 July 1 General Dudley sent out some wagons after forage. H. Hobert got some chicken potatoes & squash & a good coffee kettle. I went out & [foraged) some greens corn & watermelon. [Henry Hobert enlisted August 1862 at Watkins, New York & mustered out with company ? September 1865 at Fort Jefferson FL.] July 2 About 11 o'clock our Regt. & the 30th Mass. [were] ordered in line. We soon learned what what was up. The Rebs had made a Dash on our commissary stores at Springfield landing. We marched there on Double quick [at a fast pace] way to cote [coast?]. July 3 We Returned to Shore Plains last at 7 o'clock & I went out on picket. It talked that they are going to storm the fort tomorrow. July 4 Everything is unusually still today. We make no assault. We expected to today take everything in consideration. This is a Dull fourth of July. I wrote a letter to wife. July 5 There is nothing of importance going on today more than usual. July 6 Our mail arrive this evening after Narrowly escaping from the Rebs at Springfield Landing. I Received the usual letter from ED Coe [?]  July 7 We learned this morning that Vicksburg is in our possession. I was detailed & went out with a forager party after beef. We killed 9 fine beasts & fetched [them] in with us for our brigade. July 8 [Confederate] General Gardner surrendered Port Hudson to Gen. Banks this morning. It is glorious news to us. Every man appears to have new life. Night 9 o'clock we are ordered to be ready to march tomorrow morning. July 9 7am we leave Shore Plains & [General] Auger’s whole Division marched through to P.H. at 10 o'clock and got on board the transports for Donaldsonville [a city in southern Louisiana near Baton Rouge]. July 10 Donaldsonville: we arrived here at 10 o'clock. When within 3 miles of here the Rebs fired on our boats from behind the Levee & killed & wounded a number of our men. When we landed they were in sight. July 11 The Rebs Drove our pickets in this morning. We our Brigade went in pursuit of them, followed them 2 miles, killed one & wounded a large number of them. We then fell back again. July 12 The Rebs are around our lines this morning again & keep skirmishing until 2 pm. We advanced 5 miles & camped for the night.  July 13 We have been living on the fat of the land since we started last night up till 12 o'clock today. But this afternoon we pay very Dear for what we have had. Continued in the latter part. July 14 We fell Back to our old position last night where we Remain at present. Today we are burying our dead. 6pm - we have been reinforced by another Division & are Ready Now for another Battle. July 15 We have our dead all Buried & wounded all cared for. The Rebel pickets [are] in sight of ours again 2 miles from here. July 16 We learn today that the Rebs [have] fallen Back towards ?. There appears to be no movement to be made at present by our Division. July 17 We can't hear anything off the Rebs within 10 miles of here. Today I am on picket. George A. Brown Died today at Baton Rouge from the wounds he Received on the 13th [He was wounded in action at Cox’s Plantation, Donaldsonville; cause of death: gunshot wound]. July 18 There [were] about 50 Rebs seen at Cox's plantation [A battle occurred there on July 12-13, 1863 following the surrender of Port Hudson]. [There are] supposed to be pickets that [are] about 4 miles from here.  July 19 We don’t hear anything of the enemy today. Our quartermaster [the officer responsible for food, clothing & supplies] has arrived from New Orleans with clothing which affords me a shirt & pants. July 20 There are many rumors in camp today. Some say the Rebs are advancing on us again & others say they are fortifying along Bayou Lafourche. July 21 We learn today that there is no truth in yesterday's report. They have moved instead & took every male citizen that [can] carry a gun. July 22 The weather is very warm & the health of our Brigade is getting very Bad. July 23 Sargent Hibbard Died today at Baton Rouge from wounds received on the 13th at Donaldsville. [William Hibbard was wounded in action; cause of death was a gunshot wound]. July 24 We are blessed with a fine shower today which comes very [?].  July 25 I was taken ill this a.m. with [?]. Edward Matson was taken to the Hospital today. July 26 Henry Web of Co. E was found Dead in his Bivouac [a temporary camp without tent or cover] this morning. Yesterday he went to the Surgeon, But the Surgeon would not notice him. Surgeon Darting [?]. [Henry J. Webb, age 18, enlisted August 30, 1862 at Hector NY, died July 26, 1863 at Donaldsonville, Louisiana.] July 27 E. Matson was sent to B. Rouge today. The soldiers [are] dying off very fast in our Brigade. [Pvt. Edward Matson died 10 Sep 1863 at the General Hospital, Baton Rouge; cause of death was chronic diarrhea, probably dysentery]. July 28 I got some medicine this morning which gave me much relief. It has nearly broken my fever. But my Diarrhea is no better [perhaps he had Dysentery?]. July 29 There is hope of our Brigade going Back to Baton Rouge again before many Days. July 30 Our Col. has orders to Drill the Regt. one hour a day & issue one gill of whiskey to each man [one gill = about 4 ounces].  July 31
General Dudley takes [General] Weitzel's Command & Col. Harvey [was promoted to] Brigadier [General]. Dudley has the 3 Brigades moved up to Baton Rouge. We get the Boat at 8 o'clock. Remarks This has been a very long tedious month & the courage of Both men & officers appears to be absconded (?). But now we are Back home again & it appears to put new life [in] the whole Brigade. Everything is plenty & pleasant in our old camp.
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