Days passed, and we heard no sound of booming cannon. Hope built her airy castles, and we talked of what the summer should bring forth for us, amidst the peaceful hills of the North. Our gardens in the camp were growing with rich promise of an abundant yield. Peas were up many inches, and other vegetables were rank and green under the April skies.
So much we had prided ourselves on what we should gather from those growing ranks, that the order to make everything ready for Washington gave a little heart-pang to us all. If the war was ended, we could well go, leaving everything behind us, but if new battles were to be fought, and new hospitals to grow in deserted corn-field, and on waste hill-sides, it would be a sad day when we left City Point, bound—no one knew whither.
The regular working machinery had been wrought by the experience of months, and we had grown into the groove, and disliked to be thrown out unless for a purpose.
I received from some of the boys a picture of the dispensary, showing the stewards and clerks, and it is something always to remind me of those anxious days.
Our regiment, with a Wisconsin and Michigan regiment came down near our hospital, just before we left, and if ever men were joyous those were, in the prospect of speedy release from duty in camp and field.
The time drew near for our departure, and I had not thought it possible for me to feel so badly,
