Journal of 1st Sgt. John Daeuble,
6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment U.S.
a Native of Muelheim an Bach, Wuerttemberg
Courtesy of Gus Daeuble
The original journal was written in German and is at The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky
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The Sixth Kentucky was 705 men strong when we left Camp Sigel near Louisville
Description of travel and events since I enlisted the 6th Kentucky Regiment, in Company E on November 26, 1861.
The 30 Dec. 1861 we marched from our first camp site, Camp Sigel, on the street to Bardstown, and camped in the evening 15 miles from Louisville that was the first night, where we slept without tents and also drew crackers and bacon the 31. we made 14 miles, the march with our heavy knapsacks was hard, and already many fell behind the first day, it was very strenuous. The 1. Jan 62. we reached Bardstown toward evening and pitched our tents that same night at the fairgrounds. the 2. Jan we marched off again and pitched our camp 6 miles from Bardst. in Camp Morton, several regiments were already camped there, it rained most of the time, and was terribly muddy there, the 5. Jan. we marched off again, and camped after a march of 10 miles in Camp Wickliffe, in a thick wood, where we first had to clear away trees, in order to pitch our camp, The 12 Feb. we received new tents and 14 Febr we marched from there, the previous night it snowed and it was 6 inches deep. and in the morning the tents were ladened with snow, and frozen we knocked it off and tied it together as good as we could, and the brigade to which we were assigned was the 19th under command of Col. Hazen our and Capt. Hedden’s Comp were the rearguard and we stayed there until noon until all were away, it was cold and we burned all boards, boxes, straw and the like before we departed,
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We marched afterward to the wagon train, which took a forest path, which was so muddy that one could almost not pass[,] each moment one stuck again almost up to the axles and we must help them out again, the whole way was barricaded by wagons stuck fast and we had our problems with it we made only 5 miles that day and camped in an old log cabin it was very cold and the snow was frozen hard and we were not destined to get any sleep here, next morning the 15. it went better because the wagons moved better so as long as it was frozen We also marched through Hatchingsville [Hodgenville] where we could buy some things and our two companies camped in the evening in two log cabins where our Comp. [Company] slaughtered a pig, however we had no salt and also no crackers and had to eat the meat unsalted, this was 2 1/2 to 3 miles from Elisabethtown [Elizabethtown], next morning the 16. we marched off about 5 o’clock by moonlight, and came through Elisabethtown while still dark, we joined our regiment again on the other side of Elisabethtown and the same day made a march of 26 miles, in snow and muck, where many did not keep up, we were all dog-tired we camped two miles from Westpoint in a wood, next day the 17 Feb. it began to rain and foggy weather we marched off and it thundered until evening until we all had embarked, our regiment boarded the Boat Switzerland and we had much trouble until the wagons and similar things were brought onto the boat, because the going was down a big hill and the ground was loose and difficult. by nightfall the boats departed. the boats stopped by the mouth of the Wabash [Green] river for a long time, and afterwards moved up the river several miles, then turned back again until we then landed at Paducah the 21 Feb.[,] on Sunday the 23 Feb. we moved our things from the Boat Switzerland onto the steamer City of Madison, the boats departed, and by Smithland moved up the Cumberland River, the 24. Feb we passed Fort Donelson where there was a 3 day battle and Gen. Buckner was taken prisoner.
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The 25. Feb around 2 o’clock we arrived at Nashville, and about 3 o’clock we marched off, through and out of the city, and it already began to become dark when we wanted to camp, then they had us move again and stand around here and there for quite some time, The Rebel cavalry, the so called Texas Rangers had left the city shortly before and still roamed around in the surrounding area, suddenly 10 to 15 quick shots followed one another between the outposts, we were immediately posted in Line of Battle, our rifles were loaded right away, and we spent almost two hours marching back and forth, we also stood in a square the night was pitch black, our cavalry came rushing up the street, and we thought nothing else but now the Rebels were approaching, which was quite surprising and made us curious, finally we were allowed to lie down, although everything had to stay in readiness and sleep on our loaded rifles, but slept very little, toward midnight it began to rain hard and rained until around morning, we were all dripping wet[,] in the morning 26 Feb. we cooked our breakfast and unloaded our rifles whereupon we then pitched a camp several hundred yards from there named Camp Andrew Jackson, we spent the time with drills as we did everywhere we camped a long time, the 12 March our brigade made a march to Andrew and Richard Jackson’s graves, on the Lebanon pike, 12 miles distant from our camp upon arrival we stacked our rifles, and went to Jackson’s grave accompanied by mournful music, several salutes were fired off by the cannon and then began our march back, and reached our camp again by nightfall, at which we arrived very tired, hungry and dusty, the 17 March we marched off from there and we camped in the evening and were tired still Dress Parade was held, over which everyone was angry, the 18 March we marched through Franklin, Tenn[.], we camped after an arduous march and many had blistered and sore feet, and could hardly march any more.
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around midnight about 10 shots were fired, whereupon we were deployed right away and prepared for an attack if something of that sort should occur, it stayed quiet however, and we returned again to our rest it did not last long however so came a strong thunderstorm it lightninged and crashed, we threw the tents from the wagon as quickly as possible and pitched them, however, it began to rain before we got under cover and rained the whole night through until toward 8 o’clock in the morning Our company came on picket the next morning we marched off again we came through the little city of Spring Hill where we pitched a camp several miles from the city, named Camp near Spring Hill we stayed there until 29 March, when we then marched off, and by Columbus [Columbia] had to wade the Duck River, which at places was 3 1/2 to 4 feet deep this presented a comical spectacle, it lasted rather long until all were across and had dressed again the bridge over the river was burned down and Col. Willich with his regiment rebuilt it again. which was finished in a few days, in Columbus [Columbia] we had to halt a long time, then resumed our march, and camped several miles from Columbus [Columbia], they pitched the tents the next day, our company was on picket, the 30 March we marched three miles further, and camped on the beautiful farm of Rebel General Pillow next day the 31., we took up our march again, and pitched our tents in a corn field, near Mount Pleasant, a little country town, We had a dress parade on the same evening in the moonlight, next morning the 1st of April our young division was put in an uproar because some shots were fired in the outpost line, we were deployed and marched halfway up a large hill, whereupon it was seen this whole thing was a false alarm, we returned and cooked our breakfast and marched away afterwards. the 2., 3. 4 and 5th April it rained most of the time we were however always without shelter at night and had never pitched our tents the 5th we came in the early evening to a meadow, by Savannah, on the Tenesee [Tennessee] River,
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Our company came on picket, and the others pitched the tents, the night was frosty and cold and we were not allowed to have a fire[,] next morning the 6th April, a Sunday, we heard some cannon fire in the distance, we immediately received the order to march off and by the time we marched off it degenerated into a general battle in the distance by Pittsburg Landing, we heard cannon and small arms fire without stop, we marched to Savannah where first we drew rations, because we had nothing more with us. 1 o’clock in the afternoon we marched off with our knapsacks on our backs at the double-quick, over a miserable forest road to Pittsburg Landing which was yet eight miles distant, we reached it near nightfall, and were shipped over right away, the troops of General Grant which had been in battle the day before, got courage by our arrival, because the battle of the day before had been lost and the Rebels would only have taken the few prisoners, or have driven them into the river, if we had not come, our division the Fourth under General Nelson, was pushed forward that same night as advance guard the night was pitch black, and toward midnight a storm moved in and it rained until almost morning we were all soaked[,] at daylight we threw our knapsacks into a pile, the gunboats continued to fire Bombshells toward the enemy during the night so they kept at a considerable distance, at daybreak it began, our company were the skirmishers, and Martin’s Comp. from our regiment, it misted all day, the commands were given to advance and we did not need to go far until we found the ground covered with corpses, clothing, knapsacks, rifles, sabers, disabled cannon[.] horses, and everything found on a battlefield, we skirmished through the woods, until we came to an open place, and across it at the edge of the wood lay the enemy, the enemy drove us back considerably fast
