5
at 9 P. M. Dispatches were brought around to the effect that McClellan
had captured the rebel army of Virginia including General Lee. Nothing
could induce us to restrain our joy but the fear of its being false.

Rienzi, Wednesday, Sept. 17. Was begun by a heavy shower of rain at
about 9 A. M. I joined the foraging party and we started on the Corinth
road. We had scarcely started before it began to rain and a perfect
torrent poured until we returned, pretty well drenched. The rest of the
day was spent inside of the tent as the rain continued nearly all day.

Rienzi, Thursday, Sept. 18. We awoke in a wet bed, it having rained very
hard the latter part of the night. We received orders to march for
Jacinto at 3 A. M. but countermanded before doing any harm save the
usual harnessing up by the drivers about 9 A. M. The prisoners captured
at Danville, twenty-three in number, including two captains, were
marched to headquarters.

Rienzi, Friday, Sept. 19. On roll call the Captain told us that Burnside
had captured the whole of Longstreet's command at Harpers Ferry after
their first capturing the place and the whole army under Colonel Miles.
Three cheers were given with a spirit. No mail. Went after berries in
the afternoon.

Rienzi, Saturday, Sept. 20. There was nothing to break the monotony of
camp life. Wrote two letters. Washed clothes. In the evening news of
another battle at Iuka. They cleaned Price out and chased him four
miles; 400 killed on both sides.

Rienzi, Sunday, Sept. 21. Was another repetition of that a week ago only
on a little larger scale. The horses were harnessed at 1 A. M. and we
went out on the Ripley road three quarters of a mile, laid there half an
hour waiting for the enemy, then filed left on our drilling ground,
drilled half an hour, then came home and unharnessed. Received new
gun-carriages and caissons in the afternoon. Report of another great
battle at Iuka in which 1000 of our men were killed in twenty-five
minutes. Colonel Murphy of the 8th put under arrest for withdrawing his
men. Stood guard duty.

Rienzi, Monday, Sept. 22. To-day I felt very weak, there was no local
pain, but a general debility.

Rienzi, Tuesday, Sept. 23. To-day I felt but a little better, got some
milk and corn bread. With the secesh [women] had an encounter before I
left.

[Sidenote: 1862 Battle of Corinth]

Corinth, Miss., Sunday, Oct. 5. As it is seen from the last date, I have
not written