Timeline: March 1862- Online Archive of Terry's Texas Rangers

Timeline: March 1862

Saturday, March 1

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We are ordered to saddle up at nine, but do not move remain in camp all day have quite a pleasant day looks as if spring was making its appearance"
Enlistment - T. J. Grace, Co. F: Enlisted in Columbus, TX by Capt. Evans.
Enlistment - G. C. Hungerford, Co. B: Enlisted in Fairfield, TN by Capt. McKay.
Enlistment - H. T. Hunter, Co. K: Enlisted in Murfreesboro, TN by Capt. Christian.
Enlistment - E. R. Terrell, Co. K: Enlisted in Fairfield, TN by Capt. McKay.

Sunday, March 2

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Take up line of march at nine travel about nine miles & strike our tents have a very heavy rain in the evening & at night making it very disagreeable as it was almost impossible to keep our tents dry"

Monday, March 3

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Strike tents at nine. I am on rear guard travel nine miles & camp near Shelbyville. day exceedingly cold I suffer a good deal with cold country hilly with valleys"
Enlistment - T. P. Dimnet, Co. I: Enlisted in New Orleans, LA by Lt. Col. Walker.

Tuesday, March 4

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Our company & two others are ordered out on a scout take the pike back to Murfreesboro where we arrive at four in the evening & are put under the command of Capt Morgan have good quarters at night"

Wednesday, March 5

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We change our quarters from the court house to a dwelling where we have good rooms Send out picquets on all roads leading to Nashville boys all enjoying themselves remaining around town generally"

Thursday, March 6

Memior - J. K. P. Blackburn, Co. F

Participated in a scouting expedition with J. H. Morgan

Friday, March 7

Report on a scouting expedition that included 10 Rangers.
Enlistment - J. A. Brace, Co. E: Enlisted in New Orleans, LA by Maj. Theobold.

Saturday, March 8

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We see nor get any information of the enemy during the night are released at one oclock and return to our posts in town our boys that are out as scouts under Capt Morgan have not got here"
Regimiment at "Shelbasville": Company C on scout.

Sunday, March 9

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Capt Morgan arrives in town with thirty eight prisenors but loses four of his own men our boys all say the expedition was one of the most daring ever made another scouting party from our Com. go out this evening I with them"

Monday, March 10

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We rode last night until twelve went to two fords on Buck river but made no discoverys return to town in morning escaping a very heavy rain that fell in the latter part of night"

Tuesday, March 11

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "I remain in town to day nothing of any interest going on we keep out a strong picquet on all roads leading to Nashville & two scouting parties to keep our little party from any surprise"
Letter - J. W. Rabb, Co. C: To his Mother from Huntscille, AL.
Enlistment - I. D. Affleck, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - S. I. Bryan, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - W. J. Bussey, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - J. B. Estes, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - T. J. Estes, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - H. A. Garland, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - J. W. Gulick, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.

Wednesday, March 12

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We have another beautiful spring morning our scouts go out as usual but no enemy reported nearer than fifteen miles we here rumors of big battles being fought & won by our troops in Virginia & Missouri"
Letter - H. H. Jones, Co. A: To his father from Dacatur, AL.
Enlistment - D. Harris, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.
Enlistment - W. L. Springfield, Co. B: Enlisted in Austin County, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - T. K. Thompson, Co. B: Enlisted in Houston.

Thursday, March 13

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We have orders to join our Reg. but in consequence of rain we do not get off until evening travel twenty five miles & camp in the town of Shelbyville containing about two thousand inhabitants."
Enlistment - W. R. Hendricks, Co. B: Enlisted in Austin County, TX by W. W. Groce.

Friday, March 14

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Take up line of march at nine travel fifteen miles during the day over a very broken & poor country overtake our Regiment & camp at Concord church in Lincoln county the land of secesh & good whiskey"
Enlistment - R Slaughter, Co. D: Enlisted in Houston County, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.

