To my friend  L. Stone Hall  from  ????  Dungan  with best wishes for   future prosperity and happiness



Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1864  Last night was one that   will long be remembered by   those on picket for it was   very wet and cold.  The north wind blew very   strong - it rained hard.   Still all are in good humor   now - Those who were   on picket felt the need of   their being there and the  same spirit that induced   them to leave home with   all its comforts from   them to cheerfulness   to diligence - They had   not far to look to see   the rebel fires.  All passed   off quietly and so it   has been today.  One man in our 20th   was wounded very badly Sunday   the 18th



Thursday, Dec. 22nd  I thought l. night   last was as cold as it  gets down here but last  night I suffered more   than I have this season  It reminds me of last  winter while in prison.  The boys got up and built  fires to warm by. I  froze out with the rest.  We were in line of battle  at 5 a.m. but did not  stay long it was so  cold.  About 8 a.m. we  marched out and joined the 94th  Ill's We marched in line of   battle five miles drove the   rebel pickets in and had  quite a skirmish with them.  Our cavalry went out an   they were expecting to come   back soon but were too



Dec.  another week has past  quietly - nothing occuring  all to day to break the routine  of camp life.  Our mess  has put up a log cabin which  is just the thing for this  bleak, windy, sandy, disa-  greeable & lonely island.  But we are going to leave soon  We are ordered to have ten days  rations, 3 of them in our  haver-sacks - to take several  rounds of cartridges, our  blanket & rubber - to leave  the other clothes packets   our knap-sacks.  Which  must be marked, and   left in the care of those not  able to go      They do not  like doing this but must  with      the situation as is.



was sent on picket  this morning - the passage  was about two miles west of  the bay - We guarded the   bridge - and alowed no  small boats to land or  pass without examina-  tion - There was an  oyster bed near by to  which we helped ourselves  aboundantly.  About 4 p.m. we were ord-  ered in to embark with  our regiment. - We went  on board the Ala. about   dark, all wondering where  we were going - The general  opinion was that we were   going to Mobile -  The Regiments left  & Morgan  went a  Mississippi



and past by Gra  The morning of the  found us in Pasca-  gould bay - We passed ship island.  It was very foggy - and  the only way the fleet kept  together was by whistling -  As the fog raised the  pretty little town - East Pasca-  gould came into view.  The whole day was passed  in trying to land - about   dark the landing was  effected by light draft.  Our Regt. went ashore and   marched out to the f  mile creek - We were  closely watched by the  but undisturbed by  our gun boats  them I pr  The town was  A few women a



Fri  This morning we got up  at 4 made coffee, and went  in line at 5.  This remind-  ed us of old times, when   we were in Mo. and Ark.  The boys were all jubilant  but could not hollor as  we used to for we were   among Rebels and the   best of orders was neces-  sary - all feel well - the  fact that we are going  to do something - that  we are going to strike an-  other blow at the rebellioun  makes every one cheery  and hopeful - We are con-  fident of success. We have   kicked a few Jonnys -  - "In God  we trust"  It will be good.



Dec. 20th  Inf at Meadowville, Jacksonville  Co., Miss.   On the 17th our   Regiment moved out one mile  in advance of the division  which is camped on Frank-  lin Creek - Col. Bruce is in  command of the Front.  We camped on Major   Good's premises (rebel) at five.  There is a large steam  mill and about 18 million  feet of lumber here belong-  ing to him.  A Mr.  Dee lives here now.  We have been so con-  stantly engaged that I have  not posted my diary   a few days - We have   been on short marches  but some skirmishes have   come -  we moved



across the road into  the timber - after con-  siderable fussing around.  We pitched tents - but were   in line of battle several   times before all were  through.  In the after-  noon we skirmished with the   enemy for 3 or 4 hours  and drive them into their   holes I guess - they left any   how - We know of their   having 4 pieces of artillery   Cav., and a battalion   of infantry.  Our regt. &   the 20th Wis., 50 Cavlry and   pieces artillery engaged   him - Our skirmishes  with all the musketry firing  from our side - the artillery  firing at them some.  The ground was level  and we were out from under



