It would have been quite a relief if they had thrown in a new one every hour or so, by way of variety.
Morning at last came.

Our companies mustered on their grounds, and then marched to the space on the South Side where the rations were issued.
Each man was armed with a small club, secured to his wrist by a string.
The Rebels--with their chronic fear of an outbreak animating them--had all the infantry in line of battle with loaded guns.

The cannon in the works were shotted, the fuses thrust into the touch-holes and the men stood with lanyards in hand ready to mow down everybody, at any instant.
The sun rose rapidly through the clear sky, which soon glowed down on us like a brazen oven.

The whole camp gathered where it could best view the encounter.

This was upon the North Side.