JAN. 12. We were called up at half past three this morning and were on the road inside an hour, and by sunrise were four miles on the way. We arrived at Germantown about 10 o’clock. It is a village. At five minutes before 12 o’clock we halted for dinner, and started again on our march at 1 o’clock, our regiment in advance. We reached the edge of a town at dusk where we learned that we were selected as guard at the navy yard. As we passed through the town, the little children followed us and hurrahed for Jeff Davis. We moved to the upper end of town and encamped on land adjoining the navy yard. Col. Norton bought five cords of wood for us. He made a speech in which he said Gen. Hamilton ordered McArthur to send his best disciplined regiment here as guard, and he wanted us to be strict, orderly, and diligent. He also said the duty was a kind of secret service (how so I do not understand). The guerillas crossed over last night, cut around and burned a steamer. We are very tired this evening, having made the heavy march of twenty-six miles. JAN. 13. We moved into the navy yard this morning. Had seven men detailed for guard. I was one of them. We were put on camp, or chain guard. I don’t see where the secret service comes in, for my part. I was down to see the ex-reb gunboat, “Gen. Bragg,” she was injured at Vicksburg and is being repaired. There are five or six mortar boats lying close to shore. JAN. 14. I came off guard this morning. It rained very hard all the latter part of the night. Another boat load of troops came down last night, making five or six in all. They are from the Kansas Valley Division of Fremont’s old forces. JAN. 15. About six inches of snow fell last night and it has snowed all day. The citizens say it is the heaviest storm they have seen in a number of years. By night it was about ten inches deep. The paymaster paid off all but our company today. JAN. 16. We were paid off this morning, after which there was a general settling up of accounts. I drew $41.00; $25.00 advance bounty, one month’s advance pay, and $3.00 premium for re-enlisting. I expressed $25.00 home. It is very cold this morning, not more than five or six degrees above zero. Towards noon the report came that we were to be relieved. We were almost frozen, having no chance to fire up and keep warm. These are the dark days of a soldier’s experience. JAN. 17. I was on guard supernumerary in the daytime and stood beyond Wolf Creek at night. Towards night the sergeant-major came along with instructions to be ready at 6:30 o’clock in the morning to go aboard the transports for down the river.