William Shanks was a first cousin of William Weddell (his mother was Jeannette Weddell, sister of the senior Weddell). A private in Company K, William was killed at Chickamauga, Ga., in September 1863. George Shanks, the brother of William, also served in Company K as a corporal. He was killed at Chickamauga within ten minutes of his brother. A few letters of both William and George are available in the Weddell Collection (MS 484).
WILLIAM SHANKS
HIS BOOK OCT 10 1861
BELONGING TO 21ST REGT OHIO VOLUNTEERS
CO K
A Journal of 1861 from Sep 10th
September
| 10 | We leave for Camp Vance |
| 18 | The mustering officer comes to muster in |
| 26 | Started for Camp Denison [Dennison]. It was rugged looking place |
October
| 1 | We started from Camp Dennison |
| 3 | We draw uniform |
| 2 | We arive at Tomledger [Camp Tom Letcher] |
| 15 | We start from Toml Ledger and travail twelve miles and arive at Camp Anderson at 3 pm |
| 16 | We go and see Henry Clays monument. It was the finest sight that I ever saw |
| 17 | It has rained all day and we have laid all day in our tents and wrote a letter to John Bowsprit |
| 18 | We start from Camp Anderson and travail 14 mi |
| 19 | We start in the morning and travail until 10 am when we stop and get a free dinner at Winchester and march on |
| 20 | Sunday. We march all day |
| 21 | Monday. We march through a rough country |
| 22 | We start at 9 am and march four mi and cross a large hill. The baggage wagons get to camp at four |
| 23 | Wednesday. We march seven miles and get along prety well |
| 24 | Thursday. We arive at Hazle [Hazel] Green. The little town looks rather bare |
| 25 | Friday. We stay here in camp. I shell corn |
| 26 | Sat. I stand gard and receive the grand rounds for the first time |
| 27 | Sab. Our Captain has just been round with his bitters |
| 28 | Mon. One of our artillery men died this morning and there is a great many sick in camp. I have just received three letters. One from GW, WD, HS |
| 29 | Tues. Last night the Captain came around and said we must get our acouterments on tonight. I wrote a letter to Henry S |
| 30 | Wednesday. Is the first day that I stand picket gard |
| 31 | Thursday. We start from Hazle [Hazel] Green about noon and marched until near night and came into camp and got our wood caried in and march |
November
| 1 | Friday. We march all day and camp in mud |
| 2 | Saturday. We march in the fore noon and cross one branch of the Licking River on logs and draw the wagons over with a long rope |
| 5 | We leave Licking Staton [Station] and march 24 miles. The road was muddy and we had a very slippery hill to climb after dark. Arrived at Prestons [Prestonburgh] at one oclock at night |
| 6 & 7 | We stay at Prestonsburg [Prestonburgh] |
| 8 | Friday. We start to Piketon and have the fight with the rebels at Gauly [Gauley] Bridge. They kill of our men 6 and wound 18. It is supposed that we killed of them about 30 |
| 9 | Sat. We get up early and it commences raining and rains about all day. We follow up the rebels but they have fallen a great many trees across the road and torn down the bridges so that we could not get along but slowly and the other part of our brigade has a fight at Piketon and killed 15 of the rebels. Tonight we have nothing to eat but fresh pork. David Loomis and I goes out into the field and caches a hog and skins it and carries it a mile to the company and we stand picket |
| 10 | Sunday. We march 3 miles and arive at Piketon very tired and dirty and the worst of all we had nothing to eat until and then we get nothing but a little flour, each boy for himself, some cooking a piece of dough on a stick, some put it in the ashes |
| 11 | Monday. It rains all day and we have move from the hill into the old tannery. The artillery boys loos six of their horses in crossing the river |
| 12 | Tuesday. We are at Pikesville [Piketon] making homony |
| 16 | Saturday. We march back to Prestonsburg [Prestonburgh] a distance of 28 miles. Some of rides in rafts. Most every one of us is about tired out |
| 17 | Sunday. We s[t]ay at Prestonsburg [Prestonburgh] |
| 18 | Monday. This morning we get ready to start down the river and now I am sitting on the top of a hill writing |
