September 12th. Since the gunboat expedition in which the doctor distinguished himself so preeminently, nothing of importance has ocurred. The weather is superb and the health of the officers and men excellent.
Our headquarters are about the house of Doctor Cooper, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who for some unknown reason, has not been drafted into the Confederate army although distinctly rebellious in his views. Amongst the inmates of his home are his wife and three young women, none of whom interest me, but Wilson and Hobart find a good deal of amusement with two of them, and pay them much attention, taking them out riding, etc. We sleep in our tents, but eat in the house, the doctor’s wife presiding with much dignity the mess, furnishing the food, the cooks, waiters, and many of the appointments. We feed the entire family, which is a great thing for them, as they have nothing left of their own, and Broom furnishes the mess luxuriously.
For the first time since the cavalry expedition, we heard cannonading; it was on the right and quite vigorous. About five o’clock orders were received to prepare everything for the march to-morrow morning; it seems really too bad to leave this delightful spot, but life on active service is most uncertain.
