s on guard, consequently exempt from other
duties. A long and tedious day in the guard house and on post. 3rd
Brigade broke up camp this morning and have gone to Knoxville, it is
said, which reminds us that we likely will soon follow. 4th Minnesota is
on the Tennessee River at Whitesburg, ten miles south, where
preparations are being made to throw a pontoon bridge across. Cavalry
ever on the move to and fro. Clothing issued. All compelled to dress up
for parade, etc. Caisson, etc. arrived.

Huntsville, Friday, Feb. 12. The caissons that were brought up late last
night were dressed in their proper position, completing our park. They
are rifle caissons and will have to be remodelled before ammunition can
be packed. Several boxes of ordnance stores arrived, but some yet on the
road. Cloudy, foggy day with signs of rain. Feel unwell. Feverish,
headache, from a slight cold caught on guard. 12th Battery went to town
this afternoon to draw their guns. Did not return for parade, which was
hastily dismissed.

Huntsville, Saturday, Feb. 13. Nights very cold, day warm and cloudy.
Assembly sounded at 8 A. M. with orders to "turn out" and police the
park and grounds speedily, as we expected to march to town for pay at 10
A. M. No drill or parade, but we did not get paid off. Camp unusually
lively during the day. Ball playing and the boxing gloves in constant
use. At night a merry dance went on in the open air with music from the
fiddle and bow. Ladies dispensed with from necessity. Mail arrived but
none for me.

Huntsville, Sunday, Feb. 14. Raining heavily most of the day. Clothing
inspection at 8 A. M. by Lieutenant Simpson, with the reading of Sunday
orders. Weather prevented our attending church. 3 P. M. two agents of
the Christian _Enquirer_ and _Covenant_. 3 P. M. two agents of the
Christian Commission held divine services under the tree in front of the
tent to the members of the 6th and 12th Batteries. The afternoon was
disagreeable but a large crowd turned out to listen. Preached from the
parable of the Sower, and advanced ideas that to me were inconsistent
and offensive.

Huntsville, Monday, Feb. 15. Raining and disagreeable. On guard again.
Five men in guard house for changing off on guard duty. Sixteen guards
detailed. Health very good.

Huntsville, Tuesday, Feb. 16. Weather quite cold and windy.
Court-martial convened with Dillon for president, to try the case of
---- and others. In session all day.

H