Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Diary of Private Seth J. Wells, January 16, 1863

We were paid off this morning, after which there was a general settling up of accounts. I drew $41.00; $25.00 advance bounty, one month's advance pay, and $3.00 premium for re-enlisting. I expressed $25.00 home. It is very cold this morning, not more than five or six degrees above zero. Towards noon the report came that we were to be relieved. We were almost frozen, having no chance to fire up and keep warm. These are the dark days of a soldier's experience.

SOURCE: Seth James Wells, The Siege of Vicksburg: From the Diary of Seth J. Wells, Including Weeks of Preparation and of Occupation After the Surrender, p. 28

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