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.
15 - 21 Jan 1864
Jan 15 - Study some on my sermon. Wife's grandmother, Mrs Eades is quite sick with pleurisy. Evening wife and I had quite a pleasant evening at Mr. Gates with Mr and Mrs Boner.
Jan 16 - The thin snow is thawing. Studied on my sermon. Feel a little better of my cold. Elyria seems very quiet.
Jan 17 - Went with wife to our church in a.m. Got on well in preaching on the water of the fountain of life. A fair attendance and met friends after services. Eve went to Methodist church.
Jan 18 - Quite a snow storm in p.m. Did errands and called at Judge Doolittle's office*. Read papers on memoirs of John Owen. Wrote to parents and to Oren.
Jan 19 - A tremendous snow-storm all last night and all day until about 4 p.m. No R.R. trains have passed either way. Much drifted snow from house to gate. Uniform depth of about 2 feet 3 inches. Piled by wood house as high as my chin. Exercised in shoveling it. Reading J. Owen and Lafayette.
Jan 20 - Shoveled snow considerably. Read in Lafayette etc. Have friendly talks with citizens on army matters. Enjoy playing with Lucius. No mail or papers from Cleveland for two days on account of snow.
Jan 21 - Mil and thawing a little. A good deal of sleigh riding. R.R. accident near Painsville this week. Several killed and injured. Eve at Pres[byterian] meeting. Did me good. Our little boy is a great comfort.
* Charles H. Doolittle was born 20 October 1814 in Middlebury, Vermont. He was educated at Middlebuty College. He moved to Ohio in 1840 and married Elizabeth Kemp on 25 Dec 1842. Their Daughter Mary J. Doolittle was born in 1845. The Doolittles moved to Elyria in December 1850. Charles was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1851 and a Probate Judge in 1858, an office he held until 1867. He suffered an illness and became an invalid, but recovered and re-established a law office in Elyria in 1873. He was elected a magistrate in 1874 and held the office until his death on 10 January 1890. Pictured below
Jan 16 - The thin snow is thawing. Studied on my sermon. Feel a little better of my cold. Elyria seems very quiet.
Jan 17 - Went with wife to our church in a.m. Got on well in preaching on the water of the fountain of life. A fair attendance and met friends after services. Eve went to Methodist church.
Jan 18 - Quite a snow storm in p.m. Did errands and called at Judge Doolittle's office*. Read papers on memoirs of John Owen. Wrote to parents and to Oren.
Jan 19 - A tremendous snow-storm all last night and all day until about 4 p.m. No R.R. trains have passed either way. Much drifted snow from house to gate. Uniform depth of about 2 feet 3 inches. Piled by wood house as high as my chin. Exercised in shoveling it. Reading J. Owen and Lafayette.
Jan 20 - Shoveled snow considerably. Read in Lafayette etc. Have friendly talks with citizens on army matters. Enjoy playing with Lucius. No mail or papers from Cleveland for two days on account of snow.
Jan 21 - Mil and thawing a little. A good deal of sleigh riding. R.R. accident near Painsville this week. Several killed and injured. Eve at Pres[byterian] meeting. Did me good. Our little boy is a great comfort.
* Charles H. Doolittle was born 20 October 1814 in Middlebury, Vermont. He was educated at Middlebuty College. He moved to Ohio in 1840 and married Elizabeth Kemp on 25 Dec 1842. Their Daughter Mary J. Doolittle was born in 1845. The Doolittles moved to Elyria in December 1850. Charles was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1851 and a Probate Judge in 1858, an office he held until 1867. He suffered an illness and became an invalid, but recovered and re-established a law office in Elyria in 1873. He was elected a magistrate in 1874 and held the office until his death on 10 January 1890. Pictured below
8 - 14 Jan 1864
Jan 8 - A.m. went to members of the Sanitary Commission and told of the dirty cheerless barracks in which our men were. Think they will be impressed a little after we leave. From a technical defect in account could not get my pay. Eve march to ferry but the rest would not venture.
Jan 9 - Sharp morning. Marched again to ferry. Men on it an hour or two. I was chilly and had sick head ache. Too much ice to cross. Marched down off [at] New Albany [IN] and crossed. Felt better. Sleigh to Jeffersonville [OH]. Read "Edwards on the Sabbath*."
Jan 10 - Having left at 10 last evening we had a long ride to Seymour [OH] with we reached Sunday a.m. Not seeing the necessity of my travelling on the Sabbath I applied for leave to stop off but Wagar disapproved. Got on fine cars and were rapidly taken to Cin[cinnati]. There I felt very faint but got some meat.
Jan 11 - Dawn of a fine day found us rapidly nearing Columbus. How merciful God has been to us. Got home and washed up at noon. P.m. hear part of Brough's* inaugural. Have a very bad cold. Men getting furloughs.
Jan 12 - A.m. went for [Col.] Wagar [Swayne] but he could not get my pay here. He is nettled that the regiment's return is barely noticed here. P.m. had a sleigh ride. Eve felt very miserable from my cold. Discussion on grate.
Jan 13 - Weather moderating. Left at 4 a.m. but from delays we got to Grafton too late for the hack and I came on to Berea. My cold a little better. Evening got home same. Found Ella in rather healthier condition than for a year and a half past.
Jan 14 - Ella at my request had forwarded my overcoat to Columbus so that I miss it. Feel quite unwell from my cold. Lucius is quite pretty and pleasant. Mr and Mrs Boner called in at evening.
* "The perpetuity and change of the Sabbath" by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). You can read it here:
http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/sabbath.htm
* John Brough (rhymes with ruff) was the 26th Governor of Ohio serving from 11 Jan 1864 until 29 Aug 1865. He died in office of gangrene. You can read about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brough Pictured below
Jan 9 - Sharp morning. Marched again to ferry. Men on it an hour or two. I was chilly and had sick head ache. Too much ice to cross. Marched down off [at] New Albany [IN] and crossed. Felt better. Sleigh to Jeffersonville [OH]. Read "Edwards on the Sabbath*."
Jan 10 - Having left at 10 last evening we had a long ride to Seymour [OH] with we reached Sunday a.m. Not seeing the necessity of my travelling on the Sabbath I applied for leave to stop off but Wagar disapproved. Got on fine cars and were rapidly taken to Cin[cinnati]. There I felt very faint but got some meat.
Jan 11 - Dawn of a fine day found us rapidly nearing Columbus. How merciful God has been to us. Got home and washed up at noon. P.m. hear part of Brough's* inaugural. Have a very bad cold. Men getting furloughs.
Jan 12 - A.m. went for [Col.] Wagar [Swayne] but he could not get my pay here. He is nettled that the regiment's return is barely noticed here. P.m. had a sleigh ride. Eve felt very miserable from my cold. Discussion on grate.
Jan 13 - Weather moderating. Left at 4 a.m. but from delays we got to Grafton too late for the hack and I came on to Berea. My cold a little better. Evening got home same. Found Ella in rather healthier condition than for a year and a half past.
Jan 14 - Ella at my request had forwarded my overcoat to Columbus so that I miss it. Feel quite unwell from my cold. Lucius is quite pretty and pleasant. Mr and Mrs Boner called in at evening.
* "The perpetuity and change of the Sabbath" by Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758). You can read it here:
http://www.biblebb.com/files/edwards/sabbath.htm
* John Brough (rhymes with ruff) was the 26th Governor of Ohio serving from 11 Jan 1864 until 29 Aug 1865. He died in office of gangrene. You can read about him here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brough Pictured below
1 - 7 Jan 1864
Jan 1 - A very cold day. With regiment started for Ohio. Our breath froze upon our whiskers and the road was hard and icy. Passed through Pulaski [TN] and camped 8 miles North of it. Men have no tents.
Jan 2 - Rose early. Very cold. The adjutant is much used up by the march. Bread and meat are frozen in our haversacks. In p.m. camped within a few miles of Columbia [TN]. Had hay under our blankets. Quite comfortable.
Jan 3 - Not much like the Sabbath. Better to move than be still this cold weather. Passed through Columbia [TN] with music. Over Columbia [Duck] river in pontoon bridges. The weather is softening.
Jan 4 - Yesterday p.m. got Christmas boxes for the regiment from home. Almost all had a past on delicacies. Rode on cars to Nashville [TN]. At eve left there on box cars for Lousiville [KY]. Narrow escape from running off the track.
Jan 5 - A tedious cold ride. No stoves in cars. Kept warm at night under blankets. Jumped about to keep frost off. Snow on ground. Hear of men of the 39th regiment froze to death.
Jan 6 - Awaked at 2 a.m. Miserable from cold and in advance of regiment walked to Louisville hotel. Very cold weather and sleighing. How I enjoyed warmth and food after our trying journey. I hope I am thankful. Regiment has uncomfortable barracks. Read etc.
Jan 7 - Snowing almost all day. Sleighing in the streets. Rewrote my quarterly report. Read Olmstead's "American Farmer in England"*. Some good Christian thoughts in it. Visited the barracks. [?] more comfortable. Anxious to leave for home.
* "Walks and talks of an American Farmer in England" written by Frederick Law Olmstead (1822 - 1903) chronicles an 1850 walking tour of England which Frederick took with his brother John and their friend Charles Brace.
Pictured below
Jan 2 - Rose early. Very cold. The adjutant is much used up by the march. Bread and meat are frozen in our haversacks. In p.m. camped within a few miles of Columbia [TN]. Had hay under our blankets. Quite comfortable.
Jan 3 - Not much like the Sabbath. Better to move than be still this cold weather. Passed through Columbia [TN] with music. Over Columbia [Duck] river in pontoon bridges. The weather is softening.
Jan 4 - Yesterday p.m. got Christmas boxes for the regiment from home. Almost all had a past on delicacies. Rode on cars to Nashville [TN]. At eve left there on box cars for Lousiville [KY]. Narrow escape from running off the track.
Jan 5 - A tedious cold ride. No stoves in cars. Kept warm at night under blankets. Jumped about to keep frost off. Snow on ground. Hear of men of the 39th regiment froze to death.
Jan 6 - Awaked at 2 a.m. Miserable from cold and in advance of regiment walked to Louisville hotel. Very cold weather and sleighing. How I enjoyed warmth and food after our trying journey. I hope I am thankful. Regiment has uncomfortable barracks. Read etc.
Jan 7 - Snowing almost all day. Sleighing in the streets. Rewrote my quarterly report. Read Olmstead's "American Farmer in England"*. Some good Christian thoughts in it. Visited the barracks. [?] more comfortable. Anxious to leave for home.
* "Walks and talks of an American Farmer in England" written by Frederick Law Olmstead (1822 - 1903) chronicles an 1850 walking tour of England which Frederick took with his brother John and their friend Charles Brace.
Pictured below
27 - 31 Dec 1863
Dec 27 - Muddy, cloudy and rainy. Fair congregation in the morning, considering. P.m. Story of Moses and singing. Photograph of Lutie [i.e. Lucius] came. Eve p[rayer] meeting.
Dec 28 - Cooler but cloudy. Wrote to Mother and Ella. Called some in mess shanties. Feel well. A closing debate in eve. Considerable talk and excellent feeling about the expected furloughs. Some nervous, some fearful lest there be some slip between cup and lip.
Dec 29 - Fair weather. The veteran business absorbs almost every other interest. P.m. rode alone to the four mile trestle and at eve addressed some to blacks on their condition and progress. How eagerly they took the hymn books and tracts I had. Returned to Prospect a.m.
Dec 30 - Mustering commenced. 454 officers and men re-enter the service as veteran volunteers. A few assembled for our last prayer meeting at eve.
Dec 31 - In forenoon mustering officer came. A slave of strong drink, petulant, whimsical. Offended at some imaginary insult, he folded his papers and started off, but Col Swayne followed and got him back. Eve up very late and the room full of clerks tables and papers. It is dark and stormy weather but we have joyful anticipation of soon starting for home. Joy over one sinner that repenteth. What love and kindness this shows in the inhabitants of heaven.
Dec 28 - Cooler but cloudy. Wrote to Mother and Ella. Called some in mess shanties. Feel well. A closing debate in eve. Considerable talk and excellent feeling about the expected furloughs. Some nervous, some fearful lest there be some slip between cup and lip.
Dec 29 - Fair weather. The veteran business absorbs almost every other interest. P.m. rode alone to the four mile trestle and at eve addressed some to blacks on their condition and progress. How eagerly they took the hymn books and tracts I had. Returned to Prospect a.m.
Dec 30 - Mustering commenced. 454 officers and men re-enter the service as veteran volunteers. A few assembled for our last prayer meeting at eve.
Dec 31 - In forenoon mustering officer came. A slave of strong drink, petulant, whimsical. Offended at some imaginary insult, he folded his papers and started off, but Col Swayne followed and got him back. Eve up very late and the room full of clerks tables and papers. It is dark and stormy weather but we have joyful anticipation of soon starting for home. Joy over one sinner that repenteth. What love and kindness this shows in the inhabitants of heaven.
22 - 26 Dec 1863
Dec 22 - While the war continues I am willing to remain with the regiment. Perhaps it is my duty to do so. But my duty to my wife and boy and her wishes may conflict. I will therefore wait till I see her. Meanwhile encourage the men to re-enlist in an honorable, well-paid and not my hard service.
Dec 23 - Much stir about re-enlistments. I feel willing to go for a longer term. Indeed my master seems to need me if the regiment stays longer. This on next day went to Co. B [could be an R] & C 4 miles South with Col. Swayne.
Dec 24 - Chaplain Collins* here selling his book and making speeches. Eve society met but soon adjourned.