| 19 | Tuesday. We march towards Louisa |
| 20 | Wednesday. We march and George and I fall behind the regiment and have a hard time to get into camp |
| 21 | Thursday. We get ride on coal boat down the Sandy |
| 22 | Friday. We ride down the Sandy on a coal boat drawn by the Rocket |
| 23 | Saturday. We see the banks of the old Ohio once more and land at Catlasburg [Catlettsburg ] |
| 24 | Sunday. Last night we rode all night on the Champion and landed at Covington at 11 am. I ran up town and got two pieces of bread and I had to runn back and get aboard the Boston and go down the river to Louisville |
| 25 | Monday. We arive at Louisville and stand in the cold a while and then march into Camp Buell |
| 26 | Tuesday. We go down to the creek and wash our clothes |
| 27 | Wednesday. The 3d Ohio has just passed by |
| 28 | Thursday. Today the 24[th] and 41[st] comes into camp |
| 29 | Friday. Today it is very cold and it is snowing some |
December
| 1 | Today is Sunday and our minister gives us a very good sermon about home thoughts |
| 2 | We move from this camp to within two miles of town |
| 3 | Tuesday. It is very cold and we do not have enough of wood to cook our rations |
| 5 | Thursday. Today it is very pleasant and we receive some letters from home |
| 7 | I am taken to the hospital sick with the measles |
| 12 | We draw part of our pay |
| 16 | We send part of it home |
| 25 | Wednesday is Christmas and we have a good dinner and I go out and take a walk for the first time |
| 30 | Monday. John Muir starts for home on furlough |
| 31 | Tuesday. Today we are here in the hospital. The weather is very pleasant |
[Note: Day designations are incorrect until the 19th]
January
| 1 | We are in the hospital at Louisville |
| 11 | Friday. I get my furlough |
| 12 | Sat. We start for home |
| 13 | Sab. We stay in Cincinnati |
| 14 | Monday. We start at 7 1/2 oclock for home and get to Perrysburg after dark and we find Uncle W in town and he took us down to Jameses |
| 15 | Tuesday. We get out home |
| 19 | Sab. John Shanks comes to see me and two of Mr. Ordways boys |
| 20 | Mr. L. Loomis and his family is here tonight |
| 22 | Wednesday. Mr. Duff and his family is here |
February
| I am at home on furlough |
March
| 1 | I go up to Mr. Ordways |
| 14 | Henry Shanks sugars off today and we have a good time |
April
| 9 | I start for the Regiment and it was very muddy going to Perrysburg |
| 10 | I start from Mr. Dunipaces and go to Toledo and took the carrs for Cincinnati. I got to Cincinnati at 10 oclock at night |
| 11 | I start for Louisville and got here at 12 oclock at night |
| 12 | Sat. I went to hospital no. 4 and saw Magg and then they marched us to the old dirty barracks |
| 13 | Sunday. I am put on as corporal of the gard |
| 14 | We are taken out of barracks no. 3 with skiffs and taken to no. 2 |
| 15 | Tuesday. In the afternoon we are marched on board the boat for to go to Tennessee |
| 16 | Wednesday. We go down the Ohio River and the S.S. Pringle |
| 17 | Thursday. We pass the mouth of Green River |
| 18 | Friday. This morning when I awoke I found myself at Paducah. In the afternoon we pass Fort Henry and I saw part of the large gunn that was bursted there. Towards night we saw six darkeys plowing with one mule apiece |
| 19 | Saturday. This morning we pass the 31st and 36th Ohio Regts. at Cliffton and we see the two gunn boats Lexington and Tyler at Pitsburgh Landing |
| 20 | Sunday. We stay all day on board the boat |
| 21 | Monday. We are march from the boat through the mud into the lines of the 49th Regt |
| 22 | Tuesday. Today we had to clean our dirty gunns |
| 23 | Wednesday. This morning we have a general inspection of arms |
| 24 | This morning we were out drilling and we were called out to fight without giveing us time to get our dinner. We did not fight but took 10 of the rebels prisoners |
| 25 | Friday. We are put on picket. We sleep sitting up all night |
| 26 | Saturday. The weather is very nice today |
| 27 | Today I was very much pleased to see the boys in the 3d Ohio Cavalry |
| 28 | Monday. Today we get orders to cook 2 days rations |
