March 1 - March comes in like a lion, a cold storm of wind and rain. Camp excessively muddy. Rode to hospital in p.m. About 11 are sick. Had a pleasant supper of corn bread and coffee. Wrote home. Sherman advancing successfully in Mississippi.
March 2 - Our forces serve advancing into the Confederacy from various directions. Gen Smith's cavalry expedition from Corinth, Smith has failed and returned. Letter from Ella. Mother still sick. Went to [Tennessee] river bank and saw Decatur [Alabama] and the rebels. Fair day and mud drying.
March 3 - Fair day and drying mud. Had an industrious feeling and desire to improve the time and my mind. Went to hospital and studied. Talked with a man very low. Supped with the doctor.
March 4 - Windy day. Struck by a question in Chaplain's manual "Have I this day labored to improve my mind?" Must not trifle with news papers and strolling. Felt like a fisher of men as I went about camp. First lilies of the season.
March 5 - From great depression and indolence could hardly brace my mind up to write my sermon but persevered. War K[?] and all feel somewhat depressed. Mails backward.
March 6 - Lovely day. A.m. near our camp a large congregation from 43rd and 63rd regiments and 111th Illinois, mostly [?] 63rd. I preached on fall of man. Quite inspiriting. 2 other chaplains present. P.m. rode 7 miles and preached to Col. H's company.
March 7 - At 4 p.m. our regiment, the 63rd and 111th set out for the mouth of [Little] Limestone Creek [Tennessee]. Some difficulty in crossing the river. Dr. Rose and I slept in an ambulance near the bank.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
22-29 February 1864
Feb 22 - Fine weather continues. Left on cars and enjoyed the ride. Columbia [Tennessee] a pretty place. New bridge on R.R. at about 11 o'clock. Reached Prospect. Old letters there from Columbus and Elyria.
Feb 23 - Lovely day. Had quite a long consideration of the question of continuing chaplain. Think I will be very active in it till fall and then resign (d.v.) but after that go out part of the time for the Christian Commission.
Feb 24 - Still fine. Left early and camped one mile S. of Athens Ala. Our journey north and back has made me much better acquainted with the officers than formerly. Fifer wants my influence for promotion.
Feb 25 - Breakfast before day, and at noon camped about 3 miles from Decatur at junction on Nashville and [?] and Charleston R.R.s. Heart almost sinks in view of long monotonous absence from home. "Take no thought"
Feb 26 - Lovely weather. Wild geese flying northward. Hearty. Brought provisions and utensils from neighboring plantation. Feel some reaction after change and visit. Troops singing and warm sun in middle of the day. Fort commenced.
Feb 27 - Studied on sermon and tried to get acquainted with new recruits. Officers calling in make considerable hubbub. The 111th Illinois a fine regiment arrived and encamped near us.
Feb 28 - A shower in a.m. prevented church. 63rd OVI arrived and encamped near. Had a little meeting with negro prisoners in p.m. and preached to our regiment at 4:00.
Feb 29 - Rainy and muddy all day. Hardly went out. Busied myself in writing letters and moving into the large tent. We have a store now and are quite comfortable. A kind letter from mother. Reflected some time about getting a captain's or major's commission but concluded to do my best where I am.
Feb 26 -
Feb 23 - Lovely day. Had quite a long consideration of the question of continuing chaplain. Think I will be very active in it till fall and then resign (d.v.) but after that go out part of the time for the Christian Commission.
Feb 24 - Still fine. Left early and camped one mile S. of Athens Ala. Our journey north and back has made me much better acquainted with the officers than formerly. Fifer wants my influence for promotion.
Feb 25 - Breakfast before day, and at noon camped about 3 miles from Decatur at junction on Nashville and [?] and Charleston R.R.s. Heart almost sinks in view of long monotonous absence from home. "Take no thought"
Feb 26 - Lovely weather. Wild geese flying northward. Hearty. Brought provisions and utensils from neighboring plantation. Feel some reaction after change and visit. Troops singing and warm sun in middle of the day. Fort commenced.
