(June 18, 1861 - April 4th, 1862)
(RETYPED BY STEVE SHORE)

Peter Hotze of the Capital Guards (Company A, 6th Arkansas Infantry) wrote the following information between June 18th of 1861 to April 4th of 1862. His original diary was written in the German language. It was translated into English by a Little Rock language teacher in the early 1900's. This version is intended to give you a hand written account of what Private Hotze experienced between June of 1861 to April of 1862 which was copied from the English translation:

June 18, 1861
In the afternoon, we gave three cheers to our Camp Ashley, then left it in the best of spirits. We marched to the arsenal and put our tents up. I was very tired and fell soon asleep.

June 19, 1861
I was awakened at 3 a.m., we were supposed to march early, but matters delayed until 11 a.m. We started our march at 1 p.m. during the heat of the day. The weather was nice, but hot and the streets were very dusty. I said good bye to Konrad. In the morning I will give him my will for he is my sole heir. We are prepared for the departure because the young people are always full of hope, so the farewell was not so sad. In the arsenal and on the march through the city, we saw many tears shed as husbands said good bye to their wives and children and sons left their fathers. I had a hard time keeping from crying myself. When we saw those heartbreaking scenes. But now it's all over and I am glad. When we reached the river, we rested for about one hour until the other companies had caught up with us.

Finally came the order, "Right shoulder arms, March"!

The street was without shade and so dusty and sandy that we had sand up to our ankles. Yet - we marched very fast going three miles in one hour and fifteen minutes. We stopped at a farmhouse to drink water. The owner's name was Lavern. We drank almost all the water until the other companies arrived. It proved what an advantage it was to be the first ones in the convoy. Whenever a farmer had something to sell, we are the first ones to buy it. We marched another two miles and arrived at the Zinc Bayou. We stay here until tomorrow. We have not eaten anything since breakfast and now the sun is going down, so it is easy to understand that we watched with great interest as our cooks prepared a simple meal, which will taste just as good as any delicate food we have ever enjoyed.

I took a bath shortly after we arrived here and feel great and refreshed and know I am going to sleep well. After I had closed my dairy and rested on my woolen blankets, we got a surprise visit from several people from Little Rock. I was especially to shake hands with Doctor Keyton.

June 20, 1861
It was loud and noisy during the night in our camp. There was a lot of drinking and singing going on and the band played, so I was quite often awakened by all the noise. The bugle-call was at daybreak, get got up, dressed, fixed our bedroll, cleaned ourselves up at a nearby creek, ate breakfast and loaded the wagons. Today we are lucky, we were able to load our knapsacks in one of those wagons. For $ .25 cents a day, I am enjoying the luxury of marching without a knapsack. A Jew is accompanying us with a wagon and he is selling cigars, tobacco and whiskey.

Today we left camp at 7 a.m. We are the advanced guard. Tomorrow we are rear guard and the next company is ahead. This way we alternate until we are advanced guard again. We march very fast. The Colonel made us stop several times, so that the rest could catch up with us.

Nevertheless at 11 Am., we arrived at Mrs. Ried's house, about eight miles from our camp. On the way there , we met her son-in-law Doctor Murff who was on horseback. He invited us to stop at the house for a drink of milk. As soon as he told me that, I went ahead with four more soldiers to be the first, before the rest arrived. I had three cups of milk and there was enough left for about fifty more soldiers. Our officers ate lunch there and the whole regiment rested for about four hours. I slept part of the time. I thanked them for their hospitality and our company gave three cheers to the ladies.

We left at 3 p.m. and if Broene would have been with us, he would have said , "Heavens what musik, what heat"!

Unfortunately, half of our company marched one and one half miles past our camp and had to march the whole distance back. This camp is on the Tipperay Bayou and 17 miles from Little Rock. I was dead tired and very hungry, so I stretched out on my blanket. It took two hours to prepare our evening meal which tasted exquisite.

I met here a gentleman who is going to Little Rock the day after tomorrow. I gave him a note for Konrad. My candle is almost burnt down, so I have to quit writing. "Good night world!"

June 21, 1861
We got up about 3:30 a.m., but didn't leave the camp until 7 a.m.. We marched 14 miles without energy, the weather was so unbearably hot that many soldiers got sick and had to ride on the wagons. Kramer got diarrhea, Lincoln's feet hurt, and Robert Watson had a headache. The whole company was totally exhausted when we arrived at our camp about 1:30 p.m.. The camp is located on the Cypruss Bayou and like yesterday. We had to clean out the underbrush with axe and shovels.

The bridge over the Bayou was broken it took 2 hours of hard work to push the baggage wagons through the swampy riverbed. Last night another big rattlesnake was killed in camp. With the arrival of three wagons of provisions. We saw some more familiar faces at the camp today. Those wagons belong to Gg. Robins.

We are marching through an area with corn and wheat fields. We also passed a neat little town of Atlanta . Several ladies and gentlemen visited us in the evening and the band and also the drum and fife corps played in their honor. I am without a doubt very hungry, thirsty and dead tired, so I'll finish for today. Tomorrow, we have to march another 14 miles and my feet are sore.

June 22, 1861
The bugle call was at 2 a.m. and immediately the whole company was up. Breakfast was prepared and then we started another march. Shortly after sunrise it got very hot again. We stopped and rested once and refilled out canteens with fresh water. We marched 15 miles, sweating and out of breath before we stopped. Our company takes the hardships better than expected. We arrived at 11 a.m. at our camp near Desarc Bayou. Our meal was served at 3 p.m., we had bacon, cooked pattes, bread and coffee. Earlier our officers invited us to have lunch with them, very delicious oysters, lobster-tail, peaches and an exquisite drink, called: cocktail, but I don't have much of an appetite and eat little. I mention it only because always though: the bigger the hardship, the hungrier one would be. My feet hardly hurt anymore. Our company takes all the hardship a lot better than most of the troops. Many of them are terribly exhausted and are lying along the roadside.

Yesterday, a soldier from a company from Quachita supposedly died and six rattlesnakes were also killed. Some of the soldiers from other companies are very excessive: for instance a cow was killed for fun, several chickens stolen and one farmer had a tamed deer, they killed it too. One company is calling itself the yellow jacks, they are accused of those excesses. Mosquito's, ticks and many of the insects bother me tremendously. I am constantly scratching from top to toe. We are supposed to arrive in a small town tomorrow. We hope we stay long enough to be able to write a few letters. I have to get up at 2 a.m. tomorrow, so that's enough writing for tonight.

June 23, 1861
As already mentioned, bugle-call was at 2 a.m. and in a few minutes everybody was up; of course breakfast was also served. The pattes and the salted meat were already cooked last night, so this morning only coffee had to be made. At 3:30 a.m. we were already on the way. Along the way, we came to a small city, the name is Searcy, in White County. We arrived there at 7:30 a.m. I was baggage guard and marched with the wagons. The Colonel agreed first that the whole regiment could stop at the little city, but after 1½ hour rest, he gave orders to march further: he was afraid the troops would drink too much whiskey and get drunk. This is a bad characteristic in this southern state.

