Submitted by Chandice Johnson, who transcribed it from the original.
1863
January
1st The Reg't is on picket & three teams went to Waterford after corn meal
2nd This afternoon the meal came there was 1000 lbs of it & it is raining some the mail this evening
3rd It rained last night very hard & the Reg't went on picket
4th It is pleasent & warm & we got marching orders at night
5th We marched through Holly Springs about a mile and stop
6th Last night it rained very hard & we did not have up our tents & when we got our tents up we had to move to the east side of town into camp
7th Last night it froze some & today we built a stove out of brick that we carried about a half a mile the mail came to day & I got a letter from home
8th To day is raining and I answered yesterday letter
9th It is foggy & Sam LeFevre & a lot of the boys have gone a forraging & it rained
10th The Reg't went on picket & at noon we got Marching orders & started at sun down & went to cold water [Coidwater, Mississippi] got there at 9 oclock & the picket men came up at midnight & went by to stand that night
11th We started at sunrise & march about two miles & came up with the pickets & then we march on to Moscow [Tennessee]
12th We put up our tents
13th I am on camp guard & got a letter from Walter
14th It rained last night & all day today
15th It rained & at midnight it turned to ice & then to snow & snowed all day
16th Last night it stop snowing when the snow was about 5 inches deep & it began to snow again but it did not snow much & I wrote a letter to Walter
17th It is cold but pleasent
18th Last night we loaded our guns & stacked them on the color line for anything that mite turn up but nothing happened & is pleasent to day
19th It is rainy & it stop about noon which took off nearly all the snow
20th It is nasty misty day
21st
22nd We shot off our guns
23rd The Co S on picket & it rained
24th When I came off picket I found [blank] It rained all day
25th We sined the pay rolls
26th I washed my clothes and 3 Bishop & Wm Crawford fought a duel Adj't Houghtoun & Sam LeFevre were seconds & in the afternoon it rained
27th It is cold & clear
28th It froze last night pretty hard & we had to get up at five oclock & stack our arms on the colorline
29th I went to the doctor
30th We raised up our tents
31st There was a General inspection & I got a letter from home
February
1st It rained all night & the Co. went on picket this morning & I answered yesterdays letter
2nd I wrote a letter for Wm Newlin
3rd It is cold & at night I went & help unload clothing camp kettles & rnesspans off the cars
4th We got a sack of corn & one of the boys went to mill & got it made into meal & in the afternoon it began to snow & at night we got marching orders to start the next morning at 8 oclock
5th Wm Newlin died at 5 oclock this morning & we started & marched to Lafayette got there at three oclock & we pitched camp on the snow
6th Last night was awfull cold & to day we shovelled off the snow on top of the ground under our tents
7th I am on picket & the snow went off
8th It is very mudy
9th To day I washed my clothes & I got a letter from home & one from Walter
10th I answered yesterday letters
11th To day I am on picket
12th It is raining to day
13th
14th To day is raining & we had a Thunder Storm
15th I wrote a letter to R S Chamberlin
16th We have to drill 4 hours a day & get up at 5 oclock & stack arms on the colorline
17th Last night it a drizly rain
18th Last night it rained
19th I am on picket & the 15th moved down the rail road to Collierville [Tennessee]
20th It is pleasent & we moved camp where the 15th was
21st Six Cos went a forrageing & it rained like every thing all day & we got any amount of Pork but when we were coming back the teams got stuck & they had to through of most of the forage & Pork & some of the boys got in the water all over and one lost his gun in the water
22nd There was a celebration of Washingtons birthday there was a discourse read by the Chaplin of the 15th & then different ones made toasts had music from the Brigade band then Burknapps Battery shot at a mark shot as many times as there was states in the Union
23rd The Reg!t shot off there guns at a mark
24th I washed my clothes & a base drummer came to the Reg't
25th Part of the Reg't went on picket & there was a Thunder Storm & I have been taking croup micture
26th Last night it rained & the tent leak & wet the Blankets & those that were lying under them & it rained until morn & in the afternoon I wrote a letter for P Michals
