War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

20th. Sunday. Moved the camp over the creek. Heard the stories, pitiful indeed, of Union refugees driven from home by the jayhawkers. Wrote home.

19th. Went down to the creek and practiced a while with our revolvers. Played chess in the evening.

18th. Marched to Lamar, Mo. Met Major Miner’s command from Carthage. Creek at Lamar was high, so we left the baggage and a detail to guard it, and went up the creek to a bridge. Found the town, county seat of Barton County, almost deserted. Only a few dwellings.

April 17th. Train came up about nine. Commenced to rain. Pitched tents and remained there during the day. Played chess some.

16th. Morning rainy. Issued ten days’ rations. Major said that the boys of the non-commissioned staff could not go on expedition for lack of transportation. We were already packed up, tent down for the march. Finally to our joy another team came and we loaded, saddled and started. The sky cleared and the ground was nice for marching. After marching 6 or 7 miles we halted for the horses to graze. The grass has started considerably. Encamped on the Drywood Creek, east branch, at sundown. Baggage train being mired on the road, the men bivouacked without tents, without suppers, the distant thunder threatening rain. Our team came, no rain.

15th. Morning passed as usual at work. Major’s horse sick. Evening new orders to march with ten days’ rations. Played chess with A. B. Regiment paid off for two months.

14th. Issued one day’s rations in the morning and again in the afternoon three days’ rations. Orders countermanded before taps in the evening.

13th. Sunday. In the morning cleared up to my disgust. In the afternoon had my horse shod and visited hospital, very neat and clean. There seems to be so much need of female nurses. Went down and saw Indians (Delawares and Osages) in their savage state—had heavy beads and rings in their ears—wore buckskin leggings and red blankets, faces all painted and marked. Good visit with A. B. N.

11th. Day chilly with slow rain falling. In the evening Oakie McDowell and I kept a light in the commissary. Commenced a letter to Fannie. Came near being reported for having light. Captain Seward is under arrest!