ary], stretched tarpaulins. Forage wagons sent out when there came
an orderly at full speed with orders to march immediately. All hands
were busy in a moment, but before half the horses were harnessed there
came another, and the order was countermanded and all was quiet again. I
was on guard. Went on at 1 o'clock in the night, to listen to the bugles
and watch the rising fires of the drowsy army just aroused from dreams
of better and happier times to come.

Raymond, Tuesday, May 12. Awoke at the usual hour, hitched up at
daylight and took up the line of march. Travelled slowly, stopping
frequently until about 12 M. When we neared the firing, the report of
which we could hear all day, we were ordered forward at double quick for
two miles, and formed in line of battle immediately under the brow of
the hill. But the work was done by Logan's Division. The firing
gradually ceased and at 4 P. M. all was calm and still after the leaden
storm, and the heroes were allowed to recite the startling events of the
morning. They commenced driving the enemy at sunrise and about 10 A. M.
they met them in superior force. The 1st Brigade suffered the worst. The
20th Ill. and 31st Iowa losing more men than in the five previous
engagements, Shiloh and Corinth included. Many were severely wounded.
Took about 50 or sixty prisoners.

6 P. M. we limbered to the front and marched into Raymond at double
quick. It was dark before we got in, and the dust was so thick that I
could not see the lead-rider. The howitzers were posted on the entrance
of the Jackson road in the public square, and stood picket. The horses
which had been all day without water or feed, obliged to stand in the
harness hitched up. Drivers lying by their teams.

New Clinton, Miss., Wednesday, May 13. Awoke from my bare bed on the
rocky pavement to find the sun high and bright, shining in my face, a
thing not known for a long time. Unharnessed and fed the poor, weary
horses. Two interesting Creoles and black wenches treated us with a
breakfast of corn dodgers, confiscated molasses. 7 A. M. the Division
moved out on the Clinton road, second battery in column; advanced as
fast as practicable, being obliged to reconnoiter and feel our way.
Infantry formed in line twice. At 4 P. M. we entered Clinton, a
respectable looking station on the Vicksburg road. Went into park two
miles from town, eight miles from Jackson. To-morrow we are to move on
to the attack, great advance in thr