Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

A camp celebration.--A Maine regiment celebrated their flag-raising, near Beaufort, S. C., with a wild entertainment, consisting of foot-races, mock parades. climbing of greased poles, etc. One part of it is thus described:

The next comical feat was performed by several small colored boys, who were to hunt with their heads for a piece of money in a tub of meal, with their hands tied behind their backs. The tub, filled with meal, was placed on the ground, and the boy on his knees commenced his explorations, with his mouth open to seize the money. As he would bring up his head to regain his breath and puff out a mouthful of meal, and show to the crowd a mealy face with little stripes and spots of black in fine contrast, and the back of his head appearing through, the effect was so ludicrous that there was a universal shout of laughter, and when the boy at last appeared with the money between his teeth, the cheering was vociferous. Two other boys made the attempt, but were unsuccessful; they were rewarded for their exertions, however, and left the field, “the observed of all observers.”