Larkinsville, Tuesday, Dec. 29. Warm and pleasant. Long train sent foraging under escort. Snyder sent on detail. Hauled stone from bluff and put up fireplace and chimney, mudded up, etc. Streets of the Battery presenting a lively appearance, men’s sleeves rolled up, coats off, rolling stones, chopping, making mud buildings of every fancy and description to suit the proprietors. Soldiers are not lazy when they work for their own immediate interest.
4 P. M. Snyder’s [Seiders?] horses led into camp by infantry men loaded with five hogs, twenty-six chickens. Guards took him to headquarters, but he outgeneraled them by sending off the game which they wanted, therefore he was returned.
