e where the Army of the
Cumberland once won immortal fame. Had to lift hard on the logs and then
we had to wait for the return of the teams. We wandered over the hills
and came to a house filled with children. Could not tell what they lived
on. Borrowed a cup and ate our dinner by a pretty little brook. Long ago
I would have called it romantic, but romance has long ago "played out."

General Thomas inspected the camp and post yesterday. To-day he has gone
to Knoxville. 4th Army Corps is passing on railroad. This is his only
veteran force, but recruits are coming thick and heavy.

Chattanooga, Thursday, March 16. Rained furiously last night and blew a
hurricane. Several of the tents blown down to-day. I was detailed to go
to the hills (I ought not to have volunteered to go yesterday) with
three men to load three post teams with logs. Road very wet and muddy,
and when we got there we were hardly able to lift the logs, as we were
very small men. Coming back, upset one wagon in a puddle many feet deep.
Another wagon broke the tongue and we left it. Reached camp 2 P. M. very
hungry and very dirty. Some of the reserve batteries have marching
orders to report at Washington.

Chattanooga, Friday, March 17. A very pleasant day. Feel excellent.
Keeler missed my name for guard this morning but found me in time to go
to the woods. A citizen carpenter with help from the Company is at work
on the stables. Spring is opening. To-day I saw the first flowers of the
season. They grew way up Missionary Ridge.

I must not forget to say that twenty-six men from the 8th Wisconsin
Battery arrived here this morning with description lists of about as
many more, some of them in N. C., others on detached duty. Captain Hood
has been to see General Brewer about it. He refuses to receipt for men
not to be had. Captain of the 8th sent all of his one-year men and those
whose term of service is about out, relieving the veterans of the 3rd.
Hood asks to send all the 8th men back and receive the 3rd. They are a
good-looking lot of men. Among them one orderly, two sergeants and a
corporal.

Chattanooga, Saturday, March 18. A very beautiful spring day, and I did
not go out to the hills, but have been on duty all day, scoring in the
forenoon and nailing shakes on the houses in the afternoon. Quit early
and policed camp nicely for Sunday. We have got three shelters covered
and three more ready. The new men have been put on duty and seem well
satisf