Saturday, 31st—Details sent out to get all the provisions possible and return by 12 o’clock. I went to town, but did not get my horse shod, met the command as I went out, coming in. Went some ten or eleven miles and camped on creek on steep hillside. Rained all night. T and John Henry slept dry in my Yankee tent. Most Company got into stable and crib.
Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Co. D of Terry’s Texas Rangers
Friday, 30th—Came through Triune and out to Franklin, got there 4 p. m., went out one and a half miles on Columbia pike and camped. I and Oly Archer went out to Mr. Baugh’s and took supper, staid till bed time and returned to Camp.
Sunday, 11th—Came out on a reconnoitering expedition, past Col. Lytle’s. I stopped on return and saw Misses Mollie and Alice. Miss Molly T. had returned home. From this time until the 27th we did nothing but picketing. I piruted a little on Duck River, spent a night or two with Mr. Stewart, took dinner twice at Mr. Wilhoit’s and thus the time passed. On 27th came in to Camp and on 29th we were relieved by Wheeler’s Brigade and with three days’ rations started on a scout down on Cumberland, passed through S. and out on Eaglesville pike to E. Camped near the place.
Monday, 5th—Fell back to Old Fosterville, remained 6th-10th.
Sunday, 4th—This morn before day our Army commenced to retreat. I left the Regiment on the Plaza in M. and went out to the end of the Wilkerson pike. Got my clothing and came across to the Salem pike, found a number of unparoled Yanks on my way. I met Gen’l Buford but he would not send back to parole them. I went on to town, went to see Miss Kate, took a bite to eat and bid them goodbye. Went up to Mr. Lane’s and from there out to Col. Smith’s Regiment and back to Col. Cox in town. He promised to attend the Yanks. I then started for the Command. Came out to Col. Lytle’s, stopped, found Morton of the Battery there. I took supper there but did not know where I was until the young ladies came down. Miss Mollie came in glad to see me, was then introduced to Miss Mollie Turner and Miss Alice Hord, staid till 11 o’clock, time passed very pleasantly. Came on to Camp.
Saturday, 3rd—Raining all day; sent out on a scout last night beyond Stone River to Mr. Black’s. All quiet.
Friday, 2nd—Transferred to the right wing. Saw the fight this eve. Breckinridge had to fall back. Raining all the time.
Thursday, 1st January, 1863—Went to La Vergne and pitched into their wagon train, captured and burned a good many wagons, 200 prisoners.
Wednesday, 31st—The great day of battle commenced at daylight and raged heavily all along the line until 3 o’clock. Yanks drove back four miles. Our Boys took in prisoners by the hundreds. Captured twelve cannon and during the day about 2000 prisoners, 160 odd beeves, some wagons, etc.
Tuesday, 30th—Rained to-day; all quiet till evening; fight then opened between the infantry and continued until dark.
