November 14 [1862] [On the south side of the Arkansas on the road from Ft Smith AR to Webbers Falls, Cherokee Nation]
Rained all night.
November 15
Found camps very muddy and some rain still falling.
November 16
We remained encamped here all day, being wet and muddy and a rainy day caused it to be very disagreeable, especially among those without any tenting or other means of shelter.
November 17 [on the south side of the Arkansas near the mouth of the Canadian]
Rained hard all forenoon. A continual shower. We saddled, harnessed and crossed the Canadian River and could find no better encampment than we chose a half mile below the crossing.
November 19 [in camp near Webbers Falls]
River Canadian was considerable past fording.
Dec 1
Cold and cloudy.
Dec 4
Sleeted and rained in the afternoon and was rather disagreeable. Some indication of bad weather... The Colonel took no wagons with him, the weather being so bad at the time of his start that he was fearful that the necessary speed could not be made with them.
Dec 6
Captain Charles Holt reported his company organization and excuses them for their non appearance by the inclemency of the weather.
Dec 13
Rained very steady and deep clouds very heavy and constant showers set in
Dec 17
All the ammunition sent us the last time was spoiled by becoming dampened. Our men were for some time in a heavy rain and having no cartridge & cap boxes they were lost.
Dec 31 [camp near Briartown]
Very cold
Jan 13 [1863]
Warm, cloudy and some distant thunder in the evening. Men moved about easily and silently. Rain originated from a heavy mist about dark and from the unparalled warmth of this winter, we are unable to come to any conclusion as to what will be the result.
Jan 14
...heavy sprinkle at night.
Jan 15
Our situation is very low and in consequence of yesterday’s heavy snow are placed in rather a bad predicament.
Jan 16
Cold with piercing wind. The sun showed out brightly all day, the wind being sharp and piercing that its rays made no impression upon the snow.
January 18
Day sets in cold with rain. Mostly confined to our tents. River reported full and still rising.
Jan 20
Sun showed out brightly and the snow was greatly reduced.
January 21
Quietness and sun shine ruled pleasantly our encampment today and as the gentle sun beamed down upon the disappearing snow the boys hunkered down around their several fires, resting with apparent contentment, and with a settled disposition until Colonel Watie comes in.
January 22
Clouds dark and threatening hovered low over our camps and rain was expected every hour, at 8 o’clock a clear spot opens and the sun showed beautifully, warm and pleasantly for about two minutes when all was over and a misty darkness prevailed.
January 25
We had a very rainy day, rained steadily day and night, could not possibly get out of camp yet I tried to get across river, but failed from high water.
January 26
Clouds and some rain.
January 28
Day clear, warm and fair. River yet full but falling.
Jan 31
Rained a little in the afternoon
Feb 3
After bedtime snow began to fall very heavy and the weather moderated considerable.
Feb 4
Heavy snow all day, ground covered to the depth of 8 or 10 inches.
February 6
Weather warm and bright. Snow melted fast.
February 7 [en route south towards Perryville, near present McAlester]
Hillsides were peaking through the melting snow. A great part of the road was very rough, mud, snow and ice, we rode steady all day, getting only about 25 miles. In the afternoon it was very warm and pleasant. The farther south we got the less snow was visible. The warm afternoon sun melted it down very fast.
February 16 [in north Texas]
Left Bonham for Paris, raining. Bois d’Arc Bottoms very bad, I stalled completely three miles east of Bois d’Arc, we were compelled to walk and lead out, Clara carrying her child through the rain and mud over shoe muck[?] deep. ... it raining slightly all evening.
Feb 17
I rode over in a total muck, heavy showers of rain
February 25 [en route north crossing Red River]
Rained very hard in the morning, after which we came up to Carriage Point [Choctaw Nation]
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