The following Civil War diary was kept by William Joseph Mottern (1840-1905) who enlisted at the age of 22 on 15 August 1862 as a private in Co. A, 33rd Iowa Infantry. He was promoted to corporal in August 1863 and mustered out at New Orleans on 17 July 1865.

William’s grandparents were Nicholas Mottern and Elizabeth Hobough of Sullivan county, Tennessee. His father, Deadrick Mottern, was one of ten children born to the couple. Deadrick died at the age of 26 in 1846 but not before marrying and have a couple of children. Unfortunately we don’t know the name of William’s mother who apparently also died prior to the 1850 US Census for in that year, William was living with his Aunt Mary (Mottern) Jordan and her husband, John J. Mottern in Marion county, Iowa, who apparently raised him.

After the war was over, William returned to Iowa where he married Mary Margery Brown (1841-1937) in March 1868 and they had one son named Ellsworth Eugene Mottern (1871-1933).

Transcription

[Note: This diary is in the possession of Travis Core, Pleasantville, Iowa— a g-g-g grandson of William Joseph Mottern]

SEPTEMBER 1862

Camp Tuttle, Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa. September 9, 1862
Mess No. 6: W. L. Brown, foreman, S. A. Gose, W. J. Mottern, W. W. Cradick, P. Walter, Joe Hunter, J. Worth, Milton Miner, Hiram Miner, John J. McElroy< John Johnson. This composes our mess. They are all good Boys I think. We take it by days cooking.
On the 25th of September [1862], we was called out to be mustered into the US Service at Oskaloosa.

NOVEMBER 1862

November 15th 1862—Was very cold morning. This was the day that the 33rd Regiment received their orders to move for St. Louis.

DECEMBER 1862

Sunday morning, December 14, 1862—On board the steamer Rowena this morning.
December 25, 1862—Columbus, Kentucky. This day we was laying in camp waiting for an attack from the enemy but they had not attacked us by 3 o’clock in the evening but as to the reason why is unknown to me.
26th—Columbus, Kentucky. Still we are waiting for an attack of the rebels today. The ground is very wet and muddy here. Last night was the first time the 33rd lay in their tents and i got very wet but I feel very well today and at this time I am sitting on a stump listening at the cannons firing and the guns cracking.

JANUARY 1863

January 2nd 1863—Camped two miles south of Union City, Tennessee on the Columbus Railroad in a nice scope of timber such as beach and poplar. Here we taken our New Year’s dinner of fresh pork and crackers & coffee which went well to a hungry soldier.
January 8th 1863—We left Columbus, Kentucky for Memphis today. I am sitting at the wheelhouse [Steamer J. D. Perry] writing this about 45 miles above Memphis. It is very pleasant today and I feel good.

FEBRUARY 1863

February 1, 1863—Helena, Arkansas. February 1st find me still on the banks of the Old Mississippi River sitting in my little tent thinking how many dreary days we have to spend before this rebellion shall come to a close and we will have the privilege to return to our native homes and enjoy the pleasures of home, sweet home once more.
February 5, 1863—Today the ground is covered with snow and the snow is still falling here while I am sitting in my tent. The other boys are reading novels, some smoking, ad I myself am whiffing a cigar.
Friday, February 6th—Near Helena, Arkansas. At this time I am sitting on the root of an old beach tree guarding one of the roads leading from Helena to St. Francisville on White River. I am about one mile from Helena and I would like to be still further from such a place if I could but as I am governed by higher authority, I enjoy myself as best I can. I am placed in a large ravine. On either side of me is high hills and on those hills are very fine timber such as poplar, beech, white oak, and ash. The land here is very poor. this is a brief description of this place at present time.
February 17th 1863—[Took steamer Lebanon No. 2 on the Yazoo Pass.] Camped on the Yazoo Pass on Geneal Alcorn’s farm in the State of Mississippi. We are well quartered in the Negro houses here. We have had some trouble with the secesh scouts but have not had any man killed yet but we have had several skirmishes with them.

MARCH 1863

March 3rd 1863—Today we are lying in the Coldwater [river].
March 8th 1863—Still on board the Lebanon No. 2 on the Tallahatchie River. Sunday morning.
March 12th–Today we are waiting for orders to march on to the Rebels. It is now 9 o’clock in the morning.
March 20th—Today we are an hour way up the Tallahatchie River. we expect to have to fight our way back if we get back at all.

APRIL 1863

April 2nd 1863—Still finds me on the old camp ground on the Tallahatchie River. Nothing has been done yet to remove the Rebel fort but soon think we will give the another trial.
April 4, 1863—We started up the Tallahatchie today which is the 5th of the month. We are still an hour up the river. As to where we will stop, I cannot tell yet.
April 9th—Helena, Arkansas. On the 8th this month we arrived back to this place off of our expedition down the Tallahatchie River. We started February 24th and returned April the 8th. Today we are lying on the boat waiting further orders.

MAY 1863

May the 14th 1863—Helena, Arkansas. Today finds me on guard at General Prentice’s Headquarters on the Wharf Boat. The weather is fine this morning and things seem to be going off finely in regard to the war.
May 29th 1863—Just come in from picket and I feel very much worried from the walk I had to take before I could reach camp and worse than all, I could not sleep for the mosquitoes—they was so numerous. They stole a vast amount of my precious blood which I did not like to have spilled in such a manner. The weather is very hot at this time. Yours in haste.

