Diary of James T. Pettus, Sergeant, Company F, 8th Texas Cavalry (Terry's Texas Rangers)
Diary of James T. Pettus,
Sergeant in Company F, 8th Texas Cavalry (Terry’s Texas Rangers)
transcribed by Bill Stein
Beginning on February 12, 1862, James T. Pettus recorded the events of his military career in a small (2.5 x 4 inches) pocket diary. When he filled up the diary, on June 27, 1862, he switched to another. Two months later, on August 29, 1862, he was killed in action. His current diary was probably in his pocket, and may have been buried with him or taken from his body by unknown parties. His first diary, however, was returned to Texas. Probably, he had placed it on the pack train, and it was found there when he was killed.
Before the war, Pettus had lived in the same household as another member of his company, Oliver E. Herbert. A man named Oliver is mentioned five times in the diary, and, the initials "O. E. H." appear on the title page. He is most likely the man who returned the diary to Texas, for it was in the possession of his brother’s descendants throughout the twentieth century at least. On October 1, 2002, Julia Ann McDonald, on behalf of the McDonald family, donated the diary to the library. So far as is known, this transcription is the first published version of it.
Pettus’s brief notations were usually confined to a single page and were invariably written in pencil. Two pages, containing entries for March 6 and March 7, are so badly smudged as to be illegible. Two others, the entries for March 28 and March 29, are also badly smudged.
| Title Page |
| No of O. E. H. Pistol 83082
No of Pistol 84410 J. T. Pettus
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| Diary Pages |
Wednesday, Feby 12th
Got off on the Cars from Nashville to B. Green early in the morning where I arrive at noon our Reg come in from G River in the evening, I join them at camps at night
Thursday Feby 13th
We lay in Camp all day being very cold & having about five inches of Snow fallen last night. all of our forces having evacuated B. Green but about four thousand
Fryday Feby 14th
We are all ordered to be ready to march by nine oclock, when the enemy come up on the opposite side of the river & commenced throwing shot & shell in the town our forces all leave burning all public buildings & government property
Saturday Feby 15th
Take up our line of march early some 12 miles from Nashville having slept on the snow without any tents. hear that we have gained a brilliant victory at Fort Donelson
Sunday Feby 16th
We are roused from our beds on the Snow at 2 ½ oclock but do not get orders to march until twelve which we continue until 2 oclock at night when we arrive at Nashville & get the sad news of the fall of Ft Donelson
Monday Feby 17th
Slept in a stable last night as it was raining very hard & were not allowed to pitch any tents. move our camps out six miles from the city. Gen Johnson has determined to leave Nashville to the mercy of the enemy
Tuesday Feby 18th
We are ordered up at five oclock with marching orders travel twenty miles down the river toward Donelson & camp when we learn that we are to cover the retreat of the trains & retreating soldiers from Donelson
Wednesday Feby 19th
Our Company are detached from the regiment and ordered across the country towards Franklin to protect a train that have gone. that rout travel about twenty miles through a heavy rain & overtake them. we get shelter in an old house at night
Thursday Feby 20th
Take up our line of march at nine oclock travel over a very rough country on our rout to Franklin where we arrive in the evening & strike camp out about a mile from town without any tents
Fryday Feby 21th
We remain at our camp waiting for our regiment to come up they arrive at noon & we lay quiet on our grounds for the remainder of the day
Saturday Feby 22th
We are roused up by the rain early in the morning & stand about in it until two in the evening without any protection waiting for orders but do not get any & our Reg. stay in Franklin
Sunday Feby 23th
We get marching orders at ten oclock & take the road to Muphreysburaugh travel fifteen miles over the roughest road I ever saw & strike our camp most of our horses about to give out
Monday Feby 24th
Take up our line of march early we arrive at Murphreysburough at two where we find all of our forces stationed temporarily & have the pleasure of going in my tent once more & making preperations for a good rest at night
Tuesday Feby 25th
Go up in town in the morning & take a stroll and find it a very pretty little place containing about three thousand inhabitants but no business doing now return to camp & spend the remainder of day in domestic arrangements
