The engineers say there are four feet and six inches of fall between the surface of the river and the surface of the ground below the levee. We worked until noon, and then another relief came on. The regiment moved down to the boats and camped on the other side of the levee. We got a large barroom stove for our tent. This evening there was a detail sent across the river to a large plantation for Nigs. One hundred and forty were caught and sent to Vicksburg. We saw peach trees in bloom today. We met Gen. McArthur and bodyguard when we were coming out. FEB. 11. Boggs, Buttons and I went over the river this morning on an old flat log. About 10 o’clock Si Livingston and I had permission to go out and get some chickens. We crossed over on the log, baled out an old canoe, and took a ride up the river two miles and a half, and stopped at a beautiful plantation. We could buy nothing. We then struck back for camp, and stopped on the way at another plantation and got five chickens. The steamer “Louisiana” came around this morning with provisions. Two men from company E knocked down an old Negro and robbed him. It was proven, and Major Peats had them tied up by the hands, with a card on their backs. FEB. 12. The two men were tied all day. We played ball. FEB. 13. We played ball again today. It rained last night. Three men of company G were tied up today for running the pickets. FEB. 14. We were ordered back to Providence this morning. Caught a sheep and brought it along. The roads are very muddy. We met Gen. McArthur on the way back. One of our brigade went on the south side of the lake and the other on the opposite side. They are clearing the brush from the bayou that leaves the lake for Tensa and are stopping up others. FEB. 15. Sunday. We had a big thunderstorm last night. Part of McClernand’s forces came up on the transports this afternoon. The supposition is that all are coming up. FEB. 16. I was on guard (supernumerary), all day and was not called out. It was rainy this morning. FEB. 17. Rain all last night and all day today. There has been no work done on the ditch since we came back, on account of the rain. The river is falling fast. A large wharf boat went down at noon. FEB. 18. Cloudy this morning, though not raining. The ground is covered with water and mud. The old wooden gunboat “Tyler” is lying here at anchor. FEB. 19. Tuesday. Warm and pleasant. Mud drying up very fast. Work on the ditch was continued today by four hundred Nigs. We draw rations for twelve hundred Negroes, wenches, children and all. The women and children will be sent into the cotton fields to work. Men are detailed to oversee them. FEB. 20. Wednesday. Beautiful day. We played ball.