Four Years With the Iron Brigade

by Lance Herdegen

February 28, 1864

  We got up our chimney & finished the cabin with the exception of the door which we cannot make for want of boards which are impossible to get. So we have to hang up one of our Rubbers [rubber blankets]. We have the best cabin in the Co. We are well situated. My tentmates are B. F. Hay den, H Brinckman [Henry Brinkman] & R. Lesler [Richard Lesler]. The two latter are recruits & good fellows.137

  March 1, 1864

  Stormy day. Ended with a little snowstorm & frooze some. I forgot to tell you the 6th [Wisconsin] Regt came yesterday and are camped near us. They are building quarters. We come in the right time to get evrything ready ere the storms come.

  March 3, 1864

  Drill the same as yesterday. Our sutler come up today with a good stock of goods and those needing articles can get them. I wrote a letter to Flora Lander today.

  March 4, 1864

  And fine day. We had company drill in the forenoon & Battalion drill in the afternoon, it being the first of the latter we have had. I got a letter from Mother and Lu today with $4.00 in it. Both being welcome guests. They are well. But verry lonesome since I left. They miss me more than ever before.

  March 5, 1864

  We have squad drill in the forenoon, I having a squad. We drilled in the manual of arms and Battallion drill. It is surprising how fast the Recruits learn.

  March 6, 1864

  I go on picket today. Start 8 AM, reach the picket lines about 10 AM. We have to go about four miles. Tis rather a poor place, timber being scarce.

  March 7, 1864

  And fine day. I was on duty most of last night as Corporal of the guard. This guard is put on in the night only so that if there is firing on the picket line, this guard can alarm the reserve. At 10 AM we of the Reserve got relieved, those that have been on the picket line. I and another corporal having to run one Post. I posted the men till midnight then he posted them the rest of the night. There was two posts & 8 men making 4 reliefs.

  March 8, 1864

  And stormy in the morning, fair in the afternoon. The new Pickets come about 10 A.M. & relieved us & we came home. I found dinner most ready. I am both wet & hungry. There is drill this afternoon but I don’t have to go.

  March 9, 1864

  And fine day. We had the usual drill. There has a lot more recruits come today, 6 for our Co & they are boys from my neighborhood. They have to go in with others till they get a shanty built. Two of them is going to stay with us.

  March 10, 1864

  Stormy till near noon when the rain set in steady the rest of the day. I am picked on to go with those last recruits into the timber and boss the job of getting the logs for their shanty. We went out & chopped them and the team come & we loaded them & come home wet as rats. Found my dinner waiting for me. It being so wet done no more today. There was two went on picket from our shanty, Lesler & Hayden and then we took in two more making 4 of the recruits. The reason was they couldnt find a dry place but ours that they can get into. So I took them in. They were wet & hungry. Our boys generally have poor shanties. But we keep nice & dry in ours.

  March 11, 1864

  We had drill in the morning only. The Boys pitched in & helped the new recruits put up their shanties. I worked for them in the afternoon. I built the lower part of the chimney. Then rain coming on, we had to quit work & get wood & water & I got supper. I will finish their chimney tomorrow. They will be able to move into it tomorrow. Oh, I am almost out of Patience waiting for letters.

  March 12, 1864

  We had squad drill in the forenoon & in the afternoon, Battallion drill. The Col formed us in Brigades & we had Brigade drill. To do this we were formed into one rank, making two Co out of one. I was left guide of one company

  March 13, 1864

  And fine day. This being Sunday we had Regt Inspection by Lieut Col Finnecum. Things in good order. Cap called on me to drill those last 6 recruit in the Inspection of Arms so that they wouldnt be entirely ignorant of the motions. I got a letter from Henry. They were well. In it he states about buying the house & lot in Cassville for which he gave $300.00, $215.00 down & gave his note for the other $85.00. He paid $115.00 for me. So I credited him that or he has taken up one of the notes I hold against him. And the other I will either pay him or let him take up another of the notes I hold against him. He has got a warrantee deed in my name and is going to get it recorded.

