The following diary was kept by William “Tally” Wicker (1842-1914), the son of Thomas Tally Wicker (1821-1909) and Nancy A. Zike (1824-1909) of Union township, Shelby county, Indiana.

Tally mustered into Co. F, 51st Indiana Infantry as a 21 year-old recruit on 10 September 1863 and mustered out on 14 June 1865. Not long after he mustered out of the regiment, he was married in Shelby county to Sarah Elizabeth McKay (1842-1917).

The Wicker property was located in Union Township of eastern Shelby county. It was rich farmland between the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers southeast of Morristown, which is roughly 25 miles from downtown Indianapolis.

This diary is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.

Transcription

December 1864

Dec. 13th 1864—The non-vets relieved from duty. The skirmishing the same as usual Paid off the 2nd up to the 30th of August. The skirmishing began at Nashville the 3rd of December.

December 15, 1864—Began moving to the right. A slight fight on the left about noon. Gen. Smith cut their lines and our Corps charged the works in our front. Took them with slight loss. Laid still till near four o’clock though the fighting was in progress on our right. At four o’clock our Division charged their main mine capturing 12 pieces of artillery and several prisoners. Their entire line was drove, capturing near 1200 prisoners & 18 pieces of artillery.

December 16th 1864—Moved out at day on the Franklin Pike. Met with no resistance till near four miles from town when we came to their skirmishers. Drove them in and the 2nd Division charged their works and took the first line. Heavy artillery firing till near 4 o’clock and our division charged their works on the Franklin Pike & were repulsed. The 2nd & first charged on our right and took their works & we again advanced and took near 1,000 prisoners. Followed them two miles & camped. Our loss near 1,000 killed & wounded. Rebs about the same. [See “Snapshots of Hell: A visit to Nashville’s Peach Orchard Hill” by John Banks]

December 17th—Advanced to Fran[klin]. The cavalry had continual skirmishing & took 500 prisoners. Camped at night at Franklin and drew rations during the night. The cavalry took three pieces of artillery five miles from Franklin.

December 18th—Marched from Franklin to three miles beyond Spring Hill. Continual skirmishing. The last three days it has rained almost all the time. I did not get to camp till next morn.

December 19th—Moved out early in the morn but did not go over two miles, the enemy being in force across a creek. Camped all night. Cleared off at night and turned cold.

December 20th—Cloudy and cold. Dried our clothes and tents. Moved out to Duck River and camped.

December 21st—On picket. A flag of truce in force. Talked with the Rebs. No firing. Cold with snow.

December 22nd—On picket. Cold. A detail to cross the river. Crossed firing. Began in the morn. Crossed on pontoons. Right smart skirmishing. [Thomas] Al. Morrison and J. Melay wounded. Twelve wounded. Deployed and advanced. Had some fighting. Got in conversation with Rebel surgeons. Pontoons laid, troops crossing at night. Stayed in town all night. Got near a gallon of honey. Plenty of meal.

December 23rd—Moved out two miles and stayed till noon. Marched five miles and camped. Beautiful weather. Ground froze and a skiff of snow.

December 24th—Beautiful morn. Marched beyond Lynnville and camped. Foraged 1 ham & some honey.

December 25th—Marched all day. Passed through Pulaski and five miles beyond. The cavalry had a brisk engagement late in the evening. Raining slightly.

December 26th—Foggy and misting rain. Laid in camp all day.

December 27th—Moved 12 miles through a barren wilderness road. Almost impassable. Camped at night. Got a letter.

December 28th—Fine morning. Moved about 12 miles and camped. Rather cool. Came to some cleared land. The day was clear & the roads impassable or near about. Got to a little town called Lexington & camped.

December 29th—Laid in camp. Some of the boys went a foraging. Rained a little.

December 30th—Laid in camp & went a foraging. Rained & snowed at night.

December 31st—Moved out towards Athens. Marched about 18 miles over a rather rough country. Camped within four miles of Elk river.

January 1865

[January 1-6, 1865 missing; regiment setting up winter quarters in Huntsville, Alabama]

January 7, 1865—Passed out beyond the pickets with ten others looking for forage. Went near 8 miles to the Tennessee river. Got our dinners & got some soap and other necessaries. Marched near 20 miles. Saw one reb.

January 8, 1865—Had a pass beyond the lines to get lumber. Six of us got lumber for a bunk and worked at a chimney in the morning. Finished our chimney. Cloudy. Heard the gunboats firing in the evening.

