Joseph R. Talley Diary, 1863
Thursday, January 1, 1863.
3d day of the fight of Stone River
We conceal our selves behind our breast works. the enemy charged upon us and was repulsed with heavy loss of life and 110 prisoners. no loss on our side.
Friday 2
heavy engagement in the center our troops driven back one mile after being reinforced. the enemy was driven back with great loss of life. we captured the Washington Star Battery. darkness ended the fight.
Saturday 3 night
the Rebels evacuated
Heavy skirmishing throughout the whole line during the day at dark a severe skirmish took place. Succeeded in driving the enemy from their position
Sunday, January 4, 1863.
Our company was on grand guards. Our troops takes possession of Murfreesboro and goes in persuit of the retreating Rebels an engagement took place into their rear guard.
Monday 5
Remaines at our breastworks day was spent in hunting and burying the dead.
Tuesday 6
I spent the day in walking over the battle field.
Many of our dead was entirely striped of their clothing by the Rebels
Wednesday, January 7, 1863.
Left the battle field and went in to camp on Stone River two miles south of Murfreesboro arrived at our camp ground after dark.
Thursday 8
Pitched our tents in the morning the remainder of the day was spent in policeing and cleaning up our camp.
Sunday 11
The day was clear and pleasant. went foraging in the morning five miles from our camp. returned in the afternoon with waggons loaded with corn and hay.
Sunday 18
I was on guard at Genl McCooks Hd quarters.
The day was clear and pleasant. Nothing of importance going on.
Monday, January 19, 1863.
Genl McCook leaves for Ohio. Genl Johnson takes command in his temporary absence
Friday 30
Went foraging. the party consisted of four Regts. the 27th 42nd 22nd & 51st Ills. and two pieces of artillery. Came upon the enemy 7 miles from camp. was fired upon
Saturday, January 31, 1863.
Went on grand guard. The day was very disagreeable It rained all night.
Sunday, February 1
Relieved from grand guard forded Stone River and arrived in camp at 6 oclock. The weather was cold and disagreeable
Monday 2
Our Regt. was detailed to work upon the defences at Murfreesboro. Day was cold and clear.
Tuesday, February 3, 1863.
Our brigade is on grand guard. The morning is cold and snowy in the afternoon the clouds break away and the sun comes out warm and pleasent. Our videttes are fired upon
Wednesday 4
Are relieved from grand guard. In the afternoon we are ordered out to reinforce a forageing party
Thursday 5
Brigade is on grand guard The wether is very cold and storming having snowed all night
Friday, February 6, 1863.
Relieved from grand guard The weather is clear and cold but pleasent nothing of importance transpiring
Saturday 7
Weather clear and pleasent Forage train attacked
Tuesday 10
Started for Nashville guarding the waggon train
arrived at Nashville at 9 oclock at night. Stoped in the court house. the day was very wet and disagreeable
Wednesday 11
The day was clear and pleasent. Spent the day in town. The waggons are all loaded and ready to move
Thursday, February 12, 1863.
Left Nashville at 7 oclock in the morning, arrived at Lavergne 3 oclock in the afternoon. The roads are very muddy.
Friday 13
Left Lavergne 7 oclock in the morning. our Regt went in advance. arrived in camp at 6 oclock in the afternoon. day clear and pleasent.
Saturday 14
The Regt goes to Salem to do picket duty and scout over the country to prevent the Rebels from getting in our rear I am still in camp
Sunday, February 15, 1863.
The day is clear and pleasent All is quiet in camp nothing worthy of mention transpiring
Monday 16
The weather is cold wet and disagreeable. nothing of importance going on
Tuesday 17
Still continues to rain
Wednesday, February 18, 1863.
The day is cloudy and wet nothing of importance going on.
Saturday, February 21, 1863.
for Ritchardson
3 papers brads 50
2 pair hinges 60
Sunday 22
Work for Ritchardson
1st week 4 Days
2nd " 4½ "
3rd " 5½ "
4th " 5½ "
Thursday 26
The Regt returned from Salem in the morning. wether very wet and disagreeable
Friday, February 27, 1863.
