“DIARY OF A CONFEDERATE SOLDIER”

On the first page of a little time-discolored notebook, size 3 by 5-1/2 inches, some time in September thirty-three years ago, Lieutenant John A. Bennett, a soldier in Price's army from Cape Girardeau County, wrote the following lines:

“Recruits are daily coming into our army, filling up its ranks to overflowing. Our prospects are bright. Every one looks forward to a glorious victory and a speedy termination of this horrible war. May God speed the day of a glorious peace.”

Gen. Price was preparing for his famous "Raid into Missouri" at that time.

Then follows Lieutenant Bennett's diary, in pale lead pencil writing, of the principal events in the history of the army from the time Gen. Price entered the State of Missouri until the surrender, as follows:

THE DIARY

General Price marched into the State of Missouri September 19th, 1864, with 15,000 troops, composed of the following named divisions:

General [Joseph O.] Shelby's Division.

General [John S.] Marmaduke's Division.

General [James F.] Fagan's Division.

McNEIL STAMPEDED

Colonel Jeffers received permission to make a scout into Southeast Missouri. This regiment crossed St. Francis River at Chalk Bluff and had a fight with General McNeil's forces on the Bloomfield and Sikeston road. The fight commenced near Castor River. The Federals began a hurried retreat from the first fire of the Confederates, and continued falling back, burning some of their wagons and leaving others which fell into our hands with all their contents. We captured all their train and effects that they did not burn. The road for five miles was literally strewn with sugar, coffee, flour, crackers, boots, shoes, and in fact all kinds of goods. The Yankees were driven across Little River and completely routed. This fight took place on the 21st of September 1864.

On the 22nd we marched into Bloomfield and destroyed their fortified positions. We camped for the night five miles west of Bloomfield.

On the 23rd we rejoined our command at Bollinger's Mill on Castor River in Bollinger County.

CHARGE INTO JACKSON

On the 24th we left the brigade at Bollinger's Mill and marched in the direction of Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Mo. We charged into Jackson about sunset, captured 18 prisoners and about 40 horses. We got one man wounded.

September 25th we marched to Patton, Bollinger County.

On the 26th we rejoined the brigade at Fredericktown [Madison County].

BATTLE OF PILOT KNOB

Tuesday, the 27th, Marmaduke's division and Fagan's made an assault on the fortified positions of the enemy at Pilot Knob. There was desperate fighting. Our forces drew off late at night to be ready to renew the attack next morning. The Federals evacuated the place during the night. Before leaving they blew up their magazine, leaving their heavy artillery inside the fort, which they spiked before leaving. We started in pursuit of the retreating enemy next morning, killing some and capturing others before they reached Leesburg on the S.W. Branch Pacific R.R.

On the 1st of October we surrounded Union City and captured several militia with very little fighting.

On the 2nd we marched into Washington on the Missouri River. Here we captured a great many boots and shoes and clothing in general.

On the 3rd we captured three locomotives and cars with about 1200 stands of arms on them. Also marched into Hermann on the Missouri River.

October 4th. Marched in the direction of Jefferson City. Day very gloomy with copious showers of rain.

October 5th. Morning clear and beautiful; air pleasant and bracing. Crossed Gasconade River today and camped in Osage County.

October 6th. Morning beautiful and pleasant. Passed through Linn, county seat of Osage County, and camped for the night near Osage river.

October 7th. Morning pleasant; beautiful sunshine with light fleecy clouds most delightfully throughout the canopy of heaven. Delightful autumnal winds, giving everything a magnificent appearance. We crossed the Osage River this morning. Cannonading in front. General Fagan's command fought the Federals in the vicinity of Jefferson City. General Clark's command camped tonight two miles southwest of Jefferson [City].

Oct. 8th. Morning clear and cool; last night quite chilly. Reported early this morning Federals advancing. The command began moving northwest of Jefferson [City]. Some firing of small arms in front. Camped tonight at Russellville in Cole County.