January 9, 1865—Worked on our tents. Finished covering them & [ ] the house. Rained all day, Rather windy. Drew some clothing. The ground thoroughly soaked & the lake rising. No news of importance.

January 10, 1865—Laid in camp & finished our quarters & washed our clothes & other things of a like kind for our comfort. The weather has been fair today and rather cold at night for comfort.

January 11, 1865—Nothing special to break the monotony of camp life. Fixing our clothes & quarters so as to be comfortable such as mending our clothes for we have not got our commissaries & other things up.

January 12, 1865—Nothing special to break the monotony of camp life. Finishing our [winter] quarters. Cleared off camp and preparing for to live comfortable. Got a letter from home. The weather has been beautiful.

January 13, 1865—Everything quiet & the quarters most finished. Clearing off camp. I was out in country after lumber for headquarters. Went out near five miles, Got two letters. Beautiful weather.

January 14, 1865—Nothing new. Laid in camp. Was on Brigade Guard. Rather cold at night. On guard with a Kansas officer. The weather has been beautiful for the last week. Clear and heavy frosts at night.

January 15, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear. Laid in camp. Nothing unusual. Our duty is fatigue and Brigade Camp Guard & going out foraging & grinding flour. Get good rations of coffee & bread but not enough meat.

January 16, 1865—Nothing unusual to disturb the quiet of camp life. Had regimental inspection and laid quiet the rest of the day. Got orders to send the non vets their descriptive lists. Beautiful weather.

January 17, 1865—All quit. Laid in camp. I and Pete Camper went to Huntsville. I got some meat & saw a part of Gen. [Hylan B.] Lyon’s command that were captured over the river—about 300 in number.

January 18, 1865—All quiet, Nothing to disturb the monotony of camp life. Washed my clothes in the morn. The regiment drew clothing at night. Some of the discharged soldiers of our company came back. Beautiful weather.

January 19, 1865—Laid in camp. Fine weather. Cold at night & pleasant of a day time. Drew clothing & heard of the capture of Fort Fisher by the Army & Navy. All quiet in this department.

January 20, 1865—Nothing unusual to disturb the monotony of camp life. I was on guard—Brigade Camp Guard. Rained at night & cold. No news of importance.

January 21, 1865—Wet and cold. Laid in camp. Misted rain most all day. Our rations have been pretty good with the exception of meat. This is very poor. In fact we get hardly any good meat.

January 22, 1865—Cloudy & misting rain. Had company inspection. This we have every evening at retreat. Making out pay rolls. Nothing unusual occurred to mar the quiet of camp life.

January 23, 1865—Laid in camp. All quiet. In fact, there has not been anything except the usual camp duty for the last week. It has been raining for the last three days and some snow.

January 24, 1865—Cloudy and cold and some snow. The ground slightly frozen. Rather cold for comfort. Wrote a letter. Drill in the evening. Nothing of special note. We commenced building houses on the guard lines.

January 25, 1865—Laid in camp. Got a pass to go to town & went in the country. Had a nice time. Got some meal and corn and milk. Got my dinner. The weather fine. The ground frozen so that it would bear a wagon.

January 26, 1865—Laid in camp. On Brigade Camp Guard. Very cold for this latitude. The ground frozen hard enough to bear up a horse and wagon. No news of special note. Some talk of peace.

January 27, 1865—Clear and cold. Laid in camp. Came off of guard. Had an old [ ] condemned. Ready for inspection. I got two letters and wrote one.

January 28, 1865—Nothing unusual transpired today. I received two letters. Passed the day cleaning our quarters and guns for the inspection on Sunday morning. No particular news. The weather fine, clear and rather cold.

January 29, 1865—All quiet. Had Sunday inspection. Washed our clothes today. Is rather warmer than usual. The ground thawed smartly. I sent home a letter. Everything quiet.

January 30, 1865—Quiet in camp all day. Nothing of special note occurred. The weather beautiful and spring like. The regular routine of camp duty, guard and picket.

January 31, 1865—The day is gine. Laid in camp all day. Got news of our having to leave in the morn. Our regiment and the 89th Illinois had a quarrel. Had to stand in line of battle.

February 1865

February 1, 1865—Struck tents early. The rest of the brigade left before day. Our regiment & the 41st OVI were detailed to guard the train. Started at 8 o’clock. Marched about 15 miles & camped. The weather foggy.