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Faster than we advanced an absolute hail of bullets came towards us, then the regiment came up and the battle began the battle had partly started with our brigade, was no cannon until about 9 o’clock the artillery came to help us, the Rebels drove us back several times, whereupon our brigade made a bayonet attack and we forced the Rebels to retreat hurriedly and where they lost many, then they drove us back, where many with us fell, the battle continued until noon, and the Rebels did not want to retreat in the afternoon between noon and one o’clock we believed ourselves lost and surrounded, there arrived however perpetual reinforcements, and the enemy began to retreat little by little, and by 5 o’clock in the evening they were completely beaten and withdrew from the field. our regiment lost 116 men killed and wounded, and afterwards our brigade inspected the field on which we fought, and took all the wounded still around, and laying in hospitals or log cabins back with us. we camped in the muck and it began to rain hard again, the next morning, the 8 of April, in the morning at daybreak “Fall in” was called and all went in confusion, in the knee-deep muck and rain, and each one grabbed the closest rifle I could however not find my rifle and had to obtain another one, our Brigade then had to go on picket at least 3 or 4 miles from where we camped, we relieved the Brigade where in the evening the battle came, we saw everywhere there and around the places where the Rebels had camped, the dead were all buried after the battle, and most of the wounded sent to St. Louis, Louisville and other cities. We were relieved on the 9th by another brigade and came back again next to the previous place, Where we had to lay in the muck and rain for 3 days long without shelter only the officers had their tents and also still little to eat finally 11 April our tents came, and we pitched a camp on
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the Shiloh battlefield[,] we camped there until 2nd May, meanwhile we were paid, and also received good food i.e., plenty crackers and bacon, etc., 2nd May we marched away from there. and camped about 10 miles from the last place, the 3rd May our brigade had to make a reconnaissance, our company and Martin’s were again the skirmishers from our Regiment, we had a difficult time, through woods over fences hills and valleys and also covered 4 miles. however we could encounter no enemy, toward evening we came back again, but we hardly had drank our black coffee, when our regiment had to go on picket right away and ours and Capt. Martin’s Comp. were used again for the outposts, the 4th of May it rained the whole day, we built ourselves huts, but it rained through them, we were relieved toward evening about 5 o’clock, the 5th May in the morning about 6 o’clock, general march blew, it rained hard, and our whole Division marched off. in the rain and muck we got stuck nevertheless had to go forward, and no one or few had their black coffee or eaten crackers yet, and we must leave with empty stomachs, we were only able to march 1 1/2 to 2 miles, and then it went no more, because the cannon were not able to be advanced further on the bottomless road and therefore we turned around again really covered with mud and soaking wet, and we remained there until the 7th of May, when we advanced 6 to 7 miles further, the 8th of May advanced 4 miles further, when we advanced the next morning within approximately 4 miles of Corinth and remained there until 1 o’clock in the morning the order came to march back as quickly as possible, each one of us carried 80 cartridges, the night was pitch black and a wretched newly cut and made forest road[,] it went almost in the double quick back again, and few arrived in the camp who had not fallen 3 or 4 times on the way back,
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we arrived at the old place before daybreak, which we previously had left, we pitched our tents the 9th May in the afternoon we were alarmed by heavy cannon fire in the distance, and went to the battlefield on the double quick, however, before we were quite there, the order came to turn around and we went back the same way, and went again to the same place we were the previous night, next morning the 10. May our whole division was formed in line of battle, and we expected an attack, we spent until 10 o’clock and advanced a little, but there was no enemy to find, we returned again when night fell and stayed until 12 without tents our regiment also came there on the 11. on picket, we now pitched our tents somewhat back in the woods, named Camp near Corinth miss. [Miss.], the time was spent there with camping etc. we still had to stand in line of battle each morning until night from 4 to 6 o’clock and drill, and sometimes we must come out at 2 o’clock in the night, the 17 May we were alerted through heavy cannonading in the distance that occurred on the left wing, our regiment was relieved from picket and we had to stand under arms until 5 o’clock in the evening. When suddenly general march blew, and the whole army was put in motion, we had to march at the double quick for two miles in dust and heat that was nearly suffocating we halted at a large open place, it had already begun to get dark and we camped there at the road and edge of the woods, the pickets maintained a continuous mutual fire on each another, the next day on Sunday the 18. May, 10 large siege guns which were 11 1/2 feet long came and 10 horses were hitched to each cannon they were immediately deployed in the open field and earthworks were made in front of them with earth and bushes. The 19th May we marched off. the army advanced and now built entrenchments 1 miles from our camp, from fence rails and ground, the following night it rained hard. our trenches on the whole were finished, We also had to stay there on picket and afterwards we
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built huts from brushwood, however, were soaking wet in the morning then a few from each company were sent to the camp in order to pick up some coffee and crackers and also coats and blankets, toward evening we were relieved and as long as we were there came on picket every 2 or 3 days 23 May, while on picket by the entrenchments I was promoted to sergeant where it rained the whole day, the 27. we came on picket again, we were relieved and were about half way back to camp, when the order came to turn back, we threw all our blankets on a pile, and marched a mile beyond our first entrenchments, shooting at one another during the whole day with cannon and rifle fire blowing in between, sometimes also very loud, they deployed us in an open field where we had to spend the whole day from 9 o’clock in the morning the sun was so hot we could barely hold up, the 29 May they put us to work again, and we had to make new entrenchments in an open field in the greatest heat, one mile from the first, they were finished at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and we built huts there in the open field from foliage. the 30 May at 7 o’clock in the morning, we saw a thick black smoke in the area Where Corinth was located, and immediately after that bombs exploded on the land and for a short time there was a perfect thunder, this was the Rebels munitions warehouse which they themselves had set on fire, before they abandoned Corinth, immediately the order arrived to march off and we marched into Corinth and into the camp of the departed Rebels and entrenchments that were all abandoned, the inhabitants had fled. where several afterwards then came back, enough foodstuffs lay generously everywhere where the enemy had camped. We had e.g., flour, molasses vinegar, bread, roasted rye corn for coffee, tents, rifles and all kinds of other things, the prettiest furniture and glassware lay all around destroyed, the railroad depot and some other houses they had burned before they left we stayed there until evening, where prisoners were still were being brought in, and also a nice secessionist flag was burned.
