July 17th. Sunday morning. Late last night we were ordered to march. Estimated we marched about five miles, when we came to a halt in a wooded field. Fine large trees. During the night we heard the rattling of the wheels of artillery and wagons, being driven very rapid, going south. This morning report reached us that it was the enemy’s guns and wagons. No doubt there is hard work before us. Don’t just know our present location except that we are somewhere in the Loudon Valley, Virginia. Orders for Sunday morning inspection. It won’t be a very clean one. After that duty was performed we rested and slept. Large stacks of grain were burned in this vicinity to prevent the enemy from getting. It made a hot fire and a great loss. It will no doubt cause much suffering among the people. Women and children in these parts must suffer by the war which is a cruel thing. I am sorry for them. As soon as they hear the reports of the guns, they take to the cellars for protection. Shot and shell go through many houses that are in range of the guns. I have seen many houses that were damaged by the field guns. This Sunday night finds us in the woods, cool and good air, while the sun was red hot, out in the open.
