were relaxed, and chaos reigned. Everything was made subservient to the
one all-absorbing topic, "Home." The sturdy soldier doffed his war
attire and donned his peaceful garb. The renowned Utah band paraded the
streets in holiday dress and, with the blare of brass, proclaimed the
happy news to the nut-brown maid. The stalwart warriors danced and sang
to the music of that soul-lifting song, "A Hot Time in the Old Town
Tonight." The jubilant battle hero collected his ordnance and other war
trappings and handed them over to the ordnance officer while he
exchanged looks of mutual doubt and suspicion with that important
personage. The weary and worn Utahn bade adieu to the dreamy-eyed damsel
of the East with many expressions of fond attachment and love; then
mustered his heterogeneous troop of relics and curiosities and joined
the Nebraska regiment on the "Hancock." Two days later the officers
steamed over from the gay apartments of the "Baltimore" in a brightly
decorated launch and walked aboard the big boat. Finally a goodly supply
of canned beef and antiquated swine were hoisted on the vessel and the
Captain gave orders for the sailing flag to be put to the breeze. This
was on July 1st.

When the official contingent was safely housed in spacious staterooms it
was learned that quite a change had taken place in the roster of that
worthy body. The shoulders of Captain Grant were adorned with the gold
leaf of a Major; Lieutenant Critchlow had been elevated to a Captaincy;
Lieutenant Naylor wore the single bar of a First Lieutenant, and First
Sergeant John A. Anderson of Battery B shone in the glowing uniform of a
Second Lieutenant. Major Young sent a letter bidding farewell to the
Utahns and expressing his disappointment at not being able to accompany
the batteries home.

The batteryman entertained no high opinion of the Government transport.
He had become acquainted with the luxuries which Uncle Sam provides the
defenders of his broad acres. He had already learned how elaborately the
American Government furnishes apartments for its soldiers and food for
its larder. So, after he had landed safely on the main deck and
deposited his knapsack and monkeys, he was not surprised when the order
came for him to take his goods and chattels and repair to the forward
hold. He entered the gangway and descended four flights of stairs
without any misgiving or hesitation. He threaded his way through the
labyrinthian passage of his subaqueo