ll in the Confederate army.
Although enemies, I could but feel for their distressing sobs, that were
audible all over the room. In the afternoon the day was so cheering that
I could not resist the temptation of another walk to town, where in a
crowded house of soldiers and citizens I listened to an excellent
practical sermon on the ten virgins, wise and foolish.

Huntsville, Monday, March 14. Was one of a detail of twenty men to go
foraging with two days' rations in haversacks, blankets and overcoats,
etc. Fell in at 8 A. M. to go with brigade teams thirty in number, all
to be loaded by artillerymen. A ride of nearly twenty miles in a mule
wagon brought us to the corn field at 3 P. M., two men to a wagon.
Jerked it from the rows, and in about an hour we started back, crossed
Beaver Dam Creek and drove hard till sundown. Crossed at Liberty Point,
eleven miles from camp, near a few out-buildings. No rails allowed to be
burnt by Lieutenant Eddy in charge. Those that were prepared cooked
their coffee in their cans and we all ate. It was very cold and
blustering, not in the least enticing to sleep out of doors, but
necessity compelled it. Three of us made our beds together and slept
quite warm until midnight, when we awoke to find it sprinkling and the
wind driving threatening black clouds over us. Not wishing to get
soaked, we pulled out, rolled up our blankets, etc. and sought shelter.
The storm passed harmlessly over, but we found but little sleep. I
rolled in my blanket on the stoop of the dwelling house, where I slept
some. Dreamed of being buried in snow drifts and surrounded by ice.
Awoke to find it nearly a reality. Benumbed with cold and clogged
throat, I sought the fire to wait for the dawn. Long and anxiously did
we watch the coming of the morning.

Huntsville, Tuesday, March 15. Teamsters and boys up early. Those that
were not scared out of bed had a good night's sleep. Felt quite dull and
severe cold settled in throat. Went into a citizen's house to procure my
breakfast. Had warm biscuit, buttermilk, etc. for 50c, and started with
the train. Walked nearly all the way to camp where we arrived at 11 A.
M. Found three letters to me bearing date of the 6th, and all the
disagreeable was soon forgotten in the joy of the present. Mother much
better and in her own room. Sergeant Hauxhurst after a long period of
arrest put on duty. His court-martial read at dress parade. His sentence
by the court was reduction to th