From: Diary of Jesse Jay kept while a prisoner of
war by the Confederate Forces.
Diary Of Jesse Jay
A Soldier Of The Civil War
A Prisoner For Three Months
CIVIL WAR
Jessy Jay was a Union Soldier - Enlisted in the 14th. Iowa Infantry, Company “I,” and left his home & family 5th. of November 1861. Served 3 years in Federal Army. Was discharged on 13th. day of November 1864. Rank - S’gt.
While in the Union Army, Jesse Jay visited his sister-in-law, Catherine Underwood in St. Louis, whose husband, Rufus Underwood was in the Confederate Army. (2 brother-in-laws, one in Union Army, one in Confederate Army.)
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APRIL 6, 1862
Pittsburgh Landing: The battle on the enemies part was commanded by General Sidney S. Johnson, Hardy Bureaugard, Floyd and Pillow, and Federal forces by U.S. Grant, Sherman, W.H.L. Wallace, Prentice and others. This was an attack on the morning of April 6th. and a complete surprise, as General Grant was at Savannah six miles down the river. The battle raged in great fury on the Sabbath of rest. The 21st. Mo., one Miss., and one Ohio regiment were badly slaughtered. Colonel Moore of the 21st. Mo. was wounded in the leg, so we, the 14th., 12th., 7th., and 2nd. Iowa regiments were in the front of battle line all day and supported our artillery and repulsed the enemy at three different times and maintained our ground until we were completely surrounded by being outflanked both right and left. At this time it is said that the order was to retreat, but it was entirely too late, so Gen. Prentice surrendered when he found that the day was won by the enemy. Amid the dead and dying on all sides--the moment was one of intensity as we lay down our faithful pieces and here our General called for the person of Gen. Bureaugard for an interview. The General appeared when General Prentice said, “General, I have had the honor of contesting the field with you today, I presume the best General of the South,“ when the General replied in an appropriate manner, “I think not, for your command has today killed General Sidney S. Johnson, the Commander of the Confederate Army, whose remains are in our possession.” So we are marched out of the field as prisoners of war, some two thousand in number, the loss of the 14th. regiment is not known to us. Our Company’s loss, Co. I, in killed known to us is Samuel D. Lockman of Davis Co.; Iowa and Elias Eagles of Mt. Pleasant. John Cramer missing and many others supposed to have retreated with the 2nd. and 7th. Iowa, a part of our Brigade. So we are marched on the 7th. to Corinth and on the 8th. to Memphis, by cars where we are quartered in a large brick building on the wharf, so we are fed for the first time since we left our tents on the 6th. of April; Now the 9th. We are in common health and God is still ours.
APRIL 10th.
We are in usual health, thank God, and at Memphis, Tenn. and all are contented.
APRIL 11th.
The Father of us all remembers us.
APRIL 12th.
The rain is abundant indeed; The city of Memphis is locally high and healthy.
APRIL 13th.
Co. I - 14th. regiment prisoners are: Officers; Capt. W.C. Jones, 2nd. Lieutenant E.H. Logan; Sergeants, F.F. Kinner, I.N. Rhodes, M. Rhodes, I. Mitchel; Corporals, W. McNeeley, G.M. Smith, J.E. Savage, J. Hartman, B. Chandler, G.W. Grant; Privates, W.L. Bearden, D.C. Beaber, H. Beaber, N. Brittenham, W.H. Brooks, H.C. Boyer, R. Chandler, J. Campbell, M. Foote, I. Campbell, E.H. Gossett, J. Jay, H.H. Jones, D. Hummel, E.B. Holt, J.E. Mitchel, G. Nutton, R.L. Roland, D. Rainey, J. Saum, L.W. Sutton, G. Swiney, H. Saint, D.S. Smith, H. Turner, J. Whitmeyer, C.C. White, P. Cloonan, T. Barton: About 43 in number. A.B. Saum.
APRIL 14th.
This morning the wondrous Negro Country, so we hale at Jackson, Miss., a pleasant city. The people are generous and kind.
APRIL 15th.
We pass east of Meridian Junction and from here to Mobile on South.
APRIL 16th.
Finds us all in a capacious brick cotton house and storage. So we are cared for by the authorities, Physicians, preachers, etc.
APRIL 17th.
The boys are in common health and the Lord is merciful to us and we think of friends and home.
APRIL 18th.
We are well supplied with cooking utensils, meat, flour, meal, and some molasses. So the boys are more inclined to read the Bible, I hope for the bettering of some at least.
APRIL 20th.
The holy day finds us on the way to the city of Chatanuga up the Alabama River. We are all well except Eli Gossett wounded and left in the hospital, and M. Foote also left in Mobile Hospital. The day is wet, the river high and good boating. We are kindly treated and have a good boat to pass on.
APRIL 21st.
We are landed and quartered in a powerful large brick cotton house and the citizens have sent us generous breakfast, so we may all be thankful to God and take courage.
APRIL 22nd.
This morn we have a load of provisions landed from Mobile and the boys have all come and Mr. Foote, as he is better, so we are all here except Mr. Gossett that was taken prisoner April 6th.
APRIL 23rd.
I, Jesse Jay, prisoner of war, taken at the Battle of Shiloh, on the 6th. The Lord is our preserver and great benefactor, in him we are yet living. The boat Senator is down on the way to Mobile loaded with cotton and some Carolina Soldiers.
