. Three years in the army. The story of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers from July 16, 1861, to August 1, 1864 . little better off thanthe men, and as time wore on the difference became still less, whilethe hardships and privations increased, as will be seen farther along. Having made our huts as comfortable as possible, we settled downfor the winter, glad enough at the prospect of a respite, as we fondlyimagined, from marching and fighting. Some of the boys had takengreat pains in the construction of their huts, particularly in buildingfireplaces and other conveniences for their comfor
. Three years in the army. The story of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Volunteers from July 16, 1861, to August 1, 1864 . little better off thanthe men, and as time wore on the difference became still less, whilethe hardships and privations increased, as will be seen farther along. Having made our huts as comfortable as possible, we settled downfor the winter, glad enough at the prospect of a respite, as we fondlyimagined, from marching and fighting. Some of the boys had takengreat pains in the construction of their huts, particularly in buildingfireplaces and other conveniences for their comfort and pleasure. As long as the sutler remained with us, and our credit continued,we managed to live luxuriously, as compared with our experience ofthe last four months. We could always procure sugar and lemonsfrom the sutler, to which we added water; and when our effortswere successful, a little stimulant, for the stomachs sake. We had work enough during the day, chopping wood, policingcamp, guard duty, etc., to keep us from despising our evenings were spent in reading or playing cards, or, as it often. THIRTEENTH MASS. VOLS. 177 1863. happened, in dropping into each others huts for a chat or to hear the latest news. Newspapers were exchangedand their contents discussed. The published letters from corre-spondents were always read with interest, particularly those whichrelated to our own corps. The qualifications of general officers, and plans of battles, were alsofreely discussed. Songs were sung and gossip repeated. At someof these camp-fires curiosity would often be expressed to know whathad become of those shirks and bummers who believed with theHoly Writ that a living dog is better than a dead lion. We had,like other regiments, some curious specimens of this genus, and ournarrative would be incomplete without relating something about thesepatriots. There was one in particular whose blundering ways, when recalled,afforded a good deal of amusement. He was about as
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