Messengers Ferry, Big Black River, Miss., September 26, 1863. Pass in your congratulations. We are under marching orders for Chattanooga. Our whole corps is going. We steam o’er sand-bars to Memphis, and then will probably “foot it,” though may go by cars as far as Corinth. From Memphis the march will be some 450 miles. [...]

Saturday, 26th.—Another train-load of prisoners passed. Orders to be ready to march to Decatur to-morrow morning; went to preaching at night. (Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)

26th. Unsaddled after roll call. Pretty early orders came to fall back at noon. Cos. C and E with Col. Purington, Majs. Seward and Nettleton went over the river and burned block houses and bridges. Co. C had charge of firing two large blockhouses. Built large piles of light trash inside and out. At the [...]

September 26.—Spent this morning seeking information about our plan of living in the country. Nothing satisfactory.

Saturday, 26th–There is still some shaking with the ague among the boys, but the health of our regiment is gaining slowly. We have no drill in camp at present, but we are on duty almost every day, our routine running as follows: Picket duty every other day, and the alternating days on fatigue duty either [...]

SEPTEMBER 26th.—Nothing additional has been received from Gen. Bragg, but there is reason to believe Rosecrans is fortifying Chattanooga, preparatory to crossing the river and retreating northward with all possible expedition. From the Upper Rappahannock there is much skirmishing, the usual preliminary to a battle; and Kemper’s brigade, of Pickett’s division, went up thither last [...]

Surgeon-General’s Office, Washington, Sept. 26th. Surgeon Heger, U. S. A. Sir: The Secretary of War has directed the transfer of seven hundred wounded prisoners from Chester, Pa., to Point Lookout General Hospital. . . . Upon their arrival you will discharge the female nurses (both of Miss Dix’s and Mrs. Gibbons’ selection) reserving only one [...]