Excerpt from the Civil War Diary of Thomas K. Mitchell
4th Illinois Cavalry

[April 1862]

5th—We are now in Sherman’s division. We moved this afternoon to the front. The pickets were drove in last night.

6th—Sunday—night at the landing. This has been a terrible day. Our pickets were drove in early, and we were soon attacked by Gen. Johnson and Beauregard with all their forces from Corinth. About 8’oclock in the morning the engagement became general. Our advance forces were driven back and our camps pillaged. The battle has been raging furiously all day. The musketry and cannonading has been terrific. The Cavalry could do but little. We have been driven back nearly to the river. Our cause seems almost hopeless, but Buell’s advance under Nelson, have been crossing the river this evening. The firing has ceased. Both armies are on the field, what will be done tomorrow. Time will tell.

7th—Monday night. The battle is over and we are safe. Rained hard last night. Quite a fright was caused by the pickets firing off their guns after the rain. The battle commenced soon after daylight this morning. Gen. Buell was on the left, Gen. Wallace on the right, and Gen. Grant in the front. The battle raged with great fury. The musketry firing was one continuous volley, and the roar of the cannon was almost deafening. We gained ground slowly until 3 o’clock in the afternoon when the rebels gave way and began to retreat. Our Cavalry and artillery pursued them until they were completely routed. Our loss has been heavy, but the rebels have lost as many. The battlefield presents a horrible sight—it is covered with the dead, wounded, and dying—both Yankees and butternuts, dead horses, broken wagons, guns, clothing and c. This has been one of the severest battles ever fought in America. Everything of value was taken from our camp. We are on the bluff, with but little to eat.

8th—A large force was out this morning in pursuit of the enemy. Our Reg. in the advance. Eight miles out we came up with their Cavalry. The Ohio 77th was sent forward. The Reb’s charged on us and quite a skirmish ensued. The infantry broke and run several of them were killed, and about as many of the Reb’s. We drove them about a mile—found a hospital—500 wounded Reb’s, and 40 of our men. This is the first skirmish for Co. C. George Farnsworth was badly wounded in the shoulder. Everett’s horse killed.

9th—Cool, damp and cloudy, Rained Sunday night and Monday night. We had to lie out without tents. Got our tents up today. Nearly all our camp equipage was destroyed, or carried off except the tents. One of them was burned; the others all have bullet holes in them. I have not yet learned the number of killed and wounded. It is frightful to visit the hospital and see the numbers that are wounded.

From the 4th Illinois Cavalry Site maintained by Maryanne Wallace.