JUNE 1863

June 1st—Today we received $26 which was our pay for the months of March & April.
June 14th—Sunday. Today we are all quiet in our tents. Some [are] reading, some sleeping. Today the weather is very warm. Today the 3rd Iowa Cavalry started to Vicksburg. They are a noble set of Boys and no doubt they will do good work if they have the chance to try their hand. They have been here at this place eleven months today.
June 29th—Still finds us at Helena. All is quiet here and has been for some time…I have gone to the timber to relieve the old picket…[illegible].

AUGUST 1863

August 16th 1863—Camped on White river in a nice shady grove. we left Helena on the 11th August. Arrived here on the 15th. had a very dusty trip. will lay here a few days and then cross the river and proceed to Little Rock.
August 18th—Still in camp on the white river though we expect to leave soon. Some of the troops are across the river. The weather is still hot here.
August 21st—Still on the White River.
August 22nd—In camp [illegible]
August 26th—In camp 30 miles up. We camped on the White River at DuVall’s Bluff on the railroad leading to Little Rock. This is a very nice place [location] for a town. Has all been burnt up by the enemy troops.
August 29th—Still in camp on the river. We are looking all the time to march.
31st—We leave the Bluff and go 7 miles and camp.

SEPTEMBER 1863

September 1st—We marched 22 miles to Brownsville. Here we are still on the 2nd.
September 9th 1863—In camp on Bayou Meto two miles from Arkansas River and six miles below Little Rock. But little fighting done yet. The [Rebels are] supposed to be in their fortifications about 4 miles from this point here. We have tolerable good water and plenty of the best of beef and pork.
September 10th—Little Rock fell to the Union troops.
September 11th—we are laying on the banks of the Arkansas river waiting for orders.
13th—Still on the bank of the river but we will cross today. The weather is pleasant at this time. Still the weather is pleasant on the 25th of September.

OCTOBER 1863

October 9, 1864—On board steamer Sallie List 40 miles below Memphis. The weather is mild. I left Little Rock the 4th of October with 325 prisoners—one Major, four Captains, several Lieutenants. Leave Little Rock October 4th, arrive at St. Louis 13th. Leave 15th [and] arrive at Little Rock 29th, 1863. Weather pleasant on the river.
October11th—Still on the river on board steamer Hawk Eye State 3 miles below commerce on the night of 11th. We lie at New Madrid. Next Columbus. Next Cairo. Next Cape Girardeau.

NOVEMBER 1863

Nov 28th – The weather is cold and dreary today. 

DECEMBER 1863

December 3rd—Weather dry and pleasant today. I have been working on Fort Steele. Things are quiet here.
7th—Things all quiet. Plenty of rain today.
8th—Pleasant and warm.
9th—The weather lowery. Signs of more rain. Other things going briskly.
10th—Nothing very important going on.
11th—Still raining tonight. All things going on fine.
17th—Cold and very high winds. Other things all quiet.
28th—Weather still pleasant and rather cool. All quiet here at this time. Weather cool and pleasant at this time. I have just finished a letter to Frank H. Brown, Little Rock, Ark.
31st—Today it has snowed nearly all day which the first snow that has fell here this winter. This is New Years Eve. Sixty-three is nearly gone and Sixty-four will soon be here. All quiet here. Things going off smoothly. Duty light and plenty to eat which is all that we need. Little Rock, December 31st, 1863 — Wm. J. Mottern. So ends 63, State of Arkansas, U. S. of A.

JANUARY 1864

January 1st, 1864—Things all quiet. Weather cold. The ground covered with snow. Today we Bury L. E. Collings in the Little Rock Cemetery east of town.
3rd—Nothing going on in camp more than usual.
4th—Still the ground is covered with snow and it is sleeting at this time.  Things are very dull here. Duty light. Nothing more than camp guard.
5th—Things all quiet. I am on camp guard today. The snow and ice is still on the ground. Things all slow.
6th—Things all quiet today.
7th—Weather still cold.8th—Snow slowly melting off. Weather pleasant. Today a rebel spy by the name of David O. Dodd was hung at this place. He had when taken up a plot of all the forces at this place and their situation and number of men we had here. He was only 18 years old—nice looking young man. But he met with bad fate. Other things here all quiet.
9th—Weather pleasant. Things all quiet.
10th—Sabbath today.  The snow is fast melting away. I was at the Episcopalian Church at Eleven A.M. Also at three P.M. Nothing of any note passing.
11th—Still the weather is moderating and the snow is nearly all gone off the ground.
12th—Today the weather has been very pleasant.
13th—Still pleasant.
14th—Today the weather has been pleasant but this evening the wind is blowing and it is getting cold.
15th—Today I am in camp guard. Nothing of importance a stir.
16th—Sunday. Plenty of rain today. Things all quiet.
18th—Nothing of Importance transpired today.  Weather warm and pleasant. Today the boys—or a part of them—organized a society called the Soldiers Reform.
19th—Company drill 10 till 11 A.M. Weather still pleasant. Army Regulations read to the company.
20th—Drill today. Weather pleasant.
January 21, 1864—Nothing more than company drill today. Weather pleasant.
22nd—Nothing more than company drill.
23rd—Weather pleasant today. Drilled in the bayonet exercise.
24th—Drill in the bayonet exercise.
25th—Weather pleasant. Drill has been the business of the day. The northern mail came in. I received one letter from F. Brown, Wheeling, Iowa. One from W. H. Brown, St. Louis, Mo. 
26th—Nothing of importance afloat.
27th—Today the regiment was inspected by the Inspector General. In the afternoon, I paid the 4th Iowa a visit. Did not stay long.
28th—Weather pleasant. Today the northern mail came In. Also the Pay Master came to pay the troops at Little Rock and other adjoining points.
29th—The weather still pleasant and warm.
30th—Today the 3rd Division had a grand review. The troops looked well and some good marching. Tonight it is raining and has the appearance of being bad weather for some time.
31st—Today I am on guard. Today it has rained most all day. This finished the month.