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The 31st May we had to go on picket again, and the 1st June we were paid in Camp near Corinth on the 4th of June we marched off after a march of 12 miles we made a halt in the bush where we spent 2 days and received nothing but 3 dry crackers for the day. The 6th June we marched off again and made but a mere 6 miles next day, the 7. we covered 4 more miles, our regiment was in front of the brigade and 3 companies of which ours was one, had to advance several hundred yards for our regiment and spent there until the 9th without being relieved around 3 o’clock in the afternoon we marched off in the dust and heat and marched without halt until 10 o’clock at night and then nobody even thought about cooking then each one was too much tired, we made fires and lay down on the ground, dripping with sweat and covered with dust and dirt, and there was nothing to lay on and nothing to cover up with except a coat, and then only a few had them next morning the 10th again marched off and in fact without breakfast, we made a halt at 7 o’clock in the evening, of course everyone was tired and done in from the severe strain we cooked our coffee and each received 2 good drink, a half pink Wisky, that cheered us up again, the 11th we marched off again and made a halt at the Charleston and Memphis Railroad, the march was arduous and dusty and we sometimes received no water and most water was foul and disgusting the 15th June we had to perform guard duty at the railroad bridge, which was built over the Bear River, which was 5 miles distant from our camp the 16th we came back again, because we had been relieved. We received orders to send all our extra clothes away by command of General Nelson We sent our coats and dress coats and the like off and it happened that we never saw them again, the 17th of June we marched off and covered 7 miles in the greatest dust
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and heat, then the order came to turn around our regiment must be the rear guard, the wagons had to go up a high hill, which took a long time, we had to help pull them up until finally all were over it, however, we still had our knapsacks on our backs, which made us very sweaty and it was dusty at many places, so that when marching we barely saw each other. we reached the old place around 10 o’clock at night, which we had left in the morning[,] the following night it rained and the 18th of June, we marched on the other side of the railroad and pitched our tents in the woods, called Camp near Iuka (miss.) [Miss.] the 22nd we had marching orders, and we were all ready to march off, but did not depart the same day. next day the 23rd June around 3 in the afternoon we marched off, at nightfall halted in the woods, and next morning we took up our march again, and marched mostly along the railroad, the 25 we marched through Tescumbia, [Tuscumbia] Ala. and the 26. we crossed over the Tenesee [Tennessee] River on two small steamboats named Lady Jackson and Des Moinser [Moines] City about 6 o’clock, we marched through Florence, Ala. in the largest thunderstorm, the road was filled with foot-deep water it lightninged and cracked continuously, the lightning hit a few times, soaked to the skin, we camped 1 mile from Florence in the woods, the 27 we marched off again, and we were hardly on the march a quarter hour, and it began to rain hard again, in the rain and on terrible streets, we marched still 7 miles we made a halt by a river, or creek we were dripping wet, our Company, the first platoon came on picket, I and 6 men were by the Head Quarters of Col. Grose who at that time was our Brigade Commander, the 28th we marched off again, and it began to rain again
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we marched through a little hamlet named Rochesville [Rogersville], Ala., we made a halt not far from it and we took off our shoes and socks , and rolled up our pants as far as they went, several hundred yards from there was the Elk River which we had to cross, and which was 3 1/2 to 4 feet deep in several places, we arrived on the other side and dressed ourselves again, it looked curious enough and ridiculous when we waded through the river, which was nearly 150 yards wide, this march was one of the hardest which we had yet made, we had the most intense heat, 18 miles lay behind us, and we could only get water half the time, and it was miserable and made me sick, and I had get out of line, and I was Sergeant of the Guard at that time, now over half the men at that time stayed back, the 30 June early morning we marched off had barely still 6 miles to Athen [Athens] Ala. Where we marched through at 8 1/4 in the morning and camped 1 1/2 miles from Athen in the woods, we pitched tents the same day on the 4th July our Division had a parade under General Nelson down at the Fairgrounds at Athen, which was located a good 3 miles from our camp, of course it was so dusty that one could not see his neighbor, and the sun was oppressively hot, there were many that were overcome by the heat during the march, we marched there about 4 o’clock in the afternoon and came back again about 7 o’clock, we looked like the miller who was covered with dust from head to foot, and so we spent the 4th July 1862. The 8th of July we marched off from there, and moved forward 2 miles, our camp lay at a hill, there was a large open place there with good water and also a creek to wash, this camp was called Camp Houghton [Routin]. The 14. July we marched off from there and we pitched our camp by the little city, Athen Where they barely gave half rations to us our Colonel Whitaker had the same day a quarrel with another Colonel, who had his tent where Whitaker wanted to pitch ours, and they got into an argument, he also had
PAGE 13 a heated exchange with Col. Hazen, whereupon he had to hand over his saber, (and so called) came under arrest. The 17 July we marched off from there. it began to rain and the road was filled with water, at nightfall we made a halt, however we could find no good water anywhere, July 18th went again further, and our brigade was now all spread out, we went left through a narrow forest road and arrived about noon at our place and pitched our camp in the woods at a pretty place near the railroad, it was called Camp Brown, near Elk River Railroad Bridge, We always worked alternately by company at the bridge over the Elk River, one time we were supposed to be attacked there the night of 3rd until 4th August by 300 cavalrymen, we were alerted and prepared to hold, whatever happened, but it stayed quiet, the 5th August we marched off from Camp Brown the wagons were taken over the river on a flatboat, we made a halt by a creek, named Richland Creek, where we ate and stayed for a while. And in the evening we arrived by Pulaski, Ten. [Tenn.] where we camped for the night on the morning of the 6th we took up our march again and marched through Pulaski, which is an old little city and had a pretty Courthouse, around noon we arrived at Ronald [Reynolds] Station where the wagons were unloaded, and the things put on the railroad, the captains drew lots as to which companies had to go by railroad and which by the wagons over the road to Murfreesboro. 4 companies had to go with the wagons and 6 by the railroad where also ours was with it, and we arrived at 6 o’clock in the evening in Nashville, we had considerable time and freedom there, and those who had money bought, a nd most got themselves full of booze and got to fighting. I borrowed two dollars from Gustav Laun, I bought quite a lot of bread and cheese, and also a pint whisky for 25 cents PAGE 14 many got their heads bloodied and it was a spectacle the whole night, that you could not close an eye, next morning several had a swollen head and a terrible hangover on the morning of the 7. we rode away from Nashville on the railroad and arrived at noon in Murfreesboro where the rest of the regiments of our brigade already were, and all had marching orders when we arrived, we had our things unloaded, and again on the wagons, of other regiments and all were ready to march off, but the order was again cancelled, and we pitched our camp outside the city on the McMinnville Road, we marched then another day the 8th of August on the opposite side of the city and set up our camp there, next to us was a little Fort which our Battery occupied, 2 companies from our regiment were deployed to 2 railroad bridges in order to guard them, they had to build little Forts, We had to stand picket, and train guard on the railroad and every morning around 3:30 or 4 o’clock go out, and stand in Line of Battle until day[,] the 17 August we had Brigade Review, we marched through Murfreesboro up to a large open place on the evening of the 17 and that night the 27 Ky and 9 Indiana Regt. which belonged to our Brigade, went to Nashville, the 27th was sent to Mumfordville [Munfordville], to be completed, and the 9th Indiana came back out to us later the 18th we had inspection, the 19th we drew half rations for 14 days long, the 20. the old Hecker Regiment rode past us on the railroad, the 22 the music band left, which played for us there each evening at the dress parade the 24 August we were on picket on Sunday, and the others in Camp had to cut down trees the 25. the 2nd Ky. Regt. came to us, and 2 regiments of Cavalry on this side where we camped, the 26. the 6th Ohio that also stayed not long there, the 27. August afternoon around 3 o’clock several shots were exchanged by the pickets and Rebels at the same time the cavalry came up there.
