f life to do
service for his country. Alas! they will see his manly form no more in
this world. His disease was congestive chills and typhoid fever. Was one
of the detachment that late in the evening followed the corpse to the
grave. Silently, without a word of prayer, we buried him in a rude
coffin, and without a thought hardly, hastened back to camp to prepare
for the morrow. It is now dark and I go to an early rest in my homelike
bunk for the last time.

ON TO ATLANTA

Brownsboro, Wednesday, June 22. Reveille sounded at 2:30 A. M. and
quietly we broke camp and marched at 5 A. M. with but one regiment ahead
of us in the column. Marched through town in fine style, and soon
beautiful and dreamy Huntsville was placed among the past. Roads heavy,
weather warm. Marched slow, and reached Brownsboro by 12 M. Went into
camp and rested the remainder of the day. Boys full of life and
hilarity. The dread of starting (and of parting with some) is over and
sutlers tremble. Bathed in the clear waters of the Flint in the evening.

[Sidenote: 1864 Fast Marching]

Camp on Paint Rock River, Thursday, June 23. Aroused at 3 A. M. but as
we were in the rear of the column, did not move out till 6 A. M. Marched
fast, but obliged to halt frequently to let the 2nd Brigade train get
out of the way. Our road lay along the railroad, the same that we
travelled last winter, but nature's changes were so great that we could
hardly recognize the dismal beech swamp, once a dread to cross. But now
the deep foliage afforded a welcome protection from the burning rays of
the sun. Camped on Paint Rock 4 P. M. Found our advance having their
supper. There was hardly any straggling. Walked all through and feel
first rate. Bathed in the evening. Retired early. Disappointed in not
receiving mail.

Scottsboro, Ala., Friday, June 24. Started out in advance with the 3rd
Brigade at 4 A. M. after hasty preparation and half-swallowed breakfast.
The Brigade men in the advance for the first time, and they pulled out
in good earnest to show what they could do. The sun came out in all its
fierceness, but on we plodded over rocky hills and through shady glens,
greedily snatching cooling draughts as it gushed out from the rocks in
plenty. Reached Larkinsville by 11 A. M., a distance of fifteen miles,
with but three short rests, very fast, getting my toes all blistered.
Halted an hour here for dinner. I bathed my feet in cold spring water
and felt better.