Apr 1. Took a walk with my friend Mr. Pierce. Talked on the subject of religion. Evening attended meeting,sermon by Chaplain Watts. Three backsliders expressed a desire to return to their fathers house, where there is bread ___ to spare. Apr 2. Went on picket about three miles from camp. Feel rather poor in body but my soul is alive unto God-thank his name for his goodness unto me, so unworthy as I am. Apr 3. Still on picket. Weather warm and pleasant. Afternoon had a sweet time of communion alone with my savior in the wood--evening attend debate. Apr 4. Still on picket. Went in the wood with my friend Gilbert Ashley, read in the bible, had a season of prayer. Evening had a sea. of prayer with my friend Asa _____. Thank God for praying friends. Snow fell about 8 inches deep. Apr 5. A dismal morning of snow, deep and still falling fast. ____ that ____ incident to the soldiers life. Relieved from picket and returned to camp. Evening attend meeting, sermon by Chap. Watts. Had a heavenly time. Apr 6. Attended conference meeting in the AM. Wrote letter to Sister Hannah. Received letter from sister Orisa. Evening attended meeting in the Chapel-sermon by Chaplain Watts. Feel the love of God in my heart. Apr 7. Was inspected by the President of the United States. Weather cold. Evening attended meeting in Chapel. Sermon by Chaplain Watts. Surely the Lord is with and who can be successful against us. Apr 8. Grand review by the President (Lincoln). Over fifty thousand passed in review before him. It was a splendid sight. Ladies on horseback with the Maj Generals. Evening attended meeting. Sermon by Rev. Mr. _____. ____ of the American ___ society. Apr 9. Stayed in camp all day. Weather very pleasant. Evening attended meeting in the chapel. Sermon by Chaplain Watts on the pleasantry of the Christian faith. One more of my fellow soldiers are gone. (died last night). Apr 10. In camp all day, very pleasant . Evening attended meeting in chapel. Sermon by Ch. Watts (funeral sermon).____ man that is born of woman is of few days full of trouble. Read letter from-----. Apr 11. Division drill (or show fight). Had picture taken and sent to sister Orisa. Detailed to go on picket tomorrow. Went out in the evening with my friend ____ had a season of prayer. Read letter from Cousin Will, answered the same. Apr 12. Went on picket-Such are the Sabbaths that the soldier must spend. Very warm, appearance of rain. evening rained. Apr 13. Yet on picket. Clear and pleasant. A reconoitering party sent out to attack the enemy. General movement anticipated soon. Our army in the finest condition & best spirits that it has been since the war commenced. Apr 14. Yet on picket. The army all under marching orders with eight day rations. Soon we expect to meet the enemy and may the Lord go with us for the sword of the Lord is mighter than of Gideon. Apr 15. Relieved from picket at 11 AM and returned to camp. Rained hard all last night and is raining still. Am very well soaked. Evening attended meeting, four of my comrades started to serve God. Thanks be to his holy name. Wrote letters PM. Apr 16. _____ no complete marching order. Received pay of the government $52.00, paid by Major Oakley. Wrote letter to Sister Margaret. Received letter from the First Free Will Baptist Church. Apr 17. Inspection of arms in the AM. Three of the boys of my Co(K) went home on furlough. Sent $52.00 to John Shawl, also $25.00 to father. AM division drill. Saw the baloon up viewing the Rebbel encampment. Apr 18. In the AM wrote letter to Sister Orisa. At one PM attended meeting, went out with my friend Charles ____. Had a good talk. Brig ___ drill in the PM. Weather pleasant. Apr 19. Attended meeting in front of the Co. tent. Sermon by a stranger, Chaplain __ ___. In the PM attended meeting at the same place. Sermon by Chap. Watts, evening had a season of prayer with my friend James Smith. Apr 20. AM went to Stonemans Switch. __ined some report that Gen Segil has taken Gardensville. Evening attended meeting in hospital tent. Had a good time, felt the presence of God. Several ____for prayers. Apr 21. All the boys but forty ____ gone on picket. Stayed in camp all day. Wrote letter to my old friend Albert Hubbart. Charles Brown of my Co (K) ______. Evening attended prayer meeting in Capt. Bakers office. Apr 22. The boys yet on picket. Stayed in camp all day. A lonesome time. Evening attended meeting at the Christian communion. Three large tents now filled. A---member stayed for prayers. Apr 23. The boys still on picket. Rained hard all day, stayed in camp. Evening attended prayer meeting in Capt. Bakers office. Apr 24. The boys came in from picket. Still raining. Obtained a pass and went to _____creek to look after Charles Brown (a deserter). Reurned to camp. Apr 25. Went to the river to view the Rebbels with my friends Gilbert ___& _____. In the end of a large brick building counted forty ____ball holes. PM wrote letter to First Free Will Baptist Church, Cameron. Read letter from Cousin ___. Apr 26. AM attended meeting in front of the Col tent. Sermon by Chaplain Watts. Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord. PM attended social or conference meeting. Evening after _____ in the hospital tent. Sermon by Chap Watts ___ and the word grew & multplied. Excelent sermon. Apr 27. AM grand review by Maj Gen Hooker. Very warm and pleasant. Some of the troops moving. ______ went home or started for home. Evening attended prayer meeting. Received orders to be ready to march at AM early hour on the following day. Apr 28. Everything packed up ready to march. Fell in line at two P.M. and took up our line of march. Marched about eight miles down the river and bivouaced for the night. Weather wet & rainy. Apr 29. Still cloudy and rainy. Cannonading present seven AM. Marched about one half mile and formed line,____ tents. PM on guard. Reported hard fighting on our right. Apr 30. Hookers order tell us that the Rebbels have got to come out of their entrenchments and fight or fly before us. Took up our line of march one PM and marched till one in the evening. Fifteen miles, prayers said.
Maintained by Sue Greenhagen. E-mail: greenhsh@morrisville.edu