The Regt returned from picket 9 oclock in the morning The wether is very warm and pleasent. Nothing of importance transpiring
Saturday 28
Mustered for pay in afternoon Wether warm and pleasent
Sunday, March 1
Went foraging on the Salem pike. went 8 miles, returned to camp at dark.
the road very muddy
Monday, March 2, 1863.
In camp all day. received orders to be ready to march when called upon with 5 days rations. Wether warm and pleasent.
Tuesday 3
Under orders to be ready to march at a moments notice with four days rations. Wether clear and pleasent.
Wednesday 4
Started on the march. Stoped cooked dinner at Versailles. Camped at night one mile east of Eagleville. Wether cold and disagreeable.
Thursday, March 5, 1863.
Went to Eagleville formed in a line of battle. heard them fighting at Thompsons Station remained in line of battle all day. Wether pleasent.
Friday 6
Left Eagleville. marched seven miles on the Triune road. formed line of battle expecting an attack. enemy made their appearance on the hill. on picket at night.
Saturday 7
took up our line of march for Triune. arrived there, took a road for Franklin. camped 8 miles from Franklin. rained all night.
Sunday, March 8, 1863.
Marched to within 2 miles of Franklin. Camped for the night. Cannonading heard, wether clear and pleasent.
Monday 9
Marched from Franklin with Genl Granger's force toward Spring Hill. rout the enemy 8 miles from Franklin. our loss 3 killed. Camped 3 miles south of Spring Hill
Tuesday 10
Left Spring Hill found the enemy three miles from Columbia on opposite side creek with two batteries in position. Camped for the night
Wednesday, March 11, 1863.
laid over all day. Our Cavalry fords the creek and drives the enemy to Columbia they destroy the bridge our Cavalry returns.
Thursday 12
Started on our retreat at 8 oclock in morning arrived at Franklin at two oclock in the afternoon distance 21 miles.
Friday 13
Left Franklin in morning marched through Triune and camped two miles south.
Saturday, March 14, 1863.
Started for Murfreesboro. passed Jeff Davis division at Eagleville. Our Regt is in advance we arrive at our camp at Murfreesboro at 5 oclock in afternoon distance about 23 miles.
Sunday 15
We are in camp resting from our long and tiresome march. The wether is warm and pleasent.
Monday 16
It is assumed that Genl Bragg with a large force is invading Kentucky again.
Tuesday, March 17, 1863.
Our Brigade is on grand guard. The wether is clear and pleasent Nothing of importance transpiring
Wednesday 18
Returned from off picket Our division moves back to Stone River
We receive four months pay and are permited to postpone moveing until next day.
Thursday 19
Our Regt moves on to the bank of the river I am one of three that leaves our Company to join the Cavalry.
Friday, March 20, 1863.
Wether warm and pleasent. our Regt receives orders to be ready to march with one days ration in haver sacks
Saturday 21
Our pickets are attacked at daylight in the morning. Our Regt is called to their support. Sheridans division (3d) is reviewed at two oclock in the afternoon.
Sunday 22
Our Brigade goes on grand guard. The Cavalry vidette post is fired upon fireing all night. the enemy leaves before morning.
Monday, March 23, 1863.
We are relieved from grand guard and are reviewed at 12 oclock by Genl Rosecrans McCook Thomas and other distinguished Genls.
The troops present a fine appearance
Tuesday 24
Wether is warm and agreeable. nothing of importance transpiring
Wednesday 25
Wether very stormy and unpleasent. Snow fell in the morning. Cleard off in the afternoon. warm and pleasent.
Thursday, March 26, 1863.
Our division marched to Salem at 2 oclock in the afternoon and relieved Genl Davis Division which was advance guard there
Friday 27
Nothing of importance transpiring all is quiet along the lines. We are required to have cartridge boxes on from five until six oclock in the morning.
