October 1

We struck tents and started south by Bardstown pike, marched ten miles. Country fine with splendid residences, timber mostly beech. Major General Gilbert commanding corps, division commanded by Sheridan brigade by Greusel.

October 2

Marched five miles. Came where secesh had blocked the road. Reached camp after dark. Marched ten miles. heard cannon.

October 3

Marched at six a.m. Kept on by-roads. Country good. Timber mostly beech. Marched twelve miles. Camped on Cedar river, heard cannon toward night.

October 4

Reached the Bardstown pike. Passed Buell's men. Marched eighty miles. Were sent four miles forward as scouts. Found no enemy.

October 5 - Bardstown, Kentucky

A few prisoners were taken on both sides. We marched 15 miles, camped on a beautiful stream. The enemy had left Bardstown but a short time before we arrived.

October 6

We were rear guard. Marched 18 miles, reaching camp at 11 p.m. Country fine and splendid residences. Oak timber, rolling land. Our cavalry drove the secesh, killing several.

October 7

We were rear guard again. Marched eight miles. Closing in on enemy. Our regiment was on the move all night, skirmishing and on picket.

October 8 - Perryville, Kentucky

Our regiment was got together and drawn up in line of battle when the artillery opened fire. The second Missouri charged on the enemy, driving them back. The fighting was mostly by artillery until about two o'clock. We were not in the fight until towards night, when orders came to take position, or battery occupied an elevation guarded on either side by remainder of our brigade. Our regiment was stationed twenty-five rods [about 400 feet, rod is 16.5 feet] in front of the battery. We lay upon the ground until the enemy came within range of our muskets when the crashing of musketry was tremendous. The roar of cannons could hardly be heard above that of musketry. I was wounded in the left hip after discharging my piece sixteen times and was taken form the field. As I left the field our boys commenced cheering and I knew victory was ours. Our loss was not far from three thousand. Nearly two hundred wounded were at the hospital, where I was taken, with all manner of wounds.
(Ed.- Orren who was the younger brother of Wallace P. Benson was taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison.)

Battle of Perryville, Kentucky

Union 916 killed Confederacy 2,500 killed, wounded, missing,, 2,943 wounded, 489 missing

October 12

We started for Louisville in army wagons. I thought it would kill me.

October 15 - Louisville

Reached Louisville. Went to hospital No. 12.

November 8

Wrote to the Sentinel.

November 13

The first time I have been out doors since I have been here.

November 21

Cool but pleasant. Murray and Kapple left this hospital with several others. Captain Griffin died.
(Ed.- Murray was Henry Murray who was Private in Company H from Woodstock.
Kapple was Edward E. Kapple who was Private in Company H from Woodstock.)

November 24

I received fifty-two dollars from U. S.

December 5

Shaw died. I went to see Briggs, at Mrs. Leggett's. Had a fine time. Returned at eight p.m.
(Ed.- Name of Shaw is unknown, there were several Shaws were in the Regiment.
Briggs was Morris Briggs who was First Lieutenant in Company H and resident of Algonquin. S. M. Briggs was in the 1860 Census and was from farmer from Ireland.
Mrs. Leggett was probably the wife of Leggett who was commander in 3rd Division in battle of Bald Hill. Several Algonquin men fought under him at Atlanta.)

December 18

I laid aside my crutches.

December 25

January 16

Snow fell twenty-two inches deep, the deepest known for forty years.

January 30

John Brink and Mr. Bunker called. They had Orlando Nash and Al Bunker's bodies. Henry Tower called and brought me something from home.

(Ed.- Orlando W. Nash was a resident of Algonquin and private in Company H. He was son of a local farmer, E. B. Nash. Alvin S. Bunker was a Corporal in Company H and from Woodstock.
John Brink was civil engineer (surveyor), age 50 from the Algonquin area.
Henry Tower is unknown.

February 9

I received twenty-six dollars from U. S. and sent sixty dollars home by Briggs.

(Ed.- Morris Briggs was First Lieutenant in Company H and was resident of Algonquin. In 1860 there was S. M. Briggs who was a farmer in Algonquin who came from Ireland.)

February 17

I called at Mr. Cole's and stayed all night. The first time I have slept on a bed since I left home about fifteen (?) months.

(Ed.- Mr. Cole is unknown person.)

February 25

I wrote to the Sentinel.

(Ed.- Sentinel was the newspaper printed in Woodstock, IL.)

March 1

I attended church in the evening, the first time since I volunteered. Choir singing with a fine organ.

March 5

I went before a board of examiners. They decided I would not be fit for service for a long time and my certificate of disability was made out.

March 12

I received my discharge papers.

March 16

I received pay, seventy-three dollars and sixty-five cents.

March 17 - Jeffersonville

I went over to Jeffersonville and started on the Jefferson and Indianapolis for home.

March 18 - Indianapolis/Chicago

Arrived at Indianapolis at daylight and stayed until one o'clock p.m. Left on the Indianapolis and Peru Railroad, joined with the Chicago and Cincinnati air line and reached Chicago 10:30 p.m. Took cars on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.

(Ed.- The train ran from Elgin through Dundee, Algonquin and then to Crystal Lake.)

March 19 - Algonquin

Arrived at home four o'clock a.m. and raised a rumpus before I could get in.

April 13

I went to town and saw Captain Joslyn and had my papers made out for bounty and pension by Asa Smith.

(Ed.- Captain Joslyn was Captain of Company H. He was resident of Woodstock.
Asa Smith was farmer son of Asiah Smith. Age was 24 years old.
Bounty was
Pension was )

May 5

Cal. and I went to town and Mr. Irish's had quite a time. Snowed very hard, and Cal. and I were quite used up when we got home.

(Ed.- Cal. was probably Calvin Jones from Nunda, town next to Crystal Lake who was in Company H.)