SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1864.

Started this morning for my command, arrived in Page County, (where I left the Brig.) late this evening found that the Brig. had gone back to Shenandoah Valley, Started yesterday morning, I put up for the night at a M^r Stricker's near Luray. Weather clear & pleasant.

MONDAY 31

Spent a pleasant night with plenty to eat for myself & horse, which is quite a rarity these hard times Started early this morning for Shenandoah Valley, Came by way of Mt. Jackson, where I stoped until late in night & then started to my command at the old camp, got there found the Regt. had moved, camped all night by myself. Weather clear

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Arose early this morning & started in search of the Regt. found it encamped two miles from old, & very near Forestville. Regt. was about starting on picket, joined it & came on picket on Stony Creek at & near Edenberg [sp. Edinburg], Some talk of Yankees coming this evening, but none have arrived yet. all is quiet.

Weather clear & cool.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1864.

Still on picket. All is quiet on the outpost, Some Yankees terming themselves Jesse scouts (who are dressed in grey clothes) are scouting about outside our lines, passing themselves off for Southern solders to such an extent that people are loathe to trust us, or believe we are Southern Soldiers, when we happen to be out side our lines. Weather cloudy & threatening.

THURSDAY 3

A very hard & cold rain commenced falling early last night & is still continuing to fall, making picketing very disagreable. Have to keep our horses saddled all the time with our blankets under the saddles leaving us nothing to sleep, on or under except the wet ground & the blue canopy of Heaven. We were releived late this evening by 7th Regt. Returned to camp. I (of course) came by way of Mt. Jackson.

FRIDAY 4

Rain continued to fall all night cleared off Windy & cold early this morning turned our horses out to graze, commenced drilling on foot about 11 oclock A.M. An alarm came (of Yankees advancing) soon after we commenced drilling. All hands to get up horses, saddle, & mount which was speedily done when we moved down the road toward picket line [1 line illeg]