Travels with a forage train; state of plantations; caught cold on the train

Christmas with the soldiers at Natchez; attending religious services at the Episcopalian and Catholic churches; saving rations for Christmas dinner; inspection of regiment

Receipt of newspapers recounting the presidential election; reminiscence of being at Oxford when receiving news of the fall of Donelson; Sherman’s capture of Savannah; conjecture about Hood’s army breaking into independent bands; conversations with rebel sympathizers; wishes for more music in the regiment

Moving to a more southern point, such as Kenner, Louisiana or Mobile, Alabama; receipt of newspapers giving accounts of the capture of Fort Fisher

Left Natchez for Pascagoula; description of the rebel Ram Tennessee in Harper’s Weekly was faithful; stopped a short time at Ship Island to let off a detachment of negro troops; seasickness of troops; encamped in a grove about a mile from Fort Barrancas

Rumor circulating among the camps of the brigade that “peace commissioners have gone from Richmond to Washington and that the rebel government is now a suppliant for mercy at the executive mansion”; magnolia trees growing in the area; weather and vegetation conditions; compliments about General Andrews

Quantity and type of provisions for soldiers; preparing for campaign; Gen. Smith’s forces arriving in New Orleans; condition of men in brigade

Newman’s safe arrival; boats arriving with troops bound for Vicksburg; hope that coming campaign will end the war; imminent move to a new hospital;

Victorious surrender of Spanish fort to Snow’s regiment; detailed description of the capture of the fort

Moved inside the rebel fortifications and are encamped on the banks of the Tensas river; occupation of Mobile; toll of the “excessive fatigues & constant excitements of the campaign now successfully closed”