| 29 | Tuesday. Today we move about 4 mililes [miles] farther |
| 30 | Today we have to clean up our new camp ground |
May
| 1 | Thursday. The weather is very pleasant today |
| 2 | Friday. Today I am working on the roads carrieing timber and crosswaying |
| 3 | Saturday. We march on a piece farther toward Corinth |
| 4 | Sunday. We march about eight miles from camp and back. When we went out the road was dusty but when we came back it was muddy |
| 5 | Monday. This morning we got up pretty early for the water came in the tent like a river and run right over our blankets |
| 6 | The roads is so muddy today that we do not march |
| 7 | Wednesday. Today we march toward Corinth |
| 8 | Thursday. We are now within seven miles of Corinth |
| 9 | We stand picket today and the pickets are skirmishing. Tonight one of the pickets shoots another |
| 10 | Saturday. Tonight we march three miles farther to the left of Corinth. We are formed in line of battle tonight and sleep in the woods |
| 11 | Sunday. We stay all day in the same place |
| 12 | Monday. This morning we have orders to march at 3 oclock so we had to be up and get breakfast pretty early. We had to go and reenforce the pickets and we had to doublequick a good part of the way |
| 13 | Tuesday. Today it is pleasant but warm and we are not called out today |
| 15 | Thursday. Today we are out on a recconnoisance and our men seen some of the rebels and they shook their handkerchiefs at our men and our men done the same |
| 16 | Friday. Nothing uncommon |
| 18 | Sunday. We leave the 49th today and go to Montcru [?]. We had to pitch tents all day hard |
| 19 | We are still at the tent pitching and there is heavy cannonadeing at Corinth today |
| 20 | Tuesday. We are still pitching tents |
| 21 | Wednesday. Today we are put on as nurses |
| 22 | Thursday. Part of our crowd leave today |
| 23 | Friday. Today it rains all day and there is another waiter comes in to help us |
| 25 | Sunday. We leave this hospital and go to Buells hospital |
| 26 | Monday. Today we are filling bedds for the sick |
| 27 | Tuesday. We are standing gard |
| 28 | Wednesday. There is heavy cannonadeing at Corinth today |
| 29 | Thursday. There is heavy cannonadeing at Corinth |
| 30 | Friday. This morning we got the news of the evacuation of Corinth |
| 31 | Saturday. I have just come back from seeing the great city of Corinth and I saw some of the great distructions of the rebels |
June
| 1 | Sunday. Today I am garding the spring at the hospital |
| 2 | Monday. I saw the cavalry boys today and they were moving on |
| 3 | Today I go to Corinth to help load some waggons |
| 4 | Wednesday. Today I am washing the sick all day |
| 5 | Thursday. I am on guard today |
| 11 | Today there is two very sudden deaths here, one from 49th Ohio. He was eating his dinner and dropped over dead |
| 13 | Friday. Today there was a poor boy died out of the 3d Ohio Cavalry and his father made his sons coffin |
| 14 | Satuday. It is very warm |
| 15 | Sunday. Today I am digging graves all day hard. There is 8 buried today |
| 16 | Monday. Mr. Ballanser fell over and hurt himself today. It is very warm today but it was a good shower of rain towards night |
| 17 | Tuesday. One of our boys had a fit this morning |
| 18 | Wednesday. Today I saw 2 large siege gunns. It took 8 teams apiece to draw them |
| 19 | Thursday. Today the weather is very pleasant and I have been out blackberrying |
| 20 | Friday. Tonight I am very sick all night and puke one of my boots full |
| 21 | Saturday. I am unwell all day and have the diarrhea bad |
| 22 | Sunday. Today I am digging graves |
| 24 | Tuesday. I am cleaning up the doctors quarters |
| 25 | Wednesday. It is pleasant today |
| 26 | Thursday. Beaking [baking] pies |
| 28 | Saturday. Davis and I are picking blackberries |
| 29 | Sunday. The Regulars leave today |
| 30 | Monday. We are taking down the big hospital tents |
July
| 1 | Tuesday. I am not on duty today |
| 2 | Wednesday. I am standing gard today |
| 3 | Thursday. Today I have been picking blackberries |
| 4 | Some of Co. I goes to the sutler to arrest him and gets drunk and I hear of the death of Andrew Ordway |