Saturday, March 15

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Strike our tents at eight & glad to get out of them in consequence of the spring rain that fell on us during the night travel eleven miles over some good land & passing through Fayettville & camping on Elk River"
Letter - C. W. Love: To his sister from Franklin County, TN.
Enlistment - A. C. Baker, Co. A: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - S. M. Baker, Co. A: Enlisted in Brenham, TX.
Enlistment - J. W. Bowers, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - T. Chatham, Co. K: Enlisted in Montgomery County, TX by Lt. A. W. Morris.
Enlistment - L. S. Crump, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham County, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.
Enlistment - M. V. Dillard, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham County, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.
Enlistment - J. A. Foster, Co. K: Enlisted in Montgomery County, TX by Lt. A. W. Morris.
Enlistment - J. A. Glover, Co. K: Enlisted in Montgomery County, TX by Lt. A. W. Morris.
Enlistment - A. B. Hill, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham County, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.
Enlistment - J. A. Kachelor, Co. K: Enlisted in Montgomery County, TX by Lt. A. W. Morris.
Enlistment - J. W. Martin, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham County, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.
Enlistment - C. T. McMahan, Co. H: Enlisted in Houston, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.
Enlistment - T. R. Owens, Co. A: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - I. Proctor, Co. K: Enlisted in Brenham County, TX by J. G. Walker.

Sunday, March 16

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Get off early our commander saying we had to make Huntsville as we were due their last night travel fifteen miles over a very muddy road camping in Madison Cty Alabama"
Enlistment - CH. E. Schuler, Co. E: Enlisted in Houston, TX by Lt. Col. Walker.

Monday, March 17

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Travel ten miles which brings us into the little City of Huntsville find that it has improved a great deal in the last five years still retaining its beauty we pass over a beautiful valley with splendid residences ten miles north"
Enlistment - J. F. McGuire, Co. D: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
History - Claiborne's History of Terry's Texas Rangers: "It is now twenty days before the battle of Shiloh. During this period of twenty days there was no action by the command as a whole. All the duty was performed by company, squads, and secret service by individual members developing some talent in the ranks, that was in after struggle found to be of very great service. Here the men and line officers began to show the amount of strategy they were possessed of. There were among them men found capable of doing any deed of daring individually. They went into the camp of the enemy and all over through, and around their camps. One of the men developed was Lieut. Gordon, of Company "A," Private Archer Company "C," Geo. B. Zimpleman Company "D," and many others unknown to the regiment, but well known to the field and staff. Here it was shown that the captains many of them at least, had the ability to command an army--shown by the way they handled expeditions in the front on perilous expeditions. Here the officers obtained more confidence in the men and the men become better satisfied with the field staff and their company officers. Here they were recruited by many distinguished citizens of Texas who went into the battle with them. Judge George Quinine, a lawyer of great distinction in Texas, Judge Clinton Terry, Judge Dave Terry, Dr. Cowan of Kentucky, Paul Anderson, Jim Brittain and possible many others not now in memory, all was activity. A part in front and a part in camp and each day receiving instructions in the school of a soldier. Here they were joined by the recovered sick and some of the wounded, and nearly every man was in his place. All knew that a great battle was to be fought and that it would be one of great moment to the confederacy, and all were eager for the fray."

Tuesday, March 18

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Our Reg. get marching orders at ten oclock but we do not get off before twelve we travel ten miles on road to Decatur & camp passing over good lands which improve as we near the Tennessee river valley"
Enlistment - R. Elgin, Co. A: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - W. Smith, Co. A: Enlisted in Brenham, TX by Lt. Justice.
Enlistment - J. T. Randal, Co. A: Enlisted in Houston, TX by W. A. Reeves.

Wednesday, March 19

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We are ordered to cook two days rations last night intending to make ~~to make~~ a big march to day but a heavy rain comes up & we do not leave the train march ten miles passing over splendid farms & camp 1 ½ miles of Moreville"

Thursday, March 20

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "March two miles & pitch our tents the creeks all being so high that they are pass fording I never saw such muddy roads. & heavy rains. we have all got use to riding in them"
Letter - R. F. Bunting, Chaplain: To the editor of the Houston Telegraph from Madison, GA.
Enlistment - D. B. Schuler, Co. E: Enlisted in Houston , TX by Lt. A. W. Morris.

Friday, March 21

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "March six miles & arrive in Decatur the river being so high that we have to travel down the R. R. track for two miles crossing the river on the Bridge & camping a mile from town Oliver & F. Jenkins join us at this place"

Saturday, March 22

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We had no tents to sleep under last night & nothing to eat this morning. every fellow is preparing his breakfast having to cook our bread on sticks regular old frontier fashion no troops here all have gone below"

Sunday, March 23

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Take up line of march down the country travel seventeen miles on the line of Memphis & Charleston R Road & camp in three miles of Courlland roads the worset I have passed over"
Enlistment - N. J. Allen, Co. D: Enlisted in New Orleans, LA.

