27th. Up at 4 and an early breakfast in anticipation of marching. Infantry came in a little before noon. Saw Wattle. Got dinner and then started. Bob, Col. A. and I went. Covil and Dod stayed. Marched by way of “Fishing Creek.” Very high banks. Country quite mountainous. Fun to see the infantry fording. Encamped [...]

26th. Spent the morning cleaning up the tent clothes and boots. At 11 A. M. went to hear Mr. Brown preach. Was much pleased. Quite disappointed. My only objection was that I had seen him smoke. Read some in Independent. Orders to march at daybreak, so went to bed rather early.

25th. Played chess with Chester. One game ahead. Was down to see Charlie, writing to Will Hudson. Mr. Brown preached in the evening at the church. Read Fantine in “Les Miserables.” Much more interested than at first. Splendid. In the evening wrote to Delos. This is his birthday, “B. F.” anniversary.

24th. After breakfast had a visit with Henry Drake. Examination for commissions. Henry went in. None in before allowed. A very pleasant day. About noon rations came. Issued in the P. M. A little slave child buried. Exercises by the chaplain. Serious thoughts. An immortal soul gone out of a poor slave. Wrote to Will [...]

23rd. In the morning Dod killed the beef. Issued some rations. Received letters from home and Lucy Randall, also one from Charlie Crandall. Does me good to hear of him, an old schoolmate. Pitched quoits with Henry Drake. In the evening played three games of chess with Capt. Nettleton, all success.

Wednesday, 22nd. Finished Fannie’s letter and mailed it. Pitched quoits awhile with Charlie Fairchild. Read in an old Atlantic. “Old Age and Hundred Days in Mo.” Boys went out and got a beef from 1st Ky. Issued rations from what we had. Received some from 3rd Battalion. Stayed out doors till tattoo. Commenced raining. Wrote [...]

21st. Took my horse out to graze in the morning. A good long letter from Fannie. Saw Delos’ journal. Ordered out on a reconnoissance. Went to the river. Major P. and several of us went down the bank about two miles. Pickets visible. Quite romantic, a narrow path between deep river and high perpendicular bluffs. [...]

20th. Passed the day very quietly in camp. Took my washing over to a house. Called at large white house to see if we could get a beef creature. Made a good many inquiries. Got shaved by one of the boys. The day has been very warm. The train brought in a good supply of [...]

19th. Train stopped back twelve miles. No grain or feed for our poor horses. Ordered to march at 11. Train arrived at noon. Got rations and started. Took a good bath. All the forces, 1st Ky., 2nd Ohio and 45th Ohio moved to the Cumberland. Pickets could be distinctly seen across the river. Rode with [...]

18th. Got started at sunrise. Rode along with Drake a good deal of the way. Had to leave some rations. Met a messenger for more forces. Fear of rebels crossing the Cumberland. Very warm and sultry at noon. We stopped twice and napped. Very rough and sterile country. Houses deserted generally. Got into camp at [...]

17th. In the morning got breakfast and brushed my clothes. Went to town with the Lt. to get five days’ rations. Saw Gen. Carter, a man slightly gray, whiskers and a good kind look. Took dinner on Co.’s account. 3rd Battalion came in. Saw Bob. Issued rations before dark. Wrote to Fannie in the evening. [...]

16th. Got up and foraged eggs for myself and oats for my horse. Box gone. Team tipped over last night three times. Very dark. Slept with Thede. 103rd camped near by. Many boys came over, seemed good to see them. Issued beef. Boiled beef and had tea, crackers and gingerbread for supper. Like old times. [...]

15th. Rainy during the night and drizzling in the morning. Went on, leaving the teams. Drew ammunition. Rode along some with A. B. then with Chester. Passed through Nicholasville and Lancaster. Crossed the Kentucky River. Mountains for several miles. Grand scenery. Reminded me of the Alleghanies. Reached Stanford, 45 miles, about 10 P. M. Went [...]

Kentucky 14th. Ordered on to Stanford. Started right away after breakfast. Passed many large massive residences along the road. Excellent fences and beautiful farms. Saw a great many negroes, generally well dressed, but very wishful. Drew and issued rations at Lexington in the evening. Saw West Hospital. Rode through the city, twelve or fifteen thousand. [...]

13th. Ordered to remain here at present. Prospect of staying in “Sturges’s” division in east Ky. Don’t like him on account of Mo. notoriety. After breakfast cleaned up my revolvers and loaded them. After noon, wrote home and went down town. Pitched quoits over at Co. H. Charlie came over and we reviewed old letters [...]

12th. After breakfast, Col. (Abbey) and I got a team and rode horseback to town for rations–got 3 days’ rations. These troops from the Potomac never received any company savings. Marched at noon after giving rations. Ordered to Stanford, 50 miles south of Lexington. Reached Winchester about dark. Got some eggs and biscuit. A darkey [...]

11th. Left town soon after breakfast. Two negro slaves were snatched from the horses–oh how shameful! Am glad I did not witness the scene. Afterwards several such incidents transpired. How shocking. Major Burnett delivered up one on the word of two Ky. officers. Met the Third Batt. at Mount Sterling. Very pretty country all the [...]

10th. Renewed our march soon after sunrise. Got some biscuit for lunch. Drake and I rode together some again. Got into Sharpsburg a little after noon. We of the commissary put our horses in a shed and slept in a hayloft. Issued one day’s rations. Such a green Com., never saw. Ate supper at a [...]

9th. A little after sunrise, went to breakfast at a private house. So many slaves about here, more than white folks by far. Started on at 8 P. M. After nine miles passed through Flemingsburg. Men, women and children were out with flags and handkerchiefs. It did our hearts good. Passed through Tilton. Drake and [...]

(Ohio River) 8th. Had a very pleasant morning ride up the smooth, glassy water in the sunshine. Reached Maysville at nine. The people received us with open arms. All seemed very hospitable. Waved handkerchiefs and flags and invited the boys to breakfast. Never were treated so well before. Took dinner at hotel with Thede and [...]

7th. After doing stable duty, went up to Co. H and got some ham, bread and coffee. Read the morning paper and wrote to Delos. A little after noon received orders to march. Fed, packed up and marched down to the boat. Saw Al Bushnell. Other battalion along. Took supper with Capt. Stewart on the [...]

Monday, 6th. Got into Cincinnati at 8 A. M. Stopped a mile from the depot. Watered and fed horses. Then marched down town to the market. Dismounted and were given a very good dinner and breakfast. Election in the city. Crossed the river and passed through Covington to the barracks. Dod and I stayed at [...]

5th. Orders for our Battalion to move today to Cincinnati. Received orders to go along a little while before starting. Went up with the Battalion. Drew my pay. Went and called on Sister Melissa in P. M. and evening. Sent $125 home. Wrote to Fannie and home. Left on the cars at eight. Rather tiresome [...]

4th. Went up for the bread and beef. Visited the barber shop. Sleeked up. Examined our new arms. Like them well. We ought to be able to accomplish something with them. At school in the evening. A. B. has telegraphed for Melissa. Hope she can come tonight. He goes to town. Beat and was beaten [...]