CHAPTER LX.

THE MUSTER OUT ROLL ARRIVES-ALL FEEL JUBILANT

JULY 4TH, 1865-A REVIEW OF THE PAST-orders to

BE READY TO MARCH-HURRAH FOR OLD MICHIGAN
-RECEPTION IN JACKSON-" JOHNNY COMES
MARCHING HOME."

On the 30th of June our muster-out rolls came, which make all feel glad. Every one whose duty it is to work at them pitches in with a will to get them done.

Hurrah for the Fourth of July! This is the fifth Fourth in the army. The first was spent in Washington when the preparations for putting down the rebellion were going on; the second, at Harrison's Landing, on the Peninsula, after our terrible campaign among the swamps and forests; the third, at Gettysburg, after hurling back the Rebel horde from off our free Northern soil; the fourth, in front of Petersburg, bearding the lion in his den, and to-day, the glorious Fourth, the natal day of our American Independence, we find ourselves in Louisville, after wiping out all traces of the late gigantic rebellion. Surely this ought to be a great day of rejoicing all over the land, for never since the first Fourth in the good old year of '76, had the people more cause to rejoice than on this day. We enjoy ourselves very much and the Fourth ends by firing a salute with cannon, the last day of the kind we are to spend in the army.

We are all ready now to move. Our muster-out rolls are completed, and we are awaiting transportation to go home, which comes on the sixth, and we take the cars for Indianapolis, where we arrive about eight o'clock P. M.

Here we change cars for Michigan City, where we arrive about noon of the seventh. We are now on the good old Michigan Central Railroad, and a short ride will bring us to our own beloved Michigan. One can tell the love each man has for this good old State, and how anxious each asks: "Have we struck Michigan yet ?" But a short drive only and we cross the line, amidst the cheers of the boys as they drown the rumbling noise of the train as it dashes along, and the song, "Michigan, my Michigan," is taken up by all and sung with such zest as only those can sing about a place they love.

The good city of Jackson is reached about eight o'clock. The citizens, headed by the noble patriotic Ex-Governor Blair, meet us and take us to their largest hall, where a bountiful banquet is spread for us, the only real good square meal we've had while in the army. The way provisions disappeared on that occason I will refer any of my readers to the numerous and beautiful young ladies who waited on us on that occasion, for we could tell by the merry twinkle of their eyes that their labors were appreciated. Governor Blair delivered to us a welcoming speech, which very few of the old Third and Fifth will ever forget. After the banquet we marched to the depot, and took the train for our destination.

CHAPTER LXI.

RAILROAD SMASHUP-ONE MAN KILLED AND

SEVERAL

WOUNDED-ANN ARBOR-ON THE RAIL AGAIN-ARRIVAL AT THE CITY OF THE STRAITS-OUR RECEPTIONGRAND TIMES-VISITING-TERM OF SERVICE

DRAWING TO A CLOSE.

On Saturday morning, July 8th, when all were fast asleep, and the train with its human freight was dashing along at the rate of thirty miles an hour, we were brought up suddenly by being huddled together. What is the cause? we ask as we pick ourselves up. By jumping from our cars and going forward we soon see the cause. The engine is stuck in the bank at Ann Arbor, and five or six cars telescoped. We look on with horror and think that after being so near home it is terrible that our comrades. should be killed. We stand transfixed to the spot, and hear the groans of the wounded. Making our way among the debris to help them out, we are met by nearly all of our comrades as they crawl on hands and knees toward us through the wreck, dragging their guns and accoutrements with them. We say to ourselves, that after all perhaps only a few are hurt with slight wounds. But we soon learn that one of our number has been called to his last home, poor Sergeant Herbst. A railroad smash-up has done what the rebel bullets could not do, taken the life that has withstood the storms of battle for the last four years. It is the wonder of all that so few are hurt. The cause of the accident was laid to the switchman, who left the switch open, whether purposely or not, no one can tell. After a delay in the beautiful city of Ann Arbor of a few hours, a train

is sent for, and we arrive in the City of the Straits without further accident. The citizens have a good breakfast awaiting us at the depot, which we eat with a will. Breakfast over we are welcomed home by the Mayor, in a beautiful and touching speech. The joy of all is now unbounded, and all feel happy to be home again. Friends gather around and weep for joy to see the bronze faces, after bearing the hardships of the campaigns and storms. of over fifty battles. We fall in and commence our march through the beautiful Jefferson Avenue, as nice a street as any city can boast. Both sides are lined with people, and all greeting us with waving of handkerchiefs and loud. cheers. Surely all of our fatigues are forgotten now with the thought that our services are appreciated by a free people. We cannot keep in very good marching order for our ranks are charged upon by our friends, regardless of military discipline.

After marching through as well as we could, we break off and stack our arms near Elmwood Cemetery, there to await the coming of the paymaster to give us our last pay. Of course there is no restriction placed on us, only to be around when wanted, and we all go to visit our friends for the last time in Uncle Sam's uniform. Nearly all of us. make our way to some merchant tailoring establishment to get measured for a suit of citizen's clothes. We are having gay times, and all seem to vie with each other in treating us well.

CHAPTER LXII.

CLOSING SCENES-LAST PAY RECEIVED-ANNA-LEAVE TAKING OF OLD AND TRIED COMRADES-GOOD BYE TO THE SUIT OF BLUE AND GOOD BYE TO MY READERSWELCOMING ADDRESS OF GOV. CRAPO TO THE

MICHIGAN TROOPS.

A week elapses from the time of our arrival. Notice is sent for all to be in camp on the 17th, when the paymaster would be there to give us our last pay. As the day arrived. each man left his.home and came to Detroit where Major Whiting, the paymaster, was waiting for us.

To those that never were in the army and shared untold hardships so long with those they have learned to love, it is hard for them to appreciate the emotions of the soldiers when they take leave of their comrades. But all who have shared the sorrows and triumphs of the late war together, know the heart pang at parting. Each one lingers around to bid the others good-bye, which is uttered in broken sobs by his comrades.

Noble Anna is with us to the last, and her brave womanly spirit brakes down, and scalding tears trickle down her beautiful bronze face as each of the boys and comrades bid her good-bye. Good-bye noble, heroic and self-sacrificing Anna. May your path through life be the reverse of your four years' hardships, strewn with flowers the most delicious, and when your campaigns and battles with this struggling world shall end, may you meet in Heaven with those whose burdens you have sought to lighten in the hard life of the soldiers' experiences. Goodbye is heard on every side and the tears roll down the bronze cheeks of the heroes of many a hard-fought battle.