Plodding and thinking

              56
tain, not more than ten feet above us and extending over the whole width of the train.  Plodder thot.  What if it should fall just as we get under it?
We arrived at Parkersburg before sunset, and Plodder gazed with admiration up¬ on the pretty city reclining on the sloping banks of the Ohio River, and the charming bluffs around it, one of which was crowned with a fort.  A pleasant place was found for the night's encampment, and on the morrow several steamboats were at hand to convey the division down the river. When all were embarked and the fleet steaming on its way, it was an inspiring sight, and a joyful one when reflecting that they were not now on the way to scenes of carnage, for the last battle of the cruel war was fought, and these remnants of the hosts that went forth to rescue the Nation from destruction were returning to their homes crown¬ ed with victory, to enjoy the blessings of peace, the plaudits of their friends, and the gratitude of a race redeemed from bondage.
Almost three days and two nights were spent on this voyage down the Ohio, and it was one of great pleasure and profit to Plodder.  Delighted with the scenes on both sides of the river, and yet profoundly impressed by the contrasting blessings of freedom seen on his right and curse of slavery on his left.  On the Ohio side were marks of thrift everywhere, well tilled fields, prosperous look¬ ing homes, and the cities seemed the abode of lively contented people.  But a blight was over all the Kentucky side that we saw, worn out plantations, untidy dilapidated homes and an air of discouragement everywhere.
Plodder wanted to see Cincinnati but we arrived there very late on a dark night and all that we could see was a few lights in the buildings along the shore.  We disembarked at Louisville in the afternoon of the third day, but instead of march¬ ing to camp as we expected, a ferry-boat took us up and across the river to Jeff- ersonville, Indiana where we made our camp just outside the city, and along the banks of the river. It was an unfortunate location, only a few feet above the river and subject to malaria.  Many of the men on their return home shook with ague until they got it driven out of their systems.  Plodder was one of the number.
After being settled in camp again the same spirit of impatience at delay began to be manifest.  It is indeed very trying to have to hang around day after day waiting for things that must be done before you can go to pleasures on which your heart is set.  Faultfinding and unpleasant rumors again appeared and grumblers were numerous.  Some said that instead of going home we were to go to Texas and wouldn't get home before New Year, and various evil plots were said to be con¬ cocted.  But some of us were undismayed by such talk and believed that worry was useless for we would be sent home as soon as the arrangements could be com- leted.  But the boys were not wholly idle.  There were camp duties, and each one had his own affairs to attend to, and there were some diversions each day, one which many enjoyed was swimming in the river, when some of them would swim across to the Kentucky shore, and, after a rest, swim back.  One of the boats that plied up and down the river had a steam calliope, and when it passed the camp it would play, "The Girl I Left Behind Me", and the boys answered it with cheers.  One day the Surgeon sent Plodder on his horse to Louisville in charge of two army wagons, with an order on the government store house, and he got the wagons filled with hospital supplies, including food preparations and other thirigs good for the soldiers that were not carried in the commissary supplies.
When the fourth of July dawned it found the boys of the 36th still in camp, dis¬ appointed, resentful, and complaining. They could see no good reason for their