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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44116 ***
+
+  A HISTORY
+  OF THE
+  NINTH REGIMENT
+  ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
+
+  BY THE CHAPLAIN,
+  MARION MORRISON.
+
+  MONMOUTH, ILLS.:
+  JOHN S. CLARK, PRINTER.
+  1864.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+In this sketch of the military career of the 9th Ill. Vol. Inft., my
+object has been, to present the facts connected with its organization,
+and its connection with the various battle-scenes through which it has
+passed. I have entered upon the compilation of these facts with some
+degree of hesitation. I have thrown it into the present shape, only on
+the earnest solicitation of a number of the officers and men of the
+Regiment. Originally nothing more was contemplated than a newspaper
+sketch. It was thought that even the prominent facts in the Regiment's
+history, could not be given in such an article, without making it so
+long that publishers would not wish to insert it in their papers, or
+the readers of such papers be willing to read it.
+
+It has been the writer's aim, not only to give the facts connected with
+the various battles in which the Regiment has been engaged, but to
+narrate many incidents on marches and scouts, both of a general and
+individual character. Often these incidents will throw more light upon
+the real workings of soldier life, than accounts of great battles.
+
+I am indebted for most of the facts connected with the marches and
+battles of the Regiment, to the kindness of Adjutant Klock. Most of the
+incidents I have gathered from the officers and men in the Regiment.
+Much dependence had to be put in these, since the writer has only been
+with the Regiment from the first of September, 1863.
+
+It was felt to be due the Regiment, that a sketch of this kind be
+prepared. It has never had a correspondent to herald its deeds of
+daring in the news of the day, as many other regiments have. Hence,
+although it has performed a great amount of hard and very valuable
+service, still it has but seldom been noticed in the papers. Let
+justice be done. Nothing more.
+
+If I can but succeed in putting together the substantial facts in the
+History of this Regiment, so that they can be preserved by the boys, in
+a convenient form for reference, and afford material to aid the future
+historian in making up the history of this war, I will have
+accomplished the object I have in view.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+    _Cause of the Rebellion--Measures taken by the leaders to
+    deceive the masses--James Buchanan--Lincoln's journey to
+    Washington, and entering upon his duties--Call for 75,000
+    Volunteers--Organization of 9th Ill.--Roster of officers--Six
+    Regiments organized in Illinois--Nature of "Three months'
+    service"--Kentucky neutrality--Scouting--Incidents--When
+    mustered out--Reorganization._
+
+
+Every lover of his country will remember, with peculiar emotions, the
+events of the Winter and Spring of 1861. On the election of Abraham
+Lincoln to the position of President of the United States, in the
+autumn of 1860, the Southern portion of our once peaceful and happy
+country were indignant at the result. They had so long been accustomed
+to have everything their own way, so far as President-making was
+concerned, that they could not endure the thought of being superceded
+in their favorite work. For years they had elected Presidents who were
+either Southern men, or Northern men whose views agreed with their own
+on the great question at issue with them--Slavery. Now that a Northern
+man was elected to the Presidency, who, it was known, would use his
+constitutional powers to check the spread of that ruinous system, they
+were determined not to suffer it. Loud talkings of secession from the
+Union, spread rapidly throughout the South.
+
+The leaders in this wicked rebellion did not allow the mass of the
+people to know the exact position which the newly elected President had
+taken, and the policy he would pursue with reference to the slavery
+question. If they had, we would never have heard of the rebellion now
+raging in our land. Their watchword was, that whenever he would enter
+upon the duties of his office, he would at once take measures to have
+the slaves set free throughout the entire South; that slaves would
+everywhere be stirred up to insurrection. Thus the leaders aroused the
+minds of the masses, and prepared them for the terrible ruin into which
+they were about to plunge them.
+
+During the Fall after the election of the present President, it was my
+privilege to meet with a citizen of Mississippi, who was visiting
+Illinois on matters of business. He had spent two or three weeks in
+Springfield and vicinity, attending to that business. Speaking of the
+state of feeling existing in his State, and contrasting that with the
+feelings manifested in Illinois, he said, "I would give half I am
+worth, if the people of the South could only see and know what I have
+seen and learned since I have been in Illinois." He had had an
+interview with the President elect; had made the acquaintance of many
+of his prominent friends; and had become fully satisfied that he,
+together with the mass of the people South, was entirely mistaken as to
+the position which the incoming administration would occupy on the
+question of slavery. "Why, sir, if my fellow citizens could only see
+things as I now see them, there would be no difficulty. If they could
+only be convinced that the incoming Administration would not interfere
+with the system of slavery as it exists in the slave States, but were
+only opposed to its further extension, there would be no further
+difficulty. But," says he, "I cannot hope to see that state of feeling
+now produced. If I should go home and tell them what I have seen and
+what I have heard, my life would be in danger. I would be denounced as
+an abolitionist. My friends dissuaded me from making the journey to
+this State. 'If you go to Illinois you will be mobbed.' I feared the
+result myself, but my business was urgent. I am agreeably surprised to
+find that here a man can express his opinions on this vexed question,
+with perfect safety." This Southern man expressed himself thus, on the
+eve of this rebellion, with tears in his eyes.
+
+But time passed. The leaders in this rebellion were making Herculean
+efforts to be prepared for the crisis. James Buchanan occupied the
+Presidential chair. He was just the instrument they needed in that
+position. His heart was with them. Most of the Cabinet he had gathered
+around him, were notorious traitors, and ready to resort to any means
+to carry out their wicked ends. Hence they robbed the government of its
+treasures, its arms, and its fortifications. During the Winter, one
+State after another passed acts of secession, and he looked quietly on,
+but made no demonstration towards stopping it. Armed forces were
+gathering in the various seceding States. Fort Sumter was still in
+possession of the government. Fortifications were erected in Charleston
+harbor to reduce it. Its few inmates were in a starving condition. No
+supplies were sent them.
+
+The term of office of James Buchanan expires. The President elect
+enters upon his journey from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington,
+D. C. He leaves his home, feeling fully aware of the great work before
+him. He is satisfied that without Divine aid he will be unable to meet
+the crisis. Hence, on taking his departure, while standing upon the
+steps of the cars, he asks the friends he was leaving behind, to seek
+that aid on his behalf. A plot is laid for his assassination, in the
+City of Baltimore. But that Providence, whose aid he desired, revealed
+the plot, and he is enabled to reach Washington, on an extra train and
+at an hour unexpected. At the proper time he is duly initiated into his
+office. He looks around and sees the sad condition of the affairs of
+State. He firmly grasps the helm, however. Although the ship of state
+is in a leaky condition; although many a plank was torn off; although
+many were still in it ready to strike other leaks; although but little
+money with which to repair it; still he takes firm hold. He gathers
+around him, as counselors and co-workers, those in whom he could place
+confidence. Every exertion which could possibly be made, is made, to
+set things "to rights" again.
+
+It is not long until Fort Sumter is fired upon by the enemies of their
+country. The roar of the cannon, whose balls shattered the walls of
+that Fort, echoed throughout the land and aroused an indignant people
+to arms. In the meantime the President calls for 75,000 volunteers to
+enter the service for three months. He has been blamed for calling for
+so few, and for so short a time. That call, however, doubtless saved
+the capital of our nation, which was then sorely beleagured.
+
+In compliance with this call, the State of Illinois furnished six
+regiments for the "three months' service." That call was made on the
+15th day of April, 1861. The county of St. Clair promptly sent six
+companies; the county of Madison three companies, and the county of
+Montgomery one company. They rendezvoused at Springfield, Illinois, on
+the 23d day of April, 1861, and were organized and mustered into the
+service on the 25th of the same month. It was the third regiment
+organized in Illinois, and was numbered as the 9th Regt. Ill. Vol.
+Inft.
+
+The roster of officers of companies, as reported, is as follows:
+
+  Company A.--Aug. Mersy,          Captain.
+     "    " --Jacob Kercher,       1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --Birt Affleck,        2d Lieutenant.
+  Company B.--Rodolphus Beckier,   Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Ledergarber,   1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --H. Clay Hay,         2d Lieutenant.
+  Company C.--I. F. Tiedeman,      Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Conner,        1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --Hamilton Lieber,     2d Lieutenant.
+  Company D.--Alexander G. Hawes,  Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Cox,           1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " -- ---- Roman,         2d Lieutenant.
+  Company E.-- ---- Catine,        Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Scheitlier,    1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " -- ---- Scheminger,    2d Lieutenant.
+  Company F.--Van Cleve,           Captain.
+     "    " --Loren Webb,          1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --Geo. Adams,          2d Lieutenant.
+  Company G.-- ---- Tucker,        Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Davis,         1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " -- ---- Ash,           2d Lieutenant.
+  Company H.--Jesse J. Phillips,   Captain.
+     "    " --John W. Kitchell,    1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --Wm. F. Armstrong,    2d Lieutenant.
+  Company I.--Jos. G. Robinson,    Captain.
+     "    " --Thos. J. Newsham,    1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " -- ---- Gerly,         2d Lieutenant.
+  Company K.--John H. Kuhn,        Captain.
+     "    " -- ---- Shutterer,     1st Lieutenant.
+     "    " --Emil Adam,           2d Lieutenant.
+
+An election for field officers was held on the organization of the
+Regiment, which resulted in the choice of--
+
+  ELEAZER A. PAINE,       Colonel.
+  AUGUST MERSY,           Lt. Colonel.
+  JESSE J. PHILLIPS,      Major.
+
+The following were appointed staff officers:
+
+  Dr. Bell, of Springfield,         Surgeon.
+  Dr. S. M. Hamilton, of Monmouth,  Assistant Surgeon.
+  John W. Kitchell,                 Adjutant.
+  ---- Davis,                       Quarter Master.
+  J. J. Ferree,                     Chaplain.
+
+No sooner was the Regiment fully organized, than it was called to duty.
+The Rebels were evidently making their arrangements to take possession
+of, and occupy Cairo, Ill. They saw at once, if they could do this,
+they would be able to cut off all communication between the Ohio and
+Mississippi rivers. They would thus occupy a position from which they
+would be able, not only to command these rivers, but to make inroads
+into the State of Illinois. They contemplated making their
+battle-grounds on Northern soil. It did not at all enter into their
+original plans, to wage this war upon the sacred soil of the South.
+Their soldiers were promised the privilege of sacking Northern cities,
+and overrunning Northern States. But promptly the government took
+possession of Cairo, and thus saved Illinois from the invasion of the
+enemy. While the Border Free States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and
+Iowa have suffered from Rebel raids, more or less, Illinois has thus
+far escaped.
+
+To carry out this design of occupying Cairo, ere the enemy got
+possession of it, orders were issued on the 30th of April, 1861, to the
+9th Regt. Ill. Inft., to report at Cairo, Ill. It arrived at that point
+May 1st, 1861, at 9 A. M. It was the third Regiment on the ground at
+Cairo.
+
+The first six regiments from Illinois, that were organized under that
+call of the President, were:
+
+   7th Regiment, Colonel Cooke     Commanding.
+   8th     "        "    Oglesby       "
+   9th     "        "    Paine         "
+  10th     "        "    Prentiss      "
+  11th     "        "    Wallace       "
+  12th     "        "    McArthur      "
+
+These regiments were distributed as follows: The 7th Regiment was
+ordered to Alton, Ill.; the 8th, 9th and 10th to Cairo, Ill.; the 11th
+to Villa Ridge, Ill.; the 12th to Casey's Station, on the O. & M. R. R.
+
+At an election which was held for a Brig. General to take the command
+of the above regiments, B. M. Prentiss was elected. His "Head Quarters"
+were at Cairo, Ill.
+
+After the Regiment arrived at Cairo, Ill., Lieut. Conner, of Co. C,
+resigned. Sergt. W. C. Kneffner, of Co. D, was elected as 1st Lieut. of
+Co. C, and commissioned by the Governor. Jacob Kircher was commissioned
+as Captain of Co. A, and J. W. Kitchell as Captain of Co. H.
+
+After the election of J. W. Kitchell as Captain of Co. H, 1st Lieut.
+Thos. J. Newsham was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment.
+
+The Regiment remained on duty at Cairo during the term of service for
+which they were called out.
+
+Many of the soldiers, supposing that they would be furnished with
+clothing by the government, took very little clothing with them, and
+that of the most ordinary kind, thinking that when they should draw
+clothing they could not take care of what they took with them. The
+result was, that many of them had no change of clothing for the three
+months they were in the service. They had no regular uniform. Some of
+the companies were clothed with such a uniform as they had selected and
+supplied for themselves. When the Regiment arrived in Cairo, no
+provision was made for them in the way of tents. War was a new thing
+then, and the Quartermaster and Commissary stores were not always
+ready to be drawn upon at a moment's warning. The supply of rations
+was, at times, very irregular. The men had not been accustomed to
+making themselves comfortable in camp; consequently they sometimes
+found it pretty hard living. After they had been there a few days, it
+was determined to go into camp on the edge of the Mississippi river,
+between the town and the river. The camping ground was covered with
+very large trees of drift-wood. These must be cleared off. No details
+for fatigue duty were made; but Col. Paine, taking hold along with the
+rest, said "Come, boys, we must red these logs off, and clear up this
+ground." And at it they went, and after a time they had the logs all
+cleared away, the stumps burnt out, and a pretty respectable camping
+ground prepared. Much hard service was endured during these three
+months. Although no fighting was necessary, yet some of the soldiers
+who were with the Regiment then, and are with it still, speak of those
+three months as the hardest part of their military life. The duty
+consisted principally in working on the fortifications, and guard duty.
+This was very onerous.
+
+To make it harder on the boys, they were poorly provided with food and
+clothing. Little or no provision was made for blankets. Many of them,
+if they got their shirts washed, had to take them off and go without
+while it was being done. If they did this, they were immediately
+attacked by a powerful and numerous enemy, in the shape of mosquitoes.
+While the rebels like to attack and surprise our boys, when clothed
+with new uniforms, this numerous army prefer to make the attack when
+our soldiers are entirely stripped of their coats and their shirts.
+
+During the time the Regiment was in camp at Cairo, Kentucky was
+pursuing that policy which proved so ruinous to her. She was attempting
+to enforce a strict _neutrality_ with reference to the war. Parties
+were organized. No efforts were made to prevent disloyal men from
+organizing companies, and committing hostilities. The State was soon
+filled with rebels against the government. Several scouting parties
+were sent from Cairo into Kentucky for the purpose of scattering those
+parties and watching their movements. In most of these, the 9th Ill.
+Inft., was represented by detachments.
+
+In July, an expedition which was under command of Col. J. J. Morgan of
+the 10th Ill., and which consisted of twelve companies, and one section
+of artillery, was sent to Indian Creek, Mo., to break up an
+organization of Rebels encamped at that place. The expedition was made
+up of detachments from each of the regiments in camp at Cairo at that
+time. The 9th Ill. was represented by Companies C and H.
+
+The Rebels prowled about in Missouri and Kentucky, and there were
+frequent rumors of attacks to be made upon Cairo. But the three months
+rolled past without any attack.
+
+There are some incidents that occurred during this period, worthy of
+notice here. One of them occurred with our present highly esteemed
+Surgeon, Dr. Guilick. He was then a private in the Regiment. One day he
+was stationed to guard a powder magazine. It was an important post. The
+Dr. had served in the army in Germany. He knew a picket should never
+leave his post until relieved from duty. The rule for picket, is two
+hours on duty and four off, during the twenty-four. The first two hours
+passed away, no relief came. Two hours more passed. He supposed that
+surely at that change he would be relieved. Still no relief came.
+Another two hours passed. Still no relief. Relief-hour after
+relief-hour passed. But no relief for the Dr. He began to feel the need
+of his dinner, but no relief came, and he stuck to his powder. That
+article was an important item in warfare, and he was determined to
+guard it. Night was drawing near; still no relief. Its quiet hours
+passed by, and still no relief came. The morning dawned, and there it
+beheld the Dr. tramping faithfully his beat, wondering, I suppose, if
+there was _no relief_. The twenty-four hours rolled round, and the Dr.
+was there still, having had nothing to eat and nothing to drink.
+Another thing which caused the time to pass heavily with him, like
+almost all Germans, in fact almost all soldiers, he was very fond of
+his pipe. But there was the powder he was guarding, and it was not safe
+to have fire near it. At the end of the twenty-four hours he was
+relieved. Our worthy Dr. has been with the Regiment ever since. He is
+still faithful to his post. He still carries out his tenacity in
+sticking to his post until relieved. There is only one thing, so far as
+I know, that will cause the Dr. to abandon his proper post. When the
+Regiment is engaged in battle, unless there is immediate need for him
+in the rear to care for the wounded, he will leave his post, as a
+non-combatant, and seeking some position in the advance, he is seen
+deliberately firing away at the enemy with his revolver. If there is a
+man wounded he hastens to the rear to attend to him. That done, and he
+is off again to his firing-post.
+
+Another incident. I think it occurred during the three months' service.
+At any rate it was during some scout. The camp was in an old cornfield,
+on a hill-side. The only place the boys could well lay was in the
+hollows between the corn rows. Col. Phillips (then Major) made his bed
+between two corn rows. He laid one gum blanket underneath him, and
+another over him. As it was beginning to rain, he covered his face
+with his gum blanket, gathering it carefully under his head. During the
+night it rained heavily; but the Major slept on. When he awoke in the
+morning and attempted to uncover his head, the first attempt to remove
+the blanket failed. By a more determined effort he succeeded. But oh,
+horrible! The water had run down the furrow, sweeping the mud before
+it. It had been piled up against his head, the blanket keeping him dry.
+But instantly on raising the blanket, rush came mud and water over his
+face and head! If he had only had sense enough to commence uncovering
+at the other end, he might have crept out snug and dry, although the
+water had been pouring down on both sides of him. The Col. has since
+manifested much skill in fighting a retreat with his regiment. But it
+seems he had not yet learned the art of retreating, for he seemed
+determined in spite of all opposition, to go it, head foremost. But he
+conquered, and had the consolation of knowing that his severest wounds
+were in the face; and although naturally very careful of his
+good-looking face, I doubt not he would rather be wounded there than in
+the back. Save a brave man always from being wounded in the back.
+
+Still another incident. Rats had become very abundant in town and
+around the camps. In fact, rats, fleas and mosquitoes were the
+principal enemies with which our boys had then to contend. The side
+walks in town were made of plank. Under these was a beautiful place for
+the rats to run and play. Sergeant Williford (now Captain) was Sergeant
+of the guard in the town one night. That he might have something to do,
+by which he could while away the dull hours of the night, he armed
+himself with an old cavalry sabre and took his position at a point
+where there was a break in the side-walk, there to watch the movements
+of the enemy. They had to pass through this opening, and as one after
+another made his appearance, each met a death blow from the Sergeant's
+sabre. He has now no knowledge of the multitude of the slain, as he
+ceased to count the dead. I know not but that the grand strategy by
+which he here deceived the enemy and the multitudes slain on that
+night, were the beginning of his rise which has resulted in his present
+commanding position.
+
+The Regiment was mustered out of the service on the 25th day of July,
+1861. Because of the aspect of affairs in Missouri, but a small number
+of troops could be sent to Cairo, Ill., to take the place of the six
+regiments from Illinois, whose term of service was about to expire.
+Consequently an application was made by Gen. Prentiss to the
+Commander-in-chief, for permission to re-organize those six regiments
+in the field. This permission was granted; the re-organization of the
+several regiments was perfected, and the regiments recruited. The
+application made to the authorities for this permission was
+telegraphed, and granted in a dispatch from General Scott.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+FROM THE RE-ORGANIZATION TO TIME OF LEAVING PADUCAH.
+
+    _Re-organization--Roster of officers--Drill at Cairo--Change to
+    Paducah--Promotions and assignments to duty--Attack on
+    Saratoga--Reconnoisance towards Columbus by 1st
+    Brigade--Commissions--Reconnoisance towards Fort
+    Henry--Regiment paid--Incidents._
+
+
+As will be seen from the preceding chapter, the 9th Ill. Inft. was
+mustered out of the service on the 25th of July, 1861, and an order
+dispatched from Gen. Scott granting permission to re-organize it. It
+was consequently organized for the three years' service, at Cairo,
+Ill., and mustered into the service for three years, unless sooner
+discharged, on the 28th day of July, 1861. The Regiment reported for
+duty on the same day to Brig. General B. M. Prentiss, commanding the
+forces at Cairo, Ill.
+
+The field, staff, and line officers were "mustered in" as follows:
+
+  Colonel--E. A. Paine,                      July 26th, 1861.
+  Lieut. Col.--Aug. Mersy,                     "    "     "
+  Major.--Jesse J. Phillips,                   "    "     "
+  Surgeon.--S. M. Hamilton,                    "    "     "
+  Assistant Surgeon.--Emil Guelick,            "    "     "
+  Adjutant.--Thos. J. Newsham,                 "    "     "
+  Regt. Quartermaster.--Wm. G. Pinckard,     Aug. 26th, 1861.
+  Chaplain.--James J. Ferree,                July 26th,   "
+  Co. A.--Captain, John H. Kuhn,               "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Emil Adam,           "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, E. J. Weyrich,        "    "     "
+  Co. B.--Captain, Wm. C. Kneffner,            "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Hamilton Lieber,     "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Fred. Vogler,         "    "     "
+  Co. C.--Captain, D. F. Tiedeman,             "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Oscar Rollmann,      "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Chas. Schevir,        "    "     "
+  Co. D.--Captain, Rodolph Beckier,            "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Edward Krebbs,     Aug. 10th,   "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Wm. Bohlen,           "    "     "
+  Co. E.--Captain, Alex. G. Hawes,           July 26th, 1861.
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Wm. D. Craig,      Aug. 6th,    "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, R. B. Patterson,    July 26th,   "
+  Co. F.--Captain, Loren Webb,                 "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Wm. Britt,           "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Geo. W. Williford,    "    "     "
+  Co. G.--Captain, Edgar M. Lowe,              "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, John S. Sutten,      "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Isaac Clements,       "    "     "
+  Co. H.--Captain, Wm. F. Armstrong,           "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Cy. H. Gillmore,     "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Alfred Cowgill,       "    "     "
+  Co. I.--Captain, Jas. G. Robinson,           "    "     "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, Wm. Purviance,     July 31st,   "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant. S. T. Hughes,         "    "     "
+  Co. K.--Captain. Geo. B. Poor,             July 26th,   "
+     "  --1st Lieutenant, John L. A. Reeves,   "    "     "
+     "  --2d Lieutenant, Jas. C. McClery,      "    "     "
+
+After the re-organization of the Regiment, it remained at Cairo, Ill.,
+until September 5th, 1861. During this time they were principally
+engaged in doing guard duty and drilling. The great matter was to have
+men well drilled. War was a new occupation to most of them. They were
+men who had been spending their lives quietly at home on their farms,
+behind their counters, in their offices, and among their tools in the
+work-shop. The peaceful walks of life were those they were accustomed
+to tread. When their country was threatened by those who would destroy
+it, at the call of that country, they left those peaceful walks and
+rushed to its defence. It was new work, and they must be trained for
+it. Much patient drill must be passed through. The officers themselves,
+many of them, must learn what a military life is, and how to do its
+work. The men must, day after day, endure the patient drill. They must
+learn the picket's duty, and how to perform it. They must learn that
+while on picket each picket is, for the time being, commander-in-chief
+of his post. When he cries "Halt," his order is law. No Captain; no
+Colonel; no General, dare disobey it, unless he has his pass or can
+give the "countersign." A Corporal in Co. E, once narrated to me his
+first experience in picket duty. He was handling his gun rather
+awkwardly. The officer of the guard came along and reproved him for his
+awkwardness. "Let me have your gun, sir, until I show you how to hold
+it." Anxious to learn every part of a soldier's duty, in all the
+simplicity of his heart, he handed his gun over to the officer. "Now,
+sir, what are you going to do for your gun? Suppose I was the enemy,
+what kind of a fix would you be in?" He at once saw the embarrassment
+of his position. "Did you ever stand picket before?" "No, sir." "On
+that account you are excusable; but on no other. Never give up your gun
+again; no officer, no General has any right to it." It was a wholesome
+lesson. He profited by it. From that time forward, no man ever got his
+gun when on picket.
+
+On the 5th day of September, 1861, the Regiment left Cairo, Ill.,
+embarked on a steamer and moved up the Ohio River to Paducah, Ky. Here
+it occupied the advance position on the Columbus road.
+
+Col. E. A. Paine was promoted to be Brigadier General, September 3d,
+and Lieut. Col. August Mersy being absent, Major Jesse J. Phillips
+assumed command of the Regiment.
+
+On the 8th day of September, 1861, Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith relieved
+Brig. Gen. Paine of the command at Paducah, and Lieut. Col. Mersy
+returned and relieved Major Phillips of the command of the Regiment.
+
+Adjutant Newsham was detached as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, and
+Quartermaster Pinckard as Acting Assistant Quartermaster.
+
+About the 20th of September, Brig. Gen. Paine was assigned to the
+command of the 1st Brigade. This Brigade consisted of the following
+regiments: 9th Ill. Inft., 12th Ill. Inft., 40th Ill. Inft., 41st Ill.
+Inft., Buel's Battery, and Thielmann's Independent Cavalry Battalion.
+Lieut. Adam, of Co. A, 9th Regt., was detached as Act. Assist. Adj.
+Gen. of the 1st Brigade.
+
+On the 3d day of October, 1861, Adjutant Nusham was promoted to be
+Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, and assigned to duty on Gen.
+Smith's staff.
+
+By this time the boys were getting anxious for a fight. To use a common
+expression, they were "spoiling for a fight." They felt that now they
+were ready to fight with and conquer the whole South. On October 15th,
+1861, a portion of the Regiment had an opportunity to try their pluck.
+Major Phillips, with Companies B, H, and I, filled to their maximum by
+details from other companies, with Lieut. Patterson as aid to
+commanding officer, moved up the Cumberland River above Eddyville,
+where they disembarked. It was ascertained that a detachment of 300
+rebel cavalry were in camp at Saratoga. Major Phillips moved upon them,
+surprised and completely routed them; killing from 10 to 15, wounding
+from 25 to 30, and capturing 20. Major Phillips' detachment had Capt.
+Kneffner slightly wounded, and Corporal Greblig of Co. B, and private
+Gatewood of Co. K, severely wounded. It returned to camp on the 16th
+of October, bringing in the prisoners and a large amount of captured
+property.
+
+First Lieutenant John L. A. Reeves, of Co. K, resigned, and his
+resignation was accepted October 2d, 1861.
+
+On the 6th day of November, 1861, the 1st Brigade, Brig. General Paine
+commanding, moved on the Columbus road to Mayfield Creek, and
+bivouacked for the night. The next day they moved forward to Milburn,
+Ky., 31 miles from Paducah, and 11 miles from Columbus, bivouacked
+there for the night, and commenced the return march by daylight on the
+8th. Reached camp at Paducah by 2 P. M., of the 9th. This was about the
+first heavy marching the boys had undergone. It was very fatiguing.
+There was a disposition to straggle. To prevent it, in the 9th, a rear
+guard was appointed, which compelled all to keep their places. This,
+some of the boys who were very tired, no doubt thought to be cruel. But
+the result was, the 9th Regiment came into camp in Paducah in splendid
+order, while the 40th and 41st Ill. Regiments seemed to have lost their
+organization altogether on the return march, and came straggling into
+camp in small squads, during the entire days of the 9th and 10th. Gen.
