Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, April 16, 1863

Cleared off this morning. I remain with Mr. Davis to-day; very pleasant day.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 12

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Friday, April 17, 1863

Lieut. Davis and Emmet Trammel came by to-day and took dinner. Learned all about the Regiment from them. Camped at A. To-day was a beautiful day. I did not feel so well as I have for a few days before. Fine time for farmers to work.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 12

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, April 18, 1863

Hermosa mañana. Nothing unusual occurred this morning. I passed most of my time reading; still gaining in strength.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 12

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Sunday, April 19, 1863

Rained last night; beautiful spring morning this. Rained again all morning till 12 o'clock and cleared off.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 13

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Monday, April 20, 1863

I leave Mr. Davis this morning for Camp. Go out by Rainey's. I got my cartridge mended and came up to Mrs. Grandstaff's and got my dinner. Came on to A.; met the Regiment just at Camp, on their way to Lebanon. Our Squadron on picket. Sent after them. As soon as they came Regiment started. Got to Lebanon about 11 o'clock. 'Twas two before the last of the column passed. A train of wagons was along after the Com's. We stopped on street and the train passed on. We picketed all the roads and remained. I slept on street, my head resting on curbstone for a pillow, but one blanket and got very cold before day. At daylight I went down and washed my mule off and warmed in blacksmith shop. Started back and Ferrill being drunk had me arrested. Kyle had me lay off my arms, but soon after Regiment all went to water and I was released. I eat breakfast and went over to Mr. Davis. Cousin Mec and Miss Fannie were at home. Mr. Davis down in town.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 13

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Tuesday, April 21, 1863

I remained in town some two hours. Went over to Camp, moved my mule to where 'twould be safe in case of a move and went down to Mrs. Jordon Stokes. I had a good long conversation with her. Got a paper from her and just as I was leaving Kyle came in. I loaned him the paper and went over to Cousin Mec's to take dinner. Hank Sullivan came in after dinner. Fox Trammel and Jim Davis came for dinner. The Miss Thompsons, sisters, came in. I went into the parlor with Hank and was introduced to them. We then had some music. An hour or two passed rapidly. We took leave. I promised to call again in the evening. I went over to Mrs. Stokes and after making addition left a letter which she kindly promised to send to Nashville and mail for my Father. I got some more papers. She and Mrs. Muirhead, her mother, tried to make a proselyte of me to Lincolnism or Unionism, as they would term it. Commenced raining. We left soon after I got back; came out near Cherry Valley and camped. I was on picket; the Reserve in a barn; the Videttes in a blacksmith shop; a good time of it.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 13

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Wednesday, April 22, 1863

Rain ceased; bright and clear this morning. We came on to Alexandria. I spent the evening working with my mule's feet. After supper I went over to Lodge to assist in conferring some side degrees. I took 1001; staid till 11 o'clock. Came back and went to bed. In a few minutes ordered to saddle up. Yanks coming down on us like thousand of brick from Liberty, Snow Hill and all around. We marched all night. I and Jack and Bill Kyle got together. Couldn't keep up with Regiment. Stopped at daylight, got breakfast, fed horses and traveled on. Crossed river—nearly swimming. Came out three miles and camped.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday & Friday, April 23 & 24, 1863

Remain in camp this morning, all day nothing of interest.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, April 25, 1863

Start at 3 o'clock for the wagons at Yankeetown. All horses unfit for duty sent there under Lieut. Gibson of 11th Texas. Regiment went to Rock Island. We came in fifteen miles of Sparta and camped. Men and lame horses straggled all along the road for miles. I and McFarlan bunked together.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Sunday, April 26, 1863

Came on by Mr. England's; stopped on Mountain at Mrs. Lowe's and got some bread baked and duck cooked; took dinner and came on to Camp. Found the wagons camped near Yankeetown.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Monday, April 27, 1863

Remained in Camp all morning; then started as John Rector had come in to see Cousin Jim Hawkins; found he had moved camp. I went up to Mr. Johnston's and took dinner; saw Mr. Denton of Mike Salter's Company there. Sent note up to Jimmy by one going up.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Tuesday, April 28, 1863

James Hawkins came up to-day to see me; staid all day with me. After he left, I and Frank McGuire went out to Mr. Bradley's and got supper. I got some bread. We then went and got twenty bundles fodder apiece and came back to Camp.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Wednesday, April 29, 1863

Remained in Camp to-day; horses inspected. John R. left me to go to the command. Albright bunked with me to-night. I went up with him to Mr. Williams and got supper.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 14

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, April 30, 1863

Came up, I and Albright, to Brown's Mill. Regimental wagons ordered to Sparta. Regiment on detached duty; spent night with Cousin James Hawkins.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 15

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, April 1, 1863

Yanks brought up three or four thousand to E. and shelled our Boys for some time.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Thursday, April 2, 1863

Went out beyond Maj. Winn's, brought his family and negroes out, skirmished with the Yankees for some time, nothing serious.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Friday, April 3, 1863

I went out piruting this evening, came back to Camp and went in to Dr. Moore's, sit till bed time. Miss Nannie made some music for me; the evening passed pleasantly.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Saturday, April 4, 1863

The Grand race between Wharton and Harrison came off this morning. All the Regiment that wished to went out. I remained in Camp. I and Reuben S. went over and got dinner at Mrs. Blanton's. Came back and the Regiment was getting ready to leave. I and Lonnie Logan came on to town and stopped at Dr. Moore's. Miss Nannie made some music for us. We bade them goodbye and overtook the Regiment. After we got to Camp, I took John Rector's horse and went up to Mr. Stewart's; found Dan at home. I took supper and staid all night; got some provisions fixed up and left before day. Came down to Camp and started soon after up country.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Sunday, April 5, 1863

I came by Dan's and got my clothing, overtook the command at town. Came up to Fairfield, crossed Bell Buckle Creek, went three or four miles and camped.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Monday, April 6, 1863

Came up near Jacksboro and camped.

SOURCE: Ephraim Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 11