My own Sickness—Resume of the movements of my regiment—Movement of Sherman toward Memphis—The camp seven miles from Corinth—March resumed—Camp on the "Heights of the Hatchie"—Advance to the Big Muddy—A hard march—Camp at Spring Creek—Next day's march—Reach and camp on Wolf River—Col. Williams again—LaGrange, Tenn.—Railroad communications—Movement upon Holly Springs—Incidents of the march—Occupation of that place—Return to LaGrange—Resignation of Lieut. Col. Scott—A foraging expedition—Feat of General Grant—Start for Memphis—Details of the march—Arrival in Memphis—Go into camp—Gen. Sherman as a military man—The negro—Our sojourn at Memphis—Marching orders—Letter of General Sherman.

Among the most interesting recollections of my soldier life, are those of the period I spent in military hospitals. Though much of the time my mind was so enfeebled by disease, as not to observe closely that which transpired around me; yet, long as I may live, I shall remember most vividly the sufferings I experienced while there, sometimes relieved by friends, by comrades, and by those appointed and detailed to take care of the sick and wounded; and sometimes in part, or entirely, neglected. It was there that I saw, more than anywhere else, human character divested of its artificial coloring, and exhibited in its brightest tints and gloomiest shades.

It was there that I contracted a debt of gratitude to some that I can never repay, and conceived a hatred for others that I can never forget. Memories born in the heart amid scenes like these can never be blotted out. But glad as I should be to linger over the names of those who were kind and gentle to me amid these scenes of sickness and gloom, I shall hasten to consider those affairs in which my comrades had a more direct and positive interest.

And here my comrades would have to regret the absence of a link in the chain of this "grave, interesting and authentic narrative," had not a comrade who kept a diary of the wanderings of the Third Iowa, while I was absent from it during this term of sickness, generously come to my aid. After describing the scenes attending the occupation of Corinth, this Cid Hamet of my history goes on to tell us, that, on the afternoon of the 2d of June, orders came to the Third Iowa to march immediately, and before night the 4th and 5th divisions, under command of Major General W. T. Sherman, moved out, taking all their baggage, and, passing through Corinth, camped about a mile to the west of that place on the south side of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. There was no water in this vicinity to relieve the troops from the effects of the suffocating heat and dust of the day; but this state of things was somewhat mitigated by a light shower of rain which fell in the forepart of the night.

The following morning reveille sounded at daylight, and an early march, the 5th division in advance, brought the troops to a small stream of water on the south side of the railroad, where they established a camp, and commenced repairing the road about four miles to the west, so as to enable them to proceed. For this purpose the Third Iowa furnished a small detail each day. On the 6th, the regiment changed camp to the north side of the railroad. This was about seven miles from Corinth.

On the 10th the troops again moved, and after a toilsome and dusty march of fifteen miles, both divisions camped on a commanding bluff that overlooks the Big Hatchie. As the 4th Division rested upon these hills, little did its soldiers dream that the valley below would one day be consecrated with the blood of many of its members, and that the "Heights of the Hatchie" would be forever linked in memory with its glorious achievements, and the prowess of its commander. It was the "Field of Matamora!" Two days they rested here, during which time a bridge was thrown across the Hatchie by the troops of the 5th Division, in place of the old one which had been burned by the enemy; and then they moved forward four miles, and camped on a stream known as the Big Muddy.

Resuming the march the following morning, June 13th, they defiled all day through a desolate waste of woods, and over dry ridges. The heat was intense. Save from occasional mudholes, there was no water to be found. The dust was shoe-top deep and rose in dense, suffocating clouds, which there was no wind to dispel. The dreariness of the country was relieved by but two farm houses during the whole day's march. Notwithstanding the unparalleled fatigue and suffering, the men kept in the ranks well, and there was little straggling. After a march of thirteen miles, they camped on Spring Creek, a tributary of the Hatchie. Here they found excellent water, and moved at four o'clock in the morning about two miles, and rested for the day in the vicinity of some clear and cold springs.

At five o'clock the next morning the march was resumed. The men had no water during the day except what they took in their canteens in the morning. The march was more fatiguing, if possible, than on any previous day. They passed through Grand Junction and found an excellent camping place on Wolf River, having made a distance of twelve miles.

The following day, the 2d Brigade of the 4th Division made a reconnoissance towards Ripley; they were gone two days. There was much straggling from their ranks, and a number were missing when they returned. For two or three days afterwards, they continued to come up and report to the pickets.

After the evacuation of Corinth, Colonel Williams resumed command of the regiment, and during this march had begun to renew his obnoxious practices. He arrested the quartermaster and reduced Hulbert, the commissary sergeant. Both, however, were vindicated. The former resigning, was appointed Colonel of the 34th Iowa, and the latter was soon after appointed sergeant in his own company in which capacity he served, no one better or more bravely, and was reappointed commissary sergeant under Lt. Col. Trumbull.