Dec 25 - Christmas day. Cloudy weather. Mr. Collins with me at dinner. Had a turkey. P.m. he made a patriotic speech to the men and I followed briefly. Eve a great dance by our blacks.
Dec 26 - Busy in study etc. Visited in the batteries. Distributed books in the regular one. Hard to collect thoughts, so much "veterans" business is done. Eve a good debate.
* Rev. Gamaliel Collins was born in Provincetown Massachusetts on 7 Oct 1816. He was ordained a Universalist minister in 1842. He served congregations in Massachusetts and New York until 1854 when he gave up pastoral work because of failing eyesight and moved to Philadelphia where he opened a "denominational and miscellaneous" book store. In August 1861 he became chaplain to the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the battle of Antietam his horse was shot out from under him and Gamaliel received serious and lasting injuries from the fall. At the close of the war he was commissioned a chaplain in the regular army. He retired to Chatham, Massachusets where he died on 24 April 1891.
Dec 23 - Much stir about re-enlistments. I feel willing to go for a longer term. Indeed my master seems to need me if the regiment stays longer. This on next day went to Co. B [could be an R] & C 4 miles South with Col. Swayne.
Dec 24 - Chaplain Collins* here selling his book and making speeches. Eve society met but soon adjourned.
Dec 25 - Christmas day. Cloudy weather. Mr. Collins with me at dinner. Had a turkey. P.m. he made a patriotic speech to the men and I followed briefly. Eve a great dance by our blacks.
Dec 26 - Busy in study etc. Visited in the batteries. Distributed books in the regular one. Hard to collect thoughts, so much "veterans" business is done. Eve a good debate.
* Rev. Gamaliel Collins was born in Provincetown Massachusetts on 7 Oct 1816. He was ordained a Universalist minister in 1842. He served congregations in Massachusetts and New York until 1854 when he gave up pastoral work because of failing eyesight and moved to Philadelphia where he opened a "denominational and miscellaneous" book store. In August 1861 he became chaplain to the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the battle of Antietam his horse was shot out from under him and Gamaliel received serious and lasting injuries from the fall. At the close of the war he was commissioned a chaplain in the regular army. He retired to Chatham, Massachusets where he died on 24 April 1891.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
15 - 21 Dec 1863
Dec 15 - Lovely morning. Rode to fort and bridge with Col Swayne. Finished letter to W[estern] Episcopalian. P.m. reading of a devoted and successful minister stirred me up. Went and prayed, devoted myself amen. New spirituality I feel. Praise to God.
Dec 16 - Mild, but cloudy and showers; very heavy rain at evening. Had a good p[rayer] meeting and a poor boys afterward at school. Called on Col. Noyes. A.m. [?]kend a window at chapel. Four good and affectionate letters from mother. A pretty good day.
Dec 17 - Cold and wintry but stirs the blood. High water carried off half the new R[ail] R[oad] bridge. Read some in L[?]g's Columbus letter from Ella. They had been robbed at night of a watch and some money. She had not been well but is all right again.
Dec 18 - Cold bright day. Wagar inventing hot air engine. Got on well in study. School in eve. Rode over at 3 to Mr. Motman's a citizen near. An excellent family apparently.
Dec 19 - Cold day. Ground frozen. Studied as usual. Eve presided at debating society. Feel at times a great longing to see my dear wife.
Dec 20 - A little more moderate. A.m. preached at chapel then with Brush left for Brown's Mill. Preached there by the saw mill. A number of officers and men present. Courteously received. Eve much interested in memoir of Adjutant Stearns, a Christian officer of 21st Mass[achusetts].
Dec 21 - Talked with a few on religion. Bought poultry etc. Got back to Prospect at 1:00. Wrote Ella. At eve a good society about re-enlistment. This is as good a field for usefulness as I have usually had.
Dec 16 - Mild, but cloudy and showers; very heavy rain at evening. Had a good p[rayer] meeting and a poor boys afterward at school. Called on Col. Noyes. A.m. [?]kend a window at chapel. Four good and affectionate letters from mother. A pretty good day.
Dec 17 - Cold and wintry but stirs the blood. High water carried off half the new R[ail] R[oad] bridge. Read some in L[?]g's Columbus letter from Ella. They had been robbed at night of a watch and some money. She had not been well but is all right again.
Dec 18 - Cold bright day. Wagar inventing hot air engine. Got on well in study. School in eve. Rode over at 3 to Mr. Motman's a citizen near. An excellent family apparently.
Dec 19 - Cold day. Ground frozen. Studied as usual. Eve presided at debating society. Feel at times a great longing to see my dear wife.
Dec 20 - A little more moderate. A.m. preached at chapel then with Brush left for Brown's Mill. Preached there by the saw mill. A number of officers and men present. Courteously received. Eve much interested in memoir of Adjutant Stearns, a Christian officer of 21st Mass[achusetts].
Dec 21 - Talked with a few on religion. Bought poultry etc. Got back to Prospect at 1:00. Wrote Ella. At eve a good society about re-enlistment. This is as good a field for usefulness as I have usually had.
8 - 14 Dec 1863
Dec 8 - Rained most of the day. Staid in the house almost all day. Wrote to Uncle L[ucius]* and parents. Discussions on raising a cavalry regiment. Eve I presided at the debating society when the proposed constitution was discussed.
Dec 9 - Pleasanter weather, more enlivening. Rode into country with Col. Herrick. Saw two old men. Roads very muddy. Officiated at funeral in regular battery. Eve a good large mail. Letter from Ella.
Dec 10 - Wrote some on a letter to Western Episcopalian*. Now regulate my food and have no trouble with dyspepsia etc. Quite a relief. Eve debating society. Many wish to reenlist in cavalry. Regiment paid off.
Dec 11 - Have evening school for blacks; does better than daytime.
Dec 12 - Rainy most of day. Studied and went out a little. Sometimes at a loss for out-door employment. No sick and no papers to distribute. Called on Mr. Fry.
Dec 13 - Cloudy in a.m. Rained most of night. Fair attendance at church and I explained the parable of laborers in the vineyard. Eve a letter from Ella. Some homesick but prayer meeting did me good. Taught contrabands. Rain all p.m.
Dec 14 - Cloudy and cool. Have too little outside employment. No reading matter to give - no hospital. Went and saw saw mill. Eve a real good debating society. Read the President's message and Proclamation offering pardon to rebels below the rank of Colonel in certain terms*. Major Parke here.
* Lucius Chittenden, brother to Richard's father Asahel, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1794. As an adult he lived in Washington Heights, NY. He married 5 times. His fourth wife was a Miss Lamson of Newburg with whom he had two children. His last wife, who survived him was Amelia Lockwood from Stamford CN who he married in July 1866. Lucius died on 21 December 1868 at the age of 74. His daughter Lucia married Frederic Charles Blenkinsopp Coulson , Grandson of Lord Byron.
* The Western Episcopalian was a journal of varying frequency published between 11 August 1853 and 25 June 1868.
* President Lincoln's proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction of 8 Dec 1863 can be read here: http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/procamn.htm
Dec 9 - Pleasanter weather, more enlivening. Rode into country with Col. Herrick. Saw two old men. Roads very muddy. Officiated at funeral in regular battery. Eve a good large mail. Letter from Ella.
Dec 10 - Wrote some on a letter to Western Episcopalian*. Now regulate my food and have no trouble with dyspepsia etc. Quite a relief. Eve debating society. Many wish to reenlist in cavalry. Regiment paid off.
Dec 11 - Have evening school for blacks; does better than daytime.
Dec 12 - Rainy most of day. Studied and went out a little. Sometimes at a loss for out-door employment. No sick and no papers to distribute. Called on Mr. Fry.
Dec 13 - Cloudy in a.m. Rained most of night. Fair attendance at church and I explained the parable of laborers in the vineyard. Eve a letter from Ella. Some homesick but prayer meeting did me good. Taught contrabands. Rain all p.m.
Dec 14 - Cloudy and cool. Have too little outside employment. No reading matter to give - no hospital. Went and saw saw mill. Eve a real good debating society. Read the President's message and Proclamation offering pardon to rebels below the rank of Colonel in certain terms*. Major Parke here.
* Lucius Chittenden, brother to Richard's father Asahel, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1794. As an adult he lived in Washington Heights, NY. He married 5 times. His fourth wife was a Miss Lamson of Newburg with whom he had two children. His last wife, who survived him was Amelia Lockwood from Stamford CN who he married in July 1866. Lucius died on 21 December 1868 at the age of 74. His daughter Lucia married Frederic Charles Blenkinsopp Coulson , Grandson of Lord Byron.
* The Western Episcopalian was a journal of varying frequency published between 11 August 1853 and 25 June 1868.
* President Lincoln's proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction of 8 Dec 1863 can be read here: http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/procamn.htm
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
1 - 7 Dec 1863
Dec 1 - Moderating. My mare improves under Brush's care. Got good letters from Mother and Ella. Sterne has been home. Major Park here. Col [Horace] P[ark] at Pulaski.
Dec 2 - Lovely day. Went to mill. Counselled Birmingham who is in affliction. Saw the ruined place of rebel congressman Brown. Met rebel prisoners on way north.
Dec 3 - Lovely weather. Somewhat dyspeptic and depressed at eve. Talked with Col Swayne about it. Have commenced again teaching the colored boys to read.
Dec 4 - Lovely day. Rode down to bridge and felt better. Got on well in study. Must accept invitations to meals with officers. Seldom see papers now. Good prayer meeting at evening. Bragg has been driven back by Grant. 6000 prisoners and 50 cannon.
Dec 5 - A plan of life suggested. My father's idea in educating me was to have me prominent. I have unusual advantages , good mind, good education, good habits, quite good health, nervous disorder producing over anxiety and some dyspepsia I can control. Why should it not be my plan to make myself more of a man. Thus I can do more good and please my father. Read, write, and improve in speaking. Not as Gough or Douglass, not as Thatcher, but as Dr. Smith, Dr May or Dr. Sparrow.
Dec 6 - Most lovely and undecember like day. Good attendance in chapel a.m. Got on well in preaching. Bible class p.m. A good man from the 27th there. A most excellent and full meeting in evening. Pull up in dug-out and float down Elk river with Col H[errick] and adjutant.
Dec 7 - Fair but cloudy. Chilly wind. Was more industrious than usual having received a new impetus. Felt a little depressed at evening on account of lack of religious sympathy. The prayer meeting was a season of great peace to my soul. Regret my diffidence as to personal exhortation. Col Swayne addressed to regiment on re-enlisting. Some excitement in regiment.
Dec 2 - Lovely day. Went to mill. Counselled Birmingham who is in affliction. Saw the ruined place of rebel congressman Brown. Met rebel prisoners on way north.
Dec 3 - Lovely weather. Somewhat dyspeptic and depressed at eve. Talked with Col Swayne about it. Have commenced again teaching the colored boys to read.
Dec 4 - Lovely day. Rode down to bridge and felt better. Got on well in study. Must accept invitations to meals with officers. Seldom see papers now. Good prayer meeting at evening. Bragg has been driven back by Grant. 6000 prisoners and 50 cannon.
Dec 5 - A plan of life suggested. My father's idea in educating me was to have me prominent. I have unusual advantages , good mind, good education, good habits, quite good health, nervous disorder producing over anxiety and some dyspepsia I can control. Why should it not be my plan to make myself more of a man. Thus I can do more good and please my father. Read, write, and improve in speaking. Not as Gough or Douglass, not as Thatcher, but as Dr. Smith, Dr May or Dr. Sparrow.
Dec 6 - Most lovely and undecember like day. Good attendance in chapel a.m. Got on well in preaching. Bible class p.m. A good man from the 27th there. A most excellent and full meeting in evening. Pull up in dug-out and float down Elk river with Col H[errick] and adjutant.
Dec 7 - Fair but cloudy. Chilly wind. Was more industrious than usual having received a new impetus. Felt a little depressed at evening on account of lack of religious sympathy. The prayer meeting was a season of great peace to my soul. Regret my diffidence as to personal exhortation. Col Swayne addressed to regiment on re-enlisting. Some excitement in regiment.
27 - 30 Nov 1863
Nov 27 - Feel better. Rode out and got view from high bank of Elk river. News of a success by Sherman and Hooker over Bragg. Feel new ambition to be diligent. I improve my time that I may not years hence have to mourn over wasted days.
Nov 28 - Saturday. Studied and went about as usual. Feel entirely well again. Fixed some rough seats in an upper room for service. Good news of Hooker and Sherman driving the rebels. 5000 prisoners and 40 cannon.
Nov 29 - Very cold hay. Hence held very short meetings noon and evening. Few out in a.m. A battery sergeant died suddenly of apoplexy. Cold feet at night.
Nov 30 - Reading Mill on Liberty. Some good thoughts on tyranny of public opinion, originality and self assertion. Officiated at sergeant's funeral in eve. His piece fired three times. Fixed stove in chapel.
Nov 28 - Saturday. Studied and went about as usual. Feel entirely well again. Fixed some rough seats in an upper room for service. Good news of Hooker and Sherman driving the rebels. 5000 prisoners and 40 cannon.
Nov 29 - Very cold hay. Hence held very short meetings noon and evening. Few out in a.m. A battery sergeant died suddenly of apoplexy. Cold feet at night.
Nov 30 - Reading Mill on Liberty. Some good thoughts on tyranny of public opinion, originality and self assertion. Officiated at sergeant's funeral in eve. His piece fired three times. Fixed stove in chapel.