Feb 27 - Studied on sermon and tried to get acquainted with new recruits. Officers calling in make considerable hubbub. The 111th Illinois a fine regiment arrived and encamped near us.
Feb 28 - A shower in a.m. prevented church. 63rd OVI arrived and encamped near. Had a little meeting with negro prisoners in p.m. and preached to our regiment at 4:00.
Feb 29 - Rainy and muddy all day. Hardly went out. Busied myself in writing letters and moving into the large tent. We have a store now and are quite comfortable. A kind letter from mother. Reflected some time about getting a captain's or major's commission but concluded to do my best where I am.
Feb 26 -
15 - 21 February 1864
Feb 15 - Awoke in Louisville. Sent letters to Ella and Mr. Dibble. Passed through canal - an expensive but paying work. Down the beautiful Ohio. Wrote to Mother.
Feb 16 - Lent out library books to men. The cold weather crowds the cabins. Laid up on account of wind at Carrolton Ky. for 12 hours from 2:30 a.m. Some men got on shore and behaved badly. One man had his face cut. [Below is an old picture of a steamship on the Ohio River at Carrolton Kentucky]
Feb 17 - I have been much interested and benefited in reading "Recreations of a country parson."* Evening reading on Japan. Distributed papers and books. Wrote 3 letters. Entered the Cumberland River. [19th century view of the Cumberland River at Nashville, TN below]
Feb 18 - Passed Clarksville Tenn. in a.m. Fine R.R. bridge part destroyed. [Below is view of Federal troops stationed to protect bridge (obviously unsuccessfully) which is seen in background].
A pleasant looking town. Saw two wrecks of steamers burned last year by [?]. High cliffs on shore. The river narrows. Late in the evening reached Nashville. [Below is a view of the Nashville waterfront in 1865]
Feb 19 - Disembarked early. Got reading matter from Christian commission. Saw the State House. Smaller but finer interior finish than the one at Columbus. Saw former home and monument of ex Pres. J. K. Polk, house of John Bell. Nashville a fine town on high rocky ground in a fine country. [below a view of the TN statehouse in 1863]
[Below is Polk Place, the home of former president James K. Polk in downtown Nashville taken about 1880. His grave is to the right in the photo]
Feb 20 - Take day board with Mrs. Jones 69 Sumner St. Much pleased with Messrs Atkinson and Smith agents of Christian Commission who have meetings of soldiers in barracks. Much dissipation here. Saw Richard Rapf. His wife a fine woman I think.
Feb 21 - Had a meeting in barracks a.m. and p.m. Attended Episcopal church in the eve. Old memories revived by sitting in the choir. New recruits are coming in. I have learned some lessons from agents of Ohio commission here. Lovely weather.
* Written by Andrew Kennedy Hutchinson Boyd and published in two volumes in 1862 by Ticknor, Boston.
Feb 16 - Lent out library books to men. The cold weather crowds the cabins. Laid up on account of wind at Carrolton Ky. for 12 hours from 2:30 a.m. Some men got on shore and behaved badly. One man had his face cut. [Below is an old picture of a steamship on the Ohio River at Carrolton Kentucky]
Feb 17 - I have been much interested and benefited in reading "Recreations of a country parson."* Evening reading on Japan. Distributed papers and books. Wrote 3 letters. Entered the Cumberland River. [19th century view of the Cumberland River at Nashville, TN below]
Feb 18 - Passed Clarksville Tenn. in a.m. Fine R.R. bridge part destroyed. [Below is view of Federal troops stationed to protect bridge (obviously unsuccessfully) which is seen in background].
