g Lieutenant Hood in command of
Battery. William Hamilton taken sick with fever and gone to the hospital
to-day. D. J. D. quite sick.

Vicksburg, Saturday, Sept. 5. Fine day. Health very good. Feel first
rate to-day. We have fine times of it. We bought lots of potatoes and
onions with butter, sauce, etc. and we live good for soldiers.
Headquarters serenaded in the evening by 3rd Brigade band--Avery leader.

Vicksburg, Sunday, Sept. 6. Warm and monotonous during the day. Felt
unwell. Mail arrived in the evening. None for me.

[Sidenote: 1863 Beyond the Lines]

Vicksburg, Monday, Sept. 7. To break the monotony of camp, Evie and
myself obtained permission to go outside the lines. We mounted our
steeds and passed through a port hole in the line to evade the guards,
as we had no pass. We rode out about three miles before we saw a house.

House No. 1, stopped to get a drink; three women, no men around. She had
lost four cows and wanted to know who stole them, suspected a one legged
nigger, she "would be dagged if she wouldn't cut off his other leg."

House No. 2. We were looking for horses, examined one tied at the door.
The old woman came out haggling, excited, claiming protection by her
papers. We told her it was all right and rode on, leaving her to hate
the Yankees.

House No. 3. Two fine looking young ladies there. Inquired for milk to
drink. A little black girl brought us some buttermilk--good, tasted like
home. Gave the blushing Confederate miss a quarter and left.

House No. 4. Examined a negro, pretending him to be a suspicious
character, but finally concluded he was all right. Found plenty of nice
tomatoes in the old secesh camp growing wild. Picked lots of muskatines
and grapes, and returned via old position. Arrived in camp 3 P. M. tired
but well pleased with our adventure. Company had received marching
orders.

Vicksburg, Tuesday, Sept. 8. Preparing to march. There are but four
pieces going, ten days' rations supposed to be enough. Oiling harness,
etc. On guard. Music by the fiddlers in the evening, who were not much
disposed to put their lights out at taps. Orderly Jenawein dictates,
which resulted in quite a row. Lieutenant Hood finally succeeded in
getting things dark, but the minstrels kept on with their fun till
midnight, quite sprung, some of them, by whiskey.

Vicksburg, Wednesday, Sept. 9. ---- and ---- drunk and noisy. Lieutenant
Hood endeavored to arrest ----, but he ran away. Corpo