Yet another day in camp near Athens, and Nelson's Brigade remains stationary. Captain Cox writes:
"Nothing of importance today. I finished my rolls this morning, and this afternoon played a game of draw and won $45.00. There will be a grand review tomorrow, July 4, 1862."*
We can assume the daily routine is similar to their camp in Cloud Field at Pittsburg Landing, pulling picket duty, maintaing equipment and company drills. Now, with fresh running water in abundant supply, it was an important time for recovery and tending their aching feet. Whatever their next destination, it is likely to be a long march from here.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
This blog chronicles the life of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War on the 150th aniversary of their service. Follow these volunteers through several major battles while experiencing both the pace and duration of the conflict. The posts may be read chronologically by accessing the archives and selecting them individually, beginning with the Preface.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
"Lincoln Green"
On their third full day in camp at Athens, the men were making themselves at home and enjoying some free time. The arrival of the paymaster lightened the atmosphere as Captain Cox writes:
Still at work on rolls. Nothing of importance today. The boys are amusing themselves by playing cards for the "Lincoln Green".*
The fact that the army seemed in no particular rush to continue their march led most men to give up the idea that they were headed to Virginia. As news from home filtered in to the camp, the men became more anxious to return to Kentucky. It was becoming clear that the Confederacy had designs on their homes in the Green River country.
Letters from home painted scenes entirely different from the idyllic ones residing in the volunteers' memory. "Some newspaper circulation restricted, people of all classes arrested for suspected disloyalty, or persecuted and robbed by guerrillas for having strong sympathies in any direction, just to name a few of the injustices. Helping deserters would get citizens arrested, even though they were usually let go in a short time. Most of the time, grounds for the arrest did not exist in the first place."**
Civilian authorities had to deal with increasing lawlessness with little capacity for housing prisoners. Obtaining an unbiased jury was literally impossible. As an example, "June 16, 1862, three men from Owensboro, arrested for suspected aiding and abetting the rebellion were released after taking the oath of allegiance."**
What was once considered idle gossip now had serious consequences, angering and alienating families, friends and neighbors. This breakdown in civil society was the harbinger of war. Rumors that the Confederates were coming to Kentucky served to embolden their supporters. Families of the volunteers hoped their troops would return soon.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennnedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
**Harp, Beth Chinn, Torn Asunder: Civil War in Ohio County and the Green River Country, 2003,
McDowell Publications, p.75.
Still at work on rolls. Nothing of importance today. The boys are amusing themselves by playing cards for the "Lincoln Green".*
The fact that the army seemed in no particular rush to continue their march led most men to give up the idea that they were headed to Virginia. As news from home filtered in to the camp, the men became more anxious to return to Kentucky. It was becoming clear that the Confederacy had designs on their homes in the Green River country.
Letters from home painted scenes entirely different from the idyllic ones residing in the volunteers' memory. "Some newspaper circulation restricted, people of all classes arrested for suspected disloyalty, or persecuted and robbed by guerrillas for having strong sympathies in any direction, just to name a few of the injustices. Helping deserters would get citizens arrested, even though they were usually let go in a short time. Most of the time, grounds for the arrest did not exist in the first place."**
Civilian authorities had to deal with increasing lawlessness with little capacity for housing prisoners. Obtaining an unbiased jury was literally impossible. As an example, "June 16, 1862, three men from Owensboro, arrested for suspected aiding and abetting the rebellion were released after taking the oath of allegiance."**
What was once considered idle gossip now had serious consequences, angering and alienating families, friends and neighbors. This breakdown in civil society was the harbinger of war. Rumors that the Confederates were coming to Kentucky served to embolden their supporters. Families of the volunteers hoped their troops would return soon.
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennnedy Cox, courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18.
**Harp, Beth Chinn, Torn Asunder: Civil War in Ohio County and the Green River Country, 2003,
McDowell Publications, p.75.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Duty First, Then Thoughts of Home
The Volunteers of the Seventeenth Kentucky undoubtedly had a good night's sleep in their new camp and enjoyed a regular breakfast after their morning duties were complete. Despite all of the complaining, the food prepared by the company cook was generally superior to the toasted hardtack and coffee prepared over their fires during the long march from Bear Creek.
The Muster Card for S.T. Brown dated June 30, 1862 indicates that he was "Absent- Sick- At Louisville" as Captain Cox prepared the rolls for May and June. No further details are available.
For Sam Cox, July 1, 1862 was just another day at the office. His complete entry for this day is printed below.
Have been busy engaged in making out pay and muster rolls today. Wrote a letter to Josie.*
Included with his diary is a letter from his sister, Jenny Mosely, dated June 25, 1863- approximately one year from this entry. The following paragraph provides a curious glimpse into the young captain's family life back in Hartford, Ky.
I suppose you have heard, Sam, that Josie Landrum and John Adams are going to be married. Mrs. Barrett was asking Verda Nall about it and said it was quite a mistake for cousin "Josie wouild never marry but one man in this world and if he was killed in battle or died, she would never marry." I told Mrs. Barrett that I, too, thought it was a mistake. Is it not, dear Sam? Tell me your secrets, and I assure you they shall never be divulged. I have a woman's curiosity to know the cause of your and her quitting corresponding, and I think you might tell me.*
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, Courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18 and addendum
The Muster Card for S.T. Brown dated June 30, 1862 indicates that he was "Absent- Sick- At Louisville" as Captain Cox prepared the rolls for May and June. No further details are available.
For Sam Cox, July 1, 1862 was just another day at the office. His complete entry for this day is printed below.
Have been busy engaged in making out pay and muster rolls today. Wrote a letter to Josie.*
Included with his diary is a letter from his sister, Jenny Mosely, dated June 25, 1863- approximately one year from this entry. The following paragraph provides a curious glimpse into the young captain's family life back in Hartford, Ky.
I suppose you have heard, Sam, that Josie Landrum and John Adams are going to be married. Mrs. Barrett was asking Verda Nall about it and said it was quite a mistake for cousin "Josie wouild never marry but one man in this world and if he was killed in battle or died, she would never marry." I told Mrs. Barrett that I, too, thought it was a mistake. Is it not, dear Sam? Tell me your secrets, and I assure you they shall never be divulged. I have a woman's curiosity to know the cause of your and her quitting corresponding, and I think you might tell me.*
*Cox, Samuel K., Civil War Diary 1862-1865 of Captain Samuel Kennedy Cox, Courtesy of Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Room, archived manuscript, p.18 and addendum
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