ard, the column short and
roads good. We had but few halts. The road lay through an uncultivated
country poorly timbered with oak and pine, and hilly in latter end.
Arrived at Burnsville by 12 M. marched through the town (a small
village) with bands playing and colors flying. 3rd Brigade stationed
here. Went into camp a mile north of R. R. on Yellow River, with tops of
high hills and bluffs to be seen in the distance. Pitched tents, put up
racks. Lieutenant Simpson went to Corinth.

Burnsville, Sunday, Oct. 18. Was on guard last night, and the way it
rained while on guard at night relief was enough to drown one
inexperienced. 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps, commanded by Gen. G. A.
Smith, passed by at 9 A. M., also Major General Blair, who is in command
of Corps at present. Also a large wagon train with 5th I [Illinois?]
Cavalry as escort. Ordered to have 200 rounds of ammunition in chest,
300 now in train, and 30 days' rations. Mother very ill.

Iuka, Miss., Monday, Oct. 19. Ordered to march at 9 A. M., but as the
Division train moved in the center and we were in the rear, we did not
get started till 1 P. M. The bottom on each side of Yellow River was
very wet, the bridges bad, so there was considerable delay in starting,
but after we started we marched very fast and had few halts. The soil
was a light sandy loam, poorly timbered, rather hilly. Halted at 4 P. M.
The big drum taken forward in the wagon, and we walked through Iuka with
the 1st Brigade Band playing lively airs. Found the 2nd Division posted
here, the 1st commanded by General Osterhaus, having left this morning.
Iuka is, or was, a very pleasant town, larger than Corinth, celebrated
for its medicinal springs, two of which are enclosed very tastefully in
a beautiful grove of young oaks. Went into camp south of town in a large
field with the whole Division quartered in their tents before us.
Osterhaus's Division having left in the morning leaving boards, bunks,
etc., we were soon in comfortable quarters. Retired early but were
awakened at 9 P. M. to report at roll call, an order having been sent to
report all absentees. The Division, as usual, pillaging down-town.
Nearly $3000 worth of goods having been stolen, the outlaws being in the
shape of a regiment led by a Major "straps and colors" etc. Luckily the
artillery boys were all in camp.

[Sidenote: 1863 Thoughtless Boys]

Iuka, Tuesday, Oct. 20. Cloudy and windy morning. Health very good.
Prepared t