27th It is pleasent & warm & I am taking Medicen
28th Part of the Reg't is on picket
March
1st Part of the Reg't went a forrageing & I am pretty sick at night
2nd I got a letter from Father & Wm Trickel came here
3rd It is cold this morning & part of the Reg't went on picket & I answered Fathers letter to send by Trickel home
4th Trickel started back & Part of the Reg't went of[f] forrageing & the Cavalry that went with them saw guerrilers
5th Five men out of a Co went on picket & I subscribe for a Co Chart & I don't get any better
6th Five men & a Corporal went out of the Co on picket & the Reg't got marching orders
7th Last night it rained & five men & a Corporal went on picket & I am no better
8th Last night it rained & this morning is misty & disagreable at noon the boys shot off there Arms & at night I got orders to be ready to start the next morning at 7 oclock
9th The sick went to the depot (I was one) & started to Memphis & got there a little after one oclock the train got stuck twice we stayed to the depot till after 5 oclock & then they took us to the Soldiers home & then I went into the Overton Hospital ward
10th I have some fever yet A good meny went out of here to St Louis to day
11th It is warm & pleasent
12th There was a lot more of sick came in to day from Vicksburg
13th This morning the Dr said that I was better out of danger of the fever
14th James Marvin came in the Hospital from Co E & I wrote a few lines to Sam & sent by him
13th Atkison & Alkir came up here & brought me a letter from Father
16th I answered Father letter & Cap't Leguin came here said that those that could ride to the camp could get there pay that afternoon but I miss the Ambulance so I walk to camp but I did not get it I stayed in the Reg't hospital
17th I stayed in camp all day but no pay & at night I went to the Hospital & I get a letter from Walter
18th
19th A Stansbury was here this morning & I wrote a letter to Walter
20th I am better to day
21st Peter L Dops died this morning in this Ward his Father was with him
22nd Sam LeFevre & J R Bishop came down here & brough me $20 Sam sined the pay roll & drawed it for me
23rd I wrote a letter to Father yesterday it rained all day
24th It rained all the forenoon & cleared off in the afternoon
25th I went out into the street
26th Sam LeFevre came to see me & I went on top of the Hospital & I could see all over the city
27th I went out & left my watch to be fix
28th To day I went to the Co Last night there was a hard Thunder Storm & it liked to of drowned the boys out of the tents
29th Last night the wind blew & this morning it is pretty cold & it remained so all day
30th It hailed some this morning & is pretty cold
31st Clear & windy
April
1st The Reg't are drawing new catradge boxes & turning over the old ones
2nd The Divission was out on review & the Col overheard General Hurlbut say that the 76 was the best Reg't in the Brig'd
3rd It is windy
4th I got a letter from home & two papers
5th I went to town to a Presbyterian meeting & I answered Fathers letter
6th Got a letter from Walter
7th I answered Walters letter & I went down town
8th It is cloudy
9th It is warm
10th It is pleasent & at night I went to a debateing society that the 14th & 76th have got up
11th This afternoon it is raining in the forenoon we mustered it stop raining at night
12th I went to town to a Catholic church, at night Judge Williamson of Iowa made a speech to the 14th & 76th Reg't
13th The Reg't went to compeat with the 32nd Ills in drilling
14th Last night it rained all night & untill noon to day
15th It is cold & cloudy in the after noon it was pleasent
16th This afternoon we sined the pay roll
17th I got a letter from Mother
18th I answered yesterday letter from Mother
19th Last night there was a hard Thunder Storm
20th The Reg't got there pay at night there was a Nigger dance in Camp & a banjo to play & I washed my clothes & the 14 & 46th got marching orders cold water to fight to start the next morning Lieu't Ford started there
21st I went to town & got rid of my watch & got a dollars worth of Postage Stamps there was some prisoners & Hurlbut sent after the 76th but Lauman would not let it go
22nd
23rd
24th The 14th & 46th came back & it is raining & I got a letter from Father at night it stop rain
25th I answered Fathers letter & in the afternoon we had a hail storm
26th There was a Thunder Storm but not a very hard one
27th This afternoon it rained
28th I went to town
29th We raised our tent & I sent home my Over & dress coat & cap at noon I got a letter from Walter
