24 May 1861

Friday, 24th Engaged in drilling. Went with H. C. Fike to Camp Smith. Received a letter from C. Gibbs. Received a can of blackberries from Miss P. Land. To day at dress parade the Masta. folks presented our regiment a flag. Mr. H. C. Fike presented it and made a fine speech to which Wm. Oer replied. The flag was then handed to the Colonel, E. A. Paine. He planted it then proposed three cheers for the old American flag. They were loud and strong. Then 3 for the Ladies of Masta., 3 for the Colonel, then dispersed. Henry Fike and me then went to camp. Learned of the death of Col. Ellsworth.

[Belleville Weekly Advocate, Belleville, Illinois, 14 June 1861]

During our stay at Camp Defiance, the 24th and 25th, the weather was most delightful indeed.  The drill ground, which from late accounts, had been recently a "sea of mud," was perfectly dry and smooth, upon which squads, companies, battalions and regiments successively went through their military, with the zeal and patience that evinced a desire and determination to master the "step."  On the 24th at dress parade which came off at 6 o'clock P.M. the committee, in behalf of the ladies of the town of Mascoutah, presented a regimental flag to the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Militia, Col. Paine commanding.  The presentation and remarks by H. C. Fike, were most patriotically replied to by private Wm. Orr, Esq., and Lieut. J. A. Cox.  At the suggestion of Col. Paine, three rousing cheers were given for the stars and stripes, three for the ladies of Mascoutah and three for the committee of gentlemen, after which the regiment made the welkin ring with three cheers for the Colonel.

During our stay in Cairo, we saw many things out of the usual course of proceedings.  Every boat that neared the point from any direction, that did not signal for landing at the proper place, was addressed in thundertones from a brass expounder.  If the first shot, which is always a blank cartridge, did not prove successful in making her exercise her steam organ of speech, a ball was sent skipping along modestly over the water in her front, to the extreme delight of those who were desirous of seeing the projective force of exploded gunpowder.  This generally brought forth from the boat the desired signal of compliance, when the crowd of spectators on land would invariably send up a shout.  One of three steam (??) Steevers, which have been tendered to and accepted by the Government, (??) in Chicago, arrived on the 24th. She is a small craft, but seemed to be well adapted to the design of her construction.  We left her  awaiting further orders.  Cairo is in an active state of movements, and every movement bespoke military preparations.  The Government has purchased the distillery and site on the extreme southern point of land, for $10,000, and have commenced preparations necessary to erecting a large fort there that will render the location a very formidable position.