Dec. 20—Go to my Regiment near Petersburg.
Dec. 21—Very rainy.
Dec. 22—Our Division is ordered off.
Dec. 23—Capt. Ardry and myself still in camp with the baggage. Both unwell.
Dec. 24—Division returns late to camp.
Sunday, Dec. 25—I preach from the song of the angels, “Glory to God, in the highest!”
This was the last Christmas of the war. It was Sunday, too.
Dec. 26—In camp. No mail for three days.
Dec. 29—Get into my winter quarters—a wall of poles covered with cloth. Chimney of mud and sticks.
Dec. 30—Visit my brother, Allen Betts, in Co. C. 56th Regiment, just beyond Petersburg, near the enemy. Hear from my wife. Sick. God be with her!
Dec. 31—Last day of the year. Where shall we be the last day of ’65?
Some of us were at home with our loved ones, others in Heaven, and others—dreadful thought! A man may fight and die for his country and lose his soul! Mohammed taught that all who died for his cause would be saved and some men in this day seem to think that all who are killed in defense of their country are saved; but the Bible assures us “the pure in heart” shall “see God.”