Feb 19 - Disembarked early. Got reading matter from Christian commission. Saw the State House. Smaller but finer interior finish than the one at Columbus. Saw former home and monument of ex Pres. J. K. Polk, house of John Bell. Nashville a fine town on high rocky ground in a fine country. [below a view of the TN statehouse in 1863]
[Below is Polk Place, the home of former president James K. Polk in downtown Nashville taken about 1880. His grave is to the right in the photo]
Feb 20 - Take day board with Mrs. Jones 69 Sumner St. Much pleased with Messrs Atkinson and Smith agents of Christian Commission who have meetings of soldiers in barracks. Much dissipation here. Saw Richard Rapf. His wife a fine woman I think.
Feb 21 - Had a meeting in barracks a.m. and p.m. Attended Episcopal church in the eve. Old memories revived by sitting in the choir. New recruits are coming in. I have learned some lessons from agents of Ohio commission here. Lovely weather.
* Written by Andrew Kennedy Hutchinson Boyd and published in two volumes in 1862 by Ticknor, Boston.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
8 - 14 February 1864
Feb 8 - Unfortunately spoke too cuttingly to wife in a.m. She felt badly. O thou false tongue. I had hoped to have not the least word of difficulty while at home. Professing to leave . Eve took wife to concert of Alf Ha[?]ord violinist.
Feb 9 - Mrs. Ely gives about 25 books for our camp library. Walked a.m. to Mr. Humphry's to try to stir up the old man on church and spiritual matters. A pleasant call and dinner. P.m. read scripture to wife's grandmother in her sick room.
Feb 10 - Took a sad farewell at daylight. At Grafton by 8:30 and Columbus at 1:30. P.m. attended to various business. Eve at [Trinity Episcopal] church with mother. I feel more sad at parting then I did a year ago.
Feb 11 - Fine day. A.m. with Col. Swayne to Camp Chase. Enjoy visiting and talking at home. Bought a hundred dollar bond of Henry. Took saddle to Burdells.
Feb 12 - Some children in the vicinity have scarlet fever. Charles Ridgeway has lost a child. Also Mr. Huntington. Distributed 70 testaments among our men.
Feb 13 - Many of us feel homesick. A certain member of our family is too severe in his strictures upon officers and soldiers. P.m. left on cars for Cincinnati. Got there in the night.
Feb 14 - Remained on the cars till late in the morning. Moved to the [?] about noon. I had a headache. Left in steamer Norman about 4 p.m.. Fine boat.
Feb 9 - Mrs. Ely gives about 25 books for our camp library. Walked a.m. to Mr. Humphry's to try to stir up the old man on church and spiritual matters. A pleasant call and dinner. P.m. read scripture to wife's grandmother in her sick room.
Feb 10 - Took a sad farewell at daylight. At Grafton by 8:30 and Columbus at 1:30. P.m. attended to various business. Eve at [Trinity Episcopal] church with mother. I feel more sad at parting then I did a year ago.
Feb 11 - Fine day. A.m. with Col. Swayne to Camp Chase. Enjoy visiting and talking at home. Bought a hundred dollar bond of Henry. Took saddle to Burdells.
Feb 12 - Some children in the vicinity have scarlet fever. Charles Ridgeway has lost a child. Also Mr. Huntington. Distributed 70 testaments among our men.
Feb 13 - Many of us feel homesick. A certain member of our family is too severe in his strictures upon officers and soldiers. P.m. left on cars for Cincinnati. Got there in the night.
Feb 14 - Remained on the cars till late in the morning. Moved to the [?] about noon. I had a headache. Left in steamer Norman about 4 p.m.. Fine boat.
1 - 7 February 1864
Feb 1 - Weather rather mild. Read and did errands as usual. Object to giving tea and coffee to Lucius. Eve with wife at Mrs. Ely's*. Asked her for a few books for our regiment. Reckoning for past year $75 not accounted for. Spent $900.00.
Feb 2 - Fair a.m. but [?] in eve. Have my mind made up to re-enter the rough scenes of camp life when the time comes. P.m. had teeth filled. Eve reviewed communicant list with Mr. Starr. Deducting the absent etc. reduced the number to 66.