FIGHTING AT CALIFORNIA

Oct. 9th. Morning clear and cool. In the forenoon traveled over beautiful prairie which was finely cultivated. In the afternoon passed through the town of California in Moniteau County. In passing through California the Federals made a flank movement and shelled Clark's brigade as it passed through. Major Pratt got his battery in position and kept the Federals in check until the brigade passed through. Colonel Greene's regiment and Colonel Kitchen's were left in the rear to protect us as we passed through the town. After all had passed their cavalry made a charge on the battery but were driven back and batteries saved. We camped for the night on a small stream northwest of California in Moniteau County.

Oct. 10. Morning clear and pleasant. Marched today over very beautiful prairie country, which is laid off in large and beautiful farms in a high state of cultivation. We arrived in the evening in the town of Boonville where we went into camp.

BATTLE AT BOONVILLE

Oct. 11. The morning finds us in Boonville where we expected to remain a few days after constantly marching for two months. Our rest was short. About 10 o'clock the bugle sounded to saddle and prepare to meet the enemy, which were advancing in force. We got outside of town and formed a line of battle, and a brisk skirmish commenced immediately. The Feds were driven back. About 11 o'clock they advanced, and seemed this time determined to bring on a general engagement; but one of our batteries opened on their right flank, which caused them to retreat again. They fell back about two miles and dark found us still in line of battle. The 8th regiment lost one man killed, and one wounded, also one accidentally killed by the discharge of one of our guns.

Oct. 12. We lay in line of battle last night, and this morning still finds us in line waiting for the advance. Nothing of importance occurred today. Some skirmishing in front, but no general fighting. Late this evening we received orders to mount our horses and go to camp. We cooked our supper and then were ordered to mount again and march all night.

Oct. 13. This morning finds us in our saddles. We halted about 9 o'clock, cooked our breakfast, which was dispatched in haste, mounted our horses and rode all day. We crossed the LaMines River this evening and camped near Blackwater.

Oct. 14. We began our march early this morning, crossed Blackwater and passed through Arrow Rock, in Saline County, about 10 o'clock. We remained in said place till about 9 o'clock at night, when Jeffers' regiment crossed the Missouri River, the other regiments having crossed before us. We laid down and slept two hours, then we mounted our horses and marched in the direction of Glasgow.

BATTLE OF GLASGOW

Oct. 15. This morning we drove in the Federal pickets and hurried towards Glasgow. A brisk skirmish began in the vicinity of said place. Clark's and Jackman's brigades were thrown into battle line and soon a general engagement commenced and the battle lasted seven hours. The writer of this had a brother severely wounded in the jaw, the jawbone being shattered and the main facial artery severed, which bled profusely. The Confederate loss was __, and the Federal loss in killed and wounded were __. The remainder surrendered.

Oct. 16. The day was spent in removing the wounded from different places where they were left yesterday and placed in a comfortable hospital.

Oct. 17. This morning we crossed to the south side of the Missouri River. Marched through a beautiful prairie country, which was well cultivated. Camped for the night on a small stream in Saline County. The water was too salty to be palatable.

Oct. 18. Nothing of importance occurred today. The country passed over was very fine. Saw some fields of hemp, which was cut and placed in stacks. Camped at Waverly in LaFayette County.

Oct. 19. Morning clear and cool, though beautiful. Nothing of importance occurred today.

Oct. 20. General Shelby had a skirmish with the Federals today and drove them from their position on towards and through Lexington.

BATTLE OF [LITTLE] BLUE

Oct. 21. Left camp early this morning. Morning cloudy and gloomy, threatening rain. Our brigade had one engagement with the enemy today at [Little] Blue. The Federals having taken positions behind a stone fence, Clark's brigade had to form their lines under a heavy fire of the enemy, throwing showers of grapeshot and minie balls into the ranks killing and wounding several of our men. The Federals were driven from their position, and General Shelby coming up about this time went in pursuit of the enemy. They were driven to and through Independence, a distance of about 9 miles.

