Iowa In the Civil War
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Presents the Journal of William A. Gray

 

William A. Gray was born in Hagerstown, Maryland Feb. 03 1833, Died June 09, 1917 in Albia Iowa. Enrolled in Captain William A. Brown's Company "L", 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, Iowa Veterans Volunteers on January 1, 1864, Discharged August 09, 1865 in Atlanta Ga.

He served as Quartermaster Sergeant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlanta Ga. July 6th 1865

Dear Wife:

I will commence the long looked for diary but it will be short and the most of it very very dry. This will be for the want of sufficient education, for there is enough of scenery on the trip to make it very good, but enough of this.

Now for the first day, March 21st,1865. We commenced the march for Chickasaw, Ala. Marched 12 miles, leaving our forage on our horses. We went into camp after dark at about 8:30 o'clock.

22nd, reveille at 4:00am, march at 6:00. This day we passed two rail stations on the Memphis and Ohio RR, Cherokee and Barton. Marched 20 miles and went into camp at 3:00 o'clock pm and foraged on the country for our horses.

23rd, reveille at 5:00am , marched at 6:30. we marched quietly all day until we came to Newberg. Here the Advance took a Rebel conscription officer and broke up his office, tore up his papers and sacked the post office. Went into camp at 4:00pm. Barber and Luther Foster went to a house and got 1 chicken and some flour. Marched 20 miles.

24th, reveille at 4:00am, marched at 7:30. This days march was tiring as we marched just in front of the train and we had to help them up the big hills. We went into camp on Bear Creek at 4:30pm. Marched 12 miles. After the boys had got supper some of them were ready to lay down when they was ordered to go and fix a bridge across Bear Creek close to the cataract.

25th, reveille at 3:30 am, marched at 4:30. This days march was in a barren country. Nothing but the long line of Cavalry and Artillery and pine trees to be seen all day. Our Company and Company M went off the road about 8 miles to get forage. The only thing like a farm was a house and 4 or 5 acres of cleared land and one old woman. She said that it was 5 miles across the creek to her nearest neighbors. She had but 4 or 5 bushels of corn. This we took and about one bushel of meal that her boy had just brought home. Then we started for her neighbors, but the creek was so deep and the opposite bank so muddy that we had to back out and go without forage this night. We marched back to the column and went into camp on Clear Creek at 8:30pm. Marched 30 miles besides the 10 miles for forage.

26th, reveille at 4:30am, marched at 5:30. Still on the pine ridge. Marched until 11 o'clock then we come to a crib of corn. Here we fed our horses and made some coffee for ourselves, then we resumed our march until about 2:00pm. Then we stopped and fed again. This was on the Sipsey River about 12 miles above the mouth. At 4:00 o'clock we resumed the march and marched down the river to the Black Warrior River. This we crossed and went into camp at Burnhams Ford on the Black Warrior. Went into camp at 6:30pm. Marched 25 miles.

27th, reveille at 4:30am, We did not march this morning as we had the Black Warrior to cross and it was very rough on the bottom and the water was very swift. Well we laid in camp waiting for the train to get across, then the 4th Iowa. Now our time came at 3:00 o'clock and we marched to the river very slow for only 2 could get in at a time and some of the men was so afraid that they would stop and watch someone fall and wash down the river, but when when our company come to the ford we plunged in and marched right along. Only two of our Company fell and they managed to stick to their horses so that they come out right side up. Then we marched 1 1/2 miles to camp. Went into camp at 4:30pm. Got supper and went to bed. It commenced to rain but we had our tents stretched and we were all right for this night, but the bugle sounds tell us that we must saddle and march. No one knew why this should be , but it was, and we packed our affects and one days forage and marched 12 miles in the dark. It took until almost daylight to make the 12 miles. This march was a very hard one, it raining most all the time, but we made the trip. Went into camp and slept some. O.A.B. and myself went to the schoolhouse and got a bench and used it for our bed. This day and nights march was 14 miles.

