disputed fort (which they look at
as much ours as theirs, I should judge). They also opened fire with a
heavy siege gun this morning, but were soon quieted. The 12th Wisconsin
Battery blowed up a limber while silencing it.

Before Vicksburg, Sunday, June 28. A Sunday is with us, but no one finds
any reminder of it as he looks about him. The same routine is gone
through with, and were it not for my memoranda I would not know it. When
I compare this with the Sunday at home, when all work is laid aside,
sister and brother that during the week have been absent, are at home,
all there, the quiet lunch for supper--all, all crowd upon my memory,
and I long for the time when I can again enjoy them, and the vacuity in
my heart be filled, and even to-day I can imagine I can see that
gathering, and I know that Mother's anxious heart looks upon my vacant
seat and wonders if her boy is yet spared. More than once the tears have
gushed to my eyes (I hope it is no cowardice) as I think of her
emaciated form in that old arm chair. Would it be any consolation to her
to know that her son is thinking of her, that he has not forgotten?

Before Vicksburg, Monday, June 29. Came off of guard to assist my
messmate in enlarging our shelter so as to be cooler, and put up bunks
of cane, which is a good deal more comfortable. The health of the
Battery is on the decline, I am sorry to state. Seven or eight cases in
hospital; Griff down with boils. D. J. Davis and W. Hamilton shaking
with the ague. My own health is not too good, troubled with diarrhea
more or less continually. I am daily falling off.

Before Vicksburg, Tuesday, June 30. Two siege guns, 32-pounders, brought
in last night to be mounted on the left and front of us, but the
carriages did not fit. Eight teams were sent to the landing for others.
Captain Dillon received the appointment of Chief of Artillery vice
Sands. Drivers called out 9 A. M. We policed the valley in the hot sun
(a whim of red tape). Mustered for pay at 5 P. M. by Captain Dillon.

Before Vicksburg, Wednesday, July 1. Nothing of importance during the
day, with the exception of another attempt at blowing up the fort. The
shock I felt while writing in my "shebang". A large volume was thrown
inside making a much wider gap than before. Siege guns played on it for
some time, but there was no reckless advance as before. Two rebs, one
negro, and a hound were blown over to the Yankees, the former dead, the
latter unhu