30th This morning I wrote a letter home & then we had inspection of the Reg't in the afternoon they had speaking at Brig'd Head quarters
May
1st I was on detail to go to town to help draw hay for the Mules & I wrote a letter to Walter & our Co drilled against Co F
2nd Lieu't Dillies wife came down here to day & in the afternoon it rained some
3rd
4th I got a letter from Father & in the afternoon I went to town
5th I washed my clothes & wrote a letter to Father & in the afternoon the Reg't went to Div Hed qtr & drilled against the 53rd md and the 76 got it
6th Elisha Bratton started home on 30 day furlough
7th I am on guard& at noon I got a letter from Father
8th Our Co drilled against Co E & I answered Fathers letter
9th I am on guard at Div head quarters & we got marching orders
10th I went to town and got my Photographs taken & in the after noon we got words that Richmond was taken & it was read on dress parrade & our orders was countermanded
11th Co K are on picket & I wrote a letter to James S Loveland & wrote one for P Michals
12th I went to town & got my pictures & at night there was a Co fight Wm Watkins & J Vanciccle went home on a furlough of Twenty days
13th We packed up & struck tents for a march down the river got on the boat Fort Wayne at 12 oclock & started at 51 oclock we stop for the night
14th At three I got up for guard & the boat started at four oclock at sun down we stop to wood & Lieut Ford got off of one of the boats & got on the one we were on & in an hour we started & a little after dark our boat was shot into & the boat run into a snag & broke the rudder two men were wounded & we had to stop for the night
15th This morning they roped up to Brigd head quarters boat & then we went & fired a plantations clost to where we were fired into & started down the river got to the upper landing of youngs point a little after sun down
16th We started at 12 oclock & went to the lower landing & unloaded & went into camp & we open the box that Ford brought from home when we landed we saw Jim Jordan he was in the convalesent camp
17th I am guard to day & sent my pictures
18th We started this morning & march across the point to the river below Vicksburg got there at three oclock got on the boat at eight oclock & went down the river on the Empire City
19th We landing this morn at 3 oclock & went on to land at Grand Gulf our Reg't the other three came on to day at 11 oclock at night we were called up to march & we went to the landing & got on a boat & started at 1 oclock with the 53 md on one boat up the river
20th We went to the Battery of Vicksburg & turned around at 10 oclock to the landing where got on when we went down stayed there till noon then went up to the upper landing & got off and marched to youngs point & got on the Ohio Billie & we could see the Morters & the Vicksburg Batterys playing at each other we stayed a little after sun down
21st This morning we got off [on?] the boat & got off at Cicasaw landing where there was several thousand Prisoners & march to the rear of Vicksburg within three miles of the firing stayed three till noon then we turned round & marched to Haines Bluff making about 20 miles that day
22nd We lay in camp to day & we can here the report of canon pretty often untill two oclock then it ceased only two or three in the afternoon
23rd There was a few guns fired this morning & I went & got all the Mulberries that I could eat & I wrote a letter home & one to Walter & at night I got one from home
24th We got marching orders & marched to the center of the Army & stop for the night saw Boltons Battery it is very hot so that the horses dropt down with the heat
25th Started this morning towards the left marched till noon & stop then I went & got all the Mulberries I could eat (lost my tin cup & found an other one) Stayed there til 5 oclock & then we went till sun down when we stop for the night after we had gone to sleep we were called up to be ready we were called up twice that night
26th Last night there was 114 men taken by the Rebels while on picket out of the 46th some officers & the Lt Col Lt Col got away from them
27th Last night we (the Reg't) went on picket & one of Co H got wounded & there was shell droped into camp from the gun boats
28th Last night there was a Mock Battery planted by our men & to day there was a real one & we moved about two miles
29th The mail came this Afternoon & I got a letter from Walter
30th Six Co went on picket & I was detailed to build a shed at the divission Hospi tal
