A Badger's Civil War Diary

The Diary of William Henry Baker while in the Union Army from 1862 to 1865. William served in Company B of the 30th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas Scott Baker
• Release date: Jan 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736560242

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A Badger’s Civil War Diary

THE DIARY OF WILLIAM HENRY BAKER

While in the Union Army

Company B, 30th Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers

1862 – 1865

Edited by Douglas Baker

(great-great grandson of William)

All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission from the publisher (Douglas Scott Baker).

ISBN: 978-1-7365602-4-2

Special thanks to Lee Grady and the staff at the Wisconsin Historical Society for their help on research for this book.

Cover art: The Library of Congress, Library of Congress Control Number 2003656531

Table of Contents

1862

August

September

October

November

December

1863

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1864

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

1865

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

About the Diary Author

Index

Endnotes

1862

I, William Henry Baker, enrolled as a soldier in the army of the United States for the term of three years on the 15th day of August, A.D. 1862.

August

Monday, August 25

Went to Mineral Point¹ to drill and stayed there drilling until the 30th.  Then went home.  Came again on the 1st of September and kept drilling each day until the 5th.  Went home again.  Came back on the 8th and drilled each day until the 13th.  Went home and came back on the 17th.  Kept drilling as before till the 20th.  Came back on the 27th, went to preaching in the evening.

September

Monday, September 22

Fine weather, drill all day.

Tuesday, September 23

Drill at 5 o’clock, Drill at nine.  At three it rained and we did not drill.  Went to the Court House, heard the Articles of War read to us, then broke ranks and went to the hotel.

Wednesday, September 24

Fine weather, drilled twice.  Got excused in the afternoon.

Thursday, September 25

Fine weather this morning.  Drilled at five.  Went to the Court House at nine and the roll was called.  One found absent without permission.  The Captain² sent three men after him, and he sent back word that he would not come.  The Captain said, ‘Fetch him’.  We waited quite a while, then the Captain sent the Lieutenant with three more men.  Then there was a cry of Fire.  We marched down to where the fire was and broke ranks.  The fire was put out.  We marched back to the Court House and waited a little while.  When they returned with the prisoner he was put under arrest until three o’clock.  The rest of the day passed away smoothly.

Friday September 26

This morning it is fine weather.  I was not fit to drill at five o’clock.  Got excused.  In the afternoon, I went home.

Saturday September 27

Fine weather as usual.  Went to a picnic in the Village of Linden.  Enjoyed myself first rate.  Broke up in the evening and went home.

Sunday September 28

Went to meeting in the morning.  In the afternoon went to the city.  Got caught in the rain and got rather wet.

Monday September 29

Rather cloudy and disagreeable. Drilled twice today.  The weather still looks gloomy.

Tuesday September 30

Wet disagreeable weather all day.  No drill.  Nothing of importance has transpired.

October

Wednesday October 1

Wet drizzly weather all day.  Went home in the afternoon.

Thursday October 2

Went to the county fair in Dodgeville.

Friday October 3

Fine weather.  Went on an errand in the morning.  The remainder of the day I dug potatoes for father.

Sunday October 5

Beautiful this morning.  In the afternoon went to the city of Mineral Point.  In the evening, went to church.

Monday October 6

Wet dirty weather.  No drilling for the day.  Went to a show in the afternoon.  In the evening went to Uncle’s and stayed all night.

Tuesday October 7

This morning it is raining hard.  Stopped raining about nine.  At ten o’clock I started for Mineral Point.  It cleared off rather pretty about eleven or twelve o’clock.  Arrived at the Point at half past one.  Received marching orders to appear in Madison on the ninth of this month.  Went home again and stayed all night.

Wednesday October 8

Raining very hard this morning.  Cleared off in the afternoon.  In the afternoon went to the Point.

Thursday October 9

Started for Arena³.  Stopped at Rugles for dinner around three o’clock.  Left there at four o’clock.  Arrived in Arena somewhere about six o’clock.  Took the cars for Madison at seven.  Arrived at Madison at ten minutes before nine.  From there marched up to Camp Randall and turned into our bunks for the first time and slept very soundly.

