Edited by James E. Moss, Assistant Editor of the Missouri Historical Review

On Saturday, April 20, 1861, just a week after the guns at Fort Sumter boomed the opening of the Civil War, it was observed that three different flags floated in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri--the Stars and Stripes, the Border State flag, and the flag of the Confederate States. The sentiments of the residents of Boone County, like those of all Missourians, varied greatly. Many were convinced that the rights of the Southern States had been violated and called upon their neighbors to vindicate Southern honor, to "unhesitatingly link our destinies, our interest, our honor, our fate and our all, for weal or for woe, with our Southern brethren." (William F. Switzler, History of Boone County, Missouri, St. Louis, 1882, p. 403) Others determined to support the North without qualification and loudly applauded Union General Nathaniel Lyon's action in seizing Camp Jackson on the outskirts of St. Louis, and his subsequent moves to secure Missouri for the Union. Still others walked a moderate path, arguing that Missouri occupied "a position central between the two extremes: and resolved that "the true policy of Missouri...is to maintain an independent position within the Union--holding her soil and institutions sacred against invasion or hostile interference from any quarter whatever." (Columbia Missouri Statesman, May 10, 1861)

Henry Martyn Cheavens was one of those in Boone County who cast his lot with the Southern cause. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 8, 1830, the son of John and Catharine (Allen) Cheavens. About six years later, his family moved to Alton, Illinois, and then to St. Louis in 1841. At St. Louis Cheavens studied under the famous educator Edward Wyman at his English and Classical High School. In the fall of 1847 he entered Yale University as a sophomore which he attended for two years, until illness forced him to leave. He returned to St. Louis, recuperated for a year, and then set out again for college, this time going to Amherst in Massachusetts where he earned his B.A. degree in 1852. After his graduation he taught school in Jacksonville, Illinois, for a year, and then moved to Boone County, Missouri, to become a private tutor to the sons of Eli Bass. In 1854 he accepted a position as a high school principal in St. Paul, Minnesota, but he later returned to Boone County and taught in various schools until 1861.

In the spring of 1861, when General Sterling Price, commanding the Missouri State Guard, issued an appeal for volunteers to protect Missouri from "the outrages committed against the state by the federal government," Cheavens left Ashland in the southern part of Boone County to join Price's army and fight with the Confederates. He participated in the Battle of Carthage on July 5, 1861, and a month later at Wilson's Creek he was wounded in the right thigh. He was then taken home to Boone County and hidden in the attic of the house of a Confederate supporter, Philip J. Self. While convalescing Cheavens compiled a journal of his war activities up to the time he was injured at Wilson's Creek. (Virginia Easley, ed., "Journal of the Civil War in Missouri: 1861, Henry Martyn Cheavens," Missouri Historical Review, LVI, October, 1961, pp. 12-25)

Cheaven's wound kept him inactive for nearly ten months. By the time he fully recovered the provisional Governor of Missouri, Hamilton R. Gamble, had put into effect a drastic manpower draft. On July 22, 1862, Gamble published General Order Nineteen which in part stated:

Unwilling to obey the Governor's order, Cheavens once more set out to fight with the Southerners. Hoping to join Confederate Colonel Joseph C. Porter who was operating in the eastern part of the state, Cheavens spent August, September, and November of 1862 engaging in guerrilla activities in central Missouri. In November, thwarted in his attempts to join Porter, he decided to rejoin Price's army, but on his way south he was captured and imprisoned, first at Springfield, Missouri, then at St. Louis, and finally at Alton, Illinois.

Shipped east in April, 1863, he participated in a prisoner exchange near Petersburg, Virginia. He was then dispatched to the Trans-Mississippi army of Lieutenant General Edmund Kirby Smith in Louisiana. Unable to corss the Mississippi River, Cheavens was assigned to Brigadier General John S. Bower's Division, Second Brigade, Captain Schuyler Lowe's Missouri Battery. He fought with Lowe's Battery at the Battle of Baker's Creek, the Battle of Big Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg.

After the fall of Vicksburg he started east through Mississippi to Demopolis, Alabama, where a parole camp had been established. At Raymond he stopped for nearly two months to serve as hospital steward, nursing those who were unable to go any further. While in Raymond he compiled the largest portion of the journal which is reproduced here, recording his experiences from July, 1862, until the time he arrived at Raymond in July, 1863. Cheavens reached the parole camp at Demopolis early in September, 1863, and was reassigned to Captain William E. Dawson's Missouri Battery in Brigadier General Francis M. Cockrell's Division of Missouri troops. With Dawson's Battery Cheavens saw subsequent action in the Chattanooga campaign. He wrote intermittently during the campaign but compiled most of this portion of his Journal after returning to Meridian, Mississippi, in December, 1863.

At the war's end, Cheavens entered St. Louis Medical College. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine on March 1, 1866, and three and one-half months later married Sallie Ann Self in Boone County on June 17, 1866. There he practiced medicine and taught school until his death on May 13, 1920.

The original text of the journal is reproduced below with changes in spelling and punctuation only where need for clarity. Persons who are listed by last names only are further identified wherever possible. (Additions to the text in the form of footnotes will be added at the appropriate spots and placed in italics--GB)

JOURNAL OF THE WAR, 1862-1863

My wound, having been received in August of the preceding year, kept me from active duties. (Cheavens, a private in General John B. Clark, Jr., Division, Company E, was wounded at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861, when a no. 6 grape shot lodged in his right thigh, four inches above the knee breaking the bone. Columbia Missouri Statesman, August 23, 1861; Virginia Easley, ed., "Journal of the civil War in Missouri," p. 23) But on the last of July [1862] the Proclamation of the Pseudo Governor [Hamilton R.] Gamble was received calling on all within the state of Mo., both friend and foe, to enlist in the State Militia. I found myself unwilling to obey the mandate so unceremoniously announced. So getting on my nag withou bidding my friends goodbye I once more sallied forth. Hoping to meet Col. Jo. Porter in the northern part of.....................(Confederate Colonel Joseph C. Porter was engaged in guerrilla activities in northeastern Missouri. On July 28, 1862, he had penetrated as far south as Moore's Mill in northeastern Callaway County where Union Colonel Oden Guitar, commanding the Ninth Missouri Cavalry, defeated him in a hotly contested encounter.) On Monday Aug. 1st, evening, myself and Will Bass (William H. Bass, Ashland, Boone County) rode off and riding all night, after various adventures in finding and losing the road, at length put up at about 3 A.M. at Mr. Glasgow's in the town of Millersburg. We slept soundly until sunrise when arising we prepared for breakfast which in Great State was set before us by Miss Glasgow. There was also present a Miss Martin call Capt., being the leader of a female company. Also a school mistress in the neighborhood. We had no time to remain, so bidding our generous hosts goodbye we again moved off after those we were in search of. We rode seven or eight miles when we encountered some of our pickets who stopped us. We willingly went with them to a spot in the woods where two or three companies were encamped commanded by Capts. [Charles] Selby, Allen and ............ We learned from them that on the previous day a skirmish had taken place at a place in Callaway Co. called Moore's Mills between Col. J. Porter and Col. O. Guitar in which the former, overpowered, had to retreat. (Cheavens' chronology is confused at this point. According to his calculations the battle occurred on August 1 when in fact it was July 28.) We remained till about 7 P.M. when we started back towards Boone. We crossed Cedar Creek and stopped near Boonesboro on Elijah Stephen's place. It rained the first night and we had poor fare.

 August 3rd, 1863--Arose from Birch bed. Capt. Julius McGuire cam around and in accordance with his suggestion we disbanded, arranging the time and place for [our] next meeting, the following week being the time appointed. I was placed under the charge of Mr. James Langston, son of Widow [Cornelia] Langston, who has one son in the Confederate army and one has died in the same service. (George Thomas Langston joined the Missouri State Guard (Confederate) and fought at the battles of Lone Jack and Independence. Joseph W. Langston was fatally wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge.) They live on Little Cedar Creek about a mile N.W. from Boonesboro. The family consists of the Old lady, James, and a very pleasant daughter, Nancy. I enjoyed my week very much indeed. Lived on fruits and vegetables with honey fit for a king.

 August 8th, 1863. Again we were together with an increased force. I was sworn into the C.S.A. (Confederate States Army) during the war and found a doubled barreled shot-gun to suit me. I was appointed commissary of our Squad of several companies. We were most of the time in the woods and had a different encampment every day. Sleeping and eating during the day while the night was occupied by traveling from place to place. One of our exploits during the last week of August I will describe. There were a number of Southern men imprisoned in the jail of Columbia. We squaded several of our companies under the Captainship of Young Purcell, a brave but rash man. There were a number of us amounting to one hundred men. About 11. A.M. [Tuesday, August 13, 1862] we started and entered Columbia about 1 P.M. with a whoop and a yell, clattering over the ground rough shod down to the Court House door. The Federals all ran to the University, scattering in all directions. Our men went to work breaking down the jail door and releasing the prisoners, who were led off in triumph. Nothing else was done in the town excepting taking the Federal flag floating over Redmond's building. One shot was fired by the Federals, which passed through the Court House door. We first took our picket and got 100 head of Government horses which were feeding in a pasture. We then departed on the road back. We gave the flag to Mr. .................. daughters who tore it to shreds and gave them to the boys. I got a piece and gave it to my sweetheart afterwards to make a square in a quilt. That night we feasted.