Wednesday Feby 26th
Remain in camp all day nothing of interest occurring our forces all busy in making preparations to move further south keeping a heavy cavalry force on the road to Nashville Morgans Cavalry have a little skirmish & run in Yankee pickets killing one
Thursday Feby 27th
Our Reg. are to move in morning nothing of any interest occurs to day all busy in cleaning & having our arms prepared & our horses shod our Reg. will move with Breckenridges Brigade
Fryday Feby 28th
Strike our tents at nine oclock & move out of town about a mile and take up line of march at 12 travel six miles on pike to Shelbyville & pitch our tents. country contains some very pretty valleys, but generally poor
Saturday March 1st
We are ordered to saddle up at nine, but do not move remain in camp all day have quite a pleasant day looks as if spring was making its appearance
Sunday March 2d
Take up line of march at nine travel about nine miles & strike our tents have a very heavy rain in the evening & at night making it very disagreeable as it was almost impossible to keep our tents dry
Monday March 3d
Strike tents at nine. I am on rear guard travel nine miles & camp near Shelbyville. day exceedingly cold I suffer a good deal with cold country hilly with valleys
Tuesday March 4th
Our company & two others are ordered out on a scout take the pike back to Murfreesboro where we arrive at four in the evening & are put under the command of Capt Morgan have good quarters at night
Wednesday March 5th
We change our quarters from the court house to a dwelling where we have good rooms Send out picquets on all roads leading to Nashville boys all enjoying themselves remaining around town generally
Thursday March 6th
[illegible]
Fryday March 7th
[illegible]
Saturday March 8th
We see nor get any information of the enemy during the night are released at one oclock and return to our posts in town our boys that are out as scouts under Capt Morgan have not got here
Sunday March 9th
Capt Morgan arrives in town with thirty eight prisenors but loses four of his own men our boys all say the expedition was one of the most daring ever made another scouting party from our Com. go out this evening I with them
Monday March 10th
We rode last night until twelve went to two fords on Buck river but made no discoverys return to town in morning escaping a very heavy rain that fell in the latter part of night
Tuesday March 11th
I remain in town to day nothing of any interest going on we keep out a strong picquet on all roads leading to Nashville & two scouting parties to keep our little party from any surprise
Wednesday March 12th
We have another beautiful spring morning our scouts go out as usual but no enemy reported nearer than fifteen miles we here rumors of big battles being fought & won by our troops in Virginia & Missouri
Thursday March 13th
We have orders to join our Reg. but in consequence of rain we do not get off until evening travel twenty five miles & camp in the town of Shelbyville containing about two thousand inhabitants.
Fryday March 14th
Take up line of march at nine travel fifteen miles during the day over a very broken & poor country overtake our Regiment & camp at Concord church in Lincoln county the land of secesh & good whiskey
Saturday March 15th
Strike our tents at eight & glad to get out of them in consequence of the spring rain that fell on us during the night travel eleven miles over some good land & passing through Fayettville & camping on Elk River
Sunday March 16th
Get off early our commander saying we had to make Huntsville as we were due their last night travel fifteen miles over a very muddy road camping in Madison Cty Alabama
Monday March 17th
Travel ten miles which brings us into the little City of Huntsville find that it has improved a great deal in the last five years still retaining its beauty we pass over a beautiful valley with splendid residences ten miles north
Tuesday March 18th
Our Reg. get marching orders at ten oclock but we do not get off before twelve we travel ten miles on road to Decatur & camp passing over good lands which improve as we near the Tennessee river valley
Wednesday March 19th
We are ordered to cook two days rations last night intending to make to make a big march to day but a heavy rain comes up & we do not leave the train march ten miles passing over splendid farms & camp 1 ½ miles of Moreville
Thursday March 20th
March two miles & pitch our tents the creeks all being so high that they are pass fording I never saw such muddy roads. & heavy rains. we have all got use to riding in them
