Barbara, what were your ancestors names? My gr-grandpa (also named David Casto) was in G Co. Both the Shipley & the Rush diary starts in Jan. 1865. The Shipley is better, or at least has more in it. He wrote paragraphs, were Rush wrote sentences. Its a shame we dont have a diary from 1864 as that was a very active year for the 8th Missouri. Do you have the Demuth book of letters printed by the Greene Co. Historical Society? Its well worth a read. email me if you have any questions.
David Casto