very forminable breast works were
seen in a few hours. We lay without tents that night with our guns under our
heads & our Horses saddled.
Friday morning dawned clear & warm. The frrst warning we had was a cannon
ball came taring down threw the trees but did no damage. The frring was now
continuous & loos horses came thundering down over the hill from the battle.
We were keept back as a reserve in this position we were keept unti114 Ock.
when we were ordered forward. We immeaditly marched to the cene of action
deployed & scoured the woods threw. lost !1Q men but took a good many
prisoners & killed a few. the country being very rough, the woods thick & darck
in the bargin, the Reg. got scattered, but we all found ourselves together in the
morning, face to face with the Rebbels. Our cooks were busy all this time & we
relished a good breakfast of pan Cakes & a cup of coffee. Sat. 9th we went at it
at sunrise this morning. we were driven back at frrst but soon gained our
ground again at 10 Ock. the Rebels began to dissepear & at 11 they we
52
marched in to their camp. the persuit lasted as far as keetsville where the
Secesh broke up & scattered in every direction, all aiming for Boston Mountain.
Our Regament took a side road & marched to Sugar Creek. They then turned
around & marched back to Keetsville, & from there down to the Battle ground.
We camped here a few days & left for Sugar Creek valley & camped in the Valley
of Death where I will leave them for the present. 64
Champ $2.50
Hick .70
J.Abbott $5.00
J. Coock 5.00
S.P. Hicks 10.00
J. Vanalstine 5.00
J. Cook 3.50
J. Akin 75 2.00
N. i. Wilson 25 1.75
L. Clark 1.50
J. Wright 25 1.50
A. Abbott .75
A. Abbott 3.75
D. Horboard 2.00
J. Abbott 6.00
64 It has been said of the Battle of Pea Ridge that “Despite being outnumbered three to two, the
federals achieved a decisive tactical and strategic victory at Pea Ridge. The outcome of the battle
ended any serious Confederate threat to Missouri and led to the conquest of Arkansas.” The
Confederates lost about 1,500, the Federals 1,384. Pea Ridge National Military Park is on State
Route 71 near Pea Ridge, Arkansas, 20 miles northeast of Fayetteville.
53
W. Morer $13.25
C. Coon Paid 1.00
O. Rogers 1.25
O. Makepiece 1.00
S.Payne 4.00
Champlin 1.00
Who was the first white man on the banks of the Mississippi? It was Hernando
deSoto.
The poor Warrior “Slept the Sleep that knows no waking & was borne by good
comrades that Honored & loved him to his Soldiers grave.”
Private George Knapp was killed at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and is buried in a
soldier’s grave there. His father’s autobiography, published in 1868, never mentions his
name.
Posted in American History | Tagged 1862, 44th Illinois, Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Battle of Pea Ridge, Civil War, Diary, George Knapp, history, Perryville, Reverend Jacob Knapp, Thom Montgomery | 4 Comments »
For Sitka Fine Arts Camp Musical Theater Camp 2021, I got to design and build a set! Went for texture in the organic sculpted scenery, and atmospherics with recycled fishing nets (from Nets And More of Louisiana). Rapunzel’s tower, stage left, accessed from the front by the witch.
Costumes Sharon Morgan, Lighting Elle Campbell, Directed Zeke Blackwell, Musical Direction Chris Coffey, Choreography Erin Coffey, Stage Manager (and so much more!) Josh Euten, Pianists Susan Reed and Chris Staknys, Vocal Coach Rhiannon Guevin, Assistant TD Emily Harris, Sound Drew Sherman with Bryan Lovett, Props Abby Taper, Deck Boss Sotera Perez, Mic’ing Shannon Haugland, Costume Assistant Sonia Lewis, Makeup Micah Wayman, Sound Assistant Hal Sufrin, Lighting Assistant Campbell Pillifant, with Téa Neilson (these last four were our Technical Theater students and did all kinds of things), Poster Artwork by Nate Olson. It would not have been possible without help building the set by Emily Harris and volunteers Noatak Post and Julien Riviere.
