re to be very old or very young. In either case they were received
with great hospitality, given the best place to sleep, the best the camp
afforded in the way of eatables, and treated with the greatest courtesy
and kindness by the whole command. But the lady visitors! the girls! Who
could describe the effect of their appearance in camp! They produced
conflict in the soldier's breast. They looked so clean, they were so
gentle, they were so different from all around them, they were so
attractive, they were so agreeable, and sweet, and fresh, and happy,
that the poor fellows would have liked above all things to have gotten
very near to them and have heard their kind words,--possibly shake
hands; but no, some were barefooted, some almost bareheaded; some were
still expecting clean clothes from home; some were sick and
disheartened; some were on guard; some _in the guard-house_, and others
too modest; and so, to many, the innocent visitor became a sort of
pleasant agony; as it were, a "bitter sweet." Nothing ever so promptly
convinced a Confederate soldier that he was dilapidated and not
altogether as neat as he might be, as sudden precipitation into the
presence of a neatly dressed, refined, and modest woman. Fortunately
for the men, the women loved the very rags they wore, if they were gray;
and when the war ended, they welcomed with open arms and hearts full of
love the man and his rags.

[Illustration: GIRLS IN CAMP.]

Preaching in camp was to many a great pleasure and greatly profitable.
At times intense religious interest pervaded the whole army, and
thousands of men gladly heard the tidings of salvation. Many afterwards
died triumphant, and many others are yet living, daily witnesses of the
great change wrought in them by the preaching of the faithful and able
men who, as chaplains, shared the dangers, hardships, and pleasures of
the campaign.

To all the foregoing comforts and conveniences must be added the
consolation afforded by the anticipation and daily expectation of a
furlough; which meant, of course, a blissful reunion with the dear ones
at home,--perhaps an interview or two with that historic maid who is
"left behind" by the soldier of all times and lands; plenty to eat;
general admiration of friends and relatives; invitations to dine, to
spend a week; and last, but not least, an opportunity to express
contempt for every able-bodied "bomb-proof" found sneaking about home.
Food, shelter, and rest, the grea