FEBRUARY 1864

February 1st—Nothing of importance going on today.
2nd—Weather pleasant. The wind high.
3rd—Today we had target shooting and it terminated in Osias Nichold being the best shot. Nothing new afloat at this time.
4th—Nothing more than company drill.
5th—Weather pleasant.
6th—Weather still nice but some colder. Company drill and from ten till eleven in the bayonet exercise.
7th—Nothing new today. Company inspection at nine a.m.
8th—On guard today. Nothing new going on today.
9th—Today I went to town and spent the afternoon. The weather is very pleasant at this time.
February 10, 1864—Today we received our pay for the months of November and December.
11th—Nothing new more than the northern mail came in. I received one written January 25th, other 27th same month.
12th—Nothing new going on today.
13th—Weather very pleasant today. Things all quiet here at this time.
14th—On guard today. It has rained nearly all day and tonight it is still raining.
15th—Nothing more than company drill.
16th—Nothing of importance.
17th—Today we had regiment inspection. The regiment was in fine trim. We was inspected by A. A. Inspector General Whipple.
February 18, 1864—On picket today on the Benton Road south of Little Rock. Weather very cool for the South.
19th—Weather cool today. Written one letter to Mrs. Mary Jordan.
20th—Nothing unusual going on today.
21st—Today we have company inspection. I also was at the Episcopal Church 11 a.m.  Weather pleasant. Tonight we had two new recruits to the camp.
22nd—On camp guard today. Nothing new going on here at present.
23rd—Nothing more than company drill and dress parade.
24th—Company drill from 10 a.m. till eleven.
25th—Company drill from 10 a.m. till eleven.
26th—Today the regiment is on Brigade Drill in the afternoon but I am on the sick list and am not taking any part with them.
27th—Nothing new today. On police duty today.
28th—Today is Sabbath. We have company inspection. Tonight it is raining very hard.
29th—Cold and sleeting all day. Today we was mustered for pay by C. H. Macke, Lieut.-Col. This finishes the month of February.

MARCH 1864

March 1, 1864—Company drill.
2nd—Company drill.
3rd—On picket guard today. Nothing new transpired.
4th—Company drill from 10 till 11 a.m. Taken a stroll to town in the afternoon.
5th—Received one letter from J. T. Jordan dated February 16th. The regiment on battalion drill today.
6th—Sabbath. Nothing more than company inspection. The mail came in from the North. Received one letter from J. T. Jordan; one from F. H. Brown.
7th—Company drill today. Nothing new. Nine recruits has come to camp in the last month.
8th—Company drill from 10 a.m. till 11. Battalion drill from 2 p.m. till four. Nothing more.
9th—On picket today on the Benton Road south of town. It has been very wet all day. Nothing unusual transpired during the day and night.
10th—Cold and windy. Company drill 10 till 11 a.m.
11th—Help to haul two loads of wood today. Tonight the news come that we are on marching orders—our destination not known.
12th—Weather cool. Nothing new.
13th—Sabbath. I went to the Episcopal Church. Today we are packed up ready to march.  Whether we will go or not is hard to tell. Time will prove.
14th—Still in camp on camp guard today. Weather cool with high winds. The 3rd Division passed review today.
20th—Sabbath. On camp guard today. Weather cool. Nothing new going on.
21st—Nothing new going on today.
22nd—Tonight we are trying to start on the march. We start tomorrow at 10 a.m. for parts not known to me.
23rd—Today we left Little Rock. Travel 10 miles. Go into camp on the Benton Road south of Little Rock. We are camped in an old field close to water.
March 24, 1864—Today we are the rear guards of our brigade.  [We] march 15 miles [and] go into camp 1 mile southwest of Benton, in Saline County. It has rained all afternoon. The roads are very bad.
25th—Today we march 8 miles and go into camp on a nice little stream of water.
26th—Today we march 16 miles. Go into camp at Rockport on the Ouachita River, Hot Springs County. The country over which we traveled today has been very broken and but little settlement.
27th—Cross the Ouachita River and travel 8 miles. Country very broken.
28th—Travel 10 miles. Country very Broken. Today we are rear guard of the whole division.
29th—Marched 8 miles to Arkadelphia. After supper we was ordered back 3 miles to guard supply train.
30th—Marched back to the division rear. We are living in camp close to town.
31st—Today we lie at Arkadelphia.

