12th. Wrote to Alf Webber and Hugh. Read some in Dio Lewis’ “Weak Lungs, and How to Make Them Strong”–much interested. Called yesterday to see Jamie Johnson. Walked home from town with Ella and challenged for a game of chess. Went down and played in the evening–the champion. Letter from Fannie asking me to come down.

Saturday, 12th–All the men of the Iowa Brigade who did not re-enlist have been formed into a battalion until the veterans return. Major Pomutz of the Fifteenth Iowa is in command. All the non-veterans of the old regiments are to remain at Cairo, Illinois, until the veterans return from their furloughs.

March, Saturday 12, 1864

Tate and Bettie went to Memphis this morning, did not succeed in getting anything through the lines, the Picket was very insulting to her. She brought me a letter, but not for myself, only my care, to Mr. Lawson in Henderson’s scouts. I forwarded it to Capt. H. also a package of late papers, by Mr. Harbut, who spent the evening with us. We all sat in the Parlor, and have had a pleasant evening. Mr. Harbut vacxinated Father, Helen, Nannie and I , also Jane and Laura. I have made the skirt to my swiss Mull, and fixed me a beautiful braid pattern, and drew on the skirt ready for my work on Monday morning. I have not suffered much with my spine today, though only on account of taking Morphine last night, which has made me insensible to the pain. 11 o’clock, so I will to bed—no Beulah. Father gave me a key today. Tippie Dora & Laura both here.

MARCH 12th.—–It cleared away yesterday evening, and this morning, after the dispersion of a fog, the sun shone out in great glory, and the day was bright, calm, and pleasant. The trees begin to exhibit buds, and the grass is quite green.

My wife received a letter to-day from Mrs. Marling, Raleigh, N. C., containing some collard seed, which was immediately sown in a bed already prepared. And a friend sent us some fresh pork spare ribs and chine, and four heads of cabbage—so that we shall have subsistence for several days. My income, including Custis’s, is not less, now, than $600 per month, or $7200 per annum; but we are still poor, with flour at $300 per barrel; meal, $50 per bushel; and even fresh fish at $5 per pound. A market-woman asked $5 to-day for a half pint of snap beans, to plant!

March 12th. This morning opened up bright and pleasant. Camp located and tents put up. A busy day. We have here with us a battalion of cavalry known as the Loudon Rangers, composed of loyal Virginians and Marylanders. They make good scouts. Some few have been in the rebel service. They often ford the river, going into the Loudon valley, watching the enemy. At this point the B. & O. R. R. turns to the north, leaving the Potomac River. The scenery at the Point of Rocks is grand. When clear the water of the river looks blue. It is either blue, or yellow from the rains which come pouring into it from the brooks and creeks in Maryland and Virginia.

These nights are cold for picket duty along the Potomac. While wishing the war was over, I have no desire to go back to old Connecticut until the end comes. I enlisted for the war and am doing my duty as it comes from day to day. I must make mention of the Loudon Rangers who are a plucky crowd and who have some very severe and dangerous duty. I met one who had been in the rebel service and was up against us at Winchester. Said that our firing at Carter’s Farm was a severe one. We put up a good fight. We were fighting Jackson’s old corps, commanded by General Ewell. It was considered as among the best fighting corps in the Confederate Army. At that time it numbered among thirty and forty thousand, with a large number of heavy field guns.

A large flock of wild geese passed over our camp, going north. They know a good country. There are large flocks of turkey buzzards in this vicinity. Known as scavengers. On picket tonight.

Friday, 11th–The Iowa Brigade turned over their tents and camp equippage to the general quartermaster, preparatory to going up the river. General Grant is now at the head of all the armies of the United States, just where we have wanted him ever since the surrender of Vicksburg.^[1]

[1] After Vicksburg, General Grant was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and succeeded in raising the siege there, and then at Knoxville, defeating two Confederate armies all in the space of a few days. That covered Grant with glory in the estimation of us Western men, and we then declared that he was the man to send to Washington, D. C, and to take command of the Eastern as well as the Western army.—A. G. D.

