Thomas P. Gere Diary: October 1864
This is an excerpt from the diary
of Thomas P. Gere of the 5th
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The excerpt focuses on the time period in
which Michael Herrmann served in
the 5th Minnesota. It includes the entries for August 29 through
December 31, 1864.
Month
Saturday, October 1, 1864.
Very little sleep for me last
night, - I had caught cold and a
toothache was the result. Rain again today from daylight until after
noon; it is certain we were not comfortable; and such roads, -
the distance we have made
today is called twelve miles; we are now among the Missouri hills
eleven
miles south of Greenville [1 ]. We have news
tonight
that Price has captured Ironton [
2 ] and had a fight with A. J.
Smith at Mineral Point [3
]; we shall not be much surprised to see some of the rebs soon, indeed
the General thinks we shall find some tormorrow. The Richmond story is
around again.
Sunday,
2d.
Very pleasant today; we have
certainly been able to appreciate the
sunshine. Marched about thirteen miles, bivouacking at Greenville,
having travelled two or three miles out of our way. Forded the St.
Francis at Greenville; it has seemed a little more like "God's country"
today. Have seen Union people. We have a house for quarters tonight. No
additional news.
Monday,
3d.
Left Greenville at six and
marching sixteen miles reached Castor river
about three P. M.; the day pleasant, the country rough but the roads
pretty good. We have reports tonight that Price has taken Sulphur
Springs [ 4 ] and is marching on St. Louis, - that
he
has 30000 men and that the whole Trans-Mississippi army is coming up to
re-inforce him. The General has determined to make a hard march
tomorrow.
Tuesday,
4th.
Reveille sounded at half past
twelve and we marched at two o'clock this
morning; the first six miles it was rather dark business but we got
along pretty well. Have marched twenty-eight miles today, passing
through Dallas, where we found a fine gravel road; our brigade has been
next to the advance; we got in about half past five; our bivouac is
near Whitewater creek [ 5 ]; the train did
not get up
until dark; the day has been rainy; we are sleepy this evening. The
troops have been on quarter rations some days.
Wednesday,
5th.
Marched twenty miles, to Cape
Girardeau; have once more emerged from
darkness into the glorious sunlight of civilization. This march of
nineteen days has been a pretty hard one; the command is somewhat "used
up," - at least it
"needs repairs"; many of the men are barefooted, the horses are about
"played
out"; we have marched three hundred and seven miles [ 6
]. We get tonight more definite news in regard to Price, - the reports
are not quite so alarming. [7 ]
Thursday,
6th.
Have had no "assembly" to disturb
us today, having remained quietly "as
we were" while arrangements have been making for our departure for St.
Louis. I have been busy making out returns, which with a cool wind
blowing has not been very pleasant business. Those who have been in
town say that Cape Girardeau is "quite a place."
Friday,
7th.
"The King of France, with forty
thousand men
Marched up the hill and, -
then marched down again."
We were kept up nearly all night
with orders to embark at daylight etc.
At about nine this A.M. moved down to the levee, found that none of our
boats had arrived; countermarched to our bivouac, - do not expect to
embark
until tomorrow morning. "Strategy, My Boy!" All the other brigades have
embarked; part of them have gone up the river. The wind is too cold for
comfort.
Saturday, 8th.
Just after daylight marched to the
levee and embarked; made our
headquarters on the Minnehaha; started up the river about nine; have
made slow progress, - the boat was loaded too heavily, - have had to
disembark the men and horses twice to get over bars. Weather very cold
/ Lieut. Sargent started for Memphis today, to bring up our camp
equipage.
Sunday,
9th.
Found ourselves tied op this
morning on aaccount of fog. Have slowly
made our way up the river, feeling all the time the disadvantage of
being on so large a boat. Not so cold as yesterday, but too cold for
comfort.
Monday,
10th.
Arrived at St. Louis about eleven
this morning and during the remainder
of the day have been busy. Tried to get our pay, but it was "no go," as
our rolls are at Memphis; Col. Gere however was fortunate enought to
get
his, and "loaned us a 50." Moved aboard the Enterprise. All went to the
theater in the evening.
