(1861) 
Nov. 29th
 The first snow fell last night. We keep warm in our tents, but we keep fire all night. 
Dec. 10th 
At 8 A.M. we received marching orders to go to Viola to attack Clay King, who was there with about 400 cavalry, taking lumber to build winter quarters at Camp Beauregard. Arrived at Viola 2 P.M. - bursted all the machinery in the mill, burnt all the lumber, and some dwelings, and started back at 8 P.M. We had proceeded about 1/2 mile when it commenced raining in torrents, and continued while we marched 7 miles, when it subsided. The wind commenced blowing from the N.W. and our clothes being wet partially froze on our person. Arrived, much exhausted in camp at Paducah at 1 A.M. after marching 36 miles. 
Sunday Dec. 15th
 Was at church this forenoon, in the afternoon friend Woodard and I took a walk over town. - visited Ft. Anderson, around the Marine Hospital - much pleased with the plan and strenght of the fort, then visited the 40th and 41st Ill. Regt's was forcibly struck with the novelty and
