Tattoo 9 p. m. — They are really expecting an attack on
Bird's Point, and we will all be kept close in quarters evenings after sunset
till the scare dies away. One of our boys that stood guard at the hospital this
morning says the surgeon told him that the sick would be brought from the
Point, to Cairo to-day. Don't know whether they did it or not.
We were coming on the cars when we heard of the Manassas
rout. The boys gave three cheers, for they imagined it would bring us marching
orders. I would like very much to hear such orders, but would a devilish sight
rather march with men that have had three months' drill than with these new
recruits. You can't imagine what a difference there is in one's confidence in a
drilled and undrilled company of men. Don't say anything about our expectations
of an attack here for there has been a great deal too much said already on
going-to-be attacks on this Point
We pay five cents a pint here for milk, and I found a
wiggler in a pint this morning. Don't you think they ought to mix clean water
with the cow juice?
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 22-3
