31st. Looked for rations all day. Read some in Harper’s. In evening Lt. Baird and I rode to Mossy Creek in search of rations and to make an effort to procure a mill. Put up a tent fly in the P. M. Rained till 12 P. M. and then turned awfully cold and blew a [...]

Thursday, 31st–The weather has been generally mild this month, though changeable, but today it capped the climax. There was a strong gale from the northwest, accompanied by rain and snow. This is regular muster day. The Eleventh Iowa was mustered at 10 o’clock, and we all had to fall in line by companies, and march [...]

Thursday night, December 31st, 1863. The last of eighteen sixty-three is passing away as I write. . . . Every New Year since I was in my teens, I have sought a quiet spot where I could whisper to myself Tennyson’s “ Death of the Old Year,” and even this bitter cold night I steal [...]

December 31st. Orders received to prepare for a three days’ scout. Reported we go up the valley. A cold rain storm set in before we started. Caused the marching orders to be countermanded. The regiment to remain in camp. I am detailed for picket duty. The last day of the year 1863.

DECEMBER 31st.—Yesterday the Senate passed the following bill, it having previously passed the House: “A Bill to be entitled An Act to put an end to the exemption, from military service of those who have heretofore furnished substitutes. “Whereas, in the present circumstances of the country, it requires the aid of all who are able [...]

Thursday Decr 31 1863 Alas for yesterdays Sun and balmy air and brilliant atmosphere. It has rained all day and as I now write, the rain decending upon the tin roof sounds like the roar of a Waterfall, but I like that Music. It was always charming to me to hear the rain decending upon [...]

Dec. 1—Go to Hillsboro. Call on Aunt Martha Utley. The Lord is with her. Reach Greensboro and stop with Bro. Wm. E. Edwards, near depot. Dec. 2—Conference meets in M. E. Church. Dec. 3—Army Commission reports. Dec. 4—Dr. Deems preaches funeral of Rev. J. C. Brent. Wife comes on night train. Dec. 5—Wife and I [...]

30th. Slept by a big fire last night–very comfortable. Regiments saddled ready for a fight. Sent Lewis back to S. Plains for rations. Had some beef driven up and killed. Boys would have suffered had they not been fortunate in getting from the country.

Wednesday, 30th–The veterans of the Eleventh Iowa were sworn into the United States service today. There were ten from Company E, as follows: Nathan Chase, George Cush, Leroy Douglas, Frank Johnson, James Martin, James Newcom, Henry Newans, James Rankin, Burtis Rumsey, and Orlando Stout.

Wednesday, 30th.—General Johnston to inspect us in camp. Been hard at work baking cakes since we bought our flour. Made them up with molasses and plenty of soda, with a little vinegar; they humped themselves, and baked very nice and brown; we made the cake-pans out of tin canteen sides, which we made notchy like [...]

December 30th. On our return regular duty was resumed. Fourteen new recruits came to the regiment from Connecticut. Nine assigned to our company, C. Recruits were known as fresh fish. That was the way they were greeted. Most of them had relations and friends in the regiment. The recruits were always welcome and used kindly. [...]

Wednesday Decr 30th 1863 Today the weather has been warm and pleasant, almost too warm for comfort in the Sun. I went down to the Bank to get a Draft to send home today and found it more pleasant to seek the shady side of the street. All are anticipating a pleasant New Year and [...]

DECEMBER 30th.—A memorial from the army has been presented in both houses of Congress. The speech of Mr. Foote, relative to a Dictator, has produced some sensation in the city, and may produce more. A great many Jews and speculators are still endeavoring to get out of the country with their gains. To-day Mr. Davies [...]

29th. At 2:30 A. M. got orders to march to Mossy Creek. Marched at 3. Waited at the creek till nearly daylight, quite cool. Went into a house and warmed. Woodford’s and part of McCook’s divisions went with Foster’s to Dandridge. Found no enemy and returned to Mossy Creek. Stopped to feed. Heard cannonading and [...]

Near Larkinsville, Ala., December 29, 1863. We have had some busy times since my last. Foraging for horses, looking for something to eat, and trying to obey a host of contradictory orders, has kept us in the saddle almost constantly. I believe I wrote you about Dorrance’s going over to Elk river, Tenn. for horses [...]

Tuesday, 29th–I was on camp guard today. The weather is quite pleasant. News came that General Schofield is to be removed from the Department of the Missouri and that Rosecrans is to be placed in command. People are rejoicing over the change. Schofield is in command of a corps with Grant.

Tuesday, 29th.—Bought one-hundred-pound sack of flour to-day, for which we paid $100.00. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

DECEMBER 29th.—A letter from the President, for the Secretary of War, marked “private,” came in to-day at 2 P.M. Can it be an acceptance of his resignation? A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to inquire into the fact of commissioned officers doing clerical duties in Richmond receiving “allowances,” which, with their [...]

28th. Dried our clothes and got breakfast. Col. Purington came and reported under arrest for disrespectful language to Gen. Potter. Read a little in “Scottish Chiefs” and Independent. Good article on a visit to Oberlin. Lay about the fire until night. About 7 P. M. got an order to report to Col. Foster and then [...]

Monday, 28th–The commanding officers of our post here are “conscripting” every able-bodied citizen for military duty. The order applies to blacks as well as to whites, and aims to provide artisans for labor in connection with the army and army posts.

DECEMBER 28th.—Averill has escaped, losing a few hundred men, and his wagons, etc. The Chesapeake, that sailed out of New York, and was subsequently taken by the passengers (Confederates), was hotly followed to Canada, where it was surrendered to the British authorities by the United States officers, after being abandoned.

27th. A rainy unpleasant day. A negro came into the lines giving news, making an attack on the rebels expedient. Wrote a line more in F’s letter. Were out all the P. M.–most of the fighting on horseback. Some artillery firing. Drove the rebs beyond “Talbot Station.” Regiments lay in line saddled, our brigade in [...]

Sunday. 27th–I was again on provost patrol in the city, and with two others was assigned to the mule corral, the meanest place one could possibly be stationed at; for all we had to do was to see that the four mules penned up there did not kick down the fence.

Sunday, 27th.—Examining vaccination marks; small-pox in army. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)