"...pickle relish".

Thursday, April 16, 1863, Camp Gregg, Virginia

We are back in camp and I, for one, am glad of it. My furlough was intended to allow for some rest but except for the earliest part of it, there was no rest. Of the six of us who met at the train station, only myself and Adkins terminated our time early. After coming so close to shooting women, neither Adkins nor I considered that we could enjoy whatever time we had left. Adkins is still physiclly sick over it. I feel better being back in camp.

On the train returning from Richmond, we had the opportunity to once again make the aquaintence of Mister Obidiah Pickle, the gentleman from the Central Association. He was also returning from Richmond with a car of supplies for we poor South Carolina soldiers. With any luck, some of the supplies are for our brigade and maybe for our regiment and company.

One of the first sights that we should see upon returning was Castles riding a wooden horse. Nearby was Duncan, with what looked to be a black eye, riding a similar horse. I hallooed to them both but neither answered. They only glared at each other. According to Hancock, they had engaged in a bout of fisticuffs and are now transferred to the, "cavalry", for awhile. Before we start campaigning, they need to bury the hatched before the Yankees bury them. Adkins did not see them as he reported to the hospital straight away.

We heard geese, flying north, and wished we had permission to invite them to supper. My first meal back was the usual hardtack and salt pork. Somehow, it tasted better than our fare in Richmond. It was probably being in the company of pards that made the difference. Holton shared a jar of pickle relish that he had received from home. I slathered a hardtack cracker with it and enjoyed it all. 

My musket and all my accoutrements are back with me and I feel better for it. I feel like a soldier again. My uniform is better suited to a rag merchant. My brogans are unworthy of the name. Adkins and I were hoping to obtain new things in Richmond. Perhaps we left too soon. No matter how unsightly I may appear, as long as my musket is clean, I am ready.

The snow is nearly all gone. The air is still cold at night. We still consume a good deal of firewood. The tree line has been reduced signifigantly in order to feed our fireplaces. Our bellies should be as well-fed. We will just have to supplement our rations from the Yankee haversacks. We are scheduled to pull picket duty again very soon. Perhaps some trade can be effected with the enemy.