APRIL 1864

April 1st—Today we left the above named place and traveled 12 miles. We passed some of the nicest country that I have seen in Arkansas. Went into camp at a small town by the name of Spoonville.
2nd—Left Spoonville and traveled some 8 miles and was attacked by the rebels in our rear. They aimed to take our supplies. 29th Iowa and 50th Indiana was engaged in the fight. Halted at place by the name of Okabona for night.
3rd—Left the above named place and went four miles and camped close to river by the name of Little Missouri.
4th—Today we have been lying all day waiting for the enemy to attack us. This morning at 7 a.m., they attacked our front and had a pretty hard skirmish. Finally quit by the enemy. We had on our side 3 or four killed and 17 wounded. [See Engagement at Elkin’s Ferry]
5th—Still we are lying on the above named place. It is now near 7 a.m. and we expect they will attack the rear today some time. We are waiting for the rest of our forces to come up. The weather is very warm here all this time.
6th—Today our regiment moved to the front, crossed Little Missouri River, went some two miles and come to a small field [where we] formed in line of battle. Sent out skirmishers to find out [where] the enemy was placed, but they had all left but a few that was left to cover their retreat. The cavalry chased them some 6 miles and quit. We moved on some 3 miles and went into camp on the bluffs of the river.
April 7, 1864—The army has been here all day. There has been no force out—only the cavalry scouts. We are waiting for General Thayer’s forces to join us. They are still in our rear. We are camped on a nice ridge close to a nice little stream of water. We have plenty of pine knots to burn and branches of the same kind of timber to make tents to lie under.
8th—Still in camp. Expect to lie here all day. Last night we had a very hard rain. Things all quiet today.
9th—Still in camp. Today the Fort Smith troops are crossing the river. They will be up tonight. I am on picket tonight. The night is very cool and some little rain is falling. We are posted in a nice camp of oak, pine and dogwood [trees].
10th—Still on picket. This morning the army is moving out. We will soon be relieved. This Is a very pleasant morning. Leave camp and travel 4 mile and come up to the rebel force on D’Ane Prairie. We had some skirmishing with them and considerable cannonading. They fell back some two miles and night come on and we had to stop the chase. About 8 p.m., they commenced to shell us. You bet they raised us out of the grass. Finally they quit after our batteries shelled them awhile.
11th—Today we lie on the ground where we was yesterday till 3 p.m., then we advanced some 2 miles and had some heavy skirmishes with the enemy. We lie on the prairie till dark, then we fell back to the old camp. Then our company went out as skirmishers for the night. We got very wet during the night. It rained very hard.
12th—Up again this morning we are. Today we advance on the enemy and drive them out of their fortifications. Then we march 8 miles and go in camp for the night.
13th—Today we lie in camp till 1 a.m. Then we march 5 miles and camp for the night.
14th—Start at one p.m. and go some two miles and an order came to stack knapsacks and go to Camden—a distance of 28 miles. We started and traveled till ten at night. Then we halted for the remainder of the night.
15th—We started against daylight and had not gone more than five miles till we come to the rebel force. Again we had some very hard skirmishing for some 3 hours. Finally they pulled up and left. Then we moved on to Camden, we taking possession of the town about sundown. It is a very nice town what I have seen.
16th—Today we are lying In camp. We will move to another camp today.
17th—Yesterday we moved our camp to where we are at the present time. We have a very nice camp at this time. We have built rail pens for shanties so we are doing fine.
18th—Still in camp. Things going off finely so far. Some little skirmishing with the rebels but no serious damage done. The weather here is very pleasant at this time.
April 19, 1864—Today I am picket guard. Today we drawn four ears of corn for our days rations.
20th—Come off of picket guard today. Today we received mail from the North. Also we had seven recruits to come to the company.
21st—I am in camp. The weather is very pleasant. Things are going off lively here now.
22nd—In camp all day. Things all quiet.
23rd—Today I am on picket guard 1 p.m.  Today the rebels attacked one of our picket posts on the Shreveport Road. They brought three pieces of artillery to bear on our men, but they did not do any serious damage to us. They shelled awhile and then moved to the right. We expected an attack on the place the next day.
24th—This morning I come off picket. They have been expecting an attack today on this place but up to this time, things have gone off quiet. It is now 12 noon. I think they will not come.
26th—Today we lie in the line of battle all day and at night. The troops evacuated the town of Camden, went some 3 miles, and stopped till morning.
27th—Today we travel eighteen miles and camp for the night.
28th—Today we move out early and travel till 5 p.m. and stop for the night at a town by the name of Princeton.
29th—Leave Princeton. Travel some 12 miles and the rebels attacked our rear and skirmish with them till night come on and put a stop to the chase at night. Our regiment was called out to hold the enemy in check till morning. We lie all night without sleep or anything to eat.
30th—Morning come and we fell down under the hill and they began to fire on our skirmishers again. We held them in check till the 29th Iowa formed in line and then we fell back to make our coffee which was all we had. But before we could get that drank, the fight began. Then we was ordered up on the double quick. Our company and Co. B was thrown out on the left of the regiment as skirmishers. Then we went into them for good. The fight lasted from 7 till 1 p.m., during which time there was as heavy musketry and as fast as ever has been since this war broke out. Our regiment lost 129 men killed, wounded, and missing. In the [afternoon], we fell back and crossed the Saline River and went into camp for the night. On the 30th of April 1864 on the Saline River, Thomas Canady and John Hunt, both belonging to Co. G, 40th Iowa was killed. The Battle on Saline river lasted from early in the morning till one o’clock. we had no artillery engaged. The enemy used three pieces until our men taken them from them. [See Battle of Jenkin’s Ferry]

MAY 1864

May 1st—This morning we leave the Saline River and travel all day and night. Stop this morning and eat a bite.
2nd—Start again and travel till within 10 miles of Little Rock and go into camp for the night.
3rd—Today we arrive in Little Rock after a march of 40 days over the hills and valleys of Arkansas.
4th—Today we are in same old camp we used to occupy. Things are quiet here today.
5th—Nothing new going on here at the present.
6th—Still In camp. Weather pleasant and warm. All quiet today.
7th—On detail today at division headquarters. Drawing clothing for the brigade.
8th—Regimental inspection at 9 a.m. _____ at 11 AM.  Weather pleasant and warm. Things all quiet.
9th—Weather unpleasant today.  Some rain falling today. I drew one woolen blanket, one hat, one pair of shoes, [and] two pair of socks.
10th—Nothing new going on. Weather still rough and some rain falling.
11th—Weather pleasant today. Today I am detail to help load cannon on the cars to be taken to St. Louis for the [Mississippi Valley] Sanitary Fair [May 17-June 17, 1864].

