New York
                                             January 4th 1863
Dear Parents
                                  I will write a few lines so
that you may not be d[i]sappointed Wednesday
evening in not receiving a letter.
   I recd. your letter last evening inclosing
the $1.00. I suppose you intended it
for postage stamps, – at least I think it
will be used as such.
  My available fund now amounts to $6.00
a U.S. five & the one, you sent.
   I tell you that is quite a fortune to
what some have here, officers as well as men.
   Yesterday I bot. a frock coat which
I was obliged to have.
    Surgeon Harlow & myself went to the city
yesterday, after walking about all afternoon
we finally concluded to take a coat for
which I paid 420.00 it is rather high
price I know but the best I could do.
    I thought it was best, to borrow the
money and not run the risk of sending it,
for no knowing when we shall leave
here.  The Quartermaster Seargt. just told me
that the ship would be ready for us tomorrow
night.  Hope we shall not leave till that
bundle arrives.
    Received a letter from Dora last week.
Have not received any papers for six
weeks, it is just so int he other Regts
papers sent from home are rarely if ever recd.
so you better not bother to send any.

[in left margin]
  It has been very pleasant over head to day, but O, such walking
you never saw, mud up to your ankles. There has been no services
in the Regts. to day there seems to be but little attention paid to the
sabbath in the army.  O, that I may be more watchful & prayeful [sic]
      Your affectionate Son
                       C. P. Morrill

Charles Plummer Morrill, 24th Maine

MSS 11031
  

[from the diary of Captain William F. Hunter, Co. B., 97th Ohio]

     Jan. 4th, ’63.
     It is Sabbath, &
the rain ceasing, we are
now trying to dry our
wet & muddy clothes.
All quiet during the day.
Report current that
Murfreesboro is evacua-
ted. About sun set
heard the firing of one or
two cannons in front.
Our forces again cross the river.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 7786-g

[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]

Sun 4. A review of 9th Army Corps was ordered for today
I felt it was a desecration of the day, & sat down &
wrote a respectful appeal to Gen. Burnside to postpone                       
it.  & sent it by Jacob.  The Gen was in bed, ordered Jacob
to wait – wrote me an autograph letter.  Asked Jacob
if he belongs to same regt. with me – sd. yes – you
are sure – yes sir – then give him this –

[Here follows a copy of a letter from General Ambrose E. Burnside to Chaplain Francis E. Butler dated January 4th, 1863.]

“Rev. F. E. Butler
             “My dear Sir
                                 “I have just received your
“kind note, and most cheerfully grant your request.
“The order postponing the review has been sent.
“You have my most sincere thanks for giving me
“so timely, and necessary a check.  You are quite
“right in saying that nothing should be done
“to interfere with the religious exercises which
“which it is our duty at all times to observe –
                                         Yours very sincerely
                                              Signed – A.E. Burnside.”

The order soon came countermanding the review,
& the regts. had a day of rest.  I preached in P.M.
on Rejoice in the Lord Phil 4:4.  In his character, providence
& Promises – to Xs. & Service – &c.  Prayer meetg. in Eveg. there
[-] prayers – lovely day & night – but high wind.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

[from the diary of Sgt. Robert Larimer, Co. C., 67th Ohio Volunteers]

Sunday, January 4, 1863
At 12 were on the boat and at 1 PM
were under way passed Ft Monroe
at 2 P.M. at 3 PM. cleared the land
sailed all night

MSS 38-129

[from the signal message book of Lt. Thomas S. Shepard, 3rd New York Infantry]

Jan. 4th
  To 22
     Keep strict watch
     all night.
                        2222

MSS 10781

[from the diary of George W. Dabney, clerk of Campbell County]

from then [Dec 26] to 4″ Jany was
in one grand spree all about
had two falls from steeds
borrowed $14 from Dr Lem”
$4 from Hazld & $5 from We
$5 from Lias $1.50 from Jim.
finally hauled up at Olivers
(Dan) on Sunday 4″ Jany

Jany 4″ Sunday
Clear & pleasant during
day — windy & cold at night
at Olivers laid up.

MSS 3315

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper publisher and civilian employee of the Quartermaster Dept.]

[from the diary of Mary S. Boyden, daughter of the Reverend Ebenzer Boyden, rector of Walker’s Church, Cismont]

Sunday 4th  Father got a present of about
$300 from his parishioners at the Green Spring
besides two barrels of flour.  He has bought
three Confederate bonds of $500 each which he
gives to Lilla & Fanny & myself.  How very
gracious God is to us!  May we be suitably
thankful!

MSS 4288

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F., 25th Massachusetts]

Saturday
Jan 3
Went down town on a pass this
forenoon.  In the first place went to
get my picture taken, and by waiting a
couple of hours, I got four small ones taken and
good ones too, for which I paid a dollar.  I then
came up street, buying some apples, cakes, raisins
and pie on the way up.  I also got two papers, one
for myself and one for Luther Clark.  I also
went to the hospital to see Southie and Hagar
and Morton.  I came back to camp about one
this afternoon.  I have been reading, and writing
on company business and also this evening
I heard this morning that there was a big fleet
at Beaufort and that the Monitor had sunk, but
I dont know whether it is true or not.

MSS 11293

                       Richmond Jany 3. 1863

Edmund Ruffin Jr Esq

Dear Sir                           In behalf of the
suffering people of Fredericksburg, I beg
you will accept my thanks for your
two contributions – the first of $30
and the last just recd of $50 to the
fund for their relief = The first was
acknowledged in one of our city newspapers
and would have been acknowledged to
you sooner by letter but for incessant
engagements = By the aid of contribu-
tions from yourself & many others ani-
mated by the same spirit, I hope we
shall be able to prevent any further
actual suffering among these brave
and patriotic people
                     Very Respy & Truly
                                 R. R. Howison
                                Treasr Fred R F

MSS 3026