Sunday, 8th–No work today, only picket duty, and all is very quiet here. General Tuttle’s division left Vicksburg this morning for Memphis.

NOVEMBER 8th.—At this late day the Secretary of War is informed by Col. Gorgas that, in consequence of the enemy’s possessing the coal mines in Tennessee, he shall not be able to supply orders for heavy shot, etc., for the defense of Charleston harbor, if the fleet of monitors were to pass the forts. Why, [...]

November 8, 1863, The New York Herald             A report reached Philadelphia yesterday by the steamer Salvor, which left Hilton Head on last Monday, the 2d. inst., that Fort Sumter had surrendered, that the Stars and Stripes were flying over the dismantled ramparts, and the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Pennsylvania regiment of Volunteers were then [...]

7th. Halted near the gap till daylight. Moved on to Russelville where we got forage and halted for dinner. Unsaddled and remained over night. Great reports about the Rogersville affair. 7th Ohio passed by, rather thin. Several 2nd Tenn. prisoners came in, having escaped from the rebels.

Saturday, 7th–I was on fatigue duty again today. Two brigades of General Logan’s Division went out to the Black river post to relieve General Tuttle’s Division, which came in and is to take boat for points up the Mississippi river.

NOVEMBER 7th.—No news from any quarter, except the continued bombardment of the debris of Fort Sumter, and the killing and wounding of some 10 or 12 men there—but that is not news. There is a pause,—a sort of holding of the breath of the people, as if some event of note was expected. The prices [...]

Saturday, Nov. 7—Hear Dr. Rosser preach to 4th and 14th Regiments. Get bottle of sacramental wine. While reading a letter from wife, a fierce cannonade begins at Kelly’s Ford, where the 2nd and 3rd suffer sadly. Lieut. Col. Sillers is mortally wounded. Some are wounded and many captured. Army falls back. I tear down my [...]

November 7, 1863, The New York Herald             There is nothing later from the Army of the Potomac. Perfect quietude appears to reign, with the exception of the guerilla raids which disturb the outposts and the occasional reconnoissances which occupy the attention of our cavalry.             From Charleston we have nothing later than the news [...]

6th. After breakfast sent out forage and provision detail. About 8 heavy firing in the direction of Rogersville. Ordered to be ready to march as soon as detail sent for comes in. Got in. Just got supper ready and had to move out. Rested an hour in field–disgusting. A very tedious night ride, heavy frost, [...]

Friday, 6th–I was on fatigue again, but on account of rain last night the detail did not go to work until 1 o’clock this afternoon. Some of the heaviest siege guns obtainable are being mounted on raised platforms in the forts.

November 6.–We were saddened to-day by news of the death of Augustus Torrey Wilder in the hospital at Fort Ethan Allen.

Nov. 1, 1863—Fine day. Rev. Anderson, Chaplain 4th Regiment, preaches his first sermon at my chapel. Why don’t I hear from wife? Thirteen days ago she was not well. May be in heaven! God’s will be done! Get letter. All well. Prayer meeting at night. Nov. 2—Pastoral work in Regiment. Prayer in Co. “G” at [...]

NOVEMBER 6th.—The President was to have returned to-day, but did not. Various conjectures are made as to the object of his month’s tour of speech-making. Some deem the cause very desperate, others that the President’s condition is desperate. If the first, they say his purpose was to reanimate the people by his presence, and to [...]

November 6, 1863, The New York Herald             There is but little news yet of moment from Gen. Meade’s army. The guerillas seem to gain boldness every day. On the night before last they captured a Major of our army within two miles of our headquarters on the road to Auburn, and the same band [...]

5th. Up at 4 A. M. Co. “C” ordered to go with Capt. Easton on scout. Got on wrong road, being dark. Trotted two or three miles, returned and fell in with the regt. Moved to near Rheatown and waited for 5th Ind. to come down from Leesburg. Rainy and unpleasant. 14th Ill. to front. [...]

Thursday, 5th–It rained all day and on account of it the fatigue party did not work on the fortifications. Our camp number 3 is located on the town commons, and because of no timber near by the northwest wind has a full sweep over the camp. No news of importance.

NOVEMBER 5th.—The President has not yet returned, but was inspecting the defenses of Charleston. The Legislature has adjourned without fixing a maximum of prices. Every night troops from Lee’s army are passing through the city. Probably they have been ordered to Bragg. Yesterday flour sold at auction at $100 per barrel; to-day it sells for [...]

November 5, 1863, The New York Herald             The Richmond papers furnish us with two days still later news from Charleston. The firing on Sumter was continued on Saturday and Sunday, and on the latter evening was still going on, both from Forts Gregg and Wagner and the Monitors. The bombardment is described by the [...]

November 5th.–For a week we have had such a tranquil, happy time here. Both my husband and Johnny are here still. James Chesnut spent his time sauntering around with his father, or stretched on the rug before my fire reading Vanity Fair and Pendennis. By good luck he had not read them before. We have [...]

4th. Aroused before daylight. Struck tents and loaded wagons. About 8 A. M. again pitched tents and sent out forage detail. Voted on re-enlistment question. Co. C, 21. Well done for it. Felt proud, better than most companies. Had good visit with many of the boys. Finished “Lillian.” Thede got some apples. Pleasant day.

Wednesday, 4th–It is still quite warm. I was on fatigue at the fortifications. The men are pulling down some fine residences and using the material in building the forts. It is pretty harsh and severe business to order a family, brave enough to stay all through the siege, out of their home and tear down [...]

NOVEMBER 4th.—Mr. M_______, Major Ruffin’s commissary agent, denies selling government beef to the butchers; of course it was his own. But he has been ordered not to sell any more, while buying for the government. Mr. Rouss, of Winchester, merchant, has succeeded in getting some brown cotton from the manufacturer, in Georgia, at cost, which [...]

November 4, 1863, The New York Herald The news from Washington indicates approaching active operations in General Meade’s army. All the able bodied troops under the command of General Martindale, the Military Governor of the capital, are to be relieved from duty and sent to the field. Their place will be supplied by the Invalid [...]

3rd. In the morning went up and saw Provost Marshal about Hayes, also saw him. Fear he will be caused some trouble before getting away. Inspection at 1 P. M. Horses, men and arms. Co. C did itself up in array. Col. P. loaned me “Lillian.” Finished up Quartermaster and clothing, camp and garrison equipage.