An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.

Chattanooga, Monday, March 20. Did not sleep much last night owing to a terrible toothache. This morning orderly wanted me to go to the woods again to pilot the teams there. Helped load sixteen logs. One wagon capsized. Reached camp 3 P. M. hungry and quite tired. Found Milt H., Marden and Reed just from furlough. Look as fresh as recruits.

Chattanooga, Sunday, March 19. A beautiful day. Had full inspection at 8 A. M. Company makes good appearance now. Attended church and Bible class, and the afternoon passed by very quiet and pleasant, writing, reading, and thinking. No mail.

Chattanooga, Saturday, March 18. A very beautiful spring day, and I did not go out to the hills, but have been on duty all day, scoring-in the forenoon and nailing shakes on the houses in the afternoon. Quit early and policed camp nicely for Sunday. We have got three shelters covered and three more ready. The new men have been put on duty and seem well satisfied with the change.

Chattanooga, Friday, March 17. A very pleasant day. Feel excellent. Keeler missed my name for guard this morning but found me in time to go to the woods. A citizen carpenter with help from the Company is at work on the stables. Spring is opening —Today I saw the first flowers of the season. They grew way up Missionary Ridge.

I must not forget to say that twenty-six men from the 8th Wisconsin Battery arrived here this morning with description lists of about as many more, some of them in N. C, others on detached duty. Captain Hood has been to see General Brewer about it. He refuses to receipt for men not to be had. Captain of the 8th sent all of his one-year men and those whose term of service is about out, relieving the veterans of the 3rd. Hood asks to send all the 8th men back and receive the 3rd. They are a good-looking lot of men. Among them one orderly, two sergeants and a corporal.

Chattanooga, Thursday, March 16. Rained furiously last night and blew a hurricane. Several of the tents blown down to-day. I was detailed to go to the hills (I ought not to have volunteered to go yesterday) with three men to load three post teams with logs. Road very wet and muddy, and when we got there we were hardly able to lift the logs, as we were very small men. Coming back, upset one wagon in a puddle many feet deep. Another wagon broke the tongue and we left it. Reached camp 2 P. M. very hungry and very dirty. Some of the reserve batteries have marching orders to report at Washington.

Chattanooga, Wednesday, March 15. A little rain last night. Health very good. David E. and myself volunteered to go out to the hills to load logs for a change. Took our dinner along so as to reload the teams in the afternoon. We crossed the first ridge where the Army of the Cumberland once won immortal fame. Had to lift hard on the logs and then we had to wait for the return of the teams. We wandered over the hills and came to a house filled with children. Could not tell what they lived on. Borrowed a cup and ate our dinner by a pretty little brook. Long ago I would have called it romantic, but romance has long ago “played out.”

General Thomas inspected the camp and post yesterday. Today he has gone to Knoxville. 4th Army Corps is passing on railroad. This is his only veteran force, but recruits are coming thick and heavy.

Chattanooga, Tuesday, March 14. Coming off guard, I was exempt from work, therefore went to town on pass, General Thomas’s special headquarters train having just brought him in from Nashville. Called on Lieutenant Silsby while returning, but he was not at home. Dan J. Davis came in about noon. Very glad to see him, looks very well with scarcely a trace of smallpox. There are five in the tent now, and we must keep very still for want of room.

Chattanooga, Monday, March 13. A very beautiful day. On guard. Company on duty as usual. Troops and provisions being forwarded to Nashville at a rapid rate, and it looks much like business on hand. Ordered to prepare to receive fifty men to-morrow. They are to be transferred from the 3rd Wisconsin Battery. It has been cut for the 6th and 8th. That is what we want now. Come on, horses, and let us march.

Chattanooga, Sunday, March 12. A very pleasant day. Inspection 9 A. M. Company complimented by Captain Hood for their good looks, after which Griff and I went to church together. Post Chaplain preached tolerably well. Afternoon wrote three letters. Read Chadwick’s sermon on “The Great Amendment” in the Christian Enquirer, very good. J. Parker returned this morning from home where he had been on sick furlough; as fat as butter. Was hailed with delight. He is a favorite with all. Randolph also came in from smallpox hospital at Nashville; reports Dan Davis ready to come, but poor Uncle Benson died about the 20th ult. a kind Christian man, leaves a wife and large family. Before I left there I wrote several letters for him, and he gave me his pocket book to keep and I have it yet. Must try some way to get it to his wife.

Military discipline took one of the sudden jerks in our camp to-day that is so peculiar in the volunteer army. Like a wild colt, it makes a fretful start, kicking the harness and getting over the traces. Two men tied to the gun, another walking with the guard.