Following is the diary of William S. Speer of Guernsey County from 1864:
Fri. Jan. 1—Still cold, nothing of interest, very quiet New Year.
Sat. Jan. 2—Wrote a letter to Jen, still cold.
Sun. Jan. 3—Cleared off—warm with some rain.
Mon. Jan. 4—Company A broke for the Veteran Service this day 25 mo. ago. I volunteered today. I went into the Veteran Service. Detailed on picket.
Tues. Jan. 5—Came in off picket—stood 3 hours in the night. Nothing of interest.
Wed. Jan. 6—Nothing of interest.
Thurs. Jan. 7—Mail came in. I got one letter from Jimmie, one from Lib and one from Hag.
Fri. Jan. 8—Have orders to go—ready for general inspection, inspected by General Hamter—things hoped of alright.
Sat. Jan. 9—Nothing of interest, wrote a letter to Jimmie.
Sun, Jan. 10—Had Co A inspection in the morning, went to church at 2 PM, heard Reverend Bucannon preach, text Isaiah, 57th chapter and first verse.
Mon. Jan, 11—Rained some through the night. Cloudy through the day but no rain.
Tues. Jan. 12—Nothing of interest, wrote a letter to Pop. Detailed on fatigue hauling wood for the ordinance department.
Wed. Jan. 13—Had inspection by the Brigade inspection, went off right. Wrote a letter to Mag. Mail came in and I got one letter from Dave and one from Geo[roge].
Thurs. Jan. 14—Detailed on picket, got on reserve and had a good time.
Fri. Jan, 15—Came in off picket, stood 2 hours in the night. Mail came in—I got 1 letter from Pop and one from Stuart.
Sat. Jan. 16—Wrote a letter to Pop, one to Mag, went to town.
Sun. Jan, 17—Had co. inspection in the morn, went to church in the afternoon, heard Rev. Bucannon preach a good sermon. Mail came in—I got nary a letter.
Mon. Jan 18—Nothing of interest. Mail came [rest of line unreadable in transcript]
Tues. Jan 19—[Unreadable in photocopy of transcript]
Wed. Jan. 20—Mustered into the Veteran Service here—it goes 3 years or the war.
Thurs. Jan, 21—The 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Division, [of] which the 78th forms a part[,] had a prize drill—the old 78th came out best, truly for us.
Fri. Jan. 22—Nothing of interest, wrote a letter to Henry.
Sat. Jan. 23—Prize drill to come off between the 18th and 124th and 78th—all came out best and won the banner.
Sun. Jan. 24—Detailed on picket, got on the reserve, stood 1 hour in the night.
Mon. Jan. 25—Came in off the picket, fell into line in the afternoon, marched to Brigade headquarters and heard a speech from Gen. Garger.
Tues. Jan. 26—Nothing of interest—went to Literary Society in the evening.
Wed, Jan. 27—Nothing of interest, mail came in and I got letter from John Moger. I went to town in the evening.
Thurs. Jan. 28—Detailed on fatigue at the fort. George G. Smith came to the company as a recruit.
Fri. Jan. 29—Nothing of interest, mail came in, I got 1 letter from Math, one from Blie and one from Pop.
Sat, Jan, 30—Wrote a letter home, received a box from home full of good things.
Sun. Jan. 31—Nothing of importance.
Mon. Feb, 1—Detailed on picket, relieved at 10 PM and expect to march in the morning.
Tues. Feb. 2—Nary march yet, still expecting orders, wrote letter to mother, received one from Mant.
Wed, Feb. 3—on the march by 6 AM, marched 16 miles, crossed Black River.
Thurs. Feb. 4—0n march by 6 AM, marched through Champion Hills, marched 18 miles, nothing of interest occurred.
Fri. Feb. 5—On the march by 6 AM, hadn’t gone far till we were varmishing with the enemy, varmished with them all day, drove them to forks and took possession of the town. We got two men killed out of our regiment—one out of co. A wounded.
