Monday, December 29, 1862

About the time of the attack on Holly Springs and Grant's subsequent withdraw from the attack on Vicksburg, there was a concern the Confederates would attack Memphis.  The rumors and scuttlebutt swirled among the soldiers and the men of the 130th Illinois were on edge.

A comrade came running into the quarters of Charles Johnson, and excitedly announced that Confederate General Bragg was just outside the city with an army of ten thousand men, and he had demanded the Union surrender.  Johnson's reaction to the news was practical at the time, but pretty humorous today:

I was at that time in the ranks, and, like nearly all soldiers, often played at cards for pastime. At this very juncture I had in my breast pocket a long-used pack of cards, and, of course, they were dirty and much soiled. One of the first things I did was to remove these, for how would it sound should I fall in battle to have it said: "In his breast pocket was found" not the Bible his mother handed him upon leaving home and bade him always carry in his knapsack, nor yet the picture of his affianced "but a deck of cards." 

Well, the cards were removed, but I didn't fall ; didn't, indeed, have a chance to, for General Bragg didn't come near, nor ask the surrender of the city.

Saturday, December 27, 1862

Word got back to Memphis that General Sherman had been turned back at Vicksburg.  Soon, the steamships returned, loaded to capacity with wounded soldiers.  

Thursday, December 25, 1862

This was very likely the first Christmas of their lives that the men of the 130th Illinois Infantry spent away from their families. It was probably a very emotional day for most of them.

The war continued to take its toll on the young men of the 130th - Private James Myrrax died today in Memphis. He was from Bridgeport, Illinois and assigned to Company I.

Monday, December 22, 1862

About the same time as the attack on Holly Springs, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest made a raid through northern Mississippi, cutting Grant's communications with the north. These unfortunate events prevented General Grant from carrying out his part of the attack on Vicksburg, as he fell back and reopened communications with Memphis.  

General Sherman, unaware of what happened to Grant on his left wing, went ahead with his attack on Vicksburg, fighting the battle of Chickasaw bluffs.  This battle ended disastrously for the Union.  

Thus the combined attack, partly by water and partly by land, against the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg ended in a complete failure.

Sunday, December 21, 1862

Private Ransford Bourn died today in Memphis. He was from Lawrence County, Illinois and assigned to Company I of the 130th Illinois Infantry.

Saturday, December 20, 1862

Confederate General Earl Van Dorn led a cavalry force of 3,500 into Holly Springs today, surprising the Federal forces there.  Very few soldiers died, but 1,500 Union soldiers were captured and then quickly paroled.  However, the destruction of supplies was massive.

Fires lit the skies and smoke clogged the air. Thousands of bales of cotton, intended for sale to finance Grant’s army, were burned.  Railroad cars packed with bacon was torched, and great pools of fat spread out from the carnage.  Estimates at the time set the damages at $1 million for the loss of medical supplies alone.

These supplies at the Holly Springs depot were what Grant intended to use for his cooperating assault on Vicksburg.   

Friday, December 19, 1862

The Regimental Quartermaster, Silas J. Stiles, died today in Memphis.  He was from Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Wednesday, December 17, 1862

A large number of riverboats loaded with soldiers left the landing and steamed down the river.  Charles Johnson described the scene this way:

It was known to all that there was to be a fight, and I remember looking at the many men that crowded the decks of these steamers as the bells rang, signaling the engineers to put on steam, when the wheels began slowly turning, lashing and churning the water nearby; the boats gently swung round with their prows down stream, then getting out into the main channel, a full head of steam was turned on; that heaving sound, characteristic of a boat under full headway, began; and the men raised their hats and cheered wildly and long. They seemed more bent on a pleasure excursion than to give battle and meet a determined and powerful foe. I remember looking at them in this jolly mood, and wondering how many of the merry ones would soon find a grave on a battlefield, and what number would return maimed and wounded.

Monday, December 15, 1862

Three more soldiers from the 130th Illinois Infantry died today in Memphis.  All three of them were from Company F - the same company to which William Fleming and Charles Johnson were assigned.

Private Daniel Haley, from Bond County, Corporal Samuel B. Comer, from Greenville, and Private George G. Wood, from Jacksonville were the deceased.

Saturday, December 13, 1862

Three members of the 130th Illinois Infantry died today at Memphis.  Two of them were from Company C:  Private Joel Bracken from Thebes, and Private John W. White, from Dogtooth.  Private Israel Terry, from Company H, was from Claremont, Illinois.  

Thursday, December 11, 1862

Earlier this summer the Union Army and Naval forces had opened the Mississippi River from St. Louis down to just North of Vicksburg.  Because of its high perch on the river bluffs, Vicksburg presented a formidable challenge.

In the fall of 1862 the first campaign against Vicksburg was planned.  General Sherman was to move down the Mississippi River from Memphis with the right wing of the Army of the Tennessee, while General Grant was to attack from the east with the left wing.  

