"We have been eight days on the way from Triune; it has rained every day and every night but two.

"General Granger has issued an order against pillaging from citizens in this vicinity, as the people of this part of the State are regarded as loyal to the Federal Government. We are now in the Reserve

Corps.

"On the second morning from Triune we were ordered to lay aside all our baggage, and to carry nothing but a blanket, haversack, gun and equipments. Tents and knapsacks were left at Murfreesboro, and we are spoiling to see them coming up, for we are much in need of our little all which our knapsacks contain. I need a clean shirt badly; the one I have on has been on duty for these many days. July 2. Our knapsacks and tents came to hand to-day. mine in good condition, and am agreeably surprised. We occupy quarters in the town.

66

I find

"The citizens greeted our coming with unmistakable signs of real joy. The stars and stripes wave from many dwellings and other places. One lady, who held in her hand a small flag, said that she had carried it in her pocket for months to keep the rebels from finding it.

"As the rebels left town upon our approach, they were compelled to cross the Duck on a bridge above town. It is reported that many were crowded off the bridge and drowned. Four bodies were found this forenoon lodged against a sand-bar some distance below the bridge. Yesterday the body of a rebel lieutenant was found near the bridge below town. A navy revolver, some letters, and thirty cents in silver were in the pockets of his clothing.

"That the bridge above town was not burned is evidence that the rebels were driven out in a hurry, and lacked time to apply the torch. "No rain for two days. What are we coming to?"

JULY, 1863.

1. Shelbyville is the county seat of Bedford county. It has been a place of some wealth and beauty. It is on the right bank of Duck River. The people claim to be loyal, and they may be; some undoubtedly are.

4. This is the Nation's birthday, and I suppose that in our native State of Ohio the people are making noisy demonstrations of their patriotism, which is all well. Just now I would feel better, and have more respect for the eagle of America, if the skippers in our meat

were not so numerous.

The day was observed to some extent, and a Mr. Cooper, a citizen of this town, who has suffered much for the cause of the Union, made an address of ability.

When our troops advanced on this town last Saturday, the force of rebels, commanded by Colonel Leadbetter, made a hasty retreat, going southward, and crossing the Duck on the bridge near town. In their haste many were crowded off the bridge, and some drowned. The body of one of these was found to-day in the river below a dam opposite the town. It had been constantly in an eddy and under the fall of the water from the dam for several days, and was a shocking sight. A grave was made on the bank for its reception. Some men then approached it on a raft, and, tying a string of bark to one limb, towed it ashore. Placing a broad board in the water under the body, it was lifted out and carried to the grave. The board was then turned so that it rolled in. Hardly a more shocking sight can be thought of. The men, in their haste to finish their task, neglected to remove the bark from its fastening on the leg. I mentioned this to one of the soldiers, and he reminded me that this was as it should be, and that the devil could use that as a means of securing his own. Soldiers are apt to make very heartless remarks.

Many of the fathers and sons of the families of Shelbyville were compelled to fly from their homes several months ago when the rebels occupied the town and country. These are now returning, and the greetings of friends, long separated by the cruel fate of war, are frequent and joyous.

5. Captain Levi T. Nichols is acting Provost Marshal. To-day he sent me with a coffin three miles into the country towards Murfreesboro to bury a citizen. The hearse was a heavy army wagon, drawn by four large mules, and driven by Henry Leaf, of Company B. When we arrived in the neighborhood where the man had died, we learned that he was already buried. We returned to camp, and now have a coffin on our hands.

6. Some contrabands revealed the whereabouts of a secreted box to one of our pickets to-day. The box belonged to a rebel captain, and was secreted in a stable not far from the post. Carpenter and Green fished it out of its hiding place. It contained knives and forks, a pan, canteen, coffee pot, wooden bucket, fifty pounds sugar and several photographs.

7. Doak, Brigham and I went blackberrying. country for berries, but cream is scarce.

This is a great

8. A detachment of soldiers and a train of seventeen wagons went into the country for grain and forage. We went seven miles to the southeast, and loaded our wagons with corn, procuring it of Mrs.

Campbell and Mr. Dean. Took supper with Mrs. Kizer, and halted for the night close to a village.

9. Our party returned to camp, bringing in many fruits of the trip. It is reported in camp that General Grant celebrated the Fourth in the capture of Vicksburg.

12. Went blackberrying again to day, and got a quantity of berries. We think of bringing in a cow next; berries are much better with cream. The Chaplain of the 121st O. V. I., preached at the Presbyterian Church.

13. Lieutenants Swisher and Toland gave a supper in their quarters this evening. Captain Bowersock, Captain Messmore and Lieutenant Bostwick were among the guests. I never remember of seeing stewed berries make men feel their oats as these men did. Leaf has been sleeping in that coffin since our trip mentioned on the 5th.

14. We moved from town to day, and went into camp on the bank of Duck River, nearly a mile from the village. We have a nice location.

The men

16. The weather is fine, with an occasional shower. swim every day in the river. The contrabands of our camp had a huge dance this evening. I have noticed that a darkey never gets too old, nor too badly crippled to dance. Dad, our cook, has an engagement to preach in the wagon yard next Sunday. The companies drill an hour and a half each day.

