hard and dry
our situation was quite pleasant.

On Monday, July 13th, Generals Rosencrans and Crittenden, together with
several other distinguished officers, arrived on the cars. They appeared
to be on a tour of inspection; but after a short stop proceeded to
McMinnville.

The Pay Master arrived on the following Wednesday, and took up quarters
with Captain Standart. The next day we were paid for four months'
services, being up to July 1st.

The above comprises about all that occurred while in camp at Elk river,
out of the usual course of camp life. The weather, while here, was quite
hot, and frequent thunder storms ensued. Several prisoners were brought in
at different times, and numerous foraging expeditions were sent out, and
were generally successful, bringing in oats, rye, and hay. Farmers came in
with wagon loads of potatoes, fruit and vegetables, which were readily
bought by the soldiers. A number of men in our Battery built ovens, in
which they baked bread, pies, etc.; and, as a general thing, we lived on
the best the country afforded.

A few days before we left camp an addition was made to our Battery of
twelve new members, who were enlisted on the Western Reserve, in Ohio.
Orderly Sergeant Thompson, received his commission as Second Lieutenant,
and William Camp was appointed Orderly Sergeant. William Broe, who was
wounded at the battle of Stone river, rejoined us. Captain Standart was
acting as Chief of Artillery for the division, and also sitting on the
Court Martial board. We received a number of fresh horses from Nashville,
together with a lot of new clothing. Several of the members who had been
left in hospital at Murfreesboro, returned to duty. We remained in this
camp just thirty-eight days.

At 3 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, August 16th, we were all aroused
from a sound sleep, with the order to "turn out," and "get ready to
march."

This was rather unexpected, and caused considerable surprise, as it was
understood that no movement would be made until Monday. But, "no man
knoweth what a day may bring forth." So move it was, and at 8 o'clock we
were "marching along." About 10 o'clock we crossed Taylor creek, and
headed towards McMinnville; but when we had proceeded some five or six
miles it clouded up suddenly, and soon we were experiencing one of those
thunder storms so peculiar to this region. In a couple of hours the storm
had passed over, and the remainder of the day was quite pleasant. We