17th. Saturday. Tried to get my pass signed so as to get away Monday. Drew the rations from the post for the next ten days so as to get away.

Saturday, 17th–It was cold and stormy all day. I spent the day down in the city, and bought a few more necessary articles—spent $1.25. Five hundred rebel prisoners passed up the river today, being taken to a Northern prison. This evening we got orders to be ready to leave.

Saturday Jan’y 17, 1863 Heard tonight that the Army have crossed the Rappahannock below Fredericksburgh 10 miles. We shall hear of a Battle in a day or two. The Patent office is being cleared of Patients today. It may be it is only to make room for more wounded. It is sad to think of. [...]

JANUARY 17th.—Gen. Lee has left the city. His troops, en-camped thirty miles north of Richmond, marched northward last night. So it is his determination to cross the Rappahannock? Or is it a demonstration of the enemy to prevent him from sending reinforcements to North Carolina? We shall know speedily. North Carolina, one would think, is [...]