+Smith issued an order highly commending the 9th for their orderly
+conduct, and condemning those Regiments which returned in such
+disorder. This pleased our boys so much, that they almost forgot their
+heavy marching, and there was no more complaining about rigid
+discipline.
+
+On the 9th of September, 1861, Capt. John H. Kuhn was appointed Provost
+Marshal of Paducah, and his Co. (A) was detached to act as Provost
+Guard.
+
+December 2nd, 1861, commissions arrived as follows: For Lieut. Col.
+Aug. Mersy to be Colonel; Major Jesse J. Phillips to be Lieutenant
+Colonel; Capt. John H. Kuhn to be Major; 1st Lieut. Emil Adam to be
+Captain, and 2d Lieut. E. J. Weyrich to be 1st Lieutenant of Co. A. On
+the 5th of December, Sergeant Scheel, of Co. F, received a commission
+as 2d Lieutenant of Co. A, but was assigned to duty in Co. D, 2d Lieut.
+Bohlen of that Co. having been transferred to Co. A.
+
+Capt. Geo. B. Poor, of Co. K, resigned, and his resignation was
+accepted on the 10th of December. First Lieutenant E. J. Weyrich, of
+Co. A, resigned on the 25th of December.
+
+Capt. Armstrong, of Co. H, was appointed Provost Marshal, to relieve
+Major Kuhn, and his Co. (H) relieved Co. A, as Provost Guard, on the
+6th of December, 1861.
+
+On the 15th of January, 1862, the entire force at Paducah, except the
+40th Ill., moved towards Viola, 13 miles, and bivouacked for the night
+at Hickory Creek. Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith commanded the Division in
+person. Col. McArthur, of the 12th Ill. Inft., was in command of the
+1st Brigade, and Brig. Gen. Lew. Wallace, of the 2d Brigade. The
+Division was about 5,000 strong. On the 15th, moved to Mayfield Creek,
+28 miles from Paducah. On the 17th, the command marched 23 miles to
+Clark's River, and bivouacked for the night on its banks. On the 18th
+and 19th, owing to rain and mud, the command moved a very short
+distance. It reached Calloway Landing, on the Tennessee River, 20 miles
+below Fort Henry, on the 22d of January. Finding no enemy in that
+vicinity, and none nearer than Fort Henry, the command returned to camp
+at Paducah, Ky., arriving there January 25th, 1862. It had marched
+altogether, during the reconnoisance, 125 miles. The most that was
+accomplished, was accustoming the men to hard marches.
+
+Second Lieutenant Wm. Bohlen, resigned, and his resignation was
+accepted on the 31st day of January, 1862. On the same day a commission
+arrived for private Henry H. Klock, of Co. F, to be 1st Lieutenant and
+Adjutant, to rank from October 3d, 1861, the date of Adjutant Newsham's
+promotion.
+
+Major I. N. Cook paid the Regiment up to January 1st, 1862. It had been
+previously paid by Major C. P. E. Johnston, to September 1st, 1861.
+
+During the time the Regiment was in camp at Paducah, some incidents of
+interest occurred. All were longing for an adventure of some kind. The
+routine of camp life was becoming wearisome. One day Major Phillips, of
+the 9th Ill. Inft., and Major McDonald, of the 8th Mo. Inft., rode
+outside the pickets. After they had rode out two or three miles, Major
+McDonald remembered that he had an old acquaintance living ten or
+twelve miles out that road. It was proposed and agreed upon, that they
+would ride out and see him. Before reaching there, they passed where
+the enemy had their picket fires the night before. Things looked
+suspicious. A rebel soldier was seen riding up to a neighboring house.
+They proposed to go and take him. But their friend with whom they
+stopped, insisted on their not doing it, saying that if any fuss
+occurred there, they would burn his house at once, as they were
+threatening him anyhow, because of his Union sentiments. Dinner was
+ready in a short time, and they must stay for dinner. Major Phillips,
+always disposed to watch rebs. closely, proposed to stand picket while
+the rest were eating. He then hurriedly drank a cup of coffee, and they
+mounted their horses and started for camp. In a short time they saw two
+cavalry men riding before them. Taking them to be rebels, they gave
+them chase. Major Phillips, mounted on a splendid horse, soon came
+close on them. Suddenly they checked up, wheeled around, and drew their
+sabres. Before our Major could check his horse, he was close upon them.
+With pistol drawn, he inquired what command they belonged to. The reply
+was, "Thielman's Cavalry." The Major mistook it for Tilman's (Rebel)
+Cavalry. He inquired the second time. The same reply came, and he
+labored under the same mistake. By this time Major McDonald came fairly
+up, and they demanded the surrender of the two men, and they
+surrendered. At this point, they saw a short distance from them, about
+25 men coming towards them. They felt that they were in a close place.
+Says Major McDonald to Phillips, "What shall we do with these two men?
+shoot them?" "No; we will take them with us, and if they don't keep up,
+then we will shoot them," was the reply. Says Major Phillips, "I would
+give a horse to be in Paducah." "Paducah!" says one of the prisoners;
+"we belong there, too. We are Willson's Dragoons." The mistake arose
+from the fact that the Rebels had a band of cavalry, known as Tilman's
+Cavalry, while the Federals had a battalion of cavalry, known as
+Thielman's Cavalry. The prisoners being Germans, the one was mistaken
+for the other. This matter explained, their prisoners were released,
+and they returned to camp. Having reached camp, Major Phillips reported
+to Gen. Smith, when the following interview took place. I give the
+substance:
+
+"General." "Well, Major." "General, having permission to go outside of
+the pickets to-day, I gained some valuable information, which I thought
+the good of the service required that I should report to you." "How
+many men had you, Major?" "General," (afraid to confess there were but
+two,) "Major McDonald was in command of the expedition." "How many men
+had Major McDonald?" "I was with him." "But, sir, how many men did you
+have?" Finding the truth must come, he replied, "The Major commanded
+me, and I commanded him." "Well, sir, you both deserve to be punished,
+and if you had shot those two men, I should have had you both
+cashiered. But as it is, I will let it pass. What is the valuable
+information you have gained?" "I learn, at a certain point, a Rebel
+company is to be organized on to-morrow." "Well, sir, as you are fond
+of adventure, you will take a detachment of forty men, and proceed to
+that point and disperse or capture them." But as the next day was very
+rainy, the expedition was abandoned.
+
+Another incident. Major Phillips and Captain Kuhn rode outside the
+pickets late in the evening. After getting outside the pickets, they
+saw some fresh wagon-tracks. Captain Kuhn, who was then acting Provost
+Marshal, said that there were two wagons, loaded, that went out, of
+which he was suspicious, but that with his instructions he could not
+examine them. They concluded to follow them. They had gone but a short
+distance until the road forked, and there were fresh tracks on each
+road. The Major took one road, and the Captain took the other. The
+Major soon came in sight of them, and pushing on, came up with them. On
+inquiring what they were loaded with, he was told that they were some
+groceries for a store in the country. Things looking suspicious, he
+procured an ax and broke open some of the boxes, and found that it was
+a regular lot of military stores. By this time Captain Kuhn came up,
+and after a little consultation, they concluded to let them go on, and
+told them that all was right, they could go on. They returned
+immediately to town. They had gone out about five miles. On their
+return, the Major again presented himself to General Smith. "General."
+"Well, Major." "General, Captain Kuhn and myself rode outside of the
+pickets, this evening. After getting out a short distance, we saw
+wagon-tracks, which were suspicious. We followed them a few miles and
+came up with them, and I am satisfied they are loaded with goods to
+supply a rebel camp. We did not bring them in, from the fact that the
+Captain's instructions, as Provost Marshal, would not justify him in
+doing it." "Another of your fool-hardy dashes, Major." "Yes, General;
+but I thought the good of the service demanded it." "Well, sir, how
+many men will you have to bring those wagons in to-night?" "Five men,
+General." "Adjutant, make a detail for five men, to report here
+immediately for duty." The men came, and the Major started on his
+expedition. He overtook the wagons, which had been driving on all
+night, and brought them back to Paducah, and turned them over to the
+Quartermaster.
+
+Still another incident. Citizens were frequently coming into town.
+There was not much difficulty in getting in, but they could not go out
+again without a pass. One young fellow from Kentucky, having, as he
+supposed, some of the _noble blood_ in him, said he would not apply for
+a pass. He said the "niggers" had to have passes, and he was not going
+to put himself on an equality with "niggers." So he refused to apply
+for a pass. After staying in town a few days, he made an attempt or two
+to run the pickets, and as a consequence, was put in the guardhouse.
+After staying in town a month or two, the young nobleman was compelled
+to put himself on an equality with the "niggers," and apply for a pass.
+
+Still another. When out on a scout, at a time when every house would be
+guarded as the troops were passing, and not a chicken or goose must be
+touched, the Quartermaster went into a house to purchase some chickens
+for his mess. The woman refused to sell any. "Well," says he, "we must
+have something to eat. If you won't sell your chickens, we will steal
+your geese." "If I sell you some chickens, sir, will you _swear_ that
+you won't steal my geese?" He promised he would. Two or three chickens
+were caught for him, and then the old lady got upon a chair and reached
+down an old Bible for him to swear on, that he would not steal her
+geese. I guess he swore for her, but not very reverendly.
+
+One more incident. Perhaps on the same scout as the above, it was
+suspected that Company K had stolen a goose. Col. Mersy got wind of it.
+He addresses Lieut. Col. Phillips as follows: "Col. Phillips, I tink
+Co. K steal one coose. You take de charge de right wing, while I goes
+to see." The Col. rode off to Co. K, but could find no goose. He
+returned to the command, thinking, I suppose, that Co. K was "all right
+on the goose."
+
+That day is now passed in the army. As our army now marches along, the
+boys weary and suffering for water, there is not a guard stationed at
+every well to prevent their quenching their thirst. When they are
+hungry, if chickens and geese are convenient, they are not interfered
+with if they try to catch them. Often have I seen our boys coming in
+from a scout, many of them having a chicken or a goose swinging at each
+side of their saddle.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+FROM PADUCAH TO PITTSBURG LANDING.
+
+    _Preparations for opening the Cumberland, Tennessee and
+    Mississippi Rivers--Fort Henry taken--Fort Donelson taken--Part
+    taken by 9th Ills., number killed and wounded--List of killed
+    and wounded--Trip to Nashville and back--Incidents._
+
+
+At the opening of the year 1862, it was becoming evident that to crush
+the "hideous monster" rebellion, would require a great effort on the
+part of the government. While our armies were being raised and
+disciplined, the rebels were planting themselves firmly at many points
+in the South-west, as well as the East. Columbus, Island No. 10,
+Memphis, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and other points on the Mississippi
+River, were being strongly fortified. Fort Henry and Fort Donelson were
+fortified, and commanded the entrance of the Cumberland and Tennessee
+Rivers. General Fremont had urged the early occupation of these
+points, before the enemy should fortify them. But for some reason, (I
+suppose a good one on the part of the government,) the enemy were
+allowed to make these points strong-holds. Magnificent preparations
+were making, however, to take possession of these rivers, by the
+government, as great national thoroughfares. Gunboats, floating
+batteries &c., were being built with that view. These were brought to
+bear, early in 1862, on the work of opening the Cumberland and
+Tennessee Rivers, and dislodging the enemy of their strong-holds on
+these rivers. A heavy land force must of course co-operate with the
+fleet. In this work, the 9th Ill. Inft. was destined to act a
+conspicuous part. The material for the greater portion of its history
+is found in the part it has taken in subduing the rebellion in
+Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. At Cairo and at Paducah its work of
+discipline had been carried on until it was well prepared for meeting
+the enemy on the field. It left Paducah, a large and well-drilled
+Regiment.
+
+On the evening of February 4th, 1862, Companies A, B, C, D and E, under
+command of Col. Mersy, struck tents at Paducah, and embarked on board
+the steamer "Wilson," with camp and garrison equipage. This wing of the
+Regiment moved up the Tennessee River the same night, and reported to
+Brig. Gen. John A. McClernand at Brown's Landing. The remainder of the
+Regiment, (except Co. H, Provost Guard,) under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, came up on the steamer "B," on the evening of the 5th
+February. The two wings of the Regiment formed a junction on the left
+bank of the Tennessee River, five miles below Fort Henry, on the night
+of the 5th. They moved up the river towards Fort Heiman, on the 6th,
+reaching and occupying the Fort the same night. Brig. Gen. Smith's
+Division had left Paducah, and passed up the river to this point. They
+did not reach here in time to participate in the engagement. Fort Henry
+was reduced by the gunboats alone, none of the infantry taking part in
+the engagement.
+
+When Fort Henry surrendered, the enemy quartered at Fort Heiman
+evacuated the place, leaving behind them all their camp and garrison
+equipage.
+
+Brig. Gen. Smith's Division was ordered to move across the river and
+garrison Fort Henry, on the 7th. But the heavy rains had swollen the
+Tennessee River to such an extent that it was impossible to reach the
+boats, in order to cross. Hence, a Division already on that side of the
+river was assigned to that duty.
+
+It was the high stage of water, and the consequent difficulty of
+landing, that prevented the land forces from co-operating with the
+gunboats in the attack against Fort Henry. Had they been permitted to
+co-operate as designed, they would have been able to cut off the
+retreat of the enemy, and capture the whole force. This would have
+prevented the reinforcement at Fort Donelson, and made the engagement
+there less sanguinary. But perhaps the victory would not have been any
+more complete than it was.
+
+The enemy that had evacuated Forts Henry and Heiman fell back and
+strengthened Fort Donelson. The next thing in the programme, was to
+reduce Fort Donelson. The gunboats consequently were to descend the
+Tennessee River and ascend the Cumberland, while the land forces would
+march across the country, only twelve miles, and attack in the rear. In
+accordance with this plan, Gen. Smith's Division, still camped on the
+opposite side of the river, on the 12th of February, 1862, crossed the
+river with two days' rations, and no transportation, and moved towards
+Fort Donelson and bivouacked for the night about four miles from that
+place. At 11 o'clock at night, moved forward again, two and a half
+miles further, and bivouacked. At 11, A. M., of the 13th, moved forward
+to support McAllister's Battery, remaining here until 2, P. M. At this
+hour, McArthur's entire Brigade, (the one to which the 9th Ill.
+belonged,) were ordered to the left of McClernand's Division, to
+prevent a flank movement of the enemy on his left. The Brigade remained
+here until night, when it moved one-half mile further to the right.
+Company A, Capt. Adam commanding, was detached at this place, to
+support a battery, and Lieut. R. B. Patterson, of Co. E, was ordered
+with Co. A.
+
+On the evening of the 13th, from having been warm and pleasant when
+they left camp, the weather changed and became extremely cold. Rain,
+sleet and snow fell alternately during the night. No fires were
+allowed. Hence, they suffered much from cold.
+
+At midnight, a heavy volley of musketry was fired in front of Col.
+McArthur's Brigade. We were immediately ordered into line, and moved
+three-quarters of a mile further to the right, occupying a position in
+Gen. McClernand's Division and reporting to him.
+
+The Brigade was moved again on the 14th, to the extreme right of our
+line, reaching that point after dark. The 41st Ill. occupied the
+extreme right, and the 9th Ill. next. At daylight of the 15th, the
+enemy made a furious attack on this part of Gen. McClernand's line. The
+9th and 41st Ill. Regiments moved forward one hundred yards, to a high
+ridge, from which they held the rebel columns in check. The 9th moved
+forward to the ridge in echelon, the 41st in line of battle. At the
+second onslaught of the enemy, the 41st broke and fell back, and the
+12th Ill. promptly occupied their place. The 9th Regiment held its
+position for two and a half hours, when all its supports on the right
+and left giving way, and its ammunition being exhausted, it fell back,
+slowly and in good order. The enemy did not press our front, but moved
+rapidly on our right flank. So rapid was their movement in this
+direction, that twice we were compelled to halt and make demonstrations
+to prevent their charging us. About 11 o'clock, A. M., the Regiment
+passed through the second line of battle, received a new supply of
+ammunition, and moved to the left and rejoined Gen. Smith's Division,
+to which they properly belonged.
+
+On the morning of the 16th, the 9th Regiment was ordered forward to
+complete the work so gallantly begun by the 2d Iowa Inft. on the
+previous day. That Regiment had charged the rebel breastworks, and in
+part taken possession of them. To make another charge, and completely
+drive them out, was the work assigned to the 9th for this day. But
+before the final order to charge was given, the enemy surrendered
+_unconditionally_. The 9th Ill. Inft. and the 2d Iowa Inft. were
+granted the honor of first marching into the outer works of the enemy.
+On entering the works, the 9th Ill. took charge of the following rebel
+regiments: The 14th Mississippi, 32d, 14th and 18th Tennessee, and 2d
+Kentucky, in all about 2,000 men.
+
+The 9th Ill. went into the fight, on the 15th, with about 600 men
+reported for duty. Its loss during the action was, 35 killed on the
+field, 160 wounded, and 6 taken prisoners. Most of those taken
+prisoners were wounded and unable to fall back with the Regiment.
+Companies A and H were not engaged in the fight. Company H had been
+left as Provost Guard at Paducah, and Company A, as mentioned above,
+had been detached on the night of the 13th to support a battery, and
+had not rejoined the Regiment at the time it was engaged.
+
+Among the wounded, were the following officers: Capt. Robinson of Co.
+I, and Capt. Beckier of Co. D, both slightly; 1st Lieuts. Lieber of Co.
+B, Britt of Co. F, and Sutton of Co. G. These were all severely
+wounded. Lieut. Lieber lost his left arm, and Lieut. Sutton was
+disabled for life.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various
+companies:
+
+COMPANY A.--Supporting a battery, lost none.
+
+COMPANY B.--_Killed_, Corp. Lugenbuehler. Corp. Dettweiler, Benkers,
+Jacob Eierkuss, Henry Gonnermann, Henry Hurick, Christian Koch, Albert
+Newmann, Leech. In all 9 killed. _Wounded._--First Lieut. Hamilton
+Lieber, Privates Adolph Aldo, Peter Bauer, John Berger, Charles
+Daehner, Albert Donner, Michael Fath, Joseph Gantner, Paul Geist,
+Sergt. Louis Grieser, Privates Jul. Hoffmann, John Krieger, Charles
+Lobe, Frederick Menne, Louis Messerschmitt, Hermann Moser, Josep
+Oberfell, Simon Pohn, Corp. John Schab, William Schlott, Sergt. John
+Schmidt, Henry Schneider, Anton Schwarzkopf, Frederick Lensel, Henry
+Weber, Daniel Werner, Christian Wickermann, Joseph Cropp. In all 28
+wounded.
+
+COMPANY C.--_Killed_, Lorence Bersig and Heinrich Hillmann.--2.
+_Wounded_, Henry Arndt, George Fichter, John Graus, Christopher Klein,
+John Pietz, Adam Reesh, John Riedel, Adam Lammons, Henry Schmidt,
+William Vogt, Peter Weis, William Miller, and Corp. Charles King. In
+all 13 wounded.
+
+COMPANY D.--Company D had 20 men wounded, including the Captain. The
+most of them were slight wounds, which did not disable the men. Three
+only were dangerously wounded.
+
+COMPANY E.--_Killed_, Privates Cassius C. Atchinson and Jas. Dyer.--2.
+_Wounded_, Corps. John A. Gilmore and Frank M. Tillotson, Privates John
+Beatty, John A. J. Bragg, Russell W. Cool, Wm. Evans, Michael Farley,
+John Fletcher, Dennis C. Frothingham, Jas. B. Gilmore, Simon Hagar,
+Joseph B. Jones, Wm. T. Kelley, John Kemberlin, F. M. Moore, Francis J.
+Murphy, Geo. Snyder, John Till, Wm. G. Triplett, David M. Durham, Geo.
+M. Gilmore. In all 21 wounded.
+
+COMPANY F.--_Killed_, Privates David N. Ashton and Constant Roland.--2
+killed. _Wounded_, 1st Lieut. Wm. Britt, Sergts. Thos. C. Kidd and
+Andrew J. Webster, Corp. Andrew J. White, Privates Geo. M. Campbell, E.
+Carrey, John W. Dye, Wm. M. Ellis, James Getty, James Hicks, Nathan
+Lynch, Geo. McIrish, Eli J. Singleton, Richa Lumpkins, Thos. J.
+Wallace, Frank Wagner, John Rank, Joseph L. Garrett, Harlow Bassett. In
+all 19 wounded. This is not a complete list. There were 23 wounded. The
+records of the company have been destroyed.
+
+COMPANY G.--_Killed_, Benjamin Jacob, Emsley Walker, James Willhelm. In
+all 3 killed. _Wounded_, 1st Lieut. John S. Sutton, N. G. Brown, Wm. B.
+Dubois, Thos. J. Pleasant, Jas. Canton, Jas. E. Mason, Jacob Willhelm,
+John J. White, John A. Stotlan, William J. Higlai, C. C. Akin, Jos. H.
+Watley, John Collin, Jas. M. Brown, and Wm. R. Gore. In all 15 wounded.
+
+COMPANY H.--Absent at Paducah as Provost Guard.
+
+COMPANY I.--_Killed_, James N. Johnson, Augustus Cluge, G. W. Kinder,
+Charles Loymer, David Lain, Alonzo Livingston, Hugh McMahen, John
+McKinney, Charles McDermot, Geo. M. More, Joseph P. Stevenson, David
+Williams. In all 12 killed. _Wounded_, Capt. Joseph G. Robinson, 2d
+Lieut. S. T. Hughs, Sergts. Geo. Woodbury and W. Jarvis, Corps. R. R.
+Swain, John G. Irwin and F. A. Courmon, Privates Wm. Baird, John Baird,
+D. G. Breyfogle, Jas. G. Ballard, Zachariah Burgess, Aaron C. Bordon,
+Jos. Crews, G. W. Clark, Charles Dayton, Emanuel Davis, John Ellett,
+Henry Fitzsimmons, Theodore Fisher, H. Fuller, John Graham, James
+Hawratty, William Helms, David Johnson, David Kyle, Geo. Lent, Geo.
+Lawson, Sam'l Morehead, James Mitchel, Chas. S. Patton, Samuel Read,
+John R. Vanhooser, William Willson. In all 34 wounded.
+
+COMPANY K.--_Killed_, Corp. Walter Walsh, Privates Reuben M. Anderson,
+And. J. Burton, Charles Casebeer, John Emery, Johna. Hazlewood, David
+Newcomb, Jas. Patterson. In all 8 killed. _Wounded_, Sergts. A. J.
+Snider and John Barbour, Corps. Chas. N. Brown, Geo. Lincoln and Samuel
+W. Sloan, Privates Jas. Broadie, Jos. N. Condon, Simon P. Casey, Wm. A.
+Daily, Frank F. Cogles, John Gibson, Albert W. Kimball, Aaron Lipe,
+John Mallory, Albert Mitchell, John Seivers, Wm. Thompson and H. C.
+Ulen. In all 18 wounded.
+
+The desperate struggle in which our Regiment was engaged, and the
+persistence with which the boys fought, may be seen from the list of
+killed and wounded as presented above. Only about 600 went into the
+fight. Of these, 195 were killed and wounded; just about every third
+man.
+
+The boys had, it will be remembered, when they left Fort Heiman on the
+morning of the 12th of February, only two days' rations. They received
+nothing more until the evening of the 15th, after they had been engaged
+in the severe battle of that forenoon. Thus their two days' rations had
+to last them four days. Many of the officers, who had entrusted their
+haversacks to their servants, became separated from those servants, and
+were almost without anything to eat for the last forty-eight hours.
+There was no chance for foraging there. Often now, our Regiment will go
+out on a scout with three days' rations, and live very well on it for
+six or eight days. Such was the battle of Fort Donelson, and the part
+the 9th took in it.
+
+The Regiment remained at Fort Donelson until the 22d of February, when
+the Brigade proceeded up the Cumberland River to Fort Sevier near
+Clarksville, where they disembarked and went into camp on the 25th.
+
+Major Kuhn, formerly Provost Marshal of Paducah, and Co. H of the 9th
+Regiment, his Provost Guard, reported to the Regiment for duty on the
+23d. The Regiment remained in camp here until the 27th, when it
+embarked on board the steamer "Woodford," and proceeded up the river
+to Nashville, Tenn., arriving there on the morning of the 28th. Here it
+remained until March 1st, when it returned to camp at Fort Sevier.
+
+When our forces advanced up the Cumberland River to Clarksville and
+Nashville, they found no enemy to oppose them. After the rebels
+surrendered Fort Donelson, they seemed to be seized with terror. The
+rebel Governor and Legislature fled from Nashville in terror, taking
+with them whatever they could of State property. The writer, being then
+in Illinois, well remembers the public rejoicing there was over the
+result of this victory. There seemed to be a feeling prevailing in the
+North that the "backbone" of the Rebellion was broken, and that we
+would soon have peace. But two years have passed away, (I write this
+sketch on the 16th of February, the anniversary of Fort Donelson's
+surrender,) and, although we have several times since that been cheered
+with the promise that the "backbone" of the Rebellion was broken, still
+it lives. It is said a snake's tail does not die until sunset, even
+though its back may be broken and its head mashed. Perhaps, as the
+rebs. had, at first, a snake for their emblem, this may be the reason
+it is so long dying. Maybe it is only the tail of it that now remains
+alive. When, however, sunset will come, and its tail cease to live, is
+difficult to determine. May it be soon.
+
+Some incidents occurred during this period, worthy of note. During the
+time the Regiment was engaged in battle at Fort Donelson, James Getty,
+of Co. F, aged about 60 years, was observed by Lieut. Williford of his
+Co., to decline laying down to load. He stood, loaded his gun, and
+fired as deliberately as if he had been shooting at a target for a
+wager. The Lieut. told him he had better lay down to load, or he would
+get shot. His reply was, "I reckon I know my business," and again
+raised his gun and deliberately lowered it upon his selected rebel.
+Soon the Lieut. saw him tumble over, and supposing he was killed, went
+to him. But he jumped up, and said he guessed he was not much hurt. He
+was shot in the shoulder, but he gathered up his musket and went to
+firing again. It was not long until another ball struck his
+pocket-book. He had some silver in it. The ball struck a silver half
+dollar, and mashed it up, driving it against his thigh, bruising it
+very much. Two or three buckshot were lodged in him. Still he stood
+firing away at the enemy. I might also say in this connection, that
+this same man, at the battle of Shiloh, when the Regiment ran out of
+ammunition and had to fall back for a new supply, fell in with some
+other Regiment; procured a supply of ammunition from some one, and went
+to fighting again. When that Regiment in turn fell back, he happened
+in with some other one, and there fought. In this way he spent the
+whole of that terrible Sabbath day. When he ceased fighting with any
+company, he was careful to go to the commander of it, and get a
+certificate, stating that he had been fighting with it. When he
+returned to his company in the evening, he had certificates from
+several Captains and one Colonel. He preserved these certificates, so
+that he might show, when he returned to his Regiment, that he had not
+been _straggling_, but _fighting_. He went into the fight on the next
+day, and was shot in the head. From this wound he recovered, but was
+afterwards discharged on account of it.
