e of these men had led such wandering lives, in woods and swamps,
that to hunt them was like hunting an otter; shyness and concealment had
grown to be their second nature.

After these little episodes came two months of peace. We were clean,
comfortable, quiet, and consequently discontented. It was therefore with
eagerness that we listened to a rumor of a new Florida expedition, in
which we might possibly take a hand.

Chapter 11. Florida Again?

Let me revert once more to my diary, for a specimen of the sharp changes
and sudden disappointments that may come to troops in service. But for
a case or two of varioloid in the regiment, we should have taken part in
the battle of Olustee, and should have had (as was reported) the right
of the line. At any rate we should have shared the hard knocks and the
glory, which were distributed pretty freely to the colored troops
then and there. The diary will give, better than can any continuous
narrative, our ups and down of expectation in those days.

"CAMP SHAW, BEAUFORT, S. C.,

"February 7, 1864.

"Great are the uncertainties of military orders! Since our recall from
Jacksonville we have had no such surprises as came to us on Wednesday
night. It was our third day of a new tour of duty at the picket station.
We had just got nicely settled,--men well tented, with good floors, and
in high spirits, officers at out-stations all happy, Mrs. ---- coming to
stay with her husband, we at head-quarters just in order, house cleaned,
moss-garlands up, camellias and jessamines in the tin wash-basins,
baby in bliss;--our usual run of visitors had just set in, two Beaufort
captains and a surgeon had just risen from a late dinner after a flag
of truce, General Saxton and his wife had driven away but an hour or two
before, we were all sitting about busy, with a great fire blazing, Mrs.
D. had just remarked triumphantly, 'Last time I had but a mouthful here,
and now I shall be here three weeks'--when--

"In dropped, like a bombshell, a despatch announcing that we were to be
relieved by the Eighth Maine, the next morning, as General Gillmore had
sent an order that we should be ready for departure from Beaufort at any
moment.

"Conjectures, orders, packing, sending couriers to out-stations, were
the employments of the evening; the men received the news with cheers,
and we all came in next morning."

"February 11, 1864.

"For three days we have watched the river, and every little