Thursday, July 14, 2011

Benjamin Franklin Ware.

Benjamin Franklin Ware.

Born: October 10, 1842.

Death: August 8, 1879.

Burial: Glendon Cemetery, Glendon, Guthire county, Iowa.

Enlisted December 20, 1863.
Mustered in same day.
Age, 21,
Residence, Guthrie county.
Nativity, Pennsylvania.
Regiment: First Iowa Light Artillery, ( also known as the Griffith's )
Company, Unknown.
Rank, First Lieutenant.
Mustered out, July 5, 1865, Davenport Iowa.

John W. Walker-William H. Earhart-Samuel M. Zent.

Here are three men from Indiana who were in the service of the United States. I tried to find records of them but there were no reports on them in the Official records. There is a little information on, I was going to delete them then decided not to, as I know there were others looking into these names and it would be nice to be able to look into the face of ones ancestor.
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Note. All Photos can be enlarged by pushing on them.
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John W. Walker.

Enlisted, August 22, 1862.
Enlisted at Monroe, County, Indiana.
Residence, White Hall, Indiana.
Age, 34.
Regiment, 82, infantry.
Company, I.
Rank, Sergeant.
Discharged, April 9, 1865.
Remarks, First Lieutenant, December 10, 1863, Mustered out at Washington D. C.
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William H. Earhart.

Born: August 31, 1845, Venango, county, Pennsylvania.

Death: October 6, 1937, Markle, Huntington, county, Huntington, Indiana.

Enlisted, October 25, 1864.
Enlisted at Wabash, Indiana.
Age, 18.
Regiment, 40th.
Company, C.
Remarks, Sub. For Jacob H. Lesh.
Authors note: A family story says that he delivered a message to Abraham Lincoln and shook his hand, but I could find no record of it.
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Samuel M. Zent.

Born: 1835.

Death: March 17, 1897, Roanoke, Huntington county Indiana.

Enlisted, December 19, 1861.
Enlisted at Beverly, Virginia.
Regiment, 13.
Company, Unknown.
Remarks: Sergeant. Major promoted to second Lieutenant company F., January 31, 1862.
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Note. There is more to be found on Mr. Earhart and Mr. Zent at the site of find a grave.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Jesse Evans Jones.

Jesse Evans Jones.

Brith: Jan. 22, 1840, Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Death: Jan. 17, 1904, Georges Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Burial: Mount Moriah Baptist Cemetery, Smithfield, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

Jesse was one of twelve children of James & Anna (Ross) Jones.

Miltary Service.

85th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company G.
Recruited in Fayette and Greene Counties.

Jesse E. Jones, Sergeant, Mustered in October 20, 1861. Wounded August 14, 164; promoted to Sergeant, November 1, 1864; mustered out with Company, November 22, 1864

Note You can learn more about him at the site Find A Grave:

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Charles B. Chroniger.

Note. Photo can be enlarged by pushing on it.

Charles B. Chroniger.
Birth: Unknown
Death: January 31, 1918.
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia.

Name CHRONIGER, CHARLES B.
Rank Private.
Company G.
Unit 37 IL US Infantry.
Residence CHICAGO, COOK CO, IL.
Age 24.
Height 5' 5.
Hair LIGHT.
Eyes BLUE.
Complexion LIGHT.
Marital Status MARRIED.
Occupation FARMER.
Nativity PITTSBURG, ALLGANY CO, PA.
Joined When AUG 4, 1861.
Joined Where CHICAGO, IL.
Period 3 Years.
Muster In SEP 18, 1861.
Muster In Where CHICAGO, IL.
Remarks REENLISTED AS A VETERAN.

Name CHRONIGER, CHARLES B.
Rank SGM.
Company HQ.
Unit 37 IL US Infantry.
Joined When FEB 10, 1864.
Joined Where BROWNSVILLE, TX.
Period 3 Years.
Muster In FEB 28, 1864.
Muster In Where NEW ORLEANS, LA.
Remarks PROMOTED ADJUTANT.

