| 1 Annals of Iowa
Vol. XIII Iowa City, January, 1923 No. 7 DIARY OF JOHN S. MORGAN,
John S. Morgan, the writer of the following diary, was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana,COMPANY G, THIRTY THIRD IOWA INFANTRY March 4, 1841, and died at Pella, Iowa, June 15, 1874. He came with his parents in their removal to Pella, Iowa, in 1854. While a student at Central College, Pella, he enlisted as a fourth sergeant in Company G, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, on September 4, 1862, was promoted to first sergeant July 21, 1864, to second lieutenant January 6, 1865, and was mustered out at New Orleans, Louisiana, July 17, 1865. He was graduated from Central College, and from the Iowa Law School, Des Moines, June 9, 1868, and practiced for a time in Adel, being a partner of D. W. Wooden. The Thirty-third Iowa Infantry was organized in August, 1862, at Oskaloosa, the companies coming from Marion, Mahaska, and Keokuk counties. Samuel A. Rice of Oskaloosa, attorney general of the state, was appointed its colonel. On October 4 it was mustered into the United States service, and on November 20 it marched to Eddyville and went by train to Keokuk where it took a steamer and arrived at St. Louis the night of the 21st. Here they were engaged principally in guard duty until December 21 when they went aboard a steamer and on the 24th they were landed at Columbus, Kentucky. There they did some fortifying and on January 1, 1863, proceeded to Union City, Tennessee, expecting an engagement with the enemy. On January 3 they returned to Columbus. Soon thereafter they embarked and reached Helena, Arkansas, on January 13. During the early part of February some of the regiment assisted in clearing out the Yazoo Pass, which was some seven miles below Helena and on the east side of the river. It was a narrow channel connecting the Mississippi River to the east with the Coldwater River. On February 23 they returned to their old camp at Helena, and at that date the diary begins. We have followed Lieutenant Morgan's spelling, capitalization, abbreviations, etc. as they appear in the original diary.—Editor. Tuesday, February 24, 1865. Reg. rec'd State pay, At 6 P. M. took boat Citizen dropped down to head of pass anchored in camp of 4 others Wednesday, February 25. Rained hard in the night to Moonlake at 7 A. M. anchored in lake most of day, went shore to cook m evening. Rained hard most all time. Thursday, February 26. Rained very hard all night. entered pass 8 A. M. Rain continued falling fast to 1 P. M.; afternoon clear. Tied up in pass at 6:40 P. M. 5 miles from Moonlake. Friday, February 27. Pleasant night. In morning a woman on shore in distress, moving soon after sun up. during day got as far as Gen Alcon's (plantation) where we tied up for night. Weather fine all day writing till midnight. Saturday, February 28. Left Alcorns at 8 A. M. one man hurt by falling limb. took on logs to protect boilers from canon shot. mustered again today. Went on shore in yawl at night to do some cooking. powerful and sudden blast of wind blowing the tops off of the dead trees. some rain & clear after dark and beautiful moonlight. At one place where we stopped took on a lot of house logs to build a protection for boilers. 2 Sabbath, March 1. Passed the sawmill early in morning where we took on boards. Passed a large cotton field below it. Boilers protected by house logs. Preaching in cabin at 3 P. M. Just at dark ran into a tree tearing the posts out half the length of one of the sides, throwing overboard one gun save beds and haversacks. day pleasant prayer meeting in cabin at night. Monday, March 2. Breastworks of wood put up all around the decks. Afternoon 2 rams 1 gun boat I mortar boat passed down, news of fleet of 22 other boats coming down. Lay in cold water stream tonight, have not advanced more then 1 1/4 miles today. Tuesday, March 3. Luela passed down. Key West passed up Nigger Joe died—Gun boat left nigger sick on shore. Weather cool and clear. on shore after dark to cook, fine moonlight. Sperry— Wednesday, March 4. Started early, landed at 10 A. M. at Jones plantation (deserted). Had Battalin drill in cornfield. Rebels left this place. sunday advanced