into pieces about four feet long,
six of them put together, heated, and after putting them through four
different rolls, came out as a rail for the steam horse of progression
to run upon. Two mammoth saws sawed off the ends, leaving it thirty feet
long. It was astonishing to find how little human force was needed in
the prosecution of this great work. The engine is encased in a glass
house, and as nicely polished as parlor furniture. A dreary rain came
up, and we got partially wet before reaching camp, which we did in time,
and fell in for afternoon drill.

Chattanooga, Friday, May 26. Health good. Battery drill from 6 A. M. to
8 A. M., only three cannoneers in second detachment. A big mail when we
returned, though none for Jenk. Ambulance went up to the artillery
garden this morning and returned with the first fruits of "Charlie's"
work, viz. a copious supply of lettuce and mustard salad for dinner and
supper, a very rare treat, and highly appreciated. Did us more good than
all the medicine in the dispensary.

[Sidenote: 1865 A Rebel Orchard]

Grazing in the afternoon. Went near the hill, a party of about a dozen.
Knowing where the nice ripe cherries grew, started for the orchard; but
behold, we were confronted by a lanky specimen of the refined chivalry,
much excited, repeating the orchard was his and threatening to call his
safeguard if we did not leave. We told him to bring him on and we would
respect him, but he could not. Boasted of protection papers of Thomas,
Steedman and many others in his pockets, but could produce only a few
old _Gazettes_. We talked the man crazy. He used many insulting terms
under the license of old age, but we, provoked by his attempts to
deceive us, made for the cherries and filled ourselves with the rarest
of his cherries, but left more than he ever can use, twenty-five acres
of them. When we were satisfied, he returned with an old torn piece of
paper of Rosecrans's times. We of course respected it and left. He
threatened to follow us in and report us, [and] mounted his mule for it.
Two or three of the boys staid behind and convinced the old rebel that
prudence was the better part of valor, so he staid at home, I guess. It
is raining this evening severely.

Chattanooga, Saturday, May 27. It is cool enough to appreciate the fire
in our "wee" stove until breakfast. Then it grew hot, while we drilled
two hours in the morning. Camp thoroughly policed, I delegated to cook
our mustard