Name CHRONIGER, CHARLES B.
Rank ADJUTANT.
Company HQ.
Unit 37 IL US Infantry.
Joined When JUL 31, 1865.
Joined Where HOUSTON, TX.
Muster In AUG 19, 1865.
Muster In Where COLUMBUS, TX.
Muster Out MAY 10, 1866.
Muster Out Where HOUSTON, TX.

Court Martial Of Colonel John Basil Turchin.

No. 39.
In Camp, Huntsville, Ala., August 6, 1862.

I. By a general court-martial, which convened at Athens, Ala., on the 7th day of July, 1862, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 93, of July 5, 1862, and which was adjourned to Huntsville, Ala., by Special Orders, No. 108, of July 20, 1862, from the Headquarters Army of Ohio, and of which Brigadier General J. A. Garfield, U. S. Volunteers, of the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers:

CHARGE 1.-Neglect of duty, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.

Specification.- In this, that the said Colonel J. B. Turching, of the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, being in command of the Eighth Brigade, Army of the Ohio, did, on or about the 2nd day of May, 1862, march the said brigade into the town of Athens, State of Alabama, and having and the arms of the regiment stacked in the streets did allow his command to disperse, and in his presence or with his knowledge and that of his officers to plunder and pillage the inhabitants of said town and of the country adjacent thereto, without taking adequate steps to restrain them.

Among the incidents of said plundering and pillaging are the following:

A party entered the dwelling of Milly Ann Clayton and opened all the trunks, drawers, and boxes of every description, and taking out the contents thereof,consisting of wearing apparel and bed-clothes, destroyed, spoiled, or carried away the same. They also insulted the said Milly Ann Clayton and threatened to shoot her, and then proceeding to the kitchen they there attempted an indecent outrage on the person of her servant girl.

A squad of soldiers to the office of R. C. David and plundered it of about $1,000 in money and of much wearing apparel, and destroyed a stock of books, among which was a lot of fine Bibles and Testaments, which were torn, defaced,and kicked about the floor and trampled under foot.

A party of this command entered a house occupied by two females, M. E. Malone and S. B. Malone, and ransacked it throughout, carrying off the money which they found, and also the jewelry, plate, and female ornaments of value and interest to the owners, and destroying and spoiling the furniture of said house without cause.

For six or eight hours that day squads of soldiers visited the dwelling-house of Thomas S. Malone, breaking open is desk and carrying off or destroying valuable papers, notes of hand,and other property, to the value of about $4,500, more or less, acting rudely and violently toward the females of the family. This last was done chiefly by the men of Edgarton's battery. The plundering of saddles, bridles, blankets, &c., was by the Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers.

The same parties plundered the drug store of William D. Allen, destroying completely a set of surgical, obstetrical, and dental instruments, or carrying them away.

The store of Madison Thompson was broken open and plundered of a stock of goods worth about $3,000, and his stable was entered, and corn, oats, and fodder taken by different parties, who on his application for receipts replied "that they gave receipts at other places, but intended that this place should support them," or words to that effect.

The office of J. F. Lowell was broken open and a fine microscope and many geological specimens, together with many surgical instruments and books, carried off or destroyed.

Squads of soldiers, with force of arms, entered the private residence of John F. Malone and forced open all the locks of the doors, broke open all the drawers to the bureaus, the secretary, sideboard, wardrobes, and trunks in the house in the house, and rifled them of their contents, consisting of valuable clothing, silver-ware, silver-plate jewelry, a gold watch and chain, &c., and in the performing these outrages they used coarse, vulgar, and profane language to the females of the family. These squads came in large numbers and plundered the house thoroughly. They also broke open the law office of said Malone and destroyed his safe and damaged his books. A part of this bridge went to the plantation of the above-named Malone and quartered in the negro huts for weeks, debauching the females and roaming with the males over the surrounding country to plunder and pillage.

A mob of soldiers burst open the doors and windows of the business houses of Samuel Tanner, jr., and plundered them of their contents, consisting of sugar, coffee, boots and shoes, leather, and other merchandise.

Very soon after the command entered the town a party of soldiers broke into the silversmith shop and jewelry store toward by D. H. Friend, and plundered it of its contents and valuable to the amount of about $3,000.

