Found no bushwhackers

The title of this column is very appropriate in describing the frustrating "Union" search and pursuit of the Confederate Guerillas in Missouri during the Civil War. It is also part of the June 3, 1864 entry of Sgt. James P. Mallery's Civil War Diary that describes the good Sergeant's activities for the entire year of 1864 when he was stationed with Co. A. of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry at Fort Curtis near Balltown, Vernon County, Mo.

Some years ago, a good friend and distinguished historian and author Pat Brophy phonetically transcribed Sgt. Mallery's Diary as it was written and it was published by the Vernon County Historical Society. Today, a copy of this diary can be purchased at the Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada, in the visitor centers at Fort Scott National Historic Site and at the Mine Creek Battlefield, near Pleasanton, Kan. The following entries are located on page 21 and describe what Sgt. Mallery's military and social activities were from March 21 -- 26, 1864. The entries have been transcribed from the phonetic text to the contemporary usage of today for the reader's convenience.

Monday, March 21, 1864

A little warmer than usual. In camp all day. Corporal of the Guard and up the fore (early) part of the night. Wrote a letter to my sister and one to Griffen in New York. Volunteered to patrol in Linn County tomorrow in company with three more of our Company.

Tuesday, March 23, 1864

Cloudy and snowed and wind blew all day. Left camp at 8 a.m. in company with three more of our boys. Stopped at Jents and got dinner. Then we went on and arrived at Mound City at 5 p.m. Stopped at the tavern overnight. Traveled 30 miles. Found D. McKnab and had a good time in general, drinking beer. Relieved from guard at 12 Midnight.

Wednesday, March 23, 1864

Warm but the wind blew all day. Left Mound City at 11 a.m. Came out 4 miles, got dinner and moved on for camp. Got supper at Pierott's and got to camp at 8 p.m. Tired. What we went for (I) don't know, unless it was to patrol the country. Saw the prettiest girl that I have ever seen since I left home by the name of Bowers.

Thursday, March 24, 1864

Warm and rained a little in the afternoon and evening. (The) boys appear to feel well and think that they are to be mustered and go home on furlough. In camp all day and nothing going on except a game of Baseball. The veterans went to the Fort (Scott) to be mustered in for three more years more or the duration of the war.

Friday, March 25, 1864

Nice and warm. In camp all day and playing [Base]ball most of the time. The boys returned from the Fort (Scott) feeling well after being mustered out [discharged] and in (re-enlisting as veterans.) No news of importance going on in camp and the boys all feel well. Received mail from the Fort (Scott.) Lawson and the Deacon came from the Fort.

Saturday, March 26, 1864

Very warm and pleasant. Started to take a ride on Neel's colt, got thrown and came to camp on foot.

The colt run home with my saddle and bridle.

Got another horse and took a ride. Got tobacco and returned to camp. Corporal of the guard, up the latter part of the night. Neel hasn't found his colt yet. Very warm for the time of year.

Sunday, March 27, 1864

Cloudy and [the] wind blew hard. Relieved from Guard (Duty) in the morning. Received orders for a Sergeant and twenty men to report to Fort Scott to help guard a [supply] train to Fort Gibson.

Preaching at the schoolhouse. N. Peters very sick Wrote a letter for the Deacon."

So ended an uneventful week in the life of Sergeant James P. Mallery, Company A, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry, stationed at Fort Curtis near Balltown, Vernon County, Mo.

He "Found No Bushwhackers" and the war went on!