USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. For name searches of this index, use the "Find" or "Search" feature of your browser. Submitted by John Freeman's Great Granddaughter, Wanda Freeman Ridge email address JOHN HENDERSON FREEMAN DIARY MAY 1862 - JUN 1862 JOHN HENDERSON FREEMAN'S BOOK Should this book get lost the finder will please forward it to Tyro, P. C., Miss. to care of R. T. Bowen, Esqr. and Oblige a soldier. Sergt. J. H. Freeman's book of Co. I 34th Miss. Vol. Walthall's Brigade Gen'l Bragg's Army John H. Freeman Chulahoma, Marshall Co., Miss. If in this book you read I ask you not to abuse for I write this for my own satisfaction and not for critics to peruse and often to abuse. TRAVELS FROM HOME 1862 May 11th Left home 10 o'clk p.m. At Holly Springs next morning. In a tise. 12th left on cars for Corinth. At Corinth by 12 o'clk m., well and hearty 13th Wrote and sent letters home to Wife 16th sent off 2 letters home, S. G. Waldrip 21st J. M. Waldrip sick leaves for home 23rd Mailed letter to mother, R. Freeman. J. H. Freeman sick from 19th to 27th " " Bought chicken (25th) sent J. W. F. letter 27th F. M. Jones leaves for home sick, sends letters by him. (28th) W. H. Watkins sick, leaves for home. had orders to be ready to leave at a minutes warning 12 o'clk. Tents struck. Marched ___ Brest work in line of battle. Marched back to depot. then on duty some on detail some on guard Till we left. (29th) Leaves in quick time without orders from any officers. Leaves in great confusion. Cloudy cool morning. large Army 2nd Stopped to rest at Clear Creek . Some little rain and flying clouds. 3rd Wrote a letter. Those that left us at Corinth on cars came to us and drew rations for the first time in six days. All of us very hungry. Rec. letter from Betty Waldrip by Wilie Newton. 3rd J. S. Aiken came to see us. He is from 18th Ark. Regt. Carrol Gen Daily Col. Lynch Capt. of Co. (G.) Vandorn headquarters. Sent S. G. Waldrip and wife letters. 4th Wrote Betty a letter and some for the other boys and shot off our guns (5th) sent off Betty's ltr by Capt. Falkner to Holly Springs. 6 and 7th Drilled for third time since I joined the army. 8th Left Clear Creek late in Eve. Marched all night till 2 o'clk. Started next morng at sunrise. Arrived at Tupelo 3 o'clk p.m. very tired and sleepy. June 8th We had good road but two hills. Some good crops of corn on the Road. Saw a good deal of Cotton burnt and some burning. 9th Sent off two letters today. Wrote six for the company. Sent wife letter by Birdiron. Lt Readen came to Co. 10th Weighed 130 lbs. In Battalion drill. I made up my first bread very good. Recd and Read Letter sent to Thos Hargis from J. A. Hargis, Richmond, VA. Jas Steward came back from Hospital. 11th Wrote letter for Jim Steward and John Freeman and myself. Drilled by Lieut Readin for 1st time. Very dusty and warm (11th) Jas. M. Waldrip and Billy Aiken Returned to Regt and Co. 11th Recd Letters from wife, Pa's family and recd wife likeness and Mothers. 12th I was detailed with forage waggon gone two days 9 mi west Tupelo 14 mi. E. Pontoc. Good corn crops, no cotton scarsely. June 12th Dusty roads. Got supper at Kirkpatricks paid 50 cts for it. Stayed with waggons in an old out House. Slept good on shatterd fodder. 13th Started early got breakfast .50 cts Saw a little child and nursed it. got back to Regt by 2 o'clk Regt moored in bottom. Stretched flies and wrote Letters to wife and Pa's family. Sent them to Waterford by hand. J. M. Waldrip wrote and sent one. 15th Herd sermon preached by our Chaplin, Sulivan. Sent 2 Books and letters to wife by Wm Locke. Warm and clear and dusty. Evening Sermon by Chaplin. 16th Drawed canteen. 18th Wrote four Letters, one for __. Rain last night. Saw Martin Shaw. Sent letters. Conly Watkins and Jon Fr. sick. Jas Waldrip commenced for cook. Prayer meeting night by Chaplin. 19th Lieut. Ruiborn left for home J. H. Freeman's Memorandum June 20th 1862 June 20th Cooking broken up. I taken Rosole. Broke out At prayer meeting last night. (21st) A. J. Faires brought me letters from wife and Bill. 12 of co. come in to company. Lt Durkam, J. H. Brown, R. Landers, John Childress, H. T.Rushton, D. Tate, R. B. McKee, S. Simpson 22nd J. C. Cathy left for home, sent off Letters by him. Herd preaching Chaplin Weaver. Wm left for home also. 24th S. P. Martin sent off home. Sent Letters by him (26th) moved to new campground on the hill. Went in old mess with J. M. Moncrief in Tent. 28th Went to creek in bathing. Lost my Pockett Book but found it by chance. Taken sick with Diarear 29th Preaching by Chaplin and Harris. Taken mumps. (30th) at night great cheering of our great victory in Va. Wrote letter home. Still at Tupelo. Wrote letters for Bob and myself. JOHN FREEMAN DIARY JULY 1862 - DECEMBER 1862 July 1st Light rain. (4th) Sold Envlps 10c. Had a shirt washed the first time. Paid 10 ct for it. Wrote 2 Letters S. P. Martin 4th Examined for Hospital 5th got on cars at Tupelo left 8 o'clk for Columbus ____ all night got to Columbus 1/2 hour by sun of 6th. got dinner then went to Convalescent. sent camp and naims Register. Left Billy Hunter at Depot in care of Dr. (19th) Light rain. Stood gard round conv. camp. (11th) on detail. 13th Sunday Went up in town to see Billy Hunter. Found him very low. Evening went in bathing in nice place. 16th Left camp Blewitt for Regt. Fine rain while on train. At Tupelo camp dark. James M. Waldrip had letters from home. 20th On guard 21st Wrote letters for Bob and myself 24th Herd from wife, from Bettie. July 24 Lt Rayborn and others back to co. 31st Herd from home by W. H. Thomason. August 1st Wrote 2 letters on guard 2nd Left Tupelo, at Mobile Sunday Eve. 3 o'clk. Left on Boat Dixie for Montgomery Arivid at Montgomery Wednesday Eve. Left on cars next morn. 7th 2 o'clk on cars for Atlanta, Ga. arrived by 12 o'clk, Left Atlanta for Chattanooga 9th At Chattanooga 12 o'clk 11th Went out in country got good dinner paid 50 cts. Bought Peaches and apples, sold some cleared 90c. This was at Camp Look Out. 12th Rec Letter from Wife and Bill 19th Left Camp Look Out in evening, Marched to Chatanooga. Staid all night. Jacob, Thos. W. Hargis, Wm Aiken and others came to Co. Rec'd letters from home with cheering news of a fine son and health of family. F. M. Jones T. R. Hunter J. Patrick W. W. ___ August 20th Left Chattanoogs. Marched 6 miles to Camp Mocisen. Staid there till the 28th. Herd H. Ellis death. 