On the 22d of June, the 4th Division moved to a position near LaGrange, Tenn., the Third Iowa going into camp on a beautiful wooded hill overlooking Wolf River. This village, which, in prosperous times, contained about 2,000 inhabitants, is beautifully situated on an eminence which commands a view of ten or twelve miles of level country to the south of the river. It is supplied with excellent springs of water, is surrounded by wide and well cultivated fields, and its elegant residences, surrounded with costly evergreens, gave evidence of the cultivation of its inhabitants. It possessed far more attraction than any town they had yet seen in Tennessee. It was pleasant indeed, after so long a sojourn in the gloomy woods, to pitch tents amid scenes of civilization.

They had advanced slowly from Corinth, had built on the way two bridges ruined by the rebels, besides repairing the railroad so that the cars were now running regularly between LaGrange and that place. The removal of certain obstructions between LaGrange and Moscow, a station nine miles to the west, was all that now remained to put the road in working condition between Corinth and Memphis. A train coming from Memphis had been thrown off the track at Moscow. Part of the soldiers on board marched through to LaGrange in safety, while those who remained were captured by guerrillas, who burned the train. Whether this accident had anything to do with admonishing General Sherman of the impracticability of holding with so small a force so long a line of railway parallel to the enemy's front of operations, my informant does not pretend to judge. At least this line was soon after abandoned, and that by way of Jackson and Columbus opened in its stead.

It seems to have been known that the enemy under command of Breckenridge, were in the vicinity of Holly Springs, Miss., a small city twenty-six miles to the south. This force probably was merely one of observation, the enemy's main body having retired upon Grenada. But there came in exaggerated reports of his immense numbers there, and preparations to attack us. General Sherman determined to move against him, the two divisions starting simultaneously the morning of June 30th, the 4th from LaGrange, the 5th from Moscow. Two days rations were taken in haversacks. They camped at night near a brick church, in the neighborhood of the railroad station of Lamar. There was no water to be procured here except out of one or two wells and some dirty pools, at which places there was such a rush that each regiment was compelled to station a guard over them while its own men took their turn.

The next day, July 1st, was cool and pleasant. A march of seven miles brought the column to Cold Water River, a small stream, pure and clear. The only incident of this day's march was that a battalion of the 4th Illinois had been drawn into an ambuscade, losing four killed and six wounded.

The following day, the 32d and 53d Illinois regiments went forward to reconnoiter, but discovered nothing. On their return, they were taken for rebels, and an alarm throughout the whole force ensued.

The day after this, Lieut. Barnes of General Lauman's staff, went out with three others to some farm houses to buy provisions, and were fired upon by bushwhackers, and all of them wounded. The affair caused considerable excitement, and threw General Lauman into a great rage.

The next day was the national anniversary. The 4th Division moved forward and entered without opposition Holly Springs, "the Saratoga of the South." This delightful little city is situated on the Mississippi Central Railroad, contains excellent springs of water, and was celebrated as a Southern watering place. The citizens behaved toward their new visitors with as much insolence as they dared to manifest. Little did they then, suppose that they were sowing in the bosoms of these men the seeds of a hatred, which would one day lay their beautiful city in ashes! The next day the column started back, and on the 7th again entered LaGrange and Moscow. During the fortnight my comrades stayed at the former place few incidents of note took place. It was here that Lieut. Col. Scott resigned and left the regiment. There was an universal regret at being compelled to part with the man who had commanded us so bravely and befriended us so well. All felt as though they had lost their best field officer, and turned with gloom to the prospect of being commanded, no one could tell how long, by a man who, whatever might be his merits or faults, had, with scarcely an exception, lost the confidence and good will of his men.

One day a forage train of sixty wagons went out in the direction of Cold Water, guarded by six companies of the Third Iowa, under Captain Smith. On their return the escort was menaced by Jackson's cavalry, who endeavored to capture the train. But the Captain's tactics were quite equal to those of the rebel Colonel. He chose open ground and very coolly marched along in plain view of the enemy. They attempted by demonstrations to draw his fire, but failed, and finally withdrew, having for once found their match.

About this time General Grant performed the remarkable feat of riding in one day from Corinth to Memphis, unattended except by one company of cavalry, his body guard and a few staff officers. It must be remembered that with the exception of the immediate vicinity of LaGrange and Moscow, where General Sherman's troops were stationed, the whole country was in the hands of the enemy. At LaGrange the party halted an hour for refreshments, and left one of the staff who had given out. It is said they reached Memphis before night.

Meanwhile General Sherman and staff proceeded to Memphis, leaving orders behind that it was his intention to select at that place grounds for the encampment of the two divisions, and that no officer or soldier should be allowed to follow him to that place ahead of his corps.

July 17th, at 1 P.M., the 4th Division broke up camp at LaGrange, and moving along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, after a tiresome march of nine miles in which many gave out and fell behind their regiments, camped for the night at Moscow, from which place the 5th Division had just moved.

Starting at 3 o'clock next morning, and with little improvement on yesterday's march in respect of straggling, although the weather was cooler than usual both days, the column arrived at Lafayette Station, having marched ten miles.

