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.

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