As soon as I arrived in Searcy, I was going to write a short note to Konrad. For this reason I went to the drugstore and as I entered I saw it was filled with letter writers. Later I felt a great urge to eat a good meal. I went with a comrade (named Fulton) to a hotel, where we ate an exquisite breakfast. The owner did not charge us anything. I am sure he felt pity for us poor soldiers. We looked rather bad, dirty and raggedy. After that breakfast we had to run. Our company had left and the wagons were far ahead. We marched for 2 more hours and arrived at the Little Red River. Our camp is located 4 miles from Searcy. We hurried to put up our tents. It was cloudy and soon it began to rain hard. Later in the afternoon we had visitors at the camp. Several ladies and gentlemen came and the band played for their entertainment. Dixie and some other pieces. At 8 p.m. guards were put up since the corporal in charge of the guards was missing. I was ordered to be corporal in charge for the night. Maybe my ego will be satisfied and I am going to be a corporal.

The area we are marching through is hilly and the scenery is not as monotonous and uninteresting as on the Arkansas River. Little Red River is a nice little river. Fast running. I swam in it and feel very refreshed. Since I was on guard, I could not sleep much. It began to rain very hard at 3 Am. and at the same time came the bugle-call. It went on until the regiment with the baggage wagons had crossed the river. There was a steep slope on both sides of the river, therefore everybody had to carry his own baggage down to the boat and then up on the other side. It took three hours for the whole regiment to cross the river. It was badly organized. Everybody was confused. This proved that the officers of the regiment and headquarters are absolutely disqualified.

Later in the afternoon, we arrived at our camp near Nochens Creek. We have a march of 12 miles behind us and are always hungry, thirsty and very tired. Usually we have to wait one to two hours for our baggage wagons to arrive, depending on the road conditions. Today we had to wait longer and it started raining hard with no cover in sight anywhere. We waited two hours, got completely wet and stayed wet, and still had to put up our tents. After that, we changed clothes and built a big fire to stay warm and dry our clothes.

June 24th, 1861
We got up early as usual and after breakfast we went on. We are marching through a hilly area with a beautiful view. Today was marched only 10-12 miles. Around noon, we arrived at our camp, only 100 yards outside of a small village of Fanview. In the afternoon some of the smoking and tobacco chewing beauties from that area came to visit the camp. The band had to play for their entertainment. In the evening the band played dance music. Some tried to dance, but everybody was too tired to dance because we have to get up early. Hardly anyone felt like dancing. In the evening I started to make a hootch from our tent, but I had to quit, had to blow out my candle at 9 p.m.

June 25th, 1861
We got up at dawn, ate breakfast and started our march. Our company was behind the band as we marched through the little village. Two miles later, we passed a farmhouse and the old timer shouted, "Come here. I have whiskey and milk for our friends!" Our company accepted that invitation in a great hurry. The area is hilly and sometimes romantic, wild, and beautiful. Since we were able to march eight miles in two hours, we stopped at the well with good ice cold water. It was very refreshing.

Our Lt. Colonel made the remark that he had never before heard of such high marching performance. We made good time and arrived at our camp before noon. This camp is six miles from Batesville, a larger city on the White River, which we will have to cross tomorrow. Near our camp is a mountain well. The water is ice cold and by far the best water I have now tasted in the United States. With the mountainous area it reminds me of my beloved Tyrol.

I bought a canteen full of honey from the farmer, another man bought a chicken and eggs, and the company provided us with a roast, pattes, bread and coffee. With all that, we had an excellent dinner. We have only two meals a day. This evening I bought fresh butter, so tomorrow morning I shall have fresh butter and honey with my breakfast. Bastable and White bought two pies in the same house in which I purchased the honey, but the pies were of very poor quality. I met those two men sitting under a tree eating those "delicacies". They gave me a piece of it with the remark that Mrs. Brown would faint if she could see how we devoured that stuff.

Our Colonel and some of the officers came this evening with a horde of farm girls to the camp and the band had to entertain them. Now it's dark and in a few minutes they will call Tattoo. I'll blow out my candle. Enough for one day, I am sleepy.

June 27th, 1861
We had to get up before daybreak. We ate breakfast and began marching. It was about six miles to the White River and it took not more than a half hour for us to cross the river, but the baggage wagon took longer. As soon as we arrived on the other bank of the river, we marched in formation to our new camp, only two miles from Batesville. We passed only the outskirts of the city, but we are going to stay here a full day and with a furlough we are able to visit the city. This afternoon our company had drill and we had quite an audience, especially pretty girls. I am looking forward to tomorrow and hope to eat a delicious meal at the hotel.

June 28th, 1861
Today, I went right after breakfast to the city. I bought a few items and was really happy. I strolled with my friend, James Barrett, for a few hours through the city and had the good fortune to meet the son-in-law of a friend of mine. He invited us to come with him to the house of his father-in-law where we found great hospitality. We ate a delicious dinner and as a special gift, we received a bottle of champagne for the road. On the way back to camp, we met several comrades and rented a chaise together. That was a smart thing to do. After a short while, a thunderstorm developed though it did not rain very long. At the camp our tents were flooded. We dried everything and brought things back in order. We had regiments parade at 5 p.m. We had a big audience again, especially the ladies. After the parade we decided to dig a ditch around our tents to catch the rainwater, because it looked like we would have another storm. Sure enough, at 8:30 p.m. it started lightning and thundering and it rained "cats and dogs". In a very short time, our tents were flooded again and the cleaning started all over again. Nobody got any sleep. A few comrade sheltered in other tents. I myself and two men stayed in our tent. With a Valiser travelbag and my knapsack, I built myself a place to sleep and slept fairly well.

June 29th, 1861
I woke up with a runny nose and a headache. It could be 5 or 6 a.m., we have been up a long time now and soon we'll be marching again. It is not raining right now, but it is very cloudy and it looks like it is going to rain again. In this case, we are going to be completely wet again. I have been in a bad mood all the fifteen miles that we have marched. I was very tired. I'm sure it's because of my headache and cold. We left the camp shortly after arrival and bought forage, 2 chickens, butter, beef liver and plenty of milk. Many men in our company complained about the food, now we have orders that the men must cook for themselves. Our meals this evening roasted chicken, beefsteak, liver, butter, bread and milk. This proves that we are far away from starvation. The camp's name is Adams Creek. As always, farmers and their families came to visit and the band played. I slept outside the tent under the sky.

June 30th, 1861
It started to rain again around 3 a.m. and after breakfast, we marched 12 miles to our next camp near Mill Creek. We arrived there very tired. We were rear-guard at the camp three hours later than the advance guard. Our first duty always is to put up the tents, then we cook, eat, rest a little in the shade, take a bath, have a cold snake and go to sleep. Our visitors this evening were two gentlemen from Little Rock. Wm. Darus and Col. Woodruff, they had letters and newspapers for our company. Tomorrow is our company advance guard, we have to get up at 2 a.m.

July 1st, 1861
We accomplished a daily routine now. Today the distance of our march was thirteen miles and our camp is on Mill Creek. We found out at a nearby farmhouse very good water. I am going to write a letter to Konrad tonight.

July 2nd, 1861
This day took its course as usual. We got up early and started marching right after breakfast. We hope to march only twelve miles to our next destination, but as soon as we arrived there, gave the Colonel orders to march a few miles further. We have crossed two rivers, Spreig and 11 Point Rivers and several small creeks. Most of the men had to wade through those streams and it can well be imagined how totally exhausted we arrived at the camp. It is located on the other side of the 11 Point River. We have a march of 17 miles behind us. You can fall asleep without a lullaby. Yesterday and today we witnessed a comet in its full glory. Probably a bad omen! Yesterday, I saw a wild cactus in the forest.