Those plans began to take shape in late 1862.  Grant established a depot of supplies about 230 miles north-northeast of Vicksburg at Holly Springs, Mississippi.  And by December there were a large number of Union soldiers in Memphis, as General Sherman organized his army to advance on Vicksburg.  The Memphis wharf was lined with steamboats loading with provisions and the munitions of war.

Wednesday, December 10, 1862

Over the course of the Civil War, the 130th Illinois Infantry lost 2 officers and 18 enlisted men who were killed in action or who died from their battle wounds.  The regiment also lost 4 officers and 153 enlisted men who died from illness or disease.

Private Godfrey P. Knave from Blueville, Illinois died today.  He was in Company D and the first of many men to die in Memphis during the winter.

Tuesday, December 9, 1862

Garrison duties in Memphis included several other activities.  Guarding a steamboat at the wharf, guarding goods at the levee, standing on a corner providing a presence, etc.  Robert Johnson described another activity:

Then, maybe,with an officer and a number of men, it was a tramp, begun after bed-time, to the suburbs, all quietly; a sort of scouting expedition that always ended in weary legs and good appetites for breakfast.

Monday, December 8, 1862

One of the duties of regiments assigned to garrison duty in Memphis was to patrol the city.  This was done by breaking up the regiment into squads, who then went out and found a place to stay in the patrol area of the city.  Charles Johnson told of one interesting place where they found quarters:

The company to which I belonged found quarters in a large brick block not far from the river.  In this building were holes made by cannon shot, thrown during the naval engagement the 6th of June previous.

Saturday, December 6, 1862

At the time of the Civil War, Fort Pickering was surrounded by earthworks, with cannons spread along the perimeter at appropriate intervals.  While the 130th Illinois Infantry was stationed there, the works were constantly being strengthened by the use of a shovel and a strong back.  Most of this work was done by African Americans, who were fed and paid by the government.

Thursday, December 4, 1862

As noted earlier, the men in each company formed into groups of about 8 soldiers and drew their food rations as a group.  Most of these "messes" occupied a Sibley tent, which they set up not far from the river bank.

A Sibley tent is round at the base, with a center pole, and covered in canvas to form a cone shape.  It resembled a tepee.

Tuesday, December 2, 1862

The 130th Illinois Infantry regiment was attached to Reserve Brigade, District of Memphis, 18th Army Corps (Old), Department of the Tennessee.

After about two weeks in camp, the 130th received orders to occupy Fort Pickering, which was located on the Mississippi River, just south of the city of Memphis.

According to Charles Johns "...this post was filthy and repulsive in the extreme. Meantime snow fell, cold weather came on, and some most unpleasant days were passed, and, to make matters worse, the health of many began to fail."


Below are some pictures from my visit to Fort Pickering in the fall of 2011.

A plaque near the mound.


The mound and brick archway into it are about all that is left of Fort Pickering. 

I wonder if that tree was standing 150 years ago?

It's a steep climb up the mound.  But with the Mississippi River in the background you can see why it would be a strategic location.

Thursday, November 27, 1862

William Fleming was detailed today to the E G Department.  The exact entry in his diary says:

Fleming William detailed in the E G Dept Nov 27th 62

He doesn't return to his company until February 18, 1864.  The  monthly muster records that I reviewed for those 15 months list him as "detailed" each month.  But they don't say what he was doing, or provide any further information as to what he was detailed to. 

In my research so far, I've been unable to find an explanation of the E G Department.  The best educated guess I can make at this point, is that E G stands for "engineering."  That would make sense, given William Fleming's occupation as a carpenter.

During the Civil War, the Union Army's Corps of Engineers performed duties like planning and erecting defenses, construction and destroying roads and bridges, placing and removing obstruction, etc.  

My assumption is that, while William Fleming was no longer with his company, he was still close by performing his duties in the E G Department.  

Tuesday, November 25, 1862

One day the regiment paraded in an open area near a public highway.  Some military exercises had just been completed and the men were standing at parade-rest.  A a carriage passed within a few feet of them on the road.  The sight was something new to men from the north, but one they would see many times in the next three years.

Charles Johnson described the sight like this:  

An old dilapidated family carriage that looked as though it might have seen service since the Revolutionary period, drawn by a large, dark-colored, raw-boned horse, only a skeleton in fact, and a little, old, mouse colored donkey; upon these were shreds of old harness, attached to which were some shabby old relics of silver mounting. Mounted on the box, with rope lines in his hands, was an old gray-haired Negro, who sat upright and dignified, an old and very high plug hat on his head, and his person attired in the antiquated remains of a coachman's livery. Within the carriage was a man and woman. The whole outfit was so ridiculous to Northern eyes that a hearty laugh went along the line, followed by a shout that was participated in by a thousand voices.

Saturday, November 22, 1862

Nearly every day the regiment went out on dress parade.  To participate in this, each man had to have his uniform in good order, his accouterments in neat trim, and his gun and metallic appendages bright.  Then the regiment marched to a nearby, level, open space.  There they went through the manual of arms, and, according to Charles Johnson,  displayed itself to the very best advantage.

