Philadelphia, Dec. 29, 1863.
Dear Sister L.:—
I am waiting yet for the final order to start for Delaware. The weather has been very stormy for the past three days, but this morning it has cleared off beautifully. Probably we start to-morrow morning. I send the promised photo, also two others. One is Captain Bailey of Company B, the other Lieutenant Schiffelin, same company. He is going as adjutant of the expedition to Delaware.
Larkinsville, Tuesday, Dec. 29. Warm and pleasant. Long train sent foraging under escort. Snyder sent on detail. Hauled stone from bluff and put up fireplace and chimney, mudded up, etc. Streets of the Battery presenting a lively appearance, men’s sleeves rolled up, coats off, rolling stones, chopping, making mud buildings of every fancy and description to suit the proprietors. Soldiers are not lazy when they work for their own immediate interest.
4 P. M. Snyder’s [Seiders?] horses led into camp by infantry men loaded with five hogs, twenty-six chickens. Guards took him to headquarters, but he outgeneraled them by sending off the game which they wanted, therefore he was returned.
by John Beauchamp Jones
DECEMBER 29TH.—A letter from the President, for the Secretary of War, marked “private,” came in to-day at 2 P.M. Can it be an acceptance of his resignation?
A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives to inquire into the fact of commissioned officers doing clerical duties in Richmond receiving “allowances,” which, with their pay, make their compensation enormous. A colonel, here, gets more compensation monthly than Gen. Lee, or even a member of the cabinet!
Mr. Ould, agent of exchange, has sent down some 500 prisoners, in exchange for a like number sent up by the enemy. But he has been instructed by the President not to hold correspondence with Gen. Butler, called “the Beast,” who is in command at Fortress Monroe.
My daughters have plaited and sold several hats, etc., and today they had a large cake (costing $10) from their savings. And a neighbor sent in some egg-nog to my daughter Anne, just arrived from the country.
Gen. Winder reported to the Secretary, to-day, that there were no guards at the bridges, the militia refusing to act longer under his orders.
Thursday, 25th—A dull Christmas. Receiving one-quarter pound bread a day and bout one pound beef, no wood hardly— freezing and starving by inches. All this brings me up to the 29th Monday. Morton tried to get to see his sister but could not. The Parson came in and informed him that she died at 3 o’clock this morning. Such is the fate of war. In 150 yards of her and yet could not get to see her.
December 29.—The Ninety-third New-York, First Delaware, and Fifth Michigan regiments, left the army of the Potomac for home to recruit, under the general orders lately issued.—The gas company at Norfolk, Va., having sealed up their works and refused, for several months, to light the city, General Butler ordered the establishment to be seized and “carried on efficiently and economically, so that the city of Norfolk will be fully lighted, and its peace and quiet in the darkness of the night be assured, until it is made certain, that in case of an attack upon the city of Norfolk, the rebel proclivities of the owners will not leave the city in darkness, as a means of impairing the defence made by the United States forces, and when the owners have, by their works and not by their lips, convinced the military authorities that they can rely upon their loyalty for aiding in repelling an invasion of the rebels, and a keeping up of the works to aid us in that behalf; then, and not until then, will the works be returned to their custody.
“In the mean time, accurate accounts will be kept of the receipts and expenditures, and the excess of profits, which no doubt will be considerable, will be paid to those who are loyal in the sense of the word as understood by loyal men.”
— The battle of Mossy Creek, Tenn., was fought this day, and resulted in the defeat of the rebels, after a severe contest.—(Doc. 31.)
December 28, Monday. Senator Doolittle came and had an hour’s conversation with me. Wanted, I soon saw, to ascertain my views without my being aware of his object; hence his first conversation related to permits for trade, getting out cotton, and other matters connected with the Treasury. I frankly gave him my opinion, stated my unequivocal opposition to the whole system of trade-permits — these schemes to fight and feed the enemy — and to all favoritism. If there is to be trade with the Rebels, let all participate. There were plans to make the Navy a convenience to certain parties, and subject to certain regulations of the Treasury Department, which I disapproved and resisted in all its stages.
On the subject of the Presidency, which he says is opening, the public mind seems settling on the President as the proper candidate. D. says, however, that there is an active, zealous, and somewhat formidable movement for Chase, and that Chase clubs are being organized in all the cities to control the nominating convention.
28th. Dried our clothes and got breakfast. Col. Purington came and reported under arrest for disrespectful language to Gen. Potter. Read a little in “Scottish Chiefs” and Independent. Good article on a visit to Oberlin. Lay about the fire until night. About 7 P. M. got an order to report to Col. Foster and then to Gen. Sturgiss. Awful muddy and dark. Got back to qrs. late and went to bed.
Monday, 28th—The commanding officers of our post here are “conscripting” every able-bodied citizen for military duty. The order applies to blacks as well as to whites, and aims to provide artisans for labor in connection with the army and army posts.
Larkinsville, Monday, Dec. 28. Rain ceased and sky cleared off. Sun shone down on mud six inches deep on level. Camping ground staked out and tents ordered to be moved into position. Blake gone out after fresh meat. Dixon and Evie started after cedar timber to wall the tent. I snaked them down with horse team. By night we had tent up, four feet red cedar logs with bed of cedar boughs. Rather cold bed. Blake and Snyder [Seiders?] returned with half a porker. Snyder [Seiders?] changed with Schmidt and came into our mess and tent.
by John Beauchamp Jones
DECEMBER 28TH.—Averill has escaped, losing a few hundred men, and his wagons, etc. The Chesapeake, that sailed out of New York, and was subsequently taken by the passengers (Confederates), was hotly followed to Canada, where it was surrendered to the British authorities by the United States officers, after being abandoned.
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