In Camp And Field

(Section X V-Contknucd ) A lew wera malinqerers, and sought te ilplay-off sick" as it was phrased in the army. But this elis were nearly always detected by the surgeons and very often by üeir offlcers. They were held in contcmpt by all, as a class. Sometimes the surgeons erred on the other side, however, and put men on duty who were really ailing, this mistake was nfortanate, but is not always avoidablo when some are constantly trying to shirk duty by assuming indisposition. The list oí drugs used in the army was not a very extended one. Quinine was a standard, and uecessarily so, as nearly the whole temtory embraced in the theater of war was esperially liable to malaria, often of a most serious type. Opiates in several forms, as morphine, Dover's powder, laudanum and paregoric were most useful to allay pain, check discharges, etc. Rhubarb, castor oil and a few othercathartics ware always on hand. Ether and chloroform for surgical cases were never out of stock. Whisky, brandy, alcohol and wines of various kinds were supplied freely for medicinal uses. In war-times opiates were about the only means in use for producing sleep. The many bromides and hydrate of chloral now used for that purpose were not thon in vogue. The great amount of sickiiess f rom whicb, the regiment suffere! during the winter of 1863-3, while on duty at Memphis, Tenn., has before been spoken of. But as soon as the field was taken at the beginning of the Vicksburg campaign In April, 1S63, the health of the organization became excellent and substantially remained so till the. war closed. Soldiers in active campaign duty are healthier and happier than when comparatively idle. It was strange soma one in high authority did not issue soma such order as the followiag : "Keep your men busy, keep them busy fighting tha enemy if possilrle, but at any rata keep them busy!" Under Grant, however, such an order would have been useless, as he always had nis men at something, and at the same urne gave ms enemy muiiwjr enuugu uj look af ter. It was said above that a soldier ou active duty is healthier and happier. Activity, too, enforces discipline, it gives no time for the brooding of discontent, homesickuess and a spirit of insubordination. For a part o? the time the hospital department was quartered in a house, but in November the regiment moved its location, and then all, including the hospital, went into tents. This mode of living became uncomfortably cool as winter approached. About the flrst of December orders came for the command to report at New Orlean3. For some cause not now remembered it became necessary for the writer to accompany one of the surgeons in a night ride back to Franklin, about fifteen miles distan t on the bayou within the Federal lines. Two horses were procured and the trip started upon about eight o'clock p. m. It was a lonoly ride and toward midnight every fence post seemed a rebel soldier and every bush a mounted Confedérate cavalryman. The way seemed long and tiresome but at last it was known that our lines at Franklin could not be much farther off. By and by a voice called out 'Halt; who comes there?" "Friend without the countersign" was answered. Then an officer came out, asked some questions and the two tired and lonely hors#men were passed within the Federal lines, just as streaks of daylight began showing in the e as tem sky. Thanksgiving Day of 1863 was duly kept by many of the troops at New Iberia. Perhaps the dinner eaten that day was bat little better than ordinary, but public services were held in which mos of the troops of the 4th División of the 13th Corps participated. A platform had been erected in an open field for the spjakers and about this all gathered. Excellent instrumental musió íor the occasion was furnished by one ot the brass bands of the división. All who spoke expressed full confidence in the triumph of the Union cause. At the close all joined in singing the Doxology and the air rang with a full chorus made up of thousands of male voices. Carrying out orders received, the command marched back along the Teche to Brashear City and went trom there by rail to Algiers opposite New Orleans whea a Gulf steamer was taken for Texas. Here before us was a new experience- alt water. The steamer lef t the Algiers landing one forenoon and at night salt water was reached. Very few of the men had ever been on this before and the experience was to most of them any thing but agreeable. The writer for the ereater part of the time was on the upper deck and henee had plenty of fresh air, at least. But { down in the hold vvhere the men were, the second day out was the most repulsiva spot the writer ever cast his eres upon. The sailors, in passing about and seeing ' the men so sick, just grinned, as it was all to them a great joke. De Crow's Point, Tex., it turned out, was the destination of the regiment. Arrived in aight of this place th steamer anchored, as there was ao wharf, and the vessels called lichters- oí very light draf t - couW not come along.' i I side to receive the contents of the stoamer, tbe esa was so rough. In this state of things the vessel lay, there and rollod and pitched, teetered, as one ef the meo said. üther vessels loaded with troops were in a corresponding situation, and to see these pitch and roll in the rough sea was a sight. Finally, after a day or two, the sea calmed down a littla and a vessel with much üfficulty carne alongside, was lashed to ours, and, after awhile, all got ashore without accident.