January 5th still in same camp, money getting plenty, we receive another two months pay. January 24th on dress parade Colonel J.C. Black who as an orator or commander always does himself with the cause, gave us a stirring patriotic speech with a view to get us to reenlist, but boys took it under consideration till February 10th, when General Ord and Colonel Black addressed us again, and this time started the ball, and before evening of the 11th the necessary three-fourths of the Company had reenlisted, (under promise of a furlough for 30 days) under Sp. O. No. 191 War Dept.

Left Brownsville that same evening and reached Point Isabell by noon the 12th, cross bar of river on Mustang--then board St. Mary on which we recross the Gulf arriving at New Orleans evening of the 15th--get ordered to camp in one of the cotton presses close to the river. Remain here sometime making out "muster out" and in rolls and settling up all necessary business. February 28th get mustered in again by Major Maloney. March 1864 March 4th participate in the inauguration of the first Free State Governor of LA under great military pageant and firework display. After receiving more pay and bounty installments embark again on March 29th on Steamer Hope. Leave morning of the 10th for up river--passing all familiar landmarks in rapid succession. Reached Cairo by the 19th--St. Louis by the 21st and Chicago, by A. and C. Railroad on the 22nd of March.

Here we were well received and quartered in Soldiers home, realizing once more the blessing of being in a land of friends and plenty. Were well treated by our Chicago friends during out two day stay. March 24th we store our arms and accoutrements, receive furloughs and Companies A and H board train for Rock Island at 10 p.m. Arrive at 7 a.m. the 25th and get well received by the citizens and treated to a breakfast in Island City Hotel, after which we scattered to our respective homes to enjoy a well earned and long to be remembered furlough.

April, May 1864

April 25, 1864 went back to Chicago and left there the afternoon of the 26th. Arrive before Memphis by the 30th into which place Rebel General Forrest and forces had just made a dash the night previous. May 1st found the Regiment on picket duty outside Memphis near Germantown road, and on the 2nd marched by way of Moscow Summerville and Bolivar toward Ripley in pursuit of above named forces, but after 4 days pursuit we returned to Memphis reaching there the evening of the 10th (having marched 140 miles paying for our 30 day furlough.) Reembarked on the 11th for further progress down the river. Reached Natchez on the 14th. Bivouac there, by order of General Canby, till the 15th when we get ordered to mouth of the Red River--start up the river and reach Simmesport on the 17th.

There we find rest of Army, lay there for guard and fatigue duty till the 20th, when , as rear-guard of whole Army, march along Old River towards Mississippi. Arrive at Morganza the 21st. On the 30th start out on another scouting party towards Achtafalay River and Bayou Fordeau. After a most effective scout of four days, return to camp at Morganza.

June, July 1864

June 2nd having traveled over 60 miles--out on march again the 14th, return and move camp the 15th meanwhile get incorporated into the 19th A.C. Remain in camp near Morganza with guard and picket duty till July 12th when we receive orders to embark on transport "Kate Dale" and start up White River as far as St. Charles, land commence fortifying the place--working hard day and night (here get detailed by Brigadier General Lee to act as Brig. Com and issue rations etc. etc., (also keeping mess of Colonel J.C. Black in free grub and alive).

August, September 1864

On the 6th of August get relieved from the place and ordered once more back to Morganza--the 13th find ourselves in M.K. Lawlers Brigade, another change. Between the 13th and 31st changed camp several times but only short distances, doing most picket duty. On the morning of September 3rd 15 out of 21 commissioned officers tender their resignations but failed to get them accepted--embark same afternoon and reach mouth of the White River the 8th. September 20th all nonveterans of Regiment leave and other left at Brownsville pass us on boat on route for home. (September 29th go with transport to Memphis for 50,000 rations high old time).

October, November 1864

We remain in camp at White River Landing till October 7th. Embark again and reach Duvall's Bluff on the evening of the 8th--march about one mile west of town and go in camp. Here we do something never done before by this Regiment--go into regular winter quarters of log houses built by ourselves. Whole distance traveled in September and October: 650 miles. November 1st finds us still at the bluff enjoying our log cabins with plenty of picket and fatigue duty.

December 1864

(December 15th witness the execution of a deserter and bounty jumper and in building breastworks). We received cheering news from all our Eastern Armies--Thomas--Sherman--Grant--etc. and with these and plenty of drill we while away the winter hours--but with the 37th a good thing never lasts long, as the sequel will show so goodbye to the eventful year of 1864. blessed by a great many Union Victories, but also cursed by just as many follies and mistakes.

December 17th got transferred from 19th Corps to 4th Brigade Military Division West Mississippi Corps, the balance of our Brigade from Brownsville, Texas, having lately joined us again under General Steele and General Canby, consisting of two Brigades of colored troops. (Christmas and New Years on the Bluff- where high times for some officers and also men, as bad whiskey made a good many fools--and made duty heavier on the decent part of the crowd.)