he
day. Osterhaus's Division came in and went into camp on our left.

Bridgeport, Monday, Dec. 7. Changed, washed, etc. in the forenoon. Wrote
home in afternoon. All quiet in and around camp. Various rumors afloat
as to our final destination for the winter. Generally supposed we are to
open the road to Corinth. Fine weather for this time of the year.

Bridgeport, Tuesday, Dec. 8. A cold rainy day, very disagreeable in
camp; naturally thought much of home and its comforts. But we looked
forward to the happy time coming when we will be permitted to join the
circle on the old hearthstone and know war no more. May the day soon
come. I am not impatient but anxious.

Bridgeport, Wednesday, Dec. 9. Rain ceased, sun appeared and the deep
slushy mud soon dried up. After dinner I was detailed to help take
horses to turn them over with Lieutenant Simpson. Took thirty-eight
horses and three mules, crossed the bridge on to the island, and had to
go up stream two miles to the corral. Its presence was manifested by the
stench from far off from the carrion of the dead. They filled for acres
the woods to a number almost incredible, starved to death. The
corral-master was an old-looking man. We found him in an isolated
clapboard house with only two or three inhabitants. He must enjoy the
life of a hermit. The corral was a field of ten acres containing three
thousand to four thousand head of mules and horses, all much pulled down
for want of feed. It was sundown before we turned them over. Had three
miles of bad road to camp. Walked it through the dark, lost our track
several times. Found a good supper of fried beef and biscuit awaiting
us. Spent evening in Griff's tent listening to music of flute and vocal
as discoursed by Byness, Parker, etc.

Bridgeport, Thursday, Dec. 10. Sun so hot as to be quite warm. Much like
a spring day in Wisconsin. Everybody lively and full of fun, troubled
with nothing but "nothing to do", which to me is a serious cup. Gambling
among the indulging ones quite brisk. Watches and pens raffled for, etc.
A chuckluck doing big business was surprised by a guard in Osterhaus's
camp this afternoon and the boys taken to the headquarters of the
Division under guard. The idleness and monotony of camp is fearfully
demoralizing to many, and inevitably leads to the gaming table if
indulged in.

Bridgeport, Friday, Dec. 11. A most beautiful and delightful day, and
all the boys merry and light-hearted as larks.