FIGHTING NEAR INDEPENDENCE

Oct. 22. Morning clear and cool. Fighting commenced early this morning, with the enemy coming up in our rear. The divisions fighting those in the rear were Marmaduke's and General Fagan's, and Shelby fighting those in front to let our train through south, which we got through safe. The Federals undertook to make a flank movement on us so as to get our train, but were foiled in the attempt. There was no general engagement with the enemy all day. Fighting continued, however, all day, and until late at night, when we went into camp for a few hours to cook and rest our weary frames.

Oct. 23. The Federals are still pursuing this morning. Some skirmishing in the rear all day. We camped tonight on a small stream in a few miles of the Kansas border.

Oct. 24. We marched today into Kansas territory. No fighting today. Camped in Kansas tonight.

BATTLE AND STAMPEDE IN KANSAS

Oct. 25. Fighting commenced early this morning. General Fagan engaged first and fought two or three hours, then General Clark formed his brigade into line of battle and relieved General Fagan. As soon as General Fagan retired to the rear the Federals came charging and seemed determined to break our lines. Our artillery opened on them and caused them to break their lines. We fell back and formed a new line. New lines were formed and abandoned as the Federals advanced upon us. We fell back several miles in this manner, when we came to a small stream with some little timber across the prairie. The train being slow in crossing, we were compelled to fight or lose a part of our train. A line of battle was formed in the following order: Pratt's battery in the center, McCray on the right and Slemons' brigade on the left with Clark's brigade in the center just behind the battery. Jeffers' regiment was formed in column of companies just behind the battery. The Federals advanced. Some firing commenced. Both parties stood steady for a few minutes, then the Federal center gave way, but came into action again. Then the Federals made a charge, threw their strength against right of [our] line, which gave way. As soon as the right gave way they pressed the center, those turning the right falling in the rear of the center which threw all in the line into confusion and a general stampede commenced. The Federals captured 5 pieces of artillery, also General Marmaduke, General Cabell and Colonel Jeffers and a great many others. We fell back several miles before our forces could be rallied. In the evening the Federals came on again. General Shelby, with his division, met them and gave them a fight. The Federals held their ground but did not advance. Other lines were formed by our forces. First one line would advance and fight a short time and fall back and let another line come up and fight, and in this manner kept the Federals from making another charge. We then retired to Marmaton River, cooked a hasty supper and burned a part of our wagons and took up the line of march.

Oct. 26. This morning finds us in our saddles retiring southward. We marched all night. Nothing of importance occurred today. We camped tonight near Carthage, in Jasper County, Mo.

Oct. 27. Nothing of importance took place today. We passed through Carthage this morning. All the best portion of this town is destroyed by fire. Camped tonight near Granby, in Newton County.

FIGHTING NEAR NEWTONIA

Oct. 28. Passed through Granby this morning. The place is destroyed. There is a fine lead mine here that was extensively worked before the war, but all the furnaces are destroyed and everything going to decay. We passed Newtonia this evening and went into camp 5 miles south of it. We had not been in camp long before we heard skirmishing in the rear, and soon a general fight began between General Shelby's forces and the Federals. The Federals were driven back and some of their artillery was captured. We moved our camp some four or five miles south and remained all night.

Oct. 29. We marched today through McDonald County toward the Indian Territory. Camped tonight on the headwaters of White River.

Oct. 30. Morning clear and cool. Last night quite cool. Heavy frost this morning. Crossed the Arkansas line today.

Oct. 31. Marched over what is called the Line Road. The road runs part of the time in Arkansas and part in Cherokee Nation. Country passed over today nearly deserted. The houses are mostly burned and farms destroyed. The whole of the country traveled over from Jackson County, Mo., to this point is deserted or nearly so. Towns burned, houses burned, and everything going to decay. The heart of the philanthropist can not help bleeding as he sees the destruction along this line of march and the misery it has caused to thousands who once lived here in affluence and ease, but are now wanderers in exile from their once happy homes. God of mercy, stop this unholy war and let peace once more reign in this unfortunate country, is my prayer.

