March 17th, 1863.
We have just received orders to be ready to march at a minute’s notice, with two days’ rations in our haversacks. The quiet of repose is suddenly disturbed by war’s alarms; the Rebels attacked our forces today at Suffolk, about twenty miles from Norfolk. The supposition is we go to support our forces at that place. Our men are excited to the highest pitch of enthusiasm. As I write I hear their shouts and joyful exclamations. The Seventeenth has recovered its old-time energy, and is eager for the fray.