+
+Another incident. Surgeon Gulick (then Assistant Surgeon) was taken
+prisoner by the "Texan Rangers," while attending to his duties in the
+hospital. He insisted, that being Surgeon, he should not be retained as
+a prisoner; that there were a large number of wounded men under his
+charge, and no one to care for them but himself. The rebels persisted,
+however, in taking him. They told him that they had some wounded men,
+and he must come and attend to them. One of them was leading his horse
+along, taking him back to where their wounded were. He was in the rear
+of a rebel Regiment. The man who led his horse was shot. The Doctor
+does not say _by whom_ he was shot. He put spurs to his horse to make
+his escape. He had to ride through a rebel Regiment. A perfect shower
+of musket balls followed him. To increase his danger, our own soldiers
+supposing him to belong to a party of rebels making a charge, fired
+upon him from the front. He was riding Surgeon Hamilton's horse.
+Strapped to his saddle was a buffalo robe. He had often joked with Dr.
+Hamilton about having that tied on there as a protection when he would
+be making his escape from the enemy. Five balls passed into this robe,
+and were lodged among its folds. The Doctor made his escape; but thinks
+he would never attempt to make another such.
+
+Still another incident, with which the Doctor was connected. After the
+battle at Fort Donelson, he was placed on board a steamer with 275
+wounded men, and shoved out into the river, without any medicine,
+without anything for the men to eat, with no instruments but carpenter
+tools, and in that condition remained for three days. If he attempted
+to take off a limb, he had to use a common cook's knife for a
+dissecting knife, and a carpenter's saw to sever the bone. He had no
+bandages with which to wrap up the wounds, except he take the only
+shirt they had. This truly was a trying position in which to place a
+good surgeon.
+
+Still another. The present color-bearer received a shot in the arm. The
+ball was lodged there. The Doctor cut the ball out, but he would not
+wait to have a bandage put on it, but snatched his musket and rushed to
+the fight again.
+
+One more incident. At the battle of Fort Donelson a soldier of Co. K
+found in the knapsack of a Southern soldier, who had been killed in
+battle, the picture of a beautiful young lady. He carefully preserved
+it. At the battle of Shiloh, this soldier was killed. On examining his
+knapsack, to make the proper inventory of his goods, the Orderly of his
+company found this picture. He remembered the circumstance of its being
+found. He carefully preserved it. It was a great favorite with the boys
+in the company, and received the name of "The Daughter of Co. K." When
+the Regiment was on the march from Corinth to Athens, in November,
+1863, it passed through the town of Pulaski, Tenn. As Lieut. Oats, of
+Co. K, was riding along the streets of Pulaski, he saw a young lady
+standing at the door of one of the residences of the town, whom he at
+once recognized as the original of the picture in possession of Co. K.
+Speaking of the matter to others in the company, they all agreed that
+this was the original. The Lieutenant learned afterwards, to a
+certainty, that it was the same. The picture still remained in his
+possession, until near the last of January, 1864. At the time Gen.
+Roddy's forces made a dash upon our camp, when the Regiment was nearly
+all out, the officers, as well as men, lost everything that was in
+their tents. Among other things, the picture of "The Daughter of Co.
+K," was taken. Its loss is much regretted by the boys.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+FROM BATTLE OF SHILOH TO BATTLE AT CORINTH.
+
+    _Trip up the Tennessee River--Remain on boat--Battle of
+    Shiloh--Losses in this battle--Losses in 9th Regt. Ill.
+    Inft.--List of killed and wounded--Advance upon
+    Corinth--Pursuit--Officers commissioned--Garrison Rienzi._
+
+
+Having ascended the Cumberland River, and ascertained that the enemy
+had evacuated all the prominent points on it, Gen. Grant now marshals
+his forces for a trip up the Tennessee River, hoping from it to reach
+Corinth, where the enemy were strongly fortifying themselves and
+collecting in great number.
+
+The 9th Ill. Inft. was destined to take part in this expedition. Hence,
+it struck tents at Fort Sevier on the 6th March, 1862, and embarked,
+with camp and garrison equipage, on board the steamers "Lady Pike" and
+"Commercial." It moved down the Cumberland River on the morning of the
+7th, and passed Fort Donelson on the 8th, reaching Paducah the same
+evening. It moved up the Tennessee on 10th March, and joined Gen.
+Grant's flotilla six miles above Fort Henry.
+
+The trip up the Tennessee River, with this great army, is described by
+the boys, as grand beyond all description. There were, I believe,
+ninety-five steamboats loaded with soldiers. The weather was beautiful
+and pleasant. Bands of music were playing. Everything that was
+calculated to charm was there. Doubtless very many of this great
+multitude did not realize that in a short time so many of them must
+fall in the deadly conflict. The terrors to come were forgotten in the
+joys and grandeur of the hour.
+
+This fleet, containing a grand army, reached Savannah, Tenn., on the
+12th of March, 1862. Here the boats remained tied up until the 18th of
+March, when we moved up to Pittsburg Landing, disembarked and went into
+camp, one-quarter of a mile from the river, on the 19th. On the 23d,
+our camp was moved one-half mile further back from the river. At this
+point the 81st Ohio, and the 13th and 14th Missouri Infantry, were
+attached to the Brigade. The two latter were afterwards exchanged for
+the 22d Ohio and 66th Illinois Infantry.
+
+On the 1st of April Col. Mersy was ordered to the command of the
+Brigade, in the place of Col. McArthur, who had been placed under
+arrest.
+
+On the morning of the 6th, at daylight, the enemy made a furious attack
+on Gen. Prentiss' Division. The enemy moved forward in echelon by
+Divisions, point foremost, the evident intention being to break, by a
+furious attack, the centre of our line. But in this they did not
+succeed. Gen. Prentiss was compelled, however, to fall back a short
+distance to his supports. Here he gallantly maintained his position for
+a long time.
+
+But my object in this sketch, is not to give an account of this
+terrible battle, but of the part the 9th Illinois took in it.
+
+Our Division was held in reserve, and consequently did not reach the
+field of action until after noon. Col. McArthur had been released from
+arrest, and resumed command of his Brigade. Brig. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace
+relieved Major General Smith of the command of our Division, the latter
+being too unwell to do duty on the field. We were moved to the left of
+Prentiss' Division. On the way the Regiment met with hundreds of
+stragglers hastening in confusion to the sheltering cover of the river
+bank for protection. About fifty of these were pressed into our
+Regiment. Nearly all of them were killed or wounded during the day.
+
+The Regiment held its place in the line for two hours, against a
+vastly superior force of the enemy. The 41st Ill. Inft. was on our
+right, and the 12th Ill. Inft. on our left. The latter Regiment fell
+back three hundred yards, after being exposed to the fire of the enemy
+for over an hour. Thus our left flank was exposed to a flank movement
+of the enemy. Of this they soon took advantage, and poured a murderous
+fire down the ravine which we occupied. After holding this position
+until a new line was formed, three hundred yards in the rear, the
+Regiment fell back hastily behind it. It was not long, however, until
+this line was broken by the terrible assault of the overwhelming forces
+of the enemy. A new line, of immense strength, was finally formed
+one-half mile from the landing. All the available artillery was
+gathered to this point; the victorious advance of the enemy was
+checked, and their masses for the first time during the day recoiled
+before the murderous discharges of grape and canister from one hundred
+iron throats.
+
+Gen. Prentiss' Division not falling back soon enough to this new line,
+were completely surrounded, and compelled to surrender to the enemy.
+The Division numbered about 3,000 men.
+
+After the repulse of the enemy at this point, no further attack was
+made, and night soon closed the conflict of the day. During the night
+the gunboats kept up a constant firing of 64-pound shells among the
+enemy, and finally compelled them to fall back six hundred yards. This
+gave our forces a fine chance to operate in the morning. During the
+night also, some 20,000 fresh troops from Buell's army were ferried
+across the river. Maj. Gen. Wallace's Division, from Crumpt's Landing,
+came up on the left flank of the enemy. So that on the morning of the
+7th we had 20,000 fresh troops on the front of the enemy, our gunboats
+on their right, and Gen. Wallace's Division of 6,000 fresh troops on
+their left flank. The contest was not long. The enemy soon gave way.
+Then began a retreat which finally, at 3, P. M., became a perfect rout,
+as they fled in wild dismay toward their works at Corinth. The
+miserable condition of the roads prevented pursuit for more than half
+of the distance. Hence, we succeeded in capturing only 1,000 prisoners.
+
+The entire Union loss in this engagement was, 1,700 killed, 9,000
+wounded, and 3,800 taken prisoners. The rebel loss was about 2,300
+killed, 12,000 wounded, and 1,000 taken prisoners. Total Union loss,
+14,500. Total rebel loss, 15,800.
+
+Here, in this one battle, were 4,000 American citizens left dead upon
+the battle-field, and 21,000 more wounded. By whom was this terrible
+destruction of life? Had some savage foe invaded our once happy and
+peaceful land? Ah, no! It was the hand of brother against brother;
+fellow-citizen against fellow-citizen! It arose on the one hand, from
+a determination to rivet tighter and tighter the chains of human
+bondage, even at the cost of the overthrow of that government under
+which our country has been so highly prospered; and on the other hand,
+from a determination that so good a government should not be overthrown
+to support any such unhallowed cause. Oh, the sadness of human strife,
+and especially when it arises from a _family quarrel_!
+
+The loss of the 9th Ill. Inft. in this battle, was 61 killed on the
+field and 287 wounded. Among the killed, was Lieut. F. Vogler, of Co.
+B. Among the wounded, were Col. Mersy, Lieut. Col. Phillips, Adjutant
+Klock, Assistant Surgeon Gulick, Captains Adam, Kneffner, Beckier,
+Hawes, Webb, Armstrong and Robinson, and Lieutenants Rollmann, Scheel,
+Williford, Clements, Purviance, McCleery, (mortally,) Lowe and Krebs.
+Lieut. Krebs was severely wounded and taken prisoner.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various
+companies, during this battle:
+
+COMPANY A.--_Killed_, Sergt. Peter Schoppert, Corp. Joseph Brown,
+Privates George Andrea, Henry Glink, Ambrose Lamber and William
+Herrman. In all, 6 killed. _Wounded_, Capt. Emil Adam, Lieut. Oscar
+Rolmann, Sergt. Andrew Bastian, Corps. Anton Hund, Anton Schwertner and
+Henry Burmeister, Privates Friedrich Bremenkamp, Henry Brenner, John
+Baner, Erasmus Fries, Nickolaus Frank, Anton Gaulocher, (afterward
+died,) Ferdinand Hoas, Wm. Holl, Michael Hortweck, James Loehr, Charles
+Miller, Henry Mueller, August Meyer, Jacob Nickolaus, George Schaefer,
+Jacob Wehrli, Martin Weis, Jacob Duttenhoefer, Adam Schalter, Benidiekt
+Stranbinger, William Stahl, George Winter, Christian Rose, Nickolaus
+Vonburg, Friedrich Koch, Theodore Bachlg, Henry Tahncke, Chas. Ribke,
+Michael Braun and Andreas Sehuehman. In all, 36 wounded.
+
+COMPANY B.--_Killed_, Lieut. F. E. Vogler, Sergt. John Schmidt,
+Privates Edward Dettmar, Albert Kineoke, Conrad Maul, John Mesh, Frank
+Scheffer and Henry Weber. In all, 8 killed. _Wounded_, Sergt. John
+Mallmann, Privates Lorenz Ackermann, Joseph Ammon, Mathias Arnold,
+Jacob Bauer, Morand Barrmann, George Betz, Gustar Blank, Joss. Cropp,
+Albert Donner, Frederick Entz, Amald Gerig, Charles Grin, Conrad
+Hellmuth, Gerhard Janssen, Valentin Kadel, August Lopold, Louis Linne,
+Paul Martin, Ignaz Menne, Sabastian Pfister, John Raffel, Peter Reppel,
+George Salz, Henry Schmidt, Jacob Spiess, Philipp Spiess, Corp. Hermann
+Suemnicht, Jacob Sulzer, Daniel Werner, Christ. Wickermann, Ferdinand
+Wisshack, Corp. Augustus Wurmb. In all, 33 wounded.
+
+COMPANY C.--_Killed_, Wm. Klingenberg, John Lamprecht, George Lehr,
+Michael Lehr, Friedrich Lippert, Geo. Luther, Henry Riditer, Sergt.
+Chas. Hahle, Christian Schenk, Wm. Slorch and August Wichard. In all,
+11 killed. _Wounded_, First Lieut. Oscar Rollmann, A. Arramus, Anton
+Becker, Henry Behm, Andrew Benci, Philipp Erbe, Chas. Friedrich, Wm.
+Gaebe, Jacob Haberkorn, John A. Helferich, Frank Helferich, Jacob
+Herpin, Christian Keith, Christian Macdel, Frank Moser, Andrew Nadber,
+Jacob Randall, Antoo Saebert, Charles Schenk, Fred. Scheve, Henry
+Schemph, Peter Schneider, Nicklaus Schouelber, John Spaule, John
+Salzmann, Freiderich Slaab, Henry Vishsel. In all, 27 wounded.
+
+COMPANY D.--_Killed_, Jacob Becker, Charles Geesel, Henry Geesel, Adam
+Loebig, Christian Kahn, Adam Kertz, Jacob Kieps, Philip Laner, Albert
+Scheleberg, Schelz Tert, Wm. Vogelpohl and Henry Vohs. In all, 12
+killed. _Wounded_, Capt. Beckier, Lieuts. Krebs and Scheal, John Baehr,
+Herman Bange, Isiter Bayett, Joseph Beck, Rudolph Bekier, Wm.
+Beeverson, Jos. Ersenhauer, Anlon Garllhoeffner, Fred. Havermann,
+Conrath Heidmann, Chas. Huber, Edward Krebs, William Lieser, Chas.
+Miller, George Metzker, C. Moeninger, C. Roth Roffy, Fried. Scheel, Os.
+Stocker, Bernhard Vogel, and Tweibert Henry. In all, 34 wounded.
+
+COMPANY E.--_Killed_, Sergt. Silas Bunker, Privates John Anson, Frank
+M. Moore, Wm. D. Nevius, James McKenzie, John C. Cadie. In all, 6
+killed. _Wounded_, Corps. Jas. G. Carnahan, Joseph R. Cox, and Philip
+Anderson, Privates Jas. M. Blake, Matthew Bromley, Geo. H. Campbell,
+Chas. Dryden, Michael Furlong, Daniel Hubbard, John W. Hay, Jos. B.
+Jones, Jas. Mahone, Geo. Meyer, Francis J. Murphy, Jesse Mack, John N.
+Shoemaker, Thos. Stalkal, Neal Vestal, Sergt. Lewis C. Bornman,
+Musician Samuel Williams, Wagoner Wm. Minor, Wm. Mock. In all, 22
+wounded.
+
+COMPANY F.--_Killed_, Sergt. And. J. Webster, Corps. Joshua Gear and
+Frank Pothast, Privates Demean McCulloch, John Chantick, Toliver
+Foster, Thos. Cox, Joseph Koontz, Geo. McLeish, Charles Hills, John W.
+Snofpr, Private of the 71st Ohio, name not known. In all, 13 killed.
+_Wounded_, Capt. Webb, Lieut. Geo. Williford, Sergts. Jos. C. Gales and
+R. N. Heinberger, Corp. And. J. White, Privates John B. Choenewith,
+Jas. Rodgers, James Duncan, N. B. Winters, John McCarter, John
+Stutfouth, John H. Lauchly, James Getty, Jos. L. Miller, James Hobbs,
+Wm. T. Miller, John H. Collins, M. N. Fisher, Harlow Bassett, Jas. M.
+Hickman, And. Grudin, Henry Grundin, R. Pimpkins, Geo. W. Warren, John
+M. Ticknor, Marcus Burns. In all, 26 wounded.
+
+COMPANY G.--_Killed_, David Jones, Alpheus Bascum, Jas. Walker, Thos.
+J. Ouly and Wm. H. Bascom. In all, 5 killed. _Wounded_, Lieut. Clemens,
+N. G. Poraine, John B. Russell, E. B. Rhoads, Wm. Hampton, John J.
+White, (afterwards died,) John W. Brown, Wm. L. Brown, N. G. Brown,
+Henry Brown, John J. Zippy, John J. Stripling, Wm. R. Bradley, Wm.
+Addison, Lewis R. Applegate Robert Marshall, Daniel Ryan, Thos.
+Stotlar, A. B. Suttin, W. S. White, John McCord, Lewis Wise, Jun.,
+Allen Edwards, S. P. Hartsell, Charles W. Miller, Bennet Strotlar. In
+all, 26 wounded.
+
+COMPANY H.--_Killed_, Sergt. Francis D. Hubbel, Will. R. Haller, Daniel
+C White, Thos. Wright. In all, 4 killed. _Wounded_, Captain W. F.
+Armstrong, Sergts. Daniel Pentzer and Jacob Miller, Privates Nickolaus
+Keller, Alonzo F. McEwen, Paul Roberts, Jas. W. Osborn, Sidney B.
+Phillips, John Arny, Wm. Boldeman, Dennis Bahon, Chas. Biernbrier, Wm.
+S. Cheeney, Wm. A. Cottingham, Ira G. Dart, John Droesch, Thos. Fry,
+Will. H. Ilsley, Wm. Keep, John B. Livingood, John F. Moore, Patrick
+Mogneham, Layfayette Mason, Jas. S. McGuillion, Edward Nail, George
+Ralph, Francis M. Stickel, Almon D. Simmons, Jos. E. Taulber, Moses H.
+Turner, Patrick Whalen, Erasmus Gaw, Jas. A. Clotpelter, George H. Dry,
+John Salzmann, and Daniel C. Carriker. In all, 36 wounded.
+
+COMPANY I.--_Killed_, Nathan Abbot, John Bass, Reegon Edward, John N.
+Larance and Frederick Swartz. In all, 5 killed. _Wounded_, Captain Jos.
+G. Robinson, 1st Lieutenant Wm. H. Purviance, Sergt. W. W. Jarvis,
+Corp. G. W. Stice, Privates John Baird, Norman Barber, Isaiah Bery, G.
+W. Clark, Thomas C Gillham, Wm. Helms, Thomas Hauskins, John Jaka, S.
+B. Jarvis, Chas. C. Lewis, Albert Mills, Geo. McKinley, Chas. A.
+Redman, John Wilson and Henry Wormyer. In all, 19 wounded.
+
+COMPANY K.--_Killed_, George Sloan, Wm. Foster, Jas. L. Kriddler, Thos.
+Walton. In all, 4 killed. _Wounded_, John Richmond, Samuel W. Sloan,
+Geo. W. Burton, Sen., Geo. W. Burton, Jun., John Burke, Chas. W. Boles,
+Henderson Cogdall, John L. Creed, John Clifford, Wm. A. Carding, Frank
+F. Cogles, John Horn, Thos. J. Hagler, Laro May, Sam'l L. Miller,
+Robert E. Ramsey, Jonathan Stone, and Chas. L. Tomlinson. In all, 18
+wounded.
+
+The terrible conflict which was endured by the 9th Ill. Inft., in this
+battle, will be seen from the number of killed and wounded. There was
+present for duty when the Regiment went into the engagement, 570 men.
+Of these 348 were killed and wounded, and ten were captured. One
+commissioned officer was killed, and 19 wounded. Only four
+commissioned officers were left unhurt. I heard one of the soldiers who
+was present at the time, say, that when they ceased fighting on Sabbath
+evening, there were 70 men in line for duty, out of the whole Regiment.
+It is said that Col. Mersy, when the Regiment was first drawn up in
+line after the battle was over, shed tears, saying, "Vel, vel; dis is
+all dat is left of my little Nint!" It must have been a sad sight to
+see a Regiment, which numbered over 1,000 men when at Paducah a few
+month's previous, cut down to this small number. But such is war.
+
+Such was the battle of Shiloh, and such the part taken in it by the 9th
+Ill. Inft. The writer well remembers the feeling which prevailed in the
+North with reference to it. There was rejoicing over it as a victory.
+Still it was regarded as a dearly bought victory. There was a very
+decided feeling that somebody was at fault. That the rebels had
+completely surprised our army. That our pickets were out but a very
+short distance. Hence, the surprise. Gen. Grant, as chief in command,
+was faulted. It was charged that he was drunk at the time. That he had
+disobeyed orders, and landed his men on the wrong side of the river,
+etc. I heard a citizen of Chicago, not a month ago, say that if Gen.
+Grant had made his appearance in Chicago immediately after the battle
+of Shiloh, he would have been mobbed, such was the feeling of
+indignation.
+
+It is not my province here to write a defense of Gen. Grant. Nor is it
+needed. His own brilliant career since that, has set him right in the
+minds of the people. A man who has captured more prisoners and more
+guns than the world-renowned warrior, Napoleon Bonaparte, certainly
+does not need, at this day, a written defense of his military career.
+Suffice it to say, the officers and men who fought under him, even at
+Shiloh, become restless if a word is said against him.
+
+Immediately after this battle, Gen. Halleck, who had charge of the
+South-Western Department of the army, with his "Head Quarters" at St.
+Louis, left that place for the field of strife and took command of the
+army in person. Expectation was high in the North. It was thought that
+now surely the rebels will be "pushed to the wall." Never since the war
+broke out, has there been such intense anxiety in the North-west, as
+that which filled the public mind during the time which intervened
+between the battle of Shiloh and the evacuation of Corinth. Many hearts
+were sad over friends who fell at Shiloh. Every days' news was
+anxiously awaited, expecting it to bring an account of another terrible
+conflict. The suspense was long and painful. When the news finally came
+that Corinth was ours, but that the enemy had evacuated it, there was
+a feeling of sadness ran through the public mind. They were not
+prepared for that. They were prepared to hear of many slain in the
+effort to take Corinth, but not to hear that the enemy had fled and was
+out of reach.
+
+The 9th Ill. Inft. remained in camp on the battle-ground of Shiloh,
+exposed to all the sickening influences of the nearness of so many dead
+animals, as well as offensive odor arising from the shallow and
+imperfect burial, which necessarily had to be given to so great a
+multitude of dead. In conversation with a citizen from Illinois, who
+visited the battle-ground a week or ten days after the battle, I
+learned from him that the offensive smell of the dead was almost
+insufferable. That, together with the diet upon which the soldiers had
+to live, produced disease to an alarming extent. Here the Regiment
+remained in camp until the 29th of April, over three weeks. On that day
+it removed, with camp and garrison equipage, towards Corinth ten miles,
+and bivouacked. It moved forward again on the 30th, five miles further,
+and went into camp. Here the Regiment had muster and inspection by Col.
+Mersy commanding.
+
+Here Brig. Gen. R. J. Oglesby took command of our Brigade, in place of
+Col. McArthur who was severely wounded in the late battle, Brig. Gen.
+T. A. Davies took command of our Division, in place of Gen. W. H. L.
+Wallace who was mortally wounded.
+
+On the first of May, moved camp five miles further towards Corinth, and
+remained there until the 4th of May. On that day removed to Monterey,
+Miss., and went into camp a little West of that town, and remained
+there until the 8th of May, when another forward movement was made, to
+within seven miles of Corinth, finding no enemy.
+
+The country here is very poor and broken, and water very scarce and
+unfit for use. A great many of the men were sick with the Diarrhea and
+Typhoid Fever. The Regiment remained here until the 14th of May, when
+it moved two miles further in the direction of Corinth.
+
+The Division moved forward again on the 16th, about one mile, and
+formed a line, with Brig. Gen. Hurlbut's Division on our right. On the
+17th, moved forward again one mile, and one-half mile on the 19th. This
+brought our line within two and a-half miles of Corinth, and within
+range of 32-pounder rifled guns. None were fired, however, and the
+plain inference was, that the enemy had none. On the 21st of May, our
+line advanced 400 yards, and again on the 29th 400 yards more. The
+pressure now became so heavy, that the enemy evacuated Corinth, and
+moved Southward toward Okolona.
+
+Thus it will be seen, our army was just one month moving from
+Pittsburg Landing to Corinth, a distance of about thirty miles. Just
+one mile per day. And this after having remained 22 days in camp,
+before leaving the battle-ground. This, too, in pursuit of a fleeing
+enemy. It will be difficult ever to convince the country that this
+great delay was necessary. And yet many military men, who were present,
+regard it as a master-piece of Generalship. The country through which
+this vast army must pass, was entirely uncultivated. No army could have
+subsisted in it, even for a few days. Had our army advanced rapidly,
+they were exposed to a flank movement which would have thrown the enemy
+between them and the river, and cut off, as a natural consequence, our
+supplies. That done, and our whole army would have been at the mercy of
+the enemy. There was certainly great caution. But it was thought it was
+all needed.
+
+When an advance was made, after halting, in an incredibly short time,
+breast-works were thrown up to prepare for an attack. It is amusing,
+even now, to hear the boys laughing at their expertness with the spade.
+They all turned out to be pretty good Irishmen, so far as the use of
+the spade is concerned.
+
+Immediately upon the evacuation of Corinth, Gen. Davies' Division, to
+which the 9th Ill. Inft. belonged, was ordered, with Gen. Pope's army,
+in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The rapidity with which that pursuit
+was prosecuted, will be seen from the following record of our daily
+marches. Is it to be wondered at that they were not overtaken? On the
+first day we moved out five miles, and bivouacked for the night near
+Farmington. Moved forward again on the 31st, three miles, and went into
+camp on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Here we remained in camp until
+the 5th of June.
+
+The following events occurred while in camp here: On the 1st of June
+the Regiment was paid for the months of January, February, March and
+April, 1862.
+
+On the 2d of June commissions arrived as follows: First Lieut. James C.
+McClery, to be Captain Co. K; 2d Lieut. G. G. Low, to be 1st Lieut. Co.
+K; and Sergt. James Oats, to be 2d Lieut. Co. K. Sergeant Mallmann, to
+be 2d Lieut. Co. B; and Sergt. Gottlab, to be 2d Lieut. Co. A.
+
+On the 5th of June we again moved forward, eight miles, and went into
+camp. On the 6th, moved forward and went into camp near Boonville,
+Miss. Here we remained until the 12th of June. General Davies,
+commander of the Division, being absent on sick-leave, General Oglesby
+was in command of the Division; Col. Mersy of the Brigade, and Major
+Kuhn of the Regiment.
+
+On the 12th of June, the Regiment moved on its return towards Corinth,
+fifteen miles, and went into camp. On the 13th, moved again and
+occupied its old camping ground two and a-half miles south of Corinth.
+
+On the 17th of June, Col. Wright, of the 22d Ohio, being senior
+Colonel, relieved Col. Mersy of the command of the Brigade, and Col.
+Mersy went home on sick-leave.
+
+The Regiment remained in camp here until August 16th, 1862. During this
+time the following changes occurred: Captain Webb resigned, and his
+resignation was accepted July 15th, 1862. Lieutenant Purviance, of Co.
+I, was discharged August 16th, for inability from wounds received in
+action at Shiloh.
+
+On the 16th of August, in compliance with orders from Gen. Davies,
+Division commander, the Regiment moved, with camp and garrison
+equipage, to Rienzi, and reported for duty to Brig. Gen. Granger,
+commanding at that place, by whom it was assigned to Col. Schaeffer,
+commanding 2d Brigade.
+
+Regimental Quartermaster, W. G. Pinckard, was promoted to be Captain
+and Assistant Quartermaster, to rank from April 30th, 1862.
