12 May 1862

Monday, 12th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Isaiah 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40th chapters. We remained on picket until 4 P.M. then were relieved and came to quarters. Learned that the rebel Merimac gun boat was blown up and that Com. Foote had engaged the rebel fleet on the Miss. River and sank two of them and the balance fled.

11 May 1862

Sunday, 11th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Isaiah the first 33 chapters. This morning at 4 A.M. we were ordered out with two days rations and advanced to do picket duty. We advanced about 2 1/2 miles and halted. Had some skirmishing with the rebel pickets but no harm done. We were within 4 miles of Corinth and could hear their drums very plainly.

[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Head Qrs 2nd Brigade 2nd Division, May 11th 1862
Comdg Officer 9th Illinois } You will march your Regiment into Camp immediately being relieved from Picket Duty.
By order R. J. Oglesby, Brig. Genl. Comdg.

10 May 1862

Saturday, 10th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. The book of Ecclesiastes entire, also the songs of Solomon. All is still and quiet. We put our guns in order this morning and after noon, had orders to be ready for action immediately as the rebels were making a demonstration on our right, but did not make an attack, and at night all was quiet again. We learned to day that Yorktown was evacuated by the rebels under Johnston on the 5th inst. and that a battle was fought at Williamsburg by Gen. McClellan and the rebels defeated, also the particulars of the capture of N. Orleans on the 26th ult. by Com. Farragut.

[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Head Qrs 2nd Brig 2nd Div. Army of the Tenn. May 10th, 1862
Col Comdg 9th Ills Vols } I require you to supply your Regt with the 30 axes and thirty spades stated in General Orders No 13 May 9th 1862, if you have not done so. Make out the necessary requisitions - have them approved and send for the tools tonight to Pittsburg Landing. I must have these articles without delay.
R. J. Oglesby, Brig Gen Comdg

Head Qrs. 2nd Brig. 2nd Division May 10th, 1862
Special Order No 5 } Col Mersy Comdg 9th Ills Vols. the following order is just recd. From Division Head Qrs. Gen Oglesby Sir : You will have Colonel Mersy's Regiment (9th Ill) ready for Picket duty tomorrow morning at 3 A.M. precisely with two days rations. I will be waiting at the bridge over the creek on the Corinth road (in front of these Head Quarters) to guide them & post them in the position they are to occupy.
By order Brig Genl Davis
You will comply with the above order & in order to do so you will be released from furnishing detail for the Grand Guard - Other details are to be furnished in pursuance of orders heretofore made.
By order Brig Gen R. J. Oglesby

9 May 1862

Friday, 9th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Prov. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. This morning cannonading commenced on our left. Gen. Pope is warmly engaged, but beat the rebels back with heavy loss. The rebels are very uneasy and we expect an attack from them and are ready to receive them. Let them come.

[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his dairy entries...]

Head Quarters 2nd Brigade 2nd Division.  Army of the Tenn.  May 9th, 1862
General Order No 13 } Commanders of the several Regts in this Brigade will see that their several Companies are supplied with three additional axes and three spades to be kept exclusively for fatigue purposes.  This order will be immediately complied with.
By order R. J. Oglesby, Brig Genl Comdg

8 May 1862

May, Thursday, 8th 1862 Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Proverbs 16th, 17, 18, 19, 20. This morning we received orders to march and at 11:30 A.M. the drum sounded the moment of departure. We advanced about 2 miles and then pitched tents, sent out pickets, and considered our selves all safe. But a little later and we found that the rebel pickets were not far away. Just at dusk, three cannon were fired that sounded in the direction of Corinth. We expect an attack soon and are prepared for it. Our whole brigade is encamped in a large field.

[Record of Events, Field & Staff and Companies, 9 Reg't Ill Inf]

May 8 In obedience with Brig Orders the Regt moved forward about 3 miles today and went into camp within 7 miles of Corinth, Miss formed a line of defense with the 12 Ill Vols on the left of the Reg & Hurlburts Division on the right.

[Orders and Circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Head Qrs, 2nd Brig Div. Army of the Tenn, May 8th, 1862
General Order No 12 } The Brigade will march at 12 o'clock to day. Order of march - 9th, 12th Illinois - 13 & 14th Missouri and 81st Ohio. The Regts will parade on their color line at ½ past Eleven o'clock. Baggage & Equipage loaded in the seven wagons. Ammunition in separate wagons. Brigade Q. Master will take charge of the Brigade train which includes ammunition & baggage wagons and will form and march them in rear of division. Ammunition wagons first following Buells Battery. The sick will be left in camp. Convalescents detailed for all necessary guards & for commissary stores & forage left behind.
By order of R. I. Oglesby, Brig Genl Comdg

Map of Roads near Corinth, Mississippi, from NARA RG94, entry 287, miscellaneous, box 10, folder 97.

7 May 1862

Wednesday, 7th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Proverbs 11th, 12-13-14-15. To day is warm and very pleasant. The forest is green and beautiful. I am officer of the day to day. My foot is not well but I have reported myself for duty as officers are scarce in the regt. Gen. Davis's Division was reviewed this afternoon. I saw and had quite an interview with Mr. J. W. Cavill this eve. The rumor is here that Yorktown has been evacuated. I feel quite lonely to day and busied myself by writing letters to some friends and walking out to look over toward the enemy. The sight is beautiful as ridge after ridge appears in view.

Cavill was a student at McKendree College with Loren.
He also served in several units including the 66 ILL Inf.

[Orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Head Qrs. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division. Monterey May 7th, 1862
General Order No 11 } There will be a review of the Troops of this Command at 2 o'clock. Each regiment will form on its own color line at 1 P.M. uniform complete except knapsacks and await further orders. The order for review will be 9th, 12th Ill, 13th, 14th Mo, & 81st Ohio Regts.
By order R. I. Oglesby, Brig. Genl Comdg.

6 May 1862

Tuesday, 6th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Proverbs 6th, 7, 8, 9, 10th. This morning we started for the camp and arrived there at 9 A.M. I was glad to see the boys and they seemed glad to see me. All is lively and a prospect of a great battle.