December, 22

Left Helena about sundown went down the river about 15 miles & laid too until about 3 oclock the next morning when the whole fleet started out to get here about 30 boats an other fleet left the day before of about 30 boats.

 

December, 23

This morning we came along where there was 2 boats landed at a plantation they were fiered in to & they meanto have satisfaction they ware all on shore & burning / all the niger shanties cotin gin as we passed they were in line & started for the planters house on double quick as we passed out of sight. we passed a town called napolion at the mouth of the arcansis river

 

we passed a town in the state of mississippi called boliver. we laid over all night & there was a plantation the boys burned every thing that would burn started at 2 oclock / this afternoon

 

December 24

The boys went out this forenoon on a scout & came in with a plenty of potatoes molases & [?] tobaco we are having feast

 

December 25

We landed on the louisiana shore this morning about 3 oclock & are here yet I had the luck to find Dow he came on our boat with ed young looking for me it was a surprise for I did not expect to see him 

 

Saturday

December 27

went up the yazoo river 14 miles & landed

 

Sunday            28

heavy cannonading this morning the [faded] wing of our regiment went on an other boat when we left helena & got here one day before we did. they had a fight yesterday & [faded] it to day our regiment was not engaged

 

Monday 29

hard fighting to day our army has not gained gained much yet they have taken two bateryes & drove them 2 miles back from the yazoo river towards vicksburg they are / on a high hill well fortified & it is not impossible to take them

 

Tuesday, 30

we are changing our position to day, nothing of importance to day the weather is pleasent to day

 

Wednesday, 31

nothing of importance to day moved out to night & went back to the yazoo river & went on board a boat

 

January, 1, 1863

we have laid here all day & did some cooking, /

 

Mollie C Shibly

I recd one letter from home

[?] the 12

wrote one 14

& one the 17 of December

 

I was looking for [faded] & found Dow he is well and harty, it was a meeting on christmas Dow, ed, [faded], Bill Failing & a number of the Oswego boys. Dow is in the 12 & there was a batery of 12 guns & five regiments started out this morning [faded] out from the river we havent heard / from them yet the most of the fleet has started out our whole fleet consists of 120 boats about 8000 troops I think vicksburg will stand & perchance this time we are within 30 miles & will proberly halfto fight the way through & we are able to do that I have been told we could send out mail to day & I thought I would send you those notes I have been taking as I have no time to write / a letter. the boys are all well. we left henry at helena I sent a leter with him

 

I am well and harty & may this find you the same

                       

no more at present so good by

Mollie

O Shibly

           

December, 26

 

we [?] well this morning & are laying here yet we may stay here 2 or 3 days & we may leave to day I cannot say which way we will go it may be up the river

 

[margin]

 

I have not received a leter from you yet this mail ma not go out in two or 3 days

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