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

tomorrow to be gone for two days. Hope we will have good
weather. Heard that rifles for the regiment was coming up
today. Inclined to rain in the afternoon. Turned in early
to have a good sleep, as I won't get any for the next two
days, I imagine.
[63] Friday, Jany 10th. Formed for picket 9 A.M. Roads awful
muddy, as it had rained hard all night. Looks this morning
as if it had not got through yet. Our company was left on
the reserve for a novelty, to go to front next day. Built
good fires and made ourselves as comfortable as the wet
ground and cloudy weather would permit. Slept none all the
night, as I could not.
Saturday, Jany 11th. Went to the front this morning. There
were seven of us on a post. Ran short of grub, as we only
brought one day's provisions with us and the others did not
arrive until nightfall. Saw some of the rebel cavalry but
they did not come within shooting distance of us, as we only
had muskets. If we had had rifles, some of them would have
lost the number of their mass, I think. Kept a sharp lookout
for them through the evening but they did [not] annoy us.
Sunday, Jany 12th. Expected that their horsemen would attack
us through the night, as it was quite bright all night. I
expect they thought better of it. Heard heavy cannonading
about two in the morning. It seemed as if it was down the
river. Was relieved by the 20th N.Y.M. about 10 A.M. After
we left, the cavalry made a dash at them, but they made
nothing by it. Heard that Mr. Brush was arrested yesterday
for striving to give information to the rebels. Got back to
our camp, tired and dirty. 48 hours picketing is tough in
winter weather. Dress parade at 4. The capt. got a letter
from Webster in Richmond. He stated that he was very hard up
for clothing and shoes, likewise writing materials. His
letter was wrote on tobacco paper and the envelope was a
label off a tobacco box. He said that he had seen Remington,
who
[64] visited him in his prison. He said that the foraging party
ran away before they knew whether the cavalry were friends or
enemies. He told the captain also that he could not trust
half of the men in his company, as at the first fight they
would run away. That remains to be proved. I guess his
confinement makes him feel billious. Turned in early so that
I might have a good long night's sleep, as I was mighty
sleepy and tired out.
Monday, Jany 13th. Turned out this morning at 7,
considerably refreshed after an 8 hours' sleep. Drills at
the usual time. Nothing of any importance took place today.
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