October 8.–News came to-day of the death of Lieutenant Hiram Brown. He died of fever at Portsmouth, only little more than a year after he went away.

Thursday Oct 8th 1863 There has hardly ever been so dull a time (for news) as for the past week or two. There seems to be nothing going on in the Military line that we hear of that is worthy of especial notice. But we are expecting to hear of important events at Charlston and [...]

OCTOBER 8th.—The President, accompanied by two of his aids, set off quietly day before yesterday for the Southwest—to Bragg’s army, no doubt, where it is understood dissensions have arisen among the chieftains. By telegraph we learn that one of Bragg’s batteries, on LookoutMountain, opened fire on the Federals in Chattanooga on the 5th inst., which [...]

7th. A rainy unpleasant day. Wagons up. Tent fly lost. Got one of Lt. Pedrick who had three. Also got hospital fly for the boys. Wrote to friends of Samuel Barnes–said a word in regard to the demise of his brother William. Co. felt sad that no notice had been taken before.

Wednesday, 7th–Six regiments were stationed at the different roads last night to reinforce the regular pickets. But the rebels did not make their appearance as it was reported they would. Our regiment was relieved at 10 o’clock this morning by the Thirteenth Iowa. We were struck by a fearful rain and windstorm last night.

October 7—While we stood by the train at the depot we saw in the ladies’ coach a nurse with a little child. I asked her to hold him up that I might see him. I said, “Nurse, please pinch him, I want to hear a baby cry.” The ladies looked out to see a crazy [...]

OCTOBER 7th.—We have not a particle of news from the army today. It may be an ominous calm. A Mr. Livingstone, from Georgia I believe, has been extensively engaged in financial transactions during the last week. He drew upon the house of North & Co., Savannah, and purchased some $35,000 in gold. After obtaining some [...]

Point Lookout, Md., Oct. 7th, 1863. Special Order No. 123: The female nurses will be relieved from wards 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, is and 14, and they are strictly enjoined to abstain from any intercourse with the Prisoners of War. A. Heger, U. S. A. __________ Circular, No. 17. Point Lookout, Oct. 7, ’63. [...]

6th. In morning was called again to answer some charges against picket. Boys cleared everything up. Made me feel bad that so much should be charged against us when innocent. Sent boys out after provisions. Commenced work on Quarterly Returns. Mason down to settle.

Tuesday, October 6th. I hope this will be the last occasion on which I shall refer to the topic to which this unfortunate book seems to have been devoted. But it gives me a grim pleasure to add a link to the broken chain of the curious story, now and then. Maybe some day the [...]

Tuesday, 6th–Our brigade went into Vicksburg this afternoon at 2 o’clock to be in the review, together with the entire army at this place. We were reviewed by Major General U. S. Grant. The report in camp is that General Grant has been ordered by the War Department to report at Louisville, Kentucky. All are [...]

OCTOBER 6th.—Gen. Bragg and others recommend Gen. Hood for promotion to a lieutenant-generalcy but the President says it is impossible, as the number authorized by Congress is full. And Gen. Bragg also gives timely notice to the Commissary-General that the supplies at Atlanta will suffice for but a few weeks longer. This, Commissary-General Northrop took [...]

October 6—Meet Chaplains at Pisgah Church. Go with Bro. Rumple toward Orange courthouse. Spend night at Mr. Grymes’. Noble family. Man and wife and several daughters seem so glad to entertain us. Some officers there, too. Two armies had been for a long time using the food of that section. We saw no servant in [...]

5th. Went over to the house and learned the damage. Very pleasant people. How these people are suffering and will suffer during the year. Whole Brigade and 103rd made heavy reconnoissance. Several killed, wounded and prisoners. Seven of the 103rd missing. Relieved after dark by Lt. Lough, Co. A and M. All in camp supposed [...]

Monday, 5th.—Cannonading towards Chattanooga. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday, 5th–Everything is very quiet here, although as the health of the men is improving our duties become more laborious. Every regiment that can be taken from Vicksburg is being sent to reinforce the armies at other posts. General Sherman has been ordered to proceed to Chattanooga and thus all of the Fifteenth Army Corps [...]

CAMP NEAR MORTON’S FORD, ON RAPIDAN RIVER, October 5th, 1863. My Dear Mother: I received your letter of the 23rd yesterday while on picket duty and it seems to me from the way in which you write that you did not receive my last letter. I don’t think that it has been two weeks since [...]

Monday Oct 5th 1863 Perhaps I might have made it interesting to have continued my diary. But I have been absent some time since my last date, and important events it is true have occured, great Battles have been fought, and great Victories have been won by our arms. The month of July saw our [...]

October 1, 1863—Visit Hoke’s Brigade. Bro. Rumple preaches for us. October 2—Rain, get wet. October 3—Dr. Rosser preaches for us twice. October 4—Bro. Kilpatrick preaches a. m. end Bro. Rumple p. m. Fifty or more conscripts arrive for our Regiment. October 5—Preach for Battle’s Brigade at night.

OCTOBER 5th.—It is now said that Meade’s army has not retired, and that two corps of it have not been sent to Rosecrans. Well, we shall know more soon, for Lee is preparing for a movement. It may occur this week. In the West it is said Gen. Johnston is working his way, with a [...]

October 4, 1863. Have been over to Worthington’s again to-day. Sam got out his hounds and started a deer for us. We stationed ourselves in the runway, but although the deer came near us two or three times in his circling, the dogs didn’t push him hard enough to make him break for distant cover. [...]

4th. Did very litle in the forenoon. Robertson and Ritter ate with us. In P. M. detailed with 20 Co. B as picket. Relieved Co. L and Lt. Hillhouse. House robbed by old relief. Went out and posted the pickets. Then went into camp and learned if we were right in instructions. Thede with me. [...]

Sunday, 4th–Our brigade was reviewed this morning at 7 o’clock by General McPherson, major-general commanding the seventeenth Army Corps. The pickets were not relieved until about noon, and so we missed the inspection. The boys are in camp today reading or writing letters.

Cedar Hill, October 4.—We came to Ashland on the 29th, to attend the sale of the house in which we lived last year. We got a few pieces of furniture, and determined to rent the little cottage. We spent that night at Mrs. T’s, and came here next morning, and are now collecting hops, brooms, [...]