June 5, 1861

Peter Geissel, a recruit in Company A, of the 9th Illinois Infantry, died today. Geissel most likely was the first of Egypt's Soldiers to die in the Civil War.

June 4, 1861

"Persons having slaves at home, whose services can be dispensed with for the next ten or fifteen days, would do a great kindness to the volunteers at Randolph, by sending negro men to that point. The volunteers should be drilled, and the fortifications, on which they have labored so long and faith should be finished by negroes."
- from June 4 Memphis Bulletin