Sat. Feb. 6—No move, our regiment put on patrol guard. Had a very good time , nothing of interest transpired through the day.
Sun. Feb. 7—On the march by 6 AM, crossed Pearl River, detained there for sometime. Marched 12 miles and passed through Brandon. Camped in the wilderness, had nary varmish.
Mon. Feb. 8—0n the march by 6 AM, marched through the wilderness all day—marched 13 miles, the boys complaining of sore feet.
Tues Feb. 9—0n the go by 6 AM, our brigade in front, expecting a skirmish. Marched 4 miles into a small town, got all the fresh meat we wanted.
Wed. Feb. 10—Up at 5 AM, on the road at 10, clear in the rear of the train, detained on the road, marched 14 miles and passed through a town—Hilsborough. Found a camp at 10 PM.
Thurs. Feb. 11—Orders to march at 6—did not get started until 3 PM, detained on the road by the wagon train, marched 10 miles, camped at 4 in the morning, all boys very tired and sleepy, I got no sleep at all.
Fri. Feb. 12—On the go by 6 AM, our division in front. The enemy attacked our train but did us no harm, killed 18 mules marched 14 miles, camped near Decatur, Mississippi.
Sat. Feb. 13—Up at 6, our division in the rear, on the go at 10. Train detained us, our brigade guarding the train. The enemy fired into it—done no harm, marched 12 miles, camped at 12 at night.
Sun. Feb. 14—Up at 6, no move until 11, expecting to engage the enemy. Hadn’t gone far until the word came back, they had fled. So came to the conclusion there was no fight. Camped at 8 PM within 6 miles of Meridian.
Mon. Feb. 15—Up at 6 AM, on the go at 7 AM. Marched 7 miles to Meridian. Never saw it rain harder, got wet to the skin and back again. Camped for the day and night.
Tues. Feb. 16—On the go by 7 AM, took the railroad toward Vicks destroying the bridges, marched 14 miles, tore the road as we went.
Wed. Feb. 17—Up at 5 AM, on the go at 6 AM, burning things as we go. Marched 4 miles on the railroad, burned 5 bridges and station, then took the country roads and marched 16 miles—in all 20 miles.
Thurs. Feb. 18—No march today, very cold, camped in the wilderness, have orders to be ready to be on the march at 6 AM.
Fri. Feb. 19—Up and at it on time, went 9 miles and back, which made 18 miles. Burned a large mill, have orders to be ready to start for Vicksburg at 5:30 in the morning.
Sat. Feb. 20—0n the go on time, our regiment in front. Col. Wiles had charge of the pioneer corps, marched 12 miles and camped near Decatur.
Sun. Feb. 28—our regiment out foraging, came back to camp and got orders to move 2 miles. Have orders to be ready to be on the move by 6 AM.
Mon. Feb. 29—0n the move on time, our brigade guarding the supply train with meat. Marched 12 miles north—the train turned back. Arrived where we left—Canton—in all 24 miles.
Tues. Mar. 1—Had hard rain in night, very disagreeable. Started for Vicks at 7, the roads very bad, teams stalled, only got 5 miles, camped at 10 PM, very cold.
Wed. Mar. 2—Up at 5 AM, on the march at 6 AM, hadn’t gone far until the rebs began firing in our rear—kept it up most of the day, passed through a little town called Livington [?], marched 18 miles, camped near Rogathatan River[?].
Thurs. Mar. 3—Up at 5 M1, our division in the rear, detained crossing the river, all across about 1 PM, on the road for Vicks, marched through Brownsville, marched 14 miles, camped in a pretty grove for the night.
Fri. Mar. 4—Up at 5 AM, on the go for Vicks by 7 AM, crossed Black River at 1, arrived at Vicks at 6 PM marched 28 miles, all very tired, washed up and had a good sleep.
Sat. Mar. 5—Taking our ease, wrote a letter to Pop, read three letters—one from Pop, one from Hen, and one from Lea.
Sun. Mar. 6—Wrote letter, got letter from John.
Mon. Mar. 7—Nothing of interest, wrote a letter to Hen.
