Half of them return to
camp ere their tour is half out.

Nashville, Wednesday, Feb. 8. Weather still continues cold. Orderly
asked me to-day if I was fit for duty. I told him I was too weak for
much duty, but would do all I could. Feel quite bad to-night. Bones and
head ache, could eat but little supper. Wrote several letters.

Nashville, Thursday, Feb. 9. No warmer; feel no better. Received a
letter from the Valley with the sad, sad news that my dear mother had
again been very sick. But thank kind Providence she was improving. I
pray that she may be wholly restored ere this.

Nashville, Friday, Feb. 10. Last night I had another visit from that
evil genius that seems to hover over my very existence, the ague. I
shook briskly for about an hour and a half, but it was not followed by a
very heavy fever. Got up to breakfast. Found that Keeler had called my
name for supernumerary guard. I did not feel able for duty, but as the
boys have such heavy duty on every other day, I could not refuse to do
all I could, so I went and drew me a musket and turned out to
guard-mount. Oh! how ferocious I did look with my brass plates and fixed
bayonet. Griff gone to town on guard. The mail has just brought me a
letter from John which says Mother is improving, but yet suffering
severely.

[Sidenote: 1865 A Young Recruit]

Nashville, Saturday, Feb. 11. Felt very well this morning. Heard
yesterday that Benj. Hughes formerly of Spring Green, was a member of
Co. E., 44th Wisconsin Infantry. Sergeant Hutchinson going there on
pass, David Evans and I went along. Found the camp on College Hill three
miles off. With little difficulty I spied him building a chimney. When
last I saw him he was just big enough for a cow boy, but in the last
four years he had goaded nature along to satisfy his patriotism so as to
serve his country. Yet he was very small, but round, tough, seventeen
years old. He looked much pleased to meet us, and returned with us to
camp to see the rest of the boys. After dinner Griff and I visited
smallpox hospital. Heard from D. J. D. but could not see him. He is yet
in bed.

Nashville, Sunday, Feb. 12. Very cold to-day again. Had inspection of
arms at 8:30. On supernumerary guard again. Wrote John. No mail. Another
report afloat that we are to march or prepare for the field. Hope it is
so.

Nashville, Monday, Feb. 13. Quite a cold night, fair day. Mounted the
usual number of guards for town, but were agreeably