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Diary of Moses Bennett of the 21st Indiana Light Artillery, who details relentless fighting throughout 1863 in Tennessee. Beginning in February, Bennett writes of fighting at the Second Battle of Fort Donelson, ''...Traveled from the mouth of the Cumberland to Fort Donelson, found the boys burying the dead Rebles killed...'' He writes of skirmishing throughout the spring, ''...Left Ft Donelson at 8 o'clock, expected a little fight. Considerable excitement...The Rebels arrived at Clarksville at 8 in the evening. [Feb. 7] Arrived at Nashville...Quite a stir all the fleet company, 68 pickets & 7 gun boats arrived safe. [March 2]...Rebles came up to our pickets & pickets fired, cosed considerable excitement. [March 8] Our forage team was captured by the Rebles, cosed great excitement. 20 six mule teams & about 75 men taken...[March 11] Stood guard harnessed up on horses looking for an atack...''
A fierce skirmish occurred on 18 March, ''...5 Rebles came down to the river bank and fired at our pickets...James Johnson died. Gun boat armed from Nashville had several skirmishes [Henry] Hickson got his arm blown off...[April 5] Reynolds Brigade crossed the river and joined us the boats was busy all day hollin our dry goods captured from the rebs yesterday. [April 13] The boats left for Nashville about 10. Reports of the cannon. Nearly all our force crossed the river. [April 14] Our forces of infantry crossed the river and went out and had a skirmish with the rebs. 3 pieces of our artillery went out in the evening. All returned in the night...[April 25] Our scouts came in reported very favorable. Captured several prisoners. Stood guard...[May 12] Joseph Smith was hung 15 minutes before 4 o'clock in broad view of nearly all the troops in the brigades. Quite a stirring time. [May 28]...The 36 reg went on a scout and took sixteen prisoners...[June 4] lost 2 men in skirmishing and drove the rebels. [June 5] Started at 5 H 30 m am passed Alexandria arrived at Liberty at 4 o'clock found soldiers here, they had a battle yesterday. [June 7]...Arrived in the vicinity of Murfreesboro near the enemy...''
Beginning on 24 June, Bennett fights at the Battle of Hoover's Gap: ''...Left Murfreesboro and marched to the front. Had a brisk skirmish all day and quite a fight in the evening. [June 25] Took position on a hill last night and was subject with firing of artillery and sharpshooters all day and quite a fight in the evening. [June 26] The skirmishers drove the rebels and they left our brigade followed in the distance the rebels took off to their killed. [June 27]...The advance took some fifty prisoners and opend the secesh mail. Had good time reading them letters. [June 30] Layd in the woods all day 4 miles of the Reble fortifications. Skirmishing [with] the Rebs every day. [July 1] The Rebles left and we entered the town of Tulahoma in the afternoon. The place had a very desolate appearance. [July 2]...marched to Elk River. The Rebs burnt the bridge and are still ahead...''
On 8 August, Bennett writes of a deadly explosion, ''...Aired our ammunition and had an explosion of over 200 rounds ammunition burnt 8 men badly...[Aug. 9]...Had a court of inquiry in the morning over our accident. [Aug. 14] Nathan Rector died today from injuries received on the 8th. [Aug. 15] Burned Corp. Rector in honor of war...''
Starting on 11 September, Bennett describes the fighting at Catlett's Gap during the Chickamauga campaign, ''...Crossed Lookout Mountain had a hard march Negley's Division had a sharp little fight with the rebs...[Sept. 14] Moved on a couple of miles nearer the enemy had skirmishing and picket firing nearly all day...'' The next few days were full of skirmishing and on 17 September he writes, ''...Lost 2 men in our Brig out to the front tolerable brisk skirmishing the rebs charged on one section of our battery and was repulsed...''
Seguing into the Battle of Chickamauga, Bennett writes on 19 September, ''...Commenced fighting about noon and fought hard until after dark both sides holding their own. The Rebs fought with a vengeance. [Sept. 20] Fought all day, was surrounded and was forced out a lot. One killed 12 men wounded fell back 6 miles. [Sept. 21] Lay in line of battle all day. Fell back to Chatanuga at night...[Sept. 24] Went out and skirmished in the evening. Rebs made a dash on our lines, was repulsed. [Sept. 25] Considerable skirmishing in the morning, but soon abated and became quiet. The troops are all busy in the trench...'' A few days later, ''...Sent 204 ambulances through the Rebel lines for to bring in our wounded...Our ambulances returned with about a thousand of the wounded...'' The next few days were spent tending to the wounded and preparing for another attack.
In late October, Bennett describes fighting down river at the Battle of Brown's Ferry, ''...Our forces threw a pontoon bridge across the river below town & have been fighting all...[Oct. 28]...our forces are still fighting down the river. Have driven the enemy from several positions but they fight stubbornly...[Oct. 31]...The Louisville Legion came in and routed us out of our tents...[Nov. 3]...Shell the Rebs from several different points. Received 4 days half rations...''
He continues to write of Sherman's and Osterhaus' troops crossing the Tennessee River and fighting the Rebels: ''...Osterhaus troops drove the Rebs off of Lookout Mountain. Had tolerable hard fighting Sherman crossed the river...'', culminating with the 24-30 November entries at the Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge: ''...Hard fighting all day. Shermans forces stormed Mission Ridge took a number of prisoners...Fighting still going on our men still driving the Rebs are now nearly out of hearing...Still fighting and are victorious...Fighting still going on. Our forces drove the Rebs over the Chickamauga battle field...Prisoners still coming in a little. Fighting still going on...'' The diary finally ends with Bennett receiving welcome orders to ''go home recruiting.'' Diary is legible, composed in both ink and pencil. Bennett writes his name to front pastedown, ''Moses Bennett / Cathage Tenn / May 15th 1863''. Very good condition, accompanied by transcription.
1863 Diary by 21st Indiana Light Artilleryman With Heavy Battle Content -- Battles of Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry & Fort Donelson -- ''...found the boys burying the dead Rebles killed...''
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