Camp Pittman, Va.
Our camp has been christened at last. We are building a huge oven, large enough
to supply our brigade with soft bread. Furloughs are being granted to a limited
number of officers and men. This will entitle our company to eight privates. In
our company the lot fell between Wait Wright, of Eaton Rapids, and myself. Our
cases were so similar the Colonel would not decide between us. He said we must
talk it over and agree which should go first, and that, as soon as one
returned, the other should go. I heard Mr. Wright's story and volunteered to
remain until his return, which will be fifteen days from the date of his
furlough. The past week has been very cold. It has snowed all day, and now—about
four o'clock is turning to rain, and bids fair to be a rainy night.
SOURCE: David Lane,
A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 28
