s are to be seen but apparently vacant.

[Sidenote: 1864 A Ruined Town]

Fort Hall, Wednesday, April 27. Very heavy rain last night. Bright
morning. The 56th Illinois stationed here. Were inspected by Colonel
Raum, commanding 2nd Brigade. Examined our quarters and fortifications,
after which he and the other officers turned in and had a game of wicket
ball. Spent most of the day in looking at the used-to-be town, etc. It
consists now of four or five churches and as many houses and chimneys;
was once a thriving steamboat landing. River here is narrow, running
through noiseless on either side. Four families live in one out-house,
with about forty wee children, half naked and half starved, all the men
in the Confederate army, being the most pitiful objects. Saw one woman
108 years old amongst them, an appalling sight. Two or three other
families staying here, seem to be very friendly to soldiers, especially
the young ladies.

Bathed in the waters of the Tennessee in the evening, 6 P. M. The
anticipated but welcome orders came for us to report to Huntsville in
the morning.

8 P. M. when all was still, a sentinel fired his piece on outpost. The
reserve fired the alarm and instanter the long roll rattled the well
known story of "fall in" which was promptly obeyed. We were out and at
our posts. Moved our pieces so as to bear in the proper direction, when
the infantry came in on double quick and filed into the pits and
defenses. Not a word was spoken, and in less than ten minutes we were
all snugly inside waiting for them. Lay still thirty minutes when we
were dismissed, and all were as heedless and unconscious of danger as
before the alarm. Probably a mule, too obstinate to "halt" was the whole
cause. Such are the incidents of an outpost which the soldier soon gets
used to and conforms with them with as much complacency as though they
were to eat.

Huntsville, Thursday, April 28. Quietly we prepared and at 7 A. M. we
pulled out, much to the regret of the 56th Illinois. Artillery always
has a great encouragement to infantry. With its presence they feel safe
and strong in any emergency. The boys who had been here since the first,
and had worked hard to fortify and build, of course at first felt a
little dissatisfied to leave, but they were too good soldiers to allow
any such feelings to cloud upon their brows; but cheerfully submit "to
the powers that be".

A warm and quick march of twelve miles, brought us to Huntsvi