About the middle of October we were ordered to prepare for marching, as we were to go out to meet Jeff. Thompson's forces, said to be at Fredericksburg. When we started the rain was falling sufficient to make it pleasant marching, during the whole of the trip. A brigade of infantry was encamped near the town, which informed us that Jeff. Thompson had left; so our brigade started in pursuit, consisting of the 17th Illinois, 5th Indiana cavalry, and one battalion. We met the rebels and repulsed them after a fight which lasted about twenty-four hours, which resulted in a loss to the rebels of about 600 in killed, wounded and prisoners. We came very near being surprised and our force taken. We were marching as if it were to our destruction, when an old negro warned us of our danger. He informed Plummer where the rebels were posted. They had planted two batteries so that when we got close enough they could rake our ranks. Plummer ordered up a battery and opened on them where we supposed the rebels were. Blank cartridges were fired from our side, and they replied with shot and shell, doing no damage, as they shot over us. The 17th Illinois and part of the 11th Missouri were ordered forward, and they advanced and poured in a heavy volley of Musketry, and the enemy could not stand it and fled, and left us masters of the field. The 1st Indiana cavalry made a charge, and Major Gavitt was killed with 250 men either killed or wounded. Infantry loss was slight. The 17th and 20th Illinois charged and took a battery. Col. Lowe was killed on the rebel side, and Thompson's army all dispersed. We followed them 12 miles, and they burned a bridge, so we could not follow them any farther. That was the death-blow to Jeff. Thompson's forces. There were about 3,000 rebels engaged. On our side about 1,700. The battle lasted six hours, and the rebels were completely routed.
The battle was fought on the 21st day of October, 1861. Nothing worth mentioning occurred to us until the 25th day of February, 1862, when we were ordered to prepare for leaving Cape Girardeau, where we had been encamped for over six months; where we had spent many days on fatigue duty in throwing up breastworks, and when we left there were four forts, strongly fortified, mounted with siege guns, and no force the rebels could send against it could take it, and I think we left it secure from invasion.
On the 26th the regiment got on board the steamer Empress, we landed at Commerce, and after staying there a short time we took up our line of march in pursuit of the enemy, said to be retreating from before us. Our advance had a short skirmish with part of Jeff's forces. Our cavalry routed them, and took four small cannon, with a few prisoners. The skirmish was a short distance from Sikestown. Jeff. escaped, but lost his horse and a white feather out of his hat. The next morning we resumed our march. Rain fell that day, and made it hard marching for us, and at length we found ourselves opposite New Madrid. We formed our line of battle and advanced within two miles of the rebel's stronghold, and they commenced shelling us with their heavy guns, but there was little damage done our side, and after remaining under fire for some time, we moved back and bivouacked for the night, as we did not think it advisable to storm the works then, as the rebels were protected by gunboats, and we could not hold them if we should gain possession of them. The weather was quite cold and some snow fell.
After staying here a short time we were ordered to move, and we were soon in motion again. We marched nearly all night, and at last came to a halt, and were ordered to lay down without any fire and make ourselves as comfortable as possible, and there we remained until morning. Such a night as we passed there will long be remembered by me. Some of us had no blankets, and we left our knapsacks at Sikestown. There was some snow on the ground; we waded through water over our shoes, and had to sleep with wet feet; but very little sleep we had that long night. We were four miles from a place called Point Pleasant, and at daylight were on the march for this place. We double-quicked about two miles. There were a few boats tied up at the landing, which our sharpshooters soon drove from there, and they all escaped. Some of the crews were killed.
After Plummer's men drove the rebels from the town, they took possession, and then commenced the work of plunder. Stores were broken into and everything of value was taken. One warehouse was filled with corn, sugar and molasses. Whisky and medicines in abundance, as there were several drug stores, and the boys helped themselves to what they wanted. Our camp was about a mile from the town, and most everything of value was carried off. It was in a low swampy piece of ground, we had no tents, and had to lay on the ground in water, at times the rain pouring in torrents upon us. A detail was made to go and dig rifle pits. The enemy had a gunboat, and they tried to drive Captain Weber and his working party away, but were unable to make the workers desist, and they soon had sufficient protection from the shot and shell that was continually falling around them. Batteries were planted, and they got a siege gun in operation, the enemy's gunboats found it not good policy to venture within reach of our guns; but they planted batteries on the opposite side of the river, and then could not make us leave. We had come to stay for a while, and we were determined on it. New Madrid was soon stormed and taken, and gunboat ran the blockade, and came down the river puffing and blowing, dismounting all the enemies batteries and scattering them in every direction, as if they were nothing but chaff.