March, Friday 11, 1864

Mrs. Clayton, Hal and Dink all went home this morning—Mr. Wallace & friend left. Decatur Doyle and Joe Clayton both left for Dixie—they both got all they came for. It has seemed quite lonely all day. I have been compelled to lie down most of the day with my spine, it is getting worse all the time. Tate & Helen sat in my room all day sewing. I am happy that poor Father can have some quiet now. I sat in the Parlor a little while after Tea—have spent the evening in my own lonely little room. Laura and Bettie said a good lesson—I tried to keep Laura awake, but she noded so, it worried me, and I sent her to bed. Tip is also asleep, and Beulah has not yet made her appearance. I wrote to Miss Em tonight, tis half past twelve—and I feel afraid. Joanna would not let me have the  key to lock my door, two robbers were killed near here yesterday, the Country is full of them—oh! God protect me. One year ago Mrs. Bredell & I arrived in Granada—Wednesday.

MARCH 11th.—Rained all night–a calm, warm rain. Calm and warm to-day, with light fog, but no rain.

It is now supposed the clerks (who saved the city) will be kept here to defend it.

March 11th. Up to this date the weather has been very bad. We are also short of rations. On picket every other night. Late today our tents arrived, and a good supply of rations. We shall have to put in another night in the cold old barn. Somewhat discouraged over our present condition. It is all in the life of a soldier, who must meet all discouragements and make the best of it as the days come and go.

10th. Major Nettleton returned. Told M. this morning in regard to F. and myself. She thinks as I do, that if the girl really loves me she ought to know it. If not, we ought to stop our intimacy. So shall I act. Received letter, unable to decide, does not know her own heart. Answered, after a crying spell, and consulting with Ma and M. We all think alike. Feel as if I were doing my duty anyway. Finished the letter and went to Friday prayer meeting. Spoke. Did me good. Determined through the grace of God to make my trial a blessing. Will be a man and a Christian. Called at Fannie Hudson’s. Meeting in the evening.

Thursday, 10th–It rained all day yesterday, and today it is quite cool. The expedition that is going up the Red river left this afternoon. Regiments are leaving every day for the North, going home on their veterans’ furloughs. We are still on guard at the roundhouse.

MARCH 10TH.–th.—Raining fast all day.

There was a rumor to-day that the enemy were approaching again, but the Secretary knew nothing of it.

Major Griswold is at variance with Gen. Winder, who has relieved him as Provost Marshal, and ordered him to Americus, Ga., to be second in command of the prisons, and assigned Major Carrington to duty as Provost Marshal here. Major Griswold makes a pathetic appeal to the President to be allowed to stay here in his old office.

The following, from the Dispatch, differs from the Examiner’s account of the disposal of Col. Dahlgren’s body:

“Col. Dahlgren’s Body.—On Sunday afternoon last, the body of Col. Ulric Dahlgren, one of the leaders of the late Yankee raid on this city, and on whose body the paper revealing their designs, if successful, were found, was brought to this city on the York River Railroad train, and remained in the car (baggage) in which it was till yesterday afternoon, when it was transferred to some retired burial place. The object in bringing Dahlgren’s body here was for identification, and was visited, among others, by Captain Dement and Mr. Mountcastle, of this city, who were recently captured and taken around by the raiders. These gentlemen readily recognized it as that of the leader of the band sent to assassinate the President and burn the city. The appearance of the corpse yesterday was decidedly more genteel than could be expected, considering the length of time he has been dead. He was laid in a plain white pine coffin, with flat top, and was dressed in a clean, coarse white cotton shirt, dark blue pants, and enveloped in a dark military blanket. In stature he was about five feet ten inches high, with a long, cadaverous face, light hair, slight beard, closely shaven, and had a small goatee, very light in color. In age we suppose he was about thirty years, and the expression of his countenance indicated that of pain.”

March, Thursday 10, 1864

Mr. McCorkle and Tate went to Memphis this morning. I hope he may have a safe and pleasant trip. Cousin Frazor left for Dixie this morning.

We were delighted to see Mr. Wilson and Harbert this evening, they staid with us until after Tea, bro’t a letter from Eddie and Bro. George. Tate was kind enough ti bring my letters from Memphis, one from Miss Em, two were for Surg Lenord from Mo to my care. Our house is crowded tonight. Mrs. Clayton and Hal share my room. I sat up very late, wrote to Maj. Price & Dr. Moses. No Yanks near today. I have suffered, no one can tell how much, with my spine. Mr. Bob Wallace and friend came to spend the night with us. I am so lonely and my spine hurts me so much I can’t sew, and it is impossible to fix my mind on any reading for ten minutes, in the excitement we live in. I am unhappy and I tremble for fear there is something more fatal to befall me, as the Spine so much influences the brain.

