"We have been furloughed"

Sunday, March 29, 1863, Camp Gregg, Virginia

If we stay here much longer, we will take root. The snow is just about gone but the rain is still with us. I have noticed that the rains are getting warmer. This is good news as this army needs to move away from here lest it waste away from starvation.

During this time of year, being not yet Spring regardless of what the calendar says,
and not quite in full winter, it is exceedingly difficult to supplement our rations from sources other than our most respected Commissary. There are a very few things growing in the fields and what little is there is not yet ripe for eating. Our rations have been cut again and everyone is hungry.

According to regulations, each man of us is entitled to three-fourths of a pound of pork or bacon or, barring that, one and one-fourth pounds of fresh or salt beef per day. I cannot recall receipt of this amount since I joined the Army. In addition, the daily ration calls for eighteen ounces of  bread or flour or twelve ounces or crackers or one and one-fourth pounds of corn meal. The Commissary has been fairly good as far as the hard crackers is concerned. I know of no one who has seen any real bread.

There are new regulations. The beef may not exceed one pound. The pork or bacon may not exceed one-half pound. There are similar reductions in other items. The good news is that we can have as much water as we want. We long to have at the Yankees if only to capture the cheese in their haversacks. 

Some of us are now returning to the regiment from the hospital having recovered from attacks from Mother Nature. They are being replaced by new casualties from the same enemy. A very few new faces are entering camp from South Carolina. We are not even close to being at full strength but every additional musket is welcome.

It may be getting somewhat warmer but the weather between Duncan and Castles remains frozen. Hancock and myself have stopped trying to be peacemakers. Whatever happens will happen.

Moments ago, there was a knock at our cabin door. It was both Sergeant Harper and Corporal Flynn. We all looked at them and knew the worst was about to visit us. The Army has been granting leave since going into winter camp. Two persons from each company are selected to be granted time away from here. Adkins and I from Company I were chosen. We have been furloughed. Both of us are to report to a Quartermaster tomorrow morning who will arrange transportation. We will go to Richmond where clean sheets are rumored to exist. We are looking forward to testing the validity of these rumors. I will sleep well tonight.