July 3rd, 1861
Today, we arrived in Pocahontas after a short march of eight miles. The band played as we marched through the little village than it is not more than that. Captain Triggs company greeted us with a gun salute. The just mentioned company was all of the army that we could see, but rumor in that several thousand men are camping in that area. This could be the case, but we are stationed one and one half miles outside the little village. At the moment we are here safe from an enemy attack - so we slept well. Too bad we have to get up early!

July 4th, 1861
There was no attention paid to this day, so important to our history. No parade, no salute, no music, nobody did anything in remembrance of July 4th, 1776. I was ordered to be guard, a very unpleasant job in this camp.

July 5th, 1861
I received a letter from Konrad today. The best thing that could have happened to me. I wish I could correspond with Fritz also. Tomorrow I'll write a letter to him. I spent all morning cleaning my rifle. In the afternoon, I enjoyed the luxury of a cold bath in the nearby creek. Now I am sleepy because I was on guard duty all night and slept very little.

July 6th, 1861
Another day went by. Life in this camp is beginning to be monotonous and boring. To do something different, I went with a few comrades to the village and bought a pair of slacks , shoes and a few other items. Because of the large amount of men and officers in the area, we are not able to eat at the hotel. We went to the bar and bought two cans of sardines and had to eat them without a cracker or bread. In the whole village there was nothing else available. In the evening a General Yell with his two adjutants came to visit dressed in Gala uniforms. As soon as the men got sign of them, they laughed hard and loud at them. So, they left with long faces.

July 7th, 1861
Today is Sunday and we were supposed to have arms inspection, but the order was canceled. Our company had an inspection of arms and knapsacks in the evening, however our Captain had orders from headquarters to read to us the military laws. One strange rule is that duels are punished very severely. For other crimes the penalties are physical punishment. For cursing you have to pay a fine. For example: an officer pays one dollar while a private pays 1/16th. Etc.
I went fishing during the morning and a small fish was my reward.

July 13th, 1861
I have not written in my diary for five days. I have been sick with a fever. Today I am completely recovered and participated in the drill.

Yesterday, while I was still convalescent, I went to Pocahontas to buy a wool blanket, but there was not a new one available in the whole village. So, I had to take a second hand one. The nights are very cold here and one has to be afraid to get sick here in the wilderness. The Good lord save us from those doctors who don't know anything about medicine except to give you mercurochrome. A letter from Konrad made me very happy. He seems fine and delighted with his symphony. God bless you and Fritz both of you are all I have in this world. Tomorrow I shall try to write a most interesting letter to him. Last night an extremely large rattlesnake got killed. Otherwise no news. Tattoo is going to end my writing for today. We had a long drill also and for the first time we practiced loading and firing in the kneeling positions.

Until August 3, 1861
I was constantly sick and not feeling well and in no condition to write in my diary. I wrote many times to Konrad: I mailed my last letter August 1st. Today is August 3, 1861 at about 6 a.m. We left this old camp; the boys called it "Camp Misery" and not without reason. We had marched about 3 miles, when I felt so weak, that I stopped at a farmhouse, ate dinner and supper there and slept in a bed in between. Tomorrow we are supposed to march towards Missouri to Cronton. I am afraid I have to ride on a wagon. After sundown I walked with a comrade, who stayed with me only to take it easy, 2 ½ miles to our camp. It was already dark when we arrived there. I was dead tired and as quickly as I could I crawled into the tent and rested my aching body and hoped to be able to sleep. It was a very warm night and I slept very little and was one of the first ones up.

August 4th, 1861
Our baggage wagons went back to the old camp last night to pick up some more items. We had to wait for their return and could not leave until they returned. So, it was 9 a.m. when we started our march. The sun was shining and it was uncomfortably hot. The street was covered with one foot of fine dust. It is an unbearable exertion to march in such weather and on these streets, especially if we have to march more than 6 miles to find drinking water. We marched three miles and rested at a farmhouse. There we found ice cold water and an orchard with ripe apples, of which I ate an abundance. About 6 p.m. we started marching again and covered another six miles, most of it in great darkness, without moonshine. The road leads mostly through a wooded area. We had to march slowly, so the baggage wagon knew where to expect bad road conditions. We arrived about 9:30 p.m. at the destination where we were supposed to spend a night. We found very good drinking water, but nothing else. We slept with our clothes on; it would have taken 6 hours to unload the wagons, put up the tents and load up everything in the morning. We were all dead tired and slept well, but I got diarrhea during the night, the result of those green apples.

August 4th, 1861
At 4:20 a.m. we began our march towards the Pittmans Ferry, on the map the place is called Hix Ferry. The distance is 7 miles and since we had no breakfast, I stopped after 3 miles at a farmhouse and bought breakfast there. Many of my comrades did the same, so we were able to march 4 more miles very happy. But imagine how hungry those soldiers were who did not have the opportunity to eat breakfast at the farmhouse. As we arrived at the camp the same Modus Operatus started; unload the wagons, put up the tents, prepare the food, cook and then supper. Many took a bath in the Black River, which is here called Courant River. I still have diarrhea and could not swim. After supper we found out today is Sunday, which makes no difference from any other day. On the other side of the river is Missouri; we are supposed to march there within 2-3 days to meet General Hardee who is already stationed there with ea. 5,000 troops. The weather is still warm and rain would be welcomed.

August 5th, 1861
Today was a day like all days are in a camp. You vegetate, you live without news, without newspapers, without comfort and you have to eat horrible food.

August 6, 1861
We left camp today to get good drinking water. Our new camp was supposed to be only 1 mile away from the old one. We crossed the river with our 2 heavy baggage wagons and marched toward the new camp and arrived there shortly. To cross a river is very tiresome; the Ferry oats are half full of water most of the time and often sink. I heard a rumor, that 1 or 2 guns of Captain Trigg's company sank with a ferry boat, but they got them out again. Our camp is at a nice location, but not one drop of water anywhere. As soon as the wagons were unloaded, some men went with 3 empty Whiskey barrels to the river to get cooking water. A few comrades and I went with a pail and got water and also forage.

August 7, 1861
Life as always in a camp, but today we heard that Washington City was captured. The news is too good to be true. A courier came to our Colonel with a telegraph from General Hardee, as we found out later, to put him under arrest for 90 days, because he ordered us to march here without an order from the General. The commander from Pittman's Ferry got the orders to march us back. He sent a telegraph to General Hardee and explained that our regiment was eager and willing to meet the enemy. In the General's reply our Colonel was released from arrest and the regiment was supposed to be ready to march at any time.

August 19, 1981
We stayed at the camp for one more week without anything important happening. Today at 2 p.m. we suddenly got orders to march. Our company left at about 4 p.m. I was with the train and accidentally with the last wagon, so it was 6 p.m. when I left camp. The distance to the camp for tonight was 9 miles; I arrived there at 10 p.m. Of course I was very tired, hungry and most of all very thirsty. I went to a cistern near a farm, the owner's name was Martin. Then I ate supper, lay on my wool blankets and fell sound asleep.

August 20, 1861
The drum woke us early today. After breakfast was prepared, we ate and started to march about 6 a.m. We rested for 3 hours and then marched again. We reached our camp towards evening. We were very tired; we marched 20 miles today. The hot weather was also a cause of our exhaustion. I slept under a tree; about 3 a.m.it started to rain, but it did not last long.

