February 18th. Arrived at Martinsburg at 2 A. M. Left Jersey City early yesterday morning. After an uneventful trip arrived in Baltimore at 4 P. M. Left at nine o’clock. Met other members of the regiment bound for camp. When we got there lay down for a little rest and sleep. At daylight attended roll-call, [...]

February 16th. In New York. Left Norwich last night by boat. A cold sail on Long Island Sound. Remain here today and tonight. My cousin Theodore Luyster enlisted in the 10th New York Regiment. His father and mother feel very badly over it. Many other mothers and fathers have been made to feel sad over [...]

February 15th. Called on friends in and around Norwich. Visited my country home in Hanover, near Norwich. Time passed quickly and very pleasantly. Must again set my face southward, and join the regiment. Weather very cold during my vacation.

February 10th. Norwich, Connecticut. Left New York last night by boat. Arrived here all right. Came from New London to Norwich on the engine with my cousin Sidney Williams. Made my way to the home of my aunt, Mrs. Jane Tubbs. Gave the family a great surprise. Did not have time to let them know [...]

February 8th. My birthday, 19 years old. Left Baltimore at 9 o’clock last night. Passed through Philadelphia about midnight. Arrived in Jersey City at 8 A. M. Made my way to the home of my relations, taking breakfast with my grandmother. All were surprised and glad to see me. New York was my early boyhood [...]

February 7th. Arrived in Baltimore at 7 A. M. Had breakfast, then made our way across the city to the Philadelphia R. R. Station. There learned that we could not get a train out of the city until 9 P. M. A great disappointment. When leaving camp thought we could connect right through to New [...]

February 6th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cloudy, cold. Detailed for picket duty. Located on Charlestown Pike, southeast of town. On post two hours and off four. So I passed the day. Along in the evening, while out on post, was relieved from duty, informed that I had been granted a furlough for ten days, giving to [...]

February 1st-5th. This month so far has brought snow and cold rains. Regular duty kept up from day to day. Our regiment has been without a chaplain for several months. The Rev. William C. Walker, a Baptist clergyman of Putnam, Connecticut, having been appointed chaplain, arrived in camp and began the duties of that office. [...]

January 31st. The weather for the past few days has been very bad, making our duty very severe. Picket and guard must be done. These cold storms make the life of a soldier a bitter one. Wood must be brought to camp, trees cut down, then worked up into fire-wood. Must go out about five [...]

January 28th. This morning the Pennsylvania boys are packing up to leave, they having received marching orders. Ordered to New Creek, West Virginia. Our boys lined up, bid them good bye, good luck, with hearty cheers. These regiments, the 3d and 4th were known as the reserves and the Buck Tails, they having seen hard [...]

January 26th. In camp today we have a visitor, a minister from Woodstock, Connecticut, Rev. Mr. White. The day being fine, our regular routine was carried out. At dress parade, Mr. White delivered an address, a message from home. A pleasure to hear direct from old Connecticut.

January 18th-25th. Rain, sunshine, snow, very windy, has been the weather for the past week. At times very disagreeable. Target practise has taken the place of drilling. Daily routine does not change very much from day to day. Many are ill at this time, in hospital. Occasional death takes place.

January 10th-17th. Weather fine. Weather permitting, company drill in the forenoon, battalion drill in the afternoon, also dress parade. No matter what the weather conditions were guard and picket duty must be done. Mild weather brings on the sticky Virginia mud, disagreeable. My greatest trouble at this time is an ingrowing toe nail, causing me [...]

January 10th. Sunday. A very pleasant day. Attended church in town morning and evening. Service conducted by Chaplain, 3d Pennsylvania Reserves. Attendance by the towns-people and soldiers good. Chaplains from the different regiments were invited to occupy the pulpits in the churches. Special service was held evenings during the week, when no extra duty was [...]

January 8th. Twenty new recruits arrived from old Connecticut. Welcomed as fresh fish. They were assigned to the different companies which are being filled up for the coming campaign.

January 6th. While in town I saw and bought a pair of kip leather boots. Keep them well greased. They are good for walking through snow and water as well as Virginia mud. Try to keep my feet warm and dry. The enemy is reported to be again making raids in this vicinity. The 3d [...]

January 5th. Cold with more snow. Detailed as guard with brigade teams going about five miles out on the Williamsport road for wood. Severe, cold weather. Wood choppers and teams must be kept well guarded. Rebel scouts and guerillas often reported in this vicinity. Wood must be collected for our camp. We pass most of [...]

January 3d. Sunday. All quiet last night. Ordered to our camp early this morning. Weather a little more mild. Cleaned up. Attended church in town. All is quiet at this time. Enemy reported well up the valley. Plenty of snow on the ground.

January 2nd. In line all night. Not much sleep. Prisoners brought in this morning, captured by scouts, report the enemy going south, owing to the severe weather. Late this P. M. all is quiet. Our company ordered on picket for the night. A double picket line will be maintained for the night. Cold weather holds [...]

January 1st. New Year. Last night on second relief, going on post at eleven o’clock. Remained until one o’clock. Saw the old year out and the new in. This morning before daylight the outposts were attacked. A sharp, hot firing. All the forces around town were ordered out, double-quick time. All under arms. Later it [...]

December 31st. Orders received to prepare for a three days’ scout. Reported we go up the valley. A cold rain storm set in before we started. Caused the marching orders to be countermanded. The regiment to remain in camp. I am detailed for picket duty. The last day of the year 1863.

December 30th. On our return regular duty was resumed. Fourteen new recruits came to the regiment from Connecticut. Nine assigned to our company, C. Recruits were known as fresh fish. That was the way they were greeted. Most of them had relations and friends in the regiment. The recruits were always welcome and used kindly. [...]

December 25th. Christmas Morn. The boys made very happy last night over the prospect of returning to our camp. Spent the evening singing, making speeches, having a good time. It was late when the tumult ceased and we lay down for a little rest and sleep. Our second Christmas in the service. We bid goodbye [...]

December 24th. General Averill and his troops returned today after a raid of fifteen days. The boys and horses show the effects of hard service as I saw them pass through town on to Harper’s Ferry. They did an immense amount of damage to the enemy. Hard fighting, fording many streams in extreme cold weather [...]