surprised in about
an hour to see them return, having been relieved by infantry guards.
Bully news for us. It is known now that we are to equip for the field
as horse artillery. Drilled two hours after dinner with muskets, then
carried them up to headquarters and turned them over without a sigh. So
they are gone. Gone to those that delight to use them, and we are once
more in our natural element, "walking musket company" no more.

Nashville, Tuesday, Feb. 14. Day commenced cold and gray. About noon it
commenced raining very heavy and continued till night. All quiet in
camp. We are to draw full equipment here except horses. Report to
Chattanooga for them, where we are to be held in the active reserve. No
mail. Wrote a letter in the afternoon. I am steadily improving. Have a
ravenous appetite, which I find difficult to control. Have plenty of the
good bread and butter with the onion pickles from home. I eat no meat
and feel better for it. Thankful should I be for a home that sends me
such things.

Nashville, Wednesday, Feb. 15. A damp, rainy day. On guard, third
relief. Very busy all day turning over condemned stores, and drew new
equipments. Ten pair spurs, whips, scarlet blankets, and to-morrow we
draw harness and sixty-four McElellar's saddles for cannon. General
Barry, chief of artillery of Military Division of Mississippi is in
town. Very anxious to get us started. Promised Captain to give him
plenty of men from infantry regiments when needed. Good! New life and
animation seems to be infused into camp with the prospect of once more
being a Battery, worthy the name of one, ready to fight or to march. All
anxious for the spring campaign. But great dissatisfaction exists
because the paymaster stays off so long. Officers and men are all
without money. D. Evans and I visited smallpox hospital. Were sorry to
find Dan abed yet. Saw his nurse who said Dan had had a "back set." I
fear he grows disheartened and lonesome, and when the spirit sinks it is
hard for nature to do her healing work.

[Sidenote: 1865 Smallpox Epidemic]

Nashville, Thursday, Feb. 16. Cleared up and the day closed very
beautifully. Harness and saddles, etc. drawn. Captain Hood reported
ready to go, and sure enough, a little after dusk the word came to move
early in the morning, report at Chattanooga Depot for transportation.
All hands are packing up, getting ready for the morrow. I wrote a letter
to T. L. Visited smallpox hospital again to-day