Sunday, 2d—The teams went to the wharf down in Vicksburg for our tents. The three boys from our company drawing furloughs were Sylvester Daniels, Daniel E. Sweet and Major Christmas, and they left for home today on a thirty-day furlough.1 I sent $1.00 with Sweet to buy postage stamps for me and $2.00 to buy me a gold pen.2 I also sent $5.00 to father by Daniels.
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1 I am using this pen in re-writing the manuscript of my war diary fifty years later, and in my seventy-second year.—A. G. D.
Saturday, 1st—The quartermaster received some clothing for our regiment. I drew a pair of pants for $3.05 and a shirt for $1.46. A certain number of men from each company will be permitted to go home on a thirty-day furlough, and the boys of our company are looking forward to the time, wondering who will be the lucky ones.
Friday, 31st—The weather continues hot. Our men are at work raising the gunboat “Cincinnati,” which was sunk during the siege of Vicksburg. She was a fine boat. A detail of men was sent to bring our tents today, but they failed to get them.
Thursday, 30th—It is quite hot and sultry. There is no news of importance. Colonel Hall has again taken command of our brigade. I bought a two-pound can of butter, paying $1.25, and five loaves of bread for fifty cents.
Wednesday, 29th—We passed a miserable night, for we had no tents and the ground was wet from yesterday’s rain; besides, the ground is so rough and hilly that we can hardly find a place big enough to camp on. Things dragged on slowly this morning, so I had a chance to run around some to view the fortifications. The rebels were strongly fortified, and had dug large caves under ground at the foot of the hills just off from the roadway to protect themselves from our shells. Troops are going aboard the transports, some down the river to reinforce General Banks at Port Hudson, and others north to aid General Dodge in Tennessee and northern Mississippi.
Tuesday, 28th—We started early this morning and though it was hot and sultry, we reached Vicksburg at 10 a. m. So we finally entered Vicksburg after more than eight months in trying to take the place. In the afternoon we moved out a few miles to the north of town and went into bivouac. While in Vicksburg we saw some of the paroled prisoners leaving for their homes. They were indeed sorrowful-looking beings—all in rags and without food; yet they were ready to fight for their cause to the bitter end.
Monday, 27th—Our brigade started for Vicksburg at 4 o’clock this afternoon. We moved only four miles, when we stopped for the night. The country is very rough and the heavy rains have made the roads very muddy.
Sunday, 26th—We were relieved by an Iowa brigade from Sherman’s army, which just arrived, but we remained in bivouac all day, awaiting orders. One of General Sherman’s foraging trains came in; they are going to forage for oats. News came that there was fighting going on at Charleston, South Carolina. It was quite hot this morning, and in the afternoon we had a hard rainstorm. A great many of the boys in camp here are sick with the chills, while others are almost worn out by the hard service.
Saturday, 25th—Our brigade returned to the bridge and went into camp, with Colonel Chambers in command of the entire post. Our army field hospital is located here and the convalescents are being cared for in it. Refugees by the thousands are at this place and are still pouring in by the hundreds from every direction, ahead of Sherman’s returning army. It is a wonderful sight to see; they are of all colors and ages, though mostly women and children. I bought a gold pen today from the sutler for $2.00, and had the misfortune to lose it before night.
Friday, 24th—We remained here in bivouac all day. Orders came for our brigade to return to Black river bridge and remain there until relieved by General Sherman. The cars are coming through now from Vicksburg twice a day. We are very anxious for mail, having had none for many days, and are disappointed in not receiving any today. We put in our time today cleaning clothes.
