Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/158

 152 Southern Historical Society Papers.

there remained till the 24th, when it was ordered back six miles to the fortifications, and there remained till 3oth, when it was ordered on picket duty at New Market Heights, and is there 3ist August.

The first half of the roll as of this date is missing down to private 64 John J. Marshall, who joined March 24, 1864. Others on this part of the roll are R. Powell Page, who joined May i, 1864, and James G. Pollard, July 22d.

Frank O' Rourke and Henry Woody are both reported as having left the company February 22, 1864.

The whole number of privates on that roll was one hundred and twenty-two. The roll of October, 1864, is the last full roll before the end of the war. It notes: Andrew M. Darnall joined May 10, 1864; Edward Gerard, absent since June 13, 1864; Otho G. Kean, sent to hospital September 2, 1864.

The next mustering of the company, and probably the last one, was on December 31, 1864. The record of transactions in the in- terval between October 3ist and December 313! is very brief, and as follows: "From ist November to 3ist December battery remained in position between Fort Gilmer and New Market road, not having been engaged, or changing position during this time." The first half of this roll also is missing. What remains corresponds with that of October 3ist, beginning with the name of George W. Pugh, except that John Wilson's name is omitted, and a note says that he, James A. Conner, and Bolin Harris, were captured at Gettys- burg, &c.

The constant marching and fighting during the spring of 1865 prevented the regular mustering and the preparation of the pay- rolls. The value of the Confederate money made the formality of preparing pay-rolls somewhat farcical. A whole month's pay would not buy a good tooth-brush.

An artillery captain, who was stationed south of Richmond on the lines during the winter of 1864-' 65, had a superfluous old horse which he decided to sell. He got leave for himself and a friend to go to that city one day for the purpose of making the sale. It was a bleak wintry day. At the sale-stables he effected a sale at auction for about $1,500. The two friends then went to a restaurant on Main street to get their dinner. They got the best the house could furnish, but the most expensive drink was apple-jack. The bill was between $200 and $300.

The value of the "currency," as well as the humor of the "old vet," is well illustrated by a story which General John B. Gordon