We are on the move again.  Part of the 4th has 
been ordered to join up with a force commanded 
by General Albert Sidney Johnston in Tennessee.  
The weather is still kind of cold, but at least 
the rains have stopped for the time being.  This 
time we are at least starting out by riding in 
railroad cars.  They are just flat box cars and 
cattle cars for the most part, but it sure beats 
walkin all of the way.  It looks like we may be 
in for some action this time.  Most of the 
officers that could bought extra mounts to ride.  

The enlisted men have been issued fresh cartridges 
and percussion caps, and the armorer has been busy 
fixin any muskets that need it. Everything seems 
to be hurrying up.  Even the Captain has been a 
mite edgy lately. I noticed a lot of men who don't 
go to church much were all going to church last 
Sunday.  Funny how the possibility of meeting your 
maker makes you want to get on good terms with him 
before hand.

I ain't as scared of the possibility of fightin 
and dying as I thought I might be.  It's kind of 
exciting knowing we may be goin to glory.  Rumor
that Gereral Johnston's army will be one of the 
biggest yet.  Looks like we're going where the 
fighting is if the Yankees will stand still long
enough.  We may even win the battle that will 
end the war!

I haven't written to tell Elizabeth that we might 
be going to a fight, just that we are on the move.  
I'm wearing the socks and shirt that she made for
me at Christmas.  I've also the picture locket 
she sent me.  I started to tell her she shouldn't 
have wasted the money on such a thing, but she 
looks so pretty in the little picture with little 
Sid, I didn't have the heart. Besides, I feel like 
this is my lucky charm.  Whenever I'm wearing it 
on a chain around my neck, it's like she and Sid 
are here with me, protectin me. I guess it's silly, 
but a lot of the men have something they keep or 
wear for luck now.  Some of them have pictures of 
their loved ones, some jewelry, while others have 
lucky coins.  A few carry buck-eyes or even lucky 
rocks! Lots of men carry personal Bibles with them, 
even those that can't read!  I guess they figure 
that having the Good Book with them can't do any 
harm.

The Freemasons in the Brigade meet on a regular 
basis.  I've met a lot of good men at these 
meetings.  Last week we initiated Lt. Smith into 
the Lodge.  He's a good man.  Seems like the 
Craft attracts a lot of good men. None of the ones 
I know are shiftless.  A lot of the Brigade's 
officers and non-comms are Freemasons.

It's getting too dark to see well.  I need t get 
a good night's sleep so I won't start out tomorrow 
too tired.  We break camp at dawn and start loading
on the trains.  After that, whatever happens is in 
the Almighty's hands.