Winter conditions take their toll, but the love of the country keeps heads high.

February 16, 1863

Picket on the river opposite Fredericksburg and rebs on the opposite bank.

In the latter part of the night it began to snow and the rebel relief came around. One Reb. was cursing the Yankees and the war to everything he could think of and more too, the balance all the while laughing at him. Poor “fellah!”

One of the 14th yelled out to know if it was snowing over there, followed with a loud response, Yes!

Feb. 17, 1863

Snow six inches deep and still snowing with a prospect of considerable weather, soon.

Feb. 22, 1863

The largest snow by far, fell on last night and it was also intensely cold. I had forgotten till noon that it was the birthday of the immortal Washington when the different batteries began to fire Salutes in honor of that important event in the history of the then-infant colonies, that have now grown to states of great magnitude and the population has increased eightfold. No country has made such strides since Adam, and if the rebellion is crushed and peace restored it will become ere long the most powerful Government on the entire globe.

March 1, 1863

Very wristly today and nothing uncommon transpiring.

March 5, 1863

Today we were reviewed by Maj General Joseph Hooker. he rode very fast just saluting the colors as he passed and then the regiment passing him in columns of Companies.

I seen he took particular notice of our colors as they were borne before him, on which was inscribed, Cheat Mountain, Greenbrier, Manchester, and Antietam. Fredericksburg should have been inscribed thereon which would have completed a Catalogue of the most of our brilliant and terrible engagements.

March 11, 1863

Orders received to fix up for inspection with guns & accouterments in proper trim, and quarters more that clean. The Regiment was to be inspected and it depended on our cleanliness, whether we should have our furloughs stopped or more granted.

March 12, 1863

In line at daylight expecting a rebel cavalry raid and were sent to quarters after sun up with orders to be ready for inspection at two o’clock. At noon ordered to be under arms with all of our ammunition, after which the brigade was formed in line of battle

Dismissed after one hours’ time. In line again at three and were inspected by Maj. Haughton. The general supposition was that somebody must be drunk. At four the inspecting officer appeared at HdQrs and the brigade was inspected while the snow was coming.at the rate of 2-40(?)

March 26, 1863

Reviewed today by General French. After forming in line the General rode by saluting the colors and we in turn marching by companies before him, after which we returned to our quarters with a lasting impression upon our minds that these little reviews are as a German stated, Von turn bore.

March 30, 1863

Beautiful day and detailed for a picket on the bank of the Rappahannock. At eleven o’clock, Corps officer of the day came, and were ordered to fall into present arms! There was a large ravine back of our stacks that the boys built their fires in to cook in. It was out of rebel sight and shielded the wind from us which was very cold this morning, and because some were a little slow in getting into ranks, this poor specimen of humanity ordered us not to go into that hole again.

We passed away the time very well, part of the time looking at a rebel regiment, on battalion drill just across the river.

We had a good set of officers save the one I have mentioned. I’ll warrant that he had been on picket but a very few times, and consequently was very highfalutin in his style, if I may be allowed the expression.

Went down on the riverbank and with a dozen others stowed ourselves and baggage away, which was at ten o'clock in the evening. At midnight it began to rain and a few hours after it began to snow. Then came our turn at four to go on post, in front.

Very disagreeable.

No fire and no shelter wherewith to screen our poor bodies from the inclemency of the weather. Daylight came and found us in an almost frozed condition. We were compelled to keep ourselves in motion, to escape that easy (as it is said) death (but not very desirable one) of freezing to the sacred soil of Virginia, and at a time too when Uncle Sam needs our services, to help put down this hydra-headed Rebellion. We were to be relieved at ten, but we were not till sometime after. The snow was very mushy and considerable rain had fallen making it very sloppy for feet and legs ditto! This is an incident to show my fair readers, the inconveniences of a Soldier's life. There are a great many bright scenes, in a Soldier's life, and there are also a great many dark ones when the poor Soldier's heart appears to sink within him.

I would have given up in despair but the love of Country is paramount, to all the ills that beset a Soldier when in the tented field or, lost in the smoke of battles terrible, and dreadful array, when naught is to be heard but the commands of officers, the shouts of the brave, the groans of the dying, the mutterings of field pieces and the sharp crack of the rifle, followed by the peculiar buzz of the Minnie bullet, which is sent on its mission of death, akin to that of lightning rapidity.

It is very easy to write and talk battles, but when the reality of the thing approaches, many stout hearts fail them, in the hour of greatest need. When thrones tremble and, black-hearted kings and despots flit through the smoke of battle before one's vision, or perhaps when our own beautiful Republic is in a death grapple with Rebellion, which would destroy our free institutions of successful, and trail our glorious stars and stripes in the dust.

Be there a man

Whose soul so dead,

That never to himself has said

This is my own my nation