17. Wrote to Mrs. McAdams to day, reminding her that this is her birthday, and that she is growing old. A year ago to-day I was at home; where I will be a year hence, who can tell? Went with two teams to the country and got two loads of grass.

19. Went foraging to-day to the premises of Mr. Davis, three miles west of town. Rol. Reed and I got a good dinner at a farm house. Loaded our teams with grass and oats.

22. A detachment of troops under Lieutenant Colonel Pierce, 98th O. V. I., with thirty-nine wagons, went on a foraging expedition to the farm of one Dwiggins, five miles south of camp. We found a field of oats, and securing two reaping machines and a number of cradles, we proceeded to cut, bind and load the crop. Dwiggins raises good oats, but I presume he will not thank us for our gratuitous labor, nor for leaving his reaper in the field where we finished. turned to camp after dark.

Re

Green complains that some one has stolen his plate and that he will have to take his meals from a wooden bucket.

23. Forty-three teams and a detachment of the 121st Ohio, in

command of Lieutenant Colonel H. B. Banning, made a trip to the Dwiggins farm to-day. Sergeant Blotter and I dined with Mrs.

Nease.

25. The 113th, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Warner, went to Dwiggins' farm with thirty teams, and loaded them with feed for the animals. Adjutant Hamilton, A. J. Powell and I took dinner with Mrs. Rollins, wife of Dwiggins' overseer.

26. Sunday. The brigade was reviewed by General Whittaker. Reed and I swam the river and went blackberrying. A foraging party took twenty-one wagons five miles south of camp and secured eighteen loads of oats, corn and hay, the property of a rebel who had gone off with Bragg

Companies are being enlisted and organized for service in the Union A corporal of the 98th O. V. I. was punished with the buck

army

and gag for lack of diligence while on picket.

29. A large party of foragers with forty-five teams visited Mr. Dwiggins' farm to-day and completed the work of taking all he had. There is a bright side to this for Dwiggins, but I fear he will not be able to see it.

AUGUST, 1863.

1. The weather is excessively warm, and the several company commanders are erecting shady arbors in front of their quarters, using for that purpose the cedar that grows abundantly here. A prayer meeting was held last night in the grove; these meetings are of recent origin, and at first were attended only by a very few; now the attendance is greatly increased, and the interest has also increased.

4. The troops were reviewed by General Rosecrans. The Paymaster paid us two months wages, and now we are puzzled to know what to do with the money. Mail from the North arrives as promptly as if nothing of a hostile character was disturbing the land.

5. Took my old white horse to the river and gave him a lesson in swimming; he swims like a duck, and appears pleased with the exercise. General Rosecrans told us yesterday that we got too much fried meat, and said he thought he would have to take us over the mountains to fatten us up.

6. To-day is Thanksgiving day, and was appointed by the President. No particular attention was given to it, which was not as it should be. Perhaps General Rosecrans does not believe in praying as much as in fighting. He is said to be an ardent 'catholic.

7. Leaf went foraging, leaving Reed and Dunlap to do camp work. Lieutenant Swisher and I rode to town and spent some time pleasantly. Sergeant J. W. Ingrim, who has been absent at hospital, joined the regiment to-day. He is greatly improved in health. 9. General Whittaker reviewed the troops to-day, and there was pomp and parade in profusion. I attended on horse back, and was very weary before it was over. There would be fewer reviews if the generals and other subordinate officers had to foot it as the enlisted men do. Eight men have been taken from each infantry regiment to serve in a battery. The evening prayer meetings increase in interest. General Baird has been succeeded by General Whittaker as brigade commander.

12. The 113th and 98th Ohio, marched from Shelbyville to Wartrace, arriving at Wartrace at one o'clock in the afternoon. This is in Bedford county on the Nashville and Chattanooga R. R., and fiftyfive miles from Nashville. It is a small village or station, and the object in our coming here will appear in the future.

14. It is the season for ripe peaches in this climate, and the neighboring citizens are bringing in the luscious fruit and exchanging for other necessaries, such as coffee, salt and soap. A blooming lass comes in now and then, mounted on a mule, carrying a sack of string beans, a jug of buttermilk and some other tempting edibles. I am almost astonished at the supply of, and the demand for buttermilk. A number of regiments which had been occupying this post, moved towards the front as we came in.

15. The weather is excessively dry and warm. A part of the regiment is on duty several miles from amp, guarding some convalescent animals. There is said to be several hundred of these broken down brutes. The troops performing this duty are having a protracted picnic, and are enjoying it immensely. Several sheep which attempted to hook the boys, have been made to take the oath of allegiance to the camp kettle and the frying pan.

20. John Creath and I rode some distance into the country to the southeast, looking up some forage for our stock. We stopped at the house of a citizen and ingratiated ourselves into his favor sufficiently to induce him to ask us to stay to dinner. Being weak at our stomachs, we could not decline. This was near the village of Fairfield. We returned to camp early in the afternoon. Company E has returned from guarding the camp of convalescent animals.

21. Started in company with George A. Graves of Company D, to Shelbyville on a train. After proceeding a few miles our engine gave