The University of Iowa hold a diary by Joseph Child, of K/26 IOWA INF; his unit was en route by steamer from Memphis to Vicksburg in December 1862. His entry for 23 December reads in part "wee tie up for the night 130 miles from Vicksburg" His entry for the next day, 24 Dec, reads in part, "A squad has gone to a town 5 miles back from here to burn it[.] wee burned al [all] the buildings hear here[.]"

I do not know if the distance given was airline or river miles, probably the latter. Does anyone have an idea of the identity of the town burned?