22 - 26 Nov 1863
Nov 22 - Sunday. Some headache all night and a paroxysm about 10 a.m. but passed off entirely by noon. Had church papers to read. A very fair attendance at serve at 10:30 a.m. Men seem to come more freely since I have marched with them. P.m. taught the negroes some. Eve a good p[rayer] meeting. Spoke to the unpenitent. "How sweet is the sabbath to me"
Nov 23 - Mild but cloudy. Unwell and kept pretty quiet which had a good effect. Found an empty store room and got permission to use it for a meeting house. Soon a volunteer detail were at work preparing it for a church. May I fill this field of usefulness.
Nov 24 - Felt unwell. Drizzled till p.m. Cleaned up in eve. Write some on Thanksgiving sermon. Got absorbed in "Miss Gilbert's career"* in p.m. Eve the meeting house nicely fitted with seats and pulpit. I spoke to a full congregation. Hope the Lord will favor us with conversions. Home by moonlight.
Nov 25 - Most beautiful and exhilarating day. Made pastoral visits and wrote some in a.m. Col Swayne and me determined on a thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I went to engage extra cookery. Halted at Mr. Westman's - well bred people. My man is much improved. Eve a good and crowded meeting. What a hopeful field for good. Two men captured we fear, Murphy and Jones.
Nov 26 - Thanksgiving day. A thinly attended service. Felt thankful in review of the year. Got a letter from Ella. The boy is wearing short clothes and learning to walk. Had a fine dinner for all officers. Our church - Our church taken to store meal.
* "Miss Gilbert's career: an American story" by Josiah Gilbert Holland. First published in 1860.
Nov 23 - Mild but cloudy. Unwell and kept pretty quiet which had a good effect. Found an empty store room and got permission to use it for a meeting house. Soon a volunteer detail were at work preparing it for a church. May I fill this field of usefulness.
Nov 24 - Felt unwell. Drizzled till p.m. Cleaned up in eve. Write some on Thanksgiving sermon. Got absorbed in "Miss Gilbert's career"* in p.m. Eve the meeting house nicely fitted with seats and pulpit. I spoke to a full congregation. Hope the Lord will favor us with conversions. Home by moonlight.
Nov 25 - Most beautiful and exhilarating day. Made pastoral visits and wrote some in a.m. Col Swayne and me determined on a thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I went to engage extra cookery. Halted at Mr. Westman's - well bred people. My man is much improved. Eve a good and crowded meeting. What a hopeful field for good. Two men captured we fear, Murphy and Jones.
Nov 26 - Thanksgiving day. A thinly attended service. Felt thankful in review of the year. Got a letter from Ella. The boy is wearing short clothes and learning to walk. Had a fine dinner for all officers. Our church - Our church taken to store meal.
* "Miss Gilbert's career: an American story" by Josiah Gilbert Holland. First published in 1860.
15 - 21 Nov 1863
Nov 15 - Sabbath. Distributed about 40 papers and 80 tracts. Had a good service in open air at 10:30 a.m. Pretty well attended. A letter from Ella at noon. P.m. read and went to battery. Eve prayer meeting full and interesting.
Nov 16 - We were almost out of some needful provisions. A forage train going out and it seemed needful someone should accompany it to get things. Lest I should be considered useless I went and got quite a supply. Some thieving and apprehension which made it unpleasant. To be buying honey and seeking butter under such circumstances seemed unclerical, but I laid dignity aside to be useful. Henry [my servant] dissatisfied and talks of leaving.
Nov 17 - Lovely Indian Summer day. Busy fixing a desk and shelves so as to study and write. Col. Sprague at dinner. Dyspepsia about gone. Milk is a great luxury. We have honey too. Read. We had a good prayer meeting. I have had some success in avoiding too much joking and sport and feel more of the spirit in my heart. May the blessed Lord give me more.
Nov 18 - Lovely day. Wrote to Ella and Sterne*. Taught black boys. Read. Rode to Elkview where the bridge is to be rebuilt. A pretty stream. Am interested in "Mill on Liberty"*. True and valuable ideas. Quite a fire in woods near, burns fences, etc.
Nov 19 - Beautiful and mild day. Enjoy quiet reading at my little desk. Feel well. Had prayer and thought on pastoral labor and today was enabled to speak to five pastors on divine things. Some kinds of provisions scarce. Good meeting eve. One of the best days have had in a long time - a white day.
Nov 20 - Cloudy and rainy. We got a good large mail at noon and newspaper. Ella is more desponding than I have seen her for a long time. Lottie and ma write good letters. All are well. Think of sending ma pocket money. Satisfaction in study and reading. Have plenty of chicken.
Nov 21 - Misty. Got on well in sermon. Stomach disordered by heavy biscuit and cornbread as we have no way to bake bread. P.m. felt unwell. Eve wrote to Ella.
* Stearne Chittenden, Richard younger brother (1 Jan 1833 - 8 July 1887)
* John Stewart Mill's (1806 - 1873) essay "On Liberty" published in 1859
Nov 16 - We were almost out of some needful provisions. A forage train going out and it seemed needful someone should accompany it to get things. Lest I should be considered useless I went and got quite a supply. Some thieving and apprehension which made it unpleasant. To be buying honey and seeking butter under such circumstances seemed unclerical, but I laid dignity aside to be useful. Henry [my servant] dissatisfied and talks of leaving.
Nov 17 - Lovely Indian Summer day. Busy fixing a desk and shelves so as to study and write. Col. Sprague at dinner. Dyspepsia about gone. Milk is a great luxury. We have honey too. Read. We had a good prayer meeting. I have had some success in avoiding too much joking and sport and feel more of the spirit in my heart. May the blessed Lord give me more.
Nov 18 - Lovely day. Wrote to Ella and Sterne*. Taught black boys. Read. Rode to Elkview where the bridge is to be rebuilt. A pretty stream. Am interested in "Mill on Liberty"*. True and valuable ideas. Quite a fire in woods near, burns fences, etc.
Nov 19 - Beautiful and mild day. Enjoy quiet reading at my little desk. Feel well. Had prayer and thought on pastoral labor and today was enabled to speak to five pastors on divine things. Some kinds of provisions scarce. Good meeting eve. One of the best days have had in a long time - a white day.
Nov 20 - Cloudy and rainy. We got a good large mail at noon and newspaper. Ella is more desponding than I have seen her for a long time. Lottie and ma write good letters. All are well. Think of sending ma pocket money. Satisfaction in study and reading. Have plenty of chicken.
Nov 21 - Misty. Got on well in sermon. Stomach disordered by heavy biscuit and cornbread as we have no way to bake bread. P.m. felt unwell. Eve wrote to Ella.
* Stearne Chittenden, Richard younger brother (1 Jan 1833 - 8 July 1887)
* John Stewart Mill's (1806 - 1873) essay "On Liberty" published in 1859
Monday, November 28, 2011
8 - 14 Nov 1863
Nov 8 - Sunday. Cool wind. Up before day. Marched all day. I read and kept up Sunday thoughts. Hilly. At eve passed through Landerdale [Alabama], factory, village, and over a swift clear river. Much thieving of chickens etc. today. A few men who lingered with a wagon were fired on. 2 wounded.
Nov 9 - Slept cold on cot and suffered some from cold during the day. We passed through the little town of Lexington. Eve got up a good fire. Stupid from cold and fatigue. Talked at camp fire.
Nov 10 - Up and breakfasted before day again. Off early with drums beating. Hills are higher. Pretty vales occasionally. The hamlet of Pinhook [Lawrence Co.]. Skirmishers advanced but did not find guerrillas. Cavalry found them. Chilly. Camped 6 miles from Pulaski. Pillaging forbidden to order.
Nov 11 - Good sleep in an empty house. Gentle rocky slopes up and down. Very high high hills. Wonderfully clear streams. Plantations and mansions improve. Sherman's army has almost stripped the people of chickens and cattle. Pulaski a pleasant pretty town. People gaze in wonder. Encamped on a Rocky shaded hill. Weather milder. Chapped faces.
Nov 12 - Weather fine. Turned South toward Decatur. Many delays and a slow march. Halted near house and large farm of a Presbyterian minister. Made black boys take back horses. I read over old letters. Camped on a rocky side hill. Trestle work fired by rebels still burning.
Nov 13 - Very mild. Left at 9 and marched about 4 miles to prospect mountainous hills. This is a R.R. station. A few houses. Regiment camped in a field. We have a house lately deserted in fear by the wife of a rebel soldier. Busy clearing up etc. Saw a sick wagoner and took him water. Brigade remains here at present. Hear Roddy* [sic] is 25 miles off with 4000 cavalry.
Nov 14 - Busy dividing my time between preparing sermon and some needful business. Gen. Dodge has come. We have plenty and variety to eat. I from irregular meals and gross food have dyspeptic symptoms. Must not think of my stomach. Good prayer meeting eve in dwelling house.
* Confederate Brigadier General Phillip Dale Roddey (born 2 Apr 1824/26 in Moulton, Lawrence Co, Alabama. Died 20 July 1897 in London, England) Known as the Protector of Northern Alabama. Pictured below
Nov 9 - Slept cold on cot and suffered some from cold during the day. We passed through the little town of Lexington. Eve got up a good fire. Stupid from cold and fatigue. Talked at camp fire.
Nov 10 - Up and breakfasted before day again. Off early with drums beating. Hills are higher. Pretty vales occasionally. The hamlet of Pinhook [Lawrence Co.]. Skirmishers advanced but did not find guerrillas. Cavalry found them. Chilly. Camped 6 miles from Pulaski. Pillaging forbidden to order.
Nov 11 - Good sleep in an empty house. Gentle rocky slopes up and down. Very high high hills. Wonderfully clear streams. Plantations and mansions improve. Sherman's army has almost stripped the people of chickens and cattle. Pulaski a pleasant pretty town. People gaze in wonder. Encamped on a Rocky shaded hill. Weather milder. Chapped faces.
Nov 12 - Weather fine. Turned South toward Decatur. Many delays and a slow march. Halted near house and large farm of a Presbyterian minister. Made black boys take back horses. I read over old letters. Camped on a rocky side hill. Trestle work fired by rebels still burning.
Nov 13 - Very mild. Left at 9 and marched about 4 miles to prospect mountainous hills. This is a R.R. station. A few houses. Regiment camped in a field. We have a house lately deserted in fear by the wife of a rebel soldier. Busy clearing up etc. Saw a sick wagoner and took him water. Brigade remains here at present. Hear Roddy* [sic] is 25 miles off with 4000 cavalry.
Nov 14 - Busy dividing my time between preparing sermon and some needful business. Gen. Dodge has come. We have plenty and variety to eat. I from irregular meals and gross food have dyspeptic symptoms. Must not think of my stomach. Good prayer meeting eve in dwelling house.
* Confederate Brigadier General Phillip Dale Roddey (born 2 Apr 1824/26 in Moulton, Lawrence Co, Alabama. Died 20 July 1897 in London, England) Known as the Protector of Northern Alabama. Pictured below
1 - 7 Nov 1863
Nov 1 - A lovely day. Some advice to Col S[wayne] in newspapers on the Sabbath. Hear that some men, and partially even officers have been gambling. Had a pretty good sabbath. Spite of business and preparations for moving, we had open air service in a.m. A decent attendance. In p.m. Mr. Fry and I were going to officiate in church in town but the church was taken.
Nov 2 - Rose early. Renewed in strength and hope by yesterday. Got articles at commissary - teams heavily loaded. Johnson one of our wagoners was captured yesterday. Marched 8 miles to Eastport on the Mississippi river [perhaps he meant to say Eastport, Mississippi, or he made a mistake and meant to write the Tennessee river]. Dined with Col. Hayes. Cared for a wounded man. We bivouacked in an old house.
Nov 3 - A fair mild Indian Summer day. Saw my wounded man. He is a true Christian I think. In the afternoon he died. Visited and talked with sick and well some.
Nov 4 - Pleasant day. Moved down to the [Tennessee] river and the brigade crossed. I staid behind to attend the burial of this man and distribute papers in a hospital. In p.m. I canoe over. All passed without accident. Dyspeptic in evening.
Nov 5 - Rainy and dark day. Troops are still crossing in our rear. Read Schalk's book on military science*. Read some in Dickens' stories. Visited among the men some. Went to bed tired. Have warm blankets and sheets and a cot. Deer and turkeys killed.
Nov 6 - Cleared off and a beautiful day. Our brigade being the advance of an army of about 10,000 under General Dodge moved at noon. Came about 9 miles through hills. Beautiful, clear springs and streams. Camped in a good place where forage is plentiful. Guerrillas have shot or captured stragglers.
Nov 7 - Most beautiful day. Clear streams around. Horses have plenty of fodder and young cane. Hear of stragglers captured and killed. Start at noon and march 12 miles. Encamp after dark. Tired.
* Summary of the Art of War: written expressly for and dedicated to the U.S. Volunteer Army, by Emil Schalk, A.O. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1862
* Union General Grenville Mellen Dodge was born 12 April 1831 near Danvers, MA.
In 1851, he graduated from Norwich University (VT) with a degree in civil engineering, then moved to Iowa, where he settled in Council Bluffs. For the next decade, he was involved in surveying for railroads, including the Union Pacific. He married Ruth Anne Browne on 29 May 1854. He was also a partner in the Baldwin & Dodge banking firm, and in 1860 served on the City Council.
