31st.—We are in statu quo, and our armies quiet. The Northern army seems to be in commotion. Burnside has resigned, and “fighting Joe Hooker” has been put in his place. Sumner and Franklin have also resigned their “grand divisions.” Pourquoi ? Won’t the men advance?Perhaps the Stafford mud has been more than a match for [...]

Jan. 31st. Saturday. We went to Camp Cleveland and saw the boys. Then to Auntie Jones’ to dinner. Down to Alfred’s, Mattie’s and back to Uncle’s. Then with Thede went to see Lizzie Cobb. Not at home. Called on Mrs. H. Cobb. A pleasant time. Off at 6:45. C. G. at the depot. Put up [...]

Saturday, 31st–A scouting party of about two hundred men mounted on horses and mules, and carrying one piece of light artillery, came upon a rebel camp some eighteen miles out and engaged in a fierce fight. After standing their ground for two hours the rebels left for the tall timber. They left their supplies to [...]

JANUARY 31st.—We have dispatches from Charleston, to-day, which reconcile us to the loss of the cargo captured by the blockading squadron early in the week. An artillery company captured a fine gun-boat in Stone River (near Charleston) yesterday evening. She had eleven guns and 200 men. But this morning we did better still. Our little [...]

Washington Saturday Jan’y 31st 1863 The month of Jan’y has passed away and in looking back I find matters connected with the War in much the same condition they were in a month ago. It seems no nearer a close, but on the whole I think matters look more bright for us generaly. The Rebels [...]

Friday, 30th.—Cannonading up the river; roll-call every hour. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Washington Friday January 30th 1863 Not an unpleasant day over head but the Streets are in an awful condition, being unpaved they are almost impassible. Assisted Mrs Reed in the “N York Soldiers Relief association” Room in packing a Box to send to one of the Regts over the River. The room is in the [...]

Friday, January 30th. A whole week has passed since I opened this book, a week certainly not spent in idleness, if not a very interesting one. For I have kept my room almost all the time, leaving Miriam and Anna to entertain their guests alone. Even when Mr. Halsey called on Sunday, I declined going [...]

30th. Friday. Concluded to wait until 2 P. M. Called with Thede at Maria’s, Fannie H. and Fannie A.’s and said goodbye. At two rode out to Cleveland. Time for Holland’s lecture. Ma and T. came on train. Lecture on “Fashion.” Very good. Visited with Uncle and Aunt. Thede went to the Bazaar.

Friday, 30th–Everything is quiet today. It came my turn to go on duty. Another gunboat came down the river today. General McArthur moved his headquarters from the boat, lying here in the river, out into a plantation house nearby. Things are very expensive here; butter is fifty cents a pound and cheese is forty cents.

JANUARY 30th.—There is a rumor that Kentucky has voted to raise an army of 60,000 men to resist the execution of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Fort Caswell, below Wilmington, has been casemated with iron; but can it withstand elongated balls weighing 480 pounds? I fear not. There are, however, submarine batteries; yet these may be avoided, [...]

Thursday, 29th.—Some cannonading down the river this morning; reported that Federals have passed through their canal. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

29th. Thursday. Went to Minnie’s at nine. Found E. and M. about to go to the skating pond. Went as far as shop. No ice. Went down by the mill with E. Ice good. Called at Chester’s, Bigelow’s, Ella Clark’s and French’s, Mrs. Kenaston’s and Johnson’s. In the evening saw Fannie. Went down to F. [...]

Thursday, 29th–We have plenty of wood now. At about 2 o’clock this afternoon a brisk fire opened between our men and the rebels. We have not yet heard what was the cause of it.[1] A scouting party seventeen miles out from the city had a skirmish with the rebel cavalry, but there were no losses [...]

The following correspondence contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the correspondence is provided unedited for its historical content and context. (excerpts) from Camp near Chesterfield Station: “. . . My home is in a wild pine grove and sweetest melancholy, poesy’s child, keeps watch and ward over my [...]

June 29th. From twelve midnight to four o’clock this morning the mortars and batteries of the army firing from the rear into the rebel batteries, the enemy not taking any notice whatever. This morning, Lieut. J. H. Higbee, U. S. M. C., with a corporal, went over to the army in charge of the three [...]

Cut wood two or three days. Hard work.        Rev. J. W. Jenkins arrives on Saturday, Jan. 3. I attend Masonic meeting. Jan. 4—Hear Bro. Jenkins preach in morning. Spend afternoon reading my Greek Testament. Jan. 5—Get ready to start to Virginia. At eleven at night I leave, the moon shining bright, but my spirits being sad. [...]

JANUARY 29th.—It appears from the Northern press that the enemy did make three attempts last week to cross the Rappahannock; but as they advanced toward the stream, the elements successfully opposed them. It rained, it snowed, and it froze. The gun carriages and wagons sank up to the hubs, the horses to their bodies, and [...]

Thursday Jan’y 29th 1863 It has been a wintery day, the snow still lying on the ground but it has frozen very little. The streets are deep with “slush.” The City is very quiet. All are in anxious expectation of hearing important news from some quarter, either from Rosecrans in Tennessee, or from Grant at [...]

Wednesday, 28th.—Went round fortifications along the river; about four miles long. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

28th. Wednesday. Went to prayer meeting at nine. Had a nice fall at Goodrich’s. Went to Minnie’s and played chess. Ellie and Minnie came down. Played battledore. Good time. In the evening by invitation went to Libbie’s. Small party. Had a very pleasant time. Pins and backgammon. Got home at 11, in bed by 12.

Wednesday, 28th–We had ten or twelve teams at work all day hauling wood to the boats. I worked till noon with the detail of men hauling wood and loading the transports, while the other detail was on picket. In the afternoon our detail was on picket and the others completed the loading. We were called [...]

JANUARY 28th.—The bombardment of Fort McAlister continued five hours yesterday, when the enemy’s boats drew off. The injury to the fort can be repaired in a day. Not a man was killed or a gun dismounted. The injury done the fleet is not known. But the opinion prevails here that if the bombardment was continued [...]

Washington Wednesday Jan’y 28th 1863. It has snowed all day without cessation, but it has melted about as fast as it has come. It is a little colder tonight and the snow is three or four inches deep on the ground. Mr & Mrs Bemis called on me again today and I took them to [...]