The morning was lowering, and this afternoon we had a furious thunderstorm. We had news yesterday of the battles of West Point and Williamsburg, and this afternoon received mail & papers. I had a letter from John of the 7th by which time they had just received letters from us. Col Emory's Brigade with the 2nd Maryland went off on some expedition to day.
Gen. Burnside returned yesterday, and there was a review of the Cavalry Regiment Col. Wine - it is a splendid regiment. Yesterday we were over looking at two sections of light artillery firing at a target. The other field resembled Camden, and the firing resembled it most, only we were behind instead of in front. They were firing at targets from Fort Totten with 32 pdrs. Thunder what a noise & it called up New Bern - when the 24 & 32 pdrs from the water batteries put in their occasional clamor, above the din and noise of the smaller fry.