so we could see all  that was going on - Soon as  the rebels form and advance  they yelled like indians when  they fired - but it will take   something more irrisistable  than the yelping of traitors  to stop the advance of Free-  doms Army - We went be-  yond where we first saw   them and then returned   to camp expecting an attack   again before morning but   all remained quiet.  Once more I will try  to write but how long   I can write is uncer-  tain for we have all  been in line of battle  several times today  and twice we have been  on double line with  the pickets having to



fight with them.  ainly the last time   which since I commenced  writing - even now   the sweat is on my fore  -head caused by our chase.  Captain Gillott of the 20th  Wis. (Pickett Officer) charged  on the Jonnys, captured   a horse and wounded the   rider and when I saw   him he was eating   the rebel hard-tack.  The   Cav. have been out to the   bridge 7 miles from here.   It is supposed the rebels are   fortified beyond the bridge.    It is most night - and I   guess all will be quiet till  morning.  It is growing   cold with rains just as it   did last night we were   camped with the 163 at Morganzie



Friday Dec. 23rd  It is now evening: our   march yesterday, and these   cold nights, and short living    The hardest of which is freez-  ing out at night - conspires   to make one feel stupid &  owlish -  Last evening  we built a sod fireplace which  adds materially to our comfort.  All the rations were issued this  morning and I think there will  be some hungry boys before  we get more.  Alll quiet today.  There is some talk of our  leaving tomorrow. I hope we   may for I feel the need of  clothes, clean ones.  Our loss yesterday was 7   wounded all of whom bid fare   to recover. (One died afterwards   at Pascagoula Hospital)



How soon we become   accustomed to anything.    Once, I would have thought  our skirmish yesterday was   quite an affair but now   they seem hardly worth  mentioning  ?  They have   become of almost every day   occurence.  Saturday Dec. 24th  I have been on guard to-  day - and though the po-  sition was a very com-  fortable one - my duty was   not pleasent for I was   guarding prisoners.  It reminds me of the time that   I was a prisoner of war.   And the thought is not a   pleasent at all.  The prisoners   consist of 4 men and 6   women - Mr. Dee and family   was going to our lines.



I spent most of the   day in reading a book  entitled Grace Truman or   Love and Principle - it was   a splendid work.  Christmas. Sunday.  The book I have been reading   yesterday and today has had   a very good influence on  my mind - perhaps as good   as those at home would have   been - but I am sure my  desire for good eatables would  have been more fully grat-  ified - but these are tem-  poral and not so essential  to the greater good of man   as those blessing we receive   from a full, close commun-  ion with our heavenly Father.  This I have had today.  My feelings have been so wroug-  ht up in reviewing the blessings 



and promises to me that  I found relief only in prayer  and tears.  Is this weak-  ness if it is I am on that  list and am not ashamed  to confess it.  I long for  Christian society and privi-  leges - to be once more  where I can hear the gosple  preached and the sabbath  observed as it should be.  To be where the grating  wounds of profanity will   not constantly fall on my   ears.  I am sitting in   my dog tent on dog River  Mississippi - I have no change   of clothes and these that I   have worne 15 days are   very dirty and seem dis-  agreeable to me - Still I   am not without   comfort - before me lies



the loved picture of my  Dear wife - and the thought  that she is surrounded by home  blessings - that she is enjoying   this Christmas day makes me  happy - My prayer is that  I can spend next Christmas  with her.  The contrast be-  tween this and last Christmas  is as great as it will be be-  tween this and next Christmas  if I live and enjoy all of   my fondest hopes anticipations.  Liberty is sweeter than raw   turkey.  Camped on Franklin Creek  five miles from Pascagoula.  Dec. 26th 1864  The division moved back here   last night - started at 12 o-clock.  It was very disagreeable   marching for it rained   some and was as muddy as



as I ever saw it.  We were in the rear of the  artillery which stuck  fast every littly while.  Waiting on it was   the worst part of the   trip.  We avaraged about   half a mile an hour -   Received letters from Ronnie   and Abbie.  Dec. 27th, 1864  We have had most all kinds   of excitment today.    We were elated by the good   news of Thomas's success &   triumphant victory over  Hood's invading army.  And Shermans glorious  march across Georgia to  Savannah - His Capture too  of Fort McAllister -  I pressume he is in Savannah  by this time.



