2nd. Attended service at the chapel. Mr. Ives preached. A good sermon. I desire to get more religion, more of the love of Jesus. God give me grace to live an earnest, living, though humble Christian.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
July 2 — This morning a lady in Gordonsville sent us a bucket of buttermilk, and some six or eight of us had a few crackers left, which we put in the bucket in a sort of joint stock soup company style. After the crackers soaked a while we gathered around the bucket and squatted on the floor and cleaned up the soup in the twinkling of an eye. That was our last soldier meal together.
Soon after breakfast we said farewell, and disbanded, perhaps the last squad of the Army of Northern Virginia. We struck out in various directions, some with their faces turned to southwest Virginia, others to the upper Shenandoah. One man has a good long march to make, as his home is in Braxton County, West Virginia. Two Rockingham men went out on the Standardsville road; I am the only one on the New Market pike. I walked steadily all day, browsed once or twice in a blackberry patch, and about an hour before sunset I passed through Madison Court House, and to-night I am sweetly reclining on my blanket bed in a quiet balmy pine thicket about three miles northwest of Madison Court House.
Fort C. F. Smith, Va., July 2, 1865.
Dear Friends:
The men like it here, for the duty is much easier. We relieved some of the N. Y. Arty. Three companies are in a barrack, draw rations and mess together. I never felt it so warm. Nearly every afternoon I sit and let the perspiration drop from my chin; a very agreeable occupation. Some of the regts. in our old corps had a row yesterday, refusing to do duty. I don’t know how they came out in the matter. I should like to be with you the coming fourth. I know nothing for us to do but sit still and think of what a good time you are having. We have a fine view of Washington, Georgetown, Chain bridge and the upper Potomac. One man is allowed to visit Washington daily. The boys have got up a new game of cards, played like muggins; but the one that is beaten has to allow the rest to give him three raps each, across the nose; it leaves a very peculiar tingling sensation after the operation and makes any amount of sport. D. has been reduced to the ranks for abusive language. Jerry will tell you about the man the men have been under. We were mustered for pay by Maj. H――1. The men are improving in looks greatly. Putting on our fortification airs now, Sarvy!
Much love to all,
L. Bradley, Jr.
Monday Morning. Had for breakfast one cup of coffee and one slice of bread. I assure you, we fat on the living!
[On July 11 he was 19 years old.—Ed.]
Sunday, 2d—Things are working fine. Company inspection this afternoon. On account of the heat, the men remained in their “ranches” until time for dress parade at 5 o’clock in the evening. We cannot go to the city to attend church without a pass, since there is a brigade guard around the brigade.
Kokomo, Ind., Sunday, July 2. Crossed the Ohio River yesterday about noon, into “God’s country” as the boys call it. Said assertion was rendered true, having a good dinner at the Soldiers’ Home. But when they put us in cattle cars two hours late, to go North, the spirit dampened. Started at, 2 P. M. northward, an extra train, made slow time.
Now we travel through a country never darkened with slavery and rebellion. The contrast was very great. I almost imagined I was transferred into the Elysian fields of mythology. The fields teemed with golden harvest, grain nearly all cut, droves of cattle grazed in rich pastures of tame grass, pretty little children could be seen gathered around district school-houses, and sweet girls appeared in neat calicoes with “nary” a “swab” in their mouths. Above all, we were welcomed. White handkerchiefs are waved enthusiastically from every house and hamlet, stars and stripes were thrown out triumphantly to the breeze as we passed along, each demonstration drawing forth ringing response from the joyous soldier boys. At Henryville an entire school of young ladies turned out to welcome the “extra” train with soldiers, the building being draped with a large flag. At Seymour a great arch had been erected over the railway on which was inscribed “Welcome Home, Brave Soldiers.”
Night soon overtook us now. It was 10 P. M. when we arrived, sleepy and well shaken, at Indianapolis, of which we knew no more than to hastily jump into another string of dirty box cars, and rush on through broken slumbers to Kokomo Junction, where we arrived 5 A. M. Are now waiting for an engine down from Chicago to take us up.
