5th. My back quite well. Not much going on during the day. In the evening the boys mostly went out to town and mobbed the “Crisis” and then went to the “Statesman” but did no damage. Medary and the press were in Cincinnati. The boys carried off all the books, etc., they could find. Note: [...]

4th. After the work in the morning repaired to headquarters and heard Andy Johnson of Tennessee and Gov. Wright of Indiana. Both spoke well, said much to encourage us soldiers and discourage traitors. Received good letters from Sarah Felton, Ella Clark and home. Went over to see Charlie. Wrote a line to Delos.

3rd. The Convention of Govs. took place. I was too lame to venture out. It stormed awfully, snow and rain, and the boys suffered considerably. 2nd Ohio out en masse, as escort. No letter from Fannie. Finished her letter and wrote to Lucy Randall. Played checkers with McAulis.

2nd. Helped about the meat and bread. My back gets worse. Mason has given me some liniment which he warrants sure cure. Invited to Mr. Rice’s. Charles, Tully, and Theodore went. M. and I couldn’t. Commenced a letter to Fannie Andrews and wrote a short letter to Fred.

1st. Stayed at home in the morning. Snow. Chester came in. Made a little taffy and ate apples. Read the Independent and Cincinnati Commercial. Col. Abbey was in and told his usual number of stories. Knew Pa well. Wrote a short letter home.

28th. Got up the rations and issued for ten days. Overlifted and strained my back and sides, makes me lame. After we got through I cleaned up. Charlie Crarey came down, got all the business straightened up, thinking I would go home Monday morning.

27th. After breakfast played two games of chess with Case. Got beaten. Ordered to move to Covington immediately, then countermanded. Wrote to the boy William. God bless him and lead him. Thede came over. Went down and looked at a horse he thought of taking. Read in Scott’s “Waverly.” Music in Q. M. D.

26th. In the morning came letters from Will Hudson at Lebanon, and one of Nov. from home. Had quite a visit with Lt. Abbey about Pa. In the evening took my letters from Fred and Will and reviewed them with Charlie. Played four games of chess with McAulis. Beat three times. Finished the “Life of [...]

Wednesday, 25th. After breakfast wrote to Fannie. Thede took the letter to town. Found tea, candles and coffee in McGuire’s box–the thief. In evening at quartermaster’s. Ate apples. Got beaten at four games of checkers. Read in Irving. Am rejoiced at the reaction against the Copperheads. God still rules.

24th. The mail brought me three letters, one from Lucy, one from home and one from Fannie. All good and cheering. How much I prize my letters. Back and forth to Post Commissary. In the evening beat Capt. N. two games of chess. Read some. Finished 4th Vol. Thede looks well in “sojer” clothes.

23rd. Cleared off pleasantly. Busy in morning getting memorandum receipts of the stores for the month. Afternoon rode to town and beat Melissa at a game of chess. F. gone. Had a good time. Spent the evening. M. and N. went to theatre to hear Macbeth.

22nd. Snowing in the morning and all day. Thede came over and stayed with us to breakfast, 10 A. M. During the day read 3rd volume of Irving. Stormed so I did not go to town. A year ago we had the little affair at Independence. Oh what a time in rain, snow and ice [...]

21st. In the morning we issued rations for eight days. Then cleaned out and chopped wood. Thede came bringing a line from home. Seemed to have had a good time. Glad to see him again. He will be a great deal of company for me. Fannie Turner came.

20th. Brought up the rations from town. Got another volume of Irving. Met Capt. when coming back. Expecting Sarah Jewell. Oberlin boys came back over their furloughs one day. In the evening read till late.

19th. Robertson came at 3 A. M. I got up and read Irving’s “Life of Washington,” Vol. 2. Bob brought me a nice little box to keep my things in. After my work read most all day. In the evening wrote to Sarah Felton and Fannie Henderson. Talked with a little girl begging and with [...]

18th. After a late breakfast, at which John Devlin partook with me, and my morning work over, I finished my letter to Fannie and got out Cream to take letters to town, when I saw Chester homeward bound, so I stayed. Read in “Life of Washington” and played some at checkers. Received letters of Dec. [...]

17th. After breakfast fixed up a little and went to town to see Melissa and get second volume of “Life of Washington.” Received an excellent letter from the fair Rowena. In the P. M. and evening wrote to Ella Clark and a little to Fannie. I like Ella Clark very much. She is talented and [...]

16th. After breakfast exercised my horse a little bareback. Enjoyed it well, though it was hard work. Got her shod. Finished “Ravenshoe.” Rather pleased with the story. Mud deeper than ever. A poor woman told us how she had $6.25 stolen from her. Has two little children, dependent upon her daily work.

15th. Thought some of going to camp, but concluded not to. Made some taffy and read some in “Ravenshoe.” Called at Captain’s quarters and had a good visit. Seems lonely without Thede after being with him so constantly for a week or two. How hard it is for mother to be entirely alone. God bless [...]

Saturday, 14th. Was kept quite busy in the forenoon, issuing bread and beef for two days. Thede got a pass from Capt. L. and left for a visit of a week at home. I wish I could be there with him. Home is dearer to me now than ever. Will God ever bring us all [...]

13th. When Chester came over we talked about going to Mr. Rice’s in the evening and concluded we wouldn’t go, so went over to Capt. N.’s and got him to give our regrets, etc. Saw the other boys before dark and none of them was going. I prefer staying in camp, a soldier’s home.

12th. A dark and unpleasant day, rainy. Saw some of the boys and talked over the invitation to Mr. Rice’s. Thede got the papers made out for muster. Had to get me to sign Ma’s name allowing him to enlist. Covil examined Thede’s head. Made it out a good one. Let him look at some [...]

11th. After breakfast B. went with me to commissary and then to town. Drew and issued rations for ten days. Rained in the afternoon. Did the work alone. Thede went to town and brought me back Irving’s “Life of Washington.” Commenced it. Case inquired about Thede enlisting in his company.

10th. After breakfast we four started out to visit the penitentiary. Called at Mr. Rice’s. Got Mary and Mrs. Hickox and went to the Asylum instead. Was deeply interested and affected. So many pretty and talented little creatures among the sufferers. Saw Fanny H. off at 1 P. M. Uncle dead. Went with Brougham to [...]