The march was resumed at 2 o'clock in the morning, the 5th Division still in lead. The forenoon was excessively hot, and marching was difficult in the extreme. The dust rose in such clouds that a man in the ranks could scarcely see the comrade ahead of him. Seventeen miles being accomplished, the column halted for the night at Germantown.

Next day, the column moved forward six miles to White Station, and on the day after that, July 21st, a march of nine miles brought it to Memphis. Foot-sore, ragged and weary, the battalions marched into the city. The Third Iowa had the honor of being in lead of the 4th Division. So thick was the dust on men's faces, that it was difficult to distinguish soldier from contraband—all looked alike. Many had no shoes, and some even were without pants, and had nothing but drawers and shirt in way of uniform. But the boys dressed their files and proudly kept step to the music, while from balconies and windows the Union ladies waved white handkerchiefs in welcome.

Wallace's division was garrisoning the city, but now relieved by Sherman, it embarked to reinforce the army of General Curtis at Helena. General Sherman disposed his troops so as to environ the city and guard all the approaches to it. Our regiment being on the right of the line was camped on the south side of the city and near the river. We had a delightful camping ground, greensward beneath our feet, and noble shade trees waving over our heads.

The period we spent here was one of rest but not of idleness. It was a period of discipline and duty. We were still in the presence of an enterprising enemy, who constantly menaced our extended line with attack. General Sherman was no less a general in camp than in the field. There his great bravery, his splendid tactical combinations in the face of the enemy, his unwearying energy, and his industrious attention to details, had impressed his soldiers with a kind of reverence for him as a military commander, which they felt for no other general. All could see that in genius and in spirit, he was a complete soldier. Though he could add nothing to the patriotism and bravery of the men he commanded, he was now to see they were better supplied, better drilled, better disciplined, and that there be infused into them more of the esprit de corps. Every one will recollect his fine figure on review—how keenly he scrutinized every thing; not a man, nor a uniform, nor a gun seemed to escape his notice. He exercised the closest supervision over the different departments, punished corruption and saw that justice was meted out to all. He administered martial law in the city of Memphis with justice and rigor, but without violence or cruelty. A young soldier studying the profession and practice of arms might well think himself fortunate in being under the tuition of such a general.

It was at Memphis that we first were allowed to admit negroes within our lines. At LaGrange and Moscow and all along the march from those places hither, they had flocked to join us in great numbers. General Halleck's celebrated General Orders No. 3 being then in force, General Sherman was compelled to issue an order forbidding his soldiers from encouraging negroes in leaving their homes, and teamsters from giving them transportation. This order was written by Captain Hammond, his Assistant Adjutant General, and was couched in poor and undignified terms. As soon, however, as orders from Washington allowed him to do so, General Sherman issued orders authorizing the employment of negroes as cooks, teamsters and laborers in the various departments and on the fortifications. Large numbers were put to work on Fort Pickering, an important field work which was projected for the defense of Memphis. Contrabands thronged the camps in large numbers, and soon became an important element in the materiel of the army. All that came within our lines were received and put to work, and supplied with clothing and subsistence. This policy was viewed by the soldiers with very general approbation.

While we were thus resting, our comrades in the East were struggling, through prodigious marches, uncommon hardships, and bloody battles to check the advance of a superior enemy, and his invasion of our soil. Reports from that quarter of disaster crowding upon disaster, disturbed in no small degree the quietude of our camp life, and embittered the sweets of the comparative repose we were enjoying. In addition to this, the enemy began to make demonstrations in the neighborhood of Bolivar, Tenn., and we were not surprised to find our spell of easy soldiering broken, when, on the 5th of September, orders came to march at 3 o'clock next morning, in what direction we could only conjecture.

The two divisions which had been so long together were now to be separated. They who had grown to consider each other comrades, had marched and fought together perhaps for the last time. General Sherman expressed his feelings on this separation in the following letter to General Hurlbut, which, after we had reached Bolivar, was published to us in General Orders. We esteemed it a great honor to receive such compliments from such a general:—

Headquarters, 5th Division, }
Memphis, Tenn., Sept. 6, 1862.}

Brigadier General Hurlbut, Commanding 4th Division, Army of the Tennessee,—

Dear Sir:—Permit me through you to convey to the officers and men of your division an expression of my deep regret that the necessities of the service should at this time separate our commands. Our divisions were the first to disembark at Pittsburg Landing, in the early part of March, and through storm and sunshine, adverse and prosperous times, we have been side by side. Not only have social ties arisen between us, but the habit of acting together has made us one command; and I feel in parting with you as though my own division was divided.

I need not express to you my high personal and official respect; for I hope to have evinced it on all occasions. I must say that no officers could have been more zealous, close, and attentive to their important duties than they have been. I can not recall an instance of their being absent from their posts for even an hour. Indeed, with very few exceptions, your division is composed of a class of steady good men, who by their behavior in camp, on guard, on the march and in battle, reflect honor and credit on themselves and their country.

Be pleased to convey to all my hearty thanks; and assure them that I will hail the change in events which will bring us again together.

With sentiments of high respect,
Your friend and servant,
(Signed)W. T. Sherman.