A Partial Civil War Diary Believed
to Have Been Written by William or Robert Hodgson

Nov 12 [1863]. Begin this book as a continuation of my previous diary. Lovick much about as yesterday, he still keeps up the very unpleasant groaning which makes all about him feel very uncomfortable and deprives any one about him of sleep. Nothing of importance happened today. There are --- in the camp of us having to leave soon. No beef for the men today so give our 60 bacon as we had a little on hand.

13. Another restless night with Lovick but can't discover any change in his appearance. This morning have to give him an injection as this is the 4th day since he has had any action on his bowels. Mr. Grant leaves for Athens today and I send a letter by him that I have written the day before to send but was too late for the mail. Also sent by him ten finger rings that I had made out of shells that were collected from the river close by. In the afternoon G. Gelmore arrives and brings us letters and some clothing for Lovick in case he should die. I trust he will not need them.

14. Lovick has rested better the past night but got quite no sleep for two hours before day. We discovered yesterday that he has quite a bad sore on the lower part of his back. It must have given him a great deal of pain. We -- and also put a greasy cloth on his side and in the afternoon he rested more quietly and made me think he was perhaps a trifle better but this morning can scarcely tell any difference. It has been somewhat cloudy for a day or two and this morning rained a little. We have now got the fly to throw over our tent and think now we will be able to keep dry in any rain. Many of the other tents are in much worse plight than us and presume they will suffer considerably when the winter rains set in. Presume there will be many more on the sick list but there are a considerable number now. Judge Nicholson applies for a furlough to his Bro-- having written for him to go home and sow 100 acres of wheat.

15th. Don't see scarcely any difference in Lovick this morning but discover another sore on him. Also notice that his under jaw is considerably swollen. The D. directs a potato poultice to be applied and says there is some danger from them if not carefully watch. He says there is an improvement in him, if so it is difficult to see, it is so slight. Think I will notice it when there is any decided change. Learn that Judge Nicholson does not succeed in processing a furlough. This is the fifth day that there has been no meat distributed to the Regt. I gave the last out of our bacon sides we had. Don't know how the officers will act in the matter. We dried(?) some old weavil eaten peas yesterday that are not fit to eat. Have the boys come to the house and take a good wash this morning and put on clean clothes. Write home today to Mother Ann(?). After writing the above we drew a small quantity of beef.

16th. Jonas thinks Lovick some better this morning. If there is any change at all it is very slight. He crawled out of his -- in the night and today when I was gathering a few chips he crawled to the chair and was about sitting on it as I came in although absent only about two minutes. Jonas receives a letter from Matilda and desires me to let her come. I consent but advise her not. Willie and Jonas cut down a large white oak today to burn. We have had to carry all our wood since we have been here except one. Have(?) write to J. W. Nicholson today.

17. Was surprised this morning by the arrival of Matilda before sunrise coming up to us as we were round our camp fires and bringing me a letter from home. Lovick has had another bad night. His neck is now swollen and I am fearful he may choke if it continues. I hope the arrival of his mother will help him. The boys are in the woods yesterday and today cutting wood of which they have collected a good pile. Willie has done finely and Prince is improving.

18. Lovick has rested more quietly but I cannot see he is any better. He took a little chicken soup today. I am afraid he is gradually sinking. We are ordered to have our arms ready for general inspection tomorrow morning.

19th. Lovick has had a restless night and seems to be weaker. His pulse is weak and I think fluttering. I am very much discouraged indeed about him this morning. Have had some hopes of him until now but he now appears as if he would hardly survive the day. I commence to give him some wine this morning and I feel very much dissatisfied with D. Holt at his inattention. He comes so seldom. To see him spending his time playing cards, sleeping or fooling his time away doing nothing he does not -- us in the least about the camp not even bringing a bucket of water and finishes nothing and wants to be waited on altogether too much to suit me. He had the assurance(?) one day to talk of buying some sugar and keeping it for his own use but that he hated to do it as it would look selfish and all this after he had been using sugar, butter, -- and everything else that the rest of us had furnished profusely. I am disgusted with the man. He mentioned to the Judge and myself one day that Mr. Waddell him to join their -- if they have Philip May out of the way. They or anyone else as far as I am concerned are perfectly welcome to him. He is quite a sponge but does not like to be thought so and will talk about people behind their back in a way that does not suit my taste. He has also told me Lovick was better when I could see no improvement but otherwise and the sequel(?) Has proved that he was wrong. He has not drilled any for a long time and I am satisfied that he is disappointed in not getting some office. The Regt had a general inspection of arms today. William S.(?) White received letters from home which bore the sad news of one of his children dying from burns recd. by its clothing catching fire. Lovick has been getting worse all day and at 15mn past 8 O'Clock tonight he died very quietly. I think he was unconscious for some timebefore his death. His mother I expect will be better satified that she was here.