Tues. Mar. 8—Company drill in fournoon, Batallion drill in the afternoon, went to town in the evening to a literary society.
Wed. Mar. 9—Nothing of interest.
Thurs. Mar. 10—Mail came in, wrote a letter to Mag.
Fri. Mar. 11—Mail came in, I got a letter from Pap.
Sat. Mar. 12—Nothing of interest, detailed on picket.
Sun. Mar. 13—Came in off picket, stood 4 hours in the night, got orders to be ready to go up the river at any time.
Mon. Mar. 14—John Boyd and I went to town, nary up the river yet.
Tues. Mar. 15—Cold and blistery, nothing of interest.
Wed, Mar. 16—Still looking for orders to go up the river, mail came in, got one letter from Pop.
Thurs. Mar. 17—Wrote a letter to Pop, the 68th Ohio started for home.
Fri. Mar. 18—We got orders to take up camp, started to the landing at 5 PM, got aboard the John C. Swan, and lay at the landing until morning.
Sat. Mar. 19—Pushed out at 12 PM, headed up the river.
Sun, Mar. 20—Still homeward bound, rained most of the day. I was on guard and had a very unpleasant time.
Mon. Mar. 21—Still gliding up the Mississippi, passed Mapolien [?] in the morn.
Tues. Mar. 22—Still gliding up the Mississippi, arrived at Memphis at 8 PM, lay here overnight.
Wed. Mar. 23—Pushed out at 8 AM, passed Ft. Pilon [Pillow?] in the evening. Making good time.
[Apparently made no entries while the 78th was on Veteran Furlough]
June 7—Very warm day, still laying in the camp, got a bear that had been on the road since Feb. 2—everything came in good order.
June 8—Started at 3 AM, with 1 day’s rations—went up in the rifle pits where the enemy’s forts are and fired at them all day. I gave them about 40 rounds, they did not return the fire much through the day but kept it up night.
June 9—Was relieved at 4 AM, came back to camp and wrote a letter home, has the appearance of rain.
June 10—Still in the same camp, mail came in, I got no letter, rained hard all day and most of the night, still reaching Vicksburg.
June 11—Cloudy, has the appearance of rain, cleared off in the afternoon, very pretty. Mail came in, nary a letter for me.
June 12—Very pretty day, have orders to clean up for inspection. The boys are all busy cleaning up, had inspection at 8. Wrote a letter home to Lee and Billy.
June 13—This is a pretty day, our big guns are still shelling the enemy’s forts, our mortars at the river are shelling the city. John Edgar came to the camp, has been sick, wrote a letter to Jimmie.
June 14—Got orders to be up at 2 and ready to go up in the rifle pits in front of the enemy’s forts to sharpshoot. We shot at them pretty steady all day, they did not return the fire often.
June 15—Relieved at 3 AM, came back to camp. Pretty day, mail came in but no letter—yet. Have had no letter from Jimmie since May 15.
June 16—Still laying in camp, wrote a letter to brother John, had some rain through the day, cleared off in the evening.
June 17—Very pretty day, still heavy cannoning from our guns. The enemy threw several shells close to our camp, had no one hurt.
June 18—0ur camp detailed to go upon fatigue, got within 25 feet of enemy’s fort. Werhy, Lyon got shot—died in about 4 hours. After that got a letter from home.
June 19—Pretty day, wrote a letter home, got orders to have 1 day’s rations in our haversacks ready to go in the rifle pits by 3 AM.
June 20—orders countercommanded—stacked arms in AM, was detailed to go up and work on the breast—works in the night—did not get much sleep.
June 21—Relieved early in the morning. Took a long sleep through the day. Still heavy cannoning along our lines.
June 22—Very pretty day, got orders in the evening to pack up and be ready to march at a moments warning. Ordered into line at 10 PM. Marched 6 miles towards Hains Bluff. Mail came in, got no letter.
June 23—On the road again by 6 AM, very warm and dusty, left Hains Bluff off to our left and marched 10 miles, began to rain in the evening and continued raining through the night.
