s
of love, one I understood a Wisconsin one, a young lady of twenty-five,
the others elderly.

Huntsville, Thursday, March 31. Dark, cloudy day. Washed in the morning,
necessary but unpleasant duty, then staid in the hospital a little in
the afternoon while the nurse went riding for exercise. T. J. H. weak
but gaining. Herron has a terrible head from erysipelas--hair, eyebrows,
all coming out. Corp. Knapp rode into camp from left Section. They are
posted in a fort on the Tennessee River at Whitesburg, fifteen miles
distant, watching the enemy on the other side, fortified. Returned with
nine men; comfortably quartered in vacant houses. Played ball all of the
afternoon.

Huntsville, Friday, April 1. Although the day was wet and rainy the boys
played well the part of April fool, and it was one continuous jest all
day. The bugler blew the breakfast call half an hour too early, calling
out the men in the rain to awaken to the fact that it was April fool,
etc. A squad of eight men were sent off at 3 P. M. on horseback to
relieve the veterans at Whitesburg so they can return in the morning to
be mustered in. Evie went with them so I am all alone. 80th Ohio started
home on the 5 P. M. train.

[Sidenote: 1864 First Theatre]

Huntsville, Saturday, April 2. Dry day. No duty to-day except the
policing in the afternoon which was soon completed. 63rd Illinois
Veteran Volunteers started on their homeward-bound journey this evening.
As they marched out to the music of their fine martial band, each heart
bounded with animation at the prospect of meeting the familiar faces
once more. The 48th and 59th Indiana Volunteers marched into their old
camping ground which they had left two months ago for home. They had
marched all the way from Nashville in five days, one hundred and thirty
miles, footsore and tired with three years of service before them. In
company with Griff and D. J. D. visited the theatre, first one I ever
saw. Well pleased.

Huntsville, Sunday, April 3. The mail that came in last night was not
distributed till this morning. I received three goodly letters.
Inspection and reading of order No. 6, at 8 A. M. after which I went to
church. Attended the Methodist Sabbath School, took part in the
soldiers' class taught by a captain. Listened to a sermon in the elegant
Presbyterian church on atonement; poor and inconsistent. Wrote a letter
to brother John in the afternoon.

General McPherson rode through camp this af