In a few days, Guitar (Colonel Oden Guitar, Ninth Missouri Cavalry. In August, 1862, the provisional Governor of Missouri, Hamilton Gamble, promoted Guitar to Brigadier General in the enrolled Missouri State Militia (Union)) was on our track and after us. We then had t disband and kept to the woods most of the time. During the time I staid mostly at Mrs. Langston's and again at Mr. Again's. I made two or three trips to my friends in the Southern part of the county. I went to the Self's and the Martin's when my other friends could not meet me and have a pleasant chat. (Philip J. Self and Lincoln R. and Isabella Martin) I would come and go in the night and then have the day for pleasure. I also exchanged my little Mexican Mustang for a large U.S. horse, captured at Columbia. I became quite a favorite with Mr. [Julius] McGuire. One night while the Feds. were in the vicinity of Cedar Creek I rode on one side of Little Cedar and their pickets were on the other bank. The next day I and my horse stood in a thicket while the Feds. were ranging the next farm not a half a mile distant.

About the middle of October we were ordered to be ready by a certain night to meet Porter in Callaway Co. and cross the river. (On October 16 about 300 of Porter's guerrillas crossed the Missouri River at Portland, Callaway County, on the steamboat Emilie, which they had commandeered. Porter crossed the Missouri by row boat at Providence, Boone County, and was later killed in a skirmish near Marshfield on January 10, 1863. Richard S. Brownlee, Gray Ghosts of the Confederacy, Baton Rouge, 1958, p. 88) We were all ready. I had been down to Salem meeting house a got back just in time to get with our party. We rode all night and arrived about daybreak near the spot, but by some mistake we did not find them. We slept till about 8 A.M., when our provisions were brought in and Capt. Purcell, with some few others, went to find the whereabouts of Porter. I got a fishing line and went to work in the creek catching fish. Had got quite a little string when our scouts came in, stating that the Feds. were in the neighborhood and had fired on them. After cleaning my fish and putting them in a sack on the horn of my saddle I saddled up and started into line. We got to the top of the hill, and there forming a line we gave out horses to be held while we loaded our guns ready for the charge. Pretty soon we saw the Feds. skulking in the woods, then a shot or two, then more Feds. I got a crack at one or two, then a ball hit a tree near me and soon I saw Sam Hodge pulling my coatttail telling me to lie down. I soon looked around and saw all th emen around me gone with three or four exceptions. I soon saw the 1st Lieut., who told me to mount my horse and retreat. I looked for Jim Boice, but he and horses were gone. I found a mule without a rider, and mounting him I started off.

Two or three were wounded and one dead. Buck Lampton was wounded in the head by a glancing ball. I found my horse in camp, but lost everything on him. We went some 4 or 5 miles and stopped to gather our men together. [Young] Purcell, [Ed] Muir, [Jim] Wilson, and others were among the missing. We afterwards found that Purcell had been shot in the finger and had to have it amputated.

About 2 A.M. we started for Callaway rebuffed but not disheartened. We camped on the Western bank of the Cedar [Creek] and then disbanded.

A few days previous we had quite an accession to our numbers by the arrival from Price's Army of several, all of whom had recruiting commissions. Geo. Langston (brother to James), Parson, Primrose, Jim Wilson, Lieutenant in my old company, Ike.

I also became the most constant attendant in the family of Mr. Hodges and my wardrobe was refitted by Mrs. Langston and Turner.

It is a most pleasant family, consisting of the Old Gentleman, Lady, two very pleasant, industrious, and amiable daughters, two sons, one lame, and another smaller one, then John and Samuel, two as clever and hearty companions as I ever want. John, Sam, Capt. Charles Selby (late 2nd Lieutenant in Capt. [H.G.] McKinney's Co. 5th Reg. Mo. V.C.S. and who died of a fever in the late siege of Vicksburg. Requisat in Pace), Ed Muir, Jim Wilson, and myself mostly squaded together. When I wanted the best cornbread I went to Mrs. Hodge, the best honey to Mrs. Langston, the best mush to Mrs. Self, and anything food to all indiscriminately. We laid out in the woods, read and visited, some always on the lookout.

Capt. Will Todd of Howard [County] was down to see us and his cousins, the Stevens (with whom I became acquainted). One Sabbath he left our camp, our tent being nicely stretched, and started off as the gallant of the fair cousins to Cedar Church. In the evening he came back at a great rate, the Federals had met and questioned him, and had it not been for the presence of the young ladies he would have been arrested. He gave us the hint and we were soon on our way to another camp. The Feds. searched for us but did not find us. During this time we had a little scout on the Black Foot camping ground, but it did not amount to anything. We were there some two or three days and then returned.

One day, Sunday, I was aroused from my lethargy by the smoke arising from several points to the northwest, north, and east. We afterwards discovered that it was caused by the burning of Mount Zion church and several dwelling houses by the Federals. (On Sunday, September 22, 1862, a detachment of an Iowa regiment stationed at Mexico, Missouri, appeared at Mount Zion Church, about 12 miles northeast of Columbia, and burned it to the ground. They also burned the dwellings and barns of Robert H. Gay, and Elijah Crisman, in the same neighborhood. William F. Switzler, History of Boone County, p. 424.)

The first snow I slept under. It's soft fleecy flakes fell so smoothly that we were surprised in the morning at the amount. I enjoyed myself, but was not satisfied. Alas for man, he is never satisfied.

On the first Sunday of November, 1863, we were all ready to cross the river of the great Missouri, an appointed place was known. We waited for the evening. A number of us in sheer despair thought we would go again to Church. Cedar was the spot. We got there and I met many of my friends, both male and female. Mr. And Mrs. James Self and the not to be forgotten Miss Sallie were all there. We listened to the sermon, and then came the goodbyes. I will not say a tear did not start to my eye. I know not when I will see them again. I dined at Elijah Steven's and after adieus I started for the spot. We arrived about dusk and about 9 moved on towards Bonne Femme [Creek]. We traveled all night, striking the Bonne Femme north of Columbia. We camped next day, then on a little stream camped preparatory to crossing. Tuesday night we commenced crossing and had a hard time. It was but about four miles below Boonville, a poor landing, no rowers or guides who were acquainted with the river. The horses would not take to the river. I took mine, he would not swim and tried to turn over. The skiff finally got mired on a bar in the river. By hard pulling got him on dry sand, where I had to leave him till morning. I remained on the south side, cold, wet, and weary. We made a little fire before morning and got some victuals from a neighbor. Our horses were all day on the bar in the middle of the river, and a steamboat passed up in the middle of the day. The next night by hard work we succeeded in getting over the men and horses, some 80 or 90 in number. We staid the next day resting ourselves. I occupied myself in directing the division of bread and meat and making cartridges. We fried out meat, took up the grease, made up our dough, and gave a piece to each man to make for himself on a piece of stick over the fire.

The next night we traveled so as to be within a few miles of the railroad. (The Pacific Railroad of Missouri operated trains between St. Louis and Syracuse in Morgan County. The last five miles of the 108-mile line were opened from Tipton to Syracuse on August 1, 1859. Here the railroad terminated in an open prairie. Margaret Louise Fitzsimmons, "Railroad Development in Missouri, 1860-1870," (Unpublished master's thesis, Washington University, 1931), p. 14) Camped. In the morning men were sent out after corn for our horses and food for ourselves. About an hour after daylight we heard the sound of guns immediately in front of us. It seemed to paralyse all, and all soon left the field after being ordered by officers. I left my horse. The last I saw of Capt. [Julius] McGuire he was mounting his nag. I soon came to where our men had formed and found 52 without any officers but one, Lieutenant Crutcher. We had three or four killed and several wounded and a number taken prisoner. Selby, Sam Hodge, and others. After getting together Crutcher told the company to look out every man for himself and concerning the railroad keep directly south. A few of us remained till night, tried to get a guide, failed, and started.

We took the wind for a guide, but it changed before morning. We started to cross the railroad between Tipton and California. We went through farms, byways, and at last crossed. The rain then set in. I had to ride bareback and the darkness did not agree very well, so once or twice I found myself dismounted. After riding an hour or two we came to a halt overcome by fatigue and rain. My squad had become scattered in the darkness, but three of us were together. We took our blankets, laid them on the wet ground, and were soon in a heavy, if not sweet, sleep. Early in the morning we arose and, feeding our horses from a neighboring field, we went on our way. We soon found that we were but two miles east from Tipton. We hid our guns and ammunition, then the two young men with me said they would try it on foot. I took the best horse of the crowd with the best saddle and blankets and bidding them goodbye I started with my face Southwards, for, though it was raining, still I could take the course by observing the moss on the north side of the trees.

I traveled on till about 12 o'clock. I came to the edge of the prairie when, having become hungry, I stopped at a house for dinner. It was Sunday and a number of neighbors were in. They had a wounded brother. I ate dinner and started on my journey. I came in sight of a house where I put up though the owner was not at home. The young lady had a brother in the army, Southern of course, and seemed devoted to the cause. She gave me a comfortable meal and bed, the first for some time. I arose the next day refreshed and ready for my rough road to the banks of the Osage. I started about 7 o'clock and found my way very successfully. I soon took the main Linn Creek road as it was a rainy day and few people were stirring. I learned from a blacksmith that two of our company had been taken the preceeding day and were on their way to Tipton. I afterwards learned they were Joshua Baker and Cruger. I traveled over the rough road till dark found me at a widow woman's 5 miles from Linn Creek. I was received by them and put up with the accommodations when I found nearly all the sons were in the Militia. (The Missouri State Militia was organized by provisional Governor Hamilton Gamble and the Missouri State Convention (1861) to operate at the expense of the Federal Government and to co-operate with United States troops "in repelling the invasion of the State and suppressing rebellion therein." U.S. Senate, 57th Congress, 1st Session, Document no. 412, "Missouri Troops in Service During the Civil War (Washington, D.C., 1902), pg. 21.) It rained all night and morning found it still raining.