After dismounting all the rebel batteries, we were ordered to get ready to move, and soon were in motion again. Mud was over our shoe tops, and it was very hard marching. After a while we arrived at New Madrid. I must mention an occurrence that transpired while at Point Pleasant. One night there was a heavy thunder shower, accompanied with wind and rain, and a good many trees were blown down, and several of the 7th Illinois cavalry men killed and wounded.
One evening a detail of men was made to go and haul a siege gun and plant it below camp about four miles at a place called Tiptonville. The work was performed by morning, the boys having hauled it through mud and mire by hand, and in the morning was ready to go into operation, and that one gun whipped five boats, and made them get out of reach of its shot, and no boats could pass there then, so they had to remain above. When we arrived at New Madrid boats were busy transporting troops across the river, the object being to attack Island No. 10; but while this was being done they evacuated, and about 4,000 prisoners were taken near Tiptonville. As they were trying to escape a floating battery came down the river and created quite an excitement amongst the men until they discovered what it was. Some men boarded with a skiff and found that there was no danger.
Several steamboats floated down passed our camp, and the rebels tried to sink them by cutting holes in them, but still they floated down to us, and our men soon put them in working order. The floating battery sunk near Tiptonville. We took possession of Island No. 10, and got all the heavy siege guns and an immense quantity of provisions, plenty of small arms and ammunition. After remaining at New Madrid for a few days, we took steamboats, steering our course down the river. Gen. Pope was in command at this time. Plummer was our Colonel. We passed several small towns on the way, and arrived at a place called Mosquito Landing, in Arkansas. It was well worth the name, for a worse place for mosquitos I never saw. There was no peace for us—a continual singing in our ears by these torments.
We were within about three miles of Fort Wright, and our mortars and gunboats commenced throwing shot and shell into the rebel works. We could plainly see the smoke and hear the report of our guns as they exploded. After remaining here for a short time we were ordered back up river to opposite Hamburg Landing, where we disembarked, and took up our line of march towards Corinth, where the rebels were making a stand to dispute our progress into the State of Mississippi. Our advance had a fight almost every day, but they drove the rebels before them at every skirmish. They could make but a poor resistance to our advance, and we gained very rapidly on the rebels, and drove them back step by step, until they arrived within about four miles of Corinth. Here a long line of rifle pits were dug, and heavy siege pieces were got into position. We encamped within about six miles of Corinth, and had our grand guard line established to within about three miles of Corinth. Pickets were shooting at one another most of the time, until the 8th of May, 1862, when a brigade of Infantry and some cavalry were ordered out to reconnoitre, when the rebels were drove inside their works. After the day had drawn to a close, and the dew was falling heavily, we retraced our steps, and rested for the night a short distance from Farmington.
Early the next morning our ears were saluted with the heavy boom of cannon. The rebels had planted several batteries during the night, and the 22d and 50th Illinois had barely time to throw off their knapsacks, for the rebels were pouring the shot and shell into them, and they had to take the cover of a heavy piece of timber. The rebels tried to dislodge them, but were unable to do so. The brigade was ordered to take a position on the left, and it was done as soon as possible. We could see the rebels as they charged in heavy masses on our men. They advanced with a yell and a rush, but were obliged to fall back from the heavy fire of our men, who were pouring heavy volleys of musketry into their columns. As their regiments were thrown into confusion the 2d Iowa cavalry made a charge, and drove the rebels back, but there were too many of them and they had to fall back with heavy loss. Their was but little artillery used on our side, as the object was not to bring on a general engagement. It was on this day that the Lieut. Colonel of the 47th Illinois was killed. He was very well liked by the regiment, and they suffered a great loss in his death.