West Point, July 28, 1869.] We plebes were sent to the river a number of times to assist the first classmen to build pontoon bridges, and we rendered very valuable assistance, too, by carrying all heavy timbers used and helping to get the boats in place for the timbers to be laid upon them. NOTE 1. Fort Clinton ditch, then along the north side of the camp ground, was filled up and that part of the parapet removed long ago, the major part of this fort being now used for an extension of the camp. RETURN OF THE FURLOUGH CLASS. There’s a stir in Camp, as all observers may see, ’Tis a moment of interest, a moment of glee. The “Furloughs” are coming, and now must be near; There is dust, there is shouting, the “Furloughs” are here. We welcome you back to the Camp and the plain, There your favorite “Tac” will drill you again. The 28th of August is a day every graduate remembers, for it is then the furloughmen return. I can see them now rushing[25] into camp. That evening there was a great time out on the color line; we plebes were turned out for the last time to amuse upper classmen. H⸺e and others sang their songs. Some of them had been sung so often that everybody knew them and joined in. The evening was a perfect one, and there were many ladies under the trees near the guard tents, who heaved a sigh to think that all gayeties were over at West Point until the next June. The following are some of the songs that were so often sung during my cadet days, to-wit: Old Black Joe, Dixie, Marching Through Georgia, Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, Hail Columbia, Star Spangled Banner, My Country, Annie Laurie, Red, White and Blue, Home, Sweet Home, Suanee River, Auld Lang Syne. ARMY BLUE. We’ve not much longer here to stay, For in a year or two We’ll bid farewell to “Cadet Gray,” And don the “Army Blue.” Chorus— Army Blue, Army Blue, We’ll don the Army Blue, We’ll bid farewell to Cadet Gray, And don the Army Blue. To the ladies who come up in June, We’ll bid a fond adieu, And hoping they’ll be married soon, We’ll don the Army Blue. Chorus— Now here’s to the man who wins “the cup,” May he be kind and true, And may he bring “our godson” up To don the Army Blue. Chorus— BENNY HAVENS, OH! Come, fill your glasses, fellows, and stand up in a row, To singing sentimentally, we’re going for to go; In the Army there’s sobriety, promotion’s very slow, So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh! Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! Oh! Benny Havens, Oh! So we’ll sing our reminiscences of Benny Havens, Oh!