Tuesday morning I started and crossed at a ford above Linn Creek called Edward's Ferry. I rode all day and found at noon I had been taking the Warsaw Road instead of the Linn Creek and Springfield Road. For miles I saw not a living being or a house. At last I turned south by the trees and graveled till dark brought me up to a little cabin, where I found shelter for the night and a good supper. The people were Eastern Yankee. He was just returned from the Federal army in Tennessee, and seemed above the common run of people, only wishing for peace.

Wednesday morn rose clear. I could not get my $10 bill changed, so the man had to go without his money. I rode all day, passing a large water mill and also meeting many Militia returning home from Buffalo. I stopped at night to see if I could stay, but the man would not let me stay unless I had a pass. I rode on some 4 or 5 miles and, my horse being weary and footsore, I walked. At last I stopped at a lady's where everything was done, my horse fed and myself also. I had just risen from the table when I heard a yell about the house and was ordered to "Keep in or I would be shot." Then came in a group of yelping curs in the form of Gamble Militia, some 6 men armed and equipped. I surrendered, of course. They then searched the hose for some they had heard were on their way also. I had to give up my pistol. I told them I had none. "If you don't bring it out we will shoot you." I told them to shoot ahead, I had none and they might search. They asked me what I was. I told them I was on my way to Price's Army. Where were the rest of my men I could not and therefore did not tell them. The man (Judge ............., I'll know him) who refused me lodgings was along and they took me to his house where we had supper. After supper they took me along to Brownsville about 6 miles from Buffalo..., where was the headquarters of this gang. This gang seemed quite pleasant afterwards. I slept on the floor and rested well about 1 or 2 A.M.

I remained with them the 17th and the 18th, during which time I was well treated. On the 19th I was taken by two of their number to Bolivar, Polk Co., the headquarters of their Col. On the same evening I arrived I was taken before the Provost Marshall and then to the Court House, which they used as a jail! I found three others were also companions in misery. We had a pleasant room and a good fire with a tolerable supper. I laid on my blankets and had a comfortable nap, or rather sleep. The next day 20th nothing was done. The next I was called before the Provost Marshall and my confession under oath was taken and certified and signed by me.

The succeeding day I wrote home, and it never reached its place. Sunday the 23rd I went to Springfield and arrived on the 24th. I was taken to the Provost Marshall there, to the Court House, where 160 prisoners are kept on the 3rd story. I immediately found a great number of friends. Capt. W. Todd and quite a number of others. I immediately was placed in charge of the hospital containing some 30 sick. It was in a miserable state. All lying on the floor filthy, with frequently no blankets. I had two, with one in constant use in the sickroom. Many had been in prison for twelve months. The disease was mostly typhoid, pneumonia, mumps, diarrhea, and measles with some scurvy and much debility. Our diet was crackers and light bread, pickled pork, beef, coffee, grits, and hominy, with a few desiccated vegetables. I tried to do my best. I was there till December 24th and I think I did my duty. During that time but five deaths occurred, while in the Federal hospitals they counted by tens daily. We cooked for the hospital in the small room where the nurses staid. I made up most of the medicines and the druggist below the balance. Dr. J. Bonfils near the Abby, St. Louis, was our first physician and a kind and considerate old man. The next was an Iowa Regt. Surgeon. The surgeons were very kind to me and allowed me many privileges such as a guard to go into town with me after clothing and cloths for dressing blisters, for food for the very sick, etc. Mr. Logan's family is to be remembered by me with the deepest gratitude on account of the many favors bestowed. I was busy all the time, scarcely a moment's leisure. A lady gave me a ball of yarn to knit a pair of mittens for a young boy, but I never found time. The days were short and we frequently had neither wood nor candles. Many nights our boys were without either. The last surgeon did all he could for the good of the sick. He procured cots and ticks filled with straw and a number of blankets with a number of changes of clothing which were also distributed.

The College was filled with prisoners and Capt. W. Todd was sent there. He was afterwards paroled and subsequently it was taken from him and he was put in solitary confinement on a charge of breaking parole. The large room of the prison was inhabited by 160 men who slept on the bare and dirty floor, which was covered over at night so thick it was almost impossible to thread my way among them. The floor was filthy beyond comprehension, no spittoons, ambia [sic] from 160 mouths and pus from half as many, while every morning beheld one corner nearly a quarter covered with filth of the worst character.

The city of Springfield contained about 2500 sick Federals. The weather was splendid. The Sergeant of the Prison was kind to us and would laugh and talk with us regularly. Several escaped while I was there. One was a fellow prisoner from Bolivar. Several tried to escape, a number took the oath some of whom joined the Feds.

On the 24th December, 1862, 96 of us from the College and Court House, mostly prisoners of war, started from Springfield for St. Louis via Rolla. It commenced raining and rained for several days. We had a guard and a Major......commanded us. The number of wagons was found to be but half enough, so one half had to walk through mud and water. Christmas Eve it snowed and was a very unpleasant cold night without tents and many with no blankets. One man had a breaking out like small-pox who traveled on till we arrived at Rolla. Every night I had to give medicines to our sick, as I had brought medicines from Springfield. Christmas Day brought us no dinner as in the good old times, but as I had to walk and was not able to get along fast enough the guard stuck his bayonet into me, for which I thanked the Major, who was behind me. He soon called me out, apologized to me, and I got to ride in the wagons all the time, which was one thing gained.

We passed through some very poor land at one point. In one place we found block houses and fortifications. We gained some 6 additional ones at one town, one died, one was left at Rolla. 30th we arrived in Rolla, a very cold night. 31st we started on our way to St. Louis. We took the cars. (By January 1, 1861, the Southwest Branch of the Pacific Railroad of Missouri extended from St. Louis to Rolla. See Fitzsimmons, "Railroad Development in Missouri," 101-102.) Open wood cars. It was a cold day and we were nearly frozen. We changed cars at Franklin [Pacific], where all had passenger cars. I had a seat in one all the time. I became acquainted with Daniel Fulbright of Springfield who has ever since been one of my warmest friends.

At 9 P.M. 31st of December we arrived in St. Louis, the city of my childhood and youth, as prisoners. We were escorted by the Halleck Guards (Major General Henry W. Halleck, commanding the Department of the West with headquarters in St. Louis.) to the front of McDowell's College, otherwise called the Gratiot St. Prison. (In December, 1861, the McDowell Medical College was confiscated by the Union provost-marshall of St. Louis and converted into a military prison, commonly known as the Gratiot Street Prison. St. Louis "Missouri Republican", December 24, 1861.) We stood in front of it till 11 o'clock before we were admitted. The weather was so cold that one of our number fell dead in his tracks of cold and exhaustion and many more were so exhausted they had to be taken to the Sister's [of Charity] Hospital in an ambulance. After long waiting we were ordered into the presence of our future jailers. Our names, rank, and regiment were taken and our persons were searched. All our pocket knives were taken and all our money over 5 dollars were handed into their keeping. We were then sent around to our quarters. I was immediately surrounded by friends who had been long separated. Saml. Hodge, Cruger, Ravenscraft, Joshua Baker, Winn, Charley Selby, and numbers of others not remembered at present. One gave me a ring, others brought bread, etc. It was 2 or 3 A.M. before this tired body was laid in sleep, Jan. 1st, 1863.

The next morning I went to breakfast in the common room and then among the sick in the hospital. Some I was acquainted with. Ravenscraft was board master. I was installed as nurse. In 2 or 3 days the dispenser of medicines leaving I took his place, filling it during my stay.

McDowell's College is built of rock on 8th and Gratiot Streets, consisting of a three story octagonal tower and 2 wings. One wing was occupied by the Federal officers and attendants, with the upper story reserved for Confederate prisoner officers. The northern wing was a basement divided into a cook room and a large room, the middle story one large room and a dining room. The upper story (occupied formerly as a museum) was now a hospital, the loft was the dead room and rubbish room. The lower room of the tower was a cool room when we first went there but afterwards was fitted up for the use of prisoners. The middle room a large room commonly called the Round Room and an upper amphitheatre afterwards fitted up into 2 stories, one as a convalescent hospital the other as a dungeon. The large rooms were fitted up with 3-story double bunks with one and two stores to a room. The dining room with table and benches with the cups and plates kept in order by the dining room squad, the cook room was fitted up with brick furnaces with sheet iron boilers for boiling coffee, meat, etc., with a cook room squad, all of whom were prisoners. Then there was an office squad who called the rolls, and rolls were called every morning before breakfast.