+
+There are some incidents during the period covered by this chapter
+worthy of note. During the battle of Shiloh, Lieut. Col. Phillips was
+wounded. It occurred late on Sabbath evening. He says the only time he
+had ever been scared since he has been in the army, was when they were
+carrying him off the battle-field wounded. The thought occurred to him,
+that now there was almost six feet exposed to the fire of the enemy
+instead of one foot, forgetting for the time, that while his body
+occupied an additional space horizontally, it did not occupy so much
+perpendicularly, as when he was on his horse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+FROM THE ATTACK ON CORINTH, OCT. 3D, 1862, UNTIL REGIMENT WAS MOUNTED.
+
+    _Rebels prepare to attack Corinth--Order of battle--Result of
+    the attack on the 3d of October--New line of battle at "White
+    House"--Line at "Battery Robinett"--Slaughter on the 4th of
+    October--Extracts from a Rebel prisoner's journal--List of
+    killed and wounded--Outpost duty._
+
+
+The Rebel leaders were not satisfied that our forces should occupy
+Corinth, uninterruptedly. Hence, in the Fall of 1862 active
+preparations were made by them to attack that place. A heavy force,
+under Generals Price and VanDorn, was fitted up for this purpose. The
+time was drawing near when our boys must endure another of those
+terrible struggles, two of which they had already passed through.
+
+As I have said, the Regiment had been doing outpost duty at Rienzi,
+from the 16th of August until the last of September. On the 20th of
+September, Col. Schaeffer's Brigade, with which our Regiment had been
+temporarily united, moved Northward, leaving the 9th Ill. and the 59th
+Indiana, to hold the place. On the 1st of October the 9th Ill. moved
+toward Corinth, and bivouacked for the night seven miles South of our
+old camp near Corinth. Moved again, on the 2d of October, and came to
+the old familiar camp, at noon. Here we occupied our old position
+again, reporting to General Oglesby, who commanded the Brigade.
+
+On the morning of October 3d, 1862, the Regiment was marched out in its
+proper position for the terrible conflict, The following order will
+show the position it occupied during the fight. It was moved out two
+miles North-west of Corinth, to the old rifle-pits of the rebels. Our
+Brigade was on the left of the 2d Division. The 6th Division was on our
+left. On the right of the 6th Division, was the 3d Brigade of the 2d
+Division, (Col. Baldwin commanding,) which had been temporarily
+attached to that Division. Gen. McArthur commanded the 6th Division;
+Gen. Davies the 2d Division, and Gen. Hamilton the Ohio Division. This
+latter Division was held in reserve. Immediately on our right was the
+1st Brigade of the 2d Division. Such was the position our Brigade
+occupied at the opening of this terrible conflict.
+
+The enemy made their first attack upon Gen. McArthur's Division, which
+was placed immediately upon our left. After a short resistance, Col.
+Baldwin's Brigade, placed on the right of that Division, gave way and
+fell back in confusion. This uncovered and exposed to the enemy our
+left flank. Soon the enemy came through the large gap thus made, and
+attacked us simultaneously in the front and rear. The 81st Ohio, placed
+upon the left of our Brigade, gave way and moved in confusion and
+disorder to the right and rear, followed very soon by the 12th Ill.,
+and then the 9th moved in the same manner.
+
+In attempting to check the too hasty advance of the Rebels, the 9th
+Ill. lost Capt. Britt, killed, and the two Captains Lowe, and
+Lieutenants Hughes and Uleu, together with 53 enlisted men, captured.
+
+Gen. Hackleman's Brigade covered our retreat, and we fell back and
+formed a new line at the "White House." The Brigades occupied the same
+order in this line as in the former one. Here the advance of the enemy
+was checked, until darkness put a stop to the conflict for this day.
+
+During the night our line was drawn back to Battery "Robinett." Just
+before daylight, on the morning of the 4th of October, the enemy
+cheered by their success of yesterday; opened from a four-gun battery,
+on the town, compelling our wounded to leave for safer quarters. A
+General Hospital was established one mile out on the M. & C. R. R.
+where all the wounded were removed. Before they could all be removed,
+one or two of them had been killed by the rebel shells in the
+Tishomingo House. At daylight, the action became general all along our
+lines. The Rebel columns made desperate charges, and were as often
+repulsed.
+
+General Oglesby, commanding our Brigade, was wounded the day previous,
+and Col. Mersy assumed command of the Brigade. Major Kuhn, of our
+Regiment, was also disabled, and Captain Hawes assumed command of the
+Regiment during the fight on the 4th of October.
+
+The slaughter of the enemy, in the efforts to capture "Battery
+Robinett," was terrific. A true picture of the ground, taken ere the
+dead were removed, shows the ground to be literally covered with the
+dead, often lying one upon another.
+
+The struggle lasted until about 10 A. M., when the Rebel line was
+broken, and their whole army retreated in confusion and disorder. Thus
+ended another of those terrible conflicts which have marked the history
+of this war. The conflict was fierce and determined on both sides. Our
+forces were under the command of Gen. Rosecrans. Those of the enemy
+were under Generals Price and VanDorn. It was regarded a matter of
+vital importance, at that time, for our forces to hold that place. The
+importance which the Rebels attached to the work of re-taking it, and
+the desperate struggle they made in order to do it, will be seen from
+some extracts which I will here make from the journal of a Rebel
+prisoner, Lieut. Labruzan, of the 42d Regt. Ala. A copy of his notes,
+taken as the battle progressed, and after he was captured, was obtained
+by some of the boys in our Regiment, and I have thus secured access to
+it. The following extract will show the position the enemy occupied on
+the day before the battle commenced:
+
+    "_Thursday, Oct. 2d._--The bridge finished about 10 o'clock,
+    when we took up the line of march. We marched right in front,
+    which brought our Regt. near the head of the column. Generals
+    VanDorn and Villipigue were ahead about two or three miles. The
+    army here is fully 25,000 men under command of Gen. VanDorn,
+    who outranks Gen. Price. Brig. Gen. Moore commanded our Brigade
+    of five Regiments. Our Division is commanded by Brig. Gen.
+    Manny."
+
+I omit here a portion of his notes as to the march during the day, and
+the manner in which he spent the night of the 2d October. It would be
+interesting to give the whole of this extract from his journal, but it
+would occupy too much space. It would enable us to view that great
+battle from a rebel stand-point. Of the first day of the fight, he
+writes thus:
+
+    "_Friday, Oct. 3d._--Reveille by the bugle at 4 A. M. Were
+    marching by 4 ½. Crossed into Mississippi at 7 A. M. Marched
+    just on the border for some miles. At 6 ½ heard some artillery
+    firing. Three miles ahead, skirmishing, which was kept up until
+    after we crossed the M. & C. R. R., which was at 9 ½ A. M. Saw
+    a Regiment skirmishing in a field just below us. The artillery
+    kept up a constant fire about three times a minute. Our
+    Brigade, under Gen. Moore, marching into the woods, formed, a
+    line of battle, our right resting on the Railroad. We had not
+    waited more than fifteen minutes, when heavy skirmishing was
+    heard about a half mile in front, with steady and increasing
+    cannonading. Two men from each company were detailed to attend
+    to the wounded, &c. We left blankets and knapsacks here. About
+    10 o'clock our Brigade marched forward through a corn-field,
+    and formed into a line within a half mile of the enemy. Heavy
+    firing just in front. Saw a Major who was wounded."
+
+He proceeds, thus to speak of the fight of the 3d; but I will not
+follow him further, on that day. Let us hear him describe the scene of
+the 4th:
+
+    "_Saturday, Oct. 4th._--An awful day. At 4 o'clock, before day,
+    our Brigade was ordered to the left about one-fourth of a mile,
+    and halted, throwing out lines of skirmishers, which kept up a
+    constant fire. A Battery in front of the right of our Regiment
+    opened briskly, and the enemy replied the same. The cannonading
+    was heavy for an hour and a half. Our Regiment lay down close,
+    and stood it nobly. The shell flew thick and fast, cutting off
+    large limbs and filling the air with fragments. Many burst
+    within 20 feet, and the pieces popped within 2 or 3 feet. It
+    was extremely unpleasant, and I prayed for forgiveness of my
+    sins, and made up my mind to go through. Col. Sawier called for
+    volunteers to assist the 2d Texas skirmishers. I volunteered,
+    and took my company. Captain Perkins and Lieutenant Wumson
+    being taken sick directly after the severe bombardment, I had
+    the Co. all the time. I went skirmishing at 7 ½, and returned
+    at 9 ½ o'clock. We got behind trees and logs, and the way the
+    bullets did fly, was unpleasant to see. I think 20 must have
+    passed within a few feet of me, humming prettily. Shells tore
+    off large limbs and splinters. Struck my tree several times. We
+    could only move from tree to tree, and bending low to the
+    ground, while moving. Oh, how anxiously I watched for the
+    bursting of the shells when the heavy roar of the cannon
+    proclaimed their coming. At 9 ½ o'clock I had my skirmishers
+    relieved, by Captain Rouse's Company. Sent my men to their
+    places, and went behind a log with Major Furges. At 10 o'clock,
+    suddenly the fight fairly opened, with heavy volleys of
+    musketry and the double thundering cannon. This was on the
+    right. In a few minutes the left went into action in splendid
+    style. At 10 ¼ o'clock, Col. Rogers came up by us, only saving
+    "Alabama forces." Our Regiment, with the Brigade rose,
+    unmindful of the shell or shot, and moved forward, marching
+    about 250 yards and rising the crest of a hill. The whole of
+    Corinth, with its enormous fortifications, burst upon our view.
+    The U. S. flag was floating over the forts and in town. We were
+    now met by a perfect storm of grape, cannister, cannon balls
+    and Minnie balls. Oh, God! I have never seen the like! The men
+    fell like grass, even here. Giving one tremendous cheer, we
+    dashed to the bottom of the hill on which the fortifications
+    are situated. Here we found every foot of ground covered with
+    large trees and brush, cut down to impede our progress. Looking
+    to the right and left, I saw several Brigades charging at the
+    same time. What a sight was there. I saw men running at full
+    speed, stop suddenly and fall upon their faces, with their
+    brains scattered all around. Others, with legs and arms cut
+    off, shrieking with agony. They fell behind, beside, and within
+    a few feet of me. I gave myself to God, and got ahead of my
+    company. The ground was literally strewed with mangled corpses.
+    One ball passed through my pants, and they cut twigs right by
+    me. It seemed, by holding out my hand I could have caught a
+    dozen. They buzzed and hissed by me in all directions, but I
+    still pushed forward. I seemed to be moving right in the mouth
+    of cannon, for the air was filled with hurling grape and
+    cannister. Ahead was one continuous blaze. I rushed to the
+    ditch of the fort, right between some large cannon. I grappled
+    into it, and half way up the sloping wall. The enemy were only
+    three or four feet from me on the other side, but could not
+    shoot us for fear of having their heads blown off. Our men were
+    in the same predicament. Only 5 or 6 were on the wall, and 30
+    or 40 in and around the ditch. Catesby on the wall by my side.
+    A man within two feet of me, put his head cautiously up, to
+    shoot into the fort. But he suddenly dropped his musket, and
+    his brains were dashed in a stream over my fine coat, which I
+    had in my arms, and on my shirt sleeves. Several were killed
+    here, on top one another, and rolled down the embankment in
+    ghastly heaps. This was done by a Regiment of Yankees coming
+    about 40 yards on our left, after finding us entirely cut off,
+    and firing into us. Several of our men cried "put down the
+    flag," and it was lowered, or shot into the ditch. Oh, we were
+    butchered like dogs, as we were not supported. Some one placed
+    a white handkerchief on Sergeant Buck's musket, and he took it
+    to a port hole. But the Yankees snatched it off and took him
+    prisoner. The men fell 10 at a time. The ditch being full, and
+    finding we had no chance, the survivors tried to save
+    themselves as best they could. I was so far up, I could not get
+    off quickly. I do not recollect of seeing Catesby after this,
+    but think he got off before. I trust in God he has. I and Capt.
+    Foster started together, and the air was literally filled with
+    hissing balls. I got about 20 steps, as quick as I could, about
+    a dozen being killed in that distance. I fell down and
+    scrambled behind a large stump. Just then, I saw poor Foster
+    throw up his hands, and saying "Oh, my God!" jumped about two
+    feet from the ground, falling on his face. The top of his head
+    seemed to cave in, and the blood spouted straight up several
+    feet. I could see men fall as they attempted to run, some with
+    their heads to pieces, and others with the blood streaming from
+    their backs. It was horrible. One poor fellow being almost on
+    me, told me his name, and asked me to take his pocket-book if I
+    escaped and give it to his mother, and tell her that he died a
+    brave man. I asked him if he was a Christian, and told him to
+    pray, which he did, with the cannon thundering a deadly
+    accompaniment. Poor fellow. I forgot his request in the
+    excitement. His legs were literally cut to pieces. As our men
+    returned, the enemy poured in their fire, and I was hardly 30
+    feet from the mouth of the cannon. Minnie balls filled the
+    stump I was behind, and the shells bursted within three feet of
+    me. One was so near it stunned me, and burned my face with
+    powder. The grape-shot hewed large pieces off my stump,
+    gradually wearing it away. I endured the horrors of death here
+    for half an hour, and endeavored to resign myself and prayed.
+    Our troops formed in line in the woods, and advanced a second
+    time to the charge with cheers. They began firing when about
+    half way, and I had to endure it all. I was feigning death. I
+    was right between our own and the enemies fire. In the first
+    charge our men did not fire a gun, but charged across the
+    ditch, and to the very mouth of the cannon, with the bayonet.
+    So also the second charge, but they fired. Thank God, I am
+    unhurt, and I think it was a merciful Providence. Our troops
+    charged by, when I seized a rifle and endeavored to fire it
+    several times, but could not, for the cap was bad. Our boys
+    were shot down like hogs, and could not stand it, and fell back
+    each man for himself. Then the same scene was enacted as
+    before. This time the Yankees charged after them, and as I had
+    no chance at all, and all around me were surrendering, I was
+    compelled to do so, as a rascal threatened to shoot me. I had
+    to give up my sword to him. He demanded my watch also. Took it;
+    but I appealed to an officer, and got it back. I had no means
+    of defending myself for the first time in many years. I cried
+    to see our brave men slaughtered so, and thought where Catesby
+    might be. I have never felt so in all my life. It is now said
+    that our Brigade was never ordered to charge such a place, and
+    that it was a mistake. If so, it was a sad one. Being brought
+    behind the works we found three Regiments drawn up in line, and
+    all of them were fighting our 42d Alabama alone. I helped to
+    carry a wounded man to the Depot, with Lieutenants Marshall,
+    Contra and Preston, they being the only unhurt officers who
+    were prisoners from our Regiment. We and the privates were soon
+    marched to a large house, having a partition for the officers.
+    The men, about 400, in next room. I heard firing again, but I
+    fear we can do nothing. We are treated very politely--more so
+    than I had expected."
+
+Perhaps the reader is now ready to ask what this long extract from a
+secesh officer's journal, has to do with the history of the 9th Ill.
+Inft. Well, it is not very intimately connected with it. But it has
+been preserved by the boys in the Regiment, and all agree that it gives
+a very correct account of that terrible battle. It has, however, this
+connection with our history: It shows the desperate nature of that
+struggle, in which our boys took so active a part. It shows that they
+had a foe to contend with, full of courage and who fought with
+desperation.
+
+It was truly a terrible battle. One officer who was on the ground, told
+me that he at one time thought the rebels would succeed in driving us
+out.
+
+The loss sustained by the 9th Regt. Ill. Inft. in this terrible
+conflict, was 20 killed and 82 wounded. Captain Britt was among the
+killed. The following officers were among the wounded: Major Kuhn,
+Adjt. Klock, Captains Kneffner and Robinson, and Lieutenants Rollmann,
+Williford, Clements and Cowgill. There were 57 captured, including
+Captains E. M. and G. G. Low, and Lieutenants S. T. Hughs and B. L.
+Ulen.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded, in the various
+companies:
+
+COMPANY A.--_Killed_, Charles Gibrich--1. _Wounded_, William
+Kortkamp--1.
+
+COMPANY B.--_Killed_, Joseph Cropp and Jacob Sulzer.--2. _Wounded_,
+Captain Kneffner, Anton Weenstroth, Sergeant John Eichenberger,
+Corporal Louis Fisher, Paul Geist, Ed. Hoffmann, George Jenne,
+Nicholaus Meyer, Jos. Noelsner, George Salz, Daniel Werner, Sergeant
+Augustus Wurmb. In all, 12 wounded.
+
+COMPANY C.--_Killed_, Corporal John Fangemann, and Frederich
+Hugenberg.--2. _Wounded_, 1st Lieutenant Oscar Rollman, 2d Lieut.
+Charles Sheve, Privates John Miller, Peter Schneider, John Frietz,
+Christian Jackob, Christian Maedel, Henry Behm, and Jacob Herpein. In
+all, 9 wounded.
+
+COMPANY D.--_Killed_, Jacob Berthold, Hy. Borchording, John Smith,
+Christ Truting, Louis Truttman. In all, 5 killed. A number were
+slightly wounded--names not given.
+
+COMPANY E.--_Wounded_, Corporal Francis J. Murphy, Privates William T.
+Grimley, Jack L. Stevens, James F. Williams, James Malone, John Lill,
+John Beatty, William P. Kelley, Neal Vestal. In all, 9 wounded.
+
+COMPANY F.--_Killed_, Captain William Britt, Privates John O. Foeshee,
+and Fred. Weggourd. In all, 3 killed. _Wounded_, Sergt. W. C. Hawly,
+Corp. James Fiske, Private William Miller. In all, 3 wounded.
+
+COMPANY G.--_Killed_, Alferd Bartley and John McCord. In all, 2 killed.
+_Wounded_, Lieutenant I. Clements, Henry Brown, James A. Peragin,
+William J. Heglar, Robert Marshall, N. G. Brown. In all, 6 wounded.
+
+COMPANY H.--_Killed_, Sam'l Giesinger, John B. Livingood, Sebastian
+Swendeman. In all, 3 killed. _Wounded_, 1st Lieutenant C. H. Gilmore,
+2d Lieutenant A. Cowgill, James Brady, William S. Boone, Dennis Bahon,
+Charles Biernbrier, William A. Cottingham, Robert Finley, Israel
+Haller, Charles H. Newcomb, George W. Quails, Wm. Reckord, Francis M.
+Stickle, O. W. Boutwell, Venice C. Haller, Ambrose J. Shelton, Jos. W.
+Warren. In all, 17 wounded.
+
+COMPANY I.--_Wounded_, Thomas Pat, William Baird, John Jaka, James
+Lang, Jos. E. Stringer. In all, 5 wounded.
+
+COMPANY K.--_Killed_, James Ulen.--1. _Wounded_, George Myers, Levi
+Gibbs, Henry Stanger, John Burke, Charles W. Boles, Jos N. Coneden,
+Peter Hall, Sam'l C. Ulen, Frank M. Winsted. In all, 9 wounded.
+
+The enemy driven from Corinth, our Regiment was again thrown out on the
+front, a position it had been occupying for some time before the
+battle. On the 8th of October, it moved South to Danville, Miss., and
+on the next day the left wing, Companies K, I, H, G, and F, moved on to
+Rienzi. Col. Mersy took command of all the troops at Rienzi, and Lieut.
+Col. Phillips, who had now rejoined the Regiment, after his severe
+wound at Shiloh, of the forces at Danville. The Regiment, with other
+troops of the 2d Brigade, performed outpost duty at the above named
+places until the 28th of November, 1862, when they returned and went
+into camp at Corinth, Miss.
+
+On the 12th of December, the Regiment moved Southward again, going
+within five miles of Tupelo, Miss., and returned to camp at Corinth on
+the 19th of the same month; Col. Mersy being in command of the 2d
+Brigade, and Lieut. Col. Phillips in command of the Regiment.
+
+On the 2d day of January, 1863, we moved three and a half miles East of
+Monterey, and bivouacked for the night, and returned to camp the next
+day; Gen. Forrest and his command having escaped across the river. The
+Regiment remained in camp until March, not having much duty, except
+guard duty.
+
+During the period embraced in this chapter, some interesting incidents
+occurred. As I mentioned above, the two Captains Low, and Lieutenant
+Hughs, together with a considerable number of privates, were taken
+prisoners. I have given extensive extracts from the journal of a Rebel
+prisoner, showing the horrors of the battle-field. It may not be amiss
+to refer to some things connected with the prison-life of some of our
+boys, who were captured in this battle at Corinth.
+
+The scene, as described by Captain G. G. Low, to the writer, beggars
+description. The horrors of their retreat was terrible. The Captain
+thinks if Napoleon's retreat from Moscow was much more terrible, he
+does not know how it was endured at all. But I shall here allow the
+Captain to speak for himself, by giving extracts from a written
+statement, which he kindly furnished me, of his prison-life:
+
+    "On the morning of the 3d of October, 1862, our Regiment
+    received orders to move early in the morning. We had moved up
+    the day before from Rienzi, to within 2 ½ miles of Corinth. As
+    we approached Corinth, we could occasionally hear the boom of
+    distant cannon. Conjecture was rife as to what it meant, so
+    little did we expect an action. We passed through Corinth, and
+    to the outer works on the West of it. Sometime before we
+    obtained our position behind the rifle-pits, three had been
+    heavy fighting on our left. We took our position here, feeling
+    confident we could hold it against a vastly superior force. The
+    enemy were gradually approaching from the front, and our line
+    was being engaged, when I noticed a panic in my company. I was
+    on the extreme left of our Regiment. Many of my men broke out
+    of the ditch and started back. I ordered every man back to his
+    place. They told me the 12th Ill. and 81st Ohio were running. I
+    told them it mattered not; we would stay there until we were
+    ordered away. I saw a change of front was necessary, and
+    expected to hear the order to change front to rear, on first
+    company. But it did not come. Soon after, I heard the order to
+    move by the right flank; but it was too late. Already the enemy
+    were in our rear. I saw it would be death for my men to attempt
+    to leave their position, and I surrendered with seventeen of my
+    command.
+
+    "We were moved back about three-fourths of a mile. I found
+    that Captain C. M. Lowe and Lieutenant L. T. Hughes of our
+    Regiment, were captured. We were placed under guard at or near
+    a house. Here a woman abused us very much. She insisted that
+    Captain Lowe was the mean Yankee that was there the night
+    before and stole her chickens. The Captain assured her that
+    he had never been there before, and that she must be mistaken.
+    She was certain he was the man, and had it not been for the
+    guard, she would have pitched into him rough-shod. I think she
+    was as hard a specimen of the fair-sex as I have ever seen in
+    the Sunny South; and I have seen many that outraged decency
+    and forever disgraced the name of woman.
+
+    "After the excitement of the battle was over, or rather of the
+    scenes through which we passed that day, we had time to
+    reflect. Here we were, prisoners of war, held by a motley set
+    of human beings that, as far as outward appearances were
+    concerned, would be a disgrace to barbarians. I wondered, "Is
+    this the boasted chivalry of the South, sent out to fight the
+    hated poor men of the North, the '_mud-sills_' and '_greasy
+    mechanics_?'" When I saw my poor boys, dressed in their blue
+    uniform, contrasted with these rag-a-muffins, I felt proud of
+    them.
+
+    "The "Rebs" had great stories to tell us. Bragg had captured
+    Louisville and all Buell's army. Lee had captured Little Mac.
+    and 40,000 prisoners. Governor Gamble, of Missouri, had turned
+    over 40,000 troops, well armed and equipped, to the Southern
+    Confederacy; and they had come with 70,000 men to capture
+    Corinth, and drive Grant out of West Tennessee, and the war
+    would be over in a few days. All were jubilant.
+
+    "At night, we moved in the woods about a mile, and were
+    consoled with a lot of wounded of both armies. About 9 o'clock
+    at night, the news came back that they had captured Corinth,
+    and we would be moved up there in the morning. About this
+    time, Col. Prevene, of a South Carolina Regiment, came to see
+    us, (he was a Mason,) and took Capt. Lowe and myself outside
+    the lines and had a long talk with us. He assured us that
+    Corinth was not taken, and that it would not be; and further,
+    that Gen. VanDorn was (to use his own language) a d--d fool
+    for attacking the place. To-night we had nothing to eat,
+    except a cup of coffee that a Rebel Lieutenant made for us. I
+    furnished the coffee. We passed a restless night.
+
+    "The morning of the 4th dawned, and was ushered in with the
+    boom of heavy cannon. This assured us that the place was not
+    taken, but that they had approached very near it, as we could
+    hear the guns of the forts. The cannonading and musketry was
+    incessant from daylight until about 1 P. M. At that time,
+    orders came to move us back to the rear. We took up our line
+    of march to Dixie. Although we were prisoners in the hands of
+    the enemy, yet we were jubilant. We knew they had been
+    repulsed; that the stars and stripes had again been
+    triumphant; and though we had a prison-life, and even
+    starvation staring us in the face, yet there was not a man
+    despondent. We were then suffering for something to eat, but
+    we knew the "rebs." were suffering even more than we were; for
+    they had nothing to eat when they attacked Corinth, and their
+    only hope for something, was the capture of the place. In this
+    they had failed. The retreat soon became a rout. Neither
+    tongue nor pen can describe the sufferings during that
+    memorable retreat. Wagons, with six mules attached, were
+    filled with the wounded and dying, and the cowardly drivers
+    whipping their mules at every jump. The groans of the dying
+    and the curses of the wounded were enough to make the knees of
+    terror tremble. One would think, that if human suffering would
+    expiate the crime of treason, all this army should be
+    forgiven; for they suffered from hunger, thirst, fatigue, and
+    all the ills that follow a defeated, routed, broken and
+    disheartened army. I could not help feeling sorry for the
+    panic stricken wretches.
+
+    "At night, we camped about twelve miles from Corinth, on a
+    little branch. I had coffee enough to make us a cup apiece.
+    This, and a few crumbs of crackers, was all we had for twelve
+    of us--eight Federal officers and four Rebel officers." (It
+    will be remembered they had had nothing to eat the day before,
+    and very little on the preceding day.) "We camped near a
+    house, and there was a rooster, the only chicken left on the
+    premises. We offered five dollars for it. The woman would not
+    let us have it.
+
+    "On the morning of the 5th of October, we again moved,
+    escorted by a company of the Rebel Jackson's cavalry, under
+    command of Capt. Douglass. Let me mention here, that Capt. D.
+    did all in his power to make his prisoners comfortable. While
+    we were being marched back on the afternoon of the 4th, an aid
+    of Gen. VanDorn's rode up and told him to move the prisoners
+    faster. He said, 'If I move them faster they will fall down
+    from exhaustion.' The aid replied, 'Let them fall, and be
+    d--d. Shoot them if you cannot get them along.' But the
+    Captain took his own gait, and treated all kindly. As we
+    marched along this forenoon we saw a great number of their
+    wounded on all sides of the road. About 1 o'clock we came in
+    sight of Hatchie Bridge. We halted for a few moments, and soon
+    we heard fighting in front of us. We were taken back about one
+    mile, and halted in a hollow. We had been there but a few
+    moments, when rifle shells came whistling in such close
+    proximity that we had to retire further back. Soon we saw the
+    Rebel mass come running back in, if possible, greater
+    confusion than the day before. They thought the whole Rebel
+    army would be captured. They took up the Hatchie about ten
+    miles and crossed us, and we halted about 12 o'clock that
+    night, near Ruckersville, Miss. Here they killed a beef
+    weighing about 300 pounds, for the 300 prisoners and their
+    guards, in all over 400. We had had nothing to eat that day
+    but raw corn. We ate the beef without salt.