28th Left at dusk marched all night and next day till 12 o'clk. Waded a creek. 31st Sunday Marched six mi to Dunlap. Camped till Sept 3rd. Went out in country, got some fruit, found clever people. Sept 3rd Left early in morning. I and Jacob detailed with Ordnance waggons. Had a dry and hilly road over mountains. Nothing of importance happened. Marched on till Saturday eve, passed through Spencer and Sparta. 1862 Sept 6th Through Vanburen and Smith Countys. Saw a gallows for hangin a man, a Soldier for committing rape on respectable woman but I learned he was pardoned. Sept 7th Went in bathing in Cany Fork of Cumberland River. Saw Levi Smart well. 3rd Left after one days rest 9th Passed by a house and stoped and bought chicken 50 cts from a man that said the Federals had aimed to destroy him but was mistaken in the place and destroyed one of their friends houses. His name was John Taylor. Old Bachelor, and tanner by trade. County rocy and hilly. Road very Ruff. 10th Cross Cumberland River. Saw fine chance of Ladies in Putnam Co. 11th Smith County. Union People generally. 11th Camped at Red Sulphur Springs. Rain in evening. 18 mi of Greensborough 12th In Monroe Co., Ky 12th Crossed Barren River in twelve mi of Trenton (13th) passed through Roseville, Barren Co. Jim Waldrip sick. Rested Sunday the 14th, had a mutton dinner 35 cts. 15th Washed clothes and left camp 2 o 'clk. Very fine cesession people. Rain light in eve. Passed through Glasgow at dark. Took wrong road, went one mi out of way, travelled all night. 16th At Cave City in morning at one hour by Sun. Herd of Wesly Brantly's death. Saw him killed by Waggon running over him, so stated. 17th News of the Surrender of Fort Munfordsville unconditionally with five thousand prisoners, ten thousand stand of arms, munitions, stores &c. Sept 18th Rumors of Buels Army in pursuit 19th Cool. Still at Mumforsville. Still on detail, commenced with J. M. Moncrief Ordn Waggoner. Crossed Green River. Camped in Woodsonville, Heart Co., Ky. 20th Troops leaving. We left at sundown and saw more troops than I ever did before. Herd from Levi Smart who was in the fight at the front. He passed me but I did not see him. Marched all night. Jim Waldrip sick. Camped at Hogensville, Larue County, rested till 23rd. 23rd Passed through New Haven. 24th Arrived at Bardstown, Ky. 25th Drew rations and draw______. 26th Went out in country 3 mi. Could not buy anything. Got some apples and cleared after eating and giving away, $2.50. Billy Maples with me on 1/2 profit. Sept 27th Reported to Capt Bowen, Capt of Waggon gard, changed to forage waggon detail. Rain eve. 28th Went to Catholic meeting. Very fine church and furniture, the finest I ever saw and the 1st. Oct 1st Went on detail after some whiskey to Rogersville (20 mi), Spencer Co., Went through Fairfield 14 mi N. of Bardstown. Ate dinner with a clever Irishman, no charge. Bought Jim some butter. Found knife and swaped it for one large, 2 Big blades for $2.00 to Boot. Oct 3rd Swaped knives twice. Drawed wages and commutation up to 30th of June. Amt $35.50 4th Left Bardstown. Back to my Co. Regt, passed through Springfield, Washington County, and Perryville. 5th Camped at Camp Breconnige 6th Camped at Harrodsburg and cooked rations October Memorandum 1862 Oct 7 Counter marched back to Perryville in line of Battle. Rested in line at our guns, a fine moonlight night, pleasant, no disturbance, all quiet, still. 8th Picketts firing before daylite, canonading commenced early. We was ordered out in line about twelve o'clock when our Battery opened fire on the enemy's Battery. Three Horses was killed, one gun disabled,no one killed. About 3 o'clock we charged over the fence we had been behind, down a steep bluff very ruff and rocy, up a rocy branch where we was ordered to take off our knapsacks. J. W. Freeman was left to guard them. One man was wounded here by a piece of a shell. We then went on over a rock fence, over a field, two other fences about 1/2 or 3/4 of a mile. Oct 8th We was ordered fire and fall down then rise and doublequick untill a general engagement commenced. We kept advancing till compelled to fall back on account of a heavy cross firing which wounded and killed half of my company, four being associate and bro-in-law J. W. Hargis, and orderly J. C. Cathy, Jas. Simpson and Corpl. Oldfield. Two others died from their wounds. I discharged my duty the best I knew how, shot 18 times, then helped Capt. Bowen to carry Levi Childress off the field and continued to help carry off wounded till after night. Our little company was rallied and charged the enemy's Battery under Adjut. Miller, one and the only officer that was not wounded. Col. Benton, Lt. Col. Wright and Major Mason all being wounded. Col. hip, Lt. Col. arm, Major foot. I was detailed to help pick up the lost guns of the Battlefield late in the night. Saw Some Yang (sic) wounded on the field, gave them drink of water for fellows appeared to be suffering a great deal. 8th The battle raged furiously till dark. The Federals being drove off the field all of ___ was busy all night but little rest at all. 9th Early in morning on the march back to Harrodsburg very tired and weary. Camped at 12 o'cllk . News reached us that Kirby Smith had taken 8000 prisoners. Oct 10th Passed through Nevader and Brantsville. 11th and 12th Rested at Camp Dick Roberson. H. T. Rushton of my mess went out in country and got some eggs for breakfast and Cabbage for dinner. Cool rain. 13th and 14th Hard marching. passed through Lancaster, Rockcastle County. Very tired and sore. Very ruff, Rocky and hilly road, crossed R. C. river and passed Wild Cat Battle ground. 15th Passed through London at sundown. Camped at forks of the road 47 miles from Cumberland Gap, rested 2 days. Bought some fresh pork 16th. 17th Hard marching through Barbersville cross Cumberland River. Knox county, Ky. 19th Very tired, fell behind. Oct 19 and 20 Still hard marching. Passed through the gap and crossed Powel's Creek, a beauty-full stream, clear as cristal. 