1863 Helena Ark January 1st 
Weather warm and beautiful, had a jolly time to day, good dinner, - pot pie with chicken - good biscuits, cheese oysters &C. Everything quiet in camp - soldiers in good health. Fighting is going on at Vicksburg. Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation proclamation to day. 
January 10th Called from out post duty to day, to report to camp and prepare to leave.
 January 11th At 4 A.M. we were awakened from sleep by the "roling" drum, and at 5 P.M. our whole Div. and several gunboats, in command of Brig. Gen'l. Gorman started down the river, on an Expedition to Duvals Bluff Ark. Arrived at the mouth of White River at 11.50 P.M. where all the boats anchored for the night. 
On board Steamer Anglo Saxon Jan. 12th 
At 12 M. the whole fleet commenced ascending White river. Tied up at Prararie Landing for the night. River in good stage.
 January 13th At 10 A.M. the whole fleet was again plowing their way up the river tied up for the night 3 miles above Grass Lake met with much difficulty in making many short turns in the rapid river.