Col. Bruce called the Regt.  around him and this news   also an order from General G.  Granger stating that the de-  sired object of this expedition  had been attained - Also com-  plimenting the officers and  men of his command for their  good behavior whenever called  upon to meet the enemy.  Which has been almost a daily  occourance - The Regiment gave  rousing cheers and a National  salute was fired - About this   time a mail came and I recd.  a letter from Worthing telling  me of his marriage to Miss Rosie  Mills, but before I had time  to read it, or break the seal  even - fall in was sounded  all through camp and in  less time than I am writing  this all were in line of battle



Our Cavalry had a brush  with the Rebs - no one hurt.  I read the letter while in  line and a sharp firing   was going on.  It is now most night and all is   quiet.  Dec. 28th 1864  Each company of each   Regiment was building   breast works - This is a little  after McClellan's movement  but it is well enough to be  on the safe side.  This afternoon the Rebels at-  tacked our pickets who skir-  mished with them for 2 1/2  hours  Col. Murray tried to  come in our rear but the   gun boats discovered him  and shelled him back -  no one was hurt on our  side - A singular incident



Dec. 29th 1864  All has been quiet to-  day - I have written Lucy.    Oh, how much comfort I take   thinking of the pleasure we   will take one year from now   if all goes well.  We have finished our breast   works - they will defend us  from musketry.  It is cool.  Dec. 30th  I was detailed for picket to-  day and went out on the   River road.  Lieut. Wright was  officer of the guards - It was  mudy and wet under foot  but the day passed away  pleasently.  The Rebels have  not troubled us for  two days - It is a mystery  why we are staying here.  It is not my business to  worry about it.



Saturday Dec. 31st /64  Came off picket about noon  found a letter from Lucy  containing her long looked  for picture - photograph -  I think so much of it.  I looked for a long time be-  fore it seemed natural  But now it is all right.  She has become a woman -  no longer my pet of sweet  sixteen.  A few hours more  and A.D. 1864 will be forever  passed.  In our   nation what an eventful   year it has been -  What a record of battles.  It has been a sorry year  on the Confederacy.  This diary has been writt-  en from notes Taken while  in the field -  Good by 1864.   L.S.Hall.



A Diary for January 1865  Fort Gaines Ala.  Sunday Jan. 1st  Camp at five mile Creek  Jackson Co. Miss.  Another new-year has come  round in the grand march of  time:  We wellcome it with  mingled feelings of joy and  sorrow,  We (Soldiers) hale it  with joy because it is the   last new-year we have to pass  in the army under our pres-  ent enlistment - and it is   the prayers of all that in one  year more none of us shall  be needed to defend the old  Stars & Stripes - that those  who have been traitors shall  return to their former al-  legience - that the doleful sounds



of war and its sad  cruel effects shall not be heard  nor felt anymore.  We feel sad when we think  of the noble and brave that  undoubtedly will fall in  the coming campaign -  I feel like asking protection  from Him who is omni-  present & omnicient.  Indeed I have reason to  thankful for the blessings  of the last year - but  this is not my object, to  write an essay -  Jan. 1st  We are a rough looking  crew now.  How gladly  I would exchange my dog tent  my dirty clothes, this smoke,  hard-tack - sow belley &  coffee for the comforts of home.  The comforting thought of being  there next New Year makes the



present endurable.  We remained at this  camp with the 13th inst.  During this time the 20th  Wisconsin was at the river  rafting lumber and shingles  Our duty seemed to be to protect  them - And every few days  the jonnies came up and   presented us with their com-  pliments in the consolidat-  ed form of 'bullets' aimed  at our ever watchful pick-  ets which were received accepted with  our injury - and returned  promptly and with the ear-  nest desire that they might curse  them of 'secession' - I think  they did lay the fevor if not  for ever curse them of that which  has been a curse to them and  the nation.  Fringan  came up on the 6th Jan



