War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney.

9th. Marched all the forenoon, and went only five miles forward. So many blunders. Encamped on Grand River near it on the edge of the woods, good place.

8th. Reveille a little before two. Got coffee and meat for breakfast. Started on the march, in the rear, at daybreak. Like Capt. Smith some better but I long for Major Purington to come back again. Second Brigade in the rear of the first ones. Issued rations.

July 7th. On the march at 4 A. M. We boys did not know we were to march, so awakened merely in time to hurry off without breakfast. Marched 8 miles and encamped on the prairie near the woods. Archie and I took our horses to a corn field. Read a chapter in Bushnell’s “Respectable Sin,” very applicable to myself. Veal noodle soup for supper. Hot day, no covering at night.

6th. Sunday. Overslept and wakened at “forward.” Hurried along. Rode a little obstinate pony. Passed the other brigade and encamped at two miles distant. Saw some Confederate papers, very neat. Warmest day of the season. Bathed in Grand River. Wrote a little, read two or three chapters in Philippians. I wish it were easier to be good, or rather I wish I were a better boy and doing some good.

5th. Issued rations to two battalions. The reaction of the 4th was visible among the boys. Slept on the prairie by my horse.

4th. Great day. So many drunk. Officers gave the freest license to the men. Both caroused. I was most disgusted. Bill and L. fought.

3rd. Thursday. In saddles at three A. M. Rode 18 miles. Encamped on Grand River.

2nd. Wednesday. In our saddles at 5 A. M. Marched 8 miles west, near where the Major and we boys captured the wagon. Nothing special occurred.

1st. Reveille at three A. M. Started at 4 A. M. Moved 8 miles to where the command from the other way was, at Round Grove, where Coffee had camped. Indians in their natural state encamped there too. Laughable sight. Pleasant day. Cooler and grass good. Saw the Oberlin boys. Letter from Fannie. Rested. Wrote in the evening.