Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

24th. A rainy, unpleasant day, such as they say Englishmen commit suicide in. Melancholy. Kept pretty close to the tent. Read Independent of May 28th, and some in “Barnaby Rudge.” In the evening wrote part of a letter to Fannie. Am about free of diarrhœa. Feel encouraged.

23rd. All astir again early. Soon after breakfast teams pulled out. Thede and I went ahead. Got a drink of milk at West’s. Case not so well. Crossed the river and reached camp at 3 P. M. Found good letters from home and Fannie. Have had nice cool weather for marching all the time. Felt like having ague.

22nd. Last night was quite cold, suffered a little. Rash troubles me. Up at sunrise, breakfast of ham, potatoes and coffee. At 6 commenced falling back. No rebels near by. Seem to have gone to Knoxville. Reached Monticello at about 4 P. M., where found rations for ourselves and horses. Took care of Rowena and made our beds. Passed through a miserable country—poor country and people.

21st. Breakfasted and were off at 6. Rained a little. Crossed over to the Jamestown road. Found the roads over the mountain very rough indeed. Hills very steep and rugged. Several hills capped with high pinnacles of rocks. Rested at a house on the creek. One intelligent girl, but secesh. Reached Traversville at 4 P. M. Several houses but no occupants. Grazed our horses, camped. Scouting party went near Jamestown. Bathed in creek.

20th. Awakened at 4 A. M. and ordered to take 3 days’ rations, forage and provisions on horse and 3 in wagon. Marched at 6. Thede and I went together. Passed the 103rd at the river. Followed us to Monticello. Took the Albany road. Went five miles and camped. Cool day for marching. Saw Lt. Case at Capt. West’s, doing well. Got dinner there, some coffee, green oats.

19th. Felt miserable in the morning. Hospital moved to the brick church. Col. Dod and Bob worked at the old wagon. Thede and Mike went for cherries for a cherry pie tomorrow. Byerley came over. Read some in “Barnaby Rudge.” In the evening got a letter from Lucy Randall. Wrote a letter to Fannie.

18th. Orders to draw ten days’ rations and be ready to march at a minute’s notice. Drew and issued ten days’ rations. Hospital boys sent back to Hickman. Brigade quite inquisitive as to where we are going. In the evening concert. Wrote to Will Hudson. Letter from Sarah Felton.

17th. A very hot, sultry, uncomfortable day. Suffered much from the extreme heat. Passed part of the day with Henry. Finished Emma Bartlett or “Prejudice and Fanaticism”, a book borrowed from Mrs. Vickery. Treats some of slavery, both sides, very good.

15th. Moved out at 2 A. M. Mistake in road and went several miles out of way. Morgan 8 hours ahead. Passed through several little towns near Cincinnati. People out with provisions, very warm. Dinner at Batavia. Passed through Williamsburgh and camped at Sardinia. People out with baskets and loads of provisions. Bridge burning continues.

15th. Passed the day much as the other hot days, doing little or nothing. Read some and lay around some. Tried to get some peaches for Henry. Found none, got candy and nuts. Had a very good nap. Sent out letters. The Col. got rations over from town and we issued in double quick time. Small rations of potatoes. Byerley was over to see us, so was Marx Kraus, the boy who worked at Mr. Clough’s with me.