[from the diary of Samuel S. Johnson, 1st Massachusetts Independent Light Artillery Battery]

                            
                                Dec. 7th

During the past two weeks, every thing
inside our lines has been very quiet.  The
supply and ordnance trains have been very
active, hauling stores, in anticipation of the
attack on Fredreicsburg, as the rebs are
determined to defend the place to the last.
On the 4th, we were turned out at three A. M.,
harnessed and packed up, and by day light were
on the road again.  At three P. M we arrived and
encamped on Belle Plain Landing.  On the
5th a cold rain storm set in, which lasted all day,
when it turned to snow.  Since and before that
day, the weather has been cool and very pleas-
-ant.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 8493

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Sunday  Intensely cold–we could scarcely remain in
Church till the sermon was over–I did not go again in the
afternoon–I have done but little reading to day–Eliza with
the Blues.

MSS 6960

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

Sun 7. Rose early got a good breakfast on boat – saw
no signs of baggage – went to camp – Staid in pine bough
but nothing to eat but hard tack   coffee & raw pork
& two or three sweet cakes – all day.  Dr. Reiley brot. a
piece of roast turkey & bread for us, shared with Col
Mindel. The men suffer much fr. smoke of camp
fires.  At dress parade spoke a few words & offered prayer.
Col D & I slept in a bough hut – with Col Mindel &
Officers – before a watch fire – but it was very close
storming, & tho. warm when started, cold end. before daylight.
Ther. must have stood abt 20 o. clear windy moonlight
night.  The officers sang hymns & Gloria in excelsis.
In eveg. talked with Tom Cook – poor boy had just learned
of his brother’s death.  Men stand it well – Got a surgeon
fr. N.Y. regt. to dress Bugler’s leg – cut by an axe –

James Riley, Surgeon of the 25th New Jersey
Thomas Cook, Private in Co. H.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12935

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

     Dec. 7th, ’62.
Clear & cool to-
day.
After night, order-
ed to prepare
three days ra-
tions, & have
them ready to put
in haversacks by
reveille to-mor-
row morning.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 10547-bm

[from the diary of John Ward of the 102d Pennsylvania]

Sunday Dec 7th
Still in camp
and verey cold
and fresene With
Snow on the grown
this Camp is
3 miles from
Ball Polenus
Landing on the
Potomac Croek

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12913

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]

Sunday, Dec. 7, 1862

Remained all
night & went to
church with the
Dinsmore family rode
in the wagon with
them “Gag Girls”
Heard a good sermon
from a Converted Jew
Came back to Uncle
Cooks rode back in
the Wagon–
cold Cloudy  windy

MSS 10317

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

7th  Sunday
                               0
Cold, clear & Th. 19
  Lucy impatient to return, they
all leave for town again–Nannie
Wiatt was down with them–
Memo to see Shelton about hiring
Ball in Smith’s shop=
Sarah Ann it seems to be kept
here provided for, as Lizzie has
failed to do so, & Mr Shelton who
lately hired her, having given her up

MSS 3315

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Monday 8  Still very cold every thing frozen- & good fires
agreeable–I scarcely leave my room such weather–Eliza
heard from Joe to day so all will be right about money-
The only two dresses she could buy are left with Mrs Thompson
to be made–Only one letter today & that from Mrs Loeb
refusing to do any more work for the present.  Mrs Camp-
bell went off to day for Wilmington to bring away or
sell my things before the Yankees attack the place–Mrs
Walters has already sold out–& I hope to follow–Ours
old Town is not what it used to be-& since the yellow fever
has been there–& Eliza intends leaving me-I dont care
to return–Still it makes me sad to leave for good my na
-tive place, & give up old associations–& to know the
remainder of my days I must live about–Mrs Jewett
has taken a house up here-& will be up with Mrs Campbell
Mrs Drane has gone down for the first time since her husbands
                                                                              death
We heard a few days ago of Mrs Bales’ death–She left an infant
3 days old–Mrs Walters troubles are increasing-Sarah is quite
unwell to day–

MSS 6960

[from the diary of Anne Madison Willis Ambler]

Sunday, December 7, 1862

Had breakfast very late.  It was almost
ten when we arose from the table.
Came to my room with my little crowd
-& spent the day trying to read but
can’t say I really enjoyed my reading
till after I had put them all to
bed then I read the 1st Epistle of John
with much real enjoyment=Oh: how
far short I come of the law: But
by grace are ye saved, through faith
& that not of yourselves.  It is the gift
of God.
               What comfortable words

MSS 15406

[from the diary of William M. Blackford, former diplomat of Lynchburg, Va., with five sons in the Confederate Army]

Sunday 7  very cold–Thermometer
at 8 stood at 20-  self regulating
thermometer showed 19 at the lowest
point–Only one of the chamber fur
naces of the church in order–Congre-
gation suffered–communion–came
home at the end of the sermon and
took Mary down–she not being able
to stay all the time–After dinner
went to Sue’s and afterwards to D.
B. Payne with Anna Colston to
call on her uncle, Jno. Randolph
Tucker, who is on his way to Fin-
castle to   [?] rucker                      He has
promised to stay with us on his return
Dull time at night-no one to read
to me

MSS 4763