103                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

brains, or he would have got up a little better thing. They consist of two pieces of heavy canvas, made so as to fasten at either side or end, (that is, they have buttons all over them,) but six men generally bunk together, so that both ends can be closed. Each man carries a half tent and pole, which is about the size of a broom-stick. The trouble is, they are too small; but the principal objection is, we have to carry them. I have often heard of people in the olden times taking up their beds and walking, but I never heard of people walking with their houses on their backs until we had it to do ourselves.

           We were routed out early next morning to proceed, but could only get a short distance until we were delayed as on yesterday. We contented ourselves this time by cracking hickory nuts, which appear to be very plenty down here. But we soon commenced moving, and didn't have to stop again until we got to Coldwater, eighteen miles from Lagrange, where we found plenty of good water. Hudsonville is a little town one and a-half miles from Coldwater, and was perfectly deserted with the exception of a negro woman.

           Part of the troops moved on to Holly Springs that night, but our Division remained until morning, when we had to put out, carrying knapsack, house and everything else we use. When other troops would ask our regiment, they would get the reply, "We are in the Quartermaster's Department; we have turned over all the mules, and carry the load ourselves."

           We heard the first cannonading about 11 o'clock Sunday morning, when within two miles of Holly Springs. It was said to be the rebels throwing shell at our advance from their fortifications on the Tallahatchie, but they did no harm. We entered Holly Springs about 2 P. M., with our colors unfurled to Southern breezes, and the drums beating to the tune of "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie," which made them open their eyes. As it was Sunday, we got a chance to see some of the fair sex, on their way to and from church, but they all turned a snappy lip to us, and seemed to think we Yankees had no right to come down and disturb their peaceful homes.

           Holly Springs appears to have been at one time a place of a good deal of wealth, and I should judge it contained, before the war, three or four thousand inhabitants; but now, I suppose there is not three hundred. We encamped about half a mile from town. While here I heard there were three hundred prisoners, and two pieces of cannon brought in. We found a good many sick secesh here, but they were taken care of. That night we had a heavy rain, and the most of our tents stood it first rate.            The first of December came in a pretty cold day; but, nevertheless, we got orders to be on hand and proceed on our journey.

           The further down we get, the country and roads appear to get worse. We traveled to-day, about eight miles, to a place called Waterford, where we had to wait for a Division to go out before we could encamp; keeping us standing around in the cold two or three hours. We were called up at day-light next day, to proceed. We had not more than got started when it commenced raining, and continued all day. We got within a mile and a-half of the river, when we had to lie over and wait until the bridge (which the rebels

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