MAY 27. Wednesday. Moved back to the next hollow in the night. This morning Brophy was wounded. The day was mostly spent in fixing up cane brake shanties or shades. Toward night, Wood of Co. A was killed. MAY 28. Thursday. We were ordered sharpshooting this morning. Nothing extraordinary happened. Dick Stephens was killed this afternoon--shot through the head. I was on guard last night. They threw three or four shells over us. Were busy all the fore part of the night issuing rations, and bringing water from the river. Col. Smith came back today. MAY 29. Friday. We were relieved and returned to camp early this morning. Jim Chesher was wounded. The ball passed through our shanty and over me. Our artillery along the whole line opened this morning and it was a grand sight. The Rebels dare not reply. They did not show a piece. We fired one hour this morning and one this evening--giving them their daily rations, also opened in the night pouring hundreds of shot and shell among them. MAY 31. Sunday. Today ends one month of active campaign, which has so far been successful, and I do not see why it should not end more brilliantly than it has begun. I hope to Heaven it will. Bill Stafford brought over the news this morning that Joe Johnston is fortifying Jackson. Our knaps came in from Young’s Point today all right. The weather is hot and sultry. Some artillery firing. I went upon the hill this evening to see the mortars shell the town. The sight is beautiful, but it is sad to think of those deadly missiles so faithfully doing their work of destruction. Many a family tie has no doubt been severed. We hear that a great many women and children have been killed. Surely the instigators of war ought to suffer. JUNE 1. Monday. A terrific cannonading was opened and kept up a long time from our line last night. I think it must have awakened some of the Rebels from their slumbers. Rumors are afloat this morning that the Confeds tried to cut their way through but were driven back. We had inspection of arms this morning, by Reynolds, at 10 o’clock. The artillery are getting a heavy supply of ammunition ready at their batteries and are preparing for operations. The weather is hot. We have a well dug in the quarters, which furnishes good water.