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and brought Order, the enemy approached, now all went into confusion the regiments fell into line, our company was already posted as skirmishers in the little city of Murfreesboro, but no one came, afterwards we marched out of the little city, the women and children fled to a secure place, and we awaited whatever should come the road out of the city was fully strewn with corn, which the haulers had lost, because they drove a cart in there, and thought they still came after them We returned again to camp. our regiment marched to the 2 companies which had been posted at the bridge and stayed there overnight, on the next morning they arrived again at camp, in the skirmish between the pickets on our side 1 man was killed and 3 wounded, where this disturbance began , the soldiers wanted to wash, their whole wash, soap canteens buckets etc. was left behind, which we found by the Spring and took the best with us into the Camp. (Continued in Part !!)
Part II, Sept 5, 1862 to November 15, 1862
The original journal was written in German and is at The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky
PAGE 15, continued
the 5th of Sept. we received marching orders, in the afternoon we set fire to everything, the self-made huts from brushwood and boards the wagons were loaded and the regiment fell into line to depart then it was changed to march off from there the next day, next in the evening toward 5 o’clock a fire broke out next to the Courthouse in Mursfreesboro, and 4 companies from our regt. had to double-quick to the burning place but before we arrived there it was already extinguished, we returned to camp, the same evening everyone was sick and those not capable of marching were transported to Nashville on the railroad next morning the 6th of Sept., we marched off from there, our brigade consisted of at that time, the 6th Ky. 41st Ohio and 2nd Ky. and the Battery. Around noon we made a halt at the Stone[s] River and marched off again about 5 o’clock, where we still made 7 miles in 2 hours
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We camped by the little city of Lavergne [LaVergne] and reached it by the moonlight, with the detour we had to make we covered 21 miles in the dust and heat that day, next morning at 10 o’clock we marched off again, and made a halt 4 miles from Nashville at the Stone River, there were many in the water and bathing themselves, then it was called Fall in and we marched in the night up to Nashville and made a halt, almost at the same place where we expected an attack in Feb. 62, after we entered Nashville, our knapsacks were loaded on special wagons during the night, and the tents also, and most now had no blankets at all with them, in the night 2 o’clock the 8 Sept. we marched off it was still night when we marched through Nash’ and we made the same day only 8 miles, and camped in the evening 8 miles from Nashville and also had not much to eat but what we fetched ourselves. We camped there 2 days, the 10th our Comp. went on picket, where it was made known to us to be on guard, because the rumor was that we would be attacked by 700 hostile Cav. [cavalrymen], the night passed quiet and it came to nothing. The other regiments in camp had to stand for 2 hours in Line of Battle, from this place it was still 8 miles to Nash. by the Railroad and 177 to Louisville, the 11th Sept. we marched away from there, we made 24 miles and camped at 10 o’clock at night the Rebels had left the place shortly before, because their picket fires still burned, it was foggy and rainy weather, the 12 Sept. next morning we marched off again. it went very slowly our Comp. and Comp. A were the skirmishers which were deployed on both sides of the road, and so we marched forward we however a mere 8 to 9 miles the same day and camped by the little city of Mitchelsville [Mitchellsville] 2 divisions ours and McCooks.
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on a large open place[,] it was foggy the whole night and rained very hard, about 2 o’clock in the morning we marched off again and the majority still had no coffee cooked and must leave without something warm to eat or drink, we marched through the little city of Franklin and we made 26 miles the same day in terrible dust, and we camped 2 miles from Bowling Green by a large ravine which was from 150 to 200 feet deep and a large stream of spring water flowed underneath Where we had to haul it up from there with great difficulty the 14th Sept. We marched until at the city Bowling Green, when we camped there, we saw the places which were now washed out, however still recognizable where Buckner had camped with his army last year near Bowling Green we had miserable muddy pond water, that was as thick as Buttermilk, and horses and donkeys all drank out of there, in the evening we had an inspection, where then also the Sergt. and Corp. drew ball pullers and scrapers from there it was still 155 miles to Louisville and 70 miles to Nashville by railroad, we drew there rations for 10 days consisting of flour and salted pickle pork, barely drawn from the Commissary when the order came it must last 20 days, and the order was we should provide ourselves with food for 3 days, and so we baked the whole day and until 12 o’clock at night. The so called Slapjacks, consisting of flour water and salted fat from old bacon, and the total when complete was a fatty mixture still half dough the 15. September I was also in Bowling Green and got my blanket, which I had not had since the 7. Sept. and had had to make do without it, the 16 Sept. I was rather sick because I could hardly stand upright, it was a sort of Fever, and attributed much to the unhealthy cakes[,] in the evening supposed to have marched off, our regiment was all ready on the street ready to march and the wagons were loaded it gradually became night, and the regiment camped again.