February 2, 1865—Moved out early in the morn. Our regiment in the advance. Some of the companies along the train. Weather cloudy & warm & some rain. Reached Athens at night. Camped. Marched 16 miles.

February 3, 1865—Left Athens early in the morning. Roads very bad. Moved out to Elk River 15 miles. Reached at 4 o’clock in the evening. Laid overnight.

February 4, 1865—Crossed Elk River early in the morn. The river fordable. Roads almost impassible. Moved out 12 miles to a small creek & camped all night. Snowed at morn.

February 5, 1865—Moved out on the back track in the morning. Roads very muddy & almost impassible. Recrossed the Elk River in the evening & camped 1 mile from the river.

February 6, 1865—Moved out early in the morn for Athens. Rather cold. Misting snow. The roads almost impassible. I have been guarding the train. Reached there at sundown. Colder and raining. Camped at the same ground we did as we went up.

February 7, 1865—Started early in the morning. A right smart skiff of snow three inches deep. The roads almost impassable. Had a great deal of trouble with our teams. Moved out 12 miles from Athens towards Huntsville.

February 8, 1865—Had 13 miles to march. Moved out early in the morn. Had very heavy roads and some right hard times with the teams. Our teams stuck. Warm in the morning and turned cold in the evening and snowed some. Got back to camp at night.

February 9, 1865—In our old camp. Found our bunks gone. Had new ones to build. Weather cold. Fixed up our quarters. I got two letters from home. Nothing of special note occurred. Our brigade commanded by Col. Hotchkiss.

February 10, 1865—Laid in camp. The day rather cold for this latitude. The weather clear & rather cold. No news of special note. Engaged in fixing up our quarters.

February 11, 1865—Nothing occurred to disturb the monotony of camp life. The weather fine again. Fixed for living. Drew rations for five days. Heard some talk of peace.

[Entries for February 12-17, 1865 Missing (lost page)]

February 18, 1865—Laid in camp. Everything going on quietly and we are seeing very good times, Nothing to do but go on guard every 8 days. Beautiful weather.

February 19, 1865—All quiet and fine weather. This Corps drawing clothing and preparing for the summer campaign. The weather beautiful indeed. Warm and almost spring like.

February 20, 1865—Nothing but the usual routine of camp duty. I and James L. Phares got a pass and went to the 1st Division and saw B. Rice. Went to town and wrote a letter. Received news of the evacuation of Charlestown [Charleston].

February 21, 1865—Laid in camp. Had nothing but our regular policing and inspection and guard duty to do. Weather beautiful and warm The frogs are awake. In fact, the buds are swelling for to open.

February 22, 1865—Windy and raining. Last night was very windy and some rain. No news of import. Nothing unusual to excite our curiosity. Our regiment on Brigade Guard.

February 23, 1865—Rainy and damp. Weather like the breaking up of winter in our country. I wrote a letter. Nothing seemed of note. Some talk of getting discharged. Heard that the House had passed the bill. [Reference to the 13th Amendment]

February 24, 1865—Cloudy and damp but no rain of any account. No news of any note. We have not drew rations enough here of late to do us—especially of meat.

February 25, 1865—I was on picket. Sunny in the morning and very windy. Cleared off at night and now a beautiful night, No mail and no news of importance. All quiet in this department.

February 26, 1865—Beautiful day. Had inspection and preaching in the evening. I washed some clothes. I got a letter from James Tillison. No news of importance. In fact, we did not get the papers.

February 27, 1865—Fine day, almost spring like. Had company drill in the morning. The day beautiful for the season of the year. All quiet here abouts.

February 28, 1865—Nothing of special note transpired. Clear and windy. Had company drill. I got on extra duty for something I did while we were drilling. No news of importance transpired in this department worthy of note.

March 1864

March 1, 1865—Cloudy and misted rain. A sad accident occurred in the 8th Kansas [infantry]. A man killed by a tree falling on the quarters and three others wounded. Will Armstrong discharged and started home. No news of special note.

March 2, 1865—Rained most all day. A very heavy mist at night. No news of special note and nothing new in this department. Some talk of our getting paid off.

March 3, 1865—Cloudy and windy with some rain. A very heavy rainstorm at night. No news of special note. Some talk of us being paid off and some talk of the recruits being discharged.

March 4, 1865—Cloudy and rather cold for comfort. Green[up] Weekly came to the company. Ben Rice came over from the 9th Indiana. Nothing new. No news of special note. I got no mail for three days.

March 5, 1865—Rained and was cloudy all day. Nothing of special note occurred. Heard that there was several bridges washed away on the railroad. There was no mail came in.

