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ll the official papers covering that trip. Here are copies of the papers required to get back to the regiment. They will give an idea of the conditions, getting in and out of Washington at that time, as well as of the load I had to carry back: HEAD-QUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 22, 1863. Lieutenant F. L. Hitchcock, 132d P. V., with servant, has permission to proceed to Falmouth, Va., for the purpose of rejoining his regiment, and to take the following articles for officers and men: (1) one drum, (3) three express packages, carpet sack containing liquors, (1) one box of provisions, (1) one box of clothing. Quartermaster please furnish transportation. By Command of Brigadier-General Martindale, Military Governor of Washington. JOHN P. SHERBURNE, _Assistant Adjutant-General_. No. 247. ASSISTANT-QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, SIXTH STREET WHARF, WASHINGTON, D. C., January 23, 1863. Pass on government boat to Aquia Creek, three boxes and one drum, liquors and sutlers' stores strictly excluded. For Adjutant F. L. Hitchcock, 132 Pa. Vols. J. M. ROBINSON, _Captain and A. Q. M._ The word liquors above is erased with a pen. It is difficult at this day to realize that Washington was surrounded with a cordon of sentries. All places of entrance and exit were under the strictest military surveillance. General Martindale, as its military governor, was supreme in authority. No one could come or go, and nothing be taken in or out, without his permission. The servant included in the above pass was a "contraband," picked up in Washington for the trip. There were hundreds of them clamoring for an opportunity to get down to the army. They were glad to do all one's drudgery for the chance of going, for once there, plenty of jobs could be found, besides the excitement and attractions of "Uncle Sam's" army were to them irresistible. I reached camp early in the evening and delivered my supplies, the officers being promptly on hand to receive them. The return of an officer from "civilization" was an event of no ordinary moment, and I had many calls that evening. The following anecdote of Major-General Howard was told that evening, apropos of the delivery of the "commissions" I had brought. The general was well known to be uncompromising in his opposition to the presence of liquor of any kind in camp, or elsewhere, and
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