In Camp LaGrange, Tennessee
25 December 1862	

Dear Diary,

My second Christmas in the Army, and this one 
seems no closer to the end of this sad war 
than the last.  And to think when I enlisted, 
that I thought the war would be over before I 
could get a crack at the Rebs!

The news isn't good at all.  Although Buell 
turned Bragg back at Perryville Kentucky back 
in October, we hear that back East there was 
another big battle at a place called 
Fredericksburg on the 13th of this month.  
Seems that the Rebs were dug in, and we tried 
to attack across open ground, uphill, against 
there positions.  It wasn't a battle - it was 
a slaughter, nearly 13,000 of our boys killed, 
wounded or missing.  Of course, we don't know 
what the Reb losses were, but there's no doubt
they won.  The Army of the Potomac is on their 
2d or 3d commander now, this one called 
Burnside.  After this, I reckon they'll be 
looking foranother real soon.

As for us, I thought we'd be spending Christmas 
in Vicksburg, but it seems the Johnnies had 
other ideas.  We were moving along pretty well, 
making two or three miles a day through some of 
the thickest terrain you could imagine.  But, 
the Rebs had a lot more fight left in them.  
They raided our supply base at Holly Springs, 
destroying most of our supplies, and capturing 
over 1200 men.  We have no choice but to turn
tail and head back up into Tennessee until we 
can resupply.  At least Sherman's army is still 
making headway.  Last I heard his army was north 
of Vicksburg at a place called Chickasaw Bayou.

I think part of our problems over the last few 
weeks have been caused by everyone wondering just 
who's in charge of this army.  We all thought it 
was Grant, but then General McClernand showed up 
with an order from Lincoln putting him in charge.  
I reckon the higher ups will sort it out sooner 
or later, but this business of trying to find a 
commander is getting to be a real pain.  At least 
Grant fights - some don't like him, or say he 
drinks to much.  Don't know about that, but I do 
know he fights!  McClernand's got some friends in 
Washington, so we all know in the line how he got 
his stars - nothing to do with ability, for sure.

I just hope we get on the move again soon - the 
only thing being in camp is good for is getting 
sick.  Most of my messmates are still feeling 
poorly, what with a steady diet of salt pork and 
hardtack.  At least the Rebs didn't get away with 
all the coffee!

So, once again, Merry Christmas, and may the
New Year bring Victory, and peace to our poor 
country!