Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 35.djvu/32

 18 in "examining" witnesses than in commanding armies, and doubtless many an unlucky wight has quailed before the searching interrogatories of the astute Massachusetts lawyer and pseudo warrior.

During the day a piece of artillery was brought up before Butler's tent for his inspection, and I recognized it as the gun of Sturdivant's battery which was captured the day before.

Late in the afternoon we were taken down to Bermuda Hundred, where our quarters for the night were in a small frame house, subjected to the humiliation of being guarded by a company of negro cavalry. The next day we were put on board a steamboat on our way to Fortress Monroe. There was great activity at City Point; a steamboat had just arrived with a company of infantry. As we passed by they made a great show of brandishing their guns, drawing out their ramrods and sending them home with a loud, ringing sound. This was done, doubtless, for the purpose of impressing us with the fact of their being awful fellows to encounter, and what short work they were going to make of the rebels in the field.

Arriving at the fort we remained there over Sunday. The wounded were assigned temporarily to hospital quarters. I do not know how the rest fared, but our bill of fare consisted of a thin decoction of rice and molasses. It reminded me no little of the famous dish served up by the excellent hostess of Do-the-Boys' Hall.

In the afternoon our entire company was ordered out in line to participate in religious services conducted by the Post Y. M. C. A. We did not present a very Sunday-go-to-meeting appearance. The dudish Federal officers, who turned out in their brand-new paper collars, then coming into vogue, served us with high disdain. Remarks might be heard as they passed by. "That's a hard looking crowd you have got there, Captain."

Of course we were a shabby-looking set. Yet among us were men of the best social position in Petersburg. Captured in our old clothes, in which we had been on duty day and night, it could hardly be expected we would have been attired as on dress-parade.

One of our party was conspicuous by being the proud