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the 17. Sept. we marched off. I had my things brought on the wagon and stayed with the same because I still felt weak and miserable, I spent the last night sleepless, things did no go very fast, we crossed the Barren River by B[owling] Green, the day went slowly or so to say not at all until toward evening then it went in a hurry until 4 o’clock in the morning the wagons were driven the whole night through and we marched beside them, because riding in one hurts more than if one does not ride. it rained tremendously, and we were soaked to the skin and my shoes were quite loose, and I really ran in the muck which ran into my shoes, we had put behind us 20 miles the same night, already for 2 days we received nothing warm to eat, i.e. we had no coffee to cook, I returned again to the regiment the next day and 18. Sept. we marched off on a side road through the bush to Glasgow Ky. however, the Rebels had already been driven away by our cavalry, and we headed then in another direction, it was about midnight before we camped because the whole army came together by a little country town named Prewitt Town, and the road was obstructed everywhere with wagons, cannon and armed forces everyone was impatient on account of this long standing around, and marching forward little by little, and then stopping again in the morning 4 o’clock the 19. Sept. we had Inspection, without having cooked our breakfast it was whether all rifles were clean and unloaded very early at daybreak the whole army marched off. The Hecker Regiment was the only one that still had music, we marched about 6 miles, we camped, however the whole brigade had to go out on picket right away. We had no blankets however,
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a barn was near and we got hay and straw for cover, it was rather cool and in the morning at daybreak we made a fire and burned the entire fence located by us, We had not had any coffee for 3 days, corn, apples and gruel was our food the 20. in the evening 2 wagons came and brought us foodstuffs and a ration of fresh meat. We cooked ourselves meat soup, we drew flour for 2 days, which we all had to bake the same night, the bakers went the whole night through, next morning were supposed to be attacked, but the enemy had gone away, in the evening about 7 o’clock marching orders came and the whole army moved forward, it went good as long as we marched on the street, but over half the way we had a wretched miserable forest road, where it was pitch black, and a good many accidentally ran against a tree truck, and fell to the ground, around 3 o’clock in the morning we camped near the Green River all with the greatest effort, in the morning the 22nd Sept. we cooked our coffee we camped on an open place, Where the sun was very oppressive, we then moved a half mile from there into the woods, barely reached there and stacked the rifles and we had to go back, and were back there again for barely a quarter of an hour and had to return there and had hardly a short half an hour’s rest and the general march blew again, we already had meat on the fire which was left over from the previous day and we succeeded in cooking it, and slurped it down in a hurry
PAGE 20
The 23 Sept. early morning we waded through the Green River the water was rather cool and 1 1/2 feet deep at noon we made a 3/4 hour halt at the Bacon Creek and camped in the evening next to the Nolin River we had made a hard march of 25 miles, and it took our colonel an hour to get the regiment organized until he let us rest, night 12 o’clock we were already disturbed, we drew flour and baked again the same stuff as usual the 24th Sept. we made about 24 miles again, and camped in the evening about 8 miles from West Point the water from Murfreesboro to Louisville was mostly terrible filthy and stinky Pond Water, the 25th of Sept. we marched off and arrived around noon at West Point Ky Where we had a rather long stop, evening we camped at the Ohio River, 1 mile from W, Point, and drew there again since a long time the well known Crackers and Ham, which appeared to us as a delicacy after the awful Slapjacks, night 2 o’clock came the order to march off in fact to Louisville, where it went easier although many still had not had their breakfast, several miles before Louisville our Colonel W[hitaker] behaved barbaric, because he hit some with his saber, and threatened to shoot, because soldiers who were sore and worn down were not quick enough to keep up[,] the left wing was in front and our Comp. the right took its proper position again just at the edge of Louisville. The 26th Sept. near noon we reached Louisville and camped by the Ohio Fall [Falls of the Ohio], behind the Elm Tree Garden. I washed myself and my clothes and received a pass to go home, next morning I went down into the camp again, afterwards I put clean clothes on
PAGE 21
and had several cents money in my pocket I felt happy again the 28th Sept. I wrote the payroll for 4 months, at home where my brother helped me, it was stated every day that we would receive money in Louisville the 9th Indiana and 27th Ky from our brigade were paid off at 4th and Chestnut Streets in Louisville, and we had to pull out without money, in the evening the 1st of October, we marched off from Louisville with the hope we would be paid off a few miles from Louisville, but we were mistaken, because we marched 10 miles in the night before we camped, and there was now no more talk of money. I stayed back and remained with several others by the corner of a fence where a burning desire arose again to turn back to Louisville. We started off early in the morning while it was still dark, and waited on the road until the regiment came marching up, at midnight it began to rain hard, the road was difficult, we walked over the Rolling Fork at which the Rebels had burned the bridge down and camped there in the area 2 miles from Mount Washington in muck and rain, the Division of Wood, which was ahead of us had driven the Rebels out of M[ount]. Washington that evening, we had heard their cannonading a long time the 3rd October early in the morning we marched off now came our Brigade and Division, the people of M. Washington, said only 1,500 Rebel cavalry were there, they scrammed, our Regiment was in front of the whole division and outside M. Washington the whole regiment was used as skirmishers, we had to move across woods hills and valleys and climb a good many fences there were several shots fired but no one was wounded, in the evening our regiment came on picket, we lay in a ditch near the street When the same morning the 4th October the paymaster came and paid off 6 companies, general march blew, we had to leave and 2 Comp. were still paid off
PAGE 22
on the march, and we 2 German companies therefore received no money at that time. Comp. B [formerly E] and G, each one of us, was greatly enraged over this sensitive exception, the total march for this same day amounted to at most 6 miles, the 5 October we rested for 1/2 hour in the woods next to the Fairground at Bardstown In the evening marched through Bardstown and camped 1 1/2 miles from there in the woods, cattle were slaughtered there, and each received his raw piece, that one could make with what he wanted, many roasted it on a stick over the fire and most had little pleasure from it, the water was scarce and dirty, the 6th October we marched an uneven and stony forest road, which made us all exhausted, also climbing up and down the hills and 9 o’clock at night we camped 2 miles from Springfield rations were still drawn and we spent until midnight before we laid down and could rest, 7th Oct. we marched off and made about 24 miles by 10 o’clock at night, a miserable road, and a lot stayed back, which returned only 2 and 3 days later, the dust and the water were always two items the first too much the latter too little, We settled very close to the Rolling Fork where adequate and good water was, we suffered thirst nearly the whole day and night until we came here The 8 October we marched off and met the Rebels about 8 miles from the last place we were[,] as we came we deployed in line of battle, in the center Rousseau and McCook had a hot fight and the cannon was nearly unceasing[,] the water was so scarce there that they battled over it until nightfall we moved back 1/4 mile and camped that night and drew yet provisions for 2 days the 9th October we moved up slowly in Line of Battle.
PAGE 23
to the little city of Perryville, over fences, cornfields woods and the like and camped for the night a short distance away we had plenty of water now while we camped by a large pond. The 10. October we again marched off again, but made only 4 to 5 miles, and camped by a large straw pile, most built themselves huts from it, while it began to rain, but unfortunately because of our occupation had to leave them again, then the general march blew and we marched forward one-half mile again away from the road, and left into the woods, it rained constantly day and night, and we had nothing but our wet blankets for protection and toward morning it was cold, at daybreak our company had to stalk around in the cornfields for 3 or 4 miles in a skirmish line without breakfast, and when we returned again we scarcely had time to eat something and draw our rations, and then we marched off to Danville, the 9th Indiana Regt. were the skirmishers and we formed up the cover on both sides of the street, the 41st Ohio and 6th Ky. we had to go through cornfields over fences, etc. our brigade was alone, the 6th Ky. 9th Ind. 41st Ohio and 110 Illinois we drove the Rebels, without small resistance out of Danville, and sent several cannon shots after them, we rested for a half an hour outside the city of Danville, and the 9th Indiana marched through We marched back again in Line of Battle, the same way we had come and camped again at the previous place, which was 3 1/2 miles distant from Danville. at night at 9 o’clock our regiment had to go on picket, it was very dark, and we had to stalk around near 2 miles in the country before all were posted, however our Comp. was the Reserve and camped by a pile of straw, which we made good beds out of, on Sunday morning, the 12th the whole division marched off.
