They withdrew and set up camp in Washington, where all they did was drill and stand guard duty and wait for the Rebs to come and take the city—which most everybody said they could do with a good company of men—and Charley went to see some sights, but it rained most of the time so he went back to the camp before his pass expired. The Rebs did not come, and replacements poured into all the units. They were issued new uniforms—heavy wool, proper blue, with black leather belting—and, more important, they were finally paid after nearly three months. Charley was given thirty-three dollars in gold coins. It was more money than he’d ever had, more money than he’d ever seen, and he was sorely tempted to spend it all on himself. He did not think he would live much longer—not past another battle—and he thought of all the things he could get with the money. The sutler had come and there were pies for the outrageous sum of twenty-five cents each and he’d been on salt pork and beans for over a month.