APRIL 24th.
We are, by the blessing of heaven, well--boys complain of but half rations, but we are yet prisoners and bound in the bond, so we are admonished to remember those that are in bounds as bound with them.
APRIL 25th.
We are in usual health this morning. The boat, Jefferson Davis, passed up the river, also one passed down the river with seven siege guns, to places unknown. We hear that the rebels have supplied us with water from the artesian well, so goes the week to eternity. The news is that Ft. Jackson is bombarded and that the Federals are near Richmond.
APRIL 27th.
The day is the Sabbath, the day of God’s appointment. The day emblematical of the Heavenly rest of the Christians with the Lord in the world of happiness. We are well for the amount of prisoners together, say over 800 in this large capacious brick which is some 204 feet in length and one hundred and thirty feet in width, which makes an area of 26,520 Square. This is in part, covered. The wall is fifteen feet above the ground.
APRIL 28th.
We are well by the blessing of the kind Heaven. The news is this morning that our gunboats have passed New Orleans.
APRIL 29th.
We are well and think and talk much of home. We have a regular debating society in good order and style.
APRIL 30th.
We are well by the blessing of our Heavenly Father and are in fine spirits and doing well for prisoners of war and hope for some relief by our government.
MAY 1st.
At that period we are all well except three not serious, so mercy is ours. The news is that we are to cook and have four days rations so as to march at an early hour by transportation northward onto Montgomery. We now see the St. Nichols from Mobile with civilians all in a skedadle for some congnial destination.
MAY 2nd.
The Father of us all is mindful of his children. We are bound for Montgomery and the Raindeer boat soon hails at Selma, a distance of twelve miles, a nice town, so we pass and land at Montgomery and go to the fair ground and lodge so early.
MAY 3rd.
We take passage on the cars and pass the plantations and Negroes in abundance to the Northeast and soon we hale at end of a creek and see that wheat and oats is killed with rust. The roads are lined with small villages and Negroes and two regiments of soldiers at Columbia. We have a general good time.
MAY 4th.
Is the Sabbath of rest and we are yet living, so we hale to the beautiful city of Macon, Georgia. Here the citizens are out in abundance to see us, so we are quartered in the fairground in a good shade of some five acres and shelters plenty to keep us dry, so the Holy Day is concluded with plenty to eat and with thankful hearts to the Great Creator.
MAY 5th.
The blessing of God finds us in reasonable health except some few of the boys that are feverish and unwell. We are well treated as yet and the citizens are visiting us in abundance, black and white.
MAY 6th.
The Great Creator of the universe has preserved thus far. Last night I was tending the sick at the hospital. There are some 30 in at present, but few seriously sick as yet. The Warden, Mr. Horner, is very attentive and the Dr. is at his profession strictly, tho a young man.
MAY 7th.
We are well for which we ever hope to be thankful to the creator of us all. We have battalion drill and are commanded by Major Hardy of this post in person and are required to use necessary means for cleanliness, all very appropriate and have good and food to eat. The sick are regarded with respect and we think of home and those loved ones that God has given us in his wisdom.
MAY 8th.
We hear it rumored that there is a battle expected at Savannah, Georgia. There are 10 more prisoners come to our camp taken of General Mitchell’s army near Huntsville and state that the Gen. has a force of 15 thousand at the above named place.
MAY 9th.
We are not so well as common. The boys have symptoms of typhoid fever, abundance of diarrhea. I was at the hospital last night. I find some 36 patients and two of them very serious. I trust that God will spare us to once more gain our health and all that is dear to us.
MAY 10th.
Last evening a young man died by name of A. Templeman, of the 23rd. Mo. of typhoid fever and many sick. So we see that all flesh is as grass and the goodliness thereof as the flower of grass, so may the God of battle preserve us and direct our footsteps aright and preserve our loved ones at home. The day closes the week.
MAY 11th.
The day is the Sabbath and we have the favor of God extended to us. The Rev. Dr. Wills preacher was here and preached to us from the words, “To Whom Shall We Go, Thou Hast The Word of Eternal Life,” St. John, 6th. chapter, 64th. verse. The discourse was appropriate.
MAY 12th.
We are well as usual and I am detailed to nurse the sick. The fever seems to rage and we mortals must suffer. Today there are nine prisoners brought in of the gunboat boys taken at Fort Pelaski or near.
MAY 13th.
We are in usual health, the sick are some better and we hope for some way of release honorable as we are very anxious about our wives and little ones at home. May providence save them.
MAY 14th.
The morning is warm and by the blessing of heaven we are yet alive, but some of the boys are sick. We are treated kind by the citizens. We hear that the war is raging hot. We pray that God may soon devise means for our relief and safe return to our friends at home.
MAY 15th.
The blessing of health is still extended to us. Yet some of the sick are dangerous and may soon pass to the other world, but in the face of all this, some of the boys are quarreling. I visited the hospital. I see that we have lost five patients already and I think we will some five more in six days. Yet I see that the number of patients are decreasing fast so that the general health is better. So I trust that providence is overshadowing us all along the journey of life. The rebels are tenting here in squads to take care of us prisoners.
MAY 16th.
We had a funeral sermon preached from the 15th. chapter of Corinthians to good satisfaction. Also we have two more corpses this day, so the decree is true that says, “Dust thou art and unto dust shalt return and the spirit must return to God who gave it.”
