The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary

The diary of Lt. Curtis Ballard of Kitchen's 7th Mo. Cavalry is online on a website devoted to that regiment. I reproduce it below.

I have three questions about the diary:

First, there seems to be something wrong with the late-July early August 1864 entries. Can anyone help me unravel them?

There are entries for July 2, and 11th. But then suddenly he gives an entry for the 7th, the 9th and the 15th.

Also one does not find the word "August" anywhere in the diary but it is obvious that some of the dates are for August.

Second, for the 11th - seemingly the 11th of July - he claims they attacked Pine Bluff. Yet there no one else mentions such an attack.

Could this entry be misplaced and belong in another month? Did Marmaduke attack Pine Bluff on another occasion?

Third, where is the original diary? Perhaps my questions can be cleared up if we take a look at it.

Any help is appreciated.

Bryce

---------------------

Journal of Lt. William Curtis Ballard
Company D, 7th Missouri Cavalry Regiment
Marmaduke’s Brigade C.S.A.
1864
John Ballard Draper, William Curtis Ballard: His Ancestors and Descendants
( 1979), pp. 69-76.

We broke up winter quarters at Camden, Arkansas, March the 28th [1864], and marched 24 miles, camped at Gates Bluff.

30th, marched 25 miles in the direction of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

April 1st - We were sent on picket, received orders to march at dark. We moved in the direction of Washington, travelled all night, crossed the Little Missouri River at Elkins Ferry.

April 4th - Had one man wounded and two horses killed, fell back two miles built log forts, the enemy did not advance, fell back at midnight across Prairie Dam [D’Ane], distance 15 miles.

April 6th - When ordered on Prairie Dam [D’Ane], had a skirmish with the enemy at 11 o’clock and fell back 2 miles.

April 7th - The enemy again advanced, we again had to pull back two miles where we held them in check until our relief came. We returned to camp and built log fort.

April 9 & 10 - All quiet.

April 11th - Lay in our forts all night the enemy keeping up a constant fire with artillery all night.

April 12th - The enemy advanced at day light. We fell back towards Springhill, La.

April 13th - We marched towards Camden, Arkansas, fed at dark and moved all night in the rain.

April 14th - Still moved on all day without feeding, marching 70 miles.

April 15th - Fought the enemy several hours when we fell back and camped 7 miles from Camden to a post of great danger.

April 17th and 19th [sic] - Was still on picket.

April 18th [sic] - Had a skirmish with the enemy.

April 20th - Was relieved from picket and marched 10 miles, camped on the Shreveport road.

23rd - Moved in 2 ˝ miles of Camden and drove in the enemy picket. We returned to camp after dark.

25th - 12 o’clock received orders to march.

26th - Reached El Dorado on the Quachita River marching 20 miles.

28th - At sundown we were ordered to rejoin the brigade. We immediately commenced crossing the river, got over at midnight and travelled on all night and all next day, marching 60 miles.

30th - Moved out, reached Saline River just after our forces had gained the great victory over General Still [Steele], marching 60 miles that day.
May 1st - Left Saline and marched 15 miles.

2nd - Marched 18 miles and camped near Arkadelphia.

6th - Marched 30 miles.

7th - Marched to New Edinburg, distance 20 miles, remained at New Edinburg on outpost duty until the 25th we moved 20 miles.

26th - Moved through Monticello, camped at Cut Off Bayou distance 30 miles.

27th - Joined the brigade at Bayou Mason, distance 18 miles.

28th - Marched 25 miles down the Bayou Mason.

29th - Moved to Old River Lake, distance 12 miles.

30th - Was sent on picket on the Mississippi River - was shelled by enemys gun boats all day, returned to camp at night.

June the 5th - The enemy landed in large force some skirmishing that evening.

6th - We had one of the severities [severest] battles of the war, about 600 hundred of us was engaged against 8000. Lt. W. C. Ballard and W. S. Pratt was wounded and two horses killed in our company and two horses wounded. We fell back 12 miles to Bayou Mason.

8th - Returned to Old River Lake, distance 12 miles where we remained until the 17th, when we moved 20 miles.

18th - Marched to Crooked Bayou which was 15 miles.

19th - Moved to Red Forks, distance 20 miles.

24th - Moved down Red Fork 10 miles.

25th - Was sent on outpost duty to Arrows Bayou.

July 2nd - Left camp on Arrows Bayou and marched 25 miles. Went to South Bend on the Arkansas River, distance 20 miles.

11th - Was sent toward Pine Bluff to meet the enemy where there was fighting all day.

18th - Moved down the Arkansas River 25 miles.

On 7th - Left camp near Arkansas Post.

9th - Marched 25 miles.

14th - Left the river at 5 o’clock in the evening and went to Old River Lake, distance 7 miles.

