Tuesday, 1st. In the morning issued rations to the 9th Mich. Sent Coats to see Fisher. Promised to send to me or come himself. Rebels reported across the river. Scout sent out. Maj. Gen. Foster arrived last night. Guns fired in his honor. Telegram from Leavitt to know about rations.

30th. June came down looking better. No news of importance. Yesterday morning firing heard in the direction of Knoxville, very heavy. None since. Rebels thought to be leaving. Thede came back about dark with rations of sugar and coffee. Had a long jaunt of it. Went from T. to Walker’s Ford.

29th. Started Theodore to find Leavitt and rations and to see Jackson. Also sent for salt. Read several chapters in Bible. Have neglected reading Bible too much since I have been in the army. Borrowed “English Orphans” and reviewed it. Good story. Mrs. Jones’ Hdqrs. Two sons in rebel army.

28th. Have an old store for the Commissary, storehouse below and office above. Cleaned up and put up a stove. Looked about to get mills. Hear no word from B.–borrowed meal. Aggravating. Lewis not successful. Dan fixed up a very good desk from an old P. O. box. Read some in Burns. Settled some accounts.

27th. Lt. Byard started for home. People sick. Sent two letters, one home. Did some writing, business. Near night moved to Bay Springs. Foster’s Brigade passed today on K. road. Crossed Clinch River. Sent Lu Emmons to the Gap to see if he could not get rations. Cattle came up. Gave hogs to the regiments.

26th. I shall be glad when the suspense shall end and we can move forward or back where we can find plenty to eat. Had some hogs driven up for 9th and 2nd. Bought 5 head of cattle. Drove up 7 from near Gap. Infantry Brigade, Wilcox’s, came up, still half starved. Jackson so begged [...]

25th. In the morning rode out and found the wagons 1 ½ miles from town. Had Dan and Lewis go with Lt. Leavitt 14 miles for flour and meal. Got back about midnight, clear and cold. One of the Drivers came down. No move today. Spent the day at the wagons mostly. Read some, pitched [...]

24th. Rob came before daylight and got flour for 2nd O. V. C. Hard up for rations seemingly. Another alarm and all saddled up before noon. Wagons moved to the rear and flour and meal collected. Letters from home and A. B. Moved to Tazewell. Wagons moved beyond. Couldn’t find them. Slept at Hdqrs. after [...]

23rd. Went to mills and put them to running as fast as possible. Capt. Rankin in charge of two mills. June and Dan went to town. No pay. Read papers. Alarm towards night. Pickets fired upon. Some arms lost in the river. Pleasant day. Very strong position here at this gap.

22nd. A bright pleasant morning and day. After breakfast went up to Col. Foster’s. Telegraphed to Garrard whether to go to Command or remain at T. while the train went to the Gap. Ordered to report. Drew rations and moved to Sycamore. Saw the papers at the Col.’s Hdqrs. Talk of the paymaster coming. Burnside [...]

21st. Raining heavily. Issued flour and beef to 2nd O. V. C. Robertson came down. Moved north of town and pitched tents and sent for forage. Two boys, “Shorty” and another, sat by the light and played “Seven Up.” Became pleasant before night. Left flour for the brigade with Powers. All wonder at our movements.

20th. Troops still passing. Various rumors as to the position of Burnside in Knoxville. Got breakfast. 2nd O. V. C. came along. Nearly 20 ate with us. Moved on at 9. Got over the mountain nicely. Two wagons broken. Long hill and rather steep but smooth road. Went down into the valley and fed. Made [...]

19th. About two stopped at a house and warmed. Got into a bed for two hours. Pitied some poor people. Gave a woman $22 scrip. Wolf and I went to a Mr. Tate’s (rebel off the road) for breakfast. One very affected rebel girl with curls, perfectly disgusting. Train corralled near. One and one-half miles [...]

18th. Aroused early and notified that a general evacuation is to take place. Saddled, and so till noon. Train ordered to Rice’s Lower Ford. Rode over hastily to St. Clair and notified Pearson when to cross. Got two teams to go to Kirkpatrick’s mill. Some fast and hard riding. 2nd O. V. C. train ferried [...]

17th. Sent Lewis to Russelville to see about rations. June came with load of flour weighing 4,000. 2nd. N. Carolina and 23rd Ind. Batt. in our Brigade drew rations. Saw post Commissary. No rations. Things begin to look a little dubious. Considerable running about for one day. Rode from Gap to camp with Lt. Pearson.

16th. Before rising, was ordered to Garrard’s quarters. Went over and received orders to go to McKinney’s Mill and get 40 sacks of flour and then go to Bulls Gap where Hdqrs. had moved. Did my business and rode to the Gap after dusk. Cold ride. Learned that the Brigade was at the Lick Creek [...]

15th. After breakfast packed up. Went up town and got rations of coffee and sugar for ten days, and beef. 7th marched to St. Clair, also Col. Garrard. Drove the cattle. Found a comfortable room. An old stove for quartermasters and Commissary. Cleaned it out, and got stove and seemed comfortable. Little like Sunday. Thought [...]

14th. After breakfast bugle sounded and tents were struck, horses saddled and 2nd Ohio moved to St. Clair, 9 miles distant. Moved qrs. up near Hdqrs. Rainy day, very during the night. Went down and saw the colored men dance jigs and reels. Quite a jolly time. Commenced messing with Com’ry detail. Good time. Heavy [...]

13th. Drew flour for the brigade. Set the butchers to killing hogs, 20. Some talk of moving. Wrote a short letter to the “blue eyed bonnie” I once called mine. No particular news. Wrote to Delos. Long time since I wrote to him. Weather pleasant. Got “Spike” shod. Oh my heart is sad and weary. [...]

12th. Late in the morning sent June and squad out for more cattle. Killed three beeves for 2nd Ohio. Went to town and saw Div. coming. Lot of clothing came. Got some horse shoes. George very bad face. Powder exploded and burned his face badly. Letter from Fannie. How anxious I have been and still [...]

11th. Sent out June for cattle. Brought in several nice ones. About noon drew rations and issued them to the 2nd and 7th Ohio. Did the work myself with the help of Mose. The detail for the boys was received. They reported. Mail came. Nothing for me. Oh!

10th. Had little or nothing to do. Went up to see Commissary on business. Absent. Went out to Mr. Lynch’s to see a horse. Learned he had sold it and returned to camp. Left detail for Thede, June, Lewis Emmons and Dan Coats. Night before received letter from Lucy Randall–married.

9th. Up before sunrise. Got breakfast and was off before sunrise. Reached Morristown by 7 A. M. Reported for duty as Commissary. Saw Lt. S., then went back to Russelville and got rations for 2nd and 7th of Lt. Leavitt, Div. Com’ry. 2nd and 7th went into camp north of town in the woods. Cold [...]

8th. Before noon detailed for picket with the company and part of Co. E. Went on Rogersville road, relieving Co. “B.” Got forage and some provisions. Posted pickets. About 7 P. M. Lieut. Newton came out and relieved me. Found at H. Quarters an order to report to Col. Garrard for duty.