MAY 17th.
I have just returned from the hospital. We have two more deaths tho the cases are generally better and I hope that the ravages of death may be stopped if Providence sees best, se we are here and are subject to the authority of this rebellion.
MAY 18th.
This day is the Sabbath. The day for man’s improvement in the Divine life. We have at present lost some 12 prisoners by death and will soon lose more as the fever is yet raging. It seems as if we are to be starved and die both, as the rations are twice reduced in the past week, so may God look to our relief and may we be prepared to meet the emergencies of our fate. We are already favored by four funeral sermons here.
MAY 19th.
We have a debating society in good order. We are in common health this morn and have to regret that we have lost one of our company, Hiram Turner, but by the providence of God, he set his house in order and paid his vows unto the most high. He was loved and admired by us all that knew him and his widowed mother resides at Agency City, Iowa. We had two funeral services very applicable to our condition as sinners and lost without an apply to the great physician.
MAY 20th.
We are yet alive for which I hope to ever be thankful. I have today, been at the hospital as nurse and find some improvement in health. I also heard the order to exchange prisoners from the General Bureaugard on the parole honor. So I trust that all will work for our good.
MAY 21st.
The boys are all in good spirits. So providence is ours and we are all arranging things to leave soon for the very land of our friends and for what Secesh calls, “the Lincoln Government.”
MAY 22nd.
The day is warm and we are in common health. The Lord is our preserver. The civilians are kind and generous. We have a death at the hospital.
MAY 23rd.
This morning is fine and the boys are in fine spirits and we expect to leave tomorrow for Chatanuga.
MAY 24th.
Last night we lost two boys and several more may meet death ere we get away from this. We, this day took the parole oath and go on the cars for Chattanooga in Tennessee at the southeast corner of the state. We left the sick and all the commissioned officers and non-commissioned as prisoners of war. The oath taken was: Do you solemnly swear that you will not bare arms nor enter into any alliance against the confederate states until legally exchanged as prisoners of war, so help you God.” Orders on to Griffith 60 miles, thence to Jonescour. This day is wet, so we pass to the town of Atlanta, thence to Chattanooga Tennessee river.
MAY 25th.
Sabbath, we landed by the blessing of providence at Chattanooga. All in reasonable health. Here we are quartered for the night in good shelter and the boys go to cook supper. At this place there are two regiments of soldiers camped here. We have fifty miles to go to our divisions yet.
MAY 26th.
We are marched to a boat, Point Rock, far down the river. So may the Lord direct our passport and restore us to our country in peace and prosperity again.
MAY 27th.
Tues. - And the day is one of anxiety and hunger as we lay all day two miles above the landing and here one of the Lieutenants of Gen. Mitchel’s army comes and informs us that they had telegraphed to Huntsville for cars to take us away. So may we be patient and trust in God for deliverance soon.
MAY 28th.
This morning we go to Belfount where the citizens gave us a feast of bread, meat, beans, and thence we pass to the stations at two o’clock. We are delivered over to the officers and take cars for Huntsville. Here we see General Mitchel’s command and the contested ground. This is good country and the town is wealthy and thrifty, crops fair, peaches are abundant, so we are quartered in comfort and are cared for.
MAY 29th.
This day we are called for and sent to the different regiments, one hundred in company. So we are out with Colonel Moore of the Ohio thirty-three, where we are to take a rest. The Ohio boys are all right. We see General Mitchel and his guard come in from an expedition east of Huntsville. Today I wrote a letter to my wife, the first for two months, near Salem, Iowa.
MAY 30th.
We are all well and in good care as to support and welfare and today I see the general news of the papers, the first since the imprisonment in the south confederacy. Last night we were surprised to learn that one of the prisoners of an Ohio Regiment, forced his way through the guard and was found dead this morning one-fourth mile west of camp.
MAY 31st.
The day is one of fatigue as we have marched in the heat some seventeen miles. Camp with the teams in rain for Nashville, so we have a march of fifty-eight miles ahead.
JUNE 1st.
The trains advance to Elkton and the incidence connected in the day’s journey is various. We saw the bad effects of liquor as the guards got some, had a fuss and one got shot in the leg. Also we passed on the Turnpike road four miles of the town of Pelaski on the R.R. Here we find the federal prisoners, so we close the scenes of the Holy and pleasant Sabbath which was a day of toilsome march for us, but the father of us all is our great reward of the days of this pilgrimage of ours.
JULY 30th.
The orders to have the boys all on hand to be mustered for pay and the boys are very restless for want of some money and well they may be, not having any since January last. The paroled are at present all in a stir and think of a general exchange soon. So we are in suspense.
JULY 31st.
The mustering officer mustered us today and we are all present and accounted for except some four or five gone home without leave. So in the evening the order was to parade at the headquarters, but was soon revoked, so the boys may attend to Divine service, so the assembly was large and attractive.
AUGUST 1st.
The day is warm and the boys are in good health considering the season of the year. Major Warren is actingly engaged attending to the necessity of paroled men.
AUGUST 2nd.
We are in good condition. I have had the pleasure of writing some letters today and just received the mail and the boys get many letters and that is the means of their getting many sheets to answer the same and thus the correspondence goes on and we get regular news from home. I see the Iowa men are formed and are called the “Iowa Battalion,” and the Sergeant of the same are all required to do their duties.
