The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-02-22


Fifty years age today the officers of
the Second Corps of the Army of the
Potomac gave a ball at headquarters
near Brandy Station, it being one of
the chief social gatherings OF the WIN
Ter IN the camps of the Federal troops
beyond the Rappahannock.
The army lay in the rolling wooded
country betewen the Rappahannock
and the Rapidan rivers. the camps be-
ing within a circle having for Its
center Brandy Station. on the railroad
by which the army received its sup
plies from Washington
Brandy Station was less than eighty
miles from Washington, and trains
piled daily to and from the National
Capital.
With their groups of log houses the
army camps looked not unlike primi-
tive frontier villages. For social gath
erings larger buildings OF logs with
canvas roots, had been erected.
In these the CHRISTIAN Commission
held meetings. debates were held, anna
teur theatrical performances were
given, and the social life of the camp
generally conferred.
While the army was in winter quar-
tiers there was a general relaxation Of
discipline in regard to social matters.
Oficers were allowed to receive visits
from their wives, and in January and
February, 1864, several hundred women
in the aggregate were guests at the
various army camps.
The private soldiers, who had lived
without women's society since the be-
ginning Of the war, found 1t hard not
TO envy their officers the company Of
their wives.
The men were hungry for a mere
glimpse of womankind. They craved
the society of women with a deeper
craving than any man who has not
been a soldier can understand.
Everything in petticoats here is at
a premium" ruefully wrote a private
soldier in his diary as he looked on at
the preparations for the ball at head
quarters in which he was to have no
part.
While social diversions were not per-
mitted to interfere with the routine of
ramp. the spirit of holiday-making was
in the air. and in January and Febru-
airy a number of dances had been given
by the officers of various commands
Private soldiers were not permitted
TO give dances at which women were
present, so they consoled themselves
with stag parties" at which, with
many quips and jests, half of the COM
pany was made to do duty as the gent
.er sex.
For the great social events of the
winter, which were balls given by the
Third and the Second Corps. respec-
lively, special buildings were erected.
The Third Corps Ball.
The Third Corps ball had been held
IN January %.
The camps of the Third Corps were
grouped about Brandy Station, they be-
ing nine in number. representing the
npiaV IN-irr Ipg- ldFNrra prfa ut
he station, and here the social life of
The corps centered.
The officers of the Third Corps directed
The building of the special ballroom for
their party. This was constructed of
.ogs. making the hall Sc by Sc feet. with
wide low roof Of wagon covers, tents
and tarpaulins
The building stood near a large man.
sion, formerly. the home of a wealthy
Virginia family. but now abandoned by
is owners. The rooms in this house
were utilized as reception and dressing
rooms.
The ballroom was decorated with
"evergreens, flags. bunting and stream
ers of national colors" Headlights from
locomotives on the railway, lanterns and
candles supplied illumination.
Arms were stacked in the corners, SEN
tinels in full uniform and with fixed bay
onets stood at the doors and at the ap-
proaches to the house.
JoItinE in AmbuIances.
Although the weather was fine for the
season the women who attended the ball
experienced some difficulty in making
their way from the various camps to the
scene of festivity.
Most Of them were conveyed in army
ambulances; but the roads being rough.
with many dark places, and the ground
muddy, they had something of a shak-
ing up before reaching the scene of the
ball
On their arrival they were received by
the officers in full uniform and were
charmed with the brilliancy of a scene
so strange in an army camp. The music
was excellent. There was a fine sup
per. with wine for those who wished
1t, and the dancing went on with vigor
until the small hours of the morning.
There naturally not being enough
women present to supply partners for