in the afternoon about 8 miles down the stream, but lay within 3 miles from our starting point in morning 22 years old today. Weather fine. Thursday, March 5. One of Pilots left us this morning. Mail down on Wonena. Boat injured considerable today Run down Lake about 20 miles Weather cool and cloudy. Friday, March 6. Had a good run all forenoon. Passed many plantations; took on board about 100 bales cotton found one pile in cane brake of 1.30.bles run after night Saturday, March 7. Rained during the night. Passed quite a no. of good looking plantations. all haveing more or less cotton Run into Tallahatchee at 9.15 A. M. One very short bend where we landed and cooked Rebel battery reported 6 mile below Run after night till 8:30 P. M Sabbath, March 8. Day warm. Passed 2 musketo boats and mortor boats. tore our co. quarters by running into limb, lost 6 guns &c river very crooked. No rebel battery found. Tall cane brakes, and much water. no plantations today. Monday, March 9. Travel more rapid. stream more crooked, plantations more abundant cotton burning, negros happy, stayed at night at Mr sharpy's place. Cloudy Heavy thunder. Tuesday, March 10. Started early. Plantations more numerous and on larger scale, houses very fine but small, white folks more plenty. Negro women, no end to them. cotton burning nearly every place. One warehouse about 500 bales burning. After dark passed boat load cotton burning, fire far as could see. Raining all day. Wednesday, March 11. Rained all night, and till 8 A. M. cotton for 10 mile on fire in the water from the burning boat. Landed at 7. P. M Gun boats advanced. Troops disembarked 1 reg. sent to reconoiter fort 3 killed 16 wounded. Heavy canonading at 4. Embarked at dusk on Citizen started up river Broke down at 3 miles 3 Thursday, March 12. Ready to run at 9, started but stopped 1 mile to get beef. Lebanon came up took us on, took us up the river got some cotton shot at some rebs to the fleet at 8. P. M. to our own boat at 9. P. M. Serg. of guard today. Friday, March l3. All on shore at 9.30 A. M. G co. sent out on scout captured 7 negro and horse. connonading at the fort from 10.15 A. M till dark Luella down today no mail Wenona down in the evening, all on board at night. Saturday, March 14. All in shore at 8. A. M. stacked arms with orders to stay near. slight cannonadeing at 3. P. M. called in line to go out on picket. was after dark before the regiment was posted. Position in l/2 mile of fort. Sabbath, March 15. As soon as light saw fort and rebel boats in full view. men on the works their boats run all night. rained in forenoon relieved at o. P. M. no firing today timber awfully cut up Monday, March 16. Stacked arms on shore in morning Some fireing between our battery and the fort. during the afternoon. Called into line at 5 P. M. to go out on picket guard. very warm all day. Tuesday. March 17. Expected the ball to open early in the morning, but did not all day. part of one battery moved off. Rebel big gun changed her position. Wednesday, March 18. Moved off the boat, in forenoon. Our co. part in house After dark went down, whole reg. and moved the battery back to the gun boats where it belonged. Thursday, March 19. Severe cold and cough from the nights work. Everything quiet all day, detailed our picket. Posted up the river. Noticed great commotion in the camp from my post after dark. Friday, March 20. Ordered into camp before daylight found all on board the boats at daylight fleet moved up the river. 60 mile above met the ferry boat Hamilton Belle, Advanced during day 63 miles. Recd a large mail Saturday, March 21. At 10 A. M. come to the plantation where the rebel lieut. folks lived, he went off to see them. slaves all seemed glad to see him. at 4 P. M recd orders to turn back, the other fleet coming Sunday, March 22. Hard rain. misty and rainy tore the boat considerable one man hurt considerably by a limb. Preaching at 3. P. M. Prisoner paroled and sent off, at home refuel Lieut. sent on up. Monday, March 23. Rainy. arrived at old camp at 2.30. P. M. six shots from gunboats. no ens. Ordered on picket, no posts for 3 cost K G & B 14 cesech prisoners taken. Raining hard. Tuesday, March 24. Rained all night. Several boats ordered up river. order contramanded. 