21 December 1861

Saturday, 21st Cold and stormy. The court convened again this morning at 9 o'clock. The regular cavalry burned the mill 2 miles beyond Mayfield on the night of the 20th inst. A rumor this eve that Gen. Pope has whipped Price.

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

Special Order No 83, Head Quarters Dept of the Missouri. St. Louis, Dec 21st, 1861
A Board of Officers is hereby appointed to meet at Cairo, Ill. On Thursday the 26th day of Dec 1861 at 10 o'clock A.M. or as soon thereafter as practicable to examine the capacity, qualifications, propriety of conduct, and efficiency of any commissioned officer of Volunteers who may be reported to the Board.
Detail for the Board :
1. Col. James D. Morgan, 10th Ills. Vols.
2. Col. W. H. L. Wallace, 11th Ills. Vols.
3. Lieut Col H. E. Hart, 22nd Ills. Vols.
4. Capt. Exra Taylor, Taylor's Battery
The Board will sit without regard to hours.
By order of Maj. Genl.halleck

Abraham Lincoln. War Department, Washington, December 21, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following list of regular promotions and appointments in the Army of the United States: IV. APPOINTMENTS MADE IN THE VOLUNTEER FORCE CALLED INTO SERVICE UNDER THE ACTS APPROVED JULY 22 AND 24, 1861. General officers. Eleazer Paine, of Illinois, to be brigadier-general, September 3, 1861.