March 6, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. All quiet. Entirely out of rations and heard that we could not draw any till the 9th of the month. Drew some [ ] fot to last the day.

March 7, 1865—I was on guard guarding prisoners at [ ]. The brigade out on drill. Drew rations of bread and some meat. Nothing of special note occurred.

March 8, 1865—Cloudy and misting rain all day. Laid in camp. Received the first copy of the Huntsville Union. No news of special note. The trains not coming through yet, Heard that they would get mail this evening.

March 9, 1865—Rain in the morning, Cloudy all day. Of the mail, I got two letters, No news of special note. Some good news from Gen. Sheridan. Drew rations in the morn. Hill court martialed yesterday. Wrote Suzy a letter.

March 10, 1865—Fine day. Lain in camp. Nothing special occurred. Had company drill as usual. The Tennessee [river] very high. Backed water clear up to our camp. The cars running through.

March 11, 1865—Nothing occurred to disturb the monotony of camp life. The weather fine—almost spring like. No news of special note. The trains running through regularly. No special.

March 12, 1865—Fine day. No news of special note. Talk of our getting out. Colonel [Abel D.] Streight resigned Our regiment under Captain Hamilton, he being the ranking officer. Lieut. Morgan took charge of Co. A.

March 13, 1865—Nothing special occurred with the exception that we received marching orders to go to Knoxville. It sprinkled rain and the weather was warm and comfortable. No mail. Col. Streight made a speech to our regiment. A member of the 41st Ohio paraded before the Brigade with the traitor.

March 14, 1865—Cloudy and windy with some rain. Had company drill. Green[up] Weekly was court martialed for absence without leave. No special news. The boys all well. Al Morrison & James S. Gatewood came to the company. Received marching orders.

March 15, 1865—Drew rations in the morn. Did not strike tents till in the eve. Marched down to town and got aboard the train at sundown. I subscribed for Indiana Roll of Honor. Rained all night.

March 16, 1865—Arrived at Chattanooga in the morning. Laid there till 2 o’clock, started forKnoxville. Arrived at Lenoir during the night. The weather clear and cold. Got some cider.

March 17, 1865—Laid at Lenoir till near 3 o’clock letting train pass from above. Had to carry water for the engine. Moved out for Knoxville. Passed there during the night and arrived at Newmarket in the morn. Beautiful day.

March 18, 1865—Bivouacked at Newmarket & drawing rations. No particular news. Moved out to camp 1 half mile from town. Cleared off camp and pitched our tents. Weather beautiful. Farmers sowing oats.

March 19, 1865—Fine morn on picket. No news of special note. Got mail one letter from Miss C. The country here about is fine, rolling country and is very fertile and from appearances is very healthy. No news of special note. On picket.

March 20, 1865. Relieved from picket. fine day. Had inspection in the evening. Our company being the praise of the Brigade. Inspector General Wood visited our camp. No news of note. Beautiful locality for a camp. All quiet in this department.

March 21, 1865—Raining this morning and looking dreary. Several citizens in camp selling pies and cakes. The farmers sowing oats and breaking up for corn. Heard that Lige was married. I wrote two letters—one to Miss C., and one to Miss Y. Mail came in.

March 22, 1865—Fine day. Laid in camp and drilled. No news of special note. Capt. Delano and Lieut. Gude came into our lines at Mossy Creek. Also one of the Ala. co. captains. They look very bad. Gude and the Alabamian had on rebel clothes and look very bad.

March 23, 1865—Very windy and rather cold for comfort. Laid in camp and drilled. Rations very scarce. In fact, hardly anything. Went to church at night.

March 24, 1865—Not so windy but rather cold yet. Engaged in fixing our quarters. Our company setting cedars in the streets. Also made a wreath and hung the letter of the company in it. Capt. S beastly drunk.

March 25, 1865—Fine day. I was on picket. No news of special interest. The 1st Division moved out for Morristown. Our term not through yet. The nights very cold. Heard that Sheridan had taken Lynchburg. No news of note in this department. Kimball came to the company.

March 26, 1865—Relieved from on picket. Had inspection and the regiment was visited by Maj. Gen. Wood & Col. Hotchkiss. The regiment highly complimented by the General for such fine quarters and neat camp. I learned the distance from Knoxville to Bristol 125 miles from Newmarket to Knoxville 25 miles.

