fires burned brightly in the distance, whither I turned myself. Wandered
through the city of lights some time before I found the Battery, found
my blankets, thanked Henry for carrying them, and turned my steps
towards my bedfellow in the woods. Taking a bee line, I thought to find
them there. I tugged through a dense thicket of briar and underbrush,
scratched my face, tearing my clothes, and in water to the tops of my
boots most of the time. It was very dark, but still I kept on certain of
finding them. Suddenly the light blazed up before me and I found them
going to bed at 9 P. M. I was tired out and footsore.

Huntsville, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 9. I felt very good on our "downy" bed,
so good that I did not wake up till broad daylight. Rolled up our
blankets in great haste and started toward camp, as we were out of
rations, but we found the Battery moving and were obliged to "fall in"
with an empty stomach, as a reward for our straggling. Flint River was
crossed on mule wagons, which were very slow, obliging us to stand on
the banks for nearly an hour. It was freezing very hard and all were
chilled through. The natives say it was the coldest day known for years.
Animals and wagons covered with ice. Cooked coffee on the other side
while the remainder of the Brigade crossed. By that time we were ready
to follow with our breakfast eaten. Marched very fast through a
beautiful country interspersed with a low range of bluffs of the
Cumberland Range. Good timber and beautiful water. Sun shone in the
afternoon making roads muddy and slippery, very tiresome walking. Met
John A. Logan and staff going back afoot from Huntsville.

4 P. M. Coming around the point of the bluff we could see Huntsville in
the valley below three miles distant. And weary as I was I could but
enjoy the beautiful scenery before me greatly. The sun shone brightly
on the snow-covered roofs of this beautiful town with their tall church
spires raising their snow-capped peaks to the heavens as a witness of
better and happier days gone by. On either side broad fields with
beautiful mansions were spread to view, the whole enclosed by the
frost-covered range of low mountains. Marched through the town with
colors flying and bands playing, much to the satisfaction of the large
crowds of contrabands that flocked at every corner. Came into camp a
mile north of the town on Russell Hill. Old quarters here were soon
taken possession of by the boys. I was very tired.