A party of this command entered the house of R. S. Irwin and ordered his wife to cook dinner for them, and while she and her servant were so engaged they made the most indecent and beastly propositions to the latter in the presence of the whole family, and when the girl went away they followed her in the same manner, notwithstanding her efforts to avoid them.

Mrs. Hollinsworth's house was entered and plundered of clothing and other property by several parties, and some of the men fired into the house and threatened to burn it, and used violent and insulting language toward the said Mrs. Hollinsworth. The alarm and excitement occasional miscarriage and subsequently her death.

Several soldiers came to the house of Mrs. Charlotte Hine and committed rape on the person of a colored girl and then entered the house and plundered it of all the sugar, coffee, preserve, and the like which they could find. Before leaving they destroyed or carried off all the pictures and ornaments they could lay their hands on.

A mob of soldiers filled the house of J. A. Cox, broke open his iron safe, destroyed and carried off papers of value, plundering the house thoroughly, carrying off the clothes of his wife and children.

Some soldiers broke into the brick store of P. Tanner & Sons, and destroyed or carried off nearly the entire stock of goods contained there, and broke open the safe and took about $2,000 in money and many valuable papers.

A party of soldiers, at the order of Captain Edgarton, broke into an office through the windows and doors and plundered it of its contents, consisting of bedding, furniture, and wearing apparel. Lieutenant Berwick was also with the party. This officer was on the ground.

The law office of William Richardson, which was in another part of the town, was rifled completely and many valuable papers, consisting of bonds, bills, and notes of hand, lost or destroyed.

The house of J. H. Jones was entered by Colonel Mihalotzy, of the Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteers, who behaved rudely and coarsely to the ladies of the family. He then quartered two companies of infantry in the house. About one hour after Captain Edgarton quartered his artillery company in the parlors, and these companies plundered the house of all provisions and clothing they could lay their hands on, and spoiled the furniture and carpets maliciously and without a shadow of reason, spoiling the parlor carpets by cutting bacon on them,and the piano by chopping joints on it with an axe, the beds by sleeping in them with their muddy boots on. The library of the house was destroyed, and the locks of the bureaus, secretaries, wardrobes, and trunks were all forced and their contents pillaged. The family plate was carried off, but some of the pieces have been recovered.

The store of George R. Peck was entered by a large crowd of soldiers and stripped of its contents, and the iron safe broken open and its contents plundered, consisting of $940.90 and $4,000 worth of notes.

John Turrentine's store was broken into by a party of soldiers on that day, and an iron safe cut open belonging to the same and about $5,000 worth of notes of hand taken or destroyed. These men destroyed about $2,000 worth of books found in said store, consisting of law books, religious books, and reading books generally.

CHARGE 2.-Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.

Specification 1.-In this, that he, said Colonel J. B. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, did remain one week, more or less, as a guest in a public house in the town of Athens, Ala., and did fail to pay his bill for board, and did fail to compensate in any way the landlord of said hotel, J. B. Davison, although applied to once or oftener by said landlord for payment for said board. This on or about the 7th day of May, 1862.

Specification 2.-In this, that the, the said Colonel J. B. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanding Eight Brigade, did permit of did fail to make any reasonable and proper effort to prevent the disgraceful behavior of the troops under his command, set forth in the specification to the first charge. This at Athens, Ala., on or about the 2nd day of May, 1862.

CHARGE 3.-Disobedience of orders.

Specification 1.-In this, that he, the said Colonel J. B. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, in contravention of Orders, No. 13a, from the Headquarters of the Department of the Ohio, in the following terms, to wit, "Peaceful citizens are not be molested in their persons or property; any wrongs to either are to be promptly corrected, and the offenders brought to punishment," did, on or about the 2nd day of May, 1862, march his brigade into the town of Athens, in the State of Alabama, and having had the arms of the regiments stacked in the streets, did permit his men to disperse and leave the ranks and colors and molest peaceable citizens in their persons and property, as shown in the specification to charge 1, above, and did fail to correct these wrongs or bring the offenders to punishment.

