some one; we can all see that no good will come of this move, but, on the contrary, it will be the cause of many a brave man being ruined for life from these few days of hardships. It seems to us that it is the delight of some officers to see the poor soldier suffer. Oh, who has suffered that the country might be saved? Is it the officer or the private? In almost every book written on our bloody war the gallant officer so and so is spoken about, but not a word about the poor privates, who, I contend, put down this gigantic rebellion, for they have stood the brunt of every battle, and braved the hardships of the campaigns, and what do they receive in return from the officers for doing the most trivial offense? They are degraded with punishment not fit for an Indian savage. I will not class all officers with those mentioned, for our army are blessed. with as good men as ever were born to command, but they are an exception to the general rule. Oh, yes, but it was the officers that led the men into the battle, but how long would the majority of them stay after they did go in? A very short time, as thousands of brave soldiers can testify, who had to fight the battles that saved the Union, and to them the praise is due of every true American citizen.

After enduring untold miseries for a few days, and for no purpose, we get the order to move back, and build more quarters. It is dreadfully cold and the suffering is intense. The wet clothing on our backs freeze stiff, and we have to lay out and take the snow and sleet that falls unpiteously on our heads. The people North probably think there is no such cold weather in the South, but let them experience one winter's campaign and they will find their mistake. At last we have our quarters built, and hardships are forgotten once more.

About the 21st of February the good news comes that the hot-bed of treason, Charleston, has fallen before Sherman's triumphal army that marched to the sea. The army of the Potomac feel jubilant, and are ready as soon as the weather permits, to end this war, which has lasted long enough. All are tired of soldiering, especially those that have marched with the army from the commencement of the war.

CHAPTER XLIX.

THE PAYMASTER-SUTLER'S STUFF-SUNDAY IN THE ARMY -ST. PATRICK'S DAY-RUMORS OF PEACE-ORDERS

TO MARCH-READY TO FIGHT FOR PEACE.

There is probably no more welcome guest in the army than the Paymaster, especially when he has not been around for a long time, as in the present case. We have four months back pay due us and are glad to receive our money to buy little necessaries and to send home some, that the poor soldier's family needs to live on. The pay rolls are made out, and the man of money comes on the 2d of March. Company A is called and they march up and get their greenbacks. Our necessary evil, the sutler, sets by with his checks and gets his pay first, as at all other pay days, which is almost always the lion's share. Of course, the sutler's tent is crowded, and what he don't get from the paymaster, he will get from the soldier himself, for some, as soon as they get their pay, stuff themselves up with all kinds of eatables that are to be had, and, in a short time, have to fall back on sutlers' tickets again, and

so on all the time. But all are not that way, for, as a general thing, they send their money home. In the army, as in every other place, it takes all kinds of men to make up a people.

Sunday in the army does not differ much from other days of the week, except that the duties in camp are more. The same guard mount, inspection, and meeting, which is extra, when we resort to some shady place to hear the word of God from our good dominie, Mr. Pritchard, whom we all like, and think he can do as well in his line as any other preacher in the army. Then on Sunday, too, can be seen Annie in her best dress, sitting on the ground with her own boys listening to the man of God. These Sunday meetings, as a general thing, are well attended, and all listen with the greatest attention to the sermons and join in the hymns that are sung. Poor, self-sacrificing Annie, you, I hope, will get your reward in heaven when your campaigns and battles in this life are ended. one on this earth can recompense you for the good you have done in your four years' service for the boys in blue, in the heat of battle, on the wearied marches, and in the hospitals and camps. May your path through this life be strewn with roses, and may you rest on the laurels you have so dearly won, is the prayer of thousands who have been benefited by your timely presence.

For no

St. Patrick's day is at hand, the day which every Irishman loves. It is going to be celebrated at the head-quarters of the Prince of Irishmen-General Thomas Francis Meagher. Every one is going, myself with the rest. A walk of about four miles brings us to the Irish brigade. We find everything gotten up in grand style for the occasion. A grand stand is erected, on which can be seen the leading Generals

of the army-Grant is not present, but the gallant Meade, Hancock, Warren, Sedgwick, and others of lesser note are to be seen, the guests of the idolized Meagher. There is to be an old fashioned hurdle-race, and all too, where the Johnnies can witness the sport; for everything is carried on in plain sight of the enemy. The horses start, about ten in number, and all present enjoy the sport. The hurdles. are leaped in fine style, and the horses come in amid the wild cheers. of the spectators-the boys in blue. After the races, a banquet is sat down to, where the day is celebrated in fine style, with all the usual toasts on such occasions. On the grounds too, are booths, erected by the sharks of the army, where the soldier may eat his fill at exhorbitant prices. After the horse races, come all kinds of games, such as sack-racing, wheelbarrow-racing, climbing greased poles, and other games, which all enjoy very much, and then return to their camps, well satisfied with the celebration of St. Patrick's day in the army.

There are rumors of peace again, but after a few good square meals the rebel Peace Commissioners will go back to tell their superiors that Uncle Sam will not be satisfied with anything less than an unconditional surrender to the laws of the United States. So after all we will have to fight it out on our line for peace if it takes a dozen And now the weather is getting fine we have orders to buckle on our cartridge boxes, and fight the last battle for the Union and peace.

summers.

CHAPTER L.

MARCH TO THE FRONT-THE BALL OPENS-TREMENDOUS FIRING ALONG THE LINES-THE REBELS GIVE WAY-A HALT-ADVANCE ON PETERSBURG-CAPTURE OF THE CITY RICHMOND OURS-GREAT REJOICING.

On the 26th of March, orders come to pack up, which is done in a hurry, and soon we are at the front, and immediately engaged with the enemy by charging on their works and capturing a number of prisoners. We fall back again, and pitch our tents, but there is no rest for us now, for the crisis is at hand, and tents are struck again. We march to the support of the picket line and lay on our arms all night, but are relieved, and go back to camp again. Now this fooling must soon cease, for the lions are growling at each other, and anxious to be let loose for the final struggle. On the 29th we break camp again and move to the left and build more works. It is evident that the greatest caution is exercised in this move, and if nothing unusual happens, we have surely beat our last retreat. At three o'clock we advance through woods and swamps, and occupy some works that have been deserted by the enemy, and bivouac for the night. Next morning we advance through more swamps, and beard the lion in his den. We get engaged with them right off, and have quite a tussel, but do not force things very hard, and are contented to hold what grounnd we have, for a while at least. In the meantime the right of our army are not idle, for they are closing up on the enemy's lines, and have captured some of the king-row already. General Lee may try to fight out the game for a short time, but he will have to succumb to