Near Jonesboro, November 15, 1864.
The grand expeditionary force has commenced moving. Our regiment has the honor of leading our corps in the first day’s march. Made about 18 miles to-day, the first ten of which the two or three companies of cavalry who led us had quite lively skirmishing.
At one point the Rebels took advantage of an old line of works and made quite a stubborn resistance, but our regiment, though we were deployed and advanced as skirmishers, did not get a shot the whole day. Just as we turned off the road to bivouac the Rebels opened a piece of artillery on us, but fired only a few shots and hurt no one. Item: Saw a lovely girl today. Item: Had on the Union to-day. Item: Had my first drink of milk since the 26th of December, ’63. Item: Have an oppossum which “Rueben” is to cook for my breakfast. Heavy cannonading west of us.