The food was boiled beef, hot and cold coffee, soup, peas, potatoes, light bread, and bacon. One meal between 9 and 11 A.M., the second between 3 and 5 P.M., rooms going out in order. Masterson was Captain of the Prison and tried to do all he could for the comfort and health of the prisoners, although he was not very affable to most. To me he always acted the perfect gentleman. 3 sergeants at every door and outside. We had a little strip of land about 4 feet wide in which there was a hydrant and the last month a yard 20 by 60 feet. The rooms were swept every morning and scrubbed every two weeks.

The Hospital contained 76 bunks arranged in 8 lines or 4 wards. To every half ward or 10 patients were two nurses assigned who staid on all day, one always being present. Making 16 nurses and 2 dishwashers, in all 18. 4 stood every 4th night 2 till 12 o'clock, the other 2 the balance of the night.

It was the usual practice for the surgeon to come in the morning, make prescriptions, and have them put up. I would go around with him and then make up the medicines and give them as prescribed. We had a sink and hydrant with a bath tub in one corner of the room. Everyone who comes from the lower rooms is taken to the bathtub, a good bath given, clean clothes given, and put in clean beds. Thus vermin are excluded from them. The floors were mopped up every morning, the beds made, and each man with a fresh bowl of water to wash with. The meals consisted of light bread, beef fried and boiled, and mutton soup. The Sisters of Charity visited us every day once or more. They brought chicken soup, milk, eggs, jams, and other delicacies such as coffee and tea. These two sisters were all that were allowed to visit us. Father .............. also came and many a poor man had the benefit of the sacrament and was baptized with the holy water. (Griffen Frost, also a prisoner at Gratiot Street Prison at this time, wrote that a Father Ryan came in and preached a sermon. Griffen Frost, Camp and Prison Journal (Quincy, Illinois, 1867) , 29.)

The small-pox raged while I was there, and I have sent off as many as 10 a day to the island with it. Some few died with it in the worst form. I read a great deal of medicine and had a good deal of practice. I could tell a man with the small-pox as soon as most physicians. Measles, pneumonia, chronic diarrhea, erysipelas, some wounded in the last of January, quite a few from Arkansas. Several wounded were put in the hospital and we had a convalescent room with Dan Fulbright ward master. I found in officers' quarters Ed Muir, Parson, Primrose, Lieut. Crutcher, Capt. George Langston, Capt. Jim Wilson, Major Rucker, and several others. Capt. Bob Maupin now aide to Col. [F.M.] Cockrell. Jim Monde and several others whose acquaintance I made.

I at last understood that we were to leave on exchange, as many thought, but I soon found it was merely a change of prison to Alton. Capt. Masterson told Fulbright and myself that if we wished we could stay in St. Louis, he would keep us there, but we both thought there was a better chance for exchange by going with our boys, which we afterwards found to be so. I was started off to Alton on the 25th Feb. and landed in Alton after dark, taken to the Penitentiary near which I had wandered as a child 24 years before. We were ushered into the hall and searched, our money taken, and tickets were given for the amount. Our knives were not taken. I then found two of the Todd boys, Elijah and his brother, with whom I slept. The next day we went to the table, where there was a scanty supply of food, meat, and potatoes, and bread, and coffee. I found Dr. McFarlane and was installed in the Hospital Squad. The first week I rested myself from the duties which had been wearing on me for some 3 months or more.

I then took charge of the Hospital Squad, then assistant apothecary. The Hospitals were 4 in number, one occupied by wounded, one by small-pox exclusively, and two with all kinds together. Our cooking was done in the house and we had a little better food than the grand table d'hote. I learned a great deal about medicines, weights, and constituents. The hospitals were in a very filthy condition, the vermin were thick, traveling over everything, and the floors were never scoured. Bed clothes had not been washed for weeks. There were a great number of deaths the first 3 months of the year. Small-pox was very fatal, 300 were buried during the time. 10 would sometimes die of a day and night. The health was improving when I arrived there, measles, small-pox, erysipelas, and pneumonia were predominant.

There was a sutler from whom we bought at double the rates various things and knickknacks. We had a pretty good ground for promenading in. Every fine morning you would see the boys promenading talking and smoking. Ring making was the prominent employment, with some pipe and knife makers and one violin manufacturer. Several violins were made and we frequently had a dance in the open air. I was very healthy the whole time, and many was the dose of medicine I put up.

One night the guards shot at one because he refused to put out the light. We had all classes and characters of men. I have seen men grabble in the slop barrels for food thrown there by the dishwashers. Many men seemed to have no other employment than to eat. Men with no mind and education would almost invariably do so, while those who had some employment of mind and ingenuity for hand would do well in body and mind. For this reason, I always got a working section. On the last week of March the officer of exchange with the books made his welcome appearance for the purpose of calling our names. We were glad, and many were the joyful faces when their names were called, and many a long and lingering look was given when it was failed of being called.

On the 31st [March] one of the cooks had a stove to fall on his foot, and it caused the amputation of his great toe, which I saw. He started on the 1st with us.

The 1st of April we were all called out with our knapsacks and haversacks of 5 days' provisions. We got on the cars, and about 10 A.M. I bid adieu to the sight of Missouri which lies opposite Alton, and the Mississippi River, which I had since seen at Vicksburg. I cannot at this time pretend to give a daily [account] or our trip or the exchange. But I can say that there were about 850 prisoners from every state in the south and not a few from the northern states. Our course was the following: Mattoon or Pana [Illinois] at the junction of the Illinois Central, Terra Haute in Indiana, Xenia, Dayton, and Columbus in Ohio, to Belle Air on the Ohio River. To this point we had cars of the 2nd and 3rd passenger trains. Then crossing into Virginia we were installed into our cars, freight and old ones. Then over the rail over the way, our provisions going fast, crowded up, cold, on to Cumberland on a road I once traveled while going to college. Then by Harper's Ferry, where it snowed, all the way to Baltimore, where we arrived about 8 A.M., Sunday morning, 5th April.

The train remained a long time in the city. The ladies tried to give us all they could, but the police forbade all communications whatever. At last we were drawn down to the coal wharf and packed in masse into a large warehouse, where we remained during the day and had some crackers and raw bacon issued to us. We slept on the ground. Next morning the 6th we were taken about 10 A.M. on board of the steamer and soon after we started down the Chesapeake River. (Cheavens refers here to the Patapsco River which empties into Chesapeake Bay.) It was a pleasant scene to me, and as I was on the Hurricane Deck I had a good view.

The air at night was quite cool and on the deck was rather unpleasant sleeping, but I made out. Next day about 10 we came in sight of Fortress Monroe [Virginia], where we remained some 2 hours anchored off the Fort, which looked fierce, with its line of bull dogs pointing out plainly in view. There were a number of vessels at anchor, among which we plainly discovered the English flag on a Man of War and a French ship. We soon started up the James River, and after going up a little was the wrecks of two Federal steamers, the Cumberland and one other which our famous gunboat Merrimac overthrew. Their remains were above water. We saw the turret ship Monitor at the mouth looking like a big turtle. After going some distance the white flag was raised at the bow and soon our names were called to sign a parole not to fight till exchanged for the requisite number. We landed at City Point about dark and laid alongside of another boat, on board of which Fulbright and our crowd got and had a good berth in the passenger hold or cabin of the boat. I enjoyed the rest. Early in the morning we discovered a train of cars on the bank of the river getting ready for us.

How happy I was on April the 8th, 1863, my 33rd birthday, to place my foot on southern soil and go upon the cars at City Point, Va., under a guard of our own men for the City of Petersburg, Va., distant 20 miles. We soon went over ground and then I saw peach trees in full bloom the first time this year. About 1 P.M. we arrived in Petersburg, a pretty town, and marching through it went to exchange camp at the model farm a mile from town. There I found many of my old friends and acquaintances. Capt. Harvey McKinney from Rocheport, Missouri, had come from Richmond and had by Orders from Headquarters organized the Missouri 125 exchanged in March into a company of which he was elected captain and Charley Selby, 2nd Lieutenant. I tried to join his company, but it was full.

We remained till Monday, the 13th. Peddlers came to camp and sold provisions; sweet potatoes, 50c to $1; pies 25c to 75c; tobacco $1 per plug. The money we had left with the Feds. was turned over to us, or at least part of it. I received $2.50 out of $7.50 due me. The two or three days succeeding our arrival we marked by the arrival of a number of prisoners from St. Louis and Chicago. We were divided off into squads of 100 men and rations issued to us and cooking utensils. Flour and meat with sugar and salt and rice.

On the 13th of April Capt. McKinney's company of 125 men with 40 men of us called Elgin's Squad started off with orders to report to Gen. [Edmund] Kirby Smith at Alexandria, La. The great majority of the Western troops had previously been sent on to Gen. [Braxton] Bragg. Our route lay through Western Virginia, and a very poor and hilly pass among the Blue Ridge mountains through the town of Lynchburg, one of the stanch old Virginia towns on the hill. Then on to Bristol on the line between Virginia and Tennessee, where we staid a couple of days in the Round House. I walked over the town. Then on to Knoxville, Tenn., where I examined the arsenal and saw a number of six pound and 12 lb. Guns with piles of ammunition. Then on to Montgomery, Alabama. I went to the State House situated on a hill with a gradual ascent overlooking the entire city. I went over the city, it is a beautiful place. I entered the room in which Jefferson Davis was inaugurated. The view which met my eyes was beautiful, the city spread out below like a map before me. Green trees shading the streets in pleasant contrast to the white houses of the citizens. I entered a gun manufactory in which I found a Missourian who was in charge of the works.