Saturday 28
Our pickets are fired upon by Rebel Cavalry and they leave. The wether is cold and disagreeable.
Sunday, March 29, 1863.
We are on picket on the Salem road. all is quiet along the lines. Citizens are moveing in side of our lines. they say to prevent starving to death. very cold and disagreeable.
Monday 30
We are relieved from picket guard at eight oclock in the morning Nothing of importance going on The wether continues cold and unpleasent the wind blowing from north
Tuesday 31
Returned from Salem in the afternoon. We was relieved by Jeff Davis division Wether cold and disagreeable
Wednesday, April 1, 1863.
Nothing of importance transpiring day is clear and pleasent I was ordered with them to report ourselves at brigade Head Quarters at 5 oclock in the afternoon
Saturday, April 4, 1863.
Our brigade on grand guard. All is quiet on the line. Rebels were seen during the day.
Sunday 5
Relieved from grand guard Rebels made a dash on our pickets. We received orders to be ready to reinforce the pickets should we be required
Monday 6
Nothing of importance going on It is rumured that Charleston S.C. is taken but the report is not credited
Tuesday, April 7, 1863.
All is quiet in the front to day. Wether mild and pleasent.
Wednesday 8
Received orders to go on grand guard tomorrow at 9 oclock in morning
Thursday 9
Heavy cannonading heard in direction of Triune Received orders at 12 oclock at night to prepare to march at daylight in the morning with three days provision order was countermanded We went on grand guard.
Friday, April 10, 1863.
Saturday 11
Relieved from grand guard.
Was mustered in the Company grounds at 12 oclock M.
Tuesday 14
Went on grand guard. Wether very wet and disagreeable. all is quiet along the line. rained very hard all night.
Wednesday 15
Relieved from grand guard. Ceased to rain about 8 oclock AM
Friday 17
We went to see the battle field of Stone River
Monday 20
Nothing of importance transpiring The wether is warm and pleasent. 3d Brigade is ordered to Salem with 5 days rations.
Tuesday 21
Went on a reconnoiter 4 miles from camp on the Eagleville pike.
Wednesday, April 22, 1863.
On grand guard. Our vidette post is fired upon in the morning.
Friday 24
On grand guard again. all is quiet along the lines
Saturday, April 25, 1863.
We are relieved from duty by Jeff Davis Division and return to Camp Schaeffer on Stone River.
Thursday 30
Mustered for pay in morning Went on grand guard at 9 oclock. all quiet on the line
Friday, May 1, 1863.
Our Videttes are fired upon at daylight in the morning by Rebel Cavalry. Relieved from grand guard wether is very warm.
Saturday 2
Our arms, ammunition and clothing was inspected by the Brigade inspector. We received orders to get ready to march with five days rations. Fredericksburg fight.
Sunday 3
Had Company inspection at 9 oclock AM 2nd days fight at Fredericksburg Union forces victorious Battle of Chancellorsville 1st day
Monday, May 4, 1863.
Reviewed again in the morning
Battle of Chancellorsville 2nd day Hooker defeated and driven across the Rappahannock.
Thursday, May 7, 1863.
Our Brigade goes on grand guard. it rains until noon. Wether very disagreeable. All quiet along the line.
Friday 8
Relieved from grand guard Clears off warm and pleasent
Wednesday, May 13, 1863.
Our Brigade is on grand guard. All is quiet along the line.
Thursday 14
Relieved from grand guard. fighting at Franklin Tenn.
Friday 15
Nothing of importance transpiring
Drill hours from 6 to 9 oc AM and from 4 to 6 in afternoon
Sunday 17
Wether very warm all convalescents are ordered to go to the Convalescent Camp at Murfreesboro. indications of a forward movement soon.
Monday 18
Our Brigade goes on grand guard All is quiet on the line and in front no shots being fired
Tuesday, May 19, 1863.
Relieved from guard and we return to to camp. the day is very warm.
