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THBCorporal James A. Kimball, 29th Wisconsin Infantry, Civil War Pocket Diary, 1864-1865
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About Auction
LiveNov 17, 2017 - Nov 18, 2017
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- Lot Description
Pocket diary, 3 x 6 in., identified to Corporal James A Kimball, Co. A, 29th Wisconsin Infantry, January 2, 1864- June 30, 1865, 6 x 3 in.
Portland, WI native James A. Kimball enlisted as a Corporal on August 18, 1862 and was mustered into Co. A of the 29th Wisconsin the same day for three-years service.
Kimball’s 1864-1865 diary begins as his regiment is waiting to board ships in order to cross the Gulf of Mexico. After spending two extra days on the ship because of rough seas, Kimball and Company A got to shore at Matagorda Bay, Texas. On January 25, the regiment was ordered to march to Indianola, Texas.
On February 6, the Wisconsin Volunteers were reviewed by General E.O.C. Ord, who was present during the the surrender of Robert E. Lee to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. A week later a New Orleans steamer delivered the news that five hundred thousand more troops were to be drafted March 1. In early March the regiment was also reviewed by Major General John McClernand, who was later relieved by U.S. Grant for unauthorized communication with the press.
On May 8, the 29th assisted in building a dam across the Red River in order to raise the water level so Union Gunboats could get through. Later in the month the regiment was in camp while a bridge was being built across a bayou, which the regiment had to cross. The Corporal states “the rebs attacked our rear today and had a hard fight.”
On July 4, 1864, Kimball recorded, “Today we had a celebration in the afternoon.” The Wisconsin Volunteers were not so deeply engaged that they would forget the fight for freedom from the boot of King George. On August 18, Kimball was assigned to the 2nd Division, 19th Corps commanded by Brigadier General Elias S. Dennis. On September 9, Kimball recorded “Ordered to embark on the steamer Rose Humbleton for St. Charles.” The steamer had been captured by Union forces from the USS Conestoga on the White River, Arkansas.
An October 21 entry notes that the 99th IL and 120th OH had left for DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. Kimball’s regiment arrived at that location on October 24. The Corporal noted on November 8, 1864 “We had election today . . .Ordered to go aboard the ‘cars’ [ train ] for Little Rock. Arrived at Little Rock on November 16. Stayed with the 9th. They had hot coffee ready for us.”
Kimball’s entry on April 9, 1865 is significant. “The works at Blakely [AL] were assaulted and carried this afternoon capturing 2400 prisoners and about 25 cannon.” The battle actually occurred a few hours after General Lee had surrendered to General Grant. Five days later Corporal Kimball received news that the surrender had taken place. On April 20, news reached the 29th Division that Abraham Lincoln was dead.
On May 4, 1865 the diary notes that Confederate General Richard Taylor had surrendered to Union General Edward Canby. The terms were the same as those given by Ulysses Grant to Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House. On June 30, 1865 James Kimball and his 29th Division marched into Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin.
Corporal Kimball’s diary is remarkable in that complaints of any type are nowhere to be found. The closest he approaches any negative comments are his descriptions of the marching conditions as hot, dusty or muddy. Any reader would certainly expect gripes about the quality and quantity of food, the foul odor of his army accommodations and tent mates, the total lack of competence of his commanders, pay that rarely arrived or any number of issues that every army since the dawn of time has robustly groused about. James Kimball did his many jobs as a soldier but his diary did not reflect any menacing fear or gripping hardships.
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