The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-01

fences. No order against such depredations
would have been observed that night, though
it came from General with all the stars i'll the
armament upon his shoulder-straps.
Back with their burdens of fuel came the
men. and in few moments the kindling
flames began to glimmer feebly through the
darkness Soon great heaps of rails were all
ablaze. Around them, in ghOstly array, hoyered
the shivering soldiers, eager to catch the
warmth that was given out by the now roar
ing fires All, who does not remember what
a blessed privilege it was at such time to
stand before those burning piles! How thank
fui those halffrOzen HOOsiers were for even
thus much of comfort!
Sis elastic spirits were among the first to rise
under the genial warmth that was gradually
dilfused, in spite of wind and snow.
Lets brace up, Shorty he said, as he stood
warming first one side and then the other,
while the steam from his thawing clothes en-
vcloped him like cloud of incense" 1t S good
deal wuss n we thought 'twould be this mornin', !,
but we're livin' yet, and l reck'n after what
we've bin through to-day we kin stand any
thing. We're gOin to git some ratiOns directly,
N we won't have to 90 off huntin fer water,
nuther, cause we kin jest melt snow to make
coffee of. BY that time the wagins III be up,
N we'll scrape away the snow, n stick up the
tent N build a big fire N front Of it, N have
bully timo!"
Shorty did not fully share Sis enthusiasm
over the prospect but checrfully stirred around
to assist III making such arrangements as they
could for the night. ST felt that in the
experience of that day they had touched bot
TOM He did not think it possible to reach any
lower point in the scale of human misery. But
there were yet greater depths. which he and
Shorty and the rest were soon to fathom.
Company Q, get ready to go on picket i'm
mediately!"
This cheerful order was shouted by the Or
derly, on receiving message from the Sergeant
Major that it was Company QS turn" The
Sergeant Major did not linger around among
the boys of that company. He went back to
his quarters in hurry, Us if i'll mortal fear of
his life.
"Git yor traps on, mon, an fall in, lively!"
exclaimed the Orderly.
ave haint had nuthin' to eat yeti" said
Corporal Klegg, aghast At the prospect of con-
tinung his fast; " can't we hold on tt the grub
comes?'
Were all Jest as hungry as you are, Mr..
Klegg," replied the Orderly, but we've got to
go all the same, an there's no use in kickin'.
You git in yer place as sudden as We can"
1t was hard lines for the boys, but thore was
no help for it. With much grumbling, and
with longing glances at the cheerful fires they
marched away in the storm and darkness. The
company was ordered to establish its reserve on
the pike, mile from camp, posting its videts
at proper points on either side.
Through the deepening snow they moved to
their station. Tho biting cold and the piercing
blast took a fresh grip upon them. After the
grateful warmth Of the blazing rail-piles it was
even more keenly felt than before. Scarcely
word was spoken as they traversed that dreary
mile. A haystack near the pike was chosen for
the headquarters, and sentinels were thrown