ons.
Afternoon they were assigned to the men. Our teams are composed of good
horses, but the cannoneers' horses are the leavings, and a very
poor-looking set. We drew them by lot, and I drew a bony plug, not yet
of age, I should judge. Corporal Parish has assigned me to No. 3 on the
gun. My duty will be to "tend the vent." I would rather have another
number as it is a heavy responsibility in action.

Chattanooga, Saturday, April 8. A nice sunny day. Everything looks very
pretty, the little birds chirping a merry welcome to spring. On guard.
Received two letters. Artificers busy painting carriages of the Battery.
Ordered to have an inspection by Major Mendenhall as soon as ready.
Orders have been received to consolidate the 3rd Battery entire with the
6th Battery. Men looked for daily. 8th boys are afraid they will have to
go back.

Another big batch of news to-day. Phil Sheridan has whipped Lee himself,
capturing eight generals. Hopes to compel surrender, but I think he is
too confident. Some in camp go so far as to prophesy a formidable
movement of 6th Battery on Madison, Wisconsin, soon.

[Sidenote: 1865 "John Brown" and "Dixie"]

Chattanooga, Sunday, April 9. Notwithstanding a night as delightful as
could be imagined, to-day it rained nearly all day most desolately. Had
to ride to the river to water twice, got well soaked every time. We have
to go over a mile on account of steep banks. Wrote home. In the evening
the spirit moved all in our house and we had singing in variety, good
old orthodox hymns mixed in with "John Brown" and "Dixie" most
irreverently. It seems to relieve the spirits, but I do not know but it
is wicked.

Chattanooga, Monday, April 10. Wet and muddy day, but no one knew it
for we had such good news. 11 A. M. a bit of paper no bigger than my
hands was distributed with the words

"Lee has surrendered his army on terms which I dictated."
U. S. Grant.

It was enough.

1 P. M. the cannons spoke in thunder tones. Two hundred guns fired in
rapid succession, around us on all sides, which mingled with the huzzahs
of troops, reminded me very forcibly of more stirring scenes which I
have witnessed. God grant that we may know no more such. How the thought
of peace and tranquility throbs in each soldier's breast when he thinks
of the home and associates he left so reluctantly to follow the path of
duty, soon to be restored to him. No wonder his spi