hly with some of the most
disorderly, and in consequence have become unpopular with the regiment.

20. General Mitchell called this afternoon and requested me to form the
regiment in a square. I did so, and he addressed it for twenty minutes
on guard duty, throwing in here and there patriotic expressions, which
encouraged and delighted the boys very much. When he departed they gave
him three rousing cheers.

21. A reconnoissance was made beyond Green river yesterday, and no enemy
found.

We are short of supplies; entirely out of sugar, coffee, and candles,
and the boys to-night indicated some faint symptoms of insubordination,
but I assured them we had made every effort possible to obtain these
articles, and so quieted them.

Major Keifer was officer in charge of the camp yesterday, and when
making the rounds last night a sentinel challenged, "Halt! who comes
there?" The sergeant responded, "Grand rounds," whereupon the weary and
disappointed Irishman retorted in angry tones: "Divil take the grand
rounds, I thought it the relafe comin'."

22. The pleasant days have ended. The clouds hang heavy and black, and
the rain descends in torrents.

After eleven o'clock last night I accompanied General Mitchell to ten
regiments, and with him made the grand rounds in most of them. As we
rode from camp to camp the General made the time most agreeable and
profitable to me, by delivering a very able lecture on military affairs;
laying down what he denominated a simple and sure foundation for the
beginner to build upon.

The wind is high and our stove smokes prodigiously. I have been out in
the rain endeavoring to turn the pipe, but have not mended the matter at
all. The Major insists that it is better to freeze than to be smoked to
death, so we shall extinguish the fire and freeze.

Adjutant Mitchell has been commissioned captain and assigned to Company
C.

25. Gave passes to all the boys who desired to leave camp. The Major,
Adjutant and I had a right royal Christmas dinner and a pleasant time. A
fine fat chicken, fried mush, coffee, peaches and milk, were on the
table. The Major is engaged now in heating the second tea-pot of water
for punch purposes. His countenance has become quite rosy; this is
doubtless the effect of the fire. He has been unusually powerful in
argument; but whether his intellect has been stimulated by the fire, the
tea, or the punch, we are at this time wholly unable to decide; he
certainly handles