Tuesday, 31st–The boys are all preparing for New Year’s Day celebration. Thus ends 1861.[1] [1] The last day of 1661 found our regiment stationed as follows: Company E at Lookout Station, Companies B, G, K and H at California, Companies A, C, D, F and I at Fulton, all in the State of Missouri, and [...]
DECEMBER 31st.–Northern papers, received in this city, show very conclusively that the enemy are pretty accurately informed of the condition of our defenses and the paucity of the numbers in our regiments.
TUESDAY 31 The old year goes out today, bright and dry. I have been in the office nearly all day. The boys called about 1/2 past two. I came home with them, stopped and bought Bud a cap. After dinner, bought some coal, and went down to the Ave with Holly and bought him a [...]
Monday, 30th–We made all the citizens at this place take the oath; they have to take the oath not to aid or shelter those who are fighting against the Union. There are but few men left in this locality, they having enlisted, some of them in the Union army, but most of them with the [...]
MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1861. We have had no winter weather as yet. No snow at all to lay on the ground. Today has been cool and fine. Troops are moveing some across the River, and we may soon expect lively times. I have been in the office as usual today. Col Merrick is improving, has [...]
DECEMBER 30th.—Some of our officers on furlough complain of the dullness of the war. The second year will be different.
Sunday, 29th–I am staying at the tavern on account of having taken a severe cold. As we are here without the regimental surgeon, the captain marked me “not fit for duty.” The landlady is very kind to me and is helping break up my cold. The company had to clean up this morning for inspection.
SUNDAY 29 A mild cool day. All the family went to church but myself. I staid with the Col who is improving and has spent most of the day down in our family room. It has been quite a still day. No soldiers (in bodys) have passed and but little druming and Bugle blowing has [...]
Bird’s Point, December 29, 1861. Your letter giving us notice of your sending a box came to hand yesterday with express charges inclosed. I shall go over to Cairo to-morrow to get them if they are there. I haven’t been to Cairo for a month. All of the 7th cavalry are on this side now [...]
DECEMBER 29th.—Persons are coming here from that portion of Western Virginia held by the enemy, with passports from Gen. Cox, the Yankee commander. They applied to me to-day for passports to return to Kanawha, which I refused. They obtained them from the Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. Ould.
Winchester, December 29, 1861. The weather opened this morning cloudy and showing signs of snow, but, much to my disappointment, the clouds have passed off leaving a clear sky and pleasant day. It is not often I wish for bad weather, but when it opens a way for me of getting home for a little [...]
Rumors. Dec. 28. The camp is full of rumors about our leaving, but I hardly think any one knows much about it as yet, although it is quite probable we shall leave before long. The expedition is all here and has been perfected in drill. Nothing that I can see prevents us from leaving at [...]
Saturday, 28th–We had to send two patrols of five men each down the railroad track each way from the station. There is always some danger of the track’s being torn up by organized bands of the “secesh” in this locality.[1] [1] William Dwiggans died of typhoid fever on this day, in the hospital at Jefferson [...]
SATURDAY 28 A good deal of excitement in the City in reference to the surrender of Mason and Slidel. I suppose it was the only way to avert a war with England, which at this particular juncture would be an increase of business for the Country not very desirable. But a War with England on [...]
DECEMBER 28th.—The fathers and mothers and sisters of our brave soldiers continue to send their clothing and provisions. They do not relax in the work of independence.
December 28th.–The National Intelligencer of this morning contains the despatches of Lord Russell, M. Thouvenel, and Mr. Seward. The bubble has burst. The rage of the friends of compromise, and of the South, who saw in a war with Great Britain the complete success of the Confederacy, is deep and burning, if not loud; but [...]
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1861. Rather cooler today and windy this evening. Col Mirrick has been in bed all day and complains of his head very much. I think it originates from a billious stomach, it may be congestion. A fire last night destroyed some Govt Stables and burned up some 150 230 horses. Genl Scott [...]
Friday, 27th–We went into winter quarters here, and that with the intention of cleaning the “secesh” out of this part of the country. Our company is the only one here, and our captain is in command of the post. There are but few houses in this place, and we are quartered in a vacant storeroom, [...]
DECEMBER 27th.—Notwithstanding the severe strictures, and the resolution of Congress, there is an increase rather than a diminution of the number of persons going North. Some of our officials seem to think the war is over, or that England will do the balance of our fighting!
27 [December] Xmas has passed we had a quiet time and enjoyed a Turkey a ham and a plum pudding with the Girls Harry & John. The Wilkinses declined dining with us and I felt rather provoked at it. Lewis came from the country quite sick and has since been under treatment Dr Giddings attending. [...]
December 27th.–This morning Mr. Seward sent in his reply to Lord Russell’s despatch–”grandis et verbosa epistola.” The result destroys my prophecies, for, after all, the Southern Commissioners or Ambassadors are to be given up. Yesterday, indeed, in an under-current of whispers among the desponding friends of the South, there went a rumour that the Government [...]
Christmas. Dec. 26. Christmas went off very pleasantly and apparently to the satisfaction of all. Drills were suspended and all went in for a good time. The Irishmen had their Christmas box, the Germans their song and lager, while ball playing and other athletic sports used up the day, and music and dancing were the [...]
Thursday, 26th–By orders Company E boarded the cars this morning for Lookout Station farther on, about twelve miles from California. I bade my bunk-mate, James Fossett, goodby at the hospital, where he is confined with inflammatory rheumatism. His suffering is something intense, and he is unable to turn himself in bed, but I left him [...]
THURSDAY 26 Another moderate day, went to the office as usual. About 10 a.m. Col Ira Merrick from Lyons called with Ed Dickerson. E. went on to Baltimore and I went to the Capitol with the Col, visited both Houses of Congress. The Col came up to Dinner with us in the evening, he was [...]
DECEMBER 26th.—I have been requested by several members of Congress to prepare a bill, establishing a passport office by law. I will attempt it; but it cannot pass, unless it be done in spite of the opposition of the Secretary, who knows how to use his patronage so as to bind members to his interest. [...]