Home At Last

1865 Home

After almost three years' absence, I found my valley home at dusk on the third of July, 1865. And what a happy union it was. Father, mother, sisters and brothers, all together. The circle unbroken during the terrible three years that had rolled over us since I parted to try my fate in a soldiers' camp. The bitter tears of anguish then, were replaced by those of unbounded joy. All the hardships and privations of my campaign were amply repaid at this joyful union.

But three years had brought a change here as well as upon me. The locks of my aged father were considerably whiter than when I left. Mother I was rejoiced to find looking so well. That frail casket which I feared so much could never see this happy day on earth, has retained its vitality to a wonderful extent. Thomas, John, Margaret, Mary, Hannah and Ellen were the same in appearance as when I left, but Jane had grown from a school girl to the full proportions of a woman, and I scarcely could recognize her. The little boys are grown and much changed, but yet the same.

And this is not all the change. I left them without a place to call home, but found them situated in a lovely location, a pleasant house and expanding fields, for which I felt very thankful. But there was no time left for such thoughts that evening. Among other kindnesses I had bread and milk.

Spring Green, Tuesday, July 4. A happy day to the happy family. Fourteen of us filled the old family wagon and crossed the river to Spring Green where I met several of my Battery chums. A pleasant picnic passed off here for the benefit of the soldier boys. It was great gratification to know that our old friends welcomed us home so cordially. I read the Declaration of Independence and Reverend Phillips addressed.

Madison, Thursday, July 6. In accordance to orders I reported at Madison in company with Sister Mary and Brother John. Found an officer with great difficulty and was told that I was not needed until the 11th.

Mazomanie, Wis., Monday, July 10. Another family load of us attended the Equescurriculum [circus] at Mazomanie, intending to go into Madison in the evening, but word was sent that they don't want us till the 13th.

Spring Green, Thursday, July 13. Have been on a two days' visit amongst my old associates of Spring Green. Was to go in to Madison from there for my discharge, but they are not ready now till Monday. So it goes. I am going into the harvest field to work.

Madison, Monday, July 17. According to orders the 6th Battery was once more together in Madison by 2 P. M. anxious for the final action which places each upon an equality with the other. But disappointment appears to be the rule; to-morrow, 10 A. M., is the time.

6th Wisconsin Battery Reunion—Richland Center, Wis., Aug. 27, 1897

1865 Mustered Out

Madison, Tuesday, July 18. The rolls have returned with Lieutenant Colonel Giddings' (mustering officer) signature annexed, and the military tie which bound us together as the 6th Battery has ceased to exist.

10 A. M. we assembled once more and in the yard in front of Captain Simpson's office, in the city of Madison, signed the final pay rolls, and received the much-coveted scrip "Discharge", bearing date of July 18. "Mustered out of United States service on the 3rd of July". It was not an hour of noisy demonstration, but happiness too sweet for utterance prevails, the emotion of thankfulness filling the dullest breast, "Free! Free!" was the exclamation of many as they became possessors of the prizes.

But to me it brought many dark and serious thoughts to mind. Yes, free, but for the first time in my life I am my only dictator as to what course to pursue. Have arrived at age with life's issue fairly before me, and undecided what course to pursue. Inclination and duty seem strangely at variance. The importance of such questions is almost oppressive. But I must strive to attain the highest good that lies in my power. The dictates of conscience shall be my guide. To-night I retrace my steps to my quiet valley home. The many tender ties which bind me to my comrades of the march, battle and camp, are more than likely forever broken on this earth. And the diary which I have kept unbroken is hereby ended with the end of my service, having lived two years and eleven months in the service of my country. Three of the best years of my life have been lost to self-instruction, and the plans and hopes of my childhood have been ruthlessly toppled down, but the time has not been lost. I have no regrets for the way it has been spent. My prayer is that the remainder of my life may be as usefully spent. So, dear Diary, good-bye!

Jenk. Ll. Jones.

Amount of Pay Received in United States Army

1862.

Aug. 28Advance bounty at Madison$25.00

Aug. 28Premium4.00

1863.

Feb. Pay to 1st Nov. '62 at Memphis33.87

May Pay to 1st Mch. '63 at Millikens Bend52.00

June Pay to 1st May '63 at Vicksburg26.00

July Pay to 1st July '63 at Vicksburg26.00

Sept. 17Pay to 1st Sept. '63 at Glendale26.00

Dec. 2Pay to 1st Nov. '63 at Chattanooga13.15

1864.

Feb. 19Pay to 1st Jan. '64, at Huntsville26.00

May 24Pay to 1st May '64, at Huntsville52.00

Aug. 5Pay to 1st July '64, at Etowah32.00

Nov. 6Pay to 1st Sept. '64, at Etowah32.00

1865.

July 22Final pay and bounty to 18th of July, 1865256.95

Total amt. rec'd for service for 2 yrs. 11 months and 4 days$604.97

Amount of Pay Sent Home

1862.

Aug. 23Advance bounty at Madison$15.00

1863.

Feb. From Memphis25.00

May From Millikens Bend45.00

June From rear Vicksburg20.00

July From Vicksburg20.00

Sept. 27From Glendale20.00

Dec. 2From Chattanooga15.00

1864.

Feb. 19From Huntsville20.00

May 26From Huntsville40.00

Aug. 5From Etowah20.00

Nov. From Nashville25.00

1865.

July 22Final payment at Madison180.00

Total amount sent$445.00

Clothing Drawn

1862.

Aug. 261 blanket$2.24

Aug. 272 pair drawers1.42

Aug. 271 cap.57

Aug. 271 infantry blouse

Aug. 271 canteen.32

Aug. 271 knapsack3.78

Aug. 271 haversack.39

Sept. 281 shirt.90

Oct. 131 pair pants3.87

Oct. 131 jacket5.17

Oct. 131 hat2.05

Oct. 161 overcoat7.62

Nov. 101 blanket2.24

Nov. 141 shirt.90

Nov. 221 pair socks.24

Nov. 301 shirt (starched).90

1863.

Jan. 141 pair pants3.87

Jan. 141 cap.57

Jan. 141 canteen.30

Feb. 41 pair of socks

Feb. 241 pair boots (sewed)

June 51 poncho

Oct. 221 haversack.48

Oct. 251 knit shirt1.30

Oct. 251 pair pants4.60

Dec. 162 pair drawers1.80

Dec. 161 hat1.65

1864.

Feb. 171 cap.58

Feb. 171 pair boots (pegged)2.12

Feb. 171 shirt1.53

Apl. 121 pair pants (inf.)2.40

Apl. 121 blouse3.12

June 91 shirt1.53

Aug. 91 hat1.80

Aug. 91 pair shoes1.64

Sept. 101 pair pants4.15

Sept. 102 shirts3.12

Sept. 101 blanket3.60

Nov. 121 pair boots3.25

Dec. 81 pair pants3.15

Dec. 82 pair drawers2.00

Dec. 81 great coat10.55

1865.

Feb. 61 blanket in hospital3.60

Mar. 111 jacket9.25

Mar. 111 poncho5.90

May 101 blouse4.80

June 51 pair boots4.00

June 51 shirt2.32

June 51 pair pants5.90

1865 Prices

Price List of Army Clothing from March 3, 1865

Fatigue caps$1.00

Hats2.25

Shirts2.32

Drawers1.60

Socks.48

Boots4.00

Gt. coat14.50

Blankets7.00

Painted ponchos3.00

Rubber ponchos5.90

Jackets9.25

Artillery pants5.90

Blouse4.80

Cross cannon.02