le lying on my bunk. Very quiet and one
could almost imagine the calm of a Sabbath day was spread around as of
times past. Felt rather lonesome, mused away most of the day in a waking
dream, thinking of home and by-gone days. Mail arrived--none for me.
Wrote to T. L. All looking for the return of the furloughed men. They
are six days behind.

Vicksburg, Monday, Aug. 24. Health very good to-day. Very warm and dull
until it was broken at noon by the intelligence that "the furloughs were
coming", and sure enough, they did come direct from home. Everybody
rushed out to meet them, anxious to speak to one that was from home.
"Did you see any of our folks?" "Have you got anything for me?", etc.
were heaped upon them. Many of the boys were the recipients of packages
from their folks, but I was not one of the lucky ones.

Vicksburg, Tuesday, Aug. 25. This morning twenty-seven men started home
on sick furloughs, some that were in great need of it, others who were
"a little sick" so as to go home. The remainder of the day "furlough"
was the theme, and many were a "leetle" homesick. On guard. Third
relief. Day wound up with a fight.

Vicksburg, Wednesday, Aug. 26. The time passed very pleasantly while on
post last night, but it was very chilly. Slept cold under two blankets,
while to-day it is very warm. Bad weather for ague. Feel much like it
all day. Headache.

Vicksburg, Thursday, Aug. 27. Did not get up for roll call. Did not feel
well. Headache and rheumatism quite bad in limbs. Feverish all day.
Cleared off in the afternoon, fine and pleasant in the evening.

[Sidenote: 1863 Box From Home]

Vicksburg, Friday, Aug. 28. Felt pretty well. Fine day. Just before
dinner I was informed that there was a box for me at the express office.
I immediately obtained the necessary papers from Lieutenant Clark;
George Spencer and myself hitched up the team and started down. Found it
"a good large one", but just as I got in the wagon it commenced raining,
and did rain all the way back, giving us as good a wetting as ever a
soldier had. Found my tent nearly immersed in water, a large stream
running between our bunks and the rain pouring in from above. Obliged to
lay the box away for two hours before the storm abated so as to open
it--was Job ever tempted so? But at last it stopped and we found lots of
good things, butter, cake, dried fruit, cheese, etc. Much obliged to
you.

Vicksburg, Saturday, Aug. 29. Mail arrived. Receiv