Nov. 1. Today cloudy and rainy. Very disagreeable marching. Reached Boonesborough today on Cane Hill.

Nov. 2. I was out on picket last night on Hog Eye road. The night was very dark and caused me considerable trouble to find the road. The night was very disagreeable, the day quite rainy.

Nov. 3. Snow last night; quite gloomy this morning. Some snow throughout the day.

Nov. 4. Cloudy this morning; quite disagreeable; still on picket. Left picket post at 12 o'clock today, marched west over rich lands having the appearance of being once well cultivated, but now deserted and going to destruction. Camped in the Cherokee Nation.

Nov. 5. Marched southeast; beautiful day. Camped in Cherokee Nation; very hungry at the time of writing this and no prospect of anything to eat. We have had no breadstuffs issued to us for two weeks past, living on broiled beef.

Nov. 6. Marched early this morning south for the Arkansas River, country passed over being mostly a barren prairie with skirts of timber at intervals. Day clear and beautiful; pleasant breeze blowing from the south. Had plenty of beef last night for supper and beef for breakfast, also coffee. Camped tonight near Arkansas River in Cherokee Nation.

Nov. 7. Morning cloudy with prospect of rain. Day spent in crossing the Arkansas River. Camped two miles west of the crossing.

Nov. 8. Morning cloudy. Strong indications of rain. Traveled ten miles and camped on a small stream in Choctaw Nation.

Nov. 9. Morning cloudy; rained most of last night. The night was spent in a very disagreeable manner. Marched ten miles, camped on a small stream in Choctaw Nation.

Nov. 10. My horse gave out yesterday about 12 o'clock, so I left him and had to foot it. I left the command early this morning in company with William Hill; as we could travel much faster afoot than the command, as they had to stop and graze their animals to try to get them through, but hundreds are giving out every day and are left on the prairie. We have had no corn or forage of any sort to feed our animals for several hundred miles. The men have had no bread issued to them for 18 days and a hundred miles to march yet before we can get forage for horses or bread for men. The army is living on beef without salt. My comrade and myself camped tonight on a small stream in the Choctaw country by ourselves. We are going to try to make it through as soon as possible to where we can get bread once more. My friend is out trying to get some beef. My comrade has just returned (to use an army phrase) with scads of beef for breakfast.

Nov. 11. My comrade and myself made a short march today on account of our feet being very sore and having a very heavy load of clothing, etc., to carry. We are some 8 miles ahead of our command, but have come to the conclusion to go ahead 5 or 6 miles in the morning and wait for the command and go through with it. We do without supper tonight and a gloomy prospect before us tomorrow. We have camped in a skirt of timber near a large prairie, which is on fire and makes a grand and beautiful sight and goes a little towards dispelling the gloom on our sorrowful and wan faces. May heaven keep me from experiencing another such discouraging and disagreeable time as this.

Nov. 12. Morning clear and beautiful. We left our camp early this morning, traveled very slowly. A gentleman came along who had some beef about half-roasted and gave us some. Although half done and blood ran from it as we ate it, it was very good and we dispatched it with voracious appetites. We camped tonight on a small stream four miles from Perryville, a little village in the Choctaw Nation.

Nov. 13. Morning beautiful and serene. Nothing to eat last night or this morning; very weak and loath to move on, but we are here in the wilderness and no one living nearer than 50 miles; all the settlements evacuated, therefore we are compelled to travel or starve. We were very fortunate in getting beef in plenty. Six wagons met us this evening from Boggy Depot with rations of salt and flour. The ration was very short - only half a pint of flour to the man and about a thimble full of salt. Camped 2 miles south of Perryville. I camped with the brigade tonight.

