April 4th our camp visited by a tornado and tents and everything went flying--morning found us not only tentless but also wading through six to ten inches of mud and water, a little variation from the old program. Finally May 3rd receive orders to report to houston, preparatory to muster out. Report there and go into camp on the 4th and was kept busy with muster out rolls bringing up of Company and US on the square. May 15th, everything being found correct we were mustered out at Houston, Texas, but for our pay had to go to Springfield, IL. So on the 16th we embarked on a rice transport--some of the boys had too much(?) to control themselves and Company D lost several men who rolled overboard and drowned while empassage from Houston to Galveston. From Galveston we embark again on the St. Mary and reach New Orleans May 20th. Here most of the boys don citizen dress again.

Embark for up the river May 22nd and land at Cairo, IL the 26th. From here by cars we reach Springfield, where final pay accounts get settled--we receive Pay and Bounty in full May 31st and with that ended career of four years ten months in the war of the rebellion. And now having followed the fortune and misfortunes of the old 37th Illinois Volunteers Infantry till mustered out must close.