August 21, 1861
After breakfast we started our march for today. Very soon it began to rain hard and we got completely wet, we arrived late in the afternoon at our destination, Reeves Station. We put our tents up close to the river in a heavily wooded area. It rained often during 3 days and nights; it was damp and cold and consequently many soldiers got a fever. We had only 6 tents; therefore, not everybody was able to sleep in a tent and many had to bivoack. As long as we stayed at the camp we had orders to have our rifles and arms close to us at night, so that in case of an enemy attack during the night we could find them in the darkness. During the first few days at our stay at Reeves station we were sure we would march to Greenville to join General Hardee's army, to be with the intended attack of Chronton. Very soon we were convinced of the opposite.

On August 28
One regiment of Infantry came back, on the next day 2 regiments and 2 batteries of Artillery. The following day still more Infantry, which escorted about 10 prisoners of war, and the whole cavalry. The retreat had started; we were looking forward to being back in Arkansas soon.

August 31, 1861
We and all troops stationed at reeves Station had a big inspection and muster. Suddenly at 2 p.m. orders came to march and between 3-4 p.m. left the camp. First came Col. Croh's regiment of Infantry, then 2 batteries of Artillery; then came our regiment and then Col. Shaver's regiment of Infantry. Col. Hindman's regiment had already left a day before. I believe the Cavalry and col. Cleburn's Infantry regiment left the next day. We marched only 6 miles and it was dark when we reached our camp.

We did not put up the tents; we slept under the sky.

September 1, 1861
We started very early today; the weather was very hot and we have a long march of 14 miles behind us. After 6 hours we arrived at our camp, which is near a mill on the Black river. We were all totally exhausted. One of our men got the measles.

September 2, 1861
We marched only 10 miles today and reached our camp earlier that usual; it is near a farm; the owner's name is Martin. I ate lunch there and paid only ½ dollar.

September 3, 1861
Today another short march of 10 miles, but we marched fast, since we ate going back to Arkansas and Arkansas is our home state. Shortly after 9 a.m. we reached Pittsman's Ferry. We had to wait more than 2 hours to cross the Courant River; then we marched to our new camp, which is located about 1 mile from the river on a plateau. During the waiting time on the Ferry I received 3 letters from Konrad.

We had to cut trees and clear the place to be able to put up our tents. Later we had drill. In that camp I had for the first time cold fever, but a dose of quinine took care of it. Lt. Lockman surprised us very pleasantly on a Sunday; he returned from Little Rock and brought letters and packages for just about everyone. I received a most beautiful present, Konrad and Fritz's [unknown word], which I have with me all the time.

September 23, 1861
Tomorrow we have to march again; our destination this time is the Mississippi. The roads lead mostly through a large swamp and the distance we have to cover is over 100 miles. They allow us only 10 days to finish that task. Two regiments have already left. James Barret, who was sick for a long time, is leaving for Little Rock to get well. I'll send a letter for Konrad with him.

September 24, 1861
We left our camp by Pittman's Ferry at 10:30 a.m. to march to Point Pleasant, a small city on the Mississippi in Missouri. It took a longtime for the regiment with train to cross the Courant River, but we marched only 6 miles today. We made camp at the Black river, which is here bridged over. Before we left our camp, we had to line up and the Colonel read an army order. The main points were:

All Captains have orders to march a company in close formation; no soldier is allowed to leave that formation without permission from an officer. There were so many thefts and insults to the citizens that many said they would rather see the enemy come.

The Commander was urged to provide 2 inch ropes to enable the soldiers to help the wagons, should they get stuck in the swampy area.

The Commander was reminded that, if after 2 days of marching no drinking water was found, every soldier was to fill up his canteen in the morning and use the water scarcely during the day.

On that day I came down with chills and fever shortly after we arrived at the camp. It made me weak, but it did not prevent me from marching the next day. During the march I got malaria. My medicine was Quinine and Cayenne Pepper. Every day I lost more energy and got weaker. I did not keep up with my diary. On the 4th day I rode about 10 miles on the wagon with the sutler. On the way we picked up a dead soldier, who had been shot by a drunk comrade. The roads lead constantly through the swamp and mud.

On January 23, 1862
After sundown the 6th regiment of Arkansas Volunteers, Col. Marmaduke's battery of Infantry and a company of Cavalry left the camp to march to Mammuth Cave to set fire to the Grand Hotel. We were provided with ammunition, 40 per soldier, and provisions for one day. The password was "Come here Johnston" "Where are you?" Our regiment was in the center, the 2nd regiment was advance guard and the Battalion was rear guard. The Cavalry was everywhere. We had orders to march silently. The road was in very bad condition. Our leader was a farmer who had come to the camp earlier, to sell pork; he hoped by selling meat his neighbors would not be suspicious of him. It was a dark night with many stars. We marched many hours and learned, that instead of going to Mammuth Cave, we were marching towards Woodsenville. Two Federal regiments were supposed to be camped at a mill 5 miles this side of Woodsenville. Before we got there, we stopped and loaded our rifles. We arrived at the mill without meeting the enemy. We stopped; it could have been 1 or 2 a.m. and it was bitter cold and we were not allowed to build a fire. We had waited here until 11 a.m. the next day and then marched back on the main road to our camp. We passed Horse Cave and Cave City and the people who lived on Main Street assumed we were Federal troops, 2 farmers told us that 2 or 3 men were waiting down there for us. When we asked them what troops they were, they replied: Hindman's troops. A big laugh was the answer and they probably realized their mistake. After we passed Cave City everything was a chaos. Companies and regiments were mixed up and at least 200 - 300 soldiers were lying on the roadside exhausted. Our Colonel ordered the wagons to pick up those left behind as soon as we came back to camp. We had marched at least 30 miles during that very cold night and arrived at the camp extremely exhausted.

January 25, 1862
We all got up late today, we felt the ordeal of the last few days even more than before and spent most of the day lying in the tents. I heard that Zollicoffer was killed and his army was in full retreat towards Knoxville.

January 26, 1862
Today is Sunday, I went with a comrade for a walk to the camp of the Texas rangers. It was the first group we had met. They were very friendly and invited us to sit down. Of course the Yankees and the war was our main conversation. We received a newspaper from the 23rd and tobacco as gifts; we were also invited to stay for dinner. we did not accept the dinner invitation but got to promise them to come and see our camp. Three companies of Texas Rangers rode this morning to Horse Cave for scouting and on their return this evening we heard that a regiment of Federal troops is camping outside Horse cave to protect workmen who are repairing the railroad tracks.

January 27, 1862
Today it was my day to cook. After breakfast I got a pail of water and washed dishes. At noon I had to report to the Lt. of Port Guard and was corporal on guard for 1 day.

Today is the 28th
I came back from guard duty very tired. It started to rain a little late in the afternoon. I also mailed a letter to Konrad.

January 29, 1862
It has rained all day and now at 10 p.m. even harder than before, and it looks like it is going to rain more. Yesterday evening we heard that our Gen. Floyd and Buckner captured 5,000 Federal troops under Gen. Thom. Crittenden. If it is only true, says everybody; it is almost too good to be true.

January 30, 1862
Today I got up early, because it is my day for cooking duty. I went to the well to get a pail of water to wash dishes. The well is pretty far from here; since it rained all night the path to it is quite muddy.

