Monday, 29th. Spent some time mending up my old clothes. After watering my horses had a visit with Trotter, taken prisoner at Fort Gibson—some interesting facts. 3,000 of the enemy, poor arms and worse clothes, frightened to death for fear of attack. Went out in P. M. for forage, 4 miles—corn. Saw a pretty, modest maiden weave, barefooted, blushed. Went off the road a mile and got peaches, the man a prisoner at Springfield. Wrote home. Order for detail of 25 men and officers for scout. I go. Success and fun ahead I hope. Boys start for Fort Scott.
War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.
Sunday, 28th. In the morning went to the creek and washed. 3rd Indian regiment came in. Chilly and misty. In the P. M. Archie, Chamberlain and I went out to hunt peaches. Went three miles, found no peaches. Plenty of good wild grapes. Got some milk from a minister. Written on house “Thou shalt not steal”— pretty lady. Read “Virginia” in Macaulay’s Essays. In the evening Chamberlain read Horatius to us—lying under the oak and the fly cover of our tent. Enjoyed it.
Saturday, 27th. Up bright and early and on our way by sunrise. Marched till about noon, then halted and took a lunch. Found some good peaches and apples. Col. Small, Chief of Commissary of this dep’t, passed us in a four-horse rig. Met Capt. Welch and command just before entering Sarcoxie. Seemed good to see the 2nd and 9th boys again. Found all excitement on account of an expected attack—up from 1 A. M. Troops moved to good position for defence. John Devlin missed at Greenfield. Received a note from Melissa. Visited among the boys and accomplished little. Took supper with Capt. Welch and Nettleton. Wier’s Brigade arrived in the night.
Friday, 26th. Renewed our march at sunrise after breakfast. Our course lay mostly through the woods, a little over rough prairie. After 25 miles march, reached Mt. Vernon at 4 P. M. Gen Brown’s command here mostly Mo. troops, one Arkansas regiment. Made requisition and drew corn. Pretty little town. Took supper with teamsters. Sold my old overcoat to Noah Long for $4, to be paid pay day. News came from Sarcoxie about a fight. Gen. Salomon. Good prospects ahead for a fight. Order to muster out staff has come.
Thursday, 25th. In the morning went to town and did some chores for the Capt. Made out a requisition and got corn. Helped Chamberlain get some clothing and issue it. Got me a blue overcoat, pants and lariat. Wrote brief letter to Fannie A. In P. M. detachment started for Mt. Vernon. Encamped at “Little York,” 10 miles. Stayed behind with Porter and a few men and drew rations. I couldn’t but notice the difference between the business officers here and at most posts. All pleasant and accommodating. Last night Capt. Nettleton promised me a place in his company as sergeant if I wanted after being mustered out. I was delighted. I should like it well. Overtook the command about an hour after camping. Became quite cold. Frightened a girl—called to inquire our way and surprised them. All seemed frightened.
Wednesday, 24th. After breakfast and taking care of our horses, we went to meet the command. A mile and a half out I waited for the rest to come. Got grapes to eat. Read the morning papers. Stirring news of a week for us. We three boys visited the earthworks. Saw artillery in Pea Ridge battle, one “Betsy” (howitzer) opened the battle second day. Good visit with some of the boys. Four regiments came in, Iowa, Wis., Ind., and 1ll. About 25,000 troops in and about Springfield. Arriving all the time and working at entrenchments all the time. Salomon at Mt. Vernon. Hindman reported 40,000 strong at Cross Hollows.
Tuesday, 23rd. Up, dressed and work done and off at sunrise. Our course lay mostly through the woods till within nine miles of Springfield. Stopped at a splendid spring and lunched before striking the prairie. Capt. looked for cover and finally we camped there. Found plenty of peaches and hazelnuts. Archie, Chamberlain and I went with the Capt. in to Springfield. The 8 mile prairie looked more like civilization, good farms and farm houses. The highway to town reminded me of the road to Elyria. Enjoyed all well. All sociable. Passed the road from the north where Fremont’s bodyguard charged down the lane. It was indeed interesting to be upon and see the ground where the brave fellows charged so nobly. Entered the village, passing encampments and entrenchments upon elevations on both sides of the road. Springfield a gay little place. Hotel full, stopped at a boarding house. Several officers there, music by them and one of their wives. Excellent. Humorous major.
Monday, 22nd. Breakfast at 4:15 A. M. Marched at sunrise, passing through Greenfield, a very pretty little village. One encouraging sign, seldom seen of late months, a comfortable schoolhouse. Stopped two miles out of town, by a spring for dinner. Capt., one or two others and myself explored a cave near by. Found the layers of stone filled with shells and all sorts of stones. Several lizards lying about. Learned afterwards that some bushwhackers were watching us from the bluffs above. Here the country changed from boundless prairie to woodlands and hills. Like the variety better. Encamped for the night after riding 7 miles farther. Slept beneath a clump of trees with Archie.
Sunday, 21st. Marched at sunrise. Ate breakfast at hotel. Went back after starting to look for Lt. Stewart. Met him coming. He had been out to stay with some friends and his horse had broken loose. Stopped after 15 miles at Mr. L.’s. Splendid spring, bathed in the cold water. Some of the mixed colored population so plentiful visited the Capt.’s tent. Two quite pretty little girls.
Saturday, 20th. Reveille at sunrise. Boys got the coffee and bacon ready at the creek. Went down with Archie, washed and breakfasted.
As we passed the Big Drywood, we noticed our bed of rough crooked poles. Reached Lamar at 4 P. M. Orders for no man to enter any house or to disturb any property whatever. Some complaining at first but boys soon saw it was the better way. Capt. bought a sheep for breakfast. Noticed several rather tasty girls.
