ill noon. Boys loaded with apples, berries, etc.

Etowah Bridge, Monday, July 18. All well. Morning passed off in usual
way. Grazing, etc. Great scarcity of news. For variety we went out on
blackberry hunt in the afternoon with Corporal Evans. Went five miles,
picked dishes full. Visited the ruins of rolling mills, called on
several secesh women, returned by sundown, had a gay time and good
supper.

Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, July 19. The usual routine of duty unbroken. Our
camp and position inspected by Major of Artillery, General Steedman's
Chief, who set us to policing after supper. Slicked up in general.
Bathed in Etowah in the evening. Brigade band visited us, and discoursed
beautiful music under the pale, soft light of the moon. A long train of
wagons, consisting of Sherman's supernumerary teams left at Chattanooga
at the beginning of campaign, passed to the front. Convalescents
rejoining their regiments by every train.

Etowah Bridge, Wednesday, July 20. Cool day. Health good, but weigh
twelve pounds less than at Huntsville. Warm weather thins me out. Dixon
and Evie started early this morning on horseback to catch fish in the
numerous traps along the river. Returned by dinner with "nary" a fish. A
drove of 2,000 beef cattle driven by to the front by convalescents.
Monthly issue of clothing made. Drew flour rations. Reports are
prevalent of the capture of Atlanta. Hope it is so. Good bath in
mill-dam in the evening.

Etowah Bridge, Thursday, July 21. Very cold day. Grazed as usual.
Returned to find all my tent mates gone berrying. Washed my dirty
clothing after dinner. A very heavy thunder storm came up, 4 P. M.
Deluged everything in my bunk and soaked everybody in our shanty, a
laughable time of it, though rather wet. The berry party had returned,
and we ate while it rained, having a jolly time. Late in the evening a
bouncing big mail arrived, nearly all served. I received one, from T. L.
and family's photograph. Very lifelike and acceptable.

Etowah Bridge, Friday, July 22. A pleasant day. Wrote in the forenoon.
Reading matter very scarce yet. About 10 A. M. a report was brought into
camp by Elston from headquarters dispatched by General Smith from the
front, that our troops entered city of Atlanta between 2 and 3 A. M.
this morning. Sundry attempts were made to raise a cheer with but a
feeble result. Past experience has taught us to beware of
disappointments, and the thought of many slain was sadden