Volume 36, Number 3 - Winter 1997
A Confederate Diary
(August 1, 1865--Janurary 9, 1862) Part II
by Capt. John Wyatt
Editor’s Note: James Denny, Civil War historian for the Missouri State Park System, Department of Natural Resources, has solved the question of authorship for this Confederate diary. Denny has pointed out that Capt. John Wyatt, according to Sterling Price’s Lieutenants, A Guide to the Officers and Organization of the Missouri State Guard, 1861-1865, edited by Richard Peterson, etal, p. 203, was appointed surgeon on August 23, 1861, and mustered out on December 26, 1861. These dates match the citations for the same dates in the diary. Our thanks to Mr. Denny who is currently working on a state government Civil War marker for the Battle of Springfield to be unveiled at a future date.
The Quarterly would also welcome any biographical information about Capt. John Wyatt.
Sept 1st 1861 17 miles from Ft. Scott. Lying bye about 1500 troops marched on this morning in the direction of the Fort. This evening word came that they were engaging the enemy and wants reinforcements--So all hands have been notified to prepare for advancement tonight to reinforce the advance started and got several miles on the road and met the troops sent out this morning with a lot of horses and mules captured from the enemy and a hundred or so prisoners. They had had a single brush and the enemy did not stand. Instead of pushing on as an able commander would, have now been sent back to camp. God pity the cause that is under such hands, if this war is lost it will be due to lazy and incompetent Generals. One satisfaction is the Dutch have no better officers than we have. Segel IlSigel] ran like a coward at Wilson Creek and McCullock was too coward to catch him.
Our troops who went through the Springfield fight with so much courage are losing confidence in their commander and themselves. I am afraid the same cowardly sluggishness that characterized that battle both before and after the fight will be repeated again should we run come up with the enemy--one thing thank God we have not the immortal Ben with us now. Wilson Creek was an accident and old Ben had the fight forced on him, if he had had the chance he would have run like old Dutch Segel (Segel) did, but he could not get lose long enough to run.
If we are attacked we will fight our way out like we did then, leader or no leader, it is not in the blood of the South to submit to Nigger & Dutch Domination. The Southern Boys will die but never yield. We trust in God and the justice of a rightess c’ause and fight, I pray for victory. God will be with us as he was with our Sires in the dark days of 76-81.
I suppose we will advance right on thru and give them hell where we meet them. The boys stood fire fine at Ft. Scott, and are anxious for another try all that is wanting is competent and courageous leadership---I guess the St. Louis Republican Press will call it a great Yankee Victory. Dam them I hope all their victories may be like this one.--Dam that infested paper- It is the cause of all our troubles in this State. I hope to God I may be the one to put a torch under that building. I hope we may be in St. Louis soon--to see their double lying comments on the Battle of Springfield.
September 3rd 1861. Rain nearly all day yesterday and last night. This morning it is still cloudy and some rain. The ground is very muddy. Stayed in camp all day. We hear nothing of the fleeting Dutch.
September 4th 1861. In camp again today guns all in bad fix. Everything wet, damp stinking. Hope it may clear up hope it may clear up so we can get away from this mud hole. We will have to move soon or starve as forage & provisions is all used up.
Received orders last night to take the backtrack. Not to invade Kansas. Did not like this much as we wanted to give the Jayhawkers
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hell on their own territory, we only gave them a taste of what we would like to give them. Had we reached Fort Scott we would have done so too. We thought of fighting on the prairie the grass 6 feet high but we have to obey higher orders consequently we will move on back on our old trail. I guess old Abe is back of it. It seems Old Abe is more important to the Mo. State Guard than our own Commander in Chief.
Back to Nevada via Lexington Road, and try to head them on the Missouri River. They have all left Fort Scott, Kas. So on we go to Lexington where I hope we up with the Dam Dutch and not let them get bye so easy as they did at Fort Scott. Damn such cavalry as we have. If Genl. Price don’t dismount this damn cavalry and put them on foot we are done for sure. It seems from all accounts that over fifty of the Dutch were killed at our last fight before Ft Scott. And all of them might have been captured if our cavalry had obeyed orders. Three of our men were killed and twenty wounded.
This is seriously the most beautiful country in the world. All that is wanting is wood & a little more water, but such grass I never saw in my life, over a man’s head & him on horse back. Vernon County will prove one of the best in the state for those that are found of prairie country, but give me the dark green forests & running branches if not so much land.