Wednesday 20
Nothing of importance transpiring. Col Miles with Major Genl's Sheridan Palmer and others goes on a reconnaissance to the front. 2nd Brigade goes to Salem
Thursday 21
A large body of Cavalry goes to the front about 7 oclock at night. We are ordered to be ready to march at a moments warning
Friday, May 22, 1863.
Our Brigade goes on grand guard. all quiet on the line. Skirmish at Middleton resulted in the rout of the Rebels with 90 prisoners.
Saturday 23
Relieved from grand guard. Wether is very warm inspection at 8 oclock
Sunday 24
Genl McCook invites the 20th Army Corps to attend dinner Sunday at his Hd Quarters [?]
Monday, May 25, 1863.
Private [?] of Co. E. was accidentally shot through the head, died five hours after. Valandingham is sent through the lines
Tuesday 26
Our Brigade is on grand guard. All quiet along the lines.
Wednesday 27
Relieved from grand guard. Wether is very warm
Thursday, May 28, 1863.
Received orders to be ready to march at a moments warning
Friday 29
Our Brigade goes to Salem to do picket duty. our Regt is on grand guard. All quiet in front
Sunday, May 31, 1863.
On grand guard again it rained all day and night.
Tuesday [June] 2
Returned from Salem. was relieved by the first brigade.
Wednesday, June 3, 1863.
Received orders to be ready to march with 3 days rations in haversacks and four days in knapsacks.
Thursday 4
under orders to be ready to march at a moments warning. fighting in front all day Rebels advancing
Saturday 20
Relieved from grand guard at Salem by the 2nd Brigade we return to camp thereafter.
Sunday, June 21, 1863.
We had company inspection at 9 oclock in the morning 16 men was baptised in Stone River by the chaplain of the 51st Ills Regt. at 12 oc M
Monday 22
We are busily at work building shades of over our tents. the weather is very warm
Tuesday 23
Received orders to be ready to march on the following day at 7 oclock with [?]to carry and [?] blanket. rainy
Wednesday, June 24, 1863.
We left camp at 7 oclock in the morning. took the Shelbyville pike and found the rebels in force at liberty Gapp a severe skirmish took place took a road leading east
Thursday 25
[overwriting renders illegible]
Friday 26
[overwritten] Skirmishing
Jeff Davis Division
Saturday, June 27, 1863.
Started on the march at 4 oclock in the morning [overwritten]
Sunday 28
[overwriting renders illegible]
Monday 29
Left Winchester at [overwritten]
Tuesday, June 30, 1863.
advanced one mile in direction of Tullahoma stood picket at night
Wednesday, July 1
Took possession of Tullahoma at 2 oclock in the afternoon Bragg's rear guard left one hour before our advance entered the place.
Thursday 2
The army started in persuit of the Rebs and I went to the Genl Hospital with a sprained ancle
Friday, July 3, 1863.
Heard nothing from the army that is persuing the Rebs Great explosion of shells occured at the depot killing two men and mortally wound four.
Saturday 4
The army is in hot persuit. Prisoners and wounded men arrive every few hours. A salute of 35 guns were fired in honor of the day of the declaration of Independence of the U.S.
Sunday 5
Latest advices from front say the Army is 30 miles distant and that Genl Cheatham's Corps went off from the main army. the Rebels have got safely up in the mountains.
Monday, July 6, 1863
Nothing of importance has transpired worthy of note. No news from the front. Genl Meade's Army on the move. Reported battle between him and Genl Lee
Tuesday 7
No news from the front. Heard the glorious and cheering news that Vicksburg had surrendered on the fourth in honor of which 36 guns were fired here
Wednesday 8
No news from the front. Genl Rosecrans received a telegram stating that Genl Meade had defeated Lee. The cars came through from Murfreesboro
Thursday, July 9, 1863.
Nothing of importance occurred 500 prisoners were sent to Nashville on the cars. John Morgan is making a great raid into the State of Indiana.