June 24—No move today, boys all out hunting blackberries, having a good time.
June 25—Very warm, no excitement in camp.
June 26—Still laying in camp, have no duty to do, wrote a letter home.
June 27—No move yet, very warm, mail came in—I got nary a letter.
June 28—Still warm and pleasant, had a splendid sermon by the chaplin of the 11th Ohio. Felt very unwell in the evening.
June 29—Pretty day, had a shake of the ague—felt bad all day.
June 30—Got orders to be on the march by 5 AM, on the road on time. I was not able to march, rode in Joe McKinney’s wagon. Marched 6 miles, camped in the wilderness.
July l—Still not well, have a sore throat, looking for attack by Gen. Joe Johnson.
July 2—Pretty day, no excitement, mail came in, I got a letter from Uncle W., one from Eliza, one from Lil.
July 3—Has the appearance of ‘rain, began to rain in the evening, did not amount to much.
July 4—News came to camp, Vicksburg was ours, great cheering through our camps, prisoners captured, 25,000 effective men, 7,000 sick and wounded.
July 5—Pretty day, had a speech from Col. R. last night, mail came in, I got a letter from Jimmie.
July 6—Very warm, mail came in, got 2 papers from home, wrote one letter to Lil and one to Jimmie.
July 7—Still warm, wrote a part of letter home, got orders to be ready to move at 2 PM, on the move at time, moved 6 miles, camped near railroad,
July 8—Had some rain last night, finished writing letter home, fixed up a shantie.
July 9—Warm but pleasant, wrote a letter to Uncle W. and one to E., mail came in but got nary a letter.
July 10—Had some rain in the night, got some wet—none too hurt. Andy Law came back to the camp from convalescent camp.
July 11—Detailed to go a foraging—went out 10 miles, got plenty of old corn and apples and peaches and honey.
July 12—Got orders to pack up and be ready to move at a minute’s notice. We was soon ready, mail came in but no letter for me, no move today.
July 13—Routed up at 3 AM to get ready to move by 5, was on the road on time, marched 10 miles, camped near the old battleground of Champion Hill, has the appearance of rain.
July 14—Routed up at 3 AM to be ready to be on the march by 5 AM, on the road on time, marched 14 miles, camped near the town of Clinton, Miss., one or two miles west of Jackson, Miss.
July 15—Still laying in camp, wrote a letter home, got orders in the evening to sleep on our arms.
July 16—Routed up early, enemy fired on our pickets, all into line, took six of the enemy prisoner, had no engagement, enemy took part of a division train between Champion Hill and Clinton.
July 17—Detailed on picket, guard, very warm day.
July 18—Came in off picket—stood three hours in the night, wrote a letter home, mail came in, got no letter.
July 19—Very warm day, had a sermon from our Chaplin Stevenson.
July 20—Still hot, had regimental inspection.
July 21—Still warm, got orders to be ready to march at 3 PM, on the road on time, marched six miles, camped for the night, mail came in and I got a letter from Jimmie.
July 22—Routed up at 3 AM to be on the road by 5, on the march on time, marched 8 miles, camped near Baker’s Creek, very hot and dusty marching.
July 23—On the march by 5 AM, marched 10 miles, camped near Bovina in the old camp we left on the 10th.
July 24—Routed up at 3 AM to be on the march by 5 AM, had everything ready, soon got orders, we were not going today,
July 25—Up at 3 AM, on the march by 5 AM, marched to Vicksburg, distance 10 miles, very warm.
July 26—Got our tents, spent the fournoon fixing up the camp, have a very rough camp, drew two months pay, had some rain in the afternoon.
July 27—Very warm, wrote a letter to Pop and one to Jimmie, had a shake of the ague.
July 28—Had some rain through the day, very windy.
July 29—Cleared off with a nice cool breeze, nothing of importance going on in camp.
July 30—Warm, mail came in but no letter for me.
July 31—Nothing of importance going on.
