Dear Diary,

Funny, I never though I'd bother to keep one of these things, but since
I've joined up, I thought it would be fun to keep a record of what it's
like in the Army.  Looks to me like a great adventure is just
beginning.  Besides, the sutler had one of these neat little books, so
why not?

I guess, diary, I should explain what I'm doing here - the Rebs have
finally gone and done it.  They've talked about states' rights, and
leaving the Union for years - and with last year's Presidential
election, they started.  They didn't want a "Black Republican", meaning
President Lincoln, in the White House.  They said they'd "secede", and
that the Constitution gave them that right.  I don't see how - they gave
up that "right" back in 1787!

President Lincoln tried to reason with them, but no one would listen. 
They started taking Federal property, saying it rightly belonged to the
States.  Then just two weeks ago, they opened fire on Fort Sumter, in
Charleston Harbor.  Poor old Major Anderson and the boys didn't have a
chance, but held out for a day before surrendering.  Old Abe issued an
immediate call for 75,000 volunteers, so here I am!

Actually, I've really been lucky.  Company C, 40th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry mustered in here at Camp Dennison, in Clermont County, Ohio. 
If I ever could get a furlough, I could visit home for a couple of
days.  Our family farm is just outside Milford, about 10 miles away.

Camp Dennison is right next to Hiram Waldschmidt's old farmhouse.  I
guess I can let you in on a secret - Old Hiram and my Pa have run a
station on the Underground Railroad, ever since the Fugitive Slave Act
of 1854.  Hiram's got a secret room down in his basement.  We'd get
maybe as many as five runaways at a time, hid them down there until the
coast was clear, then Hiram and my Pa would move them north at night. 
Never did figure out exactly where they went - just North.

Pa's an old line abolitionist.  Used to know John Brown before he went
out to Kansas to fight the proslavers, and even met William Lloyd
Garrison once.  We always seemed to have copies of "The Liberator" and
Frederick Douglass' "North Star" around the house.  Pa voted for the
Free Soilers back in the 1854 and 1856 elections, so he just naturally
turned to Lincoln and the Republicans.  I don't think much of a man
owning another either - but my real reason for joining up is to Save the
Union!

We've been in Camp about two weeks now, and I must say I haven't seen
any "adventure."  Just drill, drill, a little drill, and when we have a
roll call, we break off and drill some more.  Maybe a little break for
meals - such as they are, and then drill some more.  We may be able to
fight yet, but we sure march pretty!   Won't be much of a fight anyway -
everyone knows one Yank can whip 10 Rebs on a bad day!

Well, got to cut off - the "Windjammer" just blew Drill Call again. 
Wish someone would take that blasted bugle away from him!

'Til the next time,
			Jim