Sunday, January 29, 1865

Fair but cold.

I arose this morning much refreshed,  got a good breakfast and at 11 o'clock A.M. attended meeting at the Park St. Church.  Heard Passable discourse from Q.  A. So. Stone from 2nd Co. & 3rd.  I spent the P.M. in the Military Room reading & tonight there is quite a crowd here, some with ONE LEG and some with "Empty Sleeves”  These rooms are on 76 Kingston Street near Worcester Depot.  I find many Maine men here who think they have good treatment. I retire early.

Saturday, January 28, 1865

Quite cold and windy.  

Took cars from N.York to Boston, passed through New Haven, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester and arrived at Boston at 6:P.M.  went to the N.E. Rooms and put up for the night.  Went out and did some shopping in the eve. and then returned to the Soldiers Rest. where we all stop for the night.  I refer to those who came through in cars with me.  I find warm friends and I got good treatment

Friday, Janury 27, 1865

Cloudy, windy and cold. 

Had a good trip to Annapolis. Running aground as we were making up the River landed at 8 A.M. and had to wait for transportation   2.P.M.I took dinner at a Restaurant got transportation the cars at 2:35 P.M. and passed through Baltimore & Philadelphia arriving at N.Y. at 6.A.M. 

Thursday, January 26, 1865

Fair and quite cold.

I arose at 4. this morning wide awake for home. Started and walked about 4 miles to Aikins Landing took Boat to Ft. Monroe thence to Annapolis, Md. where I am to take cars for Baltimore & N.Y.  Saw in Hampton Roads the wreck of the rebel Pirate Florida which was running to and back by a Gov. Transport.

Have to pass the night on the Steam Boiler of the Sir Thomas Collier.  There is a perfect crowd on two boats of furloughed soldiers.

Wednesday, January 25, 1865

Another fair cold day.

We were on our military for the Rebs today but they haven’t troubled us at all.  I have done nothing except to write to Francis.  My Furlough came back approved for thirty days, and I am off tomorrow before dawn.  Have borrowed 30 dollars of W. Heber to be paid pay day.  I feel bully -Having made arrangements to start at 5 o'clock but I returned at 10 1/2 P.M.

Tuesday, January 24, 1865

It has been cold all day.  

The Johnnys have been hanging around us all day and have given us some trouble though they have not attacked us. I received a Corporal's Warrant today dated the 1st of January '65.  So to break me in I was detailed on Picket, but was relieved at 8.P.M.

We heard the glorious news that the Rebel Ram Drury was blown up and two more,   Richmond and Fredericksburg were aground under fire of our guns. I heard the explosion and saw the smoke of her ruin

Monday, January 23, 1865

Dark. Cloudy, and drizzly all day.  

I have helped to issue some clothing to the men today and have myself drawn a hat.  The Col. has made a move to organizing a Glee-Club in the Regiment for this winter.  I was one selected to take a part in it.  I have not written a letter today or done anything of any account.

There are a great many Peace rumors, but I don't give them much credit.  I wish there might be a move in the right direction but don't think there can be at present.

Sunday, January 22, 1865

Cloudy, misty, and awful muddy. 


 We have had one of the most inhuman Inspections today or rather succession of Inspections that I ever witnessed, lasting the largest part of the day. I hope we may never have such another in this war.  Were inspected first by two commanders, then by the Col. Comdr. then by the Brigade commander Co. "B" stood 3rd best in the regt. in military appearance we were 1st best. I have done but little except attend Inspection. Drew me a pair of pants today. Col. Boynton is in command of the Regiment.

Saturday, January 21, 1865

Rain fell in torrents all day and froze as it fell covering everything with ice. 

I have been doing Company writing all the A.M.

P.M.  Every one kept pretty close as the rain literally poured down freezing as it fell.  This is a touch of Virginia Winter and makes one feel a sort of longing for Aroostook with its facilities for sleigh rides.  Had to go after wood nearly half a mile in the rain and bring it on our backs in the rain.

Friday, January 20, 1865

Cloudy but rather pleasant.  

The great business of the day for me was to get ready and go to Brigade Head Quarters and be inspected for a furlough.  Six of us went but we don't know yet whether we are to have one or not. I came back at noon and in the P.M. wrote letter to Francis. I don't hear any news worth mentioning.

Thursday, January 19, 1865

It has been some cloudy and cool.  I have spent most of the day in my tent.  wrote a letter to Len and Frank.

