Wednesday, July 25, 2012

1862 July 25 Camp Price, Warren Co Miss

[from the diary of William Cox Holmes, 2nd Lt., Co. b, 1st Mississippi Battalion of Sharpshooters]

Camp Price, Warren Co., Miss
                                      July 25/62
If there is anything a man is green
in it is a soldiers life. When
going out, very prompt to do his
duty & so strict is he about every
thing that many advantages he might
take for himself, he does not no-
-tice all because he is fearful
that something will be done wrong
& then he will go & do things much
worse,  all for ignorance & then his
notions are so abrupt. From a light-
heart he becomes of  a sad, morose
character & cares nothing for any
thing.  It was the case with
me, that I thought that I would
do many things, but did nothing
Commenced to keep a dayly
journal, but most signally failed
in this, but here was some
reason for it. Being orderly he
has no  time for himself, but
is with the company all the time
But since we are at Camp
Price & have nothing to do it
will not be much out of the
way to do some extra writing.
as I have a most excellent chance
situated at my Head Quarters by [?]
will try &  spend my time more
profitably in the future in the
way of writing on the best
& reading what will in
struct.  Some of the ideas of
the young mind will be found
here & above all my object of
life with my view of it. Re-
ality will be found & "what I
indent to have during life" I
will see whether I come up to
it or not--My view of  hu-
man Happiness will be found
[last line smeared away]

[Cox's diary will continue on August 6 ]

 MSS 38-472

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