The oath was then administered to us, and two day's rations of corn meal and fresh beef were issued.
This formality removed the last lingering doubt that we had of the exchange being a reality, and we gave way to the happiest emotions.
We cheered ourselves hoarse, and the fellows still inside followed our example, as they expected that they would share our good fortune in a day or two.
Our next performance was to set to work, cook our two days' rations at once and eat them.

This was not very difficult, as the whole supply for two days would hardly make one square meal.

That done, many of the boys went to the guard line and threw their blankets, clothing, cooking utensils, etc., to their comrades who were still inside.

No one thought they would have any further use for such things.
"To-morrow, at this time, thank Heaven," said a boy near me, as he tossed his blanket and overcoat back to some one inside, "we'll be in God's country, and then I wouldn't touch them d---d lousy old rags with a ten-foot pole." One of the boys in the M squad was a Maine infantryman, who had been with me in the Pemberton building, in Richmond, and had fashioned himself a little square pan out of a tin plate of a tobacco press, such as I have described in an earlier chapter.

He had carried it with him ever since, and it was his sole vessel for all purposes--for cooking, carrying water, drawing rations, etc.