The 130th Illinois still had no orders. But they watched other units passing by all day on their way to the north.
Private John R. Hendricks died today at Camp Butler near Springfield, Illinois. He was from Sangamon County and assigned to Company B.
The 77th Illinois was ahead of the 130th, having started on the march earlier. So, they were the first to receive the "new" tents:
Private John R. Hendricks died today at Camp Butler near Springfield, Illinois. He was from Sangamon County and assigned to Company B.
The 77th Illinois was ahead of the 130th, having started on the march earlier. So, they were the first to receive the "new" tents:
On the 14th of March an event occurred which afforded some amusement. The boys were supplied with what they jocularly called "dog tents." Our first tents were the "Sibley," large enough to accommodate from twelve to sixteen persons. The next was the "wedge" tent, large enough for from four to six.
The "dog," or "shelter" tent consisted of two parts, each about the size of an ordinary blanket, and they could be fastened together with buttons and eyelets. In this way the boys carried their tents with them, each one carrying one part, and by "bunking" together in couples, they were prepared to pitch tents in short order. Either with or without a ridge-pole, and with end stakes and pins to fasten down the sides, and by spreading a rubber blanket over the top and a rubber or other blanket over one end, they could be made quite comfortable.
But they were so small the boys could only occupy a sitting posture. If they wanted to stand up or turn around, they had to go outside for that purpose.
Two objects were accomplished by using this kind of tent. Every soldier carried his shelter with him, and it relieved the command of extra teams to carry camp equipage. In the course of time the boys managed to get at least two each of these tents, and then a heavy rain would not disturb them; and when they remained in camp for a few days at a time, by getting a few boards and elevating the tents, they did finely.
The first night after the dog tents were issued, the boys -- hundreds of them -- it was midnight -- came to the entrance of their tents and barked, representing all the variations of dog music, from the gentle whine of the insignificant cur, to the hoarse voice of the majestic mastiff. This novel and amusing concert was kept up for an hour or more. Of course there could be no sleeping while it lasted. With such pastimes as these the boys varied the tedious monotony of the march, and prepared for the sterner duties of the battle field.