PAGE 24
we were led in a circle for 7 miles near Camp Dick Robinson, and came back again not until 10 o’clock at night, not far from the place that we had left in the morning The 13. Oct, we marched barely one half mile further, the 14. Oct. we Marched again up to the little city of Danville, where we had to linger so long, until we had drawn rations, the weather was clear, we marched through Danville, Ky a nice little city with a pretty courthouse, and camped not until 9 o’clock at night 2 miles to the side of the little city of Stanford, we were located on the right side there in the night 1 o’clock the 15 October general march blew, most had still not slept, and we had to get ourselves ready in a hurry we marched 9 miles in the double-quick cannon thundered in the distance from General Crittenden’s Division, it was cold, the march made us sweat, and several times when we halted it froze on us, and many were still sleepy, by daybreak we arrived by the others, and stopped about 1 1/2 hours, Where we cooked ourselves coffee, we had to go one mile to get the water, Now they went away again the troops in front had Skirmish Fights with the Rebels the whole day and they went slowly forward, the 16th October around 5 1/2 o’clock in the morning marched off again, our brigade and division came in front, after 2 miles we reached Crittenden’s Division’s camp, and our whole regiment was deployed out there in a skirmish line on both sides of the street, and had to go up and down hills the entire day and over fences cornfields and all kinds of stuff near Mount Vernon, Ky., our company found next to a large hill 3 large 3 gallon containers full of Whisky, we drank it and filled our bottles, however half was spilled, there was a terrible fuss over that, I had my bottle nearly full with it, but the others drank it just like water, the company next to us also had received a pitcher from us, and many drank too much of it
PAGE 25
Not far from the last place our regiment had a skirmish with the rebels, where a man by the name of Vogel from Comp. C was shot dead and another slightly wounded, the Rebels had several wounded, also we captured some prisoners, the Rebels had the road blocked by felling trees about 3 o’clock in the afternoon we were relieved from our arduous post by the 9th Indiana Regt. in the evening the 27th Ky and 110 Illinois came on picket and we camped in the area of the Rock Castle’s [Rockcastle] River next morning the 17 Oct we again marched off made however barely 6 miles, we climbed up a mountain which was at least 3 miles long, and when we were on top, and had rested there some time, order came to turn around, and we were about half-way down, it was called again Right Abou, now went again up there and camped in the evening at nightfall in Camp Wild Cat where Zollicofer had camped last year we had driven the Rebels before us here the whole day, and they stood nowhere long, Camp Wildcat was protected with rifle pits. The 18. Oct our brigade had to do scouting, we made 3 to 4 M. but met no enemy, and therefore came back to the old place. The 19 Oct. we marched again from there only our brigade the 41st Ohio was in front, it went slowly forward, the Rebels had the way blocked everywhere with cut down trees, toward nightfall there were some shots exchanged between the skirmishers, whereupon our battery went forward and fired several times, whereupon they immediately gave answer in the same tone and some roared over our heads, the 110th Illinois was in front of us, they fell flat on the ground and got out of the way, the other regiments, ours, the 9th Ind. it was like a blow, everyone fell on the ground, and got out of the way, at the time no one knew the real reason for it; everyone laughed afterwards over it, and many looked dusty and when it was over, it began to get dark
PAGE 26 we camped in a wood some 50 yards left of the road. We had no water and could get none there, the Rebels were still in possession of it. Fires may not be made, the ambulance driver who had started one, had to put it out immediately, because the enemy right away shook loose with several bullets and which flew over our heads the night was cold and we of course could not sleep much, at daybreak we wanted to make a fire, however it was still a little too early and dark, we had to put it out again, but shortly afterward we made fires, and since only a little before we had been freezing we could barely wait to warm ourselves a little. The 20th we marched in Line of Battle up to an open field, and camped there, where we had water, also a coal mine was in the area, it was 4 miles from there to the little city of London, which we however did not go to, the enemy had moved back, Sergt Brauser from our company found a rifle of the Rebels, he sold it then to the doctor for $5. In the evening we drew half rations for 2 days with one day’s fresh meat[,] 21. Oct. we lay quietly, and we washed our necessities, in a hole or puddle, the 22. Oct we marched off from there and in fact back the way we had come and made 14 miles, without even having rested one time, and we made a halt at the Rockcastle river, it was cold so that the water in our bottles froze without fire we could not sleep and we continued to have only half enough to eat. The 23 Oct we drew half rations again for 4 days, and the whole Brigade unloaded their rifles loaded already 3 and 4 days, into the Rockcastle River in the afternoon we had drill again and in the evening at dress parade, our chaplain said a short prayer before the regiment, we all had to remove our hats and caps for as long as his prayer lasted
PAGE 27 The 24. at daybreak marched off again and made 10 miles by 9 1/2 o’clock in the morning, When we marched through Mount Vernon and then made a 1 hour halt there and afterwards again marched off we camped in the evening 4 M. on the road or a forest path to Somerset. It had already been dark for a while, we got ourselves straw wood and water, then arrived orders ours and Comp. C had to go on picket, we marched 1 miles from camp through the woods and Blackberry hedges, and had our difficulty in the darkness, until we were once at the place, it was rather cold and misty weather, in the morning the 25. Oct at Reveille we went back to the regiment, around noon, we marched off and camped in the evening without having rested a single time, it began to snow and snowed the whole night through a 5 to 6 inch deep snow, we had to spend the night by the fire, and, we were wet and frozen, it was from there still 15 miles to Somerset on the morning of the 26th we marched off the road was full of muck and snow which began to thaw, we were covered with it from head to foot before dark we reached Somerset[.] wanted to camp in a wood this side of SS [Somerset] however had to go away from there again, and then marched through Somerset it had snowed almost the whole day and in the evening it was a 7 to 8 inches deep snow, We were quartered in the woods and made fires where then we were still wet from the trees, because the snow, from the warming dripped continually until everyone under them, and socks pants etc. were all wet[,] we tried our best to get it all dry again, the ground was all wet and grimy and we could not think much about sleep here, overnight the weather cleared and the snow melted again, the 27th we again drew again half rations for 3 days, consisting of 5 crackers, 3 spoonfuls of coffee and 2 spoonfuls of sugar, and some bacon. the 28 Oct. we marched off again, but barely made 5 miles camped by a creek named Fish Creek, the 29 Oct we took
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up Our march up again and made the same day 7 to 8 miles, camped and that night drew half rations again for 3 days the 30th October marched off early in the morning 4 1/2 o’clock still pitch black, and made 18 miles, the 31. Oct we made 17 miles and camped by Russell Creek near Columbia, Ky where we again received our knapsacks and tents, the 1. Nov. I wrote the muster roll, and in the evening Inspection was held, the 2nd of Nov. about 10 o’clock in the morning we marched off. and marched through Columbia, made 13 miles, it was dusty and very windy the whole day and was cold, we camped in the evening to the side of the Glasgow street, by a creek, where there was nearly no more water in it, the same evening we drew 4 days half rations, 8 crackers, 5 spoons coffee and 3 ditto sugar and bacon the 3 Nov. marched off and we came through 2 little hamlets, named Edmonton Metcalf County and the other named Randolph’s County we crossed over the Beaver Creek, and when it was already night we marched through Glasgow, Ky. we had made 23 miles and camped 1/2 mile outside Glasgow. The 4. Nov we 2 Cos. [Companies] were paid out for 4 months and we also pitched our tents on the same day and the next day the drills resumed[,] the 6th Nov. I wrote payrolls for the last 2 months Sept and Oct. our brigade was all that was left there, and the 12. November we marched off from there and camped in the evening 1 mile from the Barren River. We had to make detours because bridges over 2 rivers were burned down, that we had to cross the same day, it rained and misted the whole day cleared again however about midnight 4 Comp. of our regiment came on picket and none had a blanket with them, toward 11 o’clock 3 niggers came to us. from whom we bought apples and in fact 12 for 5 cents, the 13. Nov in the morning at daybreak, the order came we should
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get our knapsacks and carry them the same day, which was hard on us, because it was a fast march, we came through a little city Scottsville Ky and camped 8 miles from Scottsville in the afternoon, after an 18 hard march, the 14th Nov we again marched off early, our knapsacks were loaded onto the wagon with the sick, 1 mile from there where our pickets already stood through the night, was the border stone of Tennessee and Kentucky we marched through a little hamlet by the name of Centrehill and camped in the evening 4 miles from Gallatin on an open place and 3/4 miles away from the road, by an almost dried out creek. I had sore feet and was very tired the 15 Nov. in the morning 9 o’clock we marched through Gallatin Ten [Tenn.] two miles from there we crossed over the Cumberland River, where it took a very long time, there only one man after the other could cross over a wooden bridge made from boards, the water had fallen considerably there, and in the middle was 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep, we camped when it was already dark 17 miles from Nashville on the Lebanon Pike. Where we however were led over to the left about one mile from the road and camped then in a wood where it was very stony, but enough wood available, spent yet 1 hour, until it set it up in there, it was still a good while that night before our wagon with its wretched donkey arrived, and we had to fetch our knapsacks some 5[00] to 600 yards from where we camped they lay all jumbled and each one had trouble finding his , the wagon still had to have corn, and our Company things, tents etc. were loaded on 3 or 4 different wagons, that we had to search for everywhere, and many got lost. (Continued in Part III)