28th, We got our breakfast and marched to the Lucas fork of the Black Warrior. Here we halted for a few minutes and then crossed the river. This was deep fording. We then took the road to Elyton. Here the Advance drove a few Rebs out, but this was light work. Here we had everything that our Army wanted. Went into camp at 8:00pm. This days march was 21 miles.

29th, reveille 3:30am. We did not march this morning as we was waiting for General McCook to come up so as to turn the train over to him, however, he do not come up in due time so that the train was left with a company of our regiment until he should get all his command and train from here. The General sent Gen. Crohton with all his Brigade to Tuscaloosa but he met the Rebs to strong for him and he struck out into the woods and the Rebs lost him and he flanked them and went into Tuscalusa. This I learned from them after they come to us at Macon. At 12am we marched to the Cahaba River. Here the Advance had quite a skirmish with the Rebs. The Rebs cut the ferry boat but this did not stop us as there was a railroad bridge one mile above but we went into camp on the ground at the ferry as it was still raining. This days march was 13 miles.

30th, reveille 3:00am. We lay here in camp until 9:30am for the Sappers and the Miners to fix the railroad bridge so that we could cross. This was done by taking up the ties at each end of the bridge and laying them across the bridge. This was very narrow but we could lead two horses abreast by being careful. The crossing being affected we marched about 2 miles. Come to quite a river and a press mill. This our men burnt and then marched for Montevallo and went into camp at 9:00pm. Here we got all the forage we wanted of every kind. This days march was 23 miles.

31st, reveille 3:30am. We did not march early this day. We have received orders to supply ourselves with forage for this day and feed for morning and for the barefoot horses to be taken into town to be shod. The corn we got and was just about to send the horses when we heard the Tenth Mo. cavalry fighting. It was not long before, that one of our boys come in that was out, and told us that the Rebs was driving the 10th in. This was true for there was but two companies out on the Selma road, but our men soon stopped them. Now old Forrest had come up himself with some of his 'Brad'? troops and the Feds would have to skin back to Chickasaw. But the Feds did not drive so easy. They thought of going to Selma and taking that place. Well at 12 o'clock we started for the Rebs. We fought them about 8 miles from Montevallo. Here they said we should not cross. Now it was almost night and the Rebs had to be routed from their stronghold. Here our company was dismounted and marched into the swamp. The Rebs give back to the barricade that they had made of rails across the road. Here they layed for us. There was some I Company ahead of us deployed as skirmishers. Our Company was marching in columns of fours in the road. The Rebs held their fire until we got within 75 yards of their barricade, then they let loose on us. The bullets flew thick and fast in our ranks but it did not hurt us for we marched right up to their works and took them, then followed them 2 miles and fought them all the way. At last they left us. They could not stand our guns that was loaded all the time. Our gun is the Spencer carbine and we load it at the breech with seven balls, then when we want to shoot we throw a lever that throws the ball into the barrel. It is done very quick. This we call "pumping thunder at the Rebs", or so they thought. We did not get a man hurt, but some of those poor Rebs did. One Reb was laying on the floor in a house. I went in and asked him if he was hurt. He said that he was very bad. He wanted to know where the Yankees was and wanted me to get the doctor for him. I told him that the doctor would be there soon and that I was a Yankee. He said no more, and I went on. Now that this days work was done we went into camp at 8;30PM. Miles marched this day was 14.