Jan. 13th 1865  The whole division moved  within half a mile of East   Pascagoula today.  I was on camp guard  and most sick too.  The march went hard with  me though only five miles  long.  The roads were bad  Had to wade in water to  my knees several times.  Bivouaced at dark - I was  played out - but got my  relief together and done   my duty - each hour of  that night seemed longer  than a day and night  have before and since -  There was a striking  contrast between my bed,  feelings, and condition gen-  erally and 29 months ago  that night.



Lucy can tell what  happened then and where  we were - for then were we   united as husband & wife.  I thought of it as I laid  on my poncho, and though  I was so exhausted & stupid  that my mind was almost  dormant yet when thoughts  of those hours so freighted  with love, joy & contentment  flited across my mind, I forgot  for a spell my aches, my  "ennui" and the sweet re-  membrance of her kind   words and gentle love with  the hope of again enjoying  the same instilled a patient cheerful-  ness in my heart and made  me a better man and soldier  than I should have been  with out these bright   reminesences.



We remained here till  February, leaving between two  days.  This is Millitary.  Our duty was light, we had  good quarters and plenty to  eat which is the chief desire  of a soldier.  Our knapsacks came  up and our sanitaries.  Potatoes, onions, fruit, butter  & honey - this was private -  for Cley mess, from Cley     friends.  They were the right  things - received at the right  time, and in right place -  Our clothes, and books, &  stationary were wellcomed  for we were dirty & raged  & the time passed slowly with  out books or paper -  I done nothing but write  for several days - in ans-  wer to letters received.



Our evenings were  very pleasently and profitably  in reading Beeches sermons   and by resitations in history.    Tenney and James Anderson   joined us and we had lively   times around our pine knot   fire - They will do to talk a-  bout in years to come.  For several days large de-  tails were made for in our  regiment to launch a barge  that was washed ashore in  a storm about the 10th  It was a hard rough job.  Pascagoula like other places we  stop at filled up with reffuges  black and white and before we  left was quite lively & homelike  dancing parties were almost   a nightly occurance but of  such a charateer as I have no  desire to indulge in.



When we left all loyal  people came with us.  I was in duty at Col.  Bestrams Hdquarters the day  we evacuated:  Which was   at Genl. Twiggs summer  residence.  Thus ends the first   month in the first year  of A.D. 1865    As you read please  correct what errors  you see  I have not  patience to do it  now, am tired of  the thing.  My Compliments  to Lucy.  L.S. Hall. 



Below - A SHORT TERM in a war prison doesn't improve one's looks much. James Irve Dungan of Co. C, Nineteenth Iowa infantry was captured in the civil war Sept. 29, 1963 at Morgania, La., and was exchanged, luckily, the following year July 22. B. Atwood, Fairfield, photo.



