Tennessee Narrative, May 1862

Took Up a Line of March, May 1862
Our stay here was of short duration. We had scarcely got our camp cleaned up, when we were again ordered to advance with four days’ rations in haversack. So according to order, we struck tents at 7 o’clock A.M. Sabbath morning, and soon after took up a line of march in the direction of Corinth. We had proceeded but a short distance when it commenced raining, continuing to rain all day, causing the roads to be almost impassable.

We waded along through rain, mud and water until near night, stopping every few rods, waiting for the wagon train belonging to the division in front, as they were continually swamping and sticking in the mire along the road. Finding that we were not going to get through that day if we waited on the train, so we passed them, plunging through the mud like so many oxen.

Passing by Monterey, a little insignificant Hamlet situated on the top of a high ridge, from which you have a grand view of the surrounding country, which view represents the surrounding county as far as the eye can see as being covered with one dense forest of timber almost destitute of inhabitants and equally as destitute of civilization. General Davis’s division was in camp at this place.

After marching two miles in a southwest direction beyond Monterey, we came to a halt about dark in a heavy body of timber. We were informed that this would be our camping ground. While here, we were without tents or anything to keep the rain off, which continued to fall all night long upon us without mercy.

However, we cut some brush and spread our blankets down upon them, laid our weary limbs down to while away the night in sweet sleep and pleasant dreams, awoke in morning found ourselves half buried in water. Slept sound; dreamt of going into Corinth with a flag of truce. After getting informed I had no flag, [I] was in a pretty fix; got back safe. And lo and behold, it was a dream, and the rain ceased not for many days.
Skirmishing Continued During the Night
Our baggage trains and artillery did not get to camp till the evening, and it was with much difficulty that it got along at that time.

We remained here two days, and then changed position to the south one mile distant, our line being in rear of an old plantation. We remained here one day, and again advancing two miles, driving in the enemy’s pickets as we advanced, and occupying their ground. This was rather an impudent trick, but Ma Secessia had to fall back, and let northern federals come in.

The next day Saturday the 10th, the pickets had quite a skirmish with those of the enemy. We were called in line of battle, but as the enemy made no further demonstrations, we returned to our company streets, stacked arms, remained with accouterments on during the day, so as to be ready for any emergency. In the evening, we commenced in cutting away the timber in front of our lines and throwing up breast-works.

Sabbath, May the 12th, 62, skirmishing continued during the night. This morning everything appears to be quiet along the lines; we continue to work upon the works and clear them [timber] away for artillery. As the timber is heavy, much work is done.

Monday, May the 13th, 62, last night, [Gen. William Tecumseh] Sherman’s pickets attacked those of Major General John A. McClernand, taking them for the enemy. The firing was brisk, but not much damage done to either party; at day break the mistake was discovered.

Today the glorious news of the destruction of the Merrimack, the rebel war steamer, the capture of Yorktown, the surrender of the Gosport Navy Yard and the brilliant success of our navy on the water. We gave three hearty cheers for the officers and men engaged for their gallant conduct.

Tuesday 13th, pickets continue to skirmish; we continue to build breastworks. The weather is very warm.

Wednesday May the 14th, 1862, we advanced two miles, drove in the enemy picket occupied their ground, commenced immediately to build breastworks and to cut away the timber in front of our lines, which we completed late at night.

A Letter Home
Camp in field, near Corinth
Army of the Tennessee
State of Mississippi

May 15th, 1862

Dear Lydia,

Seeing I have not written anything of importance to you for some [time], I propose this very warm afternoon to write you a few lines, whereby you may know that I am yet above ground. But how long to remain, I cannot tell as the approaching storm is very near at hand.

And, I would just say at the onset that ere [before] I have written this page, we may be called into line of battle. We have been advancing on Corinth from Pittsburg Landing for the last two weeks, advancing at first from three to 5 miles at one time, and the farther we advance, the shorter would be the distance of advancement.

For the last three or four times, we would advance, but one or two miles at one time, stopping one or two days after each advancement for the purpose of building breastworks and cutting away the timber in front of our fire lines for the distance of three hundred paces. (for this part of the country) The timber is very heavy and much work is required to make our works formidable, in case that necessity should compel us to retreat, we would have something to fall back on, and thus prevent disaster.

We are now in the state of Mississippi, five miles from Corinth, in very close proximity with the enemy. And while I am writing, the pickets, only one half mile distant, are fighting with those of the enemy’s [sic]. But this is nothing new to me, for this has been going on for the past week. But the closer we get, the sharper are the engagements.

The enemy’s pickets are constantly in sight of our line, and as we advance, they very reluctantly fall back before unflinching Patriots. In advancing so often, makes a great deal of labor. We have to work the greater part of each night, as it is too warm for any successful operations during the heat of the day. And in addition to this, we are required to rise at 3 o’clock each morning and form in line of battle, and remain in this position until after day light. Then we return to our company streets, stack arms and hold ourselves in readiness for an engagement with the enemy at any moment.

We took the position that we occupy at present, yesterday at 4 P.M. The engagements by the pickets were warm, the enemy presenting a heavy line. Not much damage was done to either party as they kept at reasonable distance from each other. At 6 o’clock, a battery in Gen. Sherman’s division threw a few shells into the woods for the purpose of routing them.

Our position here is pretty good; we worked hard yesterday evening and last night in making defenses. We have very good breastworks thrown up with the timber cut down 300 paces in front, so as to give us good musket range in case they felt like trying a pull in the way of shooting a little.