Fryday 21th 1862
March six miles & arrive in Decatur the river being so high that we have to travel down the R. R. track for two miles crossing the river on the Bridge & camping a mile from town Oliver & F. Jenkins join us at this place
Saturday March 22d
We had no tents to sleep under last night & nothing to eat this morning. every fellow is preparing his breakfast having to cook our bread on sticks regular old frontier fashion no troops here all have gone below
Sunday March 23d
Take up line of march down the country travel seventeen miles on the line of Memphis & Charleston R Road & camp in three miles of Courlland roads the worset I have passed over
Monday March 24th
Strike tents early & push the wagons ahead we pass through Courtland in Morgan & situated on the M & Charleston R Road & a short distance this side we come into to Laurence county camp in a mile of Tuscumbia
March Tuesday 25th
We have a fine clear morning the first time I have seen the sun shine for a week pass through Tuscumbia a camp on Bear creek. hear some heavy firing during the day at Chickasaw bluff the enemy are driven back
Wednesday March 26th
Travel twenty miles passing through the towns of Iuka & Burnsville on R Road in Tishomingo Miss Country very poor but is finely timbered with heavy pines
Thursday March 27th
A travel of twenty odd miles through the hills brings us to Corinth we find our force reported large the enemy some fifteen or twenty miles off with large force all anticipate a big battle at this point
Fryday March 28th
We are camp about a mile from town in beautiful oak grove our boys are all busy in having their horses shod and are in [illegible] will get [illegible] rest
Saturday March 29th
We are all busy in washing clothes & cleaning arms I spend most of the day [three words illegible] get orders at five oclock for twenty men from each company to prepare for two days scout
Sunday March 30th
No reliable news of the two armys getting any closer together I attend preaching to day & hear our chaplain for the first time he preach us a short but very good sermon
Monday March 31th
All seems to be very quiet to be expecting a big fight & I should not be surprised if the two armies did not engage each other our boys return from a scout bringing four prisenors taken in a mile of the enemy camp
Tuesday April 1st 1862
No news of much interest seems to be going a person a short distance from here would not think that there was any army at this point we all laying in camps and improving our horses
Wednesday April 2d 1862
We were ordered out on a scout last night we take road to Iuka where we arrive about two oclock the enemy come up to Eastport but left early this morning their movements being we think all feint
Thursday April 3d
We got some sleep last night we return to Corinth to day nothing of any interest occurring we get orders at night to cook two days rations for another scout
Fryday April 4th
We take line of march to meet the enemy go out on road that leads into their main camps Our Reg is put out as picket that leads into Purdy road we take four prisenors I have the rain as usual to sleep in
Saturday April 5th
We have a skirmish with the enemy’s pickets on Purdy road & run them in without loss & return back across Owl creek & camp, our forces are being ordered in line of battle to our right
Sunday April 6th
At daylight our forces attack the federals camp we are about two miles & half from where the combat commences & nothing can be heard but one continual clash of musketry & the roar of cannon we can tell by the cheers of our troops that the enemy are retreating. 12 oclock, we come on the battle ground & are on the extreme left under Hardee we can see our boys driving the enemy before them at every charge we are ordered to charge the left which we do only part of our Reg. getting at the enemy on account of the ground they are driven from their position by the infantry we retire losing one man & 7 or 8 wounded 3 oclock we are dismounted and fight as skirmishers driving the enemy back & saving use of our batterys having several of our men badly wounded the continuing falling back to their gun boats & by night we have entire possession of their tents & the field. the battle was a fierce & hard one the field strewn with dead & dying I stand picket at night in their tents. rains very hard & the shrieks & moans of the wounded are distressing the throw shells at us all night from their gun boats & are heavily reinforced
Monday April 7th