| 5 | We are hauling away tents |
| 6 | Sunday. Today Uncle Dan dies very suddenly |
| 12 | Saturday. We leave the hospital and go to Corinth and it was very warm |
| 13 | Sunday. We start on the carrs for the Regt. We staid all night at Tuscumbia |
| 14 | Monday. This morning we start again. We had to build a railroad bridge and then we went on again. I got to the company about dark |
| 18 | Friday. Today I go and stay all day with Co. E |
| 19 | This morning we had a good wash off |
| 23 | We leave Fort Canfield and go to Athens |
| 25 | Friday. The orderly leaves us and goes into an Alabama Regt |
| 31 | Thursday. I am on picket and Byron Rockwood and I get into a wagon shed for it was an awful rain |
August
| 1 | Friday. It is very warm today |
| 3 | Sunday. I am on picket |
| 4 | Monday. George and I are washing |
| 7 | Thursday. We move our camp into town and camp in the Courthouse yard |
| 11 | Monday. Today George Canfield and Mackentire start for home |
| 12 | Tuesday. Today I come in from picket |
| 22 | Friday. John Patterson puts in his resignation papers |
| 28 | We start from Athens |
| 29 | Friday. The boys ranties [?] at Pulaski today and the Cavalry boys gets $300 for their horse |
| 30 | Saturday. We get into Nashville |
| 31 | Sunday. The artillery boys are over here and Thomas Mosley gets his head cut |
September
| 1 | Monday. It is raining |
| 10 | Wednesday. We move our camp and James Stewart has a very sick spell |
| 12 | Friday. Today the prisoner of Co. E gets back to 21st |
| 13 | Saturday. Co. A has a scirmish and took two prisoners and 8 horses and killed one man |
October
| 1 | We are still at Nashville |
| 5 | Sunday. Today I have an awful sore mouth |
| 20 | Monday. This morning we start at half past 12 out the Bowling Green Pike after the guerillas and we had a hard time doublequicking |
| 21 | Tuesday. Today the weather is very pleasant |
| 25 | Saturday. Today we have the first snow storm |
| 27 | Monday. Thomas Davidson goes to the |
November
| 1 | Saturday. We are in camp makeing corn coffee |
| 2 | Sunday. Tonight go on picket |
| 3 | Monday. John Mcferren and I have a good time getting hickerynuts |
| 5 | Thomas Davidson comes from the hospital |
| 20 | The new recruits come to the regiment |
| 26 | Elisha Harris dies today |
| 28 | Friday. John Muir and Brewster comes to our camp |
December
| 1 | Monday. Today we are on picket on station four and a citizen brings us some snops [schnapps] |
| 6 | Today we are paid off. I draw $141.20 |
| 7 | Sunday. Today Sandy shoots at Morgan and Forrest |
| 9 & 10 | We are on guard at the penitentiary |
| 11 | We move from Nashville 8 miles |
| 12 | Friday. Today we are on review |
| 13 | Saturday. We are on battalion drill |
| 14 | Sunday. The Col. of the 74th preaches to the 21st |
| 21 | Sunday. We are out forageing today and the rebels attack us. We killed 2 and took 6 prisoners |
| 22 | Monday. Today we are on drill |
| 26 | Friday. We start from Camp Hamilton. It rained all day and all night |
| 27 | Saturday. We march on through the woods in the rain. We got to the pike after dark. |
| 28 | Sunday. We stay all day in sight of the enemy |
| 29 | Monday. We march on slowly, driving the rebells before us |
| 30 | Tuesday. The 11th Mich. and the 19th Illinois are scirmishing [skirmishing] with the enemy |
| 31 | Wednesday. We got into the hottest of the fight and David Loomis was killed |
January
| 1 | Our regiment was not engaged in the fight today |
| 2 | Friday. Today Samuel Burk got killed |
| 3 | Our regiment is not engaged |
| 4 | Today I go back to the regiment |
| 5 | Monday. Today we march through Murfreesboro. The killed of our Regt. is 22, wounded 114 |
| 7 | Today we draw shelter tents |
| 9 | I am on camp guard for the first time at Murfreesboro |
| 14 | Wednesday. I commence cooking for the Captain |
| 22 | Today John Patterson goes to Co. C |
| 24 | William B. Wicker goes to the Pioneer Corps |
| 25 | Today Col. Moody preaches to the 21st |
February
| 2 | George Canfield and I are over at the battle ground |
| 4 | James Banks goes to [?] |
| 6 | John D. Kelly is ordered to go to the Battery |
