r month. It should be pushed
deliberately, yet persistently. We should get rid of a vast number of
men who are forever in hospital. They are an expense to the country, and
an incumbrance to the army. We should consolidate regiments, and send
home thousands of unnecessary officers, who draw pay and yet make no
adequate return for it.

23. The court met this morning as usual. We are now going on the fifth
week of the session. New cases arise just about as fast as old ones are
disposed of.

The boys in front of my tent are singing:

"We are going home, we are going home,
To die no more."

Were they to devote as much time to praying as they do to singing, they
would soon establish a reputation for piety; but, unfortunately for
them, after the hymn they generally proceed to swear, instead of prayer,
and one is left in doubt as to what home they propose to go to.

25. About noon there were several discharges of artillery in our front,
and last night occasional shots served as cheerful reminders that the
enemy was near.

At an expense of one dollar and seventy-five cents, I procured a small
turkey and had a Christmas dinner; but it lacked the collaterals, and
was a failure.

For twenty months now I have been a sojourner in camps, a dweller in
tents, going hither and yon, at all hours of the day and night, in all
sorts of weather, sleeping for weeks at a stretch without shelter, and
yet I have been strong and healthy. How very thankful I should feel on
this Christmas night! There goes the boom of a cannon at the front.

26. This morning we started south on the Franklin road. When some ten
miles away from Nashville, we turned toward Murfreesboro, and are now
encamped in the woods, near the head-waters of the Little Harpeth. The
march was exceedingly unpleasant. Rain began to fall about the time of
starting, and continued to pour down heavily for four hours, wetting us
all thoroughly.

I have command of the brigade.

27. We moved at eight o'clock this morning, over a very bad dirt road,
from Wilson's pike to the Nolansville road, where we are now
bivouacking. About ten the artillery commenced thundering in our front,
and continued during the greater portion of the day. Marched two miles
toward Triune to support McCook, who was having a little bout with the
enemy; but the engagement ending, we returned to our present quarters in
a drenching rain. Saw General Thomas, our corps commander, going t