Received Orders to get ready and appear at Brigade Head Quarters at 11 o'clock A.M. tomorrow to be inspected for a furlough.  I have no faith that I shall get one.  Our recruits received their arms and equipment and were on drill for the first time.

It is late bed time and I am going to turn in for a nap.

Wednesday, January 18, 1865

It has been cloudy & cool today.  We have our Monthly Inspection today.  And had a great time trying to find the best looking soldier to send home on a furlough.  There is to be one sent out of the whole Division.  A great chance for a fellow.

I received two letters today, one from Leornard and one from his wife.  They were very good ones.

Every soldier seems to feel that the war is not to last much longer and I share in the same belief, though I expect a short and desperate campaign next summer,  which I think will wind it up in good shape.

Tuesday, January 17, 1965

Cloudy and cold all day. We had an Inspection today under Maj. Gen. Gibbons who now commands the 24th A.C.  He had several other Generals with him and a long retinue of officers for his Staff.

Rev. Mr. Miles who used to belong to Co. "B" but is now promoted to the Chaplain of the 4th N.J. came to the company ntoday and made us a visit,  were were quite glad to see him and talk over old times.  I attended Dress parade tonight for the first time for several weeks.

We heard the glorious news today of the fall of Fort Fisher

Monday, January 16, 1865

It has been quite a fine day.  

I have made out some details of the History of Co. "B" to send to Lieut. Rogers.  Have written letters to Mary and Mother Perry this eve.  The war news comes in good and cheering from all quarters.  I don't hear anything from my furlough yet.  All is quiet in these parts.  Spencer W. Young is promoted to 2nd Lieutenant Co. "B".  Got his Corn. today.

Sunday, January 15, 1865

Fair but windy and quite cool.  

I cleaned up my gun and Equipment and this morning went on Inspection.  Then on Review under one Sgt. Dol and we had quite a lengthy Battalion drill in the serpe.  It could be that our officers were quite as unsophisticated in the knowledge of the drill as the men.   Have been quite uneasy today in relation to my furlough. I am very anxious to know whether I am to see my dear home this winter or not.

It seems lonely here as we don't get any papers and are out of reach entirely of daily news.  I hope tomorrow will bring something satisfactory to pass.

Saturday, January 14, 1965

It has been cloudy, windy & cold today, quite cold tonight. 

I have been most all day making reports, and drawing up a proper form for an application for a furlough.  Got one to suit me at last and MY NAME has gone in tonight for a furlough and I almost TREMBLE for fear I may not have it granted.  How thankful I shall be if I am permitted to go home.  I got two letters from Mary and one from Mother Perry today and they gave me much comfort and cheer.  All the folks at home are well.  The boys seem to feel glad that there is a prospect of my going home.  Hope I shall not fail

Friday, January 13, 1865

Fair pleasant and fine.  

I have done a little writing for the Company today. Also wrote a request to the Col. to have three more men in Co. "B" appointed Corporals in Company.  Wilbur Webber D. Haler and another chap were the three. An order came today to have the different Companies go out target shooting, one Co. each day.

I was greatly disappointed today in not getting a letter. I wrote one this eve. to Mary. Robert Wentworth came to Company today.  I don't hear any news from any quarter recently,  don't get any papers We are in an out of the way place.

Thursday, January 12, 1865

Another very fine fair day.  

I have done some writing for Co. today.  Made out an Estimate of Clothing, Camp and Garrison Equip, all for Co. 'B'. for the month of Feb'y.  Plotted a house octagon to see how much room I could gain by that shape.

Have not had any letters for several days, so here I am as forlorn and downcast as anyold heartbroken lover who had recently got the mitten.  I don't think much of the way they told us we might go home and then said we should not again.  I mean to go home within 8 months at all events.  

Wednesday, January 11, 1865

A fine, warm, pleasant day.  Having but little to do today I helped the Sulter post his books.  An order was read on Dress Parade to grant furloughs at at the rate of one tenth of the men present.  So we had just got our hopes raised that we were to see our homes, when round came another order from Grant that none but sick leaves would be granted.  Then again in the eve. we were ordered to forward our names but don't know as it will amount to anything. Sleeper, Jaryrent, Caldwell & Mann were the names sent from our Co.     I hope we may go yet.

Tuesday, January 10, 1865

It has been the warmest day for a long time.  It poured down in torrents

Monday, January 9, 1865

It has been warm and fine.  I have been pretty busy today writing most of the day.  Have heard of no stirring or important news.

