p stable and
hauling brush. Many hands made light work, but it was hard to stand the
sun. Bathed in the Mississippi while watering horses, and returned to
camp to receive two goodly letters from home, and T. L.

Vicksburg, Saturday, July 18. Watered and sent team to camp. I remained
with others to unload hay from barge, but could not get any. Walked back
to camp by dinner time, and received pay up to first of July.

Vicksburg, Sunday, July 19. At reveille the gun teams of the third,
fourth and sixth Platoons were ordered to harness up, and we started out
with Lieutenant Clark before breakfast to haul in rebel guns from the
line destined for Helena, Arkansas. Rode all along the line to the left,
seven or eight miles, left two 30-pound Parrotts, four 10-pound
Dahlgrens, two 12-pound howitzers, two rifles (James). Did not get back
to camp till noon. Hungry and exhausted in the hot sun and dust.

Vicksburg, Monday, July 20. Sergts. J. M. Hood and W. W. Runyan; Corps.
Sam Beaver, Charles Neefe and S. A. Ferris; privates J. Neefe and J. L.
Bennett started home on a thirty day furlough. It caused many a longing
wish in the hearts of us all for the day when we should follow to stay
for good. Had a Battery inspection by Lieutenants Clark and Simpson. A.
M. a general invoice of all government property taken. Bathed in the
Mississippi in the evening. Mail arrived. None for me.

Vicksburg, Tuesday, July 21. Very warm. Considerable sickness. The
Battery is much reduced in numbers, there being but two or three
cannoneers to a platoon, which makes it heavy on the detail.

Vicksburg, Wednesday, July 22. Teams and men gathering rebel pieces and
caissons. Company cook started to-day, and all the Battery to be in one
mess, much to the dissatisfaction of the boys. No mail.

Vicksburg, Thursday, July 23. Hot and monotonous. Evie troubled with
diarrhea for several days, very sick in the afternoon.

Vicksburg, Friday, July 24. General Herron's command returned from their
expedition to Yazoo City, having cleared the rebs out gloriously. They
captured several thousand bales of cotton and negroes innumerable. The
flat by the river as we go to water is covered with women and children
of all hues and sizes, a grotesque scene, the men having been pressed
into the service.

Eben Davis of the 20th Iowa visited us--was with us all the morning and
took dinner with us. Evie some better. Heard the news of William Jones's
death.