(Diary continues from 1863)

Jan. 1, 1864 -- Capt. Chase's wife made some mince pies for the boys which were much appreciated.

Jan. 2-5 - Inspections - etc.

Jan. 6 - Snow fell 1 1/2 inches last night - something that has not happened since 1854, we were told. We rigger up a jumper and had a sleigh ride.

Jan. 7-12 - All quiet - inspection.

Jan. 13 - There was some excitement to-day and the Battery was ordered to be ready for an attack from the enemy. It was a false alarm.

Jan. 14-Feb. 19 - All quiet - inspection - getting flooring for hose sheds - target firing on river bank.

Feb. 20 - Re-enlisted as a veteran for 3 years am to receive $402.00 bounty and 30 days furlough in Vt. 13 others re-enlisted.

Feb. 21-25 - All quiet - 22 Feb. Battery went up to Provost Marshall and voted for B. F. Flanders for Gov. of Louisiana.

Feb. 26 - Mustered into U. S. Veteran Service.

Feb. 27-March 20 - Quiet - men vaccinated - attending sick calls - inspections.

March 21 - Battery ordered on review ground to see swords taken from Maj. of 18th U. S. Infantry. Besides taking his sword his buttons were cut from his coat - this done by order of court marshal, for conduct unbecoming an officer & gentleman.

Mar. 22-24 - Quiet - sick calls.

Mar. 25 - Rec'd veteran furlough.

Mar. 26-27 - Waiting for transportation.

Mar. 28 - Arrived at New Orleans about 5 A.M. - brought some things to take with us - then went about some.

Mar. 29 - Staid at Union Headquarters last night - bound for New York & home.

Mar. 30-Apr. 1 - Anchored for night at Key West.

April 2-8 - On ship bound for New York.

April 9 - Arrived at New York at 3 P.M. - went to soldiers home No. 199 Broadway - about city some.

April 10-11 - In New York.

April 12 - Arrived at Brattleboro.

April 13 - Last -- called on my friend Frank Willlard & by invitation I spent the evening at Mr. & Mrs. Cune's - had the honor of being introduced to Ex.-Gov. Holbrook.

April 14 - Arrived at father's at dark.

April 16-May 12 - Visited friend in VT. & N.H.

May 13 - Started back to seat of war.

May 14 - Attended dance at Putney last night.

May 15 - At hotel and barracks.

May 16 - Took train for Montpelier.

May 17-18 - In Berlin, Barre back to Brattleboro.

May 20 - Rec'd $20.00 from father.

May 21-23 - Still in Brattleboro waiting orders to start for Port Hudson.

May 24 - After 50 days furlough in Vt. started for New Orleans.

May 25 - Arrived in New York - visited Aunt Mary.

May 26 - On steamer McClellan until June 2.

June 3 - Arrived at mouth of Miss. river at daylight - Arrived New Orleans at sundown.

June 4-6 - At camp in city.

June 7 - Went to St. Charles theatre last eve. - went on board steamer.

June 8 - Started for Port Hudson at night.

June 9 - Arrived at Baton Rouge this morning - arrived at Port Hudson 6 P.M. and reported in 2nd Vt. Battery. The boys were all glad to see me back and many questions were asked, about friends. This ends my furlough and duties of soldiers life begins again.

June 10 - Went to the 81st U.S.C. Infantry to see my friend Surgeon, Dr. D. E. Palmer - told him of my visit to his home in N.H. while I was in Vt. - had an enjoyable visit with him.

June 11-26 - All quiet - visit again to Dr. Palmer - inspection.

June 27 - Went over to 73 U.S. Infantry to see Dr. R. M. Huntington about being hospital steward of his regt.

June 28 - Made application for above position - was approved by Dr. Huntington and Capt. Chase.

Juen 29-July 5 - With 73 U.S.C. Infantry sick with diarrhoea (sic).

July 6 - To see Dr. Palmer.

July 7-8 - Regular duties.

July 9 - It is just one year to-day since we marched into Port Hudson after a long seige and the surrender of Gen. Gardner to Gen. Banks.

July 10-17 - Acting hospital steward - helped sutler - to medial directors with weekly report.

July 18 - Received my discharge from 2d Vt. Battery as private to enable me to re-enlist as hospital steward in the 73d U.S.C. Infantry.

July 19 - PAcked up our Medical and hospital stores and went on board the steam boat N.C. Thomas - the regt. having been ordered to Morganza La. I went down to 2d Vt. Battery and took leave of boys whom I had served with since the Battery was organized, Dec. 1861. Our regt left Port Hudson at 5 P.M.

July 20 - Arrived at Morganza last night - disembarked at 8 P.M. this morning and went into camp. Morganza is Located on the Miss. River about 25 miles from Port Hudson - fort being built here.

July 21 - Alarm last night - troops quickly in position a force sent out this morning and some firing on our front.

July 22-23 - All quiet.

July 24 - Re-enlisted in 73d U.S.C. Infantry and was appointed hospital steward and rec'd my warrant as such from Lieut. Col. H. C. Merrian commanding regt. My warrent (sic) is dated July 12, 1864.

July 26 - Maj. P. E. Holcomb paid me a visit to-day. He wants me to join regular army and said he would make me orderly sergt of his company - he being a Capt. in the Army.

July 27-August 7 - All quiet - short furlough to see boys at Port Hudson - sick with chills and fever when there.

August 8 - Returned to Morganza.

August 9-31 - All Quiet - Moved camp about 1/2 mile - fixing up quarters.

Sept. 1 - Commenced making mahogany desk for Dr. Huntington of lumber we took from doors in house we tore down.

Sept. 2-6 - All quiet - worked on Dr. Huntington's desk.

Sept. 7 - National salute fired here to-day on receipt of news that Atlanta Ga. was taken by Gen. Sherman.

Sept. 8-Oct. 4 - Quiet most of the time - building barracks.

Oct. 5 - Just escape capture by Rebels [- details given].

Oct. 6 - Some fighting at Bayou Sara yesterday our forces driven back.

Oct. 7-13 - Quiet - rebuilt floor in tent - taking inventory of medicines, etc.

Oct. 14 - My weight 162 lbs.

Oct. 15-18 - Fixing up quarters, etc.

Oct. 19 - While out after lumber the other day I secured a large box stove and a steam pipe. The back end of stove was broken so bricked it up and put up the steam pipe for a chimney and have the best warmed quarters in camp.

Oct. 20-25 - All quiet - work on my quarters also helped surgeon fix up his quarters.

Oct. 26 - Went down to mustering officers quarters and after making out the muster roll myself. I was mustered into the service for three years from the 12th day of July 1864 as Hospital Steward of the 73d U.S.C. Infantry.

Oct. 27-Nov. 21 - Usual work - review - general review by Gen. Ullman.

Nov. 22 - REbels captured or wounded some of our men on picket duty and captured 50 heads of cattle.

Nov. 23 - Lieut. shot last night - buried to-day.

Nov. 24-Dec 1 - Nothing of note.

Dec. 2 - Rec'd a check for $125.00 from John B. Page State Treas. of Vt., it being state pay commuted and due me instead of $7.00 per month which state promised.

Dec. 3-18 - Reg't on expedition to mouth of Red River - I remained in camp.

Dec. 19 - Gave $15.00 for a pair of cavalry boots.

Dec. 20-24 - All quiet.

Dec. 25 - Capt. Guest and I went to the outpost and took dinner with Mr. Maloney's people - there was quite a gathering of ladies from the neighborhood - had a very enjoyable time.

Dec. 26-31 - All quiet.