After an hour, or perhaps two, spent waiting on somebody, the proper signal is given by the bugle (for every movement is made in obedience to the sound of the bugle); cartridge-boxes, haversacks, canteens, knapsacks, shelter-tents, and blankets are put on, and arms are shouldered. At the proper signal, also, every man takes his proper place, and, with arms at "right shoulder," all move off. But we don't move far. We get out to the road, perhaps, to find that somebody else occupies it; or that somebody that precedes us in the march is not yet ready to occupy it. "Halt" is blown by the bugler. Arms are stacked. We lie round for an hour or more, perhaps. Again the bugle sounds, "Attention." The men all gather up to their guns and "take arms." 'Forward" is blown, and off we go again. We move, perhaps, only a mile or two when we run against somebody's wagon-train, blocking up the road. Again we stop; stack arms; lounge round perhaps for an hour or two. We move again. Soon, however, we again overtake the blockading train; a team of mules are down in the mud-mules, mud, harness, chains, all in one promiscuous mass! Drivers are whipping and cursing; wagon-masters and guards are, some with rails prying, and others grunting and going through the motions of pushing at the wheels; and all cursing and swearing at the drivers and the mules. But "it is no go!" It is useless to wait here. So we take through the fields and bushes on either side of the train, and push forward.

It is now past noon, and we have made but two or three miles of the twenty to be travelled to-day. Lost time must now be redeemed, if possible. There is no time now to stop for dinner; so on we move with rapid steps. We have but few "halts" for rest. We are now sweeping up through a level fertile valley; now straggling through the brushy woods; now passing through the deep and winding mountain pass; now climbing the steep and rugged mountain side; now wandering along its rocky ridge; and again we descend the other slope into the neighboring valley. Thus we go "marching along," while many a witty remark is made, and many a laughable scene is witnessed. Shoes frequently give out, and leave the soldier to make his march in his bare feet. As I made the march to-day with the rest, I noticed a soldier with but one shoe on, and with his other foot tied up in a piece of cloth. Supposing that there was something the matter with his foot that he could not wear his shoe on it, I inquired. "Oh, there is nothing the matter with the foot," said he; "the matter is all with the shoe. It gave out, and I threw it away."

Passing by a large frame-house, or rather what had been a large frame-house, now stripped of the weather-boarding and every thing except the roof standing upon the bare studding, I noticed that some soldiers had placed a large board over where the door had been, with "ADMITTANCE NIX," written in large letters with chalk. On another board, on the studding where the hall had been, was written, "ROOMS TO LET HERE."

At another time we were passing a large, deserted plantation, and in the gateway that opened into the yard, in front of a little old negro-cabin, some soldier had placed the bed of an old buggy, and had set on it a little wood stove, in which he had kindled a fire; and on a board stuck up on the gate-post was written with chalk, in large letters, "Hor Coffee Here AT ALL HOURS." On the side of the old cabin was written, in like manner: "PIG'S FEET," "FRESH OYSTERS," "HOT COFFEE," "WARM MEALS AT ALL HOURS," "HAM AND EGGS," "FRESH SAUSAGE," TURTLE SOUP," &c., &c. The novelty, or rather the ridiculousness, of these things, here, where the like had not been seen perhaps since the war commenced, or perhaps never called forth from the soldiers, as they went trudging by, one continued

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stream of witty remarks. One would, perhaps, cry out, "And how are you, restaurant ?" Another, "Bully for the restaurant!" Another, And how are you, cooking-stove?" Another, "Bully for the cooking-stove !" Another, "Cookingstoves are played out!" Says another, as he comes waddling along, almost "played out" himself, "I'll take the ham and eggs, just now." Another, "I'll take a dish of oysters, waiter." The next calls out, "Waiter, bring me a cup of hot coffee!" Another, "I'll take some chicken, waiter; fetch along enough for the chaplain, too." Another, "Fetch on your pig's feet, waiter." Thus it went while the whole column was passing. Thus these Union soldiers passed the time in jollity and mirth, scarcely seeming to realize the fatigue and labor of the march. General Sherman has broken loose from his base of supplies, and, it is said, has given liberty to live off the country. At least that is the understanding with the men; and they are not slow in understanding such permission to mean, "Go for it, boys! Don't starve in a plentiful country! Forage liberally; for what we don't take, Hood's men will get."

Hence towards evening there are about as many chickens, turkeys, pigs, and geese in the regiment as there are men. And, oh, what loads of fresh pork, mutton, veal, and sweet potatoes some men can carry in addition to their warlike equipments! In the rear of each brigade what a caravan of poor mules and old worn-out horses! Some with bridles on, some with only ropes round their necks. All are, however, loaded with immense bundles of all kinds of "traps:" campkettles, large and small; coffee-pots and frying-pans, of all sorts and sizes. On the top of all these, some have bags of sweet potatoes, chickens, turkeys, geese, parts of sheep, hogs, calves, &c., &c.