+
+    "On the morning of the 6th, we started towards Ripley, without
+    anything else to eat. Arriving at that place late in the
+    afternoon, they gave us a very little to eat, perhaps rations
+    enough for fifty men. On the following morning we moved in the
+    direction of Holly Springs, Miss. The day was very hot and the
+    roads dusty. Add to this, the suffering from hunger, and it
+    would be hard to describe the amount of suffering the men
+    endured. We camped at night near a Mr. Robinson's. (To-day we
+    had to march about nine miles out of the way, on account of
+    some one destroying a bridge in the rear of the retreating
+    army.) The officers got a very good supper at Mr. R.'s, by
+    paying one dollar each, in Greenbacks. He would not take
+    anything else. The men got but little to eat.
+
+    "On the morning of the 7th, the officers hired a team to take
+    them to Holly Springs, for which they paid $20. We arrived
+    there at 11 o'clock at night. Here we were taken to Col.
+    Roddy's Head Quarters, He said he was surprised that we, being
+    North-western men, were fighting Southern men. Captain Lowe
+    told him that we were not in a condition to resent an insult,
+    and did not wish to be insulted. This ended the conversation.
+
+    "The next evening we started by Railroad, under guard, for
+    Jackson, Miss., arriving there about 10 A. M., on the 9th of
+    October. Here we were taken before General Thillman, and
+    paroled for that city and Vicksburg. We had good rooms at the
+    best hotel in Jackson. On the morning of the 10th we took cars
+    for Vicksburg. On this trip We had no guard, except one Rebel
+    Captain. We arrived at Vicksburg about 1 o'clock, and were
+    quartered at the 'Washington Hotel.' We were limited to
+    certain streets. Otherwise we had our liberty. Our fare at the
+    hotel was corn bread, corn coffee, fresh beef and molasses.
+    The ladies were allowed wheat-bread, and when the darkies
+    could do so without being detected by their master, they would
+    supply _us_ with that luxury. On the whole, we were treated
+    pretty well by the 'Rebs.' We found them generally dispirited;
+    but said they thought they never could be conquered, &c.
+
+    "On the 18th of October, we were paroled, and started up the
+    river to meet our flag of truce boat. The sight of the old
+    flag and hard bread created great joy among our men. Hard
+    treatment, under a flag of treason, had endeared the old flag
+    to them. A scanty supply of corn bread, and beef without salt,
+    made 'hard tack' look and taste like the best food cooked. On
+    the morning of the 19th of October, 1862, we took our course
+    up the river for 'God's country.'"
+
+A little incident narrated by Private Neal Vestal, of Co. E, who was
+taken prisoner at the same time with Captain Lowe, is worth noting.
+When the Rebs. were attacked by General Hurlbut, at the Hatchie on the
+5th of October, and a panic was arising, a Rebel Captain passing by
+Neal, he inquired, good naturedly, "Well, Captain, what are you going
+to do with us now?" His reply was, "If I had my way, I would shoot
+you." At which Neal replied, "I bet _six bits_ that man was not in the
+fight." At this response went up all along the line, "That is true!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+FROM THE MOUNTING OF THE REGIMENT TO LEAVING POCAHONTAS.
+
+    _Regiment mounted--Scout to Tuscumbia, with its five
+    engagements--Scout to Florence, with two engagements--Move camp
+    to Pocahontas--Scout to New Albany, destroying the town--Mud
+    Creek scout and battle--Scout to Jackson, and battle--Scout to
+    Ripley--Scout to Trenton, Tenn.--Scout to Grenada--Raid to
+    Grenada--Commissions and promotions--Battles of Salem, Graham's
+    Mills and Wyatt's--List of killed and wounded--Incidents._
+
+
+Our Government, by the beginning of 1863, began to see the necessity of
+having a larger mounted force. It was proposed that many of the
+Infantry Regiments should be mounted for scouting purposes. Lieut. Col.
+Phillips made application to have the 9th Ill. Inft. mounted. He was
+told that it could be mounted on mules, but not on horses. He replied
+that he would prefer the mules, as they would endure more hard usage
+and require less care. Hence, on the 15th of March, 1863, Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, commanding Regiment, received orders to mount his command, on
+mules, for scouting purposes. The Regiment was all mounted by the 20th
+of March.
+
+Col. Mersy was in command of the 2d Brigade, and Lieut. Col. Phillips
+of the Regiment. This arrangement still continues, to the present date.
+
+Sergeant George Rhuland, of Company A, was commissioned as 1st
+Lieutenant of said company. He ranks from March 20th, 1863, the date of
+the receipt of his commission.
+
+The Regiment was paid on the 26th of August, by Major Phelps, for the
+months of May and June.
+
+On the 14th of April, the Regiment received orders to be ready to move
+by daylight the next morning. The order was afterwards changed to
+moving in half an hour. We were soon on the way towards Glendale, where
+the rebels had made a dash on a small body of the 64th Ill. Vols. We
+reached Glendale a little too late, as Col. Cornyn had driven the enemy
+and started in pursuit. The Regiment hastened forward and found him at
+Yellow Stone Creek. We were delayed one and a-half hours in crossing
+this very muddy stream. Hence, we bivouacked for the night two miles
+beyond. Moved forward rapidly, on the 15th, and bivouacked within four
+miles of Big Bear Creek, on the opposite bank of which, we were
+informed, there was a large body of the enemy. We awaited here, on the
+16th, the arrival of the Infantry force from Corinth. All having
+arrived, we moved rapidly, early on the morning of the 17th. After
+"shelling the woods" for a short time with our rifled pieces, the
+following mounted forces, viz: 10th Missouri Cavalry, battalion of the
+15th Illinois Cavalry, and the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry, dashed
+rapidly across the creek. Captain Richardson was throwing shell over
+our heads at an imaginary force across the creek. As he did not stop
+soon enough, a number of his shell flew among our men, but fortunately
+no one was hurt. As soon as all the mounted force was over, and one
+section of Tamrath's Battery, we moved forward on the Tuscumbia road.
+
+At Dickson's we ran upon the enemy's videttes, driving them back to
+"Buzzard Roost" or "Cherokee Bluffs," where they made a stand, and the
+place being naturally strong, our shell could not dislodge them.
+Consequently, the 9th Ill. Mounted Infantry was dismounted, and
+deployed as skirmishers. They advanced rapidly to within one hundred
+yards of the bluff, and then the right wing swung around on the left
+flank of the enemy, compelling them to leave the bluff very rapidly,
+and in great disorder. About 25 of the Rebels were killed, wounded and
+captured. Our loss was five slightly wounded, none disabled. The
+weather being intensely hot, the horses in the section of battery with
+us, became too much exhausted to move further. Their ammunition was
+also about exhausted. The two guns were consequently left at this place
+to await the arrival of the main force. Lieutenant Krebs, with Co. D,
+was left to support the guns, in case of an attack. There were also
+seven men of Co. I left here to guard the prisoners.
+
+Immediately after crossing the creek, one company of the 10th Mo., and
+one of the 9th Ill., were ordered to move two miles out on our left
+flank, and break up a camp of the enemy said to be in that direction.
+Lieutenant Patterson, with Co. E of our Regiment, was ordered on that
+expedition. This detachment drove the rebels from their camp, toward
+their main body on the Tuscumbia road. This body of the enemy, 250
+strong, came upon the two guns of Tamrath's Battery that we had left at
+Cherokee Bluffs, and before the guns could get to us, they, and all of
+Co. D, except three men, and the seven men of Co. I, were captured. We
+moved rapidly back, and succeeded in recapturing one of the guns in
+"Lundy's Lane."
+
+Col. Cameron, of the 1st Alabama Regiment, (loyal,) was killed here in
+the charge. The Rebels fled to the timber on our left, beyond the reach
+of our muskets, and too far off for the effective firing of the
+"Mountain howitzers."
+
+Col. Cornyn now ordered us to fall back and rejoin the main body, as we
+numbered only 1200, all told, while the enemy were not less than 2500
+strong. Scarcely, however, had we left "Lundy's Lane," before the enemy
+filed out of the timber and formed a line across the open field,
+threatening our rear. The advance of the Infantry force being now only
+one mile back, we turned about and confronted our foe. The 9th Ill.
+Inft. dismounted, and moved around to the left flank of the enemy's
+line, while the cavalry charged their front. They broke and fled beyond
+a high ridge, and we advanced rapidly and took possession of the ridge.
+In the meantime, Col. Bane's Brigade, and Welker's Battery came rapidly
+on the field, unobserved and unknown to the Rebels. This Brigade was
+immediately posted as follows: The 50th Ill. behind a high grading of
+the Railroad and to the left of the open field, on which the Rebels had
+formed their line previous to being driven back by our Cavalry; the 7th
+Ill. Inft. were moved in the timber, around to the right of the field,
+and a little further advanced than the 50th; the 57th Ill. were held in
+reserve. The Cavalry received orders to fall back rapidly, and in
+apparent confusion, as soon as the enemy should appear on the ridge.
+
+This disposition being made of the forces, the 9th Ill. Inft. fell back
+100 yards, to a fence overgrown with bushes, and lay concealed behind
+it. The Rebels advanced with loud shouts, and planted a 12-pound
+Howitzer on the ridge. Our Cavalry hastily retreated, and the enemy
+believing victory certain, dashed gallantly ahead, when the 50th and
+7th Ill. Regiments opened on them a deadly fire. About the same time, a
+body of the enemy appeared on the left of the Railroad on the ridge.
+They were opened upon by the 9th Ill. The contest was not long. In less
+than ten minutes, the whole body of the Rebels were in rapid retreat
+towards Cane Creek.
+
+The loss of the enemy was, according to their own statement, 17 killed,
+50 wounded, and 23 taken prisoners. The 9th Ill. lost 5 wounded and 59
+captured (Co. D.) The entire Union loss was 3 killed, 10 wounded, and
+75 captured.
+
+Night now coming on, we bivouacked near the battle-field. On the 18th,
+after a reconnoisance in front, and finding the enemy in strong
+position near Cane Creek, our whole force fell back to Bear Creek, and
+went into camp.
+
+On the 19th, Companies E and F were sent, as escort to a train, to
+Eastport Landing. The rest of the Regiment, with the whole mounted
+force, moved circuitously to "Buzzard Roost," and found the enemy,
+under Roddy, occupying the same position as on the 17th at Cherokee
+Bluff. Our Regiment was again deployed as skirmishers, in the same
+manner as before. After fifteen minutes skirmishing, we drove the enemy
+from his position, killing, wounding and capturing 13 of them, and
+losing none.
+
+We then returned to camp at Bear Creek, taking with us a drove of
+cattle and sheep. On the 20th of April, the 7th Kansas Cavalry joined
+us, and on the nest day the Ohio Brigade, Col. Fuller commanding. Our
+entire column moved forward on the morning of the 23d, and crossed Cane
+Creek without opposition; the Rebels having fallen back to Little Bear
+Creek. Here General Dodge offered battle, but they declined, and we
+bivouacked for the night. We moved forward again on the 24th, the enemy
+continually falling back, not even making a feeble resistance at Little
+Bear Creek, although the position was a very strong one.
+
+On nearing the town of Tuscumbia, the enemy, under Forrest, left on the
+Decatur road. Col. Cornyn was ordered forward after them, with the 10th
+Mo. Cavalry, the 7th Kansas Cavalry, and the 1st Alabama Cavalry.
+Lieut. Col. Phillips, with two companies of Cavalry, two companies of
+9th Ill. Inft., viz: A and B, and two guns of Tamrath's Battery, was
+ordered to move up to Florence, and capture the town. He proceeded to
+that place with his command. Arriving on the bank of the river,
+opposite the town, and observing a small force of cavalry in Florence,
+he called to them to send him over a boat, as he desired to send over a
+flag of truce. They replied, telling him to go to that place, where I
+suppose but few, if any, desire to go. The Col. did not feel disposed,
+at least to obey their orders, and thinking he had that with which he
+could enforce obedience to his, he placed his two rifled guns in
+position, and made a second demand for a boat. To this he received the
+same reply, as before. Immediately he opened upon them with his two
+guns, throwing shell into the town. The cavalry on the other side broke
+and ran. As they passed up the street, a shell was thrown among them,
+killing one horse. In a very short time, white flags were hung out all
+over the town. In the meantime, a small raft had been constructed, on
+which a flag of truce was sent over, and the Mayor of the town made a
+formal surrender. The object of demanding the surrender was, not that
+we might hold the place, but that we might ascertain whether the enemy
+had any considerable force there. The desired information being gained,
+the Col. evacuated it, and returned to the main force again.
+
+The remainder of our Regiment, and the battalion of the 15th Ill.
+Cavalry, were ordered to move forward, within supporting distance of
+Col. Cornyn. We moved forward until near night, and not being able to
+reach him, we returned to Tuscumbia, and bivouacked. At 10 o'clock that
+night, we received orders to move out rapidly and join Col. Cornyn, as
+he feared the enemy would come upon him, too strong, at daylight, his
+forces being very much exhausted. We reached him, beyond Leighton, by
+2:30 A. M., on the 25th, and at daylight the whole force returned to
+Tuscumbia.
+
+Our Regiment turned over 200 mules to Col. Streight, on the 26th, to
+complete the mounting of his force, thus dismounting Companies C, D, E,
+G, H and K, of our Regiment.
+
+On the morning of the 27th April, we again moved forward, toward
+Decatur, to attract the attention of Forrest, until Col. Streight had
+moved entirely around his left flank towards Atlanta. We found the
+enemy posted at Town Creek, four miles beyond Leighton. Some picket
+skirmishing took place before night. We bivouacked near the Creek.
+Early on the morning of the 28th, the Rebels having discovered the
+position of the dismounted companies of our Regiment, opened upon us
+with schrapnel, compelling us to fall back hurriedly out of their
+range. The artillery kept up a constant firing all day, and after noon
+a part of the 81st Ohio and the mounted companies of the 9th Ill.,
+crossed over, at the Railroad bridge, and drove the enemy from their
+position.
+
+Col. Streight having now completely passed the enemy, our entire column
+moved on the return march, on the morning of the 29th April. Bivouacked
+for the night near Little Bear Creek. Reached Big Bear on the 30th, and
+were compelled to remain in camp there until the evening of the 1st of
+May, when a bridge having been constructed, we crossed over and
+proceeded up the Railroad to our old place of camping, four miles from
+Big Bear Creek. From there we proceeded on the main traveled road to
+Burnsville, reaching that place sometime after night, and bivouacked.
+On the morning of the 2d May, Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the four
+mounted companies, viz: A, B, I and F, was ordered to report to Col.
+Cornyn, commanding cavalry force, for an expedition to Tupelo. The rest
+of the Regiment moved forward, at 10 A. M., and reached Corinth by 2
+P. M.
+
+During this trip the Regiment was out from camp 18 days, and had five
+engagements with the enemy--two on the 17th of April, one on the 19th,
+one on the 27th, and one on the 4th of May. The great object of this
+expedition, was to divert the attention of the enemy until Col.
+Streight, who was fitting up an expedition for a grand raid into
+Georgia, should have time to complete the mounting of his men, and get
+well started on his way.
+
+Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the four mounted companies of our Regiment,
+having been ordered on an expedition to Tupelo, separated from the
+remaining companies at Burnsville, on the 2d of May, and proceeded to
+Tupelo. Had a skirmish with the enemy there, and rejoined the Regiment
+at camp, May 7th.
+
+Quartermaster Korn died of disease May 6th, 1863. Dr. Guelick and
+Captain Hawes were detailed on the 7th of May, the former to Fort
+Henry, and the latter to Memphis. Dr. Wm. A. Allen, 2d Assistant
+Surgeon, appointed by the Governor of Illinois, reported for duty on
+the 12th, and was mustered into the service, to rank from that date.
+
+On the 13th of May, the Regiment moved into the barracks formerly
+occupied by the 39th Ohio, one mile south-east from Corinth.
+
+On the 15th of May, Brig. Gen. Thomas, Adjutant General U. S. Army,
+addressed the soldiers at Corinth, announcing and advocating the policy
+of the Government in regard to freeing and arming the negroes. His
+remarks met with a hearty approval by nine-tenths of the soldiers at
+the military post of Corinth.
+
+May 26th, our Regiment being again all mounted, we were ordered to
+report to Col. Cornyn, commander of Cavalry Brigade, at 10 A. M. Moved
+immediately thereafter, on the Corinth and Hamburg road, toward Hamburg
+Landing. We reached that place and began to cross the Tennessee River
+about dark, the 9th Ill. crossing over first. Our Regiment all got over
+by 2 A. M., of the. 27th, and the remainder of the force by noon of the
+same day. At 1 P. M., the entire column moved forward on the road
+towards Florence, taking the most easterly route. Halted, for rest and
+feed, two hours at 1 o'clock, A. M., of the 28th, and then moved
+forward again eight miles North-east from Florence. A detachment of the
+7th Kansas Cavalry destroyed two large woolen factories, four miles
+from the city. We drove in the videttes of the enemy, and when we were
+within one hundred yards of the town, they opened on us with a battery
+of two guns, throwing schrapnel with great accuracy, compelling us to
+move from the road, by the left flank, into the timber, to avoid the
+deadly missiles. Col. Cornyn moved his howitzers rapidly forward, and
+soon silenced the Rebel guns.
+
+The 9th Ill. was now dismounted and thrown forward as skirmishers. The
+1st Battalion, (Cos. A, B and C,) Lieutenant Ruhland commanding, moving
+forward in column, as reserve. The opposition of the enemy did not
+amount to much, and we soon had possession of the town. Our loss was
+two wounded, and two captured. The enemy lost from ten to twelve killed
+and wounded, and sixty to eighty captured. After searching the town,
+and destroying all the stores of value to the enemy, we began out
+return march, taking the most westerly route, so as to destroy three
+large cotton mills and two more large woolen mills, all of which we
+succeeded in doing without loss to us. At 12 o'clock, midnight, we
+bivouacked until morning. The enemy disputed our entire advance from
+Florence to the place of bivouack, and then ceased to molest us. We
+reached the crossing opposite Hamburg, at 2 A. M., of the 30th May,
+when we bivouacked until morning.
+
+During the day the enemy appeared in force in our rear, before we had
+even our baggage across, and as Col. Cornyn had moved down to Savannah
+to relieve the 10th Ill., Lieut. Col. Phillips assumed command, and
+moved out one-half mile from the river and offered battle, when the
+Rebels hastily fell back. We succeeded in all getting over by 2 A. M.
+of the 31st, without further molestation. In the skirmish the opposite
+side of the river, none of our men were hurt. The enemy lost several in
+wounded and captured, none are known to have been killed. At 7 A. M.,
+the 31st, the entire column moved toward Corinth, and we reached camp
+there at 1 P. M.
+
+During this expedition, the Regiment was out six days, and engaged in
+two skirmishes with the enemy. The object of the expedition seemed to
+be the destruction of public property and stores which would be of
+advantage to the enemy.
+
+After leaving Hamburg Landing at 1 P. M., of the 27th May, the boys
+were in their saddles, or pack-saddles, as they then were, for about
+thirty-six hours almost constantly, except the few hours they were in
+Florence searching the houses for arms, and destroying stores that
+might be serviceable to the enemy. At 12 o'clock, on the night of the
+28th, they halted, until early in the morning, when they were off on
+the march again. The result of this raid was 64 prisoners captured,
+over 200 negroes brought in, a large number of mules and horses
+captured, about $3,000,000 worth of Factory property destroyed.
+
+On the 3d of June, 1863, the Regiment received orders to be ready to
+move on the next morning, at 8 o'clock, with camp and garrison
+equipage. Moved on the 4th, in accordance with the above order, in a
+North-west direction. Passed through Cherwalla, and bivouacked for the
+night about ten miles west of it. The Tuscumbia and Hatchie Rivers had
+to be bridged, in order to cross the artillery and infantry. The entire
+Brigade were moving with us. These streams were bridged, the forces
+crossed, and we arrived at Pocahontas by 4 P. M., on the 5th of June,
+and bivouacked in the town for the night. On the 7th, the Regiment
+moved into camp one-fourth mile north of the town.
+
+On the 8th of June, Lieut. Col. Phillips, with Companies A, B, E, F, G
+and I, moved south on a scout, and returned on the 9th, at 1 P. M.,
+bringing in a drove of cattle and sheep. The remaining companies of the
+Regiment went as an escort to a train of wagons, as far as the bridge
+on Tuscumbia Creek.
+
+On the 11th of June, Capt. Kneffner, with Companies A, C, E, H and I,
+moved North-west on a scout, and returned in the evening, having
+marched 40 miles, bringing in three prisoners.
+
+The Regiment, accompanied by one section of Tamrath's Battery, moved
+south on the Ripley road, on the 12th of June, at 1 P. M., and
+bivouacked for the night within ten miles of Ripley. Moved forward
+early on the morning of the 13th, and took possession of Ripley without
+opposition. The town was searched, but nothing of a contraband nature
+was found, except a number of negroes, who were confiscated for the use
+of the Government. Moved on in the direction of New Albany. At Orizabo,
+the flankers on our left encountered a few Rebel soldiers, and after
+driving them off, burned the place, as it contained Rebel stores and
+was a place of rendezvous for them. While stopping to feed, about four
+miles south of Ripley, a family moving to Ripley came along. Their
+wagons and carriage were searched, and a Rebel mail was found in the
+old lady's carpet-sack. Their horses and mules were all confiscated,
+except one old team of mules which they were allowed to keep.
+
+The Regiment then proceeded to New Albany, reaching that place about 4
+P. M. Finding the town nearly deserted by citizens, and used as a
+general Headquarters for guerrillas, and a supplying point for them, it
+was entirely destroyed, after any stores of value that could be carried
+away were taken.
+
+We then moved back toward Ripley, on a different route from the one by
+which we had entered, going three miles and bivouacking for the night.
+
+At 1 o'clock, A. M., June 14th, Lieutenant Krebs and escort came into
+our bivouack from Pocahontas, with orders from Col. Mersy, for us to
+return as rapidly as possible to camp at Pocahontas, as the enemy were
+planning to capture us. We moved at 2 A. M. Reached Ripley at breakfast
+time, and camp at Pocahontas at 8 P. M. At daylight this morning, the
+enemy, 1500 strong, reached our last night's bivouack. But fortunately
+we were safe out of their reach. It was fortunate for us, for our force
+numbered but 300 men with two pieces of artillery.
+
+The Regiment was out three days on this expedition. It captured, and
+brought in, about 25 Rebel soldiers, 50 contrabands, and 100 head of
+horses and mules. It marched over one hundred miles.
+
+On the 17th of June, the Regiment again, moved southward, at 8 P. M.,
+with six days rations. The night was rainy and intensely dark. One
+section of Tamrath's Battery was with us, under Lieut. Bruner. Marched
+all night in the dark and rain. It was such bad traveling, that we only
+moved twelve miles by sunrise of the 18th. Halted and fed at old
+"Secession Hopkins'," where the Regiment had already fed four times.
+Reached Ripley at 1 P. M., and found no enemy, but were told that 1,500
+Rebels were moving around, to get between us and Pocahontas. We moved
+back two miles, and halted to feed. Here we were joined by 125 men of
+the 5th Ohio Cavalry, Major Smith commanding, and 180 of the 18th
+Missouri Mounted Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. Sheldon. Our whole
+force now numbered a little over 600: 5th Ohio Cavalry 125, 18th
+Missouri Mounted Infantry 180, Section of Battery 50, 9th Ill. Mounted
+Inft. 275. Total, 630.
+
+Lieut. Col. Phillips, senior officer present, assumed command of the
+whole force. We moved back five miles and bivouacked for the night.
+Finding no enemy, we moved forward again by daylight of the 19th.
+Passed through Ripley at 8 A. M., and New Albany at 2 P. M. Captured
+Lieut. Col. McCarly of the 23d Mississippi, below Ripley. Drove in the
+videttes of the enemy at New Albany, and moved forward on the Pontotoc
+road. When within six miles of the latter place, Lieut. Col. Phillips
+having gone as far as his orders permitted him, moved five miles West,
+and then moved North towards Rockford. Marched until after midnight of
+the 19th, having to cross a terrible swamp, called the Octohatchie. We
+bivouacked for the night on a ridge between Octohatchie and Mud Creek.
+Moved forward again at 7 A. M., of the 20th, 5th Ohio occupying the
+rear, and 18th Missouri the advance. While we were preparing a crossing
+of Mud Creek, the enemy, 3,000 strong, under Gen. Ruggles, made a
+furious attack upon the rear guard, but were most gallantly met and
+checked by the 5th Ohio Cavalry. Six companies of the 9th Ill. Inft.
+were dismounted, and deployed as skirmishers. They, and the 5th Ohio
+Cavalry, held the enemy in check for two and a-half hours, until the
+artillery had crossed the several most wretched fords of Mud Creek. One
+of the caissons getting stuck in the mud, we were compelled to leave
+one-half of it there, and as it completely blocked up the crossing, we
+had to destroy the five baggage wagons that were behind it, to prevent
+their falling into the hands of the enemy; everything we could possibly
+save, being brought over the ford. We fell back rapidly, and got
+possession of Rocky Ford, before the Rebels got around, and succeeded
+in crossing before they could molest us.
+
+Our loss in this engagement, was 5 killed and 18 wounded. The loss of
+the enemy could not be definitely ascertained, but was not less than
+200 in killed, wounded and missing.
+
+The place where this battle was fought, was a dense cane-brake. Men
+could not see each other more than a few feet. Our men could hear every
+command given by the Rebel officers, but could not see the enemy.
+
+After getting safely out of that terrible bottom, and crossing the
+Tallahatchie at Rocky Ford, we moved through Salem, on the 21st, and
+reached camp at Pocahontas, at noon of the 22d June. The Regiment was
+out six days, during this trip. Had to endure some very hard marching.
+Marched almost constantly, day and night.
+
+On the 23d of June, 2d Assistant Surgeon Dr. Allen, was ordered to
+report at LaGrange, Tenn., by Surgeon Gay, Medical Director left wing
+16th Army Corps, and left for that place on the 24th.
+
+On the 6th of July, Companies A, C, E, F, G, H and I, under the command
+of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved North-west on a scout, and returned on
+the 7th at noon, not having found any force of the enemy.
+
+On the 8th of July, the entire Regiment moved Northward, with three
+days rations, 35 miles, and returned on the 9th without finding any
+force of the enemy. Brought in a number of citizens as prisoners, with
+all the horses and mules, of any value, that could be found. Rabid
+secessionists followed after, pleading for their animals. Col. Phillips
+would tell them that he was a kind-hearted man, had a number of
+prisoners, and did not wish to have them walk. Hence, he must have
+their horses and mules. He expressed sorrow for the necessity. It is a
+question whether that sorrow was very _deep down_, however, as he has
+no mercy on Rebels, and takes all the horses and mules from them, that
+he can place his hands upon, without much trouble of conscience.
