Page:The Story of Aunt Becky's Army-Life .djvu/250

206 for effect, in case the owner should be watching proceedings.

Thus the sick had their milk without money, and without price, and the old farmer had to pocket his indignation, or vent his spite on the lax-moralled negroes. The great review took place—when the Grand Army which had conquered the rebellion passed under the eyes of the officials at Washington. The day was intensely hot, and many a poor fellow was sun-struck, who had endured forced marches during the long, bloody campaigns. The strain of excitement was over; no more rebels with death-dealing engines confronted them; the artillery was tame in its slumbering wrath, and we could look upon the grand army with composure now, for were we not going home soon?

There were men who had just achieved the grandest march of the war, and men who had lain before Petersburg for many long months, all met together, with thought wandering far away from the capital and the soul-stirring pageant, of which they made a part. The roll of drums and the gleam of rifles waked a glow of patriotism in hearts which had well-nigh grown insensate with the dreadful blow that had been given them when some dear one fell out of the ranks, and his home knew him no more forever.

May it be long and long before another such gathering shall be possible in the national capital. The great mass has melted back into the bosom of