30th. Monday. Arose at 2:30. Marched at 4 A. M. Reached Cowskin at noon, and Rains’ camp at 3 P. M., which he had deserted the day before. Found the Indians before us encamped near by. Four companies, Ninth Rabb’s Battery and Second and Third Battalion came from Neosho. Nothing particular by the way. Noticed some places well remembered when Major Purington was down. Mustered for pay. Pitched tent loosely for the Major and Adjutant and made our beds outside. Thunderstorm camp up, tent blew over and such a time I never had before. Soaking wet all of us, but nearly the whole force fared the same way.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
29th. Sunday. Started from camp at 5 A. M. Marched by long road from Neosho towards Cowskin. Encamped on a high piece of ground, over an excellent spring of water.
28th. Saturday. Got my horse shod. A good many ladies in camp. Straightened the provision returns and wrote letter to Fannie, and sent them by Corp. I., Co. M. Didn’t get to bed till 12 P. M.
27th. Friday. Was busy as usual. Battery came. Issued rations to them.
26th. Turned over some commissary stores to the 4th and 9th Wisconsin, who came in that evening. Wrote to Fannie. Another false alarm. Citizens expected an attack.
June 25th. Issued the remainder of the ten days’ rations taken along. Received a letter from home.
24th. Tuesday. Arose before sunrise 3:45 A. M. Took the horses out to graze. Archie and I went with horses to an oat field up on a hill beyond the pickets. Good feed for the horses. Detachment went ahead to Neosho at 7 A. M. Entered N. and encamped a little after noon on the ground where the militia was surprised. An alarm in the night. False.
23rd. Monday. According to orders started for Neosho at 6 A. M. Up early and flew around to get chores done. Our road lay mostly through the woods. After 8 miles ride, mail came. A letter from good Fannie. Met Co. “A” and “D” from Sherwood, three miles north of Neosho. Met some Kansas Sixth who had fallen in with a band of 400 rebels on the road to Granby. Council of War—Burnett wanting to go on with 200 men—Ratcliff not thinking it best. Bivouacked for the night in open air.
22nd. Sunday. Major Purington started at 5 for Ohio on 30 days furlough. Carried lots of money for the boys. We boys sent to Wilson Dodge, former Q. M,, to get the Major a ring worth $10. Got our pay. Commissary and Q. M. received alike this time.
Issued some rations and drew enough from Brigade Com’y for ten days.
21st. Saturday. Wrote home. Major Purington and Adjutant acted ridiculously in the evening. Out almost all night on a spree.