Dodge joined the Union in the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, Dodge was sent by the Governor of Iowa to Washington, D.C., where he secured 6,000 muskets to supply Iowa volunteers. In July 1861, he was appointed Colonel of the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 4th Division at the Battle of Pea Ridge, where he was wounded. For his services at the battle, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and placed in command of the District of the Mississippi, where he was involved in protecting and building railroads. Pictured below
Nov 2 - Rose early. Renewed in strength and hope by yesterday. Got articles at commissary - teams heavily loaded. Johnson one of our wagoners was captured yesterday. Marched 8 miles to Eastport on the Mississippi river [perhaps he meant to say Eastport, Mississippi, or he made a mistake and meant to write the Tennessee river]. Dined with Col. Hayes. Cared for a wounded man. We bivouacked in an old house.
Nov 3 - A fair mild Indian Summer day. Saw my wounded man. He is a true Christian I think. In the afternoon he died. Visited and talked with sick and well some.
Nov 4 - Pleasant day. Moved down to the [Tennessee] river and the brigade crossed. I staid behind to attend the burial of this man and distribute papers in a hospital. In p.m. I canoe over. All passed without accident. Dyspeptic in evening.
Nov 5 - Rainy and dark day. Troops are still crossing in our rear. Read Schalk's book on military science*. Read some in Dickens' stories. Visited among the men some. Went to bed tired. Have warm blankets and sheets and a cot. Deer and turkeys killed.
Nov 6 - Cleared off and a beautiful day. Our brigade being the advance of an army of about 10,000 under General Dodge moved at noon. Came about 9 miles through hills. Beautiful, clear springs and streams. Camped in a good place where forage is plentiful. Guerrillas have shot or captured stragglers.
Nov 7 - Most beautiful day. Clear streams around. Horses have plenty of fodder and young cane. Hear of stragglers captured and killed. Start at noon and march 12 miles. Encamp after dark. Tired.
* Summary of the Art of War: written expressly for and dedicated to the U.S. Volunteer Army, by Emil Schalk, A.O. Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1862
* Union General Grenville Mellen Dodge was born 12 April 1831 near Danvers, MA.
In 1851, he graduated from Norwich University (VT) with a degree in civil engineering, then moved to Iowa, where he settled in Council Bluffs. For the next decade, he was involved in surveying for railroads, including the Union Pacific. He married Ruth Anne Browne on 29 May 1854. He was also a partner in the Baldwin & Dodge banking firm, and in 1860 served on the City Council.
Dodge joined the Union in the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, Dodge was sent by the Governor of Iowa to Washington, D.C., where he secured 6,000 muskets to supply Iowa volunteers. In July 1861, he was appointed Colonel of the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He commanded the 1st Brigade, 4th Division at the Battle of Pea Ridge, where he was wounded. For his services at the battle, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and placed in command of the District of the Mississippi, where he was involved in protecting and building railroads. Pictured below
Friday, November 25, 2011
27 - 31 Oct 1863
Oct 27 - Got to Luka at noon. A crowd of soldiers got commisary stores. 3 good letters from Ella. Camped on a hill near.
Oct 28 - Learn we are to have considerable marching. Are reducing baggage. Busy about mess. Paid off. Long letter to Ella.
Oct 29 - Mild weather. A.m. turned out of tent by pay-master being here. Boys got up a hospital tent and we had a small prayer meeting in evg.
Oct 30 - Rainy and stormy. Preparations for starting again. Henry cooks well. The care of providing is some trouble. See Mr. Bushwell a worthy agent of the Christian Commission laboring here.
Oct 31 - Chilly fair day. Labor, study and some preparations for tomorrow. Report of gambling in the regiment. It is checked and names of offenders taken. Arrange with Mr. Fry for services in the church in town tomorrow. Half of this month has been spent in Memphis and half on the march.
I have felt hopeful. More troubled with dyspeptic symptoms than heretofore. Have had satisfaction in divine things. Have felt in better spirits in the march than previously. We have a journey and new scenes before us. Death may be in the path of some one. Who is it?
Oct 28 - Learn we are to have considerable marching. Are reducing baggage. Busy about mess. Paid off. Long letter to Ella.
Oct 29 - Mild weather. A.m. turned out of tent by pay-master being here. Boys got up a hospital tent and we had a small prayer meeting in evg.
Oct 30 - Rainy and stormy. Preparations for starting again. Henry cooks well. The care of providing is some trouble. See Mr. Bushwell a worthy agent of the Christian Commission laboring here.
Oct 31 - Chilly fair day. Labor, study and some preparations for tomorrow. Report of gambling in the regiment. It is checked and names of offenders taken. Arrange with Mr. Fry for services in the church in town tomorrow. Half of this month has been spent in Memphis and half on the march.
I have felt hopeful. More troubled with dyspeptic symptoms than heretofore. Have had satisfaction in divine things. Have felt in better spirits in the march than previously. We have a journey and new scenes before us. Death may be in the path of some one. Who is it?
22 - 26 Oct 1863
Oct 22 - Fine day to start. My mare is lame[?] and I ride Col. Herrick's horse which is at times restive. One old man was robbed of chickens on the way. Col. Swayne had them restored to him I think. Eve at Sauls[bury] busy. Commenced raining. Three or four regiments here.
Oct 23 - Rained almost all night. Very wet in the morning. We kept pretty dry in the tent but the men were wet. Started in the rain. Stopped and built fires. A number of sick and disabled men were sent to Corinth by rail.
Oct 24 - Col. Herrick and I rode to Corinth in advance of the regiment. A lovely day and a good road. Got in at three. Chill wind found the sick and weary who had gone part way on the cars.
Oct 25 - Sunday a.m. washed etc. Read testament. At noon got orders. At 3 left eastward. Passed former campground at Clear Creek at which number died. Enjoyed prayer. Camped 6 miles from Corinth. Good letters from Mother and Sam.
Oct 26 - Marched to within 8 miles of Luka. In p.m. heard the artillery of a fight several miles off. Wrote home in evening.
Oct 23 - Rained almost all night. Very wet in the morning. We kept pretty dry in the tent but the men were wet. Started in the rain. Stopped and built fires. A number of sick and disabled men were sent to Corinth by rail.
Oct 24 - Col. Herrick and I rode to Corinth in advance of the regiment. A lovely day and a good road. Got in at three. Chill wind found the sick and weary who had gone part way on the cars.
Oct 25 - Sunday a.m. washed etc. Read testament. At noon got orders. At 3 left eastward. Passed former campground at Clear Creek at which number died. Enjoyed prayer. Camped 6 miles from Corinth. Good letters from Mother and Sam.
Oct 26 - Marched to within 8 miles of Luka. In p.m. heard the artillery of a fight several miles off. Wrote home in evening.
15 - 21 Oct 1863
Oct 15 - By taking lumber from a deserted house by permission the men are enlarging the church. Tried to talk with a man supposed dying in 32nd hospital but he seemed averse to conversation. Evg Col Swayne made an unpleasant remark about my having been unwilling he should have a separate candle. Parried[?] me.
Oct 16 - A most lovely and perfect day. Oh that our hearts might be as pure and heavenly as the atmosphere of this day. Studied on sermon. The poor boy at Wisconsin hospital died this morning and I officiated at his funeral at evening. To market early. Down town about a stove and studied with success this long evening.
Oct 17 - Had orders to move tomorrow. Saw and talked with 2 invalids and did erands down town. At eve a great thunder storm. Got all through late at night. Regret that we are ordered to move on Sunday.
Oct 18 - Lovely day. Were up and breakfasted before day. Off at 7 o'clock. Mailed letters to mother and Ella. The brigade goes. 4 regiments and 2 betteries. Marched off. Halted at 2:30 p.m. at Germantown. 15 miles.
Oct 19 - Lovely day. Started before sunrise. Marched through Collierville and encamped at Lafayette 18 miles in a low flat, high grass and weedy place. A teasmster of the 27th thrown and ran over and killed today. Foraged some for hungry mess.
Oct 20 - Left about 9 a.m. After waiting orders marched about 8 miles. Encamped at Moscow. A negro regiment [?] 2nd Tennessee* look pretty well. Rained in the night but our tent was dry. Rode Col's horses.
Oct 21 - Rained and blew for several miles. Stopped. Marched 19 miles to Saulsbury. Quartered in an old deserted bouse. Got a good fire and a good supper. Wrote to Ella.
* The Union 2nd Regiment Tennessee Heavy Artillery (African Descent) was organized at Columbus, KY in June 1863 and served post and garrison duty at Union City, TN and Columbus KY until April 1864 under the command of Colonel Charles H. Adams.
Oct 16 - A most lovely and perfect day. Oh that our hearts might be as pure and heavenly as the atmosphere of this day. Studied on sermon. The poor boy at Wisconsin hospital died this morning and I officiated at his funeral at evening. To market early. Down town about a stove and studied with success this long evening.
Oct 17 - Had orders to move tomorrow. Saw and talked with 2 invalids and did erands down town. At eve a great thunder storm. Got all through late at night. Regret that we are ordered to move on Sunday.
Oct 18 - Lovely day. Were up and breakfasted before day. Off at 7 o'clock. Mailed letters to mother and Ella. The brigade goes. 4 regiments and 2 betteries. Marched off. Halted at 2:30 p.m. at Germantown. 15 miles.
Oct 19 - Lovely day. Started before sunrise. Marched through Collierville and encamped at Lafayette 18 miles in a low flat, high grass and weedy place. A teasmster of the 27th thrown and ran over and killed today. Foraged some for hungry mess.
Oct 20 - Left about 9 a.m. After waiting orders marched about 8 miles. Encamped at Moscow. A negro regiment [?] 2nd Tennessee* look pretty well. Rained in the night but our tent was dry. Rode Col's horses.
Oct 21 - Rained and blew for several miles. Stopped. Marched 19 miles to Saulsbury. Quartered in an old deserted bouse. Got a good fire and a good supper. Wrote to Ella.
* The Union 2nd Regiment Tennessee Heavy Artillery (African Descent) was organized at Columbus, KY in June 1863 and served post and garrison duty at Union City, TN and Columbus KY until April 1864 under the command of Colonel Charles H. Adams.
8 -14 Oct 1863
Oct 8 - Fair and pleasant day. Went down town to try for some old lumber for the church. Partially successful. Had a good dinner and got to sleep. In p.m. felt in better spirits from warmth and rest. The town [Memphis] looked lively. Go on alternate p.m.s to 32nd Mis[souri] hospital. Sometimes hesitate about going but conclude to go. The town is gay and lively in business hours.
Oct 9 - A lovely day. Felt exhilarated by the fresh morning air. New vigor comes with cooler weather. [?] tents into [?]. Called on Lieutenant Calvin of Battery F. U.S. Fine of late much broken up from study by business and calls out.
Oct 10 - Fair and mild. Feel rather anxious morose and lonely for a few days. Know not why. Suppose I miss my dear wife and baby. Studied on sermon. Rode down town on business. To orphan asylum with [2nd] Lieut. [John W.] Thompson [of G company] at eve. Pleasant.
Oct 11 - Beautiful day. Only two at servants' Sunday School. Good Bible class. Not as good attendance at p.m. service as usual. Read testament etc at hospital. Evg felt my heart revived. A good earnest prayer meeting. Heard distant cannon at noon.
Oct 12 - Cloudy, but cleared off. Col. Swayne has been relieved of Provost Marshal's duty. I hear we are going to Holly Springs. Chimneys are being built. I feel tired of army life. I hired Henry today.
Oct 13 - Election Day in Ohio. For two days have been a little troubled with dyspepsia. Went with William to market before breakfast. Lieut. Calvin better. I voted today, the Union ticket. Col. Swayne came back to the regiment. Seems like former times. Only 51 votes for Vallandingham [sic] in the regiment.
Oct 14 - My new boy Henry cook pretty well. Went about looking for lumber to repair our church and enclose it for cold weather. Feel better of my indigestion. Read and wrote some. No letter from Ella yet this week. Feel better as to spiritual things.
Oct 9 - A lovely day. Felt exhilarated by the fresh morning air. New vigor comes with cooler weather. [?] tents into [?]. Called on Lieutenant Calvin of Battery F. U.S. Fine of late much broken up from study by business and calls out.
Oct 10 - Fair and mild. Feel rather anxious morose and lonely for a few days. Know not why. Suppose I miss my dear wife and baby. Studied on sermon. Rode down town on business. To orphan asylum with [2nd] Lieut. [John W.] Thompson [of G company] at eve. Pleasant.
Oct 11 - Beautiful day. Only two at servants' Sunday School. Good Bible class. Not as good attendance at p.m. service as usual. Read testament etc at hospital. Evg felt my heart revived. A good earnest prayer meeting. Heard distant cannon at noon.
Oct 12 - Cloudy, but cleared off. Col. Swayne has been relieved of Provost Marshal's duty. I hear we are going to Holly Springs. Chimneys are being built. I feel tired of army life. I hired Henry today.
Oct 13 - Election Day in Ohio. For two days have been a little troubled with dyspepsia. Went with William to market before breakfast. Lieut. Calvin better. I voted today, the Union ticket. Col. Swayne came back to the regiment. Seems like former times. Only 51 votes for Vallandingham [sic] in the regiment.
Oct 14 - My new boy Henry cook pretty well. Went about looking for lumber to repair our church and enclose it for cold weather. Feel better of my indigestion. Read and wrote some. No letter from Ella yet this week. Feel better as to spiritual things.
1 - 7 Oct 1863
Oct 1 - Fair and pleasant. In a.m. succeeded in exchanging my little hack mare for a good young roan mare. I gave $50 to boot. Secessionists have unfavorable stories, say Bragg* is in Chattanooga etc.
Oct 2 - School in p.m. for contrabands as usual. Eve orders came to be ready for immediate service. Packed up for the fourth time.
Oct 3 - Rose at four to have breakfast at five. Jim was gone and I warmed some coffee. Did not want. I studied etc as usual. P.m. at Christian Commission rooms.
