to 9, battery drill. Returned to camp to receive a bouncing mail, four
letters for me, better than a furlough. News is still very uncertain and
exciting. Mobile and Johnston both reported to be captured, but it needs
confirmation.

Chattanooga, Thursday, April 20. A fine day. Spring is fast giving way
to summer. The trees are clothed in full-grown vegetation, and towering
Lookout with its surrounding hills, that a little while ago were sear
and brown, are now in living green.

Drilled an hour on the guns this morning, grazed all the afternoon. R.
Grey returned yesterday from a furlough. Takes Griff's place in the cook
house, which relieves me from the care of his horses. On guard mount,
guard in the evening instead of morning now.

Chattanooga, Friday, April 21. The day has passed, lowering and
threatening, however rained but little. Stood my guard very pleasantly.
Got off from going foraging. Relieved at night. To-morrow morning on
duty; this way they get six hours more duty out of us every guard day.
M. L. Bancroft and F. Benoit returned from furlough. Captain Hood is
quite sick.

Chattanooga, Saturday, April 22. The weather has taken an unaccountable
cold turn, fire is comfortable all day. Drilled an hour on the gun this
morning. Lieutenant Jenawein appeared in camp this morning direct from
the old 15th Army Corps. He left them at Goldsboro, N. C. He has been
acting as ordnance officer for the artillery of the Corps. Looks well
with his first-lieutenant straps on. He is now our ranking lieutenant.

George Hill who left us three weeks ago, a mere skeleton, on sick
furlough, has returned fat and plump. What a place Wisconsin must be.
War news is very uncertain. Johnston's army and Mobile are still in the
"bag," but I guess they'll soon come out of it.

Chattanooga, Sunday, April 23. Cold night but warm midday. Wrote my
usual letters, read, etc. Grazing in the afternoon took up most of the
time. No danger of ennui at present. Health very good.

Chattanooga, Monday, April 24. Heavy hoar frost on the ground this
morning. Drilled in mounted detachments this morning by Lieutenant A.
Sweet. It is quite pleasant, the horses learn almost as fast as the men.
Everything passed off very pleasantly. Harmony in the Company to-day as
well as every other day. Brotherly kindness exists amongst all, still
and quietly.

But the contrast between officers and privates is sickening, and I
grieve to write it. ---- returne