Year: 1863

tnat concIude0 10 wake up. Almost all the
boys in that car slept as soundly as l did.
have read Of travellers who were prone to regard
sleeping cars as failure, saying that it was I'M
possible for one 10 compose himself to slumber
while he was being ratified over the the road at
speed. l wish such man could have
looked into that car about three o'clock that
he would have seen his argument foored
most effectually. There the boys lay in all shapes
Imaginable, and great many shapes that no one
would think ofimagining some on the seats and
some under them, some lying down and some
sitting up, and some in all manner of positions
from horizontal to a perpendicular, with thei:
knapsacks, equipments, guns or boots for bed
or pillow. The train vibrated along over the
rough road, and occasionally shake one out of his
position, but still the boys snored on in blissful
inconsistencies. The rocking Of the car was on
ly a lullaby that wooed them to a sounder sleep,
AS we were an extra train, We had to wait for ev-
cry other train and 90 the swifter when the time
was ours. The consequence was that our pro-
gress was slow, and daylight overlook us before
we reached Hayre de Grace. AT this place the
whole train engine and all, was ferried across the
bay There is bridge to be constructed here,
and its foundation is being laid, but it is yet in
its infancy. At this place we stopped long enough
to buy US q breakfast all around at the groceries
near by. 1t is curious how quickly the prices of
eatabes advance in a small place at the advent of
a regiment OF soldiers. The moment we stopped
| stepped into bakery and bought loaf of
bread for five cents. Handing this to friend, |
returned to the same place and found bread SELL
ing rapidly at two loaves for fifteen cents. A few
minutes later and the price was ten cents loaf,
and still going up. The price OF cheese went up
to % cents pound, and that Of butter was more
than doubled. bope the people had their shop
ping done for that day before we got there. All
at once the whistle sounded and the train started.
More than half of the boys were off the train, and
for few minutes there was nimble scampering
from all points converging upon the moving train,
and making all possible haste to get aboard
Freight cars not the prettiest of vehicles to
get on to when in notion and had one fallen and
broken his neck on that occason, no trial short of
court martial could have made him out crimi-
nal. At halfpast eleven we entered the city of
Baltimore. We made stop OF about hour
which gave US a chance to eat dinner and all the
watermelon we wanted, when we were put aboard
another train and started towards Washington.
This train was crowded to overhowing inside and
on the top. Before, all had been kept inside. The
officer of the day peremptorily ordered one of US
who had climbed to the top to enjoy the cool
breeze and f1e prospect, to get down from the
cars and ride inside. Now the top of the cars
were covered, and the same officer of the day
never noticed us. Military necessity they said
made the difference. Some of the boys persisted
in seeing it in another light. They said it was
for their convenience then TO ride on the outside
but the officer of the day forbade it, now it was
for his convenience to have us outside, and he
made US ride there. Circumstances are quite apt
to alter cases.


1t was after nine o'clock when we got to Wash


ington, and an kour later before we got straight
ened around so as to know where we belonged


We went into the Soldiers Retreat and took our
supper, and then were marched to the barracks.
Our fare at the Retreat, was far below the Pough-


keepse or Philadelphia standard, and some of the


boys who had eat their fill of dainties along the


way, considered themselves abased because their


appetite failed them on this occasion. remem-


Der time, when meal there was q rare luxury.


There was no disturbance, however, owing partly


10 Colonel Walbridge's presence, and that ofoth-


er officers. The Colonel told the boys, that the


bread was good and the meat was good, but if we


did not want it we could let it alone-a common


sense deduction truly. His firmness prevented


any disgrace.


The next day we went over to Alexandra, and


Friday we started for the army. We had to march


the whole distance, and escort long train for the


army's use from Alexandra. The day we started


the rain poured in torrents. have seldom seen


it rain harder. 1t seemed as if the windows o


heaven were opened and doors too. 1t was rath-


er of rough introduction to the war again. Some


of the boys had scarcely dry thread in their


clothes but they all full of fun and frolic, and


never seemed to enjoy themselves better. "Hov


are you New York, and how are you Poughkeep.