Laid in camp. Many rumors afloat of
Richmond taken, Bragg defeated, etc. Health improving.

Oxford, Monday, Dec. 8. A lazy day for the Battery. Nothing transpired
to excite the drowsiness of the soldier. Received a paper of the 3rd
containing the President's Proclamation.

Oxford, Tuesday, Dec. 9. Warm and pleasant, Quinby's Division inspected
by U. S. Grant and suite. Troubled with diarrhea.

Oxford, Wednesday, Dec. 10. Warm and pleasant. Health improving.
Diarrhea checked by abstaining from all eatables except hard crackers.
All teams sent foraging. 3rd Platoon had 1 hog, 2 geese.

Oxford, Thursday, Dec. 11. Rumors of march. Logan's Division left
to-day. Troops passing in the afternoon. Had standing gun drill. Ordered
to have five roll calls in a day. Order No. 1 from Colonel Marsh, 20th
Illinois, post commander of Oxford, read.

Near Oxford, Friday, Dec. 12. Orders given at roll call in the morning
to be ready to march at 7 A. M. 3 days' rations. Took up the line of
march back towards town much to the dissatisfaction of all, which was
relieved by turning south and once more on the track of old Price,
travelled six miles, then went into park. Took a team to drive, the
center team on the gun formerly driven by A. Dearborn.

Near Oxford, Saturday, Dec. 13. All quiet. Foraging party started out at
6 A. M. Gone all day. They report a poor country, with much more loyalty
apparently than could be expected. Citizens refuse to take Confederate
scrip as heretofore, many exhibiting a white flag on their dwellings
upon which was inscribed "Union". Received letters from John from
Jefferson, Wis.

[Sidenote: 1862 Negro Cooks]

Near Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 14. A day of excitement which came near ending
in a serious affair, caused by certain members of the 1st Missouri
Regular Battery assailing the colored cooks as they were going after
water. After dinner as Anthony [the colored cook] was passing by, he was
assaulted and abused. He appealed to the boys, when a rush was made, and
in an instant a crowd was gathered consisting of the 6th and 12th
Wisconsin and 11th Ohio against the Regulars, armed with clubs,
revolvers, knives and axes. The officers interposed, which closed it
with but a few bloody noses and several knock downs. Warm and heavy.

Near Oxford, Monday, Dec. 15. It rained nearly all day, making it very
muddy, hard for our horses. No mail for two days.

Near Oxford, Tuesday, Dec. 16. Pleasant and