INTRODUCTION :  The following pages have been prepared at the request  af many of my regiment, and are sent out to the members  of the Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and their friends, as  a plain simple narration of a few of those things we sa  saw and did during three years service.  If the style is rude and disconnected, or the language  uncouth, let it be remembered that less than two months  have been occupied in the, preparation, fresh from rougp  camp life, and in the first excitement of reaching home.  TO THOSE AT HOME WHO PRAYED WHILE WE IN THE FIELD  BATTLED  ARE THESE FEW PAGES   DEDICATED by  J. Irvine Dungan  History of the NINETEENTH REGIMENT -  IOWA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY  CHAPTER X·  A narrative of the escape from rebel prison at Shreveport, La.  on the 23rd night of February , 1864, of John Cary, a member  of the 94th Ills. Infantry, and Levi B. Cocklin and L. Store  Hall, of Co . c, 19th Iowa Infantry  When I had made up my mind that I had staid with the rebels and endured  their cruel treatment long enough, I sought cornarades, those whom I knew  to be brave and resolute men, for I knew that such an acquisition was  essentially pecessary to success.  Two better men could not have been found in the service than were Cocklin  and Cary. Cary was accustomed to frontier life, and could not be lost  in any swamp or forest, when the sky was clear. Hence, in the organiz­ation  of our party he was chosen guide . Cocklin and I were to procure  food.  It was very necessary that our project should be kept secret, which was  quite difficult from the fact we had rations to get , clothes to make ·  and mend; we were successful howrever, until a few hours before we left,  when we began baking our corn didgers, our associates guessed our inten­tion  and were very kind, rendering us material aid by giving us their  own rations.  At last all was ready and each hour seemed a day till we were on oyr way •  It was hard to leave those brave fellows who had shared in common with  us every hardship and privation of our prison life, and who were as anx­ious  as ourselves to return to our lines. Many more would have attempted  to escape if they had had clothes and shoes. Many of them sent messages  to their friends at home, which we gladly promised to deliver if success  ful.  Finally, the sun sank behind the forrest pines, and ere its last flickering  ray of light ceased to play upon the western sky, we had taken leave  of our comrades (and received many a God bless you) and were safely out­side  the guard line, and with a light heart and lighter step, we were  rapidly widening the distance between us and our rebel guards .  It was half a mile more to the timber; when we had reached it we halted  to put on our shoes; we had carried them in our hands to prevent any un­necessary  noise. By this time the moon had risen, and stars shone soft  and bright, and night's stillness was broken only by the zephyrs as they  played through those grand old pines. When we were in high spirits at  our successful beginning, and I think truly grateful to Him who had guid­ed  and guarded our steps. we decided to go south, and when it was nec­essary  to change our course to the west. After a moment's rest we moved  cautiously forward, determined to go slowly and surely; for hours we  traveled undisturbed, avoiding every road and path that had been traveled  lately. We were finally halted by an impassable swamp, and were obliged  to retrace our steps for miles; this weanot so elating as some things I  might mention; we were prepared for such reverses, for we knew our road  was a hard one to travel. A crossing place wasfinally found by wading.  This was cooler too. We must have traveled. twenty-five miles before we  camped. O, how tired and sleepy we got; our five days rations bore heavily  across our shoulders.  About three A.M. we stopped, made a bed of pine boughs and reposed upon  it with gladder hearts than we had possessed for months. In a few  minutes each of us was sleeping quietly, and when I awakened it was  nearly mid-day, the sun whone brightly, the trees were peopled with  many sweet songsters who seemed to congratulate us in our anticipations 



and hapiness, really we felt happy. The air we breathed was pure - there  vvere no rebels guards standing around with fixed bayonets , watching every  motion, - neither were the sounds which greeted our ears those of threats  and curses which we had been obliged to listen to so long. We did see not  see hundreds of brave men half fed and half clothed, livirig, or rather endur  ing an existence almost hopeless in want and filth. The change was perfect,  the spell was sublime.  We kept quiet that day, neither moved about much nor spoke above a whisper ,  for we were near a residence. We were anxious to have night come so we  could take up our line of march, for we dared not to expose ourselves through  the day.  The two succeeding nights we got along finely, our path was in the rear of  plantations leading to Manafield and Natchetoches. Tre fourth day from camp  we ventured to travel some.  On the 28th, we were weather-bound, it became so cloudy we could not keep our  course. We anticipated rain, and prepared for it as well as we could. We ma  made a bed of leaves, over it stretched a blanket. For two nights and one  day we laid in our nest of leaves during which time it rained constantly.  Before t he first morning water was running under us. It was impossible to  better our condition, unless we went to a house - this we determined not  to do. So for over twenty-four hours we laid in the water, there not being  a dry thread on us. It was impossible to better to do otherwise. Truly I  believe we suffered more during that time than we would, had the weather been  cold enough to freeze us to death .  On the morning of the 30th it stopped