April 1st, reveille at 3:30am. Marched at 6:30am, passed Randolph at 8 o'clock. Here General Long took the right hand road that led to Summerfield. Our division kept to the main Selma road. We went about 3 miles and stopped and fed at 9 o'clock. At 11 o'clock we resumed our march for Selma. We had not marched more than 4 miles when our Company was detached and sent out on the left to a small town called Old Maplesville, about 5 miles from the main road. This we did with a will. We come to the Rebs pickets about 2 miles from the town. I was one of the Advance and the first to see the Rebs. Brown ordered a charge. We charged and the Rebs run, but only to where there was 20 more of them on top of a little hill, but we did not stop so they would not stand. Gil Mudgett was up by my side and he could not get his pistol to fire, but my pistol fired every time and it went six times. I returned my pistol and was just about to draw my saber , but it was lost. It had slipped out of my scabbard in the charge. We caught 2 of the Johnnies and scared the balance to death or very near to it, but to go any further was madness for there were 500 more just beyond the town. So we took another road and started for the Column. We had not gone far when we come on one more of their Picket Posts. Now we was on the inside of the Rebs this time and the Rebs were surprised. They fired on us and of course we returned it. We was within 20 steps when they fired. I was in the Advance again and the Johnny on the right took good aim, or as good as he could for the chance he had. They then broke for the woods. We got a Lieutenant that was in command of the Post. He was so scared that he ____ in his pants. In this round we hurt some but I did not see any dead men, but some of the boys that was not so close as I was did. I think that one of my shots hit a very large man in the back and one of the boys said that he fell from his horse in the brush, this may be. Now that we got out of danger we went to the Column. The Brigade was halted and we stopped to rest at or near Maplesville Station. When we got rested we marched on. Now you must know that General Long was fighting all this time on the right and the Rebs kept falling back on the road that came into our road at Boges Creek. Now here we took the Rebs, and our Company was one of the Companies that charged the Rebs here. Long had already taken 2 pieces of artillery. We whipped the Rebs bad and took a great many prisoners. Our regiment took over 200 prisoners and our Company took 81 alone. Now this was a bad day for Old Forrest as he got hurt himself and badly whipped. This was called Forrest's April Fools Day,and so it was, for he had brought all the troops from Selma that he could ship and some of the men told me that they had not been off the cars more than 2 hours. Now that we had the big lot of prisoners, all the rest were turned over to our Company. We marched them to Plantersville. Here we turned the Johnnies over to the Tenth Mo. and we went into camp at 8:30pm. This days march was 23 miles besides the Enterprise and the Maplesville round.

2nd, reveille at 3:30am, marched at 9:00. The Rebs still retreating for Selma. General Long's Division took the Summerfield road on the right as he did the day before. We marched quietly and undisturbed until we come in sight of the Reb Works at about 3:30 pm. Now we was marched into a field behind a grove of timber. Here we dismounted and some of the men went to sleep while others went on the hill and some climbed trees to see the skirmishing. General Long was fighting on the right and the 2nd Brigade of our Division was skirmishing on the left. Now that all things were ready Long's men charged the fort and carried it. Now come our turn. So the 10th Mo. and our Regiment was mounted and moved out about 1/4 of a mile and dismounted. Now our Regiment was on the right of the Selma road and the 10th Mo. on the left of the road. Now all the country in front of us was open and most of the ground was swampy. The Rebs fired their big guns at us and they had very good range but they did not hurt a man.. I saw one piece that fell within six feet of me. That was the closest shot that they made. Now that we were coming in such a strong line and that Long had taken one Fort, the Rebs thought best to get out of there, but the mounted men were just to fast for them, and when they left their Works our men dashed into town. When we got to their Works we found only 5 or 6 men in them. Some of the prisoners said that Forrest said if we charged them that it was no use for them to try to hold the place. Now it was dark and our horses were behind us. We were marched into the edge of town to wait our horses. Our horses came and we went into camp. Now I had selected my ground for a bed and had put some of my things on the ground, but while I was getting some sticks to put my tent on, one of the other boys came along and threw my things on the ground and piled a lot of rails on it. I contended for my ground but he would not give it up and commenced abusing me. I had said all that I had to say but he kept it up and I was just out of humor and I jumped on him and pounded him a little. This was the only fight I have had since I was a boy, so I think this day was a day of note as Richmond and Selma fell and I had a fight of my own. We went to sleep and rested well. This days march was 29 miles on a very good road.

3rd, reveille at 4:00am, marched at 10:00am. Passed through Summerfield at 2:00pm, 7 miles from Selma. From Summerfield we marched to the Johnstons Ferry on the Cahaba River. Here we went into camp for the night at 6:00pm. Forage plenty. Miles marched this day was 21.