Oct 4 - A fair day but chilly wind. Distributed papers early, before breakfast as regiment was going on picket. S[unday] school at nine. Talked on temperance in battery at 11. Only 5 came to p.m. service so I had none. Eve preached at Union Chapel without manuscript.
Oct 5 - Staid last night with Col. Swayne. Saw Dwight Stone of Columbus. A.m. rode in to Chaplain's meeting. They don't like to have a religious superintendent. Toward eve rode to 63rd. Sherman's corps is passing though her for Chattanooga past more veterans.
Oct 6 - Rained some in a.m. About noon there seemed to be picket firing at the right http://www.civilwarobsession.com/2010/10/picket-guards-explanation-from-youths.html. Hear there was skirmishing and two regiments sent out. Fixed stove. To 32nd hospital. [Martin] Wolf of Co. K [43rd regiment]* died very suddenly at noon. Appeared only indisposed.
Oct 7 - Last night another order came to be ready to move, so we were up and breakfasted before day. Went with young [John] Wolf* to get burial case for his brother. Chilly wind, dull and sleepy. Hear that Cheatham's* or Johns[t]on's* division is not far off.
* Confederate General Braxton Bragg.
* Martin Wolf, born 1839 in Butler twp, Knox Co. Ohio of Simon Wolf (b. 1818) and Nancy Kemmer (b. 1819).
* John Wolf, born 13 Sep 1843 in Butler twp, Knox Co. Ohio of Simon Wolf (b. 1818) and Nancy Kemmer (b. 1819). John was appointed Corporal 1 June 1865.
*
Confederate General Benjamin Franklin Cheatham (20 Oct 1820 - 4 Sep 1886)
*
Confederate General Joseph Eggleston Johnston (3 Feb 1807 - 21 March 1891)
Oct 2 - School in p.m. for contrabands as usual. Eve orders came to be ready for immediate service. Packed up for the fourth time.
Oct 3 - Rose at four to have breakfast at five. Jim was gone and I warmed some coffee. Did not want. I studied etc as usual. P.m. at Christian Commission rooms.
Oct 4 - A fair day but chilly wind. Distributed papers early, before breakfast as regiment was going on picket. S[unday] school at nine. Talked on temperance in battery at 11. Only 5 came to p.m. service so I had none. Eve preached at Union Chapel without manuscript.
Oct 5 - Staid last night with Col. Swayne. Saw Dwight Stone of Columbus. A.m. rode in to Chaplain's meeting. They don't like to have a religious superintendent. Toward eve rode to 63rd. Sherman's corps is passing though her for Chattanooga past more veterans.
Oct 6 - Rained some in a.m. About noon there seemed to be picket firing at the right http://www.civilwarobsession.com/2010/10/picket-guards-explanation-from-youths.html. Hear there was skirmishing and two regiments sent out. Fixed stove. To 32nd hospital. [Martin] Wolf of Co. K [43rd regiment]* died very suddenly at noon. Appeared only indisposed.
Oct 7 - Last night another order came to be ready to move, so we were up and breakfasted before day. Went with young [John] Wolf* to get burial case for his brother. Chilly wind, dull and sleepy. Hear that Cheatham's* or Johns[t]on's* division is not far off.
* Confederate General Braxton Bragg.
* Martin Wolf, born 1839 in Butler twp, Knox Co. Ohio of Simon Wolf (b. 1818) and Nancy Kemmer (b. 1819).
* John Wolf, born 13 Sep 1843 in Butler twp, Knox Co. Ohio of Simon Wolf (b. 1818) and Nancy Kemmer (b. 1819). John was appointed Corporal 1 June 1865.
*
Confederate General Benjamin Franklin Cheatham (20 Oct 1820 - 4 Sep 1886)*
Confederate General Joseph Eggleston Johnston (3 Feb 1807 - 21 March 1891)
Friday, November 18, 2011
22 - 30 Sept 1863
Sept 22 - We have hints of leaving fair days and lovely moon light nights. A.m. went to auction sale of stock but could not get rid of my unsuitable horse. The horse question troubles me much of late. Put it away. To Missouri hospital and was able to speak on divine things to three men.
Sept 23 - Warmer - still see indications of a projected movement of the regiment. [John R.] Wilson of Company D quite sick at hospital. Felt somewhat depressed and homesick in the p.m. My school of six or eight contrabands three times a week and Sunday a.m. is quite interesting. Evening rumors of a reverse to Gen Rosencrans. Doubt it.
Sept 24 -Last night at 11 orders came to be ready to move. Got up and packed up. Nothing further today. Hear a raid was anticipated on M & O Rail Road*. Saw Col Swayne. Recovering. Rosencrans repulsed, not defeated. Heavy loss on both sides. Some Ohio officers killed. P.m. to Missouri hospital.
Sept 25 - Cloudy and cool. Have to cater for our mess now and instruct Jim some in cooking. Gen John Geiger here and on request made a union speech to the assembled brigade. Real good but stained by introduction of 3 oaths and a convivial allusion to whiskey - a pity. Soldiers have too much such influence already.
Sept 26 - Fine day. Mind unsettled but got it confined so as to study my sermon. Lovely moonlight nights. Over at 32nd hospital much thinned out. Health is better. Heard of auction of horses and got aroused on that question. Hear our whole corps (16th) to leave here for Rosencrans. Jim succeeded in pies. Sent trunk to Elyria by Lieutenant Kilby.
Sept 27 - Sunday. Feel much fatigued especially in mind. The regiment has been occupied somewhat with preparations for a contemplated move. Other regiments have moved in and bivouac near us. Has benefited in prayer meeting. Fond thoughts of our dear little boy.
Sept 28 - My cold in the head and anxiety about selling my horse gave me quite a dull head ache. A.m. was at horse business but accomplished nothing. P.m. pretty quite. Eve felt better. Our sick all [?] down town but we hear now we are not to go. Fine letters from Ella and Oren.
Sept 29 - When having little else to interest me I am apt to over eat and think too much of eating. My appetite is [?] controlled than formerly. Cloudy and hazy and mild, oh how dusty. Strange regiments from below are about us. Took the drinking and swearing pledge through three companies. Quite encouraged. Tea with Capt. H[errick].
Sept 30 - It has rained almost incessantly from before daylight. Much needed. [2nd] Lieutenant [Henry J]McFadden [from D company] quite sick. Went down town in the rain to have my horse sold but no auction hardly. Conclude not to waste any more time on her now. Presented quarterly report. Read much in p.m. and evening.
* The Mobile and Ohio Rail Road was chartered Jan / Feb 1848 to go between Mobile, Alabama and Cairo, Illinois. On September 13, 1940, it was merged with the Gulf, Mobile and Northern Railroad to form the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
Sept 23 - Warmer - still see indications of a projected movement of the regiment. [John R.] Wilson of Company D quite sick at hospital. Felt somewhat depressed and homesick in the p.m. My school of six or eight contrabands three times a week and Sunday a.m. is quite interesting. Evening rumors of a reverse to Gen Rosencrans. Doubt it.
Sept 24 -Last night at 11 orders came to be ready to move. Got up and packed up. Nothing further today. Hear a raid was anticipated on M & O Rail Road*. Saw Col Swayne. Recovering. Rosencrans repulsed, not defeated. Heavy loss on both sides. Some Ohio officers killed. P.m. to Missouri hospital.
Sept 25 - Cloudy and cool. Have to cater for our mess now and instruct Jim some in cooking. Gen John Geiger here and on request made a union speech to the assembled brigade. Real good but stained by introduction of 3 oaths and a convivial allusion to whiskey - a pity. Soldiers have too much such influence already.
Sept 26 - Fine day. Mind unsettled but got it confined so as to study my sermon. Lovely moonlight nights. Over at 32nd hospital much thinned out. Health is better. Heard of auction of horses and got aroused on that question. Hear our whole corps (16th) to leave here for Rosencrans. Jim succeeded in pies. Sent trunk to Elyria by Lieutenant Kilby.
Sept 27 - Sunday. Feel much fatigued especially in mind. The regiment has been occupied somewhat with preparations for a contemplated move. Other regiments have moved in and bivouac near us. Has benefited in prayer meeting. Fond thoughts of our dear little boy.
Sept 28 - My cold in the head and anxiety about selling my horse gave me quite a dull head ache. A.m. was at horse business but accomplished nothing. P.m. pretty quite. Eve felt better. Our sick all [?] down town but we hear now we are not to go. Fine letters from Ella and Oren.
Sept 29 - When having little else to interest me I am apt to over eat and think too much of eating. My appetite is [?] controlled than formerly. Cloudy and hazy and mild, oh how dusty. Strange regiments from below are about us. Took the drinking and swearing pledge through three companies. Quite encouraged. Tea with Capt. H[errick].
Sept 30 - It has rained almost incessantly from before daylight. Much needed. [2nd] Lieutenant [Henry J]McFadden [from D company] quite sick. Went down town in the rain to have my horse sold but no auction hardly. Conclude not to waste any more time on her now. Presented quarterly report. Read much in p.m. and evening.
* The Mobile and Ohio Rail Road was chartered Jan / Feb 1848 to go between Mobile, Alabama and Cairo, Illinois. On September 13, 1940, it was merged with the Gulf, Mobile and Northern Railroad to form the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
15 - 21 Sept 1863
Sept 15 - Read papers and wrote letters. Distributed testaments in Illinois battery - well received. A private there had been a city missionary in Chicago. At Missouri hospital. Toward evening weary, but spirited a little and nervous. Anti-Vallandigham* resolutions largely signed in regiment.
Sept 16 - A little cloudy, quite a relief. Fine display of the brigade and cavalry out on inspection. Felt weary toward evening and somewhat dis-spirited and lonely but the prayer meeting did me good. Feel my work is great but must cast my care on the Lord. Feel want of family intercourse and society.
Sept 17 - Rain, clouds and cool wind. Beginning to feel the monotony of camp life. Read in "Chaplain's manual" useful instructions on dealing with sick and well. Eve to prayer meeting of 32nd Missouri. Not as interesting as ours I think. Burnside* has marched on a hoodless conquest and deliverance of E. Tennessee. Appetite less voracious.
Sept 18 - Chilly day. Rode to town on my little horse. Liked him and did not like him. The horse question has troubled me much for ten days. Rosencrans has taken Chattanooga and Burnside.
Sept 19 - Chilly still. Lib. our cook sick and Jim cooks. Studied etc. P.m. to 32nd hosp[ital]. Shall alternate daily between that and ours. Gave tracts and papers. Eve talked with Col Herrick of bringing wife and friends south in winter.
Sept 20 - Fine day. An unexpected and delightful tho' short call from Sam who has a furlough of 20 days. He is well. His regiment has suffered and is suffering much from sickness and death. In p.m. preached to an unusually good number of soldiers. Col Herrick has talked to officers about attending church. Very bad sick head ache in eve.
Sept 21 - Fine day. A.m. to Chaplain's meeting etc. P.m. school. My school room does well. Six or eight in attendance. In eve spent an hour or two with Col. Swayne who is quite sick. Prayer with him. Good letter from Ella and Henry.
* Clement Laird Vallandigham was born 29 July 1820 in Lisbon Ohio. He was elected as a Democrat to the Ohio legislature in 1845 and 1846, and by a very small margin to the U.S. Congress in 1858 and 1860 representing the district around Dayton. When the war broke out the majority anti-secession population of Dayton turned him out of office by a large margin in 1862.
He was a member of the copperhead movement and was vociferously anti-war on the basis of states rights, and perhaps racism played a part as well, as he defended the institution of slavery.
After the war, Vallandigham returned to Ohio, lost his campaigns for Senate and the House of Representatives on an anti-Reconstruction platform, and then resumed his law practice. By 1871 he won the Ohio Democrats over to a "new departure" policy that would essentially neglect to mention the Civil War.
Vallandigham's assertion that "he did not want to belong to the United States" prompted Edward Everett Hale to write The Man Without a Country. This short story, which appeared in The Atlantic Monthly in December 1863, was widely republished.
Vallandigham died on 17 June 1871 in Lebanon, Ohio, at the age of 50, after accidentally shooting himself with a pistol. He was representing a defendant in a murder case for killing a man in a bar room brawl. Vallandigham attempted to prove the victim had in fact killed himself while trying to draw his pistol from a pocket when rising from a kneeling position. As Vallandigham conferred with fellow defense attorneys in his hotel room, he showed them how he would demonstrate this to the jury. Grabbing a pistol he believed to be unloaded, he put it in his pocket and enacted the events as they might have happened, shooting himself in the process. Vallandigham proved his point, and the defendant, Thomas McGehan, was acquitted and released from custody. Pictured below
Union General Ambrose Everett Burnside was born 23 May 1824 in Liberty Indiana. He attended West Point, graduating in 1847. He fought in the Mexican-American war doing mostly garrison duty in Mexico City near the end of the war. At the close of the war, Lt. Burnside served two years on the western frontier, serving under Captain Braxton Bragg in the 3rd U.S. Artillery, a light artillery unit that had been converted to cavalry duty, protecting the Western mail routes through Nevada to California. In 1849, he was wounded by an arrow in his neck during a skirmish against Apaches in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Burnside was a brigadier general in the Rhode Island Militia. He raised a regiment, the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed its colonel on May 2, 1861. Within a month, he ascended to brigade command in the Department of Northeast Virginia. He commanded the brigade without distinction at the First Battle of Bull Run in July, committing his troops piecemeal, and took over division command temporarily for wounded Brig. Gen. David Hunter. After his 90-day regiment was mustered out of service, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on August 6, and was assigned to train provisional brigades in the nascent Army of the Potomac.