12th—Nothing new going on at this time.  Today we have a detail working on fortification.
13th—Nothing of importance going on here. All quiet today.
14th—Saturday all quiet here. Weather pleasant.
15th—Sunday inspection today at nine a.m.  Today I attended M[ethodist] E[piscopalian] church at town.
16th—Nothing going on. Only the work on the fortifications. This is going on lively.
17th—This morning there fell a very heavy shower of rain at 4 p.m.  Today we have regimental inspection. Things all quiet today. No inspection on the account of rain.
18th—Today I am on picket. The regiment had Inspection at 4½ p.m. today.
19th—This morning I come off picket guard. All quiet at camp. Weather warm.
20th—All quiet here. Drill from nine to ten a.m. Weather pleasant.
May 21, 1864—Weather pleasant today. Captain Paris Totten of Co. I was buried at this place. He was wounded in the battle on the Saline River.

22nd—Sunday morning all quiet and pleasant here. Inspection at 9 nine a.m. today.
23rd—All quiet today. Duty heavy. We received mail today. I received one letter from J. T. Jordan dated May 14th.
24th—On camp guard today.  All quiet here.
25th—Weather pleasant here. Things all quiet at this time.
26th—All quiet here. Company drill 9 to 10. Other things all quiet today. Weather pleasant at this time.
27th—Weather pleasant at this time. Nothing new at present time.
28th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
29th—Weather very warm and sultry.
30th—Everything going on fine here at this time. Still continue to fortify here. Nothing else of importance going on.
31st—Nothing new going on today.

JUNE 1864

June 1st— All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
2nd—All quiet today.
3rd—Nothing new going on today.
4th—Heavy raining today. Very cool.
5th—All quiet today. Weather clear and pleasant.
6th—Some rain today at four p.m. Today we had general inspection. General [Daniel Edgar] Sickles reviews the troops of this place.
7th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant with some signs of rain.
8th—Today I am on camp guard. Weather cloudy. Some rain falling. Today all quiet in camp.
9th—All quiet today. Nothing of importance going on.
June 10, 1864—Still all quiet today. Weather pleasant and nice. Some signs of rain.
11th—Saturday. In camp today. Today we was to have regimental inspection but the rain hindered that. It will come off tomorrow if the weather will admit.
12th—Sunday. Weather pleasant. Nothing new going on. Went to Presbyterian Church at night.
13th—Monday. On fatigue today chopping timber wood from six to ten, then from four to ½ past 6.
14th—Tuesday. In camp today not doing anything. Visit town in afternoon. Weather pleasant and nice. All very cool.
15th—Wednesday. All quiet today. Nothing unusual going on. Weather pleasant.
16th—Thursday. All quiet at this time. Northern mail come in today. One letter from J. T. Jordan.
17th—Friday. All quiet today. Weather pleasant today. Regiment was inspected by the Division Inspector General.
18th—On picket guard today. weather very warm. All quiet on picket.
19th—Sunday. Come off picket guard. Attend Presbyterian Church today. Weather very warm.
20th—Monday. Have brigade review today. Weather very warm. All quiet today.
21st—Tuesday. All quiet today. Expect to have inspection today but it is raining so it will not go off.
22nd—Wednesday. All quiet today. Six a.m. today we had regimental inspection. It has rained a goodly portion of the day.
23rd—Thursday. All quiet today. We have battalion drill today. Weather very warm at this time.
24th—Friday. On fatigue duty chopping timber. Rains in the afternoon. All quiet here now.
25th—Saturday. Today we have brigade drill from 5 to 7 p.m. Weather very warm. Nothing more at this time.
26th—Sunday. Company inspection today. Attend church at the Episcopal Church today. Have meeting in camp tonight.
27th—Monday. All quiet yet some talk of fight here now.
June 28, 1864—Tuesday. All quiet yet. Nothing new going on here now.
29th—Wednesday. On camp guard today. Battalion drill this evening.
30th—Thursday. All quiet today in camp. Weather warm.

JULY 1864

July 1, 1864—All quiet today.
2nd—Brigade drill this morning from 5 to 7 a.m. today. Weather warm.
3rd—All quiet today. Weather very warm. On picket today.
4th—All quiet today. National salute fired today at twelve noon.
5th—Weather warm yet. Battalion drill.
6th—All quiet today. Weather warm.
7th—Weather still warm. All quiet today.
8th—On camp guard today. All quiet in camp. Weather very warm.
9th—All quiet today.
10th—All quiet today. Weather very warm.
11th—On prison guard today. All goes off quiet on guard.
12th—Come off prison guard this morning. Weather warm.
14th—Nothing new going on at present. All quiet.
15th—Regimental inspection today. Weather very warm.
16th—On camp guard today. All quiet here.
17th—All quiet today. Weather very warm.
18th—Company drill from 8 to 10 a.m. Weather warm.
19th—All quiet today. Weather warm.
20th—All quiet today. Received mail from North today. Weather warm at this time.
21st—All quiet today.
July 22, 1864—All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
23rd—Nothing new going on here. Weather rather cool. All quiet today.
24th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
25th—All quiet.
26th—On camp guard today. The northern mail come in this morning. All quiet here at this time.
27th—Boys raising thunder at present in my camp. All quiet here at this time. weather pleasant. Duty heavy at the present.
28th—All quiet today.
29th—All quiet.
30th—Start for Lewisburg on detail of six days. We take passage on board the steamer Carrie Jacobs.
31st—On board steamer. Weather pleasant.

