letter
to-day, but was disappointed. The theme of discussion in camp is the
reduction of "Coly". He was a favorite of the boys, and as he lost his
position by favoring one of our number, we can but sympathize with him.
He is an ambitious young man, but got entangled in "red tape" and fell.
This is the second reduction since I have been in the Battery, more
noticed because unfrequent. Health good. Ate our last bit of butter for
supper. We must now forget home luxuries once more. The bread rations
hold out well. So far so good.

Nashville, Sunday, Jan. 8. Froze very hard last night. Inspection 8:30
A. M. As soon as Griff was relieved from guard, 9 A. M., we started to
church by permission. Listened to a very good sermon from a Christian
Commission agent in M. E. Church.

Reached camp 2 P. M. Nobody at home, and we spent a very pensive
afternoon, or at least I did. Many of our best men are coming down with
the diarrhea. Parker of the next tent was very sick all day. Such things
make me sad. But when the mail came bringing me that ever encouraging
sheet from John, my spirits somewhat revived, and I found much to be
thankful for. My health is unimpaired. Why should I pine? I will not.

Nashville, Monday, Jan. 9. Rain, rain!--all day without cessation. Was
on detail all the forenoon chopping wood. Got quite wet and felt unwell.
Symptoms of dumb ague.

Nashville, Tuesday, Jan. 10. On guard. Stood about sixty rods from camp
on a pile of shakes in a cold disagreeable rain, the wind blowing
furiously. I still feel very bad, unfit to stand guard but will try to
stand now that I have commenced it.

[Sidenote: 1865 "Shaking"]

Nashville, Saturday, Jan. 14. Sickness has prevented me from writing the
last three days. Wednesday morning while on post from 3 to 5 A. M. I was
taken with violent chills and ague, continuing nearly the two hours I
was on. Every muscle and sinew in me was wracked, while I stood in a
driving wind and freezing rain. Never did I suffer so much from
"shaking" but I did not call for relief till my time was up. It was with
difficulty that I staggered to my bunk where a furious fever set in and
raged very high. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday part of the time
delirious, but I was the object of all the care that could be bestowed
on me under the circumstances, Cousin Griffith filling as nearly as he
could the place of mother and sister. Last evening the fever left me.
Bathed and felt somewhat refreshed.