September 6th 1861
Traveled 20 miles today over a boundless prairie - soldiers and trains of wagons as far as the eye could reach - weather cool and pleasant. Roads for which makes traveling easy.
Sept 7th 1861. Made 15 mi today over a beautiful country. Looked like it might be a civilized country some day when we clear the cannibal Dutch out of it - The nearer we get to the Missouri River the more rumors we hear. The last one is that Washington City has been taken by our forces, with Old Abe and all his cabinet. This is too good to be true.
Heard from Springfield today. Learned that Col. Foster had his leg amputated. Poor fellow I am glad it is no worse. I feared for his life.
Sept 8th 1861. Made about 15 miles today and camped on Grand River. Over the Bates County line into Johnson. Gov. Jackson & Staff came up today from the south. The old fellow looks well.
Sept 8th 1861. Made about 15 miles today and camped on Grand River. Gov. Jackson and Staff came up today and he made us a speech which was received with wild enthusiasm. Wrote to my wife today but can hear nothing from home.
Sept 9th 1861. Made 13 mi this day and camped at Rose Hill in Johnson Co. It is said that 12 or 1500 Dutch are at Warrensburg 22 miles from here, and the orders are for us to get supper, feed horses, and march upon them tonight which I suppose will be done unless they change their minds which is quite easily done when there seems to be danger ahead.
Met Capt. Buanmm II?] who tells me of a fight at Potosi. I hope the Dutch got hell from our boys. If everything works right and Old Pops courage don’t ooze out again we will have another chance at them. Damn the Nigger Equality Sons Bitches. I am praying for success.
Sept 10th 1861. Started for Warrensburg at dusk last evening. Traveled till ten and went into camp. (Pop got sleepy). We started again at day light reached Warrensburg in the forenoon, and found that the enemy had flown burning bridges behind him. It began to rain about sunrise and we all got wet, but who cares for a little wetting if we can get a few Dutch to make up for it. If we ever whip these Dutch it will be running them down like rabbits as they have not courage to stand and fight. Warrensburg is a beautiful little town of 2000 inhabitants. Quite a change since I was here 12 years ago when it was quite a village. I have a brother buried here, having died here some 16 years ago. Poor fellow, I doubt if I would know the place he is buried in so long. Started again for Lexington in the morning of the 10th of September.
Sept 10 1861. Like every day Morning we start for Lexington, when I hope to over take the cowardly Devils - This evening Gov. Jackson made another speech to the troops which was received with great enthusiasm. He is a sharp old fox and will be hard to take.
The Dutch stayed here only one night, and moved on robbing, murdering, raping and burning. They are worse than the Osages were 50 years ago. They just stopped here long enough to rob the Bank and 4 or 5 stores. They could not get into the bank, but did get into some of the stores. They drove off a lot Negro women with them. People here say they do not speak any English at all. All their orders are in Dutch, and they only talk Dutch - The prisoners we took at Fort Scott says Lincoln and Frank Blair promised
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the Dutch all of the Rebel farms they killed the Rebels off of. -- I think we would do well to kill off a few Dutch and give their houses to the widders and children of the Rebels killed by the Dutch.
Sept 11 1861. Marched 15 or 20 miles over a pretty country. Women, children and negroes gathering together along the roads begging us to take them to safety The Dutch burnt them out & left them and their sick out in the rain and cold. Plenty of measles, and heavy flu cases lying on the ground on we blankets-- Some had died, mostly babies.
Sept 12 1861. Left early this morning for Lexington. Our pickets out last night had a round with theirs. Got into town at 11 P. M. Forced the enemy ambushed in hedges & corn fields. Firing commenced in earnest on both sides at once. A continual roar of small arms until they got enough and retreated. We chased them into their fortification at the Masonic College. Then the cannonading began and lasted 2 hours. When night coming on we drew off to the fair ground and went into camp for the night. That is if we are not attacked earlier. Their artillery hurt us but little as it was poorly delivered, over shooting us most of the time. We cannot tell what are fire did for him. There are but few killed & wounded on our side & that was by musketry fire. They carried away their killed & wounded as they retreated.