General Burnside also fought in North Carolina, Antietam, Fredericksburg, East Tennessee, The Overland campaign and the Crater.
Burnside was relieved of command on August 14 and sent on leave by Grant; Meade never recalled him to duty. A court of inquiry later placed the blame for the Crater fiasco on Burnside and his subordinates. In December, Burnside met with President Lincoln and General Grant about his future. He was contemplating resignation, but Lincoln and Grant requested that he remain in the Army. At the end of the interview, Burnside wrote, "I was not informed of any duty upon which I am to be placed." He finally resigned his commission on April 15, 1865.
Burnside was noted for his unusual facial hair, joining strips of hair in front of his ears to his mustache but with chin clean-shaven; the word burnsides was coined to describe this style. The syllables were later reversed to give sideburns.
Sept 16 - A little cloudy, quite a relief. Fine display of the brigade and cavalry out on inspection. Felt weary toward evening and somewhat dis-spirited and lonely but the prayer meeting did me good. Feel my work is great but must cast my care on the Lord. Feel want of family intercourse and society.
Sept 17 - Rain, clouds and cool wind. Beginning to feel the monotony of camp life. Read in "Chaplain's manual" useful instructions on dealing with sick and well. Eve to prayer meeting of 32nd Missouri. Not as interesting as ours I think. Burnside* has marched on a hoodless conquest and deliverance of E. Tennessee. Appetite less voracious.
Sept 18 - Chilly day. Rode to town on my little horse. Liked him and did not like him. The horse question has troubled me much for ten days. Rosencrans has taken Chattanooga and Burnside.
Sept 19 - Chilly still. Lib. our cook sick and Jim cooks. Studied etc. P.m. to 32nd hosp[ital]. Shall alternate daily between that and ours. Gave tracts and papers. Eve talked with Col Herrick of bringing wife and friends south in winter.
Sept 20 - Fine day. An unexpected and delightful tho' short call from Sam who has a furlough of 20 days. He is well. His regiment has suffered and is suffering much from sickness and death. In p.m. preached to an unusually good number of soldiers. Col Herrick has talked to officers about attending church. Very bad sick head ache in eve.
Sept 21 - Fine day. A.m. to Chaplain's meeting etc. P.m. school. My school room does well. Six or eight in attendance. In eve spent an hour or two with Col. Swayne who is quite sick. Prayer with him. Good letter from Ella and Henry.
* Clement Laird Vallandigham was born 29 July 1820 in Lisbon Ohio. He was elected as a Democrat to the Ohio legislature in 1845 and 1846, and by a very small margin to the U.S. Congress in 1858 and 1860 representing the district around Dayton. When the war broke out the majority anti-secession population of Dayton turned him out of office by a large margin in 1862.
He was a member of the copperhead movement and was vociferously anti-war on the basis of states rights, and perhaps racism played a part as well, as he defended the institution of slavery.
After the war, Vallandigham returned to Ohio, lost his campaigns for Senate and the House of Representatives on an anti-Reconstruction platform, and then resumed his law practice. By 1871 he won the Ohio Democrats over to a "new departure" policy that would essentially neglect to mention the Civil War.
Vallandigham's assertion that "he did not want to belong to the United States" prompted Edward Everett Hale to write The Man Without a Country. This short story, which appeared in The Atlantic Monthly in December 1863, was widely republished.
Vallandigham died on 17 June 1871 in Lebanon, Ohio, at the age of 50, after accidentally shooting himself with a pistol. He was representing a defendant in a murder case for killing a man in a bar room brawl. Vallandigham attempted to prove the victim had in fact killed himself while trying to draw his pistol from a pocket when rising from a kneeling position. As Vallandigham conferred with fellow defense attorneys in his hotel room, he showed them how he would demonstrate this to the jury. Grabbing a pistol he believed to be unloaded, he put it in his pocket and enacted the events as they might have happened, shooting himself in the process. Vallandigham proved his point, and the defendant, Thomas McGehan, was acquitted and released from custody. Pictured below
Union General Ambrose Everett Burnside was born 23 May 1824 in Liberty Indiana. He attended West Point, graduating in 1847. He fought in the Mexican-American war doing mostly garrison duty in Mexico City near the end of the war. At the close of the war, Lt. Burnside served two years on the western frontier, serving under Captain Braxton Bragg in the 3rd U.S. Artillery, a light artillery unit that had been converted to cavalry duty, protecting the Western mail routes through Nevada to California. In 1849, he was wounded by an arrow in his neck during a skirmish against Apaches in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Burnside was a brigadier general in the Rhode Island Militia. He raised a regiment, the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed its colonel on May 2, 1861. Within a month, he ascended to brigade command in the Department of Northeast Virginia. He commanded the brigade without distinction at the First Battle of Bull Run in July, committing his troops piecemeal, and took over division command temporarily for wounded Brig. Gen. David Hunter. After his 90-day regiment was mustered out of service, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on August 6, and was assigned to train provisional brigades in the nascent Army of the Potomac.
General Burnside also fought in North Carolina, Antietam, Fredericksburg, East Tennessee, The Overland campaign and the Crater.
Burnside was relieved of command on August 14 and sent on leave by Grant; Meade never recalled him to duty. A court of inquiry later placed the blame for the Crater fiasco on Burnside and his subordinates. In December, Burnside met with President Lincoln and General Grant about his future. He was contemplating resignation, but Lincoln and Grant requested that he remain in the Army. At the end of the interview, Burnside wrote, "I was not informed of any duty upon which I am to be placed." He finally resigned his commission on April 15, 1865.
Burnside was noted for his unusual facial hair, joining strips of hair in front of his ears to his mustache but with chin clean-shaven; the word burnsides was coined to describe this style. The syllables were later reversed to give sideburns.
8 - 14 Sept 1863
Sept 8 - A very warm day. Gave in my mare and halter at govt. stable and got a receipt from Capt. Eddy. Saw a man at Washington hospital, apparently a sincere Christian, a communicant of our church and promised to administer the sacrament. Buried a soldier of 32nd Mis[souri]. They have many sick and unusual mortality. No letter from Ella yet this week. Good pr[ayer] meeting.
Sept 9 - Warm. Administered sacrament to a poor soldier in Washington hospital. Apparently a devoted Christian. At noon a watermelon and cake at dinner. Upset my digestion and stupefied me some. I cannot be as careful in camp as at home. Oh that I might never over load my stomach. "Thy table is a snare and a trap". A letter from Ella.
Sept 10 - Very warm. To Wisconsin hospital in the a.m. but accomplished little. Studied etc. Got over my dyspepsia. Poor old Mr. Grimshaw died after a very short illness. P.m. to Christian Commission and saw and prayed with poor Hicks, who is very low in Jefferson hospital. Get almost exhausted walking in and out, partly from weather and partly want of practice in activity.
Sept 11 - Warm and very dusty. We buried Mr. Grimshaw in the morning. I attended auction of condemned stock. A man had bought and I bought of him at 25 dollars a small and rather exhausted looking mare. Pleased with my bargain. We had orders to be ready to move at sunset. I hurried and worked till bed time in preparation.
Sept 12 - Col. Swayne has come. Think we will go into Arkansas. A letter from Ella. Hearing I was and no letter (fault of mails) she is very anxious. Sends $10.00. Wants to come if I will send for her. A loving true wife.
Sept 13 - Usual routine of duties. Fair attendance at p.m. service. Read at hospital. Evening a chaplain's meeting and I baptized Murphy, Page and Howard. In evening saw Col. Swayne. Walked in and staid with him. Brings a good letter from North.
Sept 14 - Fine day but dusty. Chaplain's meeting. Nausea and vomiting after breakfast but feel better. Errands down town and school. See that my new purchase [the mare] is too small to carry me but will keep till I can sell or trade and if we march will go afoot some.
Sept 9 - Warm. Administered sacrament to a poor soldier in Washington hospital. Apparently a devoted Christian. At noon a watermelon and cake at dinner. Upset my digestion and stupefied me some. I cannot be as careful in camp as at home. Oh that I might never over load my stomach. "Thy table is a snare and a trap". A letter from Ella.
Sept 10 - Very warm. To Wisconsin hospital in the a.m. but accomplished little. Studied etc. Got over my dyspepsia. Poor old Mr. Grimshaw died after a very short illness. P.m. to Christian Commission and saw and prayed with poor Hicks, who is very low in Jefferson hospital. Get almost exhausted walking in and out, partly from weather and partly want of practice in activity.
Sept 11 - Warm and very dusty. We buried Mr. Grimshaw in the morning. I attended auction of condemned stock. A man had bought and I bought of him at 25 dollars a small and rather exhausted looking mare. Pleased with my bargain. We had orders to be ready to move at sunset. I hurried and worked till bed time in preparation.
Sept 12 - Col. Swayne has come. Think we will go into Arkansas. A letter from Ella. Hearing I was and no letter (fault of mails) she is very anxious. Sends $10.00. Wants to come if I will send for her. A loving true wife.
Sept 13 - Usual routine of duties. Fair attendance at p.m. service. Read at hospital. Evening a chaplain's meeting and I baptized Murphy, Page and Howard. In evening saw Col. Swayne. Walked in and staid with him. Brings a good letter from North.
Sept 14 - Fine day but dusty. Chaplain's meeting. Nausea and vomiting after breakfast but feel better. Errands down town and school. See that my new purchase [the mare] is too small to carry me but will keep till I can sell or trade and if we march will go afoot some.
1 - 7 Sept 1863
Sept 1 - Fine mild weather. Read, wrote, and visited a.m. P.m. to town and got my pay. Sent $35 to Henry*. Pleasant prayer meeting at Christian Commission. I hope those realms [?] Messers Burnell and Essing on will be encouraged. My appetite is too slack. I try to control it. With Col H[errick] to Judge S[?] in eve.
Sept 2 - Men hufing[?] a good deal and some drinking. See others sick and feel grateful for continued health and blessings. Spent an hour in hospital, read some from hope to Hicks. Eve to 27th regiment. Called on Dr. Young. Heard a soldier singing a hymn and talked with him on religion. A good letter from mother.
Sept 3 - Slightly hazy and warm. A.m. to Lieutenant Col. Fullers and Maj. Churchill's. P.m. to Rev. Mr. Hews where was quite pleasant. Eve a good but rather thin p[rayer] meeting. Rested my soul on Christ. Tired of my own works and feeling my unworthy deservings. He died for my sins. Rev. Mr. French named. Poor Hicks* at hospital seems failing.
Sept 4 - Fine settled weather, not very warm or very cold. Bad smell of carrion at night fall. Becoming more interested in Mr. Bonnell and his reading room. Attended auction sale of confiscated stock. Saw nothing I wanted among the lean starved up horses. Sought help and was enabled to speak kindly to poor Hicks of Jesus. He was moved to tears. A contrite heart God will not despise.
Sept 5 - Warmer days. Felt uncommonly lazy and listless in p.m. Feel some monotony and loneliness but am thankful for continued life and health. Suffer some from tyranny of appetite. Prepared for Bible class and went about some. Asked officers to induce more men to attend church. Murphey* and Howard* called - candidates for baptism.
Sept 6 - Fine day and labor[?]. Papers around at S[abbath] S[unday] School for servants for 9. Bible class at 10:30. Services at 2. Hospital and read at 3:30. In town to Union Chapel and preached to a large congregation at eve. Got on very well. Very tired. A fine church and congregation.
Sept 7 - Warm and dusty. Pleasant chaplains meeting. I was chosen chairman of the association for one month. At Gen Hewletts to see about my horse. Col Benson says cannot be appraised. Repossessed one for not having a uniform. No letter from Ella. Disappointed. Prayer meeting evening. Three deserters brought back after absence of one year or more.
* Henry Treat Chittenden (1836-1909), Richard's younger brother.
* David Hicks. Born 1839/40 in Washington twp, Harrison Co. Ohio. Appointed Corporal 1 Apr 1865,
* Joseph S. Murph[e]y. Born 1835/36 in Miller twp, Knox Co. Ohio.
* George W. Howard. Born 1839/40 in Huntington twp, Brown Co. Ohio.
Sept 2 - Men hufing[?] a good deal and some drinking. See others sick and feel grateful for continued health and blessings. Spent an hour in hospital, read some from hope to Hicks. Eve to 27th regiment. Called on Dr. Young. Heard a soldier singing a hymn and talked with him on religion. A good letter from mother.
Sept 3 - Slightly hazy and warm. A.m. to Lieutenant Col. Fullers and Maj. Churchill's. P.m. to Rev. Mr. Hews where was quite pleasant. Eve a good but rather thin p[rayer] meeting. Rested my soul on Christ. Tired of my own works and feeling my unworthy deservings. He died for my sins. Rev. Mr. French named. Poor Hicks* at hospital seems failing.
Sept 4 - Fine settled weather, not very warm or very cold. Bad smell of carrion at night fall. Becoming more interested in Mr. Bonnell and his reading room. Attended auction sale of confiscated stock. Saw nothing I wanted among the lean starved up horses. Sought help and was enabled to speak kindly to poor Hicks of Jesus. He was moved to tears. A contrite heart God will not despise.
Sept 5 - Warmer days. Felt uncommonly lazy and listless in p.m. Feel some monotony and loneliness but am thankful for continued life and health. Suffer some from tyranny of appetite. Prepared for Bible class and went about some. Asked officers to induce more men to attend church. Murphey* and Howard* called - candidates for baptism.
Sept 6 - Fine day and labor[?]. Papers around at S[abbath] S[unday] School for servants for 9. Bible class at 10:30. Services at 2. Hospital and read at 3:30. In town to Union Chapel and preached to a large congregation at eve. Got on very well. Very tired. A fine church and congregation.
