[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 62nd Ohio Volunteers]
Thursday 8
Loaded the wagons with commissaries
&c and came to reg. 4 miles west of
Newbern. Recd. a letter from Alice A.
La[?] Reg camped in a pine grove
pitched tents &c
MSS 38-129
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Thurs 8. looks like snow. Col unwell – & Q.M. quite sick –
Chester at Aquia Creek for supplies – [?] cook –
Had rather unusually good time readg. talkg. & prayer in hosp.
Made discharge papers –
possibly a reference of James Chester, Co. I, 25th New Jersey
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]
Jan. 8th, ‘63
Remained in
camp to-day. Our tents
arrived about noon;
the first we have seen
of them since leaving
Nashville. Plenty of
crackers to-day.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 10547-bm
[from the diary of George W. Dabney, clerk of Campbell County]
8″ Thursday
Clear & cold.
making cattle shelters
& plowing & shrubbing
sore leg, laid up
MSS 3315
[from the diary of Matthella Page Harrison as transcribed at a later date]
Thursday, January 8th – Spent today at New Market with sister Mary and Cousin Jane, besides the family. It seems so strange to see that circle so small. Oh how many have been scattered by the bridal and tomb since my childhood days. No news of the outer world today.
MSS 9759
[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Rev. Ebenezer Boyden, Rector of Walker’s Church, Cismont, Va.]
Saturday 8th, A sleety, dreadful day – But sent
the carriage for Ma – She came & Father had a
terrible headache – They had a delightful little
visit. Hanson was looking & doing very well
-O that peace would come! May God hasten
it in his own good time!
D. Hanson Boyden was serving with the Charlottesville Artillery (Carrington’s Company of the Virginia Light Artillery)
MSS 4288
Jan 7th 1863
Camp near Fredricksburg
Dear Nell
Your letter was
received this morning and having
as good an opportunity now as I
ever shall have I will answer
it immediately. I wrote to
mother about a week ago since
when nothing of importance has
occurred. Our New Years day was
spent as Christmas was, viz, on
picket duty in the dull town of
Fredericksburg. Fredricksburg
may possibly in times of peace have
been a very pleasant place, but
at present it is one of the most
disagreeable places that I know
of All the stores are closed, very
few citizens are in the streets
and at every step you take
new marks of the destruction
[page 2]
wrought by Yankee cannon
and Yankee hands present
themselves. I never saw a town
so completely sacked. Subscrip-
tions have been taken up in the
army and in the country gen-
erally for the relief of the suffer-
ers. The 21st has subscribed
nearly two thousand dollars
The troops generally I believe
have given pretty liberally and
I think enough will be obtained
to prevent all suffering though
not enough of course to compensate
for all the damage done to prop-
erty. The Yankees still remain
on the other side of the river
apparently in considerable force
Whether they will remain at-
tempt another crossing remains
to be seen. I am rather inclined
to think that they will not
I think the campaign for this
[page 3]
winter is pretty well over
The year 1862 wound up
very gloriously for the Confederacy
althoug[h] Braggs victory in the
Tennessee was not as complete
as we at first supposed. I
don’t believe the war can
possibly last more than twelve months
longer and it may terminate
much sooner. I was very glad
to hear from sister. I would
have written to her by one
of the flags of truce which came
over after the battle of Fred-
ricksburg but I did not know
where to address her. I am
glad that she has left Min-
nesota. You don’t say any-
thing about Sam in your
letter. How is he getting and
when will he return? Tell
him that we all talk a great
deal about him and wish
[page 4]
(for our own sakes) that he
was with us: but hope he
will not think of coming back
until he is perfectly recovered
I am sorry to hear that
Cousin John Buhler is in
such bad health and hope
he may succeed in getting his
discharge. Give much love
to Mother & Nette and to
the Postlewhaites when
you see them. Remember
me also to the servants
Your affectionate brother
Horatio N Smith
Horatio N. Smith, Co. D, 21st Mississippi
MSS 3772
[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]
Wednesday
Jan 7
Have been at work on the descriptive
book, and also received and delivered
the clothing to the men. Pretty cold weather.
MSS 11293
[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 67th Regiment Ohio Volunteers]
Wednesday, January 7, 1863
Loaded the baggage on the cars 58″
P.V. reshifted got aboard the train
and all together left Moorehead at
11 A.M. arrived at Newbern N.C. at
4 P.M. unloaded the baggage &c &c
captured two boxes
MSS 38-129
[page 2]
of the apples that are at home I would have
some fine dishes of saws and apple fliters I
have been very hungry since I have been here
by time but I think I will be able to see it
through as their is but about 3 & 1/2 months
[page 3]
tents which are some protection but the
weather has been fine I think I never
saw such good weather this time a year
Their was some talk that in camp that this Brigade
would be sent back but their has
been nothing said the last few days so I dont think
their is much in it I [wish?] whe would by Text-Enhance”>go back
a piece for their would be some chance
to By something to eat their is no chance to get
any thing here neathe paper nor postage by Text-Enhance”>stamps
as you will see this is ritten on an old piece
of copy by Text-Enhance”>book that was picked up [illegible word]
and if I have to maile this and leave you the
postage to pay you must excuse me or else
I [illegible word] [change our position?] Their
is several that I would like to write to if I had
the paper their is no sutlers supplies alowed
to be shiped as the armies is so large that it require
all the transportation the government can raise to
bring up supplys their is no much chance for
a forward move from here as the Rebels seam to
bee very well Situated on the other side of the
[page 4]
the Rappahanook is but a Small river some
paces it is so shalow that it is easely forded
the pickets talk to each other from the banks
of the stream their is no firing amonkst the
pickets but a few evenings they wer Driven in
which put the officers on their gard I think I will stop
writing about the armie and tell you that what part
of Virginia [I] have seen it looks offel hard it is
nothing but a lot of hill and the poorist land I have
most ever seen their is a great deal of this scruby
Pine and seder grows here most all the farms
are vacated the inhabitants gon south with the
exception of some few Negros that are scatered about
I wish I who could have been at home to have
tended singing the last three evenings as they have
been fine and I suppose you had a good time
I want you to write to me and give me all
the new and let me no how the singing is going
geting along I wrote to David Early some time ago
have not herd from him yet my paper is most full
my best Respects to your Parents and all that inquire
and I Remain
