4th. Enlistment question all the go. Maj. Nettleton gone to Knoxville with proposition and application.
January 2014
January 4th.—Mrs. Ives wants us to translate a French play. A genuine French captain came in from his ship on the James River and gave us good advice as to how to make the selection. General Hampton sent another basket of partridges, and all goes merry as a marriage bell.
My husband came in and nearly killed us. He brought this piece of news: ”North Carolina wants to offer terms of peace!” We needed only a break of that kind to finish us. I really shivered nervously, as one does when the first handful of earth comes rattling down on the coffin in the grave of one we cared for more than all who are left.
January 4th, 1864.
It has been very cold the past four days. The day before New Year’s was warm and rainy. Toward night the wind changed into the north, “with a snap to it,” as it does in Michigan sometimes. New Year’s morning was very cold—not so many degrees, I presume, by a score or two, as we frequently experience in Michigan—but quite as piercing to me as the coldest weather at home.
Today is warm as summer again. This is a delightful climate “overhead,” the coldest weather being about like October with us. But the mud is really fearful. The roads are next to impassable four months of the twelve. I could not be induced to live here. I have been in fourteen different states; in most of them have traveled quite extensively, and have seen nothing yet that excels Michigan. True, some states possess advantages that Michigan does not, but they lack in others. Whenever I have thought of a change of residence, my feelings rebel, and I can but exclaim, “Give me my own, my native land,” for such I regard Michigan.
Larkinsville, Monday, Jan. 4. Rained heavy all night. Cloudy and misty all day. Many to-day expressed their willingness to re-enlist, if allowed to return to the state and elect their own officers. At evening roll-call Lieutenant Simpson called all those desiring to return to the state under their old officers to step to the front. But none desired to under those conditions, as they desire to choose their own officers. Mail arrived. I received news of the 27th ult. from Brother John. Quite ill, but true to his custom wrote on the last Sunday of the month, having not missed one through the year.
January 4, Monday. We have a snowstorm to-day, the first of the season. Mails are irregular and have been for some days past. Ice in the Susquehanna obstructs crossing, and the ferry-boat, frozen in when crossing, remained in the stream sixteen hours with passengers on board. Ten years ago, on my way from Washington North, I was some six hours crossing the river at the same place on a severe winter’s night. Chase, Charles Francis Adams, and Henry S. Foote — just elected Governor of Mississippi — were fellow-passengers.
January 4.—It has rained so hard today that I have been unable to visit the wards.
It is rumored that there will be a raid here soon, from Rome. No one seems to give the rumor credit. There is a direct road from here to that place.
Had a visit in the afternoon from Drs. Reesse and Burks. Dr. B. was in Columbus when Mrs. Ogden went there, and said he never regretted any thing more than her leaving that place. He said the Mobile ladies had done much good during their short stay there.
by John Beauchamp Jones
JANUARY 4TH.—On Saturday, resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Senate complimenting Gen. Lee. This is his opportunity, if he be ambitious,—and who can see his heart? What man ever neglected such an opportunity?
The weather is dark and threatening. Again the rumor is circulated that ex-Gov. Letcher is to be Secretary of War. I don’t believe that.
Major Tachman claims $5000 in gold and $1600 paper, because after raising two regiments in 1861 he was not made a brigadier-general. He says he expended that much money. I thought this Polish adventurer would give the government trouble.
Custis commenced his school to-night, with three scholars,—small beginnings, etc.
January 4.—General Gregg’s cavalry division, under the command of Colonel Taylor, of the First Pennsylvania regiment, left the headquarters of the army of the Potomac, on the first instant, for the purpose of making a reconnoissance to Front Royal, taking on their horses three days’ rations and forage. Owing to the condition of the roads the artillery attached to the division could proceed no farther than Warrenton. The command returned to-day, having travelled ninety miles during the three days’ absence, and encountered severe deprivations in consequence of the intensely cold weather; but no enemy was discovered. Owing to the depth of the Shenandoah River, no attempt was made to cross it.
—A fight occurred near Fort Sumner, New Mexico, in which the Union troops belonging to General Carlton’s command, routed the Navijo Indians, killing forty and wounding twenty-five.
—Forty Sioux Indians surrendered themselves to the Union forces, at Pembina, Dacotah Territory.—Rear-admiral Farragut sailed from the navy-yard at Brooklyn, New-York, in the flagship Hartford to assume command of the East Gulf squadron.—Joint resolutions of thanks to General Robert E. Lee and the officers and soldiers under his command, by the rebel Congress.
January 3.—Entered on the duties of my office on the 30th of December. So far I like it well. “The Major” is very kind, and considerate of our comfort; the duties of the office are not very onerous, but rather confining for one who left school thirty-four years ago, and has had no restraint of the kind during the interim. The ladies, thirty-five in number, are of all ages, and representing various parts of Virginia, also Maryland and Louisiana. Many of them are refugees. It is melancholy to see how many wear mourning for brothers or other relatives, the victims of war. One sad young girl sits near me, whose two brothers have fallen on the field, but she is too poor to buy mourning. I found many acquaintances, and when I learned the history of others, it was often that of fallen fortunes and destroyed homes. One young lady, of high-sounding Maryland name, was banished from Baltimore, because of her zeal in going to the assistance of our Gettysburg wounded. The society is pleasant, and we hope to get along very agreeably. I am now obliged to visit the hospital in the afternoon, and I give it two evenings in the week. It is a cross to me not to be able to give it more time; but we have very few patients just now, so that it makes very little difference.
January 3d. Sunday. All quiet last night. Ordered to our camp early this morning. Weather a little more mild. Cleaned up. Attended church in town. All is quiet at this time. Enemy reported well up the valley. Plenty of snow on the ground.