AUGUST 3rd.
The Missouri 23rd. are all leaving the camp here to go to the city on duty more active and in the war of 1862. This is the Sabbath and we are all in the enjoyment of common health, and today I go to the fair ground and I hear a good sermon from a stranger and a good minister of the cross of Christ and he was the best and most sublime reasoner of the sacrificial offering of Christ that I have heard for some time and at four in the evening we have a pleasant series of meeting to the good of us all.
AUGUST 4th.
The day is one of more interest as the presence of the boys is usually manifested in prospect of some money. The stir is general and seems to affect the whole camp and city, as money is scarce.
AUGUST 5th.
Today we are well as usual and we sign our pay rolls and deliver them to the mustering officer and after the bustle and strife of the day we have some men with us from the city on the purpose of holding meeting and we have a good time in my company and the appointment is given for meeting on Saturday night and we have our brethren of Iowa with us.
AUGUST 7th.
The day is one of general interest. At 10 o’clock a.m. we march to the pay master and there get our pay and after some effort the boys all receive their pay and settle with the settler of the 14th., like men, and they are the most happy of all soldiers and want passes on tomorrow to the city to have a general good time. So we have a hard time to regulate the passes for 154 men and only five to divide them out, so the 6th. and 7th. are soon passed and the boys are fast for the season.
AUGUST 8th.
The day some of our friends are here from our Iowa. Then I commence to write to my friends to give respects to all, and thus the day past in comfort and peace.
AUGUST 9th.
Today I send to my wife and five little girls in Iowa, letters containing forty-seven dollars, one thirty-five, the other twelve. So the sum is consigned to the P.O. for safe delivery to my family. So at night we have a good sermon delivered by our Rev. J. Ellerton of Hillsboro, Henry Co.; Iowa. So past the last of the week.
AUGUST 10th.
The day is one of sacred rest and I get an order to be on inspection with my Co. at 10 o’clock a.m. and after the morning inspection I went to visit my bro-in-laws, Mr. Rufus Underwood at the city. While there I gave my wife’s sister the sum of two dollars as a present.
AUGUST 11th.
We are well as common by the blessing of providence and are this morning to arrange the passes so as to let these boys out to see their fathers start home on the boats. Also I have, this day, prepared a requisition for more clothes for the boys of the 14th. regiment. So after the regular order of the day the business is closed. I hear that there are two hundred and forty of the paroled men gone home without leave.
AUGUST 12th.
The day is one of interest. I mailed a letter to California and the day our 1st. Lieutenant was to see us. He is on his way to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to recruit in the new service and our boys today drew more clothes and of better quality than that we got at Nashville, Tennessee, so the day passed and the debating went off fine.
AUGUST 13th.
Today the boys are well and providence is our ruler among the children of men. We have a treat of friends from Corinth and the boys are as ever our intimate friends and would be very happy to join us once again. So I get a special requisition and call the boys are well provided for as to clothes and vituals, so providence gives health and all things.
AUGUST 14th.
The day is one of good health and the boys leave for Salem, Iowa and I send two letters. So after the morning duties the 18th. Iowa regiment came in and we surrendered our quarters to them, and moved to Center Barracks N. 57. So we moved and then came our 2nd. Lieutenant Logan and will take command of the Iowa paroled men.
AUGUST 15th.
The day is pleasant and fair. I received a letter from Sergeant I.N. Rhodes this day and a list of the trunks and clothes of the 14th. Iowa Regiment as given by Adg’nt. Baker and the clothes are in an awful condition as they are wet and badly damaged. I wrote an answer to Sergeant forthwith.
AUGUST 16th.
Today we have a good detail for fatigue and the boys are very rude and frolicsome. So we are by the permission of Providence in common health. One of the boys I thought best after consulting a physician to send him to the hospital. I see him in ambulance and on the way, so hope that his chronic diarrhea may soon be stopped as it is his misfortune to be afflicted with it since May last. This being Saturday we are to prepare for the day of inspection on the Sabbath and so the day closes.
AUGUST 17th.
The evening in attendance of the ministry of the gospel was one of manifest interest to myself as there was many speakers and they dwelt on the present and personal application of salvation provided for the fallen race of man.
AUGUST 18th.
The day is one of labor and of anxiety as the general muster is to be attended to. Lieutenant Logan musters the first Battalion of paroled prisoners and then we are to work to make the general remarks and also the comparing of the times and places of enlistments and by whom.
AUGUST 19th.
Today the day of interest. The 32nd. and 33rd. Missouri Regiments marched into camp party field and are men of judgment since and will do service for the country in which they are soldiers.
AUGUST 20th.
Today I have drove at a requisition for the boys some blankets. We have some intimate friends to see us and one Lieutenant Agie of the 14th. Iowa is here and will do duty in this camp of instruction until the orders are otherwise. So I wrote to the Drake family by request at Drakeville, Davis Co.; Iowa.
AUGUST 21st.
The blessing of providence is manifest to us as the health is so remarkable good for the present and the boys are all in good spirits and very lively and of good cheer and prosperity, so the day is one of interest to us and of importance and we are interested with an able Reverend from Denmark, Iowa at 6 p.m.
AUGUST 22nd.
The Rev. Dr. Crarey is the acting minister late of Indiana and is an able and well principled man of the day.
