Saturday, Aug. 29th.

Arrived at Valcartier siding at 11 P.M. in a drizzling rain Very few of the men had either great-coat or uniform and during the next two hours of unloading horses, everyone was drenched to the skin.

The horses were picketed out among the trees, and the men collected huge piles of bushes and built several gigantic bon-fires. Around these, their spirits revived and amid songs and merry jests, the clothing and accoutrements of most of us began to dry out. The rain continued at intervals during the night and after a short snooze, I awoke to find the sun rising through the drizzle. We soon had the guns and harness unloaded and were off to our camp lines.