_Nov. 27._ On Thanksgiving Day we gathered together all our
friends,--all our "set," at least,--and sat down, twenty-six of us,
together, to eat turkeys and pies. It was a rather formidable thing to
attempt, with negro servants and St. Helena supplies, but we had quite
a good time, and have done our duty in giving the party. It is
probably the last time that we'll all meet together. Those who are to
stay next year are all bemoaning their fate; together we have had a
very courteous and friendly circle,--rather peculiarly so for such a
rough kind of life and surroundings,--and the loss of so many as will
go will probably rob the work here of much of its pleasantness.
War, in the person of the triumphant Sherman, was again
drawing near, and the two young officers of the Fifty-Fifth
had barely celebrated Thanksgiving with the people from home
when they were summoned to take their part.