Friday October 10

This morning it is raining and quite cold.  Very disagreeable weather.  Cleared off about noon but still there is a very cold wind blowing.  Remained so all day.

Saturday October 11

Cold and frosty this morning, but on the all it is a pretty fine day.  Election of officers in the afternoon.  No drilling for the day.

Sunday October 12

First Sunday I spent in camp.  No drilling for the day.  Went to meeting at the M.E. (Methodist Evangelical) Church in Madison in the morning.  Stayed in camp the remainder of the day.

Monday October 13

Beautiful weather all day.  No drill, very busy fitting things up in order.  We have things pretty tolerable and comfortable now.  I expect we shall like it first rate in a few days.  We have been fitting up the barracks for some companies that we expect in the evening but they have not arrived yet.

Tuesday October 14

Very pretty weather.  Fitting up again in the morning.  Drill in the afternoon at three o’clock.  In the evening took our supper, answered roll-call at nine, then turned into our bunks.  Today some of our boys killed a hog that had broken into camp.  Just as they got it partly cleaned, the owner came and took it away.  The boys lost their fresh meat.

Wednesday October 15

It was a very hard frost this morning.  Drilled this morning before breakfast.  In the afternoon, we were examined.

Thursday October 16

There was quite a shower last night.  This morning it was quite cold and windy.  Drilled this morning at eight o’clock and in the afternoon at two till four o’clock.  P.M. went to see one of the recruits of the 29th Reg punished for disrespect to the sentinel.  I heard that he threw a stone at the sentinel and that he had to clean out the outhouse every morning, and in the afternoon, he had to carry a sign on his back and wear a pasteboard cap for three hours each day for about a week.

Friday October 17

This morning it is beautiful weather.  Answered roll-call at half past five, had breakfast at seven, drill at eight.  Not a very good dinner.  Drill in P.M.  Had a very good supper.  Today one of our boys got his arm sprained and it is very painful still.  This evening some of our boys went a foraging.  I expect we should have a pretty good dinner tomorrow.  I hope so at any rate.

Saturday October 18

This morning it is beautiful weather.  Answered roll-call at half past five, had breakfast at seven, drill at eight. Broke ranks at ten, had a very good dinner at one o’clock.  Drilled in the afternoon from two till four, had supper at half past five.  Roll call at six and again at nine.

Sunday October 19

Answered roll-call at half past five and it was very cold windy weather.  In the afternoon, it was quite pleasant.  At three o’clock we went to headquarters and heard Rev. Mr. Skinner preach to us.  He had for a pulpit the forefront of a cannon.  In the evening went to a meeting in Madison.  Retired to our bunks at nine.

Monday October 20

This morning it was very cold and a very hard wind blowing.  Drilled once today and fixed up our bunks a little warmer.  Today I have been quite poorly, hardly fit for duty.

Tuesday October 21

Very disagreeable all day.  Drilled twice today and were mustered⁴ into the United States Service.

Wednesday October 22

Very cold this morning and continued to be so all day.  Drilled twice today, two hours each time.  Drew part of our uniforms and was punctual to all the roll calls.

Thursday October 23

Very cold disagreeable weather all day.  Drilled twice.  In the evening drew our overcoats.

Friday October 24

Cold weather all day.  Snowed a little around ten o’clock.  Drilled twice during the day and drew our pantaloons.

Saturday October 25

Very cold indeed.  Drilled twice.  Nothing of very great importance has transpired.

Sunday October 26

Very cold rough weather in the morning.  In the afternoon, it got a little more pleasant.  Today I have been on guard for the first time.  I guarded the Quartermasters house.

Monday October 27

This morning it is very pleasant weather.  Today for the first time we commenced Battalion drill.  In the afternoon, Company drill.  Dress parade in the evening for the first time.

Tuesday October 28

Battalion drill in the forenoon, in the afternoon we drew our caps.  In the evening dress parade.

Wednesday October 29

Beautiful weather all day.  The same as the 28th with the exception of drawing the caps.

Thursday October 30

Very fine weather this morning.  Drilled in the morning, in the evening dress parade.

