7th Illinois Infantry and Their Mules

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Jul 21, 2011
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Stories about 7th Illinois Infantry and Their Mules

Of all aspects of the American Civil War, mules may seem an odd choice of topic. Yet an old CW journal makes some hilarious comments about the mules, as well as the attitudes of some of the men who rode them. Other entries are about digging out mules and wagons from muddy roads, foraging for and with mules, etc.

These journal entries (below, headed Journal Excerpts) are taken from the 1868 book "History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois volunteer infantry: from its first muster into the U.S. service, April 25, 1861, to its final muster out, July 9, 1865." Author Daniel Lieb Ambrose was a member of Company H of the 7th. (My gg grandfather and uncle served in the same company.)

This unit served for 3 months (April - July 1861), 3 years (1861 - 1864), and most re-enlisted as veteran volunteers and served until muster-out, July 1865. Most of them were farm boys central Illinois, from the counties around Abraham Lincoln's home. They were the first group of men from the state to enlist in July 1861 and very proud of that record.

Journal Excerpts

January 1862 "Tuesday, 30th. This morning Companies H and I, under the command of Captain Johnson, are sent on a foraging expedition, taking with them the Division train. They go within six miles of Purdy, making a general sweep of every thing that would in any way serve to satisfy the 'inner' of both man and mule." p. 125

February 1863 "Tuesday, 27th ... The train soon commences to move out. It is the Seventh's lot as usual to follow in the rear. Oh! what a time mud, mud, no end to mud, slash, slash, go the wagons, and down go the mules in the mud over their ears. The Seventh extricate them; it is very fatiguing to follow in the rear. The men soon become tired, but on they go determined to see Corinth to-night. Night over-takes us five miles from camp. The Regiment scatters, every man for himself. The teams are left in the mud, and as the demoralized Seventh went lunging on their way they could hear for miles back the high keyed notes from the M.D's. [mule drivers?]whose curses and epithets were falling thick and fast upon the poor meek long-eared race. Oh! what untiring energy! Ungenerous would be the one who would speak disparagingly of the services of this race in this struggle. We imagine that in the future the faithful chroniclers will say, 'here's to the mule that with patience and fortitude performed well its part in the war for the Union.' The Seventh arrive in camp between the hours of 7 and 10 o'clock P.M., every one looking most lovely." p. 134 - 135

1863 Sometime between 16 - 18 March "An order comes to the Seventh this evening, to the effect that they are to be mounted on 'the meek and patient mules.' The guerrillas in West Tennessee will be hunted down now." p. 173

March 1863 "Friday, 19th. To-day we draw our mules and saddles; now look out for jayhawking. The Kansas Seventh already fear for their reputation. Dick Rowett is already jubilant, for he knows that he can give more rein to Charley now." p. 173

March 1863 "Sunday, 21st. The 'long ears' are issued to the different companies to-day, and in every direction the men are seen trying the virtue of their steeds. As is characteristic of this animal, they prove stubborn and spring towards the 'latter end,' and in consequence many of the soldiers are elevated. It is indeed amusing to see our donkeys lunge, jump, 'thrust and develop.' We remarked to a soldier this evening that the mule was not the patient creature it seemed, who, feeling inclined to defend the mule, and who by the way was an observing soldier, replied that his mule was so patient that it waited three hours to get a chance to kick him. But the Seventh being a conquering regiment, soon subdue the unruly ones. The virtue of each man's mule is now being freely discussed, each soldier claiming that his mule is a superior mule. All are anxious for a scout or a raid now; all are of the opinion that the Seventh on their steeds will present quite an imposing cavalcade; we are sure they will sirike terror in rebeldom when Dick [Rowett] leads them forth. p. 173 - 174

1863 March "From the twenty-first to the twenty-eighth the regiment is principally engaged in breaking mules, &c., making preparations to respond quickly to the expected blast
of the bugle." p. 174

1863 "Sunday, 28th. This morning companies F, G, H, I and K, mounted and equipped, under the command of Colonel Rowett leave Corinth. We move out on the Purdy road; our mules travel finely;..." p. 174 - 175

"July 1st, 1863. Early this morning, we move on the Purdy road... About dark we arrive in camp at Corinth. All agree that the mule is a good institution, for there is no complaining of feet being sore to-night. All are cheerful, and eagerly do the boys read the news from Vicksburg, which is indeed cheering." p. 177

1863 "Saturday, 11th. This morning the companies send details with the mules out on the commons to graze. Of all the stubborn and aggravating beings on earth, the mule is the chiefest. It would make a saint swear to lead a mule. Whenever they discover a soldier is vexed, they draw back their ears and look so provokingly mean at him, taking all the delight imaginable in tormenting and teasing their master." p. 178 - 179

1863 "Friday, 17th... Three o'clock, we pass through Purdy and move on towards Corinth; we halt on Gravel Hill and go into camp for the night. The boys soon sally forth, and after being gone awhile return with plenty of oats and roasting-ears, upon which the mules and men make their supper." p. 180

1863 "Wednesday, 29th... Captain Ring gets permission from Colonel Hatch to go out scouting, &c. We succeed in capturing some fine secesh mules, and then return to camp." p. 184

1863 "Saturday 7th... We move out about eight miles and go into camp on the side of a large hill (no other place being found where we could tie our mules.) After feeding, and eating our supper, we remove some of the larger rocks and make our beds. We all lie down, but it is with difficulty that we maintain our position. We predict that by morning we shall be down at the foot of the hill..." p. 203 - 204

1863 "Saturday, 8th. We are aroused early this morning. We are made to conclude that the Seventh is indeed a tenacious regiment, to have held their position so well on this hill-side during the night. None are found at the foot of the hill, as was predicted. The mules too have been good in holding their positions..." p. 204

1863 "Tuesday, 10th... The flinty roads are hard on the mules; their feet are becoming sore. We go into camp to-night thirty miles from Pulaski, Tennessee..." p. 205

1864 "June 1st. We receive orders to turn over to the Division A.Q.M., our long eared friends, which causes us all to give a sigh, for they have been faithful in many things." p. 243

1864 "November 19th... This evening Colonel Perrin receives orders from General Corse to mount his regiment as fast as stock can be captured. The order is received by the boys with great delight." p. 279

1865 "April 14th... To-day Companies A and K leave for headquarters to be mounted. The dismounted portion of the regiment is now very small. Company H and the three new companies, B, D and G, are the only ones now remaining to plod their way on 'terra firma;' but we all hope soon to be mounted; especially old Company H, who, from past experience, know what virtue there is in mules." p. 303 - 304

1865 "April 16th. This morning the dismounted portion of the regiment receives orders to report to regimental head-quarters to be mounted. Oh! how welcome the news, notwithstanding we do find the stock and the riding material some-what on the decline; but anything to ride is the word that goes forth now from Company H and the new companies." p. 304

May 1865 "On the 20th we turn over our stock, saddles and bridles to the A.Q.M., 4th Division. We part from our mules this time without any regrets, inasmuch as we need them no more, having finished our work in the south-land. But the Seventh will ever feel grateful to Major General Logan for permitting them to retain their stock until their arrival at Washington, thereby saving them from a long weary march." p. 309
 
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