Specification 2.-In this, that he, the said Colonel J. B. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanding Eighth Brigade, Army of the Ohio, while occupying with said brigade the town of Athens, State of Alabama, in contravention of General Orders, No. 13a, from the Headquarters of the Department of the Ohio, in the following terms, to wit, "If the necessities of the public service should require the use of private property for public services fair compensation is to be allowed," did, on or about the 2nd day of May, 1862, permit the officers and soldiers of his command to take provisions, forage, and other private property from the citizens of said town and country around the same for public services, and did fail to have fair compensation allowed to the owners of said property, either by money or by official vouchers in due from.

Specification 3.-In this, that he, the said Colonel J.b. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanding Eighth Brigade, Army of the Ohio, while occupying the town of Athens, Ala., with said brigade, in contravention of the spirit of General Orders, No. 13a, from the Headquarters Department of the Ohio, did, on or about the 2nd day of May, 1862, without adequate necessity, cause to be taken from the inhabitants of the town of Athens, Ala., and the surrounding country provisions, forage and draught animals.

Specification 4.-In this, that, he said Colonel J. B. Turching, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, commanding Eight Brigade, Army of the Ohio, in contravention of General Orders, No. 4, from the Headquarters of the Department of the Ohio, in the following terms, to wit, "No woman, whether wives of officers or soldiers, will be permitted to remain in camp or accompany the troops in the field," did, on or about the 10th day of May, 1862, permit his own wife to be with him in the town of Athens, Ala., and to accompany him to and from the same, while serving with the troops of said brigade in the field.
To which the accused pleaded as follows:

To the specification to the FIRST CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the FIRST CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the first specification to the SECOND CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the second specification to the SECOND CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the SECOND CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the first specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the second specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Not guilty
To the third specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Not guilty.
To the fourth specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Guilty.
To the THIRD CHARGE, Not guilty.
FINDING AND SENTENCE.
The court finds the accused as follows:
Of the specification to the FIRST CHARGE, Guilty.
Of the FIRST CHARGES, Guilty.
Of the first specification to the SECOND CHARGE, Not guilty.
Of the second specification to the SECOND CHARGE, Guilty.

Of the SECOND CHARGE.-The court being of the opinion that the defendant is guilty of conduct unbecoming "an officer," but being unprepared to say that his conduct is unbecoming "a gentleman," find him Not guilty of the charge as laid, but find him Guilty of conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

Of the first specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Guilty.
Of the second specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Guilty.
Of the third specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Not guilty.
Of the fourth specification to the THIRD CHARGE, Confirms his plea and finds him Guilty.
Of the THIRD CHARGE, Guilty.

And does therefore sentence him, Colonel J. B. Turchin, Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, to be dismissed the service of the United States.

II. The proceeding of the court are approved, and in pursuance of its sentence Colonel J. B. Turchin, of the Nineteenth Illinois Regiment, ceases to be in the service of the United States.*

Six members of the court have recommended the prisoner to clemency, on the ground that "the offense was committed under exciting circumstances, and was one rather of omission than of commission." The general commanding has left constrained nevertheless to carry the sentence into effect.

Colonel Turchin was tried for the disorderly conduct of his command at and in the vicinity of Athens, and the sentence of the court rests on that matter alone, but on the question of clemency it is proper to look beyond the record of the court. It is fact of sufficient notoriety that similar disorders, though not to the same extent, have marked the course of Colonel Turchin's command wherever it has gone. The question is not whether private property may be used for the public service, for that is proper whenever the public interest demand it. It should then be done by authority and in an orderly way. The wanton and lawless indulgence of individuals in acts of plunder and outrage is a different matter, tending to the demoralization of the troops and the destruction of their efficiency. Such conduct does not mean vigorous warfare; it meas disgrace and disaster, and is punished with the disorders were committed were precisely those which demanded the strictest observance of discipline. The command was supposed to be in the presence of an enemy that might take advantage of any confusion in its ranks. Every man should have been at his post instead of roaming over the town and country to load himself with useless plunder. In point of fact the criminality is not so much that good order was violated

*On August 5, 1862, Colonel Turching was appointed brigadier-general Unites States Volunteers. He accepted commission September 1, 1862, and remained in service till October 4, 1864.

