Civil War Diary (cont.)
17th - Started again for Fran mountain the roads were very muddy. We got within 6 miles of there on the 23rd and went into camp. 25th went to Fran mountain the distance from West Plane to there was 115 miles.
March 9 - We started for St. Genevieve on the Mississippi River, we got there on the 11th
and went into camp.
26th - Went onboard the Steamer Argonaught and 27th started for Millikins Bend. 28th arrived at Cairo, Ill. 29th arrived at Colombus, Kentucky. April 2 arrived at Memphis, Tenn. April 4th we left Memphis, 5th arrived at Helena, Arkansas and 7th arrived at Millikins Bend, La. Distance from St. Genevieve to Millikins Bend 625 miles. April 12 marched 12 miles to Richmond and 16th marched 12 miles to Cholula Plantation and there we were payed off.
April 22nd - We started for Perkins Plantation and arrived there the 23rd distance 16 miles. 28th embarked on steamer for Ash Landing and arrived same day distance 12 miles.
29th - Witnessed bombardment of Grand Gulf by our Gun Boats. About 8 p.m. we started and marched down the levee 4 miles and camped and that night the boats run the blockade at Grand Gulf.
30th - Got on board the transports and crossed the river 15 miles below there, landed at noon and started immediately for Port Gibson marched till 2 o’clock that night and were fired on by the pickets and in a few minutes a brisk artillery fire was commenced which lasted about 2 hours. Then we lay down and slept till morning.
May 1st - Skirmishing commenced about 6:00 a.m. and soon the engagement became general and lasted until about 10:00 a.m. Retreated, we followed and found them about 2 miles further on toward Port Gibson. The 21st Iowa was the first regiment under fire and the last off the field that day. we had one man wounded that day.
May 2nd - Marched to Port Gibson, distance 4 miles.
May 3rd - Marched 4 miles to Bayou Tesse and our Company went on Picket there and the 4 marched back to Port Gibson.
May 5th - Just at night started for Rock Springs arrived there and went into camp about 2 miles from there. There we stayed till the 10th and went out into the country to get something to eat and some teams to send back to Grand Gulf after rations as were entirely out. We got some cornmeal, meat, and sugar. There was 8 men detailed out of our company to go back to Grand Gulf.
10th - Started for Edwards station and arrived to within 4 miles of there on the 12th.
13th - Left for Jackson and arrived within 6 miles of there on the 14th. Heard that he place was taken. The roads was very muddy and we got mail at that place. Started back the next morning for Raymond passed thru the place and went into camp. There we met our supplies from Grand Gulf. Heard that Richmond was taken marched 13 miles that day.
May 16th - Had the battle Champion Hill our division was in the reserve and did not do much fighting only a little skirmishing. I took a few prisoners we marched to Edwards Station got there at 10:00 p.m. and slept in a bale of cotton.
May 17th - Marched to Black River Bridge and made the charge. Got one man killed and one man slightly wounded in our company. May 18th layed over at Black River Bridge.
19 - Marched 15 miles to rear of Vicksburg.
20th - Went to the front and that night went on picket.
21st - Our company in the advance sharp shooting had lots of fun popping away at the Rebs when they stuck their heads above the breastsworks. At one place we were within 40 yards of one of their forts.
22nd - Made the charge on the enemies works and was repulsed with heavy loss. There was 4 men killed and 9 wounded among the latter was myself slightly on the arm.
June 6th - William Clarks died and on the 7th Gunder Egbertson was wounded.
23rd - Gus Renwick and Gunder Egbertson both died.
25th - There was a Rebel for blown up in front of General Logan’s division.
July 2nd - We went out on a scout to Black River and returned on the 3rd.
July 4th - Vicksburg surrendered at 9:00 a.m. and the regiment started for Jackson on the
5th. I was sick and did not go. The regiment got to Jackson on the 10th and commenced fighting on the 11th. On the 17th the Reb’s evacuated the place. The 18th they went out on the railroad and tore up the track. Started back to Vicksburg on the 21st and arrived there on the 24th a distance of 55 miles. The same day we moved camp to the front of Vicksburg. 31st - Jacob White died.
August 13th - Embarked on steamer for New Orleans. August 16th arrived and went into camp at Carlton distance from Vicksburg 400 miles.
September 4 - Got aboard a boat and went to Algiers. Took the cars at 6:00 p.m. and went to Bayou Boeff distance 83 miles. We got there 11:00 p.m.
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