Sept 7 - Warm and dusty. Pleasant chaplains meeting. I was chosen chairman of the association for one month. At Gen Hewletts to see about my horse. Col Benson says cannot be appraised. Repossessed one for not having a uniform. No letter from Ella. Disappointed. Prayer meeting evening. Three deserters brought back after absence of one year or more.
* Henry Treat Chittenden (1836-1909), Richard's younger brother.
* David Hicks. Born 1839/40 in Washington twp, Harrison Co. Ohio. Appointed Corporal 1 Apr 1865,
* Joseph S. Murph[e]y. Born 1835/36 in Miller twp, Knox Co. Ohio.
* George W. Howard. Born 1839/40 in Huntington twp, Brown Co. Ohio.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
29 - 31 Aug 1863
Aug 29 - A.m. early to town on an errand. Studied then in Company A. P.m. wrote on sermon. Have furnished tracts and papers to regiment going out on guard. Then errand to 32nd Wis[consin]. Then hospital, then battery. Tired at night.
A view of a Civil War field hospital
Aug 30 - Cool a.m. Bible class at 9. Rode to a Methodist Church with Col. Pleased and benefited sermon on witnesses. Brief appointment at 32nd Wisconsin not fulfilled. The Col. had made other arrangements not knowing of mine. Heard chaplain Peake in eve. Preached on John 3:3.
Aug 31 - A cold night last night. Moderating today. Pleasant chaplain's meeting a.m. Regiment paid off. Two soldiers paid me up borrowed money - honorable. A real good letter from wife and a courant*. We hear of Fort Sumter being demolished and I hope to hear of capture of Charleston. Good prayer meeting in eve.
* The Hartford Courant is the oldest newspaper in North America in continuous publication. It began as a weekly in 1764. Daily publication began in 1837, but the weekly edition continued until 1896. George Washington used the Courant to lease part of his Mount Vernon estate, and Thomas Jefferson sued the paper for libel, but lost. During the Revolution the paper had the largest circulation of any paper in the colonies. The Courant, inspired by a visit by President Lincoln to Hartford CT became leading supporters of the new Republican party. When Lincoln won his second term the headlines proudly exclaimed "VICTORY, VICTORY, WE'VE GOT 'EM". During the Civil War the Courant was a primary way of spreading war news among the troops.
A view of a Civil War field hospital
Aug 30 - Cool a.m. Bible class at 9. Rode to a Methodist Church with Col. Pleased and benefited sermon on witnesses. Brief appointment at 32nd Wisconsin not fulfilled. The Col. had made other arrangements not knowing of mine. Heard chaplain Peake in eve. Preached on John 3:3.
Aug 31 - A cold night last night. Moderating today. Pleasant chaplain's meeting a.m. Regiment paid off. Two soldiers paid me up borrowed money - honorable. A real good letter from wife and a courant*. We hear of Fort Sumter being demolished and I hope to hear of capture of Charleston. Good prayer meeting in eve.
* The Hartford Courant is the oldest newspaper in North America in continuous publication. It began as a weekly in 1764. Daily publication began in 1837, but the weekly edition continued until 1896. George Washington used the Courant to lease part of his Mount Vernon estate, and Thomas Jefferson sued the paper for libel, but lost. During the Revolution the paper had the largest circulation of any paper in the colonies. The Courant, inspired by a visit by President Lincoln to Hartford CT became leading supporters of the new Republican party. When Lincoln won his second term the headlines proudly exclaimed "VICTORY, VICTORY, WE'VE GOT 'EM". During the Civil War the Courant was a primary way of spreading war news among the troops.
24 - 28 Aug 1863
Aug 24 - Col. Sheldon called on Col. Herrick to my surprise. Not quite well but going back. Col. Swayne left for Ohio.
Aug 25 - Remarkable change yesterday a.m. Clouds and chill wind. It is strengthening. Men have requested prayer meeting every night except when on guard. I urge religious thoughts and reading in regiment.
Aug 26 - We begin to eat. Clear but cool day. Am stupid and weak. By request attended funeral of a soldier in 63rd O[hio VI]. P[rayer] meeting in eve. A supper given at G[?] house to Gen. Grant. I was not invited.
Aug 27 - Fine and cool. Rather weak. A letter from Ella but too short and in pencil. In p.m. to town on business and eve a pleasant call at Col. Boyd's with Col. Herrick.
Aug 28 - Rained most of the a.m. I studied. Often feel tired and weary in my work. Have prayer meetings every evening except when on guard. Bowels some sore. Chilly weather.
Aug 25 - Remarkable change yesterday a.m. Clouds and chill wind. It is strengthening. Men have requested prayer meeting every night except when on guard. I urge religious thoughts and reading in regiment.
Aug 26 - We begin to eat. Clear but cool day. Am stupid and weak. By request attended funeral of a soldier in 63rd O[hio VI]. P[rayer] meeting in eve. A supper given at G[?] house to Gen. Grant. I was not invited.
Aug 27 - Fine and cool. Rather weak. A letter from Ella but too short and in pencil. In p.m. to town on business and eve a pleasant call at Col. Boyd's with Col. Herrick.
Aug 28 - Rained most of the a.m. I studied. Often feel tired and weary in my work. Have prayer meetings every evening except when on guard. Bowels some sore. Chilly weather.
17 - 23 Aug 1863
Aug 17 - Attended Chaplain's meeting am. A cool room and pleasant talk.
Aug 18 - Mr. [Daniel] Rheem [i.e. Ream] of Ohio here to get away his son [John]* - very low at the hospital. He chafes at delay in papers. The poor boy dies on the 21st.
Aug 19 - Lay too cold and got up feeling agueish and unwell. Write to wife twice a week now.
Aug 20 - Still unwell tho' keep about my duties. Mr. Rheem [sic] complains that Dr. Rose who is sick does not see his son and other patients. I inadvertently repeat the complaint. Col. Herrick notifies him. He requests to know who complained. I write and explain. The Dr. soon friendly again.
Aug 21 - Unwell still. Bad taste and poor appetite. Col. Herrick the same. Got on finally in preparing sermon this evening.
Aug 22 - Feel worse, have fever. Disappointed in letter from wife this week - now get one saying she has taken whooping cough. Undressed and went to bed to be sick. Was mulled[?] off and feel better.
Aug 23 - Sunday. Too unwell to do duty. Mr. K.A. Brumell addressed the regiment. Good attendance. Col Swayne dropped in going home [?]. Weak but better than yesterday.
* Pvt. John Ream, born 1838/9 in Madison twp. Fairfield Co. Ohio. He was the son of Daniel (born abt 1808 in PA) and Sarah (born abt 1811 in OH).
Aug 18 - Mr. [Daniel] Rheem [i.e. Ream] of Ohio here to get away his son [John]* - very low at the hospital. He chafes at delay in papers. The poor boy dies on the 21st.
Aug 19 - Lay too cold and got up feeling agueish and unwell. Write to wife twice a week now.
Aug 20 - Still unwell tho' keep about my duties. Mr. Rheem [sic] complains that Dr. Rose who is sick does not see his son and other patients. I inadvertently repeat the complaint. Col. Herrick notifies him. He requests to know who complained. I write and explain. The Dr. soon friendly again.
Aug 21 - Unwell still. Bad taste and poor appetite. Col. Herrick the same. Got on finally in preparing sermon this evening.
Aug 22 - Feel worse, have fever. Disappointed in letter from wife this week - now get one saying she has taken whooping cough. Undressed and went to bed to be sick. Was mulled[?] off and feel better.
Aug 23 - Sunday. Too unwell to do duty. Mr. K.A. Brumell addressed the regiment. Good attendance. Col Swayne dropped in going home [?]. Weak but better than yesterday.
* Pvt. John Ream, born 1838/9 in Madison twp. Fairfield Co. Ohio. He was the son of Daniel (born abt 1808 in PA) and Sarah (born abt 1811 in OH).
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
9 - 16 August 1863
Aug 9 - Preached to a fair congregation at 2. Major Park and others going North for conscripts left at 4 or 5 p.m. Buried a Wisconsin soldier at 5:30. Sun[?] hurt my head. Spent night with Col. Swayne. Head ache.
Aug 10 - Walked out to camp. Got into Major's tent. A short letter from home. A lull in public events. Warm and dry for marches and awaiting conscripts.
Aug 11 - Go on in my routine duties. Am not satisfied longer with doing without much am but to fill up time. Now try to have an aim in doing good and follow it out. The other way accomplishes little and becomes intolerably tedious.
Aug 13 - Ride into town occasionally on errands.
Aug 14 - Over 90 nine months men go home about this time*. Makes the regiment small. Hope for conscripts to fill up.
Aug 16 - Burial of F.A. Mansfield. Col. Herrick did not think [?] to send around notice of church as has been done and as I feared attendance was small. Quite disheartened me. Hot weather along now.
* On Aug. 4 1862, President Lincoln called up 300,000 men for nine months service, on top of the 300,000 he had already requested in July 1862 for three years. The militia call-up was General Order No. 94:
Aug 10 - Walked out to camp. Got into Major's tent. A short letter from home. A lull in public events. Warm and dry for marches and awaiting conscripts.
Aug 11 - Go on in my routine duties. Am not satisfied longer with doing without much am but to fill up time. Now try to have an aim in doing good and follow it out. The other way accomplishes little and becomes intolerably tedious.
Aug 13 - Ride into town occasionally on errands.
Aug 14 - Over 90 nine months men go home about this time*. Makes the regiment small. Hope for conscripts to fill up.
Aug 16 - Burial of F.A. Mansfield. Col. Herrick did not think [?] to send around notice of church as has been done and as I feared attendance was small. Quite disheartened me. Hot weather along now.
* On Aug. 4 1862, President Lincoln called up 300,000 men for nine months service, on top of the 300,000 he had already requested in July 1862 for three years. The militia call-up was General Order No. 94:
Ordered: I. That a draft of 300,000 militia be immediately called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged. The Secretary of War will assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the draft.
II. That if any state shall not by the 15th of August furnish its quota of the additional 300,000 volunteers authorized by law, the deficiency of volunteers in that State will also be made up by special draft from the militia. The Secretary of War will establish regulations for this purpose.
1 - 8 Aug 1863
Aug 1 - Met Gen. Buckland* on cars. I am in his brigade. A hot and dusty ride. Cairo [Illinois] at 4 p.m. Left on boat at Columbus [Kentucky] at midnight. Went to McElg Hotel.
Aug 2 - Fine hot day. At church (Pres[byterian]) a.m. and went on hill with tracts to camp and hospital p.m. Eve wrote to Ella for mail from here.
Aug 3 - Waited for boat and left on "Sallie Robinson*" for Memphis, fare $8.00. Small and few passengers. Write up all July journal to date.
Aug 4 - Pleasant sail down, Stopping at Fort Pillow*. At 4:30 Memphis here in sight and was some on the wharf. Got a carriage and rode to regiment. Warm welcomes.
Aug 5 - Mess with Col. Herrick and Major Park: sleep on floor of Col's tent for the present. Met acquaintances. The regiment seems quieter than formerly. Good clapboard quarters.
Aug 6 - Attend funeral of a child of a member of 32nd Wisconsin encamped near us about this time "Thanksgiving day". Attend dinner at Christian Commission rooms*. A pleasant time.
Aug 8 - Preparing for Sunday.
* Ralph Pomeroy Buckland was born 20 Jan 1812 in Leyden Massachusetts. His family moved to Ravenna Ohio the year he was born. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1838 and after passing the bar practiced Law in Fremont Ohio. He served as Mayor of Fremont from 1843-1845, and was a member of the Ohio State Senate from 1855 - 1859. At the outbreak of the Civil War he became Colonel of the Ohio 72nd Infantry and later commanded a brigade under General William Tecumseh Sherman at the battle of Shiloh in April 1862. He was commissioned a Brigadier General of volunteers on 29 November 1862 and served at the siege of Vicksburg in the Spring and Summer of 1863. He resigned from the army in January 1865 and returned to Ohio where he won a seat in the U.S. Congress where he served two terms from 1865-1869. He died in Fremont Ohio on 27 May 1892. Pictured below
* The Sallie Robinson was a steamship sailing out of Shreveport and New Orleans, mostly to points west along the Louisiana Coast and Texas, which was commandeered by Union troops for the blockade of the the Port of New Orleans beginning 19 April 1861. It then sailed up and down the Mississippi river picking up passengers like Richard Chittenden.
* Fort Pillow, at Henning Tennessee, was the sight of a bloody battle fought on 12 April 1864. The battle ended with a massacre of African-American Union soldiers who had surrendered to Confederate forces under the direction of Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The New York Times reported on April 24, 1864 "The blacks and their officers were shot down, bayoneted and put to the sword in cold blood... . Out of four hundred negro soldiers only about twenty survive! At least three hundred of them were destroyed after the surrender! This is the statement of the rebel General Chalmers himself to our informant."
This tragedy was used as a rallying cry in the North and helped the resolve of the Union to see the war through to the end.
*The United States Christian Commission was formed 16 Nov 1861 at a convention of delegates from the YMCA held in New York City. "The object of the Commission was to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the officers and men of the U.S. army and navy, in co-operation with chaplains and others." Taken from "Report of the United Stated Christian Commission for the Army and Navy: Work and Incidents: 1st annual report: Philadelphia, February 1863"
Aug 2 - Fine hot day. At church (Pres[byterian]) a.m. and went on hill with tracts to camp and hospital p.m. Eve wrote to Ella for mail from here.