15th - Left Old River Lake and marched 17 miles.

16th - Marched 20 miles.

21st - Marched 10 miles and camped at Mount Elba.

The 27th - Marched 20 miles.

28th Marched 20 miles.

29th - Marched and camped at Princeton.

August 30th - Started on the Great Raid to Missouri. Camped at Tulip, distance 10 miles.

31st - Marched 25 miles.

September 1 - Marched 17 miles.

3rd - Marched 15 miles.

4th - Crossed the Forest Mountains.

6th - Started at 4 o’clock in the morning crossed the Arkansas River at Dardenelle and camped on the north bank. Distance 14 miles.

7th - Moved out 7 miles on the Illinois Bayou.

8th - Marched through Dover, distance 23 miles.

9th - Marched 20 miles.

10th - Marched 25 miles.

11th - Marched 12 miles.

12th - Marched across White River Mountain without water for man or beast, distance 33 miles.

13th - Remained in camp.

15th - Marched to Strawberry River, distance 12 miles.

16th and 17th - Marched to Spring River, distance 22 miles.

18th - Left Spring River and marched to Pocahontas, distance 13 miles. 10 o’clock at night commenced swimming Black River, took all night to swim the river. Marched out 3 miles and camped.

19th - Marched 15 miles.

20th - Crossed the line into Missouri and camped, distance 25 miles.

21st - Marched to Poplar Bluff, distance 25 miles.

22nd - Marched 18 miles.

23rd - Marched 22 miles and camped at Bollingers Mill on Castor River.

24th - Started on scout. Took the enemy by surprise at Jackson Missouri. Killed 2, captured 13 and 25 horses.

25th - Marched 25 miles, camped at Patton.

26th - Passed through Fredericktown and took the Ironton Road. Camped. Distance 30 miles.

27th - Marched 12 miles to Pilot Knob. There was fighting going all nearly all day, some very hard fighting.

28th - The Federals accosted [abandoned?] the Knob at 4 o’clock a.m. took the road past Caledonia and Webster. Our loss in men and officers was heavy. We started in pursuit, marched 20 miles, camped near Caledonia.

29th - Marched 20 miles.

30th - Marched 20 miles, camped at Sullivan Station on the St. Louis and Rolla Railroad.

October 1st - Marched 25 miles, reached Union in the evening, had a short fight, took the place and camped.

October 2nd - Marched 20 miles, camped at Washington, Franklin Co, Missouri.

October 3rd - Marched 25 miles, reached Hermann, Mo., in the evening where we had another short fight, took the place and camped.

4th - Marched 25 miles.

5th - Went on scout, marched 35 miles.

6th - Marched 20 miles, camped near Linn.

7th - General Shelby’s Division commenced fighting the enemy at Osage River and fought them several hours and drove them into their forts at Jefferson City. Our Division was not moved from camp until the afternoon. We went into camp after dark in three miles of Jefferson City. The enemy was largely reinforced that night and we retreated in the direction of Springfield. Marched 15 miles, camped at Russellville, Arkansas [Missouri].

9th - The enemy attacked our right flank at Caledonia [California]. Our regiment just had time to get in line and check and drive the enemy back and keep the whole brigade from being cut off from the command. We held them back until the brigade marched and camped, distance this day 27 miles.

10th - Marched 20 miles, camped at Boonville, here General Shelby had taken 400 prisoners before we arrived.

11th - The enemy attacked us at Boonville, they succeeded in gaining a position and lay in line all night and all next day.

12th - At 4 o’clock went back to camp, cooked supper and started after dark and marched all night - distance 12 miles, stopped, fed and got breakfast.

13th - Was sent on picket, relieved in evening, marched 16 miles, camped at 10 o’clock.

14th Started at day light, marched 16 miles to Arrow Rock. Crossing the Missouri River took until midnight to get across. We immediately started up the river and reached Glasgow at sunrise [the 15th], took the enemy by surprise and soon drove them into their forts where we fought them until 1 o’clock p.m. When they surrendered their whole force (900) men to our brigade. We captured more arms and as much clothing as we could take care of.

16th - Started at dark, took all night to cross the river.

17th - Started at 1 o’clock p.m., marched until midnight, distance 20 miles.

18th - Marched 18 miles, camped at Waverly on the Missouri River.

19th - About 5 o’clock p.m., we got orders to go to the front where General Shelby was having a severe battle. Our horses were left about five miles, we dismounted and lay in line of battle until midnight when we are put in camp 3 miles from Lexington, distance this day 21 miles.

20th - Marched 20 miles.

