THE CIVIL WAR DIARY OF JOHN G. MORRISON 1861-1865

on the same epicurean principle as the two former meals.
Went and had a look at the rebels' work on Munson's Hall. It
made me laugh to think of what had been an eyesore to our
army so long. 50 men could have taken it in half as many
minutes. Mud walls 18 inches thick, and they had only three
small pieces of cannon mounted and about 10 feet of stovepipe
mounted on wheels and poked through an embrasure. It made a
first rate representation indeed. Went on guard at 6 P.M.
Kept us on until 9 P.M. Was not wanted any more that night.
Cold like the night before.
[29] Monday, Sept. 30th. Awoke about two in the morning chilled
all through with lying on the damp earth. Had a good heat
and lay down again. Turned out about 5 A.M. Breakfast the
same as the morning before, varied though with the addition
of half a pint of bootleg. Came off guard at 8 A.M. and, as
all the regiment went chopping, thought I would look around
the country and take a private recconaisance for the benefit
of myself individually. Visited about a dozen houses and
found both unionists and seceshers, but the latter
predominated. Came across an old woman. She was mighty
independent and down on the Yankees. Said they stole
everything. She had thought they would get whipped. I
suppose the wish was father to the thought. Took some grapes
off her vine. She did not object. I suppose she thought it
was no use. Fell in with 10 more soldiers. They wanted to
take in her vine. Put it to a vote. Were equally divided.
Left the decision of it to me. Voted against it, so they let
it rest in peace. Went on farther. Stopped at a house for
dinner. Asked an old darkie if there was any secesh about.
Laughed and said I must be blind. Brought me out behind the
house, and to my surprise, there stood four of them about 150
yards from me. They were on picket on the brow of an hill.
Went back to the house and finished my dinner and travelled
campward. strolled around until 4 P.M. Most beautiful
country this. Not half worked, though. Depend too much on
Sambo. Lay down for to sleep at 10 P.M.
Tuesday, Oct. 1st. Detailed to go chopping to take our arms
along. When we got on the ground, I left and went on a tramp
[30] the same as the day before but in another direction. Saw
plenty of secesh, quite near too. They did not attempt to
molest me in any way. Saw no signs of dearth, such as
Northern papers would make us believe. the rebel soldiers
were not short of food by any means. They left plenty behind
them in their camps and nothing was destroyed around where
they lay, the same as it is with us.
Wednesday, Oct. 2nd. Went on guard this morning to the
Hampshire and London R.R. Nothing of unusual moment took
place during the 24 hours which I was on. Took off my
stockings and washed them. Had been on nine days then.
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