he field groaning from pain. 8 P.
M. ordered to return to our camp and report to the same place at half
past five in the morning. First Section still in their old position,
having been actively engaged all day.

[Sidenote: 1863 Entrenching]

Before Vicksburg, Saturday, May 23. 8 A. M. We are lying in the road as
yesterday, but little fighting yet except with artillery. Rumor says
that pioneers are undermining the forts to blow them up. A gentle shower
has fallen which has lightened the air and settled the dust, "God-sent"
for the poor wounded, of which there are a great many. While writing,
the ambulance is waiting for the remains of Colonel Dollins of the 81st
Illinois and Colonel Boomer, commander of the 3rd Brigade, both of whom
fell yesterday, gallant officers and accomplished gentlemen. 12 M.
Cannoneers ordered to the front with entrenching tools, and in an hour
the pieces followed into a secreted position on the brow of a steep and
rugged hill. A stockade dug for the pieces, into which they were drawn
by hand. Limbers put under cover of the hill, and the horses unhitched
and tied to the trees. The guns commanded the right. A slow fire was
opened which was kept up till dark, of shell and shrapnel, mostly to
keep the rebel sharp-shooters back. Drew rations of coffee, ham and hard
bread which gave us a supper of good cheer and light hearts.

Fixed our beds under the brow of the hill just out of reach of the
little deadly missiles that went whistling over our heads every once in
a while in volleys. But we were in unusually good spirits, cracking
jokes 'neath the bright silver moon. No sooner had we begun to travel in
the "land of Nod", when the 3rd Platoon was ordered to turn out, quick
and still, hitch up and pull out. It is expected that the rebs will try
to cut their way out to-night and we want to be ready. In fifteen
minutes we were on the road, moving back toward our old place; unhitched
and lay down again with orders to be ready at half past three A. M. Thus
we ended another day before Vicksburg.

Before Vicksburg, Sunday, May 24. Up and ready as ordered, but with the
sun we unharnessed, watered and fed, then lay quiet all day. Washed and
changed clothes, and Oh! what a relief. Truly water is a boon. Grant
seems to be willing to allow the inhabitants of Vicksburg the Sunday for
devotion. There has been but very little fighting to-day, little
artillery firing. 4th Division passed in from Haynes Bluff for