Confound this town fighting the women and children running and screaming all over town. They rushed into our camp from everywhere more afraid of the Dutch than they are of our guns. The Dutch would not let them leave town, but massed them in front of their army The number of troops on both sides are about the same -Gov. Jackson, Gen Price, Rains, McBride, Parsons and Steen. Tomorrow we will give them Hell.
Sept 13 1861. In camp at fair ground & raining like Hell - no fighting today unless we are attacked and that is not likely if what we hear is true of the result of our cannon fire yesterday evening. Rain, Rain, Rain. Hope it may be clear in the morning - at least I hope so - I do not know what the program for tomorrow will be but I know what it ought to be.
We should whip the Hell out of the Damn Dutch and liberate this beautiful town. I suppose they are picking out the house Old Abe is going to give them for killing Rebel Babies. It sure would be a curse to turn over this beautiful town to these damn filthy Dutch. Today we were reinforced by 1000 troops from Independence with an excellent Brass Band - It is likely the Dutch will also be reinforced by morning when it will be close again.
Sept 14 1861. Still at the fair ground. Cleared off fine this morning, but no movement as to a fight.
Sunday Sept 15 1861. Weather fine, troops coming in all the time -movement going on in the fighting time except between the pickets. Expecting a regular fight it can’t be put off much longer.
Sept. 16 1861. Still in camp and on hand for a Battle when the boss says the word. Hell is full of better Generals. Such management now will ruin and spoil all we have gained so far, but maybe it is all right. We whipped hell out of them at Wilson’s Creek and Carthage T& Ft. Scott and Lexington all without a commander and maybe God will still be with us. (They no but that should know that.)
Troops coming in all the time. Another brass band from the Platte today Music has charmes to keep up spirits of the poor hungry unpaid soldiers.
Sept. 17 1861. In camp weather fine & beautiful 60 or 70 loads of baled hemp came in today suppose we will attack tomorrow if Gen. Price wakes up in time. He is well entrenched. God give us success we have no leaders.
September 18 1861. Moved out early this morning attacked at six in his trenches. Commenced cannonading on both sides which continued all day They don’t seem to be any better led than we are. Several charges were made with small arms today on both sides & several were killed & wounded. They have lost more than we. They are strongly entrenched and will be hard to dislodge. We now have them entirely surrounded & they must soon give in or be wiped out. We took a sizeable load of their Quartermaster Supplies and also many horses & mules. Beef & cattle. Midnight & our boys are still pouring into them.
We still hold our position of this morning no advance yet. They must be going to run or surrender. They are now burning houses. We have our Hospital at the house of Mr. John Aulls, they are fine people. All the soldiers I see here are of the right stripe uncompromisingly southern. Even the Niggers hate the Dutch. Many Negroes were released today that the Dutch held prisoner. Mostly young mulatto girls. They have raped some of them till they are almost dying. Some were unable to get on
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their feet.
Sept 19th 1861. Firing still continuous all night & all day. That they do not answer so briskly as they did yesterday. We are to charge them in their trenches holes. I hope they may catch it yet. We have now captured 4 steamers of theirs and hold all the town we must get them soon.
Sept 20 1861. Firing kept up all day on both sides till after noon when the enemy sent a flag and surrendered unconditionally as prisoners of war. Our boys behind their hemp breast works was too much for them. They being mostly starved for water and surrounded by piles of dead horses and mules and men. Made such a stink as no human not even a Luckon Dutchman could stand. The killed and wounded Dutch were numerous. Ours very few. Reports not having been made out we could not tell exactly how many. Gen. Price’s tactics proved to be the best. If we had charged them our losses would have been heavy. Dutch being so strongly entrenched they were commanded by Cols. Marshall -- Mulligan & Peabody with 35000 men. 40000 stand of arms, 6 pieces of artillery and 900000.00 which they stole from the Lexington Banks. They had a large drive of horses, mules, beef cattle, hogs & sheep on foot to be slaughtered as needed.
All together this has been our best and biggest haul. How those Dutch did cling to that bank’s money. Some preferred to lose their lives to giving up that money. But we have it all safe encharged and will put it back in the vaults as soon as these Luckon thieves are gone. The horses, mules, cattle, arms, and artillery will equip us for to taking St. Louis & Jeff City.
Sept 21 1861. Visited the Masonic College this morning. Many citizens were there viewing the remains. Nearly all the Jayhawkers were released and sent home today except the officers who will be held as prisoners of war.
