Afterwards

William F. Hunter, a lawyer in civilian life, survived the war and eventually became dean of the Ohio State University College of Law. His correspondence and other papers relating to the Civil War and 97th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry are in the Ohio Historical Society, Columbus. Ohio.

1863 December 29th

Started for Strawberry
plains on cars about 10 A.M.
& reached there about 11 1/2 P.M.
Brig. G. S. S. being there for
bread, I came out with
him, arriving at Camp,
which is on the bank
of the river, 6 ms. from
the station.
So ends the Chapter.

1863 December 28th

Reached London about
8 A.M. Landed opposite
the town. the rebel
works there as seen
from this side of
the river are insig-
nificant. The bridge
here is burned.
Rain has ceased but
it is cloudy & cold.
Made a fire near the
Rail road, & trying to make
ourselves "at home" until
2 P.M. when, it is said,
the Cars will arrive.
35 Ky. encamped here.
Cars arrived about 12 M.
Started about 3 1/2 P.M.
"Stauled" once on up
grade. Reached Knoxville
about 8 P.M. -- 4 1/2 hours
going 35 ms. A.P.M. per-
mitted us to sleep on
the floor of his room
in the Court House.

1863 December 27

Sunday. Still rain-
ing. The boat goes
at the rate of-
well, I don't know
just how much, -
but she goes, or the
trees on the bank
have all started down
the river. Rained all
day & night. the rain
comes into our "Cabin"
without being invited.
The boat had to "lay to"
for several hours
during the night owing
to the fog.

1863 Dec. 26th

Started to rejoin the
brigade at Blanes X
Roads, 18 ms. from
Knoxville. Got aboard
the Steam boat "Chatta-
nooga," which got under
way about 9 P.M.
Cabin consists of
a light frame work
of pine, over which
is thrown some pieces
of old tent. No
stove in our part
of the aforesaid Cabin!
Unpleasantly cool.
Rained all day & night.
Fare: "Hard tack & coffee,"
& "do your own Cooking."

July 14th, 1863

Bought tobacco for
the following men of
the Co. of Sut. 57th Ind.,
at 30 cts. a piece, to be
paid next pay day.
1 Elias J. DeLarne
2 J. C. Nelson
3 W. B. Nelson
4. C. J. Bishard
5. J. L. Moore
6. W. N. Jordan
7. D. L. Mackey
8. W. Travis
9. G. W. McClelland
10. W. Woods
11. J. S. Martin
12, G. Stevens Wm. Morton
13. J. R. Bratton
14. J. Burns
15. W. F. Nicholson
16. G. Rice
17. R. Haney
18 C. Clinesmith
19. C. J. Doll[-]
20. J. Read

April 28th, '63

Up at 3 1/2 A.M.
Rained some during
the night, & very slight-
ly this morning.

Hunter does not write again until July 14