During this trip the Regiment was out from camp 18 days, and had five engagements with the enemy--two on the 17th of April, one on the 19th, one on the 27th, and one on the 4th of May. The great object of this expedition, was to divert the attention of the enemy until Col. Streight, who was fitting up an expedition for a grand raid into Georgia, should have time to complete the mounting of his men, and get well started on his way.
Lieut. Col. Phillips, with the four mounted companies of our Regiment, having been ordered on an expedition to Tupelo, separated from the remaining companies at Burnsville, on the 2d of May, and proceeded to Tupelo. Had a skirmish with the enemy there, and rejoined the Regiment at camp, May 7th.
Quartermaster Korn died of disease May 6th, 1863. Dr. Guelick and Captain Hawes were detailed on the 7th of May, the former to Fort Henry, and the latter to Memphis. Dr. Wm. A. Allen, 2d Assistant Surgeon, appointed by the Governor of Illinois, reported for duty on the 12th, and was mustered into the service, to rank from that date.
On the 13th of May, the Regiment moved into the barracks formerly occupied by the 39th Ohio, one mile south-east from Corinth.
On the 15th of May, Brig. Gen. Thomas, Adjutant General U. S. Army, addressed the soldiers at Corinth, announcing and advocating the policy of the Government in regard to freeing and arming the negroes. His remarks met with a hearty approval by nine-tenths of the soldiers at the military post of Corinth.
May 26th, our Regiment being again all mounted, we were ordered to report to Col. Cornyn, commander of Cavalry Brigade, at 10 A. M. Moved immediately thereafter, on the Corinth and Hamburg road, toward Hamburg Landing. We reached that place and began to cross the Tennessee River about dark, the 9th Ill. crossing over first. Our Regiment all got over by 2 A. M., of the. 27th, and the remainder of the force by noon of the same day. At 1 P. M., the entire column moved forward on the road towards Florence, taking the most easterly route. Halted, for rest and feed, two hours at 1 o'clock, A. M., of the 28th, and then moved forward again eight miles North-east from Florence. A detachment of the 7th Kansas Cavalry destroyed two large woolen factories, four miles from the city. We drove in the videttes of the enemy, and when we were within one hundred yards of the town, they opened on us with a battery of two guns, throwing schrapnel with great accuracy, compelling us to move from the road, by the left flank, into the timber, to avoid the deadly missiles. Col. Cornyn moved his howitzers rapidly forward, and soon silenced the Rebel guns.