Gen John Basil Turchin.

Birth: Jan. 30, 1822, Ukraine.
Death: Jun. 19, 1901, Anna, Union County, Illinois.
Burial: Mound City National Cemetery, Mound City, Pulaski County, Illinois.

Because of his implications, Major General Don Carlos Buell had Turchin court-martialed for this action and ordered him cashiered. However, President Lincoln was persuaded to override Buell's order and he was promoted Brigadier General in July 1862. He went on to serve in the XV Corps at Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the Atlanta Campaign. Due to poor health he resigned his commission in October of 1864. After the war, he returned to Chicago, worked as an engineer and a patent solicitor. In later years, he lost his sanity and died in an insane asylum in Anna, Illinois.

Colonel Thomas John Lucas.

Thomas John Lucas.

Birth: September 9, 1826.
Death: November 16, 1908.
Burial: Greendale Cemetery, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, Indiana.

Union Civil War General. Served in the Mexican War as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company C 4th Regiment Indiana Infantry mustered in Dearborn County. At the onset of the Civil War was commissioned a Lt. Colonel of the 16th Indiana Infantry on April 23 1861 for 1 year service. After term of enlistment ended the 16th Indiana was reorganized for 3 years with Lucas commissioned a full Colonel by Gov. Oliver Morton of Indiana. The 16th saw much action until the end of the war with Lucas being promoted to Brigadier General by wars end.
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RED RIVER CAMPAIGN.

Numbers 84. Report of Colonel Thomas J. Lucas, Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, commanding First Cavalry Brigade, of affair at Henderson's Hill.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION,
Near Alexandria, La., March 23, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders from headquarters Cavalry Division, I reported at 5 o'clock the morning of 21st instant, with the Sixteenth Indian Mounted Infantry, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, Second Louisiana Mounted Infantry, and Battery G, Fifth U. S. Artillery, to Brigadier General A. J. Smith, commanding Red River expedition, for orders, and was by him directed to report to Brigadier-General Mower. General Mower ordered me to place my command in the advance on the Bayou Rapides road, 13 miles beyond Alexandria. I met the enemy in small force, and drove them 7 miles to Henderson's Hill. The Louisiana cavalry (rebel) wee holding the hill, occupying a very strong position. Arrived in front of their position, I was ordered to report one regiment of cavalry and a section of artillery to the general to make a detour and take the enemy in rear, while with the remainder of my command I should occupy their attention and present a front which with the force thrown in rear would prevent their escape.

The Sixteenth Indiana Mounted Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield, and a section of Rawles' battery proceeded in accordance with the directions, marching 16 miles to the rear of the enemy, reaching the pickets at about 9.30 p. m. With the remainder of my command I occupied the enemy's attention until Colonel Redfield with his force had entered the rebel camp. Colonel Redfield captured,when near the enemy's camp, a courier with dispatches from General Taylor to Colonel Vincent. The dispatches were sent to General Mower. He successively captured, without firing a shot and without giving general alarm, the picket guarding the camp. A portion of the regiment advanced into the camp, while another detachment was thrown in the direction of General Taylor's army to guard against any attack upon the rear of the command from re-enforcements. A body of the enemy were met, said by prisoners to be the advance of re-enforcement, and driven back. A major, captain on Taylor's staff, 1 lieutenant, and 36 enlisted men were captured here, chiefly from the relieving force.

This body of the enemy was as completely surprised as the other. Captain Doxey, with two companies of the Sixteenth Indiana, had the advance on entering the rebel camp, but infantry was soon deployed on his right, and the mounted and dismounted men advanced in line, capturing almost without resistance the astonished enemy. Four pieces of artillery were captured, two by the monte men as they were being brought into action. I do not know the number of prisoners captured, as they were immediately turned over to the infantry. I suppose 300 officers and men and 400 horses were taken. I am gratified to state that Colonel Redfield's command captured the enemy's famous scout Smith and 15 of his men. At daylight next morning I was directed to make a reconnaissance to Bowles' Ford, where we surprised and captured a picket post of a lieutenant and 6 men. Further on we captured 2 more men. On returning, was directed to move to camp 10 miles from Alexandria, guarding the rear of the infantry. Will report their names at once.
Respectfully, your obedient servant, T. J. LUCAS, Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Cavalry Division.
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PORT HUDSON.

