FEBRUARY 7th, Sunday.—The tocsin is sounding at 9 A.M. It appears that Gen. Butler is marching up the Peninsula (I have not heard the estimated number of his army) toward Richmond. But, being in the Secretary’s room for a moment, I heard him say to Gen. Elzey that the “local defense men” must be relied [...]

February 6th. Martinsburg, West Virginia. Cloudy, cold. Detailed for picket duty. Located on Charlestown Pike, southeast of town. On post two hours and off four. So I passed the day. Along in the evening, while out on post, was relieved from duty, informed that I had been granted a furlough for ten days, giving to [...]

Saturday, 6th–Our army did not move until in the afternoon, because of having to lay the pontoons across the Pearl river. The rebels had burned the bridges, twenty-eight in all, after crossing. I was detailed this morning as special guard at the Seventeenth Corps headquarters while out on this expedition. Things are quiet in the [...]

6th. In evening went to town to see about assignment. Went to Atheneum. “Hidden Hand,” Miss Sallie St. Clair played her part well–pretty actress.

FEBRUARY 6th.—Major-Gen. Breckinridge, it is said, is to command in Southwestern Virginia near the Kentucky line, relieving Major-Gen. Sam Jones. Yesterday the cabinet decided to divide the clerks into three classes. Those under eighteen and over forty-five, to have the increased compensation; those between those ages, who shall be pronounced unable for field service, also [...]

February 1st-5th. This month so far has brought snow and cold rains. Regular duty kept up from day to day. Our regiment has been without a chaplain for several months. The Rev. William C. Walker, a Baptist clergyman of Putnam, Connecticut, having been appointed chaplain, arrived in camp and began the duties of that office. [...]

Camp West. Feb. 5. Yesterday afternoon Camp Hancock became a thing of the past. Under command of Major Mulcay, we marched on to the parade ground of the 139th New York during their dress parade, and before it was dismissed, the major marched us up and introduced us to Col. Hoberts. The colonel received us [...]

Friday, 5th–We left our bivouac this morning at 8 o’clock and moved forward about fifteen miles. General Liggett’s Division was assigned the advance today, while our brigade was taken from the supply train and placed immediately in Liggett’s rear. General Hurlbut’s Division is on a road just off to our left. There was some skirmishing, [...]

5th. Stayed in camp. Board of Survey. Read in “Tales and Sketches.”

5th Not dead! not dead! O my God! Gibbes is not dead! Where – O dear God! Another? Only a few days ago came a letter so cheerful and hopeful –we have waited and prayed so patiently – at my feet lies one from Colonel Steadman saying he is dead. Dead! Suddenly and without a [...]

February, Friday 5, 1864 Jane doing very well, the ball although passing so near the kidneys, & spine, missed both. Dr. Shaw has examined it by daylight, and thinks she will be up again in five or six weeks— Peter and I went over to Mrs. Duke’s—I went to Memphis in Mr. Armstrong’s wagon—got the [...]

FEBRUARY 5th.—Bright frosty morning, but warmer and hazy later in the day. From dispatches from North Carolina, it would seem that our generals are taking advantage of the fine roads, and improving the opportunity, while the enemy are considering the plan of the next campaign at Washington.

February 5th.–When Lawrence handed me my husband’s money (six hundred dollars it was) I said: “Now I am pretty sure you do not mean to go to the Yankees, for with that pile of money in your hands you must have known there was your chance.” He grinned, but said nothing. At the President’s reception [...]

Thursday, 4th–We started to move at 8 o’clock and by night reached Bolton Station, where we went into camp. Our brigade being in the rear did not get into camp until 11 p. m. There was some skirmishing by Crocker’s Division, which lost three men killed and several wounded. Two men were killed by a [...]

4th. Went down to the stable with the boys to see the horses. Went to clothing store–vest and hat–measured for pants. Camp in time for dinner. Wrote some.

4th. Saturday. Made out my report and handed it in at Guard Mount. Learned that recruiting orders had gone by the board.

February, Thursday 4, 1864 We had a terrible accident to Night. Jack had Mr. Wilson’s Pistol fooling with it, and shot Jane right through the body—poor fellow, he was frightened to death—it was an accident. Mr. Wilson went for the Dr. he came in a great hurry, as it was night he could not tell [...]

FEBRUARY 4th.—Clear and pretty cold. We have news of another brilliant affair at Kinston, N. C., where Gen. Pickett has beaten the enemy, killing and wounding and taking some 500 men, besides capturing another gun-boat! Thus the campaign of 1864 opens auspiciously. And Gen. Early has beaten the foe in Hardy County, Northwest Virginia, capturing, [...]

Wednesday, 3rd–We started this morning at 8 o’clock and marched to the Black river, where we bivouacked for the night. Our brigade was train guard for the provision train. Our entire expedition is supposed to have about twenty-five thousand men, composed of infantry, artillery and cavalry, with one engineers’ corps in charge of a pontoon [...]

3rd. Hugh and I went to town in evening and heard the Swiss Bell Ringers. Good time. Zettler House.

Wednesday, February 3d. Last night we were thrown into the most violent state of commotion by the unexpected entrance of Captain Bradford. He has been brought here a prisoner, from Asphodel, where he has been ever since the surrender of Port Hudson, and taking advantage of his tri-weekly parole, his first visit was naturally here, [...]

FEBRUARY 3d.—The following dispatch indicates the prestige of success for the year 1864, and it is probable it will be followed by a succession of successes, for the administration at Washington will find, this year, constant antagonisms everywhere, in the North as well as in the South, and in the army there will be opposing [...]

Tuesday, 2d–Our pickets were relieved last night about 10 o’clock preparatory to going on the expedition, but we did not get off this morning because the quartermaster failed to get the rations loaded yesterday, so we have to remain in camp for another day. I went on camp guard this morning. Our orders are to [...]

FEBRUARY 2d.—So lax has become Gen. Winder’s rule, or deficient, or worse, the vigilance of his detectives,—the rogues and cut-throats,—one of them keeps a mistress in a house the rent of which is more than his salary, that five Jews, the other day, cleared out in a schooner laden with tobacco, professedly for Petersburg, but [...]