Sunday, January 31, 1864
It was a beautiful day on the Gulf. There was company inspection at 9:00 A.M. and a regimental inspection at 2:00 P.M.
Saturday, January 30, 1864
The weather was pleasant today and the regiment participated in brigade drill. The rumor in camp was that the 4th division would soon be returning to New Orleans.
Thursday, January 28, 1864
This afternoon Company K of the 130th Illinois Infantry got orders to strike their tents and move camp at 4 P.M. They moved all of 40 yards southwest and camped alongside the marine regiment that had been put in the 2nd brigade today.
The 77th Illinois regiment transferred into the first brigade, 4th division, 13 A.C. The 130th Illinois was part of the first brigade of the 4th Division of the 13th Army Corp.
The 77th Illinois regiment transferred into the first brigade, 4th division, 13 A.C. The 130th Illinois was part of the first brigade of the 4th Division of the 13th Army Corp.
Tuesday, January 26, 1864
Corporal James M. Redfern from Blueville was reported as deserted today. He was assigned to Company D.
Sunday, January 24, 1864
Many of the soldiers enjoyed their Sunday on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. They gathered shells and returned to camp in the early evening tired and hungry.
Friday, January 22, 1864
Getting mail from home was, by far, the most important event in any soldier’s day. The writing of letters home, and the anticipation of letters from home, consumed much of their time and thoughts. This was normal and understandable considering the circumstances.
Thursday, January 21, 1864
Another day of fine weather. The 130th Illinois Infantry conducted reconnaissance on Matagorda Peninsula today.
Wednesday, January 20, 1864
It was a warm day highlighted by a brigade drill commanded by Lt. Colonel Parker from the 48th Ohio. The soldiers' rustiness was evident as there were many mistakes made by individuals, companies and regiments.
Tuesday, January 19, 1864
The men of the 48th Ohio regiment had wash day today. All the men were excused from their duties to wash. They had no drills or any other duties, except picket detail, which was very heavy.
Sunday, January 17, 1864
The favorable weather continued. Today was another warm clear day. The soldiers are enjoying the weather so much, they are afraid there will be a northerner any day again, and they dread it more than another battle.
Saturday, January 16, 1864
It was another nice day that got even better when the men drew their rations. They received full rations and the spirits were generally high throughout the camp.
Thursday, January 14, 1864
Many of the regiments on the island found out today they will begin to drill in a few days. Most have not had any drill since arriving in Texas because of the weather.
When not on the move or fighting, drilling was a major part of every soldier’s daily routine. The men generally hated drill but it kept them busy and disciplined. There were all kinds of drills: company drills, regimental drills, brigade drills, etc. The men thought they were boring, monotonous, drawn out affairs, that were pointless.
When not on the move or fighting, drilling was a major part of every soldier’s daily routine. The men generally hated drill but it kept them busy and disciplined. There were all kinds of drills: company drills, regimental drills, brigade drills, etc. The men thought they were boring, monotonous, drawn out affairs, that were pointless.
Wednesday, January 13, 1864
The weather continued to improve today and the soldiers had plenty to eat. Now that the storm was over, the men began setting up their camp as a more permanent installation.
Tuesday, January 12, 1864
The soldiers on the island were in brighter spirits today, as they received a fresh supply of provisions.
Monday, January 11, 1864
The weather continued to get warmer and more pleasant today. The men's spirits were rising along with the rising temperatures. While they had no coffee, sugar or candles, the soldiers were satisfied with rations of bread and meat.
Sunday, January 10, 1864
Today was a better day for everyone. The weather was a little more mild, and the winds were not as severe. Plus, they had bread for breakfast and received to days rations of bread.
Friday, January 8, 1864
The regiment was not out of bread and there was none to be found on the peninsula. The wind was still blowing, it was cold, and the men were hungry. Crackers were only issued to the men on picket duty - they each received six round soda crackers per day.
Men on picket duty guarded the perimeter of their camp. The duty was so important, that when food was scarce, they were the only ones to eat.
Men on picket duty guarded the perimeter of their camp. The duty was so important, that when food was scarce, they were the only ones to eat.
Thursday, January 7, 1864
The weather is still unchanged. Food stores are becoming scarce, and there was no prospect for resupply, as the waves were to high and the seas to rough for the ships to land.