AUGUST 1864

August 1st—Still on board. Things pass off well. Arrive at Lewisburg late in evening.
2nd—Leave Lewisburg for Little Rock. Arrive at Little Rock three p.m. Find the boys in camp all lively when I return.
3rd—Nothing new going on here at this time.
4th—All quiet. I help haul one load of wood today.
5th—Go on picket today. Have a very nice time until night—then I suffer much from the mosquitos. Nothing unusual transpires while on duty.
6th—Come off picket this morning. Weather pleasant. Return to camp and wash and comb my head. Then lie down and take a nice sleep for a couple of hours.
7th—All quiet in camp today. Weather pleasant.
8th—Nothing new going on today.
9th—Today it has rained very hard. All quiet.
10th—Nothing new. Weather pleasant.
11th—Today it is raining. All quiet here. This day one year ago, we left Helena, Arkansas, for Little Rock. We arrived at Little Rock on the 10th of September.
12th—Weather cloudy and some rain falling. All quiet here at the present time.
13th—All quiet today. Some rain today. The mail arrived today from the North. At the time I am writing it is just half past eleven at night. All quiet and still at this time.
14th—All quiet here.
August 15, 1864—Today we received pay to the amount of $84 dollars.
16th—All quiet here. Weather cloudy.
17th—On fatigue today on Fort Steele. Things all quiet here at this time. It looks very much like rain to night.
18th—Rains nearly all day.
19th—Weather cool and plenty of rain. We received mail today.
20th—On picket today. All quiet where we are at this time.
21st—Sunday. All quiet in camp. Today we buried Robert Hicks of our company. He died in the night of the 20th of fever.
22nd—All quiet today.
23rd—On picket today.
24th—All quiet today.
25th—Weather very warm today.
26th—All quiet here today.
27th—On picket today on the Pine Bluff Road one mile and a ½ south of town.
28th—Sunday. Weather cloudy. Some rain today.
29th—Weather pleasant and clear today. All quiet here.
30th—On camp guard today. On second relief. It has rained all the forenoon nearly. All quiet here yet.
31st—Today was mustered for pay for the months of August and July.

SEPTEMBER 1864

September 1st—Today it has been very warm.
2nd—On picket today west of Little Rock—close to State prison.
3rd—Come off picket this morning. Weather very warm here at present.
4th—All quiet today.
September 5, 1864—Last night we lie in the rifle pits all night expecting the rebels would give us a fight next morning but they did not come.
6th—Come to camp today and taken a little rest.
7th—On fatigue today all day. No fight yet.
8th—On picket today west of Little Rock. Things all quiet today.
9th—Come off picket today. Things all quiet in camp.
10th—All quiet today. On fatigue drawing rations for regiment.
11th—Sabbath. On camp guard today.
12th—Come off camp guard this morning. All quiet here at present.
13th—Slightly Sick.
14th—Same as above.
15th—One small pill at 3 pm. Fever accordingly.
16th—All quiet in camp.
17th—On fatigue today.
18th—Sabbath. All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
19th—Weather cool and pleasant. All quiet at camp.
20th—On picket today. All passed off quiet.
21st—Come off picket this morning. All quiet in camp.
22nd—In camp today. Weather cool and pleasant. All quiet around the Rock.
23rd—On camp guard today. All quiet here. Weather warm for September.
24th—Nothing going on in camp today.
25th—All quiet today. At church at 11. Went on fatigue at night at R. R. Depot. Worked till 2 a.m.
26th—In camp all day working on my cabin. All quiet.
September 27, 1864—On picket guard. Showery all day.
28th—Come off picket today. Weather lowery. All quiet in camp.
29th—All quiet in camp. Weather rather cool. Went to town today. Nothing new going on around Little Rock.
30th—Nothing new going on in camp.

OCTOBER 1864

October 1st—On picket today on Benton Road south of Little Rock.
2nd—Sunday morning come off picket. All quiet in camp.
3rd—Weather cool today.  Weather Showery. Things quiet. Northern mail today. One letter from home.
4th—All quiet. One hundred guns fired today in of honor of Sheridan’s Victory. Weather very muddy.
5th—On fatigue today [working] on fort. Weather cool and pleasant.
6th—In camp all day. All quiet. Weather pleasant.
7th—In camp all day. Things all quiet here.
8th—On camp picket today west of Rapley Road.
9th—Come off picket today. All quiet in camp.
10th—Weather pleasant. All quiet today.
11th—Weather pleasant. On fatigue today.
12th—All quiet in camp. Weather is pleasant.
13th—All quiet today.
14th—On camp guard today. Some rain falling in the evening.
15th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
16th—Weather pleasant. All quiet around camp.
17th—On camp guard today. Weather pleasant.
18th—Come off camp guard today. Went to town in the forenoon.
19th—Weather pleasant. I went to timber today.
20th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant.
21st—Nothing new going on today. weather pleasant. On fatigue at night unloading cars at depot.
22nd—Brigade drill today from 2 p.m. to 4. Weather cool and pleasant.
23rd—Sabbath. weather pleasant. work on kitchen today. Nothing new going.
24th—On picket guard today. weather pleasant.
25th—Come off picket today. Weather lowery. All quiet in camp.
26th—All quiet in camp today. Battalion drill from 2 p.m. to 4.
27th—All quiet today. Weather rather cool/ Work on cabin today.
28th—All quiet today.
29th—On picket today. Relieved at twelve.
October 30th—Leave Little Rock [with forage train] for Ft. Smith [—a distance of 180 miles—] at one p.m. March 8 miles and camp for the night. On picket tonight.
31st—Came off picket this morning. Today [Companies] A & F are rear guards for train. March 10 miles and camp on the Purloin River. Country broken.

