Still bright fine weather. We were mustered today. Nearly 700 men out or more perhaps - dressed in their best. We made a splendid appearance. They are drawn as in review, in open order - The rolls are called - each man comes to a support and as his name is called comes to a shoulder and then to an order. Every man must be accounted for whose name is on the rolls. We then had inspection and review - As we were marching in review Gen Reno & staff, Lt Morris on his gallant bay. Lt Reno, & Gen Park commander of the third brigade came in. They complimented our marching. Lt Reno told Beaver in town that company H marched finely, and were well drilled. Morris told us that they all said we did the finest drilling of any Regiment in the expedition, & they had been around to all the camps today. We had Regimental drill during the afternoon. We think we are still improving. During the muster this morning - it was warm and pleasant. The parade ground is large & level, and the slight frost melting made part of it greasy. The sun was bright and fine - the arms glistening in the sun, and a solemn stillness resting on the whole scene. Then came rushing across the field a big boar, his bristles sticking up, and after him two n____ and two dogs; the boar grunted, the dogs barked, & the n____ made all sorts of noises. The hog, as usual with hogs, ran just the opposite way they wanted to drive him - indeed the plan of action, between the dogs the n____ and the hog, was so complicated, that it was impossible to tell which way they wanted to drive him - after a performance unequalled by any circus I have ever seen, they retired and the audience, the whole regiment was convulsed with laughter. I had my likeness taken today. This evening we had our school of sergeants and corporals. I could not help thinking how differently we would all have spent it if we were at home. The Zouaves rebelled today and would come out on muster. & this camp was put in charge of two companies of the Connecticut Regiment. Thus endeth the year 1861. I cant remember how the last day of last year was spent, but I'm sure that I never dreamed of being in canvas walls, so far south as to have splendid weather. One of our men returned who had been to Union County on furlough. I now commenced on the other side of Baltimore & in Union County there was sleighing. Here it about like the pleasant days of October I will now close this up and start anew - & send this home. Tom. Grier is not with us & we feel like as if we were waiting for him all the time.
