[Louisiana] Thursday. A very cold raw day—have found it hard to keep comfortable in the tent, even with our little cooking stove. Finished my Ordnance Return. In afternoon there was a short Batt[alion] Drill—our Co. out with the Lieuts.
This evening a small mail arrived—but there was no letter for either of us Officers. The letters for our Co. were nearly a month old—few of them having been mailed later than the 8th of Jan. There must be another mail soon, I think. Poor John Loud gets sad news—the death of his mother. He is one of the best of boys, stead, moral & amiable, & had a very warm affection for his mother, who is spoken of as having been worthy of his deepest love. I remember seeing her for a moment as the cars were moving out of the depot at Newport—had a few words with her & her husband, & as we moved away, her last words to me were, “Take good care of Johnnie—he is a good boy.”
May the loss be the means of bringing him to the Savior, & may he find him a present help in his affliction.
February 4, 1863
Camp near Fredericksburg, Va.
11 A.M. Co. Drill. 9 P.M. Orders for three days cold rations. Move in the morning 7 A.M. Weather cold.
February 3, 1863
[Louisiana] Tuesday. Clear & cold. Had a Reg. Inspection at 2 o’clock, P.M., by Lieut Brown, of Gen. Grover’s Staff. He inspected arms, knapsacks, tents, & company & Reg. Books. Have been busy making up Quarterly Return of Ordnance Stores, & have completed it tonight (now about 11 o’clock). Attended prayer meeting this evening—a very good meeting.
February 2, 1863
[Louisiana] Monday. Rainy all the forenoon—the Reg. inspection postponed on account of the weather. Was engaged in making up my quarterly return of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores. In afternoon Lt. Jerrard took the Company our for skirmish drill. This evening I went down to the tent of the Adjutant of the 6th N.Y. & got some information on the subject of making Clothing & Ordnance returns, & on other matters pertaining to the keeping of Company accounts. Found the Adjutant (Francis) a very pleasant & accommodating fellow. Did not attend the prayer meeting on account of the necessity of making up my returns as soon as possible. This evening the wind is rising, & appearances indicate another cold snap. Finished a 12 page letter to Pamelia last night, & mailed it this morning. Also printed a little letter to Ikie, & enclosed it in Pamelia’s.
February 1, 1863
[Louisiana] Sunday. A mild showery day—no military exercises & no public religious services in the day time. This evening we had a good prayer meeting in the Quartermaster’s tent. The time was very fully occupied & all seemed happy to be there. The tent was full, & I hope the meetings this week will be more fully attended than they were the last. We hope to have the Surgeon’s tent for the meetings, as it will accommodate more than any other on the ground. Wrote letters to the fathers of Levi Gardner & Robert F. Wiggins, who died at Chesapeake Gen. Hospital in December.
January 31, 1863
[Louisiana] Had the monthly Regimental Inspection at 10 o’clock—inspection by the field officers of the Regt., and not “by one of the General’s staff,” as we expected The men appeared better than on any other occasion of the kind. In the afternoon the tents 7 grounds were minutely inspected. After this I went down to see our sick men in the Hospital—found them all apparently improving except Gorham Gould. He had evidently failed since I last saw him—his mind has been wandering at times for a day or two, though he recognizes me & talked quite rationally a part of the time. He told me what I had never suspected, that he thought he experienced religion when seventeen years old, but of late years he had gone far astray—said he was ashamed of the bad language he had indulged in. He told me his mother & sister are Christians, & no doubt are praying for him. I told him I had long prayed for him, that if it was God’s will he might be restored to health, and if not, that he might be prepared for death. I presented his case at the prayer meeting this evening, asking the brethren to remember him at the throne of grace. May the Savior manifest himself to him, and if he has ever been a child of God, may he be brought back to the fold from which he has wandered so far, and if he has never been born again may he be led by the Spirit to cast himself wholly on the mercy of God and find true joy and peace in believing.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
January 30, 1863
Camp near Fredericksburg, Va.
Finish[ed] our shanty. Weather pleasant.
January 29, 1863
January 28, 1863
[Louisiana] Wednesday. Rec’d a mail from the North. Had a letter from Pamelia, written in journal form from Jan. 1st to 9th, on which day it was mailed. All at home were well and prospering—the Good God be thanked for his mercies and loving kindness. May I be more devoted to his service, and live more to his glory.
Evening. At 12 o’clock our Brigade (1st) under command of Col. Wilson formed in line in the road between the camp & the river, & marched through several streets of the town, & out to the field opposite to our old ground, Camp Banks. Here we marched in review in columns of companies before Gen. Grover. After this Review was over we returned through the streets down by the Penitentiary, & thence back to camp, arriving about 5 o’clock. Our Reg. had only about 400 men out including officers—the other Regts. Having a few more each I should think.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
January 27, 1863
[Louisiana] Tuesday. Rained hard last night & this forenoon, preventing the Grand Review of the forces which was to have taken place before Gen. Auger this afternoon. Had a Battalion drill in afternoon, but I have done no duty for the day, have a diarrhea. Have been issuing clothing to the Company, & this evening orders are issued to have all the men furnished with good suits, if they are not yet supplied. Extra clothing, baggage, & ordnance stores are to be stored at this post, which looks like a forward movement soon.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]