112                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

           It was rumored the past few days that we were to leave to-day, there being a detail made on Sunday from the different regiments for the purpose, it was said, of loading the quartermaster and commissary stores on the boats; and as soon as they got loaded the transports for us would be on hand. But I guess it all turned out nix; at least we have not gone yet, nor have we any orders to go that I know of. When we do get marching orders I will apprise your readers of the fact as soon as I can. At present there are very few transports lying at the landing, as I was down there yesterday.

           The news from below is rather meagre. Maneuvering appears to be the main thing on our side. And as old U. S. (United States, as the boys call him,) Grant is at the head, you may expect to hear something turn up before a great while. He says that when he commences operations there he is going to fight until Vicksburg falls or he loses every man; and he is just headstrong enough to do it, too. The most complete thing that has taken place there was the running of the blockade by the Federal ram Queen of the West, of which, no doubt, you have got the particulars ere this.

           The weather here has been rather wintry of late; several snows have fallen, enough to afford good sleighing; that is, if we had the sleighs. But the past day or two it has been more mild, the sun shining forth in all its glory, which has run the snow off. And now this morning it has set in for a steady rain, and we have a prospect of a little mud, which is so despised by all the boys. We prefer snow all the time to rain and mud.

           I must not forget to inform you that we have at last been supplied with new tents, and are no longer persecuted by living in holes that dogs would hardly be contented in. They are called "wedge tents," and are calculated to hold five and six persons. They wedge right close to the ground, and appear to shed rain very well. They admit of a person standing up in them, and we are not obliged to lie down every time we change our linen (?), as was the case with our dog huts. Most of the tents of Company E are adorned with chimneys – the boys having got a lot of brick hauled, tried their hand at masonry. They are a good institution, and with plenty of wood we manage to live something like soldiers. Three cheers for the "wedge tents," and groans for the "shelters."

           The other evening the Quartermaster opened his heart and gave us some hay for beds. Of late we have been "grubbed" pretty well. For some reason they have been issuing fresh bread in place of "hard-tack," which we don't object to. We are also in receipt of "iron-sides," beans, rice, hominy, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, vinegar, etc.

           The general health of the regiment is good, but Company E is rather unfortunate of late, there being two of its members sick in camp, two in the hospital at Memphis, one at Lagrange, and one at Jackson. But at last accounts they were all doing finely. And if we should leave here all the sick will be left behind at the hospital in Memphis, at which place they are well cared for.

           I notice orders are being issued in the several commands forbidding the sale or bringing of the Chicago Times within their limits, it being too much tinctured with

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