Every man seemed crushed, officers and soldiers alike; when they broke ranks, they went and lay down like sheep where their tents used to be, or wandered disconsolately about, looking for their stray belongings.

The scene was so infinitely dolorous that it gradually put me in the highest spirits; the ludicrousness of the whole affair was so complete, there was nothing to do but laugh.

The horrible dust blew till every officer had some black spot on his nose which paralyzed pathos.

Of course the only way was to set them all at work as soon as possible; and work them we did,--I at the camp and the Major at the wharf,--loading and unloading wagons and just reversing all which the morning had done.
"The New Hampshire men were very considerate, and gave back most of what they had taken, though many of our men were really too delicate or proud to ask or even take what they had once given to soldiers or to the colored people.

I had no such delicacy about my tent-frame, and by night things had resumed something of their old aspect, and cheerfulness was in part restored.