Battle of Cedar Creek



on the floor with a half-dozen more late ar-
rivals.
  Our train departed at two o'clock. We
boarded it and went on our way homeward.
As I sat in the easy seat I said to myself: " You
are very fortunate in getting a furlough. That
is the third one since the order has been issued
from the War Department that no furloughs
be given. Thousands of men have not had
even one leave to see their home and friends."
Then my mind reverted to the toils and priva-
tions we had undergone. I thought of the day
on which I applied for that leave, and follow-
ing the time along I counted six skirmishes
and one heavy, decisive battle in which I had
participated, before the furlough was prop-
erly granted that would permit one humble
soldier to leave his post of duty at the front.
Then the conversation of the night before
passed like a vision before me, and I was sound
asleep.
  After staying at home thirty days I returned
to Martinsburg. The snow was boot-top deep.
I attempted to find the commanding officer,
and was directed from one place to another,
but I failed to overtake him. I tramped about
until I was tired, and then I fell in with a com-
pany of soldiers on their way to Harper's
Ferry. With no blankets I lay down in the box
car during the bitter cold night. In the morn-
ing I climbed over snow banks to Sandy Hook,
and reported to the commanding officer of
Camp Remount.



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