AUGUST 23rd.
The day is one of momentous interest and the 3rd. Minnesota are ordered home to quell the Indians and we are ordered to prepare a rolling alphabetical for the exchange operation and also are ordered to receipt for the clothes that had been drawn from Major Warren, etc., and after the labors of the day the week is past in the reality of history.
AUGUST 24th.
The holy day is one of importance as Dr. Crary preached an affectionate farewell to the two thousand soldiers and a large regiment came to camp and the army is on the move and has a powerful impetus. We are all in the enjoyment of good health and spirits and the day is past.
AUGUST 25th.
The day we are all blest with health and spirits. I greet some friends and get a pass to the city and visit the family of Rev. Mr. Parks and portions of the city with a friend.
AUGUST 26th.
The day has been warm and sultry but the new recruits are at drill faithfully. I have today been faithful at the desk. I also have today wrote to my wife to come and visit me and her sister, Mrs. Underwood here in St. Louis.
AUGUST 27th.
The day is pleasant and welfare is well and there is a constant recruit in the camp and I receive a letter from my brother in Boone Co.; Iowa. My brother-in-law had enlisted and he desires to come to my company and wishes some information.
AUGUST 28th.
Today we move to the Barracks. That the 3rd. Minnesota Volunteers vacated when called to fight the Indians which is not a violation of the oath of parole, so we are all quartered and each commander of company is quartered at the proper heading of his company officially, so at eve we have public worship at the amphitheater in which Dr. Elliott and others have a prominent share.
AUGUST 29th.
Today I have a regular fatigue operation and we police the qus neet and my orderly is at the city on a pass. So I am at my desk personally somewhat confined by business, so the day past with peace and plenty.
AUGUST 30th.
We have a rumor of a heavy fight in Virginia and the report of at least eight thousand killed and wounded and report of a near advance of the rebels on the city of Washington and also that the Rebels are 15,000 strong in middle Tennessee and on the advance to Ft. Donaldson and general rupture in the state of Kentucky. Rebels in every direction.
AUGUST 31st.
Is the Holy day and we have three sermons this day, one by Rev. Pike and on by the Chaplain of the 23rd. Missouri and one by the Chaplain of the 99th. Illinois. I visit my brother-in-law in the city, find them well.
SEPTEMBER 1st.
This day the twentieth Wisconsin are here and one of the largest Regiments in the land or service and we are soon expecting more Western troops as the three hundred thousand are all in the field or in the camps of instruction.
SEPTEMBER 2nd.
Is one of interest as I am the officer of the fatigue squad. Today I am made responsible for the cleanliness of the quarters, etc., so we draw the clothes another requisition and the boys are in possession of sky blue for the first time in the service, so in the evening we have a voluntary drill for our special pleasure.
SEPTEMBER 3rd.
Today I find that my Co. are near all here once again and the Commander has sent three of the absentees to work on the Fort so as to stop this desertion and so goes the times.
SEPTEMBER 4th.
Today we are visited by the Ladies of the Aid Society and receive the welcome Messenger published by the Tract Society. The 20th. Wisconsin is ordered away to the field and we expect more regiments soon. I receive a good letter from my wife today and hope soon to see her here on a visit. The health is extremely good and the Lord has thus taken care of us continually.
SEPTEMBER 5th.
The day is pleasant and my business is of the usual character. The present day we see the 19th. Iowa regiment all in good style and health and to my surprise find many old acquaintances and neighbors in good health and spirits and review information of the health of my family. Rev. Murphy is the Chaplain and old friend of mine, a good young man in the prime of life, calculated to do good in his day. I also found my former friend, Rev. Pile of the 33rd. Mo.
SEPTEMBER 6th.
Is warm and we have to battle the mosquitoes as they are very bad. We have a dress parade and good time generally, so the week is past.
SEPTEMBER 7th.
Is the Sabbath of Christian rest and comfort, so we are the recipients of God’s favor and the chosen peculiar people. I form new and pleasant acquaintances in the 99th. Ill. Regiment. So goeth the times to the joy of ourselves in the camp of instruction at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo. 1862. The day my wife and two little daughters came to my office and sure we had a favorable meeting, altho I was not able to recognize my little Alazannah-Lebitha as the boys entered with her before I learned that they were present and we had a general good meeting and the day was pleasant and my two friends of the escaped men from Macon, Gen. I.N. and Milton Rhodes Sergeant. So on Monday we had an inspection of all paroled men and had a good speech from Lieutenant Wherry, Major of paroled men. His speech was one of patriotic devotion to the nation of his birth, U.S.A. and for this he would devote time and labor. So soon this noble officer of the regular service was called to a more honored field, being promoted to the office of Major of General Scofield’s staff and thus proceeded to the field of conflict. So soon the camp is crowded by the troops. One of the Iowa regiments soon left for Sedalia, and so passed the day. 18th., 19th., and 20th. Iowa boys and the 22nd. landed here to be with us a short time. I see the enforcement’s to the order to make the city of St. Louis take oath or leave and there is a time of struggle in the city and state, so the week is passed and we go for the first time on the Sabbath to hear religious service and was refreshed by the good man’s discourse on these words: “What shall it profit if a man gains the whole world and loses his own soul.” - this was clear and forceable. So my wife and I are lodged and entertained by our brother-in-laws R. Underwoods, Editor of the “Budget” in the city. So the time is pleasant and we visit our good friends in the city, Rev. Parks and see much of the city of St. Louis, Mo. So the news is that paroled men are to be sent to the Indian warfare and the Wisconsin men are all ordered to leave and they are soon off and we have a general inspection and are parade and make a good parade, so we are all in good health and spirits.
