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Civil War diary spanning August 1862-August 1863 by Private Herrick Blanchard, a Private in the 124th Illinois Infantry, Co. F. Blanchard served three years in the war, from 1862 until he mustered out after the war ended in 1865.
Diary contains a good amount of fighting content, including the Battle of Thompson Hill, the Battle of Raymond, the Battle of Champion Hill and the Siege of Vicksburg. A small sampling of content includes:
''Friday May 1st - Ordered to march at 11:00 o'clock started at 8 our brigade in advance march 6 miles...Fighting like fury went about half mile and went into action...whipped them badly killed their major general commanding forces. Tracy killed. Rebels loss supposed to be about 3000 killed and wounded our loss not known. Potter wounded in fight had took five field posts and several small arms. Bolts flying in every direction. Battle of Thompson's Hill...
Saturday May 2nd - Marched at 6:00 o'clock went six miles and halted at 2:00 o'clock marched till dark. 4 miles and went into camp...
Sunday May 3rd - Marched about 6:00 o'clock AM went short distance and came up to the enemy forces and halted. Rebels opened fire on us but they had skedaddled. All day run them across Black River three of our men wounded. 124th not engaged...
Tuesday May 12 - Marched about sunrise marched 10 miles and come across the enemy and was called into action about one o'clock was in the engagement some four hours the hardest fighting some said in the old regiment that they had ever been in. Fort Donaldson and Shiloh not excepted. We gained a great victory whipping and driving them. 124th loss Co A three wounded, Brown slightly wounded ball passing through his canteen and bucked. Co D One man badly wounded. Co E 1 man killed. This battle was fought two miles southeast of Raymond Mississippi. We marched forward and took possession of the town the same evening. Battle of Raymond...
May 14 - Marched at 7:00 o'clock marched seven miles and was stopped by the enemy. Lumley's division on our advance and Sherman on the right. Taking possession of Jackson. The capital of Miss. Division not engaged but held as reserve. Went into camp one mile from Jackson remained there most all day...
Friday May 15th - March 8:00 o'clock took back track as far as Clinton and then turned towards Black River marched 18 miles and went into camp at pretty near worn out. Marched as rear guards for division train...
Saturday May 16th - Marched 10:00 o'clock fighting ahead marched four miles part of the way on double quick and was called into line of battle and was soon called into action. Fought about three or four hours was under severe fire about one hour. Regiment taking one battery our loss was 7 killed. 50 wounded 8 missing some mortally wounded as is supposed, Commander General Pemberton and Lee whole loss not known. Is thought that we took eleven rebs cannon. A camp about dark nearly tired and worn out marched 6 miles...
Sunday May 17th - Marched at 8:00 o'clock, marched five miles and stopped to rest in a grove on Black River. Cannonading herd all day all morning fell into line again and went into camp. Rebels burnt bridge across Black River had to make a new one over their fortifications at the bridge and a great many prisoners and several cannon. Out on picket crossed the river on a raft received two letters from wife...
May 22nd - Moved in morning for the left a few rods had orders to charge on the rebels' breastworks at 10:00 o'clock was called into line Co H called out as sharp shooters...
May 23rd - Still out as sharpshooters all day...
Monday June 1st - Still at the siege of Vicksburg about midnight hearing heavy firing on the left thinking perhaps the rebs was trying to cut through our lines, was called in to line but the firing soon cleared and we returned to our beds...
June 2nd - Day warm and clear still on duty went to settlers…Adam pulling was shot James Wim wounded by a shell Co A. Rebs tried to break through our lines after night but was drove back…
June 3rd - On duty as sharpshooter was called into line after dark hearing the long roll beat supposing the enemy was going to try to break out, but nothing of it so far as we know…
June 25 - Came off from Pickett in the morning went to Division Commissary to get some fruit. Our regiment was called into line about 4 o'clock PM, the rebel Fort was blowed up by our men and our track was to rush forward. Immediately after the explosion the 45 Ill in front meeting the rebs and had a hot time and suffered considerable killing the major and wounding several. Our regiment was not in any engagements that was relieved and sent to their quarters being on picket night before…
July 4th - The rebs surrendered Vicksburg and give it into our hands at 10:00 o'clock our brigade was the first of General Logan's division was the first that marched into town and planted the stars and stripes upon the courthouse and then returned back to camp and was hastily detailed to report to the courthouse in town. Marched back the same evening and was on Provost's guard through the city at night. Stay hot and dusty…"
Black leatherette diary measures approximately 4" x 2.75, composed in both pen and pencil. Blanchard's name and regiment is written to front flap. Pages have detached as a single signature block from the covers, else very good with typical wear expected of a Civil War diary carried in battle. Accompanied by partial transcription.