21st - We found the enemy occupying a very strong position behind some stone fences on an eminence at Little Blue Mills. Our brigade was in front of the command and our regiment in rear of the brigade. The Federals had burnt the bridge and we had a desperate road to pass over. We was dismounted as soon as we passed the creek one-half mile from the field of battle and double quicked up the hill to the scene of action, here we met our men retreating, their ammunition having given out. Our battery was coming down the hill as fast as it could, the road was filled with the wounded and the enemy was charging after our battery with a fair prospect of capturing it, everything was in confusion when we was hastily brought into action. We soon checked the enemy and drove them back to their stone fences. More troops was soon brought up and drove them from every position they occupied and pursued them to Independence on foot that night. Distance this day was 27 miles.

22nd - General Rosecrans came up on our rear with a large force. We commenced fighting him at 2 o’clock p.m., and fought until 10 o’clock at night. The confusion in the night was terrible, the enemy sometimes in 20 paces of us and we could see nothing but the blaze of their guns. We fell back to Big Blue, here the enemy had fell a lot of timber in the road.

23rd - The fighting commenced at this place at sunrise. Here our division had to hold General Rosecrans whole army in check while General Fagan and Shelby cleared the way in front for they had us surrounded. We could plainly hear each volley of small arms in a southern direction. At 2 o’clock they attempted to capture our train by a flank movement on our left. We was whisked [rushed?] into position and after some skirmishing drove them back and held them in check until the command passed. Marched 20 miles.

24th - Marched 25 miles, our regiment was sent on picket, was up all night, men saying they saw the enemy or heard them walking or something of the kind.

25th - The command commenced moving at daylight. At sunrise the enemy came up with our rear but a few shots from our artillery moved them back. At 9 o’clock a.m., they again came up with our rear, we hastily formed to meet them on a very bad piece of ground in the open prairie with a branch in the rear that could not be crossed in but a few places. The artillery was planted in the center and 100 yards to the rear. We had not got our line fully formed when the enemy advanced. Freeman’s Brigade on our right run the first fire and it was who should be foremost and the Devil take the hindmost. Slemmons Brigade on our left soon gave way in great confusion and left our brigade alone fighting and holding the enemy in check in fine style. We was soon surrounded and had to seek safety in flight. About this time the artillery was limbered up and all started toward to branch in wild confusion. At this time the scene was the worst could be imagined. There was Rebels, Yankees, men afoot, and men running back and artillery all mixed up together and fleeing in the wildest state of excitement, the enemy had possession of nearly all the crossings after we got across the branch there was a great many officers trying to rally the men but few could be rallied. We fell back about 3 miles where most of the prisoners escaped, was gotten together and we started in some order. We lost our artillery and a great many prisoners. At 3 o’clock they again came up with our rear but we held them in check until sundown then we stopped on hour to get something to eat, packed and burnt our train and started at 2 o’clock a.m.

26th - Three brigades was marching side by side though the night was very dark and the camp was terrible you could continually hear the cries - “Where is Clarks Brigade? Where is Freemans Brigade - Where is McCray’s Brigade?” or this or some other regiment. We camped on Spring River near Carthage, the distance this day was 63 miles.

27th - Marched 20 miles.

28th - Marched 27 miles, passed through Granby Mines, had another battle at Newtonia. Our brigade was in front and was not engaged. Shelby’s Division was engaged and soon drove them back this way. This was the worst fight on the raid.

29th - Left Missouri crossed a corner of Arkansas camped in the Cherokee Nation. Distance [this] day was 30 miles.

30th - Marched 15 miles.

31st - Passed through Pineville, camed on Cowskin, distance 16 miles.

November 1st - Marched 19 miles, camped at Cane Hill. Remained at Cane Hill until the 4th, when we marched in a southwest direction, distance this day was 12 miles.

5th - Marched 20 miles.

6th - Marched 18 miles. Here beef began to get very scarce which had been plenty.

7th - Crossed the Arkansas River, camped 2 miles south, distance this day 6 miles.

8th - Marched 12 miles.

9th - Marched 15 miles.

11th - Marched 17 miles. Here General Clark and a great many others killed and eat their starved mules.

12th - Marched 6 miles, camped on Lanes Creek where General Fagan had collected some beef cattle.

13th - Marched 18 miles, camped at Pineville [Perryville], got one half pound flour and salt to the person which was the first flour or salt for 22 days.

14th - Remained at camp.

15th - Marched 16 miles, every person seemed to be his own commander.

16th - Marched 8 miles.

17th - Marched 16 miles.

18th - Reached Boggy Depot, distance this day 11 miles.

19th - Marched 15 miles.

20th - Marched 14 miles.

21st - Crossed Red River, got forage for our horses and full rations for ourselves, having travelled on the whole trip from the time we left Princeton until we reached Red River 16 hundred and 94 miles.

What is going on?

Finally where is the original diary and does anyone have a copy of this?

Bryce

Messages In This Thread

Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary
Re: Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary
Re: Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary
Re: Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary
Re: Question about 7th Mo. Cav. diary