21st Through Tazewell, Tenn. short rations but made out very well. 1/2 pt of flour per day, some bacon. Camped on Clinch river, Union County, Tenn. Myself and Rushton went about 1 1/2 mi and got a good supper and some dried apples and onions. 22nd Marched till 2 o'clk, camped at Maynedsville. 23 Good roads and weather. 24th Arrived at Knoxville 2 o'clk. Lieut. Readdin, S. P. Martin and others visited us, got letters from home for the first in long time, not since we left Chattanooga, by the hand of Bros. J. W. Freeman and Tos. Hargis. 25th Herd of Mikel Waldrip death. 26th Snow shoe deep, wrote letters to home folks. Oct 27 to 30th Nothing of interest. 31st Went to town, bought aples and candy, sold some, cleared $5.00. On guard twice at the camp. Nov 2nd Preaching twice, orders cook rations. 3rd Ordered to fall in line at 2 o'clk. Marched through Knoxville and out five mi. on the R. R. and camped. 4th Went out in the country and bought appels, cleard $5.70. 6th Bought apples, cleared $1.50 7th Still at camp on railroad near Knoxville, light snow . Bought appels myseelf and M. C. Watkins. 8th Left Knoxville on cars for Chattanoogs, there 10 o'clk p.m., went and staid with R. Freeman at Convalescent Camp. Herd of W. H. Watkin's death. Left in the evening for Brigeport. 9th At Brigport sundown, camped. November 1962 November 10th Moved across the river. Briges not finished. Pretty day 11 Wrote letter home. I have very bad cold. 12 Still here 13th Left B. port 10 o'clk night forAlsona. At Alsona before day on cars. 14th Marched cross creek, put up tents and cleared off ground 15th Pray meeting. 16th Inspection Sunday. Warm and light rain. 17th Wrote Sister Emily a letter. 18th Drew 2 mo wages $22. 20th Washed clothes 21st On gard at R.R. Bridge Bought $5 worth apples. Cleared $2.00 22nd Recd Letter from home by Col. White. Bought ___ and dried peaches, myself and Watkins, Sold and Cleard $7.00 23rd Left Alsona for Shelbyville 2 days march. Capt. Bowen left for home. Sent $82.00 home and letters by him. 24th At camp near Shelbyville. November and December 1862 25th Cleaned up streets. Cloudy. 26th Gen. inspection and Drill by Hardie. 27th Bought Tobacco and pies, cleared on pies $1.00 28th Sold tobacco to Faires at cost. 30th Inspection. Rainy last night. Dec 1st to 4th Drill (Cloudy and cool, 1st) 4th Reported one case small pox in our Regt, but did not spread. 5th On gard. Snow. Orders to be ready to march at one hours notice. 6th Reported Price had gained victory at Holly springs and other places in Miss. 7th Wrote letter home. Div left us. Rushton came in from Brg. Detail. Myself and Jones made on pork $1.00 8th On gard round Regt. Built a chimney to our tent. Durham back to Co. 10th J. M. Waldrip on gard. 11 Pretty warm day. 12th Bought pork mess apiece $1.80. 13th Washed clothes Dec 14th Cloudy. Swaped blankets with Rushton. Gave him $10.00 to boot. 15th Preaching by Well, private in Regt. 16th Vacconated. Dan Tate sick. 18th On gard. Passed with G. Rounds. 21st Regt drilled in Skirmish drill. 25th On gard in Magraws place, Nvg. 26th Went to town, bought pies cleared $1.75. Dan Tate sent to Hospital. 27th Egg nog three mornings, rain night. 28th Jim Waldrip sent to Hospital. Left for Brigade. Marched 9 mi and counter-marched back to Shelbyville, old camp. 29th On Duck River, Bedford County. 30th Pickett gards. Rushtons choice. 31st Herd cannonading at Murfresboro. F. M. Bloodworth back to Company. JOHN FREEMAN DIARY JANUARY 1863 - JUNE 1863 Jan 1st Left Shelbyville late in Eve. Marched to Wartrace, took cars for Murfreesboro. 2nd. At Murfresboro. Battle field early daylight. Slung Knapsacks and off in line of battle all day. January 1863 Memorandum 3rd Rained, herd picketts fiting. 4th Left Murfreesboro midnight, marched through mud and water all the night and the next day. 5th Camped cross the Duck River at Shelbyville. Rested all day fine. 6th Fine clear day. 7th Marched to Alson, cloudy. 8th Rested, light snow and cold, very hungry, short rations of ____ corn bread, not sifted. 9 and 10th Counter marched back to Shelbyville nite of 9th, me and Rushton went out in country about 2 mi and got a good supper, sweet milk, warm bread and pork and fruit, paid 50. ct, had a dark time, got back safe. 11th Rested 12th Put up tents, Inspection 15th Rained nite 16th Very cold and light snow and windy 17th Rec'd wages 2 mos. $22. Settled up with the mess. 15th Herd of Snipes wife being hung. Meadows of Chulahoma being shot. Old Mr. Dean whipped and gold to the amt. 14,000$ taken from him. 17th Sent J. A. Hargis Va. letter. 18th Preaching by Ball of 41st Miss. Regt., Sabbath, good preaching. 19th Levi Smart came to see us. Ate dinner. Cloudy. Faires on gard. 20th Wrote letters and sent home. 23rd Went to see Levi Smart and ate dinner. 23rd Mustered for pay. 24th Wrote letters home. Cloudy, rain 24th On gard round Regt. 25th Wrote letters to wife, Pa and all the ____. visited Levi Smart and Taber. 26th Settled up all my mess. 27th Sent letters home by ___ of Coldwater depot, Miss. Built chimney to our tent, cold and cloudy. Jan 29th Paid for brick for chimney. 1.$ per hundred. Jan 30th Marched from camp only few minutes notice without rations, went some seven miles on Murfreesboro Pike. Nothing happened of interest. Cold. Lay on corn stalks. Slept but very little. Back to camp next day. Feb 1st All quiet, nothing of interest happened. Jan 31st Bob McKee, J. Tate back to Co. 30th Jan. Feb 1st On gard round Regt. Rain. 2nd Wrote letters home 3rd Drew bounty 50.00$ and 2 mos. wages 70. 4th Jas M. Waldrip and Billy Griffith back to company. M. C. Watkins lost PockBook and money, some near $95.00 offered a reward of ten dollars to finder. 5th Finished knitting first pr Gloves 6th On police gard. Herd Heflin was dead by letter sent to Co. of our Reg. 7th bought pies 30 for $10.00 8th Levi Smart and Bro-in-law Tabor visited us, ate dinner with us. 9th Brig. drill by Brigadr. Gnl. Waltham, 1st time, warm and pleasant. Wm. Aiken came back to com. Rain 10, 11,12. Quiet. Pleasant weather. 13th On gard Reg. W. Aiken left for Home. 14th Cloudy and windy, bought hominy 65 c 15th Herd from home by letters sent to Lt. Durham and Sargt. McKee from their wives. Some good news ---- had reports of Capt. Bowens conduct. Saw Dr. Rayford. Herd from home, my family all well, but s. pox in _____. 