SEPTEMBER 20th.
We are mustered for pay and the day we have some of the boys absent, some eight or ten and the boys are all anxious and the week is past and gone, so at this time the 21st. Iowa come. So the 21st. and 22nd. are here and the Missouri come to camp, making 5 Mo.
SEPTEMBER 21st.
Is the day of rest. This Sabbath day is an omen of the time when worlds shall be all assembled, in as much as today the Mo. Brigade and two other Iowa regiments were assembled at the amphitheater to see and witness the presentation of two flags and also to hear a sermon by Rev. McWilliams of St. Louis, Missouri, and the large assembly was profitably entertained and so we conclude the day.
SEPTEMBER 22nd.
I go to the city to get two trunks as my lady contemplates going home soon. Also the Mo. and Iowa regiments leave for S.W., Mo. Here we learn that Gen. Curtis is to take command of the western department at St. Louis. This is the concluding part of my lady’s visit and we are at the city with our friends. Our babe, Lydia Ann, is in very delicate health as the weather is extremely warm and the teething of children of dangerous at this season.
SEPTEMBER 23rd.
The day we find that one of our paroled men was shot last night, so goes the times.
SEPTEMBER 24th.
I also make arrangements to get the computations pay and here are closely engaged at this business. So the day following I pass to the city with my wife to the Koekuk packett Genne Dean, and get the check and pass card for four dollars and in sorrow we part and I return to duty and hear a sermon at the fair ground by an able divine from Washington and the army of the Potomac.
SEPTEMBER 26th.
This day I hear of my wife on the way to Koekuk by our boys just returning from home.
SEPTEMBER 27th.
We are closely engaged at our mustering pay rolls and get them complete. So we close the labor of the week in hope of one with fair clime of heaven.
SEPTEMBER 28th.
This is the Sabbath and I pass to my wives Brother-in-law and then I return to the amphitheater to church and hear a good sermon and do rejoice in hope of a better world knowing that I and all things are passing to the future. The afternoon is occupied diligently by me at the muster rolls and I am in the conviction that the money will soon come, so the day is past and gone.
SEPTEMBER 29th.
The day is cloudy and is of the wet appearance and so I hope the mosquitoes tribe will soon be chilled for the season. The news says a small fight in Kentucky, rebels seize some stores, etc. Thus the time is on the wing and the day is past and gone.
SEPTEMBER 30th.
This day will close the month. So the matter of our daily business is done and the day past. We all sign the pay rolls and the times pass off swift and we hear of an advance of the rebels at Corinth and the fight and triumph of Gen. Rosecrans and brilliant success of the 5th. Iowa. Thus goes the times.
OCTOBER 3rd.
This day we are ordered to be ready to fall in line and go for pay. So we are paid and the boys are at the undertaking of going home. Some eighth return and we have to confine them to the guard quarters for a few days. Thus the way to punish here. I send my money home in two letters and hope soon to get a letter from my wife. I am again at my Bro-in-laws and find that he is south. I return and have a good time with many of our old friends in the state of our adoption.
OCTOBER 7th.
On the 7th. of Oct. we find that many of the boys are on the way home and are determined to see their Iowa friends at any price.
OCTOBER 8th.
By the blessing of God we are all in common health and the news is from Corinth that the rebels are defeated and routed and in full retreat. So goeth the times. At this time the 14th. Iowa Infantry are principally gone and are in the regions of home and friends so long due with them. I look with regard to the day when we may be exchanged and sent to do the battle for justice and right to the generations unborn.
OCTOBER 10th.
So now the 10th. of Oct. is past and I see that I will soon be 25 years, if living, in a few more days yet to come, and today I am relieved of my command by the 2nd. Lieutenant of Co. I, of the 5th. So the day finds me much relieved in the way of business. Thus I see that the day of life is swiftly passing away to the scenes of a better country and I often think of the wife of my choice and the little girls, 5 in number, that my lot by the blessing of God has given and I thus see them by the eye of imagination.
OCTOBER 11th.
The atmosphere is clear. The day is fine, clear and we are all in good heath except some of the boys have the chills. I today pass to the city and call at my Brother-in-laws. We pass to the city. We see the sight of some 18 or 20 soldiers on general inspection and Gen. Curtis, Gen. Davis, and Gen. Gar--all, the troops and citizens. The sight was grand. We enjoy a grand time and return.
OCTOBER 12th.
Is the Sabbath and I go to church and study God’s word and am renewed in the way of life and salvation and in hope of a better world. I am notified that I am reinstated as commander of company D. first battalion of paroled men and am ordered to report whose absent without leave as they are to be stricken from the rolls as deserters.
OCTOBER 13th.
This day I receive a letter from my sister-in-law in Iowa. This is one of joy and peace and comfort and this day I have wrote some letters to my friends and the day is past. The hope of the final success is one that I cherish and hold while the God of all living is on the side of humanity and justice, so if we depart the day of victory will be against us. Thus the day is past and we retire with the cares of the evening.
OCTOBER 14th.
