In July, an expedition which was under command of Col. J. J. Morgan of the 10th Ill., and which consisted of twelve companies, and one section of artillery, was sent to Indian Creek, Mo., to break up an organization of Rebels encamped at that place. The expedition was made up of detachments from each of the regiments in camp at Cairo at that time. The 9th Ill. was represented by Companies C and H.

The Rebels prowled about in Missouri and Kentucky, and there were frequent rumors of attacks to be made upon Cairo. But the three months rolled past without any attack.

There are some incidents that occurred during this period, worthy of notice here. One of them occurred with our present highly esteemed Surgeon, Dr. Guilick. He was then a private in the Regiment. One day he was stationed to guard a powder magazine. It was an important post. The Dr. had served in the army in Germany. He knew a picket should never leave his post until relieved from duty. The rule for picket, is two hours on duty and four off, during the twenty-four. The first two hours passed away, no relief came. Two hours more passed. He supposed that surely at that change he would be relieved. Still no relief came. Another two hours passed. Still no relief. Relief-hour after relief-hour passed. But no relief for the Dr. He began to feel the need of his dinner, but no relief came, and he stuck to his powder. That article was an important item in warfare, and he was determined to guard it. Night was drawing near; still no relief. Its quiet hours passed by, and still no relief came. The morning dawned, and there it beheld the Dr. tramping faithfully his beat, wondering, I suppose, if there was no relief. The twenty-four hours rolled round, and the Dr. was there still, having had nothing to eat and nothing to drink. Another thing which caused the time to pass heavily with him, like almost all Germans, in fact almost all soldiers, he was very fond of his pipe. But there was the powder he was guarding, and it was not safe to have fire near it. At the end of the twenty-four hours he was relieved. Our worthy Dr. has been with the Regiment ever since. He is still faithful to his post. He still carries out his tenacity in sticking to his post until relieved. There is only one thing, so far as I know, that will cause the Dr. to abandon his proper post. When the Regiment is engaged in battle, unless there is immediate need for him in the rear to care for the wounded, he will leave his post, as a non-combatant, and seeking some position in the advance, he is seen deliberately firing away at the enemy with his revolver. If there is a man wounded he hastens to the rear to attend to him. That done, and he is off again to his firing-post.

Another incident. I think it occurred during the three months' service. At any rate it was during some scout. The camp was in an old cornfield, on a hill-side. The only place the boys could well lay was in the hollows between the corn rows. Col. Phillips (then Major) made his bed between two corn rows. He laid one gum blanket underneath him, and another over him. As it was beginning to rain, he covered his face with his gum blanket, gathering it carefully under his head. During the night it rained heavily; but the Major slept on. When he awoke in the morning and attempted to uncover his head, the first attempt to remove the blanket failed. By a more determined effort he succeeded. But oh, horrible! The water had run down the furrow, sweeping the mud before it. It had been piled up against his head, the blanket keeping him dry. But instantly on raising the blanket, rush came mud and water over his face and head! If he had only had sense enough to commence uncovering at the other end, he might have crept out snug and dry, although the water had been pouring down on both sides of him. The Col. has since manifested much skill in fighting a retreat with his regiment. But it seems he had not yet learned the art of retreating, for he seemed determined in spite of all opposition, to go it, head foremost. But he conquered, and had the consolation of knowing that his severest wounds were in the face; and although naturally very careful of his good-looking face, I doubt not he would rather be wounded there than in the back. Save a brave man always from being wounded in the back.

Still another incident. Rats had become very abundant in town and around the camps. In fact, rats, fleas and mosquitoes were the principal enemies with which our boys had then to contend. The side walks in town were made of plank. Under these was a beautiful place for the rats to run and play. Sergeant Williford (now Captain) was Sergeant of the guard in the town one night. That he might have something to do, by which he could while away the dull hours of the night, he armed himself with an old cavalry sabre and took his position at a point where there was a break in the side-walk, there to watch the movements of the enemy. They had to pass through this opening, and as one after another made his appearance, each met a death blow from the Sergeant's sabre. He has now no knowledge of the multitude of the slain, as he ceased to count the dead. I know not but that the grand strategy by which he here deceived the enemy and the multitudes slain on that night, were the beginning of his rise which has resulted in his present commanding position.

The Regiment was mustered out of the service on the 25th day of July, 1861. Because of the aspect of affairs in Missouri, but a small number of troops could be sent to Cairo, Ill., to take the place of the six regiments from Illinois, whose term of service was about to expire. Consequently an application was made by Gen. Prentiss to the Commander-in-chief, for permission to re-organize those six regiments in the field. This permission was granted; the re-organization of the several regiments was perfected, and the regiments recruited. The application made to the authorities for this permission was telegraphed, and granted in a dispatch from General Scott.

[CHAPTER II.]
FROM THE RE-ORGANIZATION TO TIME OF LEAVING PADUCAH.

Re-organization—Roster of officers—Drill at Cairo—Change to Paducah—Promotions and assignments to duty—Attack on Saratoga—Reconnoisance towards Columbus by 1st Brigade—Commissions—Reconnoisance towards Fort Henry—Regiment paid—Incidents.

As will be seen from the preceding chapter, the 9th Ill. Inft. was mustered out of the service on the 25th of July, 1861, and an order dispatched from Gen. Scott granting permission to re-organize it. It was consequently organized for the three years' service, at Cairo, Ill., and mustered into the service for three years, unless sooner discharged, on the 28th day of July, 1861. The Regiment reported for duty on the same day to Brig. General B. M. Prentiss, commanding the forces at Cairo, Ill.