16th Out on out pickett duty 7 miles on Englesville Pike. A. J. Faires sick 17th Rain last night, warm and windy today 18 Rain last night, warm and cloudy today, on gard watch for signals. 19th Fals alarm. We left at 2 in nite, went 4 miles on line till noon 20th Clear and cool, back to tents 21st Faires rec'd letter from his wife, all well, date 28th Jany. 22nd cloudy Feb 23rd Left for camp Autry back at town. Jacob had tooth pulled out. Warm 24th Col S. Bentin returned to his Reg. We serenaded him. He gave a short discours. Very glad to see him. Went to see Levi Smart. Saw letter from W. W. Smart. 25th Wrote letters home and sent by H. Falkner. 26th Rained all day hard. 27th Warm. I washed clothes and person 28th On gard. Muster for pay. March 1st and 2nd Mild and pleasant. 3rd Wrote letter home, sent by R. Sharpe. 4th On ____. On gard in Jas Waldrip's place. He is sick. D. M. Baxley and Pat Wright back to Co. 6th Out to meet the enemy on Eaglesville Pike but did not have to fite. Cavalry drove them back, taken some near 2 thousand prisoners. Baxley saw some of them. Van Dorn captured. 7th Out on pike, warm, showers. March 8, 1863 Back to camp. Well and got letters from home which was brought by Capt. Bowen -- Dated Feb 17th. Good cheering news, all well and doing well. Bowen and A. W. Childress, R. Childress, Jimy Waddell and Henry Garriett back to Co. Waddell not well. Recd 2 shirts, pr Gloves, 2 pr socks from wife. 10th Wet, rainy all day and night. Orders to cook 2 days rations. Be ready for attack. 11th On post Pickett, clear and pleasent. 12th got good breakfast for 25 cts in silver at Rob Freeman's, no kin as know of. got good dinner for 50 cts. Confederate. 13 Clear and warm 14th Wrote letter, Sent to Granada by mail to Wm Bell for forwarding. 15th Cloudy and warm. R. Freeman taken sick. Chill. 16th Bob very sick. Out of mind. 16th Back to Camp Autry, plesent day. 17 and 18th R. Freeman died 3 1/4 o,clk this morning. buried very well as warm and plesent. Wrote letters and sent home by Capt. Miris of 10th Miss. Reg. to care of Mr. Baxley. Tribute of Respect. Robt Freeman was taken Sunday morning, March 15 with aching limbs and back severely. About hour by sun he was taken with a chill, lasted till near 12 o,clock m. then followed a fever. He was very restless and slept but little during the night, complained good deal. Up early 16th by day, vomited. I asked him if he was any better. Said his head and back ached (wood kill him). He then lay down. At morning report call he told the O. Sargent he would not go to Dr., did not feel able to walk there. Shortly after, the Dr. came to see him and he was out of his mind, both senseless and speechless. appeared easy not appearing to try to talk or notice anyone at all. He would not take medicine. And at 6 o,clock he would keep getting up. and kept scratching himself and appeared to be uneasy turning over, poor bark. About 2 o/clk p.m. we left for Camp Autry near Shelbyville. It will be remembered the Reg. was out on pickett at the time. I helped put him in waggen. It was warm beautiful day. He lay still while in waggen to camp. I helped take him out of waggen and put him in tent on good dry straw and blanket. He became very restless, would not lay still but little and we had to hold him from getting up until morning of 17th, when the Dr. gave him medicine to make him easy and lay still. He lay still the most of the day, sleeping most of the time from affect of medicine. 18th About midnight he got worse off and commenced to having spasms and continued to have them till he died. Had very hard ones on till he died at qr. past 8 o,clock morning of 18th. He died off very easy while before he died he livened up and looked like he was going to speak and looked very natural. And he wore a smile when a corps. We combed his hair and put clean clothes on him and put him in a nice poplar coffin and buried him on hill south of Shelbyville, 1 mi. in an old field in good deep grave, very nicely, evening 3p.m. It ended the career of one of the true southern soldiers of 34th Miss. Regt, Co. II Bowen Rebbels. Peace be to his remains. J. H. Freeman He left $83.50 Confederate money. (Submitter's note: Robert Freeman was J. H. Freeman's step-father). 19th Clear 20th Cloudy. Rec'd letters from wife and sister Martha. Good news, all well. One from J. A. Hargis. 21st On gard and bought Pies @ 25 cts $3.50 22nd At Prayer meeting in 30th Reg. 23rd Cloudy 24th Cloudy and rain. I have severe cold. 28th Read account in Shelbyville Daily Rebel of capture of 8000 Federals by V_____. 29th Court House burnt. 30th Review of troops. Cold and snow. 31st A. Faires and Jones on pass in Country. Bought some eggs and butter for mess. Apr. 1st Drilled. Acct of capture Feds 600 2 Pleasant Drill 3rd Col. and windy 3rd Herd Bob Childres dead 4th Wrote letters and sent home by Lt. Brown of Co. F., W. E. Durley sent to Hosp. 5th Sunday. Went to country. Got dinner at Mr. Young's, paid 1 dollar. Evening, wrote Martha and B. Waldrip letter, and herd good preaching 5th of Aprl. Large crowd in attendance. 6th Left camp for out pickett duty. Beautiful spring day. 7th Bought canteen sweet milk for $1. Jno Childress very sick, Pneumonia. 9th J. L. Freeman and A. Adair back to Co. 10th Rec'd Letters from home. Wife, S. G. and family, also Mother and Sister. 10th On gard at Ord. Waggons 11th Jno Childress sent to Hospital. Levi came to Camp. Had some dour Doc for dinner. bought cakes and pie. Pretty spring weather. 11th Lt. R. Y. Bowen was at camp. Lt. Rayburn gone to Hospital. 12th Rain last night. Jones of Co. D. died very suddenly. Mess of Doc for dinner. Herd Col. Wright was at camp. Jno Childress ______. David and Levi went to see him. bought 100 walnuts for ,50. Aprl 13th Back to camp, plesent day. 14th Wrote letters and sent home by Lt. R. Y. Bowen of 19 Miss. Regt. Rain in the evening. Col. Wright came around to see all the Regt. Apr 13th R. Y. Bowen left for Miss. Sent mother Bob's money by him $83.00 Apr 13th Jas Steward and Jno Magraw sent to hospital sick 16th Review by Gen Bragg and Poke, large crowd of Spectators. Apr 17th Parson Freeman died very suddenly 18th Capt. H. J. Bowen Recd letter from Hospital stating W. T. Hunter died last Sept 5th 1862. died at Columbus, Miss. 19th Went to country, got butter milk 1 gal, me and Faires for 2$. Cloudy and light rain. Preaching in evening at camp. Good sermon. 