Sunday

7th  Sunday started at 5 oclock and got to Cane Mountain at half past 9 A.M. and formed in line of Battle, the fight had commensed when we got here by the cavalry. met them in a stampede but we turned them back and checked the rebels. the opening gun was fired at 10 minuites past 10 oclock for not returned, but about 12 the battle commensed and lasted till night with a heavy loss our side retreating.

18 miles

8  Started out again this morning and expect to have a fight right now of it is now 10 minits to 10 ociock at 10 oclock a flag of truce came in our line and the enemy commences leaving their dead so I guess the day is ours

8th  at about 12 oclock the news came that the day was ours, and the rebels are on the retreat at 1 oclock we were marched to our tenting ground.

pitched tents at about half past nine oclock evening. we expect a fight tomorow.

Battle of Illinois river

9th  all quiet in camp done nothing but bury the dead and clean up I visited the Battle field.

10th  laying still buried Lieut Bentliff [i.e., 1st Lieutenant Thomas Bintliff]

11th  laying still commensed drill

12th  done nothing but drill detail 3 men to take care of the wounded The 2nd Wis. Cav. gone on a 3 days scout. looks like rain

13th  raining very hard nothing doing the camp ground covered with mud and water rained all day.