t scene
to which had hitherto been my lot. Instead of the lowing of cattle and
the bleating of sheep, was the rattle of the drum and the "hooray" of
the volunteers. To-day we were examined by the surgeon and went up-town
for the purpose of drawing our bounty money, but the press of business
was too large, and we were put off till the next day. In the evening I
had to bid good-bye to my brother John, who had accompanied me to camp.
It was a difficult task--my constant companion in labor, my adviser and
counsel in everything. I had to part. It seemed as if I was like a ship
on sea without a compass, without other safeguard than my own firmness
and weight.

Madison, Wednesday, Aug. 27. I had to pass through the regular
scramble-game for my rations, and drew the bounty in the afternoon, went
around town and bought my outfit, ready to leave.

Enroute, Thursday, Aug. 28. To-day we were informed that we were to be
sent on in the evening. I wrote my first letter home and in the evening
we started for "Dixie" at 10 P. M. It was dark and we could not see
anything to attract our attention so our minds had free scope to wander
home to loved ones, and it was a saddening thought that we were to leave
all of these, to meet at best a very uncertain fate. We passed on to
Milton where our car was uncoupled and taken up by the Janesville R. R.,
and off we rocked for another four or five hours' ride, half asleep, and
by this time somewhat fatigued. At Janesville we changed cars for
Chicago, it being about 1 A. M.

Enroute, Friday, Aug. 29. The day dawned just in time to see the suburbs
(Chicago). We being about five miles from town received a magnificent
view of the Western metropolis. The immense clouds of smoke issuing from
the massive stacks of manufacture, and the countless rigging of the
vessels lying at the dock were great sights to my country eyes. We
arrived at the end of the line at 6:30 A. M. We were immediately formed
in line, and forward march to the depot of the I[llinois] C[entral] R.
R. about a mile distant. We were no sooner there than the shrill whistle
told us we were again on a ride of three hundred and sixty-five miles to
Cairo, without intermission. We crossed an arm of Lake Michigan having a
fine view of the lake. Of our travel across the almost boundless
prairies of Illinois I will not try to describe, but suffice it to say,
we arrived at Cairo at 4 A. M.

Cairo, Ill., Saturday, Aug. 30. We were astir ear