The blessing of health is ours. The news is that our forces have thus routed Gen. Price and his force and there are many good men lain low in the dust to rise no more until the great day of judgment. So we pass the time. At the present there are some fifteen hundred sick and wounded landed in St. Louis and five hundred pass to Iowa hospitals.
OCTOBER 15th.
Today I receive an order from headquarters stating that the duty required of paroled men is not at all dishonorable to the government and we are to do duty as here to fore required of us. At this time the duty is the same as the instruction for new recruits of the state.
OCTOBER 16th.
Today my friend and I past to the city and we had a general good time and see the new movements with the state Militia as called by the Governor Gamble and the powerful number of vessels at the wharf and the late rain has the water riled, by the late rain recently at the north. So this day we are all right as our health is very good. The news is that the casualties in Prices army is great my the mobile paper according to their account, and if we are all at the post they may go to the Gulf. Sure as the rebels are demoralized and the last fight is a good honor to Gen. Underwood and Rosecrans, Frant and Hulburt and others. This is our news at present from the rebels papers as we get it in them.
OCTOBER 17th.
The day is as pleasant as can be and we are all in a glee and the day is beautiful.
OCTOBER 18th.
Is Saturday and today I visit headquarters of paroled men and get the requisition for winter clothes from Lieutenant Col. Conrad and on Monday we are to draw.
OCTOBER 19th.
Sunday. We have a good sermon by Rev. Schofield 10:30 o’clock and then I visit my friends and relatives in the city and return to religious services in the eve, then at night write to my wife at home near Salem, Iowa.
OCTOBER 20th.
This day I yield my command to the second Lieutenant of Co. I, 5th. Iowa infantry paroled prisoners and return to duty in Ft. Bt. of paroled prisoners and one, a Mr. Jobs, took dinner with us. The day is pleasant and the boys are all well and doing fine. The great difficulty is that they are all heedless, with some exceptions, in regard to the future well being of their inner man and they must reform or they are placed in the danger of a final loss in the future world. So we hear of the return of some of our officers from Dixie. So we are yet in some prospect of again entering the service of the government at a not far off distant day. So we pass to the 21st.
OCTOBER 21st.
The day is pleasant and I today visit the 12th. ward hospital and find Sergeant of the 4th. Iowa cavalry that married into a family of my acquaintance, by the name of Allender. He is affected with the lung complaint and is in a dangerous condition. I encouraged him all I could and informed him that he was troubled with home sickness and that it would not do and that his exertion must be otherwise.
OCTOBER 22nd.
Today I see the 9th. Mo. Cavalry at drill. This is a good regiment of horses and men and is nearly full. Also I see some 65 recruits for the 2nd. Iowa Cavalry, some of our acquaintances from Mt. Pleasant.
OCTOBER 23rd.
The season is now changed and the autumn is once more here and the once happy America is the land of blood and devastation, ruin and soon must conclude this desperation or the whole continent will be destroyed or be in disastrous ruin, as we hear at present of hunger and nakedness, want and sorrow. The evening we have an interesting and happy time at meeting in the 4th. ward of the hospital and hear a general good time of religious experience and hope.
OCTOBER 24th.
I write a general communication to my wife and friends and receive a good one from home. We also have orders to prepare our muster rolls for pay and thus we are at the business as we journey along and some sing the song, “John Brown’s Body Lies Molding in the Clay,” etc.
OCTOBER 25th.
We are thankful of the remarkable good health of the soldiers, altho there are many in the hospital brought form Helena, Ark. and other places. I have visited the sick and felt sorry to see so many far from home and friends, and sick.
OCTOBER 26th.
This day is the Sabbath and I go to church and hear an aged divine who gave the soldiers encouragement to build upon Christ their savior and we have a general good time at the night in the means of grace. So the day passed to the eternal world.
OCTOBER 27th.
Is the day of the reception of the 30th. Iowa Regiment in which we have many of our former friends and acquaintances. All seem active and energetic and up to the life of a soldier and this time passes.
OCTOBER 28th.
I pass to my bro-in-laws and find them well and preparing to move and are on the anxiety to hear from their eldest son in the service of Gen. Price of the Confederate army and I return and see the 30th. Regiment on Battalion drill and at eve go to church and have a good time and thus ends the day.
OCTOBER 29th.
Today one of the boys are sick having the chills and fever and I get some medicine and give to him, so we have a general good time singing and improving our leisure hours. Today the prisoners taken by the rebels at the Corinth battle of the 3rd. and 4th., were quartered at Benton Barracks. Some 300 in all.
OCTOBER 30th.
I see that the official of rebels killed as given by Gen. Rosecrans is 1463 and the number of prisoners he says is 2262, and the ratio of wounded must be at least 5000, so we see that the fight is at least one of severity and altho we defeated the enemy we loose in brave men 315 and at least 1800 wounded that are with care conveyed to our western hospitals, St. Louis and Koekuk and other places.
OCTOBER 31st.
Last night I was at church and we hear and enjoy a good sermon of prayer and exhortation and today I desire to see the absent of our Regiment present, but we see that our Co. have sustained a loss of 13 killed and died, 10 discharged, leaving 70 of our original Co. yet alive, 31 of which are at St. Louis, and 10 on their way home. Officers six and one half months in the south leaving at Corinth and upon other details some 17 men, so we see the ratio of our decrease in the past year and today we are to be mustered for pay, the last of one years service in and under the Glorious old flag and hope with new purposes and vigor to stop the wicked rebellion.