March 27, 1865—Fine morning. Our regiment again on picket. A great many citizens coming in. They are very friendly disposed. The Division wagon train coming up and the Division drawing rations. Washed my clothes. Nothing new.

March 28, 1865—Laid in camp. Got orders to prepare for a campaign. Turned over the wall tents & camp equipage. No special news. The 2nd Division had not come up yet. Ours and the first & some cavalry preparing to move.

March 29, 1865—Got orders to move at 6 o’clock in the morn. Struck tents & moved out for Morristown. Passed Mossy Creek 4 miles from Newmarket, crossed one other creek. Marched 13 miles & camped. Distance from Newmarket to Morristown 10 miles from Newmarket to Knoxville, 25 & to Bristol 110.

March 30, 1865—Struck tents. Rained most all night. Marched, passed through Morristown & to Russellville. From Morristown to Russellville 7 miles. Marched 12 miles and camped at Russellville. Rained till near noon. The country through which we passed is very fine and land. We passed several fine dwellings. Morristown and Russellville are small villages. Some smallpox through the country.

March 31, 1865—Struck tents and moved out early in the morn. Passed through Russellville last eve. Reached the Gap at noon & camped in the Gap. Drew rations. The 1st Division camped 4 miles beyond the Gap. The cavalry moving on. This Gap is a place easily to hold and is naturally very strong.

April 1865

April 1, 1865—Fine morning. Received our mail, I received a letter from Kate. No news od special note. I wrote one letter to Kate. The 2nd Division coming out on the train. The weather is beautiful for the last two days. Everything quiet in this department.

April 2, 1865—Had company inspection. Last night 5 rebs came in to Gen. Woods quarters & the Lieut. was outing the General’s horse and the guard ordered him to halt & struck him with the bayonet. The Lieut. drew a revolver and shot the guard. The Lieut. was shot & his leg had to be amputated.

April 3, 1865—Laid in camp. Had inspection. I was detailed for fatigue. The weather fine and everything looks gay. Got the news of the capture of Petersburg & the probable evacuation [of Richmond]. Received a letter from home & I wrote one. Received orders to be ready to move at 7 in the morning.

April 4, 1865—Cloudy. Tents struck and ready to move. Passed through the Gap & passed the 1st Div. Our Divoision and the 2nd marched to Blue Springs. The 2nd stopped there and we moved on 10 miles to Greenville. Reached there at night. A good stout village. The country rather poor from the Gap to Greenville. Weather fine.

April 5, 1865—Policing quarters. No news of special note. George McCormack dead. Struck tents and prepared to move. Moved to the other side of town, The 3rd Brigade went to Jonesboro. Pitched tents and began building bunks. Received the news that Grant had taken 20,000 prisoners. Rained at night.

April 6, 1865—Raining in the morn. I was detailed to cut cross ties. 300 out of the Brigade. Cut over 1,000 trees. Our regiment moved camp. The 2nd Brigade went to North Carolina. Corps Headquarters moved to this place. Division Headquarters. We also received mail. Rained at night.

April 7, 1865—Very disagreeable morning. Raining and cold, Nothing particular transpired. Heard of Sheridan’s success & the capture of Gen. Ewell & others. Also 14 pieces of artillery. This country is rather poor though I think it is healthy.

April 8, 1865—Beautiful day. Our regiment on picket. Company guards the Signal Corps to a new station. No news of special note. A great many citizens coming in. The 80th Illinois here. Drew some clothing & rations. Bridwell came to the company.

April 9, 1865—Had company inspection. Passed the day in camp. Various rumors about the fighting in Virginia. Rained most all day. I went to church at night. One of Company D took the smallpox.

April 10, 1865—Fine morning. Received the news of the surrender of Lee’s whole army to Gen. Grant on the 9th. The dispatch confirmed. Great enthusiasm. The 2nd Brigade came in. Also the Artillery Brigade. Heard heavy firing at night. Heard it was the 2nd D. on a bust. I was on camp guard. No mail.

April 11, 1865—Cloudy and windy. No news of special note. Had company drill. I washed my clothes. In the evening had company inspection & wrote Father a letter. Everything quiet here abouts. Very strict on us—four roll calls a day.

April 12, 1865—Rained all day. Laid in camp. No news of special note. Some talk of peace. The rebels seem to be very much discouraged & they come into our lines in squads. I went to church at night. The chaplain of the 80th Illinois preached an excellent sermon.

