SOME SUPERPICIAL GLANCES
tically ends the work for the day. To those who are unfortunate
enough to be detailed for guard there is guard mounting and the
weary round after.
As the intense heat of the day gives place to the cooler atmos
phere of evening, discipline is somewhat relaxed. The Colonel
condescends to smoke a cigar with the Adjutant and down in the
hollow the men of the Pennsylvania and Missouri regiments are
having a ball game. Darkness comes on apace, lights twinkle
here and there and the hum of voices comes out of the darkness.
Suddenly froth away off somewhere the cry is raised: " We're
going to Cuba, We're going to Cuba." Instantly the hum of
conversation and laughter gives way to a wild shout. Men spring
to their feet, and throw their hats in the air. Regiment after
regiment and camp after camp takes it up and twenty thousand'
throats cheer exultingly at the thought of having a crack at the
hated Spaniard. As the sound begins to subside and the exulta
tion gives way to disgust at the realization that it is only an
other fake, away over at regimental headquarters a man hastily
glances at .his watch and springs into the starlight. Down
over the white city comes the sweetly beautiful notes of taps—
the soldier's good night. The regiment on the right takes it up
and passes it on. One by one the lights go out and the soldier's
day is done.
In many respects Meade was a model camp. The location was
high and healthy, access was easy and fine weather put the soldiers
in good spirits. The general appearance characterized the im
mediate neighborhood as in the Virginia country. Dusty roads,
loaded trolley cars, lumbering army wagons with their cursing
drivers, booths of all kinds to catch the soldier eye, pretty girls
with fluttering ribbands, young fellows in golf suits, wandering
Willies with one shirt, and elderly, well to do gentlemen with
dignity and silk hats made up the kaleidoscopic, ever changing
stream that rolled through Oak Lane and up past the camp of
the Second Tennessee.
From the hill top the scene was inspiring. At your feet lay the
Susquehanna river stretching to the York and Cumberland shores
a mile away. To the right, left and behind you were rows and
rows of tents while here and there a fluttering standard pro
claimed a regimental headquarters. No scrubby undergrowth