* * *

"I propose the health of the Assistant Surgeon," said the Chaplain, at a
supper given by the Sutler on the day of our muster out, and the
occasion of the presentation of a costly sword to our worthy
Colonel,--proposing thereby to make an advance towards healing their
differences. The Doctor could not escape; and winking, as usual with him
during excitement, he rose to his feet.

"My ver goot kind friend, the English language he am a shtranger to me.
No shpeak so goot as Shaplain, but py tam," and the Doctor struck the
table until the plates rattled--"was py the Shaplain over six month,
and my opinion is, Shaplains, women, and whiskey not goot for soldiers."

The Doctor's look and tones were irresistibly ludicrous, and a roar of
laughter at the expense of the Chaplain ran round the board.

* * * * *

The Regiment returned with ranks sadly thinned. Many of the survivors;
among them, most of the Field and Staff, the poetical and the preacher
Lieutenants, and privates Tom and Harry,--have re-entered service. The
two latter now carry swords.

* * * * *

Bill the cook is the presiding genius of a restaurant; his face, in the
way of reminding one of hot stews and pepper-pot, his best sign.
Charlie, his assistant, was last noticed in a photographic establishment
in Philadelphia; inclosing a full length card portrait of himself in
uniform, as a Corporal in a Black Regiment, for the benefit of his
master's family in Dixie.

* * * * *

The little Irish Corporal was heard to tell a brawling peace man,--as he
menaced with the stump of an arm,--lost at Chancellorsville--in a saloon
a short time after his return, to "hould his tongue; that the boys who
had lost limbs in defence of the country were the chappies to stump for
freedom, and that they would keep down all fires in the rear, while our
brave boys are fighting in front."

* * * * *

A late mail brings the news that our Western Virginia Captain is soon to
take the field at the head of a Black Regiment, and that the happiest
results are anticipated from his enforcement of military law and
tactics, as learned by him under "Old Rosy," in Western Virginia.

* * * * *

Thus we go on. Necessity hastens the progress of civilization and
freedom. Desolating war--protracted by mistaken leniency--has