Warrenton.

Received a good mail which gladdened all our hearts. Oh! blessed
white-winged messenger, how my mind has been occupied all day by sweet
thoughts and hopes inspired by thy visits! Letters up to the 10th. Wrote
a short and hurried letter home. Learned through the _State Journal_
that a friend and former teacher, E. C. Hungerford, had fallen in the
fight on the Rappahannock. It is another severe blow to his brother
Tommy. How many, many more will this cruel war require to satisfy its
victims. Wounded passing all day in ambulances to the river. Sergt. J.
B. Jackson and L. N. Keeler gone. Sick.

Before Vicksburg, Monday, May 25. Awoke and harnessed at the usual hour.
With the sun we unharnessed and watered. 9 A. M. the four pieces ordered
out on the road the same place they had been for a part of the last four
days. Lay there till 1 P. M. Third and sixth pieces ordered to their old
position of the 23rd inst. Fourth and fifth back to camp. Double quicked
it out there as we were exposed to the fire of the sharp-shooters. Part
of the day they were exceedingly busy. Took our position, unhitched our
horses, threw a few shells at them slowly until 3 P. M. A flag of truce
was reported to have come out of the breastwork. It was met by General
Logan. A parley was held for an hour and a half when it retired. A
cessation of hostilities was agreed upon till 8:30 P. M. (to bury the
dead). Both parties came out of their entrenchments, conversed, changed
papers, etc. I was within forty yards of the fort, where the
sharp-shooters had dexterously hidden themselves.

Before Vicksburg, Tuesday, May 26. Returned to camp last night after
dark. This morning moved up a mile and a half to the left, put up
harness racks, stretched picket in a beautiful orchard laden with fruit,
which although not ripe we gathered and used for sauce. Mortar boats
busy throwing shells all day; not much artillery firing from this side.
Sergt. S. Hauxhurst returned from Memphis. Telegraph line put up from
the landing to the several headquarters.

[Sidenote: 1863 Midnight Alarm]

Before Vicksburg, Wednesday, May 27. Called out a little past midnight;
hitched up with haste and moved out, took a position on the right the
best we could and in the road. The gunners were ordered to have spikes
ready so as to be able to spike their pieces if obliged to abandon them.
They expected am attempt to break through the lines. Put on my overcoat,
lay down at the