The Bomb Proof Officers Mess

Camp was long and boring though we were out of danger. No Confederate shells could hit us but we were in a low mood. Nothing happened. Then we were invited to view the BOMB PROOF OFFICERS MESS which was always restricted to us. What a sight! More drunkenness than all my nights in the Bowery. And they never ate the food. We had to wait while the regimental sketch artist made a portrait. Afterwards the officers left. We could eat, but only from the back of the shelter. We were fed handfuls of strange meat through the flaps. Being fed that way made us feel much in common with the ex-slave cooks.

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