Friday, 19th–The quartermaster is sending out large foraging parties today, while the army is preparing to start back toward Vicksburg tomorrow, after destroying everything within our lines. There are no more rebels to be found in this vicinity.
Feb. 19. We have again got somebody to look after us. Two young lieutenants have been sent here from the 148th New York at Yorktown to take command. They have taken the colonel’s quarters and seem to have settled down for a good time by themselves, at any rate they don’t trouble us any. They [...]
Friday, 19th.—Hardee’s Corps reported going to Mississippi. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)
FEBRUARY 19th.—Cold and clear. Congress adjourned yesterday, having passed the bill suspending the writ of habeas corpus for six months at least. Now the President is clothed with DICTATORIAL POWERS, to all intents and purposes, so far as the war is concerned. The first effect of the Currency bill is to inflate prices yet more. [...]
February ___[1], 1864.—Blind Tom is wonderful! He plays the Battle of Manassas and, before he begins to play, his master tells you how Tom came to compose this piece. His master, Colonel Bethune, is so proud of him and Tom loves him and is so affectionate; just like some sweet-tempered animal that you have petted. [...]