Part II, November 16, 1862 to February 19, 1863, (Copyrighted)
The 16th Nov. [1862] we pitched our tents and spent nearly the whole morning with it because the ground was mostly stony and uneven so one could nowhere, install blocks, it was
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near noon we were all finished, and a quarter hour afterward we heard some cannon fire, in the distance and immediately thereupon general march blew, the tents were taken down again and loaded on the wagons, we hung around there for about an hour, and when we marched off it began to rain hard, and rained the whole afternoon, it was about a half mile march When we then pitched a camp on an open place, according to the regulation the whole brigade in a line, all were soaked, we made a big fire and dried ourselves, however, the ground on which we had to lay was still wet, the 18 Nov. our regiment came on picket, I had to write in the camp. In the evening 10 o’clock came marching orders, next morning the 19 Nov. marched off 4 o’clock in the morning was reveille, and promptly one-half hour thereafter, it blew to pull the tents down It was still pitch black 4 wagons from our regiment were sent to Mitchellsville in order to obtain provisions and the few people in camp now had to load all the things on the wagons, which were crammed quite full. I carried My knapsack that day[,] and misted and rained continuously the whole day[,] at the Stones River where the bridge was burned down we made a halt for a half an hour until the wagons made it up over the hill on the other side, soldiers from each company had to help several of them, We marched off again. left off at 2 out of the Murfreesboro Pike which branches off the Lebanon Pike, and camped in the woods between the Murfreesboro Pike and the Stones River (We had also passed the same day the house and grave of Andrew and Richard Jackson, it was 11 miles from our camp. When we on the 12. March 1862 marched out there from Camp Andrew Jackson on orders of General Nelson, who was our division commander, our brigade was all alone there with Hazen and Nelson themselves, it was from where we camped still 7 to 8 miles to Nashville
PAGE 31
Next day the 20 Nov we pitched our tents and in the evening our whole brigade formed up on an open place where then a Lieutenant from the 41st Ohio had his shoulder straps ripped off because of not fulfilling his duty and drunkenness and a private of the same regiment from Comp. A had his head shaved and was drummed out in front of all, the latter had already separated himself 2 times with the Battle of Shiloh and Perryville, and then stayed away from the regiment several days. The 23 Nov. a Sunday we had brigade review. 25. Nov. we received marching orders around 12 o’clock to march off, we had already packed up some things however the order was changed and we did not march until the next morning 26th at daybreak around 6 o’clock. we marched off again on the Lebanon Pike, and 2 M from Nashville left it and came in the area of the Murfreesboro Pike and fields{felden?}, and from there, marched up here and pitched camp in an apple orchard, 4 miles from Nashville at the Stones River and Murfreesboro Pike, on the 27 Nov. our whole regiment had to go on Train Guard with 58 wagons to get fodder, It went 10 miles out, we drove out there in the wagons over the rough and stony forest road, it nearly shook the entrails out of the body, we had to collect the fodder in the whole area, and wagons went in all directions and loaded up where it was found, we came back at night, when we had loaded all the wagons, the moon shined from time to time, it was cold, however, when we ran it made us warm, we arrived at 10 o’clock at night in camp, we marched by a burned down house and to a burning fence in front on our way back to the camp the 30 Nov our Division had under Gen [General] Smith General Review on a large open place 2 M. from Camp General Rosencranz [Rosecrans] was there.
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our regiment was the first from the whole division, and we had a music band from the 84 Ohio which played before us here, Genl. Rosencranz along with his staff and Genl. Smith were posted in the center and we marched past them, it was a cheerful day, and then we marched back to camp again the 4 Dec.[,] I was on leave with Sergt. Maas in Nashville and after we left[,] our regiment had to be ready to march off, because a brigade went out in order to forage, in case they would encountered the enemy, the regiments immediately prepared for the departure, the 7 Dec. our brigade had to picket 5 miles from camp. I stayed in camp because I had to write the 8 Dec at noon they came back again, and an order announced that we must always have 3 days rations in our haversacks until further orders, in order to be ready to march at any moment and no one can venture out of the camp without permission, the 9 Dec. we heard in the distance to our right, a half hour cannonade but it stayed quiet by us, the 11 Dec in the evening 7 o’clock we heard several shots rather near to our camp and in the surrounding area and our colonel said one whistled over his tent, it was dark before the moon came, and the whole regiment stood in line of Battle within 5 min [minute,] many had already laid down and, as was called Fall In, were all lively, after a quarter of an hour passed we could go to our quarters, but with the order to be ready at each moment when it is required, there were again several times shots, then it stayed quiet for the night, no one knew what it was[,] the 12. Dec our brigade came again on Train Guard with some 50 wagons, the 15. about noon it began to rain and storm until night then it was cold after that, the 16 Dec our regiment came on picket, it was clear weather but very windy and cold, I had to write in the camp, the 20 our brigade was suppose to go as Train Guard, when right away the order came the whole division must go
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and make a reconnaissance met however no enemy, and made a march there and back of 32 miles, our regiment and brigade was in front. I was in camp and had to write[,] the 23 we received marching orders, the regiment was on picket, We in camp had everything packed except for the tents, then it was called at daybreak to march off we did not march off however, and the regiment then came on picket, the 24 Dec. We had orders to be ready to march at each moment and have our haversacks filled with 3 days rations On Christmas day the 25 Dec. Our brigade had to serve again as Train Guard. I stayed in the camp and wrote Muster Rolls, and the 26 Dec in the morning 7 o’clock we marched off our baggage was sent to Nashville, and we marched up the street to Murfreesboro, hardly had we 3 miles behind us and it began to rain hard and rained the whole day, about 9 miles from Nashville we met the enemy, and drove him back to within 2 miles of Lavergne, the street was a straight line for 3 miles, ours and the 9th Indiana Regiment were ordered into the bush to the right 1/4 mile from the street, in order to see whether it was clear. We marched in Flank March into the woods, without skirmishers and without having loaded our rifles, all at once, about 30 to 40 shots fell quickly one after another on our right wing, the Rebels had hidden themselves, and expected our arrival, our regiment fell into confusion, because no one had loaded[,] Colonel Whitaker had at that time the brigade command, the line was formed again and we moved forward, there were 3 men from our regiment wounded and at night we camped by the others, it lasted however until 10 o’clock at night before we arrived at a particular place our clothes were wet and it misted and rained continuously, the 27 Dec. we marched through Lavergne. the Rebels had left the little city, it
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rained tremendously, the houses in Laverne were mostly burned down and the few that were still there were drilled through by cannon balls and had been ruined the residents had all fled and the place deserted and empty, several miles from the little city our brigade went left a different road the main army marched on the main street to Murfreesboro, the enemy was continually before us here and we had Skirmish Fights with them, in the evening we made halt by a creek, our battery fired several shots off into the area where the Rebels were located, the weather the whole day was rain, it stopped but then became cold we burned only fence rails there because there were enough, the 28 Dec it was pretty cheerful weather, around noon mealtime, time a strong skirmish fire took place to the right of us, where we then all had to join in, the 41st Ohio marched there on the double quick, but came back again after a half hour, and we grabbed our rifles and separated again, in the afternoon 4 o’clock came our and Comp K on picket, I had found a Sesesh Rifle there, that I however could not keep and otherwise had no where to keep it, We slaughtered a sow, cooked and roasted the meat we all liked it[,] the 29. Dec. in the morning 8 o’clock we were relieved by the 44 Ohio Regiment, Wood’s Division where then a different Brigade took our place, when we returned to the regiment, everyone was ready to march the 41st Ohio was already away, We marched then again to the main street, and came to a little hamlet and Railroad Station Smyrna, the one street from the other, was 3 miles from one another, the whole army marched off then, we had drawn rations beforehand which we still had in the wagon, Mitchell’s Division was in the Rear[,] 5. miles from Murfreesboro our brigade went right from the street, and marched about 3 miles on the double-quick through woods over fences cornfields and everything possible which warmed us in the cold and damp weather.
