Misc Manuscript Coll

Monday.  A. M. Bean called this morning with his Description List, which had been made by Orderly True.  His clothing account was entered as $39.05.  If it is not correct it will be rectified when we get the clothing book.  He with nine others of the Regt. has re-enlisted for 2 years, their time to commence from the date of muster out of the 22^nd.  They are to have two months furlough from the 15^th of July.

[Capt. I. W. Case died very suddenly at nine o’clock P.M. July 6^th after making this last entry in his journal, congestive chills were the cause of death.  His age was forty years.]

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscript Collections]

Tuesday.  Received a letter from Pamelia dated June 15^th.  All well at home.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, & all that is within me, bless his holy name.  She had received the two letters written at Algiers, 7 knew that we were here before Port Hudson.  Went out to the 3^rd Brigade Commissary, to draw rations for the 3^rd, 4^th, & 5^th [illeg. word]  Only a part of the articles we wanted were on hand, so we waited for teams to come from the landing, & at length, got nearly all except rice & beans.  Issued the rations in the afternoon.  Some new recruits came in toward night, whom we shall have to draw for tomorrow.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Tuesday.  This morning Sergt. North brought in the muster & pay rolls, having filled up to of them yesterday.  I completed … one for him, & he took the whole back to the Regt. to finish.  Lt. Truworthy  who started on Sunday for Baton Rouge for the last rolls had not returned this morning, & we fear something has befallen him on the way.  10 o’clock.  The “storming party” has just got into line to be reviewed by Genl. Banks.  I do not go out, as I cannot obtain a horse this morning.  The commissary has brought in the balance of the three days rations, & has issued them to the companies, & all appear to be well satisfied with their share.  In afternoon[!] wrote a letter to Pamelia stating how I am situated, & what the “storming party” hope & expect[!] to do.  Carried the letter, with sever other home letters, to Lt. Jerrard, who will forward it if I do not survive this attack.  Also gave him the certificates I made on the 28^th about ordnance, ord. stores, & Quartermaster’s property that I am responsible for, so that if I am not alive to settle my co. business, he may be able to do it without loss to my family.  I trust that a kind Providence will spare me to do this business myself, but think it wise to entrust it to someone who will feel interested to have it done correctly.  Lt. Brown went on to the Regt., says it was mustered for payment.  Capt. Wood has gone over this evening.  At dress parade the Capts. Were directed to see that the companies get through with breakfast by 6 o’clock tomorrow.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Monday.  Went early to Col. Berges’ quarters, for the morning whiskey ration for the men, but the Col. said there was but little left, & I need not issue any today.  The men were much disappointed.  Spent all the forenoon in getting three days rations from the Brigade (3^rd) Commissary.  The three days extend to Thursday night.  Met Genl. Banks while going out to the commissary.  He is to review the “storming party” at 4 ½ P.M.  At that hour both Battallions came out under their commanders, & formed in line, but after waiting till after 6 o’clock it was announced that Genl. Banks was unwell & not able to review them, but that if able he would review us at 10 tomorrow.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Thursday.  Capt. Wood, Lt. Brown & self reported for duty in the volunteer camp at 9 o’clock.  Built a tent of reeds, bought provisions of commissary, & had dinner cooked by Lt. B’s boy. Lt. Phillips of the Me. 12^th dined with us.  The volunteers do not seem to report very fast, nor is anything doing at organizing.  Serg. Mason of Co. “F” reported in [the] afternoon, making the aggregate from our Reg’t. nine.  Had a very quiet comfortable night in our new tent.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

Sunday.  Turned out about 1 o’clock A.M. & got into line.  We supposed that we were to make another Sunday attack but after moving out by Gen. Banks; Headquarters to the road leading into the place of last Sunday’s battle we filed to the left instead of the right, & pursued the main road to the east till 9 o’clock, when we halted at a little stream some six or eight miles out on the road to Jackson.  Here the provision trains came up bringing cooked rations.  Stopped & ate a hearty meal, probably for breakfast & dinner together.  We have with us the 12^th Me., 90^th, 91^st, & 131^st N.Y. & 1^st Louisiana with several field pieces & a small cavalry force.  Where we are bound we know not. Supposed to keep off reinforcements for the enemy in Port Hudson.

Our mail reached us while halted for dinner.  Got a letter of June 1^st from Pamelia..  All well at home at that date.  I thank my Heavenly Father for all his mercies.  After eating moved up a hill beyond the stream, & filed into a field on the right of the road, 7 stacked arms.  The men lay down & some of them got asleep, when in about an hour the order came suddenly to “fall in.”  [Read more…] about June 21, 1863

Thursday.  I omitted to record above that a flag of truce was sent in yesterday, asking leave to bring off the dead & wounded that were left in the field Sunday.  The Ambulance Corps was engaged in it all the afternoon.  The number  brought out is set by them at from 120 to 240.  None of them appear to have counted them—only two were found alive.  The rebs. came out & assisted in collecting the bodies.  God grant that we may not be called into another Sabbath fight.  When will our Generals learn to observe God’s day?  Col. P. said this morning that no regiment of our Brigade volunteered last night.  Very quiet about camp all day.  Wrote a letter to Pamelia this P.M. giving a short account of our two scenes of peril, the night’s skirmish in the brush, & last Sunday’s battle.  Carried the letter out to the Col.’s quarters & it is going to the landing tomorrow.  A mail leaves N. Orleans June 21^st, & I hope my letters will get there in season for it.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]