Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/249

Rh fruit and wine, a scantier table for himself, and I left, feeling as though emerging from a shower-bath in December. We went to the Christian Commission, and, blessings on its great human heart, we got a full supply of all we needed.

Again, I saw those who reminded me of the days passed at City Point. Miss Blackman, from Michigan, visited me, and we talked hopefully in the dawning summer weather, thinking of the peace which had so suddenly settled down upon us, that it seemed an unreal dream of the midnight, which the morning sun would dispel like the mists of the low green valley.

Our camp was on a rising hill-slope—a beautiful place, where the hitherto untrampled sod grew rank and green. A little grove lay a short distance aside, with trees full-leaved, and wild blossoms growing in the tangled hollows.

It was a peaceful place, and we soon made it home-like, as soldiers always try to do when pitching camp even for a few weeks.

The farmers had lowing herds roaming in the dewy pastures, and one in close proximity to camp was solicited to sell us milk for our use. He was loyal, of course; but he would not accede to our request, for some unknown reason, and the temptation to have a bowl of bread and milk for an occasional dish, proved too great for the boys. They often bribed the negroes who had charge of the cows, and for a few cents they would allow them to milk the herd unmolested, although still keeping up a show of resistance,