Tuesday, October 11, 1864.
Took our departure from the city
at three P. M., everything necessary
for another campaign having been obtained; night finds [us] tied up at
the
mouth of the Missouri.
Wednesday, 12th.
Before we were up our boat got
under way; have been steaming up the
Missouri, which is quite low and full of snags. It is not so beautiful
as the upper Mississippi. At night our boat is again tied up.
Thursday, 13th.
A heavy fog on the river this
morning. The day has been very quiet with
us. Passed the town of Washington [8 ] this forenoon,
- a pretty place. In the afternoon stopped to take on
wood. A few songs in the evening.
Friday,
14th.
Moved on early this morning; the
day has been pleasant, - our boat has
got along pretty well; the channel has been precarious, - several boats
have
been on sandbars. Passed Herman [9 ] and some other
little towns, - saw several places where the rebs have destroyed
bridges on the Pacific Railroad. The scenery along the river is much
more beautiful than heretofore, - the trees on the hillsides are
colored gorgeously. Tonight we are nearly at the head of the fleet,
having passed several boats. [10 ]
Saturday, 15th.
Arrived at Jefferson City [11 ] about nine this
morning, only two boats with troops having got in ahead of us; the 8th
Wis. also arrived. Disembarked, in the afternoon took the
cars on the Pacific R. R. and moved out to Lamine Bridge [12
], arriving about midnight. Our wagon was upset after leaving the cars,
mixing up our things generally. We are inclined to think the whole
division will not be up for some days. Gen. Mower [13
] has been relieved and has gone to join Sherman [14
]; it is said Gen McArthur [15 ] will command
our
division; until he arrives Col. Woods of the 12th Iowa [16
] will be in command. [17 ]
Sunday,
16th.
Went to sleep about half past two
this morning; when we awoke the sun
was well up in the heavens. The day has passed very quietly; there have
been many citizens in camp, also part of a regiment of state militia
(cavalry) with a fat old fellow for a colonel. Part if [of] the 1st and
3d brigades came out today. Gen. A. J. Smith took tea with us, also
Col. Shaw of the 3d
division, which came up this evening. The rebs were at Sedalia [ 18 ] yesterday, but have gone.
Monday,
17th.
The sun has shone brightly but we
have had a real October wind. Nothing
of particular importance has taken place; several citizens have been
in,
- some of them have hard stories to tell about the way the guerrillas
are
using them. Capt. Houston [19 ] (who is now
on the
staff) and I have had quite a discussion today on
"matters and things generally"; the Captain is a philosopher.
Tuesday, 18th.
Have remained at Lamine Bridge
with nothing to record except the
performance of our usual duties. Pleasant, but cool.
Wednesday, 19th.
Lieut. Sargent returned this
morning and we were happy in the recipt of
a large mail. The 9th [20 ], 11th [21
] and the Battery [22 ] also came up. This has been
another of the rough days of soldier life. After being kept awake
nearly all night last night, - marched at daylight; travelled very
fast, reaching Sedalia [23 ] about noon;
rested about
three hours, then marched in a northerly direction sixteen miles
(making thirty in all) and bivouacked just before midnight. The brigade
numbered about one hundred men when we stopped; the road for
ten miles back is filled with men. It was an awful march, - a cold wind
all
day and rain after dark. [24 ]
Thursday, 20th.
A very cold day, - a cutting wind
all day long. Moved about ten, the 3d
division ahead; marched about fifteen miles over the prairie on the
Lexington road; bivouacked at dark a mile from wood and water. We are
unanimous in
the opinion that this is campaigning too far north for us. The enemy is
reported moving from Waverly toward Lexington [25 ].
Friday,
21st.