NOVEMBER 1st.
Today we are graced with the presence of our long prison friend, and Col. W.T. Shaw. He is in the active duty of caring for us, the brave boy of Donilson and of Shiloh of Tenn. All honor to the hero of 1862. So now we are all right side up with care. Well we hope to see the day of our country’s salvation, so we are hoping to be exchanged to see the service and the war - more active service, so the day is past and the week also.
NOVEMBER 2nd.
Is the sacred Sabbath and the 30th. Iowa volunteers leave to the field of battle and service and today we have religious services by one Capt. Brown, one not ashamed of the captain General of his salvation and is the living witness of the savior.
NOVEMBER 3rd.
Today we enter upon the duties of our day task as paroled men, and the remaining prisoners of the 12th. Iowa Regiment arrived today from the land of Dixie by way of Annapolis, Maryland, and to our astonishment we see the 25th. Iowa Regiment and the boys are many of them our best friends and acquaintances, and they are ordered to Helena, Arkansas, and the boys are generally well, and Col. Stone and Major Saylor and officers are all right, and attentive to their business.
NOVEMBER 4th.
Our Col. Shaw starts to Annapolis for the Non-Commissioned Officers some 40 of the 40th. Regt. Today I am authorized to act as Sergeant Major of the 1st. Battalion and we regulate some 150 new recruits some of the 10 and 2nd. Kansas Regiments and some of the first Kansas. There is a forward move generally. At eve I go to the wharf to visit the 25th. Iowa and have a good time and stay all night, so on -----
NOVEMBER 5th.
I pass to the city and then to my Bro-in-laws and find that they have moved to the south part of the city and then I go to the Barracks and to the hospital in search of one of the 4th. Iowa Cavalry and it is night. So the ----
NOVEMBER 6th.
Is here and we moved to the quarters upon the south of us making four moves since we came to the Barracks. The day is like winter and we are supplied with fuel and necessities of the present emergencies.
NOVEMBER 7th.
We are at the clothing establishment and are supplied all except the drawers and stockings that we have a promise of those next week by our quartermaster.
NOVEMBER 8th.
A day of calm and comfort after being at the soldiers prayer meeting and then we arrange it for meeting on the Sabbath next, so the 31st. Iowa Volunteers pass to the field of conflict and the week is gone with all of its realities and I hear of the death of 2 of my neighbors that have bid the most fair forelife.
NOVEMBER 9th.
Is a day of spiritual enjoyment and we have a regular old-fashioned experience meeting in the barracks of Co. D. of the 1st. Battalion and the interest manifested is very good and at four o’clock p.m. we go to the 4th. ward Hospital to church and conclude. The Aid Society fails to compete with the soldiers meeting in interest and spiritual energy, but we hope to see more interest in that society as the Ladies are very kind.
NOVEMBER 10th.
The day in part is one of peculiar thought and interest as we hear of the superseding of Major Gen. McClellan by Burnside. Hope to see energetic movement in the war matters and tonight we propose to discuss the subject of a new levy of troops to meet all the emergencies of the case pending and thus after a fair discussion we part to meet at a future period to discuss the subject of another matter - say the subject of the Presidents Proclamation, and we are highly interested by the discussion as we have Mr. A.J. McCormack, the correspondent of the Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Journal, with us, and our Cavalry man, Mr. Jones of Henry Co.; Iowa and late of Helena, Ark. --- a Mr. Miller of Illinois and of the old 14th. Iowa, I.N. Rhodes, I.E. Mitchel, I.L. Rearick and Jesse Jay. Thus the subject was well canvassed and the result good, and we are at present preparing to have a good time of discussions and so forth. I also receive two very interesting letters, one from my wife and daughter, and a line from my Bro-in-law from the city, who has returned from a tour to Memphis, where he had an object to try to hear of his son in Price’s Army. So now the --
NOVEMBER 13th.
The day of Nov. is one of pleasant and beautiful days of the season, we are generally well and thank providence. I go to church, have a pleasant time writing to my friends and hope to once again see them in this world in which we stay for a brief period of time.
NOVEMBER 14th.
Is one of pleasant thought and we last evening had a pleasant visit from Gen. Prentice in fine spirits, the Hero of Shilo’s bloody field. He gave us a brief speech and gave us a good feast of joyful news, the prospect of soon being exchanged and out once more and again in the fight. Long may the Gen. live to command his chosen boys, the Shilo boys.
NOVEMBER 15th.
Of the month finds us all right side up with care and comfort and the care of Co. D. 1st. Bt. is in my hands to be actively met and adjusted. I see that the Secretary of State has put our war expenses down at $570,000,000 and I see by the Vicksburg Whig of the 15th. that they in the rebel congress passes an appropriation of $55,000,000 to defray certain expenses which indicates a large indebtedness in the Confederacy, etc.
So this ends what writing I have of my Father, Jesse Jay, while a prisoner of the Civil War of 1862 and while on parole at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo. This, copied by his oldest daughter, Lucy, born 1853, so can remember quite a good deal of the war, and of his being from us so long as 3 year, leaving Mother with five little girls all younger than myself.
Lucy (Jay) Lamm.
Simla, Colorado
Living with my daughter, Jane, 1923, at Simla.