December 11th. The morning opened up with a cold rain. I am detailed for picket duty. Posted on a back road, just south of the town. Took possession of an old building for the reliefs and the reserves, when off duty. Manage to keep very comfortable. All quiet.

10th. Soon after breakfast brigade ordered to Morristown on a reconnoissance. Sent June to see about rations and left the rest of the boys to go for cattle and pork. At the river encountered rebel pickets. Drove them back on Morristown and Cheek’s Cross Roads. Drove the pickets steadily. 2nd O. V. C. on X [...]

Thursday, 10th–It is pretty cold weather now, somewhat cloudy and windy. Our regiment furnished the patrol for the city today, composed of a captain, a lieutenant, two sergeants, eight corporals and forty privates.

Thursday, 10th.—Fast day. Prayer meeting, 11 A. M. Preaching at night by chaplin from Longstreet’s Corps. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

December 10th. Left camp early this morning. Passed through Martinsburg, going east, bound for Charlestown. Weather good. After a march of about eight miles, came to a halt at Leestown for rest and rations. Again on the march, forded the Opequan Creek. Not very pleasant at this time of year. Soldiers must not stop for [...]

The following diary entry contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the entry is provided unedited for its historical content and context. Newport News. Dec. 10. I am now on the sacred soil of old Virginia, and my first care will be to seek an introduction to some of [...]

DECEMBER 10th.—No news from any of the armies, except that Longstreet has reached Bristol, Va. Yesterday, in Congress, Mr. Foote denounced the President as the author of all the calamities; and he arraigned Col. Northrop, the Commissary-General, as a monster, incompetent, etc.—and cited * * * * I saw Gen. Bragg’s dispatch to-day, dated 29th [...]

December 10th.–Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Lyons came. We had luncheon brought in for them, and then a lucid explanation of the chronique scandaleuse, of which Beck J. is the heroine. We walked home with Mrs. Davis and met the President riding alone. Surely that is wrong. It must be unsafe for him when there are [...]

9th. Up early and breakfasted on mush. Supper last night the same. Infantry soon commenced passing. Left all boys but Thede and went on. Passed through Rutledge. Command moved on to Bean Station and camped–some skirmishing. Issued Hard Bread and beef! Boys came up. Bunked down by the fire and slept soundly. Cold night. Boys [...]

Wednesday, 9th.—Notified that a man would be shot Friday. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

DECEMBER 9th.—The President’s message is not regarded with much favor by the croakers. The long complaint against foreign powers for not recognizing us is thought in bad taste, since all the points nearly had been made in a previous message. They say it is like abusing a society for not admitting one within its circle [...]

December 9th.–” Come here, Mrs. Chesnut,” said Mary Preston to-day, ” they are lifting General Hood out of his carriage, here, at your door.” Mrs. Grundy promptly had him borne into her drawing-room, which was on the first floor. Mary Preston and I ran down and greeted him as cheerfully and as cordially as if [...]

8th. Awoke considerably rested. Surprising how a tired man can sleep. Drew one day’s ration of meal and two of H. Bread. Moved around Clinch Mountain to Blains Cross Roads. Boys killed a flock of sheep. Passed a division of the 9th Army Corps in camp. Stopped with boys at a house near road leading [...]

Mud Creek Cove, Jackson County, Ala. December 8, 1863. I was at Stevenson yesterday and put a letter in the office for you, but with my accustomed shrewdness failed to either stamp or frank it. It graphically described the gallant exploits of the detachment I have the honer to command during the past three weeks, [...]

Tuesday, 8th–Everything is marching along fine. The finishing touches are being put upon the outside forts and the heavy guns are mounted and ready for action. The floors of the forts and rifle pits are all laid with the lumber torn from the houses which were removed to make room for the forts, so when [...]

Canandaigua, December 8. – Home again. I had military attendance as far as Paterson, N. J., and came the rest of the way with strangers. Not caring to talk I liked it just as well. When I said good bye I could not help wondering whether it was for years, or forever. This cruel war [...]

DECEMBER 8th.—The President’s message was sent to Congress to-day. I was not present, but my son Custis, who heard it read, says the President dwells largely on the conduct of foreign powers. To diminish the currency, he recommends compulsory funding and large taxation, and some process of diminishing the volume of Treasury notes. In other [...]

December came in quite pleasant. Weather permitting, drilling is kept up. December 8th. Marching orders received. Must prepare three days’ rations in haversacks. Ordered to Charlestown for duty. We are informed the cavalry under General Averill are to raid upon the enemy’s country. The General is a dashing cavalry officer. He is all right.

7th. Awakened by firing over Clinch Mountain. Sent back details and teams for rations. Clear beautiful day. Moved at 9 A. M. up the valley. About 3 P. M. arrived at Bunch’s Trail, a pass through Clinch Mountain. Rebel pickets here and drove them. Col. Acker dismounted 9th Mich. and dislodged them from the Gap. [...]

Monday, 7th–I was relieved from patrol this morning. Thus far we have not succeeded in locating any of the reported spies. This patrol duty is quite hard, since when we have a few moments for rest the only place is a vacant room over a store, without fire; furthermore, lying down on the floor is [...]

December 7.–The 4th New York Heavy Artillery has orders to move to Fort Ethan Allen, near Washington, and I have orders to return to Canandaigua. I have enjoyed the five weeks very much and as “the soldier” was on parole most of the time I have seen much of interest in the city. Uncle Edward [...]

DECEMBER 7th.—Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet telegraphs to-day from Rutledge, Tenn., some fifty miles northeast of Knoxville, and says he will soon need railroad facilities. He is flying from superior numbers, and may be gathering up supplies. Governor Vance writes distressfully concerning the scarcity of provisions in certain counties of North Carolina, and the rudeness [...]

Caroline Carson Woolsey to Jane Stuart Woolsey at Fairfax Hospital. General Meade’s Camp, Near Brandy Sta., Dec. 7th, ’63. Dear Jane . .–The train which left at 11 yesterday morning brought me through all right last night, by dark. A telegram from General Williams, sent to the conductor and meeting me on the train, said, [...]

6th. Up at daylight and breakfast in time to move at 7. Cloudy, cleared up in P. M. Moved down near Maynardsville road and halted. Sent for rations. Scare in 2nd Brigade. Some firing. Rebels left Knoxville and on way to Va. Cavalry here in valley. Graham’s Brigade after them. Guess all will get away. [...]