31st This morning two men was shot by accident in Co I one shot Mortal theother one is not our Co went to Warrenton after rations we got back after night & the camp was moved
June
1st I went after [plums?] and had some cook for dinner in the afternoon I wrote a letter to Wal't and one to Father
2nd The Reg't is on picket I mended my coat The Man died this morning that was shot in Co I & his son with three was shot dead by gurrillers at Grand Gulf
3rd Came to camp & washed my Clothes Serg't Wm A Watkins came back from on furlough
4th Reg't on picket & the things came up from Grand Gulf
5th Last night the 53rd md came out & dug rifle pits for the pickets to lye in came to camp & moved it about a mile got through at noon moved again in the afternoon & Wm Charles came over from Youngs Point
6th Reg't on picket Co K on a Signal hill & we go all the Blackberries we could eat
7th Lay in Camp & got caterage enough to make 40 rounds
8th Reg't on picket Co K at Signal hill & Wm Charles went back to Youngs point
9th Washed my Clothes
10th Last night Co I & K went to support a battery the rest of the Reg't went on picket this morning & there was hard rain till noon at night
11th Last night there was a hard Thunder Storm this morn went a blackberrying
12th On picket fleer camp in the canes & at night we could see the shells come from the gunboats & go over the City & burst they look splendid
13th Washed my clothes in the forenoon & then went a blackberrying & the Rebs through shell into our camp but did not hurt any one
14th There was more troops came in one Divission the 37th Ill the one that J Baker J Strouse D Hillbury are in
15th A Corporal in Co B wounded by a shell while on picket he was on the reserve & the Reg't moved Camp
16th There was a shell came through camp in the afternoon & I got a letter from Father
17th Went a blackberrying & In the afternoon I answered Fathers letter & a pice of shell came through camp
18th Wrn Charles came from the point & all of the Knapsacks & the Co sined the pay rolls
19th Last night they called us for fight about 10 oclock but we did not leave camp this morning the Reg't went on picket & a man was shot in Co H in camp & Ford went to the point after more of the things
20th There was a good deal of shelling this morning & I had the ague & Ford got back
21st The 1st Lieu't of Co E & a private was shot this morning when they went on picket by our men shot the L't through the leg & breaking it, & the other through the nose & face the L't died this evening (his name was Williams)
22nd Went a blackberrying
23rd Last night Cap't Davis came to the Reg't & the Col of the 14 & 4 or 5 boys was taken by the Rebels
24th This morning the Reg't drawed Whiskey at noon got orders to move Camp Got a letter from Walter & then we went to lye in a rifle pit
25th This evening went on picket from the pit 5 Cos Co K for reserve There was shoting & shelling on the line
26th Answered Walters letter on picket at night went to the rifle pits
27th To day Alkire Rardon & Eliott came to the Co & we moved Camp to the rifle pits At night went on picket
28th The 2nd fifer of Co D was wounded on picket but not bad we have got to stay till tomorrow
29th Came off of picket this morning & left the Post vacant
30th Got a letter from home & answered it
July
1st At C?] we went to dig a ditch in front of a rebl fort & we could see the rebs on there fort we were within 40 yards of the fort
2nd Got two months pay this noon
3rd Willie Nash came to see me & the rebs came out of there forts In the afternoon I was detailed to dig in a ditch from 1 to 7 oclock & the rebs were out on the forts more or less all the afternoon flag of truse came out this morning
4th The rebs are out on there forts thick & at 9 or 10 oclock the Newes came of the surrender & we got orders to march any time
5th Lt Col Dubois started home he has resined & we started to Jackson at 8 oclock & marched with a mile of Black river I saw 0 W Nash
6th We did not march & W Nash came to the Reg't At noon we got orders to march at 1 or 2 at night the order was countermanded & got orders to march in the morning at 5 oclock
7th Last night there was a hard blow & little rain we started at 5 oclock & marched all day & into the night & it began to rain & we had a muddy time & two boys & myself stop & slept in the crook of the fence & stayed till morning & it rained hard all night. S Le Fevre Serg't Duke & J Watkins give out through the day & stop