Numbers 15. Report of Colonel Thomas J. Lucas, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, commanding Cavalry Brigade, of affair at Bayou Portage.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, near New Iberia, La., November 24, 1863.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operation of the forces under my command during the night of the 22nd and 23rd of November, 1863:

In accordance with verbal instructions from General Lee, I moved across the pontoon bridge with 200 of my brigade at 10 p.m., and struck at the Saint Martinsville road, Colonel Mudd's command joining me about 6 miles from town. I proceeded to the road leading to Dauterive's Landing, where I halted until Colonel Paine's command of 250 men joined me. I sent Colonel Mudd down the road leading to Dauterive's Landing, with instructions to lengthen his lines along the left, skirting the road. On account of the fog, at the fork of the road he took the wrong direction, and reached the lake some 3 miles below the point indicated, failing to connect with me, though I have no doubt he made possible exertion to co- operate with me. Leaving a force sufficient to hold the position at this cross road, the strongest position to be found in that locality.

I proceeded with my immediate command 1 mile farther, and took the road to the right, leading to the bridge across the bayou which connects with Grand Lake. At about half a mile I halted, and thoroughly searched all the dwellings, outhouses, and buildings on two adjoining plantations, which were said to be the lurking places of Major Dupiere and Captain Neville, but to no purpose. They were there during the early part of the evening, but had escaped.

Upon being joined by Colonel Paine's command, and 20 men under a lieutenant of Colonel Mudd's command, I proceeded down the road until near the bayou, when I halted. After sending Colonel Paine across the bridge to take a road leading to the rebel camp, I procured a guide, who showed me a lower road leading to the right of the rebel camp, where I crossed the bayou on a submerged bridge, sending in the meantime a lieutenant and 20 men to search a house on this side of the bayou, where they captured 4 prisoners. It was now daylight, and, hearing a few shots fired, I hurried forward, and found Colonel Paine already in possession of the rebel camp. He had advanced rapidly upon them, capturing a portion of their pickets. The woods were thoroughly scoured in all directions, but, owing to the swamps and the nature of the country, some of them escaped. After burning their camp, I started back toward our camp.

On reaching the road leading to Dauterive's Landing, I found that nothing had been learned at this point from Colonel Mudd, but afterward learned that he had captured Captain [B. D.] Dauterive and 8 others. As it was raining very hard, after sending a party to look for Colonel Mudd, I started for camp, which I reached at 3 p. m., November 23.

We captured 4 officers and about 30 men, a quantity of arms, mostly shotguns, and quite a number of horses. I complied with all of the general's orders, except proceeding to the sawmill, which I deemed unnecessary upon receiving information from the guides.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
T. J. LUCAS, Colonel, Commanding First Brigade, Cavalry Division.
--------------------------

Vicksburg.

Number 19. Report of Colonel Thomas J. Lucas, SIXTEENTH Indiana Infantry, first Brigade, tenth DIVISION, including operations since April 13. CAMP IN FIELD, near Vicksburg, MISS. May 24, 1863.

SIR: On April 13, we received orders to took two day's rations and prepare to march at a movement's notice. The day passed and no further orders until, next morning, the 14th instant, we were order to strike tents and be ready to fall in. My command was formed at 4 o'clock, and took up our line of march on the road leading from Milliken's Bend to Richmond La. We marched out 4 miles, and encamped for the night at a place called Oak Hill.

Next morning, 15th instant we took up our line of march. Traveled all day until we arrived at Holme's plantation, a distance of about 15 miles, where we remained in camp until Saturday evening, April 21, when we again took up our line of march, and arrived at Smith's plantation about 11 p. m., where we remained until 2 p. m. next day, April 22, when we embarked on transports in Bayon-and ran into the Mississippi River opposite New Carthage. We then ran down as far as Perkins' plantation, where we disembarked, and encamped for the night, remaining there until Tuesday, April 26, when we received orders to embark on transports and barges and prepare for the attack on Grand Gulf, which was opened upon by the gunboats early on Wednesday morning, lasting six hours, when received orders to disembark and take up our line of march for a plantation 4 miles below. Encamped for the night.