NOVEMBER 1864

November 1st 1864—Leave Purloin River and go 16 miles and [companies] A, F & D was in the center of train today. Rained all afternoon. Roads bad. Camp on a very nice little field.
2nd—Travel 2 miles, cross Cadron River. Go two miles and camp. Go foraging. Have bad luck. Get lost in the swamps. Finally get out by the assistance of a Negro guide.
3rd—Finish crossing train and remain in camp on the bank of the Arkansas River. Weather rather cool. On camp guard tonight. All going off nicely so far.
4th—Come off camp guard. March 12.5 [miles]. Arrive at Lewisburg at one p.m. Go in camp on a very rough ridge. Still close to the Arkansas river.
5th—Leave Lewisburg, march 10 miles and camp for the night. Roads bad. All quiet tonight. No camp.
6th—In camp today. train is not moving today. Lying, waiting to get forage.
7th—Leave the above-named place, march 14 miles, and camp on a large plantation. Roads good today. Weather pleasant. Plenty of forage, hogs and cattle.
November 8, 1864—March 11 miles. Fired on today by one bushwhacker but done no damage to us. All going off fine. Camp at one p.m. and hold election. Camp on a nice stream called Illinois Bayou. Pass Rushville today.
9th—Cross Illinois Bayou and march 15 miles and camp on Big Piney. Roads hilly today. All quiet today.
10th—March 18 miles and camp at Clarksville on Spadra Creek. Good roads today. All quiet. Clarksville—county seat of Johnson county. Town mostly burned.
11th—Lie by today to get forage to last through the 18th. Arkansas infantry and 54 U.S. Colored met us here today. Here we see the ranges of the Mulberry Mountains.
12th—March 15 miles. Cross Little Horse Head & Big Horse Head today—both small streams—and pass through Horse Head Gap in the mountains.
13th—March 16 miles. Cross White Oak Creek and camp on or close to the creek. Today we crossed the road from ozark to Huntsville, Arkansas.
14th—March 15 miles and camp. Cross Mulberry Creek today. Have to wade the creek. On guard tonight in train.
15th—March 14 miles. Arrive at Van Buren one p.m. Roads good today. Camped on the Arkansas river.
16th—Nothing new today. Lie in camp all day. Weather cool here.
17th—Leave Van Buren at 10 a.m. and march 14 miles. Cross Little Frog.
[Note: It appears that Mottern and the members of his regiment turned around at this point and began their return to Little Rock. Most likely it was at this location that the train was met by members of Maj. Thomas Derry (3rd Wisconsin Cavalry) who had preceded the supply train with dispatches to Fort Smith and on their return, met the supply train and escorted it safely back to Fort Smith. See Fort Smith Expedition.]
18th—March 16 miles. Cross Big Frog. Mulberry camp on the same ground we did as we we went up. Roads bad.
19th—Camp on same ground as we went up. Road bad today. Camp on Horse Head.
20th—March from Horse Head Gap to Clarksville 16 miles. Cross Spadra [Creek and] camp on old camp. Roads good today. Very cool.
21st—March 16 miles. Cross [Big] Piney. Roads good today. Weather very cool.
22nd—March 18 miles. Cross the Illinois Bayou and march to Pott’s Plantation.
23rd—March 17 miles. Roads good today. Weather pleasant. Camp on a nice stream, name not known to me.
24th—Pass Petit Jean Mountains. March from Pontramos to the Arkansas river. Pass Lewisburg.
25th—March 4 miles. Cross Cadron river. Roads bad today. Camp on same ground we did 3rd night.
26th—March 14 miles. Camp on Pauline Creek. Roads bad and very stoney.
27th—March 18 miles. Arrive at Little Rock at 4 p.m. March to old camp and go into quarters.
28th—All quiet in camp.
29th—On fatigue today. Weather pleasant.
30th—All quiet. No news today.

