Wiegand, Peter, Diary of Civil War Life - 1 Jan 1998 - Macoupin County Illinois
copyright Edward Wiegand



contributed by Edward Wiegand



CIVIL WAR LIFE AS DESCRIBED IN PETER WIEGAND'S DIARY

 
Introduction: For years I had heard of the existence of a Peter Wiegand diary, but a great aunt in Shelbyville seemed unwilling to give it up when I began to work on the Wiegand family genealogy. Finally, after considerable coaxing and pleading, she agreed to let me come to her place to read it. As it turned out, she had been ashamed to let anyone see it over the years because of the misspellings, unorthodox grammar and creative punctuation employed by my great-grandfather. It was only after I assured her that spelling was much less standardized in those days, and convinced her that Peter was writing in the field under adverse conditions, that she consented to allow it to be copied for my use and for other members of the family who had heard about the diary.

In this transcription, I attempted to retain the rustic language and old fashioned style of capitalizing most nouns and key words, but, for the sake of modern readers, I have used more standardized spelling and revised the punctuation to make for easier reading.
 
Peter Wiegand returned from the Civil War to go into business with his brother-in-law, C.C. Paul, in a general store in downtown Alton. The store reamined in business for many years, but Peter sold out his interest after a few years and moved to a farm just south of Bunker Hill, part of the farm now owned by Charlotte Moulton. Some twenty years later, he retired from farming due to failing health and moved to a house in town on the southwest corner of Warren and Clinton streets. Peter died in 1902 and is buried in Bunker Hill Cemetery with his wife, Marie Elizabeth (Paul) Wiegand.

History & Description of the Voyage of Peter Wiegand
 
On the 6th day of Aug. 1862 A meeting was called by the young men of the District in the center between Brighton and Woodburn to which I belonged In which were present 25 that were capable of going to the Army of which nineteen Promised faithfully to meet at the same place next morning to go as Brothers to the front to meet the storms of the Great Rebellion. But
when morning came, only six besides myself were true to their promise. A Brother of one of the six furnished us conveyance to Bunker Hill, but on the way, one of the young recruits departed from the wagon we were riding, and that was the last we seen of him until we came home again.
 
At Bunker Hill we went by RR to Gillespie, Ill were we signed the pledge and taken the Pronclad Oaths the same day and was treated to an Oyster supper by our expected Superiors in the feeling after that we made a beginning to endure hardships in sleeping in a freight car and finding the Softest place of the floor on which we curled down and took a hearty nap as
bold as a soldier. Next morning on the 8 inst. we left for Camp Butler near Springfield, Ills. Here we were furnished with camp Equipages such as tents, Camp kettles etc. Several days elapsed before our regiment was filled---when full we received the blue Uniform. We drilled & paraded every day until Oct. 3rd 1862 we boarded the cars on a freight train on the Great
Western RR to Springfield, thence on the Chicago & Alton RR to Alton where we meet a good many friends. Left Alton 1/2 hour [later] on the same train on the Indianapolis RR towards Cincinnati. On the way we received cakes, pies all kinds of fruits at every Station from the ladies that came running to the train as it stopped, saying God bless, bidding us good-bye for this
side of Eternity.
 
At the end of two days we arrived at Cincinnati on a Sunday Morning. From there we crossed a bridge made by barges pined together to Covington, Ky. This City is mostly populated by Germans and situated in a very hilly Country. Left Oct. 8, marched to Camp Mitchell Near Fort Mitchell which is about 2 miles Southwest of Covington. This fort is built by the Union
troops out of Ground and wood in a very uneven Country, about one half of the land in Cultivation the other covered with large Beech Trees that were felled, one way rifle pits dug through every hill and Hollow within three miles around Covington. On the 14th Oct. 1862 at midnight, Muskets were fired off on the picket-line. The Long roll was beat and the call "fall in"
was heard all over the Camp! In ten minutes all were in ranks for the first time to go under fire.
 