Beulah and Tip and Laura all here, sat up until 12 o’clock.

March 10^th 1864

The Military affairs of the Nation has not been “all a success” for the past two or three weeks. Our troops were repulsed in Florida with a loss of some 1200 men killed, wounded, and prisoners. They are now at Jacksonville and have been re-inforced, and will be able to stay there. Gen^l Sherman has returned to Vicksburgh from his great “raid” into the heart of Miss. He met with no very great losses of men, destroyed a Vast amount of property belonging to the rebels, captured a great number of horses, and brought away (the papers say) 8000 Negroes. Gen^l Kilpatrick of the Army of the Potomac made a “raid” last week upon Richmond with some four or five thousand Cavalry. He approached within two miles of the City, had a fight but found the rebels too well prepared for him and he passed down the Peninsula to Fortress Monroe. The Rebels seem strong this spring and the indications are that there must be a good deal more desperate fighting before the war closes. The impression is generaly entertained that they have got all their men in the field and are determined to make a desperate effort to regain what they have lost the past year. But their desperation will only prolong the war, in the end they will have to give in. We must have double the number of men in the field but our lines are vastly more extended and we are occupying positions in strong force over thousands of miles of territory. Gen^l Grant arrived here on Tuesday, he has recently been made a Lieut Gen^l and is just now the “Lion of the day.” I hope he will return to the West soon or before he becomes paralyzed by breathing the atmosphere of the Potomac. Congress does not seem to be doing much and the political cauldron does not boil much yet. Julia and myself are still occupying rooms at Mr Bartle[tt]s 379 11^th Betⁿ K & L. I intend to go home with her the last of this month. She enjoys it here much and I am not anxious to take her away to what she calls “the dull country” quite yet. In the open spring she will enjoy herself there in planting and tending her flowers which of all occupations is her delight. I took her to “Brady^s ” last week where she sat for her picture which we shall soon have. The Artist who is to touch them up with his pencil came to see her last evening. He is half Italian and half Irish. I suppose the Italian part is the “Artist,” the other portion is probably of grosser material as his habits indicate sometimes. Julia takes her meals here altogether. I dine as formerly at Doct Munsons. At the Land office I am Examiner (with two other Gentlemen, Rev Mr Holmead and Martin Buel) of Patent Deeds. All the Deeds issued by the Gov^t pass through my hands.

March 10.—There has been much excitement in Richmond about Kilpatrick’s and Dahlgren’s raids, and the death of the latter. The cannon roared around the city, the alarm-bell rang, the reserves went out; but Richmond was safe, and we felt no alarm. As usual, they did all the injury they could to country-people, by pillaging and burning. They steal every thing they can; but the people have become very adroit in hiding. Bacon, flour, etc., are put in most mysterious places; plate and handsome china are kept under ground; horses are driven into dense woods, and the cattle and sheep are driven off. It is astonishing, though much is taken, how much is left. I suppose the raiders are too much hurried for close inspection.

Thursday, 9th.—Reported Federals advancing again.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

9th. Wednesday spent the day at home.. Somewhat rainy. Played chess with Thede and read in “Dutch Republic.” What is more trying to be borne than suspense.

Wednesday, 9th–It rained all day. We are still on guard at the roundhouse. Troops are on the move, both up and down the river as fast as the transports can carry them. New troops are to garrison Vicksburg from now on. We are glad to leave the place, for we have been in and around Vicksburg for more than fifteen months, and have seen some very hard service in that time. But there is something about Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of the West, that is really fascinating.

MARCH 9th.—A frosty morning, with dense fog; subsequently a pretty day.

This is the famine month. Prices of every commodity in the market—up, up, up. Bacon, $10 to $15 per pound; meal, $50 per bushel. But the market-houses are deserted, the meat stalls all closed, only here and there a cart, offering turnips, cabbages, parsnips, carrots, etc., at outrageous prices. However, the superabundant paper money is beginning to flow into the Treasury, and that reflex of the financial tide may produce salutary results a few weeks hence.

