October 26th, 12 o’clock m. Active preparations still continue. All detailed men are ordered to their regiments. Cooks, clerks and grooms, and even commissary sergeants, are ordered to carry guns, or have them on hand in case of emergency. “We will not move until night, if then. All Michigan men who are sick in hospitals are to have furloughs. I have made out several today.
4 o’clock p. m. The General is striking tent; will probably be off in the night. We are ready to march at “tap of drum.” All surplus stores, everything that might in any way impede our march, has been sent to City Point. Of the men, those who are so fortunate as to be sick, be it ever so little, are on their way to Michigan. I have been at Headquarters nearly all day making out furloughs. It is an agreeable task, even when I am not personally interested. Many of the poor fellows have not been home since they enlisted, and would not now, had not furloughs been given by wholesale.
7 o’clock p. m. We have just been notified we march at 3 o’clock tomorrow morning.
