Sunday, 25th.—Shoal Creek is about two hundred yards wide, two feet deep, and runs very swiftly. Brigade ordered to wade through. As it is extremely cold, and am sick, I did not care for such a Christmas trick. Going up to the ford, after many times asking, one little fellow, who was hauling decking plank, allowed me to ride on one of his mules that was hauling the wagon. Found brigade crossing Tennessee River at Bainbridge Ferry, in pontoon boats. Crossed over at 3 P. M., and was ordered to go three miles to a Mr. Kellocks’ to press wagon and haul plank to floor pontoon bridge. The mud was simply awful and we got there some time in the night, and asked the man if we could not have an out-house that had a chimney, to stay in until morning. He gave us permission, and we soon had a roaring fire, by which we dried our clothes and warmed while we slept. The best night’s rest we have had for some time. Next morning we got his team and about a dozen short plank and started down to the river, all of us riding on the wagon. Got back to river about 9 a. m. Army had been crossing over all morning; so our plank was not needed, and we told the fellow that he might take them back home if he wanted to.
(Note: picture is of an unidentified Confederate soldier.)