4th, reveille at 4:00am, marched at 6:30am. Now you should know that our Brigade was all the troops that was here. We marched back about one mile. Here we took the Perryville road. When we got to this place, Perryville, some of our Division had been there and had burnt it, but that they had not done a very big thing as there was only 10 houses in it and all the dwelling houses were still standing. Now we took the road for Randolph, not knowing where we were going or for what for, unless it was to burn the country. This we did . We burnt all the cotton and cotton gins and machine shops. Now it was time to go into camp and forage was scarce and all our Division was together. We went into camp at 4:30pm on scanty feed. Miles marched was 22.

5th, reveille at 3:30am , marched at 9 o'clock in the direction of Plantersville. Ten men and Lieutenant Williams was ordered to burn all the cotton and cotton gins and to shoot all the horses that were abandoned. This was a big job for we had marched hard and our horses were giving out fast. When we got to Plantersville we learned that Forrest had been there and had paroled all of our sick and wounded. We went into camp at 9:30pm within one mile of town. Forage plentiful. Miles marched was 20.

6th, reveille at 4:00am, marched at 6 o'clock. Now we took the road for Summerfield. We got to Summerfield at 12 o;clock. Here we stopped to feed. This town was not burnt and not damaged but very little, it being a nice place and no Government work there of any kind. There was a very nice Seminary there and there was about 600 young ladies from all parts of the South attending the school. At about 2:00pm we marched through the town and out into the country about 4 miles. We went into camp at 8:30pm, it raining all the time. Miles marched this day was 30.

7th, reveille at 4am, moved camp at 8 o'clock. The weather was damp. This day was all devoted to fixing up camp and drying blankets. Miles marched this day was 1/2.

8th, reveille at 5:00am. We had roll call as usual. Ten of us went out after corn blades for our horses. Returned, got supper and went to bed. At 9:30pm we was ordered to march to the city. This we did at 12:30am. We got to the city and went into camp for the balance of the night. Miles marched for forage,6; to the city,3 1/2; total for the day 9 1/2.

9th,reveille at 4:00am, marched at 6:00am. This time only 4 Companies was sent out. This was a blind and to cover our troops that was crossing the river. We marched through Summerfield and the to Fikes Ferry on the Cahaba River. A part of our Regiment had a fight at this ford with some of Forrest's men the day before. Our boys whipped them and ran them into the river. This Ferry is 21 miles from Selma. We returned to Summerfield and fed, then we marched into Selma. Crossed the river on the pontoon bridge and went into camp at 9:30pm. Miles marched 42. Now Selma was almost destroyed. Only a few more buildings to burn and the work was done.

10th, reveille at 3:30am, marched at 8:00am. Passed Benton at 3:30pm. Here the Advance had quite a fight, but the Rebs had to give back. They retreated on the Hayneville road, but our boys chased them so close that when they come to the bridge on Big Swamp Creek they did not have time to burn it but kept on, our boys after them. Here the boys killed and captured a good many. We went into camp at 6:00pm, one mile from the swamp. Miles traveled this day was 18.

11th, reveille at 3:30am, marched at 7:00am. We had only gotten straightened out when we halted. This halt was for the purpose of fixing about one mile of road across the swamp. This was done by the men carrying rails from each side of the swamp and laying them across the road in the mud.. While this was going on, General Wilson was having a man of the 4th Iowa whipped for stealing in Selma. They gave him forty lashes on the bare hide and took the watches and money from him that he stole. This did not pay him very big. We got the crossing fixed at 5:00pm, now we went on, rejoicing that the hard days work was done. After we had marched about one mile a soldier that had been out scouting come along and said that he had seen a Montgomery paper that stated that General Lee had left Richmond. This cheered the boys considerable. We marched after dark, passed through Lowdesboro at 9:00pm. This is a very nice little town. Went into camp at 10;30pm. miles marched this day was 10.

