Diary of Sgt. William P. Hewes

20^th Iowa Infantry, Company C

Dates of Diary are from December 27^th, 1864 thru July 25^th, 1865

Every effort has been made to retain exact spelling, capitalization and punctuation as written in the diary

There were some words that were very difficult to read due to wearing of the pencil written text and I have made every effort to copy exactly what was written in this diary.

January

Sunday the 1^st Joined the Regiment at Devalls Bluff Ark Dec 27^th 1864. In camp Devalls Bluff Wrote my wife a letter

2^nd In Camp

3^rd In Camp Devalls Bluff

4^th In Camp Devalls Bluff wrote my wife a letter

5^th In Camp broke camp and went to the steamer Kate Hank bound for the Mouth of the White River

6^th Started for the mouth of the White River in Evening

7^th Changed to the Steamer John H. Dickey home from the Mississippi

8^th left White River fired into by Guerilla from the banks of the River no one hurt

9^th Collision with the Steamer John Rains in the Evening. An awful smash up. Wrote my wife a letter

10^th On the River (note; written twice in two different hands, drunk?)

11^th Landed in Kennerville La ten miles above New Orleans. went to city in the evening.

12^th In New Orleans had a gay time with Capt Thomson.

13^th Came back from city to day. In Camp

14^th In Camp

15^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

16^th In Camp. Dull Music for me

17^th In Camp. Wrote my wife a letter

18^th wrote mother a letter In camp

19^th wrote my wife a letter Ricd a letter from my wife dated Dec 27^th All well at home

20^th In Camp. Rained Steady all day.

21^st In Camp. Ricvd a letter from my wife dated Jan 9^th

^{22nd In Camp wrote my wife a letter wrote Hoyt wrote Mother a letter}

23^rd In Camp very cold day for this locality. Dull as usual in Camp. issued clothing

24^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

25^th In Camp. Springfield rifles issued to the company to day

26^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

27^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

28^th In Camp. wrote Sergt Rogers a letter to Camp Mc Clellan

29^th In Camp wrote My wife a note and sent music home

30^th In Camp No news today and no Letter from home

31^st In Camp did not get time to write a letter home

February

Wednesday 1^st In Camp Ricvd a letter from my wife dated Jan 1^st 1865

2^nd In Camp wrote my wife a letter wrote to my old friend George Dorrah. Massachusetts

3^rd In Camp wrote my wife a letter wrote Erskine a letter Ricvd letter from Mother Dated Jan 18^th Fannie very Sick.

4^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote mother a letter

5^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote my wife a letter

6^th In Camp Kennerville La rained all day

7^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote my wife a letter

8^th In Camp Kennerville La

9^th In Camp wrote wife a letter

10^th In Camp Kennerville La

11^th In Camp wrote wife a letter Ricvd Marching orders this evening

12^th In Camp Kennerville La Sent Box home to wife Two white wool blankets One pair buffalo overshoes One fur Cap one Neck tie Two doz Collars.

13^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote my wife a letter Ricvd two letters from my wife dated Jan 21^st & 30^th Very heavy storm all night

14^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote my wife a letter an awful rain storm this afternoon.

15^th In Camp Kennerville La wrote my wife a letter Broke camp at 4 O’clock and went aboard Ocean Steamer St Mary.

    Passed New Orleans at 8 O’clock Eve bound for the Gulf of Mexico

16^th On the Gulf of Mexico on board the steamer St Mary bound for Ft Gaines Ala.Arrived at Fort Morgan half past 4 P.M.

    Left Mobile Bay for Pensacola at 9 P.M.

