Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Wednesday, 17th–Our mortar boats are shelling the rebels day and night, and the constant roar of cannon is something dreadful to listen to. Our regiment drew some clothing from the quartermaster today. We just learned that we are to remain out here on picket. The boys are having easy times picking blackberries and plums. They are quite plentiful, and come as a Godsend to us. Water is becoming very scarce, for the branches which we have to depend upon have now stopped running, and all we can get is the water left in the sink holes in the creek bottom.