sorely disappointed
to find that the army had started on its march to
Richmond; and that no civilians were allowed to
follow--not even to cross the Potomac into Virginia. So
there was nothing to do but see the sights in Washington
and return to our homes. But we had been there only two
days when the news came of a fight or skirmish on July
18th at Blackburn's Ford, where several were killed,
and one of the dead was the brother of my companion. It
was a terrible blow to my friend, and a great shock for
me.

We immediately telegraphed home, and at once came the
reply "Get the body, if you can, and send it home." Well,
we two lads went to the War Department and I suppose our
sorrowful tale moved them with compassion, for they gave
each of us a pass to go to the front to get the body of
the dead soldier. I've got that pass stowed away now,
among my papers, as a War curiosity. It reads,

Allow the bearer, Mr. Andrew J. Clement, to pass the
lines and go to the Front for the body of a friend.

DRAKE DE KAY
_Aid de Camp._

Later in the war, the death of a soldier was of too
little importance to awaken such sympathy at
Headquarters. Indeed, two days later, there were
thousands killed within two miles of the spot where those
killed in this skirmish were buried. After much
difficulty, we hired a light wagon in which my friend
rode, while I got a seat in an army wagon that was taking
out supplies. It was just midnight on Saturday July
20th when we started from Willard's Hotel on
Pennsylvania Avenue. There was a full moon, and the night
was lovely. I was all excitement. I was going to join the
army. I should see my brother, and perhaps I should see
the big battle everybody was talking about as soon to be
fought.

Well, I saw all that I expected to see and a good deal
more. As the horses toiled painfully all that night over
the rough and hilly roads, I little thought that on the
very next night I should be more painfully trudging back
over that very route footsore and weary, a gun on my
shoulder--and ready to fight if the victorious enemy came
up with us. Yet such was the case, and the gun in the
hall is the one that I carried to Washingto