Scaps of Odds and Evens, State of the Wether, News, Remarks of the Sick and etc.

Dec 31 1862

Seven O'Clock at night, the year just out, and what the next year will Bring, few human beings know, there has been hard fighting and of late, the United States have not made much progress, it apears that they come to a repuls by the Rebels, but to what amount its hard to find out, the Yankees or presents Administration keep back all the news they can, or at least, we can get but few papers, The health of the country has been very bad, or far more sickly that has been for many years; Measles, Scarlet Feaver, Mumps, but above all this sore throat (Dipthera); it has baffeled the Spill of moast of Medical men, at this time we have not many cases about this our Neighborhood; the Summer and fall has been very dry, and at this time, all streams are very low, if hard freezing wether comes it will be hard to get water for Stock, and for Millering and etc., but as there are only 4 1/2 hours of this year, we hope before the next 31 of Dec. there will be a change for the better

Chapter 1

News from the War, Stawsburg and etc.,_____Sore Throat, Measles, Rumers of War in Hardy desertives in the Union Army, there reasons, Remarks on Policy

Jan 6 1863

Today I have been holding New Years day at John Dixons, a very agreable time. The news from the war is very conflicting, it is said Union Troops have been badly repulsed in the Neighbrood of Strasburg, and with heavy loss, but all is flying reports, as far as I know, I have seen no New paper yet there apears there is something for the wagons bound for Winchester on Christmas day returned, I think sooner than if they had gone all the way to Winchester, I think they must have been turned back, if so, it will look some what gloomy, and it is said the Rebels are in Winchester, also it is reported the Rebels have done some damage in

The Sore throat is very bad on New Creek, and the measles too, I think N. Kitzmiller will lose his oldest girl, she was taken bad very suddinly and I see but little hopes for her, I put on a blister on her brest, and she appeared to be a little better this morning but they all do put on their appearances till just at last, I have never yet seen one recover with her Symptoms vis, the yellow water runing from the Nose and mouth, and what I term the Toad-back encrosting of the throat, and the great loss of streangth in shor they appear more like death than living. It is rumered on the Creek that the Rebels are agean mustring about Petersburg and Moorefield Hardy county, and they say there was some kind of fighting in them parts, there was about 40 came down from Petersburg and staid at Lillers on Sunday 4th stated that they burnt a lot of property belonging to the Government, lest the Rebels should take it, if so, they must be expecting some force of Rebels coming on, it was said this morning the Union troops was prepearing to retreat, and that many had left Moorefield, and gone to Cumberland and I doubt the greater part of these reports, There appears to be quite a change in the aspect of things, the Government Soldiers to be very cold in fighting, they say quite openly they would rather be taken prisoner by the Rebels than not, for than they would get paroled, and then they could go home, I would not like to lead such men and minds as them, their pleas is, we did not Enlist to fight for Negro freedom, but to retore the Union as it was, not as the Abolitionist wants it, how all this will end its not know, at least by me, but ceartinly it looks bad in the Union, I have been wondering of late, if many has not deserted and gone over to the Rebels, for my part I always thought that the Union was only a Sham, I mean the cry of Union, and the past conduct of the folks in Washington shows very plain, and yet Mr. Lincoln is demanding another 300,000 men but there is a strong force going to attact Vicksburg on the Missisipey which they cant help taking, if the Yankees have any fight in them, but as I have just mentioned, the Yankees eather cant or dont wish to fight, but on the Vessels men are compelled to fight, there is a running out at Back-doors; and the news from the west shows that since there late elections, they have become very bold in there talk, that is the Democracy of the west, they even say that the can see that this Rebellion cannot be Squashed, and that they the Democrats and there Joining in with the Southerners states, and leaving the New England states to themselves, they also state that Slavery is a Devine institution, and no Sin in it, all this comes to show that there is some wrong in Republics, but how or when, I never could see, except it gives too much opportunitys for Aspirents and Scoundrels, this I can see in hundreds around me, "that they have not true regard for the Nation, there hold object is, dear Self, and hundreds, I am convinced in my own mind, would Sell Brimstone to the Devil and would Sell Christ himself for 30 Coppers, and See the Coruptions that have got into this country, see James Buchanan, going to condole with a Bloody murdrer in prisoner, knowing him to be a Murderer and now see this same Murderer now in a high office in the armey; if such conduct as all this with many more as bad as this one instance, must go unnoticed its not worth while to Read the Bible.