Forward we were taken in haste through the dark in a Skirmish Line but after marching for a mile and 1/2 almost every one was lost one from another. Then[we] came to the conclusion that it was a false alarm & went to Camp! Then found that under the Excitement Some had taken others' Muskets others' Shoes. Some had reversed the boots on their feet which made
it quite uncomfortable to walk but did not know what was the matter until all was over.
 
Left Fort Mitchell due south over a very rough and hilly Country, so stony that it is almost impossible to pass. Arrived at Falmouth on the 20 inst., This being a small village about 55 miles south of Covington. Left there on the 22nd inst. arrived at Cinthean, Ky. on the 24 inst. This town is small but very beautifully located. Contains about 1000 inhabitants. Left there 26 inst. Marched through Snow that was melting which caused it to be very Sloppy and hard to march. Arrived at Paris, Ky. the same day.
 
This City is a fine place with a small river by the Side of it & containing about 8000 inhabitants. Left there 28 inst.--arrived Camp near Lexington next-day! The Country between Paris & Lexington is very uneven mostly all under Cultivation. The City of Lexington contains about 10,000 to 12,000 inhabitants and a noted place as containing the Monument of H. Clay,. Left
there 30 inst. arrived at Nickelsonville the same day. This village is small and miserable looking. The farmers throngh this part of the Country raise corn, Hemp & Hay but very little wheat and other small Grain. They have macadamized the road from one town to the other. From Covington to Nickelsonville & Louisville we came across fine villages, beautiful Plantations with large Houses & fine shrubbery in front of them.
 
The City of Louisville is noted as a Great Business place containing 70,000 inhabitants and very rich soil in the surrounding country.
 
Left there Nov. 19 1862 on Board of Steamer Olive Sullivan, went down the Ohio River, arrived at Cairo on the 24 inst. Their we Changed Steamers to the Champion. Left their 25 inst., arrived at Memphis Tenn. 26 Nov. 1862.
The City is a good business . . .5 days then had to retreat---left the field after night to the same boats that we were on before. The fleet then took us up White River which is 200 miles north of Vicksburg. Ten miles from up White River we entered in A slough called a cut-off which joins White & Arkansas Rivers, then run up Arkansas River 4 miles & landed Jan 10 1863. At Evening we marched out through mud and water, Swamps & Brush, while the Gun Boats Bombarded the Forts of Arkansas Post with all energy, and the infantry surrounded it--after night[fall] we then taken some prisoners which was on picket! After taken they expressed their desire or hopes that they would get some coffee, as it was something they had not got
for some time. Next morning (Jan 16th Sunday) we continued to close up slowly until 10 A.M. The Musket-fire opened and Artillery & Gunboats threw theirShells so fast into the earth works that it was impossible for the rebs to stand it any longer than 4 hours. Just as we were at the point of a charge, the white Flag was hoisted. We took 7000 prisoners, 8000 arms, 3
Batteries each containing 7 Guns. At 5 P.M. one regiment of rebs came to reinforce their troops which was out along the Mississippi River & taken our mail, but hearing the fight they hurried back without opening the mail, but as the whole was captured our pickets hid themselves and let them in & coming into the fort they were surprised to hear the word "Surrender" as
they was compelled to without fight.
 
There we received our mail which they had taken from a Captured Boat. The rebs were all Texas Volunteers & fought well. We remained in the Field 3 days of which the last two days was cold & Raining & had no Shelter.
 
We left there Jan. 16, 1863 on Board of a Steamer to the mouth of the Arkansas River. Left there 19 inst. arrived at Youngs Point opposite Vicksburg on the 21 of Jan. 1863. We camped along the River in view of Vicksburg, the Camp stretching along the river bend fifteen miles in length. The weather was cold and Rainy during our stay at that place which caused much sickness so that only 4 of our company were fit for duty at one time; besides Homesickness was terrible and devastating among us! Which many of our companions was victims at that time. The latter part of our stay at Youngs Point we dug a canal in order to run our Boats past Vicksburg without any risk. The Bend of the river was nine miles around & through the canal but three. But in this we did not succeed. We then prepared a sham Gunboat out of an old Flat Boat & barrels & old Canvas so as to make it appear as a Gunboat and let it float down the river in a dark night which caused a bombardment such as to make the foundation of the Earth shake. They thought it was queer they could not sink the Ironclad! We caught it below the City found it was literally riddled with Balls but it being all light wood it would not sink (quite a treat for us).
 
