, three divisions of them.

A big mail arrived 4 P. M., the first in five days. I received one from
home. It brought commissions to Alba and S. Sweet as second lieutenants
in 6th Battery, merited promotion--and ratified by all the boys who will
now have two temperate officers at least.

Fort Gillem, Wednesday, Dec. 14. Reveille sounded this morning at 4 A.
M. and at daylight the whole Company was marched off on detail except
guards. I was on post. They went to unload shakes and poles for stable
from a barge. They worked hard all day without any dinner. Returned to
eat a hearty supper. Weather very foggy and misty all day. The mud is
unfathomable and camp is very disagreeable. It was expected that a
general engagement would come off to-day, but Thomas is waiting for more
favorable weather, it is reported, to move artillery. Considerable
firing from forts. Considerable curiosity manifested as to who will be
appointed in the vacancy caused by the promotion of the Sweet boys.

Fort Gillem, Thursday, Dec. 15. Much dissatisfaction was expressed this
morning by the Company when ---- entered upon the duties of orderly
sergeant. This is doing great injustice to the other sergeants that
were his superior in rank, and any of them better qualified, and would
receive more respect from the boys, none of whom like ----. The privates
of the volunteer army are men of judgment, and will use it in spite of
red tape and military discipline. Would it not be much wiser then, to
allow them to have a voice in choosing their officers? Certainly they
would be easier controlled. First Sergeant Malish is quartermaster
sergeant.

[Sidenote: 1864 Fighting with Confidence]

The day has been warm and mild but the mud not much improved. 14th Ohio
Battery that were with us here marched at 4 A. M. As expected, heavy
fighting has taken place to-day. Only artillery firing and skirmishing
in the forenoon, but after dinner the heavy throbs of musketry mingled
with the incessant roar of artillery. All the fighting has taken place
on our left, near Forts Negley and Sigel about four miles off. And we
laid around carelessly while our ears were filled with the terrible
death notes of battle. So many times have we listened to it that they
have almost ceased to quicken our pulse or awaken serious or earnest
thoughts of the hundreds that are swept into eternity, at least of the
many hearts that will bleed when the news of this battle reaches them,
of the te