20th Mess of Poke sallet for dinner April 1863 21st Lite rain, no drill. 22nd Recd 2 mo pay, also 2 mo pay for R. Freeman $22. 23rd Taken all our tents but 3 for the Co. Pretty weather 25th Went fishing, didn't catch any 26 Wrote letters, sent home 27th by Howard Falconer of Holly springs, Miss to Mother and Sisters, S. G. Waldrip and family. 27th Moved from Shelbyville 4 mi west on Lewisburg road. Cloudy. 28th On Gard, Brigd Prisoners 29th Recd orders to cook three days rations. Pretty day. 30th Musterd for pay. Washed clothes. May 1st Left camp at 9 o,clk p.m. Short notice. Marched till 2 o,clk at night then rested. 2 Marched till 12 m. Camped in ____ 4 mil of Lewisburg in Marshall Co. in beautiful grove on creek near good spring water. On gard at nite, Ordne and Hedqrs. Saw Jasper Yarbrough, a very small man 3 ft 7 in high, 23 years old, weight 72 lbs, a school teacher. 3rd Pretty day, taken good nap sleep. 4th Preaching at nite by Jno Hooten (C.P.) 5th At Masonic meeting 6th " " 6th Cloudy and very cool. Good many of the co. got letters from home By Jack Evans of 29th Reg. 7th Dispach read on _____ of great victory gained in Va. 8th Cloudy and still, very cool. We are having fine chance of wild mustard sallet 9th Pretty day. Ben Tucker came to camp. Brought letters for some of the boys. 7th Preaching by Jno Hooten C.P. 10th Services twice. Fine attendance. Ladies in attendance. May 10th News of Van Dorn's death. Also Cowan's div was gone to Vixburg, Miss. Beautiful weather 11th, 12th and 13th. 13 On gard. News of Lt. Rayburn's resignation accepted. Also Readdin gone home on furlough. Held election for Lieut. D. M. Childress Elected. Rev. John McFarren preached at night good sermon, larg crowd 14th Preaching by Ewing, Presbyterian. At night preaching by Orman. A. J. Faires got pass and went in country foraging 15 Sent off letters home by a Mr. Smith of 29th Regt to Mother, Sisters, W. G. Aiken and S. G. Waldrip and family and wife. 15 Washed clothes and person 13 Majs Strickland and Jessie Fulmer gone on Waggon Detail permanent. 14 Capt. Bowen, H. L. Strickland and Fulmer returned in a few days to camp ______. May 14 Capt ___ C. G. detailed back to Shelbyville to ___ fortifications. May 15th Sent letters home by ___Smith of Sardis Miss. 16th Things quiett. Fine day. 17th Went out in country. got some butter and some B. milk. Ben Tucker left for home on furlough. Sent letters by him. 17th Visited by Gen Bragg. At Sunday School evening, had good dinner, ___ and sweet milk. 17th News from Va. John _____ got letter from Mike ___ stating that J. A. Hargis ___ was killed and ___ dreadful news friends ____. May 18th Brigade drill 19th Rest day. Fine dry days. 20th Went foraging. got some buttermilk, sweet milk one dollar per gallon, 3 1/2 dz eggs 1$ per doz. 2 lbs butter 1$. Good dinner for fifty cts. 22nd Wash day. Went in swimming. June 2 Orders to cook rations 3rd Left camp Bragg. Rain. Had muddy roads. Camp Bragg will long be remembered if I live for the camp was in a beautiful grove with good spring water handy to camp and preaching day and nite nearly all the time by preachers of different denominations and had good attendance ____strict attendance and many manifested a desire for the ____Christians and all together we had a warm feeling for which I thank God. Marched back to camp near Shelbyville and camped till morning. 4th Marched through Shelbyville and camped. Cloudy. 5th On Regt gard June 6th Phillips sick. Snet to Hospital. 7th Our Co. drew old muskets. I have a very severe cold. Preaching Saturday 2 times. 10th D. M. Childress rec'd commission. June 1863 11th D. M. Childress taken his position in his Co. as 3rd Lieut. 11th Election held in Company I for 4th and 5th Sergts and one Corpl. Freeman, Levi Childress and B. J. Smith candidates for 4th Sergt. Freeman elected. Fort, Brown, Durley and Sanders and L. Childress candidates for 5th Sergt. Fort elected. Baxley, Levi Childress and B. J. Smith candidates for 3rd Corpl. J. C. Baxley elected Corpl. Preaching at night by the Rev. Freeman of Ala. 12th Preaching again at night by Freeman. 13th Wrote letter to S. G. Waldrip, sent it by Alexander of Blythes Battal. 14th Prize shooting for a fine gun. One man from each Regt. of our Brigade (Walthall's) D. Tate of Co. I 34th Regt. Miss. Vol. got the gun, a fine Whitworth gun valued at $500.00 June 14th On gard around the Regt. 15th Preaching twice today Sunday. 15th Jessie Fulmer and L. H. Childress had a little fist fite. 16th Drilled, very warm day. 16th New elected Sergt assigned to duty, also Corpl Baxley. 16th Thunder and rain today. M. C. Watkins shaved off my beard all except mustache. 17th Regt. detailed to chop down timber on breast works. Very warm for the past 3 or 4 days. 18th Preaching. Signed Parolls. Very hard rain in evening 19th Wilie Childress back to Com. 19th Herd of Nancy Aikins death. Good many of the boys got letters from home. 20th Had my hair shingled close by F. M. Jones. Sold ring and Cross shell for $2.00. Sold Jas. Waddell a shell ring of my make for $1.00. Sold John Freeman a cross of my make for $1.00 20th Preaching 21st Preacher sick. Prayer meeting. 22nd Detailed to chop timber on brest works. Fine day. 23rd Soldier killed by Col Phillips. Said he was stealing his potatoes. He belonged to the 30th Miss. Regt. 23rd Recd 2 months pay. 26$. Corpl. Sent letters home by Mr. Glenn of Blythes Battalion. Sent to wife. 24th Rain 25th On gard and Sergt with 24 men and 11 prisoners. 26th Rain. Cook rations. 27th Left camp near Shelbyville at sunrise for Tullahoma. Had muddy road. Marched to Tullahoma 23 miles. Camped. June and July 1863 28th Marched from Tullahoma to Alsona 8 miles rainy and muddy roads. Our Regt. 34th marched. the Balance of the Brigade road on the cars. We then worked near all night on a Fort. A false alarm in the night. Next morning rain. 29th Decard Station burned by Feds. Marched back to Tullahoma. Hard rain. muddy roads. slick. 29th D. Tate and W. E. Baxley sent to Hospital. 