Received a letter from Frank with three gold pens and two gold holders.  Sold one of the pens for 2.00 to Dr. Williams.  Wrote a letter to Frank in the evening.  Had a pleasant chat with my tent mates in the evening after going to bed.

Sunday, January 8, 1865

It has been quite warm & pleasant.  I attended Surgeons Call today for the first time this winter.  Was on Inspection but not a Brigade Review as the Dr. excused me from that.   The Review was only one Rgt. after all.  Reviewed by Lt. Col. McArthur.

I have written a letter to Arolyn Sleeper today but I got no letter from home as I expected to.  I spent the evening with my old Friend Walton, the Hosp. Steward,  had good time.  I carelessly wrote this day's diary on the page for the 10th day.  My comrades are asleep so I will turn in.

Saturday, January 7, 1865

Windy, cold. and squally.  I have been most sick today and have kept my bed all day nearly.  The different companies have been on drill today not withstanding the weather was bad.  I don't see any newspapers, nor hear any news from any

quarters so it is pretty dull times just now.

I am anxious to hear that Sherman is again on the move, for I think if he starts he will go somewhere and Savannah is not in need of him now.

Friday, January 6, 1865

It has been a very rainy day.  I have never seen quite as much mud in Va. as there is now.  The snow is all gone and the frost out of the ground and the mud about knee deep.  I have been in my tent all the A.M. writing letters and reading.  wrote to Mary & Georg. had a letter from Frank today.

I spent the A.M. writing for the Co.  I wrote some in one of the Alf's letters to his wife this evening - for sperb. <?>  I hear great cheering this evening away on the left and I mistrust there is some good news from some quarter.  All is quiet along our front.

Thursday, January 5, 1865

Fair and quiet pleasant snow most over.  I have been most sick today but have made my Monthly Returns of C. C. and G. Equipage hard though it was.  I have not written a letter today though I owe several.

I have not been out at Roll Call for some time or attended Dress Parade or any other Co. duty so my duty is pleasant now.

I don't feel that I have done as well at the commencement of the new year and I ought to.  It is hard amid all my cares to carry my good resolutions into practice.  I MUST TRY to turn over a new leaf.  I want to go home and have my heart revived in good things.  I am quite unwell tonight.

Wednesday, January 4, 1865

Beautiful Mantle of snow on the ground this morn. and it has been quite sharp weather.

I have been writing for Co. most of the day, but am getting over my hurry somewhat.  I received letters today from Mary, Emily & Arolyn Sleeper.  The news from is quite cheering as all the folks are well and in good spirits.

I drew an Over Coat and a pair of shirts today. Cost $11.64. Hear no important news from the war.  All is quiet here. I have taken a small cold.

Tuesday, January 3, 1865

More fair.  P.M. Cloudy.  Eve it snows.  I have forwarded theDes. Loist  of Geo. A. Wentworth today,  have done but littlewriting for the Co.Have had some talk today with Hiram about applying for applyingfurlough, but have hardly made up my mind to do so as yet.How swifth time flies and yet how little I think of theimportance of improving each hour as it passed, to some goodpurpose.  I ought to so improve the hours as they pass, that areview of what I have done will afford me pleasure, and a feelingof satisfaction that I have done my duty to myself, my associates,and my God.  May I have grace so to live.

Monday, January 2, 1865

A.M. cloudy,  P.M. fair & cool.  I worked on, and finished myMuster Rolls this A.M. and in the P.M. wrote letters to Mary.Geo. Webber, Robert Smart and to Wm. and Emily.Our Recruits are building up their "Shebangs" in goodearnest, and with the help of the old soldiers will soon haveas good quarters as any of us have got.  An Order was read onDress Parade tonight in relation of furloughs to the effectthat a few would be granted to the most deserving but only onthe clearest proof of actual necessity.  I hardly think I shallapply yet for one as I am in no great hurry.  All is quiet along the line.

Sunday, January 1, 1865

Fair and quite cold. Wind North. I awoke about 4 o'clock this morn and was brought to my senses by Will Webber saying "I wish you a happy New Year". The regiment was turned out under arms and one wing went into the Fort till daylight. I was not obliged to go so did not. I have not kept the Sabbeth as I would like to, being obliged to work on Muster Rolls all day and evening. I have had but little time to review the Old year but I hope I may be able to improve upon it during the year upon which I have just entered. May the Record I shall keep in this book be such as I shall not be ashamed to review at any future period of my life. May God be my trust.