Did not get started until after
ten this morning, our brigade bringing
up the extreme rear, - a large train just ahead of us; marched to
Lexington a distance of twenty-three miles, arriving about nine
o'clock. It has been another very cold day, with the same wind that has
been blowing ever since we left Jefferson City; we have all suffered
some, - this is awful marching. Our division seems to be "running
itself" now-a-days, - we get no orders. We find tonight that Price has
got away from us; he passed through here
day before yesterday. Gen. Rosecrans [26 ]passed us
today going to the front. [27 ]
Saturday, October 22,
1864.
Marched at about ten, the 3d
division still ahead; nineteen miles,
nearly south [28 ]; of course we did not get into
bivouac until two hours after dark. When we halt at night not more than
one fourth of the men are present, - the
road is filled with stragglers who are unable to march with the column.
[ 29 ] [30 ]
Sunday,
23d.
Twenty-three miles today. Marched
at seven, and for once we have had
the advance; followed a blind road across the prairie, westerly at
first, then to the north, bivouacking about six miles south of
Independence [ 31 ]. A hard day; the men were told
that we would probably capture Price if the[y] made a good march;
tonight we have the news that he has gone to Kansas City, - that our
forces are fighting him on both sides, - that we have captured two
pieces of artillery [32 ], etc/ etc. Halted before
dark. The country, depopulated and desolate. [33 ]
Monday,
24th.
The advance marched before
midnight; we were on the road about two,
having had little sleep; we had burning fences to light us the first
five miles; passed through Independence just at the peep of day. From
there our course was southwest towards Westport; halted at noon on a
creek [ 34 ] about seven miles from Independence;
here was a fight yesterday [ 35 ]. From what
we can
learn the bird has flown; the rebs have got away; Price is well away
from us with nothing in his front to stop him. Rosie, you can't catch
Price with infantry, - not even with "Smith's ragmuffins"!
Tuesday, 25th.
Started on the Westport road,
turned southward toward Harrisonville [ 36 ], then to the west passing through
Little Santa
Fe, thence southward on the "state line road" about two miles, arriving
at one o-clock. Here we
received notice that we would remain an hour, but staid [sic] all the
afternoon
and will remain all night. Marched fifteen miles today and added
"Kansas"
to the roll of states in which we have campaigned. The reason for our
movements today I presume we shall never know; it is utterly
incomprehensible at present. The wind still blows.
Wednesday, 26th.
Marched southeasterly today about
twenty-three miles, passing through
Harrisonville and bivouacking a mile southwest of the town before dark;
the route across the prairie the entire distance; the wind has
continued
and tonight it is quite cold. The rebs are getting beyond our
knowledge,
- we have nothing reliable from them; it is believed they have divided
their
forces and are leaving; the general opinion seems to be that our
Generals
have been *outgeneraled*. Gen. Rosecrans is here tonight, and there is
trouble
about foraging and other things. We heard good news from Sheridan this
morning.
Thursday, 27th.
No movement today. Have been very
busy making returns and attending to
orders; too cold to write comfortably. We have news that Pleasanton has
captured
Marmaduke, 500 other rebs and five pieces of artillery. Good for the
cavalry!
Mr Price is not getting away easily after all. [ 37 ]
Friday,
28th.
Night finds us where we were last
evening; the day has been like
yesterday, - I have been still more busy. Tonight Quartermaster Law has
arrived from Warrensburg [38 ] with our
supply train,
bringing us a mail. The news is better and better, - Price is beaten
worse than we heard; so is Early; Sherman is reported to have whipped
Hood [39 ] again; Glorious! We hope this kin[d]
of
news will continue, and "this cruel war" soon be "over."
Saturday, 29th.
"We are here yet" but we have
orders to march tomorrow morning at six.
The day, cold and uncomfortable, but I have had enough to do.
Sunday,
30th.
Were up before daylight and at
about six were on the march; marched
northeasterly thirteen miles to Pleasant Hill [40 ],
arriving about noon. Busy this afternoon finishing our muster rolls.
Monday,
31st.
Today the command was divided into
several columns and ordered to
Lexington [41 ] and Boonville [42
], our division to the latter place; we were to move out on "the north
Warrensburg road"; no one knew where this road could be found, but at
one
o'clock we got started, marched about twenty miles on blind roads and
across
fields, - finally came out on the main road to Warrensburg [
43 ]; bivouacked after dark
about two miles west of Holden [
44 ]. This is what Rosie [45 ] calls "combing the
country."