Well is it for the man whose mule or old horse does not "get down" under his load. When such is the case, it requires a large amount of labor and swearing to get the "traps" off, and the mule up, and the "traps" all on again, and then get up again to his proper place in the grand cavalcade. And happier still is the muledriver, or rather mule-leader, whose mule is able, when he gets down, to get up again when the "traps" are removed from his back. A good-natured, honest Dutchman had got an old horse and an old buggy, and put his "traps" into it, and was getting along swimmingly, till we came to one of those places, often found in this Southern world, where the surface of the earth lies upon a foundation that very obligingly yields to downward pressure, and when a wagon-wheel gets through the surface into it, the longer it stays in one position, the deeper it sinks into the mire. Here the Dutchman's horse sank, floundered, fell, stuck fast in the mud. The buggy, too, sinks in the mud, sticks fast, and is likely there to stick. In a cavalcade like this there are more Priests and Levites than good Samaritans, and each feeling that to help the Dutchman in distress was none of his business, and that he had enough to do to get along himself, all pass by on the other side of the Dutchman in his calamity. It is now dark, and I happen to come along that way; so he comes running to me, calling out, "Shaplein! Shaplein! mine horse ish entire gone up,-complete pegged out!" And sure enough there the old horse was, but I thought, from the fix he was in, he looked more like being "entire" gone down, or under, than "gone up"-completely swamped in the mire, and the buggy up to the axles in the mud. There is no use in trying to get this "rig" along any farther. It must be accounted for now as "expended," or "lost in the service." So I take a bundle of hay out of the buggy and lay it by the old horse's head, helped Shake to get his "traps" along, and we leave the poor old horse to his fate. As evening approaches, we find here and there men sitting or lying by the road

side, waiting for the ambulances. They have given out on the march. On we move, but the camp, though anxiously looked for by all, is not yet reached. The shades of evening close in round us. It is now dark, and still we trudge along. We meet a man on horseback. "How far to camp?" "How far to camp?" rings out all along the line, as he passes. "Two miles and a half," "Two miles and a half," he answers as fast as he can utter it, to keep up with the inquiries put to him. So on we move to overcome the "two miles and a half." But, oh, how long they seem to-night! Every hill we ascend, and every bend in the road we pass, we anxiously look to see the camp-fires. But we are often disappointed. At length we descry the glimmer of the distant camp-fires. The sight calls forth a shout from the men all along the line. After sundry and patience-trying stops we finally reach camp. And, oh, what a camp! Upon a steep hill-side, while there is plenty of level land in the neighborhood: rocky, too, and a perfect thicket, while there is plenty of clear, smooth land all around. Who made such a selection of a camp as this? No difference. It has been made by the proper authority, and our duty is simply to submit. We march by faith. We fight by faith. We crawl up this hill-side, and in among these rocks and bushes, in the dark, to camp for the night, by faith. We have not faith, however, to believe that the officer who selected such a place in which for us to camp, camps to-night himself in just such a place. There are more curses than prayers among the men in the bushes just now. We have had no dinner to-day. We have made a march of over twenty miles. We cannot do without supper also. But what a place this is in which to get supper! No wonder the cooks grumble, and some of them even swear. The brush is rid off sufficient space on which to build fires. Fires are kindled-a little coffee is made -a little meat is fried. With salt pork, coffee, and crackers we make our supper. We spread down our blankets among the bushes, retire to rest, and are soon oblivious to the toils, and trials, and dangers of "this cruel war."

Such is a brief sketch of "The March of a Day"-a long and toilsome day. But it, with all its toils, and labors, and dangers, is gone-gone forever! All its thoughts, and words, and deeds are recorded in God's book of remembrance, to stand in uneffaceable record till the day of final accounts. Ah, and are all these foolish and wicked oaths I have heard uttered this day, by both officers and men, recorded there, to be remembered on that great day, for which all other days were made, against those who uttered them? Uttered perhaps in anger, perhaps in jest, perhaps in simple thoughtlessness. But there they are, and all other thoughts, and words, and deeds, whether good or bad; and with this record against us, we are one day nigher eternity,-one day nigher death, the resurrection, and final judgment. Oh, that we could all improve by the past; and that our noble soldiers, while they each day make "A Day's March" in the discharge of their duty in our country's cause, may make also "The March of a Day" towards that better country where wars, and fightings, and wearisome marchings are unknown, is the earnest wish of him who writes. RANDAL ROSS, Chaplain 15th Regt., O. V. V. I.

PERSONAL ITEMS.

MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE H. THOMAS has been appointed major-general in the regular Army, to date from December 15th, the day of his recent great victory over Hood, and to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of General John C. Frémont.

Major-General A. S. Webb has been appointed Chief of Staff to Major-General Meade, commanding Army of the Potomac.

Brevet Major-General A. H. Terry has been appointed a full major-general of volunteers, and brigadier-general in the regular Army, for distinguished services in the capture of Fort Fisher.

