5th. Big scuffle with Rob yesterday. Makes me somewhat sore. Played a game of chess with John. Read the Atlantic which A. B. lent me. Called on him. Rather better than for some time. Up most all day. Called at Mrs. Vickery’s and got Shakespeare and some other books. Very pleasant.

4th. After usual work, read some in paper. In the afternoon, went for some strawberries for Brother A. B. and ourselves. Had a nice meal of them, 25 cents per quart. Enjoyed them much. Mailed a letter to Melissa from A. B. Offered to write myself.

3rd. Day passed much as usual. Played a little chess with Thede and Johnny. Called on the Capt. Found him about the same. Stomach much out of order and some fever. Called for bread at Widow Vickery’s. Permission to borrow some books.

2nd. Saw the Capt. again and got permission to write to Melissa. Wrote short letter, did not feel very well myself. Sent letters to Melissa, Fannie and Sarah Felton. I believe 9th Army Regts. marched in the night. Destination supposed to be Vicksburg.

Monday, 1st. Ration day. After breakfast and morning work, we went at it. Hereafter to have fresh beef every day. Pontoon train arrived in P. M. indicating a forward move. Talk of pay; order reducing of baggage to 30 Ib. Capt. Nettleton sick. Commenced a letter to Fannie.

31st. Felt better and got up to breakfast. Cleaned up and rode to water with Thede. Capt. N. has been quite sick for several days, bowel complaint principally. Thede called on him. C. G. came over. Walked a little. Wrote a few lines to Fred. Read the Congregationalist. Chaplain preached in the evening. Frequent thunder [...]

30th. Rained last night. Eleven prisoners came in at 9 A. M. Pickets captured. Soon after 22 others. Kautz went to the forks before halting. Crossed at 2 A. M. and hastened towards Monticello, sending Detachments to the different fords to capture pickets. “E” and “C” covered the retreat. Skirmished a good deal. 20 to [...]

29th. Felt quite feverish in the morning. Afternoon, light attack of ague. Felt miserable all day. Got badly beaten at chess in the morning by Chester. Spent a very restless night. Sore, headache and uneasy every way. Thede very kindly did my work. Col. Kautz went out with 450 men. Aggravating.

28th. Spent the day in camp as usual. Read May Ballou. Some good things and some silly. In the evening felt quite aguey.

27th. In the morning Rob went over to town with his Charlie. I believe he has said that he would prefer to give up a hope in Heaven rather than the horse. In the afternoon I took my boots over to town to get them repaired. Went for them in the evening.

26th. Charlie came over in the morning. Finished letters home and to Fannie A. Yesterday was birthday of Fred Allen. Wrote him a congratulatory letter according to program. Rode over to town with the letters. Letter from home–Minnie.

25th. After breakfast, just as most of the Cos. had started to graze, word came that rebels were crossing at Fisher’s Creek in force and had captured pickets. “Boots and Saddles” sounded and we were soon under way for the ford. Issued rations first. Rebels gone. Followed trail some distance and rested at the Brewery. [...]

24th. In the morning early issued potatoes and beef. Thede felt a little better. After breakfast got water and helped him bathe. Bathed myself and changed clothes. Read Independents and Congregationalist. Word that chaplain would preach at 5 p. M. but ne’er a sermon. Report came that Grant had defeated Pemberton. Wrote home. Made thickened [...]

23rd. Drew rations for the 7th Ohio. Got rations over for the remainder of the month. Potatoes and beans. Thede went out a mile or so with the horses and came back used up. Looks miserable. Eyes glaring and face emaciated. Made me frightened. Had the doctor look at him. Gave some rhubarb, uneasy during [...]

22nd. After breakfast sleeked up. Charlie blacked my boots. Bill shaved me. Played two games of chess with Capt. N. Even games. Wrote to Sarah. Received two papers. Very warm day– uncomfortable. Major Purington’s horse died. Seems to have very bad luck.

21st. Played some chess with Thede. Beat Chester two games. Thede and I one apiece. In the afternoon issued rations of sugar and coffee. Pork, bread and beef in the evening. In the evening two papers came, Independent. Commenced letter to Sarah.

20th. After breakfast Mike and I took out the horses to graze. Went with Co. G. Took a book along to read, “The Slave Power,” by Cairnes. Very sensible. Got dinner at a house. Avoided the order by having dinner on the porch. Returned about 3 P. M. Mike got a chicken. An excellent letter [...]

19th. Finished a letter. Henry Drake brought me a letter from Will Hudson. Good but rather discouraging. Beat Capt. Nettleton at two games of chess. Horse shod. Mike took him out to graze. Put up a fly for commissary. Read the Lorain News and also Herald. Compliment to Case. Favorable news from Grant, Jackson and [...]

Monday, 18th. Got Victor Hugo and finished it. An interesting and profitable work, a few exceptions. Capt. Hayes and A. B. called a little while. Gave them some pickles and H. bread and butter. In the evening wrote to Fannie. A delightful day. What a blessing, such weather and good health. Thede has a troublesome [...]

17th. In the morning, Rob, Thede and I went to the creek and took a bath and changed clothes. Read some in “Guide to the Savior.” At 5 P. M. Mr. Brown preached from “And shew thyself a man.” The companies were out. Gen. Carter and staff were present. Good sermon. Letters from home and [...]

16th. Played at chess in the morning with Chester and Case. Co. returned from scouting. About noon rations came. Issued to the boys. Rushed them through rapidly. Had a shave and spent the evening in quarters. Read the Cincinnati Commercial. Wrote to Lucy Randall and Fred Allen.

15th. Theodore brought over a letter from Melissa. Good. Reported this morning for duty. I am glad we can be together. We now belong to the 1st Cav. Brig. 4th Div. 23rd Army Corps. Another beautiful day. Morgan expected. Thede and Dod got two beef creatures and butchered. Wrote a letter to Minnie. Read some [...]

14th. Went down to H Co. after morning work and played chess. Beat Capt. N. three times and John Devlin four times. Cleaned up my revolvers. Col. Abbey appointed acting Brigade Com. Says Thede can be detailed here. Good. He has been sick with diarrhoea. Getting a little better. In evening read in “Les Miserables.” [...]

13th. Took our horses out. Issued beef. Cleaned up and went over to town. Col. Abbey bought me a good woolen hat. John Ritter moved over to town–Div. saddler–good place. Took Thede some cheese. Diarrhoea. Sorry. Played chess with A. B.–got the worse. Rainy evening. No letters.