Gen. Hurlbut came around last night where we were at work; he appeared to be very much surprised at the amount of labor we had performed in so short a time. Since the battle at Pittsburg Landing, we think much more of Gen. Hurlbut than we used to do. He also has a great deal of confidence in the Iowa 3rd, and says that they will do to lie to [sic] in a fight. But you must not think that I like to puff the 3rd Iowa because I am a member of that fighting body of Iowa nerves.

The pickets are piching [sic] in pretty strong just now. They must not shoot over this way for I am writing under a shade tree, and it would be a pity that I should be disturbed. What you think Lydia?

I have just been called on to go to the Landing with a train for provisions. I will finish when I return.

WC Newlon

A Desolate Appearance
As we are at work, the pickets are keeping up a continual roar of musketry, the enemy not willing to give away to our advancing guard. At 5 P.M., we threw a number of shells into the woods for the purpose of shelling and driving them from the woods, which had its desired effect. The canister and shell they could not stand; they did not trouble our lines quite as much during the night.

Thursday May the 15th, 62, things remained quiet along our lines during last night, but this morning the same routine continues as heretofore. The pickets continue to fight as though it was fun, although each day many are killed and wounded. At 3 o’clock P.M. our train starts to Pittsburg Landing for provisions; I go with them. We arrived to the Landing at 12 o’clock that night.

Friday May the 16th, 62, we proceeded this morning as soon as day to get our teams loaded, but owing to the great number of trains after provisions and forage for the army near Corinth, we could not get to the boat till about 10 o’clock A.M. Many steamers are here with provisions for the army. At the lower landing there is a great quantity of disabled artillery taken at the Pittsburg [Landing] Battle.

The distance to the Landing from our camp is 22 miles, and the county between the two has a desolate appearance. At one time covered with tents and swarming with busy soldiers, but now vacated; the ground covered with barrels, boxes, cooking utensils and every imaginable thing. The weather is warm and the roads very dusty.

We reached camp at midnight, tired and weary, with five days’ rations for our regiment. What times are these, what tuff times soldiers do have in this war. Soon may it end.

Camp near Corinth, Miss
Co. G, 3rd Iowa Inf.

Saturday, May the 17th, 1862

Camp near Corinth Mississippi

Our company came in from picket this morning; they did a good deal of skirmishing, but lost no men, although the enemy made himself very conspicuous in their presence.

Good Morning, Lydia!

Saturday, May 17th, 1862

Good Morning, Lydia!

I have got back into the wild of Mississippi again and you. But, I feel pretty tuff this morning, for I have not slept any for two nights. The distance to the Landing is 22 miles and owing to the emergency of the case, we were compelled to travel at night to make the connection. The [___] gone into the interior. The whole county presents a desolate field, covered with barrels, boxes, cooking utensils, blankets, broken wagons, disabled artillery; here and there a hospital tent &e, every imaginable thing giving our old camping ground a most desolate appearance. There is one continual train of teams going to and from the Landing, often after provisions for the armies in Tennessee.

The grand army of Tennessee is divided into three armies, [___], right wing called the Army of the Tennessee, left wing commanded by General Pope, called the Army of the Mississippi, center, commanded by General Buell, called the Army of the Ohio. All are commanded by General Halleck, General Grant’s second in command. General Sigle has command of the artillery. We are in the right wing, commanded by General Thomas. General Hurlbut commanding our division.

We have not moved in the advance for four days, we are as close to the enemy as we can get without bringing on a general engagement. Our company just came in from picket duty, being out 24 hours. As I was gone [to Pittsburg Landing], I did not go out. They were in sight of the enemy all the time. They done a good deal of skirmishing, we had four men wounded slightly (not our company). The work is progressing, firing continues to increase, often heavy volleys of musketry salutes our ears, and for a change in program, we have booming of artillery, although the enemy, has not as yet replied to our guns.

I think the ball will open in a few hours unless something is done to the contrary. How I long for the result. If we have to fight them, I say let us commence now. I am anxious for the engagement (not that I love fighting) but that we may have it over. Many think that Corinth is being evacuated. I think not, I believe that they are being reinforced by the forces, which had possession of Orleans. I believe the enemy to be bringing in every available force to their assistance. Yet I firmly believe that we will be successful, and expect ere you read this, to march into the city of Corinth under the stars and stripes, stepping to the time of Yankee Doodle. Oh! What a glorious time that will be. God grant that that glorious time come ere another sun is set. Everything is going on to my notion. The enemy is being compelled to abandon every stronghold where our armies were brought to bear upon them. When out on picket, we can distinctly hear the music in both armies - the one playing Star Spangled Banner, &e, the other Dixie, &e. A different tune from either will be played very shortly. All civilians, news reporters &e, who have not a pass from the Secretary of War, are excluded from our lines. This I think a good thing; no man should be permitted to enter the line on the eve of a battle.

How hot it is! And it is only May! What will it be in mid-summer? Hope I will be out of Dixie before that time comes. I suppose Ruby has something to say about me in every letter he writes to his Dear Sophy. What a pity he has no more to write. Well, they are excusable, for children are always at something. Blakely is with us and has good health, and wonders if people on North River are all well. Great Blakely!

Well, if you can read and make good sense of what I have written today, I must acknowledge you a better scholar than the author. &e &

WC Newlon