August, Thursday 21, 1862

Sulphur Springs, Battle by ----------

Four thirty o'clock reveille.

The recruiting party leaves at six o'clock.

After a three day allotment of sugar, coffee and crackers, we also receive twenty more cartridges so that everyone now, all in all, has sixty. Just as we are ready to leave, we receive orders to remain at ease until further notice. After eight o'clock march in the direction of Culpeper. We are marching fast and well, since the sky is cloudy and a light rain that fell during the night has kept the dust down. To our right in the direction of Warrenton heavy cannonade, (Burnside before Fredericksburg?)

General Sigel and several cavalry regiments are riding through our rows, ahead. Short rests from time to time. 

Arrival at Rappahannock Station. Battle by ----------- .

Towards eleven o'clock the regiments halt on an elevated meadow surrounded by a forest. Shortage of water in the neighborhood. In the afternoon changing of position through a march of about one mile. From time to time interrupted cannonthunder in distance of about two miles. Burnside and Banks are are to be in battle with the enemy. During the night the first brigade (we), rest behind a small forest into which front the artillery fires. Schirmer's battery to the right of the forest does not participate in it. We cook coffee for ourselves for evening. About eleven o'clock thunder storm with light rain. I remain dry in my large rubber blanket. 

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Battles heard could be Brandy Station in the vicinity of Stevensburg, VA. 

The river is probably the Rappahannock which runs between Culpeper to the south and Warrenton to the north.