Nov. 14. We remained in camp today. Several cases of smallpox broke out in the army during the last few days. The men are much disheartened. We drew plenty of flour, meal and salt this evening.

Nov. 15. We marched 16 miles today and camped on a creek near plenty of timber. There is a house near by occupied by a family of Choctaws. This is the first time we have passed where any person lived for over 200 miles.

Nov. 16. Marched ten miles and camped on a little stream. Plenty of rations, good grazing, day cloudy and cool.

Nov. 17. Marched today 20 miles; crossed Little and Middle Boggy today. I did not reach camp today, but stayed all night with some of General Stand Watie's men who were hauling flour to their command. They gave me plenty of bread, which was very good to a hungry man. The day was rainy and very disagreeable, the night inclement.

Nov. 18. Arrived in camp early this morning. The command did not move today. Day cloudy and cool. Crossed Big Boggy this morning; command camped half mile below the crossing.

Nov. 19. Disagreeable traveling; passed through Boggy Depot this morning; command camped half mile below the crossing.

Nov. 20. Cool, ground frozen; crossed a small stream early, below a mill; pulled off my boots and waded across; the cold water and rocks made my feet very cold. There is an Indian village near the mill. Indian dwellings thick on the road today, some very good houses. Inhabitants seem to be living very comfortably.

Nov. 21 and 22. Traveled 22 miles today; crossed Red River in Fannin County, Tex. Traveled down the river and camped.

Nov. 23. Remained in camp today. There was a battalion formed today of the dismounted men of Clark's brigade to be commanded by Lieut. Col. Wm. J. [I] Preston. The company from Jeffers' regiment was ordered to report to me to command it for the time being.

Nov. 24. Marched today 12 miles and camped in Fannin County.

Nov. 25. Day cloudy and drizzly. Marched 23 miles and camped in Lamar County.

Nov. 26. The forenoon of today was cloudy and drizzly; afternoon clouds broken, having the appearance of clearing off. The country passed over was mostly white, sandy land; creek bottoms black, sticky land; timber small; some pine; distance traveled 15 miles. Camped in Lamar County, Texas.

Nov. 27. Marched 15 miles; country passed over a whitish, sandy soil, very poor, thinly settled. Camped in Red River County.

Nov. 28. Marched 16 miles; country passed over in the forenoon same as yesterday. In about 6 miles of Clarksville struck a prairie soil, black and very rich. The day very warm for the season. Camped one mile east of Clarksville.

Nov. 29. Remained in camp today.

Nov. 30. In camp near Clarksville. Gen. Jeff Thompson made a speech today in the Presbyterian Church in Clarksville.

Dec. 1. Left camp this morning at day dawn; marched 15 miles. Weather very warm. Camped near Pinchum, a small village in Red River County.

Dec. 2. Received a furlough this morning for 7 days.
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{The entries made by Bennett while he was on furlough are not included.}

Dec. 12. Left Oliver English's today and returned to the command. Day clear and cool. Stopped for the night with a refugee from Yell County, Ark. The refugee lived in Bowie County, Tex.

Dec. 13. Crossed Red River today at the mouth of Mill Creek. Traveled down Red River in direction of Richmond. Went through the corner of Indian Nation; stayed all night in Arkansas near the line between the Indian country and Arkansas.

Dec. 14. Reached camp today 8 miles below Laynesport, Sevier County, Ark.

Dec. 15. Remained in camp today.

Dec. 24. In camp on Red River for 9 days; 16, 17, and 18 were rainy and disagreeable. We broke camp this morning at 9 o'clock and marched up Red River about 6 miles and crossed over and camped for the night on the south bank in Bowie County, Tex. The day was cloudy and threatening rain.

