Saturday, July 30, 1864

Two soldiers from the 130th were reported as deserters today:  Private William Cummins, Company B., from Sangamon County, and Private John T. Cashon, Company E, from Dudleyville.

Thursday, July 28, 1864

The men of the 130th arrived at Morganza at 2 o'clock this morning.  They stayed on board until 8 o'clock and then went into camp on the riverbank.

Private Albert Ferguson, Company C, from Cairo was presumed drowned today.  His body will be found in the river tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 27, 1864

The steam Vivian stopped near Baton Rouge to repair the boat wheel.  Some of the soldiers went on shore and walked around the city.

Tuesday, July 26, 1864

While William Fleming was visiting family and friends in central Illinois, his fellow soldiers of the 130th Illinois received orders and boarded the steam Alice Vivian at 2 o'clock this morning.  However, they did not get underway until 5 o'clock in the afternoon.  The 83rd Ohio Volunteers were on the Alice Vivian with them.

The 77th Illinois also boarded the Alice Vivian, and assumed they, too, were on their way.  However, they were ordered off the boat and returned to their camp.  When they returned to camp they found that others had already scavenged everything.  Their bedding, boards, and everything else was gone!

Saturday, July 23, 1864

After staying home in Mulberry Grove for about a week, William Fleming, his wife Nancy, and two sons went to Christian and Moultrie Counties in Illinois, staying about two weeks before returning home.

Christian County is about 45 miles straight north of Mulberry Grove, and Moultrie County is just east of there.  They likely visited both of their parents, siblings and their families.  Many of the Fleming's were living in those two counties before, during and after the Civil War.

William and Nancy previously lived in DeWitt County, just a little further to the north.  Their oldest son James was born there in 1858, and the 1860 census showed them living in Waynesville in DeWitt County.

Additionally, Nancy Ann Leigh's parents and some of her siblings were also in DeWitt County, according to the 1860 census.

So, William and Nancy probably had many family and friends to visit in central Illinois during those two weeks.

Thursday, July 21, 1864

The men of the 130th arrived at Algiers this morning at about 10 o'clock.  They went into camper here, opposite of New Orleans.

They were under the impression they would soon be going to Baltimore as part of the reorganized 19th Army Corps, and join the Army of the Potomac.  The 4th Division had, in fact, been incorporated into the 19th Army Corps.  But later on only a part of 19th Army Coprs embarks on transports for the east.  The men of the 130th will stay in Algiers.

Wednesday, July 20, 1864

Back in Louisiana, the men of the 130th received orders today to board the steam Starlight.  The boarded at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and left for Algiers at sundown.  The moved on the river all night, enjoying a clear, bright beautiful sky.

The 77th Illinois also embarked for their old headquarters near New Orleans today.  The were on the steamer Tamaulipas.  It was obvious to the soldiers that something big was in the works, based on the large massing of troops.

Monday, July 18, 1864

Back in the Louisiana, the 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment was inspected by Captain Wilkin.  They then received orders to be ready to go to Algiers at a moments warning.  The men had grown accustomed to camp life and did not like the idea of a move.

Saturday, July 16, 1864

At 3 o’clock this morning, William Fleming boarded a train for Vandalia.  He made good time and arrived at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.  Fleming wrote in his diary what happened next...

I lost no time in getting a conveyance home   I arrived at home at 5 O C found all well and had a season of rejoicing together.  I remained at home for about a week. 

Friday, July 15, 1864

After 5 days on the Mississippi, William Fleming arrived today in Cairo, Illinois

Tuesday, July 12, 1864

Private Samuel O. Shoemaker died today.  He was shot by a guard in the prison camp in Tyler Texas.  This is where the men captured at the battle of Mansfield were sent.  Shoemaker was assigned to Company H, and from Richland County.

Sunday, July 10, 1864

William Fleming's diary started today with this entry:

About ten o'clock the morning of July the 10th 64 there was an orderly come in my ward and inquired for me and found me and told me to pack up and report to Headquarters.  I complyed with his request and when I reported I found the paymaster and he paid me 8 months pay and I was ordered on a boat and a furlough in my possession for sixty days and in a few minutes I was sailing up the R for home.

Why was William Fleming in the hospital?  He was never injured in battle, so he was likely suffering from some disease or illness.  He may have been there for some time, even missing the Red River Campaign.  

Regardless of the situation, William Fleming was on his way home to see his family twenty-three months after his enlistment.. 

Saturday, July 9, 1864

Private Samuel Ingels died today at New Orleans.  He was from Old Ripley and assigned to Company E.

Monday, July 4, 1864

While July 4th was a holiday to celebrate, it wasn't a big celebration in camp.  According to Leonidas Bradley,

There was a one-horse celebration nearby here.  I did not attend.  It did not amount to much.  Day passed sluggishly.  

Apparently camp life could be pretty monotonous, even on a holiday.