upon which graves to throw their flowers or drop their tears. April 9th.-There is a continual rain now falling. It seems that the battle storms of Shiloh have opened the windows of heavens. Our camp is in a wretched condition. From the 9th to the 29th of April, scarcely any sunshine is seen. During this time the odor from the battle-field is sickening, and the sick list is increasing every day. On the 16th we find the gallant Lieutenant Ring in the hospital. Being exposed so much during the battle, and ever since the battle, his physical powers have been giving way, notwithstanding his firm, determined will. We are all anxious for the recovery of his health, for the late battle tells us that company H cannot well spare him who led them so faithfully through Shiloh's dark days, after Captain Holden took sick and left the field. We have marching orders now. We have passed through stormy days while here. The world shall never know their story. The pen will be moved to tell it, but it will never be told. We shall now enter upon another campaign. May the God of battles be with us, and nerve strong arms to hold the flag up until the song of victory and peace shall be sung by liberty's happy people! Major Rowett has been sent to a northern hospital. We regret it very much, for we shall miss him as we move southward. CHAPTER VI. Leaving Shiloh—The roads--Joining Sherman at Monterey-The siege of Corinth-The evacuation-Joining Pope-The march into Mississippi-The warm weather-The scarcity of water— The return to Corinth-Camp near the Mobile and Ohio Railroad-The Sixth Division Camp-Camp on Purdy road-Camp in Jack-oak Thicket-Battle of Iuka-The Iowa boys our brothers--Ordered to our old camp near Mobile and Ohio Railroad-The Second Division concentrating-Rumors of Price's advance upon Corinth. Tuesday, April 29th, 1862.-This morning we commence early to make preparations to move from our camp at Shiloh. 9 o'clock.-We are in line, waiting for the command "forward" to be given. Colonel Babcock having returned from the hospital, is now in command of the regiment, and we all feel that he will, as in days past, lead the regiment forth to victory. But we all regret that the gallant Rowett and Ring are not with us to aid in the coming campaign. At ten o'clock the Third Brigade, consisting of the Seventh, Fiftieth and Fifty-seventh Illinois, and Twenty-second Ohio, commanded by Colonel Baldwin, of the Fifty-seventh Illinois, move forward from Pittsburg Landing, marching in the direction of Corinth, Mississippi. Owing to the condition of the roads, and the jamming together of the artillery and the army trains, we only succeed in getting about five miles from the landing, when we go into camp for the night. April 30th. This morning the whole army is in motion, except the part sticking in the mud. The Third Brigade only goes three miles, when they halt and go into camp for the remainder of the day and night. We have a good camping ground, which, with the refreshing and healthy atmosphere blowing around us, makes all seem cheerful. All seem glad that they are away from Shiloh's sickening field. To May 1st. This morning we again take up the line of march. The army is moving slowly on, and will continue to move on until the old flag makes another victorious stand for the Union and freedom. wards evening we increase our speed. Some one says we have been ordered to join Sherman to-night. It proves true; we hasten on and go into camp late in the evening, at Monterey, joining General Sherman's command, which has come to a stand. May 2d. This morning we remain at Monterey, waiting for orders. We remain here all day and it seems that the army has come to a halt. This evening the Seventh is detailed for picket. The night is clear and the moon shines brightly, and the boys watch closely for any foe that may be lurking near, for we are in the enemy's country, and it is surmised that there is something threatening ahead. The soldier on picket-who can tell his thoughts at the midnight hour, when a mighty army is sleeping and depending upon his vigilance? May 3d.—This morning we are still in camp at Monterey; it is said we are waiting for the siege guns. Our brigade is now in the advance, standing as picket-guard for the army. To-day we move a short distance from Monterey, and go into camp in the woods. - May 4th. We are now before Corinth, the base of the rebel army under Beauregard. Pope's guns have been thundering nearly all day on the left towards Farmington. He takes Portland, on the Tennessee river, and five hundred prisoners. With our part of the army everything seems quiet this evening. May 5th. The artillery is coming up all day. Halleck is moving slowly with his grand army. Would that Grant would be permitted to swing it; there would soon be a commotion among these tall pines. The whining and whelping would-be military masters and generals, whose wisdom is distilled out at wholesale in the bar-rooms of Northern hotels, have clamored against Grant, and since the dark days of Shiloh the army of the Tennessee, who bravely stood with him there, has been grieved to know that the government listened to those base, unmitigated lies told about him in reference to his conduct at Shiloh. We see that this contemptible and cowardly bar-room gentry charge our General with being drunk on Sunday at Shiloh. Tell it to the world, but tell it not to the army of the Tennessee. If a General, drunk, can form, amid such confusion, a line so compact, so powerful, so military as was Grant's last line on Sunday evening, would to God that more Generals were made drunk that we might crush out this fratricidal war and hasten the return of peace to a stricken and throbbing people. "But mark my word, boys," old U. S. will yet ride over these men's wicked opposition, and ere this war is over, this man wearing the old slouch hat, commanding the army before Corinth, will receive orders from General Grant; for with Grant at the head of this grand army, he would stamp armies into the earth, and plant the old flag where the gulf winds blow. Tuesday, 6th.-The latest northern papers, with flaming bulletins, are circulated in the army to-day. "All quiet on the Potomac-McClellan and Halleck before Yorktown and Corinth with mighty armies." The world seems to be standing still, watching and waiting to see the triumph of freedom and self-government against the combined fronts of hell-originated treason. Would that these great leaders would move forward and let the old flag go flying on and give the reins to these impatient armies. But it is perhaps well that they are held in check. Wednesday, 7th.-To-day Governor Yates visits the Seventh and makes them a speech, which is full of cheer, full of hope and life, right straight from Dick's big heart. He has come down to Tennessee to look after the sick and wounded Illinois soldiers. How fortunate it is for Illinois to have so good and noble a governor, during this bloody war. This afternoon our division has been reviewed; an impos-. ing scene; such a uniformity of motion and so much vim convince the lookers on that the Second Division cannot be surpassed in the army. Thursday, 8th.-To-day our regiment moves to the |