Battlefield Dispatches No. 195: 'Unhappy New Years'

Traditionally & this was true in the 19th Century as well. New Years Eve & Day are celebrated with remembering the past year & welcoming in the New Year. However, in today's military & that of the Civil War these days were just another day of combat or garrison duty. True, there is & was some levity whenever possible, but normally the main focus was to carry on with whatever the respective military operations or mission of the day happened to be.

The following entries are from the diary of 2nd Lieutenant Charles W. Porter of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment that describe his activities on New years Eve and Day in 1862, 1863, 1864 & 1865.

"Rhea's Mill, Arkansas.

Wednesday, December 31, 1862.

At daylight we was again on the road. We had a cold & uncomfortable night & but little sleep as we had no tents with us.

The ground was frozen enough to bear a horse & rider. Our march today was by the Boston Mountains & across the same streams we crossed on our march to Van Buren, [Ark]. We did not see the sun until 10 o'clock a.m. on account of the mountain height. These mountains are in many respects sublime in appearance. They are quite rocky, some of the rocks have a perpendicular height of 100 feet or more, while many are shelving & ragged covered with pine & cedar besides other kinds of trees. Fred A Copeland of our company lost his horse [died or became to lame to ride] & was obliged to appropriate a donkey for his use. The only way he could keep the lazy beast up with the Company was to put an ear of corn on the end of a cane stalk & hold it in front of the animal, when he would hasten to overtake it. The boys gave Fred the name of "Balam, a name he did not fancy & in good order to get rid of the accursed name he disposed of the beast on arriving in camp. After a march of thirty miles today we arrived at our old campground at Rhea's Mills at a little before sunset.

Thursday, January 1st, 1863.

Rhea's Mill, Ark.

A new year has dawned upon us & with it war still in progress. I set about to enjoy the day as my limited would admit. I took a few drinks of brandy to stimulate my exertions. I procured some canned peaches & oysters at the Sutlers [Tent] & soon surprised the vacancies of the inner m an. During the day I received my commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company "L" , 3rd Regt. Wis. Cavalry & the consequence was I was elected to do some treating. Many of the boys in & about our Regiment partook freely of "COFFIN VARNISH" [home made whiskey] and many rows occurred during the day. I was with companions until a late hour & a jolly carouse we had. The day was cloudy windy & some sleet. At dark we had marching orders for the morrow."

Thursday, December 31,1863.

Balltown, Missouri.

Our guard suffered with the cold last night. I commenced making up Company Returns today, which are of importance & I seem to be the victim on whom this work devolves. My Captain being unable to write on account of his hand being very tremulous.

The day has been very cold & those of our boys who are on guard complain of extreme suffering from the cold & in the great exertion they barely keep from freezing.

Friday, January 1st, 1864.

Balltown, Missouri.

I remained in camp today & was writing on my Company papers. The day has been extremely cold. There was a dance three miles from camp & some of my Company attended tonight.

Saturday, December 31st, 1864.

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Another year of strife & bloodshed is about to close, but I hope the coming year will bring peace & we can be at our homes. Nothing important today with us. Very Cold.

Sunday, January 1st, 1865.

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

I have spent the day in company with Bettie [his wife] reading & writing letters. The day has been cold & unpleasant for a walk in the city [Leavenworth City]. I am now anxious to be relieved from my present duty at this place, as there is not enough work to keep me out of mischief. I have sent a request to headquarters that I be relieved from duty at this place & ordered to my Company where I can find enough to do."

Eventually Capt. Porter was relieved from his duty at Fort Leavenworth & he returned to his Company at Balltown, Missouri & of course the War Went On!