first time while we were momentarily expecting orders to
leave; slept in the open air.

Rienzi, Tuesday, Sept. 9. Another day dawned without any orders. Some of
the boys pitched their tents. I went out foraging in the afternoon.

Rienzi, Wednesday, Sept. 10. This was another day of idle waiting; most
of the boys slept in tents last night, and it was supposed we would have
to stay here. I went out foraging in the morning.

Rienzi, Thursday, Sept. 11. I answered the summons of the reveille, but
I did not feel very well; had an attack of the ague but got over it by
dinner. Nothing to break the monotony of camp life. Reinforced by one
regiment of infantry.

Rienzi, Friday, Sept. 12. Spent the morning as usual in suspense of
leaving, but finally the orders came to send all the baggage train to
Clear Creek, a distance of ten miles to the west, and that we were to be
stationed as an out-post. Detailed to go a-foraging, brought in two
loads of corn from the south. The 1st Section were ordered out to the
front. Had the first rain storm in the evening, and ere the morning I
had a regular old shake of the ague.

Rienzi, Saturday, Sept. 13. The 3rd Section, Lieutenant Hood, went out
in front and the first fell back to its old grounds. Foraging party
brought in two loads of corn, three neat cattle, one sheep, twelve
geese, seven hens, two or three bushels of sweet potatoes.

[Sidenote: 1862 Strategic Moves]

Rienzi, Sunday, Sept. 14. Was begun with another of the "strategic
moves". We were told to hitch up with the greatest speed--all our
baggage, knapsacks, etc. were put in a wagon, nothing was left to
encumber us from a rapid and a desperate fight [in] which we were
expected to share. The 3rd Section, two regiments of infantry, one of
cavalry, started at 3 A. M. But all rumors of the enemy's presence
proved false, and after lying in the shade, horses hitched, for an hour,
we returned, unharnessed and lay quiet all day. The 3rd Section returned
at 4 P. M. without seeing any enemy.

Rienzi, Monday, Sept. 15. To-day we began business in the old way. We
had to sweep up for the first time in a week. I stood guard for the
second time.

Rienzi, Tuesday, Sept. 16. We were aroused this morning with the same
story of march and ordered to cook three days' rations and be ready to
march at 1 P. M., but did not go and all quieted down again. The 3rd
Section went out in the afternoon and stationed itself at bastion No.