y the enemy. The
night was bitter cold; but the boys soon had a hundred fires blazing,
and made themselves very comfortable.

15. This morning we were called out at daylight to cross the river and
take possession of the town; a sorrier, hungrier lot of fellows never
rolled out of warm blankets into the icy wind. It was impossible for
many of them to get their wet and frozen shoes on, but we hurried down
to the river, and were there halted until it was ascertained that our
presence on the opposite side was not required, when we went back to our
old quarters.

16. To-day we crossed the Big Barren, and are now in Bowling Green.
Turchin's brigade preceded us, and has gutted many houses. The rebels
burned a million dollars worth of stores, but left enough pork, salt
beef, and other necessaries to supply our division for a month; in fact
the cigar I am smoking, the paper on which I write, the ink and pen,
were all captured.

General Beauregard left the day before our arrival. It is said he was
for days reported to be lying in General Hardee's quarters, dangerously
ill, and that under cover of this report he left town dressed in
citizen's clothes and visited our camps on Green River.

18. The weather is turning warm again, the men are quartered in houses.
I room at the hotel. This sort of life, however pleasant it may be, has
a demoralizing effect upon the soldier.

19. Spent the forenoon at the river assisting somewhat in getting our
transportation over. It is a rainy day, and I got wet to the skin and
thoroughly chilled. After dinner I went to bed while William, my
servant, put a few necessary stitches in my apparel, and dried my
underclothing and boots. I am badly off for clothing; my coat is out at
the elbows, and my pantaloons are in a revolutionary condition, the seat
having seceded.

The Cincinnati Gazette of the 14th instant reports that I have been
promoted. Thanks.

20. We learn from a reliable source that Nashville has been evacuated.
The enemy is said to be concentrating at Murfreesboro, twenty or thirty
miles beyond.

The river has risen fifteen feet, and many of our teams are still on the
other side. The water swelled so rapidly that two teams of six mules
each, parked on the river bank last night so as to be in readiness to
cross on the ferry this morning, were swept away.

Captain Mitchell returned this evening from a trip North. We are glad to
have him back again.

21. Hear that Fort Donelson has