17^th arrived at Pensacola Florida this morning at 4 O’clock Fort Mc Rae, Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas in full sight

    Landed at 11 O’clock A.M. and went into camp wrote my wife a letter

18^th In Camp Fort Barrancas Florida

19^th In Camp Fort Barrancas wrote my wife a letter

20^th In Camp Barrancas Fla

21^st In Camp wrote wife a letter

22^nd In camp Barrancas Fla

23^rd In camp Barrancas Fla wrote my wife a letter

24^th In Camp Barrancas Florida rainy

25^th In Camp Barrancas Fla wrote my wife a letter at work on pay roll

26^th In Camp Barrancas Fla at work on pay roll

27^th In Camp Barrancas Fla at work on pay roll

28^th In Camp Barrancas Fla at work on pay roll

March

1^st In Camp wrote my wife a letter finished payroll and then wrote my wife another letter

2^nd In Camp Barrancas Fla wrote my wife a letter

3^rd In Camp wrote my wife a letter

4^th In Camp Meeting of the Regt to hear Rev Mr Ingalls of Iona Subject> Iona Orphans Home

    Chosen Chairman of the meeting wrote my wife a letter

5^th In Camp will write home to missuss

6^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter wrote to the Gazette Davenport Iowa

7^th In Camp Barrancas Florida left off chewing tobacoo

8^th In Camp Barrancas Fla. Wrote my wife a letter

9^th In Camp No Mail yet

10^th In Camp Read four letters from my wife dated Feb. 5^th , 12^th, 16^th & 19^th Marching Orders to learn in morning

11^th broke camp at Barrancas this morning and marched to Pensacola, 16 miles.Went in Camp about dark Pine Barrens

12^th In Camp Pensacola Florida wrote my wife a letter

13^th In Camp nothing new to day

14^th In Camp Ricvd three letters from my wife dated 21^st, 23^rd & 27^th heavy rain all day

15^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

16^th In Camp Pensacola Florida

17^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter wrote mother a letter

18^th In Camp dull in camp today

19^th In Camp. wrote my wife a letter. Marching orders. To leave in the morning.

20^th broke up camp at Pensacola this morning at 6 O’clock and marched ten miles went in camp half-past twelve P.M. Direction south west from Pensacola Pine Barrens

21^st broke camp at 6 O’clock this morning. Marched four miles. Went in camp half past five P.M. very bad roads Pine Barrens

22^nd In Camp. In the woods. Ricvd two letters from my wife dated March 2^nd & 6^th Pine Timber

23^rd In Florida broke camp at 9 A.M. marched eight miles and camped at 4 P.M. Smelt Rebs slightly. Co "C" sent out in advance. W.P.H. ditto with 4 men

No damage nor many reb Pine Timber 24^th broke camp 5 O’clock P.M. Marched two miles. Went in camp nine P.M. Every indication of

    rebels in front In Alabama Cavalry in advance. Pine Timber

25^th left camp this morning 7 O’clock marched 12 miles. Camped at 5 O’clock Our advance Skirmished

    all day with the rebels. Can hear cannonading in front plainly. Our cavalry captured a Brigidier, two line officers and about one hundred Prisoners .

    So says a Staff Officer Capt Doolittle My Informant Pine Woods W.P.H.

26^th broke camp at 10 A.M. marched six miles. Went in camp 2 O’clock P.M. Saw the Rebels Captured by our cavalry yesterday. One Bridagier,

    one Major 13 line officers and One hundred fifteen Privates all fine looking men. Pine Woods W.P.H.

27^th broke camp this morning at 11 O’clock. Marched twelve miles and camped 5 O’clock P.M. One hundred and thirty more rebs captured by our cavalry.

    Passed them about 6 O’clock this Afternoon. Look rather chop fallen. Pine Timber W.P.H.

28^th broke camp 3 O’Clock Marched 5 miles camped 6 O’clock Pine Timbers

29^th broke camp 6 O’clock this morning Marched 10 miles went in camp at half past 5 P.M. Pine Woods

30^th broke camp 8 O’Clock marched 8 miles camped 6 O’Clock Our Regt helped build corduroy roads for artillery and trains to pass over. Pine Timbers

31^st broke camp at 5 O’clock Marched 16 miles. Camped 3 O’clock P.M. Kensaw (Tinsaw?) River Pine Timber

April

1^st broke camp 11 O’Clock A.M. Marched 9 miles camped at 7 ½ P-M  Pine Timber Our cavalry captured 78 more rebels to day and the colors of a Mississippi Regiment.

