Thursday, 28th—It is cloudy and misty, and suffocating smoke is settling over our camp at times—and there is no end of mud. There is no news of any importance and we lay in camp all day, with no drill or dress parade. We are expecting orders to board the transports for Huntsville, Alabama. I went down town this afternoon to purchase a few articles. Things are awfully dear here. The soldiers are all supplying themselves with stationery and little articles needed on a long campaign.
A Regiment: A body of men, either horse, foot or artillery, commanded by a colonel and consisting of a number of companies, usually from eight to twelve.
A Reserve: A select body of troops in the rear of an army, reserved to sustain the other lines as occasion may require.
—A. G. Downing.