30th Fine morning. Looking for battle. JOHN FREEMAN DIARY JULY 1863 - NOVEMBER 1863 (His Capture) July 1st 1863 Tullahoma evacuated. Marched from Tullahoma 2nd to Decard - walked on R.R. track. Yankees trying to flank us. The rest of Brigade went on cars. All our officers had to march as they were expecting to go on R.R. and sent there horses on by servants. Rested til morning. 3rd Left Decard. Marched to Cowen 8 mi. At Cowen station in line of Battle till after night then started up the mountain. Marched all nite. While resting on mountain stampede occured from horses. 4th Crossed the Tenn. River on pontoon Bridge. Warm and rain every day. Showers. 5th Marched with short rations. 6th Arrived at Chattanooga Tenn. H. T. Rushton, R. W. Walker and Lieut W. W. Redding back to Company. I got one Letter from my wife date 8th and 10th of May. 7th Rainy (8th) Nothing of importance (9th) Went in Washing. (10th) Sick. Herd the news of the fall of Vixburg confirmed. (11th) Quiett and still at camp. Faires on Detail today all day. Cloudy and warm. Commanders of Co.s making out their parolls. 7 o,clk p.m., well and writing. July 12th Sunday. Inspection. Bought 2 canteen sweet milk for one dollar peace. Very warm. Thunder and rain eve. Camp in uproar on account of the news being confirmed of the fall of Vicksburg. 13th J. M. Waldrip sick. Lieut. Durham sent to Hospital ____ Springs, Ga. Sergt. McRoy sick. 14th Warm and wet, sultry weather. 15th John S. Freeman rec'd a Letter from Tempy Hill, N. C. 16th Wrote a letter and sent by mail to Cousin M. A. Leigh, N. C. Bought cake $1.00, Goobers .25cts. Bought Peaches $1.00 for 1 Doz. Bought Irish potatoes 50 cts, onions 25 18th On detail to work on fortification, had toothache. 19th Toothache bad all day. Preaching by Battery man. 20th Wrote letter home. Sent it by Mr. Reyno of Tippah. Paid him 50 cts to cary it. Bought onions and c Apples. 21st Bought apples and had a pie for dinner. 22nd Wrote Letters and sent to wife, mother, and S. G. Waldrip By Maj Davis of Abbyville to the care of H. N. Rayburn. The Company sent pack of 41. Fine days for the past 3 days. A. J. Adair Detailed off. Things quiett here with many Riotts in papers from N. York. On gard Regt. with 15 men. 23rd Regt. Detailed to work on Brest works. Bought apples and flour $1.75. Fine days the last 2. 24 Washed today. Bought apple. &c. Orders to be ready to march at minute's warning. July 25th Left camp 9 oclk p.m. Lite rain this morning. Rain all nite. At Atlanta next. 26th At Atlanta Sun up 188 mi. Rain in evening. 27th Cloudy but no rain. Bought watermelons, Honey and Molasses, Eggs. 28th Wrote letter for M. C. Watkins to Mrs. Avalen Brantley. Rain evening. 29th Wrote letter for Rushton. Wrote letters to wife. Sent them by Sergt. McWilliams, Holly Sp. Peach pie for dinner. Bought watch from Watkins. Company sent 23 Letters by McWilliams. Asbery, Hancock and W. Carter at Atlanta. Poke McKee and H. Childs ___ went and saw them. they were on their way home on furloug. (sick) 29th They gave us a list of casualties of the 42nd Miss. Regt (Gettysburg Battle) They carried the letters for us intended to be sent by Hancock from Va. 30th Inspection today. Very warm. 31st Lieut. Smith came to see us. Brought letters from home dated July 18th containing good news from home except from Fannie. She had the Neuralgia very bad. 31st Good news from Mr. Waldrip who appears to be studying about religion and eternal happyness. He wished me and James to study about eternal happiness not suffer ourselves to be led astray in the many ways of sinful temptations. I hope it may stir us up to diligent study of our Duty. 31st Went to town today on a pass. Bought some apples, peaches @ 25 ct per Doz. Bought a watch key for $1.00 Fine day. Cloudy evening, hot. Aug 1st Wrote letters to Gorge Hill and wife, sent by Mr. McGraw near Holly Springs to care of Wilson Parkin. 2nd Sunday. Went to preaching in Town at Baptist Church. Herd good sermon but did not enjoy it like at home in times past. Rain Eve for 2 days past. Went to church at nite, did not enjoy it much for fear ______. 3rd Drill this morning. Bought 5 1/2 lb bacon (mess) at $1.30 per lb. At Masonic meeting, warm and rain. 5th Lieut durham back to Co. Drill morn and eve. Drew 2 mo pay $32. Aug 6th Drill morn and Eve. rain &c. Conly Watkins got letter from M. Watkins, N. C. Herd Aunt Tillithy Honeycutt was dead and several other _____. Wrote letter for Sam Rushton. (7th) Wrote letter to wife. Sent to Holly Springs by Wheetly Sadles to care of T. B. Parker. Lodge meeting today. Aug 8th On gard police, 12 men 2 Corpls. Nothing of interest occured. 9th At Masonic meeting in morng. At church in Town 11 o'clk, Methodist. Herd good sermon. Loge met in evening. I conducted. 10th Drill as usual 5 times as _____. Went to town. Bought paper for boys and lite bread. Wrote letters home to wife, S. G. Waldrip and family. Howard Falconer came in the 8th. 11th Sent Letters home by Mr. Wilson care of Rayborn Wyatt. 11th J. S. Freeman sick. Hot weather. Dan Tate back to Co. 12th Sent letters home by Williams. Paid 50cts to carry them. 2 letters. 13th On gard round town to press horses for Artilery service. Rec'd a letter from A. T. Fitzgerald, Orange Court House, Va. 13th Col. Benton left for home on furlough. Very warm and dry. 15th Wrote letters to wife and Bill and Henry. Sent them off 16 by Capt. Dancy. 16th Sol Cox came to see us Sunday. Went to church in town. Herd organ in church. Presbyterian. Capts. Houston, Dancy and Lt. Rutherford left for home to gather conscripts and straggles. John Freeman sent to Hospital sick. Preaching in camp twice in the evening. Good sermon (Baptist Hard) and Presbyterian. 16th Went back to town to church. Rain and thunder hard. 17th Wrote letter to A. T. Fitzgerald. Sent by mail. Preaching in Reg. B. J. Carson. A good sermon. Prayer meeting at night when weather will admit, warm and some rain. 18th On gard at well and garden with nine men and one corpl in charge. Things pass quietly. C __ Smith come. 19th Faris sick with colic 20th Wrote letters to wife and S. G. Waldrip and family and mother. I sent them by Mr. J. H. Sandage who came to see Walker and Pat Wright on his way home with sick son. Weather cool for last 3 days. 20th Wrote T. M. Bloodworth Letter. Drilled squad yesterday. 21st Fast and pray day kept. I went to church in Atlanta. Thunder and lite rain evening. 