Tuesday, 21st. Spurgeon went out with forage detail. Bill Smith lost $15. Circumstances as follows: Capt. had given him some money to pay the boys. We lay on the blankets conversing when Sheldon came up, and Bill pulled out his money and paid him. He had showed me the money a little while before. All three lay down, Bill and I side by side and S. a little farther down. All at once Sheldon attracted mine and B.’s attention to a holster, asking if I had lost my revolver. After we had examined, I left. In five or ten minutes Nick called us to dinner. We ate and I went a few rods into the woods, leaving B. by his horse. When I came back B. had lost his money. We looked all about. Soon he told me he suspicioned Sheldon. I tried to find him. Finally found him playing poker, 2 or 3 P. M. Stolen at noon.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
Monday, 20th. In the morning watered my horse and cleaned up his feet. Capt. N. told me something very acceptable from Col. Ratliffe. Read the Lorain News and Cleveland Herald. In the P. M. wrote to Fannie.
Sunday, 19th. Fed when out two or three miles. Got some apples. When we reached Heron’s division, I called at his quarters and inquired if he could give the Capt. any information. Very pleasant. Stylish. A fur coverlet, neat stove and desk, cigars and very fine dress. Said that the rebel pickets were within a third of a mile of ours the night before. Wouldn’t pass his pickets, hardly advisable, do as he thought fit. Went through to the town, 100 of our Indians there. Called at two houses and had very pleasant and spicy chats with two girls, one pleasant lady. Southern officers left their “regards” for any “Feds” that might call. Believed the south right. Would fight if a man. Got back to camp at dark and found good letter from home and Fannie. Pleased with the whole trip and incidents. Quite a laugh with the captain. Like Arkansas first rate considering—good farms and orchards—pretty girls.
Saturday, 18th. Lay about two or three hours, then went into camp on the rise near the spring. Marks of a large rebel camp. At noon orders came for the Capt. to go with 50 men to Bentonville, to learn locality and number of the enemy. I went. Started about dusk. Called at a house to know distance. Two or three girls. Looked like a cousin. Shattuck with advance guard two miles ahead. Boys said he was a coward, rode way behind the men. Halted and fed. Heard artillery moving. Capt. ordered me to take four men and guide and learn what it was. It sounded as though it were moving from the southwest. After going a mile or two, we were halted by a picket, close at hand. Ordered one to advance, dismount, and give the countersign. Dared not risk it. Asked who they were. “Federals.” Asked who we were. “Federals.” “Advance then.” What division did they belong to? Gen. Heron’s. Never heard of him. What brigade? Would not tell. Ordered them to tell or would march my battalion on them. Didn’t care a damn, advance or he would fire. Advanced horseback, a couple of rods. Ordered to dismount or he would shoot. Couldn’t see it and shied behind a tree. Told him to listen and I would give the countersign—”Allen.” “What! Allen—never! that won’t do here.” Did you understand it, “Allen”? Bang, bang, bang, bang. Boys wheeled and ran. I had sent two back to report to the captain. I wheeled and got behind another tree a rod back. Cocked my revolver and fired once, then wheeled and ran. The bullets followed mighty thick. Met the command and reported the facts. One of the boy’s horses was shot in the leg and abandoned. Capt. turned back and went back the same road to camp. Capt. discovered he had given me the “parole” instead of countersign, a mistake that would not happen again for an age, but one that might have caused a great deal of trouble. Started for Bentonville on another road. Slept two hours. N. had cautioned me to be very careful and not approach any force but to learn from families. Proved to be our men—Heron’s.
Friday, 17th. Aroused at 3 A. M. Killed a calf for breakfast. Quite a time trying to kill a pig. Marched at sunrise. Whole command gone from old camp. Rear guard. At noon arrived at Kritsville. Stayed till 10 P. M. Marched again at 10 and moved till near morning. Lay down a few minutes by a little fire. Before daybreak passed the Arkansas line, Elkhorn Tavern, and stopped for a cold lunch on the old Pea Ridge battle ground. Interesting—trees considerably marred by bullets. Shot, grape, and shell picked up by different boys as relics of the battle.
Thursday, 16th. Spent the day reading various nonsensical books. Rather a lazy day on the whole. Capt. Nettleton returned. Whole detachment ordered to “Hazel Hollow” on picket duty. Six miles, advance guard. Slept in a vacant house. Quite a confab with a Kansas Lieut.
Wednesday, 15th. Paymaster started for the fort—9th Kansas and 3rd Wis. escort—made the picket detail. Man wanted to buy salt at most any price—the article is very scarce.
Monday, 13th. Made the detail to go for forage in charge of Sergt. Smith. Went along in wagon. Got some cabbage and talked with some women while the boys loaded oats. Oh what suffering and misery this war is making. But there is an end to be gained at all hazards. Were it otherwise it could hardly be endured. Went out in the afternoon and bought some apples and lard. Ball and Smith were the company. Pitied the poor woman and her children. Tuesday, 14th. Saw the Lieuts. play poker a while. Was surprised to see Will Bushnell come up to headquarters boldly with cigar in his mouth. Somewhat changed. In the P. M. wrote a short letter to Fannie A.
Sunday, 12th. Cleaned my revolver and dried my cartridges. Indians had preaching by their Chaplain. Seemed good to hear singing and preaching even in an unknown tongue. Took a bundle of letters to headquarters. Smith went with me, a right good fellow. Went to spring and bathed.
Saturday, 11th. Up before sunrise and got roasted potatoes and honey for breakfast. Marched at sunrise. Passed Wier’s and Cloud’s Brigades at five miles—and Schofield’s. Encamped at Ferguson Springs, eight miles from Cassville. Arrived at 3 P. M. Feasted and rested.
