JANUARY 14th.—Mr. A. ____, editor of the ______, recommends the Secretary of War to get Congress to pass, in secret session, a resolution looking to a reconstruction of the Union on the old basis, and send Commissioners to the Northern Governors. Meantime, let the government organize an army of invasion, and march into Pennsylvania. The [...]

January 14th.–Gave Mrs. White twenty-three dollars for a turkey. Came home wondering all the way why she did not ask twenty-five; two more dollars could not have made me balk at the bargain, and twenty-three sounds odd.

Wednesday, 13th–I was on patrol down town. Things are quiet there, but the streets are quite muddy. The patrols have strict orders to arrest all soldiers found down town without passes, as well as citizens who are caught on the streets without passes. It is not a very pleasant duty, this thing of stopping everyone [...]

13th. Rations of flour. Up early. Many officers at Chamberlain’s. Off on the cars at 9:30. Gen. Foster on board–don’t like his style. Loudon at 2 P. M. Went to barracks. (30 days’ “veteran furlough” for those of the 2nd O. V. C. who re-enlisted.)

JANUARY 13th.—There was firing yesterday near Georgetown, S. C., the nature and result of which is not yet known. Yesterday the Senate passed a bill allowing increased pay to civil officers in the departments; but Senator Brown, of Miss., proposed a proviso, which was adopted, allowing the increased compensation only to those who are not [...]

Tuesday, 12th–It is cloudy but warm, and the ice is still coming down the river. Our duties here in camp are lightening up some. All is quiet and there is nothing of importance.

12th. Went to Hospitals with Dr. Smith to see sick. 2nd O. V. C. hospitals in wretched condition. Saw Joshua–sick–and fixed papers. Part of regt. came down.

by John Beauchamp Jones JANUARY 12th.—Hundreds were skating on the ice in the basin this morning; but it thawed all day, and now looks like rain. Yesterday the President vetoed a bill appropriating a million dollars to clothe the Kentucky troops. The vote in the Senate, in an effort to pass it nevertheless, was 12 [...]

January 12th.–To-night there will be a great gathering of Kentuckians. Morgan gives them a dinner. The city of Richmond entertains John Morgan. He is at free quarters. The girls dined here. Conny Cary came back for more white feathers. Isabella had appropriated two sets and obstinately refused Constance Cary a single feather from her pile. [...]

Monday, 11th–The weather has been very warm for several days and there was a heavy thunderstorm last night. All is quiet in camp, but the men in the old regiments, having re-enlisted, are becoming restless and want to move, for remaining in camp will never bring the war to a close.

11th. Several boys not inclined to go home. Assigned to 7th O. V. C. Thomas, Peck, Kearn, Beach, Montgomery, Bentley, Rutzel. Good boys, sorry. Relieved Hamlin. Went to Knoxville to fix papers. Slept with Avery on floor at Charley’s.

JANUARY 11th.—The snow has nearly vanished–the weather bright and pleasant, for midwinter; but the basin is still frozen over. Gen. E. S. Jones has captured several hundred of the enemy in Southwest Virginia, and Moseby’s men are picking them up by scores in Northern Virginia. Congress recommitted the new Conscript bill on Saturday, intimidated by [...]

January, Monday 11, 1864        Like a weary actor in a play,        Like a phantom in a dream,        Like a lost boat left to stray        Rudderless adown the stream—        This is what my life has grown,—        Since thy false heart left me lone,—        And I wonder sometimes when the laugh is loud,        And I wonder at [...]

January 10th. Sunday. A very pleasant day. Attended church in town morning and evening. Service conducted by Chaplain, 3d Pennsylvania Reserves. Attendance by the towns-people and soldiers good. Chaplains from the different regiments were invited to occupy the pulpits in the churches. Special service was held evenings during the week, when no extra duty was [...]

Sunday, 10th–We had company inspection this morning. A brigade from here was sent up the river on transports to Greenville, to rout the rebels who have set up a battery there, blockading the river and stopping navigation.

10th. Packed up and moved to regt. Boys got their things ready to turn over. Hines inspected property.

1864—W1nter Quarters, Dalton, Ga. Monday, 10th.—Debating society turned into “Court Martial” and tried R. H. Fox for encouraging R. L. Harris to desert. After some loud speaking on both sides, the decision was: “Mr. Fox is guilty of the charge; the Court do therefore sentence R. H. Fox to be shot—with a tow wad.” For [...]

CAMP IN WINTER QUARTERS, NEAR ORANGE COURT HOUSE, January 10, 1864. My Dear Mother: I received your letter by mail, also the one you sent by Mixson. We were on picket at the time. Mixson got here to-day (Sunday) week. We got back from picket last night, having spent one week on the banks of [...]

JANUARY 10th.—Letters from Governor Vance received to-day show that he has been making extensive arrangements to clothe and subsist North Carolina troops. His agents have purchased abroad some 40,000 blankets, as many shoes, bacon, etc., most of which is now at Bermuda and Nassau. He has also purchased an interest in several steamers; but, it [...]

Scottsboro, Ala., January 9, 1864. We have settled down into fully as monotonous a monotony, as I ever experienced. The powers pretend that the army is tired down and needs rest, so duty is very light, no drills ordered; no scouting and no nothing, but a first-class preparation to have a tremendous sick list in [...]

Saturday, 9th–I was on picket guard down town and all is quiet. The ice floe is running quite strong in the Mississippi and has been for some days, which is rather a new thing to the people of Vicksburg. They say the like has never been known, at least in such large quantities, and that [...]

9th. Busy on company papers. Helped Davis. Still very cold. Got June to take Jennie[1] to Maj. N. Rode my Spike. No trouble. [1] The “Jennie” referred to was Jennie Green, a bright and comely mulatto slave girl of fifteen, who was owned by Dr. Peck who lived near Knoxville, Tenn., and who begged Major [...]

January 9th.–Met Mrs. Wigfall. She wants me to take Halsey to Mrs. Randolph’s theatricals. I am to get him up as Sir Walter Raleigh. Now, General Breckinridge has come. I like him better than any of them. Morgan also is here.[1] These huge Kentuckians fill the town. Isabella says, “They hold Morgan accountable for the [...]

JANUARY 9th.—Cold and clear. Gen. Longstreet has preferred charges against Major-Gen. McLaws and another general of his command, and also asks to be relieved, unless he has an independent command, as Gen. Johnston’s headquarters are too far off, etc. The Secretary is willing to relieve him, but the President intimates that a successor ought to [...]