Feb 3 - A light snow and wintry. P.m. talked with Mr. Wallington about his nephew John Gardner 7th OVI who after passing unharmed through several battles received his death wound at Ringgold* in November. He was converted.
Feb 4 - Self and wife had our teeth refilled. Eve at Pres[byterian] prayer meeting. Felt as an outsider when Mr. Wilbur mentioned two members going away from our number.
Feb 5 - At home. Dewitt's suit vs. estate of S[ebra] Howard [Ella's father] began in court. Mr. Keith testified that he had heard Mr. Howard assume the guaranty of the bonds which Dewitt had made. I think a mistake. Eve took Aunt and wife to court.
Feb 6 - Judge's charge seemed favorable to us but they brought in a verdict for plaintiff. Enjoy visiting the humble members of my former flock. Grieved to see my wife fasting.
Feb 7 - Preached and held communion at our church a.m. Eve got on well at Baptist Church. Mr. C and W O Howard went with me. Too much irritated in morning about wife fasting.
* The Ely family founded the settlement of Elyria in 1817. This Mrs. Ely was the wife of one of the Ely sons since the wife of the founder, Heman Ely, had died before 1864.
* Read about the battle and see some pictures here http://www.civilwaralbum.com/atlanta/ringgold1.htm
Feb 2 - Fair a.m. but [?] in eve. Have my mind made up to re-enter the rough scenes of camp life when the time comes. P.m. had teeth filled. Eve reviewed communicant list with Mr. Starr. Deducting the absent etc. reduced the number to 66.
Feb 3 - A light snow and wintry. P.m. talked with Mr. Wallington about his nephew John Gardner 7th OVI who after passing unharmed through several battles received his death wound at Ringgold* in November. He was converted.
Feb 4 - Self and wife had our teeth refilled. Eve at Pres[byterian] prayer meeting. Felt as an outsider when Mr. Wilbur mentioned two members going away from our number.
Feb 5 - At home. Dewitt's suit vs. estate of S[ebra] Howard [Ella's father] began in court. Mr. Keith testified that he had heard Mr. Howard assume the guaranty of the bonds which Dewitt had made. I think a mistake. Eve took Aunt and wife to court.
Feb 6 - Judge's charge seemed favorable to us but they brought in a verdict for plaintiff. Enjoy visiting the humble members of my former flock. Grieved to see my wife fasting.
Feb 7 - Preached and held communion at our church a.m. Eve got on well at Baptist Church. Mr. C and W O Howard went with me. Too much irritated in morning about wife fasting.
* The Ely family founded the settlement of Elyria in 1817. This Mrs. Ely was the wife of one of the Ely sons since the wife of the founder, Heman Ely, had died before 1864.
* Read about the battle and see some pictures here http://www.civilwaralbum.com/atlanta/ringgold1.htm
Friday, December 2, 2011
28 - 31 Jan 1864
Jan 28 - Beautiful weather, but little war news. Recruits are being raised and sent to the field and about 10,000 Ohio troops are reported as re-enlisting. Eve a pleasant hour at Pres[byterian] prayer meeting. I spoke. Mended clock in p.m.
Jan 29 - Cloudy and raw air. P.m. went to Mr. Northrup's and Gay's. Eve Mr. Charles Howard came. The two brothers are here to see to the suit about being brought by R.C. Dewitt vs. Estate of S[ebra] Howard. Eve at Mr. Redtons.
Jan 30 - Studied etc. Settled [?]'s unfortunate affiar at Mr. W's shopkeeper. Am doubtful sometimes as to my duty about calling on parishioners. Reading Lynch's Dead Sea and Jordan*.
Jan 31 - Preached a.m. in our church. Mr W. O. and C[harles] Howard, Mother and Ella at church. Eve same at Methodist Church. I preached. Vestry accepted my resignation today. Talk of getting Mr. French*. Mourn my spiritual apathy.