Tuesday, January 5, 1864
The cold weather continued, and wood was very scare. There may have been wood on the Gulf shore, but it was too cold for the men to venture out after it. Most of them stayed out of the wind huddled in their tent.
Monday, January 4, 1864
Many men in the regiment were in need of clothing, but supplies were very short.
Today Private John F. Owen, from Company G died in New Orleans. He was from Mattoon, Illinois.
Today Private John F. Owen, from Company G died in New Orleans. He was from Mattoon, Illinois.
Sunday, January 3, 1864
The weather moderated slightly, but the soldiers were doing little, other than trying to keep warm. Many of the men were ill due to the exposure to the frigid weather.
Saturday, January 2, 1864
It was still cold and windy. Then weather made the men miserable, and it was all they could do to keep their tents from blowing down.
Friday, January 1, 1864
The hard winter weather continued. It was very cold today - almost freezing - and the wind continued to howl. There was no opportunity to build a cook fire due to the wind. So, there was no turkey or chicken or anything special for their New Year's dinner. But the men were happy with their hardtack and cold rice.
Friday, December 25, 1863
The holiday arrived, but the soldiers were in no condition to celebrate. However, their regimental cooks were resourceful and made pies from dried apples, sprinkled some sugar on toast, and worked some culinary magic on the beef. All things considered, the men enjoyed a respectable army Christmas dinner.
Wednesday, December 23, 1863
When the soldiers first arrived on the peninsula, their duties were relatively light. Their time was spent in skirmish drill by bugle signals, gathering shells, bathing, and fishing with seine nets borrowed from the navy.
Not only did their fishing produce many excellent meals, but it was also exciting for the men from Illinois to discover mysterious sea creatures they had never seen before.
For some reason, soon after their arrival they ran out of rations. But, the peninsula was well stocked with sheep, which they butchered, and lived on almost entirely for eight or ten days.
Not only did their fishing produce many excellent meals, but it was also exciting for the men from Illinois to discover mysterious sea creatures they had never seen before.
For some reason, soon after their arrival they ran out of rations. But, the peninsula was well stocked with sheep, which they butchered, and lived on almost entirely for eight or ten days.
Monday, December 21, 1863
Despite the southern location, the weather was very cold. Life in the tents on the sandy beach was not pleasant. At night the wind would howl across the sandy beach. The only available firewood was water-soaked sticks and chunks that had washed ashore. It was not easy to burn, and it was in short supply.
Saturday, December 19, 1863
The soldiers set up their tents and stowed their gear. They had been issued new shelter tents consisting of a small strip of canvas about 4 feet wide and 7 feet long. Today we would call them pup tents. They were barely large enough for one person. These new tents took the place of the larger Sibley and Bell tents that were shared by several men.
The storm finally broke. The sun came out, but the air was very chilly. The men were in much better spirits, partly due to the sunshine, but also the absence of sea sickness.
The storm finally broke. The sun came out, but the air was very chilly. The men were in much better spirits, partly due to the sunshine, but also the absence of sea sickness.
Friday, December 18, 1863
The 130th Illinois Infantry disembarked on De Crow's Point, Texas, which is the headland of the island located between Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The island is about 50 miles long, and from one-fourth of a mile to a full mile wide at various points. Technically, the island is a peninsula, as it connects to the mainland to the northeast.
As the peninsula is only a few few feet above sea level, it becomes completely submerged during high water. This happens frequently during severe storms. During one of these storms a few years after the war the peninsula was completely submerged and all the people on it perished in the Gulf.
The peninsula was almost a barren sand-bar. There was very little vegetation, except wild grass, rushes and a few cactus, which grew to a very large size. On the Gulf side of the peninsula, the wind and the tide formed the sand into large dunes.
Although they were almost surrounded by salt-water, they could find drinking water by digging holes two or three feet into the sand.
As the peninsula is only a few few feet above sea level, it becomes completely submerged during high water. This happens frequently during severe storms. During one of these storms a few years after the war the peninsula was completely submerged and all the people on it perished in the Gulf.
The peninsula was almost a barren sand-bar. There was very little vegetation, except wild grass, rushes and a few cactus, which grew to a very large size. On the Gulf side of the peninsula, the wind and the tide formed the sand into large dunes.
Although they were almost surrounded by salt-water, they could find drinking water by digging holes two or three feet into the sand.
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