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(not known with us), a great fowl, as big as a crow; black, with white feathers in his wings, an ivory beak and a gay scarlet cockade.
He thought himself of great account, and pompously hopped up and round the trunks of trees, making a loud, chattering noise, which quite drowned the wee birds, like a roaring man in a choir.
The pompous old thing was very much scared when I approached, and flew away, but soon began his noise on a distant tree.
November 27, 1864
I think I will occupy the remainder of this letter with an account of our picnic yesterday to Butlerdom.
The day was further remarkable for the departure of my dear General Humphreys to take command of the 2d Army Corps.
For Hancock has got a leave of absence, and will doubtless be put to recruiting fresh troops, while it is hoped that the President will permanently assign Humphreys to this Corps.
He is in high glee at going, and will be in despair if a big fight is not got up for his special benefit.
He was a great favorite and was escorted by some fifteen mounted officers of the Staff to his new quarters, at which compliment I think he was gratified.
I regretted not to be with him, but had to go with the General, who started by the mail train, at 8 A. M., to be early at Grant's Headquarters, whence they were to start.
We took our horses on a freight car. In the train we found Generals Warren and Crawford, who were invited to be of the party.
Arrived at City Point, we discovered that the Lieutenant-General was still in bed, whereat Meade did laugh, but the three stars soon appeared and went to breakfast.
After which meal, our horses were put on the boat and we put ourselves on, and off we started.
The party was a big one.
There were Generals Grant, Meade, Warren, Crawford and Ingalls, and 