June 12. An election for Lieutenant-Colonel was ordered by Col. Stone and held today and Capt. Stanwood was unanimously chosen.
June 13. The regiment received orders at 10 o'clock A. M. to report to Gen. Augur's headquarters at once. On reporting to Gen. Augur we were ordered to march away to the right to report to Gen. Arnold, chief of artillery. Reported at about 11 o'clock after a very quick march, in which many of the men suffered terribly, it being in the very heat of the day and with but one halt on the road; we must have marched at least seven or eight miles. Stacked arms and took entrenching tools—which in plain English means picks and shovels and axes. Some of the companies were detailed to clear out a big ravine which led up in the direction of the rebel breastworks and just in the rear of where it was intended to plant a battery, while others were busied in throwing up the breastworks, carrying up ammunition and other duties. Worked till dark and without supper; made preparations to bivouac, when we were ordered to take up our march again to our old camp at the rear near the Plains Store, whence we had started in the morning. Arrived in camp late in the evening, and after enjoying (?) coffee and hardtack laid our tired bones on the ground with the hope of gaining some rest; but our hopes were blasted. We had got scarcely settled to rest when the following order was received directly from Gen. Banks' headquarters:
"Headquarters, Department of the Gulf.
"Before Port Hudson, June 13, 1863, 8.45 P. M.
"Maj.-Gen. Augur will order the 48th Massachusetts, Col. Stone, to proceed at once to the headquarters of