Friday October 31

Very windy all day.  In the morning we were mustered for pay.  No drill in the afternoon.  In the evening I went to the inspection of the 29th Reg.

November

Saturday November 1

Cloudy rough weather most of the day.  No drill for the day.  In the morning we were marched up to the headquarters and we were paid 25 dollars bounty a piece.  In the afternoon I got a pass and went up town and bought a few little things and got supper.  In the evening went on dress parade.

Sunday November 2

This morning it is snowing quite brisk.  This morning the 29th Reg. left for Dixie.  We escorted them to the cars.  In the evening dress parade.

Monday November 3

Clear and cold in the morning.  Drilled twice today.

Tuesday November 4

Today is election day.  No drill in the forenoon.  In the afternoon Battalion drill, in the evening dress parade.

Wednesday November 5

This morning it is quite cold and windy and continued so all day.  Company drill in the afternoon, dress parade in the evening.

Thursday November 6

Rough cold weather and there was a little snow storm about noon today.  I was on guard.

Friday November 7

This morning it is fine weather but rather cold.  In the morning I got a pass and went up town.  In the afternoon company drill, in the evening dress parade.

Saturday November 8

Beautiful weather all day.  No drilling for the day.  In the forenoon we fixed up our sitting-room, in the afternoon drew our Army canteens and haversacks.

Sunday November 9

Today is Sunday.  Splendid weather all day.  In the forenoon we drew our fatigue coats and knapsacks.  In the evening dress parade.

Monday November 10

Beautiful weather all day.  Squad drill in the forenoon, in the afternoon battalion, in the evening dress parade.

Tuesday November 11

Roughest weather all day.  I was on guard.

Thursday November 13

Rather rough weather.  Company drill in the forenoon, battalion drill in the afternoon.

Friday November 14

Cold weather all day.  Company drilled twice.

Saturday November 15

Tolerable fine weather all day.  Not much of anything going on.  Orders came for us to get ready to leave at short notice.  Considerable excitement in camp.

Sunday November 16

Wet rainy weather most of the day.  General inspection in the forenoon. 

Monday November 17

Cloudy weather all day.  I was detailed to go on guard.  I was relieved at four.  Went and prepared to leave.  Got things fixed up then went to bed.

Tuesday November 18

Turned out of our bunks at half past two in the morning.  Got all of our things strapped to us, took one day rations in our haversacks, took a cup of coffee and a piece of bread for breakfast.  Fell in at half past three.  Got about the cars about five.  Arrived in Milwaukee about one o’clock PM.  Stood in the street about an hour, then we marched up through the town to the camp at a distance of about a mile and a half.  The road was very muddy and we were pretty tired when we got into Camp Washburne.  We were marched to our barracks and picked our bunk.  We took a little to eat and then made up our beds and went to sleep.  Had a good night’s rest.

Wednesday November 19

Cloudy weather all day.  Answered roll call at six.  At seven we had a cup of coffee and some bread and bugle drill.  About ten loaded our guns for the first time and tried them at a mark.  I hit the edge of the paper.  My gun did not kick very hard but I heard some of the boys say theirs kicked very hard.  Marched back to Camp Washburne.  Took dinner, company drill again in the afternoon, in the evening shot at a mark.  Only seven in the whole company hit the board.  Then went back and got supper and went to bed.

Thursday November 20

In the morning it was cloudy.  Roll call at six, breakfast between seven and eight, drill in the forenoon.  In the afternoon got a pass and went to town.  Received marching orders, came back to camp and wrote a letter, had some supper and went to bed. 

Friday November 21

Clear cold weather.  In the morning packed up our things, ready to start.  Company drill in the forenoon.  In the afternoon we didn’t do much of anything.  We were ready to leave and waited expecting orders every minute, but they did not come.  Had a little supper and went to bed.