Monday, March 24

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Strike tents early & push the wagons ahead we pass through Courtland in Morgan & situated on the M & Charleston R Road & a short distance this side we come into to Laurence county camp in a mile of Tuscumbia"

Tuesday, March 25

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We have a fine clear morning the first time I have seen the sun shine for a week pass through Tuscumbia a camp on Bear creek. hear some heavy firing during the day at Chickasaw bluff the enemy are driven back"
Enlistment - J. K. White, Co. B: Enlisted in Hempstead, TX by Lt. Justice.

Wednesday, March 26

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "Travel twenty miles passing through the towns of Iuka & Burnsville on R Road in Tishomingo Miss Country very poor but is finely timbered with heavy pines"
Enlistment - J. G. Middlebrooks, Co. F: Enlisted in Hempstead, TX by Lt. Justice.
News - Galveston Weekly News: Reports of an Indiana Regiment Captured by Texas Rangers.

Thursday, March 27

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "A travel of twenty odd miles through the hills brings us to Corinth we find our force reported large the enemy some fifteen or twenty miles off with large force all anticipate a big battle at this point"

Friday, March 28

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We are camp about a mile from town in beautiful oak grove our boys are all busy in having their horses shod and are in [illegible] will get [illegible] rest"
Enlistment - T. P. McCampbell, Co. G: Enlisted in Corinth, MS by Capt. Houston.

Saturday, March 29

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "We are all busy in washing clothes & cleaning arms I spend most of the day [three words illegible] get orders at five oclock for twenty men from each company to prepare for two days scout"
Letter - B. F. Burke, Co.: To his father from Corinth, MS.
Letter - W. Nicholson, Co.: To his sister from Corinth, MS.
Enlistment - A. J. Kyle, Co. D: Enlisted in Austin, TX by Wm. Ferguson.
Enlistment - W. Kyle, Co. D: Enlisted in Austin, TX by Wm. Ferguson.

Sunday, March 30

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "No reliable news of the two armys getting any closer together I attend preaching to day & hear our chaplain for the first time he preach us a short but very good sermon"
Event- Scouting Party departs.

Monday, March 31

Diary - J. T. Pettus, Co. F: "All seems to be very quiet to be expecting a big fight & I should not be surprised if the two armies did not engage each other our boys return from a scout bringing four prisenors taken in a mile of the enemy camp"
Enlistment - T. O. Goalder, Co. K: Enlisted in Montgomery County, TX by Lt. Jones.

Unidentified March Events

Death - J. W. Baldridge, Co. A: Died from illness at Madison or Atlanta, GA by March 1862.
Death - J. Barker, Co. G: Died at Nashville, TN by March 1862.
Enlistment - E. M. Bussey, Co. B: Enlisted in Fairfield, TN by Capt. McKay.
Death - Ben L. Calloway: Died from illness in March 1862.
Enlistment - J. B. Campbell, Co. D: Enlisted in Houston by Lt. Col Walker.
Promotion - J. M Claiborne, Co. D: Promoted to Sergent Major by March 1862.
Discharge - W. J Coffield, Co. K: Discharged on account of illness by March 1862.
Enlistment - W. A. Dewoody, Co. D: Enlisted, possibly near Corinth, MS.
Discharge - H. R. Dunman Co.: Discharged on account of chronic rheumatism in March 1862.
Death - Robert K. Eskridge, Co. I: Died from pneumonia near Murfreesboro, TN in March 1862.
AWOL - W. H. Evans, Co. A: Reported as absent without leave in March 1862.
Discharge - J. H. Ferguson, Co. H: Discharged in March 1862.
Promotion - R. B. George, Co. I: Returned to duty and appointed Company Quartermaster in March 1862.
Illness - W. W. Groce, Co. B: Returned to TX by March or April 1862 due to illness.
Death - G. L. Guinn, Co. F: Died from illness at Madison or Atlanta, GA by March 1862.
Hospitalization- J. M. Hackney, Co. K: Hospitalized in March and April 1862 at Rienzi and Corinth, MS due to illness.
Recruiting - A. D. Harris, Co. I: Recruited for regiment in TX during spring of 1862.
Return to Duty- O. E. Herbert, Co. F: Present for duty by March 1862.
Discharge - D. E. Holcombe , Co. I: Discharged in March 1862 due to chronic laryngitis and other conditions.
Enlistment - J Simmons, Co. A: Enlisted near Corinth, MS.

Death - A. J. Pouton: Died from illness in March 1862.
History - Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers by JKP Blackburn: Some time in March, 1862, we, the cavalry forces at Murfreesboro, broke camp and started to follow the army of Tennessee to Corinth, Mississippi, where it was being prepared to act on the defensive against the oncoming armies of General Grant and General Buell.