[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox]

Slept well last night–at roll call the full strength of our company was only 19–thus the Corp has from time to time gone on the sick list until it has dwindled down to a mere squad–and many of those on the duty list unable to stand a long march and carry knap-sacs–At 8 A.M. the regiment formed promptly and stood in readiness to march–the wagons moved on before–they had not gotten out of camp bounds when they were ordered to turn back and our orders were countermanded and were dismissed and allowed to pick tents and shelters–It is pretty well understood that we were to have moved in the direction of Summerville, but from some news from Genl. Floyd this change is made–8 o’clock P.M. To the great satisfaction of us all we have this evening gotten 8 nice tents from the department–we can now do much better–have them all pitched and are comfortably fixed–We have prepared our “pay roll” to-day and hope to be paid off in a short time–91/2 P.M. Taps–lights out and to sleep.

Eugene Montraville Cox, 1833-1885, Albemarle Border Guards later Private, Co. D., 46th Virginia Infantry

MSS 38-221