Sept 22 1861. Still in camp at the fair grounds. I am busy with the sick of which there are many. There has as yet been no suggestion as to where we will go next or when we will go.
Sept 23 1861. Still at Fair Grounds doing nothing. I have not left camp yet on account of sick & wounded. Weather is fine and pleasant.
Sept 24 1861. Several old friends from my home country came in today, but brought no news of my family. If I could only hear from home I would be satisfied. No one who has not gone through it knows the way I feel, but I put my trust in God hoping he may take special care of my beloved wife. May we soon be reunited soon to be separated never more in this world.
Sept 25 1861. Rainy, windy and cold today. Very disagreeable in camp. We are hoping soon to take up our line of march again, and that we may find and whip the Dutch again as we have always done.
Sept 26 1861. In camp nothing doing. Weather fine & cool
--27th --same
28 ditto--
29 inl Status Quo.
Sept 29 1861. A rumor today that the Dutch are about to surround us. It would be nice to get to see Fremount’s & Segel’s faces once more. We have seen only their backs since we met them face to face at Oak Hills (Wilson’s Creek). Consequently we have been ordered to move early in the morning--It is said they are getting stronger. Guess there are more Dutch wanting to kill off Rebels and take their homes according to Blair’s promise to them. Personally I am willing for Old Segel to have Blair’s home but not mine.
Sept 30 1861. Left Lexington about 12 today taking a Southerly course. Made about 15 miles and camped on a small river. Where we are going I do not know but suppose we are trying to keep from action till we recruit up some after this campaign. We are not in the best condition to fight now.
October 1st 1861. Rainy all day. Roads bad & only short march made.
October 2nd 1861. Made pretty fair march. Today a report has reached our lines that Gen. Price has been commissioned Major General of the entire Confederate Army in Missouri. Which is all right as he is the most popular leader in the state, but a little slow on the trigger. I believe he will soon rid the State of Jayhawking Dutch.
October 3rd. Made a big march today and camped on Grand River when we had been camped on the 8th ult. Passed Rose Hill today The enemy, if he is about, keeps his distance as we are now getting into our own country where we can hold our own against him and not run. Such a chance of getting cut up we are encamped where we camped on the 8th as we went to Lexington.
Oct 4 1861. Made a fair march. Today still on a retrace of our old route to Lexington - Same Camp
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Oct 5 1861. Last night it rained as hard as I ever saw rain fall. Creeks are bank full of swirling water so we lie by Still rainy & muddy & stinking--miserably bad now. Poor fellows love a home.
Nothing to eat but beef bread. Stuff all gone--Better times in prospect I think. I hope we may draw on Uncle Sam & his Damn Dutch & Niggers for bread stuff. He was very kind with arms and ammunition. He furnished us 200 good horses at Fort Scott & a liberal supply of ammunition again at Lexington. We would have run short of commissary supplies 2 or 3 times if it had not been for Luckons, Niggers & Dutch.
October 6th 1861. Sunday again moved again 5 or 6 miles still South, no enemy in sight. Are having pleasant weather, but unsettled.
October 7th 1861. Came today near Osage River. Find it very high. Will have to ferry, which will take several days. No idea yet where we will go.
October 8th 1861. Lying by to let the Osage go down. Nothing new.
October 9th 1861. Rainy and blustery, I hear Lane & his Kansas thieves are near us all the Droiseou II?], but ours are gone to the River. I somewhat fear an attack tonight which makes some long fears we are in a bad fix. Much sickness, measles and more measles.
October 10th 1861. Forded the Osage today & camped a mile or two on this side. All are now over. Weather quite cold & rainy.
October 11 1861. Weather fine today. Marched 12 mi to near Clintonville in Cedar Co.
October 12 1861. Came 6 or 8 miles today and camped. Some talk of remaining here some days, we are not very far from Stockton today.
October 13 1861. Moved into Stockton today take over the court house for hospital & leave a great many of our sick here.
October 14 1861. Came out today to a mill in the direction of a Springfield. Hear the Dutch & Niggers are moving on Springfield. Our rear army corps is lying around in small encampments from 2 to 20 miles from here laying in bread stuff. Do not know yet what our destination will be.
October 15 1861. Still encamped at this mill grinding bread stuff.
October 16th 1861. Still in camp at same place. Will move tomorrow.
October 17th 1861. Moved today to Greenfield in Dade Co. Quite a pretty little county seat town. Rained all day Legislature is coming in will assemble here soon. Supposed they will soon pass a cesession act.
October 17th 1861. Dutch & Niggers are close on our heels. If they keep on they will get accommodated with a good fight.
October 18th 1861. Moved 15 miles south. Will soon be on the Arkansas line. Hope we meet McCullock. Somewhere we will bout face & face the Dutch Hell.
October 19th 1861. Came into Sarcoxie in Jasper Co. and camped. All the combat men are cleaning up their arms for a big fight.
October 20 1861. Marched on to Neosho today & passed thru
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Granby on the way where I remained all night. Lots of my old friends from Washington and Jefferson Counties. Here at Granby the Confederate States are having a lot of lead prepared for our rifles. Remained here all day and attended a dance at night, where I saw the beauties of Granby. I took quite a spree, it being my first absence over night since I.
October 22 1861. Camp at Neosho. Came into camp today found everything in order as usual. Suppose I will get hell for being absent with out leave -neglect of duty.
Oct 23 1861. Neosho Legislature met here today - No quorum. Weather find cool nights.
October 24th 1861. In camp at Neosho nothing going on.
October 25 1861. Moved today 15 miles near Jollification on account of forage. Legislature still in session. Weather delightful.
October 26 1861. Some of our troops stationed at Springfield came in today reporting a fight. Yesterday (25) at that place.
October 27 1861. Bal of our troops came in today from Springfield & report a sharp engagement between our men and the Fremont Advance Guard. Many of the Dutch were killed and 15 or 20 prisoners brought in. We may have another big fight soon.
October 28th 1861. Still in camp. Guns are firing in the direction of Neosho. This evening the Dutch are not far off. Our boys counted 63 Dutch dead on the field after the late skirmish, near Springfield. Fremonts Body Guard.
October 29 1861. Heard from Neosho today, the Ordnance of Secession passed today with but one dissenting vote. 100 guns were fired in honor of it. We are now back in Dixie. God Ailmighty in Heaven Grant we may survive in the coming combat. Marched a few miles this evening to get into position for the expected fight.
October 30 1861. Left camp last evening came within a day’s march of Cassville. Here we camped again just 3 months from the time we last visited here. All our troops are congregating here and we expect and wish a II?] to be with them. The Dutch are in Springfield under Fremont. McCullock’s forces are here. We will soon have another fight and perhaps about the same place we had the other one. Wilson’s Creek the Dutch call it. We have called it Oak Hills. I hope we may have the same success.
October 31st 1861. Cassville legislature met here today. Many troops came in preparation to a Big Fight.
November1st1861.
Cassville, Mo. 12 pieces of heavy field Ordnance arrived here today from the South. 6 of them are attached to our Divisions Capt. Emmett McDonald Artillerist. Legislature still in session.
November 2nd 1861. Sunday in camp at Cassville. Troops drilling & fixing for a fight.
November 4th 1861. Still in camp at Cassville. A flag of truce came in today from Fremont for an Exchange of prisoners.
November 5th 1861. Still in camp waiting orders to move on the enemy
November 6th 1861. Orders today are to make ready for a move South in the morning the enemy being rather too strong for our numbers.
Nov 7th 1861. Moved some 15 miles today in the direction of Pineville, McDonald Co.
November 8th 1861. Moved 10 miles today. Are now near Pineville. It is reported the Dutch are following us.
November 9th1861.
Marched thru Pineville today and camped 2 or 3 miles West of Town.
November 10th 1861. In camp on Cowskin prairie. No telling how long we will remain here, but not long as the country is too poor to support our army
Nov 11 1861. Still in camp on Cowskin waiting orders. If the Dutch follow us here they will catch hell sure.
Nov 12th 1861. Still in camp. Weather warm and dry. Great deal of sickness - No orders yet as to a move.
Nov 13 1861 Today J. W. Thcker of the State Journal made a glorious speech to us and gave intelligence of another victory Mannassas. I hope it is true we expect another fight in a few days. God grant us success. We must be the victors. Gen Price, God bless his old soul, can’t be whipped.
Nov 14 1861. The intelligence today is that the Federals at Springfield are in a State of mutiny on account of the removal of Fremont, and are deserting. We move shortly
Nov 15 1861. Orders are out to move in the morning. I suppose toward Springfield - I hope we may come up with them as McCullock has concluded to cooperate with us.
Nov 16 1861. Moved today 12 or 15 miles N. E. Can’t say what our destination is - Weather cool and dry. Roads very dusty. Country nearly eat out. People in a bad fix.
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Nov 17 1861. Made a long march today over 20 mi to our old camp near Jollification. Dutch reported to have all fled from Springfield. They have left us for a fight. I hope our next move may be after them clear to their filthy Dutch holes in St. Louis.
Jim Lane and his baby killers have gone back to Kansas with all the horses, mules, most of them stolen, and the goat wagons loaded with stolen plunder from Missouri. They stole silverware, china, wool, yarn, clothing, quilts, beds and pillows, flour, meat, hams, dried fruit, and everything that grows on a farm. Loaded in & packed on everything available the road behind them is strewed with broken plunder. Clocks, tables, chairs, scattered as far along the road as we have traversed their road. I hear he went home to stop the Indians who are burning them out. I hope the Indians burn them out clear to Canada.
Nov 18th 1861. Laid up today. With orders to move tomorrow morning.
Nov 19th 1861. Moved to Sarcoxie today where the program will be laid down as to our future course.
Nov 20 1861. Marched 12 or 15 miles today toward Greenfield. The move seems now to be back to the Mo River again perhaps for To winter quarters.
Nov 21 1861. I remained here today with Col Love our Q M. who is sick at a private house. The army has gone on to Greenfield -Hope we will not have to remain here very long at Charles in Lawrence County. Mo.
Nov 22 1861. Still at Charles House. Col. Love getting better. Weather getting very cold. This is
a prairie county and consequently disagreeable now.
Nov 23rd 1861. I am 35 years old today and no old to celebrate with. Weather cold. Patient improving. Hope to get away tomorrow. Have heard nothing from home but hope ere long to see my dear wife again.
Nov. 24 1861. Still at Charles house today. News comes in that the Jayhawkers are between us and the army and near here so we will have to skedaddle from here in the morning by team or go under.
Nov. 25 1861. Came back to Sarcoxie. People all much excited and hiding all their valuables from the Jayhawkers who are robbing, killing and burning as they go. Old settlers say Jim Lane is worse that the Osages used to be. I wish I was up with the army again but can’t tell how I am to get there.
The Jayhawkers came to Mr. Charles where Col. Love had been and took everything he had & burned his house, killed him, [&] one of his children & one of our sick men who was still there & was too sick to walk. They killed one of his neighbors & burnt him up in his house. We are at Sarcoxie at a Mr. Wilsons. Col Love is still better.
Nov 27th 1861. Came 16 miles today and stopped in Lawrence Co. We are taking 121 on the Jayhawkers.
Nov 28 1861. Traveled 42 miles today and stopped at McKinney’s in Green Co. Now about 50 miles from Oscola IlOsceola] where we expected to find the army. People are excited by Jim Lane’s thieves. We are taking 1?] on them. Everytime we cross their trail we find a wide expance of burnt house & barns. Bayoneted horses and devastated fields.
Nov. 29 1861. Came on today to near Boliver in Polk Co. Find that our army has taken Boliver road to Springfield. The balance of the army is at Osceola. We turn and follow our Div to and stop in 4 miles of Bolivar. Will overtake the army tomorrow.
Nov.30 1861. Caught up with the army today and camped 36 miles from Springfield where we expect to go into winter quarters.
December 1st Sunday. Came in today and took up quarters. A disbanded looking town - the Dutch and Jayhawkers having stolen everything and burnt most of the houses. Women say the Dutch stole nearly all the spoons and watches in Springfield. They robbed everybody North & South just the same. If they were Yankee they accused them of harboring Rebels & burnt & robbed them just the same.
Dec 2nd 1861. Election came off today for Brigadier General McBride was elected. Little opportunity now for all hands. Pretty tight weather cold and disagreeable.
Dec 3rd 1861. Still in camp at Springfield. Weather still cold & disagreeable. Tomorrow we move into town and take up quarters in the many vacant houses.
Dec 4 1861. Today moved into town I have a very pleasant house nicely furnished and plenty of bedding. I am quite comfortable now.
