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distresses. The Widows are seen every day beging to get back there property that has been fourced from them by the ruthless hands of the Soldiery leaving them & there little ones in a state of Sufferings, Midnight robberies & on the high ways are the order of the day in every part of the Country Committed in every neighborhood & every day committed, soldiers belonging to both Armeys & Robers that don't belong to any Armey, trafficking trading unlawfully hiring Negroes to steal Nules & horses & carry them off to those robing traders, appears to be the order of the day They have and are dreaming the Country of all the Nules & leaving us with out any chance to live. O how long will divine providence permit such a state of affairs to continue
Nimrod Forter

1864 Jany 1st Fri.) This morning is clear and extremely cold with a little Snow
The heavy rains yesterday flooded the ground with Watter, which is now a sheet of Ice & Snow & the Wind from the N. W. is very pearcing the coldest weather for many years There is no particulars of the night at home I stayed Genl Smith with his soldiers are taking all the Nules & horses they can find of every body They are camped on the North bank of D. R. there raids have come over to this side & swept the County of Stock. No other news. ( I stayed at home )

1864 2nd-) No particular news of the night W. J. Porter stayed with us last night Verry cold indeed, but calm. The sun shines verry dim & some time not at all Cloudy late in the evening