I often notice that an infinitesimal flame, with one soldier standing by it, looks like quite a respectable conflagration, and it seems as if a group of them must dispel dampness.
December 21.
To a regimental commander no book can be so fascinating as the consolidated Morning Report, which is ready about nine, and tells how many in each company are sick, absent, on duty, and so on.

It is one's newspaper and daily mail; I never grow tired of it.

If a single recruit has come in, I am always eager to see how he looks on paper.
To-night the officers are rather depressed by rumors of Burnside's being defeated, after all.

I am fortunately equable and undepressible; and it is very convenient that the men know too little of the events of the war to feel excitement or fear.

They know General Saxton and me,--"de General" and "de Gunnel,"-- and seem to ask no further questions.