26 December 1861

Thursday, 26th Pleasant. The court assembled again this morning. This eve the officers of the 9th regt. met at Mr. Volinger's. Had egg nog and several speeches, then we serenaded Gen. Smith, also Miss Carry Garrett.

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

General Order No. 46, Headquarters US Forces, Paducah, Kentucky Dec 26th, 1861
It has been brought to the notice of the Brig Genl Commanding much to his surprise that officers and men are in many cases residing out of the camps of their regiments in defiance of all military propriety. Commanders of regiments and corps will therefore see that within the next twenty-four hours every officer and soldier without exception who may be occupying houses outside of his regimental limits be required to go into tents and that no officer or soldier be permitted to violate the 42nd Article of War by sleeping out of his Quarters. Brigade Commanders will by Inspection and inquiry see that this order is duly enforced.
By order of Brig General C. F. Smith