June 5. Friday. All quiet today, I went out with Boggs and picked some blackberries. At dusk I went up to look at the fort, and after dark got over to look at the “land gunboat� as it is called. Frank went over to the Point after some of the Captain’s things.
June 6. Saturday. There was a little skirmish last night on the left. Drove in the Rebel outposts and captured one prisoner. A number of deserters came in today. Six siege guns are coming up from the river. Today is the quietest we have had since we took up our position before the town.
June 7. Sunday. Up early, regiment formed and went out skirmishing. The Rebels command a hollow which we were obliged to cross. They poured in quite a fire, but no one was hurt. The regiment came across all right.
June 8. Monday. The company formed before daylight and we crossed the exposed hollow before light, leaving three men at the rifle pits. Artillery firing tonight. Boggs and I went up to the big fort. It is progressing finely. We were fired at from there. After dark they had a regular moonlight skirmish and in the fracas our “land gunboat� was burned. We succeeded in running it nearly up to the fort.
June 9. Tuesday. Went back about one and one-half miles with Doty and Boggs, got three quarts of berries, and took a good wash. Very hot and dusty. We are anxiously looking for rain. Our eighty-four pound siege gun has arrived.
June 10. Wednesday. We had not more than finished our early breakfast when the flood gates of heaven, with all its artillery opened. The rain poured down on our houseless heads in torrents. We covered up our things with oilcloths as best we could and sat on them to keep them dry. Some of the boys were located in the ditch, but they were doomed to a complete rout. The water came sweeping down in torrents, bearing shanties, rails, and every obstruction before it. The ditch was no sooner filled than it overran the bottom, sending the occupants skadaddling to higher ground. It rained all day in showers, not giving us time to dry our blankets. It has most effectively laid the dust. The Rebs have taken advantage of the rain and tried to plant a battery, but our artillery poured in round after round, slightly deranging their plans. We have our eighty-four pounder mounted. Was detailed for guard at the ammunition magazine just before night. We had another heavy shower after dark.
June 11. Thursday. It cleared off in the course of the day but the ground is muddy. We had another man wounded today, making thirty-nine in all. Our big gun threw over some shell and did splendid work. Our division has about forty cane breakers, none from our regiment. They have to work at fatigue. There is talk of working them into a pioneer corps. It is reported that Grant has gone up the Yazoo and left McPherson in command. McPherson is gaining the good will of his corps rapidly. He is almost universally liked and esteemed. We were relieved early and returned to camp. I exchanged my minnie for an Enfield.
June 12. Friday. Some artillery along the line. The old gun occasionally sends over its dirt disturbers. We have had a beautiful day. The Rebs sent over a few shells, one of which burst over our regiment, but hurt no one. Doty, Schultz and I went after blackberries this morning. I got five or six quarts. Troops are coming up the landing and going up to the Yazoo. Huron’s command went up yesterday. They had an engagement at Milliken’s Bend. Negro troops were in action and are reported to have done well. Frank Bishop was killed.
June 14. Sunday. Another fine day. Rebs unusually active, throwing shell. They have one gun that is causing us considerable trouble. It is back in the rear and our artillery cannot disturb it. I wrote home today.
June 15. Monday. We were aroused at 3 o’clock this morning. The company was formed and went out sharpshooting. The enemy were rather quiet, but they had a piece of artillery or mortar directly opposite from which they sent over shell all day. It was out of sight, but we had our artillery loaded and ready and as soon as we could see the smoke from their guns the shells were put in from all directions. A number burst prematurely. They killed Milligan of Co. A, and wounded three others. Boggs got a slight rap. It hit his gun first and spoiled that, and then hit him on the arm. As soon as it was dark we struck up a conversation. Uncle Ben and four of the others went down and met an equal number of Confeds. They had quite a chat, but could get no satisfaction from it. They say they have lain in rifle pits nearly a month. The 36th Miss. is opposite us. They all tell us the Tenn. and Mo. troops are kept in the rear because they cannot trust them on the outposts. Two or three deserted and came over to headquarters last night. They showed three days’ rations, it would have done for one meal, such as it was—a small strip of thin pork and a chunk of bread baked out of peas. They came to the conclusion they would rather die cowards than martyrs.