sunny. Health never better.
Lost my needle book, very sorry. Received three days' mail; had two
papers and a letter from home.

Near Oxford, Wednesday, Dec. 17. The day was spent in the common routine
of camp duties; drill in the afternoon by infantry and artillery,
presenting a lively scene. Received a [Madison] _State Journal_ from T.
L. Jones.

Near Oxford, Thursday, Dec. 18. Warm and pleasant. Health excellent. Dr.
Miller returned from Wisconsin in the afternoon, much to the
satisfaction of all. After roll call in the evening, he appeared before
the Company and made a speech, after which three cheers were given to
him. Seventy-five loads of cotton brought into headquarters.

Near Oxford, Friday, Dec. 19. Bright and sunny. The delightful weather
succeeded in enticing most of the boys from their well worn decks and
cribbage boards, bringing them out in ball playing, pitching quoits,
etc. Tallied for an interesting game of base ball.

Near Oxford, Saturday, Dec. 20. Weather still warm. Several of the boys
went to Oxford in the afternoon with Captain. Returned with eight new
horses, also with the report that the Rebs were in possession of Holly
Springs with 5,000 cavalry. Had taken several prisoners, one of whom was
Colonel Murphy, 8th Wisconsin; fears also were entertained that the
paymasters had been captured with their capital.

Oxford, Sunday, Dec. 21. Reveille earlier than usual; orders to hold in
readiness to march, such orders being anticipated. 7 A. M. the whole
Division took up the line of march back toward Oxford. Hitched up. The
caisson fell in the train, but the pieces with the 59th Indiana, Colonel
Alexander, were left for a rear guard. The Division passed by 9 A. M.
but as the train could not take all of the commissary stores and cotton
at headquarters, we had to lay there all day hitched up, waiting for the
trains to return from Oxford. They arrived at 4 P. M., loaded, and
started back as soon as possible. We were ordered to hitch up, as we
could hear the drums beat for roll call on the right of us; supposed to
be Logan's Division. We fell in rear of 59th about 8 P. M., leaving the
place all quiet, the Rebs making slight demonstrations upon the infantry
during the day notwithstanding. Pushed silently along towards Oxford,
proceeded toward our old camping ground. Brought into line by Lieutenant
Clark on the right of the road in the flat. Captain Dillon went up to
the old camp. The caisson dr