+
+On the 12th of July, the Regiment again moved in a North-west
+direction, with five days rations. Joined Col. Hatch's force from
+LaGrange, North of Bolivar, and the combined force moved to Jackson,
+and on the 13th engaged a Rebel force there, under Forrest, Newsom, and
+Biffle. Our Regiment was dismounted as skirmishers. After brisk firing
+for one-quarter of an hour, we dislodged them. The cavalry then moved
+over the river and took the flank of the skirmish line. The right wing
+of our Regiment were recalled from their position on the South side of
+the creek, and placed in reserve of the left wing. We then moved
+rapidly forward, until within a few hundred yards of their
+fortifications, when we made a charge upon their works and drove them
+out, by a charge from our skirmish line. We moved forward, thinking
+that they had left. But when in the suburbs of the North side of the
+town, the Rebel cavalry came charging down on us from the North-east
+and East parts of the town. We quickly formed in line facing them, and
+went into them with a fierceness that they could not long stand. In
+about fifteen minutes they were driven entirely from the field, and we
+advanced to their position. We captured a goodly number of horses and
+muskets they were compelled to leave. One Rebel Captain was found dead
+on the field. A prisoner who was captured, said he was a notorious
+guerrilla chieftain, and hated by their own men. Said there would not
+be much sorrow for his death. The fighting in all lasted about two and
+a-half hours.
+
+We captured about 70 prisoners, 30 of whom were paroled, the remainder
+were brought into camp. Our loss was one killed and six wounded. The
+enemy's loss in killed and wounded, was about two hundred. The Regiment
+returned to camp about 1 P. M., of the 15th, having been out four days.
+
+On the 18th, six companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips,
+started on a scout about dark, after a party of guerrillas who had made
+a dash upon some of the Home Guards at Middleton, killing and taking
+prisoners several of them. They pursued them all night, in the
+direction of Bolivar, but could not find them. Returned to camp about
+noon the next day.
+
+On the 20th of July, the Regiment moved South, accompanied by two guns
+of Tamrath's Battery. At Hopkins we were joined by the 11th Ill.
+Cavalry, commanded by Major Kerr. Moved on to within three miles of
+Ripley, and bivouacked at the forks of the Nubbin Ridge and
+Ruckersville road. Two companies of Cavalry and two companies of
+Mounted Infantry were sent towards Ripley to reconnoiter. Discovering
+no enemy, they soon returned. On the 21st, the command moved back seven
+miles to Ruckersville, and there awaited orders from Corinth. We moved
+forward again on the 22d, at 3 A. M. Halted at Ripley two hours.
+Captured two prisoners, and then moved back to camp at Pocahontas.
+
+The Regiment moved North-west, at daylight on the 20th of July, with
+eight days rations. It joined Col. Hatch's command, North of Bolivar,
+at 8:30 P. M., of the same day. After the Regiment was formed, before
+marching, a brief prayer was offered by the writer, who was then
+present with the Regiment. Bivouacked for the night, ten miles North of
+Bolivar. On the 27th, Lieut. Col. Phillips was ordered to the command
+of a Brigade, consisting of the 9th Ill. Inft. and 3d Michigan Cavalry,
+and Captain G. G. Lowe took command of the Regiment. We joined Col.
+Prowitt's command at Lexington, Tenn., on the 28th. Passed through
+Clarksville, a Union town, to-day. Had captured a goodly number of
+mules and negroes, and about 100 prisoners up to this date. Among the
+latter were two Colonels. Passed through Huntingdon on the 29th. A
+strong Union town. While stopped here, two daughters of Col. Hawkins of
+the 2d West Tennessee Cavalry, (loyal,) paraded the streets, carrying
+the stars and stripes. This was cheering to our boys. We lay over most
+of the 29th at Macedonia. Moved to Trenton on the 31st. Passed through
+a very rough country, and in a poor state of cultivation. From Trenton
+we proceeded South, towards Jackson, passing through Jackson on the 1st
+of August, and reaching camp at Pocahontas on the 3d of August, about 8
+P. M.
+
+The Regiment was out, during this scout, nine days. Did not have any
+engagements with the enemy.
+
+On the 6th of August, Companies A, C, D, E, G, H, I and K, under
+command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved North-west of Bolivar, and
+returned on the 7th, without finding any forces of the enemy.
+
+On the 12th of August, at 10 P. M., the Regiment moved South, with six
+days rations. Marched all night, and halted at sunrise and fed. At 6
+A. M., of the 13th, we were on the march again. Took the road through
+Salem, passing that place about 4 P. M., and bivouacking for the night
+six miles beyond it. Moved forward again at daylight on the 14th,
+crossing the Tallahatchie at Rocky Ford, and bivouacking for the night.
+Moved West on the Oxford road, early on the 15th, reaching that place
+at noon. Here we joined a Brigade from LaGrange. Lieut. Col. Phillips
+assumed command of the Brigade, and moved on six miles beyond Oxford,
+on the Coffeeville road, and bivouacked for the night. At daybreak, on
+the 16th, moved forward again. We were joined to-day, by a Brigade of
+Cavalry from Germantown and Collierville, under the command of Lieut.
+Col. M. R. M. Wallace, who being junior officer to Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, reported his command to him for orders. Lieut. Col. Phillips
+now assumed command of the whole force, consisting of two Brigades.
+Lieut. Col. Wallace had command of the 1st Brigade, and Major Coon of
+the 2d.
+
+The whole force crossed the Tochamy River on a ferry boat, and reached
+Water Valley at 12 M. Here our advance captured a train of seven
+six-mule wagons, and a number of prisoners who were guarding the train.
+The 1st Brigade was so long delayed in crossing the river, that Major
+Coon, who had command of the 2d Brigade, did not leave Water Valley
+until 5 P. M. He then moved forward to within two miles of
+Coffeeville, and bivouacked for the remainder of the night. It was 2
+A. M., of the 17th, when we reached that point.
+
+A heavy storm of rain came on shortly after leaving Water Valley, and
+the night became intensely dark. The darkness made it very difficult to
+march at all. Often the mules, with their riders, would tumble into the
+ditches. The 1st Brigade, commanded by Lieut. Col. Wallace, moved only
+one mile from Water Valley, when the darkness became so intense, that
+movements were almost impossible. The Brigade was consequently ordered
+into bivouack for the night. On the morning of the 17th, Lieut. Col.
+Wallace joined the 2d Brigade at Coffeeville. The entire force now
+moved forward rapidly towards Grenada, the 11th Ill. Cavalry having the
+advance. When ten miles from Coffeeville, six or eight locomotives and
+40 or 50 cars were captured, and a guard placed over them. When the
+advance were within four miles of Grenada, the Rebels fired the two
+large Railroad bridges over the Tallobusha, and before we could reach
+them, they were completely destroyed. The 11th Ill. Cavalry was ordered
+forward, as rapidly as possible, to prevent the unnecessary destruction
+of property; and the entire 2d Brigade moved forward at a brisk trot.
+When within one mile of town, the 11th Cavalry were checked by about
+300 of the enemy. The 9th Ill. Inft. were dismounted and sent forward
+as skirmishers. Soon after, the 2d Iowa and 3d Michigan Cavalry went
+into the action. Orders were sent back to Lieut. Col. Wallace to hasten
+up his Brigade, and move forward with all possible dispatch. As soon as
+the Battery was placed in position, Col. Wallace was ordered to enter
+town, with his Brigade, by the lower ford. The enemy not replying to
+our Battery, Major Coon was ordered to charge across the ford, with the
+2d Iowa Cavalry, and at the same time to ferry over a portion of the
+9th Ill. Inft. as a support, in case the enemy pressed him too hard.
+This force crossed and took possession of the town, without further
+opposition.
+
+The captures which we made, were as follows: 60 locomotives; 450 cars,
+of all kinds; considerable stores, and $8,000 in Confederate scrip.
+
+As the enemy had burned the bridges across the Tallobusha, making it
+impossible to run off the rolling stock, the cars, locomotives, machine
+shops, depots, Commissary and Quartermaster buildings were fired, and
+destroyed.
+
+At 7 P. M., reports having come in that the enemy were returning to
+attack us in force, our entire Division, except the Picket and Provost
+Guard, were ordered to recross the Tallobusha, and bivouack, ready to
+fall in at a moment's notice. One hour later, Col. Winslow, commanding
+a Brigade of Cavalry, from "Blackwater," entered the town from the
+South. He being the ranking officer, now assumed command of the whole
+force. His Brigade took possession of the place, and the whole force
+bivouacked for the night.
+
+The entire loss of our Division in the fight, was one man killed and
+two wounded. The 9th Ill. Inft. had one man wounded.
+
+The 1st Brigade was so far in the rear, at the beginning of the action,
+that it was not engaged, except Perkin's Battery of Mountain Howitzers.
+
+The entire forces in Lieut. Col. Phillips' command, during this
+expedition, consisted of the following Regiments, viz: 9th Ill. Inft.
+(mounted) Captain Kneffner commanding, 300; 2d Iowa Cavalry, Captain
+---- commanding, 200; 11th Ill. Cavalry, Major Funk commanding, 150; 3d
+Michigan Cavalry, Major Hudson commanding, 200; Total, 2d Brigade,
+Major Coon commanding, 850. 9th Ill. Cavalry, ---- ---- commanding,
+250; 3d Ill. Cavalry, Major Connor commanding, 200; 4th Ill. Cavalry,
+---- ---- commanding, 300; Total, 1st Brigade, Lieut. Col. Wallace
+commanding, 750. Total in Division, Lieut. Col. Phillips commanding,
+1,600.
+
+The force of the enemy at Grenada, was between 1,500 and 2,500, and was
+under command of Col. Slemmer, Gen. Chalmers being, at the time,
+absent. Major Leath, Gen. Chalmers' Quartermaster, was captured in
+Grenada, and with him the Confederate scrip mentioned above.
+
+During the action, Col. Winslow, with his Brigade, was in bivouack,
+within five miles of Grenada, and had he moved on the South rapidly at
+that time, we would have captured most of the enemy, and his entire
+Quartermaster train of over 100 wagons.
+
+Lieut. Col. Phillips insisted on pursuing and capturing, at least,
+their wagon train. But Col. Winslow was in command and not willing.
+Lieut. Col. Phillips then requested permission to pursue with his
+command, but was refused. Having command, Col. Winslow ordered the
+destruction of property to cease. Hence, two locomotives, and about a
+dozen cars, were left on the North side of the Tallobusha, for the
+Rebels to run down produce from Water Valley and the country North of
+them.
+
+The entire command remained in bivouack on the 18th, and moved on the
+return march, at 5 A. M., on the 19th, taking the Oakland road.
+Bivouacked for the night, just across the Tochamy River. We moved
+forward again at 5 A. M., of the 20th. Ferried over the Tallahatchie,
+and bivouacked for the night seven miles North of it. Moved again at 5
+A. M., on the 21st. Col. Winslow and his command left us to-day, for
+Memphis. Fed near Looxahoma. Bivouacked for the night, near Bucksnort.
+Moved at the same hour on the 22d. Lieut. Col. Wallace with his
+command, turned to the left to-day, for his camp at Collierville. We
+passed through Holly Springs about 4 P. M., to-day, and bivouacked
+seven miles North-east of town. This is a nice town, on an elevated
+situation, with some very fine buildings in it. Guards were placed at
+each of the houses. Many ladies made their appearance, as our boys
+passed along the street. Some of them looked on smilingly, while others
+manifested scornful contempt, in their very looks. But what did our
+boys care for their scorn? They only smiled the more. The sight which
+the citizens beheld, as our forces passed, was no doubt to them a sore
+one. A long train of negroes, men, women and children were accompanying
+us. At last $1,000,000 worth of property, as slaves had formerly been
+rated, was leaving them. They had long been accustomed to regard these
+persons as the great source of their wealth. This war had been
+instigated for the purpose of riveting the chains of bondage more
+tightly upon these slaves. Many of them, perhaps, had been called upon
+to mourn the death of some dear friend, who had been slain in waging
+this war. They had thought thus to make more secure this species of
+their wealth. But now they were compelled to see it taking to itself
+_legs_ and fleeing away.
+
+Our boys arrived in camp at Pocahontas on the 24th of August, after
+having been out thirteen days. They left camp with six days rations.
+Where did the other seven days rations come from? I suppose none of the
+boys can tell! Perhaps, if the smoke-houses and hen-roosts of the
+citizens along the way could speak, they might tell. Or, may be, even
+the citizens themselves, if any one should take the trouble to travel
+along and enquire of them, could tell something about it.
+
+The expedition was certainly a grand success. Some raids, about which
+much has been said and written, were of far less importance. It was a
+bold dash, of more than one hundred miles, into the midst of the
+enemy's country. Our forces met on their own chosen ground, at least an
+equal, and it is thought, a greatly superior force of the enemy; drove
+them from their position, after a smart skirmish; captured a large
+amount of their stores, with about fifty prisoners. About $8,000,000
+worth of public property was destroyed. Destroyed because two long
+bridges on the Railroad had been burned by the enemy. About 500 head of
+horses and mules were captured. And at least 2,000 negroes were brought
+in with our forces; thus weakening the hands of our enemies, and
+obtaining that, by which to strengthen our own hands. These, as slaves
+were formerly valued, were worth at least $2,000,000. The entire Union
+loss was only one man killed and two wounded. Had there been a special
+correspondent with our forces, it would have been heralded in the
+newspapers with a flourish that might have resulted in a _star_ on our
+worthy Lieut. Col. Phillips, who commanded the expedition. The
+material, at least, was there.
+
+Charles Chevi, 2d Lieutenant of Company C, resigned, and his
+resignation was accepted, to take effect August 7th, 1863.
+
+August 26th, the Regiment was paid by Major W. H. Johnston, for the
+months of March, April, May and June.
+
+August 29th, Captains Kneffner and Robinson, and Lieuts. Rollmann and
+Cowgill, were ordered to report to Col. Alexander, at St. Louis, for
+duty in the Invalid Corps.
+
+At the regular periodical muster and inspection, on the 31st of August,
+Captain G. G. Lowe acted as Inspecting and Mustering Officer.
+
+September 3d, 1863, 1st Lieutenant George W. Williford, was
+commissioned and mustered as Captain of Company F.
+
+September 4th, 1863, Rev. Marion Morrison reported for duty, with
+commission as Chaplain of the Regiment. He was mustered in as such, to
+date from the 4th.
+
+On the 3d of August, 1863, 105 deserters, mostly from the 128th Ill.
+Inft., were assigned to duty in the 9th Ill. Vol. Inft., and were
+transferred to the various companies, so as to equalize the strength of
+those companies.
+
+On the 6th of August, Lieutenant McClure, commanding detachment of the
+128th Ill. Vol., reported his men, in compliance with orders from
+Headquarters 16th Army Corps, to the Regiment for duty. The detachment
+numbered 103 men, and were assigned, pro rata, to the several
+companies. Lieutenant Lenma, Adjutant of the 128th, was assigned to
+Company F, and Lieutenant Cooper to Company B, until further orders. In
+the order for consolidation, Lieutenant Lenma's name was dropped, (he
+having resigned,) and Lieutenant Cooper was transferred from Company B
+to Company F.
+
+On the 16th of August, 1863, 1st Lieutenant Krebs received a commission
+as Captain of Company D, and Orderly Sergeant H. Weber as 1st
+Lieutenant Company D, and both were mustered in from that date.
+
+When the writer reported to the Regiment for duty, on the 4th of
+September, as above noticed, the Regiment was in command of Captain G.
+G. Lowe, Lieut. Col. Phillips having been summoned to Memphis, as a
+witness before a court martial in the case of Lieut. Col. Bowen of the
+10th Mo. Cavalry. Lieut. Col. Phillips was detained there for two or
+three weeks, and Captain Lowe continued in command of the Regiment,
+with credit to himself.
+
+After joining the Regiment, arrangements were made for regular
+preaching services on each Sabbath, and prayer-meetings on Sabbath and
+Wednesday evenings. I would here say, that we have been able
+notwithstanding the great amount of scouting duty the Regiment has had
+to perform, to hold our regular services on almost every Sabbath, up to
+the present time, except the few weeks I was absent from the Regiment,
+on orders, in Illinois. The Regiment had been without a Chaplain for
+about 20 months. For several Sabbaths we held our services under the
+shades of the trees in front of the Colonel's quarters. Soon, however,
+some of the soldiers volunteered their services, and erected a
+comfortable chapel, 40 by 24 feet, in which to hold our meetings. We
+had occupied this but a few Sabbaths, when we moved from our old camp
+at Pocahontas.
+
+During the first three weeks of September, from one to four companies
+were out scouting, almost daily. Gen. Chalmers was concentrating a
+force South of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, to make a dash upon
+that road, and cut off communication between Memphis and Corinth.
+
+On the 27th of September, the Regiment, under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, who had rejoined it, moved South toward New Albany. On
+arriving within six miles of that place, he found the enemy too strong
+for a further safe advance with the force he had, and returned to camp
+at Pocahontas on the 29th.
+
+On the 2d of October, the Regiment moved North on a scout. Found and
+engaged a small force of the enemy, on Forked Deer River. In this
+engagement, Private Peterson, of Co. K, was killed. Finding no more
+force of the enemy, the Regiment returned to camp at Pocahontas on the
+4th of October.
+
+During the latter part of September and the first week in October,
+there was much talk that we would be removed, and take up the march
+somewhere. Gen. Sherman's forces from Vicksburg, were constantly
+passing towards Corinth, for two or three weeks. It was reported that
+they would take the place of the 16th Army Corps in occupying Memphis
+and Corinth and the Railroad between them; and that our Corps would
+move into an active campaign. Thus we were kept, as soldiers often are,
+in suspense from day to day. Not knowing what a day might bring forth.
+In the meantime Sherman's forces passed on towards Chattanooga, and we
+were still in our old quarters.
+
+As the weather was now becoming too cold for the airy tents, which most
+of the Regiment occupied, the boys went to the timber, split boards,
+hauled poles, &c., and put themselves up comfortable quarters. Brick
+chimneys, left where houses had been burnt through the country, were
+torn down and brought into camp, and neat little chimneys built to
+their shanties. Thus the boys were preparing for comfortably spending
+the winter in their camp.
+
+On the 4th of October, commissions arrived, as follows: 2d Lieut. John
+Mallmann, to be Captain of Company B; 2d Sergt. L. Grieser, to be 1st
+Lieut. Company B; 1st Lieut. I. Clements, to be Captain Company G; 2d
+Lieut. N. G. Perrine, to be 1st Lieut. Company G; 1st Lieut. S. T.
+Hughs, to be Captain of Company I; 2d Lieut. Wm. Paden, to be 1st
+Lieut. Company I; Com. Sergt. C. A. Spatee, to be Regimental
+Quartermaster. Of the above, the following were ordered on duty, in
+their new rank, viz: Grieser, Clements, Perrine and Spatee.
+
+On the 6th of October, the Regiment, under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, moved South towards Ripley, on the Jonesborough road, and
+bivouacked for the night at Ruckersville. Moved forward again at
+daylight on the 7th, and reached Ripley at 8:30 A. M., and at 9:30
+moved North-west towards Salem. When within five miles of that place,
+an advance was sent out, which ascertained that the enemy were in Salem
+about 3,000 strong. It was determined by Lieut. Col. Phillips, to
+attack them on the morning of the 8th, although his force did not
+exceed 400 men. Hence, early in the morning, one company was sent
+rapidly forward, and drove in their pickets and developed their forces.
+This done and they fell back. Soon after, the Regiment moved forward in
+force. Arriving at the town, it was found that Col. McCrillis was there
+with his Regiment of cavalry, and that the Rebels had fallen back out
+of town. It was soon ascertained, however, that their falling back was
+not a retreat, but a pretense, and that they were preparing to attack
+us. Hence, the 9th Ill. Inft. was dismounted and deployed as
+skirmishers, and the two guns of Tamrath's Battery accompanying the
+Regiment, were placed in position, and opened upon the enemy. In a very
+short time the enemy made a vigorous effort to drive us, but failed.
+After engaging this vastly superior force for three hours, and our
+ammunition failing, we fell back on to the Railroad at LaGrange, and
+were reinforced. Five of our men were killed and twenty wounded in this
+engagement.
+
+After reaching LaGrange, a dispatch was sent into camp, for all the men
+in camp fit for duty, to join the Regiment at that place.
+Reinforcements were now secured and preparations made for driving the
+enemy back, or cutting off his retreat. On the 11th of October, the
+Regiment, together with Col. Hatch's mounted force, moved South-west.
+Had an engagement with the enemy at Graham's Mills, and another at
+Wyatt's, defeating them in both engagements and driving them Southward,
+after severe skirmishing.
+
+Our entire mounted force was commanded by Col. Hatch, the Brigade by
+Lieut. Col. Phillips, and the Regiment by Captain A. G. Hawes. In these
+two last engagements, the 9th Ill. lost one man killed and five
+wounded.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the various
+engagements, since the Regiment was mounted on the 20th of March, 1863.
+
+COMPANY A.--At Jackson, Tenn., _Killed_, Konrad Schaeffer; _Wounded_,
+Sergt. Michael Hartweek, Privates Charles Harris and George Heiler.--1
+killed and 3 wounded.
+
+COMPANY B.--Cherokee Bluffs, Miss., _Wounded_, Gustar Blank; Mud Creek,
+Miss., John Snider; Salem, Miss., James Luston; Wyatt's, Miss.,
+_Killed_, William Toliver; _Wounded_, 1st Lieut. Louis Grieser, Private
+Wm. Crum. In all, 1 killed and 5 wounded.
+
+COMPANY C.--Mud Creek, Miss., _Killed_, Sergt. Charles Ehrlich, Private
+George Valler, _Wounded_, Sergt. Wm. Heser, and Private Eilb Menson;
+Jackson, Tenn., Sergt. Engen A. Hauke; Salem, Miss., Corp. Wm.
+Striegal, and Private G. M. Smith; Athens, Ala., Samuel Spring. In all,
+2 killed and 6 wounded.
+
+COMPANY D.--Salem, Miss., _Killed_, G. W. Hatfield, _Wounded_, Chrst.
+Lambe. One killed and one wounded.
+
+COMPANY E.--Mud Creek, Miss., _Wounded_, Charles B. Fleming, Wm. M.
+Gery and Ephraim J. Tyler; Salem, Miss., Jas. Stewart and Wm. Mock. In
+all, 5 wounded.
+
+COMPANY F.--Salem, Miss., _Killed_, Thos. Ellison.
+
+COMPANY G.--Mud Creek, Miss., Henry Brown and Jonathan Hampton; Salem,
+Miss., Wm. Cheneworth and Jas. M. Newton. In all, 4 wounded.
+
+COMPANY H.--Salem, Miss., Francis M. Strickle, Ahiron D. Simons, Benj.
+R. Felts; Florence, Ala., Wm. H. Neal. In all, 4 wounded.
+
+COMPANY I.--Mud Creek, Miss., _Wounded_, Lieut. S. T. Hughs, Chas. S.
+Patton; Grenada, Miss., S. P. Irwin; Jackson, Tenn., Oliver Hays;
+Salem, Miss., _Killed_, E. K. Richards, _Wounded_, Richard Jordon;
+Wyatt's, Miss., John Graham; Athens, Ala., M. D. Holcomb. In all, 1
+killed and 7 wounded.
+
+COMPANY K.--Montezuma, Tenn., _Killed_, John M. Peterson; Salem, Miss.,
+John Q. Martin, _Wounded_, Lieut. Ulen and Peter Hall. In all, 2 killed
+and 2 wounded.
+
+A number of incidents of interest, occurred during the period covered
+by this chapter.
+
+When on a scout to Tupelo, the boys were feeding near the house of a
+citizen. A woman came to Col. Phillips to make complaints that one of
+her horses had been taken, and a negro man or two had left her and was
+following our forces away. The Col. very politely told her, (for he is
+always polite to the ladies, unless they cease to act the lady,) that
+he was sorry for her, but that it was his business to keep the Rebels
+out of that country, so that they might not molest peaceable citizens
+like her. In order to do this, he must have horses to mount his men.
+Hence, from military necessity he must take her horse. That more
+effectually to accomplish the work of clearing the Rebels out of the
+country, the Government had resolved to arm the negroes and make
+soldiers of them. Hence, he must take her negroes also. Finding she
+could accomplish nothing by her entreaties with the Col., she was
+returning to the house, when she saw that they were taking her corn to
+feed their animals. Some of the boys were also chasing her chickens,
+and they were rapidly decreasing in numbers. She now set up a terrible
+lamentation, and commenced praying that God would send the Yankees out
+of the country. In the warmth of her petitions, she used the following
+forcible language: "O, Lord, if you can't come yourself, just now, do
+send General Price with his great army, to drive these miserable
+Yankees out of the country." Until this petition was uttered, some of
+the boys felt a sympathy for her. But the utterance of it, seemed to
+drive away both their sympathy and their gravity. The Col. finally sent
+an orderly, telling her to go into the house and finish her prayers.
+
+Another. When on a scout near Ripley, Miss., the Regiment were in camp,
+and, as usual, helping themselves to the contents of a corn-crib, that
+thereby they might strengthen their mules for the heavy duties laid
+upon them. A woman appeared, with the usual cry, that she was a "poor
+lone widow, with six orphan children," and requested the Col. to leave
+her corn enough to make her bread until she could raise more. The Col.
+assured her that they would leave her some corn. In a short time, one
+of the girls came out, with the cry, "O, Col., the soldiers are taking
+every bit of our corn, and we will all starve." The Col. gave orders to
+the Adjutant to have a guard placed at that woman's corn, and instruct
+it to see that _some_ of that corn was left. The Adjutant detailed a
+guard. In the meantime, it had been ascertained that the family had a
+lot of wheat; and although it might be hard for a Southern family to
+live without corn bread, still it was supposed that if they had
+wheat-bread, they would not _starve_. Hence, as corn to feed upon was
+scarce, the Adjutant, in instructing the guard to see that _some_ of
+that corn was left, gave him a knowing wink, which he well understood.
+_Some_ of the corn was left. But it was simply a little shelled corn in
+the bottom of the crib. One of the girls having made a reconnoisance to
+the corn-crib, to see how things were getting along there, and made the
+discovery that it was all gone, came back running and crying, "Oh,
+mother, mother; they have taken every bit of our corn, and now we will
+have nothing to eat but wheat-bread. What will we do."
+
+Still another. It was almost a daily, and often an hourly occurrence
+for citizens to visit the Col. at his Head Quarters, to endeavor to get
+back a horse or mule that had been captured. One day two ladies had
+visited him for that purpose. While they were engaged in reasoning the
+matter with him, dinner was announced. He invited them to go out and
+eat dinner with him. The invitation was accepted. The cook, or Doctor,
+or some one, expecting that they would be there for dinner, set a
+bottle of liquor on the table. After dinner was over, the Colonel
+politely invited them to take a drink. After some little hesitation,
+they each took their glass of liquor. The Colonel, always supplied with
+cigars, took his cigar-case from his pocket, and reached it to them.
+They each took a cigar, lit it at the cook's fire, and sat down and
+deliberately smoked it. In the North, to smoke in the presence of
+ladies is considered the greatest impoliteness. Not so in the South,
+however.
+
+One more. When on the return from the raid to Grenada, Miss., the
+Regiment passed through Holly Springs. There was some apprehension that
+there might be a disposition on the part of some of the soldiers to
+fire the town, owing to treatment received from the citizens on a
+former occasion. Hence, a guard was placed at each house, until the
+forces should pass through. Surgeon Gulick desiring some water for sick
+men, started to go into a yard to get it, but the guard would not allow
+him to pass in. He handed his canteen to a colored man in the yard,
+requesting him to fill it with water. While he was doing it, a woman
+came from the house, much excited. Coming towards the Doctor, she
+inquired, "Is there a Mason here?"
