Sunday, 2d–It is still getting colder. The ground is frozen and we have no fires in the tents—the men are suffering day and night from the cold. Had company inspection this morning.
Saturday, 1st–It is very cold with a strong northwest wind blowing. We drilled with our overcoats on for the first time, and even then we could not keep warm.
Friday, 28th–We had company inspection with all accouterments on ready for a march, and the regiment was then mustered for pay. Thus this month ends, finding us at California, Missouri.
Thursday, 27th–There are no hopes of leaving this place. We cleaned up for inspection and muster tomorrow. The five companies of the Eleventh which went to Fulton, Missouri, last December, are still at that place.
Wednesday, 26th–Nothing of importance. We are in a regular tented camp here, and it seems more like being in the army than it did at Lookout Station.
Tuesday, 25th–No news of any importance. There is some talk of our having to stay at this place all summer. We have company drill twice a day and with the other four companies of our regiment here now, have dress parade at 5 p. m.
Monday, 24th–Nothing of importance. Our company now has a company cook. He cooks the beans and salt beef for all, but each man draws his rations every five days, makes his own coffee and cooks his salt bacon to suit himself.
Sunday, 23d–We attended church today at the different churches in town, some of the boys going to the Catholic church. We had prayer meeting in camp in the evening.
Saturday, 22d–This is Washington’s birthday. We packed our knapsacks early this morning and left Lookout for California, arriving at 2 p. m. The roads were quite muddy. In camp again at California, Missouri. We pitched our tents on the commons south of town.
Friday, 21st–We are to bid goodby to Lookout Station tomorrow. Some of the good people living here are sorry to see us go. May they have success for their loyalty to the Union cause.
Thursday, 20th–No news of importance. Grant’s recent victories have made the Union sentiment stronger in this locality, which will be a big help to the few Union men left here.
Wednesday, 19th–News came that Roanoke Island has been taken by our men. It is reported that our company will leave for California, Missouri, in three or four days and all are rejoicing that our stay here is about over.
Tuesday, 18th–It is cloudy and quite cool. News came that Fort Henry has been taken and we fired a feu de joie. Some of the boys are afraid that the war will be over before we have a chance to have the honor of being in a battle.
Monday, 17th–This is a very beautiful morning. The good news came that Grant has really taken Fort Donelson. Lieutenant Compton called out the company with arms, and we fired a feu de joie to celebrate the victory.
Sunday, 16th-–The weather is warm and pleasant. It is reported that Fort Donelson with several thousand prisoners has been taken by General Grant.
Saturday, 15th–We received a very large mail from home today. The papers say that General Grant has taken Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river.
Friday, 14th–This is Valentine’s Day and some of the boys are having a great time sending out valentines to the girls in this locality; others are sending valentines to their old home sweethearts.
Thursday, 13th–It snowed some today, and we all stayed close in our quarters, as the weather was so disagreeable. It is a very cold night.
Wednesday, 12th–Our mail goes east every day at 11 a. m. and comes in from the east at night. This is a cold night.
Tuesday, 11th–It snowed today and turned quite cool. Some troops marched past here on their way to St. Louis.
Monday, 10th–Nothing of importance. A squad of men went out into the country for supplies and brought in some corn meal, molasses and honey.
Sunday, 9th–Company inspection this morning. We had preaching by the chaplain in the forenoon, and the boys had prayer meeting in the evening.
Saturday, 8th–It is the same old thing over. We cleaned up our accouterments for inspection tomorrow.
Friday, 7th–No news of importance. The boys had a dancing party at the depot, and some of the girls in the neighborhood who are somewhat lively were there–they seem to enjoy smoking when out in company.
Thursday, 6th–Very fine weather. There is one woman in this locality of whom the boys are afraid, for she has a large kettle of water hanging on the crane over the fireplace. This she keeps at the boiling point, and whenever any of the boys come around her premises, she is out with the hot [...]