Jan 11 1863

To day been to see Jo. Thomas, he is quite in low way, and thinks he is lost, and tears flowing from his eyes if the speak to him, he has been quite unmanageable this few days and would reather eat or drink, this morning I found him asleep, but he got awake and he eat a tolerable quantaty, last night I give him Sul. Morphia two or three times till it began to Stun him, this morning I give him 4 outz Billious pills, and left orders to give him Morphia if he got restless. We have heard no News this week, only the Yankees have taken Vicksburg, and some little taking of wagons, etc. with the Rebels, if Vicksburg is taken the Rebels will be badly put through get along, the Yankees can cut off the States of Mississipey and Texas, and the whole Southern Cost being Blockaded, the Rebels will have no chance but to beat the Yankees in Virginia and inland, and by the Yankees having possesion of the Missisapa they Rebels will be cut off from there supplyes from the South West, ----The Lincoln Government is making strong exertions to push on the war, they have Ordered another draft of men of 300,000 but I think it will be dificult to get the men except by Conscreption on or Drafting, I think they have never got there other Conscreption or quotia, and this is only to make up what they fell short, and the Secetry of the Treasury is for Issuing out more Greenback, but I dont know on what ground, some say its in Government bonds, but it appears to me there will be a Big Smash of this paper, and that this present Administration is just Issuing this to keep up appearances hoping they may get concour the Rebels but if the Rebels can still hold out, or even beat the Yankees, what then? Why the supporters of this own war, will care nothing, who or how this great debt will be paid. This false capital must find its level some day or other, the Yankees think they will pay it by Confesecating the Rebels property, but this makes the Southerern man still fight the more desperate, and the discontent of the Yankee troops, it is the belief that it is altogeather an Abolition war and a war to restore the Union, is this word Union has hid a Great deal of Deception throughout this war, yet when a Price or a Chief engages in a bloody war like this, he may carry on for a while, but when it is seen that he had another object in vew, and that is word Union was only a Cloak to hid his Real desines, he that Price or Chief, will make but little by it, the princable part of the inhabitants of all this country have no more feeling for the Negro than they have for a Dog, not half as much as for a horse, the whole truth is, "and wragle on so long" as the Envey they have to the Negro Master, and the Southeren man is wide awake to all this pretended Negro Sympetha, and there is a Great portion of inhabitants of what is termed the Loyal states, have got there Eyes open and sees this deception, hence the Victory in the Democrats Elections, and its thought Mr. Lincoln has no Good Blood for these Democrats, yet these Democrats are not in power as yet.

Jan 16 1863

This Sore Throat is still prevelaing in our parts, and what is termed the typhode feaver, old Mr. John Abot is dead with the feaver, he was very worthy German, and is much Lamented, he lost 4 or 5 children with this sore throat, and a young Miss Smith on New Creek, a Daughter of Solomen Smith, this famaly have been very unfortunate of late, I understand this feaver is prevailing about Romney, a Mrs. Michel Entlar is now laying very low of Punomonia. a Miss Owens at B. Hulls has had this Sore throat, but Dr. Easton told me yesterday he thought her out of Danger, the S. Feaver is at D. Boselys face of the mountains, Joseph Thomas is still very wild in his mind, ----------They talk of sending him to Wheeling, there is not such thing as sending him to Staunton. I was to see a child of Wm. Bosleys yesterday, on my way I heard that the Rebels are at Moorfield, what the can be wanting in that Neighboorhood I cant see, some say there are 400, some 500 others say 2000, and agean others say 7000, but I dont belive anything of the latter number, if so, there is going to be some trouble in these parts Jack Green told me that he saw something like 1500 going to Moorefield, the other day, this convinces me there are no 7000 rebels then, or else the Yankees are a set of fools to venture in that Neighborhood with 1500 troops, they ought to have taken not less than 15,000, --------One of the two of these who are conducting this war, must be fools, I cant see which, I guess time will tell.

Jan 21 1863

A very heavy Snow Storm, been Snowing all night, wind E. at 5 o'clock this morning Jo Thomas came, the man is quite out of his mind, and his people take no care of him, for my part I wont try to do more for him, except they will take more care of him, they wish to cure him with a Jorum of there prayers, and such like ????????

Jan 22 1863

Been thawing all day, and the Snow is very soft I have nothing to do, have been for a week, and I am not Sorrey, I have only had one patient for a week and that was John Ravenscroft, he had been playing at Ball at school and over heated himself, and brought on the Inflamatory Rheumetisim Just like his fater, there is no news of the wars, they say there is some Rebels in Moorefield, but I much doubt it, the last I heard from Burnsides army, that they were about advancing on to Richmond and