    90 rebs instead of 78

2^nd broke camp at 4 O’Clock this morning Marched ten miles. Came onto the enemy at Blakely Alabama

20^th Iowa sent out in advance to feel of them. Heavy firing from Rebel Fort on us. Went out in front

    of the Enemys works this evening and Slept all night under arms. On the Tensas River Alabama

3^rd Company "C" out in rifle pits close to the Rebs. Continuous firing on us all day with small arms and

    artillery and some very close shots. No one hurt in Co "C" Blakely Alabama

4^th Company "C" in rifle pits all day advanced our lines three hundred yards nearer the rebs under an awful fire from their small arms and artillery

    read two letters from my wife dated March 12^th and 16^th Gen Granger bombarded Spanish Fort this evening at 5 O’Clock. Very heavy

5^th heavy skirmishing in front all day. The rebs did not use their artillery much to day. Most likely owing  to the close proximity of our sharp shooters.

    The 20^th under arms  nearly all the time ready at a  moments notice

6^th the regiment called out this morning before daylight to repel a charge from the Rebels. They failed to

    come out Steady firing all day on both sides 5th day of the Siege of Blakely Alabama

7^th The 20^th Called out again this morning before day. Our brigade battery opened fire on one of their

    forts. but the rebs Knocked it in a cocked hat in less than ten minutes. Very little firing this

    afternoon. But heavy about dark and at midnight-from the reb artillery.

8^th Our Regt ordered out one O’Clock this morning march to the rifle pits in a galling fire. Bolton of Co

    "K" wounded. Wrote my wife a letter. Bombarding of Spanish Fort terrific I never heard the like  before in my life

9^th Spanish Fort taken yesterday by Gen. Granger. Co "C" out in rifle pits from 8 P.M. Saturday night til  Sunday morning daylight.

    The Johnnys are very still and hardly reply to our artillery. At 20 minutes  Past 5 P.M. our force charged the rebel fort and works, Blakely Ala and took them

    in less than 30 Minutes with two thousand four hundred & fifty Prisoners and 30 pieces of artillery Glory enough  For one day  10^th In Camp Blakely Alabama

   having a good rest after our hard work yesterday. Not one of Co. "C"  injured in the charge on the rebel works  Nor but one in the  Regiment.

   Nothing short of the  interposition of divine providence Saved our Regiment from terrible loss yesterday in the charge  on the works. W.P.H.

11^th In Camp Blakely Alabama wrote my wife a letter broke camp and moved inside the Rebel works. Camped.

12^th In Camp Mobile Surrendered to the U.S. forces under Major Gen Granger. Great rejoicing in the 20^th Iowa

13^th In camp Rebel works Blakely Alabama. Ricvd letters from my wife dating March 19^th & 26^th

    One from Mother dated March 27^th and one from Lewis dated March 19^th

14^th broke camp at nine O’clock this morning. Got aboard the Warrior bound for Mobile. Arrived at

11 O’clock. President Lincoln and Sec Seward Murdered Mobile Ala.

15^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter wrote my mother a letter

16^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter News to day of Lees Surrender to Grant. Much rejoicing in Mobile

17^th Mobile Ala new of Johnstons Surrender to Sherman. Two hundred guns fired to day from the gun

    boats in Mobile bay in honor of the surrender of Lee

18^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter

19^th Mobile Ala In Camp Issued clothing to Co "C"

20^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter  first tidings of the death of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Sorrow pervades the entire army.

    We swear before high heavens to avenge those murders

21^st Mobile Ala Moved in the Cotton Press on Royal Street Ricvd two letters from Fannie dated April 2^nd & 5^th

22^nd Mobile wrote my wife a letter

23^rd Mobile wrote my wife a letter

24 Mobile In Camp

25^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter ricvd letter from Fannie dated April 9^th one from Charlie same date wrote Charlie a letter

26^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter wrote mother a letter

27^th Mobile No news

28^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter.

