December 31, 1863

I am sitting in Otis’ tent by the same table with him. He is writing to Lizzie. It is almost midnight – the last day of 1863. I shall not attempt to review in this letter my life during the eventful year now so near its close. It is too crowded with momentous events. One year ago I was in our Camp of 2nd Divn 2nd Corps near Falmouth Va – Maj. Whittlesey was with us. Sometimes I fear we do not love God and think of Him so much now since we have come to this Corps – but I hope it is not so – And certainly He has manifested His goodness no less abundantly to us since we have been here.

I chose this paper because I have been writing upon it quite steadily all day and I wished to tell you that I have just completed twenty six pages of this kind – a kind of recreation – a sketch of Otis’ life which I have prepared for publication in accordance with the solicitation of a young man – an artist whose acquaintance I formed here recently. If the sketch is published I will send you a copy.

You will not be surprised if my handwriting shows marks of weariness of fingers – or if my fingers make marks indicative of weariness or indeed of my weariness of fingers make illegible marks. But I ought to be more serious as the old year is dying.

Otis has just read me a more moralizing strain from his letter to Lizzie – but still he makes the old year only going off to other parts unknown – speaks of him as having his hat on – stick in hand I think and I am sure he ought to have said over-coat on for surely the old man will freeze without one tonight.

It has been raining hard all day – but this evening has grown cold and probably it will be clear tomorrow. If it is I think I will visit Lookout Point and perhaps get a picture taken if the ambrotypist still remains up there in his Eyrie. wouldn’t you like such a trophy from Lookout better than a piece of stone or Laurel root such as I sent Ella?

I will look for some more smashed bullets from the battle-ground upon the sides of the mountain, if I go up. For several days – perhaps a week – I have done no riding and I fear my health will suffer if I continue so physically inactive – especially if I eat so much. By the way it may interest you as it is no small matter of congratulation with us that a new installment of provisions for our mess arrived from Nashville today – the first since our return from Knoxville. We will have a grand supper tomorrow – New Years.

Otis shows me his writing – it looks remarkably well. He improves. He looks at his watch – “three minutes of twelve” – I just heard Capt Stinson say (outside) something about snow. It would be a wonder if we have some snow here for New Years morning. It is cold enough for it. We do not feel much like hastening to bed to allow our fires to go out tonight. I must not omit to mention that Otis has a fine large new log cabin – and today for the 3d time a Chimney was completed in it and to our intense satisfaction (and you may accredit some of my jubilent spirits to the fact) this chimney does not smoke! That is to say the smoke all goes up chimney and a first rate draft makes a glowing not to say a glorious fire in the broad stone fire-place.

I suppose the old year 1863 has gone – strange he did not interrupt me to say farewell. Perhaps he thought it would make me sad to have a formal parting and that it was better for me to keep cheerful.