April 13, 1865—Raining till near noon. Then cleared off and was fair. I and Jimet [?] went to the Christian Commission rooms & wrote letters. I wrote one to Pa. The mail came in last eve. I got none. Beautiful evening. The trees leafing out & every thing looks gay. All quiet in the Department.

April 14, 1865—Thanksgiving Day. 100 rounds fired by the Artillery Brigade in honor of the raising of a flag over Fort Sumter. There has been meeting held all the time at this place. A detail from our regiment went to Midway for sanitary goods. Beautiful day & warm.

April 15, 1865—Rained most all day. I wrote Davy a letter. Heard that Jeff Davis asked if he would be allowed to go to Europe. Received the news of the assassination of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Drew rations in the eve. Drew some sanitary goods. Cleared off at night. Everything quiet.

April 16, 1865—Had company inspection. The day clear and warm. Received the official news of the death of Abraham Lincoln and the wounding of Sward. Two of the 3rd Ohio officers came to our camp in rebel uniform. Meting at night. Talk of moving back. All quiet in this quarter.

April 17, 1865—Fine morning. All quiet. 14 men came into our lines from North Carolina. Three of them cousins of Wids. and six of them L____. I wrote a short letter and sent it to Father by W. W. Linville. Had company drill. Went to church at night.

April 18, 1865—I was detailed to go a foraging. Went near ten miles down Chuckie river to Alen’s Bridge. Got ferry at the bridge & got to camp at four o’clock. Rained most all day. I wasn’t well. No special news.

April 19, 1865—Beautiful day. Very warm. Had company inspection. Drilled in bayonet exercise. There was 40 rebels came into our lines under a flag of truce & surrendered and went on to Knoxville. They were allowed to keep their horses.

April 20, 1865—Beautiful day. This morning the cars came in for the first time since the Yanks occupied this place. Today General Stoneman arrived from a trip in North Carolina. The mail came in at night. The Brigade officers had a spree. The regiments took their colors from the [ ]. Reported that we are going to Texas.

April 21, 1865—Fine morning. Received the mail. I got a letter from Pa. Also a shirt & pair of socks & an handkerchief. The 3rd Brigade came down from Jonesboro. The whole division received orders to be ready to move in the morn. I sent Pa a letter. [ ] came to the company.

April 22, 1865—Struck tents & prepared to move. Moved out at sunrise & marched to Bull’s Gap. Reached there at three o’clock, having marched 18 miles. The day was cool and the roads in fine order. Turned cold at night. Very cold for this season. Received the mail.

April 23, 1865—Cold & windy. The 2nd Division loading on the cars. Our baggage loading. The wagon train moved out early for Knoxville with orders to turn their teams over, then the wagon train moved out early. The 2nd Division all got off. Te weather moderated in the evening.

April 24, 1865—Fine morning. Still at the Gap. Got the news of the cessation of hostilities & the surrender of Johnston. Near 300 rebs came through on parole from Lee’s Army. Also 1100 rebs taken by Stoneman.

April 25, 1865—Beautiful morning. Went down to the train & saw the piece of artillery that Gen. Stoneman’s force captured. It shot 85 balls at one discharge, breach-loading. Also 11 other pieces captured at the same time. Three of them taken from our forces at Chickamauga. No news of special note.

April 26, 1865—Fine morning. All the troops gone except our Brigade. Three men detailed for picket with orders to come in at reveille. In the morning a brigade of rebels from Lee’s army camped close to us. Got acquainted with a Mr. Harmen. Had orders to move in the morn.

April 27, 1865—This morning got aboard the train early and started for Knoxville. Roads are rough. Arrived at Knoxville at 3 in the evening. Laid by till near 11 o’clock at night. No news of special note. The train loading with wagons.

April 28, 1865—Between Knoxville and& Chat. Fine day. Passed the ambulance train Arrived at Chattanooga near noon. Laid there only a few minutes. Moved on to Stevenson at dark. Laid there till 9 o’clock.

April 29, 1865—On our road from Stevenson to Nashville. Reached Murfreesboro at 9 in the morn. Arrived at Nashville at noon. Moved out four miles from town and camped. I received a letter from Will Phares & one from [ ]. John Berry came to the company. Maj. Denny [?] came to the regiment.

April 30, 1865—Cloudy. Policing quarters and drawing rations/ I wrote a letter to [ ]. Policing quarters and fixing our camp. The evening was fine. No news of special note. Got the news of the surrender of Gen. Johnston. Company inspection.