Aug. 1—Detailed on picket, very warm.
Aug. 2—came in off picket, had a sermon from our chaplin, wrote a letter to mother.
Aug. 3—Still warm, wrote a letter to Man.
Aug. 4—Nothing of importance, mail came in, I got a letter from mother, wrote a letter to X.
Aug. 5—Detailed on picket.
Aug. 6—Came in off picket, stood 3 hours in the night, has the appearance of rain. Dick Shriver and I went to town on a pass.
Aug. 7—Warm, but pleasant, wrote a letter home, mail came in, I got nary letter.
Aug. 8—Cool and pleasant, wrote letter to Lea.
Aug. 9—Detailed on picket, very warm.
Aug. 10—Came in off picket, had a very good time, stood 2 hours in the night.
Aug. 11—Have orders to get ready for general inspection.
Aug. 12—Had inspection by a Lieut. on Col. Forces staff. Mail came in, Henry got letter from John, I got 2 papers from home.
Aug. 13—Detailed on picket, warm in the forepart of the day, had a nice shower in the evening.
Aug, 14—Came in off picket—stood 2 hours in the night.
Aug. 15—Nothing of importance.
Aug. 16—Mail came in—got letter from Pop.
Aug. 17—Detailed on picket, had a very heavy rain in the night, got pretty wet.
Aug. 18—Came in off picket, stood two hours in the night. Wrote letter home, mail came in, I got nary a letter. Had shake of the ague in the evening.
Aug. 19—Still unwell, had some rain through the day.
Aug. 20—Still on the sick list. John Edgar took very unwell this morning. Rained all the forenoon. The regiment got orders to have three days rations in their haversacks and be ready to march in the morning.
Aug. 21—0n the march by 3 AM, marched to the river. I’m not being well, did not go along. Mail came in, I got a letter from John and one from Jimmie.
Aug. 22—Very dry times in the old camp.
Aug. 23—Still in the convalescent camp, wrote a letter to John.
Aug. 24—Still lying in camp, very lonesome, furloughs come to the sick boys.
Aug. 25—Brother Henry started home this morning in the company with a great many from the 78th.
Aug. 26—Went to town on a pass, saw John Edgar and a great many others from the 78th. John Ledmin and I took a scout in the afternoon.
Aug. 27—Went to the river after water, mail came in and I got a letter from Mother, wrote one to Hen.
Aug. 28—Still in the old camp, very lonesome, had a heavy rain in the afternoon. John Ledmin and I went out and gathered some elderberries in the evening.
Aug. 29—Still in the old camp, nothing going on, mail came in and I got no letter.
Aug.30—John Ledmin and I went out hunting, had a big tramp, feel tired enough to sleep tonight. Wrote a letter home.
Aug. 31—Still in the old camp, very lonesome, mail came, nary letter for me.
Sept. 1—Still in old camp, wrote a letter looking for the regiment, back today.
Sept. 2—Went to the river after water, wrote letter to Henry. Regiment came back in the evening, they had a hard march.
Sept. 3—Busy talking with the boys. They are telling me of their adventures.
Sept. 5—Nothing of importance going on. Took Andy to the hospital—very sick.
Sept. 4—Wrote letter to Henry, mail came in, I got nary a letter.
Sept. 6—Several of the boys of our regiment came back off furlough, mail came in, I got one letter from Jimmie, one from Uncle W. and one from X.
Sept. 7—Got orders to get ready for Brigade inspection, wrote letter home and one to Jimmie.
Sept. 8—Detailed on fatigue, had to report at 5 AM, worked until 6 PM, clearing of the wreck of an old house for a place to build a fort.
Sept. 9—Nothing going on in camp, wrote a letter to X.
Sept. 10—Detailed on picket, came in, I got a letter from home.
Sept. 11—Came in off picket, stood 2 hours in the night, wrote a letter home and one for Andy. Camp had general inspection.
Sept. 12—Nothing of importance.
Sept. 13—Detailed on fatigue, walked to town and was relieved without working any, mail came in, got letter from Henry and one from Math.
