Excerpts from my Great Grandfather Valentine L. Spawr's Civil War Diary

Company C, 14th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Valentine L. Spawr
Born 1835, Died 1882.

The diary is entitled "A Record of Passing Events Kept By Me and Recorded Each Day as They Transpired." In transcribing the diary, I will replicate all spellings exactly as printed in the diary.

Sunday, July 5th. -- All quiet today. I went to town with Lieutenant Stoughter. There was a little excitement this morning. Our mail boat started off and there was a man on board whom the detective suspicioned and the cannon was fired which brought her back and we took the fellow off and he proved to be a rebel Colonel in disguise.

Monday, July 6th. -- All quiet today. Nothing of note occurred. Weather still warm and river rising very fast.

Tuesday, July 7th. -- Nothing today. All quiet until evening, then we had a light shower of rain.

Wednesday, July 8th. -- This morning all of the troops were called up in line and officially told that Vicksburg was taken on the Fourth of July. The Colonel commanding here told all hands that they might celebrate the occasion, that there were exempt from drill on this day and could all go to town without a pass and I am not well enough to go. The boys are pretty much all going and will have a great spree tonight. I see several men in camp and at any other time they would be incarcerated in the military prison. They boys went to town and nearly cleaned the town out, especially the saloons. They tore out everything and brought chairs and everything you could think of to camp with them.

Thursday, July 9th. -- All quiet todayl All feel hard after their spree.

Friday, July 10th. -- All quiet still today. Weather very warm. I have been very unwell for some days and feel worse today. I am at the hospital to stay, I don't know how long. I have got something like the bloody flux. About ten o'clock this morning the drum beat the long roll which calls every man to get ready for battle. It is now one o'clock and every officer and man is ready for duty at a moment's warning and ordered to remain so. The enemy is reported but a few miles off in considerable force. The report now is that the enemy have taken possession of Union City twenty miles back from this place and our men are still ready to go to attack them. The 32d regiment have gone on the cars and when the train returns our regiment expects to go out. If they go tonight or tomorrow I fear I will not be able to go. At ten o'clock p. m. the long roll is beating and
the cry "fall in," "fall in," from all directions. I suppose it is another scare although there may be danger. I understood from an officer that those men were all to be thrown out on guard, that the rebel are marching on us. I can't believe it.

Saturday, July 11th. -- This morning at 1 a. m. camp all in arms coming in from guard and going out. There was an officer at the hospital stating that he wanted every man put on duty at such time as this. I see the scare has not subsided yet. I spoke to Lieut. Stoughten to ascertain the extent of the raid as near as possible and he informs me so I can make a note of it. However I was informed that the 4th Missouri cavalry was attacked, badly cut up and two companies taken prisoners. I just understood that the 32d Iowa infantry regiment got back last night bringing with them some twenty wounded soldiers that belong to the 4th Missouri cavalry. They were wounded in the skirmish and the rebels could not carry them and left them there. There were also some killed and they buried them.

At 12 o'clock noon things are rather quiet again, but we keep up very heavy guards yet. I heard a few minutes ago that company D. 14th was going out on a skirmish or reconnoiter and hunt up the enemy. It they should be found they must fight or climb, for the success that we have had is bound to clean them out if we can. Tomorrow is inspection and all hands are clearning up around their quarters. At 3 o'clock p. m. all quiet but on the lookout for the enemy, but I think that it will blow off by and by. I must say that I have transgressed my general rule of detesting ministers for our chaplain has visited me twice since I have been in the hospital and he seems very sociable and I think he is much of a gentleman and he is not always moralizing, but ever sociable and kind and interested in a man's welfare. His name I have not learned, but in my next interview I will and set him down as an exception to ministers. There are only about ten men in our hospital and I think all will get well. I have known of one soldier dying since we have been here.

All still yet at 5:30 p. m., some pitching horseshoes, others lying around, but no man,officer or private, allowed to leave the camp lines. They keep all hands ready for the contemplated battle which I fear will not come off at this time. If they must be fought I want them to come now while we are ready and looking for them for tomorrow I will be ready to take hold with the boys if I have no bad luck. At 10 p. m. the camp is all uproar. The loud shrill sound "fall in," "fall in" is heard all over camp. They are going out to double the picket guard. It has been very cool today and cloudy."

Transcribed and submitted by greatgrandson

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