1863

April 20th  cloudy day and rained some. went up to head quarters and sold three boxes of hard bread, Lieut got a letter from Capt. nothing new. made out the papers for Lester [i.e., Private Alonson Lester] discharge, raining to night all quiet in camp. had two drills and dress parade sent of a letter to father. all quiet in camp no papers.

 "  21st  fine nice day. quite an excitement here to day. the cavalry all gone out on a scout, rebels reported at Pilot knob. have orders to be ready to move any moment our company got paid of four months pay. I did not get any. paid the suttles finished B. Peasleys [i.e., Private Bernhard Peasley] discharge.

Sunday

April 22nd  fine day. great excitement in camp, about a fight at Pilot Knob, and we are ordered to be ready to move at a minutes notice. we had Batalion drill this afternoon. Lieut Hall [i.e., Lieutenant Albert P. Hall] went out on dress parade, nothing new in camp, wrote a letter to Mary, to be mailed if we leave by the Lieut Hall.

23rd  beautiful1 fine day. all quiet in camp. reports come that the rebels has retreated from Pilot Knob, foriage train got in from Rolla. got a set of Muster Rolls, Jim Fetherly got back. boys packed up some cloths for to send for safe keeping, the medical Inspector here.