The combat opens early and up to nine o clock the firing is entirely by artillery the enemy landing large reinforcements we fall back about half mile on account of their shells when the fight commences with small arms and seems to be more desperate than it was on yesterday we charge the left at two oclock & drive them back losing several of our boys & one of my best friends & messmates They attack us again & we are forced to change our position losing three pieces of artillery which are spiked, at three the firing with small arms ceases but our artillery plays on them until five when the rear of our army camp the second night in their tents
April 8th
The enemy fall back during the night towards their gun boats & our army move on toward Corinth our Reg. are in the rear & part of Forrest Cavalry the enemy appear & attack our rear in evening with a trap for the rangers we charge them killing and wounding about two hundred & taking forty prisenors which ends the bloody battle of (Shyloe) our Reg nearly worn out with fatigue are posted as picket and spend another night in the rain & try to sleep in our wet blankets
Wednesday April 9th
We are permitted to go to Monterey where we dry our blankets & get a good meal for ourselfs & plenty of forage four our poor weary horses we return to Gen Breckinridge head quarters & go over & recapture all of our wounded
Thursday April 10th
We heard the drums of the enemy at their camps last night we take all of our wounded out of the hospital & take them to Corinth all of our artillery & nearly all of our baggage is got off
Fryday April 11th
Arrived safely at camp last evening & had a sleep that only a worn out soldier could appreciate spend the day at camps boys all having got in late last night & hear that island no 10 was taken
Saturday April 12th
Have a very rainy day nothing can be done glad to be back at our tents so we can keep our blankets dry a great many recruits for our Reg coming in W B Yates among them from old Colorado
Sunday April 13th
Witness the execution of Wm Roland on last evening at four oclock he was from Gates Cty Tenn deserted at Ft Donalson was taken at the battle of Shilouh in the ranks of the enemy & in their uniform
Monday April 14th
I devote the day to cleaning up my arms & arranging my accoutrements the enemy under Gen Mitchell have taken possession of Huntsville Ala. also taken Ft Pulaski Georgia
Tuesday April 15th
We have inspection of horses to day on yesterday inspection of arms & our Col made us a speech lamenting the death of the departed Terrys brother & giving all due honor in the actions on the sixth seventh and eighth
Wednesday April 16
Nothing new to day. we are ordered to make preparations for a big scout on the other side of Tennessee river the boys all received the news with cheers anticipating that we may hear from Nashville
Thursday April 17th
All busy in making wallets & haversacks for our anticipated trip but the weather is very bad raining almost incessantly all the rivers & creeks are overflowing
Fryday April 18th
Our orders for a scout in Tenness are countermanded for what reasons I am not aware our Col starts for Texas but says he will not be absent long but will soon return
Saturday April 19th
Raining in torrents again to day Yates and Garner start back for Texas send some letters & many messages back to our friends recruits for our regiment are still coming in
Sunday April 20th
No end to the rain the most disagreeable time in camp we have had in a long time impossible to keep our blankets & bedding dry we will move our camp as soon as the weather will admit
Monday April 21th
Still the rain continues without ceasing almost impossible to get out and procure forage for our horses I think a good many of our troops are leaving this place but for what point I do not know
Tuesday April 22
Have the pleasure of seeing the sun rise in clear sky. & have a beautiful day which makes us all feel like new men The Yankees reported evacuating Tenn river leaving Shiloh
Wednesday April 23th 1862
We are ordered to move this morning to Rienzi about twelve miles distant on Mobile & Ohio R Road to recruit our horses arrive at point of destination late in evening but get no forage for our horses
Thursday April 24th
Move camps about miles further out on Ribley and Holly Springs road have a much better location for wood & water Ft Pillow & Ft Jackson are both being bombarded about this time but from the best of information they are unsuccessful
Fryday April 25th
We got orders last night to cook five days rations which continued the greater potion of night a good many of the infantry are leaving this morning for what point we do not know our orders are countermanded
Saturday April 26th
