Vicksburg, Tuesday, Aug. 25. This morning twenty-seven men started home on sick furloughs, some that were in great need of it, others who were “a little sick” so as to go home. The remainder of the day “furlough” was the theme, and many were a “leetle” homesick. On guard. Third relief. Day wound up with a fight.
An Artilleryman’s Diary–Jenkin Lloyd Jones, 6th Battery, Wisconsin Artillery.
Vicksburg, Monday, Aug. 24. Health very good to-day. Very warm and dull until it was broken at noon by the intelligence that “the furloughs were coming”, and sure enough, they did come direct from home. Everybody rushed out to meet them, anxious to speak to one that was from home. “Did you see any of our folks?” “Have you got anything for me?”, etc. were heaped upon them. Many of the boys were the recipients of packages from their folks, but I was not one of the lucky ones.
Vicksburg, Sunday, Aug. 23. The warmest day of the season, I think. My shirt was wet with sweat while lying on my bunk. Very quiet and one could almost imagine the calm of a Sabbath day was spread around as of times past. Felt rather lonesome, mused away most of the day in a waking dream, thinking of home and by-gone days. Mail arrived—none for me. Wrote to T. L. All looking for the return of the furloughed men. They are six days behind.
Vicksburg, Saturday, Aug. 22. Health good, but severe headache and bad digestion. Butter all gone, no more to be found. I don’t feel much disposed to eat ”sow belly”; had grape sauce bottled and charged.
Vicksburg, Friday, Aug. 21. Lieutenant Pancher started home, his resignation having been accepted. He was very low. Another awful hot and sultry day, with rainy, foggy nights. Several troubled with ague. Prepared a mess of mushrooms for supper.
Vicksburg, Thursday, Aug. 20. Medical Director examining patients—granted sick furloughs to all the applicants, twenty-nine in number; some of them were in much need of them, others “played off” so as to go home. The time of the last furloughs has run out, but not any of them seen yet. 1 P. M. a terrible explosion has occurred on the levee. The “City of Madison” loading up with ammunition for below was blown to fragments. Nearly 200 lives were lost, and much damage done to the “Ed. Walsh” lying alongside her. It was a sickening scene, human bodies torn and burned into shreds thrown high in air. Many bodies not found. Colonel Powell, chief of artillery on McPherson’s staff, and Lieutenant MacMurray, Battery M, reported to be on board the fated boat.
Vicksburg, Wednesday, Aug. 19. Health tolerable. Went to see the sick boys. They were disheartened in hopes of obtaining furloughs. Rained and thundered in the afternoon.
Vicksburg, Tuesday, Aug. 18. On guard, first relief. A heavy rain fell during the afternoon and nearly all night. Much like fall weather in Wisconsin. Rather disagreeable on foot. Kept dry by the aid of rubber. Mail arrived, with a good amount for “Jenk”.
Vicksburg, Monday, Aug. 17. On detail after hay. Got out fifteen bales of new hay from the ”Laurel Hill.” Heavy work. Returned by dinner time. Cloudy and rainy in the evening. Why don’t the mail come!
Vicksburg, Sunday, Aug. 16. Weather very warm and heavy. Health—not sick, not well. Feel dull—a headache. Completed Sparks’s Biographies of Gen. Chas. Lee and Joseph Reed. Read also a sermon of H. W. Beecher in the Independent. Wrote home. 4 P. M. we were suddenly startled by a loud peal of thunder, others followed, and in ten minutes the sky so clear and blue, was enshrouded with black frowning clouds and a heavy storm of wind with heavy rain followed. It rained nearly all night. A Southern storm comes unexpectedly and leaves the same.
