Thursday, 13th–It is rumored that our brigade is to go to Natchez, Mississippi, in a few days, but we cannot tell whether it is true or not. I was on police duty today, for the first time, down in Vicksburg. There are more than a hundred men detailed each day to keep order in the [...]

AUGUST 13th.—No news. It turns out that Gen. Taylor got only 500 prisoners at Donaldsonville, La., instead of 4000. A writer in the New York Tribune says the Northern troops burnt Jackson, Miss. Lincoln has marked for close confinement and hostages three of our men for three free negroes taken on MorrisIsland. The government here [...]

Wednesday, 12th. Took breakfast at Loveland. Reached Cincinnati at 9:30. Went to Gibson House. Room with Eggleston. Got my horse. Rode to Gen. Cox’s and hospital, Covington, to see about Homer Johnson. Successful, I guess. Supper at Gibson. Saw Al Bushnell. Forgot letter from Ellen. Evening wrote to Dr. Johnson and Fannie.

August 12.–Lucilla Field was married in our church to-day to Rev. S. W. Pratt. I always thought she was cut out for a minister’s wife. Jennie Draper cried herself sick because Lucilla, her Sunday School teacher, is going away.

Wednesday.—We are all pursuing the even tenor of our way, as if there were no war. An order from General Lee is in to-day’s paper, exhorting officers and soldiers to a strict observance of fast-day, which is on Friday. In the mean time the enemy is storming Charleston with unprecedented fury. It is an object [...]

An Inspection. August 12. A few days ago orders came to get ready for inspection the next afternoon. All was now hurry and bustle, cleaning up camp, arms, equipments and clothing, and putting everything in order. The artillerists worked like beavers, cleaning up the gun carriages and limbers, using all the grease in the kitchen [...]

Wednesday, 12th–We had a fearful windstorm today, though no rain. Everything in camp is moving along fine and the boys are quite cheerful. We have plenty of wood, canebrake and Spanish moss for our use and our camp is in good shape.

AUGUST 12th.—Letters from Georgia to-day assure the government that the grain crops of that State will afford a surplus sufficient for the army, cavalry and all, for 12 months. Also one from P. Clayton, late Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, censuring the commissary agents in Georgia, who are sent thither from other States, who insult [...]

11th. Went to Capt. Burr’s office and stable. Found my horse almost blind. Did some trading and did errand with Gov. Tod for Dr. Johnson. Over the State House with Ampt. Thunder shower. Took the freight train at 9:45. Got into a caboose and rested nicely. A Mo. Captain aboard. One fright. Brakes whistled down–all [...]

Tuesday, 11th–No news from the Army of the Potomac nor from Charleston, South Carolina.

AUGUST 11th.—After all the applications of the railroad companies when Gen. Lee was in Pennsylvania, and the enemy had withdrawn from this side of the Potomac, it appears that the fine iron on the road from Fredericksburg to Aquia Creek was not removed! Mr. Seddon’s subordinates must answer for this. The iron was wanted more [...]

Aug. 10th. At twelve thirty A. M., passed a brig standing to the northward and eastward; at two thirty trimmed sails to the wind; set port fore-topmast and top-gallant studding sails; got port lower studding sails ready for setting; took in studding sails, and braced yards up to shift of wind; at three o’clock Delaware [...]

10th. Went to Minnie’s at 7 and saw the folks off for the lake. Ed., Frankie, Phoebe, M., E. J. and Terrell’s people. At 9:30 called on Fannie. Supposed I had gone. Interchanged sentiment, and agreeably. Happiest day of my life. Most fortunate boy. God grant it may cause no regret to either of us. [...]

August 10.—Spent this morning in the house of mourning. Our neighbour Mrs. S. has lost her eldest son. The disease was “that most fatal of Pandora’s train,” consumption. He contracted it in the Western Army. His poor mother has watched the ebbing of his life for several months, and last night he died most suddenly. [...]

Monday, 10th–We are living on fresh bread now; we got our first today, baked in the new oven. Each man is allowed to draw a one-pound loaf per day. We again have company drill twice a day, with dress parade at 5 o’clock. The weather is fearfully hot, day and night.

AUGUST 10th.—NO army news of immediate importance. South Carolina has set an example in the prices of supplies for the army, under the Impressment Act, fixed by the Commissioners. By this schedule (for August, and it will be less in succeeding months) bacon is to be from 65 to 75 cents per pound; beef, 25 [...]

Richmond, Va., August 10, 1863.–To-day I had a letter from my sister, who wrote to inquire about her old playmate, friend, and lover, Boykin McCaa. It is nearly twenty years since each was married; each now has children nearly grown. ”To tell the truth,” she writes, “in these last dreadful years, with David in Florida, [...]

Aug. 9th. At twelve forty-five A. M., a light reported off port-quarter; at two o’clock took in and furled all the studding and square sails; at six o’clock set all plain sail to royals; at six thirty made a sail off weather bow, proved to be a schooner, standing on same course; weather clear and [...]

Sunday, 9th. Thede and I went to S. S. together. Visited the infant school. So pleasant. Enjoyed being back again. Bless God for these occasional home visits. Heard Mr. Finney in the morning. Good but queer sermon. Sat in gallery. P. M. heard Prof. Morgan, very warm. Girls and John at home. Evening Ed Williams [...]

Sunday, 9th–I was detailed on a foraging party today. There were two hundred men and one hundred wagons, accompanied by a squad of cavalry as a picket guard. We went up the Yazoo river bottoms about five miles and loaded our wagons with green corn, which we found in abundance. It was very hot, and [...]

AUGUST 9th.—NO news from the armies. Mrs. ex-President Tyler, who has already been permitted to visit her native State, New York, once or twice during the war—and indeed her plantation has been within the enemy’s lines—has applied for passage in a government steamer (the Lee) to Nassau, and to take with her “a few bales [...]

Aug. 8th. Commences with pleasant weather; hauled down and shifted over starboard foretop-gallant studding sails, set the foretop-gallant and topmast studding sails, hauled down jib and flying jib, brailed up the main topmast stay-sail and main try-sail; at three thirty set the main fore topmast stay-sail main try-sail and spanker, bending lower studding sails; from [...]

8th. Read some during the morning. At 11 went to Daguerrian Gallery and had likeness taken. New coat. Met Mr. Austin and wife, Miss Smith formerly. Helen and Aunt came. Charlie Fairchild treated boys to ice cream, lemonade, etc. Sorry can not stay in O. till after Com. too. In the evening went to N. [...]

Saturday, 8th–Quite pleasant today. We cleaned up our clothing and accouterments for inspection. We are getting fixed up very nicely in our camp and all are feeling fine. Only a few of our boys are sick and in the hospital at present. I loaned George Toyne (Company E) $25.00 today, until next pay day.[1] [1] [...]