and hot rolls furnished in wholesome abundance, to the great
benefit of the Government, for hospital rolls were thereby depleted, and
reports for duty increased. Rigid discipline and daily drills too were
kept up, as "Old Joe" was a frequent visitor, when least expected. His
constant solicitude for the welfare of the men, manifested by close
personal attention, which the men themselves were witness to, rather
than by concocted newspaper reports, by which the friends of the soldier
in their loyal homes might be imposed upon, and the soldier himself not
benefited, endeared him to his entire command.

* * * * *

One clear, cold morning, during these palmy days of the army, the men of
the regiment nearest the Surgeon's Quarters were greatly surprised by
the sudden exit of a small-sized sheet iron stove from the tent occupied
by the Surgeon and Chaplain, closely followed up by the little Dutch
Doctor in his shirt sleeves, sputtering hurriedly--

"Tam schmoke pox!" and at every ejaculation bestowing a vigorous kick.
At a reasonably safe distance in his rear was the Chaplain, in half
undress also, remonstrating as coolly as possible,--considering that the
stove was his property. The Doctor did not refrain, however, until its
badly battered fragments lay at intervals upon the ground.

"Efry morn, and efry morn, schmoke shust as the Tuyfel. I no need
prepare for next world py that tam shmoke pox. Eh?" continued the
Doctor, facing the Chaplain.

"Come, Doctor," said the Chaplain, soothingly, "we ought to get along
better than this in our department."

"Shaplain's department! Eh! By G--t! One Horse-Doctor and one Shaplain
enough for a whole Division!"

The sudden appearance of Bill, the attendant upon the Colonels in the
Sibley, at the Adjutant's quarters, had the effect of transferring
hither the crowd, who were enjoying what proved to be a final
dissolution of partnership between the Chaplain and the Doctor.

"I know your errand, Bill," remarked the Adjutant, looking him full in
the face. "An orderly has just handed me the General Order. But what is
to become of the Lieutenant-Colonel?"

"You only have the order dismissing the Colonel, then. There was a
message sent about ten o'clock last night, a little after the General
Order was received at the Sibley, stating that at day-break this morning
the Colonel should be escorted to Aquia under guard, and that before
leaving he should have no