2006-06
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006
War-date diary of Colonel James H. Howe, 32nd Wisconsin Infantry, who enlisted on August 30, 1862 and resigned July 6, 1864, 42p. 2-3/4”x6”, with pencil & ink entries, ID “James H. Howe, Co. 32nd Wis. Inf, with entries begining November 26, 1863 and concluding July 1, 1864. These entries read in part: “...Left Memphis Nov. 26 1863 as part of Col. Morgan’s Brig. ...marched to Moscow. Arrived too late to participate in the engagement of that day. The enemy not wanting us to form line of battle on the west side of river...[12/27/63] went to LaFayette to intercept Forrest. Got there only in time to drive his rear guard out...marched up rail road towards Collierville to attack Forrest if he attacked the town. He was not there...[2/6/64]Brigade organized today under my command...[2/9/64]My Brigade yesterday marched at the rear of the entire Amry this morning we were ordered to take the front of the Army...We took the lead (32nd Wis. in advance)...[2/10/64]the enemy make no stand but are rapidly fleeing before us. We have just passed through Hillsborough. Our cavalry advance drove the rebels out....We just passed a dead rebel unburied. They are evidently retreating in a panic...[2/12/64]We passed the village of Decatur...When the rebel cavalry dashed in on train. Killed about 20 mules & then dashed out. I was about a mile in advance when I heard the firiing. I rode back but the flurry was all over...[2/14] marched into Meridian, Miss. This place ...is the most important rail road center west of Atlanta, being the sole railway connection between Miss and the Confederacy....[2/16/64]My advance guard encountered a small party of the enemy. My advance - 50 cos of 25 Ind. under Col Rhimelunder drove them back to the first buildings...In less than half an hour it had driven them completely from the town & occupied it...Gen. Veatch did not come up until it was over...The only order he sent to me was ‘not to press the enemy too far to take up a good position & hold it until Montgomery came up’...[2/19/64]went with two Regiments up to the Station called Lockart...buring every bridge...[2/24/64]I sent out a small party into the swamp where some bushwhackers were hid....There were six of them, but they all made their escape...My men were guided to the spot by a slave...[3/1/64] The train was threatened by a bout 300 rebel cavalry, about 7 miles from Canton. I took 6 companies of 32nd Wis. & had a smart skirmish...one bullet evidently aimed at me, struck the ground a short distance to my right...[3/24/64]went towards Union City, as far as Moscow Station. Learned there that Union City had surrendered to the Rebels. Col. Hawkins surrendered his entire regt. the 7th Tenn. Cav. over 500 strong, after ‘a fight’ in which however he lost but one man killed...[3/25/64]word was received by Gen. Veatch that Forrest had attacked Paducah, Ky. had occupied the town, but had been repulsed from the Forts. I was ordered by Gen. Veatch to send a Regt. immediatly to the relief of the place...[3/26] I reported to Col. Hicks post ...was told the enemy had fled & that I need not disbark. In 10 minutes I was ordered to land at the Fort & occupy it as the enemy were marching on the place again...there was no attack...[3/30/64] marched 15 miles to Purdy, in order to intercept Forrest’s retrat...[4/20/64]Saturday the 16th the enemy made a demonstration on our front & are still there...[5/1/64]Gen. Matthias Brig from teh 15th AC came into reinforce us last night & today the 9th Ohio Cavalry came in. We now have about 1700 men & 4 small field pieces with to defend this place. We have no works that so small a force can hold & I feel that we are today at the mercy of a vigorous assault...The main army goes away leaving a trifling foce at the mercy of a vigirous attack. Yesterday morning the enemy came to our Picket line opened fire upon it with two pieces of artillery. They blasted away awhile & then lesiurely retreated...[5/5/64] constant skirmishing between their cavalry & ours on the Picket lines...we have been reinforced by four small field pieces (six pounders) & about 100 cavalry. We have worked hard upon the defences and they are now in a defenciable condition...[5/19/64] May 17th the enemy crossed the river...burned Madison Station...I went to receive a flag of truce from Roddy yesterday to propose an exchange of prisoners. Col. Morgan returned and took command of Brigade. I am therefore with Regt. again...[5/28/64] I started with my Brigade, 25th INd. 17th NY, 32nd Wisc, & Battery D 2nd Ill. Art for Courtland, Ala. Aobut 3 miles out drove in the enemy’s pickets. Had constatnt skirmishing...the rebels made a stand under cover of a hill...with a 4 gun battery in position. As my infs came out of the woods they opened fire with shell. I immediately placed my battery in position supported by the Infy in two lines. The enemies batteries were almost immediatly silenced & their retreat was sudden...I had but 5 men in the whole command hurt...I found that the acceptantce of Col. Morgan’s resignation had arrived & that he had returned home. This left me in command of my old Brigade again...[6/12/64] have been in command up to this time some skirmishing in the country with enemy. many rumors of attack by Forrest but nothign more. Brig. Gen. Granger arrived today & took command of the Dist of Northern Ala....[7/1/64] Resignation...” VG.
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