November 13th. 1864.
It has been growing cold all day, and toward night the wind increases to a gale, bringing a few flakes of snow with it. Tomorrow we begin building winter quarters, by order of the General commanding. So the vexed question of moving seems to have been settled. Mail matter came in freely last night.
The election returns are very gratifying to me. The people, with a unanimity never equaled, have decided in favor of a united government. President Lincoln is now, emphatically, the chosen of the people, he having received a majority of all the votes cast. Supported by the moral force of the Nation, he can now proceed, untrammeled, with the great work before him.
There is much talk in the newspapers of a Thanksgiving dinner which is to be given the Army of the Potomac and the James by volunteer contributions of the people of the North. It is a gigantic undertaking, but can be accomplished by the aid of Adams Express Company, who, I understand, have offered to deliver free of charge.
The new railroad is completed to within a half mile of Ninth Corps Headquarters, on the extreme left of the line. Wagon loads of express boxes arrive at Division Headquarters nearly every day. Nearly every man in our regiment has received a box filled with “creature comforts.” I had the pleasure of testing the quality of some Michigan butter today, sent to a Mr. Hopkins, of Oakland County. He was so unfortunate as to get a furlough on the day of its arrival, and left it in care of his tent mates, enjoining them to be sure and not let it spoil. They are doing all in their power to prevent it, with fair prospects of success. About one-fourth of the sixteen pounds is already saved.
An incident just occurred that created some excitement. A man who claims to have once belonged to the Eleventh New York Cavalry, now a cripple in both arms, has been through camp selling papers, songs, etc. One of our men, thinking he recognized him as a Rebel spy whom he had seen in Frederick City, Maryland, reported him as such to the Provost Marshal. He was able to give a good account of himself, however, producing a pass signed by the Secretary of War, and a letter of recommendation from General Phil Sheridan.