Reported skirmishing at Monterey on Thursday we take fifty prisenors. the enemy are making a desperate effort they ar striking fast & heavy but up to this time nothing definint of their accomplishing any importance
Sunday April 27th
Have a very pretty day attend preaching. the enemy are bombarding our below N. Orleans & at Ft Pillow & the report is that they have run by & come up to the City. they are also advancing on Corinth
Monday April 28th
We get marching orders this morning & two companys leave for bear creek the news comes in that the enemy are at N. Orleans but the city has not surrendered our Forts can not hold much longer
Tuesday April 29th
Our Reg. are ordered up to Jacinto to day the militia are organizing there to day and a force is sent up to protect them. they return to camp at night two Regiments of militia were organized to day
Wednesday April 30th
We leave this morning for Ala via Jacinto leave most of our clothing behind travel a short distance beyond Jacinto and pitch our tents. a good many of the boys are a foot F. Jenkins leaves for home
Thursday May 1st 1862
Take up line of march very early travel twenty four miles & camp on Bear creek we find forage very scarce can hardly obtain enough to keep our horses up skirmishing going on at Corinth between our forces & the enemy
Fryday May 2th 1862
Take up line of march at nine moving on towards Tuscumbia Travel about nine miles & pitch our tents near the M & Charleston R. Road the distant roar of cannon can be heard towards Corinth more than likely the battle has opened
Saturday May 3d 1862
Our Reg. move on towards Tuscumbia our squadron our Capt commanding ordered back to Bear creek bridge to guard it a heavy skirmish took place to day at Corinth the great battle between hireling forces of our enemy will soon be fought God speed the right
Sunday May 4th 1862
I am ordered on picket to day we hear of Col Morgan winning another bright laurel to his military fame at Pulaski Tenn long may he live to enjoy them the enemy took possession of Burnsville last night, what damage they done I have not heard
Monday May 5th 1862
We are relieved to day at twelve. spent an awful disagreeable night having to stand or sit up all night in the rain. the report about the enemy having possession of Burnsville is not true
Tuesday May 6th 1862
Our command is ordered forward & will move as soon as relieved by Capt Sanders We are all doing fine having plenty of forage & nice clover to graze our horses on but prefer being with the Reg
Wednesday May 7th 1862
We are relieved this morning & move forward I am sent on ahead to procure forage find a beautiful scope of country nicely improved around B. Roost & mouth of R Road near the river we camp at Cherokee on M & C R R
Thursday May 8th 1862
Start early in advance of the command arrive in Tuscumbia about twelve which place is nearly deserted on account of the advent of the enemy into that place in leaving they destroyed & carried off a great deal of property
Fryday May 9th 1862
A travel of four miles brings us to the river at Bainbridge ferry ten miles above Florence where we cross we camp four miles up on the Rogersville road a portion of our Reg. have a fight with the enemy near Athens Alabama we loose one of our best officers & two privates three others of other cavalry killed we kill 17 of the enemy & take the entire command prisenors burn the bridge & return in safety
Saturday May 10th/62
We travel about fourteen miles & connect with the Reg. at Lambs ferry our col in the meantime has come up find the boys all well & in good spirits
Sunday May 11th
We move our camps out from the river and nearer the little town of Rogersville to a better location. we get orders in the evening to cooke three days rations for a scout we leave at dark
Monday May 12th
We travel all night last night at Sunrise I find myself at Gilbertsbora in a neighborhood that brings up recollections that r sad but dear we scout around towards Elkton & return at night towards Prospect
Tuesday May 13th
At half past two I fall off my horse to catch a little sleep, arise early & visit a relative that has always proven dear we return towards the river & are met by the enemy who open on us with artillery
Wednesday May 14th 1862
We remained all night on Shugar creek having fallen back about five miles we start early in the morning towards Pulaski we stop at a mill on Richland creek & take supper some seven miles distant from the former & on Pike leading to Athens
Thursday May 15th 1862