Brigadier-General Edward Ferrero has been brevetted major-general, for gallant conduct and meritorious service before Richmond and Petersburg.

Brigadier-General E. B. Brown has been assigned to the command of the district of Rolla, Missouri.

The President has nominated Brigadier-General Ames brevet major-general, and Colonels Pennypacker, Curtis, and Bell brevet brigadier-generals, for gallantry at the capture of Fort Fisher.

The following-named officers have been promoted by the President to be brevet brigadier-generals in the regular Army, for meritorious and faithful service :-Brevet Colonel R. S. Satterlee, Colonel A. E. Shiras, Major L. Easton, Colonel E. D. Townsend, Colonel William Hoffman, Brevet Colonel D. H. Vinton, Brevet Colonel Stewart Van Vliet, Brevet Colonel Rufus Ingalls, Colonel Edmund Schriver, Brevet Colonel B. W. Brice, Colonel George Wright.

Brigadier-General Robert B. Potter (Second Division, Ninth Corps) has been brevetted major-general, to date from August 1st, for distinguished and gallant conduct in the several actions since crossing the Rapidan.

Brigadier-General O. B. Willcox, commanding the First Division of the Ninth Army Corps, has been brevetted major-general, to date from the 1st of last August.

Brigadier-General Joseph D. Cox has been promoted to be a major-general of volunteers, for distinguished services.

Brigadier-General Frank Wheaton (Major 2d U. S. Cavalry) has been brevetted major-general, for conspicuous gallantry at the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek.

Colonel Cyrus Hamlin, eldest son of the Vice-President, has been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general, for distinguished services.

Colonel Henry G. Thomas (19th U. S. Colored Troops, and Captain 11th U. S. Infantry) has been appointed brigadier-general, for conspicuous gallantry before Petersburg.

Colonel Wm. R. Brewster (73d New York Vols.) has been brevetted brigadier-general, for distinguished services and gallant conduct in the present campaign before Richmond.

Colonel Andrew W. Denison has been brevetted brigadier-general, for meritorious services in the field.

Colonel Joseph B. Hamblin (65th New York) and Colonel Wm. H. Penrose (4th New Jersey) have been brevetted brigadier-generals, for conspicuous gallantry at the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek.

Colonel Henry L. Abbot (1st Connecticut Artillery) has been brevetted brigadiergeneral, to date from August 1st, for distinguished and gallant services before Richmond.

Colonel E. L. Molineux (159th New York Vols.) has been brevetted brigadiergeneral, for distinguished services in the field.

Colonel E. J. Davis (1st Texas Cavalry) has been brevetted brigadier-general, for distinguished services in the field.

Colonel Joseph Bailey (4th Wisconsin Cavalry) has been brevetted brigadiergeneral, for distinguished services in the field, and appointed to the command of the District of Baton Rouge.

Colonel Thomas J. Lucas (16th Indiana Mounted Infantry) has been brevetted brigadier-general, for distinguished services in the field.

Colonel Wm. Myers, Chief Quartermaster of the Department of Missouri, has been brevetted brigadier-general.

Colonel N. B. M'Laughlin (57th Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers) has, for distinguished and gallant services at Poplar Grove Church, Va., September 30, 1864, been appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers, to rank from that date.

Colonel R. B. Hayes (23d Ohio Vols.) has been appointed brigadier-general, for gallant and meritorious services in the Shenandoah Valley.

Colonel George D. Wells (34th Massachusetts Volunteers) has been nominated by the President for promotion, for distinguished services at the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia.

Colonel William Cogswell, of the 2d Massachusetts Infantry, has been made brevet brigadier-general, since the arrival of Sherman's army at Savannah.

Colonel James R. Slack (47th Indiana Volunteers) has been appointed brigadiergeneral, for distinguished services.

Lieutenant-Colonel William T. Clark, Chief of Staff and Assistant Adjutant-General of the Department and Army of the Tennessee, has recently been promoted by the President to be a brigadier-general of volunteers.

The meeting of the adjutant-generals of the United States, which assembled recently at Columbus, Ohio, adjourned to meet at Boston on the 10th of July proximo. Commodore James S. Palmer assumed command of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron November 30th, upon Admiral Farragut's sailing for the North.

The President has remitted the court-martial sentence of Admiral Wilkes to a period of one year from its date (May 3, 1864), at which time the Admiral is to be restored to active duty.

Among the promotions in the Medical Department sent to the Senate by the President are the following:-Medical Inspector-General Joseph K. Barnes, to be surgeon-general, with the rank of brigadier-general, August 22d, 1864, vice Hammond, dismissed. Surgeon Madison Mills, to be medical inspector-general, with the rank of colonel, December 1, 1864, vice Barnes, appointed surgeon-general.

Surgeon George Suckley has been appointed Medical Director of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina.