able, as several trains heavily laden with soldiers passed north.
Another lumber train out.

Etowah Bridge, Friday, Sept. 30. Rained all night but cleared off this
morning. D. J. D. and myself washed our clothes out and did other
woman's work. Grazed in the afternoon, taking a guard's team out.
Detailed to go after corn. While horses eat, three of us filled a wagon
in a pocket three miles from camp. Troops still going to the rear. Wild
rumors afloat as to Hood's movements and whereabouts. No mail yet.

Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Oct. 1. Company mess instituted this morning
instead of platoon. Uncle Henderson, cook, two negro assistants. Drew
soft bread for supper, which was duly appreciated after grinding
hard-tack for fifteen days. Troops still going to the rear, while we are
kept in blissful ignorance of all passing events by the non-arrival of
Northern trains. I sometimes wish old Wheeler was dead, so I could get
my mail. On guard.

Etowah Bridge, Sunday, Oct. 2. After a rough tour of guard last night in
rain with thunder and lightning, I feel somewhat drowsy to-day, and am a
little impatient for mail and news. G. M. S. received a few Chattanooga
papers from Lester, also a note saying they were at Chattanooga on the
30th. I expect they are getting impatient by this time. Wrote to John as
usual but have little hopes of it reaching him for some time. Raids!
Raids! again. No up-train from Atlanta. Road torn up at Marietta and Big
Shanty.

Etowah Bridge, Monday, Oct. 3. Rode Sweet's horse out this morning to
get muscadines. Caught in an awful shower, got thoroughly drenched.
Storms are very frequent and come with more vehemence here than any
place I have ever seen. The last two weeks past heavy rains every
twenty-four hours, deluging camp, sweeping down the hillsides, raising
the rippling Etowah into a turbid torrent, even leaping its banks and
carrying everything in its way like an infuriated monster. A large body
of earth and rock fell from the side of the railroad cut in this hill,
filling the track. Fifty men of the 48th at work most all night clearing
it out. Our lower bastion also fell in, in consequence of the heavy
rains.

[Sidenote: 1864 Preparing for Attack]

Etowah Bridge, Tuesday, Oct. 4. Heavy rain last night again. Three teams
and twelve men out foraging in division train. On guard. Detailed to
take a team out after guard mounting. We are completely isolated from
all other forces. Only one en