Wednesday, June 17th.

Started this morning about 10 o'clock and marched the first three or four miles very rapidly.

The weather today excessively hot and straggling commenced very early.

The road sides were soon lined with stragglers, many of whom were completely exhausted by

the heat, many suffering from and some dying it was said from sunstroke.

When the brigade made its first halt to rest, it was a mere skeleton of what it was when

it started, so many were behind.

About sunset, the division went into camp.

At night, the heat was so great that it was difficult to sleep.

Friday, June 19th.

We headed about sunrise and halted about midday on a high hill overlooking the village

of Front Royal, having crossed the Blue Ridge at Thornton Gap.

The scenery along the route was exceedingly beautiful, in some places very wild.

We were struck with the luxury richness of the country on both sides of the mountains,

how it contrasted with the worn and devastated country to which we had so long been accustomed.

Saturday, June 20th.

Last night was very bad on the men and consequence of the heavy rain.

Just as my messmate and myself had about fallen asleep, the water from the soft and wet

ground where our bed was made soaked through our underlying oil cloth and blanket, and

through the thick sleeves of my woolen shirt and coat, and reaching my skin thus reminded

me of the uncanny condition of things.

We had once got up and found it raining a little, but some of the men had already begun

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