It returns at 2 o'clock and we are soon rolling over the road towards Corinth. At 5 o'clock P. M. we enter our old camp. The railroads running from Corinth to Memphis and Columbus are now cut, closing our communications with the government, and in consequence the command has only half rations issued to them.

Every day is now dawning with Corinth isolated as it were from the rest of the world, with no mail, no news, and only half rations, but the soldiers are in fine spirits, and seem to feel indifferent concerning the situation. Forrest and his raiders seem to have full sway in the direction of Memphis and Columbus. We miss the engine's shrill whistle, and above all we miss its ponderous load. But as we look among these stalwart men this evening, we are inclined to think that the enemy's present mode of warfare, though a legitimate one, will not annihilate this army. The voice of the Seventh is, we will smile to see them starve us, though we are in an almost destitute country.

Tuesday, 30th.-This morning Companies H and I, under the command of Captain Johnson, are sent on a foraging expedition, taking with them the Division train. They go within six miles of Purdy, making a general sweep of every thing that would in any way serve to satisfy the "inner" of both man and mule.

Wednesday morning they start back with the train loaded down with corn, hogs, sheep, chickens, and geese, and arrive in camp about noon. The Sev

enth is well supplied, having plenty to eat now though they are minus the half rations due from the government, and we conclude to-night "that Mr. rebels are robbing Paul to pay Peter."

Another year is now closing-another child of time passing away. Soon turbulent and boisterous sixty-two's death-knell will be sounded, and while she is slowly dying, we trace its history, and behold that great events have transpired since it first walked forth. America has been in commotion, a great people engaged in civil strife. The force of law and the power of republican freedom have been arrayed against ignorance, rebellion, and mad ambition. May this force and power in its mighty march sweep from this land every vestage of marshaled opposition ere the death doom of another year is spoken. Would that this year of war would roll out and a year of peace come in; that no more hecatombs of loyal dead might be reared in the southland; but that harmony, quiet and fraternal love might reign where the beautiful magnolia and citron bloom.

Thursday, January 1st, 1863.-The new year dawns peacefully, but not with a nation at peace. 1862 has been a year of blood, and 1863 may be likewise, for the loyal soldiers, with their bayonets, stand beneath the Union's battle-flag, all over this land, eager to follow it down where treason lifts its hydra-head ready to engage in the carnival of blood. To-day we are reminded that Lincoln's great proclam ati

takes effect. A chained race is declared free.

The Seventh's boys are now discussing the expediency of this proclamation. We discover that it has its advocates and its opposers among the members of the Seventh, some being fanatical in its praise, and others bitter in its denunciation, but the time will come when all will view this proclamation as the most powerful blow against the slave-holder's rebellion.

January 5th.—This morning a pleasing smile is seen to play upon every face after receiving the intelligence that a mail will arrive from the north to-day. Every one seems anxious to hear from home-from the army before Richmond-from Burnside-from Congress, and of the great things talked of there. In fact we are anxious to hear of what is going on generally in the free outside world. We have now

been cut off from communications for two weeks ; if not opened soon half rations will all be consumed. About twilight this evening we hear the cars coming and shouts from the camps rend the air, but oh! it is not a through train, only from Jackson. Although disappointed in not receiving supplies, the weary, anxious, waiting hearts are gladdened by the arrival of the mail, which was conveyed part of the way by Pony express. It is indeed interesting to see with what eagerness the soldiers crowd around the "P. O." The mail is now distributed, and the soldiers can be seen in every direction perusing the home missives. All feel cheerful after reading these words that come from the loyal hearts of the loved ones at home.

Wednesday, 7th.-Last night a train arrived from

Memphis bringing provisions, but not sufficient to relieve us from half rations. Things look gloomy in and around Corinth. The troops are compelled to subsist in part on corn obtained by the foraging parties. The Seventh is now shelling corn for the purpose of making hominy. Should the rebels make a raid now upon Corinth (for which the soldiers al hope and pray) we dare say they would be met in a becoming manner, and somebody would be made sick-we are strongly of the opinion that it would not be the Union soldiers.

Thursday, January 8th--The troops still on half rations, and a very small half at that. A few more days, and we anticipate that we shall be nearly starved out. Still no news comes this way from the armies; but we hope the tide of battle is rolling with the old flag aloft.

Friday, 9th.-This morning the boys are busy shelling corn to make hominy, and while we walk through the camp of the Seventh we are reminded of the stories told of our revolutionary fathers, in their struggle for independence.

Saturday, 10th.-To-day some of the Seventh boys return from a foraging expedition in West Tennessee, bringing in some hogs, sheep, chickens and geese, making quite a welcome addition to our scanty supplies. The boys are again becoming very anxious for mail. How long will they yet be compelled to wait? But no doubt there are more anxious hearts in our far off northern homes.

Sunday, 11th, dawns, and with it comes full rations.

The trains are now running from Memphis to Grand Junction, and thence to Jackson, and to Corinth. In this way we receive supplies, and how welcomely they are received by the hungry troops in and around Corinth. May the troops guarding the railroads be more vigilant in the future, and never more pull down the old flag and hoist the flag of truce!

Monday, 12th.-To-day supplies continue to arrive by the way of Grand Junction and Jackson; but no mail arrives. How anxious and lonely the soldiers are becoming here in this secluded part of the world, without any mail or any news from the north. But we have a good time for abstraction, and a good time for the study of human nature. Man cannot find a more extensive scope for its study than here in the camp and field. If man has faults he will show them; if he has virtues they will shine like the beauty and splendor of the noon-day sun; and those manly virtues that go to beautify the character of man, are seen shedding their light all around us. But we believe that here, more than in any other place, man can be persuaded of the truthfulness of the doctrine of human depravity; and at the same time can he be persuaded of the beauty of human redemption.

Tuesday, 13th.-This morning is beautiful and pleasant, much like a happy June morning in Illinois. In the evening we have brigade drill; the boys do not relish it much just now, not having had full rations long enough.

The garrison troops are now foraging on an exten