May 1865

May 1, 1865—The first day of April was a beautiful day. Clear and pleasant. No special news. The duty the same as usual. I washed my clothes. Had General Inspection and was ordered to change full rig. Some talk of being discharged.

May 2, 1865—Fine morning. The weather beautiful. Drew some sanitary grub. The guard duty being strict. Some talk of being discharged. Policing quarters & camp duty. No special news. I received three letters. One from Dave and one from Kate and one from Sarah.

May 3, 1865—Fine morning. Went to the Christian Commission & wrote Kate a letter. Drew rations. Received orders to get ready [ ]. Talk of being mustered out. Heard that [ ] had surrendered.

May 4, 1865—Beautiful day. Drew clothing. I drew one hat. Drew some sanitary goods. I went to the commission rooms & wrote Sarah one letter. Went through the movements of review. So special news. I have not been well for the last four days.

May 5, 1865—Beautiful day. No news of special note. Drew clothing and ordnance preparatory to grand Review. Had regimental drill. I wrote a letter. Various reports about going home. All quiet in this department.

May 6, 1865—Fine day. Detailed to police quarters. Duty here as division guard. No person allowed to go to town without a pass.

May 7, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and fresh breezes. Had regimental inspection in the morning. Our encampment is near 4 miles from town on the [ ] Pike.

May 8, 1865—Laid in camp. Various reports about mustering out men. Nothing of special note occurred, The weather fine and warm. Our encampment very poor. Wet, swampy ground and poor water. Nothing to do but Brigade Guard.

May 9, 1865—Had Grand Review and entire Corps out. Wagons and artillery reviewed by Gen. Thomas, Stanley & Wood. A great many citizens out to see the review. The day very hot. No news of special note.

May 10, 1865—Cloudy and raining. I was on camp guard. No news of note. Rained very hard at night. Just getting well of a very bad cold. Our company turned over to Lieut. Smith yesterday & today all quiet.

May 11, 1865—Raining most all day and turned very cold for this season of the year and latitude. No news from any quarter of note Some talk of Jeff Davis being captured. Looking to be sent to our respective states.

May 12, 1865—Beautiful day. No news of special note. Our regiment out on drill. The talk the same as usual. Some talk of going to Jonesville to be mustered out. The boys all well. No news from home.

May 13, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and warm. Laid in camp. Drew wood in the evening. Capt. Joel A. Delano came to the company and brought his wife. No news of note. I wrote to [ ]. The evening beautiful.

May 14, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. The usual routine of camp duty besides regimental inspection in the morning and company inspection in the evening. Received the news of the capture of Jeff Davis and party by Col. [Benjamin D.] Pritchard of the 4th Michigan Cav.

May 15, 1865—Nothing of special note occurred. I was detailed for police—the regular camp duty. The weather very warm even for this latitude.

May 16, 1865—I and James Phares & Tom Hendrickson & Jager & [Samuel] Phipps got a pass to the [Nashville] battlefield. Stepped the distance from our battery the last day to the rebs. 700 yards. Took minute observations of the works and ours & of the field in general. No news of note.

May 17, 1865—Beautiful morn till near noon. Then a very heavy rainstorm. I was on picket duty. No news of special note. I received two letters—one from B and one from [ ]. The talk of being mustered out the same.

May 18, 1865—Raining most all day. Occupied the time in raising our tent & building a bunk out of poles. The corn here large enough to plow. Mr. Smith came to town. Nothing news transpired.

May 19, 1865—Cloudy. Occupied the time in cleaning quarters. Had company drill in the morning. Had a new Brigade Commander—Brigadier General Doolittle. Wrote Pa a letter. No news of importance. Detailed for picket.

May 20, 1865—On guard. The day clear and pleasant. James Pyle struck Green[up] Weekly with a hatchet and tried to escape. Smith’s father was out at camp. No news of importance. The bridge washed away between here & G____.

May 21, 1865—Relieved from picket early in the morning. Regimental inspection. A very heavy rainstorm in the evening and some hail fell. Drew tenting. Cut down a tree in the [ ]. The Cumberland [river] very high.

May 22, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. Had company drill. Washed my clothes. Had orders to prepare for Brigade Inspection. Turned over condemned property. No news of note. Was on fatigue duty. [William S.] Woodsworth of Co. H drowned.

May 23, 1865—Fine morning. The regiment inspected by Brig. Gen. Doolittle. The arms and quarters very minutely. The day very warm. No mail for the last three days owing to the high water. James Pyle tried by Maj. Denny. No special news.

