31 May 1862

Saturday, 31st Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Nahum 1-2d. This morning early we marched, but could not go fast because the trains were slow. We stopped about noon and I went to the 4 Minn. and saw my brother Luther, the first time for 10 months. I learned that my brother-in-law George Van Syckle had died about two weeks since at Hamburg Landing. I was very [sad] to learn this, but he was much loved by all. My brother is well and is well liked. I saw Mr. Brinkerhoof and several others. His son was also there. They are in the 48 Ind. My brother is of co. D. We had some skirmishing with the enemy's rear guard to day. We had two or three killed. Gen. Paine has the advance.

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

May 31 In obedience to Brig Orders the Regt marched forward about 3 miles today and went into camp near the Mobile & Ohio R. R. track.

30 May 1862

Friday, 30th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. This morning our pickets saw no rebel pickets and so they advanced and found that the rebels had evacuated the place. Corinth is evacuated was soon shouted through the camp. Our forces of Sherman's divis. advanced and gave chase. We were ordered to put 3 days rations in our haversacks and then started. We camped near Hamburg. I saw several generals, Bob McCook & Fry. We camped in the open field without tents.

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

May 30 Corinth having been evacuated last night the 9 Regt in complience (sic) with orders marched toward the left of our lines. The whole division being attached to Popes Army Corps marched out 7 miles and bivouacked for the night.

29 May 1862

Thursday, 29th Pleasant but quite warm. E.I.R.B. the books of Joel & Amos. We were aroused in the night by the report of cannon but no arrival of the rebels. At 10 A.M. heavy cannonading commenced on the left wing. We marched forward to the breast works which Hurlburt's divis. had built and remained there over night.

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

May 29 In compliance with Brig Orders the Regt moved forward and bivouacked for the night in the intrenchments (sic) thrown up by the 1 Brig.

28 May 1862

Wednesday, 28th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. the entire book of Hosea. Gen. Hurlburt advanced to day with his division and had a pretty sharp skirmish. Two rebel regts. attacked but were repulsed by a battery. Gen. Paine on the left also advanced and had quite a battle but drove the rebels with quite a loss on their side. Heavy cannonading was heard in that direction for several hours, but we have not heard here yet what the result is. I enjoyed myself very well spiritually to day, but can find no place for secret devotion in retirement.

27 May 1862

Tuesday, 27th Pleasant. I went up the pole to day that had been put up here but could not make any very important discoveries. I could see the location of the rebel camps but not their works or Batteries.

26 May 1862

May, Monday, 26th 1862 Pleasant. E.I.R.B. I read the book of Daniel entire. This morn I gave orders to the pickets to advance and they did so but a brisk skirmish ensued in which one of our men was wounded in the arm. I shot at the scamps three times but without fatal effect. I was relieved this morn as officer of the day. The pole was completed this eve for an observatory but is not high enough. I went up but could not see their tents. I saw the smoke of their camps and the position of them. I saw Gen. Logan, John A. The Chaplain of the sharp shooters called to see me.

NARA RG94 (AGO), entry 519a, CMSR (Illinois)

25 May 1862

Sunday, 25th Pleasant, but a little cooler than usual. E.I.R.B. Ezk. from 30th to the close (48) chapt. This morning at 8 A.M. I am to report as Brigade officer of the day. I have never officiated in that capacity before. The pickets are skirmishing very briskly this morning and I shall be apt to have an interesting time. I had hoped that I might not be on duty to day so that I could devote the day to meditation and prayer, and reading the Bible, but the day must now be all confusion. As I sit here and listen to the firing of guns and the commotion of the army, my heart yearns for a quiet retreat to spend the Holy day. Oh that I could go to the sanctuary with the friends of my Master, the people of God. 0, that I could this morning have the invitation and truly my heart would respond. I was glad when they said unto me come let us go into the house of the Lord. War with all its horrors is upon us, and duty has thrown me into its trail, but my bible says, that God never loses sight of his children. Then I will erect a place of worship in the grove and my heart shall praise the Lord, though I hear the confusion of war. I have many recollections of home this morning, and of my dear sainted mother. I should like to embrace my aged father, my dear sisters and brothers this morn and with them traverse the pleasant path that lead to the house of the Lord, but providence has directed differently. I will calmly serve my time in the army contending for righteous liberties and if it please the Lord to bring me safely through then will I sing and be glad and my heart shall praise him forever and my life shall be devoted to the cause of the Lord. I will dwell in his house continually. I took charge of the guards of the brigade at 8 A.M. and put them on post. All was quiet during the day and night. Some slight skirmishing but only one rebel hurt that we knew of and none of our men. Gen. Thomas came along, also Gen. Oglesby.

[Ezekiel 30:1 - 30:5]
The word of the Lord came to me :
"Son of man, prophesy, and say,
Thus says the Lord God :
"Wail, 'Alas for the day!'
For the day is near,
The day of the Lord is near;
It will be a day of clouds,
A time if doom for the nations.
A sword shall come from Egypt,
And anguish shall be in Ethiopia,
When the slain fall in Egypt,
And he wealth is carried away,
And he foundations are torn down.
Ethiopia, and Put, and Lud,
and all Arabia, and Libya,
and the people of the land
that is in league,
shall fall with them
by the sword."