We had a full-on, pure and exquisite performance by a professional pit orchestra: Susan Reed, Chris Staknys, Dorothy Orbison, Colin Roshak, JJ Sechan, Amy Sanchez, Taylor Young, Brian Neal, Roger Schmidt, Franz Felkl, Noatak Post, Kelly Dylla, Julien Riviere, Annika Krafcik, Drew Dembowski and Paul Cox.
Actors: Zia Allen, Paige Antrobus, Anja Brooks-Schmidt, Mina Brooks-Schmidt, Bronwyn Embree, Claire Evans, Aitana Gluth, Noah Gosnell, Miko Hare, Winston Katoanga, Spencer LeFebvre, Felix Lewis, Sagan McLaughlin, Kadence Patton, Virginia Pearson, Helena Provencio, Chase Randall, Caleb Rapanut, Max Reynolds, Kate Springsteen, Zoe Springsteen, Emerson Tuggey, Kevin Viña, and Alona Whisenhunt.
All of the young people – the actors, and four back stage – are in high school or just started college. Best of luck to all of you. Wonderful work here.
Posted in art, Arts Education, My Art | Tagged Into the Woods, Musical Theater Camp, Rebecca Poulson, Set Design, Sitka, sitka fine arts camp | Leave a Comment »
Creating using cardboard boxes and trash is the Number One activity in my opinion for kids.
I had the opportunity to work with children going into First and Second Grades at the 2021 Sitka Fine Arts Elementary Camp. This was over five days, in which (this year) groups of eight children came in for 45 minutes, also also went for 45 minutes each to three other classes in music, movement and ceramics.
The first two days, we looked at slides of paintings and then painted. On the next two days, we made constructions/houses/sculptures/environments/stories, starting with a shoe box, and using hot glue and Elmer’s, fabrics trims and yarn, papers, railroad board, and trash, such as toilet paper cores and interesting packaging (like the boxes phones come in).
The second day of this we had parents send special trash in with their kids, because what I had brought in was exhausted. Some of the things were surprising, like a used Subway drink cup, and a squeezed out tube of toothpaste – but the creativity of these kids knew no bounds: a drink cup became a cannon, the toothpaste cap a cup.
The second day we also gave them paint the last 10 minutes, if they wanted it.
The last day we all presented the work, which was amazing as well, the work and detail and humor that went into these creations.
Posted in art, Art Lessons, Arts Education | Tagged cardboard box art, first grade, kindergarten | Leave a Comment »
I had the opportunity to work with children going into First and Second Grades at the 2021 Sitka Fine Arts Elementary Camp. This was over five days, in which (this year) groups of eight children came in for 45 minutes, also also went for 45 minutes each to three other classes in music, movement and ceramics.
I showed them slides of paintings by Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning, and went around and each said something they noted in a painting. We then painted, using a limited palette of yellow, red and white, with paint on a paper plate, and mixing colors on a second plate, on 18 x 24 inch 80# paper.
The next day I showed pictures by Helen Frankenthaler and photos of her working, telling about her, and we went around and all told about one thing they noticed in one of her pictures. This time I gave them cups of paint, that they could pour onto the paper plate mixing palette. I told them to mix three new colors.
The results were amazing, to my mind. What is most exciting though is their painting process, the way they really get into it, each in their own way.
Posted in art, Art Lessons, Arts Education | Tagged first graders, helen frankenthaler, jackson pollock, kindergarten, painting | Leave a Comment »
Now available for sale, and in select stores! $16 and discounts start at two at: The Outer Coast.com
Produced by Rebecca Poulson in Sitka Alaska
Printed in Juneau, Alaska U.S.A.