Dec. 25. Marched up Red River 10 miles and camped at the winter quarters used by Gen. Gano's command last winter. This Christmas makes four that I have spent in the Confederate service. The Christmas of '61 I spent in camp near New Madrid; the Christmas of '62 I was on the Van Buren scout and made my dinner on a cold piece of corn bread; the Christmas of '63 I spent in Camp Ewing, Ark.; my dinner that day was something better than the Christmas before - I had chicken, flour bread and some fried cakes sweetened. The present Christmas my dinner was a piece of cold flour bread cooked on a board and beef roasted over the fire. What another year may bring forth is hard to tell. Where I am another Christmas, and what I may have for dinner, is too far in the future and the times too fluctuating to say what and where. I hope peace may be made before another year rolls around. That the soldiers of the Confederacy may return to their families and friends and enjoy once more the sweets of social society is my prayer.

Dec. 26. Marched today 10 miles and camped 4 miles west of the mouth of Mill Creek in Bowie County, Texas.

Dec. 27. Received marching orders this morning to Daly's Ferry on Red River. So we countermarched and traveled over the same road, nearly, we had traveled in going to Mill Creek. We marched today 18 miles and camped in Bowie County, Texas.

Dec. 28. Marched eight miles and camped in two miles of Boston, Tex., county seat of Bowie.

Dec. 29. The order for going to Daly's Ford was countermanded, so we made another turnabout and traveled in the direction of Clarksville, over the same road we traveled yesterday. Marched 15 miles and camped near DeKalb, Bowie County. Day clear and beautiful.

Dec. 30. Marched today 13 miles and camped in Pinchum in Red River County. Day clear and beautiful; wind blew very hard in the evening; night quite cool.

Dec. 31. Marched this morning 4 miles and camped. Clear and cool. Today closes the year 1864, and still the great war, commenced in 1861 is raging in all its savage fury. In 1860 we had peace at home and peace abroad. All things seemed to be in a prosperous condition. Our ships were carrying on commerce with every nation. The agriculturist and manufacturer were busy in their professions. All things calculated to make man prosperous and happy were approximately to perfection. But lo, the contrast today! The despoiler came and in his ambition has brought ruin and desolation upon our once happy country. The great manufactories of the country that were busy from the commencement of the year to the end are now rusting to decay for the want of proper material to give them employment. Also, the beautiful plantations where once stood the magnificent residence of the occupier is burned, and his large fields that once waved with rich harvests of golden grain is now a desert growing up in briars and thistles. Hundreds of vessels that were once busy in carrying on commerce are now busy in carrying troops and munitions of war. We were once happy and resting quietly beneath our own vines and fig trees in peace; but now we are engaged in one of the most frightful wars recorded in the annals of time. Oh, that some person could come forth and set out a plan that an honorable peace could be ratified between the contending parties. Such a person's name would be honored to the latest generation. But we must look higher than man to see this war closed. We must look to Him who can calm the billows of the tempest-tossed ocean to bring peace and quiet to our country. When He has chastened the country for its neglect of duty then, and not till then, will we have peace.

Jan. 1, 1865. The command remained in camp today. I visited Judge Simeon English and I partook of a most excellent dinner. Day clear and beautiful.

Jan. 2. Left camp early this morning; marched 15 miles and camped in Bowie County; day clear and beautiful.

Jan. 3. Marched 18 miles and camped in Bowie County.

Jan. 6. Arrived at Fulton, Ark. today.

Jan. 7. Col. Tyler's brigade was dismounted today.

Jan. 8. Gen. Marmaduke's brigade inspected today.

Jan. 9. I tendered my resignation as 2d Lt., Co. D, Jeffers' regiment.

Jan. 10. Was ordered by Gen. Magruder, at my own request, to report to Col. Moore's regiment to do duty as a private soldier until my resignation could be heard from.

Jan. 16. Arrived at Camden and attached myself to Company H, Col. Moore's regiment.

Lieutenant John Ashley Bennett ended the war as a private soldier in Company H, 10th Missouri Infantry Regiment. He was paroled with that unit at Shreveport, Louisiana on June 7, 1865, and then returned to Cape Girardeau County.