Friday 10
No news from the front. I went out in the country with a foraging party. Heard that Morgan had crossed the Ohio River with 11 Regts and two batteries of ar
Saturday 11
Nothing of importance has occurred worthy of note all is quiet in front. Rebel prisoners still coming and taking the oath of allegiance.
Sunday, July 12, 1863.
All is quiet here and on the front. Preaching at this Convalescent Camp by the Col of the 79th Ills Regt. Prisoners continue to come in from the front.
Monday 13
All quiet in front and also at this place. Received glorious news from Pennsylvania that Genl Meade had driven Lee's army to the banks of the Potomac.
Tuesday 14
Nothing of importance going on at Tullahoma. the wether is very pleasent and agreeable Genl Rosecrans goes to Nashville.
Sunday 19
all is very dull and quiet here today. Divine Service in the morning and also preaching in the afternoon
Monday 20
Was on guard all day at the Convalescent Camp
Tuesday, July 21, 1863.
Nothing of importance going on here. Preparing to return to the Regt. Received news that Morgan and all of his men except 300 which crossed the river were captured
Wednesday 22
Left the Convalescent Camp at Tullahoma and started for my Regt. took the cars to Decherd. walked from there to Winchester and Cowan Station
Thursday 23
Left Cowan Station early in the morning & joined the Regt. at noon on the mountain at the University of the South
Friday, July 24,1863.
Went on picket. Wether was very pleasent No news of importance
The name of our camp is Sewanee Mountain
Wednesday 29
Was paid up to the first of July received 15$ Received orders to pack to march to Bridgeport on the Tenn River.
Thursday, July 30, 1863.
Started on the march at 9 AM Marched 14 miles and camped one mile from the Tenn River and six miles from Bridgeport.
Friday 31
Started early in the morning and reached Bridgeport at 10 AM found the Rebels on the opposite of the River in a stockade they are quite peaceable.
Saturday, August 1
The 88th & 36th Ills Regts arrived from Stephenson. All is quiet here. I went out a foraging to the Rebel Gunter's farm
Monday 3
The left wing of our Regt was on picket. The day was very warm and sultry Our knapsack came from Murfreesboro
Thursday 6
The right wing of the Regt is on picket
Sunday 9
The left wing of our Regt is on picket A flag of truce goes over the river for the purpose of passing Mrs Anderson the mother of the Rebel Genl commanding
Monday 10
It is rumered that orders have been received at Division Hd quarters but it is not credited Wether is very warm
Tuesday, August 11, 1863.
Received orders to be ready to march at a moments warning to carry one pair of extra shoes. Knapsacks to be left at Stephenson
Wednesday 12
Nothing of importance has transpired worthy of note. the weather is very warm. We are expecting to receive marching orders soon.
Friday, August 14, 1863.
All is quiet here. The Rebels destroyed the bridge on the other side of the island last night. they were working very hard all night in doing it
Monday, August 17, 1863.
the left wing of our Regt is on picket. Nothing of importance being done here. We could hear the drums quite distinctly until 10 oclock at night
Wednesday 19
Received orders early in the morning to pack our knapsacks and have them ready to send to the rear of Stephenson
Wednesday, August 26, 1863.
Heavy cannonading was heard up the river it was supposed to be at Chattanooga. We heard that Forts Sumter Wagner and Gregg had fallen and that our monitors were by the forts.
Thursday 27
Nothing of importance is being done here. Cannonading is still heard up the river. Heard that Genl Gilmore had demanded the surrender of Charleston S.C.
Friday 28
Our whole Regiment is on fatigue duty falling and hewing timber for a waggon bridge over the river to the island. the wether is very warm
Saturday, August 29, 1863.
the sappers and miners have come and are at work on the bridge. the Second Michigan Cavalry forded the river one mile above this place. the pontoons were taken on the other side island
Sunday 30
Jeff Davis's Division crossed the river 8 miles before here at Kellys ford. Commenced putting up the bridge here No news from the front to day of importance
Wednesday [September] 2
We received marching orders early in the morning and started at noon. we crossed the river and marched about 5 miles and camped at the foot of the mountain.