May 24, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp all day. Had regimental drill in the evening. Miss Delano went home. Nothing special occurred.

May 25, 1865—Detailed to get poles and hauled a bunch for camp. Rained in the evening. The mail came in. No news of special note. drew rations. Heard that Kirby Smith was killed.

May 26, 1865—Nothing special occurred. There was an order came to the division to muster out the 62 men or to not pay any that their term of service expired previous to the first of October next.

May 27, 1865—I went to Division Headquarters and got two guns repaired. Dress parade in the eve. Heard that Hiram G___ was dead. Nothing new. The weather very good.

May 28, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and pleasant. Regimental inspection in the morning. Company inspection in the evening and dress parade. Some rumors that Kirby Smith had surrendered. No news with the exception of preparing to muster out.

May 29, 1865—Very fine day. I was on camp guard. The conspirators for the assassination of President Lincoln on trial. General Sheridan on his way to Texas. The archives of the State of Tennessee returned by force.

May 30, 1865—The weather continues good. Fine for growing. There has been considerable sickness in our regiment. Passed the day in laying around. Took a swim in the creek. Corn big enough to plow. Heard that John C____ was dead.

May 31, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp cleaning up for inspection by the Division Inspection. Had regimental inspection. The rolls came back. Signed them. Talk of our getting pay and going to New Orleans. All quiet.

June 1865

June 1, 1865—Very warm. Had inspection of arms and accoutrements and camps by the Division Inspector. I received a letter from mine and wrote one. Joel had his mess & tent taken for a negative for photo. I had a half dozen taken yesterday.

June 2, 1865—The weather for the last 10 days has been very warm with frequent thunder showers. No news of special note. The brigade formed a torchlight procession to welcome Brig. Gen. A[ugust] Willich.

June 3, 1865—Very warm. The wheat beginning to ripen. Corn knee high. Had brigade drill by Gen. [August] Willich in the morning. there was an order came yesterday to discharge all 62 men that came in or that their time expired by the 31st of September.

June 4, 1865—Capt. House went to Division Headquarters & got orders to be ready to be mustered out by friday. Had regimental inspection by the Major. Company inspection in the evening.

June 5, 1865—Very warm. Laid in camp making out the rolls, A detail to make a shade over the Captain’s tent. Regimental drill by Gen. Willich in the evening. The post master came to the brigade.

June 6, 1865—Preparing to pay off. Signing the rolls. Making out our rolls for discharge. Brigade drill and regimental in the evening. No news of special note. Some talk of the Corps going to New Orleans.

June 7, 1865—The weather the same as usual with regimental and parade drill. The wheat ripe enough to cut. Corn looks well. No news from home for the last month. Nothing special in the papers.

June 8, 1865—Laying around in the shade to keep cool. The other brigades in our division paid off. The drill as usual. Rained in the evening. We heard that there will be a meeting to choose a [ ].

June 9, 1865—Fine morning. Cool and balmy. Turned our guns and knapsacks and haversacks and canteen over. Received orders to stay in camp for pay. Paid off at night 8 months pay up to the 1st of May.

June 10, 1865—Preparing to be mustered out. the rolls made out.

June 11, 1865—Laid in camp, Had regimental inspection and the rest of the day spent in lounging about making out new rolls and discharges. Talk of trying to raise a meeting by some of the brigades.

June 12, 1865—Nothing new occurred of any note. Consolidating the various regiments into two brigades, 1st and 3rd under Gen. Willich & Beatty. All the 62 troops mustered out. The Gen. talks of the Corps going to Texas.

June 13, 1865—Passed the time in lounging about camp. Our rolls all ready to be signed in the morning and to be mustered out. The boys on a spree for several days. All the other 62 men mustered out. Capt. House making out our rolls.

June 14, 1865—The mustering officer came over and examined our rolls and mustered us out. Started for Nashville. Got transportation for Louisville. Started at 7. The other companies did not get off.

June 15, 1865— Arrived at Louisville and crossed over to Jeffersonville. Got aboard the train and started for Indianapolis. Some wheat cut. Arrived at Indianapolis at 12. Took our rolls to the pay master. Got aboard the train for Shelbyville. Arrived at home 12 at night.

June 16, 1865—At home and enjoyed myself looking over the farm and greeting my old friends and relations. No news of special note.

June 17, 1865—I and Pa went to town and to mill. Heard that the boys had left for Texas. I bought a coat & a vest & one linen coat & three for $7. and one [ ] for $21.