er. While on duty
at this place the battles of Stone River were fought. There was an
exciting time in Nashville during this eventful period; everything was
hurry and bustle. The wounded and skulkers came back in great numbers,
each bearing his own report.

During these battles the troops in and about the city had to be in line
of battle at 3 o'clock in the morning; it mattered not what was the
condition of the elements, it was all the same thing; and certainly, if
anything would provoke a soldier to feelings of wrath, this kind of
business would. The first one is to be heard from who ever got used to
it.

On the 25th of March, 1863, the Eighty-sixth was marched to Brentwood,
where only a few hours before the garrison there was surprised and
captured. On the first alarm the regiment was sent to its assistance,
but it reached the fatal spot too late, the rebels having succeeded in
their enterprise and made good their escape. After this reconnoissance
to Brentwood, the regiment returned to Nashville, settling down again
to its old business of picketing and guarding. Nearly two weeks after
this, on the 8th of April, the brigade was sent to Brentwood, in
supporting distance of Franklin. Brentwood was a fine situation for a
camp, and as spring was at hand it was rendered more pleasant still.
Comfortable quarters were readily made, and for the first time we began
to live like men. It was here the boys began a happy reform in that
respect; for instead of lying on the bare ground in the dirt and grass,
they put up bunks, thus leading to their comfort. At this place the
brigade built a fort called Fort Brentwood. It was triangular in form,
having embrazures in the corners of the triangle for guns. Much time
and labor was expended on this work, only to be completed that it might
be demolished--a change in the situation of our army affairs compelling
the evacuation of the fort. Details were made, and on the 3rd of June
the work of demolition was consummated, and on the evening of the same
day the brigade returned to Nashville.

The Eighty-sixth Regiment now remained in Nashville until the first of
July, when it, with the rest of the brigade, was marched to
Murfreesboro. At this encampment the command spent much time and labor
on its camp grounds, but did not remain to reap the fruits thereof, for
in a few days it returned to Nashville, where it remained until the
20th of August, 1863.

About this time occurred a sad epoch in t