Tuesday, 20th.—Brigade came back past last night, and left some of us behind. Marched eighteen miles. A Mrs. Lidle gave us her kitchen to stay in; treated us very kindly. Cold and rainy. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Washington Dec 20th/64 No news from Sherman (officialy) as yet as to his taking Savannah but we consider it as good as ours. He has got to the coast with very little opposition, and with very little loss after his 300 Miles March. It is the greatest feat of the War. He has shown himself [...]

Tuesday, 20th–Cloudy and windy this morning. Heavy cannonading with some skirmishing was kept up all day. Our batteries silenced the rebels’ batteries at every point. Four companies from our regiment went out last night to reinforce the details on building fortifications. The walls of the forts are to be twenty feet thick. We have a [...]

December 19th.–The darkest and most dismal day that ever dawned upon the earth, except one. There was no light when the usual hour came round, and later the sun refused to shine. There was fog, and afterward rain. Northern papers say Hood has been utterly routed, losing all his guns! A letter from Mr. –– [...]

Before Savannah, December 19, 1864. We have only been here a couple of days, but to-night we are to make and occupy a line within 700 yards of the Rebels.

19th. Wrote home. Orders to march in the morning at 6:30 A. M.

Monday, 19th.—Crossed Duck River and marched five miles. 2 P. M., Brigade ordered back to Columbia. Being sick, I did not go back, but turned aside and built me a fire. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

December 19th.–The deep waters are closing over us and we are in this house, like the outsiders at the time of the flood. We care for none of these things. We eat, drink, laugh, dance, in lightness of heart. Doctor Trezevant came to tell me the dismal news. How he piled on the agony! Desolation, [...]

Nov 17—Get to Staunton. See McGill, Downs and others. Go to Waynesboro with Mr. Withrow. All night on the train. Nov. 18—Get to Richmond and go on to Danville. All night in darkness. Nov. 19—Meet Bill Salmon, of Henry County. He is the only person I ever saw try to kill himself. At Mead’s Hotel, [...]

Monday, 19th–Weather pleasant. Reveille sounded at 1 a. m. and at 2 o’clock our brigade started for the rifle pits in front of Savannah. The first brigade was left at the bridge to guard the landing and to unload the boats. A little before daylight, unnoticed by the rebels, we passed over the same causeway [...]

Sunday, December 18th.–Raining. The old dull sound of bombs down the river. Nothing further from Savannah. It is now believed that the raiders in Western Virginia did not attack Saltville, and that the works are safe. For two days the speculators have been buying salt, and have put up the price to $1.50 per pound. [...]

18th. Sunday. A good letter from Prof. Peck. A beautiful picture of Melissa and the darling baby (Carrie Nettleton Thurber). Letter from home. Wrote to the Prof. From his letter to Prof. Peck. Everybody in the 2nd Ohio is familiar with the name and services of Prof. Peck, of Oberlin, the man who has always [...]

1864—Retreat from Nashville Sunday, 18th.—Camped near Columbia. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Sunday, 18th–This morning, as yesterday, there was a very heavy fog, continuing till about 9 o’clock. We drew one day’s rations of hardtack, having been without bread of any kind for six days, during which time rice was almost our sole diet. Our company was partially reorganized today by promotions. Lieutenant Spencer was promoted to [...]

17th.—The military movements are important, but to what they tend we know not. More troops have been added from Sheridan to Grant, and Early to Lee, and Sherman has crossed Georgia with little opposition or loss. Our last news is, that he has taken Fort McAllister, some miles below Savannah. What fate awaits that city [...]

December 17th.–Warm and cloudy. Quiet below. The President was reported better, yesterday, to my wife, who called. It is said Gen. Cooper, R. Ould, etc. etc. have never taken their compensation in Confederate States Treasury notes, hoping at a future day (which may not come) to draw specie or its equivalent! It was reported on [...]

17th. Saturday. More good news from Thomas. Brigade officer of the day. Rode over to infantry. Received a beautiful pair of shoulder straps as Christmas gift–with a note from A. B.

Saturday, 17th.—This morning found us at Franklin, a badly demoralized army. 39th sent back to river. Soon Yanks came up.. Our corps in rear. Our brigade rear guard. Formed in line across the old battlefield at Franklin. Federal cavalry dashed after us, but a few shot from cannon sent them back. Then the retreat began, [...]

Saturday, 17th–Large details of men from our division were sent out to cut and prepare timber for the engineers to build a wharf at the landing so that the boats can be unloaded more readily. Several hundred of us were at work, some cutting the trees–tall pines, others cutting them into proper lengths, and still [...]

December 16th.–Clear and pleasant; subsequently cloudy and chilly. All quiet below, save the occasional booming of our guns from the iron-clads. The capture of Fort McAlister, Savannah, has caused a painful sensation. It is believed we have as many men on the Georgia coast as the enemy; but they are not the men of property–men [...]

16th. Got news of Thomas’ attack on Hood’s flank. Great rejoicing in infantry.

Friday, 16th.—This morning Brigade formed in line near where we were. I went to infirmary and was excused from duty. Brigade fortifying. 7. A. M., Heavy cannonading began and continued until 12 M. Federals charged right wing, but were held back. 3 P. M., Heavy fighting all round the line. 4 P. M., lines broken; [...]

December 16th, 1864.—We have had company today, ladies from town to spend the day. I have listened to many a bit of gossip and heard some laughable incidents related. Life is a complex problem; it is like a kaleidoscope in its changing scenes. On one side all is gay and bright and on the other, [...]

Friday, 16th–Left this morning at 8 o’clock for King’s bridge over the Ogeechee river at a point fifteen miles from Savannah, where we again went into camp. All the torpedoes having been removed from the river, small boats can now come up to the bridge and land. Two boats came up with mail and some [...]