  March 14, 1864

  Squad drill in forenoon. I had a squad today under my instructions. We had no drill in the afternoon. We cleaned up camp. I was detailed on general Police as corporal of it. We cleaned up about all the officers quarters. The team hauled off the trash. It took us pretty much all the evening. I wrote a letter to Mother and Lu today.

  March 15, 1864

  And cold & cloudy & windy. Disagreeable weather. We had squad drill in the forenoon. We were drilled in one squad. Corp Runion [John Runion] had command of us. None but the recruits were out. I acted as right guide on the drill. In the afternoon we had Brigade drill of 2 hours. Col. Robinson drilled us.

  March 16, 1864

  We had company drill both in forenoon & afternoon. Lieut Sloat drilled us in the evening. I wrote off a good patriotic song. The title of it is Brave Boys Are They. I wrote a letter to Henry today informing that I was satisfied with his purchase of the house & lot for me.

  March 18, 1864

  cold & verry windy. We had squad drill in forenoon & in afternoon had Co Drill & drilled Skirmish drill a little, Lieut Sloat commanding. Lieut Kidd was out with us also. He generally goes out with us. About 3 P.M. we had orders to pack up and be ready to march at a minutes notice with 3 days cooked rations. We got ready but at same time all seemed to think we would not march & we didnt. About 7 P.M. the order is countermanded which we hailed with joy.

  The Co. has been divided off into 4 squads, & a noncommissioned officer put over each squad. I have the squad on the left or fourth squad. Sergt [Jesse] Roberts has the first. Corpl [Thomas] Alexander the second, Corpl Runnion [John Runion] the third & I the last & fourth. There is two new corporals in our Company, viz I. Raymer [Isaac Raemer] & N. Bradbury [Nathan Bradbury]. Corpl Alexander is acting Sergt now. Capt got a letter from our first sergt L. G. Parson [Lorin G. Parsons].138 He is at Annapolis M.D. as are other Boys belonging to our Co except Corpl Schloesser [John J. Schlosser]. He was sent to Georgia before the exchange.

  March 20, 1864

  And fine day. I go on picket today. We went through the routine &c and reached the picket line 11 A.M. I, as well as all our Boys, were on Reserve. This being Sunday, they have the Sunday Morning Inspection. And tis just 2 weeks since I was on before. At light I get the Boys at our fire to go out & get a lot of wood for the night. & we have good fires. One third of us have to stay up all night. My squad stays up till 12 P.M. when I wake up the Corpl of the other third & we got to sleep.

  March 21, 1864

  And cold, chilly, wind blowing from the Northeast. Twas cold night. At 10 AM we go on Picket line & I with 10 men are on one post. 2 Beats making 5 Reliefs we attend. The officer appointed an assistant for me, so he posted the Boys half the time. I done it the forepart of the night and he the latter part. I started with the Boys out to get wood. Made them all go so we had a good fire which we needed for it was cold.

  March 22, 1864

  Cold with wind blowing. We look with longing eyes for the Relief which came about 10 A.M. Found out 2 of my tentmates gone on picket. I forgot tell you about one old Soldier & 8 recruits more coming to our Co in the evening of the 19th ult. I didnt know any of them but one of them knew me. His name is Hutchison [Albert M. Hutchinson].139 I had seen him once or twice before I come to war. They are at work building their shanties. Just night & begins to snow hard and keeps it up till bedtime.

  March 23, 1864

  The snow fell last night about 10 inches deep. It is going off pretty fast today. No drill today. I got a letter today from Mother & Sarah. They were well & Mother expected to move to the new home in town soon. Thurza-ann & Isa
acs lost their youngest child by death.

  March 24, 1864

  We get our pay today. Regular $63.00. The snow is going off fast. We expect Gen Grant around today to review us. We have to keep in readiness all the while.

