"...without any important events."

Today at Brandy Station: January 1, 1864

Elisha Rhodes, of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, captures the essence of this first day of the new year:

"The new year opens without any important events. The troops are in comfortable quarters, built of logs and covered with canvas. Drill takes place daily and an occasional review breaks up the monotony of our camp life. "

It is a Friday in the army. So, those not drilling are in their quarters and huts. The ground is muddy and the air wet and windy.

There is however, some men celebrating the coming new year, a soldier in the 20th Indiana writes of his sister regiment, the 99th Pennsylvania, "The 99th Penn. are nearly all drunk, and make noise enough for both regiments."