o get across. I got over on the second trip.
We were landed half a mile above the guns and we galloped across the
other bank. It was dark before I got to the Battery (it was in a large
field of corn). Fed my horses all they could eat, having had nothing
since morning, and filled their nosebags. Mail arrived. By that time I
found Evie with a fine supper of coffee, sweet potatoes and raw ham
(which we bought of the commissary, 3 cts. per lb.) with hard crackers
for dessert. Obliged to wait for the other horses until 9 P. M. After
awhile we moved out three miles to camp, came into camp and got into bed
by 11:30 P. M. in a negro shanty. Two companies of 4th U. S. Cavalry
arrived from Huntsville, Ala. with dispatches to Sherman.
[Sidenote: 1863 A Friendly Country]
Waterloo, Sunday, Nov. 1. I was called on guard at 3 A. M. and reveille
was sounded at 5, so I got but little sleep. We expected to move, and
prepared after breakfast, but as we did not go, I got my portfolio and
wrote two letters. The citizens were quite communicative, squads of
young ladies and old men walking through the camp. It is a small,
insignificant looking place, country stores, houses, etc. known as
Waterloo. Foragers doing a good business. The 3rd Brigade came down and
went into camp 11 A. M. 3 P. M. while we were all taking it easy, "Boots
and Saddles" was sounded, and we were told to hitch up as quickly as
possible. In fifteen minutes we were on the road, tents in the wagons
and everything ready. Double quicked it for nearly a mile, to get into
our proper place. Marched very fast with no stoppages except rests given
two or three times, thirty minutes in length. Marched through bluffy
and steep country, the road winding. Did not come into camp until 9 P.
M. Our road lay for the last three miles through a deep gorge with very
high hills on both sides. Fires were built to guard us from the ditches.
After we stopped I was obliged to sit up an hour waiting for the wagons,
so as to feed my horses. Very sleepy and tired. Went to bed in open air
and slept sound till reveille.
[Sidenote: 1863 Capture and Parole]
Florence, Ala., Monday, Nov. 2. Reveille sounded at 5 A. M. this
morning, and at 6 we were on the road. We marched by brigades. The 2nd
is a day's march ahead and the 3rd behind. In this way all the necessary
delays in marching along are avoided. The Division train generally moves
with us. The first five miles was rocky and stony with plenty
|