  March 25, 1864

  And rainy today. I wrote a letter to Mother today. We drill squad drill today. I drilled one squad in the afternoon Co drill. I got excused this afternoon from drill for the purpose of getting my boots half soled. But couldnt, the shoemakers have so much to do. We have none in our Regt so we have to wait the option of others. I got a letter from Flora Lander this evening & they have mourning in the family. The youngest having died since I left.

  March 26, 1864

  And fine day. We had squad drill in forenoon & in afternoon had Co. Drill. Gen. [Ulysses] Grant hasnt come yet & perhaps wont.140 I received another letter this evening. This is from Sister Lu. She is well and writes a good long letter. I like to get her letters are so cheerful. She is ready to start to learn her trade & wants some money which I promised her & today I started the money to Henry viz $60.00 & told him in the letter I wrote him today to let Lu have $20.00 & help her find a good place to learn the trade she chooses. But she don’t speak of her and Mother moving into town as yet.

  March 29, 1864

  We had the long expected Review today. There being only one corps of Infantry and the Cavelry belonging to it as also the artillery. We got out there, tis about 3 miles from camp, and got fixed & Grant came around & reviewed us. Just then the rain began to fall & we started home without going through the usual Preliminaries, Marching in review &c. We done nothing in the afternoon. Oh, I forgot to tell you about us fixing up our Shanty. Daubed it over and put on eave troughs.

  March 30, 1864

  And fine day after a hard nights rain. We had Co. Drill in the afternoon. But twas rather windy. I sent for a Gold Pen of Mortons Make No. 5 first quality. Cost $3.00.1 sold my old one for first cost to one of my tentmates.

  March 31, 1864

  A fine day but cloudy. Squad drill in the forenoon. I drilled one squad in the afternoon Battalion drill. Capt comdg us. Col. Finnecum drilled. Col Robinson has returned to the Regt and Brigd Gen Cutler has returned to command the Brigade as also Gen [James] Wadsworth commanding the Division, the latter the Boys are pleased to hear of coming back. He is well liked by the greater part. The commands stands pretty much the same as at the Battle of Gettysburg.

  April 1, 1864

  And fine in forenoon but rained in afternoon. We had Co drill in forenoon. None in afternoon. This as evrybody knows is April fool day. And a numbers have realized it in truth causing no little fun. But I didnt get fooled I believe. But having an empty Pill Box, I wrote those words on a small piece of paper (this is April fool day) and put it in the bottom of the box and lid on, wrapped it up verry nice and threw it into the street. And somebody picked it up. But I don’t know who as I couldnt keep watch all the time. But he would be fooled.

  April 2, 1864

  Stormy. Both rain and snow but cleared off at just night. I and [Henry] Brinkman had to get wood today. We have no drill today, it being so stormy. Mail comes but no letters for me. But two papers from Mother. They are the Northwestern Christian Advocate, a religious paper. I was detailed on guard but twas too stormy I guess for they didnt mount guard and I am not sorry for my boots leaks in both mud & water. I hope the shoes will soon come that have been signed for.

  April 3, 1864

  And fine day. Today being Sunday, we had the usual inspection. I am on guard today. But will not come on much duty as I am supernumerary. There was 3 recruits and one old soldier come today. The old soldier was the one that went home recruiting. He got only one recruit and has been gone 4 months. He is rather lazy fellow. He came to stay with us to stay till he gets a better place. Brinkman went on Picket today.

  April 5, 1864

  And cloudy & cold. We had drill same as yesterday. I drilled a squad today. I wrote a letter to Mother today. Brinkman returned from Picket. I had a good dinner ready for him of Beans & Pork. Ben went on Picket today so that fellow that we took in can stay 2 days longer with us & I will have somebody to sleep with me for Ben is my Bunkmate and when he is gone it is rather cold sleeping.

