beautiful fairy-like
creatures. Thunder and snaky lightning was wonderfully depicted. Water
with boats gliding back and forth, by means of glass. Scenery was truly
beautiful. Then came an army of Amazons. The best scene represented the
region of bliss, with hollows and fountains, on which was thrown a
dazzling light. This is the third time I have ever visited such scenes.
I came to judge for myself, is it right or wrong? Although there are
some things connected with these that are exceptional and unadvisable,
still I consider it not only an innocent amusement, but instructive,
much better for the morals of the young than the saloons, clubs,
meetings, etc. Liquor and tobacco fumes are apt to be the chief claim.
The only danger is that in the theater will be spent time, which ought
to be spent elsewhere.

Fort Gillem, Thursday, Dec. 8. The weather that turned cold last evening
is growing colder and colder. It is all we can do to keep warm. Clothing
issued and I failed not to secure a great coat and other comforts. Wrote
to John. There has been no firing of any consequence to-day. What does
it mean, is asked by all. Is the weather too cold to fight, or is Hood
gone? The latter seems to be the prevailing opinion in camp.

Fort Gillem, Friday, Dec. 9. It was difficult work to sleep warm last
night, and we pitied the poor boys in the front ditches last night
without fire or tents, with a foe in front.

As soon as breakfast was over I was detailed to go with Corporal Goodwin
after wood. It began sleeting as we started and continued all day. We
first went to the wood yard and found that surrounded by more teams than
could load all day. Sent us a mile further to the boat landing where we
found two barges nearly empty of wood, and about fifty wagons waiting,
so we had to go home. I walked back through town, stopped on business,
and returned after dinner, quite stiff with sleet, clothes all glazed
with it. It is now snowing very fast. Wagons went out and brought in two
loads of rails for fire wood.

J. Rogers returned to the Battery. He left us at Cartersville. All quiet
on the lines. No mail. Health good.

[Sidenote: 1864 The Nashville Freeze]

Fort Gillem, Saturday, Dec. 10. Froze very hard last night. Two inches
of crust on the ground, very slippery and the air is very cold. On
guard. Post No. 1 in the front. Ration day. We only drew 3/4. Things
are very short here to-day. We have to buy a great deal. Many of the
b