May 12th.—We are in just such a camp as I was in once near Jacinto, Miss. Hills, hollows and splendid pines. Pine knots can be picked up by the bushel, and the pitch smoke will soon enable us to pass for members of the “Corps d’Afrique.” I am perfectly disgusted with this whole business. Everything I have written down I have had from the Division Staff, and that without pumping. I am beginning to believe that there is no enemy anywhere in the vicinity, and that we are nowhere ourselves, and am sure that the generals do not let the staff of our division know anything. The railroad was not cut at daylight this morning, for I heard a train whistle and rattle along it. I do know for certain that we are putting up some huge works here, and that they run from mountain to mountain across this gorge.
“I am perfectly disgusted with this whole business.”–Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, Charles Wright Wills.
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