The returned Richmond prisoners of the 27th.

Joe told us of the pretty reception they had given the returned Richmond prisoners of the 27th. It was a shockingly muddy day or the whole brigade would have marched down to meet them. As it was, the General and Staff and the 27th marched as far as the Brigade Hospital, where they met the poor fellows trudging up the hill, each with his little bundle. They gave them a grand greeting with band-playing and hand-shaking and then the procession was formed: first the band, then the prisoners at the head of the column, then the rest of the regiment, and the General and Staff bringing up the rear. As they marched through the different camps there was a perfect ovation, friends and strangers alike smothering them with hugs, cheering them, slapping them on the back and “old-fellowing” them. The regimental bands were all out in force and the camp of the 27th was dressed festively for the occasion, the procession entering it by an archway over which hung the words “Welcome, Comrades! Your wounds bleed afresh in our hearts…” They were all more or less wounded but are now in pretty good condition and all are to have a furlough of thirty days.