n the Virginia was ready to sail, all the soldiers were transferred
off to her in lighters. On reaching the deck they were all examined for
revolvers and other weapons that when found were immediately placed in
the charge of the quarter-master to be returned on reaching New York.
There were a number of German emigrants and the steamship officers
thought there might be some trouble. Besides the soldiers, there were
eight hundred emigrants from different parts of Europe, mostly from
Ireland and about fifty cabin passengers. The voyage was very rough and
occupied twenty-one days. Many a wild trick was played in that steerage.
Many a skirmish was nipped in the bud through the watchful care of the
officers of the Virginia, which otherwise might have led to bloodshed.
The favorite amusement was cutting down hammocks. Dark forms might be
seen on all fours making their way on the greasy and slippery deck in
the direction of selected victims. The sharp blade of a knife would be
drawn across the taut cord that supported the hammock. Then an uproar
that awakened the entire steerage would take place. If the one who
was cut down happened to be an Irishman, he would loudly challenge all
the passengers to come up and fight him, not caring whether they came
in ones or hundreds. His invitation not being accepted he would
generally pounce upon some unfortunate swinging near, and a scuffle
would ensue in which the contestants were encouraged by hundreds of
yells and cat-calls that would bring every steward on the ship into the
steerage.

During the long voyage the soldiers suffered greatly from want of
tobacco. The ship's doctor, a little Irishman from Dublin, often
supplied them with the much needed article, and he had more influence
over them than all the other officers on board. His quick wit one day
prevented a fight that threatened to end most seriously. It was one of
the few fine days that they experienced in the passage and all the
hatches were being removed for fresh air. A German emigrant drew a
knife on one of the soldiers and made a vicious slash at him. Sides
were immediately formed between the soldiers and emigrants and the
fight commenced right under the main hatch. It was interrupted by loud
cries from above:

"Here you are! Here is what you want. Stop that fighting!"

Looking up they perceived the little doctor seated above with a large
supply of tobacco, which he was throwing among the conte