January 31, 1862
Federal General Johnson and Naegele with escorts carrying a white flag, the flag of truce, arrived at our camp to deliver 2 dead soldiers, General Zollicoffer and 1 officer Seyton; both were killed in the battle by Fishing Creek.

I received two letters from Konrad, which made me very happy. He is, to my surprise, in good spirits.

February 1, 1862
This the first day of February; in less than 4 months my army duty shall be over... if I am still alive then. That's a big question, "if".

February 2, 1862
Cooking duty again. It is still raining. Otherwise nothing happened worth mentioning.

February 3, 1862
Today it rained again; the mud is about 1 foot deep and it is impossible to move an army. This bad cold weather is protecting us from enemy attacks.

February 4, 1862
The day passed as so many others, without anything important happening. In the evening I received orders to feed 4 horses; the coachman got sick and I was next on the list for fatigue duty.

February 5, 1862
I took care of the horses again, otherwise nothing happened. During the night it stormed and rained very furiously.

February 6, 1862
The day was quite peaceful, the weather was exceptionally warm and humid. But now it is cold and cloudy and it is very likely to snow.

This evening orders came to march tomorrow and to provide us with a day's rations of cooked food. The outlook for tomorrow's march is not pleasant; the heavy dark clouds promise either rain or snow and the roads are already muddy enough to make marching more tiresome.

February 7, 1862
The drum woke us early this morning, about 5 a.m., still dark; we got up and prepared for the march. At about 9 a.m. we left our camp at Bells Tavern. After a short while it started to snow but we kept on marching and by 1 p.m. we reached Dripping Springs, 9 miles South of Bells Station, our new camp. We have a good supply of dry straw in our tents and since we are tired, it looks like we will sleep well.

February 9, 1862
I got up very late today; the straw is soft and warm outside it is cold so I slept very comfortably in the tent. Our breakfast was meager, but it tasted good. Our camp is close to Bowling Green in a nice hilly area. The ground is hard and dry and there are plenty of tall trees everywhere; water is close by. The weather is cold; with some sunshine it warms up during the day, but the nights quite cold.

February 10, 1862
Today we were busy making our tents as comfortable as possible. We got even more straw and around the tents we dug ditches to drain the rain water. We are also hunting for wood to build a fireplace in our tent, when all this is finished, we live life of idleness and luxury until we have to move on. An inspection of arms and ammunition is called for tomorrow at 9 a.m. The weather is cold and cloudy and it looks like either rain or snow.

February 11, 1862
To finish our fireplace we made bricks around the bottom. I went with several comrades to an old, ruined, abandoned farmhouse and loaded all the bricks we needed, even more than that, on the wagon. By late afternoon we had the pleasure of sitting around a fireplace.

But all good things come to an end and so did our joy with the fireplace. About 8 p.m. an order come to give us provision for 24 hours and be prepared to march by daybreak. We worked so hard for 2 days to have a little comfort in our tent, now it's all over!

February 12, 1862
We got up at 4 a.m. and at 9 a.m. we were already marching towards Bowling Green. We had to stop often during the march; a Brigade with a big train was ahead of us. The weather was springlike, nice and sunny, and our flag waved in the wind and the band played as often as we passed a few houses. The ladies always wave their handkerchiefs and had tears in their eyes… not without reason; our retreat is forcing all outstanding secessionist to fight.

Breckenridge’s Brigade is ahead of us, mostly Kentucky soldiers are in it and as we passed several houses, we saw soldiers saying good bye to their loved ones.

Several miles outside of Bowling Green the deserted camp presented a devastating picture. Half ruined houses and fences, broken trees, demolished wagons and more debris from a big but abandoned camp. All fortifications were abandoned and dismantled; as we entered the city with the band playing, we could see most of the army had left. Our camp is one half mile outside the city. The first thing we did was to cook coffee; we had a march of 15 miles behind us and were very tired. About 9 p.m. we were awakened. A manufactory in the suburb and several houses in the city were on fire.

Later the drummer played the Long Roll and the whole regiment marched to the city. Half way came an order; only 8 soldiers out of each company should, provided with an axe, march to the city. I was accidentally one of the eight. We marched with our Major; as soon as we arrived in the city, he gave orders to march back.

February 13, 1862
Today I am on guard duty. The weather was nice during the day, but in the evening it stormed and rained very hard. I had to stand guard in that kind of weather, I got soaking wet. The sergeant on guard duty gave me permission to sleep in the tent during the night. Between 11 - 12 p.m. our tent broke down! It snowed and the weight of the snow broke the tent. We got up and within 30 minutes we had everything cleaned up and in good order again. It was very cold.

February 14, 1862
Today everything was white with snow, which was about 4 inches deep. We were supposed to ride on the train to Nashville as soon as enough cars were available. Around 10 a.m. we heard gun shots and at the same time we were alarmed by a drum roll and stayed in marching formation with our arms. The cannonade kept on; the enemy started bombing the city. We got orders to load the tents and baggage on the wagons. It took about 45 minutes, and then we stood in formation again. It was the 2nd, 6th and the 23rd regiments of the Arkansas Volunteers and the 23rd Tennessee Volunteers. Then came the order to load the rifles and we started marching. We had to leave many things behind, like tents, etc. for which there was no room on the wagon. Whatever was left behind was then burnt later. Behind a hill stayed the cavalry regiment Worth Adams and the Texas Rangers. They have orders to stay over night in case of an enemy attack. We marched in orderly formation, the flag waving in the wind. The roads were very muddy; it was cold, and by night fall we stopped. We did not unload the wagons - the horses were not unhitched. We took fence posts, built a fire and many including myself slept in their wool blankets on the snow covered ground.

February 15, 1862
We got up before dawn and started marching. After 20 miles our Brigade camped in Milladgeville, Tennessee. Here we found wooden barracks in which the soldiers took up quarters. The name is Camp Tronsdale. I went with 2 comrades about 3 miles further to look for a place to eat supper. We were denied food at several houses, finally we asked at a log cabin. The farmer gave us plenty to eat and after we talked with some Texas Rangers, who also stayed there. We spent the night there on an improvised bed, but slept well. We got up before daybreak, said good-bye to our host and left.

February 16, 1862
We walked to the main road where we had planned to wait for the arrival of our regiment. We waited for one hour, when I got impatient and asked 2 Texas Rangers, who came this way, where our regiment was stationed. They told us that the Infantry marched to the train station, to ride the train to Nashville. I called my 2 comrades and told them what I had just heard, so we asked the way to the train station and hurried to get there. The distance was five miles, and when we got there, we heard that 3 trains would pass by on the way to Nashville. The first train went by without stopping, but the second one stopped. We got on it and found to our surprise our regiment on it. Col. Peay looked rather sick. I asked him what was the matter. He told me that the horses on the wagon had been shying and since he was standing there he had tried to get a hold of the bridle, but had fallen and both wheels had run over his legs, which are fortunately not broken, but badly bruised. Between 3 - 4 p.m. we arrived at Nashville and were told that Fort Donelson had been captured by the enemy and they are on the march towards Nashville. The city shall be taken without resistance. We stayed on the train. One or two hours later we left Nashville and arrived in Murfreesboro, Tennessee around 10 p.m. We got out of the railroad cars, unloaded our baggage and marched to a hotel. Every company got one room assigned; we had to sleep on the floor. It was midnight when I lay down on my wool blankets. I had not eaten anything since breakfast.

