February 1862.        Lewis has recovered after an illness of 3 weeks. We nursed him faithfully and people were very kind in asking about him, he has now passed his examination before the board here & is waiting for orders, in the meantime has gone in the country to pay a visit to his friend Sinclair, [...]

Tuesday 11th Cloudy today and snow towards evening. Dispatch rcd today by the War Dept that Burnside had taken Roanoke Island with many prisoners, particulars perhaps tomorrow. Went up to the RR Depot after dinner and then up the Ave to Willards Hotel. Quite a crowd there, a great many army officers. The Statuelike Dragoons [...]

Tuesday, 11th–It snowed today and turned quite cool. Some troops marched past here on their way to St. Louis.

11th. Commenced to make my quarters at Quartermaster Thayer’s. Wrote a line home and sent it in Charlie’s to sister.

Tuesday.—Roanoke Island has fallen—no particulars heard.

The Prisoners. Feb. 10. The prisoners are a motley looking set, all clothed (I can hardly say uniformed) in a dirty looking homespun gray cloth. I should think every man’s suit was cut from a design of his own. Some wore what was probably meant for a frock coat, others wore jackets or roundabouts; some [...]

Monday Feb 10th 1862 Genl Chas P Stone was arrested yesterday for Treason and sent to Fort Lafayette. News through Norfolk that a Battle was going on at Roanoke Island, Genl Burnside having attacked it. No particular news from the West. It has been a beautiful bright day. Mercury this morning stood at 20. Lieut [...]

Monday, 10th–Nothing of importance. A squad of men went out into the country for supplies and brought in some corn meal, molasses and honey.

10th. On duty up town again. Played chess with Bugler Adams. Called at Mr. Crockett’s. Not at home. Played a game of pool.

Monday Night.—Still greater uneasiness about Roanoke Island. It is so important to us—is said to be the key to Norfolk; indeed, to all Eastern North Carolina, and Southeastern Virginia. We dread to-morrow’s papers. The lady on Street has disappointed me. She met me with a radiant smile when I went to see her this evening, [...]

Cape Girardeau, February 9, 1862. I, like a good boy, wrote you a long letter yesterday, and, like a careless fellow, lost it. I told you in it how we “300” of us, left here in the p.m. of last Monday, rode all night and at daylight made a desperate charge into Bloomfield where we [...]

Sunday 9th Have been out to church all day with all the family but Holly, he has a very bad cold. The air has been cool and Bracing today and the sun has shown nearly all day. The sight of the sun again has been here quite reviveing. Ed Dick[erson] & Alex Tower called this [...]

Sunday, 9th–Company inspection this morning. We had preaching by the chaplain in the forenoon, and the boys had prayer meeting in the evening.

9th. Sunday. Went out and heard Chaplain Hawkins upon “Following Christ.” Went to Mr. Campbell’s to dinner–a good one. Stayed for some time, had hickory nuts.

Sunday Night.—–Painful rumours have been afloat all day. Fort Henry, on Tennessee River, has been attacked. We went to St. James’s this morning, and St. Paul’s tonight. When we returned we found Mr. N. and Brother J. awaiting us. They are very anxious and apprehensive about Roanoke Island.

After the Battle (of Roanoke Island). Feb. 9. A hard looking lot this morning, and no doubt feeling as hard as we looked. Tired, hungry, ragged, covered with mud, and sore from our flesh being torn and scratched with the tangle-brush and briars through which we forced ourselves yesterday. After a good ration of whiskey [...]

9th.–The Court of Inquiry to examine into the conduct of my hospital affairs yesterday, decided that they would not investigate–that the accusations were the result of personal ill feelings. At least, so a member of the court informed me. I begged him to insist on an inquiry, and the court has reconsidered its action, and [...]

Battle of Roanoke Island. Feb. 8. At daylight, the order to fall in was heard on all sides. Putting on my equipments and taking Spitfire and a big sweet potato, which I had with much labor succeeded in baking, I took my place in my company. The brigade all ready, Gen. Foster gave the order [...]

Saturday 8th Nothing new at all today, a little skirmishing over the River. Some Rebels killed and sixteen prisoners taken and brought in here last night. I have not been out and have not been on Pa. Ave for some days past. ______ The three diary manuscript volumes, Washington during the Civil War: The Diary [...]

Saturday, 8th–It is the same old thing over. We cleaned up our accouterments for inspection tomorrow.

8th. One day behind hand. Hardly realize that time passes so swiftly. Up town nearly all day on duty.

8th.—I have called on the two ladies mentioned above. The lady with the small income has filled her rooms, and wishes she had more to fill. She of the large house and small family had “never dreamed of taking boarders,” was “surprised that such a thing had been suggested,” looked cold and lofty, and meant [...]

The Bombardment. Feb. 7. A thick fog prevailed this morning and continued until about 9 o’clock, when it lifted and the gunboats got under way. Slowly they steamed towards the island and took their positions before the forts, but at a sufficient distance not to incur much damage from them. We were all eagerly watching [...]

Friday, 7th–No news of importance. The boys had a dancing party at the depot, and some of the girls in the neighborhood who are somewhat lively were there–they seem to enjoy smoking when out in company.