at 5 A. M. Breakfast at 6 A. M.
Sick call at 8 A. M. Guard mounting 9 A. M. Water call 10 A. M. Dinner
and "feed horses" call 12 M. Water call 3 P. M. Retreat and roll-call 5
P. M. Tatoo 9 P. M. Taps at 9:15 P. M. This is the regular undisturbed
routine of camp duty, the same to-day as yesterday, the same yesterday
as to-morrow. Nothing to jar the well balanced wheel. On she goes with
no interruption, and we hope not for relief from this mental bane of
monotony until we will be permitted to take off the uniform and don the
citizen's coat, and not obliged to listen to bugle or drum. Blake, Evans
and Dixon went to the woods this morning and got out logs to raise the
tent. After dinner hauled them up with mule team. A "raise" before night
having about three feet of a wall, much more roomy than before but
colder. Indications of rain. Expected a wetting through the cracks. All
the boys have been very busy in the same way.

[Sidenote: 1863 Building a "shebang"]

Bridgeport, Thursday, Dec. 17. Rained very heavy all night with wind
which threatened to overthrow the elevated canvas overhead. Slept warm
and dry, and after breakfast Schmidt and myself mudded the "shebang", I
acting as chief mason, he carrying the mud. Continued raining most all
day and all hands stayed in doors most of the time. Cheerless, were we
not used to it. Clothing issued. No mail.

Bridgeport, Friday, Dec. 18. Sharp, cold night, the mud of yesterday
frozen hard. Evie and myself started to the hills to quarry stone for a
fireplace after breakfast. Worked hard for two hours and gathered a good
load. Waited for a team another hour. None came, so we went to camp
after dinner. Blake did the chimney, and we had the gratification at
night to have a large blazing fire in our room, now comfortable quarters
which looked quite home-like. Stories told with fun, laughter, till late
at night.

Bridgeport, Saturday, Dec. 19. Still cold and windy. We were apparently
as much pinched as though we were in Wisconsin, notwithstanding a great
difference to be seen in the climate. The ground has not been frozen to
the depth of four inches here yet. Water open most of the time, while
there snow and ice is unceasing at this season. 2nd and 4th Divisions
reported to be coming in. After evening roll-call the Company formed in
hollow square and listened to an order from General McPherson in regard
to veterans re-enlisting which caused quite an excitement. Many talk of
re-e