2 shots at fort not anse'd Raining most of day. unwell and lieing down most of day. 4 Wednesday, March 25. Cool and cloudy. Dispatch boat down reports 2 boats loaded with provisions snagged and sunk in the pass. O Me Miserum!! Thursday, March 26. Nothing unusual till afternoon supper ordered at 5 P. M. to go on fatigue at night, went to plant battery was too light to work Pickets firing at all times of night 29th Iowa went out scouting captured 3 prisonors. Friday, March 27. Most of reg. on picket. Rebels fired on scouting parties from their batteries over on yellow bushy. Two heavy Siege guns come down today. Saturday, March 28. Rained very hard last night. The siege guns were maned from the 33d Mo. dark and cloudy all day with occasional showers. Dress Parade at 5. P. M. Wind rising high at bed time Sabbath, March 29. Stormy during the night and Elm tree blown down across a tent of 47th Indiana Killed 4 and seriously wounded the other two, Military burial at 2 P. M. Sermon on Lebanon 2. at 3 P. M. Snow fell in evening. Cold and windy Monday, March 30. Ordered off early on a scout. (reg.) Waded water 3 ft deep. wounded 1 reb. none of ours hurt, in camp at 3. P. M. Prisoner broke guard. retaken. Weather very cool. Tuesday, March 31. Day passed quietly away. Spent most of the time writing. After dress parade without any previous notice were culled into line to go on fatigue duty. With arms and overcoats were marched 2 miles down the river. (was 7. P. M. before we started.) here regiment stacked arms. Cos. G. and B were sent back to camp for spades, returned. Cos. R and H. were sent on beyond where our batteries had been before to dig rifle pits preparatory to planting a battery, returned to camp at 11.30 P. M. Orders down today with a new supply of Amunition to take Fort Pemberton. Day Pleasant. Wednesday, April 1. All general till 1. P. M. when G co were ordered on the boat Lebanon No 2 to guard her up the river to a plantation to get bricks, back in time for parade at 5. P. M. Rebs shelled our working party during night. Thursday, April 2. Reg. went on picket at 10. A. M. night of 2. brilliant moonlight, read a peter by moonlight. Rebs fired on our fatigue parties working at a fort throwing a shell regularly every 1/2 hour. Friday, April 3. Relieved from Picket at 12. M. More forces down in which are the 5th and 17th Iowa regts. Saturday, April 4. At 10. A. M. orders to prepare for embarking for up the river. At 12. M. Fisks brigade struck tents and moved on boats. 33d reg. on Lebanon no. 2 and Charly Bower. At 1. P. M. started up, Burned houses of two plantations where we stoped at night. Sabbath, April 5. Started at daylight, forenoon met Empire, Cheeseman & Citizen. Cheesman had been fired into by rebs. Capt of boat and two soldiers killed. 2 wounded Cheesman ordered to follow us, Logan fired into after noon wounding 3 of the 36th Iowa 5 Monday, April 6. Met the Freestone in the morning was turned to go up with us In Cold water at 2 30 P. M. Tuesday, April 7. In the morning took on Robinson and family. Stayed at night at the plantation where we went on board the Hamilton Belle to come up from the first Pass expedition. Wednesday, April 8. Saw the wreck of the Luella in pass. In Moonlake at 12.50 P. M. Mississippi at 1.45 P. M. at Helena 2 P. M. The other troops from below coming in. Recd. mail. 5 letters and 2 papers for me. Thursday, April 9. In camp on side hill above Helena. 6th and 28th Iowa ordered down the river. Friday, April 10. Mustered for pay in the afternoon. Many troops, comeing down from above bound for below Gen Ross takes command of this post, and probability we will stay here some time. Saturday, April 11. Rained a little in the morning, and very hard in the afternoon continueing through the night. Detail from our regiment on picket today. Sunday, April 12. Very muddy, visited the 3d Iowa cav. in forenoon. attended service and speeches at Fort at 2. P. M. Parade at 5. P. M. Monday, April l3. Nothing of interest. Slight fall of rain Tuesday, April 14. Nothing of interest Wednesday, April 15. Nothing of interest Thursday, April 16. Reg. Paid in the afternoon 4 months wages. recd. $68.00 Friday, April 17. G co worked hard to grade their street and move their tents back on line. Battalion drill at 3 P. M. to 5 P. M. On the sick list and off duty Kept my quarters close Saturday, April 18. Battalion drill at 2 P. M. to 4 P. M. Rained very hard from 8 to 9 P. M. pills pills Sunday, April 19. Company inspection at 7 A. M. Service at 11 A. M. One of the cavalry pickets shot by bush whackers. 