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Show TO FORT KEARNEY. 7 afforded in the latter all that the ingenuity of the great contractor could offer a Colfax and party. Our marches were from 18 to 2O miles a day ; starting at 5 o'clock in the morning, and going into camp usually about noon. The remainder of the day was spent in such recrea tions and amusements as the country afforded, and the taste of the indiuidual would lead him to indulge in. But to me the whole march was recreation and amusement. Not being required to accompany the column, I wandered off for miles in search of the better game of the country. Everywhere we found birds numerous. For prairie chickens we hunted away from the road : for duqks along the streams, and in the little pones to be found here and there ; for the English plover we sought out the marshy places, and there were the snipe also ; for the smaller birds prairie plover, and meadow larks it was not necessary to leave the road, but shoot them from the ambulances as we rode along. Those of us fond of bird- shooting found abundance of such sport, and our tables were daily supplied with at least some luxuries which would be highly relished even in New Orleans where ' there is always so much to gratify the palate. I remember on one occasion bringing down with the two loads of my gun, nine large English plovers more than a mess for all the ladies in camp. In the afternoon it was no uncommon thing to catch within a hundred yards of our camp ( for we always camped on a stream), a good mess of small pan- fish for our early breakfast the next morning. So with plenty of prairie chickens, ducks, plover, fish, potatoes, and canned vegetables, in variety, there was but little danger of scurvy to be apprehended among those who could indulge in such luxuries. The evenings were spent in the tents playing chess or cards, or in reading or conversation, according to the inclination of the party. But I early sought the embrace of Morpheus to be willing to rise at the sound of reveille in the morning, which usually was heard at 3^ or 4 o'clock. Think of the trial, in this way imposed upon an individual, who, up to the commencement of the march, indulged in the |