| 7 | The boys goes to Nashville to exchange gunns |
| 9 | Monday. George Canfield and I are washing |
| 17 | We have the election and three of the boys are chosen to go into the light battalion |
| 19 | We are paid off today for four months |
| 20 | The pay agent takes dinner with us |
| 23 | I and George are washing |
| 24 | Tuesday. Half of our time is in and we draw new guns, Enfield rifles |
| 25 | Wednesday. Our boys goes out forageing and the river rose so that they could not get in untill the 28th of the month |
March
| 1 | Sunday. Our orderly gets his commission for Lieut. |
| 2 | Monday. John Griner and McMeen gets back to their regt. |
| 3 | We have general muster. Are inspected by Lieutenant Cheny |
| 11 | William Muir arrives here today and leaves on the 14th |
| 14 | We hear of the death of James Pember |
| 16 | Jesse Walker returned from the hospital |
| 17 | William Forrest returns from the hospital |
| 24 | I stop cooking for the Captain |
| 26 | Wednesday. Today we have general review |
| 27 | We move our camp across the pike |
| 29 | Sunday. I am on guard for the first time after cooking |
| 30 | On fatigue ditching the quarters |
| 31 | On fatigue duty |
April
| 1 | Wednesday. I am washing today for the first time in this camp |
| 2 | I am on picket for the first time after cooking for the Captain |
| 8 | James A. Forrest returns from the hospital |
| 9 | Thursday. James Muir returns from the hospital. |
| 8 | We draw our rubber blankets |
| 11 | Saturday. We go to Nashville with the wagon train |
| 12 | Sunday. We stay in Nashville |
| 13 | Monday. We return to our camp |
| 16 | Thursday. We are paid off for two months. Drawed $248 |
| 20 | The 37 leaves to go to town |
| 23 | General review. We are reviewed by Gens. Thomas and Negley |
| 25 | Our Captain starts home on furlough |
| 27 | I am on brigade guard |
| 29 | Wednesday. Homer Pember starts for home and tonight we start out on a scout at 10 oclock and I stand picket after we got out |
| 30 | Thursday. We have plenty of walnuts to eat today and a nice place to stay |
May
| 1 | We are out on a scout |
| 2 | Today we come in from the scout |
| 4 | We are working on the fortifycations near our camp |
| 5 | Guy Morgan gets his discharge |
| 6 | Wednesday [Tuesday]. We draw shelter tents |
| 7 | Wednesday. Elisha Fair dies today |
| 11 | Monday. Today we put up our shelter tents |
| 21 | Thursday. Today we turn over our overcoats and extra blankets |
| 27 | Wednesday. Colonel Neibling is presented with a nice sword and sash and a pair of spurrs by the noncommissioned officers and privates of the 21st Ohio Regt. |
| 29 | Friday. We draw Colts revolving rifles for our regiment |
June
| 1 | Monday. Death of John Adams, Co. D |
| 4 | Our orders is to have 5 days rations in our knapsacks, three in haversacks |
| 13 | George goes to the hospital today, sickness the typhoid fever |
| 14 | Sunday. I go down and see the sick in the hospital |
| 16 | Tuesday. We have Corps drill |
| 17 | Division drill |
| 18 | Darius Scott returns from the hospital |
| 24 | We leave Murfreesboro and march all day. It rains all day and all night |
| 25 | Thursday. On the march and the adjutant wounds himself in the leg |
| 27 | Saturday. We go through the gap and through creeks every little while |
| 28 | Sunday. We stay at Manchester |
| 29 | Monday. We march on towards Talahoma [Tullahoma] |
| 30 | Tuesday. Our brigade goes out on a scout and we have a hot time scirmishing [skirmishing] |
July
| 1 | We march on and are fired on by a rebel battery. A shell struck very close to our company |
| 2 | Thursday. We do not march much today, but there is sharp fighting |
| 3 | Friday. Today we cross Elk River and our rations comes up |
| 4 | Saturday. This morning we got into line and gave three hearty cheers and march on |
| 5 | Sunday. Today I am washing clothes |
| 6 | Monday. We do not move and there is nothing of importance |
| 7 | Tuesday. Picking blackberries |
| 8 | Wednesday. We move on to Decherd Station. It is very warm weather and we move slow |
| 9 | Thursday. We are busy putting up bunks and sheds over our tents |
