July 6-7-8-9, 1863, Monday

Moving again-- leave after dinner in light marching order and with five days' rations. Draw cannon across Black River Bridge with long ropes. Ike McCullough fell out of ranks, had a sunstroke. I remain with him and we come up with the regiment after dark. Great many men were overheated and had sunstrokes today. Day extremely hot. Camped about a mile from Edwards Station next to Black River. Marched about six miles.

Tuesday, July 7, 1863

Dr. Brashear told Ike to get along as best he could and ordered me to stay with him. Ike worse in the afternoon about the same time in the day he was taken sick yesterday. Passed Champion Hill and the numerous graves of our brave men. Came up with the regiment long after dark and lay out all night in the rain. Rained very hard. Came 15 miles.

Wednesday, July 8, 1863

Ike starts back to camp at Black River this morning. Regiment does not move until eight o'clock P.M.. Advance slowly our cavalry fighting the rebel rear guard. Advance until dark and camp in sod field near a cornfield. Something burning ahead of us. Our loss in todays skirmish, three wounded. Some say there were two killed.

Thursday, July 9, 1863

On the road by sun-up and advance to Clinton, a pleasant little village. Find Sherman's advance here. Commenced skirmishing with the rebels two miles further on. Now halted about six miles from Jackson. Rebels captured one of the 3d Kansas Cavalry and shot him. He had a commission in negro regiment. Moved into a field to the right and go into camp for the night.

Death of Jacob A. Cole.

Died, July 9, 1863, at Benton Barracks, Missouri, of wounds received at Thompson's Hill, Jacob A. Cole, aged 23 years, 11 months and 9 days. He had passed through several hard battles, was in the first charge on Vicksburg, and at Thompson's Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss., received a ball through his lungs, which resulted in death. His remains were brought home by his brother, and his funeral preached in Benton on Monday the 3d August. His body was borne into the church by returned soldiers, wrapped in the flag under which he so gallantly fought, and in defence of which he fell. The attendance was one of the largest ever known in that place.

Friday, July 10, 1863

Lieut. Corn came up last night -- he looks first rate. Capt. VanDorn was with him. Cross the fields this morning to another road, advance within two miles of Jackson and commence skirmishing. Battle raging -- regiment forms line in reserve. Rebels throw shell over us and we move to the right. P.M. Regiment in same place, shell strikes a stack of guns and breaks four and injures one more. Better the guns than the men should be hit. Am with the Surgeons and with them move further back. A ball went through Freeman's drum.

Saturday, July 11, 1863

Cannonading and skirmishing this morning about as yesterday. Division moves to the right and Surgeons change quarters to a small stream of water on the road. Rebels make a charge on our first brigade this evening and are repulsed. Saw a man of the 7th Ky. mortally wounded in neck. Sargeant Ferrington of Co. F wounded, slight. Drew rations - 4 1/2 crackers to a man. Mail up - receive a Republican of 25th of June. Raining tonight.

Sunday, July 12, 1863

Fighting today appears to be brisker than yesterday. Capt. Richerson of Co. G. and Corp. Levi Feeman of Co. H. wounded. Great cheering along our lines this evening. Port Hudson reported to be in our hands.

Monday, July 13, 1863

Fourth day of the fight -- rages about as yesterday. A Captain and Lieutenant of the 42nd Ohio brought back wounded. Newt Gorsuch here in the evening.

Tuesday, July 14, 1863

Fifth day of fighting -- no one brought in today. Saw one of the 54th Indiana killed. Flag of truce from the rebels - firing to cease until four o'clock. Still hear firing going on, don't understand it. Wagon load of roasting ears come to the regiment -- I got six.

Wednesday, July 15, 1863

Large mail in. Received letters from Father, Lizzie, Cicero, and Billy Fleming and a Gazette. Sixth day of fighting - nothing new on the firing line today. Brigade ordered to move to the right tonight or early in the morning.

Thursday, July 16, 1863

Regiment moves to the right and rear about 1 1/2 miles. Newt Gorsuch and I put up a shanty. Roasting ears and beef brought to the regiment and issued to the men. Very heavy firing this afternoon. Rebels charging on our works. Seventh day of the fight.

Friday, July 17, 1863

Jackson is ours -- rebels evacuated the place last night. John Laylander and I went over to Jackson in the afternoon. The town is burning down. Saw the ashes of a human body which had burned. A shell in a burning building exploded and killed a couple of men.

Saturday, July 18, 1863

Jackson is still burning. Heavy rain came up this afternoon wetting everything. Go to woods and make a shed. No rain after dark.

Sunday, July 19, 1863

Expected to move this morning but did not. No rain but cloudy -- sun out but part of the time.

Monday, July 20, 1863

Ordered to be ready to move at a moments warning but do not do so.

Tuesday, July 21, 1863

Start this morning toward Raymond but go very slowly. Jon't Williams and I go two miles or more ahead of the regiment to find water. Marched some eight or nine miles and camp at the "Mississippi Springs," a summer resort. The springs are grand. Four springs under one roof, large stone like crockery ware placed in each, a large spring in the center and the other three equal distance around it.

Wednesday, July 22, 1863

Make better time today - marched through Raymond our old, tattered flag open to the breeze. Came on about six miles and stop for dinner. Sam Gault captured four mules, I got one no one could ride and road him to the teams, traded him for a riding mule. Came about fourteen miles today.

Thursday, July 23, 1863

Sam Gault and I came on ahead of the regiment this morning and reached Camp Alice about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. Regiment came in before dark. Troops passing all day, going toward Vicksburg. Am stiff and sore -- older by twenty years than Grandfather, now.

Friday, July 24, 1863

Off for Vicksburg early this morning. Harry Myers and Sol Ross help carry my drum. Came within three miles of Vicksburg and turn to the right and go way down below our old camp while engaged in the Vicksurg siege. Boys swearing and cursing because we do not go straight through to town. Everybody very tired. Received socks, handkerchiefs, comb, etc. brought by Lieut. Corn from home.

Saturday, July 25, 1863

Reveillee at three and start at four and a half o'clock this morning, march to and through Vicksburg and the 42nd Ohio and our drum corps playing together. Came to the Mississippi river again and go into camp in a low place three-fourths of a mile from the river. Commenced a letter to Lizzie. Go swimming in the Mississippi. Received letter and paper from Lizzie.

July 25, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to L.S.

Sunday, July 26, 1863

Finished my letter to Lizzie and sent my music off. Raining and blowing hard in the evening. Bought a satin vest from John G. Boling for $3.00.

Monday, July 27, 1863

Rained hard last night. Had a dress parade and order regarding furloughs read. Received letter from Rebecca Powers. Uptown nearly all day.

Tuesday, July 28, 1863

Wrote to Father, signed payrolls.

July 28, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Father

Wednesday, July 29, 1863

Had darkies wash my shirts. Swimming in the Mississippi. Dress parade this evening.

Thursday, July 30, 1863

Move camp one mile up on the bank below the Vicksburg landing. Received letter from Lizzie.

Friday, July 31, 1863

Fixing up our tent, made a bed. Newt Gorsuch starts home on furlough. Write short letter to Mother and send it with Newt.

July 28, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Mother