February 17, 1862
This morning I went to investigate the city. I went to a barber shop to bathe, get my hair cut, all those pleasant "operations". I was hungry and tried to buy a breakfast, but all the stores, bakeries, restaurants were closed. I waited on the corner of our quarters and asked a German who passed by if he could help me find a beer hall. He replied that everything was closed, but if I wanted something to eat, I could come with him. I went with him. His name was Rosenfeld; he owned a store in the city. Finally we arrived at his house; I was introduced to his wife and Miss Schaefer. It was 10:30 a.m. too late for breakfast - so I got some cake. Dinner was served at 1:00 p.m.; it was delicious, and I ate heartily. Our regiment left the hotel in the meantime and camped on a hill outside the city. I said good bye to those nice people and promised to accept the repeated dinner invitations as soon as I could manage. I hurried to the camp where my comrades had already put up some new tents. I bought one dozen eggs for 8 cents and fresh butter for 25 cents. Potatoes and bacon were provided by the commissary; with all that, we prepared a fine dinner. A train from Nashville arrived this evening with 111 federal prisoners of war and 4 of our wounded men. A Major Krap shot 2 obstinate soldiers from the 2nd Arkansas Volunteers. After that, martial law was proclaimed over the city and no soldier or officer could leave without a written permission.

February 18, 1862
After breakfast 19 soldiers and I got orders to work at the train station. We had to unload several railroad cars of government goods. We finished late in the afternoon, went back to camp and ate a hearty dinner. Our baggage arrived today. They drove night and day for fear of being captured by the Yankees. We hear constantly the wildest rumors, for instance; Washington was captured by the confederate army, Beauregard captured Cairo and Padua is attacking the Yankees who took Fort Donelson in the back. From Fort Donelson the news is very contradictory, Gen. Bunker is supposed to be killed, other times, captured with all his troops. Some say Floyd Pittman is in Nashville with the rest of his brigade.

February 19, 1862
It rained very hard all night, so it is muddy. Otherwise nothing happened worth mentioning.

February 20, 1862
It was very cold today, so we got new dry straw for our tents. We should be able to sleep very comfortably.

February 21, 1862
This afternoon we received marching orders. The destination is unknown to us, maybe Chattanooga?

February 22, 1862
It rained early in the morning and in the afternoon a tornado developed. There are many tall trees around our camp. Almost all soldiers left their tents, and would rather get soaking wet than to be killed by a fallen tree. I was ordered to be on guard duty during the worst part of the storm and also got soaking wet. We were supposed to march to town and report to the Court Martial. Between the city and our camp is a creek, which reached flood stage with a rapid flow. The railroad tracks which were running along the side of the creek got flooded, even washed out on one part, which caused 2 railroad cars to turn over. The creek is bridged over, but all the streets were flooded and after a tiresome climbing over railroad tracks and cars, we arrived at the city. The officer of the Court Marshal is located at the Courthouse. We stood in front of it in march formation and then the officer in charge was told our help was not needed. We marched back to the camp; crossing the creek was even more difficult than before. On the way back we heard that one bridge, about 1 mile outside the city, broke down while a train was crossing it. Two or four persons got injured, Lt. Col. James P. Johnson from Little Rock was killed. He was at our camp yesterday and told us that he sent a telegram to his wife telling her that he was not feeling well and he had already received and answer who can imagine the sorrow of that lady when she gets the bad news. As soon as I arrived at the camp, I changed clothes and felt fine.

February 23, 1862
Today we got orders to prepare for a march tomorrow evening and to cook provisions, but we never got the order to march. It could be that we won't even march tomorrow.

February 24, 1862
This morning about 3:30 a.m. a strong wind awakened us. I myself and two comrades got scared that some of the trees could be uprooted. We got up and stood with other soldiers around the fire, constantly searching in all directions to get falling trees or limbs out of the way. Shortly after 4 a.m. the wind calmed down and we went back to bed to sleep 1 or 2 more hours. In the afternoon I took a walk to see the Texas Rangers and after my return in the evening we got the expected order to march. We have to be ready to leave by 8 a.m. tomorrow evening.

February 25, 1862
Today the drum awakened us before daybreak, about 4 a.m. and after breakfast we prepared for the march. By 9 a.m. we left Murfreesboro whose citizens welcomed us with great hospitality. Three miles outside the city, we had to cross the Stone River; the bridge was washed away with the last flood. We improvised a bridge out of wagon frames. We tied them together, covered them with boards, so the infantry could cross the river. The Cavalry and the baggage wagons waded through the river. After the crossing we rested for about 30 minutes and then after a short distance we put our tents up in a fenced wooded area. Some of our comrades went out and bought butter and eggs. Our dinner tonight was: beans, pork, bread and coffee. We all ate enough. Today we marched 7 miles. The weather was nice and warm; the roads is macadamized; but we are tired and I am sure I will sleep well. I gave Capt. Thos. Newton a big letter for Konrad.

February 26, 1862
Nothing worth mentioning.

February 27, 1862
I went out to buy food and was able to get butter and 2 chickens. After I returned, I received a telegram from Konrad; I am healthy, not fit for military. Pratt's mother well.

Evenings the march order came; to be ready at dawn. I went to bed early to be rested for tomorrow.

February 28, 1862
The drum awakened us at dawn and by sunrise we were ready to march. We stood in close formation, when a strict military law was declared; Every officer, corporal or private was to be shot to death if he left the formation without permission or if he committed any other excesses. The road was in good condition, but dusty; we stopped for a while at a nearby creek. The area we are marching through is mountainous, the trees are mostly cedar trees, whose fragrance is very refreshing.

March 1, 1862
We had to get up long before dawn to prepare for today's march. As soon as it got daylight, we started our march. After about 4 miles we marched through a small village; Shelbyville. We marched in good formation with the band playing the old and young waving their handkerchiefs. Just as we left the city, a wagon with a dead soldier on it passed us. He accidentally shot himself.

The area outside Shelbyville is hilly, beautiful, romantic and wild. It was late afternoon when we arrived at our camp. The distance we marched today was 19 miles and mostly on gravel roads; my feet are very sore. I washed my feet at a nearby creek and lay on my blanket to rest without supper.

March 2, 1862
Today we had an unexpected day of rest and we did just that, cook, eat and drink. In the afternoon clouds appeared in the sky and soon it started raining and storming. Today is Saturday and many families came to the camp.

March 3, 1862
It rained all night and today it is damp and cold, real March weather. Our march order came this afternoon; tomorrow at dawn we march again.

March 4, 1862
Today we started marching early. The weather was nice, cold enough to be comfortable during the march. After 10 miles we arrived at Fayettville. Outside the city our regiment stopped and with bayonets ready, we marched in parade formation with the band playing in front, through the city. Men and women stood in front of their houses and greeted us friendly and enthusiastically. Many had tears in their eyes and one old timer shouted with tears in his eyes, "Go after it boys, stand up to it, liberty or death"! Our camp was located outside the city, on the backside of the Elk River. General Jackson was supposed to have camped here with his troops on the way to New Orleans. In a short time we had our tents up, cooked and enjoyed our supper.