Montgomery is situated on the Alabama River. At the Navy Yard we saw a gunboat in course of building. I here saw the first strawberries. Our boys bought quite a number of cedar canteens at 75 cents. We had been on freight cars all the time, but here we took the steamboat for Selma. About 6 P.M. we started and proceeded all night. Morning found us at the promised point. We again mounted on cars. I preferred the top of the car on account of the air. Here we again were hurried on through the peninsula formed by the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers to Demopolis on the Tombigbee. This was the fairest portion of the south. The people seemed to treat us more like men than others. The ladies brought us bouquets, socks, and a large lot of cooked vegetables and milk was brought to us. The ladies and general bearing of the inhabitants made me think of our own state of Missouri, which so far stands ahead of all states for hospitality. At this point we again took a boat for 4 miles to a nameless point where the railroad again commenced. And such a road!! Help me!! It seemed more like going in an ox wagon. We really did not make more than 50 miles a day between this point and Meridian [Mississippi].

At Meridian I saw my old Captain of the State Guards, Dick Carter of Columbia. He was assistant quartermaster. Here we remained a day. A speculator had here about 75 hogsheads of sugar. Our boys broke open several hogsheads and helped themselves. Although I took none, I acknowledge to eating it and using it after being taken. We here went on to Hickory Station, where news was brought us by a station master at Newton Station that [Union Colonel Benjamin C.] Grierson with a large body of Cavalry were awaiting our train, having taken two former trains of passenger cars. We immediately reversed the engines and went back to Meridian, where before night all was hurry and bustle with a clash of arms and military preparations to resist the threatened attack. Guns were issued to all our men who were unarmed, ammunition was given out, cannon drawn up in front, men drilled in their use, guards mounted and sent out. Towards night we were sent out on picket. Then from our detail 3 of us, Sam Hodge, myself, and one other, were sent to guard a certain road. We had orders to let no one pass with out orders, and if in a large party to shoot and run about dark [sic], I saw a large company of men advancing. Calling upon the other guards I cocked my gun and ordered them to halt. One came forward, the captain of the company, and informed me they were mounted men for the protection of the place. On the production of the order for their assembling, I let them pass. We took up a couple of darkies, one of whom trembled like a leaf and begged like a good fellow to be let off.

At daylight we were relieved and went back into town. After our morning meal we rested some. About night we got on the cars and performed picket duty on the Big Chunky Bridge. Next day we went on to Hickory Station (near which General Andrew Jackson camped in his march to New Orleans). Here we remained on guard a day and a night, and then we returned to Meridian, whence we took the cars for Jackson. On the road at Newton we saw the remains of the burnt trains, a place 4 miles was torn up and we had to walk the distance. At Jackson we arrived and were soon sent to guard a group of Federal prisoners in a new barracks. While on guard the 1st night a new guard came and we had orders to report in town, which we did at 2 A.M. It was my guard. We immediately camped by the cars waiting for transportation. Tents were given us, also cooking utensils. We were told it was impossible to cross the Mississippi. We were not impressed with the goodness of the people of Jackson. Indeed, virtue and hospitality seemed at a low ebb.

On the 4th of May we left for Vicksburg and landed in Bovina, where we formed the Missouri division under Gen [John S.] Bowen, commanding; Col. [Francis M.] Cockrell, commanding 1st brigade of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th regs., Missouri. Gen. Martin Green, commanding 2nd brigade of 1st Mo. Cavalry. [Colonel Elijah] Gates [1st Missouri Cavalry] and [Lieutenant Colonel D. Todd] Samuels [3rd Missouri Cavalry] Battalion [were] consolidated and dismounted. (On April 17, 1863, Brigadier General John S. Bowen assumed command of Major General J. H. Forney's Division. Forney was assigned to command the Division of Major General Dabney H. Maury who was ordered to the Department of East Tennessee on April 15. For the regimental and company commanders of Bowen's Division see United States War Department, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and the Confederate Armies (130 volumes, Washington, D.C., 1880-1902), Series 1, Volume XXIV, Part III, 705. Hereafter cited O.R.) Several Arkansas regiments with Wade's, Landis, Loewe's [Lowe's], Dawson's, Guibeau's [Guibor's] batteries. (Cheavens refers here to other commands making up the division. Those commanding Missouri Batteries were Captain John C. Landis, Captain Schuyler Lowe, Captain William E. Dawson, and Captain Henry Guibor. Also included was Colonel William Wade's Missouri Battery commanded by Lieutenant R. C. Walsh (Wade was killed April 29, at Grand Gulf, Mississippi). The Arkansas regiments were the 15th, 19th, 20th, and 21st Arkansas, the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, and the 12th Arkansas Battalion Infantry.) The order came for all Missourians to be temporarily divided among several commands and sixty-five men of [Captain Harvey G.] McKinney's [5th Missouri Infantry] company divided out among the batteries. I went to Loewe's [Lowe's] battery with some 11 others. (Lowe's Battery, also known as the Jackson Battery and Lucas' Battery, was consolidated with the St. Louis Battery, also known as McDonald's (Emmett) Battery, Dawson's Battery, and the 3rd Missouri Battery. U.S. Senate, Missouri Troops in Service During the Civil War, 334.) This battery is mostly from Jackson County, Mo., and the officers are Capt. Loewe [Lowe], 1st Lieut. Thomas Catron (who was educated at Columbia at the State University), 2nd Lieut. Jos. Jackson, 3rd McCarty.

The company is made up from more traders than usual, 2 blacksmiths, a tailor, shoemaker, barber, several apothecaries, several printers, several schoolteachers, a couple of lawyers. Stevens W. Harrison, commonly called at home Harrison Basnett, was a member of the company of one of my old scholars. Wm. Grooms, another of my scholars, joined with me, also Joel Nevins and one of the Barnes. We made quite a pleasant mess of 12 at first. Finally 10, and considering all we agreed very well. On the 6th we joined and found our company with the guns was camped on the banks of Big Black River just below the railroad bridge on the farm of a Mr. Townshend, who I found had been educated at Yale College a year or two before I was there. We had a Sibley tent given to our mess. We had very good rations of beef, corn meal, sugar, and rice. I was head of mess. I found many of my old friends and acquaintances. Don Sitton I found to be saddler to the 1st brigade, he was as delighted to see me as I to see him. I could tell him more than any of his friends. We had many pleasant talks about old times. As I was in need of money, he supplied me. Tinsley, brother to Sam Tinsley, I found in the 3rd Regt. Turner, who nursed me in Springfield, was in Gates' regiment, also the husband of Mr. Self's daughter, Tom Neal, also Gabriel Long, who staid winter before last at Will Bass'. To all these it seemed as if it were a heavenly blessing to see old friends.

We remained but a few days before the tocsin sounded the enemy is coming. We are prepared to meet them. Men were working on the breastworks on the eastern bank of Big Black. Then we were drilled in artillery tactics. My post was ............... no. 6 which is the cutting of fuses and charge of ammunition in the limber. On the 11the day of May we made a move on a false alarm. On the 12th we started forward towards Edward's Station, a few miles to the south of which we staid one night and part of the day. It rained nearly all the time. Next day I went out on picket towards Raymond where we distinctly heard the Federal drums. We remained the night of the 14th and then moved on. The night of the 15th we camped in an orchard on Baker's Creek, as it is called. In the morning bright and early I arose and soon found a sweet potato patch and then had the camp kettle on quick enough. I scarcely had them cooked before we heard the guns popping in front. The orders were soon given to harness up and we were soon put in position on a hill by some cabins. After cutting down some trees to begin, we then changed position to a field in our rear. We were there ordered into a wood where our guns (Parrott) did their first firing, then we were ordered onwards to where a number of Negro cabins were standing in a field.

There we came to a stand. There we were ordered into a field when McKinney's company passed us by, charging the enemy. We fired but one shot here. One of our drivers here was shot in the arm by a minie ball. The balls were flying thick around us. Our men were mostly behind trees. Soon the enemy gave signs of flanking us on the right, so [we] filed back to the road point just out of the field, and there we went to work in good earnest, and if ever boys worked it was then. We fired 25 or 30 rounds of spherical case and bombs at them, which soon............them. I worked till the perspiration fell in streams from me. I knew the enemy fired a shot when we were in the midst of it. The swab buckets got dry and one of the boys took the old leather bucket to a neighboring hog wallow and filled it. On his return all the boys rushed to get a drink, and how refreshing it was. When I got through my work I looked around, and within a few feet of me lay a Federal dead. I found some letters in his pocket, which I took and read, from people in Illinois to brothers in the army, and all that Ab. Lincoln's government is not the people's government. I also ate some provisions from a haversack. I took a Captain wounded and made him wait for our escort to take him prisoner. Piles of Federals laid all around dead. One of our batteries had been disabled here, and in consequence left a gun. One of the infantry privates worked it himself. I ate my sweet potatoes at intervals, and enjoyed them much. The dead and dying were all around us, and fast they fell. Here it was that the brave [Captain Harvey G.] McKinney received his death wound of which in a few days he died.

Soon came that order so galling to a soldier, Retreat!! And then through bush and brake and hill and hollow, swamp and road we kept going, till at last dark night found us behind the entrenchments at Big Black [River Bridge]. We slept as soldiers sleep, on the cold earth.