Jan 26 1863

I have been to the Creek today, one of S. Boselys children very poorly, and a Girl of Tom Bosely, with something like the feaver, but they are much better today and one of John Bosely's children, and a Tom Liller with the sore throat, and they are also better, the Boy Ling Kitsmiller I guess is dead, I did not go down to see him, but I heard he was dieing, this case I did not attend on till Friday night, and then he could not speak, or so as to hear him, and it was with dificulty he could draw in his breath, his puls was quite good, but I thought his chance was a very dull one, he had a vomit the night before and appeared to relive him, but still could expectorate nothing wether he had taken cold, or, he was like all the other bad cases, I cant tell, But I guess it was the Leather way, for I have seen that when that ?hours? form sets in they are a gone case-----the News from the war is very little but I saw in the Sun of the 20th that Van Doran had made a Big Raid at a place called Holly Springs, and had captured 1800 prisners or Yankees and destroyed a Vast amount of property, Flour ammuntions etc., this Burning of provitions is ceartunly wrong with eather party; and it is said that the Lincoln Govenument have stopped all kinds of goods from coming across the Potomac, so I guess we are to be Starved into Submission, there is a report that there has been some dessturbance among the officcelrs at Washington, I have been expecting some Stormy wther in that quarter, perhaps when the Democrat Congress meets in March they will put a Stop to these troubles; what the disturbances was about I have not heard, and I told to day that Gen. Milroy, has issued a procelomation, Demanding all Slave holders to bring in there Slaves into his camp, or abide by the concequences, but I have not heard what the Concequences are; nor have I heard of any Orders from the General Government to that amount, but a Millatry man can do as he pleases this will be another Gen. Hunter or Buttler, ( I have forgot which of the two) Lincoln will Countermand his proclamations, and say he, nor the Government never give any such like orders, and will turn about and say, it would be very Right to do so, I wonder if a Gen. would or Durst do such a thing without order, this is all a ?fal,lal: and just done to feel the pulse of the army, if the Army kicks at it, he honest Abe will correct it all, with a poroclomation, denying he ever knew anything about it, as this Chapter is coming to a close, I will at the end of each Chapter make a few remarks on the political state of the Country, and of the dieses particularly this Sore Throat (Diptheria).

Jan 31 1963

Remarks: This war has brought our Country to a Bad state and I guess will involve it ina Debt that will be like that National debt of England, but the interest will have to be paid, or a National Bankrupsy, if the Bankrupsy should be adopted, it will make the United States into or have a bad fathless charactur, we have a Strange Courancy at present from 3 cents to 25 cents, and greenbacks in plenty, and it is said that there another Issue of Six hundred Millions this will fill the Country with more false Capitol will raise the price of all comoditys, the Green-back fell from 35 to 47 per cent in one day in N. York, that is gold y got up to 47 in one day this brings this false capitol not worth more than 50cts to the Dollar, Consequently a Soldier wages $13.00 for month in not more worth than $7.50 for if he send his Surplus wages to his wife parents and will be worth no more than the half in Gold, a pound of Tobacco $1.50, a lb. of coffee 40cts, a yard of Shirting 30 and some of the common Necessities are quite Reasonable Such as Flour Bacon, hence comes that the ways of the Laboring man gets no higher, thus the whole Burden falls on the poor mans back.

I remember in England a Similar state of things, Except what English bank Notes would go in Payment for everything, a Guinea was worth 28S. and the price of things very high; but here, those Greenbacks will not pay the dutys on the Customs, and Several other things, so that all remitance to foreight Countrys has to be paid in Gold and Silver, besides to the Costum house, this policy is, and will bring on Ruin to Thousands, Yes, to millions for this false capitol will find its owen Level, and the price of all things will come to the Standard of Gold, Old Abram and his man Chase cant help seeing all this, but what care they, they will be clear of all this, even if they Serve out there 4 years, but I believe that Abram thought he could have Smashed down the Rebelion in a month or two, but they have found that its a heaver Job than they Expected to be, and they care nothing who, or what it ruins, yet Abram has full two years to Serves, I shall be Sorry to have his post, and it will be well for him his he dont find this next two years a troublesom time the people are geting their Eyes open, yet Abram is a fine man, and a man of his word, he declared when he took the Oath, that he would not Meddle with the Slavery question (As it is now) and well has he keepted his word, but many constunes his words and actions quite different, for my part I have never seen Six inches of his Speaches in the Newspapers but there has been a Something about the Emansipation of Slaves, this seems to absorb all his attention, but what he means by it I cant say, but these Republicans and Abolitiones in my vew are so much alike in there Creeds, that Abram would be Glad if Some forign Nations would interfere in this Bloody and Expensive Strife, so that he, would not have the Blame of coming to a Compremise, I hope England will have nothing to do with it in the way of Intervention, this Rebelion has turned out a Subject of quite another Characture to what many thought it would be, even Abram is was said, Expressed himself that he would Smash the Rebelion in 20 days, but I cant belive he was hardly that much of a fool, but at all events if he is not a fool, he goes, in my opinion in a wrong way to even Unite these states agean as they were, he has shown himself of no Union princables, or at least not so Constitunaly, for there no doubt he has done many acts that are not Consitiunal; his constantly meddling with the Slavery question in the States, though me may say that Congress have santioned his acts, but the question is , has Congress any wright to interfar with the laws or institutions of any of the States; or is not each State a Soveren state in pregard to Slavery; but I know the hole that Abram intends to Slip out at vis. that Slaves are propperty of the Rebels, adn to destroy property of the Enemy is all fair play in warfare, but dose no this conferm and Establish the Southeren mans Supesions, they declared from the first that he was an Abolitionest and that to Abolish Slavery was the fall intention of the Republican party but this hole of Abram is or will be, a very poor hole, if his Soul of his body is as mean its no Soul at all. But I will close my remarks of politics for this Chapter and leave Abram to the next Chapter.