, filled with stones and stumps, but generally
very good corn growing, and occasionally a patch of sweet potatoes
which suffered from the hands of thoughtless soldiers; but I could not
think of laying hands on the small stock of the poor half-clad old women
and children we saw. Halted at noon and fed, putting on our nose-bags
without unhitching. The water along the road was beautiful pearly
springs and pebbly brooks on every side, which was enticing to look at.
(Who would ask for better beverage than this?) Reached Chickasaw--a
small deserted place on the Tennessee River, by 5 P. M.; found the other
brigades here. The advance arrived a little after noon, but have not yet
unharnessed as they expect to cross the river. We unharnessed and fed.
Stuck up our tents as it looked like rain, but we were told we would
have to cross to-night. A mile below is Eastport, Miss., where a good
boat is busy at work crossing over the 4th Division. Health and spirit
good, but would like to get mail.

Chickasaw, Friday, Oct. 30. Were not called out last night as expected,
and this morning it is raining very heavy and the day was spent very
disagreeably; cold, wet and muddy. The gunboats did not cross all of the
4th Division till 9 A. M., when it ran up here from Eastport and
commenced putting the 2nd Brigade over, the teams and wagons on a barge,
and men on board the boat. Cogswell's Battery moved out at dusk, but did
not get across until late in the night. The troops on the other side
were in a pitiful condition, no tents or shelter and apparently but few
rails. The 2nd Division in command of Morgan L. Smith came in late in
the afternoon. I rode out about a mile and a half after feed for horses.
Brought back a bunch of fodder and a pumpkin. Mail arrived. Rec'd a
letter from John written the 21st. Mother gaining. Six cases of smallpox
in the Division.

Waterloo, Ala., Saturday, Oct. 31. The rain has cleared off and it is a
fine and clear morning but rather cold. Mustered by Lieutenant S. F.
Clark for pay for the months of September and October, after which we
marched up to go across on the transports (stern wheels). Came up the
river three miles under escort of the gunboats, loaded with commissary
stores. Did not get to the ferry till 4 P. M. The guns and wagons were
loaded on a barge and sent across by the "Anglo Saxon." The horses sent
down stream to be taken across by the "Masonic Gem", but it was so small
that it took three trips t