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 [...]

December 15th.–Cloudy and cool. A dispatch from the West states that the enemy have made a heavy raid from Bean’s Station, Ky., cutting the railroad between Abingdon and Bristol, destroying government stores, engines, etc. Breckinridge and Vaughan, I suppose, have been ordered away. Dr. Morris, Telegraph Superintendent, wants to know of the Secretary if this [...]

Before Savannah, December 15, 1864. First mail goes in 15 minutes. Our 2d Division charged and took Fort McAlister, at sunset, the 13th—19 guns and 300 prisoners; lost 92 men killed and wounded. We will have Savannah, sure.

15th. Got horses shod. Cloudy. Saw F. again in my dreams. I wish I could be rid of this thought about such things. Could never live at home. Am better off here than I would be there.

Thursday, 15th.—Cannonading all around the lines. 2 P. M., heavy fighting on the left, which continued until night. Stewart’s Corps flanked and had to fall back, loosing some artillery. Brigade moved to left; being sick, was left in camp with several others. In short time, orders came for sick to move back, as left wing [...]

Thursday, 15th–The weather is fine—days warm and pleasant and nights cool. The Thirty-second Illinois arrived in camp at 11 o’clock with sweet potatoes, fresh pork and corn for our brigade. We are still lying in camp without rations. We had company inspection and drill for the recruits. The First Division of the Fifteenth Corps advanced [...]

December 14th.–Cloudy, and thawing rapidly. All quiet below. The bill to employ 40,000 negroes, as recommended by the President, for army purposes, though not avowedly to fight, has passed one House of Congress. So the President is master yet. There ought to be 100,000 now in the field. An effort will be made by the [...]

14th. Went twice to mustering officer without success. Finished “Dante” and “Dream Life” by Ike Marvel. Beautiful pictures of life, beautiful because so real. Good lessons. Had good visits with Easton and McBride. Clear.

Thursday, 16th.—Sick to-day. Yankees would not exchange papers to-day. Notes: This entry in the book is in sequence between the 12th and the 15th, so it was likely an entry for the 14th.  After the fifteenth, there is another entry for the 16th. the picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.

Dec.14th 1864 (Washington) The City seems to be overflowing with people, rents are constantly rising and prices of everything raise in proportion. A person cannot find common Board now (meals only) for less than $25 pr month, and from that to $50 and $60. The Hotels here are now charging from $4.00 to $5.00 pr [...]

December 14th.–And now the young ones are in bed and I am wide awake. It is an odd thing; in all my life how many persons have I seen in love? Not a half-dozen. And I am a tolerably close observer, a faithful watcher have I been from my youth upward of men and manners. [...]

Wednesday, 14th–The capture of Fort McAllister gives us our first communication with the North since the telegraph wires were cut at Marietta, Georgia, on the 12th of November. We have no rations yet, but will have crackers as soon as our men can remove the torpedoes from the Ogeechee river, which is thickly laid with [...]

December 13th.–Cloudy and cold, but wind southeast. The sullen sound of cannon heard this morning as usual down the river. I hear of no active operations there, although the ground is sufficiently frozen to bear horses and artillery. Rumors of successes on the part of Sherman near Savannah are still in circulation. The rich men [...]

13th. Notice of appointment from Adj. Gen’l of Ohio as captain came. Went over to muster. No success. Several promotions.

Tuesday, 13th–We lay in bivouac all day. Our rations ran out today and no more can be issued until we open up communications with the fleet. To do that we shall have to open a way to the coast. Our men have foraged everything to be found. The only thing that we can get now [...]

December 12th.–Clear and cold. Ice half an inch thick. Gen. Longstreet is again in the old lines on this side of the river. The reconnoissance, however, is said to have been successful. Only a few were killed and wounded on either side. And Grant’s column was turned back from Meherrin bridge. Results of the movement [...]

December 12th. Report comes this morning that guerillas crossed Sheridan’s railroad last night and captured a train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, near Duffield Station. They passed near our picket posts. Did not molest us, as we did not see or hear anything of them. Trains with passengers, mail, and supplies pass over this [...]

12th. Monday. Wrote letter for Fecklin and several in answer to letters for Co. “C” people. Awfully cold.

1864—In Front of Nashville Monday, 12th.—Picket line on our old works. Videttes as picket line. On detail all day. On picket at night. Very cold. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Monday, 12th–Our regiment was withdrawn from the rifle pits, the rebels having left during the night, and with our entire corps we moved about five miles to the right. Our division stacked arms until 3 p. m. when we fell in and marched two miles farther and again stacked arms. We now had to move [...]

December 11th, Sunday.–Cloudy and melting–snow vanishing rapidly. The thousand and one rumors of great achievements of Gen. Longstreet on the north side of the river seem to have been premature. Nothing official of any advantage gained over the enemy near the city has been received so far as I can learn. Gen. Lee, no doubt, [...]

Before Savannah, December 11, 1864, 8 a.m. Corse’s Division is just on our right. He woke me up this morning by firing a volley of eight 12-pounders, in real old Atlanta fashion. He was answered by three Rebel guns planted on the defenses of Savannah, across a field and swamp from us. We are in [...]