20th. Matilda wanting to have carried home. I had to try and make preparations for it. Judge N. went down to see the man about a coffin. He came and took the measure of him. We got it about 2 O'Clock and the had him carried to the depot and put on board the cars where I staid [sic] with them until they left and this to me is the last of poor Lovick who was so ancious [sic] to come with me poor fellow. I hope he is better off than here. It has been a wearisome four weeks to me that he has been sick. Jonas has been of great assistance to me since he has been here. I wish now his mother had been here all the time. This morning there was great commotion in camp between 1 and 2 o'clock, all the Regt being called out in consequence of a courier having arrived with intelligence that a large body of Yankee troops wre within a few miles of this place and advancing on it. Our Regt got under arms immediately. I was the first down town to the depot where they were supplied with 20 rounds of catridges and kept waiting there some 2 or 3 hours when they were ordered back to camp and to keep themselves in readiness at an hours notice. The rumour proved to be all false. Judge(?) that it may have been done to try the men. I knew nothing at the time as I was stopping that night by the house where Lovick was lying and when I got to camp the troops were returning. I applied for a furlough this morning for 30 days as I wanted to go home with Lovick and to attend to matters there but I was refused although many others have been but a short time and have gone which I think is very unjust. Several men went from our Regt home today and this evening orders were issued revoking all furloughs and no more to be issued so my chance look very slim for going home.

21st. Rec'd a letter from this morning. The camp has regained its usual quiet. A heavy rain fell last night almost the whole night and continued until this morning and we have no drill in consequence and nothing of importance transpires today. Mr. Parr arrives back todau, gets detailed and leaves in the evening.

22nd. Sunday has again returned and no services in camp as our preachers are all gone. Went and saw Mr. Adams who looks very bad although they spoke of his being better. Afterwards went to the depot and saw the cars start then back to camp. Gave out the rations and took supper. On our way back met Howell Cobb had been to our camp.

23rd. Nothing of importance transpired today in our camp. Was notified that I was detailed to go downtown to dig trenches. It was rumored some of the officers had a meeting to see whether the men should go for that purpose. Very foolish in them I think.

24. The detail of 50 men went down as ordered starting before 7 a.m. Arrived at the place and waited there 1 ¼ hours before the officer arrived when he ordered us back to camp to get breakfast and report back at 10 o'clock. So much for Jacks in office. Came back and a courier arrived who brought orders to prepare to move off and to have our rations cooked for 3 days. This set us all at work to prepare to move. We then learn that it will two days to prepare and are not certain that we will yet have to go so subside into our usual routine of duties awaiting further orders until we see what turns up.

25th. Things still remain about the same as yesterday. In the afternoon have battallion drill, Major Peacock commanding. He makes some blunders that set those who are posted to laughing at him. When drill was over he apologized to the battallion assuring us he had not taken a drop today although it might appear like it. Col. Mell(?) Arrived back to day who now assumed command. We hear that we are to commence and dig ditches about our camp.

26. Nothing unusual today. The ordinary duties are gone through well. Mr. Adams leaves for home accompanied by Dr. Holt. I think him unfit to move from what I saw of him on Sunday and think other causes at work to induce him to leave although a certain party professes to not want to go with him.

27. The detail is called out and we proceed (after partaking of a little coffee and biscuit) to the battery the rain falling fast when of course we get wet. We then report and go into a house close by where we wait about two hours. Are then ordered back and all this ridiculous farce gone through with after keeping us here eight weeks doing nothing but drilling and most of it was fine weather. I asked the engineer why this was so and he said they did not know Bragg was going to fall back. A nice answer -- as if there was no possibility of such a contingency. So much for Jacks in office.

