Friday, June 23, 1865

Today a special order from the 13th Army Corps headquarters in Galveston, Texas was received.

The organization formerly known as the 130th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (discontinued on January 25th 1865) is now, subject to the approval of the War Department, revived.  All men of the 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, whose term of service will not expire on or before September 1, 1865, and all officers and men now with the 77th who were transferred from the 130th Illinois Volunteer Infantry will be formed into a battalion composed of companies of maximum strength.  They didn't have enough men to form a full regiment, hence the "battalion of companies."

The organization known as the 77th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and all men whose term of service expires on or before September 1st will be mustered out as soon as the transfer noted above is completed.

Tuesday, June 13, 1865

Things got worse today for the men from the 130th, as the rumor was that they would not be mustered out with the 77th, and instead would go to Texas for more fighting.

Thursday, June 8, 1865

Today the rumor circulated through camp that the 77th could not be mustered out as a regiment and leave the boys from the 130th still in active service.  So, the joy was turned to grief.  The rumors continued, with the assumption that the 130th would be reinstated and the 77th  mustered out.

Tuesday, June 6, 1865

Today the troops in Mobile received an order that all troops whose service expired on or before October 1st would be immediately mustered out.  William Fleming noted:

...there was great rejoicing, but after investigation the commander decided that the 130th boys would not go out under this order and it created much excitement but the 77 boys seem to be jubilant 

Saturday, June 3, 1865

All of the troops in Mobile and the vicinity were reviewed today by General Granger;.  This was partly in preparation for future operations, and partly in honor of Salmon P. Chase, the Chief Justice of the United States, who was visiting Mobile.  The veteran soldiers, aware that such reviews were often a prelude to more fighting, asked one another, "What next?"

The following extracts are from the New Orleans Times:

The soldiers formed on Government Street, and marched up Royal Street, past the Battle House, when General Granger and staff, and Chief Justice Chase, mounted on horseback, reviewed the gallant men as they marched on with the steady tramp of veterans. 

On Saturday, as we marched through the place to the position assigned us on Government Street, the streets were alive with people. Men, women and children, clad in the gayest attire, were out to behold one of the grandest military pageants ever witnessed by the people of Alabama. Royal Street, in the region of the Battle House and the Custom House, was a perfect jam. I saw quite a number of Confederate officers beholding the march of our boys, and all seemed in the best of humor.  

The troops remaining were of the Third Division, and were marched into the city under the command of Brevet Brig. Gen. Grier, Colonel of the 77th Illinois Volunteers. The General is a fine officer; has done his duty in this war. His Regiment under his command have made for themselves a glorious record. On many a well fought field have they carried their colors through 'shot and shell,' until a triumphant victory has crowned their efforts. Peoria may well feel proud of Brevet Brig. Gen. Grier and his gallant 77th. They have done honor to the City and State. Their time of enlistment will soon expire, and it will not be long before they are on their way to their homes. May they receive the hero's welcome they have so nobly earned.