d the
lost boys to-day but to no avail. The last heard of them they were in a
peach orchard, while the horses were grazing, where they were
undoubtedly gobbled. I fear they will be brutally murdered.

Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Aug. 27. Very warm. Went to town in the
morning. All were agreeably surprised by the return of our old comrade
and companion T. J. Hungerford from Nashville. Looks well and hearty.
Comes to be mustered out with those he served with. 1st Platoon went
into permanent quarters in a machine shop building in town. Mail in the
evening.

[Sidenote: 1864 Venturesome Foragers]

Etowah Bridge, Sunday, Aug. 28. Health very good. Usual inspection at 7
A. M. On guard, third relief. Very hot in the middle of the day.
Sergeant Dixon with a squad of ten men went out on pass. Returned 4 P.
M. with a sack of ripe grapes from the vineyard, and a lot of butter,
for which we traded our coffee rations. Drink cold water altogether.
Came off guard at 9 P. M. to find two long letters from home which did
me much good to read, but was surprised to find them in great alarm over
my reported illness in Spring Green. All humbug. Why will they not rely
upon my own letters? Sister Hannah off to Albion again. Ellen teaching,
Jenn with the boys going to school. How different are my duties from
those of Thomas.

Etowah Bridge, Monday, Aug. 29. A very warm day. Health good. Old man
Gordon, the oldest in camp, dangerously sick. Day spent very quietly.
E. W. E. and I took a walk to town after sundown, saw the mail train run
off the track, switch left open. Loaded with substitutes. Several jumped
off and broke their legs, setting the guards in great commotion to keep
them together.

Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, Aug. 30. Very hot. Suffered from a cold. Felt
quite unwell in the afternoon, feverish and headache. Cousin Griff quite
sick, looks bad, can eat nothing. Felt very bad that I could do nothing
for him. A letter was brought to picket post this morning by a lady from
our lost boys, stating that they were prisoners in humane hands, going
southward. A gymnasium pole was put up this day. All hands required to
go over it. Force used if persuasion failed, causing much fun and good
exercise. Mis-sent mail arrived. I received one dated July 27.

Etowah Bridge, Wednesday, Aug. 31. Awoke refreshed this morning but
suffered from severe pain over right eye all day. On detail in the
forenoon. Griff continues quite sick, unable to sit u