Near Helena, Monday, March 16. A fine spring day. Still troubled with diarrhea. All monotonous in camp. Spent most of the day patching. Vaccinated by George Fisher, hospital steward.
An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.
Near Helena, Sunday, March 15. Warm day. Ross’s 8th Division landed a little below from Memphis. 1st Brigade and 2nd Battery left for the Pass yesterday. Received papers of the 13th—Bulletin [Memphis].
Near Helena, Saturday, March 14. Health not very good. Seven months ago I enlisted in the service of the U. S. Then I hoped that by this time a different phase of the matter could be seen. But alas, it very dark ahead, yet I do not despond, neither have I regretted my enlistment. I can only do the best I can, and be satisfied. A hard tug is before me. May God grant me health and courage to do my duty.
Near Helena, Friday, March 13. Health good. Fine weather. Drew thirty days’ forage for horses, per order. 1st Brigade embarking, loading in the night. Stood guard.
Near Helena, Thursday, March 12. Fine weather. Washed my clothes in the forenoon. In the afternoon joined in the funeral procession of a member of Co. G., 72nd Illinois. Laid him in the swamp and left him in the cheerless spot, a soldier’s grave. Many of the boys in spite of high water, went out foraging and brought in fresh pork and beef in plenty.
Near Helena, Ark., Wednesday, March 11. Sunny and fine weather. Instead of moving came the order to disembark, and by noon the whole of Quinby’s Division was on the sand bar of about two acres in one solid mass. It was with difficulty that we got our battery in position and tarpaulin put up.
On the Mississippi, Tuesday, March 10. Arose with but poor rest, it having rained all night, and lying on deck with the tarpaulin but poorly arranged. Got very wet. Rained steadily all day. Amused myself best I could reading what I could in the crowded cabin filled with the tobacco fumes, and boisterous with card players. 4 P. M. mail arrived. Rec’d a letter from J. L. and T. L. and three papers. All well. Brother James lame by accident, poor fellow, but thanks to kind Providence, he is under the nursing of a devoted mother and tender sisters. Priceless boon.
On the Mississippi, Monday, March 9. Went up to Helena after coal, took on board 400 boxes; while there the boys were busy in buying a supply of soft bread and other rarities. Many of the boys found acquaintances in the 29th Wisconsin Infantry and the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry which were encamped. General Quinby went down on the “Pocahontas” in the afternoon to Yazoo Pass.
On the Mississippi, Sunday, March 8. The boat had been steadily plowing her way up the turbid water of the Mississippi. Rained very heavy, got a wet bed to sleep on. Very foggy all day; passed the “Von Phal”, being next to the flagship “Superior”. Passed the Yazoo Pass, 2. P. M.
4 P. M.—We have landed on the Arkansas side three miles below Helena, where the troops were ordered ashore to cook and for recreation. The flag ship went up to Helena, and returned with a good quantity of mail.
On the Mississippi, Saturday, March 7. Ordered to reimbark at early dawn. Arose at 4 o’clock but did not get loaded till in the afternoon on the same boats as before. Severe rainstorm and wind last night. Very . muddy. Part of the day the sun shone very bright. Health good. 2: 30 P. M. the fleet once more “swung loose” and headed up stream. The “Campbell” was aground, so had to be towed out by the “Gladiator” and “John H. Dickey”; after she got afloat we lashed to the former to get some coal. As night advanced we kept slowly going, and by night were the fourth in line.