12th, reveille at 3:30am, marched at 5:30am. We had not marched over 8 miles when we heard that the Rebs had surrendered the town to General Wilson. Now all we had to do was march to Montgomery and so we did. We marched out into the country about 4 miles and went into camp at 4:00pm. Miles marched this day was 19. I went out with Captain Brown after dark for forage such as flour, meal,and hams. This added 10 miles to our days march. 13th, reveille at 4:30am. This day was all spent in cleaning up the Arms and washing but at 11pm six Companies of our Regiment was ordered to the city to patrol. We marched down and our Company did not come on duty until daylight. 14th . Now it was daylight and we had to patrol. At 8:00am our Company was ordered to unload some boats that was loaded with cotton and corn. This was done by the negroes. When the boats were unloaded we burnt them. When we got through we marched for Columbus. All the troops were already gone. We march 16 miles this day and went into camp at 2:00am.

15th, reveille at 5:00am, marched at 6:30am. Now we fed and got some dinner then we marched into Tuskegee. Here we halted while it rained as hard I have ever seen it rain. This is a pretty place. Now that it has stopped raining we march on. Went into camp at 8:30pm. Miles marched was 33.

16th, reveille at 4:00pm, marched at 6:00am. Marched through Crawford. Here our Advance burnt the jailhouse. They released a woman from it that had been confined there 2 years. The negroes said that she was a Northern lady. We marched up to the works of Columbus but when we got there everything had been arranged for the fight and we was held in reserve, so we went into camp at about 8 o'clock. The fight commenced and our boys carried the Fort and went into town. Now everything was quiet again and we went to sleep but did not know that Columbus was in our hands. Miles marched this day was 33.

17th, reveille at 3:30am, marched at 6:00am. Went into city and was put on Provost Duty. At this place we took all the flour and bacon that was in the city and give it to the poor and helped ourselves to anything we wanted. At night or just before dark, the citizens and the negroes crowded the streets and our Company was ordered out to disperse the crowd. This we did and then went into camp. We camped on Broad Street.

18th, reveille at 4:30am, and marched at 8:00, but not from the city. Our Company, with "K" and "M", was left to finish burning the town. When this was done we marched for Macon. Went into camp at 9 o'clock. Forage plenty. Marched 20 miles this day.

19th, reveille at 3:00am, marched at 5 o'clock. Passed through Bellview at 12 o'clock, crossed Flint River at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and went into camp at 5:00pm on Pleasant Hill. Marched 30 miles.

20th, reveille at 3:00am, marched at 6:30am. Crossed Big Potato Creek at Thomason's Cotton Factory. This factory was burning when we come up at 11:00am. We passed through Thomaston. Here I stopped with some men to stand guard at private dwellings until the Column should pass. I stopped at Doctor Heads. The Doc was not at home. He was a surgeon in the Reb Army. Went into camp at 9:00pm. Marched 25 miles.

21st, reveille at 4:00am, marched at 6:30am. At 8 o'clock the Adjutant came along the line and told us that General Cab, the Reb Commander, had sent a dispatch to General Wilson that a truce had been affected between General Sherman and Johnston. This pleased us for we knew that our Government would not come to terms with the Rebs unless there was a final peace in it. At 3:30pm we marched into the City of Macon. We crossed the river and went into camp at 6:00pm in East Macon. Miles marched was 22.

22nd, reveille at 5:30am. This morning we did not march, but fixed our camp for staying until ordered away. Now I will leave off until the 28th.

28th, marched at 7:30am. This march was a "sell" as every man thought we were going to Chattanooga. We marched out about 6 miles then the Command was halted, then moved into 'Close Columns of Squadrons'. Then every man was searched and everything that a soldier had that he should not have was taken away from him. Money and watches was the main thing. Gold and silver was all taken from them that had any. After this was done we went into camp. Now I will close by saying that this is the 15th of July and no prospect of going home soon. I am not well yet but I am much better than I was yesterday. I am not getting letters from you and I don't know what to write about. There is talk in camp that we are to go south of this and some say that we will go to Eufaula Al. Col. Jones told me himself that we were going south. The payrolls was signed up 4 or 5 days ago. I did not sign them. Now Abigail I do think that our officers are trying to keep us in the service and I have good grounds for thinking so, but I may be mistaken. If I am not and it is found out to be a certainty that they are using their influence to keep us in, they will suffer for it. Now will close for want of something to say. Yours Truly William A. Gray

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