Washington Monday Jan’y 5th 1863 Great excitement in the City tonight. We are Victorious at Murfreesboro. A dispatch has been rcd from Rosecrans setting the matter at rest and I breathe easier again. And we also hear that in all probability Vicksburgh is in our possession. All our news from the South West is highly [...]

5th. Monday. In the morning George Fairchild called. Pleasant visit. After my work Rob and I rode to the city. Took up my pants for stripes. Got me a vest. Called at Neil House. Phoebe not in. Sorry. Muddy, and I had a servant black my boots! Rode back disconsolate and disappointed.

Monday, 5th–A report came to camp that the forces under Sherman made an unsuccessful attack upon Vicksburg.[1] We are shut out of communications now as well as of provisions; we have had no mail for a month. [1] They failed because of the strong fortifications and the fact that Grant failed to make his attack [...]

JANUARY 5th.—We learn from Gen. Bragg that the enemy did not retire far on the 2d inst., but remain still in the vicinity of Murfreesborough. He says, however, that our cavalry are still circling the Yankees, taking prisoners and destroying stores. During the day an absurd rumor was invented, to the effect that Bragg had [...]