for Rome. As
they marched out with bands playing and colors flying, it was a grand
sight, and to any man an incentive to patriotism to watch the firm,
measured step of thousands of brave men, marching cheerfully to the
hardest of deaths, many miles away from home and its endearments. As
they march through this traitor land, do not their hearts beat quick as
they think of those behind. Would that they could but behold the
cheerful and willing countenances of those they love this morning as
they left Huntsville to seek the foes of this country. Wisconsin, my
beloved State, has many interests centered in the 17th Corps, six
regiments true and brave. Their moving eased our minds as the
probabilities of our moving thereby lessened.

The guards that were posted at every corner were relieved, and the by
this time quiet 3rd Division allowed to go at will and come when they
pleased. They carry themselves as honorable men with but few exceptions.
On guard, first relief, after returned. At 10 A. M. went up town. Sat
for half a dozen photographs.

[Sidenote: 1864 Allotments Home]

Huntsville, Thursday, May 26. Felt quite unwell. Have a very severe cold
and bad headache. Expressed $40.00 home in J. Lester's package. Battery
drill of two hours this morning, first since we reached this camp. Long
list on extra duty this afternoon for absence at roll call, etc. The
looseness in which things were allowed to run in camp for the last week
will now be overbalanced by unscrupulous severity. Good news from Grant
read anxiously 9 P. M. from the only paper received in camp.

Huntsville, Friday, May 27. Suffer a severe cold. Dull, cloudy day. Lay
in my bunk most of the day. Expressed $40.00 of my money home per J.
Lester to-day. Went to town afternoon, received my photos.

Huntsville, Saturday, May 28. A hot day. On detail to go outside pickets
after wood. Reported in town 8 A. M. to go with division train. Train
did not go, waited to see brigade guard. Loaded with forage and returned
to camp. Drew two new mule teams to draw battery wagon and forge.
Glorious news from Grant--within a day's march of Richmond.

Huntsville, Sunday, May 29. A calm, quiet, Sabbath day. Company
inspection 8 A. M. 9 A. M. had to go on post. Could not go to church,
but enjoyed myself well. Wrote home in the afternoon. Camp very quiet,
boys mostly gone out. My musings were undisturbed. In the evening a bevy
of staff officers visited camp, but were so beast