March, Wednesday 9, 1864

Tate and I went over to Mrs. Clayton early this morning – had to pass through the Yankee Camp, no trouble, spent the day and came back this evening. Hal and Dink came with us—Tate’s horse threw her, not hurt, I was never so full of laugh—reached home about dark. After Tea we were all sitting in the Parlor when in walked Joe Clayton and Mr. McCorkle, our little St. Louis friend, he has a furlough, and is going to St. Louis and New York to see his Father and Sister—we were all delighted to see him. All sat in the Parlor until 11 o’clock, singing, playing and had a real nice time. Laura and I were not so lonely. Hal shared my little room—I heard of my letters in town, but could not get any one to bring them to me. Mr. Wilson took one of those Yankees prisoner the other evening, and got him a fine Saddle and Bridle, so he has made up for his loss at the Party. Oh! I am suffering so much with my spine, what is to become of me—

Mrs. Dupre arrived from Dixie, sent Helen two letters by me. I was so much disappointed that I did not get one. I expect my friends will all forget me now that I cannot run to Memphis and bring what they want.

Jane Eliza Newton Woolsey to her daughters, Jane and Georgy.

8 Brevoort Place, March 9, 1864.

My dear Girls: We are all sitting together at the round table, Abby looking over the old letters from Point Lookout, and reading an incident occasionally aloud; Carry composing an address on her Bloomingdale orphans for their May anniversary. It is too amusing to have Caroline Murray and all those old lady-managers deferring to our Carry on all subjects connected with the asylum. . . . Mary is very much engaged in her arrangements for the floral department at the Fair, and very much interested in it. All the ladies are agog for novelties. They will be charmed with an occasional communication from the Hospital at Fairfax! We are to have a daily paper too, which is to beat the “Drum Beat”–” The Fair Champion.” Do send in poetry and prose and as many incidents as you can; get your doctor and the soldiers to send me an article for it, or letters for the Post Office. Send whatever you have to me, that I may have the pleasure of handing it to the committee on literature! Abby says, “Georgy, may I write out the German soldier-boy’s dream, or any other extract from your old letters that is not too stale ?” I am sure you will say yes. Abby is getting quite warmed up about the Fair; it is difficult not to feel so when everybody else is full of excitement about it. She is making a beautiful silk flag, a dozen or two of the new style of tidy-covers of muslin or embroidery edged with lace, beside lots of other little matters. Mary’s idea of having garden hats of white straw, with broad ribbons, and their ends painted in flowers, is a pretty one, to be hung in her arbor of flowers. She is also painting a lot of little wooden articles. Every thing of hers is to be of the garden style. We find a use now for all our old flower baskets, rustic stands, etc., and a huge pile of them now stands ready to be carried to the flower department. My chair, the cover for which I was obliged to give up working, is under way, also three silk comfortables, all spandy new, none of your old gowns, lined with silk and beautifully quilted in scrolls and medallions by a Fish-kill woman, and trimmed with ribbon quillings; also one dozen ladies’ dressing-sacks of various styles; also, one India satin sofa cushion, one embroidered worsted do., four elegant toilette cushions, one doll’s complete street dress, (even to an embroidered pocket-handkerchief), one doll’s stuffed chair, and other articles “too tedious to mention,” are all under way. I dare say we shall all do our full part, both in making and purchasing.

Mrs. Chauncey has already sold her baby-house, Sarah Coit tells me, for five hundred dollars! Kate Hunt has received her Parisian purchases for the Fair, for which she expects to realize a very large amount; says she is furnishing things to the amount of a thousand dollars! Eliza is coming down to-morrow. . . .

8th. Came home on morning train. An hour too early at the depot. Chester called and played three games of chess. Victor. Minnie at home in evening. Played authors. Saw her home. Am quite uneasy yet as to the result of F’s decision. Anyway I will try to be happy myself and to make others happy, be good and do good. God help me.

Wednesday, 8th.—Had good dinner to-day; sent to Company F from the ladies of Crawford County, Ga. Plenty of bread, butter and ham.

(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Tuesday, 8th–I was detailed with six men from the Eleventh under me, as special guard at the roundhouse. We were detailed about midnight to relieve the Ninety-fifth Illinois, which will accompany a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps down the river, and then on an expedition up the Red river. The Seventeenth Army Corps is going home on veterans’ furlough.