revious occupation. It did great credit to Captain Trowbridge, of my
regiment (formerly of the New York Volunteer Engineers), who had charge
of its construction.

How like a dream seems now that period of daily skirmishes and nightly
watchfulness! The fatigue was so constant that the days hurried by.
I felt the need of some occasional change of ideas, and having just
received from the North Mr. Brook's beautiful translation of Jean Paul's
"Titan," I used to retire to my bedroom for some ten minutes every
afternoon, and read a chapter or two. It was more refreshing than a nap,
and will always be to me one of the most fascinating books in the world,
with this added association. After all, what concerned me was not so
much the fear of an attempt to drive us out and retake the city,--for
that would be against the whole policy of the Rebels in that region,--as
of an effort to fulfil their threats and burn it, by some nocturnal
dash. The most valuable buildings belonged to Union men, and the upper
part of the town, built chiefly of resinous pine, was combustible to
the last degree. In case of fire, if the wind blew towards the river,
we might lose steamers and all. I remember regulating my degree of
disrobing by the direction of the wind; if it blew from the river, it
was safe to make one's self quite comfortable; if otherwise, it was best
to conform to Suwarrow's idea of luxury, and take off one spur.

So passed our busy life for ten days. There were no tidings of
reinforcements, and I hardly knew whether I wished for them,--or rather,
I desired them as a choice of evils; for our men were giving out from
overwork, and the recruiting excursions, for which we had mainly come,
were hardly possible. At the utmost, I had asked for the addition
of four companies and a light battery. Judge of my surprise when two
infantry regiments successively arrived! I must resort to a scrap from
the diary. Perhaps diaries are apt to be thought tedious; but I would
rather read a page of one, whatever the events described, than any more
deliberate narrative,--it gives glimpses so much more real and vivid.

"HEAD-QUARTERS, JACKSONVILLE,

"March 20, 1863, Midnight.

"For the last twenty-four hours we have been sending women and children
out of town, in answer to a demand by flag of truce, with a threat of
bombardment. [N. B. I advised them not to go, and the majority declined
doing so.] It was designed, no doubt, to intimidate; and in our
ig