+
+_Doctor._--"Why, madame, what do you wish?"
+
+_Mad. M._--"I am the widow of a Mason. I wish to know if there is a
+Mason here. I wish protection."
+
+_Doctor._--"Madame, you had better go into the house. You do not need
+protection. There is a guard around your house."
+
+During this conversation, a chicken, from some cause ran through the
+fence into the street. A soldier started after it, to catch it. The
+Doctor's companion seized a long club, and quickly got over the fence
+and after the soldier. Unobserved, she came upon him, when about to
+catch the chicken, and struck him a heavy blow over the head. This he
+did not resist, as it was from a woman. But after the second blow, he
+supposed that "forbearance ceased to be a virtue," even if a woman was
+involved. The Doctor says he was scared when he saw her seize the club
+and climb the fence. He supposed she was coming at him.
+
+Still another. At the same time and place with the last, a lady whose
+horse had been taken, came out to Col. Phillips, very pleasant, and
+announced herself as a daughter of Gen. Bradshaw; took the Colonel's
+horse by the bridle, and told him that she would be servant for him,
+and he had to submit to having her lead his horse up to her gate. She
+invited him to go in and have something to drink. He could not well
+refuse her invitation, even if he had desired to. Once in the house,
+she told him that she had both wine and whisky. Said she did not know
+how it was with our officers, but theirs all preferred the whisky. The
+Colonel told her that he would not be an exception, and so helped
+himself to a portion of the whisky.
+
+Another one yet. During the raid on Florence, when the town was being
+searched, and contraband goods taken, tobacco and wine were both
+regarded as contrabands of war. Considerable quantities of both were
+found in the town. Dr. Allen tells of one soldier whom he saw with
+three boxes of tobacco on his mule before him. Having more than he
+could well carry, and meeting a citizen on the street, proposed to give
+him a box. Another, whom he met, had three or four boxes of bottles of
+wine on before him. Being rather overburdened, he made a present of one
+box to the Doctor, which he accepted, I suppose, as _hospital stores_.
+
+Another on Dr. Gulick. I hope the good natured Doctor will pardon me
+for using his name so frequently in this connection. When on the return
+march from the raid to Grenada, Miss., as has been stated, there was a
+drove of about 2,000 negroes followed the returning column. They were
+of all ages, and both sexes. Old grey headed grandfathers and
+grandmothers were there. Men and women in the vigor of life were there.
+Prattling little boys and little girls were there. Suckling babes were
+there also. This great crowd of colored people were there, some of them
+pretty well clad, others almost naked. It is described as a sight
+sufficient to touch the heart of any one. Mothers were there, traveling
+on foot a journey of 75 to 100 miles, carrying their infant children.
+Two or three of these mothers, overcome with traveling to keep up with
+a mounted force, carrying their children, actually laid them down by
+the road side, and pressed on to liberty. "Can a mother forget her
+sucking child?" Some of these poor creatures seemed willing to leave
+their children behind, rather than be left themselves, hoping,
+perhaps, that some "good Samaritan" would care for them. The Doctor,
+kind-hearted man, finding one of these little ones, alighted and picked
+it up, and as some of the boys passed him, was dandling the child. He
+placed it in his ambulance, and when they halted, he found its mother.
+All praise to the Doctor for this humane act.
+
+Another fact, closely connected with this rebellion, for the
+suppression of which our Regiment has so nobly contended. While in camp
+at Pocahontas, the writer took the pains to ascertain some facts with
+reference to the education of the citizens. When we had been in camp
+about three months, I called at the Provost Marshal's office, and
+ascertained that 1,520 citizens had taken the oath of allegiance, that
+they might make purchases of coffee, salt, &c. from our Commissary. Of
+the above number, just 300 could write their own names. The other 1,220
+had to have their names written and make their mark. At another point
+where the Regiment was in camp, on the Tennessee River, out of 313 who
+took the oath in one day, only 13 could write their own names. The
+remaining 300 had to make their mark.
+
+Now, looking at these facts, and if they are anything like an
+approximation even, to the state of society in the South, need we any
+longer wonder at this rebellion? A few well informed and designing
+leaders can go into a community, such as the above facts indicate, and
+influence its inhabitants to almost any course of action they may
+desire.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+FROM THE TIME OF LEAVING POCAHONTAS TO THE PRESENT.
+
+    _Orders to move camp--March to Eastport--Regiment detached for
+    scouting duty--From Eastport to Pulaski--Pulaski to
+    Athens--Scouting along the Tennessee--Going into
+    quarters--Roddy's Raid--Scout below Florence._
+
+
+As stated in the preceding chapter, there had been much said about our
+Regiment leaving camp and being thrown out into an active campaign;
+that that excitement had passed away, and the boys had prepared
+themselves with comfortable quarters in which to spend the winter.
+
+When thus comfortably fixed for living during the winter, orders came
+for the Regiment to be ready to move on the morning of October 30th.
+Thus the comfortable little dwellings prepared by the boys; the chapel
+prepared for our religious services; the new hospital just finished,
+and such like comforts were all left behind. But such is the common lot
+of soldiers. They have a very uncertain life before them. They know
+not to-day, where they shall be on to-morrow. The order was to conduct
+a Battery to Corinth. Whence, from there, we knew not.
+
+The morning of October 30th came, and with it heavy clouds, threatening
+rain. Baggage must be packed up. Tents must be struck. Wagons must be
+loaded. By about 8 ½ A. M., all was ready, and we were on the march.
+About the time we started, it commenced raining, and rained heavily all
+day. This made it difficult for the Battery wagons to proceed rapidly.
+Came to Cypress Creek and bottom. The stream was very difficult to
+cross. There was a swampy bottom, of three miles, which we had to
+cross. The Battery did not get through it that night, but camped in the
+bottom. The right wing of the Regiment moved out to the ridge beyond,
+and there awaited the arrival of Battery and left wing. It being found
+they could not get through that night, all went into bivouack until
+morning. At an early hour on the morning of the 31st, the Regiment and
+Battery were on the move. We reached Corinth about 1 P. M., of the
+31st. Here we were relieved as escort to the Battery. Went into camp in
+the barracks lately occupied by the 50th Ill. Regiment. Here we
+remained until the morning of the 3d of November.
+
+On the 2d of November, we were mustered for pay. Received orders on the
+2d, to move the next morning, as escort to a train, to Iuka. Orders
+were issued regulating the order of march. There was a train of about
+200 wagons and ambulances. The advance was ordered to move at 4 A. M.,
+and the rear at 6 A. M. The whole was under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips. Such was the promptness with which he had each part of the
+column to occupy its position, that when the rear moved, and he went to
+the telegraph office to dispatch to Gen. Dodge that all were moving, it
+lacked ten minutes of six o'clock. Moved on steadily until noon. Halted
+one hour to water and rest. At 5 P. M., we reached Iuka, a distance of
+25 miles. It was regarded a very speedy trip for so long a train. We
+bivouacked for the night, near Iuka. On the morning of the 4th of
+November, we moved at 10 A. M., as escort to a train of 150 wagons, to
+the crossing of the Tennessee River at Eastport. We arrived at Eastport
+at 2 P. M.
+
+Gen. Dodge's orders to Lieut. Col. Phillips, commanding the 9th Ill.
+Inft., was, that immediately upon his arrival at Eastport, he should
+leave the train, together with his own Regimental teams on this side,
+and ferry the Regiment across the river, so as to be ready to move as
+early as practicable on the following day. The Regiment was all across
+by about sundown, and bivouacked one-half mile from the river.
+
+Our Regiment, Lieut. Col. Phillips commanding, was ordered on detached
+duty, and thus separated from the 2d Brigade, to which it properly
+belonged.
+
+I might here state that the whole of the 2d Division of the 16th Army
+Corps, under command of Gen. Sweeney, Gen. Dodge being the department
+commander, had taken up the march from Corinth on the 2d and 3d of
+November, and was engaged in being ferried across the Tennessee River
+at Eastport.
+
+Gen. Dodge's order, detaching the 9th Ill. Inft., assigned it to
+_scouting_ and _foraging_ for animals. The Division teams needed
+recruiting. Horses and mules must be procured in the country through
+which we were about to march, for this purpose. Gen. Sherman had lately
+marched his army through the same country, and it was very naturally
+supposed that animals would be scarce. Hence, a part of the order to
+our Regiment was to gather up all the horses, mules, cattle and sheep
+that could be found in the country. It was further ascertained that
+portions of Rebel cavalry had crossed North of the Tennessee River, to
+annoy our forces on their march. Hence, an additional duty assigned to
+the 9th Ill. was to make reconnoisances and watch the movements of the
+enemy.
+
+On the night of the 4th, Lieut. Col. Phillips issued orders to be ready
+to move at 6 A. M., the next morning. He also issued orders detailing
+one non-commissioned officer and six men from each company for foraging
+purposes, and instructing the foragers to bring in all horses, mules,
+cattle and sheep that could be found on our route. All soldiers were
+forbidden to leave the ranks, except such as were detailed for that
+purpose.
+
+On the morning of the 5th of October, the Regiment was on the march by
+daybreak. Took the Florence road, for about three miles. Turned North,
+and traveled about ten miles through a poor, rough, broken country.
+Halted to make inquiry as to the country. Found a good Union man, with
+a clever family. Had the old man to go with us, as a guide. The
+Regiment here separated and traveled two different roads. About noon
+the flankers of the right wing were fired on, near a house. A number of
+shots were fired. Several horses and some cattle were taken. Halted to
+feed, two hours. During that time the left wing came in. All having
+fed, we took up the march again. Proceeded in the direction of
+Florence. Bivouacked for the night, after dark, about 14 miles from
+Florence. It had rained almost constantly during the day. Was still
+raining some when we halted. There was a fair prospect for a
+disagreeable night for laying out. But it did not rain much during the
+night. We brought in two men as prisoners, and about forty head of
+horses and mules, with some cattle.
+
+November 6th, the Regiment moved at sunrise, bearing South. At 2 P. M.,
+we came into a rich country. Plantations large; abundance of negroes;
+stock was plenty, which was gathered up. At many of the plantations we
+would collect 20 or 25 mules. Halted two or three hours and gathered up
+stock and fed. We then moved five or six miles West, and bivouacked for
+the night near a house owned by a large planter. The woman applied for
+protection. No one was allowed to enter the house. Negroes came in from
+different plantations. Through them we gathered much information as to
+the whereabouts of stock. Did not leave camp until about 11 A. M., of
+the 7th November. Sent out companies in different directions, to forage
+for stock. Succeeded in gathering a large amount of it. We were here
+South of the road leading from Eastport to Florence. We had crossed
+that road on the afternoon of the 6th.
+
+During both the days we were out, we could frequently hear of forces of
+the Rebel cavalry on the North side of the river. They were often very
+near us, but always kept out of our way.
+
+November 7th, at 11 A. M., we took up our march to strike the Florence
+road, hoping to meet the Brigade. We met them, and reported 300 head of
+horses and mules, 250 head of cattle, and 200 head of sheep, which we
+brought in and turned over. We met the column about 2 P. M., and
+bivouacked near a large brick house, residence of Captain Boggs.
+
+The Regiment was now ordered to draw five days rations, and scout on
+the left flank of the advancing column. The main column, consisting of
+the 2d Division, 16th Army Corps, proceeded in the direction of
+Pulaski, Tenn., leaving Florence about eight miles to the right. On the
+march Col. Mersy, commanding 2d Brigade, had orders to burn a large
+Cotton Factory, which was being run by orders from the Southern
+Confederacy. The factory, together with the raw cotton, was worth about
+$100,000. The whole establishment was consigned to the flames on the
+morning of the 10th of November.
+
+When the 9th Ill. Inft. left the advancing column, on the morning of
+the 8th, it proceeded in the direction of Waynesboro, and bivouacked
+twelve miles North-east of Waynesboro, and twenty miles from Gravelly
+Springs. Moved forward again early on the morning of the 9th, and
+marched thirty-five miles, bivouacking near Lawrenceburg. We moved
+again on the morning of the 10th, traversing the country to see that no
+Rebel forces were there to molest the column. We passed through Mt.
+Pleasant. Bivouacked for the night five miles from Columbia, near the
+residence of Bishop (now Rebel General) Polk's residence. On the
+morning of the 11th, moved into Columbia, and proceeded in the
+direction of Pulaski, Tenn. Bivouacked two and a half miles from
+Pulaski. On the morning of the 12th, moved into Pulaski, and joined the
+column.
+
+During this scout of four days, part of our business still being to
+collect stock, we brought in 500 head of horses and mules. Passed
+through some very fine and well improved country. There was no
+opposition met from the enemy, worth noting.
+
+From the time of leaving camp at Pocahontas, up to our arrival at
+Pulaski, we supposed (at least the uninitiated) that our whole force
+was moving on in the direction of Chattanooga, and that was our
+destination. We expected soon to reach that place and take part in the
+great battle pending there. But on arriving at Pulaski, Gen. Dodge
+established his Head Quarters there, and his command were stationed
+along the Railroad running from Nashville to Decatur, to repair the
+road for use. The 2d Brigade, with the exception of the 9th Ill. Inft.,
+went into camp at Pulaski. The 9th was still ordered on detached duty,
+and sent to establish a post at Athens, Alabama.
+
+On the afternoon of the 12th of November, we moved South of Pulaski,
+along the line of the Railroad, and bivouacked nine miles from Pulaski,
+near where the Ohio Brigade were in bivouack. Here the men were ordered
+to draw five days rations, in their haversacks. They were also notified
+that our train and baggage would be left behind, and to make a change
+of clothing if they desired it.
+
+On the morning of the 13th of November, we moved at daylight,
+Southward, leaving our wagons, baggage, and hospital to proceed with
+the Ohio Brigade to Prospect, where that Brigade was to be stationed.
+At Prospect, we forded the Elk River. When the advance reached the
+river, and were looking for a ford, some Rebel soldiers were seen on
+the opposite side, and fired upon. They interposed no obstacle to our
+crossing, however. After crossing the river, one battalion, under
+command of Captain Lowe, proceeded by a circuitous and Westerly route.
+The remainder of the Regiment proceeded by the direct route to Athens,
+Ala., arriving there before sunset. A few miles North of the town, one
+man of Company G, was taken prisoner when out foraging, by a few Rebel
+soldiers who were in the neighborhood. A small force of Rebel cavalry
+had occupied Athens on that day, but they speedily left on our arrival.
+The advance of our column came very rapidly into town, pursuing the
+party who had captured our man. They were pursued some distance
+through the town. On our arrival, Lieut. Col. Phillips, who was in
+command of the Regiment during the entire march, took possession of the
+town. Captain I. Clements was appointed as Provost Marshal, with his
+Company (G) as Provost Guard. Captain Lowe, with his battalion, reached
+Athens sometime after dark.
+
+The Regiment went into bivouack in different parts of the town. Col.
+Phillips made his Head Quarters in the Court House.
+
+On the morning of the 14th of November, the entire Regiment, under
+command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved South towards Decatur. Proceeded
+to the bank of the river opposite Decatur, and reconnoitered the
+position. Found the Rebels were occupying the town, and had a Battery
+of two guns. We moved back two miles, halted and fed. Parties were sent
+in different directions to reconnoiter. The entire Regiment returned to
+Athens the same evening, and bivouacked as on the previous night.
+
+On the morning of the 15th of November, the Regiment moved out one mile
+North-east of town, and went into camp. Here we remained until the
+morning of the 18th, simply sending out single companies each day to
+reconnoiter.
+
+One object of our expedition was to examine the condition of the
+Railroad and telegraph line. On leaving Pulaski, Lieut. Oats, with
+twelve men, was detailed for that purpose. He proceeded along the line
+of the Railroad from Pulaski to Decatur, examining carefully its
+condition. The writer was requested by Lieut. Col. Phillips to
+accompany him, and report the condition of the telegraph. We were often
+separated two or three miles from the main column.
+
+On the evening of the 17th, a portion of the teams came down from
+Pulaski, with five days rations, and returned to Prospect the next
+morning.
+
+On the morning of the 18th November, the entire Regiment moved West, in
+the direction of Florence. Crossed Elk River, fifteen miles West of
+Athens, and halted to feed. During the afternoon of this day, when near
+Rodgersville, the advance were fired upon by a squad of Rebels, who
+broke and ran. No one hurt. Two companies moved rapidly down to the
+Tennessee River, at Lamb's Ferry, hoping to capture the boat. But it
+was on the other side of the river. Moved West on the Florence road,
+and bivouacked for the night nine miles West of Rodgersville.
+
+November 19th, we moved at daylight, Westward on the Florence road. At
+Shoal Creek bridge the advance encountered and chased some Rebels, who
+seemed to be guarding the bridge. Proceeded rapidly with two
+companies, to Bambridge Ferry, six miles above Florence, and captured
+the ferry-boat. The Rebels opened fire from the opposite side of the
+river. Our two companies were deployed as skirmishers, and returned the
+fire. A brisk fire was kept up for one hour, until the boat was
+destroyed, when we started on our return march. Re-crossed Shoal Creek.
+Halted and fed. Mounted and continued our return march. Bivouacked for
+the night West of Elk River.
+
+We moved again early on the morning of the 20th of November, and
+returned to Athens about 12 M. Proceeded through town, on the Decatur
+road, about six miles, halted and fed. From this point four companies
+returned to Athens, and occupied our old camp. The remainder of the
+Regiment proceeded to Moorsville. Found a force occupying that place,
+and returned to camp at Athens on the 21st. On the afternoon of this
+day, we moved our camp South-west of town.
+
+The country having been completely explored, and considering there was
+no immediate danger from the enemy, the Col. sent for our teams and
+baggage. They arrived on the evening of the 21st, and the boys were
+glad to have a change of clothing.
+
+I would here say, that upon our first coming to Athens, it was not
+deemed prudent to remove any baggage here, except such as could be
+carried on our animals. Our Regiment was sent down here all alone, in
+the midst of an enemy's country. No one knew the exact strength of the
+enemy. It was fifteen miles to Prospect, where our nearest forces were.
+The Elk River intervened, and was often past fording. At that time
+there was no way of crossing it, except on a very small boat which
+would only carry one wagon. It was a hazardous position we occupied, at
+best. There was a heavy force of Rebels South of the Tennessee River.
+There were a number of ferries for crossing at different points. But
+having reconnoitered the country, and destroyed several of the enemy's
+ferries, it was thought our train might be brought down with safety.
+
+From the time we left camp at Pocahontas, until our train was brought
+down, we had been out 23 days, and on the march nearly all the time.
+During this time, we had with us no tents or covering of any kind,
+except such as we carried on our animals. We would march all day, often
+making 40 and 45 miles, and then lay down on the ground at night, with
+no covering but our blankets. During this time, we marched over 400
+miles.
+
+When our train arrived, and our camping ground was determined we had no
+tents, which could be quickly spread for a shelter. Most of the boys
+were under the necessity, for several nights, of doing as they had
+done, sleeping in the open air. Soon lumber was procured, from the
+fence around the Fair Grounds and the buildings it contained, and
+unoccupied stables and fences, with which to build shanties. But we had
+no nails, and this country could furnish none. But where there were
+buildings and fences, there were nails, and the old nails were
+preserved, and thus the boys built their houses. After a time, they
+were quite comfortable in them. The work of building "New Athens" was,
+however much retarded by the fact that several companies of the
+Regiment were almost constantly out on scouting duty. But ere long
+their houses were finished, with comfortable fire-places attached.
+
+As I have stated above, Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the 9th Ill. Inft.,
+was detached, and sent to Athens to establish a post. It was a strange
+kind of _post_ for two or three weeks. Much was said about "Col.
+Phillips' circulating post." After we were settled down in our camp,
+however, Col. Phillips formally assumed command of the post, with his
+Head Quarters in town, leaving Major Kuhn in command of the Regiment.
+Still the _post_, or its head, was rather circulatory; for whenever the
+Regiment was out on a scout of any considerable importance, the Col.
+was sure to go along.
+
+It devolved upon our Regiment not only to hold its post at Athens, but
+to guard the crossings of the Tennessee River for a distance of not
+less than fifty miles in length. Consequently, there was a great amount
+of scouting duty to perform. Almost daily, the various crossings of the
+Tennessee River, between Decatur and Florence, were visited by portions
+of our Regiment, and the ferry-boats either destroyed or captured.
+
+On the 28th of November, three companies, under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, moved West at 11 P. M., on the Florence road, and crossed Elk
+River, in search of some Rebel cavalry said to have crossed the
+Tennessee River that evening. He came upon and captured a squad of
+fifteen of them. Not finding any more force, he was returning to camp
+the next morning with his prisoners, when he was met by a dispatch from
+Gen. Dodge, stating that a large body of Rebels had crossed about
+Florence, and ordering him to reconnoiter and watch their movements,
+and develop their strength. A squad of men were sent in with the
+prisoners, with orders for one company more to join him. He had gone
+out with only one days' rations. The company that joined him could not
+carry rations to him, for we were short in camp. Our teams had gone to
+Pulaski for rations. The Division teams from Columbia had not arrived
+with rations, as expected. Our teams were detained there several days.
+But the boys of the 9th are not likely to starve, when there is
+anything in the country around them to eat.
+
+The first night they camped near the town of Rodgersville. The Col.
+sent orders to the different houses in town, requiring each to supply a
+certain number of rations of corn bread. Some demurred, saying they had
+nothing of which to make bread. A second order was sent that if it was
+not provided in such a length of time, he would burn their houses. This
+brought corn bread in abundance, but not of a very fine quality. The
+next night they camped near a good supply of sweet potatoes, to which
+they helped themselves. The following day they came across a store of
+Rebel commissaries, and were thus further provided. They were out four
+days. Came upon a body of Rebels, of whom they captured about thirty.
+When pursuing them, Col. Phillips was chasing his man, and made a sabre
+stroke at him, cutting him over the head. About that time, the Col.'s
+horse fell, and threw him on his face on the frozen ground. He captured
+his man, however.
+
+On the 25th of January, 1864, Companies B, C, D, F, H, I and K, under
+command of Lieut. Col. Phillips, moved out on a reconnoisance West.
+This left but three companies in camp. Company A was doing picket duty.
+Company G was acting as Provost Guard, and stationed in town. This left
+Company E in camp alone. News of the weakness of our force was
+immediately carried over the river, and Gen. Roddy notified of it.
+Consequently, early on the morning of the 26th of January, about 4
+A. M., our camp was attacked by Gen. Roddy, with 700 men and two pieces
+of artillery. The pickets on the West of our camp were fired upon.
+Company E moved out promptly to support the pickets, when they met the
+overwhelming force of the enemy. After a brief engagement, and finding
+the strength of the enemy, this company fell back into town, to
+co-operate with Company G. This gave the Rebels possession of our camp.
+They plundered it of all the baggage and valuables. Our men were
+pursued into the town, the Rebels occupying the Southern part of the
+town, and our boys the Northern part. The Rebels also placed their
+artillery in position, and began to shell the town. After a smart
+skirmish of about forty minutes, the enemy retreated, and returned
+towards the river. This they did, although they numbered ten to our
+one.
+
+The loss of the 9th, in this engagement, was two men wounded, viz:
+Spring, of Company C, (since dead,) and Holcomb, of Company I. One man,
+not a soldier, but an employe of our Surgeon, was shot in the hospital
+yard, although entirely unarmed. The enemy admit a loss of six killed
+and eighteen wounded. Three of our boys pursued them, and fired upon
+them when a short distance from the river, killing one and wounding
+two. They returned to camp safely, except that they lost their horses.
+
+The officers lost all their baggage and effects, except such as they
+had with them. So with the men.
+
+On the 28th, seven companies, under command of Lieut. Col. Phillips,
+moved West on the Florence road. Bivouacked for the night, eight miles
+East of Florence.
+
+Early on the 29th, moved into Florence, chasing some Rebel soldiers
+from the town. Passed on twelve miles West of Florence, to Pride's
+Ferry. Here we had a sight of some Rebels, but they made good their
+escape. We destroyed a factory and mill in this region. Captured a
+train of about twenty wagons with their teams.
+
+Near this Ferry lives a man named Woods, who is living with a negro
+woman as his wife. To this Woman he had a large number of children,
+whom he was holding as slaves. He was holding about forty of his own
+children as slaves. The Regiment foraged heavily upon him. About 3
+P. M., we started on the return march, and bivouacked four miles from
+Florence. In this region, large numbers of negroes came in, and
+followed the Regiment on its return march to Athens.
+
+On the morning of the 30th, moved towards Athens, and bivouacked for
+the night, West of Elk River. On the 31st, reached camp at Athens.
+
+The Regiment was out, during this expedition, four days. It brought in
+about 500 negroes, men, women and children; 150 head of horses and
+mules, and 100 head of cattle, besides a train of 20 wagons.
+
+On the 15th of February, the Regiment, under command of Lieut. Col.
+Phillips, moved to the Tennessee River, at Lucas & Brown's Ferry. The
+Regiment remained in bivouac during that entire week. Their work was
+patroling the river for ten or fifteen miles above and below Decatur,
+capturing flat-boats and ferry-boats, constructing canoes, &c. The
+weather was very cold. They had no shelter. Had to work much about the
+water, and withal, it was a very hard week's duty. The Rebels were
+occupying the other side of the river, and there was almost constant
+firing at each other across the river. Lieut. Oats, of Co. K, was in a
+flat-boat with fifteen men, when he was fired upon by about twenty
+Rebels, at close range. One man of Co. I was severely wounded. The fire
+was returned, and it is thought, from the noise, several of the enemy
+were killed and wounded. The Lieutenant captured four Rebel prisoners.
+
+The Regiment returned to camp on the 20th, leaving two companies to
+patrol the river and guard our boats. During the week of boat
+capturing, one flat-boat captured above Decatur "ran the blockade" past
+the town, with three of our boys in it. They lay down flat, and let it
+float. Many incidents of interest occurred during this week, but I have
+not room to note them here.
+
+On the 22d of February, the 39th Regiment Ohio Infantry arrived at
+Athens, and went into camp. Col. Noyes, of the 39th Ohio, assumed
+command of the post, relieving Lieut. Col. Phillips, who again assumed
+command of the Regiment.
+
+From the 20th of February, up to the 7th of March, two companies of the
+9th Ill. was kept constantly at the Tennessee River, patroling it for
+several miles below Decatur. These companies were relieved every two
+days, by others. In the meantime several other regiments passed through
+Athens, on their way towards Decatur. These were the 63d Ohio, 27th
+Ohio, 43d Ohio, and 111th Illinois, with the 4th Michigan Battery.
+
+The Railroad was completed about the last week of February, and the
+cars commenced running through from Nashville. Soon boats to construct
+a pontoon bridge at Decatur, commenced passing on the cars. Gen. Dodge,
+who commands the department, was below. Active preparations were being
+made for occupying Decatur. To do this, the Tennessee River must be
+crossed, in the face of an opposing foe. The enemy was occupying
+Decatur, and the South bank of the river at the various ferries below.
+
+The Regiment was paid, by Major Gregory, on the 2d of March, 1864, for
+the months of November and December. It had been paid on the 16th of
+December, 1863, by Major Hinkley, for the months of September and
+October, 1863.
+
+On the morning of the 7th of March, the 9th Ill., together with a
+detachment of 60 men of the 18th Mo., and two sections of a U. S.