Sunday morning, May 17ty, 1863, rose fresh and fair. Two years before I was sworn into the service of the Southern Confederacy at Jefferson City with the lamented McKinney. He is mortally wounded and I am on the eve of another battle. So the "Providence of God differs, however man prospers." We were soon ordered to our position in the entrenchments. We fixed our guns and rolled cotton bales to cover our caissons. Then a foolish thing was done, our horses were ordered off the field to the rear about 3/4 mile. We awaited until the sun was fairly on his road to the zenith when the enemy made a charge on our center, but our guns soon drove them back. Yet their shell came bounding around us, throwing dirt all around, while I was behind my cotton bale gouging spherical case and reading. At last one [Union soldier] on the left came sneaking along, then another, till more and more came the same road. I jumped for my neighbor's revolver, but he would not let me have it or I would have sent some back.

Col. Cockrell came to us before this and said wait till you can do execution, then fire. But the Georgia Regiment on the extreme left ran, then one and then another till at last all deserted us. The Missourians were the last to leave. And Col. Gate's Regiment were mostly left behind and many were taken prisoner. Many swam Big Black. I had to go when my orders came. The field was half a mile across and you could see men flying across pursued by the Federals. Our guns, 4 in number, 2 10-pound Parrott guns, and 2 12-pound Howitzers, were left behind. All the other Missouri Batteries had to leave the guns except Landis', who got off one or two. Alack the day.

I took up my line of march as did the others. I ran some hundred and fifty yards, then thought I would prefer to walk, which I did, to the banks of the Big Black where we had a bridge across and were protected by some guns on the hill above. I picked upa gun, cartridge, and cap box, although we were under heavy fire all the time. Col. Cockrell was trying to bring his men into line. After crossing, I went to the first house, and finding a sauce pan I got a drink of water, quite refreshing after our run. I soon found some of our boys, and we went into the big road, where we found our officers and the artillery horses, one of which I mounted and soon was on my way. We soon came across some tents filled with clothing. I got a gun, coat, and pair of blankets in lieu of mine, which I had left with the guns.

We travelled on toward Vicksburg. We arrived in Vicksburg Sunday, May 17th, 1863, about 3 or 4 P.M. dispirited, weak, fatigued, and generally not in good humor. Our camp was near the graveyard. Our wagons were soon there, and we put up our tents and went to work getting supper. We rested that night, the 18th. Some of our boys went to Snyder's Bluff after cannon and ammunition. They returned late at night with a 32 lb. Parrott but no ammunition, after being fired upon by the pickets. They brought a great many coats and clothes of all kinds. I went into town and saw my own Mississippi River once more. I was not particularly taken with the town, although there are some pretty houses and many pretty yards. The China trees make a splendid shade and the flowers are out, the pomegranates with their beautiful scarlet flowers. I went to the top of the Court House, and could see above and below the city for many miles, but both above and below were infested by the enemy's fleet of gunboats and transports.

Our camp was in a very pretty place, a graveyard with many nice shade trees and beautiful flowers and not a few blackberry bushes on one side. On the other was a creek flowing through a valley hilled up on all sides by high hills, except on one, where this brook lazily crept to the river.

Our defenses were about three miles in circuit from left to right. The defenses were not such as we had expected to find, in fact almost nothing. Our men had to go to work to complete what laziness and 2 years had failed to do. Our men worked all night and stood guard all day. Our force did not consist of more than 30,000 men and 12 days provisions, which by quartering were made to do for 48 days. We soon had work to do, for Tuesday, 19ty of May, made us sensible that the enemy was at hand.

For the first 4 weeks we had cornmeal, 1/5 of a pone for one meal and a small piece of beef with some cornfield peas, a cooked cupful a day. Stewed rice one meal in three days. Then we had several days peas and corn ground together made into bread which would made the heartiest sick. Then we had some nice flour, then flour enough to make two biscuits a day, a piece of fat pork one inch square, one cupful of beans composed our rations for the last two or three weeks of our stay. I took a piece of mule flesh fresh killed and cooked and ate it. It tasted very well, and all wished for more. There were a few green apples on some trees when we first entered, but they soon melted away before our never satisfied saucepans, and how good and refreshing a few spoons of applesauce tasted to us. Parsley was cooked by all to make a little more food. Crowds stood by the butcher waiting for liver, heart, lungs, head, tripe. The price for the above was $5.00. Sugar was sold for 60 cents and caked like maple sugar it tended to lessen the hunger. The boys got a plug of tobacco among 5 men to last 2 weeks every three days. Our food was good in quality but dreadfully lacking in amount. The boys in our mess got along remarkably well indeed. We divided everything equally, so whether he were present or absent his part was always saved. If he was at the [breast] works it was carried to him. While the others complained of not getting their share, there was very little of it with us. I got a cup of blackberries every evening of 10 days in the graveyard. Some of our messes lost the whole of their provisions some nights by other stealing.

Fighting commenced in earnest Wednesday, 20th, and charges were made by the enemy the whole of the first week in vain. We lost many, very many, brave men, but more of them lay in the sallies below our works, and after a week's hard fighting they sent a flag of truce to bury their dead. Our men fought with the energy of despair. For though on the second morning of our arrival many packed up expecting to be taken to the Northern prisons by the Yankees, yet after the first day's fight and our triumph, the courage of our men gained ground, and they rose from the Sough of Despond and seemed to stand on firm ground once more. The feeling was, "We can save half the war by keeping Vicksburg."

Then came the heavy mortar fleet to work on us. I was placed on the opposite side of the peninsula and two miles from the city. The shells were 13 and 15 inch weighing 200 pounds. They were mostly directed at the City Hospital. These fell day and night in the street, some exploding a half mile in the air, others going 10 feet in the ground before exploding, and many never exploding. I was a great fear to the women and children, most of whom left their homes and lived in holes in the ground dug out laterally. Once bomb went through the Court House from the roof to ground floor, exploding on the ground. Nearly every house had one or more through it, yet very few lives were lost by these same bombs. 8 would be the amount of females and children killed.

 Then the gun boats would come up every now and then and give a charge. One of these charges I had the pleasure of witnessing one day from a high point on one of the ridges. 4 gun boats made the attack on the lower water batteries. We could see the flash of the guns and in about one minute the report would be heard. They fought about an hour when one rang a bell for assistance. Another came to her relief, and she was towed off. They had been hit several times. One day the Cincinnati came from above, and I thought se was running along finely when a few shots from "Whistling Dick" (An 18-poiind, rifled gun. O.R., Series 1, Volume XXIV, Part 11, 332) made her soon get to shore, where in a short time she sank above the portholes. (The Cincinnati, a turreted iron-clad Union gunboat of the largest class carrying 14 guns, was sunk by Confederate batteries on May 27, 1863. O.R., Series 1, Volume XXIV, Part 11, 332).

We first volunteered as sharpshooters, and every day would find some 20 in the ditches. I was up one day. At last we had 2 guns given us, one 6 lb. And one 12 lb. I was on the 6 lb. every other day, then the 6 lb. alone every 4th day. Then we changed the 6 lb. for one on the other side of the stockade in a parapet, to which was added a 20 lb. Parrott called "Crazy Jane." Finally, a week before the surrender, we got a 10 lb. Parrott, which we dragged up the hill Sunday night. I was on the 20 lb. piece the last 2 weeks nearly all the time. It was in the following form. The last gun was fired, then whirled around in the embrasure, out of reach of the enemy's fire, while we could enjoy ourselves in the covered way, out of the sun, out of trouble. We would fire from 5 to 30 shots a day. Very few of our shots seemed to burst. We made some good shots in their White House filled with officers. We saw them skedaddle from it. Also knocked two fires with men around, going all through their sallies and killing many. A sergeant on one of their pieces got out of the notion that this parapet was casemated with the railroad iron, another said their own shots did much damage among their own men, for every shot that missed us went on and hit them. I afterwards found enough solid 32 lb. to casemate our embrasure. Many of the shells burst in our works by us, but did no damage to us or our boys. One day I had been getting ammunition from the caisson, and returning for more, found pieces which had exploded by the ammunition. Shells sometimes burst and let out the canister all around. One day after the shooting, and neglecting to drag in the piece, a shell struck the reinforcement and burst within 5 feet of me and I thought my head was split.

One night while sleeping, cannon and mortar went to work in good earnest, shelling our camp. I woke about 1 o'clk, all had left the tent, and the close proximity. I took to the bank of the creek, and while there, was covered with dirt from shells. Soon after the firing ceased I returned, and found my tent with a hole made within a few inches of my bed. Several times I had shots strike within a few inches of me. In going to the ditches we had a long open space to traverse, and never did I pass without having shot, shell, or minie balls pass within a few feet or strike the ground at my feet. At night it was splendid to see the curves formed by ascending and descending shells, also to see the shells pass through the air.

