with the burning of a good number of buildings
on the route, was a brilliant punishment, which proved an effectual
remedy.

Christmas was observed according to the common practice of feasting on
pies, cakes, fowls and other luxuries that had been preserved for that
occasion. Mess No. 5 digressed from the usual custom, by having an
oyster supper, prepared by unusual hands. The other messes fully
sustained their culinary reputation, and thought themselves not far
behind their enviable comrades of No. 5. That was not, by any means, an
unhappy day, in spite of the protestation that one important element of
society was lacking. And yet, very few will ever hope that circumstances
will render it necessary for them to spend another Christmas in like
manner.

[Sidenote: Romney.]

It appears that, for three months, Stonewall Jackson had meditated an
attack upon Romney, with the reasonable hope of capturing the whole
garrison. Gen. Lander had so well anticipated his movement as to
evacuate the town during the night before the very morning on which the
rebel General had expected to pounce upon his prey. At 10 P. M. of
January 10, 1862, the Union force moved from the town with its baggage
and stores, and marching via Springfield and Frankfort, arrived at 4 P.
M. of the 11th at Patterson's Creek, on the B. & O. R. R., a few miles
from Cumberland, Md. The site for the camp was the worst possible in all
that country. The snow lay on the ground and was filled with water that
had fallen during the day. The ground itself was a swamp. These three
circumstances, combined, had prepared a soft bed for the weary, hungry,
foot-sore soldier.

The sea of mud, stirred and kneaded by 8000 soldiers, was altogether
indescribable, for only a comparatively small portion was on the top in
sight.

[Sidenote: Patterson's Creek.]

It is said that there was a time when the highway in Chicago might be
traced by the hats of the teamsters. At Patterson's Creek the ears of
the mules might well serve the same purpose.

Every body seemed to curse the mud, and nobody to take its part. But it
deserved great praise for the gentle manner in which it received the
forms of the commissioned officers, when they were unable to sit upon
their nags. Not one of them was known to be severely injured by a fall
during the stay at that camp. Here, Prof. Ellis visited the company a
few days, sharing the lot of the private soldier. To accommodate him at
night, it wa