d
in a far different object.

After travelling about five miles we entered a heavy timber, the road
running beside a bayou, through which we continued except when in
cleared openings all day. The day was excessively warm, equal to a
harvest time in Wisconsin. The men were all soft after nearly two
months' packing on the boat, and notwithstanding they were often rested,
the infantry fell back very many. At about 2 P. M. we crossed the bayou
(which is very deep) on a pontoon of pine boards, and came into camp at
Richmond, having come twelve miles. Many of the footsore and weary did
not arrive until late. On guard. I need all the rest possible for
to-morrow, but no grumbling, do the best I can.

[Sidenote: 1863 A Night March]

Near Richmond, Sunday, April 26. The Battery were awake at 2 A. M.,
while I was on post, having had but four short hours of sleep. The
horses were harnessed immediately and we started at about 3:30 which
gave us a good start before sunrise. Not quite as warm as yesterday.
Marched through apparently very old country and productive. 11 A. M.
went into park at Holmes's Plantation, eight miles from Richmond.
Unharnessed. Put up the tarpaulins. Got some fresh meat and water. At 1
o'clock the order came to be ready to march at 4 P. M. Logan's Division
marched by. Marched until sundown when we went to park at another
plantation just in time to prepare for a storm. Rained heavily all
night. Heavy firing heard in the night via Vicksburg.

Near Richmond, Monday, April 27. Started out at 6 A. M. went about
twenty rods, when General Logan rode up and by some means induced the
officer to turn back; we unharnessed and turned our horses out to grass.
Heavy rain came up and continued. Very disagreeable all day. No shelter.
The day seemed very, very long, but night at last came to relieve us,
and we went to bed in negro shanties.

Near Richmond, Tuesday, April 28. Took up the march at 6 A. M. The rain
of almost twenty-four hours had rendered it muddy beyond description.
We had seen deeper mud in Mississippi last fall, but none so hard as
this to travel; the soil being of a bluish clay, was made into wax, the
wheels clogging so as to hide all traces of spoke or felloe. The 2nd
piece wheel was locked by the mud and slid along. Slowly we worked our
way on, often straining our horses to their utmost. Ambulances, wagons,
etc. stuck all along. Rested one hour and watered horses at 11 A. M.
Came into park at 2 P