It fell
upon me like a great awe. The strong ranks moved neither fast nor
slow. They had march'd seven or eight miles already through the
slipping unctuous mud. The brave First corps stopt here. The equally
brave Third corps moved on to Brandy station. The famous Brooklyn 14th
are here, guarding the town. You see their red legs actively moving
everywhere. Then they have a theatre of their own here. They give
musical performances, nearly everything done capitally. Of course
the audience is a jam. It is good sport to attend one of these
entertainments of the 14th. I like to look around at the soldiers, and
the general collection in front of the curtain, more than the scene on
the stage.
PAYING THE BOUNTIES
One of the things to note here now is the arrival of the paymaster
with his strong box, and the payment of bounties to veterans
re-enlisting. Major H. is here to-day, with a small mountain of
greenbacks, rejoicing the hearts of the 2d division of the First
corps. In the midst of a rickety shanty, behind a little table, sit
the major and clerk Eldridge, with the rolls before them, and much
moneys. A re-enlisted man gets in cash about $200 down, (and heavy
instalments following, as the pay-days arrive, one after another.) The
show of the men crowding around is quite exhilarating; I like to
stand and look. They feel elated, their pockets full, and the ensuing
furlough, the visit home. It is a scene of sparkling eyes and flush'd
cheeks. The soldier has many gloomy and harsh experiences, and this
makes up for some of them.
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