23rd.—Hung around, and did not get into motion till to 2 P. M. Marched four or five miles down the river and bivouaced. The pain in my finger grows more severe and extends to the scapula. It is a sickening pain and proves to be the result of a scratch by a spiculum of bone, whilst I was examining a gangreuous wound at Antietam (dissecting wound). I cannot say that I apprehend danger from it, but I wish it were well.
General Hancock has been removed from the command of our Brigade, and we have had a whole week of quiet, without the startling profanity to which we were becoming accustomed. For a whole week, I am not aware that a single officer of our Brigade has been “d—m-d to h-ll.”
