f the men, "not conquered, but
wearied with victory," on the mule, gave him an old meal-bag, and sent
him to a neighbor's for meal and bacon. He got, say, a peck of one and a
pound or two of the other. This proceeding was repeated at intervals of
a day or two, and finally led to the conclusion that the farmer was
living from hand to mouth certainly, and in all probability on charity.
Besides, the "new hands" felt a growing indisposition, owing to the
meagre supplies on the table, to allow themselves any latitude in the
matter of eating. So they resolved to try the good old plan of days
gone by, and send out a foraging party. The plans were discussed at
length, and everything decided.

One morning, early, the senior of the "endeared" survivors took the road
for Richmond, distant about fourteen miles, intending there to lay in
food, tobacco, pipes, information, and any other little thing calculated
to brighten life on a farm. During his absence the other forlorn
survivor groaned with impatience and doubt, questioning the possibility
of a man returning to such a place after seeing the luxurious supplies
of good eating on exhibition by the Yankee sutlers in Richmond.

But he did return, like a good comrade, bringing his "plunder" with him.
He made the round trip of twenty-eight miles on foot, and at midnight
reached the "quarters" with cold ham, good bread, pipes, smoking
tobacco, chewing tobacco, a few clean clothes, and a good pair of shoes,
which one of the party needed. These were the gift of an old friend in
town. Sitting on the bedside, as morning approached, they made a hearty
meal, and then smoked, smoked, smoked, as only men can smoke who love to
smoke and have not had the wherewithal for a week or two.

The returned forager told of the strange sights he had seen in town.
Some young Confederates, who were smart, were at work in the ruins
cleaning bricks at five dollars a day. Others had government work, as
clerks, mechanics, and laborers, earning from one to five dollars a day.
The government had established commissary stores at different points in
the city, where rations were sold, at nominal prices, to those who could
buy, and supplied gratis to those who could not. He had seen gray-haired
old gentlemen, all their lives used to plenty, standing about these
places, waiting "their turn" to "draw." Soldiers marched by twos and
fours and by companies, everywhere. Captains and lieutenants, sergeants
and corporals, w