Vicksburg, September 18, 1863. Left Cairo last Sabbath and arrived here this (Friday) morning. Am feeling splendidly. Better than for three months. Intended visiting you before going to my regiment, but know you’ll excuse me. Address me 4th Division 15th Army Corps.
18th. Moved out between 2 and 3 A. M. Got on the wrong road and lost some time. Marched to within 5 miles of Greenville and got breakfast and dinner at 11:30 A. M. Bought a chicken and turkey. Good dinner. Drake ate with me, about sick, looks miserable. Moved on to Greenville and saw [...]
Friday, 18th–It is reported in our camps that General Rosecrans has taken Chattanooga, Tennessee, and that General Burnside took two thousand prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery without firing a gun. We hope that the report is true, for Chattanooga will afford our army there a strongly-fortified place.
SEPTEMBER 18th.—Nothing new from the Rappahannock, but a battle is looked for soon. Rosecrans, who had advanced into Georgia, has fallen back on Chattanooga, which he is fortifying. If he be not driven from thence, we shall lose our mines, and the best country for commissary supplies. But Bragg had from 60,000 to 70,000 men [...]