2 shells fired from—— Monday, April 20. Battalion drill forenoon Company drill afternoon Tuesday, April 21. Raining till 3. P. M. 3d Iowa cav. brought in a party of bush whackers Wednesday, April 22. Too wet for drill during day. sent $40.00 home by Robinson. Parade at 5. P. M. drill at 6 P. M. Cooks had to go out 6 Thursday, April 23. Company drill at 10 A. M. 7 privates out, Battallion drill afternoon Parade 5. P. M. com pay drill at 6 to 8. P. M. Friday, April 24. Rained from daylight to 11 A. M. serjeant of guard at Gen Rosses head quarters Saturday, April 25. Capt. Whipple treated Jake Miller to a glass of ale. Battalion drill from 6. P. M. to sundown. Dress parade at sundown Sunday, April 26. Rained hard during the night, very muddy. 9.30 comp. Insp. Jake and I took a walk through town, very warm. Monday, April 27. Rained in the night and at spells through the day. In town to 1 P. M. comp. street sanded. Rained hard in evening Tuesday, April 28. Sergeant of guard. weather fine. News Vicksburg taken slight shower with heavy thunder in evening. Night clear anti beautiful moonlight up till One O'clock ' Wednesday, April 29. Relieved from guard at 9. A. M. draw clotheing in forenoon. Battallion drill at 6. P. M. Fine day Thursday, April 3O. Preaching at 7.30 A M mustered at 10 A. M. Brigade service on the Parade ground at 5. P. M. Sat up with sick to 2. O clock. Friday, May 1. At. 12 M. saw the 5th Kansas cav start out. 12.30 orders to fall in line in 15 minutes with 60 ronds carts, went out 10 miles within 4 miles of where 3 comps. 3d Iowa were repulsed. met cav. scouts. No enemy near returned 2 1/2 mile camped of the 3d Iowa. 150 were out, 3 killed 9 wounded 29 missing Saturday, May 2. Started for Helena at 7. A. M. arrived at Helena at 11 A. M. tired but no one hurt. Sunday, May 5. Company inspection at 10. A. M. Preaching in the grove at the river side. day quiet. Monday, May 4. Went to town most of the day. at 8 30. hard storm of wind, some rain. Tuesday, May 5. Day warm and pleasant Orders to be ready at 6 A. M. on the 6th with I days ration in the haversacks to be gone 6 days. Wednesday, May 6. At 6.45 A. M. started out. 33d Iowa 28 Wis. Inf: 8d Ioa 5th Kan. Ist Ind. cav. 3 steel guns 2 guns of Dubuque bat. long train of wagons. Marched 18 miles. On picket for the night Thursday, May 7. Picked up several rebs. among them a quartermaster. took him hid in wheat field, paroled most of the prisoners. Cavalry took one road Inf another with 3d. Iowa cav. 7 Friday, May 8. Town of Moro at 8. A. M. report of 3000 rebs near under command of Col. Dobbin, sent out scouts, none found, 4 miles this side Moro false alarm by our cav. comeing up in rear. open prairie. Timber 3 miles prairie 6. Saturday, May 9. 4 mile of prairie. 2 teams stuck black bayou at 11. A. M. 2 teams stuck in Prairie. Joined our cavalry at night camped in a grove Sunday, May 10. 16 rebs showed themselves to the pickets this morning. took up our march at 6.30, stopped—hours 4 mile of cotton plant to bridge creek. cav. reported bayou de View. impossible, turned the head of column toward Helena. Monday, May 11. Through Moro at 11.30. took the road to Mary Anna, passed through it where Dobbin had camped thursday with 700 men. Heard cannon at 4 P. M. cavalry force engaged with Dobbin. Out of rations. Live on parch corn Tuesday, May 12. At Mary Anna 11. A. M. Met 6 Rebs. flag truce from Little Rock to Helena on business. At La Grange 5.30. camped after dark camped at Col McNeils house. Wednesday, May I3. News that Richmond had fallen Cannon heard on the lower road cav. engaged with Dobbin again Noon. no dinner. 2. P. M. ordered to Helena, arrived 7.30. P. M. tired and sore. Loss while out of reg. 1 man missing Rained Road bad. Thursday, May 14. News of Richmond not confirmed. Transports down the river with troops. 