Jan 2 - Rose early. Very cold. The adjutant is much used up by the march. Bread and meat are frozen in our haversacks. In p.m. camped within a few miles of Columbia [TN]. Had hay under our blankets. Quite comfortable.
Jan 3 - Not much like the Sabbath. Better to move than be still this cold weather. Passed through Columbia [TN] with music. Over Columbia [Duck] river in pontoon bridges. The weather is softening.
Jan 4 - Yesterday p.m. got Christmas boxes for the regiment from home. Almost all had a past on delicacies. Rode on cars to Nashville [TN]. At eve left there on box cars for Lousiville [KY]. Narrow escape from running off the track.
Jan 5 - A tedious cold ride. No stoves in cars. Kept warm at night under blankets. Jumped about to keep frost off. Snow on ground. Hear of men of the 39th regiment froze to death.
Jan 6 - Awaked at 2 a.m. Miserable from cold and in advance of regiment walked to Louisville hotel. Very cold weather and sleighing. How I enjoyed warmth and food after our trying journey. I hope I am thankful. Regiment has uncomfortable barracks. Read etc.
Jan 7 - Snowing almost all day. Sleighing in the streets. Rewrote my quarterly report. Read Olmstead's "American Farmer in England"*. Some good Christian thoughts in it. Visited the barracks. [?] more comfortable. Anxious to leave for home.
* "Walks and talks of an American Farmer in England" written by Frederick Law Olmstead (1822 - 1903) chronicles an 1850 walking tour of England which Frederick took with his brother John and their friend Charles Brace.
Pictured below
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