Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10., chapter 8.83, Paper no. 1., page 509

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[509] coped and encountered successfully, and driven back again and again our splendid legions with their fine discipline, their martial show and colour, their solid battalions keeping such perfect time to the inspiring bands of music? I must confess, Minnie, that I felt humiliated at the thought that this horde of ragamuffins could set our grand army of the Union at defiance. Why it seems as if a single regiment of our gallant boys in blue could drive that dirty crew in the river without any trouble. And then, too, I wish you could see how they behaved — a crowd of boys on a holiday don't seem happier. They are on the broad grin all the time. Oh! they are so dirty I don't think the Potomac river could wash them clean; and ragged!--there is not a scarecrow in the corn-fields that would not scorn to exchange clothes with them; and so tattered!--there isn't a decently dressed soldier in their whole army. I saw some strikingly handsome faces though; or, rather, they would have been so if they could have had a good scrubbing. They were very polite, I must confess, and always asked for a drink of water, or anything else, and never think of coming inside of a door without an invitation. Many of them were bare-footed. Indeed I felt sorry for the poor, misguided wretches, for some were limping along so painfully, trying hard to keep with their comrades. But I must stop. I send this by Robert, and hope it will reach you safely. Write to me as soon as the route is open. * * * * *

Kate.

Confederate currency now suddenly rose in value, orders having been issued, that the store-keepers in the town should keep open their stores, and sell their goods for the “dam Rebel issue,” as one of them called our Confederate “promise to pay.” In an hour or two a store would be completely cleaned out, not a thing was left behind, the shop-keeper having enough of the notes to paper his walls. Some of them though put the money carefully by, determining if it should by chance turn out ever to be of any value, that they would have a good amount.

Another day's march brought us to Hagerstown, where the corn fields and orchards furnished our meals. The situation, in a sanitary point, of our army was deplorable. Hardly a soldier had a whole pair of shoes. Many were absolutely bare-footed, and refused to go to the rear. The ambulances were filled with the footsore and sick. Not a man among all the troops had had a change of under-clothing since the army left Gordonsville, a month ago, and the consequence was that they were dirty, tattered and infested with vermin; and now I will

Richmond, VA. 1882.

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Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

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Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10. Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

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Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 10.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.