"...Nashville Has Gone Up"

Wednesday,  March 12, 1862,  Gardens Corner

We had all thought that with the loss of Forts Henry and Donelson, Nashville could not be held against the Yankees. Sure enough, Nashville has gone up. We understand that what supplies could not be saved by wagon or rail were put to the torch. East, west and middle Tennessee are in enemy hands. The Tennesseans here in Donelson's brigade are mighty mad that the defense of their state has failed. They want to go home right away to take their state back. The Confederacy is in such poor straits how can we possibly be victorious?

If it weren't for the presence of our own Yankees nearby, we would all gladly abandon this wretched swampland for the high hills of Tennessee. Nothing much has changed here since the last entry. We pull a good deal of picket duty but not so much that we are in danger of losing our profeciancy with the spade. We dig, we drill, we stand guard. There hasn't been much in the way of activity on the part of the Yankees, at least not near here. We sometimes hear gunfire in the distance but we have no clue as to its cause.

There are few deer in the woods and I haven't seen a wild hog since I don't know when. If I saw one of either it would not be long before it would be in the pot. As the weather continues to warm,  perhaps some fresh greens will become available. Even hard crackers would look good.