29th. Another detail is made to dig the trenches although it is Sunday. Presume they will work as it is not raining today but the morning is very cold. This is the fifth day again there has not been any meat given out and the prospect is poor for getting any as I hear they have forbiden the preping any more.

30th Have to go and dig in the rifle pit today. Also the Judge and Prince are relieved every half hour through the day. It is a very cold day, the coldest thus far this season with a keen biting wind that renders it quite unpleasant although much better than to be out in the rain as on Saturday. We return to camp just before sundown and another detail is made for tomorrow.

Dec 1st. H. Benson is detailed from our -- to dig in the trenches today. It is still quite cold but not so windy as yesterday. We -- beef last night after supper. This is the first since last Tuesday morning. We bought a piece of pork on Sunday at 1.50 $ per lb.

2. Have been in the trenches again today. Sent a letter to J. Nicholson. Come back and am detailed to working again tomorrow.

3. Work again in the diches. The Judge was sick all night and today after coming back I went and called Dr. Mitchell in to see him who gave me a -- of powder for him that I gave him after supper in some pepper tea.

4th. He is still in bed all day and appears about as he was yesterday. Have had no drill today. A man from Bragg's army was here inspecting the guns. I hear the sick are being moved away from here. That looks rather ominous to me of trouble nearby.

5th. Had another day in the ditches and have to go again on Monday. Commenced raining this afternoon when we quit work and went to camp. Went to a steam saw mill near where we ditched. Said to belong to Eve the carriage maker. See a large quanitity of hub blocks and hickory spokes there. John Patman(?) Arrives and brings us some sausage and mince pie. Also a letter for Prince.

6th. Willie is detailed to provost guard today. Have preaching in camp this morning by Col. Will(?), the ditching is suspended today.

7th. Rough Harrison takes my place in the ditch today. The Judge gets a sick furlough and leaves for home this afternoon. We pack up one box with empty bottles -- which he takes with him. Am detailed again for the trenches tomorrow.

8th. The detail proceed to the ditches and as it is a rainy day are sent back. We might as well have stayed in the camp as to be fooling around this way. It is a dull cheerless day and we are suffering for want of a fire in our tent and cannot have one outside for the rain. Mr. Edwards is quite unwell today.

9th. The weather having cleared off are again sent to the trenches today. Beusse(?) Received a letter from home in which they state that Edward had a chill Sunday that makes me uneasy about him.

10th. Apply for a furlough today and am again refused. Mr. Edwards obtains a -- one for 20 days and left in the evening. I feel unwell today having taken cold.

11th. Received a letter from home by Mr. Hillyer(?) Also some provisions. Have to standour Provost guard duty at night. As I feel no better am excused from duty. Bathe my feet, take some pepper tea and lie down.

12th. Am quite unwell still and have a painful sensation almost all over but especially about the eyes. Go to breakfast but could take nothing except a little meal. Coffee with syrup in it which is not very palateable out of a tin cup. Have a -- uncomfortable day in the afterpart and into the night. I go to bed supperless as I feel no better.

13th. A dull foggy morning. Have service in camp this afternoon. About sundown a poerful storm of thunder, lightening, wind, and rain came up from the west. I lay down very early and passed a most unpleasant night tossing about from side to side for I could not sleep and the fever seemed to be increasing. At last day broke.

14th. Have a high fever all day and wrote a note to Col. Mell requesting him if there was any possible chance to try and obtain me a furlough at once. He replied he could not disobey orders and would not do it for himself . They have non-issued orders that a -- certificate will not be accepted but that the sick must go before a board that only meets twice a week. Have to wait until Wednesday before I can be examined and perhaps not get it then. I stayed most of the day in Putnam/s tent where they have a fire and also stayed all night. I got a little better sleep tonight and thought I felt a little better in the morning but doubt about there being any improvement.

15th. The boys and Beusee have all to be away in the ditches today. Mr. Sledge arrived and brought us letters from home in which is stated that they also send a box but he left it at the depot so are disappointed. I procured a certificate today from Dr. Mitchell with which I have to go before the board in the morning.