in wet blankets and on the wet ground,
but it is all the same for soldiers. What would folks at home think? It
is well they are ignorant of it.

Before Vicksburg, Thursday, June 11. Pleasant day. The air light and
balmy. Dust settled by the rain of yesterday. Very steady and heavy
cannonading all day. A nine-inch gun was brought into position on our
right to-day and busily engaged in battering down the rebel wall. Its
huge missiles would bury deep in the earth, then explode, tearing up
many trees.

Before Vicksburg, Friday, June 12. Watered and grazed my team while I
picked a can full of blackberries, made a luxury for dinner. Called on
guard at 1 P. M.--third relief. Visited by Sergt. J. Savage of the 23rd
Wisconsin. Stayed nearly all the afternoon. Pleasant chat. Rebels opened
fire at about 4 P. M. with a mortar, throwing three or four shells over
us. Found to my sorrow that my needle book and Testament had dropped
through my side pocket where I always carried them. Too bad, for they
were gifts of two noble helpers, a mother and sister. I will much miss
them.

Before Vicksburg, Saturday, June 13. A spirited day on both sides.
Mortar from the secesh playing all day, the shells passing over our
heads, two exploding over us, but did no damage. At 2 P. M. fell back to
the foot of the hill to allow the rear batteries a freer play to shell
the woods where the mortar was supposed to be. Kept it up for one hour.
The long looked for Lieutenant Fancher returned after nearly a year's
absence. Caused no excitement.

Before Vicksburg, Sunday, June 14. Watered and grazed horses and picked
berries. Did not return to camp until after dinner. Sharp cannonading
all day. The rebels opened with several pieces of artillery on the left,
firing with zeal. Signed the pay-rolls in the afternoon. Received a
letter from home. Had not heard from me since the 6th ult. Great anxiety
for me. Could I but acquaint them of my condition, what a relief it
would be.

Before Vicksburg, Monday, June 15. Awoke to hear the rebel shells
breaking the timber of the opposite hill, as they rushed by, they having
opened with a piece of light artillery on the extreme right over their
fort, throwing solid shot; kept it up all day, and occasionally a
"whistling Jim" gave life to the cannonading that was not manifested
when it was all one sided. Two more large guns mounted on the right.
Battery wagon and forge moved over.

Before Vicksburg, Tuesda