  April 6, 1864

  And stormy, a little so. We have Co drill in forenoon. Lieut Sloat comd’g and squad drill in afternoon. We are warned to get evrything in good order for a riged [rigged] inspection by an officer from Division Headquarters. He is to inspect the whole division & report the 3 best Regts & 3 worst ones and as a matter of course we don’t want to be the worst ones.141

  April 7, 1864

  And fine day. We had squad drill in forenoon & in the afternoon, each & evry Co. went out to shoot at a mark. Each Co by its self and having their own marks. We had an orange box & I should judge shot 200 yards. We hit it many times, shot it till it would hardly stand up. There was many good shots. I hit the Box once & came close to it several times. & after spending an hour or so at it, we had Battallion drill of 2 hours making in all a hard drill. Brinkman & I washed today, made $3.10. He got excused from squad drill and I didnt so he done about two thirds of it and all I would take was a dollar although he wanted to give me half. He is a first rate fellow, a man evry inch of it. Ben came in off Picket today. O, I forgot to tell you that I bought a watch last night for $8.00. It was an old quartur watch & today I traded it off for a cilender escapement [watch] & gave a dollar to boot. I intend to keep trading till I get hold of one that just suits me. I want to get a Patent Lever [watch] if I can.

  April 8, 1864

  And fine day. We had the much talked of Inspection today. There was two officers. One examined & inspected us, that is our accoutriments & clothing. The other one had a paper & pencil in his hand and those that were best were marked No 1 and some No 2 and one in our Co No 3.1 was amongst the first.

  April 9, 1864

  And rainy all day as well as last [night]. We are having a great deal of rain lately. I wrote a letter to Henry today in answer to one I got the 5th inst. I put in my time reading or writing whilst most of the Boys are lolling around or playing cards & fooling away their time.

  April 10, 1864

  And fine in the morning & raining most of last night. This being Sunday we have Regt Inspection. About 5 P.M. begun to rain. We had church in the evening 3 P.M. the Chaplain gave us a verry good discourse.

  April 11, 1864

  And cloudy & chilly, wind blowing from the north. I am on guard today. But was sent to my quarters. The officer took off 6 men & Sergt & Corporal & sent the rest to their quarters. There is only one post. Co. Drill in forenoon by Lieut Kidd. In afternoon Battalion Drill. I wrote a letter to Sister Thurza-Ann today. Brinkman went on Picket today. We have elected Ben as cook for the shanty & the rest of us are to get wood & water.

  April 14, 1864

  And fine day. At 10 AM we go out on Picket line, relieve those that have been on the last 24 hours. They were all 2nd [Wisconsin] Boys on the Post but me. We got along fine. I run the Post the forepart of the night & the other corporal the latter part.

  April 15, 1864

  And fine day. We get relieved at the usual hour by the new Pickets & come home. I found a good mess of turnips & beef awaiting me which I done justice in due time. This time while on Picket all the corns & noncom officers of our Regt were with the second. Our Boys went on the left. So I got home about half hour before the others. There is a rumor afloat that we are to all be courtmartialed. But I guess tis all a rumor. I don’t know what it is for and another thing I don’t care for I know that I have done my duty. Therefore my conscience is clear. I found when I got home that I had 3 or 4 papers & a box of pills awaiting my return which I, of course, was happy to see. But I would have been more so if they had been letters. But I must be content as well as thankfull that I have as many as I have. My correspondents are more numerous now than I can do justice. For I seem to have lost the zeal I once had about letter writing.

  Apri
l 16, 1864

  And fine day. We have no duty today. After this we are to have Saturdays of each week for washing and cleaning up for the Sunday morning inspection. I put in my time today reading & scribbling. I got shaved today.

  April 17, 1864

  And fine day. This being Sunday we have the usual Inspection & also the usual church services which were given by the Chaplain of the 7th Ind Vols. He is a gifted speaker. Much more so than our Chaplain. He gave us an excellent discourse & after singing dismissed [us]. Then we had a sort of singing school for practice. We have pretty good now. No letter for me today. I expected some.