A lanky figure in a worn coat of blue approaches the noise of the party and casts open the door. A quick scan of the room to take in the festivities leads to a slight twinkle in his steely gaze - "more stars in here than in DC".
As his eyes fall upon the two guests of honor, he glances at his own shoulderboards, making a note that the gold is getting a bit dull, and the stars had lost their shine long before. He also stole a self-conscious glance at his coat's lack of ribbons. "Well, General Walter's earned every bit of what he's got and more," he thinks to himself, "after all, you're still a pup to many in this mans army".
Straightening again, and hanging coat and hat on a peg, he strides over to General's Walter and Miller. Clapping each on the shoulder he bellows "Barkeep, a pint from the keg, if you please. I'm here to toast two of the finest fighting men we've got!"[^]
General Jeff Laub
Army of the Potomac
Assistant Commandant, Union War College
http://www.geocities.com/laubster22/AoP/