This morning about two o'clock, as I was walking up and down past one of my sentinels in order to keep myself awake, I was very agreeably entertained by the singing of a mocking-bird. He sang by himself and continued his notes till day-light. One would have imagined that he was sensible of the merit of his accomplishments and that it was in complaisance to man as well as for his satisfaction that he was pleased to sing when all was silent (but the barking of some dogs). Nothing animated him so much as the stillness of nature; 'twas then that he composed and executed all his tones. He raised from seriousness to gaiety, and from a simple song to a more sportive warbling, from the lightest quivers and divisions, he softened into the most languishing and plaintive sighs, which he afterwards forsook to return to his natural sprightliness.
Interrupted by the passing and repassing of the soldiers, waggons, &c. by examining them.
This day we had a very heavy shower of rain.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 14
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