29^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

30^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

May

1^st Mobile paid today

2^nd Mobile wrote my wife a letter Sent money home by (express)[last word of sentence unintelligible]

3^rd Mobile Ricvd two letters from my wife dated April 17^th & 21^st wrote my wife a letter

4^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

5^th Mobile News of Dick Taylor Surrender (official) wrote my wife a letter

6^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

7^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

8^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

9^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

10^th Mobile dull and very hot

11^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter wrote mother a letter

12^th Mobile Ricvd a letter from Fannie dated April 26^th wrote my wife a letter

13^th Mobile (entries from this point on are in fancy script using pen)

14^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

15^th wrote my wife a letter Moved camp 3 miles from Mobile this afternoon

16^th In camp near Mobile Sent home in Caps Box

1 jacket 2 caps 1 pr suspenders

1 rebel horn. 1 overcoat

1 pr pants. 1 pr gloves

1 pr slippers. 5 pr cotton socks

2 pr drawers

wrote my wife a letter

17^th In camp near Mobile wrote my wife a letter

18^th In Camp near Mobile wrote my wife a letter

19^th In camp near Mobile wrote my wife a letter Ricvd two letters from Fannie dated May 2^nd & 4^th

20^th In camp near Mobile Ricvd a letter from Fannie date May 9^th 1865 wrote my wife a letter

21^st In camp near Mobile wrote my Fannie a letter

22^nd In camp wrote my wife a letter

23^rd In camp wrote my wife a letter

24^th In Camp went to the city for oysters got them. Eight-Dozen Sent my wife two copies of New Orleans Times

25^th In Camp Explosion of ordinance depot in Mobile over two hundred lives lost wrote my wife a letter

26^th Mobile Ala broke camp at nine O’clock and moved back to the city Sent my wife Mobile Paper

27^th Mobile Ala waiting for orders to move out to Whistler on the Mobile and Ohio R.R.

28^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter Ricvd a letter from Fannie dated May 15^th

29^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter ‘left the city and went out to Whistler M.& O. R.R.’ (pencil entry in single quotes)

30^th Whistler Ala wrote my wife a letter

31^st Whistler Ala In Camp wrote my wife a letter went to City to day wrote my wife a letter

June

1^st Whistler Ala Do not feel well to day. No news of importance

2^nd Whistler Ala Ricvd letter from Fannie dated Mat 22^nd 65 wrote my wife a letter

3^rd In camp Whistler Ala wrote my wife a letter (pencil entry in not quite as nice hand)

4^th Whistler Ala Hot, Hotter, Hottest

5^th In Camp wrote my wife a letter

6^th Whistler Ala wrote my wife a letter (no 80)

7^th Whistler Ala wrote my wife a letter (81)

8^th Whistler Ala Relieved from duty at this Post wrote Fannie a letter (82)

9^th Mobile Ala broke camp at Whistler this morning at 8 O’Clock and moved to Mobile wrote my wife a letter (83)

10^th Mobile Ala

11^th Mobile wrote my wife a Letter.

12^th Mobile Ala. Marching Orders. Wrote my wife a letter (85)

13^th Mobile wrote Fannie a letter wrote George Darrah Massachusetts

14^th Mobile Ricvd a letter from my wife dated May 31^st wrote my wife a letter

15^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter (88) (100)

16^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter

17^th Mobile Sick To Day not on duty

18^th Mobile Ricvd a letter from my wife dated June 4^th 1865 Sick. Not on duty

19^th Mobile Not as well to day not on duty. Wrote my wife a letter wrote Mother a letter

20^th Mobile Sick. Not on duty

21^st Mobile Sick. Not on duty

22^nd Mobile Sick. Not on duty. Wrote my wife a letter

23^rd Mobile Sick. Not on duty.