Sept.14—Detailed on fatigue, again hauled two loads of wood, wrote letter to Matthew.
Sept. 15—Nothing of importance going on.
Sept. 16—Had a shake of the ague.
Sept. 17—Detailed on fatigue, worked hard all day, had a very cold night.
Sept. 18—Still cool, all round the fire. Milt Turner came back to the regiment from home.
Sept. 19—Still cool, wrote a letter home, mail came in, I got a letter from John.
Sept, 20—Wrote a letter to John and one to Uncle Will
Sept. 21—Nothing of importance going on. I am writing in my tent thinking of going to bed. John Boyd is in bed. I will soon be.
Sept. 22—Mail came in and I got one letter from Pop, one from Lil and one from R. Answered X.
Sept. 23—Detailed on fatigue at the river on loading the Ed Walch came in to camp in the evening. The boys told me there was a letter for me and opened it—was from Henry.
Sept. 24—Detailed to help load wood—wrote letter home.
Sept. 25—Nothing of importance going on in camp.
Sept. 26—Detailed on fatigue loading on the wagons at the river. Worked all day. Came to camp in the evening and found two letters for me—one from Henry and one from Jim.
Sept. 27—Wrote a letter home, had regimental inspection, did not pass the first try. Col. sent us back to put on clean clothes; went out in a clean ________—passed alright.
Sept. 28—Detailed on fatigue at the wharf, cleaning out an old barge, worked all day, felt tired at night.
Sept. 29—Nothing going on, mail came in, I got nary letter.
Sept. 30—Detailed on fatigue at the fort, rain quit and came to camp at noon.
Oct. 1—Detailed to go to town after forage.
Oct. 2—Detailed on fatigue at the fort, worked 7 1/2 hours.
Oct. 3—Detailed on picket, put on the outpost, stood 4 hours in the night. Capt. Munson was officer of the picket.
Oct. 4—Came in off picket, wrote a letter home, mail came in, I got one letter from Henry and one from Mother.
Oct. 5—Got orders to move our camp. Moved 1/2 mile, fixed up camp as well as ever, wrote letter to Lee, mail came in, got a letter from X.
Oct. 6—Wrote letter to Mother, had General Mericus by Gen. Grant, McFarren and Gen. Logan marched to town and back, detailed on guard.
Oct. 7—Relieved in the morning and sent on picket, looking for attack.
Oct. 8—Came in off picket, stood 4 hours in the night.
Oct. 9—Detailed on fatigue at the fort, came in off fatigue and went on picket.
Oct. 10—Came in off picket, in the evening found two letters for me—one from Hen and one from Jimmie.
Oct. 11—Off duty today. Had general inspection by Gen. McPherson, passed off alright. Mail came in and I got one letter from John.
Oct. 12—Very pretty day, had inspection in the morning by Col. Wiles, again in the afternoon by the Brigade inspector, everything went off right. Wrote letter to John.
Oct. 13—Detailed on picket, came into camp at 12 and voted for Brough. Have orders to march by 5 AM, relieved off picket and wrote a letter home.
Oct. 14—Routed up at 4 AM, on the march by SAM, marched 14 miles, camped within two miles of Black River for the night.
Oct. 15—Routed up at 4 AM on the march by 5 AM, crossed Black River and marched about 18 miles to a small town called Brownsville, drove the enemy from this place. First Brigade of our Division was engaged in the fracus.
Oct. 16—Up at 4 AM, on the go by 5 AM. Had not gone more than 2 miles until we heard cannons in front. Sent out skirmishe[r]s, did not amount to much—marched about 12 mi, again engaged the enemy. Our company with 3 more out as skirmishe[r]s fired on as some were hurt. Then about dusk, ordered back to the regiment and lay until morning.
Oct. 17—Into line, enemy still appears in force, began to shell us, our company with 3 others out again forward drove the enemy back without loosing a man, halted in front of the enemy—only got 4 miles.
Oct. 18—Up at 5 AM, took the back track, the enemy skirmished with our rear guard, all day marched, through Clinton, marched about 20 miles.
Oct. 19—Up at 6 AM to be on the march by 7AM, the enemy still following us, fired into our rear guard early in the morning, marched to Black River, distance about 18miles.
Oct. 20—Up at 4 AM and on the go by 6 AM, bound for the old camp near Vicksburg. Arrived here about noon, distance 13 miles, we feel at home.
Oct. 21—Got up alright, wrote a letter home.
Oct. 22—Had inspection, battalion drill in the morning, detailed on fatigue at the fort, worked six hours.
Oct. 23—Very cold, detailed on fatigue to haul wood, had a very cold time, sat all over mud.
Oct. 24—Detailed on picket with Tommy Thompson, very cold, got our giger before we started, mail came in, the boys sent out three letters to me—one from Pop, one from Hen and one from John E.
Oct. 25—Came in off picket, stood 3 hours in the night, wrote letter home and sent four letters to John E. Had preaching by Chaplin Stevenson in the evening.
Oct. 26—Detailed on fatigue to haul wood, worked all day.
Oct. 27—Detailed on fatigue to haul water.
Oct. 28—Went to town in the morning after brick to build a chimney. Built the chimney in the afternoon. Mail came in. I got one letter from John, one from Hen; John Ledmin [Leadmin] and Bob Crawford came to the regiment.
Oct. 29—Detailed on picket, has the appearance of rain, rained some through the night.
Oct. 30—Began to rain early in the morning, rained hard until very near noon, got wet to the skin and back again. Came to camp and built a fire and dried our clothes, wrote letter to John.
Oct. 31—Cleared off, warm, wrote a letter to Jimmie.
Nov. 1—Has the appearance of rain, had inspection in the afternoon by Col. Wiles, wrote letter to Jimmie, went to town to church in the evening.
Nov. 2—Detailed on fatigue at the fort, came to the camp for dinner, found had Henry had returned from home, drew 2 months pay.
Nov. 3—Put in most of the day talking with Henry, had battalion drill in the afternoon.
Nov. 4—Detailed on fatigue—chopping wood, worked all day, wrote letter to Jimmie.
Nov. 5—Company drill in the morning, rained in the afternoon.
Nov. 6—Nothing of importance.
Nov. 7—Detailed on fatigue at the fort, worked all day, Henry started for home.
Nov. 8—Had inspection in the morning, went to town to church, Henry not gone from the wharf yet, saw Lieut. Col. Bell.
Nov. 9—Detailed on fatigue fixing up the hospital, put up cook shanty and two chimneys, at work all day.
Nov. 10—Went back and finished the chimneys at the hospital, had battalion drill in the afternoon by Capt. Waler.
Nov. 11—Wrote letter home and one to Lib, got letter from Pop.
Nov. 12—Detailed on picket with Dick Shriver, pretty day.
Nov. 13—Came in off picket, stood one hour in the night, went with the brigade down below town, heard the parting speech of Gen. Logan, got letter from Lee.
Nov. 14—The regiment was inspected by the Brigade inspector, wrote letter to Henry and one to Lea.
Nov. 15—Went to town to church, got back at noon, mail came in and I got letter from Jen, went to church at night.
Nov. 16—Nothing of importance, detailed in the evening for guard.
Nov. 17—Don’t feel very well, have something like the ague. Mail came in—I got one letter from Henry and one from Pop.
Nov. 18—Still unwell, wrote letter to Hen.
Nov. 19—Alright again, had company drill in the forenoon and battalion drill in the afternoon.
Nov. 20—Nothing but drill, mail came in, I got no letter.
Nov. 21—Drew 2 month’s pay—$26—wrote letter to Jen, expressed $15 home.
Nov. 22—Very pretty day, had regiment inspection, one sermon from our chaplain, detailed on guard,
Nov. 23—Came off guard, stood 3 hours in the night, wrote a letter home. Mail came in the evening. I got a letter from Hen.
Nov. 24—Nothing of importance.
