At 4 o'clock this afternoon the 130th Illinois Infantry received orders to be ready to embark with ten days rations at any moment. They didn't have much time to think about what was to come - at dark they received orders to board transports at daylight tomorrow morning. Needless to say, it was a busy evening for the men from Illinois.
Saturday, October 29, 1864
They started marching this morning at 5 o'clock and reached Morganza at 12:30 P.M. Everyone was safe and no one from the 130th was killed or wounded on this scouting mission. The men were all tired and worn out and very happy to be back in a more permanent location. They were relived on the Atchafalaya by the 2nd Brigade.
Friday, October 28, 1864
They stayed in camp again today while Confederate troops continue to fire on them all day.
Thursday, October 27, 1864
The Union troops did not move today. There was frequent picket firing near their camp by the Confederates, but no one was hurt. The movement is slow, as they have to cut new roads to Morganza.
Wednesday, October 26, 1864
The 130th finally received orders to get ready to move. At 1 o'clock they began to head back to Morganza. The Confederate troops harassed them, firing at them along the bayou. The Union troops went into camp near an old mill on the Atchafalaya.
Tuesday, October 25, 1864
Today there was the occasional picket firing, but no serious injuries on either side. The weather looked like rain all day, and it finally started to sprinkle at dusk. Unfortunately the men had no tents or anything for shelter.
Monday, October 24, 1864
The days are all about the same. The regiment stayed in camp while companies were sent out for picket duty. There continued to be light firing on the picket lines, but no serious battles.
Sunday, October 23, 1864
The 130th was still in their camp today. The picket firing intensified today and continued throughout the day. There were even a couple shots fired from Union cannons, but no response from the Confederates.
Saturday, October 22, 1864
The 130th remained in camp all day. They saw the cavalry passing by in small squads throughout the day. Stayed in same old camp on the Bayou. Cavalry passing in small squads all day. There seemed to be less firing on the picket lines today.
Friday, October 21, 1864
The 130th was still in camp on the Lost River. There was a Cavalry Brigade that moved into the area today. They brought in eight confederate soldiers, plus a captain and two Lieutenants. The men in the camp could here firing on the picket lines all day.
Thursday, October 20, 1864
Last night at 10 o'clock the 130th received orders to move their camp. They moved out in silence in the night to a place about a quarter of a mile from the Atchafalaya River on the bank of the Lost River. They stayed here all day and camped for the night. According to Leonidas Bradley,
Good deal of picket firing. Killed seven and wounded sixteen Rebs.
Wednesday, October 19, 1864
They started at 4:00 o'clock this morning by crossing the bridge and moving to the Atchafalaya River. They arrived at the river about 7:00 o'clock and found a few Confederate soldiers across the river. The Union soldiers moved up the river to Baldwin's Ferry and went into camp for the night. It started to rain at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and continued the rest of the day and night.
Tuesday, October 18, 1864
Today the 130th Illinois Infantry received orders to be ready to march at 11 o'clock in the morning with 5 rations for 5 days. They began at 4:00 o'clock int he afternoon and marched until about 8:00 o'clock. They went into camp near a bridge on a bayou.
Sunday, October 16, 1864
From time to time various companies and regiments would go out on scouting missions. In general there was very limited contact with skirmishers from the Confederate ranks. The soldiers now believe they will quarter for the winter in this place.
Tuesday, October 11, 1864
The weather continued to stay cool. Some of the men built fireplaces in their tents. These provided some warmth to the Union troops.
Saturday, October 8, 1864
After warming up for a few days, the weather turned very cool today. The wind blew all day long. The men in of the 130th stayed in camp and tried find ways to keep warm.
Tuesday, October 4, 1864
The monotony of camp life was broken today when the weather turned very cold. The men spent the day trying to find ways to keep warm.
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