was held last. Having nothing to do I went out to see how they conducted the services. It was a sober thing. There were some Vermont men there. Their leader was quite a preacher, and he brought tears to the eyes of everyone present. One colored individual got up and made quite a long speech. I never saw any corine speak that could come up to it yet. He was a contraband just from the plantation. He said that "dar were no dought but there wer some white people just as good Christians as the Colored Race". More truth in that one sentence than he thought for. After singing and praying quite a number of times they thought it prudent to close with the Doxology. We all joined in the singing, which he thanked us for very kindly. They remained a short time by themselves and closed by singing the nigger’s melody, Farewell.

Feb. 11. Went to Washington for to see what I could see. They call Washington a splendid city, but I don’t see it. There are some nice places. The Smithsonian Institute is a splendid building. I went through the building or castle. There were a great many curiosities, paintings and skulls from all nations, birds, etc. The Patent Office is worth seeing. The Post Office is quite a little house. The Capital quite a small cottage. I went up to the Navy Yard. They are doing quite a large business there. I saw they welding anchors under a hammer that weighed 16981 pounds. Now and then a small gun, all the way from four pounders to 200 pounders. They were preparing a few light craft for the river, and making shot and shell. They have guns there that the Rebs left at Yorktown.

Feb. 17. Woke up this morning and found myself in a snow bank, which is getting to be quite general in this place. Snowed all day and is snowing now, some, at least eight inches deep. There is nothing new going on. Building telegraph line from Union Mills to the shoals. All quiet at Fairfax station. Now and then a reb. The boys are having a great time with the snow. Plaguing one another and charging into other companies grounds around to the tents with snow balls. Boys are still deserting from the 1^st R. I. Light Artillery. Some one is singing Old Hundred and various other things are going on just now. Office hours between the hours of nine, A. M. , and seven, P. M. , which makes quite a difference with me. That is all I have.

Feb. 21. It has been a very find day. It is now cloudy and looks like rain, but I hope it will clear off and be pleasant, so that we can get around without getting into the mud up to our knees. There was a Pennsylvania regiment passed through here to-day on the way to Wolf Run Shoals. They looked hard and silly. There was not more than three hundred if that. Have been in quite a number of battles and most of the men have been wounded once or twice. Had a little fall out with one of the clerks. Been over to the 16^th (16^th RegVI) and round to quite a number of places. Capt. Hill, our new Adj. Gen. , has gone to Washington and will not be back for one or two days. Liet. Sehomerhone is doing business as one of the aids. All quiet on the P.

Feb. 22. Found myself in a snow bank this morning with a strong north west wind that threatened to upset my tent every minute. It is one of the roughest days that ever was in this state or Vermont. Last night was warm and pleasant. The ground had nearly dried up, and I got my boots blacked for the first time this week, but the snow has put an end to further cleanliness for the present. The cavalry has just come in with the mail, and I must quit for the present. I am in hopes I shall get a letter from home. Have not had one for some time. Heard, by the bye, that they had been sick, but do not take much stock in the report. The wind continues to blow and the snow flies as hard as ever.

Feb. 24. Have had another severe snow storm and it looks like Vermont winter. The wind blows hard and the snow continues to fall in large flakes very fast.

Feb. 26. Rain, which makes the snow quite soft. The 15^th (15^th RegVI ) have had a snow ball- the right wing against the left. As fast as they got hit they had to fall out, which they done very well, until the wounded got to fighting among themselves, and then it was nip and tuck. The left took Col. Proctor prisoner, and they hang on to him so tight that he had to use some of his authority. Liet. Col. Grout came out on his horse and had quite a time taking him prisoner and moving him up to his quarters, which they made out to do.

Feb. 28. The snow is almost gone, but it is quite muddy at present. We had orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments notice, which made quite a stir after setting still so long in

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