Printed on heavy, vellum surface Natural color paper
Four original wood engraving prints, a drawing,* a print, and six original watercolors by Rebecca Poulson
Poetry and Quotes by Alaskan poets Ishmael Angaluuk Hope, John Straley, Caroline Goodwin, and Pete Weiland, Oregon poet John Daniel, and Ed Ricketts, John Donne, Walt Whitman, Kobayashi Issa, John Muir, and John Keats, on the theme of sweet old world
Gardening Reminders for Southeastern Alaska
Calendar for all of 2023 on last page
Wilderness Anniversaries
*Scratch board drawing is from the upcoming novel for middle grades Whispering Alaska by Brendan Jones, from Delacorte Press (Penguin Random House) in October, 2021
Posted in art, My Art | Tagged 2022 Calendar, Alaska, art, Rebecca Poulson, Sitka, watercolor, wood engraving | Leave a Comment »
Earlier this spring I made seven section illustrations for the upcoming novel Whispering Alaska by Brendan Isaac Jones, coming out August 2021, from Penguin Random House. Brendan recently moved back to Sitka with his charming family, and he owns a house just around the corner. It’s a young adult novel, about twins who move to a town in Alaska, where the town owns a forest that they have to decide to keep, or cut down for lumber. Can’t say more, don’t want any spoilers!
It was a neat excuse to get into the old growth forest near here, to photograph, draw and then create these decorations using scratchboard, a new medium for me. By chance, when I first got the job I went camping on a lake above town, in old growth trees.
I used Essdee which was surprisingly hard to get. A lot of places only ship UPS or FedEx and they don’t offer “ground” service to SE Alaska. So you have to really hunt to find the place that can ship through the post office! But Essdee is worth it. I don’t know much about it but I found that you have to keep sharpening the edge of the cutter, I used fine grades of sandpaper, so by the time I was done it was whittled away quite a bit. Anyway!
I hope you get a sense of our forest, and this place. Go to theoutercoast.com for my wood engravings and calendar.
Posted in art, My Art | Tagged Alaska, Alaska state ferry, Brendan Isaac Jones, Brown bear, Guitar, Old Growth, Sitka Spruce seedling, Whispering Alaska | Leave a Comment »
Following are links to original materials and primary documents related to the Transfer of Alaska from Russia to the United States at Sitka, Alaska, October 18, 1867.
Sitka’s Lost Decade, 1867-1877 by Rebecca Poulson, at Sitkaartblog.wordpress.com.
Sitka’s First Decade Under the American Flag, 1867-1877, by Rebecca Poulson
Photo Pairs Archival photographs by Eadweard Muybridge and Re-takes by James Poulson
Traditional Tlingit Country map by Tlingit Readers, Inc.
1867 Transfer Map of Sitka from Alaska State Archives
Official Transfer Report and Sitka Transfer Map Inventory, 1337 House Executive Documents 125 January 1868
Superimposed Transfer Map over a Google Earth photo of Sitka
1870 Report by Jeff Davis from House Executive Documents 3rd Session 41st Congress, 1870-71, Volume 2 Number 1
“Lo, The Poor Indian” by Horace Greeley, from An Overland Journey, New York to San Francisco, the Summer of 1859
“The Canoe Rocks: We Do Not Know What Will Become of Us” The Complete Transcript of a Meeting Between Governor John Green Brady of Alaska and a Group of Tlingit Chiefs Juneau, December 14 1898” Article by Ted Hinckley, from the Western Historical Quarterly, July 1970
Images of file in Alaska State Archives “The Complete Transcript of a Meeting Between Governor John Green Brady of Alaska and a Group of Tlingit Chiefs Juneau, December 14 1898”
Full text of “The Meeting Between Governor John Green Brady of Alaska and a Group of Tlingit Chiefs Juneau, December 14 1898
The following materials are also on the Alaska Historical Society site: https://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/about-ahs/special-projects/150treaty/150th-resource-library/
Kostrometinoff account recollection of the Transfer ceremony in a letter to Father A. P. Kashevaroff
Transcript of Kostrometinoff letter
Official Transfer Report and Sitka Transfer Map Inventory 1337 House Executive Documents 125 January 1868
Alta California newspaper story about the transfer by Del Norte, J. H. Goodale, November 19th 1867
Transcription of Alta California Nov 19 1867 article
Memoirs of a Finnish Workman by T. Ahllund, from Suomen Kuvalehti (The Finnish Pictoriall) 1873, translated by Panu Hallamaa in the Alaska Historical Society Journal, Fall 2006
Delavan Bloodgood “Eight Months at Sitka” from Overland Monthly 2 February 1869 175-186
Seward’s Speech at Sitka in 1869 August 12, 1869
Andrew Alexander Blair Account of Transfer
Transcription of Andrew Alexander Blair Account
There are also other resources on the AHS site, like articles and the podcast.
Books:
R. N. DeArmond, editor, Lady Franklin Visits Sitka, Alaska 1870, the Journal of Sophia Cracroft, Sir John Franklin’s Niece (Anchorage: Alaska Historical Society, 1981) which has a key to the Transfer map (the complete key or inventory is part of the official report, above), as well as her niece’s observations, and an 1870 census by the Army
Robert N. DeArmond and Richard A. Pierce, The USS Saginaw in Alaska Waters, 1867-68 (Kingston, Ontario and Fairbanks, Alaska: Limestone Press, 1997- especially the parts about the shelling of Kake. This book has the chilling account by a young midshipman of the destruction.
An Army Doctor’s Wife on the Frontier: The Letters of Emily McCorkle FitzGerald from Alaska and the Far West, 1874-78 (University of Nebraska Press 1986), Includes her account of the Nez Perce War, which is where many of the Army personnel went after Sitka, to Fort Lapwai.
Kahtahah, by Frances Lackey Paul (Alaska Northwest Books, 1976) which is out of print but not hard to get. It is by Frances Lackey Paul, but the book is the stories of Tillie Paul Tamaree (her mother in law). Tillie Paul was a remarkable woman with a remarkable life story, and it’s all here. Her adopted father was an important clan leader, and she grew up traditionally, but then lived with missionaries and became one herself. Her son was William Paul, a Tlingit lawyer who fought for land claims.
Posted in Alaska History | Tagged 1867, Alaska, history, october 18, Sitka, treaty of cession | 2 Comments »
The 2021 Outer Coast Calendar is now available from my website, www.theoutercoast.com, at stores in Sitka, and at bookstores in Alaska and a few select places in the North West.
The Outer Coast calendar, Sitka note cards, and original art are also great gifts, and I can mail directly, with a note, and even with gift wrap if you desire.
Here is a coupon code for 10% off your order: COAST
I am also at the Alaska Public Market On Line! This is a great way to support artisans and craftspeople in these crazy times!
I also have original wood engraving prints which I can mat and frame, a gift wrap option, and notecards, sold as singles and as sets. And, you can now also buy an 8 x 10 reproduction of any of the watercolor pictures, just contact me through the website or comment on this blog.
Calendars are printed in color on heavy, vellum-surface Natural colored paper by Alaska Litho in Juneau, Alaska U.S.A.
This calendar features my original art (and this year, one by my brother James), poetry by Alaskans and other greats, gardening reminders for southeastern Alaska, and wilderness anniversaries. It opens out to 11 x 17 inches (8 1/2 by 11 closed), has a handy hole for hanging, and, has complete year of 2022 on the last page. The price is $15 but there are discounts starting at two.
This year’s calendar is built around the theme of falling forward into life.
Poetry includes lines from Issa, Whitman, Emerson and Shakespeare.
This calendar also features work by Alaska writer John Straley, novelist and poet, and beautiful, new work by Caroline Goodwin.
Posted in My Art | Tagged Alaska, art, calendar 2021, Caroline Goodwin, John Straley, nature, poetry, Sitka, The Outer Coast, watercolor, wood engraving | Leave a Comment »
Directed by W. T. McRae. I designed and built this with the Best. Crew. Ever. Performed at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
My design, also at Sitka’s Performing Arts Center. Again had stellar crew, all community volunteers. Lighting design by J Bradley!
This was also at Sitka’s Performing Arts Center. Did this in pretty short order, using as much as we could pieces from 9 to 5 – the Xerox machine is now the kitchen sink, and the “bed” from Once Upon a Mattress is transformed into the kitchen stove. That’s a real refrigerator, but we gave it the Avocado Green treatment. Created by community volunteers and the Sitka High School Drama class, directed and taught by Christian Litten.
Photos is with the upstage curtain open, right after I finished touching up the paint. It was closed for the show.
Posted in Arts Education, My Art, Theater | Tagged 9 to 5, Fuddy Meers, Oklahoma!, Sitka Fine Arts Camp Musical Theater Camp | Leave a Comment »
Sitka Art Blog 