* Narrative of the United States' expedition to the river Jordan and the Dead Sea by William Francis Lynch. Published by Lea and Blanchard 1849
* Rev. William C. French was rector of Christ Church, Oberlin from 1858 to 1874. He was born about 1818 in New York. His wife's name was Mary. She was born abt 1820 in New York.
Jan 29 - Cloudy and raw air. P.m. went to Mr. Northrup's and Gay's. Eve Mr. Charles Howard came. The two brothers are here to see to the suit about being brought by R.C. Dewitt vs. Estate of S[ebra] Howard. Eve at Mr. Redtons.
Jan 30 - Studied etc. Settled [?]'s unfortunate affiar at Mr. W's shopkeeper. Am doubtful sometimes as to my duty about calling on parishioners. Reading Lynch's Dead Sea and Jordan*.
Jan 31 - Preached a.m. in our church. Mr W. O. and C[harles] Howard, Mother and Ella at church. Eve same at Methodist Church. I preached. Vestry accepted my resignation today. Talk of getting Mr. French*. Mourn my spiritual apathy.
* Narrative of the United States' expedition to the river Jordan and the Dead Sea by William Francis Lynch. Published by Lea and Blanchard 1849
* Rev. William C. French was rector of Christ Church, Oberlin from 1858 to 1874. He was born about 1818 in New York. His wife's name was Mary. She was born abt 1820 in New York.
22 - 27 Jan 1864
Jan 22 - Studied etc. Eve called at Mrs Goodman's and Hoyle's and with wife. Feel uncommonly drowsy. No dyspeptic troubles now.
Jan 23 - Thawing and mild. Studied considerably. Evening at [St. Andrew's Episcopal] church [pictured below]. Heard choir practice. Talked with William Bruce on church matters. Says he tried to re-establish the prayer meeting but failed.
Jan 24 - Mild, thawing and sloppy. Fair attendance in a.m. Preached on John 14:15. P.m. read in Owen. Enjoy his treatise on the person of Christ. Eve at Methodist church [pictured below]. Offered prayer.
Jan 25 - Milder. Walked, read and wrote one or two letters. Evening Mr [?] O Howard came to attend to a suit bought by R. Dewitt against the estate. Mrs Eades [Ella's grandmother] recovering.
Jan 26 - Fair, mild weather but very muddy. Enjoy talking with citizens. Reading Owen and miscellany. Doubt whether to take my wife to Columbus at close of furlough. Eve called at Mrs Williams and Kellogg.
Jan 27 - Same weather as yesterday. Reading and writing. At Mrs Packard's eve. Took tea and staid evening at Mrs Hoyle's with wife. It seems lonely there compared with the former large family.
Jan 23 - Thawing and mild. Studied considerably. Evening at [St. Andrew's Episcopal] church [pictured below]. Heard choir practice. Talked with William Bruce on church matters. Says he tried to re-establish the prayer meeting but failed.
Jan 24 - Mild, thawing and sloppy. Fair attendance in a.m. Preached on John 14:15. P.m. read in Owen. Enjoy his treatise on the person of Christ. Eve at Methodist church [pictured below]. Offered prayer.
Jan 25 - Milder. Walked, read and wrote one or two letters. Evening Mr [?] O Howard came to attend to a suit bought by R. Dewitt against the estate. Mrs Eades [Ella's grandmother] recovering.
Jan 26 - Fair, mild weather but very muddy. Enjoy talking with citizens. Reading Owen and miscellany. Doubt whether to take my wife to Columbus at close of furlough. Eve called at Mrs Williams and Kellogg.
Jan 27 - Same weather as yesterday. Reading and writing. At Mrs Packard's eve. Took tea and staid evening at Mrs Hoyle's with wife. It seems lonely there compared with the former large family.
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