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We marched in close column by Division, after standing around here and there, we finally camped in the woods it was already late night when we camped, in Close Column, like we had marched, we had enough wood to burn, it began to rain again after midnight, but not continuously, the 30th Dec. in the morning at daybreak the skirmishers, or rather the pickets went again to their work, we camped the whole day on an open field, always ready to battle. toward evening our brigade marched back into the woods again and made ourselves a fire and coffee, there was for a long time a terrible cannonading in front of Negley’s division which stood in the evening in rather severe fire, we made ourselves as comfortable as possible we still had to go on picket at 10 o’clock at night, we were deployed in an open cotton field the wind blew strong and cold, and we could not even think about sleep, the 31 December in the morning, at daybreak it started again on both sides, and towards 8 o’clock it degenerated into a real battle. we stood in the fire until our 60 cartridges were fired that must have been about 3 o’clock, then we moved back and again drew fresh cartridges after 20 or 30 minutes rest we had to move forward again, we stood, the most part in front of our army, in open fields, when we came before the enemy again, I got a bullet through the heel of my right foot, I hopped with my rifle as good as I could, and as fast as possible and got out of shooting range when I felt a little secure I washed my wound out and bandaged my foot by tearing my drawers I made it from there into a Hostel. That was however already full and everything lay in confusion. I was in the yard where I sat down for a bit but not for long, then came a piece from a bombshell which burst and a piece of it flew into the ground not 2 steps from me I got away from there as fast as possible and went with help from another comrade to a distant hospital, that also was full
PAGE 36 We stayed in the yard, and made a fire there, during the night most of the wounded were removed, it was cold we had nothing to eat, and also nothing in order to cover ourselves[,] we had to help ourselves as good as we could, in the morning toward 7 o’clock the 1 January 1863 ambulances came and took us away to a remote hospital 3 miles back it was insecure here because the cannon balls roared nearby, the hospital was then moved 2 miles farther back Where the General Hospital had been set up, and after much questioning and searching we finally found our brigade and regiment hospital where we then at last stayed, our ambulance driver Franz Schwerer drove me about 3 miles back, and I rode again with him to the hospital. Where I then stayed but it suddenly began also to become dangerous there but only for a short time, the hospital was on the street and the enemy was approximately 3/4 to 1/2 mile distant from there We received meager food there and the night of from January 2 to the 3rd January it rained continuously until daybreak[,] I and several more who had no blankets stayed close by the fire the whole night with only one eye closed. Some old cloth from tents which was there came into the possession of those who got there earlier but were of little protection because they were old and full of holes[,] the 3rd January it rained and stormed the whole day, the aides had wooden huts built for us in the front it was quiet the whole day only some skirmishers and pickets were heard to shoot from time to time, toward evening it stopped raining but the wind blew very strong. We had so-to-say no shelter and not one time blankets to cover ourselves, it began to rain and storm again that night. It was cold and one could not linger by the fire, because the wind was too strong, it froze us like dogs, toward nightfall the same evening, there came up for an hour a heated fight with a terrifying cannonade, the 4 Jan. the weather cleared up and towards evening our troops moved into Murfreesboro, the enemy had left it and retreated in the evening about 8 o’clock a wagon train came with nearly 100 wagons and took all the transportable wounded with it, We drove the whole night through, it was cold and by the little city of Lavergne and thereabouts lay on the road at least 100 wagons burned to ashes, a work of Wheeler’s gang of robbers[,] and by daybreak 5 Jan 1863
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we arrived in Nashville, and moved into a newly established Hospital No. 18 Corner of College and Church Street, Nashville, Ten [Tenn.] I was in the basement where it was very dark, and was not light even with the nicest weather and also was smelly. The 11 Jan. we were moved next door to the third floor, where it was much nicer and lighter the 13 Jan. I was on the list to be sent away, in order to go to Cincinnati, and was already prepared to travel and on the bottom floor however there came the order, that at Harpeth Shoals 30 miles below Nashville several of our boats had been burned by a robber band of Rebels, and we had to remain there, the 14 Jan., it rained the whole day and the 15 Jan. it began to snow and was cold, several times it was called again to prepare to be sent away, but it never happened until the 15 Feb. on Sunday 50 men from our hospital were sent off. I was one of them. We were driven in Ambulances to the landing and boarded the Boat Nashville however after half were already on it, again came down because the Captain told Doctor Gordon that the boiler has a crack and he could not take us, whereupon we again left and sat on the wharf for an hour, until we were finally taken into the engine room of the Saint Patrick, which was a nice new boat. We lay on the hay which was put down beforehand, in the afternoon about 2 o’clock the boat departed from Nashville during the night a stop of several hours was made at Clarksville the 16. Feb. at daybreak we passed Fort Donelson, a fleet with 20 or 30 boats passed us, while they steamed to Nashville and had with them 8-10 gunboats for protection the 18. Febr we reached Louisville Ky. and moved to the Hospital No. 9/SchoolHouse/Corner of Wenzel and Market Street the 19. Feb in the afternoon I could go home however had to report to the doctor each day and since then had many days to write there. END
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