24^th Mobile Ala On duty wrote my wife a letter (92)

25^th Mobile went to church this evening

26^th Mobile

27^th Mobile wrote my wife a letter

28^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter (94) went to work again on muster out rolls.

29^th Mobile Ala Orders to Muster Out (extra fancy script)

30^th Mobile Ala wrote my wife a letter (95)

July

1^st Mobile Ala. Commenced work on our muster out rolls wrote my wife a letter 96,,

2^nd Mobile at work on muster out rolls

3^rd Mobile On Muster Rolls

4^th Mobile hard at work on Muster out rolls dull day for me

5^th Mobile at work on Rolls No news.

6^th Mobile Ala. Finishing work on the Muster out Rolls. Wrote My wife a Letter

7^th Mobile writing all day and late at night on Company papers

8^th Mobile Mustered Out of the United States Service This Morning at 8 O’Clock

9^th Mobile Ala. Ordered to move in the Morning on Steamer to New Orleans

10^th Mobile Ala. Left Mobile this Evening at 7 O’clock on the steamer Alice Vivian Homeward Bound

11^th arrived at Fort Morgan half past Six this Morning. Visited the fort while one boat was discharging

    freight. Landed at Fort Gaines a few minutes

12^th arrived at Lakeport at 8 O’clock this morning and the city of New Orleans at 9 O’clock.

Left the city half Past 3 on the Steamer J.H. Baldwin for Cairo

13^th arrived at Baton Rouge at 1 O’clock P.M. Passed Morganza 7 O’clock evening

14^th arrived at Natchez 12 O’clock M. Passed Grand Gulf half past six P.M.

15^th arrived at Vicksburg this morning six O’clock

16^th On Steamer J.H. Baldwin strong head wind all day arrived at the mouth of White River  7 O’clock P.M.

17^th arrived at Helena at half past 12 M.

18^th arrived at Memphis this morning Six O’clock

19^th Passed New Madrid 11 O’clock Evening

20^th arrived at Cairo half past eleven A.M. left for St. Louis half past 4 O’clock P.M.

21^st Passed Cape Girardeau at dusk

22^nd Arrived at St. Louis at 7 O’clock left St. Louis at 12 M. on the cars for Clinton

23^rd arrived at La Salle Ill. At 6 O’clock and Dixon Ill at 9. Arrived Clinton Iowa 2 O’clock P.M.

24^th Clinton Iowa In Camp (childs scribbling at bottom of entry)

25^th Clinton Iowa turned in our guns and equipment

Postnote: William P. Hewes returned home and immediately to work. Although he was too late to put in a crop on the family farm that year. William earned a steady income through the help and generosity of friends and family. The remainder of the diary contains accounts , lists of work done and for whom the work was done along with the recipe of an alcoholic libation. There are lists of purchases, receivables and payrolls from the harvest. Also there are lists of men. Apparently men from Scott County who served in the war are listed in the memorandum of the diary, these are their names along with the notations next to them.

Sgts

 Hewes

Grace

Conner

Smith

Hale

Corp.

Cooper

Kirkpatrick

Drancker

Brummick

Mc Daniel

Tyler

White

Privates

Armel (G Dis) Jones

Baker (G) crossed through

Barton (G) Koch

Bell (G)

Bently (G Dis) Little

Curtis (G) McBride

Cochran Mason

Conner (Dis) crossed through Moore

Morrison

Davis Manrearing

Melchert

Elder Mc Cutcheon (Dead)

French Orions

Greenlief Preston

Graham (crossed through) Patterson

Gurion Ronabaugh

Gray

Hanlon Sanders

Hanson Snider

Harvey Schultz

Hogan Shaw

Harriman Shallert

Harrell Stapleford

Hallenbeck Stulls

Haerling

Huff Trucks

Hurd Tallmans

Thompson

Jacobs Trindall

Johnson (transferred) Wilson Weiss Wells

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