10000 to go down. No news from Vicksburg. Friday, May 15. No news from below or from the Eastern div. Some talk of us going up the river to Memphis Saturday, May 16. Battallion drill in fore noon. News that Grant has Jackson Miss Organizing another Negro regiment. Drew 10 days rations. Sunday, May 17. Sick—er on inspection at 10. A. M. Regulations read to the companies at 3. P. M. 3d Iowa Inf. down at 10. P. M. went down to see them. Monday, May 18. Brigade drill forenoon Battallion drill afternoon Spent most of day writing 9. Iowa battery drilling close by. and cavalry on review. Tuesday, May 19. Brigade drill forenoon Battallion skirmish drill after noon. Weather warm Wednesday, May 20. Brigade drill forenoon Com. by Col Rice. Battallion skirmish drill in afternoon. Parade at 6. P. M. Thursday, May 21. Serj. of guard. reg on Brig drill A. M. comp. drill P. M. at 11. P. M. pickets took 10 pris. killed 3 wounded I more Friday, May 22. Brig. drill A. M. Comp drill P. M. News from Vicksburg good Hains Bluffs ours 9000 prisoner taken. 8 Saturday, May 23. No drill A. M. Gen Review at 7. P. M. to 4 P. M. boats down carrying marine Brigade. H. G. Curtis visits camp. Adjutant Mar. Brig. Sunday, May 24. Unwell. Marine Brig. go up river burn a town after some fighting fireing heard below. Monday, May 25. No better. Rebs 2000 strong show themselves close to town. 5 Kan 3 Iowa 1st Ind cav sent out severe fighting. drawn battle, both sides ready to play quits. News Vicksburg is ours Tuesday, May 26. Some better, Nothing of importance but drill, and men falling timber around Helena. Very hard wind after dark Wednesday, May 27. Not so well. Dr Warren visits us this morning also in the evening. Weather very hot and dry 800 wounded go up the river 29th Iowa out on scout all day Thursday, May 28. Considerably weaker today. 7,500 Reb. pris. go up. Moveing cannon from the hills down river. Cutting trees across roads from town Friday, May 29. To the hospital at 9. A. M. Day hot. quite feverish. More prisoners go up today Col Stone wounded passes up the river. Saturday, May 30. Not quite so well. News Grant Whip Johnston in his rear. false news Memphis Bullitin Helena taken. Adj detailed post inspection gen. The 1st Indiana and 5th Kansas cavalry regiments and Dubuque battery, go down the river today Sunday, May 31. Some better. got a little mail. Regiment had two inspections hospital inspected by F F Burlock Much better after noon up most of the time done considerable writing Weather extremely warm and almost unsufferably sultry. Reg. on Gen inspection at 4 P. M. Monday, June 1. Not quite so well. Reg drills from 5.30 to 6.30 AM. 7.30 to 9. A M. 4 to 7. P M Furloughed boys get off at 4 P. M today Tuesday, June 2. 40th Iowa passed down this morning. Every co. policeing new camp. Fireing heard down the river. Evening looks like rain Wednesday, June 3. Rained hard during the night Rebs fired into 40th yesterday Killed 17. Thursday, June 4. Dr Parks succeeded in getting transportation for some 12 or 16 more of the sick to Keokuk. Boat up from Vicksburg with 93 deserters. Rained bard afternoon Friday, June 5. Hard wind and rain storm in forenoon. afternoon 26 of the sick taken to boat 3d Iowa cav under march. orders 12000 rebs reported in 8 miles of here. Saturday, June 6. Pay roofs signed today. Flag, of truce across the river. no repts Sunday, June 7. Cannonadeing heard before day below. News from all points good. Weather pleasant. health improving. 9 Monday, June 8. Gen Herons division on the way down. Gen himself arrived 3. P. M Showery and windy in evening. Detail of reg. taken by rebs today Tuesday, June 9. 6th K. cav. 36th Ia inf. on a scout today. Herons div. comeing in all day. Rained at night. Wednesday, June 10. Rained smartly. more troops down, 30000 have passed. Prospect of more rain Thursday, June 11. Rained after dinner 2 boat soldiers down tonight 20,000 on their way down from Burnsides com'd. Friday, June 12. Gen Fiske ordered up to St. Louis. Col Rice Act. Brig Gen in his absense 13 boats soldiers pass down today. Saturday, June 13. 208 prisoners pass up. Gen Fiske. departs. Weather very warm Sabbath, June 14. 