two full
companies; and then, the companies themselves were mere skeletons, some
of them not exceeding a corporal's squad. These were certainly trying
times with the soldiers, being attended with constant hardships,
privations and adventures, from the beginning of the campaign to its
end. But still, those who did pass the fiery ordeal, stood up to it
like men, with fine spirits and light hearts, doing all that men could
do.

After some changing about, the brigade took up permanent quarters in
the outskirts of the city on the south-west side near the railroad. The
regiment now fixed up its camp in a substantial manner, and for a long
time took the military world easy, spending most of its time in going
to and from the city in pursuit of pleasure, and such.

There was not a little trading going on about this time with those who
had a disposition that way; in fact, it seemed that Sherman's whole
army had been suddenly metamorphosed into tobacco traders and other
kinds of merchants.

Atlanta was overstocked with tobacco, held by private individuals,
which was bought by the soldiers at low rates and peddled out with
handsome profits. Thus passed the time right briskly, all seeming to
have forgotten the past and to be living for the present only.

Shortly after the occupation of Atlanta, General Sherman ordered all
non-combatants to leave the city, going north or south as their
inclinations and interests might lead them. This order fell on the ears
of the inhabitants of Atlanta like a thunderbolt. Though they had lent
all the moral and physical assistance in their power to the cause of
the rebellion, they had begun to dream of the advent of the Federal
troops as the commencement of an era of quiet. They had never imagined
the war would reach Atlanta. Now that it had come, and kept its rough,
hot hand upon them for so many days, they were beginning to look
forward to a long period when they might enjoy at once the advantages
of the protection of a just and powerful government, and the luxuries
it would thus afford them. It was indeed a pitiful sight to see these
reluctant people leave their homes and property, but such was the
necessity in the case that it must be done.

Such are the cruel mandates of war, and they were obliged to abide its
consequences, having waged and maintained it.

About the middle of September there was an armistice of some days to
provide an exit south for these unfortunate people, and for the