9th. Left Butler at 8 A. M. Major Wilson of our regiment marched the rest of the distance to Fort Scott, under arrest by order of the General for drunkenness. Rode by the side of Nettleton. Crossed one of the branches of the Osage, Marais des Cygnes, very swift. Great time crossing with the mules [...]

8th. Struck tents and were ready to march at 7 A. M. Enjoyed a ride of thirty miles to Butler, the burnt and deserted county seat of Butler County, once a thriving town, now but a few poor houses remaining.

7th. Passed through the village and again struck the prairie. Pleasant day, enjoyed the ride very much indeed. Rode by the side of Lieutenant Nettleton, enjoyed visiting with him much.

Wednesday, 6th. The three battalions of the Second Cavalry marched thirty miles to Harrisonville, the county seat of Cass County, once a thrifty town, almost entirely deserted. Day blustering and chilly. A march makes pretty busy times distributing rations, getting forage for so many horses. Letter from Fannie. Encamped by the side of a little [...]

5th. Packed and struck tents. Received a letter from home. Ready to march at 9 A. M. Called for the turkey and received the blessing of the good ladies. Had a very pleasant ride of fifteen miles toward Fort Scott, until we overtook the First Battalion. Trip delightful and novel. The scenes were truly grand [...]

Monday, March 4th. Procured rations for seven days preparatory to our trip to Fort Scott. First Battalion and “General” moved. Got some chickens baked by a woman who was a messenger in the Lexington fight, and who was a prisoner one week. Heard some little girls sing. Had a turkey baked by some Union ladies [...]

3rd. Commenced a letter to Theodore but did not finish. Bathed all over and changed my clothes. Got my washing done and some baking.

2nd. Returned to Kansas City.

1st. Up town all day. Issued rations. Body guard went out on expedition for Quantrell. Failed. Orders to return to Kansas City. “General” (Colonel Doubleday) and Co. L returned. Co. H came with orders.

28th. Moved to Independence. Quartered in the Academy, a very pretty building. Met several acquaintances formed at the fight the other day–a good time–a beautiful town.

26th. Went down and saw Brownell and the other wounded boys. All getting along well. Guarded against Quantrell. The boys, about two hundred, saddled and went out to meet the wagons. Met them and escorted them in. Quantrell captured two horses. Another night alarm.

25th. On duty around in the wet.

23rd. Sunday. Felt half sick all day, sore throat, hard cough. Lay still and did nothing all day.

Feb. 22nd. Started at 2 A. M. Went to and surrounded Independence. After search found none, so started to return at seven A. M. Stopped a little distance out of town, down a hill, and got feed for our horses. Ordered to be ready to go on at ten A. M. All ready at the [...]

Feb. 21st. Continued our journey and reached Kansas City a little after noon. Arrested two men pretending to be secessionists–drunk. Encamped out on snow and ice a little distance from town. Major heard of a gang of jay-hawkers and secessionists at Independence under Parker and Quantrell. He detailed 150 men to go after them under [...]

20th. Received letter from Fannie and finished letter to her. Wrote requisitions to balance wood drawn. Were mounted and started from Fort Leavenworth at ten A. M. Traveled about twenty miles over the rolling prairies, and encamped in a piece of woods on an Indian farm. Country finely settled. Indians upon the woodland. Saw a [...]

19th. Commenced letter to Fannie. Cold better.

18th. Drew requisitions for wood and attended to delivery. Had quite a cold.

17th. Sunday. At Fort Leavenworth. Read the papers and wrote home. Saw the regulars on parade. Very exact and nicely dressed. Very strict officers–too exact and overbearing. Major Prince made Reeve Spencer stand on the porch and me take off my cap.

15th. Squared up with Farmer and Thayer. First Battalion of our regiment moved for Fort Leavenworth at ten A. M. Roads very slippery. Passed through Leavenworth City after crossing on the ice.

14th. Very busy making out requisitions and settling the wood account.

13th. Wrote to Fannie and received a letter from her– dear girl!

12th. Read some in “Lessons in Life.” Spent the evening at Mr. Campbell’s.

11th. Commenced to make my quarters at Quartermaster Thayer’s. Wrote a line home and sent it in Charlie’s to sister.