Sunday, Nov. 1, 1863

Got a calf skin this morning brought it to camp and found it full of holes - would not do for a drum-head. Regiment has dress parade did not go out. Foot quite painful and swollen some today.

Monday, Nov. 2, 1863

Ross of Co. F and I go to cattle yards and got a splendid hide - paid fifty cents to have it skinned without scarring. Ross intends to tan it for me.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1863

All quiet in camp today. In the evening learn we are to garrison New Iberia and are to move up to the town at five o'clock in the morning. Bought a vest for $2.50.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1863

Regiment started and came up to town soon after day-break. Were as busy as nailors fixing up our tents, raising them and boarding up the sides and ends - put a nice floor in ours. Commenced a long letter to Lizzie - wrote nearly one sheet.

November 4, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to L.S.

Thursday, Nov. 5, 1863

Change our tent this morning - raise it some and put a bed in it. Large mail in. Receive letters from home and Tom Bird and a Republican of Oct. 15th. Wrote over a sheet to Lizzie. The other regiments of our brigade passing through here in the rain. Raining this evening.

Friday, Nov. 6, 1863

Troops moving up and teams passing through nearly all last night. Expecting an attack but for a wonder the 16th was not disturbed all night. Wrote to Father, Mother and Ida - finished my long letter to Lizzie. Wrote a few lines to Ike McCullough and Jake Hostettler and send their letters to them. Troops lay in line of battle the other side of town all day.

November 6, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Mother

November 6, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to sister Ida

November 6, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Father

Saturday, Nov. 7, 1863

Went with teams about 12 miles out for corn and hay, brought in a few sweet potatoes. Division ordered back to Franklin in the morning. Orders just come up to us to leave in the morning at five o'clock. Hired another darkey cook today - Joe.

Sunday, Nov. 8, 1863

Troops passing all morning we do not move until in the afternoon where we were put in wagons and rode all the afternoon. Camped about 10 o'clock at night. Came about 20 miles. Have a lot of prisoners with us.

Monday, Nov. 9, 1863

Up early and off in the wagons again, rode to Franklin 8 miles and then went aboard boats for Brashear City. Came within 5 or 6 miles of Berwick, wooded and ran back some four miles to meet the Star-light. Arrived at Berwick late at night and came ashore. Boys go for a Suttler strong.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1863

Rest of the Division came in this morning. Fix up our shanties and write a letter to Dave Williams.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1863

Wrote to Uncle Caldwell Tidball. Received letter from Mother. Attended brigade Guard Mount and dress-parade.

November 6, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Uncle Rev. J.C. Tidball

Thursday, Nov. 12, 1863

Drill and dress parade today. Reading the "Fair Rebel" today. Part of First brigade went on board a steam-ship bound for Texas. Took my drum apart to have new hoops made for it - Henry Deetz was to make them but did not - could not cross the bay.

Friday, Nov. 13, 1863

Fix my drumhead on again and splice the old hoop. Write to Mother, Ida and Love and to Lizzie. Sent copy of Risinger's diary to Mother. Received a letter from Cicero.

November 13, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to sisters Ida and Julia (Love)

November 13, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to Mother

November 13, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to L.S.

Saturday, Nov. 14, 1863

Ike McCullough, Jon't Williams, Bill Williams and Sam Gray come up to the regiment this morning. Wrote to Cicero, Tom Bird and a letter to New Orleans for Gault. The rest of the 1st and all of the 2nd brigade went across the bay to go to New Orleans this morning.

Sunday, Nov. 15, 1863

Day cool but not cold. Had a long chat with Ike McCullough today. Had a long talk with Raymond Fenner tonight.

Monday, Nov. 16, 1863

Mending my pants this morning. Reading tracts. Bought a new diary from Robertson for 50 cents.

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1863

Was shaved by George Adams and wrote a letter for him in return. The 11th Wisconsin and part of the 21st Iowa go to Algiers today. Cleaned up our quarters for a big inspection.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1863

Orders came about one o'clock last night to be ready to move this morning at five o'clock. Reveille at three o'clock A.M. and in ranks at daylight. Cross the bay about noon and go into camp near the railroad. Difficult to get tent timber.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 1863

Move our tents this morning into lines of divisions. Drew blankets and Raymond Fenner and I make our bed together. The 42nd and 120th Ohio went toward Algiers to guard the rail-road. Raining this evening.

Friday, Nov. 20, 1863

Wrote letters to Hen Levingston and to the Republican. Raymond Fenner and I went down town and got a lot of sugar and a paper of Alspice.

November 20, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to the Holmes County Republican

Saturday, Nov. 21, 1863

A mail came in this evening. Received letters from Lizzie, Ellie Williams and Lizzie Shera and a Republican of Oct. 29th. Orders to move in the morning at six o'clock. Fenner on duty tonight.

Sunday, Nov. 22, 1863

Up at three o'clock this morning and on the cars and started by eight o'clock A.M. Arrived safely at Algiers about one o'clock P.M. Were met at the depot by our paroled men. Considerable excitement for awhile and congratulations. Frank Wilson brought me my vest and two pair of socks. Received a letter from Father.

Monday, Nov. 23, 1863

Raymond Fenner and I went up town this morning. Were looking at the ships. Saw the Portsmouth, Pensacola, two of ours, and English and French man-of-war. Learned more about a ship than I ever knew before.

Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1863

Wrote a long letter (No. 1) to Lizzie and gave it to the 114th Ohio to mail. Aroused soon after we went to bed to get ready to go on board the ship. Came aboard the Steam-ship St. Mary about two o'clock in the night. Drew a cap.

November 24, 1863 - letter from T.B.L. to L.S.

Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1863

Got off about noon today and steamed down the river. Passed Forts Pickens and Jackson shortly after dark -- too dark to see anything. Saw Jackson's battle field war of 1812. Came on to the Gulf of Mexico about 10 o'clock at night - was asleep at the time. Mail distributed on the ship this P.M. Received letters from Lizzie and John F. Linn.

Thursday, Nov. 26, 1863

Wakened up this morning and found ourselves far out on the Gulf - out of sight of land. Ship runs very steadily. Saw a large school of porpoises sporting in the water.

Friday, Nov. 27, 1863

Gulf rougher this morning causing ship to roll. Boys sea-sick and vomiting all day. I was quite sick but vomited only once. Hailed a brig that was captured by a gunboat in Frazier river. Came up to Blockading fleet this evening and in sight of land. Wind rising and blowing a gale. At anchor off Decrow's Point.

Saturday, Nov. 28, 1863

Wind blowing very hard and ship rolling awfully. Very cold - keep in bed all day to keep warm. Ship at anchor all day. Night. Wind still rising coming from the North West - a regular Nor'wester.

Sunday, Nov. 29, 1863

Wind blew hard all night. Ship dragged her anchor thirty-two miles out to sea. Raised anchor about one o'clock at night and started back. Have forty-five miles to run today. Sun out and getting warmer. Anchor off St. Joseph's Island.

Monday, Nov. 30, 1863

Landing the troops with surf boats. Part of the 69th Indiana put on shore. Ordered to stop landing troops and to return to Decrow's Point. Left the 69th Indiana on the beach and returning anchored off Decrow's Point about dark.