[Xvii.]
near Petersburg, December 22, 1864.
I was not at all sorry when I learned that we had to turn back on our recent march without a fight.
I was far from anxious to get into an engagement, as the probability is that all my severely wounded would have died on account of the exposure.
I was fearful I would be made sick, but I am all right, and enjoy my hard camp fare very much.
We are living harder now than we have been doing since I have been in the army.
Last night was a terribly cold one. *