March 5, 1862
We got up very early and started marching. The weather was cold, the road very bad and hilly. I was guard for the train and many times I had to give a helping hand to the mules to get the wagons through. The people greeted us in a very friendly way and brought food and wood to the camp, which is a great comfort to tired soldiers. On the way, we met General Pittman, an old, but vigorous man, with a gray beard. Today we marched 12 miles and tomorrow still more.

March 6, 1862
This morning it was bitter cold, very dark and cloudy, and after we marched a short distance it started to snow. The road was one of the worst; many wagons sank deep in the mud. The horses sank in almost up to their bellies and many men had to give a helping hand to get everything out of the mud. After 12 miles we arrived at our camp and tried to be as comfortable as possible. The area through which we were marching is bare. We saw only two or three farmhouses.

March 7, 1862
At dawn we started marching; the weather was cold, but the sun was shinning and the sky was blue. The roads were better and there were more houses and people. We reached our camp in the afternoon, 2 miles North of Athens, Alabama. We covered a distance of 12 miles today, tomorrow we are supposed to be transported by train, destination only God knows!

March 8, 1862
Today we left camp at dawn, marched through the small, neat village of Athens. The citizens greeted us very friendly, waved their handkerchiefs and threw us bouquets. We marched 13 miles further and reached the Memphis-Charleston Railroad. We stopped here and in a few minutes our tents were up and we hoped to rest for a few days. The passing trains provided some entertainment.

March 9, 1862
This morning at 10 a.m. came an order to pack and by noon we were to march to Decatur. Decatur is on the South bank of the Tennessee River and is connected on the North bank with a very long railroad bridge. All other wagons have to cross the river on a Ferry. The road which leads from our camp to the ferry was impassable. We were supposed to march on the railroad track over the railroad bridge into the city. For that reason they covered the railroad track with boards and even our baggage wagons should cross the bridge that way. That was the order from General Pitton, Commander for the railroad Transportation. Shortly before our departure, the Generals Albert Sidney, Johnson, Pitton and Preston arrived at our camp. Our Brigade General Hindman joined them and they discussed the possibility of letting the heavy wagons cross the improvised road. General Johnson thought it was impractical. General Hindman was completely opposed to separating the baggage train and the regiment. It is useless; General Pitton stayed with the decision. The infantry should cross first, then the artillery and then the baggage wagons over the board-covered road. For us pedestrians, it was easy to walk the 2 miles to the city. We marched as usual with the flag and the band playing through the city to our camp, which is located ½ mile outside the city. By evening it started to rain and our tents, which remained with the baggage wagons did not arrive until the next day. I and a comrade crawled under a wagon and we squatted there like two pigs. We remained in that position a few hours until it started freezing and since we were already wet we left the wagon and took refuse by a big bivouac fire, where we met 10-12 more soldiers from our regiment. Some found shelter in the city with friends, some with other regiments. I and the few who stayed by the fire went early in the morning of ...

March 10, 1862
...into the city to eat breakfast. It was difficult and it was 10 a.m. when we found the desired restaurant. Our baggage wagons arrived at the camp around noon. The artillery broke the boards, which covered the railroad track, so it was very difficult to drive over that modern road, which was totally destroyed. The baggage wagons finally had to be loaded into railroad cars and a locomotive pushed the wagon into the city. We spent the whole night in the rain, without tents and without provision for 24 hours. Since all this remained in the wagons.

This afternoon we put up the tents, and after we cooked I went to sleep.

March 11, 1862
At dawn we marched on again; we took the road to Tuscumbia, which runs parallel to the Charleston-Memphis Road. The road was very bad, it had rained a lot. Some of the engineers cut trees to build bridges over the creeks. So we could cross them without even getting out feet wet. The weather was very warm and marching very tiring. About 2 p.m. we reached our camp, which is located 12 miles from Decatur.

March 12, 1862
We started marching at dawn, I had orders to report to the commander of the engineers, provided with an axe. We marched far ahead and built crossings over the creeks. Our regiment arrived in the afternoon at a small city of Courtlawn. We paraded with our band playing through the city and received much attention since brass music is very unusual here. We found a nice camping place outside the city and put up our tents. It was near a creek called Nancy Creek and had only light underbrush. The ground was covered with 1 foot of dry leaves, so that we had a soft bed.

March 13, 1862
We spent a day here awaiting more orders.

March 14, 1862
It rained today and we had heavy thunderstorms. It's probably going to rain all night also. It is so very humid, which makes one feel miserable. We got orders to be prepared to march as soon as it gets dark.

March 15, 1862
Last night, after we had gone to bed, a storm developed, with so much thunder and lightning that we got scared in our tents. It rained so hard that in no time our tents were flooded. We got up and during this tremendous down-pour came an order to cook provisions for 3 days and prepare to march by dawn. With all that rain it was impossible to start a fire and so we were not able to obey the order until finally around 2 a.m. it quit raining for a short time. We were busy for 2 hours cooking and just then, it started to rain again. We all got more or less wet. Finally, it got daylight, and around 8 a.m. we loaded up our tents and were ready to march. We were supposed to be transported by railroad; Federal Troops supposedly landed somewhere in Tennessee and General Beauregard asked in a telegram to General Johnson for all available troops. It was 3 p.m. before we had finished loading our tents and baggage into stockcars; soon the locomotive whistled and we went from Courtlawn going west - destination unknown. We passed through Tuscumbia, Alabama about 10 p.m. and in the morning on....

March 16, 1862
...we were still in those enclosed stockcars. We could not even get a glimpse of the scenery. We arrived in Corinth, Mississippi around 2 p.m. and got out of the stockcars. Our regiment had to wait for the arrival of wagons to load our tents and baggage to bring it to our camp. During this time I went to a telegraph office and sent a telegram to Konrad. I also watched a parade of a brigade of Louisiana Volunteers and noticed that the soldiers were well dressed and armed and in good physical condition.

It seems that many troops are here, the locomotives whistles constantly and bring more troops and war supplies. The Mobile-Ohio Railroad is here crossing the Charleston-Memphis Railroad and this makes this place here so important. We were told that a Federal army of 30,000-50,000 men is ready to attack this place and a battle can be expected at any time. It was very late afternoon when our baggage wagons arrived; we loaded them up and every company marched behind it's baggage train to our designated camp. It was about 1 mile outside the city on a nice hilly area with plenty of water and wood. Soon our tents were up and after a very meager meal of bacon, bread and coffee we went to bed.

March 17, 1862
I got up later than usual. The weather was nice and warm and we were able to dry our wet clothes and blankets.

March 19, 1862
Today a good old comrade left us, James Tucker. He had been promoted as an aid to the newly promoted General Albert Rust. He is leaving for Little Rock and I gave him a letter to Konrad, because I was very worried about his health. This morning we had arms inspection again, otherwise no news.

March 20, 1862
I received a telegram from Konrad: "I am in feable health, circumstances do not permit me to travel." This is bad news for me; I am very depressed. If I could fly to him....but I myself cut the ties when I joined the army. We had drill this morning and several new ordinances were announced. We all had to gather in the afternoon and Colonel and Major both talked to us about staying in the army until the war was ended. One subject they talked about at length was how the Yankees raped our women and sisters. I wrote a letter to Konrad, if he only was well, I could be quite happy and satisfied. The weather has changed. It is cold and cloudy.

March 21, 1862
Today it was cold again. We had drill during the morning, the physical exercise felt good in the cold weather. Soon it started to hail and we went back to our tents. Otherwise it was a quiet day.