8th I got up with the Reg't before it started & then we started & marched about three miles & stop with Smiths Divissions & I went to the Mercantile Battery. We got orders to march at six oclock & start at 10 oclock & stop at two in the morning
9th We started & marched to Clinton [Mississippi] & stop with orders to march at five oclock but dint start
10th Got orders to march at 7 & started at 10 oclock & went about a mile & marched in to the timber & stacked arms we are guarding the wagon trains we went on picket standard till night & moved ahead about two miles & stop for the night
11th At noon we went on picket & at three oclock we could here the Musketry & canon at Jackson
12th Last night it rained some & this morning there was some firing again & we came off of picket & at night we marched forward about five miles & stop for the night
13th We moved about a mile on to the line south of Jackson in the Afternoon half of the Co was detailed for skirmishes & went out & they commenced firing on the left of us so we came back & at night I got a letter from R S Chamberlin & from Mary & Sib Bell
14th I answered yesterdays letters At 4 oclock in the afternoon the Brig'd went out on a reconnosances & found nothing as we expected to on Pearl river & at night I was on Camp Guard
15th S Le Fevre & Seg't Duke came to the Reg't
16th The Reg't is on picket
17th Last night the Rebs evacuated Jackson & we came off of picket in the afternoon I went to town
18th I wrote a letter home & in the afternoon it rained hard
19th We had dress parade this afternoon for the first time since we left Memphis we got orders to march at six in the morning
20th We did not go went to Pearl river in the afternoon we got orders to march at three in the morning
21st We started & marched Raimond & I was detailed on picket & I was not needed & I went to camp & got orders to march at two oclock the next morning
22nd We marched & cross Black river & went into camp where we did when we came out from Vicksburg & when we cross Black river it began to rain & there was a hard thunder storm & there was a good many of the boys give out with the heat for it was very hot all day & some drop down with the heat, & one or two killed with lighting
23rd Last night I had a cup of coffee for supper & this morning Wm Charles & myself started for Vicksburg & went without any thing to eat till we got there at 11 oclock the Reg1t came in the afternoon there was 12 men to start the morning in the Co & the mail came I got a letter from Father & one from Walter & went into Camp out side
24th I answered Father letter
25th Went in side to Camp & could not find a place & turned back & went into camp where we was & I wrote a letter to Walter
26th I wrote a letter to R L Chamberlin & in the afternoon it rained
27th Last night it rained & I sined the Pay rolls
28th The Reg't is Court Martial for tarring up a suttler's Shop coming up from Grand Gulf in the afternoon it rained very hard
29th Got orders to move camp at one oclock & we went inside of the fortifications
30th At night the Co went to the river
31st I am detailed to load aminition
August
1st We got two months pay
2nd Will Nash came over & at dress parrade there was orders read that our Divission was transfered into the 13 Army Corps
3rd I went to town & bought a hat of the 53rd md suttler
4th The furloughs came & I wrote a letter & put in $20 and sent it by Atkison & dress parrade it was read that we were transfered into the 17th Army Corps
5th Got a letter from Walter
6th Answered Waits letter & went to town
7th Went to the Mercantile Battery & the old tents came from the point
8th We put up the tents & cleaned up camp & I got orders to go down the river, but did not go but a lot of the boys went to the river & a man in Co H got drowned
9th They got the man out that was drowned I am on guard to night as Acting Corporal
10th Came off of guard & then went over to the Mercantile Battery
11th In the afternoon got marching orders to go in an hour went to the river & got on the boat H Chouteau
12th Started at day light & landed at three oclock P.M. at Natchez & did not get unloaded till dark lay on the bank of the river that night
13th Went into camp about two miles from the boat North of town
14th Last night there was a man drowned in Co E in the river & I went to town
15th I wrote a letter home
16th Got orders to march out into the Country to guard a Cotton train & carry two days rations we went out 11 miles & turned round & marched back 5 miles & stop for the night it was very hot marching & good meny of the boys give out
17th Started at 4 oclock & came to camp got there at 7 oclock & at night there was a hard Thunder Storm
18th I was on detailed as Corp over a squad of men at night there was a Thunder Storm
19th We got a mail the first since we left Vicksburg & I got a letter from home & I was ordered to act Corporal till further orders
20th It is raining & did most of the day & I went to town in the afternoon
21st I am on picket with eight men
22nd I wrote Father a letter & the Officers staked off the Camp ground
23rd We moved the tents so as to have more room between them & in the afternoon I went over to the 11th Ill Vols to see G Carrington but he was not there
24th I went to the boat landing
25th Co B E & K went on picket
26th Got a letter from Father & in the afternoon I went to the 11th Ills to see G Carrington & found him
27th
28th I answered Father's letter & in the afternoon we had a very hard Thunder Storm
29th Last night I was on guard
30th We had General Inspection & in the afternoon I had the Ague
31st We musterd for pay & I took Quinine
September
1st Last night I was on guard & at noon the Brig'd started to be gone 10 days across the river
2nd I went to the town & to the landing
3rd I wrote a letter for Philip Michals & then went to the landing & in the afternoon the Officers that was on furlough came back
4th Went to town
5th I went with the teams after corn in the field & when I got back there was a letter for me from Sam Le Fevre & one from Walter
6th I answered Walters letter & at night the Reg't came back
7th Co G came to the Reg't they were guard at Crockers Head Quarters
8th The Reg't shot off there guns
9th
10th
11th I went over to the 11th Ills Vols
12th
13th Had Brigade Gen'l inspection of Arms
14th Co B, C & K are on picket
15th We had shovel out the tents & there was a drilled commence in the Brig'd one co in each Reg't drilled in a day for a ticket & the Reg't that got the most tickets got clear from duty for ten days Co A drilled to day but did not get a ticket
16th Cleaned guns for drilled Co F drilled & did not get a ticket
17th Got two letters from Father Co D drilled & got a ticket
18th Our Co drilled & did not get a ticket & in the afternoon I answered yesterday letters
19th Co G drilled & got a ticket At night we got some Clothing
20th Reg't inspection
21st Co H drilled did not get a ticket
22nd Co H & K went on picket & Co E drilled & got a ticket Robbert Broomfield died
23rd Co I drilled & did not get a ticket & at noon 4 men & myself dug a grave for Bromfield
24th Co C drilled & got a ticket
25th Co B drilled & got a ticket
26th
27th Reg't inspection
28th
29th The Reg't Started for Crockers to drill & it began to rain & they came back & it rain a drizly rain all day
30th Last night it rained the Reg't went to Crockers Head Quarters & came back without drilling & in the afternoon I had the ague & it rained all day
October
1st Rained last night
2nd
3rd I got a letter from Walter & one from Sam
4th I answered Sams & Walters letter
5th There was General inspection Gen Crocker & Lauman was round
6th last night there was a hard Thunder Storm
7th Got a letter from R L Chamberlin
8th
9th Reg't went to town on Gen inspection & in the afternoon the camp was inspected
10th Went & got Grapes
11th Ransoms brig'd left town & went to Vicksburg
12th
13th I was detailed to get wood for Hospital & Baker
14th The Mess got out timber to rase the tent
15th Raised the tents
16th We got Brick for a fireplace
17th I help build a fireplace at the Reg't Hospital
18th Most of the boys have gone to Meeting
19th We made a fireplace in the tent
20th I went to the other side of town after Beef but did not get it & I got a letter from Father
21st Answered yesterday letter
22nd I am on camp guard at night & it rained in the night
23rd It rained most of the day & is quite cold & nasty
24th It is clear & cold had some frost this morning
25th There is frost this morning & pretty cool & in the afternoon it is quite pleasent
26th I am on detailed unloading boat
27th Peter Tanner came to the Co
28th Vinton Gillaspie came from the Hospital
29th I help haul water for the Reg!t from the River & it rained a drizly rain
30th Last night it rained & most of the time to day & Serg't Duke & L D Horn came from on furlough
31st This morning we Musterd
November
1st To night I am on guard
2nd Henry Childes was put under guard for disobeying orders
3rd
4th I am guarding Henry Childes
5th Last night it rain & most of the time to day
6th It cleared off & I am on guard guarding H Childes in the afternoon I took him to town to live in the guard house 10 days on bread & water
7th It is clear & pleasent
8th Serg't F H Robberts came to the Reg't
9th Got a letter from Walter Got marching orders
10th We packed up tents & went to the river in the afternoon & the pay Master payed the Reg't after we got in the boat & we started about 10 oclock on the boat Empress
11th We landed at Vicksburg at three oclock & got off at sun down & I was detailed to unload the boat but we did not do it
12th I had to help unload the boat & I got two Dollars worth of Postage Stamps & in the afternoon we moved into Camp at the out side of town
13th I went to the 11th Ill Reg't & then wrote a letter to Walter & sold one dollars worth of Stamps
14th I went to town & left my watch to be cleaned D Blythes died in camp
15th Went to the landing & found Smutzs [7] there with some things from home & Geni Logan left town & he made a speach to the crowd before he left he. went to take command of Shermans Corps In the afternoon went to meeting Lt Dillie preached
16th To day I went & got my watch & went to prayer meeting at night
17th Wrote home & put in ten Dollars drawed Clothing in the afternoon
18th I am detailed to go to town to get hay & corn
19th We sined the pay rolls
20th I went to Boltons Battery & they began to Drill the Co & I was not there to drill
21st We drilled drawed Hospital tents
22nd I went to Boltons Battery
23rd Henry Childes was tied up to a tree & in the afternoon it rained & the Pay Master began to pay the Reg't
24th The rest of the Reg't was payed this morning & the Col ordered Childes to be tied again but he gave up & I went to town in the afternoon
25th I was on detailed to cut wood & in the afternoon went to town after hay got back & I got a letter from Sam Le Fevre & one from Father
26th The Mess got. stuff & made bunks & G Carrington came over & in the afternoon we got Marching orders for the next morning at 7 oclock Last night it froze some
27th We started at 10 oclock & marched about 10 miles on the road Sniders Bluff & went into Camp without any tents & my partner & myself made a tent out of oil Blankets
28th Last night it rained & most of the boys got wet but them that had got oil tents made I answered Father letter & the tents came & we put them up
29th We fixed our bunks & built a fire place in the tent last night it froze very hard
30th I am detailed cleaning up camp & in the afternoon Sam Le Fevre & Alkire & H Johnson came to the Reg't & Sam brought me some things from home
December
1st I wrote a letter to and one to Mary
2nd I was detailed to help get the Col a cook shed but we could not any in the afternoon the Reg't drilled
3rd The Reg't drilled
4th Battalion drill in the afternoon
5th Weather bad
6th Reg't inspection in the Lt Dillie preached
7th I was detailed to clean up camp
8th Last night it rained & we drawed Clothing
9th Sold Watch for 25 dollars
10th The Reg't drawed new tents of the wedge kind
11th We got orders were to rais the tents but the order was countermanded
12th I got a letter from home & one from Walter
13th I answered yesterdays letters & it rained all the forenoon it cleared off in the afternoon
14th We got orders to put up log houses we put up the little tents to stay in till we got up the houses
15th We cut timber for the houses
16th Last night it rained hard & it rained so that we could not do much & there was a large whirlwind that took all the tents down in Co G, E, & K & killed a man in the 15th & killed a mule in our Corrille
17th We cut the rest of stuff of our house
18th I went to town to get some nails but could not get any
19th We got the logs hauled for the cabin & put it up to the plates
20th We coverd the house & began the fire place
21st We finished the house & I got a letter from J R Bishop
22nd I answered yesterday [letter]
23rd I am detailed cleaning up Camp
24th I went to Divission Comissary to get Sam's rations mony but did not get it but I got some dried apples & at night the boys made pies
25th I went to town after Sam's ration many but Office was closed could not get it
26th I got a letter from Father & one from Mary & got two papers Tribuns
27th I answered yesterdays letters Last night it rained hard
28th Had Brig'd inspection I had Ague in the afternoon
29th I got a letter from Sher home & a Magazine & two recruits came for our Co
30th I answered yesterdays letter from Sherman it rained all day
31st Last night it rained & this forenoon we mustered for pay & it turned cold & began to sift snow but soon stop
The Civil War Diary of Leonard Pierpont 1862 1865