Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ...which had been the cause of the death of so many soldiers. First they would begin to talk discouragingly and to look very melancholy; and then would be idle a good part of the time about their tents, sad and despondent; and in a short time they would answer to the doctor-call, and soon be admitted to the hospital; and after that it was not long before they would be carried out with muffled drums. It was best for us, nay, it was absolutely necessary for us to use every means to be cheerful and hopeful and to be busily employed, for these would be the means of driving the blues far, far away. At times the soldiers would get together and sing, and how heartily they would sing! "When this cruel war is over" we sang again and again praying that we might all meet again. As the spring drew near, we were kept quite busy in drilling, target shooting, picket and other duties, which consumed the most of our time and gave no time for the blues. April was a cool month for that climate, with considerable wind. We moved our camp about two miles out. This was for the purpose of getting out of winter-quarters and preparing for the field. This was on the 26th of April. CHAPTER VII. THE BATTLE FIELD. The second of May at night we received orders to march. So we thought we must have another dish of the good old army beans. These were baked in the ground, and I believe no better way has ever been found for baking beans, as the moisture of the ground keeps then from drying up. They were cooked until they were cherry-red, and were delicious. The army beans to this day are held in reverence by the old soldiers. We did not get much sleep that night, for some were taking down their tents and putting their things together, although no orders had been...