DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

Transcribe
Translate

Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

03_1863-01-12 Page 03

Lieut Allison will make a good Capt but we will never have abetter sett of officers than we had when Saunders was our. Capt and Allison and Orman our Lieutenants Henry Orman resigned just before we left Memphis. I am afraid our Colonel has got himself into trouble by asad case that hapened in our Company afew nights ago. The night we came to Smiths mill. five of our boys, Noah Carmack Thomas Hinton J McGonegal E. P. Bradly and B F Scott went out of Camp aways to some of the neighboring houses to get something to eat but more especialy to get some salt that being ascarce article in Camp they went about two miles from Camp (a dangerous operation in this section of Country) and went up to avery large frame house and aperfect town of negro shanties it being a large plantation. and awealthy planter living there his name was Smith. anoted man in this part of the Country. the boys suspecting that there might be something wrong so far from Camp only two went to the door the others staying back afew steps. Noah was one that went to the door. he had no gun there was alight in the house and when they knocked the door was opened when to the surprise of our boys there stood two or three armed men with their guns up at aready. there was nothing said by either party for amoment then the man foremost in the door wanted to know what was wanting the answer was that they wanted some salt they were then ordered to clear out but immediately told to surrender. then McGonegal areal resolute fellow handed out his gun and told him to take it not intending to give it up however but to get the man off his guard in taking it, but he seemed to suspect his plan for instent of taking it. he aimed to fire but his gun missed fire. just then the boys that were back spoke up and said the cavalry was coming on them. then there was bustling and running in the house the boys heard they say to hurry up close in on them that they had them safe. our boys soon saw that they were not in their proper place and wheeled to get out of it as soon as posible they all managed to escape except Noah Carmack  he was shot dead in the attempt. he didnt get more than arod from the door he was shot through the head some of the other boys had their clothes were shot

Saving...

Lieut Allison will make a good Capt but we will never have abetter sett of officers than we had when Saunders was our. Capt and Allison and Orman our Lieutenants Henry Orman resigned just before we left Memphis. I am afraid our Colonel has got himself into trouble by asad case that hapened in our Company afew nights ago. The night we came to Smiths mill. five of our boys, Noah Carmack Thomas Hinton J McGonegal E. P. Bradly and B F Scott went out of Camp aways to some of the neighboring houses to get something to eat but more especialy to get some salt that being ascarce article in Camp they went about two miles from Camp (a dangerous operation in this section of Country) and went up to avery large frame house and aperfect town of negro shanties it being a large plantation. and awealthy planter living there his name was Smith. anoted man in this part of the Country. the boys suspecting that there might be something wrong so far from Camp only two went to the door the others staying back afew steps. Noah was one that went to the door. he had no gun there was alight in the house and when they knocked the door was opened when to the surprise of our boys there stood two or three armed men with their guns up at aready. there was nothing said by either party for amoment then the man foremost in the door wanted to know what was wanting the answer was that they wanted some salt they were then ordered to clear out but immediately told to surrender. then McGonegal areal resolute fellow handed out his gun and told him to take it not intending to give it up however but to get the man off his guard in taking it, but he seemed to suspect his plan for instent of taking it. he aimed to fire but his gun missed fire. just then the boys that were back spoke up and said the cavalry was coming on them. then there was bustling and running in the house the boys heard they say to hurry up close in on them that they had them safe. our boys soon saw that they were not in their proper place and wheeled to get out of it as soon as posible they all managed to escape except Noah Carmack he was shot dead in the attempt. he didnt get more than arod from the door he was shot through the head some of the other boys had their clothes were shot