22nd Saturday, went to town, bought some writing paper. Had orders to be ready to leave. Cook rations. 23rd Left Atlanta 7 o'clk a.m. on cars. Pretty day, hot on cars. I, Jones and Rushton had co. baggage in charge. Got off cars 11 mi from Chattanooga. Camped til morning (Soldiers & negro got things broken on trip) 24th Camped 1/2 mi from R.R. on Chickamongo River, cleared off camp ground, put up tents, fair warm day. 25th Review. Went in washing. 26th Wrote letter for Conley to N. R. Watkins. 27th Nothing new. Having fine time going in washing every day. 28th Lt Redding & men on detail. 29th Review. Dry and cool since we been to this place. Orders to cook 3 days rations. 30th Sabbath. Preaching in Camp. Baptising by Dr. Tisdell. Baptist. 71 candidates belonging to Ark. Vol. A beautiful site to me, fine pleasant day. Aug 31st Mustered for pay. Things quiett in camps. No monies. Herd good sermon at night by Dr. Tisdale, warm meeting. Lt. Durham, Watkins, Hunter, Smith and R. H. Garriot on Ord Gard. Weather dry and cool. Lt. Redding and his men back to Co. September 1863 1st Things quiett still at camp. Preaching by Rev. McFaren at nite. Recd letter from A. T. Fitzgerald, Orange C. H., Va. 2nd Preaching by Rev. McFaren and Tisdell. Warm and interesting meeting. Dry weather. 3rd Brigd Drill. Preaching Dry weather 4th Battalion drill Dry weather 5th On guard Regt. 6th Sunday preaching. By Episcopal. Saw 16 Baptised by Rev. Tisdell in Chickamauga Creek, Tenn. Orders to cook rations. got letter from J. S. Freeman, N.C. 7th Lying round in camp all day. Detailed with Infirmary Corps and Rushton. Left camp at 7 o clk p.m. Marched till midnight. Very dusty.8th Rested till 3 o'clk p.m. Mar. till ___ 9th Marched all day. Camped. Got to Layfuett, Walker Co., Ga. Dusty 10th Rested all day. Continued dry 11th Left Lafayett. Went 5 mi out to meet Enemy But did not fite. Marched back to Lafayett and cooked rations. Dust over shoe deep. 12th Left Lafayett 2 o'clk p.m. Lite rain. Marched North 8 miles to met the Federals. Saw some wounded C. S. Soldiers. Horses. Marched till after nite. Camped in Line Battle. 13th Up at 4 o'clk morning. Saw sines of Battle. Marched about from one place to another till night. Rested till morning. 14th Marched back to Lafayett, without coming in contact Enemy. 15th Rested all day. Very hot and dry. 16 Stayed at Lafayette. Drew rations 17 Marched from La 8 mi Dir Chatt. Camped at or near Old camp meeting ground. Rested very well. 18th Cloudy and cool and very dusty. Come in contact with the enemy in evening. Had a rite smart fite. Drove them from the field. Corpl. Childress and Jessie Fulmer wounded. 25 of Regt wounded. nun killed. Several bad wounded died. Sept 1863 18th Waded creek. Stripped off all but our shirts. Fine looking site. 19th Battle opened in earnest. Heavy heavy firing of small arms But little canonading. Our Brigd. fought _____ valiantly. Bro. Jacob wounded in arm flesh. J. H. Brown in wrist. Wilie Childress badly in the side. I got him in an out house. could not get the litter back in time to carry him off. Had to leave him in the house till night. He become exposed to both fires, ours and the enemy's and 2 balls or shells passed through the house and set afire the bed that was in the house. We got him off to Div. Hospital at night. L. H. Childress supposed to be wounded and captured. Sergt. G. W. McKee badly wounded in thigh. Jas. Patrick stuned by being hit on his Gun breach. Glanced off and hit his Pockett Book and mashed it. S. P. Martin, P. H. Wright, Gillispie and some others stuned by shells. Lt. D. M. Childress badly shocked Eve. Maj Pegram badly wounded in side. Sept 20th 1863 Sabbath 20th Frost morning, very dry and dusty Fighting again severely, the heaviest canonading I ever herd. also Infantry. Our Brigd in a gain. Hungry and Dry. Command by Col. Reynolds of 30th Miss. Regt. and Col. Reynolds received a mortal wound in the first charge. He died the next day. Coxe of Co. F killed. Several wounded. Evening in again being the fifth time commanded by Capt. H. J. Bowen. Went on and become exposed to too heavy fires from the enemy, had to fall back 1/2 or 3/4 of mile. the Regt. became very much demoralized, hard to rally but was rallied and kept in line but did not go in any more. Corpl J. C. Baxley captured of Co. II, Col. Scales of 30th captured. A good many captured from Regt. 20th Fairis barefooted. (Jim or Jno) sick. Was not in fite today. Dry and dusty. Reynolds Col. dead. Camped in the Branch. Very cold. Yankees retreated back to Chattanooga. 21st Drew rations. Very hungry. Calm day. No fiting. Enemy gone. Saw some awful sites. 21st Col. Saml Benton back to his comdg. Walked about on battlefield. Still dry and very dusty. Water very scarce. 2 miles off or more. Marched in direction Chattanooga. 22nd By Yankee Hospital. Saw many camp and sines at Hosptl. Camped near Chickamauga. 23rd Drew Rations. Col. Benton comdg. Marched on in direction Chatt. Some pickett firing and some canon. 24th Uneasy about knapsack. Still in Line of Battle. Frosty, dry and dusty. Well and hearty. J. H. Freeman Sept. 25th On Pickett, wrote letter to wife sent by Mr. Alexander. Paid him 50 ct (drumers ____) Heavy picket fiting 26th Rec'd letter from wife. Our Pickett drove the enemy in Jas. M. Waldrip hit by spent bul 26th John S. Freeman came back to command. Corpl Childress back to Co. On Duty. Beautiful Da. 27th Calm, Resting on hill. Missionary Ridge in plain view of Chattanooga. 28th Faris back to Co. 29th Conly and the other detail of suply train back. Wrote a letter for Rushton. Herd our wounded was getting furloughs home. 30th On Pickett. Cloudy October 1863 1st Relieved from on pickett. Rainy day alday long, the first for a long time. 2nd Clean and cool 3rd Went to Chickamouga Creek to wash for the first time in two month. Very dirty indeed. 4th On Pickett things still and quiett. Wrote letters to Mother and sisters, my wife and Father-in-law (Sent by Harrison) 5th Relieved from off pickett. Canonading slow and steady. Recd letter for J. W. Freeman from his wife. (6th) Still and Quiett. 7th Some rain. Our Reg. on Pickett 8th Clean and cool. Herd from Sergt. G. W. McKee, Lt. Durham, Brown and Durley all doing well. 9th Enemys shells us. One fell near us but no one hurt. 10th On pickett again. 11th Herd from G. C. Hunter by letter. President Davis on review. Things quiett. Clear fine weather. Herd preaching today in 30th Regt. by the Rev. Tisdell. 12th Snipes, Smith and Shaw came to see us from home. Brought me letter from Bro., wife. Jacob stated that he got home on the 1st Oct, found all well and wrote me a very flattering letter about my wife and children. 13th Reported that Wheeler had burnt 400 waggons of the enemy with supplys. 14th Snipes and Smith left Co. for home. Sent letters by Smith. Postage stamp $1.00 gr gr paper. Lt. Durham at waggons. Things continue still and quiett. 15th Rainy for last 4 days. 16th Sent letter to wife, Buttons and little hand ruler by Mr. Moon. He did not leave when the others did. October 1863 Events &C. 16th Lieut. Durham back to Co. 17th Foggy morning. All quiett. 18th On pickett. Rainy and cool. Wrote letter to wife. Sent home by Mr. Jack Shaw. plesent evening 19th Beautiful morning. Saw a Pickett of the enemy meet ours and talk some minutes. Pickett lines in 300 yds of each other. T. P. Phillips shot his wrist accidently in coming off pickett. 20th Relieved from pickett. Day nice. Got letter from D. M. Baxley, Lagrange, Ga. Phillips sent to Hospital. 21st Preaching at nite. 22nd Moved over the Ridge Wrote Baxley letter. Hosptl, Lagrange. W. E. Durly back to Co. Warm. 23rd Rainy. Some shelling last night. Bought 1/2 gal peas $2.00 24th Signed paroll. Preaching at nite by Chaplin 30th good sermon 25th On pickett. Cloudy and cool. Relieved in evening. Quiett. 26th Cooking utensils brought to Regiments, Skillit lost. 27th Washed clothes. boiled first time in 2 months. A good w. T. M. Boodworth sent to Hospital. 28th On detail after rations. Sold watch 60$ Bought knife. Moved off to rite wing. 29th On pickett short notice. Fiting last night on extreme left. 30th Off pickett. Rainy day. Drew two month's pay $34.00 31st Mustered for pay and commutation Nov. 1st Herd preaching twice today. Sabbath. Saw one baptised. Herd from J. M. Childress, Lt. 2nd On pickett. Cloudy and some shelling and fiting on left. 3rd Relieved from pickett. All quiett. 2 men of Co. C Deserted from there post. Went to enemy. (Fudg and Hudspeth) 4th Beautiful and warm day 5th Cloudy and rain. Recd letter from Jacob and Matt sister. Jacob sent certificate for extension of furlough. Said we mite look for him about 10 Nov. Also a letter from George Still. Folk generally well and doing well. Sent letter to wife by Reyno 50 ct 5 and 6 on pickett, warm 7th Sent letter to wife by Mr. Baxley. Left ____ on Brest Works on Missionary Ridge at 5 o'clock. Marched round about way 8 or 10 miles camped about 10 o'clock at night on hill. Had Bad road but good weather. Fell in branch. 7th A. J. Faris left on detail and sick. 8th Sunday Beautiful day. Shelling from Lk. Mt. On guard at house. Arrested 2 men Sent to Gen'l. 9th cold and clear. Signed paroll 10th Cold and clear. fixed up tents 11th Cold and clear. Orders be ready to leave We have drew no meat rations for 2 days. 12th Clear and tents struck to leave. Mess settled up to date. 12th Left camp. Marched round and about several times and ways. Evening taken up the Mt. By Summer Town good. R. Camped on top Look Mountain. Drew meat rations. 12th Wm Buzzell fell and hurt himself with log wood badly. Camped and rested very well. 13th Orders to be in line at day lite Stayed in line 1/2 hr, Broke ranks and soon commenced cleaning up campground. Smart stir among officers. Beautiful day. Nov. 14th Cloudy and warm. Wrote a letter to George Still. Sent it to him by Mr. Norman near Holly Springs. 15th Sabbath. Beautiful day. Herd preaching in 30th Regt. by Chaplin. Left camp early in evening and marched back round Lookout Mr. through Summer town, a place showing sines of the cruel war. Camped on side of road all night waiting orders. Cloudy and cool. 16th Marched on round the west side of Lookout and relieved a Brigd. from pickett. the enemy shelled some of the last brigade, wounded one man in the arm. Shelling more or less every day From both sides. Went on pickett. Post duty in evening. Pickett lines, one on one side of Lookout Creek and one on the other. No firing among the picketts. Yankees very anxious to talk and barter for tobacco. Very friendly indeed. Lines about 20 feet apart. 17th Relieved from pickett post in evening. Nothing transpired on pickett of interest. All quiett and Yankees are pleasing and full of traffick as ever. But we had orders not to hold any communication with them Whatever. 17th Jacob W. Freeman Back to Co. after nite. Very glad to see him. Sat up nearly all nite talking. Mr. Durley come with him. 17th Rec'd letters from Wife, Sisters Mary and Sister Martha and family also one from Bro W. Ovid Mabry. Very glad to here such good news. Lt. Childress and Wm. Aiken back at the Waggons and clothing. 17th H. Durley come to see us. 17th O the revival of thoughts of the past blessings I have enjoyed in days past by and gone never more to return. O God thou only knows the feelings of my poor heart when hearing of home, loved and Dear ones left there after an absence of 18 mo. and 7 days. O, Shall I be able to praise my God as I desire for the many blessings I have been permitted to enjoy in so long an absence From home. No! I am such an unworthy sinful creature I can never serve him as I would in this life. O may I be permitted to praise him through a boundless eternity through Jesus Christ is my humble prayer. Nov. 18th Clear and cool. Jacob gone back to Waggons after clothes. Cannonading on the left. Things quiett on Lookout till 12 m. 19th On pickett out post. Warm. 20th Cloudy and lite rain. Relieved from pickett. Nite rainy and warm. 21st On detail. Very wet. things quiett. Wrote and sent Mother letters, to H. Waldrip, Also wife, W. Ovid Mabry and Sisters. H. Durley leaves for Waggons and then home. Sent this book. Not right. Will today. H. Durley delivered this Book home. End of Diary Note: John Henderson Freeman's military records from the National Archives show that he was captured by Federal troops on November 24, 1863, just three days after sending his diary home. His name appears on Roll of Prisoners of War in both Louisville, KY and Rock Island Barracks, IL. He was paroled at Memphis, TN May 25, 1865.