+Battery, stationed at Athens, received marching orders, and moved at 10
+A. M., on the Lucas Ferry road. Arriving within two miles of the river
+at 2 P. M., they halted and fed, remaining until near dark, when they
+moved on to the river under cover of darkness.
+
+It was known that an attempt would be made to cross the Tennessee River
+that night or early the next morning, both at Lucas Ferry and Decatur.
+The flat-boats, canoes, &c., which the 9th Ill. had for the past two or
+three weeks been collecting at Lucas Ferry, would now be brought into
+use. At Decatur, the boats intended for the construction of the pontoon
+bridge, would be used for crossing. Gen. Dodge was at Decatur
+superintending the crossing in person. Lieut. Col. Phillips, of the
+9th Ill., was in charge of the expedition at Lucas Ferry, which is
+three miles below Decatur.
+
+The Regiment went into bivouac, after dark, about one hundred yards
+from the river. The flat-boats and canoes had been moved up the river
+one mile, so as to have the advantage of the current. Several pontoon
+boats had been floated down a stream running from the Railroad to a
+point within a mile or two of the Ferry. These had to be taken across
+on wagons to the river and up to the point from which the boats were to
+start. This occupied a portion of the men during the greater part of
+the night.
+
+Details were made, of three men from each company, who could man a
+canoe, and four men from each company for boatmen. During the night
+there was a heavy rain, after which it cleared up, and the stars shone
+brightly. Before day, however, a very heavy fog settled over the water
+and surrounding country. This was favorable to our crossing, as a man
+could not be seen, on the water, only at a very short distance.
+
+About 2 A. M., the artillery was placed in position on the river bank.
+The forces were ordered into line. The details for canoe men and
+boatmen received their orders. The advance were to pass over in canoes.
+They were placed under the command of Lieut. Rollmann, and were
+instructed to proceed directly across, as rapidly as possible. When
+they struck the opposite shore, they were to abandon their canoes, and
+hold the positions until the boats would get over.
+
+The flat-boats and pontoons were placed under the command of Lieut
+Oats. All were marched up the river to the boats, and at 4:30 A. M.,
+the boats and canoes were loaded and started over. When the advance was
+within about 30 yards of the shore, the enemy fired a few shots, and
+retired rapidly in the direction of Courtland. The entire command
+crossed over in one and a half hours, and reported at Decatur. During
+the day and night following, the animals and teams were crossed over.
+Capt. Lowe, who had the crossing of the animals in charge, was attacked
+by a party of Rebels, and one man was taken prisoner.
+
+The Regiment moved East, on the Courtland road, at 9:30 A. M., March
+9th, and reached Courtland at 4 P. M., without meeting any body of the
+enemy. We bivouacked for the night on the Moulton road, three miles
+South of Courtland.
+
+On the morning of the 10th of March, we moved into Moulton. The enemy
+had left the place three hours before our arrival. They moved from
+Moulton at daylight, on the Russelville road. We captured, at Moulton,
+several prisoners, one flag, a quantity of ammunition, and hospital and
+commissary stores. From Moulton, we moved towards Decatur, reaching
+that place at sundown. There the Regiment was ordered into camp, to be
+quartered in houses in town.
+
+On the morning of the 11th of March, Adjutant Klock was ordered to
+Athens with a squad of men, to have the camp and garrison equipage
+moved to Decatur, which is being done at present writing, March 12th,
+1864.
+
+How long we will remain in Decatur, or where we shall go next, or how
+we shall be employed during the remaining four months of our service,
+are all matters in the future, and, in any department of life,
+uncertain, but especially in military life.
+
+There are some incidents of interest, which occurred during the period
+of this chapter.
+
+The first day after crossing the Tennessee River, while making for a
+place to camp for the night, where we learned there was forage for our
+animals, it began to get dark before we reached the point. The Col.
+drew up before a house near the road, to make some inquiry. A man came
+to the gate. Inquiry was made as to the distance to the point we wished
+to reach. These inquiries were followed by others as to whether there
+were any soldiers in the neighborhood. The reply was that there were.
+
+_Col._--"Were they Yanks?"
+
+_Citizen._--"Yes."
+
+_Col._--"How many was there of them?"
+
+_Citizen._--"Oh, there was a great many of them. At least 1,000."
+
+_Col._--"Was that all? I can easily whip twice that number. But I
+guess, my friend, you must go along and show us the road to their
+camping ground."
+
+The poor man, thinking that we were Rebel soldiers, called to one of
+the boys to bring him out his horse until he would go with those men.
+But when the boy went to the stable to get the horse, it was not there.
+Our foraging parties had visited the stable, and relieved him of his
+horse. He went into the house to get his coat. There, I think, he began
+to realize that he was _sold_. Some of our boys had been in to get
+"corn bread," and the old lady, I suppose, had noticed the blue
+uniform, and reported us as "Yanks." When he came out he did not seem
+near so willing to go along. But he went with us, and when we got into
+camp, he waked up to the fact that he was a "prisoner of war." He had
+been in the Rebel army, and was detailed as a blacksmith, to shoe the
+horses through the country, that they might be ready for government
+use. He was taken with us, as a prisoner. I saw him a week later, when
+on our march, still a prisoner.
+
+Another. On the next evening, an old negro man was with us when we
+bivouacked. He was a preacher, and quite an oracle among the darkies in
+that region of country. As we were gathered around our camp-fire, the
+old man was called up to be questioned by the Colonel. After giving all
+the information he could, he told us of his visions and spiritual
+communications. Says he, "I sees all dis trouble seben years ago. I
+sees _you alls_ a comin down from the Norf. I sees dese two great
+armies, with dah uniforms on, and all dis fitin and killin one anoder."
+On being asked how he saw all this, he replied, "I sees it
+spiritually." He was asked if he saw which was going to whip, he said,
+"Lor, massa, yes; I sees de Norf a whippin."
+
+Still another. During the march from Corinth to Pulaski, Colonel Mersy
+of the 9th, commanding Brigade, being in camp, sleeping near his
+camp-fire, which was made of Chestnut rails, noted for their _popping_
+propensities when burning, the fire flew out and set his clothes or
+blankets on fire. The Head Quarters guard seeing it, went and awoke
+him, telling him that he was on fire. His reply was, "Adjutant!
+Adjutant!" But the Adjutant was sound asleep, and did not answer his
+call. The Col. being scarcely awake, was soon asleep again. The guard
+awoke him a second time, and told him he was on fire. "I tink dat no my
+business; you wake de Adjutant." The Col., so full of military life,
+and wishing everything to go through its proper military channel, felt,
+in his half sleeping condition, that his Adjutant General must be
+honored with the permission of getting up and putting out the fire.
+
+Another one, in which our good Colonel is concerned. During the march,
+just before going into camp, Rebel uniforms and other accoutrements of
+war, were found at a house near the road. The soldiers made a pretty
+general _red up_ of the establishment. After we were in camp, the woman
+of the house came to Col. Mersy, with her complaint. She represented,
+among other things, that she had been a widow for fifteen years. Soon
+Surgeon Gulick, of the 9th, who was with the Col., heard him call,
+"Doctor! Doctor!" The Doctor having arrived and awaiting orders, the
+Col. addressed him: "Now, my dear Surgeon, you does tell me if dis
+widow has been not married dese fifteen year."
+
+Another one, which illustrates something of the habits of Southern
+women. They nearly all use tobacco, in some shape. Some of them in the
+various forms, of smoking, chewing, and _dipping_. When the Regiment
+was on its march from Pulaski to Athens, the writer was with a squad of
+men, who were traveling along the Railroad examining its condition.
+Being separated from the column, the boys becoming hungry, and desiring
+something to eat, rode up to a house where there were three or four
+women standing at the door. One of them inquired if they could get
+something to eat. The corn bread was produced. He then asked for some
+butter, which was also produced. One of the girls, thinking, I suppose,
+that one favor deserved another, very smilingly addressed one of the
+soldiers, saying, "Could you give me a chew of tobacco?" "Oh, yes,"
+says he, taking a large plug of tobacco from his pocket and handing it
+to her. She took a chew, and then reached it back, thanking him. "Oh,"
+says he, "you may just keep that, I can get more." She thanked him very
+kindly. I suppose she thought she was pretty well paid for her corn
+bread and butter.
+
+Another. Capt. Krebs, of Company D, with a squad of 25 men, was
+detailed to go with the telegraph repairer along the line between
+Huntsville and Decatur. At a station between those two points, a small
+town, there were two telegraph posts down, the line on each side being
+perfect for two or three miles. The Captain and operator rode up to
+some citizens who were on the street, and politely asked them if they
+could not have those two posts set by the next day, stating that it
+would save them the trouble of bringing their team and men several
+miles, and would be a very great accommodation. One old man replied,
+"We can't do it, sir. You have taken all our negroes from us, and we
+have nobody to work for us." The Captain insisted that it was but a
+small job, and it would save him a great amount of trouble, if they
+would do it. The old man persisted that they could not do it. The
+Captain then addressed them as follows: "Gentlemen, I will be here
+to-morrow evening, with fifty men to do that work. You will have supper
+provided for that number of men." Then turning to his command, he gave
+the order, "Two right, march!" and moved off. When he had gone a mile
+or two, a runner came up and handed him a note, saying that the
+citizens would have those posts set by to-morrow morning. The "supper
+for fifty men" had been a more powerful argument than the Captain's
+pleadings. I suppose it led them to conclude, that if they had no
+darkies to do it, they would condescend to do it themselves.
+
+One more. Major Falconet, of the Rebel army, and who was stationed at
+Decatur for some time, it is said, had come to the conclusion to take
+to himself a wife. He had gone to Florence to get married. While on the
+floor, having the marriage ceremony performed, Lieut. Col. Phillips,
+with the 9th Ill., made a dash into Florence. Some one came into the
+room and cried out, "The Yanks are coming!" The brave Major left his
+fair companion, broke from the house, and over the garden fence,
+tearing down about twenty feet of it, dashed to his boat and was off. I
+suppose he did not fancy being captured just then. How his partly
+constituted bride felt, at his rapid exit, and whether he has ever
+returned for the completion of the ceremony, "deponent saith not."
+
+Still another, showing something of the horrors of Slavery. During the
+recent scout to Courtland and Moulton, when in camp near the former
+place, the orders of Lieut. Col. Phillips were to be ready to move by
+daylight. The guard were instructed to wake them two hours before day.
+The orderlies were waked at the proper time. When Adjutant Klock had
+gotten up, he was informed by an orderly that there was a lady wishing
+to see the Colonel. The Colonel was called. In a half-sleeping
+condition, he told the Adjutant to see what she wished. The Adjutant
+went around to see her. He saw there a very decently, but plainly
+dressed lady. He asked her what she wished. He was perfectly amazed at
+her reply. She said her master was going to sell her, and she wished to
+know if she could not go with them. The Adjutant replied, that he would
+speak to the Colonel about it, and that he thought they could make
+arrangements for her to go with us. The Colonel having dropped asleep
+in the meantime, the matter was referred to Major Kuhn. He told her at
+once that she could go along. She accordingly came into Decatur with
+our Regiment. To Northern men, unaccustomed to the evils of the system
+of Slavery, such scenes are revolting. Here was a woman, so nearly
+white, that she was mistaken for a white woman. She was, in all
+probability, her master's daughter or sister.
+
+
+
+
+  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
+  OF THE
+  FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
+
+
+
+
+BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
+
+
+I propose to add to this history of the Regiment, a Biographical Sketch
+of the present Field and Staff Officers.
+
+
+COL. AUGUST MERSY.
+
+Was born in Germany. He entered the military service, in 1838, as
+Cadet, in Karlsruhe, Grand Duchy of Baden. He graduated in 1840, as
+Lieutenant. He was promoted to the position of 1st Lieutenant, in 1842.
+In 1844, he was assigned the position of Adjutant and staff officer. In
+1847, he was appointed Regimental Adjutant. A European Regiment
+consists of from 2,400 to 3,000 men. In this position he acted until
+1849. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he consequently acted against
+that Revolution. In 1849, however, he joined the Revolutionary party,
+and was promoted to the position of Colonel. After joining the
+Revolutionary party, he acted for some time as Provisional Secretary of
+War. He soon, however, joined the army, and assumed command of the
+Second Brigade. Whether he had the rank of General, or only acted as
+such in commanding a Brigade, the writer is unable to say. He went with
+his Brigade, through all the battles and skirmishes of the year 1849.
+He was under the necessity of crossing the Rhine for Switzerland, and
+concluded to emigrate to America. He arrived in the United States, in
+November, 1849. Went West, and settled in Bellville, St. Clair County,
+Illinois. He was for some time Clerk, and afterwards Cashier, of the
+"Bank of Bellville." He also acted as Notary Public.
+
+On the uprising of the rebellion, his war spirit was aroused. I think
+he had for some time previous had command of a volunteer military
+company. He enlisted, with his company, in the "Three months'" service.
+He enlisted as Captain of Company A, 9th Regiment Illinois Infantry, on
+the 19th of April, 1861. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel, April 26th,
+1861. This position he held during the "Three months'" service. He was
+mustered out of the service, at the end of the three months, on the
+25th of July, 1861, and again immediately mustered in, for three years,
+as Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Illinois Infantry.
+
+He was promoted to the position of Colonel, and received his commission
+as such, December 2d, 1861. As Colonel and commander of the Regiment,
+he passed through the terrible battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh,
+and the "siege of Corinth." He was wounded twice at the battle of
+Shiloh; but notwithstanding his wounds, he persisted in keeping the
+command of his Regiment. During the battle of Shiloh, Col. McArthur,
+commanding our Brigade, was severely wounded, in the latter part of the
+action, and Col. Mersy assumed command of the Brigade.
+
+During the battle of Corinth, he assumed command of the Brigade,
+General Oglesby having been wounded. Since that time, he has had
+command of the 2d Brigade, 2d Division, 16th Army Corps. During the
+Summer and Fall of 1863, he was stationed with his Brigade Head
+Quarters at Pocahontas, Tennessee. Since November 12th, 1863, his
+Brigade Head Quarters have been at Pulaski, Tennessee.
+
+
+LIEUT. COL. JESSE J. PHILLIPS.
+
+Was born in Montgomery County, Illinois, May 22d, 1837. He was
+appointed Route Agent on the Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis Railroad,
+June 26th, 1856. Resigned in May, 1857.
+
+He read law with the Hon. James M. Davis, of Hillsboro, Illinois. He
+was admitted to the bar in the Spring of 1860, and opened an office in
+Hillsboro, the county-seat of Montgomery County, Illinois. He was
+prosecuting his practice when the first call was made for volunteers to
+serve for three months.
+
+In politics, he was a Breckenridge Democrat. Had stumped it, for
+Breckenridge, in 1860. He had had a strong desire to engage in a
+military life. When the call was made, he at once went to work to raise
+a Company. Raised his Company, and was elected Captain, April 17th,
+1861. The Company was accepted and ordered to Springfield, Illinois, on
+the 23d of April, 1861.
+
+On the organization of the 9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, for the
+three months' service, he was elected as Major of the Regiment. He
+acted in the capacity of Major in the Regiment during the three months'
+service. At the expiration of that service, he was mustered out, and
+immediately mustered in again for three years, unless sooner
+discharged, retaining still the rank of Major.
+
+He received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel in the 9th Regiment
+Illinois Infantry in December, 1861, which position he still occupies.
+He had charge of a detachment of the Regiment, which made a successful
+expedition from Paducah to Saratoga, Ky. This was the first fight in
+which our boys were engaged. He was with the Regiment as Lieutenant
+Colonel, through the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. At Shiloh,
+he received a very severe wound from a schrapnel. He was wounded in the
+hand and leg. The wound in his hand was a very painful one. He was
+unfitted for the service by it, for several months. At the battle of
+Corinth, on the 3d and 4th of October, he had not yet been able to join
+his Regiment. He joined it soon afterward, although still suffering
+much from the pain caused by his wound.
+
+During the Fall of 1862 and Winter of 1863, he was much of the time in
+command of the Regiment, Col. Mersy being called to the command of the
+Brigade. In March, 1863, he made application to have the Regiment
+mounted for scouting purposes. The Regiment was mounted on the 20th of
+March, 1863. During the year that the Regiment has been mounted, he has
+led it through 23 battles and skirmishes.
+
+He has frequently been placed in command of a Brigade of mounted
+forces, and in one or two instances, of a Division. He had command of
+two Brigades of Cavalry and Mounted Infantry, with which he made a raid
+in August, 1863, to Grenada, Mississippi. It was one of the most
+successful raids of the war. From $8,000,000 to 10,000,000 worth of
+public property was destroyed; 2,000 negroes, and a large number of
+horses and mules were brought in. But little was said about it at the
+time. Many a less brilliant raid has brought forth a star.
+
+He was in command of the post at Athens, Alabama, for two or three
+months during the past Winter. He has lately been assigned to the
+command of all the mounted forces at Decatur, Alabama. There is a great
+amount of _dash_ and daring about the Colonel, and yet he always
+manages to get his boys out of any place, into which he leads them.
+
+
+MAJOR JOHN H. KUHN.
+
+Was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland, May 20th, 1833. Emigrated to the
+United States, and landed in New York, in June, 1849. He was, by
+occupation, a laborer. Hired with a farmer near Pittsburgh,
+Pennsylvania, during the first summer. He removed to East Tennessee,
+where he spent three years, part of the time in a glass factory in
+Knoxville, and part of the time boating on the Tennessee River. He
+moved to Alton, Illinois, in 1854. Was engaged for a time in the lumber
+business, and afterwards in a banking house. He had served for about
+six years in the State Militia, and entered the service of the United
+States, on the call for volunteers for three months. He enlisted with
+his company of "Alton Jagers," as their Captain, April 19th, 1861, and
+was attached to the 9th Illinois Infantry. He re-enlisted at the
+expiration of three months, for three years. Served, for some time, as
+Provost Marshal of Paducah, Kentucky. He received his commission as
+Major of the 9th Illinois Infantry, December 2d, 1861. He was detailed
+during some months in the Summer and Fall of 1863, in charge of
+convalescent camp in Memphis, Tennessee. Rejoined the Regiment at
+Athens, Alabama, November 21st, 1863. At present writing, he has
+command of his Regiment, Lieut. Col. Phillips being assigned to the
+command of the mounted forces at Decatur, Alabama.
+
+
+SURGEON EMIL GULICK, M. D.
+
+Was born in the city of Schleswig, Dutchdom Schleswig, on the 29th of
+November, 1828. After finishing his school education, he commenced the
+study of Chemistry in particular, but with it the other branches of the
+medical science. While quietly pursuing his studies, the sound of the
+drum rang through the land, calling all able-bodied citizens into the
+field to fight for the independence of the Dutchdoms from the Kingdom
+of Denmark. This call was in March, 1848. The Doctor was then in his
+20th year. Obeying his country's call, he enlisted to do battle for
+liberty. He enlisted as a private. He was afterwards engaged as an
+Assistant in the Medical Department. He was connected with the army in
+these capacities until 1851. He emigrated to America in 1853. He
+re-commenced his Medical studies, and graduated in the St. Louis
+Medical College, in 1859. He commenced the practice of medicine during
+the same year, in Alton, Madison County, Illinois. When the Rebellion
+broke out, and there was a call for men to defend the government of his
+adoption, he offered himself for that purpose. He enlisted, in the
+three months' service, as a private, in Company K, 9th Regiment
+Volunteer Infantry, on the 26th day of April, 1861. He re-enlisted, at
+the expiration of three months, for three years, July 26th, 1861, and
+was promoted to the position of Assistant Surgeon of the 9th Illinois
+Volunteer Infantry. On the 28th of April, 1862, he was again promoted
+to the position of Surgeon. He has served in that position ever since.
+He has been almost constantly with his Regiment. He was on detached
+duty in the Hospital at Paducah, Kentucky, during the months of
+September and October, 1863.
+
+
+ASSISTANT SURGEON W. D. CRAIG, M. D.
+
+Was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 27th, 1828. He was raised
+on a farm. Was educated at Crawfordsville, Indiana. He moved to
+Illinois in 1849, and graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago,
+Illinois, in the Spring of 1852. From that time, up to the Summer of
+1861, he was engaged in the practice of Medicine. Was living in Aledo,
+the county-seat of Mercer County, Illinois, and engaged in the duties
+of his profession, at the time of his enlisting in the service of his
+country. He recruited a large portion of a Company in Mercer County.
+Was mustered into the service of the United States, as 1st Lieutenant
+Company E, 9th Regiment Volunteer Infantry, August 6th, 1861. Served in
+that capacity until May 12th, 1862. During the time he served as a line
+officer, he passed through the terrible struggles of Fort Donelson and
+Shiloh. He was slightly wounded at Shiloh, in the left shoulder, by a
+spent ball. He was assigned to the Medical Department of the Regiment,
+in the capacity of Assistant Surgeon, on the 12th of May, 1862.
+Continued with the Regiment in this capacity, until the last of
+December, 1863, when he was assigned to duty in Pulaski, Tennessee.
+During the past Winter, he has had charge of the U. S. General Hospital
+of the left wing, 16th Army Corpse, at Pulaski, Tennessee. He has under
+his charge there, about an average of two hundred patients, including a
+Small-Pox ward of from ten to fifteen patients.
+
+
+SECOND ASSISTANT SURGEON W. A. ALLEN, M. D.
+
+Was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, March 5th, 1830. Read Medicine with
+Dr. Haskall, Hillboro, Montgomery County, Illinois, 1850, 1851 and
+1852. He graduated at St. Louis Medical College, in 1856, and commenced
+the practice of Medicine in Greenville, Bond County, Illinois, during
+the same year. Was engaged in pursuing his practice at that place,
+until January, 1863. He received a commission as 2d Assistant Surgeon
+in the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and entered upon his duties as
+such, January 16th, 1863. He was detailed, for some time, to take
+charge of the Medical Department of the Contrabands at LaGrange, and
+afterwards at Corinth. Has been constantly with his Regiment since the
+1st of September, 1863, having been relieved from his duties in Corinth
+at that time.
+
+
+HENRY H. KLOCK, LIEUTENANT AND ADJUTANT.
+
+Was born in Manheim, Herkimer County, New York, November 27th, 1835.
+Received a common school education. Removed to Illinois in 1854. Was
+engaged in teaching public school in Madison County, Illinois, when he
+enlisted. Enlisted in the 9th Illinois Infantry, Company F, and was
+mustered in as a private, July 28th, 1861. Was detailed as Clerk in the
+Adjutant's office, from September 1861. Was commissioned as 1st
+Lieutenant and Adjutant January 31st, 1862, to rank from October 3d,
+1861. Has been with the Regiment through most of its battles. Was
+wounded at Shiloh and Corinth. Is still acting as Adjutant for the
+Regiment, and is devoted to the duties of his office.
+
+
+CHARLES A. SPATEE, REGIMENTAL QUARTERMASTER.
+
+Was born in the Dukedom of Saxony, Altenburg, in the year 1836. He was
+trained for the profession of Architect. He emigrated to the United
+States in 1855. After his arrival in this country, he was engaged
+principally in working upon Railroads and Saw Mills, previous to his
+entering the service of his adopted country. He enlisted in the "Three
+months' service," as a private in the 10th Regiment Illinois Volunteer
+Infantry. He re-enlisted, for three years, as a private in the 9th
+Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Company K. He was afterwards promoted to
+the position of a Sergeant. In December, 1861, he was appointed
+Commissary Sergeant. He was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant and
+Regimental Quartermaster, October 4th, 1863. He continues to occupy
+this position at the present time. Lieutenant Spatee was not in the
+military service in the old country.
+
+
+MARION MORRISON, CHAPLAIN.
+
+Was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 2d, 1821. He was trained as a
+farmer, receiving a common school education. In the Spring of 1841, he
+commenced the study of Latin, preparatory to the ministry. In October,
+1842, he entered the Freshman class in Miami University, Oxford, Ohio,
+and graduated August, 1846. He studied Theology, at the A. R.
+Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Oxford, Ohio, and was licensed to
+preach, by the A. R. Presbyterian Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio, in
+the Spring of 1849. He was ordained and installed Pastor of the A. R.
+Presbyterian Congregation of West Fork, Adams County, Ohio, in the
+Spring of 1850. Was elected Professor of Mathematics and Natural
+Science in "Monmouth College," June, 1856. Resigned the charge of his
+Congregation, and removed to Monmouth, Illinois, in the Summer of 1856,
+and entered upon his duties as Professor, September of the same year.
+He had the financial charge of "The Western United Presbyterian,"
+published in Monmouth for several years. In June, 1861, he assumed the
+entire responsibility of that paper, financial and editorial, and soon
+after united it with "The Christian Instructor," published in
+Philadelphia. He continues an Associate Editor to the above paper. In
+the Summer of 1861, he resigned his position as Professor in Monmouth
+College, and was engaged as Financial Agent of the College, until July
+30th, 1863, when he was commissioned as "Captain of Cavalry, and
+Chaplain of the 9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry." Was mustered into the
+service, and entered upon the duties of Chaplain, September 4th, 1863.
+Has been with his Regiment ever since, except during January, 1864,
+when he was sent to Illinois on orders. Rejoined his Regiment February
+1st, 1864.
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+The following corrections have been made:
+
+p. 3 he object I have -> he changed to the
+
+p. 8 Kitchell, 1st Lieutenant, -> second comma replaced with period
+
+p. 8 South- -> hyphen replaced with period
+
+p. 16 to be Colone -> Colone changed to Colonel
+
+p. 20 If you wont sell -> wont changed to won't
+
+p. 31 unhallowed cause -> period added after cause
+
+p. 31 Lieut F. Vogler -> period added after Lieut
+
+p. 32 Roffy -> comma added
+
+p. 34 he was drank -> drank changed to drunk
+
+p. 43 Kortkamp--1 -> period added after 1
+
+p. 44 In all, 3 killled -> killled changed to killed
+
+p. 45 did not come -> period added after come
+
+p. 50 battallion of the 15th -> battallion changed to battalion
+
+p. 52 broke and run -> run changed to ran
+
+p. 53 of the 9th Ill, -> period added after Ill
+
+p. 54 sout-east from Corinth -> sout-east changed to south-east
+
+p. 55 entire column move -> move changed to moved
+
+p. 56 at 1 P M. -> period added after P
+
+p. 57 and succeded in -> succeded changed to succeeded
+
+p. 60 Lient. Col. Phillips -> Lient. changed to Lieut.
+
+p. 63 women and children, -> removed comma
+
+p. 63 were compelled to see it, -> removed comma
+
+p. 63 camp at Pocahontas, -> removed comma
+
+p. 64 from Company B. to Company F -> removed period after B
+
+p. 66 Regiment move forward -> move changed to moved
+
+p. 67 Salem, Miss, -> period added after Miss
+
+p. 67 Montazuma, Tenn., -> Montazuma changed to Montezuma
+
+p. 71 exitement had passed away -> exitement changed to excitement
+
+p. 76 onr arrival -> onr changed to our
+
+p. 77 Col. Sent for our -> Sent changed to sent
+
+p. 81 Tennesse River must be crossed -> Tennesse changed to Tennessee
+
+p. 82 Severa pontoon -> Severa changed to Several
+
+p. 89 in Karlsrhue -> Karlsrhue changed to Karlsruhe
+
+Uncommon spelling like schrapnel or bivouack has been retained.
+Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling has been retained unless one form
+predominated.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A History of the Ninth Regiment,
+Illinois Volunteer Infantry, by Marion Morrison
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 44116 ***