January 5th. Cold with more snow. Detailed as guard with brigade teams going about five miles out on the Williamsport road for wood. Severe, cold weather. Wood choppers and teams must be kept well guarded. Rebel scouts and guerillas often reported in this vicinity. Wood must be collected for our camp. We pass most of these winter evenings very pleasantly in camp, visiting, singing, reading, telling stories, writing, study, discussing the war question, and wondering what the outcome will be, and when we will get home. The song “Home Sweet Home” leads all others. Often hear the war called a cruel war. I think all wars cruel, from what little experience I had.
