Saturday, 22d.—Detailed at daylight; sent to work another section. Finished in two hours. Clear, cold and windy. Built chimney to our house. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

NOVEMBER 22d.—We have nothing additional to-day, except another attempt to take Fort Sumter by assault, which was discovered before the crews of the boats landed, and of course it was defeated. Since then some shells have been thrown into the city of Charleston, doing little damage. This morning was bright and warm, the clouds having [...]

November 22, 1863, The New York Herald Perhaps the most important war news we have today is from the Texas expedition of General Banks. The occupation of Brownsville appears to have been dictated by some very urgent reasons. An attempt to revolutionize the district of Tamaulipas, which includes Matamoros and the mouth of the Rio [...]

Saturday, 21st–The weather is quite cool today. The Fifteenth Iowa got their pay today. Pay time for the soldiers is the time for the gamblers.[1] It is then that they start up their “chuck luck” games. These banks or games are set up south of town, about the springs where the boys from our brigade [...]

21st. Raining heavily. Issued flour and beef to 2nd O. V. C. Robertson came down. Moved north of town and pitched tents and sent for forage. Two boys, “Shorty” and another, sat by the light and played “Seven Up.” Became pleasant before night. Left flour for the brigade with Powers. All wonder at our movements.

Friday, 21st.—Rained hard all night and this morning. Had to work another section in mud and rain. Regiment returned to other details, to work on ditches, doing rapid work. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

November 21.–Abbie Clark and her cousin Cora came to call and invited me and her soldier cousin to come to dinner to-night, at Mrs Thompson’s. He will be here this afternoon and I will give him the invitation. James is asked for the evening.

NOVEMBER 21st.—We have further reports from the West, confirming the success of Longstreet. It is said he has taken 2200 prisoners, and is probably at Knoxville. The President left the city this morning for Orange Court House, on a visit to Gen. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. We are a shabby-looking people now—gaunt, [...]

Friday, 20th–It is rainy and blustery today, but otherwise all is quiet. We received two months’ pay, being paid in crisp new greenbacks. The paymaster always has a guard with him to guard the strong iron box containing the bills.

20th. Troops still passing. Various rumors as to the position of Burnside in Knoxville. Got breakfast. 2nd O. V. C. came along. Nearly 20 ate with us. Moved on at 9. Got over the mountain nicely. Two wagons broken. Long hill and rather steep but smooth road. Went down into the valley and fed. Made [...]

Thursday, 20th.—On detail digging ditches; reported Federals on mountain, ten miles below; regiment gone down that way; five miles out last account; making us work very hard; worked two sections. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

NOVEMBER 20th.—We have reports of some successes to-day. Gen. Hampton, it appears, surprised and captured several companies of the enemy’s cavalry, a day or two since, near Culpepper Court House. And Gen. Wheeler has captured several hundred of the enemy in East Tennessee, driving the rest into the fortifications of Knoxville. Gen. Longstreet, at last [...]

November 20, 1863, The New York Herald The latest news from Charleston, to eight o’clock P.M. of the 16th instant, by the steamer Admiral Dupont, reports that the firing on FortSumter continues without intermission; that the flag of the rebel garrison has been shot down several times within a few days, but is always hoisted [...]

Thursday, 19th–All is quiet and there is nothing of importance. The report in camp is that the Sixth Division will remain at Vicksburg all winter; we are thankful if that is the case, as we are comfortably fixed for winter.

19th. About two stopped at a house and warmed. Got into a bed for two hours. Pitied some poor people. Gave a woman $22 scrip. Wolf and I went to a Mr. Tate’s (rebel off the road) for breakfast. One very affected rebel girl with curls, perfectly disgusting. Train corralled near. One and one-half miles [...]

Wednesday, 19th.—Building shanty to-day. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

November 19.–We wish we were at Gettysburg to-day to hear President Lincoln’s and Edward Everett’s addresses at the dedication of the National Cemetery. We will read them in to-morrow’s papers, but it will not be like hearing them. Authors Note, 1911. – Forty – eight years have elapsed since Lincoln’s speech was delivered at the [...]

NOVEMBER 19th.—Miss Harriet H. Fort, of Baltimore, has arrived via Accomac and Northampton Counties, with a complete drawing of all the defenses of Baltimore. The Medical Purveyor’s Guards have petitioned the Secretary for higher pay. They get now $1500 per annum, and say the city watchmen get $2300. Gens. Banks and Taylor in the West [...]

November 19, 1863, The New York Herald             The treatment of the Union prisoners at Richmond has been the theme of many comments in our columns of late, and the miserable condition to which they were reduced for want of food and other necessaries of life has been repeatedly described by our correspondents and others. [...]

Wednesday, 18th–The weather is still warm. Our fatigue duty is not so laborious now, but the picket duty is becoming more strenuous if anything on account of the activity of the rebels’ cavalry. The Eleventh Iowa signed the payrolls today.

18th. Aroused early and notified that a general evacuation is to take place. Saddled, and so till noon. Train ordered to Rice’s Lower Ford. Rode over hastily to St. Clair and notified Pearson when to cross. Got two teams to go to Kirkpatrick’s mill. Some fast and hard riding. 2nd O. V. C. train ferried [...]

Tuesday, 18th.—In direction of Trenton. 2 P. M., went down the mountain, but turned back soon as we got down; back at camp, 10 P. M. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Wednesday November 18th 1863 Since my last date I have been Home and Staid eight days, left here the 31st Oct & returned the 10th Inst, brought Julia back with me. She is staying at Mr Hartleys on NY Avenue. Neither Genl Meade or Admiral Dahlgreen have been removed as was reported at that date, [...]

NOVEMBER 18th.—We have no news whatever, except some damage reported at Charleston, done to two monitors yesterday. The bombardment has assumed no new phase. A letter from Gen. J. E. Johnston, Meridian, Miss., indicates that the Secretary has been writing him and saying that he was responsible for the outrages of the impressing agents in [...]