| 10 | I am sent to Elk River Bridge with a train of wagons |
| 21 | Tuesday. I am on picket today for the first time since we came here |
| 23 | Thursday. We are paid today for four months $52.00 |
| 27 | Samuel Altman comes to the company |
August
| 1 | Saturday. We are still at Decherd Station. Nothing of importance |
| 6 | Smith Acley return to the regiment |
| 7 | Friday. The drafted men turn over their gunns and equipment |
| 9 | Our officers start home after more men |
| 10 | The drafted men are discharged and start home |
| 12 | Wednesday. George Myers comes to the company |
| 13 | Ephram Persel returns to camp |
| 15 | Henry Fox returns |
| 16 | Sunday. We leave camp at Decherd Station at 10 pm. March on to Cowen Station, climb the first mountain and stay all night on the top at a spring |
| 17 | We march on and stay all night at a corn field. They issue corn to the men |
| 18 | We march today on the railroad most of the day. Marched 14 miles |
| 19 | We move a mile and camp |
| 20 | The shades are being put up today |
| 27 | Ebenezer Wetmore comes back to the regiment |
| 29 | Two of Battery G, 1st Ohio Artillery are drummed out of camp with their heads shaved |
September
| 1 | We are all packed, ready to march and we march at 6 pm. Cross the Tenn. at 12 oclock, march till two oclock |
| 2 | Sleep 3 hours and start again. March all day up the Tennessee River |
| 3 | Thursday. Start on the march at 7 am in the advance of the division and we have a hard time getting up a mountain, 10 horses on a wagon |
| 4 | Friday. This morning Co. B and our company are detailed to fix the bridge. Crossed the Georay [Georgia] line at 12 oclock |
| 5 | Started out on a scout. Passed a large commencement for iron works |
| 6 | Sunday. Start from the mill and go back to camp. Get 3 days rations and start on the march again. March all day in the dust. The march was very hard on the men. Several gave out. Camped at night by a small creek |
| 7 | Monday. Start at 10 pm. March till two oclock. Camp for the night on a side hill close to a spring at the foot of the mountain |
| 8 | Tuesday. Start at daylight. Only have 20 minutes to get breakfast. March half way up the mountain and stack arms and help the teams up all day till 9 oclock. Start up the mountain. Stay all night on the top |
| 9 | Start down the mountain. Got down to the teams at 10 pm. Got some rations and start on again. Got down the mountain at 2 oclock. Stay all night in a nice grove |
| 10 | Thursday. Start again on the march. Go 3 miles and are fired into by a squad of rebels at a stone fence. March up a hill and down 4 times. Camp on a hill close to a house |
| 11 | Friday. Started out at 3 oclock and formed in line of battle. Laid down with our traps all on and laid till daylight. Got up and got breakfast. Marched down into the edge of the woods. Stacked arms and laid still while the 74th was scirmishing. Marched back past the teams and were put out on the scirmish line. Came in to the Regt. Marched back past Battery M, formed in line of battle and there was quite a scirmish. Had an awful time retreating through the woods. The rebels follow us up camp on a hill. I am on picket. Waked us up at one oclock, relieved by Co. K |
| 12 | Co. K is on the scirmish line. A cavalry man came up and Co. G fired at him but missed him. We were relieved by the 74th after dark |
| 13 | Sunday. Nothing of importance |
| 14 | Monday. Move half a mile to the front. Stack arms in the thick brush and stay all day |
| 15 | Tuesday. One man from each company detailed to go with Pike on a scout |
| 17 | Thursday. March 7 miles towards Chattanooga and join Crittenton |
| 18 | Friday. Start at 4 pm and march nearly all night forward and back. I am on picket. Fighting on the left |
| 19 | Saturday. Our Regiment builds breastwork of rails and stones. There is heavy cannonadeing all along the lines. It tirminates in a very hard fight. We guard the train up and then go to the front. Lieut. Mason is wounded and 2 more of Co. B. Co. K is on the scirmish line all night. Relieved in the morning by Co. E |
*WILLIAM SHANKS IS KILLED SEPT. 20, 1863, IN BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA
