Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
A great war-date 1862 Iowa soldier's diary kept by Corp. George H. Wheeler, Co. A, 3rd Iowa Vols., approx. 72 pages, housed in a small pocket size (4" x 6") calf skin leather bound ledger book, the front cover is detached, but present. Identified on the inside cover: "George H. Wheeler, Pocket Diary for 1862. Co. A 3d Iowa Infantry." Beginning immediately after the battle of Shiloh on April 8, 1862, Wheeler, who as you will see was a rather insubordinate, recorded all his military experiences including their advance and occupation of Corinth and finally concludes on Dec. 31, 1862 following Confederate General Van Dorn's raid against Grant's supply lines at Holly Springs, Mississippi. The diary reads, in small part: "…[Shiloh battlefield, April 8]…I was over the battlefield…the dead were very thick. In some places the ground was covered with our men in other places it was covered with Rebels. Trees [were] cut down by shot and shell [and] brush that were so thick before the battle…were literally cut down by musketry. Around the hospital legs and arms were laying around in the mud…[April 9]…I road out on the battlefield. Saw the men burying the dead…[April 10]…I was down to Hospital and moved [Thomas] Forbush [wounded severely in the hip] and [Oliver M.] Gilliam [wounded severely in the knee] aboard the hospital boat…[April 11]…I was at work all night cooking for the wounded…[April 12]…saw citizens collecting trophies…[April 13]…attended prayer meeting by orders o President Lincoln…[April 14]…gave up our rifles and took muskets in place (the rifles were the ones we got on the battle field…[April 15]…rumor that the Merrimac sunk one of our boats. Our cavalry drove in the Rebel pickets…[April 17]…heard firing at night…[April 24]…pitched tents in an open field near a Rebel hospital. Gen. Smith died at Savannah…[April 30]…moved camp 6 miles towards Corinth…passed Rebel camp our men had routed them from…a few days before Pea Ridge…[May 2]…orders read on parade to arrest all men found out side their division line. We were ordered to lay on our arms…[May 4]…camped with out tents…Pope took 1300 prisoners…[May 6]…beyond the picket lines. Killed a calf and started back. Pickets arrested us and took us before Gen. Lauman. He reprimanded us and ordered us to report to Capt. Smith with a sentence of 2 days extra duty. We said nothing of extra duty and we done none…[May 7]…our cavalry pickets come on to Rebel pickets…[May 12]…glorious news of the fall of Norfolk and Gosport Navy Yards…[May 13]…moved camp one mile. Built breast works. Cavalry had a skirmish. Took 5 Rebel Pris…[May 14]…cannonading at Lick Creek Bridge between Gen. Sherman and the Rebs. The Rebs are trying hard to hold the bridge…[May 15]…3 deserters come in and reported that the Rebs were evacuating Corinth…[May 17]…heavy skirmishing. A part of Sherman's command and the 3d Iowa drove the Rebs from a house on the picket line…[May 20]…wet to the skin. Went on post and advanced…driving them out of the field. The boys that relieved us were badly scared…[May 21]…moved…one mile and threw up heavy breastworks, heavy cannonading on the left (Pope shelling the Rebs)…[May 24]…rumors in camp about France recognizing the Confederacy…[May 26]…I was down and saw a man up a long pole on lookout. He saw Corinth…[May 30]…explosions at Corinth…marched into Corinth without opposition…we followed them and took some pris…everybody brought in some thing sugar, molasses, corn meal and bake kettles…[June 10]…bought and sold some wine…[June 13]…stopped at a widow woman's and had diner…she had a good looking daughter…[June 18]…Secesh lady said Bragg had sold the Confederacy…[June20]…got some onions of Secesh. One of our Shiloh Pris. come in. He escaped by digging under the wall at Tuscaloosa…[June 23]…was out with forage train. Lieut. [Daniel J.] Duane [WIA severely in thigh, Blue Mills Landing, Mo., 9/17/61] reported me as bin absent without leave and sent me before Col. [Nelson G.] Williams [future Brig. Gen. and WIA Shiloh]. I talked rough to him and made him mad. He told me to give my warrant to Duane and go in the ranks…[June 24]…Thomas Guilford died. Peter V. De Lorimer and I washed him and took some of our clean clothes and dressed him for burial…[June 25]…we buried Guilford with military honors…[June 27]… a train on Memphis and Charleston R. R. was taken by the Rebs and destroyed…[July 3]…Old Williams gave orders that no man should go for water without a pass and a non commissioned officer…Lieut. Barnes of Gen. Lauman's staff was wounded by guerrillas on his return from Holly Springs…[July 14]…Regt was out on forage guard. Rebel cavalry tried to take the train…[July 16]…I have no shoes…a Darky left a coat with me…[July 21]…marched at 6 a. m. Very warm a great many fell out…staid in Memphis all night. Played Secesh etc…[July 23]…drew a pair of socks…I did not draw a hat. Duane tried to raise a fuss about it…[July 24]…I was detailed as baker. Col. Williams did not want me to go. I went down to Brock's Bakery. He wanted me to take charge of night watch. Did not bake but one oven full…[July 25]…sold my check on the State Bank of Iowa of $80.00 for $90.00 in Tenn. money. Loaned out some…[Memphis, July 26]…saw the ice cream woman and had some ice cream. [You be the judge!] Loaned out some money…[Aug. 1]…I was around town all day was at Campbell's Minstrels at night…[Memphis, Aug. 3]…lost revolver. It was stolen. I walked up to Fort Pickering and left a description of it with the officer of the guard. He belongs to 40th Ill. Infty…[Aug. 11]…got my revolver from the man who stole it. Quite a number of the boys of the 40th Ill. assisted to find it…[Aug. 15]…I was up in town…had some ice cream…[Aug. 16]…I was at theater in my uniform (soldiers) patrol guard arrested me. Did not have my pass…[Aug. 18]…5th Ohio Cav. had a slight skirmish…[Aug. 26]…took a hack ride in eve with an engineer of the Lady Pyke. Slept on board Steamer Lady Pyke…[Sept. 1]…a gunboat and four transports come down loaded with Rebel prisoners…[Sept. 7]…the sad news of father's death. Marched all day…captured two Rebel flags…burnt a house [?] near Wolf Creek…[Sept. 19]…D. B. was appointed Sergeant against the wish of the members of the Co.…[Sept. 21]…marched at 7 am went within 2 miles of Grand Junct. where we discovered that the Rebs was often in force. We come back double quick, stopped and gave the Rebs a few shots from the battery and they skedaddled…[Sept. 27]…grand review about 12,000 soldiers present…[battle of Hatchie Bridge near Corinth, Oct. 5]…Co. A was detailed as wagon guard. Cannonading commenced at 10 a. m. and the fight became general. The 2nd Brigade had the advance. They engaged the enemy, took 4 twelve pound guns…took several pris. (500)…the 3d Iowa charged across the bridge and gained the day. I was detailed to take charge of one of the pieces of captured cannon…the 3d Iowa loss was two killed and sixty wounded. Wounds all severe. Gen. [Edward O. C.] Ord wounded [in the ankle]…[Oct. 6]…in camp on a hill on the east side of Hatchie River. We buried dead and talked of the battle…picked up several prisoners…[Oct. 8]…marched to Boliver…we got little flags and placed them on the captured cannon and into Boliver in great style…[Oct. 13]…I was up to the hospital and saw wounded. Hurlburt's parting address was read on parade…[Oct. 14]…some of the boys were out and guerrillas seen…[Oct. 21]…turned over our accoutrements and drew new ones…[Nov. 7]…I was on pass at Grand Junction. Saw a nice Dutch Genl. Had some wine and good diner. We received orders to march with two days rations…[Nov. 9]…saw the prisoners…[Nov. 18]…we drew some whiskey. Some was issued and the balance stolen. Quite a number were drunk…[Nov. 25]…I was out foraging to a man by the name of Jones. A woman called a man a son of a bitch. We had a great time killing hogs. One of Co. H fell off of a wagon and broke his leg…[Nov. 29]…marched to Holly Springs. A colored gal wanted to [come] along with the soldiers…[Dec. 5]…52 prisoners come in one squad…a number of stragglers come in…[Dec. 11]…reveille at 4 a. m. We met 800 Rebel prisoners. Camped 2 1/2 miles of Abbyville…passed Rebel [?] works on the Tallahatchie. They are very strong. It would have been impossible to of taken them from the front. Gen. Sherman was marching on their flanks…[Dec. 20]…heard that the Rebs are in possession of Holly Springs…[Dec. 21]…marched at sunrise. Passed mill. All of the troops destroyed everything…[Dec. 23]…I went ahead of regiment to Tallahatchie River. We staid with Gen. […by's] orderlies…[Dec. 25]…I was around town found it considerably demoralized…[Dec. 26]…staid at Rebel house…[Dec. 29]…we are on half rations…". Overall VG with detached front cover.
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