Gen. Braggs who is commander here, gave orders that we drill 3 times a day in using arms, just as we would if we were attacked by the enemy. We have 3 sick soldiers in our tent right now. It looks like a hospital. I was waiting so hard for a letter from Konrad, to hear about his health. I hope it is not as bad as I imagine. It is sprinkling now, I am sure it will start raining soon.

March 22, 1862
This morning our baggage wagons arrived at the camp and in the afternoon we got orders much contrary to our expectations, to be ready to march within 1/2 hour. We marched to a new camp on the south side, near the Memphis-Charleston Railroad and about 3 miles East of Corinth. The road was very bad, swampy; it was almost dark when we arrived there.

March 23, 1862
I was ordered to join a work team; we were supposed to get feed with our wagon and to repair the road. The weather was unusually cold all day, cloudy and dark. I did not come back until evening and ate only bread and coffee - there was nothing else to eat. While I was working in the city, I saw a reporter from the Little Rock Gazette in a railroad car. He told me he could not leave the train - he had to be in Richmond, Virginia as soon as possible - but he was able to tell me about Konrad's health.

March 24, 1862
Today nothing happened worth mentioning - a typical day that is spent just eating, drinking and sleeping.

March 25, 1862
I wrote a letter to Konrad. The weather was warm. This morning the whole brigade had to line up to witness the punishment of a soldier who was a convicted thief. His punishment was; his hair was cut as short as possible and then he was marched very slowly in front of the whole brigade while the band played the Yankee Doodle march; behind him was a guard with bayonet ready. After that march in front of the brigade, he was turned loose and could do and go wherever he would choose. They call this "drumming out of service" and it is a big dishonor for a man.

March 26, 1862
The weather was very uncomfortable, humid and warm; we were laying lazily in our tents, when at 2 p.m. the order came to cook provisions for three days and be ready to start marching by 3 p.m., carrying only knapsacks with food, a wool blanket and 60 cartridges more than we can carry in our cartridge belt. Everything else was left behind in our camp. It was 1 p.m. before the whole regiment was in close march formation, we stood there and waited until it got dark and then Hindman's brigade started to march. Our regiment was behind the artillery. It was pitch dark, we were so sleepy that we almost fell asleep while we were marching. Nobody knew where we were going. We would meet the enemy was almost sure; many doctors and ambulances accompanied us. After 7 miles, we reached a place where the 4th Kentucky regiment was stationed as advanced guard. Our Brigade stopped here for the rest of the night.

March 27, 1862
Today around 10 a.m. we started to march again. The weather was hot and the road very dusty, except where it led through the swampy areas. The whole march was extremely tiring. We marched 12-15 miles and in the afternoon around 4 p.m. we stopped at a creek. During the march, we had to stop in front of the Colonel; he gave orders to load the rifles and cautioned the officers that we could very unexpectedly be in battle. We marched further and after a short while a company of cavalry was galloping by, when one rifle accidentally discharged. It missed and nobody got hurt. In the afternoon about 4 p.m. we bivouacked near a creek in an area with fur trees covering the hills around us. We stayed there til 9 a.m. the following day...

March 28, 1862
...when we unexpectedly got orders to march to Corinth. The Cavalry had been scouting and there were no Northern Troops in the area. We marched a different road back the distance was only 9 miles. The weather was extremely warm and the march very tiring. After we reached camp, we ate bacon, bread and coffee and then rested our tired feet.

March 29, 1862
This morning we got orders for Brigade drill. Darkness and carelessness were the reason for a tragic accident. One soldier cleaned and emptied his rifle yesterday. He took by mistake the rifle of a comrade, thinking it was his. He played around with it; it discharged and killed one comrade. His name was Wright.

When we arrived at the drill ground, we emptied all our rifles. General Hardee came to the drill ground to watch our performance. After one hour we marched back to camp. Nothing else happened, except that it is very uncomfortably hot.

March 30, 1862
Today my order was to join another fatigue team. Nothing else worth mentioning.

March 31, 1862
It was very hot again and I noticed that every day soldiers are buried, sure evidence that the area is unhealthy.

April 1, 1862
Very early my comrades made an April Fool out of me. In the afternoon I received a letter from Konrad; he is well; his health is improving, very welcome news for me.

April 2, 1862
Nothing happened, we hear all kinds of rumors about a forthcoming battle and all tale-tellers are very busy.

April 3, 1862
We received orders this morning to cook provisions for 3 days and carry it in our knapsacks and be march-ready within 12 hours. We found out that all troops stationed here got the same orders. We had to be in march formation by afternoon. Our Colonel gave us a short patriotic talk, saying that we are going to meet the enemy. On the evening before we left the camp, right after evening parade, an issuance of orders was read to us in which we were advised: not to shoot too early and not too high, rather aim at the feet of the enemy. The reason is that wounded soldiers need more care than dead ones. All this led to the conclusion that this was the evening before a big battle. It was about 3 p.m. when we left our camp; the weather was hot and marching was difficult. At 8 p.m. we stopped and I felt more tired than ever before. We built a fire and since there was plenty of dry leaves on the ground, we slept well on our wool blankets.

April 4, 1862
Early this morning we marched again, we did not know where to, only that we would meet the enemy. The private is not informed. After a distance of 12 miles we stopped; it was afternoon. We passed several large army corps, and it was clear that a big army was on the move.

We had just rested for one hour when we were surprised by a rain and hail storm and got completely wet. The rain did not last long; soon the sun was shinning and a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. A company of Cavalry with 8 Yankee prisoners passed us on the way to our camp. Suddenly we heard rifle shots which seemed to come closer and closer. Officers and Aides where everywhere, our regiment loaded the rifles to be battle ready.

We stayed under cover in the forest, then we heard a round of shots from Batteries and we all thought, "Now the battle starts, we are being attacked by the enemy". As soon as we were in battle line, we found out that the...................

(NO OTHER ENTRIES)

*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION from another source:
The fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, on the 6th and 16th February, 1862, required our instant evacuation of Cave City and Bowling Green, to Nashville, lest we should be cut off by the Union advance up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers behind us. We were therefore obliged to march through the snow to the rear of Bowling Green, where we were packed into the cars and speedily taken to Nashville, arriving there on the 20th February. Thence, after a couple of days, we were marched towards the South, via Murfreesboro, Tullahoma, Athens, and Decatur, a march of two hundred and fifty miles. At the latter place we took the cars again, and were transported to Corinth, where we arrived on the 25th March. Here it leaked out that a surprise was intended against our army, by the conqueror of Donelson, who had landed from the Tennessee River near Shiloh Church, some twenty-four miles away from us. Brigades and regiments were daily arriving, belonging to the divisions of Generals Clark, Cheatham, Bragg, Withers, and Breckenridge, which were finally formed into three army corps, under the inspection commands of Polk, Braxton Bragg, and Hardee, and were now united under the commands of Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard.

The manuscript of Private Hotze's diary is held by the Butler Center, Central Arkansas Library System, 100 Rock Street, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas Civil War Materials
(1861-2002)
MANUSCRIPT NUMBER: MSS 00-25
SERIES II: Diaries and Memoirs
BOX 1
File 6: Diary: Peter Hotze, 6th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, CSA
June 18, 1861 to April 4, 1862
Translated and Transcribed
Donated by Charles J. Lincoln