Mules were killed in abundance and hauled off every night to the river. Sickness was not very prevalent, and that mostly diarrhea. I was in the Hospital No. 2, where Charley Busby lay wounded of a ball at Baker's creek, in No. 3, where Smith, otherwise Cheroler, of Boone was sick. Also in the Brigade Infirmary, were Charley Selby lay sick and died just before we surrendered, Joshua Baker, who has since died, Samuel Hodge, nurse of Lieut. Selby, who went home and died in prison. King was wounded in the forearm at Baker's [creek]....Capt. Lowe was wounded in the little toe by a shell in camp. Conelly by a piece of mortar in the forearm. Slight, while within 3 feet of me. Lieut. McCarty was killed while sitting under a tree afar from camp and out of danger, as he thought, by a ricochet shell falling perpendicular. He lived but a few hours, the top of the broken skull broken off and the brain laid bare. Thornton Porter was killed the Monday before the close of the siege by a minie through the brain, and two other the same week by the same means in ditches. None of the four ever spoke a word afterwards. They were all buried in the graveyard. Many men were killed in camp, some reading, some sleeping. Our tents bore several marks of balls, our skillets were broken by minie balls. The blowing-up of the parapet where the 6th Mo. Was, and where Col. [Eugene] Erwin was killed, was seen by me, but while the dust was blowing I had to run the fire to attend to hand gernades.

At last, after 47 days hard fighting, and not a single day without the regular bom-bom sounding like a woodsman's axe, and the crash of falling trees, came the flag of truce taken out by [Lieutenant General John C.] Pemberton (bad luck to him). We had been looking for Johnson (Chevens refers here to General Joseph E. Johnston who was headquartered at Jackson, Mississippi, during June, 1863, with a force of about 28,000 men under his immediate command. O.R., Series 1, Volume XXIV, Part III, 978), and it was all the cry for Johnson in the rear. Yet, on July 3rd, terms set a going, and on July 4th were completed between [Union General] U.S. Grant and Pemberton, and abut 12 A.M. the Federals began to swarm in. I saw them all through town. Terms of capitulation were: surrender of all arms and government stores--officers to keep side arms and private property--soldiers to keep knapsacks, to be paroled, receive 5 day's provisions, to have a horse wagon for each Regt. and a two-horse wagon to each battery. Though I was hungry before; it seemed when abundance of crackers, ham, peas, and rice came all appetite left. We remained till Friday morning, when we were paroled. Saturday morning, 11th July, we started on our road towards Black [River]. And such was the ending.

We travelled hard after our famine. Our men were like skeletons, and many came out but to die. It was really lamentable to see men in [the] last stages of chronic diarrhea eating green corn and green melons. One man ate 25 ears and died in 2 hours. We stopped near Big Black the first night, and then Gen. Bowen, sick with Dysentery, staid till he died in 3 days. We went on till we were tired. Joel Nevins had been quite sick, and soon gave out. I staid with Joel; all day we stopped. I ate some corn and peaches and tomatoes sparingly for fear of disease. We went on several miles and camped within 3 miles of Raymond on Sunday night. It rained Sunday night, and Monday morning. Giving my coat to Nevins, I saw him ride along. We got up with the company at Raymond, when Lieut. Catron (Lieutenant Thomas B. Catron now commanding Lowe's Missouri Battery) and Lincumfeller and Nevins had better stay, and me to nurse. I arrived in the Court House hospital, upper Courtroom of Raymond, Monday, July 13th. I took charge of my two patients. I found John Hume of Boone wounded in both thighs, yet still alive. Sergeant Henry of McKinney's Company staid to assist. A.J. Mallett is surgeon of the post. J.W. Cockram is apt. [apothacary]. B.J. Dysart of 5th Mo. is volunteering services and has the upper ward. He is a skillful and attentive surgeon, much like by all. The nurses were mostly paroled after the Baker's Creek fight to wait on the wounded. There were 100 wounded and 100 more have been added of the sick soldiers that were paroled. Of this number nearly 30 have died since I have been a nurse of this hospital, and nearly all were Vicksburg men. I gave myself up to attending. Soon the house was crowded and I had my hands full. From two it came 10, then to a quarter of the house, then Dr. Dysart had me give all the medicines, and I had abundance of work. The food was good, though not very varigated.

 The ladies of Raymond have been very attentive to the sick. Mrs. McCombs was ward matron, very efficient. Since gone to Texas. Mrs. Jenkins and daughter took care of the ward continually. Miss Harriet Hunter and her sister Martha have been very attentive. Also Miss Fidelia Wharton, Miss Lip Grey, Miss Mary Dabney, Mrs. Alston, Mrs. Lins, Mrs. Gibbs, and many others came to shed abroad over the sick a pleasant and homelike influence. It seemed to me a different place to what my last few months have been passed in. Everything has gone on harmoniously enough. About 1st August I was appointed Chief Ward Master and soon after, Acting Hospital Steward, and I have reason to believe I have acted with staisfaction to all. I have stood beside the beside of from fifteen to twenty men. Many of these men hastened and brought on their own deaths by imprudence in eating and drinking.

The FederalArmy passed through on their way to Vicksburg. They passed through, and for 3 days destroyed everything in the neighborhood, killing chickens, hogs, sheep just for the pleasure of the thing. Pulling off fruit green on the ground, taking all animals and vehicles. Soon afterwards Dysart went to Big Black and got some supplies for the Hospital, 25 lbs. Flour, 15 lbs. Pickled pork, 5 lbs. Shoulders and hams, coffee and tea. Since that time we have lived well. And had plenty of buttermilk from John Shelton's, Major Payton's, Mr. Grey's, Dr. Lattimer's. Joel Nevins and F.H.B. Stout both went in the country to Mrs. Julia Harney's, 2 miles out. Since being here I have studied a good deal of medicine and practiced more. In Materia Medica. Make up a great proportion of the prescriptions. Helped at the amputation of Martin's leg. Resection of Russell's arm. And 2 or 3 operations. Have been well, gaining strength all the time. Have eaten figs and pomegranates and like them well. Musk melons, apples, and peaches. I have enjoyed myself much, and now, 8th of September, am on the eve of leaving for Parole Camp, after having seen to the breaking up. There are but now 4 wounded men. Dr. Mallitt has been gone for some time.

Wednesday, September 8th. Dr. Dysart, Henry Henderson, and myself started for Parole Camp at Demopolis [Alabama]. The Dr. horseback, the rest of us in a spring wagon, for which we paid $14.00 apiece, to Brandon [Mississippi]. We had scarcely got 1/2 mile from town when one of the wheels broke down and we had to return to get another vehicle, which we did about 3 P.M. About 10 P.M. we camped at Pearl River. An hour before day we started on our way to Brandon, which we reached about 12, where we remained till about 4 P.M., when we took the cars for Meridian. Charley Mount and [his] mother and Miss Annie Mount came with us, also Mrs. Jenkins, all of Raymond. At 3 A.M. we arrived in Meridian.

We started early in the morning for Demopolis. The cars were so crowded we had to sit on the platform. We got about 25 miles when one of the truck wheels on the tender broke off near the end and ran the tender off the track. It kept us back till about 3, when having got the tender on the track and started, we got to McDonnell's Landing, when we took the boat. We soon arrived at Demopolis, when I found abut 20 of our company camping at the Mill just above town, with a splendid spring of water and everything pleasant. Sunday I went to the Methodist Church in town, and heard a splendid sermon from Dr. Mitchell. I there saw W. Carpenter, also Bob Maupin. Today, 14th [September, 1863], I saw Hosea Williams and Sidney Woods, whom I left in Springfield Mo. 24th Dec. [1862]. John Parker, Sam. Terrill. News came yesterday of exchange of [Major General John S.] Bowenn's and Stephenson's [Major General C.L. Stevenson] Div., 2nd Texas and Wall's [Colonel T.N. Waul] Texas Legion. I saw Dr. Dysart, and he will call an order to have me examined as Hospital Steward Very soon.

I have since seen one who nursed me in Springfield, whom we have called Yank. He has professed a belief and come forward. Wm. Carpenter was Baptized by Bishop Andrews. Last Sabbath, the 20th, Sacrament of the Last Supper was celebrated in the 1st [Missouri] Brigade. Gen. [Francis M.] Cockrell partook. We have some very interesting prayer meetings in the grove morning and night. Last night I led the prayer meeting.

Since the last was written much as been done. The prayer meetings continued and many were converted. Then came the order for consolidation (After General Bowen's death, Colonel Francis M. Cockrell, who had commanded the 1st Brigade of Bowen's Division, was promoted to Brigadier General and placed in command of the Division. On September 12, 1863, he requested the Confederate War Department to instruct all Missouri troops east of the Mississippi river not engaged in actual service to report to his command at the parole camp in Demopolis, Alabama. His request was approved and the order issued. When the troops were assembled the Division was reorganized. O.R., Series 1, Volume LII, Part II, 524, 526, and Series 1, Volume XXXII, Part III, 673), 33rd and 5th [Missouri], Gates' and Samuels'. Then our battery [Lowe's] and Dawson's, Dawson commanding, Catron 1st. Lieut., Jackson 2nd Lieut., Sleall 3rd Lieut....Halleck of the 6th hounded in Vicksburg was appointed Orderly. Dick Steele charge of 3rd Detachment, in which I am. We have a good company of 76 or 80 men, 110 when all are present (Men from both the First and Second Brigades of Bowen's old Division were placed in this company. They came from the 3rd and 5th Missouri Infantry regiments, the 3rd Missouri Battery, previously commanded by Captain William E. Dawson, Lowe's Battery, previous commanded by Lieutenant Thomas B. Catron, the 1st Missouri Cavalry (dismounted), previously commanded by Colonel Elijah Gates and the 3rd Missouri Cavalry Battalion (dismounted), previously commanded by Lieutenant Colonel D. Todd Samuels. O.R. Series 1, Volume XXIV, Part III, 705; O.R., Series 1. Volume XXIV, part II, 326; and U.S. Senate, Missouri Troups During the Civil War, 314-315.)

