Albert Underwood Civil War Diary

Thurs. Jan. 21: Started to Columbus about 2 oclock this morning and reached there about 4 oclock, unloaded. Same night commenced loading on the Platte Valley at 2 oclock. Let our things down steep bank, got all our things loaded by dark.

Fri. Jan. 22: Left Columbus this morning about 11 oclock. Passed Hickman Island No. 10 and New Meadrick before dark. Laid up part of the night.

Sat. Jan. 23: Passed Ft. Pillow about sunrise. Beautiful day. Reached Memphis about 1 oclock and landed a few minutes. Then anchored in the middle of the river. Landed again and took on wood then landed on the Arkansas side about dark. Orders to cook 3 days rations. Very mixed up affairs. There are many rumors about what we will do or where we will go.

Sun. Jan. 24: Still remain tied up to the Arkansas shore. Signed the pay rolls this morning. Crossed over to the Memphis side to take on wood and remained all day and night.

Mon. Jan. 25: I and Wolverton went down in town. Visited the city park. Saw Gen. Jackson's Monument. Went into Ft. Pickering to see 7th Kansas. Saw Ples and he went down to the boat with me. Received our pay this evening. We remained till after midnight. The boys are having a great time on the boat tonight taking a general spree.

Tues. Jan. 26: Left Memphis at 2 oclock this morning. Passed Helena about 10 oclock. Passed Fryars Point, Horse Shoe Bend. Reached the mouth of White River at sundown and landed. Fine weather. Laid up about 2 hours and shoved out and run all night.

Wed. Jan. 27: Beautiful day. Passed Providence and Goodriches Landing. Here were a lot of contrabands camped on the river bank. Passed Miliken's Bend and reached Vicksburg about 5 oclock and laid up at the landing all night. Nice spring weather here now.

Thurs. Jan. 28: Dropped down about one mile this morning and commenced and finished by 2 oclock. Camped in the bottom near the bluff. Had to hand our guns up a steep bank with the prolongue. Took a ride up through town to the wharf. Weather quite warm. The sun is rather oppressive today. The shade feels quite comfortable. Today troops are strewn along the river bank for miles.

Fri. Jan. 29: Remained in camp all day. I worked all day and part of the night fixing up our wet ammunition and other things. Cloudy in the morning and quite warm today. I am very much wearied today having but two cannoneers present now, four being left at Memphis and have not come down yet.