Saturday November 22

Orders came at some time during the night.  We had to get up at four o’clock and pack up our things and get a little something to eat, and then go to the depot and stand in the cold between one and two hours.  After all they had no car for us and we had to walk nearly a mile before we could get a car.  We got in the car and started in earnest, went about 25 miles in the car, then got out and marched about 14 miles through some very rough country.  Went about five miles then stopped and took a little bit of bread and beef, stayed there about an hour and then started again.  The roads were very muddy in some places.  It is mostly heavy timber land through this part of the country.  There is more heavy timber between Milwaukee and West Bend than I ever saw in my life before.  Went four miles further, then stopped and rested.  Our Captain hired a team to carry our knapsacks.  Marched five miles further.  Then we were in the city of West Bend.  Got a little supper and then slept in the court-house.

Sunday November 23

Beautiful morning but rather cold.  Got up a little before sunrise, had a little bread and meat and a cup of coffee for breakfast.  Went downtown in the forenoon, came back to camp and had some dinner, then went upstairs and read a chapter of the Bible.  Dress parade in the evening.  Nothing of any importance transpired during the day.

Monday November 24

Rough windy weather today.  I was detailed on guard to the Commissioners draft.  Six towns and there were quite a number of people present.

Tuesday November 25

Cloudy rough weather.  I was dismissed from guard duty at nine, went and shot off my gun and got a pass to go to town.  Came back to camp and got some dinner.  The ladies of West Bend are very patriotic.  They came up to camp and brought us some things to eat and asked some of the boys to come down and eat with them whenever they feel like it.  In the afternoon we had battalion drill all through the village of West Bend, and we went on to another little village about a mile and a half distant, went all through the principal streets, then marched back to camp and broke ranks.  Dress parade at four and then got our supper.  After supper I got a pass and went down town, then came back and went to bed.

Wednesday November 26

Tolerable fine weather.  Company drill in the forenoon, battalion drill in the afternoon, dress parade in the evening.  After supper went down to the P.O. and mailed a letter, then came back and went to a meeting.  After meeting came back and went to bed.

Thursday November 27

This morning it is cloudy and, in the night, we had a little fall of snow and still looks we could have more.  Today is Thanksgiving Day and I suspect we shall have a good time.  No drill for the day.  The ladies of West Bend got us a splendid dinner in the courthouse and we had quite a nice time.  In the evening dress parade.  In the evening, some of the boys had a dance in the courthouse.  Not anything of importance transpired during the day.

Friday November 28

Wild weather.  Company drill in the forenoon and afternoon both.  Dress parade in the evening.

Saturday November 29

Fine weather all day.  Last night four of our companies left for Camp Randall leaving the other two companies remain.  Today was the day that the drafted have to report to the commissioner.  There have been a great many people here today, but whether they have all reported or not I cannot tell.  Today our cook received orders to cook two days rations so expect that we shan’t be here much longer.  Dress parade in the evening.

Sunday November 30

Drowsy weather all day.  Wrote a letter in the forenoon, in the afternoon inspection, evening dress parade.  Afterword got a pass and went to preaching.

December

Monday December 1

Cloudy weather all day.  Drilled twice and dress parade in the evening.

Tuesday December 2

Cold weather all day.  The same as on the first.

Wednesday December 3

Cold bleak all day.

Thursday December 4

The same.

Friday December 5

Cold rough weather all day.  Today I go on guard.  It is the coldest day I ever went on guard.  It is the coldest day since I enlisted in the army.  We went and got some straw and put it in our mattresses and it made a very good bed I can assure you. 

Saturday December 6

Cold as ever.  Not much of anything going on, only drilling in the manual of arms.  In the evening I did not feel very well so I got a pass and went down town and got some molasses and a few other little things.  Then came back and went to bed.

Sunday December 7

Clear, cold weather.  In the forenoon a general inspection.  In the afternoon preaching in the courthouse.

Monday December 8

Tolerable fine weather all day and the same on the ninth.

Wednesday December 10

I was unwell.  Not able to drill for the day.

Thursday December 11

I felt considerably better and I went on guard.

Friday December 12

Wet drizzly weather all day.  Wrote a letter in the morning and then went down town.

Saturday December 13

Cloudy disagreeable weather all day.  Inspection in the morning.

Sunday December 14 and Dec. 15

The same.

Tuesday December 16

Cold stormy weather all day.

Wednesday December 17

Cold clear weather.

Thursday December 18

The same.  No drill for the day.  The drafted men have to