The river rose very high so as to fear the levy would give way and water rush on us. We left there March 8th, 63. Marched to Mulligans Bend 20 miles up the River. There we had to go through several inspections and Reviews to be ready for the Great Campaign.
 
Left there April 15, 63, arrived at Richmond the same day. Left there 16, arrived Homes Plantation [in the] evening, Our Source was south on the west side of the Miss. River. From there we left in the evening of 24 Apr., marched all night, arrived at Smiths Plantation at morning. The Night was dark, the roads slippery & muddy which caused us to suffer considerable. Smiths Plantation is Situated along a bayou.

Left there Apr. 28, 1863 on board of a Boat which Steamed down the bayou which was a very narrow passage. It being so high we could pass through the Timber over tops of trees through drift wood looking almost impossible to pass which lead us to the Miss. River. Landed 6 miles down the River [at] Perkins Plantation. Left there the same day marched till 10 o clock at night Left there next morning 29th April 1863 arrived at Hardtimes at Evening which is opposite Grant Gulf.

The country between Milligans Bend and Hardtimes is very low and Swampy with plantations along the river, one joining the other, being the highest & the only Ground that could be cultivated & very rich soil. Everything was destroyed as we went along. We then crossed the Mississippi River by the Boats that had passed Vicksburg and were riddled with Balls while passing. Two of them was incapable of raising Steam which was towed by three others. These 5 boats made two trips across on the 30 of April 1863 before night [on] which crossed a number of men that is not known to me But it was quite an inferior force to the enemy which we meet the next morning (May the 1st 1863) after marching all night. Hearing the cannons in front of us we knew what we were to meet.

Tired & fatigued as we was and nothing but fat side meat in an uncooked state to eat for several days, a companion and myself marched ahead of our regiment to cook us some coffee. We came to a Plantation where Beehives were upset by soldiers. While [we were] taking honey Brig. Gen. Landrum came to us. Boys what reg. you belong to? 97th Ill. was the reply. Your reg. is about one mile. Go right back & join it. We did start about 100 steps then turned to one side & cooked us some coffee; this revived us so that we could stand it all day. We soon received orders to throw our Blankets in a pile and double quick about 3 miles then fall in line of Battle charge in a run & yelling to the full extent of our capacity.

This Battle was called Magnolia Hills, which are partly cultivated, the other parts are covered with cane. The rebs [were] entirely routed by night. We slept on the battle ground. Next morning we followed up. Found a bridge burned at Port Gibson. We went to work and built one out of a large Barn and some old houses on which we crossed on the 3rd inst. After marching 8 miles we came to Grindstone Ford where we found another bridge which was afire but not damaged to any extent.

Many People will ask the question, How do you really feel when you go into Battle. That is really divided into three ways, or courage as I should call it. First there is what we might call Physical, Natural or even Brutal courage. It seems to be born in some men, But those who possess it to the greatest degree are often proven moral cowards, liable to panic, given to action without thought or reason and in reverses are almost always worthless. They go in with a rush, abuse victory, and in a retreat are always in front.

Now I always considered myself to be the second class. Who feel fear, who never enter a storm of shot and shell without feeling cold spots all over them. But who are ashamed to run, or exhibit the real tremor that they feel. They have mind and reason, and feel that it is better to die than be dishonored. The 3rd in short are downright cowards. As I heard one say, "You may run your Bayonet through me, but I cannot go in the front where the Rebel Bullets fly."


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