The next day April, 28, about noon, we re-embarked on the gunboat General Price, and ran down the river to a plantation 10 miles below, on the Mississippi, shore, where we disembarked. About midnight we took up our line of march for Port Gibson, and arrived within 4 miles of Port Gibson on the morning of May, 1 when we found the advance of our army had engaged the enemy., we were immediately ordered into position, which was the reserve of the Thirteenth Army Corps. We had not been long in position until we took a prisoner, he being the first that had been taken. They day was excessively hot, but, notwithstanding, our men stood it bravely. In the afternoon we advanced farther than any other command, but were ordered back to our old position, having 2 men wounded. Night came on, and we were ordered to lie on our arms.

Next morning before daylight we were called up and ordered to fall in line of battle, which we did, and remained so until 7 o'clock of the morning of May 2, when the First Brigade was ordered in the advance, the SIXTEENTH Regiment on the right. We marched thorough the woods for about 2 miles, when we found the enemy had evacuated the town. Orders were given to march the command by the right flank, but owing to some misunderstanding were not carried out. However, out brigade to some misunderstand were not carried out. However, our brigade was first in the town, and planted the first American flag on the courthouse. We found the enemy had destroyed the bridge across the Bayon. A detail was made, and before four hours had elapsed our troops were crossing.

Next morning, May 3, about 7 o'clock we received orders to take up our line of march, which we did, and arrived at the bridge over bayou Pierre, which the enemy had tried to destroy, but failed. We went into camp about 7 o'clock the same evening, and remained until the morning of May 6, when we again took up our line of march, and arrived at Rocky Springs on the afternoon of the 6th, where we remained until the afternoon of the 9th. We again took up our line rived at Big Sandy, encamping for the night.

The morning of the 10th, we started for Cayuga, where we arrived at about 8 p. Mn., and remained until the morning of the 12th, when we took up our line of march for Edwards Depot, and arrived within 5 miles of it, when we drove in the enemy's pickets and encamped for the night.

Next morning 13th, instant, we were ordered back, and marched to Auburn, where we remained until the morning of the 15th, instant, when we again took up our line of march for Raymond, and arrived there about 9. p. m. Encamped for the night.

Next morning,16th instant, we took up our line of march, and came in contact with the enemy's pickets about 6 miles from Raymond. We immediately got into position and opened fire on them with the artillery, driving them before us. A general engagement ensued, which resulted in driving back the enemy.

On the morning of the 17th instant, we were order to advance. We had not gone far when we found the enemy had fallen back on Big Black. We passed through Edwards Depot, and marched on to Big Black, where we arrived at about 12 m/. Formed line of battle this side, and was ordered to advance; we did so. Had not proceeded far when 400 prisoners surrendered to this brigade. The enemy crossed Big Black, destroyed the railroad bridge, and fell back to within 3 miles of Vicksburg, where their works commenced.

On the morning of the 19th, our skirmishers were ordered to the front, where they remained all night. We had I man killed.

On the morning of May 20, the SIXTEENTH Regiment was ordered out as skirmishers. We advanced within 300 yards of the enemy's works. At night was were relieved by General Benton's brigade, general Carr's DIVISION.

On the 21st, we were ordered to rest.

On the morning of the 22nd, a circular was received from General Burbridge, stating that a simultaneous charge would be made around the while line; that General Benton was to charge the enemy's works at 10 o'clock the same morning, and his brigade was to support mine. Ten o'clock arrived. The troops started according to orders; drove the enemy, inside of the fort, and held them three in check until 6 o'clock in the evening, when General Quinby's DIVISION came up to relieve us. We were ordered to fall back. In doing so enemy came out of their little excitement. Their works could not be crossed. We fell back to our old position held in the morning, and remained for the night.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. J. LUCAS, Colonel, commanding SIXTEENTH Indian Volunteers.