Footnotes
[1] in Wayne County; population 400 in
2000 [
Return ]
[2] about 25 miles north of present
location at
Greenville [
Return ]
[3] 10 miles north of Ironton in
Washington County [
Return ]
[4] in Jefferson County, along the
Mississippi River [
Return ]
[5] in Cape Girardeau County [Return
]
[6] average of 16 miles per day since
leaving the camp
near Brownsville, Arkansas on September 17 [Return
]
[7] According to a report by
Rosecrans , on October 5,
General Mower reported his arrival at
Girardeau out of
supplies, his teams worn down, part of his cavalry dismounted, and many
horses unshod. [Return
]
[8] in Franklin County [Return
]
[9] in Gasconade County [Return
]
[10] According to Rosecrans
, on October 5th Price's command took Herman and burned the Gasconade
bridge. [Return ]
[11] in Cole County [Return
]
[12] in Cooper County [Return
]
[13] General Joseph A. Mower [Return ]
[14] General William Tecumseh Sherman [Return ]
[15] Brigadier General John McArthur,
commander of
the First Division of A. J. Smith's Detachment Army of the Tennessee [
Return ]
[16] of the First Division's Third
Brigade [
Return ]
[17] On October 15, Price sent a
Confederate
detachment to raid an arms storehouse at Glasgow, Howard County,
Missouri, where they secured rifle-muskets, overcoats, and horses. 400
Union and 50 Confederate casualties. Source:
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm [Return ]
[18] in Pettis County, about 25 miles
southwest of
Lamine [
Return ]
[19] perhaps John P. Houston [Return
]
[20] 9th Minnesota [Return
]
[21] 11th Missouri [Return
]
[22] 2nd Battery Iowa Light Artillery [Return ]
[23] in Pettis County [Return
]
[24] On October 19th, about 2000 Union
troops under
Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt engaged Price's army at Lexington, Lafayette
County, Missouri. Source: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm
[Return ]
[25] both Waverly and Lexington are in
Lafayette
County [
Return ]
[26] Major General William S.
Rosecrans [Return ]
[27] On October 21, Union troops again
fought the
Confederates, this time at the Little Blue River, eight miles east of
Independence, Missouri. Though the Confederates won the battle, they
were slowed in their progress. Source: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm
[Return ]
[28] probably toward Chapel Hill (cf.
Rosecrans' report ) [Return
]
[29] General Andrew J. Smith is
dispatched to move to
Independence ( Rosecrans
) [Return ]
[30] On October 22, Brigadier Gen.
John S.
Marmaduke’s division fought Union Major General Alfred Pleasonton about
two miles west of Independence. Source: http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/regiments.htm
[Return ]
[31] in Jackson County [Return
]
[32] Catherwood's regiment captured
two guns on
October 22nd at the Little Blue River near Independence (
Rosecrans ) [Return ]
[33] Battle of
Westport [Return ]
[34] Little Blue? [Return
]
[35] and/or the 22nd? [Return
]
[36] in Cass County [Return
]
[37] According to
Rosecrans' report , on
Tuesday, October 25th, two brigades of
Pleasanton's command attacked and routed the confederates at Little
Osage Crossing, capturing 8 guns,
2 stand of colors, Major-General Marmaduke, Brigadier-General Cabell, 5
colonels, many other officers, and nearly 1,000 prisoners [Return ]
[38] Johnson County; about 35 miles
west northwest of
Harrisonville [
Return ]
[39] Confederate General John Bell
Hood [Return ]
[40] in Cass County [Return
]
[41] in Lafayette County [Return
]
[42] in Cooper County [Return
]
[43] in Johnson County [Return
]
[44] in Johnson County, about 15 miles
west southwest
of Warrensburg,
and about 15 miles east southeast of Pleasant Hill [
Return ]
[45] Major General William S.
Rosecrans [Return ]
Month
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