Dec 5 1861. Springfield quite a pleasant place. Called today on Mrs. Foster widow of my old friend Col. Foster. She is a nice lady & has an interesting 3 mo. old. She never saw her father poor fellow, he died from the wound he got a Wilson Creek.
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December 7th 1861. Nothing doing. Weather warm and beautiful.
December 8th 1861. Sunday and the church bells are ringing. They seem to be rejoicing over the protection we have assured them after the thieving Dutch were expelled.
Dec 9 1861. Weather too warm for comfort, seems like May.
Dec 10 1861. No news of importance everything as usual. Gen. Price and his army at Osceola.
Dec 11 1861. Weather fine as usual. No news, dull town -
Dec 12 1861 Ditto Ditto.
Dec 13 1861. Gen Price appointed Major Gen. Confederate Army is still at Osceola.
Dec 14 1861. I visited Battlefield today, quite a change there since I left. I should not have known the place. Took down with sharpe. The madam gave me a pair of warm socks which were thankfully received - weather still fine.
Dec 15th 1861. Dull in town, weather fine. Ball tomorrow to which I am invited 3rd Reg. at Bayly House Hosts.
Dec 16th 1861. Attended Ball last night. Great crowd. I took no part as I am a stranger.
Dec 17 1861. Nothing of importance doing. Weather still fine.
Dec 18 1861. Things as usual.
Dec 19 1861. Dull as Hell.
Dec 20 1861. Ditto.
Dec 21 1861. Six cannon, 2 rifled came in today from South with a train load of clothing. Thrning cold.
Dec 22nd 1861. Snowing and sleeting all day. Winter has set in in earnest. The first snow of the
season. Several Cos of the 2nd Reg. gone out today. Hope to leave here soon.
Dec 23rd 1861. Gen. Price
with the main army arrived here today. It is likely they will all go into winter quarters here at least for the time being. Many old state troops are enlisting in the Confederate Service. Clear but cold.
Dec 24th 1861. Christmas Eve with but little prospect of a merry time.
Dec 25 1861. Christmas Day spent last night & today at my friend Layton’s near town. Had a real old Virginia Egg Nogg & drumer, and had pounds and had a agreeable time.
Dec 26 1861. Our Regt. is disbanded today, consequently I am foot loose. I leave with the men in a day or two South East, but I cannot promise myself the pleasure of getting home this winter. Home sweet home. Would I had one. Not one word from that whip (?) was once my house for over six months
- Do they miss me at home? Do they miss me? Oh yes but be an assurance most do to kin that this moment some loved one were saying I wish he was here. Dry Dry Xmas but there is a better time coming.
Dec 27 1861. I resigned today and get off for home tomorrow. As where I will turn up I do not know. I would like to get home, but cannot do so, but I will try to hear from the loved ones.
Dec 28th 1861. Left Springfield today Traveled 4 or 5 miles when Col. McFarland accidently shot himself & I took him back to town, and left him in good hands. I hope he is not dangerous poor fellow. I regret this accident very much as we expected to travel together this winter. Left town again and traveled 17 miles & stayed at a good Union man’s house in Christian Co.
Dec 29 1861. Traveled today 30 miles and came up with about 80 of our men on their way home. Camped with them in Douglass Co. This is a God forsaken country. The roughest I ever saw and all Yankees. We anticipated some trouble before we get through here to Oregon County, as there is no telling where we may come on the Dutch.
Dec 30 1861. Traveled 27 miles and stopped at Rock Bridge, late, county seat of Ozark Co. Stopped with a widow today the only family in town.
Dec 31st 1861. Came 40 miles to West Plains in Howell Co. Went to a dance and had a nice time. Generally all good southerners here.
January 1st 1862. Came 20 miles to Thomasville in Oregon Co. Today feel quite at home here. Nearly all the men having been in the army staff work. Capt. Armstrong & went to a dance. Stopped in Thomasville with Capt Old.
Jan 2 1862. Still in Thomasville, hope to hear from home.
Jan 3rd 1862. Rainy and sleeting all day Expect to start to Pocahontas or thereabouts as soon as the rain slacks.
Jan 4th 1862. Still in Thomasville.
Jan 5th 1862. Came 10 miles to Capt. Alleys today
Jan 6th 1862. 20 miles today to some old friends on 11 pts. [Eleven Point River]
Jan 7th 1862. 25 miles today
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