Aug 3 - Waited for boat and left on "Sallie Robinson*" for Memphis, fare $8.00. Small and few passengers. Write up all July journal to date.
Aug 4 - Pleasant sail down, Stopping at Fort Pillow*. At 4:30 Memphis here in sight and was some on the wharf. Got a carriage and rode to regiment. Warm welcomes.
Aug 5 - Mess with Col. Herrick and Major Park: sleep on floor of Col's tent for the present. Met acquaintances. The regiment seems quieter than formerly. Good clapboard quarters.
Aug 6 - Attend funeral of a child of a member of 32nd Wisconsin encamped near us about this time "Thanksgiving day". Attend dinner at Christian Commission rooms*. A pleasant time.
Aug 8 - Preparing for Sunday.
* Ralph Pomeroy Buckland was born 20 Jan 1812 in Leyden Massachusetts. His family moved to Ravenna Ohio the year he was born. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1838 and after passing the bar practiced Law in Fremont Ohio. He served as Mayor of Fremont from 1843-1845, and was a member of the Ohio State Senate from 1855 - 1859. At the outbreak of the Civil War he became Colonel of the Ohio 72nd Infantry and later commanded a brigade under General William Tecumseh Sherman at the battle of Shiloh in April 1862. He was commissioned a Brigadier General of volunteers on 29 November 1862 and served at the siege of Vicksburg in the Spring and Summer of 1863. He resigned from the army in January 1865 and returned to Ohio where he won a seat in the U.S. Congress where he served two terms from 1865-1869. He died in Fremont Ohio on 27 May 1892. Pictured below
* The Sallie Robinson was a steamship sailing out of Shreveport and New Orleans, mostly to points west along the Louisiana Coast and Texas, which was commandeered by Union troops for the blockade of the the Port of New Orleans beginning 19 April 1861. It then sailed up and down the Mississippi river picking up passengers like Richard Chittenden.
* Fort Pillow, at Henning Tennessee, was the sight of a bloody battle fought on 12 April 1864. The battle ended with a massacre of African-American Union soldiers who had surrendered to Confederate forces under the direction of Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The New York Times reported on April 24, 1864 "The blacks and their officers were shot down, bayoneted and put to the sword in cold blood... . Out of four hundred negro soldiers only about twenty survive! At least three hundred of them were destroyed after the surrender! This is the statement of the rebel General Chalmers himself to our informant."
This tragedy was used as a rallying cry in the North and helped the resolve of the Union to see the war through to the end.
*The United States Christian Commission was formed 16 Nov 1861 at a convention of delegates from the YMCA held in New York City. "The object of the Commission was to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of the officers and men of the U.S. army and navy, in co-operation with chaplains and others." Taken from "Report of the United Stated Christian Commission for the Army and Navy: Work and Incidents: 1st annual report: Philadelphia, February 1863"
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
23 - 31 July 1863
July 23 - Eve at Pres[byterian] prayer meeting. Levitt Hayden killed at Gettysburg. Tonight home.
July 24 - Have a note for $800.00 with interest from Pa for deed for lot in Chittenden place.
July 25 - Have been writing a sermon this week on "Kingdom that cannot be moved". Baby has whooping cough. He caught it in Columbus. Ella has sore mouth again.
July 26 - Preached at our dear little church a.m. and communion p.m. Sunday school was done and prayer meeting stopped. They need a rector. Eve spoke at Bible society.
July 27 - Mr. Morgan* wishes bargain. Thinks the mare will be always lame. I tell him I will do what is right.
July 28 - A pleasant ride. Fixing canned fruit for me to take.
July 29 - As usual. Henry gone East. Mr. Gordon* gone. Left his word to consult my wife if dissatisfied. She will offer him $50 for the mare $10 damages for loss of sale to others perhaps.
July 30 - Took my farewell in p.m. Took [?] for once. Reached Columbus at 11 p.m. Dear Ella I hate to leave you.
July 31 - Packed a trunk with numerous things for self and others. Saw Gov. Tod to get Oren's[?] promotion but he gave me no hope. Left at 11 a.m. and left Columbus at 5.
A pleasant month. Recovered from illness. His mercies are new every day. Duty calls me away. May duty let me live at home soon "and go no more out".
Dewitt Howard* gone to 103rd regiment with Sutter.
* John D. Morgan b.1802 in Connecticut. His wife's name was Anna. They moved to Elyria in the 1850s
* Jeremiah Gordon b. abt 1810 in England. His wife's name was Jane. They moved to Elyria in the 1840s
* The younger brother of Richard's wife Ella. He was born in Delaware in 1836.
July 24 - Have a note for $800.00 with interest from Pa for deed for lot in Chittenden place.
July 25 - Have been writing a sermon this week on "Kingdom that cannot be moved". Baby has whooping cough. He caught it in Columbus. Ella has sore mouth again.
July 26 - Preached at our dear little church a.m. and communion p.m. Sunday school was done and prayer meeting stopped. They need a rector. Eve spoke at Bible society.
July 27 - Mr. Morgan* wishes bargain. Thinks the mare will be always lame. I tell him I will do what is right.
July 28 - A pleasant ride. Fixing canned fruit for me to take.
July 29 - As usual. Henry gone East. Mr. Gordon* gone. Left his word to consult my wife if dissatisfied. She will offer him $50 for the mare $10 damages for loss of sale to others perhaps.
July 30 - Took my farewell in p.m. Took [?] for once. Reached Columbus at 11 p.m. Dear Ella I hate to leave you.
July 31 - Packed a trunk with numerous things for self and others. Saw Gov. Tod to get Oren's[?] promotion but he gave me no hope. Left at 11 a.m. and left Columbus at 5.
A pleasant month. Recovered from illness. His mercies are new every day. Duty calls me away. May duty let me live at home soon "and go no more out".
Dewitt Howard* gone to 103rd regiment with Sutter.
* John D. Morgan b.1802 in Connecticut. His wife's name was Anna. They moved to Elyria in the 1850s
* Jeremiah Gordon b. abt 1810 in England. His wife's name was Jane. They moved to Elyria in the 1840s
* The younger brother of Richard's wife Ella. He was born in Delaware in 1836.
16 - 22 July 1863
July 16 - Got some new pants and vest and some books contributed by John Andrews for the camp library for our regiment.
July 17 - As usual Pa and I get pretty warm in discussing political affairs so I shall stop it. I am an unconditional Union man. He favors the peace Democrats.
July 18 - Trying to get baby's photograph. P.m. rode to Gahana with Lieut. Connell* of the 43rd. Eve at Col Swayne's. Gen. Brayman* walked home with Ella and I with ma.
July 19 - A pleasant Sunday at Trinity a.m. and eve. Spoke at Pres[byterian] Sunday School concert in the afternoon. Capt. Henry Chittenden* at Camp Chase*. Morgans of Ky in the state.
July 20 - We left for Elyria at 11 a.m. I have got my leave extended not being quite strong and well. Arrived at 3 in the rain. Ella had bad headache.
July 21 - Saw folks in town. Happy place. Pleasant here. Saw our sweet old home. Ella has more sore mouth.
July 22 - John Morgan* captured near Salineville [Columbiana County, Ohio]. Pay my debts and visit some. Sell Topsy for $60.00 to Mr. Gordon.
* Zachariah A. Connell, a 1st Lieutenant in F company, 43rd OVI. He enlisted as a private on 3 Oct 1861, was appointed 1st Sergeant 1 Jan 1862, Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 17 July 1862, and 1st Lieutenant 3 Sep 1862. He was discharged 28 Aug 1863.
*Brigadier General Mason Brayman (23 May 1813 - 27 Feb 1895). Became 7th Governor of the Idaho Territory, serving from 1876 to 1880. Pictured below
* Henry Treat Chittenden, Richard's younger brother, born 18 Dec 1836. He died 30 May 1909.
* Camp Chase was a Union training and staging camp as well as a prisoner of war camp on the west side of Columbus, OH. There is a cemetary there where 2,260 Confederate soldiers are buried. The cemetary is located at 2900 Sullivant Ave.
* Confederate General John Hunt Morgan (1 June 1825 - 4 Sep 1864) pictured below
July 17 - As usual Pa and I get pretty warm in discussing political affairs so I shall stop it. I am an unconditional Union man. He favors the peace Democrats.
July 18 - Trying to get baby's photograph. P.m. rode to Gahana with Lieut. Connell* of the 43rd. Eve at Col Swayne's. Gen. Brayman* walked home with Ella and I with ma.
July 19 - A pleasant Sunday at Trinity a.m. and eve. Spoke at Pres[byterian] Sunday School concert in the afternoon. Capt. Henry Chittenden* at Camp Chase*. Morgans of Ky in the state.
July 20 - We left for Elyria at 11 a.m. I have got my leave extended not being quite strong and well. Arrived at 3 in the rain. Ella had bad headache.
July 21 - Saw folks in town. Happy place. Pleasant here. Saw our sweet old home. Ella has more sore mouth.
July 22 - John Morgan* captured near Salineville [Columbiana County, Ohio]. Pay my debts and visit some. Sell Topsy for $60.00 to Mr. Gordon.
* Zachariah A. Connell, a 1st Lieutenant in F company, 43rd OVI. He enlisted as a private on 3 Oct 1861, was appointed 1st Sergeant 1 Jan 1862, Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 17 July 1862, and 1st Lieutenant 3 Sep 1862. He was discharged 28 Aug 1863.
*Brigadier General Mason Brayman (23 May 1813 - 27 Feb 1895). Became 7th Governor of the Idaho Territory, serving from 1876 to 1880. Pictured below
* Henry Treat Chittenden, Richard's younger brother, born 18 Dec 1836. He died 30 May 1909.
* Camp Chase was a Union training and staging camp as well as a prisoner of war camp on the west side of Columbus, OH. There is a cemetary there where 2,260 Confederate soldiers are buried. The cemetary is located at 2900 Sullivant Ave.
* Confederate General John Hunt Morgan (1 June 1825 - 4 Sep 1864) pictured below
8 - 15 July 1863
July 8 - In p.m. yesterday accompanied Henry [Richard's younger brother] into the country, a fine ride. On our return saw fire works and great rejoicings. Vicksburgh capitulates to Gen Grant July 4th with thousands of prisoners.
July 9 - I intimated that my wife had not economized enough about buying the baby carriage. She learnt too that I intended to return and if well to remain in the regiment a year or more. She was much grieved and shed tears. Afterwards felt better. Went to Wed eve lecture.
July 11 - Took a fine ride at eve. Plumb Park wants me for superintendant of the D. & D. Asylum*. I don't wish to be a candidate. The baby is a delight to his grandma and aunts.
July 12 - Got chilled by an open window last night and felt miserably all day. So chilly. In eve we had our dear boy Lucius Howard Chittenden baptized by Rev. J E Grammar, Trinity Church. Jos. R. Swan and Lottie C Sponsors.
July 13 - Felt better. Got some quinine. Great appetite but gain strength slowly. Port Hudson taken by Gen Banks* this month. Lee invades Penn., Battle of Gettysburgh, retreats to Virginia.
July 14 - Ride, read, talk, walk etc. So the days pass pleasantly away.
July 15 - As usual my dear wife is not strong. Has had sore mouth. I attend the morning Union prayer meeting.
* The Ohio School for the Deaf [and Dumb], founded by Rev. James Hoge in 1826 in Columbus. The building that Richard would have known was built in 1832 on East Town Street. The School remained in that location, with additions and remodelling and rebuilding, until 1953.
* Union General Nathaniel P. Banks (1816-1894) was considered by many as an inferior general. At the start of the war he was Governor of Massachusetts (1858-1861) and a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. He was known as "Old Jack's Commisary General" and "Commisary Banks" for he was twice defeated by Stonewall Jackson, at Winchester on 25 May 1862 and Cedar Mountain on 9 Aug 1862. He later commanded the department of the Gulf, succeeding General Benjamin Butler. He is pictured below
July 9 - I intimated that my wife had not economized enough about buying the baby carriage. She learnt too that I intended to return and if well to remain in the regiment a year or more. She was much grieved and shed tears. Afterwards felt better. Went to Wed eve lecture.
July 11 - Took a fine ride at eve. Plumb Park wants me for superintendant of the D. & D. Asylum*. I don't wish to be a candidate. The baby is a delight to his grandma and aunts.
July 12 - Got chilled by an open window last night and felt miserably all day. So chilly. In eve we had our dear boy Lucius Howard Chittenden baptized by Rev. J E Grammar, Trinity Church. Jos. R. Swan and Lottie C Sponsors.
July 13 - Felt better. Got some quinine. Great appetite but gain strength slowly. Port Hudson taken by Gen Banks* this month. Lee invades Penn., Battle of Gettysburgh, retreats to Virginia.
July 14 - Ride, read, talk, walk etc. So the days pass pleasantly away.
July 15 - As usual my dear wife is not strong. Has had sore mouth. I attend the morning Union prayer meeting.
* The Ohio School for the Deaf [and Dumb], founded by Rev. James Hoge in 1826 in Columbus. The building that Richard would have known was built in 1832 on East Town Street. The School remained in that location, with additions and remodelling and rebuilding, until 1953.
* Union General Nathaniel P. Banks (1816-1894) was considered by many as an inferior general. At the start of the war he was Governor of Massachusetts (1858-1861) and a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. He was known as "Old Jack's Commisary General" and "Commisary Banks" for he was twice defeated by Stonewall Jackson, at Winchester on 25 May 1862 and Cedar Mountain on 9 Aug 1862. He later commanded the department of the Gulf, succeeding General Benjamin Butler. He is pictured below
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