Thursday 3
We did not move but was waiting for Negley's Division to ascend the mountain. They were all day in making the ascent
Friday, September 4, 1863.
Ascended the mountain the rear guard did not get up until after night. we camped about five miles from the top of the mountain.
Saturday 5
Started on the march at 9 AM and went in to camp at 5 oclock PM marched about 9 miles in a south-eastern direction. arrived within one mile of Trenton Ga.
Sunday 6
Started again at noon went about six miles south and camped for the night The road is very dusty and the wether is very warm
Monday, September 7, 1863.
Started at 5 oclock in the morning. Our Regt was rear guard. we marched about five miles and went in to camp
Tuesday 8
The left wing of our Regt went on picket at 5 oclock in the afternoon
Wednesday 9
Was on picket all day. hear that Chattanooga was evacuated
Thursday, September 10, 1863.
Started on the march at 5 oc in the morning. marched about 18 miles and camped up on top of a high mountain.
Friday 11
started at 5 oclock and marched 12 miles. Crossed the mountain and camped at Alpine Ga. 25 miles from Rome. here we over took Johnson's & Davis's Division.
Saturday 12
did not march. our Division of Cavalry went out reconnoitering. They reported that there was a heavy force marching upon us.
Sunday, September 13, 1863.
Started on retreat ascended the mountain late in the afternoon and marched about 5 miles. One Brigade of each Division is left back to guard the train.
Monday 14
Resumed the march at five in the morning and crossed the mountain and marched 20 miles. the roads are very dusty and the heat is intense
Tuesday 15
Started again at noon and camped at night at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Marched about 5 miles.
Wednesday, September 16, 1863.
Ascended Lookout Mountain and crossed it and camped for the night in blue grass valley. Thomas's Corps is in line of battle about two miles distant.
Thursday 17
Friday 18
Our Corps goes to the front. we marched until ten oclock at night and went in to line of battle
Saturday, September 19, 1863.
Battle of Chickamauga.
We marched 7 miles went in to the fight at 3 oclock. recaptured the 8th Ind battery. our loss 46 killed and wounded lay in line of battle all night and it was very cold sleeping
Sunday 20
The battle began at 9 oclock AM and by 10 it became general, the whole line being engaged. Our Army was repulsed at every point and was compelled to fall back on Chattanooga
Monday 21
The army concentrated about four miles from Chattanooga and erected temporary fortifications. heavy cannonading on our left. We evacuated our position at night and fell back to Chattanooga
Tuesday, September 22, 1863.
The Rebels persued very continualy early in the morning and before they came anyway close we had had rifle pits dug and was prepared to meet them heavy skirmishing was going on all day. an attack was apprehended.
Wednesday 23
Still fortifying and preparing for the expected attack but it was not made heavy cannonading and skirmishing was kept up all day. the enemy was evidently trying to find out our exact position and the weakest points
Thursday 24
heavy skirmishing all morning in the afternoon the enemy planted a battery of parrot guns at the foot of Lookout Mountain which commands our works they then shell in our rifle pits
Friday, September 25, 1863.
We left our rifle pits at 8 oclock in the morning and fell back about ½ mile and threw up breast works the front line ocupied the works that we abandoned. Light skirmishing and cannonading kept up all day.
Saturday 26
Picket firing is still kept up in our front. We are all busy at work on the fortifications and falling trees. Genl Bragg sent in a flag of truce requesting Genl Rosecrans to take his ambulances and get his wounded which was left on the field
Sunday 27
Nothing of importance transpiring Skirmishing is still kept up and we are all busy at work on the fortifications but we have no fear that the enemy will attack us here, we only wish he would
Monday, September 28, 1863.
