found
Townsend guilty and sentenced him: "To be suspended from rank and
pay for two months." This sentence was approved by General Meade,
April 1st, but Townsend's suspension from rank was remitted, and
he was ordered to duty. He was a gallant and accomplished officer,
and, feeling keenly the disgrace, rushed to his death at Cold Harbor
just after the sixty days' suspension of pay elapsed. The incident
illustrates the severity of discipline and the fate of war.

The soldiers of the army, as far as possible, were kept active,
but the cold winter, with frequent rains, caused much discomfort,
and many were in hospital; few were furloughed. Many rude log
chapels were erected and used, often alternately, for religious
worship, lectures, concerts, readings, and dances. Civilian visitors
were, at times, numerous. One most notable army ball was given at
the headquarters of General Joseph B. Carr. This event took place
January 25, 1864, and was attended generally by officers of the
army, by some military officials from Washington and elsewhere, by
officers' wives and their friends visiting the army, and by invited
ladies and gentlemen from Washington, New York, Philadelphia,
Boston, and Baltimore. Over four thousand attended. The ball was
held in large communicating tents, erected for the purpose. Ample
floors were laid for promenades and dancing. Dinner was provided,
where everything obtainable from land or sea was served, with
liquors and wines without stint. The night was entirely devoted
to it. It was brilliant beyond descriptions. To hundreds it was
their last ball, or appearance in social life.

Notwithstanding the necessarily promiscuous character of the
participants, and though no scandal attended it, and all decorum
usual on such occasions was observed, it was at the time the subject
of much severe criticism through the press, from the pulpit, and
by people generally. General Carr and his good wife were adepts
in social affairs, and are entitled to the distinction of having
assembled and directed the most numerously attended ball of its
kind ever held in the United States.

Horse racing and other sports were indulged in, especially by the
cavalry. But all these were mere diversions, and did not indicate
that the army was not preparing for the bloody work yet ahead of it.

Grant, with the armies under General George H. Thomas, W. T. Sherman,
and Joseph Hooker, November 25, 1863, drove Bragg from hi