oys are out of money too. No demonstrations on the line as we know of.
Perhaps it is too cold for the boys to fight as they have enough to do
to keep warm.

Fort Gillem, Sunday, Dec. 11. To-day was a terrible reminder of old
Wisconsin to us. Last night was the coldest night I ever stood on guard.
Did not suffer much though on post. Kept up a rapid motion. I could not
sleep much, tent too cold, having to sleep on the ground. The day was no
warmer. All hands lay close inside with roaring fires in the stoves.
Detail sent out this afternoon after more horses. Returned with
thirty-nine. We have now eighty-four, all we need, and may expect
marching orders next. Evening spent cheerfully reading, with cedar wood
plenty in stove. It is freezing very hard out of doors.

Fort Gillem, Monday, Dec. 12. By laying up snug we kept warm last night.
This morning the sun came out, and thawed a very little during the day.
As notified last night, Griff and I were of the ten to go after wood
with Sergeant Dziewanowski. Ate an early breakfast and started out.
Reported to Powell's headquarters. He sent us to a piece of wood on
Hillsboro Pike, which was once the woodland park of some church, now to
be cut down by the artillery. Permission granted by General Thomas. I am
not a big chopper, but I chopped "big" for a while. Teams took one load
to camp and came back for the others. Returned 2 P. M. Beans and coffee
disposed of by appreciative appetites.

All the pikes leading to the front are filled with cavalry, apparently
waiting for the cloak of darkness to hide their deeds. We hear of a big
fight at Murfreesboro. Rosecrans captured 6,000 prisoners, and is in
their rear eight miles from here. Our troops on the front line are under
marching orders. Two days' rations in haversacks, I think. The time is
near at hand when Hood will be beautifully, though terribly thrashed for
his insolence in thus invading Tennessee, at least I hope so. We are in
anticipation of moving too. The "fates" may miss us this time.

Fort Gillem, Tuesday, Dec. 13. On guard. The icy frost that encased
everything has been wholly removed, and we can now move around without
"slipping up". But it is getting very wet and muddy. Our horses are
having a bad time of it. They all grow poor fast without stables. Firing
on the picket line is once more heard, at times very briskly. Fort
Negley indulged in a few shots this evening. The cavalry have gone into
camp inside the line