I also saw Wm. H. Hayden, Livingston Co. [Missouri], formerly of Jack Stone's Co., Reeves Regt. in the old [Missouri] State Guards, who helped me off the field at Oak Hill. Also Hutchinson, Livingston, who was in prison with me. T. Callaway, who I left in Alton with small-pox. Dennis of Boone Co. in 3rd Mo. Lonks, Vaughn, Dr. Tip Phillips (6th), Boone. Don Sitton has come to Demopolis and is in the saddler's shop. Nevins has not yet arrived. I have written several times, no answer. I have rec'd 2 letters and written 3 to Miss Fidelia Wharton, one from Mr. Garrow.

The 1st Brigade went to Gen. [John W.] Whitfield's, then in a wek had to leave for Meridian. Before this we had a grand review by Lieut. Genl. [William J.] Hardee and Gen. Johnson [Joseph E. Johnston]. Then Pres. [Jefferson] Davis came on and reviewed the men. We then went from the Fair Grounds to Gen. Whitfield's where we set up our tents and made houses out of the old boards.

Before this we went into the Alabama Brigade, where a great revival was going on and 65 were received into the church, and it was still going on last account. At this camp we messed off Robinson, Walker, Minor, J. Russell, Morris, Dimmits, Harding, Clements, and myself, equal 9. Good beef, a little pork for shortening, corn meal. We bought sweet potatoes, $2.00, flour at 25c lb. Good cooks and everything going on well.

Oct. 28th we started off to Chattanooga (Cheaven's company was attached to Moore's Brigade, Brigadier General John C. Moore commanding, which joined the Army of Tennessee in its attempts to resist the Union Army attacks at Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge). The wagons started off and the 29th we started. The 28th I was appointed Hospital Steward. I saw Mrs. McClune who was so kind to the prisoners in St. Louis. She was banished from St. Louis in May. I merely got a few words with her. We started for Selma [Alabama], where we arrived at 3 o'clock. We staid all night. The ladies brought us biscuit and meat. Saw Col. Rosser (Colonel Thomas H. Rosser, Commandant of the post at Selma, Alabama), his son Allen remained. The company stole 3 sacks of flour. I went over the new gunboat building, of pine mostly, with oak knees and timbers, 250 feet long, 64 beam. I went over the top and under the bottom. Also the Foundry, where 8 large Brooks guns were in the process of being bored and gauged, also saw the pits for casting. The town is pretty, some of the streets have 3 rows of trees through the streets, one through the center.

We took the boat for Montgomery [Alabama], arriving next morning and stayed one day. We started Sunday morning for West Point [Georgia]. All along the road the ladies came and greeted us, throwing bouquets at the men. We arrived at night, next day we started for Atlanta, arriving the evening of Monday. We went over the town and saw a great deal of the city. We could see Stone Mt., some 25 miles distant. I met Dupont, an old friend from Alton Prison. We saw many pieces of Artillery taken at Chickamauga by Gen. Bragg. Some 11 mountain Howitzers. One piece made in 1852 in Massachusetts for L.C. with an inscription of a palmetto tree on the vent. Then I bought a pair of boots for $28.00. We then started for Chickamauga Station. We had a rain that night and all next day. Then we stayed for several days.

Sunday night we started for the foot of Lookout [Mountain]. We are now, Nov. 19th, still here. The firing sometimes is heavy. Two shells fell in our camp. We yet have no guns. I went to the top of a near ridge one night, saw many thousands of fires up the mountain over to Missionary Ridge. I ascended Lookout and was well repaid for the trouble. Wat Anderson is one of the Lieutenants of Bledsoe's Battery (H.M. Bledsoe's (Missouri) Battery, commanded by Lieutenant R.L. Wood during the Chickamauga Campaign), which was on the mountain but is now at the foot. I rec'd a letter from Mr. Farrow. We live on 3/4 lb. beef and 2/4 lb. corn meal. Dr. Coffee is appointed our surgeon. There are many have been sick with the chills.

We remained at the foot of Lookout Mt., without much change. On Nov. 23rd a feint was made by the enemy upon the right, and several Brigades were brought down from the Mt. to strengthen our lines. The morning of the 24th was very foggy the mist never left. The whole day the clouds rested low. In the morning the Federals attacked our pickets and outposts on the extreme left on the other side of the Mt. Walthall's Brigade of Mississippi troops broke and ran and came down the Mt. and streaks of mud all down their backs. Moore's and Pettus's Brigades of Alabama troops stationed on the Mt. as pickets fought manfully and stood their ground, fighting till 12 midnight E.C. Walthall, John C. Moore and E.W. Pettus, all Brigadier Generals, commanded brigades during this campaign). We were ordered to go along with the wagon train to the rear as the Mt. was to be evacuated. We moved along slowly, leaving all our mess chests and very many of our tents. Our boys carried some all night, with much of the mess kit. About 3 in the morning the total eclipse commenced. About the total [of the eclipse] we stopped near Chickamauga Bridge. Clemens and I slept in an ambulance by the wayside.

In the morning we arose, crossed the river, and soon found ourselves camped near Chicamauga, where we remained all day. The fight continued heavy all day on the right, and we whipped them well at that point, covering the ground with their killed and wounded. Few of our men being killed, but the center gave way and Mannigold division especially (Cheavens refers here to Brigadier General Arthur M. Manigault who commanded a brigade in the battle and not a division. Robert U. Johnson and Clarence C. Buel, eds. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, (New York, 1956), III, 658, 660, 728). Our artillerymen fought with rocks, and one Irishman knocked down a Federal color bearer with a sponge staff. About 11 or 12 at night we started in retreat, first for Ringgold [Georgia]. We got ahead of the wagons, and, as it was very cold, freezing, we stopped by the wayside and, building large fires, remained until morning.

Next morning, Nov. 26th, we started with the wagon. The tongue soon broke, which delayed us some time, and then we travelled on till we crossed the river and railroad at Graysville. We then had a fine road, but at this point in the afterpart of the day the Federals got after our men and captured [Captain T.B.] Ferguson's Battery, cutting off Bledsoe's, which, however, got off and came up with the rest of the main army. In the evening the wheel of our wagon broke just before getting to Ringgold. Our teamsters returned and brought a good wagon from beyond Graysville. Most of our boys started on, some wading the Chickamauga, others, myself, crossed a footbridge below. Got into Ringgold after stopping a while with Lieut. Hull. Then some of us, about 8, went through Ringgold over the first railroad bridge. There we laid on the ground by a large fire.

Next morning Gen. [William J.] Hardee whaled with his sword a man who would not take a widow woman some Irish potatoes he had taken. We soon got en route. After crossing the 2nd railroad bridge [Major General P.R.] Pat Cleburne's Div. of Texas and Ark. Troops ambuscaded the Federals, killed and wounded 1500 and took 250 prisons and 3 flags, making 9 flags we have taken from the enemy. This was the last of our fights. Our loss in killed and wounded and prisoners will not amount to over 3000, while they acknowledge 4000. Our loss of stores small (Union and Confederate losses in the Chattanooga campaign: Union loss--killed, 7552; wounded, 4713; captured or missing, 350; total, 5815. Confederate loss--killed, 361; wounded, 2180; captured or missing, 4146; total, 6687. Johnson and Buel, eds., Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 729, 730.).

We marched all day. About noon, being with Dick Steele, Runt Alsop, Charley Beazley, and several others, the wagons took a sudden scare and started back. We kept on. At night, being without provisions, we killed and skinned a pig. Afterwards we built a rousing fire, and, hanging it up before the fire, we roasted it. Then going on for several miles we came to a barn in which we made a bed and slept soundly. It rained during the last of the night and early in the morning.

We started for Dalton [Georgia], 2 miles. Soon coming on 2 wagons overturned and mired we extracted some flour and cooking utensils with some medical stores. We went on to town and getting there we made a fire and cooked bread and meat. We then went on through town to Bledsoe's Battery. We then found our wagon had started for Resaca. I soon got lost from my men and taking up with a Louisianan we walked through the mud till we were tired. At last he bought from a man some boiled pork, $3.00, for the two of us. With my bread we made a meal, then we travelled till we got to Tilton. Seeing some acquaintances on the cars I got on, intending to go to Resaca, but they did not go so we got down and went into an old blacksmith's shop filled with hay and a good fire. I lay down was nearly asleep when one colored one woke me up to eat some honey. I ate, asking no questions for conscience sake. It was good. Next morning we started for Dalton, arriving on the cars. I went to eating slapjacks and sugar with some potatoes. Charged upon and stole them from a peddler who sold them for 25 cents apiece.

Next day our battery came up. I joined in a few hours. Here a secession in the men took place, Minor, Hanks, Dimmit, and Morris going off. Phillip came up also. Nevins in answer to my letter. We heard that having no chance of artillery (38 or our pieces having been captured) we had better return to Cockrell, 1st Brigade, at Meridian, for further orders, which we are now awaiting (On December 5, 1863, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee relieved Captain William E. Dawson's company from duty in his department and ordered it to report to General Joseph E. Johnston, Meridian, Mississippi. O.R., Series 1, Volume XXXI, Part III, 788). We arrived [Meridian] 14th [December, 1863].

****Here ends the entries into the Journal of Henry Martyn Cheavens****