We went in to a [?] camp. our Regt is on the extreme right wing of McCook's Corps and of the Army and is camped on the river bank. the work at the fortifications still gruesome
Tuesday 29
We are all busily at work fixing up our tents and cleaning up camp. Slight skirmishing in front. No fear is felt now for this Army. we think we are able to hold this place until reinforcements could arrive
Wednesday 30
All is very quiet here. the fortifications are completed and there is nothing transpiring of interest. scarcely a gun is being fired on the picket line. it begins to rain in the evening
Thursday, October 1, 1863.
it rained very hard all night last and all day without ceasing for a moment. the wether is quite cold and disagreeable.
Friday 2
It rained quite hard last night and filled up the rifle pits with water. An attack was expected and we were ordered to sleep with our clothes and cartridge boxes on 100 of our waggons were captured and destroyed by 1500 Rebel Cavalry.
Saturday 3
The wether was quite warm and pleasent. All is quiet and occasional shot is fired on the picket line. the Rebel Army is only 1½ miles from here
Sunday, October 4, 1863.
I was detailed to guard the supply train to Stevenson on [?]
Thursday 8
The 20th and 21st Army Corps have been consolidated. We now belong to the 4th Corps 2nd Division and 3d Brigade. the Corps is commanded by Gordon Granger. The Division by Genl Sheridan and the Brigade by Col Harker.
Sunday 11
I returned from Stevenson in the afternoon.
Monday 12
Nothing of interest going on a few shots was fired during the day. heavy details are at work upon the different forts.
Saturday 24
I with a detail of ten men was on picket. it rained very hard all day and night and was very disagreeable. Genl Palmers Division left last night and crossed the river
Sunday, October 25, 1863.
A detail of eighteen men from my Company is on picket nothing of importance transpiring We drew half rations of hard bread. Quarter rations of coffee and quarter rations of sugar.
Monday 26
I with 11 others from my Company was on picket. all is quiet along the lines. Cannonading was heard far out to our right supposed to be on the other side of Lookout M.
Tuesday 27
Cannonading still continues on the other side of Lookout Mountain It is supposed that Hooker is coming up Trenton valley
Wednesday, October 28, 1863.
Heavy cannonading is kept up all day on Lookout Mountain and in the valley on the other side. The enemy made an attack at midnight upon Hooker and they were badly whipped
Thursday 29
We are inspected by the Brigade inspector Seven of us was on picket all was quiet in our front, but on our right heavy cannonading was heard all day on the other side of Lookout M. Supposed to be Genl Hookers advance
Friday 30
We are relieved from picket. it begins raining in the morning and continues all day and night. all quiet today. We have had nothing to eat for two days.
Saturday, October 31, 1863.
Several cannons were fired from Lookout M. All is quiet here This is our regular muster day but for some unknown reason it was deferred.
Sunday November 1
The wether is quite warm & pleasent. I was detailed to chop wood. The Regt was mustered. Several shots were fired from Lookout M. nothing of importance transpiring
Monday 2
The Rebels shell the town from LM Fourteen of us are on picket. The Rebels began throwing up earth works close to our picket line our batteries shelled and drove them away Our men erected works in the night
Tuesday, November 3, 1863.
The wether is warm and pleasent Our batteries continue to shell the enemy who are digging rifle pits and the Rebs continue to shell the City and our camps from Lookout Mountain.
Friday, November 6, 1863.
Fifteen of us are on picket The Rebels are throwing up earth works on their picket line. Our batteries drove the men off for a short time when they came back and went to work again
Saturday 7
We are on quarter rations yet with no prospect of drawing any more very soon.
Sunday 8
Eleven of us are on picket. Our line and that of the Rebels are only 300 yards apart. There is no firing from either side. The wether is very cold and disagreeable.
Monday, November 9, 1863.
The boats come up within two miles of here The Rebels still continue to shell us from Lookout but no damage is done. Thirty pay masters came up the river to day. we expect to be paid four months pay soon.
Tuesday 10
A detail of 9 men are on picket the wether is clear and cold and quite disagreeable. All is quiet along the lines. Nothing of interest is transpiring We draw two-thirds rations.