We cross the pike leading to Athens at nine last night & immediately behind a very heavy train of wagons. we go around them & strike out towards F. ville where the enemy are fortifying we leave it on our right & capture 4 curriers on Nashville road
Fryday May 16th 1862
Take up line of march at nine travel some twenty miles south east & camp twelve miles nearly west of Winchester in Franklin Cty we arrest two spies from N. York the country over which we travel is very broken but fine for grain
Saturday May 17th 1862
We lay over until noon & then march eight miles towards Winchester & camp near a little town (Salem) the country over which we travel is very broken yet romantic & beautiful & as one long colume of cavalry winds through the dark hollows shaded by the groves of beach with the tall poplars that seem to be sentinels the artist could desire no better scene to paint & the poet could not fail to write
Sunday May 18th/62
We all take rest day having a fine shady grove for our encampment & the water is splendid the spring being one of the finest that I have seen. We are visited by some lady friends from Winchester who brings plenty of things to eat & make us past the day so pleasantly that we almost forget the fatigues we are going through
Monday May 19th/62
Take up line of march on road to Winchester & the nearer we approach it the more beautiful the scenery of the Cumberland mountains as they seem to circle around the little town (Winchester) containing some 15 hundred inhabitants with fine schools & nicely improved lays north of the mountains about six miles
Tuesday May 20th
We start this morning at three to surprise the enemy who are pursuing us, about sun rise we come up to them having changed their position & drawn up in line of battle in splendid position close to Winchester they throw shell into our ranks some half hour wounding two of McClellans men we fall back to our position of last night & in the evening we fall back to edge of mountains & camp
Wednesday May 21th/62
Three companys under Capt Jarmon are ordered out on a scout to watch the movement of the enemy we go in 1 ½ miles of Winchester and find they are committing depredations upon all of the citizens, take a prisenor & return
Thursday May 22/62
Another scout goes out this morning in pursuit of the enemy this side of Winchester. they charge the enemy in Town who are in the Court House we kill four & bring out seven prisenors losse six in killed & wounded, move camps seven miles north
Fryday May 23th 1862
Camp in Another beautiful valley with beautiful mountain scenery extending on our right The enemy evacuated Winchester this morning at six in quick time we follow down four miles beyond Town & camp do not pursue them
Saturday May 24th/62
We get a good days rest to day but as it rained last night our camp is very disagreeable. have plenty of forage for our horses & fine clover fields to graze on & the kind citizens do our cooking for us
Sunday May 25th
Strike tents at two oclock in evening & move three miles beyond Winchester & camp at Goshen camp ground Gen Adams rejoins the command but our Regiment will not move under him any longer
Monday May 26th
Strike camp at twelve & move five miles east & camp at the foot of the mountains the balance of the command all being behind Gen Mitchell still at Huntsville & treats the citizens almost slavish
Tuesday May 27th
We strike across the the mountains passing the university of the South which is a fine location & one of the prettiest land scape that the eyes ever viewed Winchester 15 miles off can be seen & all surrounding country
Wednesday May 28th
Very Sick all day yesterday & staid out in a house last night. A travel of five miles bring us to the Tenn Boarder we cross at the mounth of battle creek some thirty miles below Chattanuga the country east of the mountains not near so rich as west
Thursday May 29th 1862
Staying at Mr Moores Reg. camped near our army have concentrated large forces at Richmond & Corinth both forces have a large army of the enemy daily threatening an attack. every heart is in anxiety but we are full of hope & confidence
Fryday May 30th
Have another very bad attack of neuralgia with fever to day will remain at Mr Moores until I get better. General Jackson gained a brilliant victory in Virg a few days since driving the enemy back to the Potomac taking a great many prisenors
Saturday May 31th 1862
We move our camp to day over in old Georgia Dade county, on the Wills valley R Road about seventeen miles from Chattanuga in the mountains I stop at a private house Mr Suttons who is very kind to all soldiers
Sunday June 1st/62
