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
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