Washington Dec 8th 1864 Congress is in Session. The long looked for Message was sent in the next day the 6th and the Reports of the Secretaries have been published. Mr Lincoln does not express any hope for immediate Peace. He says when the Rebels cease fighting the War will cease. “Lay down your Arms” [...]

Thursday, 8th–We left bivouac at 8 o’clock this morning, but owing to the roads, we moved very slowly, making only twelve miles before going into camp. Just before our regiment started into bivouac, we were ordered to stack arms and help our teams across a narrow swamp. We went about a half mile for rails, [...]

December 7th.–Raining, and warm. It is said several hundred of the prisoners taken by Rosser in the Valley escaped, on the way to Richmond. A relaxation of vigilance always follows success. How long can this war last? Hon. Mr. Staples procured four and two months’ details yesterday for two rich farmers, Messrs. McGehee and Heard, [...]

7th. Wednesday. On picket. Put up with Co. B. Charge of 3rd Batt. Pleasant time. Cold night. Excellent letters from Ella and Will. Heard reports of promotion.

Wright’s Bridge, Ogeechee River, December 7, 1864. We have not moved to-day. Sergt. N. Breed, of my company, who was shot through the right lung in the battle of November 22d, died to-day. He has been hauled in an ambulance ever since and improved all the time until the last two days. We were all [...]

Wednesday, 7th.—This A. M., at 10 o’clock everybody ordered into the ditches, and skirmishers sent forward. Drove in pickets on the main line. W. F. White wounded in leg. Extremely cold. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

Wednesday, 7th–It rained all forenoon today, but because of the sand our road did not get muddy. We started at 7 this morning and after stepping off fifteen miles by 4 o’clock, we went into camp for the night. Our regiment led the advance of our corps. The rebels blocked our road by felling trees [...]

December 6th.–Bright and beautiful. Indian summer apparently. All quiet below–but it is anticipated by some that a battle will occur to day, or in a day or so. The enemy’s negro troops have been brought to this side of the river, and are in full view on picket duty. The Signal Bureau reports a large [...]

6th. Tuesday. In camp. Bill Smith officer of the day.

Eden Ferry, Ogeechee river, December 6, 1864. We lay in camp until 1 p.m. when we suddenly pulled out and made this point, and had works up by dark. There was a good wagon bridge over the river at this point, which the Rebels partially destroyed. But a portion of our 3d Brigade, which had [...]

Tuesday, 6th–We lay in camp all day. The day was spent in washing, cleaning and mending our clothes. The long march is beginning to tell on our clothing and shoes. My shoes are whole yet, but owing to so much sand, and wading through water, my feet are sore. My right foot is worn through [...]

December 5th.–Bright and beautiful. Anne Samuels and many other ladies, Harrisonburg, Virginia, have petitioned the government for authority to organize themselves into a regiment for local defense. Great excitement was produced in the House of Representatives (Congress) this morning by the entrance of a lady who proceeded vigorously to cowhide the Hon. Mr. V–– , [...]

December 5th. Orders to keep a sharp lookout for guerillas and raiding parties. The Blue Ridge Mountains and hills are in plain view, and the valley for miles. Chaplain Wm. C. Walker returned after a long illness. We were all pleased to welcome the good Chaplain. We believe Sheridan’s notice will be a good thing, [...]

5th. Monday. 2nd Ohio went out to Fisher’s Hill on a scout. Got back in evening. Enemy reported in front by 2nd N. Y. Big fires. Thought they heard bugles, etc. Co. C in advance. No enemy.

Thirty-six miles from Savannah, December 5, 1864. Corse had the road to-day, but Wood side-tracked, took “catch roads” and got into camp, making 16 miles as soon as Corse. Rather poor country, farms small, and much pine. Negroes swarmed to us to-day. I saw one squad of 30 or 40 turned back. Sherman’s order is [...]

December 5th.–Miss Olivia Middleton and Mr. Frederick Blake are to be married. We Confederates have invented the sit-up-all-night for the wedding night; Isabella calls it the wake, not the wedding, of the parties married. The ceremony will be performed early in the evening; the whole company will then sit up until five o ‘clock, at [...]

Monday, 5th–We started out at 6 o’clock this morning, and by 11 our corps had destroyed twelve miles of railroad. We then left the railroad and marching ten miles, over very fine roads, went into camp near Oliver Station. A force of eight thousand rebels left Oliver this morning for Savannah. They came into the [...]

Sunday, December 4th.–Bright, clear, and warm. A dispatch from Gen. Bragg. “Augusta, December 3d, 6 P.M.– A strong force of the enemy’s cavalry and infantry advanced from Louisville and encamped last night six miles from Waynesborough. They turned off this morning toward Savannah. Our cavalry is pressing in the rear, and all available means is [...]

December 4, Sunday.—We attended this evening the funeral of Colonel Angus W. McDonald, the relative of Mr. –– . His is a sad story. He was educated at West Point, but in early life resigned his position in the regular army and joined a company of fur traders, went with them to the Rocky Mountains, [...]

Sunday, 4th.—To-day we had the same old ridiculous stories about Confederate victories almost everywhere. No doubt but a battle is soon to be fought, and these stories are invented for a purpose. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

4th. Sunday. Wrote several letters and read. Heard a sermon at Brigade Hdqrs.

Dec 4th 1864 (Sunday) The weather has been warm and pleasant for some ten days past, it has been “Indian Summer” with a soft balmy air and smokey atmosphere, the pleasantest days of the year. Today it has been delightful. I went to the 4½ Street Church, the 1st Pres[byterian] (Doct Sunderlands) to hear the [...]

December 4, 1864. Got on the road before day-light and made 16 miles easily by 3:30 p.m. Good road, many fine places, and excellent forage, from 75 to 500 bushels of sweet potatoes on a farm. Heard cannonading for two hours this morning. Think it must have been in the vicinity of the 20th Corps. [...]

Sunday, 4th–Rain last night. The First and Third Divisions and the First Brigade of the Fourth Division destroyed the railroad this forenoon for a distance of ten miles. The Iowa Brigade acted as train guard. We covered fifteen miles today and went into bivouac near Cameron Station. For the last two or three days, we [...]