Several men from Alabama arrived here to-day with their
backs beaten blue. We caught another spy last night. The drums rolled last
night at 11 and we all turned out in the biggest, dark and deepest mud you ever
saw. It was a mistake of the drummer's. Six rockets were let off and he thought
that they stood for an attack but they were only signals for steamboats. We
thought sure we were attacked, but the boys took it cool as could be, and I
think never men felt better over a prospect for a fight. Two hundred troops
have landed since I commenced writing this time. Just now the clouds seem to be
within 100 yards of the ground. Prospect of a tremendous storm. I am writing
standing up in ranks for evening roll call.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois
Soldier, p. 14
