have some sympathy, and the facts will atone for the short-comings of the Second Division when they are told that they went into action on the third with two thousand nine hundred and twenty-five officers and men, the balance of the Division being detailed in and about Corinth. Loss, seventy-five officers; total loss, one thousand and four. Forgive these "lacking and erring boys of the Northwest, for next time they will try and do better."

We remain in this camp, uninterrupted until November the 2d, when we are ordered inside the fortifications, the greater portion of the troops having left on an expedition southward. It is said our Division will remain and garrison Corinth for awhile. Our regiment is now camped close to Cornth, on the old battle field of October the 4th, and the probability is that we will remain here for some time, and in view of these indications, the Seventh is soon at work fixing up its quarters, building chimneys and fire places; and making general preparations for the approaching cold weather. The Seventh having its complement of mechanics, it is not long until the quarters are made quite comfortable, and as we look along the officers' line this evening we behold a neat row of chimneys, the work of the genial and accommodating "General Grant" of Company K. Of course the officers will all vote the General their hearty thanks.

November 14th.-To-day the resignation of Captain C. W. Holden of Company "H" takes effect. The remainder of this month we remain quietly in

camp.

December 1st.-To-day Lieutenant J. L. Ring having recovered from his wound received in the battle of Corinth, returns to the Regiment and assumes command of his company. During these days we find nothing to note; everything is quiet until December 17th when the military is discovered to be unusually active, aids and orderlies moving to and fro giving orders and carrying dispatches. Being so long quiet in camp we surmise we will move soon So may it be; for all are eager to march forth again upon the war path.

CHAPTER VIII.

The march into West Tennessee-Arrival at Purdy-Arrival at Lexington-Arrival at Pinch-The rebels withdraw from Jackson-The march to Henderson-Take the cars for CorinthOur line of communications cut-Foraging-The close of 1862 -The new year-Lincoln's proclamation-The railroad still cut-Arrival of the mail by Pony express-Rations running short-The troops compelled to subsist on corn-Communication open-Full rations-The conversation of two sentries-The non-arrival of mails-The cold weather-The comments of the soldiers on modern democracy-Arrival of the mails-Soldiers letters-Their welcome-The game cocks-Trip to Hamburg landing-The heavy duty of the regiment-Corinth a Gibralter -Meeting of Illinois officers in Music Hall, Corinth-The passing of resolutions relative to the vigorous prosecution of the war-The office of Chaplain-Trip to Davenport MillsResignation of Colonel Babcock-Celebration of the first anniversary of the battle of Shiloh.

December 18th, 1862.-To-day, 10 o'clock P. M., move from Corinth in the direction of Purdy, Tennessee. The whole available force from the garrison under the command of General G. M. Dodge, is on the move. We march briskly. It seems to be a forced march. The night is dark; no moon shoots forth its arrows of light. The Seventh soon becomes sleepy and tired, and many of the men fall by the way perfectly exhausted. Three o'clock in the morning we come to a halt. Those who are not too much exhausted build camp fires and prepare their breakfast, but the majority of the men being

so weary, drop down upon the ground and are soon slumbering. At the early dawn of day all are aroused and the Seventh's weary men are compelled to move forward without any breakfast. We arrive at Purdy, Tennessee, by noon, where we halt, eat our dinners, and steal a few hours for sleep. This is a beautiful inland town, situated in West Tennessee, thirty miles northwest from Corinth, and four miles from the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The drums now beat, and again the regiment is formed in line. Rumors are now rife that there is a fight on hand somewhere in West Tennessee. We move forward twelve miles, but finding no enemy, we go into camp for the night. The soldier is weary this evening, foot-sore and hungry.

Saturday, 20th.-This morning we move forward at 9 o'clock, and march briskly all day. By the road-side many a weary, foot-sore soldier falls. We are now in the rear of Jackson, Tennessee, a town on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, which the rebels, it is said, are trying to circumvent.

Sunday, 21st. We are this morning fifty miles from Corinth in an enemy's country. Our command numbers about two thousand. We are running some risk in moving so far away from support, but our leader has in his composition the "sand" and the "steel," and in him we trust. We move from camp on quick time, the spirits of the men are up; all anticipate a fray with Forrest and his West Tennessee raiders. By noon we arrive at Lexington, but find no enemy as we expected. We halt here and eat

our dinner, after which we move on and go into camp for the night at Pinch.

Monday, 22d.—This morning General Dodge discovers that the enemy has evaded him by withdrawing hastily from Jackson and his advance. The command being nearly all foot-sore from hard marching, the General finding it impossible to pursue the enemy any farther, takes the head of the column, and leads towards Henderson, Tennessee, a station on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, twenty-five miles distant. We make a hard day's march, and go into camp for the night, five miles from Henderson. Notwithstanding the soldiers are weary and foot-sore, they will forage-will trespass upon plantations— will enter smoke-houses-make raids upon hen-roosts, and demonstrations in barn-yards, much to the discomfiture of the presumingly innocent natives, whose maledictions are no doubt falling fast upon the heads of the "invaders." From the superabundance of chickens and geese heads strewn around in the Seventh's camp, we are forced to conclude that they have a just cause for giving vent to their aggravated feelings.

Tuesday, 23d.-This morning we cross Beach river, and march into Henderson. We are told that from here we will proceed by rail to Corinth. Never was news so gladly received as was this by the Seventh's weary members. The First Brigade, General Sweeny, receive transportation immediately for Corinth, thirty miles distant. And it falls to our lot to remain at Henderson until the train returns.