DECEMBER 1864

December 1, 1864—Nothing new today. All quiet.
2nd—Weather pleasant and warm.
3rd—Same as above.
4th—On picket today south of town. All pass off quietly.
5th—Came off picket today. Weather pleasant today. All quiet in camp.
6th—All quiet today. Weather pleasant. Go to town in afternoon.
7th—High winds today. Rather cool. All quiet in camp.
8th—On picket today. Weather very cool. Today we have four recruits to our company—H. Miner, Spurgeon, Strait, Metcalf.
9th—Came off picket today. Weather cool. All quiet in camp. No news today.
10th—All quiet in camp today. weather cool.
11th—No news today. Very cool.
[Pages missing]
20th—Weather cool today. All quiet in camp.
21st—Weather cool and high wind.
22nd—On fatigue today chopping wood for picket line. weather pleasant.
23rd—Weather pleasant today. Company drill today. All quiet in camp. No news today.
24th—On picket guard south of town on Rapley Road. Weather pleasant.
25th— Come off picket today. Weather pleasant. Some rain today. today I went to town [and] from there to 40th Iowa. Find the boys all right.
26th—In camp today. weather pleasant.
27th—On picket guard today south of town on Wright’s Farm. weather very cool.
28th—Came off picket this morning. weather still cool. all quiet in camp. no news of any importance.
29th—Nothing new going on here.
30th—On fatigue today on the fortification.
31st—Today we have muster for November and December. All quiet in camp. weather pleasant. Nothing new going on worth notice. This finishes ’64.

JANUARY 1865

On camp guard today. Weather pleasant. All quiet in camp.
2nd—Nothing new today. Company drill 2 hours. weather pleasant.
3rd—All quiet today.
4th—Nothing new going on in camp.
5th—On picket guard today. Rains all day.
6th—Come off picket guard today. It snowed considerable—the first that has fallen here this winter.
7th—All quiet in camp today. weather pleasant.
8th—Sabbath morning. Nothing new. In camp all day. Go to Presbyterian Church at night.
9th—On picket today. Rains all day and snows at night. All passed off quietly on guard.
10th—Came off picket today. weather clear and pleasant. Snow melting off swiftly. All quiet in camp.
11th—Weather pleasant. All quiet in camp today. Go to town in afternoon.
12th—weather pleasant and nice. All quiet in camp.
13th—On picket on Rapley Road south of town. Weather pleasant.
14th—Came off picket today. Weather still pleasant and nice.
15th—Inspection today. Attend Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Weather pleasant.
16th—All quiet in camp. Monthly inspection today. Inspected by Capt. Barnes of [General Edward S.] Salomon’s Staff.
17th—All quiet in camp.
18th—All quiet in camp. on fatigue today on fort.
19th—On picket guard today on Ripley Road.
20th—Came off picket guard today. We was reviewed by Major. Gen. Reynolds.

FEBRUARY 1865

February 14th—Leave Little Rock at 5 a.m. Arrived at DuVall’s Bluff at one p.m. Embark on steamer Paragon at 5 p.m.
15th—Arrive at mouth of white River at 2 p.m. Now lying in camp. weather pleasant.
16th—Embark on steamer [ ] at [ ] a.m. weather pleasant.
17th—Weather pleasant and warm. We are some 40 miles above Vicksburg. Arrive at Vicksburg at one p.m. Leave at 6 p.m.
18th—Travel all night. Arrive at Natchez at daylight. Stay there but a short time.
19th—Arrive at New Orleans at 2 p.m. Cross the river to Algiers on the opposite side from New Orleans.
20th—Still in camp. All passing quietly today. Have regimental inspection.
21st—Still at Algiers. all passing off quietly. The troops are passing down the river all day.
22nd—Very showery all day today. we sent our regiment teams around today. Today I paid a visit to the [ ].
23rd—Leave Orleans for Lakeport. Arrive there at 8 p.m. Go off the cars and go into an old house for the night.
24th—Move to another house and camp.
26th—Leave Lakeport for Dauphin Island on steamer Zephyr.
27th—Arrive at Ft. Gaines on Dauphin Island. Then we move to Navy Cove 4 miles.
28th—On detail today hunting wood. Mustered for pay today. Dauphin Island 140 miles from Lakeport. In camp on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama at Mobile Point.

MARCH 1865

March 1st 1865—Still in camp on Mobile Point. All quiet here.
2nd—Weather pleasant and nice. No news today of any importance.
3rd—All quiet today. William Brown and I went down on the bay and caught a fine mess of oysters.
4th thru 7th [No entries]
8th—Today our division was reviewed by Maj. General Osterhaus.
9th—On the 9th, the forts around Blakely fell into our hands.
11th—Leave Blakely on the night of the 11th and march to landing on the bay. Embark in boats on 12th and cross the bay and take possession of Mobile.
13th—Leave Mobile and march out on Mobile and Ohio Railroad some 5 miles to Whistler Station. We have a small skirmish with the enemy.
14th—Rained all day. Nothing new going on in camp today.
15th—On packet St. Stephens Road. All quiet for today. We are 11.5 miles from Whistler Station, Alabama, on Mobile & Ohio Railroad.
17th—Leave Mobile Point today. March 9 miles and camp. Advance guards today.
18th—March all day. Rear guards today. Some bad roads today.
19th—Marched all day. Roads very bad. Only move 6 miles. On picket at night.
20th thru 24th [No entries]
25th—Leave Fish River and march 5 miles. 16th Corps in advance. Roads good. All quiet today.
27th—Commence bombardment on Spanish Fort on the 27th.
28th—Still being in our works around the line.
31st—Commence at 8 a.m. with all the artillery on the rebel works. weather very pleasant here at this time.

APRIL 1865

April 1st—On skirmish line today. No one in the company hurt. we was very close to a rebel fort.
April 4th—Today things are quiet with the exception of the artillery firing that is kept up pretty lively.
April 8th—This evening our artillery opened all round the lines on the enemy.
April 23rd—Read the news today of the murder of Abraham Lincoln.
April 25, 1865—Today 5 companies of our regiment embarked on the gunboat and went up the Tombigbee River.