Friday, November 21, 1862

When the regiment left the barracks at Camp Butler each company broke up into messes of eight to fifteen men.  These messes drew their rations as a group and did their cooking together.

Wednesday, November 19, 1862

At night a line of guards surrounded the camp to provide security, but also to break the men in and enforce discipline.  One of the men on guard duty accidentally shot himself in the foot.  This was the first gunshot wound in the regiment.

Tuesday, November 18, 1862

After their arrival in Memphis, the 130th Illinois Infantry Volunteers were attached to the Reserve Brigade, District of Memphis, 13th Army Corps., Department of the Tennessee.  In December the Regiment was attached to the District of Memphis, 16th Army Corps.

The regiment went ashore and marched over streets that were very muddy in places from recent rain.

Charles Johnson described their first day in Memphis like this:  

Now and then a house was passed, from which welcome was extended by a waving handkerchief in the hands of a woman. Most of the female sex, however, seemed ready to extend anything but a welcome to the "hordes from the North." Camp was formed on the outskirts of the city in a beautiful beech grove that was in every way pleasantly located. Here tents were put up, huts built by some, and about two weeks of beautiful November weather spent most pleasantly.

Monday, November 17, 1862

The lights of Memphis came into view this evening and the old boat began to blow her whistle.  The regiment made a spectacular entrance to the city, as there was a malfunction in the whistle "shut off" and the noise could not be stopped.  

After the boat landed and was tied off, the whistle continued to blow until the supply of steam in the boiler finally ran out.  

Charles Johnson summed up their arrival:  For a good while the night was made hideous, and the ears of all tortured by the screeching whistle of the old boat, but this was a fit ending to the tedious and dangerous trip on the crazy old craft. 

Sunday, November 16, 1862

Their first night in enemy territory turned out to be uneventful.  The regiment boarded the boat around noon and their journey continued down the river.

Along the river, the boys from Illinois observed chimneys standing alone and cheerless, the houses having been burned to the ground.  It became an all-too-familiar sight.

Earlier in the summer, the national fleet had maneuvered down the river under the command of Commodore Charles Henry Davis.  Early on the morning of June 6th , the fleet attacked the Confederate fleet lying in, front of Memphis.  During the battle the river bluff was lined with spectators.  The Union victory was convincing, as Davis either sunk or captured seven of the eight Confederate ships, while suffering damage to only one of his own.  

By 11:00 a.m. the city surrendered, and two infantry regiments accompanying the national fleet went ashore and took possession.  Nearly six months later the 130th Illinois Infantry was on its way to Memphis to  perform provost duties in the city.  

Saturday, November 15, 1862

This evening the boat was tied up on the Arkansas shore.  There was a concern that this particular stretch of the Mississippi River was infested with bands of armed rebels.  Therefore, night navigation was considered too risky.

After tying off, the regiment was marched ashore.  Nothing was found but a simple log structure that was used as a store before the war.  The area was heavily timbered with a dense under growth.  Despite it being mid-November, there was still a significant amount of leaves on the trees and brush.  

Since they were in enemy territory, a strong picket guard was detailed.  Company F (William Fleming's company) and another company were given the assignment.  Charles Johnson described the rest of the night this way:

The men were marched out the distance of a mile from the regiment, broken up in squads of four, and with freshly loaded guns, awaited any cause for alarm. There was no disturbance, but being in the enemy's country was an entirely new experience, and though there may not have been an armed Confederate within fifty miles, it is safe to say that in the whole regiment but few eyes closed that night in sleep. Six months later, so inured had most of us become to war's alarms, that sweet and refreshing sleep was often taken directly under fire.

Friday, November 14, 1862

Not long after leaving St. Louis, a man belonging to the 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment died.  The carpenter of the boat made a pine coffin in which the body was placed and taken to Memphis.  The death caused quite a commotion among the men of the 130th.  Unfortunately, in the not too distant future, death would become all too familiar.

Wednesday, November 12, 1862

At St. Louis the regiment boarded the steamboat General Robert Allen for the trip downriver to Memphis.  According to Charles Johnson, the trip turned out to be exceedingly tedious, as water in the river was at a low stage.  The old boat frequently ran aground, but with the help of spars put upon either side the bow, and hoisting apparatus, always managed to again get underway.

Tuesday, November 11, 1862

After about seven weeks at Camp Butler, the 130th Illinois Infantry Regiment received orders to report to Memphis, Tennessee.  It was a cold, rainy evening when the regiment boarded the cars of the Wabash Railway at the front gate of Camp Butler.  According to Charles Johnson, it was a cheerless ride.

Monday, November 10, 1862

In anticipation of their orders, the regiment received their arms:  Austrian rifled-muskets.  They were also issued cartridge boxes containing ammunition, canteens, haversacks (pouches made of heavy cotton for rations), knapsacks and blankets.  Each man was also issued his regulation blue uniform.