Monday 16
A detail of 23 men from Company F is on picket. We dug rifle pits for every picket at night. the Rebel pickets are only 120 yards from ours.
Wednesday, November 18, 1863.
Our Regt is at work on the fortifications. Heavy firing was heard up Lookout Valley. Supposed to be Sherman's Corps
Friday 20
We received orders to be ready to march at 6 PM with two days rations and 80 rounds cartridges.
Saturday, November 21, 1863.
We are in readiness to march at a moments warning. heavy cannonading is heard on the other side of Lookout Mountain.
Sunday 22
At 12 oclock the whole army went to the front heavy skirmishing ensued. we advanced and dug rifle pits.
Monday 23
heavy fighting on Lookout Mountain at 8 oclock and is kept up until 11 oclock at night. Genl Hooker took the mountain
Tuesday, November 24, 1863.
heavy fighting on the left and heavy cannonading in centre and right of the army.
Wednesday 25
The centre composed of our Division and Genl Woods charged Mission Ridge and took it with heavy loss on our side we took a large number of prisoners and 17 cannons.
Thursday 26
Started in persuit of the Rebels at one oclock at night and followed as far as Chickamauga creek. we returned to Chattanooga in the evening.
Wednesday, December 9, 1863.
Samuel Gaty
600 Acres Sec 11
280 [?] Sec 1
town 26 Ran 29
[?]
[figures]
Friday 25
Lumber got [?] the School House 104 ft inch one half plank 65 ft inch .4th nails
Saturday 26
bought for the School H. 30 lb nails 7¾ lb 2 lb nails
Sunday, December 27, 1863.
54 days @ 22
Coffee Sugar
Soda
Salt
[?]
pair stockings
all spice
[figures]
Wednesday, December 30, 1863.
oil
starch
meat
buttons Ribbon
musslin [?]
Apron [?]
butter
Memoranda.
Number of our forces engaged in the battle of Stone River.
Infantry 37.977
Artillery 2.223
Cavalry 3.200
Total 43.400
Officers killed 92
wounded 384
Men killed 1.441
wounded 6.861
Total loss 8.778
Prisoners 2.800
percent loss 20 3/10ths
Total loss 11.578
Memoranda.
The total loss at the of
Chickamauga on the part of the federals was 19.600.
The time consumed in fighting was 16 hours and 30 m
This makes a total
combined loss of 36.300
over 2200 per hour
The total federal force engaged was 38.000. The Rebel force (according to their own accounts) was 64,000.
It is the greatest battle of the war.
J. R. Talley
Co. F. 27. Ill. V.
DATABASE CONTENT
| (4011) | DL1687 | Diaries | 1863 |
Civil War Diary of Joseph R. Talley, 27th Illinois Infantry, Company F, entries from January 1, 1863 to December 31, 1863; re: Battle of Stones River, Battle of Chickamauga
Tags: Artillery, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Chickamauga, Battle of Fredericksburg, Braxton Bragg, Burials, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Chores, Clothing, Death (Military), Defeat/Surrender, Desertion/Deserters, Destruction of Land/Property, Duty, Executions, Fatigue/Tiredness, Fear, Fighting, Foraging/Theft, Fortifications, George G. Meade, Guard/Sentry Duty, Guns, Honor, Hospitals, Injuries, Jefferson Davis, Joseph Hooker, July 4th, Marching, Money, Nature, News, Oaths of Allegiance, Payment, Philip Sheridan, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Railroads, "Rebels" (Unionist opinions of), Reinforcements, Rivers, Robert E. Lee, Rumors, Scouting, Ships/Boats, Siege of Vicksburg, Supplies, Telegraph, Victory, Weather, William T. Sherman, Work
People - Records: 1
- (3845) [writer] ~ Talley, Joseph Rusling
SOURCES
Joseph R. Talley Diary, 1863, DL1687, Nau Collection