3d Ioa cav. go below, Return to camp orders on parade to move tomorrow Monday, June 15. All day spent in moveing camp. News from below that Vicksburg is ours. Two large gunboats lie in the river Tuesday, June 16. News from below same. Some prisnors taken up today. P. M. Showery. Wednesday, June 17. small scouting party went out early A. M. turned over old guns draw enfield rifles. P. M. hard rain. Thursday, June 18. Boat from below reports 3 spies one a woman taken by Grant dispatches from Gen Pemberton say to Jonston, if not there in 48 hours would surrender. could not come with less than 70000 men. Suppose by this the Rebs have surrendered that place. Friday, June 19. Picket line disturbed strengthened at 2. A. M. 8 reb deserter report Price near 10000 men. Marmaduke 8000. Brig. drill 5.30 P. M. Saturday, June 20. Serj. of guard today. Sabbath, June 21. At 10. A. M. raines spoiled inspection. P. M. 3 gunboats and 5 transport conveying stores and wagons below. ---in 35, Mo. men would not take knapsacks on picket one man struck by off day who died. Man in 29th tied to post for not putting on cap for fatigue duty. Monday, June 22. Man of 29. still tied to his post, near a mutiny in the regt on his acct. News Negly whips Jonston. Grant holds Vicksburg where stands courthouse. Tuesday, June 23. Report that the mail steamer has been captured by guerillas, two gunboats go up to tend the ease return P. M. report all right. mail steamer to lie down during the night. 29. went out 12, last night. returned P. M. with no beeves 4 prisr 10 Wednesday, June 24. Right sick. Rained during night all day raining some times very hard. Thursday, June 25. No better, hard storm last night raining some during day. Dr. Schooly wounded goes up river. Friday, .June 26. Night rainy. Day ditto Called on Tonis Williamsen 29th Iowa Sold him my watch Saturday, June 27. Night very stormy. Day rainy. Bought watch of In Bitner. rumored Port Hudson taken only camp report. not so well. Sabbath, June 28. Night beautiful. day showery Sant & Jake in a pleasure walk peeped in a nice mess of Black berries. No better Monday, June 29. Worse today. Boys all at work P. M. getting ready for muster at 6.30 A. M. tomorrow. Tuesday, June 3O. regt. mustered. 6.30. not out Sick men mustered P. M. Last night ——E co lost Health no better Wednesday, July 1. Price reported near. Flags of truce interchanged. Fell worse today than for some time Thursday, July 2. Not so well. Price reported below Marmaduke close at hand Order to stand at arm from 2. A. M till day break. and every man with box full of carts. Friday, July 3. Some better today. Boat carries up many women & children Gen Prentice is confident of attact soon River rising Saturday, July 4. Helena invested at 4 A. M. hard fighting till 11. A. M. 15000 rebs comanded by Lieut Gen Holmes inforce 3500. Maj. Gen Prentice our Cap 15 G. theirs 3000 Fight was desperate. Jake severely wounded in the breast Sabbath, July 5. Very tired. Jake a little smarter, with him all the time. rebel wounded being brought in all day. Alarm gun at 6. P. M. men to arm and to the pits Rained hard 5.30 after dark 117 Ill came down. Monday, July 6. Very tired. Jake died 1.30 A M. 117 Ill. 5th Kansas cav. out on scout brought in 100 prisonors. afternoon 117 Ill go to Memphis. Tuesday, July 7. Quiet all day. Most time in tent writeing and laying about. Wednesday, July 8. Guns fireing at sunrise for salute. big speeches from 9 to 12. in honor of victories here and Vicksburg big time visited Rev Mr Roberts this evening. Thursday, July 9. Man of 29, got leg broke at Mill News from all points good. Cavalry force reported near. Friday, July 10. Alarm by Negroes trying to come in just at day. All troops in line and on field with positions for another battle visited hospitals in town. had talk with rebel. Saturday, July 11. 2 field pieces found in the woods north of town Sabbath, July 12. Nothing of importance occurring today. Day cool cloudy and smoky. Monday, July 13. Officially reported that Port Hudson has fallen and the great Mississippi is ours Tuesday, July 14. A Salute of guns from forts in honor of our victory at Port Hudson. Major Moster and 2 private of 33d Mo. with about a doz. negroes. gobbled in a field below town |