Dear Diary,

More of the same, different location.  We're still in Louisville,
waiting for our chance to get at the Rebs.  Most of the news is about
fighting over in Missouri, and a lot of fighting in Western Virginia. 
Missouri has a long history of fighting between pro-slavers and
Unionists, going back to the troubles over Kansas.  As for Virginia, she
went out of the Union a few months back, but it seems most of her
Western counties weren't asked - and so General McClellan "Li'l Mac" to
the boys - went over to help out the Unionists.  Gosh knows we don't
need another state to leave the best Nation God ever created.

We're really starved for word from home, and any reliable news.  The
local paper, the Louisville Courier, can't be trusted.  It's so
pro-Confederate that it has been banned from the US Mail - so you don't
want to be caught with a copy in camp!

The "bigwigs" have set up their headquarters at the Galt House, a big
hotel right downtown.  I was on guard duty there the other night, and
got to see General Buell and an old Ohio boy, General Ulysses Grant.  He
was in the Mexican War, but now has a regiment of Illinois troops - 21st
Regiment, I think it is.  He is also the ranking general for his state. 
I wonder what they're planning, but then I don't expect they'll be
asking my opinion any time soon.