rand ball was to be held by shoulder straps in town, but they
failed to find but four ladies to join in their festivities. They ended
in a drunken carousal, their maniac yells rending the midnight air. The
enlisted men met with better success I understand, and had a gay time.
They could not obtain the liquor owing to the restriction on trade. When
will such corruption among military men be stopped?

Huntsville, Tuesday, Feb. 23. To-day we were all on guard again, having
had but three days' rest. I was third relief. P. Green for misdemeanor
(noticed by none but ----) at guard mounting was put under guard, and
sentenced to hard labor digging stumps for five days, a piece of cruel
despotism and tyranny. Lieutenant Hood returned, having come in charge
of a squad of infantry recruits. Ours were left in Camp Randall.
Sergeant Hamilton had a recruiting commission for the 36th Infantry with
good show for commission. Throat swollen and very painful. Caused a
heavy fever and it was difficult to keep moving on my beat.

Huntsville, Wednesday, Feb. 24. Weather once more very mild and
pleasant. Laid in tent all day. Throat pains me severely. Tonsils much
swollen. Did not go out to drill, equipments enough having been
received, the standing gun drill instead of squad, much more profitable
especially for the recruits. A skirmish is reported having occurred at
Whitesburg with the 4th Minnesota Infantry and others, killing four,
wounding fifteen. Two infantry regiments started to their support.
Artillery ordered to be in readiness.

[Sidenote: 1864 Camp Medicine]

Huntsville, Thursday, Feb. 25. Slept but little during the night,
deglutition being very painful and throat much swollen. Reported at sick
call (the first time since I left Vicksburg) and was excused from duty.
Four desperate big powders of quinine, opium, etc. to be taken. Retired
to quarters, burned the powders and went to bed with cold water
application to throat. Could eat nothing whatsoever all day. Had a
raging fever, all throat very painful. Bathed in the evening. Fever a
little lower.

Huntsville, Friday, Feb. 26. Felt very much better than yesterday. Could
eat a little with pain to-day. Off duty and laid in tent all day, most
of the time alone. Boys all on duty, Hungerfords foraging. Carriages
washed preparatory to painting. Sergeant Hauxhurst under arrest for
refusing to obey Sergeant Hood's orders on drill.

Huntsville, Saturday, Feb. 27. Throat bett