Nov. 25—Detailed on picket, John Boyd and I are on one fort, pretty cold, stood 4 hours in the night.
Nov. 26—Came in off picket, wrote letter to Hen. Dick Shriver and I went to town on a pass. Just more than made it pay.
Nov. 27—Drill most of the day.
Nov. 28—Mail came in, I got one letter from Pop, one from Hen, one from John and one from Jen. J M Brewer and Capt. Wilson came back to the company.
Nov. 29—Very cold, detailed on fatigue chopping wood, wrote letter to Henry.
Nov. 30—Nothing of importance, very pretty day.
Dec. 1—Very pretty day, wrote letter to John.
Dec. 2—Nothing of importance, very pretty day.
Dec. 3—Nothing special, not feeling very well, excused from duty.
Dec. 4—Wrote letter to Hen.
Dec. S—Mail came in, I got letter from Hen, Gen. Legget visited our camp today.
Dec. 6—Detailed on picket, very pretty day.
Dec. 7—Came in off picket, stood 3 hours and half in the night. Wrote letter to Hen and went to literary meeting in the evening. Rained—we got good and wet,
Dec. 8—Rain is over, cleared off, pretty again.
Dec. 9—Nothing of interest, mail came in, I got a letter from Dave.
Dec. 10—Wrote a letter to Dave, had orders to get ready for eeneral inspection but it fizzled out.
Dec. 11—Had inspection, mail came in but nary a letter for me. Heard a speech from Gen. Legget.
Dec. 12—Has the appearance of rain, mail came in, I got one letter from Andy and one from Hen.
Dec. 13—Detailed on picket, rained, got very wet, cleared off, cold in afternoon.
Dec. 14—Came in off picket, stood 3 hours in the night. Wrote letter to Henry.
Dec. 15—Nothing of interest. Col. Wiles’ wife came to see him.
Dec. 16—Mail came in. I got one letter from Hen., two from Pop, and one from Lea.
Dec. 17—Detailed on fatigue, very cold, worked in the afternoon.
Dec. 18—Still cold, wrote letter to Hen.
Dec. 19—Still cold and disagreeable, wrote letter to Lea and Billy.
Dec. 20—Had company inspection in the morning. John Boyd and I went to town to church. Went to church in the evening at the camp hospital.
Dec. 21—Detailed on picket. Dick Shriver, B.T. Matson and I on the fort, stood 3 hours in the night, very pretty day.
Dec. 22—Came in off picket, has the appearance of rain. Mail came in. I got one letter from Pop and one from Math.
Dec. 23—Nothing of interest, wrote a letter to Math.
Dec. 24—John R. Edgar back to the regiment. Mail came in. I got one letter from Hen, one from John, one from Uncle W. and one from Jim.
Dec. 25—This day one year ago we were at Abbyville, Tenn., living on parched corn. Today we had a splendid dinner and a gay time in general. Wrote letter to Dick.
Dec. 26—Nothing of importance, wrote letter to Hen. Got orders to have 2 days rations in haversacks, to go on duty know not where.
Dec. 27—Got on the cars at Vicksburg, ran out on railroad towards Black River four miles to patrol the railroad from guerrillas.
Dec.28—Relieved from duty by one Co. of 7 Mo. Waited all day for cars to come for us—didn’t come until dark. Got to camp about 7 PM, found a letter for me from Pop.
Dec. 29—Nothing of interest, wrote letter to Pop. Mail came in, I got letter from Hen.
Dec. 30—Has the appearance of rain, wrote a letter to Hen. James Mohafry [Mahaffey] and Walter Rop came to the regiment from home.
Dec. 31—Detailed on fatigue hauling water, began raining in the morning and continued raining until afternoon. Turned to snow. The regiment went over to the camp of the 2nd Ohio to see a man drummed out of the service for desertion.
William S. Speer
If I die in the hospital or killed on the field write to my parents and send them this book.
Direct to:
Mr. A. S. Speer
Galigher
Guernsey Co.
Ohio