We reached Vicksburg that night and went to H.’s room. Next morning the cook he had engaged arrived, and we moved into this house. Martha’s ignorance keeps me busy, and H. is kept close at his office. Note: To protect Mrs. Miller’s job as a teacher in post-civil war New Orleans, her diary was published [...]

Thursday, 20th–We had division drill by General McArthur this forenoon, and in the afternoon we had battalion drill under Lieutenant Abercrombie. Our drill ground proved to be poorly suited for division drill, on account of the ravines and washed-out gullies.

Thursday, 20th. Another pleasant day. Made a detail of 20 men, one sergeant, two corporals, picket, 15 for forage. Chicken broth and dumplings for dinner.

We Stay Awhile in Plymouth. Nov. 20. All the troops, with the batteries, wagons, horses, mules and negroes, have been sent around to Newbern by boats, and we alone are left to garrison the town till further orders. In the meantime it would be agreeable to have a change of clothing. When we left Newbern, [...]

NOVEMBER 20th.—A letter from Brig. H. Marshall, Abingdon, Ky., in reply to one from the Secretary, says his Kentuckians are not willing to be made Confederate hog-drivers, but they will protect the commissary’s men in collecting and removing the hogs. Gen. M. criticises Gen. Brag’s campaign very severely. He says the people of Kentucky looked [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 20—As I stood at the window two men rode up. One was Fritz, and oh, what joy! All the women of the neighborhood came over. At midnight Julius came and said they would have to leave immediately. Fritz didn’t want to leave us alone again, but I knew [...]

20th –A hard, cold rain all day. The regiment is out on picket. I wish those comfortably housed at home could realize what picket duty is, in such weather as this. To-day they stand from morning till night, on guard. Night comes, but with it no relief from the exposures of the day. In his [...]

Nov. 20, 1862. (Vicksburg.)—A fair morning for my journey back to Vicksburg. The autumn woods were shining through a veil of silvery mist and the spicy breezes blew cool and keen from the heart of the pines, a friend sat beside me, a husband’s welcome awaited me. General Pemberton, recently appointed to the command at [...]

Wednesday, 19th.—Got aboard at 6:30 A. M.; at Bridgeport, 12 M. Marched across island. Crossed other prong of river on steamboat. Rained all day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

November 19th. Since my last entry nothing has occurred worthy of note. This morning, at nine o’clock, we hoisted the Spanish flag at our fore, in honor of the Queen of Spain’s birthday.

Wednesday, 19th–I was detailed to help the general quartermaster draw supplies for the division. There were about one hundred men and we went with teams to La Grange, Tennessee. The supplies consisted of sugar, flour, pickled beef, pork, salt and vinegar, these all in barrels, with coffee and rice put up in sacks, and crackers [...]

Wednesday, 19th. Wrote short letters home and to Fannie. Cleared up about noon. Bought a pack of envelopes and a little ndy [candy?]. Moved camp up on the hill to the Masonic Hall. In the evening had a chill, took some quinine.

NOVEMBER 19th.—Hon. James A. Seddon (Va.) has been appointed Secretary of War. He is an able man (purely a civilian), and was member of our Revolutionary Convention, at Metropolitan Hall, 16th April, 1861. But some thought him then rather inclined to restrain than to urge decisive action. He is an orator, rich, and frail in [...]

Nov. 18—As my Conference was to meet in Raleigh December 3, I had made application for leave of absence and my furlough had not come. So I get duplicate and take it to officers myself. Leave General Hill at 2:45 p. m., ride ten and a half miles to General Jackson’s headquarters, get my paper [...]

Washington County Historical Society version (1965)1 Nov. 18—Several men broke into our store and stole much. I ran through the rain to Schmitt who came over and nailed up the house. The Arkansas Historical Quarterly version (1947)2 Nov. 18 Today several fellows broke into the side door of the store and carried away much. Through [...]

19th.–The army is reorganized. Instead of the former divisions of only brigades, divisions and corps, it is now brigades, divisions, corps, and grand divisions, of which last there are three, General Sumner, at present, commanding the right, General Hooker the centre, and General Franklin the left. I wish I had more confidence in General Franklin, [...]

Tuesday, 18th.—6 A. M. Tents all carried to railroad. 7 A. M., loaded up and ready to start at 7:30 A. M. On our way to Chattanooga; passed Mouse Creek at 12 M. ; arrived at Chattanooga at 7 P. M.; got off train two miles west of town. (Note: picture is of an unidentified [...]

18th.—Another raid upon Fredericksburg; much mischief done! They are preparing for a second evacuation of the town! The number of refugees will be greatly increased, and where are they to go? Poor homeless wanderers, leaving business and the means of support to the mercy of a vindictive soldiery! Letters from our Valley friends taking leave [...]

Tuesday, November 18th. A note just came from mother, telling me that the most awful Yankees were coming to burn Linwood and take Port Hudson, and so this evening I must walk down to the cars with a chair to rest in until they came, and must certainly be in Clinton to-night. Delightful arrangement! I [...]

Tuesday, 18th–We cleaned up our camp ground and finished setting in order our new camp. We have a very fine camp now and it looks quite homelike. It is located in rather open, wooded ground and the different colors of leaves on the trees make it look quite grand. The nights are getting frosty.

Tuesday, 18th. Still rainy and muddy. Lay in the tent unless obliged to get out. Almost homesick. Body guard came back. Sore throat.

NOVEMBER 18th.—Well, the President is a bold man! He has put in Randolph’s place, temporarily at least, Major-Gen. Gustavus W. Smith—who was Street Commissioner in the City of New York, on the day that Capt. G. W. Randolph was fighting the New Yorkers at Bethel. Gen. Wise is out in a card, stating that in [...]

18th.–Nothing of moment to-day. We started early; it rained a little, and to-night we are encamped within three miles of Stafford Court House, six miles from the mouth of Acquia Creek, on one of its tributaries, and about twelve miles from Fredericksburg.

Camp at Lagrange, Tenn., November 17, 1862. Our whole regiment went on picket Saturday evening. Didn’t reach our posts until 9:30 p.m. Had plenty of fresh meat next day (notwithstanding stringent orders), and beautiful weather. Our going on picket saved us a tramp of 22 miles, for which I am duly grateful. They had a [...]