1862 June 22 Chapel Hill, N.C.

[from the diary of Eliza Oswald Hill, refugee from Wilmington, N.C.]

Saturday  Finished my dress and sent off a long letter to Sarah--Eliza received
the long looked for letter from Jr Mason & I received one from Tom.\
in which he says he has been made Ordinance Sergeant to the 18 Miss
Regiment by Mr Mason's recommendation, & tho the position does no
warrant his wearing epaulets yet is a responsible and an honour
ble one, & but one step from Lieutenancy--He has the sole management
of all the arms & ammunition connected with his regiment & has
to keep them supplied always with those things.  He says his things are
now put into a wagon that he used to carry on his back--that instead
of Mr-he is now called Sergeant--his pay being $31 or $34 & he is
now exempted from picket duty which is very hard--& the throwing
up of breast works & roll call.  His wagon --& the 3 others belonging
to different Regiments of the Brigade are all under the control of Mr
Mason. He & Tom have a Tent to themselves--& mess together, & he says
he lives much better now than he has been doing.

MSS 6960