We remain at camps to day. I read an account of the battle of Glorietta in N. Mexico & the glorious victory of the Texians on the 27th of March but lament the death of Maj Shropshire Gen. Butler is ruling in N. Orleans with despotism the citizens deprived of the liberty of freemen
Monday June 2d/62
Get the despatches to day from Richmond of fighting on the 31th & first of June in which the Confederates whip the federals through their encampmts & capture three of their batteries loss on both sides very heavy
Tuesday June 3d 1862
No news from the capital to day the news for some purpose being kept back our Regiment move camp to day seven miles south of Trinton Oliver is quite sick & staying at Mr Suttons I have got able to be up
Wednesday June 4th/62
Having unusual heavy rains & we are still exposed as much as ever having no protection from the heavy damp atmosphere that falls at night we anxiously look for our wagons every day as a change of clothing is wished for
Thursday June 5th 1862
The enemy coming up on the other side of Tennessee river through Jasper they attack and disperse the first Kentucky cavalry they all command gets into Chattanuga with small loss they shell the river banks as they go up
Fryday June 6th/62
The enemy arrive opposite Chattanuga and an artillery fight takes place in the evening late we get three men killed their loss not known they shell the town but with little damage
Saturday June 7th
Gen Smith takes command at Chattanauga the enemy continue to bombard the town during the day we reply with artillery & the cannonading is heavy with sharp shooting on both sides
Sunday June 8th
The fight continues all day across the river with little damage to either side the enemy making first movements and trying to effect a landing at different points on the river
Monday June 9th
Skirmishing across the river continues at different points on the river the enemy not showing as much of their force as usual reported crossing above town our Reg. below at shell mond
Tuesday June 10th
Myself & Oliver join the wagons this morning & camp five miles south of Tenn. fighting reported above Town. no particulars Gen. Jackson is carrying everything before him in Maryland we gained a victory at Rich. on 1st
Wednesday June 11th
The enemy all reported going back down the river towards Huntsville also crossing at Lambs ferry our Reg join the wagons & all are together once more General Beauregard evacuated Corinth without any loss of men
Thursday June 12th
We move our tents up within three miles of Town passing around the point of Lookout mountain the highest point I have seen a splendid view can be had over three states from the top
Fryday June 13th And 14th
Stay in camps our Reg are being paid off can hear no news from our armys at Richmond & below Corinth Jackson continues to maintain himself on the Potomac
Sunday June 15th 16th & 17
We remain at camp Lookout the enemy making various demonstrations on the other side of the but have not effected a crossing at any point we are all having our horses shod that can
Wednesday & Thursday 18th & 19th
Several of the boys are court martial to day & put to hard work 19th we strike tents at nine & move three miles up the valley in evening all are ordered out & travel all night camping near shell mound at day light
Fryday June 20th
We expect a fight as we are making preperations to cross the river sharp shooters fire across the river all day with very little damage June 21th We cross five men & have a skirmish & recross & go back with all force to Chattanooga
Sunday June 22d
All in camps to day & all quiet we have a good sermon our forces have fallen back from Cumberland gap but are ready for the enemy
Monday June 23
All seems quiet with Gen Beauregard army at Richmond heavy skirmishing daily
Tuesday June 24th
I go up in town to day Gen Smith had a skirmish with the enemy on yesterday. losses small on both sides the enemy keep very quiet on the other side of the river opposite this place
Wednesday June 25th
Go up to town with a detail to take charge of blacksmith shop to have horses shod a scout of fifty men from our Reg. cross the river under command of Capt. Evans We have a man shot by accident in crossing river
Thursday June 26th
I remain in camp today in evening we have have dress parade & are inspected & complimented by the inspecting officer our scout return under Capt Evan report no enemy nearer than Jasper & they in small body
Fryday June 27th
Closing this book on to day I will commence another
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Co F 15 horses
Expense when sick
May 31th
Paid for self & Holman $3.00
June 8th
Paid for self & Oliver $12.00
June 9th
For self & Oliver $2.00
Robt Davis near Columbia