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Talks of the difficulty getting paid. Also discusses how the other officers support him, despite the negative statements made about him by Captain Ayers. Notes that the great pike to Knoxville is now abandoned. Questions how he will be reunited with his regiment.

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Describes regimental in-fighting as well as continued problems with pay.

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Discusses Sunday services, saying I gave in the morning by special request, an address to a Union Sabbath School, and preached in the afternoon. The people from every direction are urging me to come & preach, but my duties will not permit me to be often absent from camp.

Scope and Contents Note Recounts the story of the Battle of Fort Sanders. Also describes Knoxville’s fortifications as well as his current location across the Holsten from Knoxville, saying he has a fair and beautiful view of the city & the river between us which is somewhat over 1000 feet wide & in low water from 8 to 12 feet deep in the channel. Tells of a growing uneasiness in the area, as over 70,000 troops are said to have traped [sic] through Knoxville to operate...

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Notes the arrival of the news of Lee’s surrender, saying from every Fort around Knoxville demonstrations of joy were given in the firing of cannon. Expresses displeasure with Grant, arguing that he should now have offered any other than unconditional surrender and then let Government show such mercy & leniency as might be wise & proper. Also speaks of the beauty of the area and the opportunities available for lawyers.

Scope and Contents Note Describes the destructed state of the churches divided and impoverished by the war. Discusses a meeting with the strongly Union Professor Lamar at Maryville College as well as an upcoming trip to Maryville to preach for a colony of good industrious Northern men. Asks Gould to write a letter of support for him for the position of State School Superintendent, as education in Tennessee has lost four years. The cause...

Scope and Contents Note Talks of Maryville College and Professor Lamar during the war years, saying the College was broken up, but he remained. Speaks of a friendship with an unnamed wealthy planter who is an elder in a local Presbyterian Church and friends with the Speaker of the House and Governor Brownlow. Asks again for a letter of recommendation, saying the Universities, Colleges & Academies, & schools have all collapsed, & will have to be...

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Outlines the command of the regiment, which has just made camp at Lenoir’s Station. Also notes that they are still unpaid. Describes many sick soldiers and says that Red Tape-ism has closed up the avenue to Hospitals at Knoxville.

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Expresses happiness over rumors that they are to be mustered out today. Describes Jackson as a wealthy & very beautiful place said to be the handsomest town in Tennessee. But the people are very different from those of E. Tennessee. They are proud, haughty, aristocratic, and are today as rebellious in spirit as they were four years ago. Also talks of post-war anger in both Jackson and Memphis.