26 November 1861

Tuesday, 26th Pleasant through the day, but rained at night. This morning at 7 1/2 A.M. we had dress parade. At 8 1/2 co. drill. At 10 a flag of truce came to our picket line, but was not admitted. One of the large cannon at the Marine Hospital, Battery No. 7, fell to day as they were mounting it and fell upon 4 men, smashed both legs of one and one of all the others. One is dead, the others not expected to live. One man of co. C, one of co. G were buried to day.

25 November 1861

Monday, 25th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Neh. 1-2 Hebr. 6-7. This morning we had officers school at Gen. Paine's Head qrts. From there I went down to town. In the afternoon we had battalion drill. In the eve at supper we had some wine, being Capt. Robinson's birthday. In the eve, later on, we had an oyster supper and serenade by the band about sundown. Last eve the boys of the 11th Ind. regt. went to put a flag up on Mr. Wolfok's house, a secesh. Gen. Smith forbid it. They afterward went and put it up. Gen. Smith's aid appeared and Gen. Wallace's aid whipped him. Then they dispersed. Much trouble is expected. I talked with Gen. Wallace. He feared trouble would be on hand.

Thanksgiving, 24 November 1861

November, Sunday, 24th 1861 Pleasant and cool. E.I.R.B. Ezra 9th, 10th Hebrews 1-2-3-45. This morning the weather is very cool. I attended church at the Presbyterian Church in the eve. At 4 we had dress parade then marched through the city. After dress parade Gen. Paine, his wife and Mrs. Hamilton visited my Merker and admired my arrangement for fire very much.

23 November 1861

Saturday, 23d Pleasant but cool and windy. This morning I appointed Francis Pothaste a corpl. Took my coat to the tailors.  Spent the evening at Lieut. Britt's. Had some oysters, played sweet with some young ladies. The officers had a jubilee on account of Lieut. Voeler's  birthday.



[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Brigade Order No 19, Head Quarters 1st Brigade US Forces, Paducah, Ky, Nov 23rd, 1861
1st - In obedience to the foregoing orders, the Field, Staff and Company officers of the 9th and 12th Regiments will assemble at these Head Quarters at ½ past 10 o'clock A.M. on Mondays. Wednesdays, and Fridays and the 40th and 41st Regiments on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for the purposes of recitation and instruction in the Tactics and Army Regulations.
2nd - The Commanding Officers of the Regiments will organize schools of daily instruction for the non-commissioned officers of the Regiments respectively.
3rd - On each Sunday Morning previous to Company inspection, the several Regimental Commaders will instruct their Regiments respectively in the review as laid down in the Army Regulations.
By order of Brig Genl E. A. Paine

22 November 1861

Friday, 22d Rainy till noon. E.I.R.B. Ezra 6-7-8 11 Tim. 5-6 and all the book of Philemon. Nothing of importance to day transpired. The 12 had some flags presented to them.

21 November 1861

Thursday, 21st  Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Ezra 3-4-5 11 Tim. 1-2-3-4.  This morning I go on as officer of the day. I had the pleasure of being introduced to Mrs. Maxwell, Mrs. Ross, Miss  Little. A rumor to day that the rebels were going to attack Fort Holt.

20 November 1861

Wednesday, 20th Pleasant. E.I.R.B. Ezra 2d 1st Tim. 4-5-6. To day all is quiet. There are various rumors through camp but nothing of importance. I made an inventory of Corpl. Hedly's effects. Submitted it to Adjutant Gen. To day is my sister Geratine's birthday. She is 21 years old.

[orders and circulars Loren would, or should, have seen concurrent with his diary entries...]

Circular, Head Quarters US Forces, Paducah, Ky, Nov 20th, 1861
Regimental Commanders are desired to have gravel hauled, and the streets and walks about their camps made good in view of the approaching rainy season. Let it be done as soon as possible.
By order of Brig Genl C. F. Smith

General Orders No 34, Head Quarters US Forces, Paducah, Ky, Nov 29th, 1861
1st - Commanders of Brigades will comply with the requirements of the System of Infantry Instruction by which they are constituted the instructors of Regiments under their command and will have Schools of Instruction (by recitations) for the Officers, this until each Regiment has made good progress. No Regiment should be under instruction in the field less than four hours a day, preferably six; this until all are familiar with their duties under arms. The Colonels and Commanders of Regiments must have schools of instruction (by recitations) for the non-com officers
2nd - Just previous to the Company inspection required to be made on Sunday morning by the Captains or Commanders of Companies, the Regimental Commanders will cause the Regiments to go through the form of service prescribed by the Regulations.
By order of Brig Genl C. F. Smith